JP2010146485A - Image processor, control method, image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which efficiently performs interruption printing in a pull print printing system, and to provide a method for controlling the same, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor capable of communicating with a printing management server which manages printing data in association with user identification information is provided with: a reception means which receives the user identification information in order to log-in the information processing apparatus; a printing means which prints printing data of a first user associated with the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means; a printing determination means which, when the reception means receives the user identification information of a second user, determines whether the printing data of the first user is presently printed; and an interruption printing means which, when the printing determination means determines that the printing data of the first user is presently printed, interrupts and prints the printing data of the second user associated with the user identification information of the second user in response to the re-reception of the user identification information of the first user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method, an image processing system, and a program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that performs login processing by receiving user identification information.

Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus that performs a login process by reading a storage medium storing identification information by a reader, a printing process is performed based on the identification information, and an interrupt process is performed based on a difference in the identification information read by the reader. A system for performing the above is considered.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a printing system that can easily execute processing reflecting settings assigned to a user who interrupts when interrupting processing using card authentication.

JP 2008-137329 A

  However, in the printing system described in Patent Document 1, interrupting print processing is possible by performing card authentication, but interrupt printing is started at the judgment of the interrupter without the consent of the printer, and the printer However, there is a problem that printing is interrupted unintentionally. Especially in a “pull print (accumulated print)” printing system, it is possible to display a list of jobs accumulated in the management server, and the user can select a desired job for printing. When printing is performed, there is a problem that the interrupted printer waits for a long time without permission.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to print the current print data when interrupting the print data of the second user when the user identification information of the second user different from the first user currently printing is received. By providing re-acceptance of the identification information of the first user who is present, a mechanism that enables convenient interrupt printing can be provided.
Also, during interrupt printing, logging in to the image processing apparatus as a second user different from the first user who is currently printing, and selecting the print data to be interrupted, makes it possible to perform highly convenient interrupt printing. Provide a mechanism that can be
Furthermore, a mechanism is provided that allows highly convenient interrupt printing by automatically logging in the first user again after interrupt printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, and the user identification for logging in to the image processing apparatus. Receiving means for receiving information, printing means for printing the print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means, and a user of the second user by the receiving means When the identification information is received, a print determination unit that determines whether or not the print data of the first user is being printed, and the print data of the first user is being printed by the print determination unit If it is determined, in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user, an interrupt mark of the print data of the second user corresponding to the user identification information of the second user The interrupt print means for the an image processing apparatus comprising: a.

  With the above configuration, when a second user different from the first user who is currently printing performs interrupt printing, it is necessary to re-accept the user identification information of the first user who is printing. Interrupt printing is not performed under certain conditions, and the convenience of interrupt printing is improved.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention prompts the user identification information of the first user to be re-accepted when the print determination unit determines that the print data of the first user is being printed. A re-acceptance notification unit is further provided.

  This allows the second user to confirm that the consent of the first user during printing is necessary.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention further comprises a print interrupting unit for interrupting printing of the print data of the first user before interrupt printing of the print data of the second user by the interrupt printing unit. Prepare.

  In addition, after the interrupt printing unit performs interrupt printing of the print data of the second user, the printing unit further includes a print restarting unit that resumes printing of the print data of the first user interrupted by the print interrupting unit.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention further includes an interrupt printing enable / disable determining unit that determines whether interrupt printing of the print data of the second user is possible, wherein the interrupt printing unit includes the interrupt printing unit, If it is determined by the interrupt printing enable / disable determining unit that the interrupt printing of the print data of the second user is possible, the second user's user identification information is not re-accepted and the second user's print data is not received. Performs interrupt printing of print data.

  With the above configuration, when the print data of the second user is interrupted and it is determined that printing is possible, interrupt printing can be performed without obtaining the consent of the first user. Convenience is improved.

  An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a log-in means for logging in the image processing apparatus to the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user accepted by the accepting means. When the user identification information of the second user is received, the first user determines whether or not the first user is logged in to the image processing apparatus and the login determination unit If it is determined that the user is logged in to the image processing apparatus, logout means for logging out the first user and print data for interrupt printing from the second user print data are designated in order to designate the second data. Interrupt login means for interrupting and logging in the user.

  With the above configuration, when interrupt printing is performed, it is possible to log in to the image processing apparatus to select data to be printed, so that the convenience of interrupt printing is improved.

  The apparatus further comprises re-login means for automatically logging in the first user again after interrupt printing of the print data of the second user.

  With the above configuration, the first user can be automatically logged in again after the second user's interrupt printing, so the convenience of interrupt printing is improved.

  The logout means stores screen information of an operation screen of the image processing apparatus when the first user logs out, and the re-login means stores the screen information when the first user logs in again. Based on the above, the operation screen of the image processing apparatus is displayed again.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to return to the operation screen in the state before the interrupt printing and resume the printing operation before the interrupt printing, thereby improving the convenience of the interrupt printing.

  An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a print data list acquisition request unit that issues a print data list acquisition request to acquire a list of print data of a user corresponding to the user identification information received by the reception unit; A print data list display means for displaying the print data list received in response to a print data list acquisition request; a print data specification means for specifying print data from the print data list displayed by the print data list display means; The printing unit and the interrupt printing unit print the print data designated by the print data designation unit among the print data of the print data list.

  With the configuration described above, the user can select and print data to be printed. In particular, since the user who performs interrupt printing can select print data to be printed, the convenience of interrupt printing is improved.

  The print data list displayed by the print data list display means further includes interrupt print enable / disable setting means for setting whether or not interrupt print of another print data is possible.

  With the above configuration, for example, it is possible to disable interrupts for print data that the first user does not want to perform interrupt printing, and the convenience of interrupt printing is improved.

  A second invention is a control method in an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, wherein the image processing apparatus is a user who logs in to the image processing apparatus. A receiving step for receiving identification information, a printing step in which the image processing apparatus prints print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received in the receiving step, and the image processing When the apparatus receives the user identification information of the second user in the reception step, the print determination step for determining whether or not the print data of the first user is being printed, and the image processing device, When it is determined in the print determination step that the print data of the first user is being printed, the second user is received in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. The interrupt print process of the interrupt printing of the print data of the second user corresponding to the user identification information of a control method characterized in that it comprises.

  A third invention is an image processing system including a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, and an image processing apparatus that can communicate with the print server. The image processing apparatus includes: Receiving means for receiving user identification information to log in to the processing apparatus; printing means for printing print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means; When the means receives the user identification information of the second user, the print determination means for determining whether or not the print data of the first user is being printed, and the print determination means When it is determined that the print data is being printed, the second data corresponding to the user identification information of the second user is received in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. Interrupt printing means for interrupt printing of the user's print data, and the print management server outputs the print data in response to a print instruction from the printing means or an interrupt print instruction from the interrupt printing means. An image processing system comprising transmission means for transmitting to the image processing apparatus.

  A fourth invention is a control method in an image processing system comprising a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, and an image processing apparatus that can communicate with the print server, wherein the image processing apparatus Accepting user identification information to log in to the image processing apparatus; and the first user print data corresponding to the user identification information of the first user accepted by the image processing apparatus in the accepting process. A printing process for performing printing, and a printing for determining whether the print data of the first user is being printed when the image processing apparatus receives the user identification information of the second user in the receiving process. And when the image processing apparatus determines that the print data of the first user is being printed in the print determination step, the user of the first user In response to re-acceptance of identification information, an interrupt printing process for performing interrupt printing of print data of the second user corresponding to the user identification information of the second user, and the print management server in the printing process And a transmission step of transmitting print data to the image processing apparatus in response to an interrupt printing instruction in the interrupt printing step.

  A fifth invention is a program for causing an image processing apparatus to function as the image processing apparatus of the first invention.

  A sixth invention is a program for controlling the image processing apparatus and the print management server by the control method of the fourth invention.

  According to the present invention, when user identification information of a second user different from the first user who is currently printing is received, when the second user's print data is interrupted, the first currently printed By re-accepting the user identification information, it is possible to perform highly convenient interrupt printing.

Also, during interrupt printing, logging in to the image processing apparatus as a second user different from the first user who is currently printing, and selecting the print data to be interrupted, makes it possible to perform highly convenient interrupt printing. Can be made.
Furthermore, it is possible to perform highly convenient interrupt printing by automatically logging in the first user again after interrupt printing.

  As described above, for example, convenience in interrupt printing in a pull print printing system can be improved. In particular, since it is possible to obtain the user's acceptance of interruption during printing, it is possible to prevent the user's printing during printing from being interrupted unintentionally in the pull print printing system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print system (image processing system) 1 to which the image processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the office A10 of the print system 1 includes one or a plurality of client PCs 100 (for example, for each user), one or a plurality of print servers 200 (for example, installed for each floor of a company building), one or a plurality. MFP (image processing apparatus) 300 (for example, installed on each floor of a company building), print management server 400, one or a plurality of login service PCs 500 (for example, installed on each floor of a company building), directory service server 600, IC card An authentication server 800 is connected via a local area network (LAN) 700.

  A printer driver is installed in the client PC 100. The printer driver generates print data based on the data received from the application program, transmits the print data to the print server 200, and the like. Can be stored in the storage location (spool area).

The print server 200 can generate bibliographic information data corresponding to the print data received from the client PC 100, transmit it to the print management server 400, and store it in a predetermined storage location of the print management server 400. Further, the print server 200 controls the transfer of the print data stored in the predetermined storage location to the multi-function device 300 based on a command for executing an LPR (Line Printer daemon protocol) received from the outside.
The bibliographic information data is generated from bibliographic information such as a login user name, a print data storage server IP address, and a time stamp included in the print data header when printing with the printer driver of the client PC 100. is there.

The print management server 400 includes a bibliographic information DB (database), receives bibliographic information corresponding to the print data stored in the print server 200 from the print server 200, and stores and manages the bibliographic information DB.
Further, the print management server 400 responds to the print request from the multi-function apparatus 300 (print data print request corresponding to the bibliographic information managed by the bibliographic information DB) corresponding to the IP address described in the bibliographic information. A print instruction for the print data is issued to the print server 200 as a device.

  The IC card authentication server 800 stores an IC card authentication table (shown in FIG. 5 to be described later), and performs an authentication process using the IC card authentication table in response to an authentication request by the IC card from the multifunction device 300. Do.

  The login service PC 500 is a login user name and password of the client PC 100 (for example, a login user name and password of Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation) that is stored and managed by the directory service server 600 as a login service of the MFP 300. Authentication processing (SSO (Single-Sign-ON)) based on the system, for example, a personal computer equipped with a Canon security agent service.

The directory service server 600 includes hardware resources such as servers, clients, and printers existing on the network, and user attributes (such as a login user name and password of the client PC 100) (for example, Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation). Information such as the login user name and password), and the access right, etc., are centrally stored and managed. For example, the active directory (Active
A server equipped with a (Directory) function.

  Further, the print system 1 includes a business office A10 configured as described above and one or a plurality of client PCs 100, one or a plurality of print servers 200, and one or a plurality of multifunction peripherals 300 connected via a LAN 700. A plurality of offices B20 may be connected via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 900.

  In addition, an IC card authentication table (FIG. 5) is separately provided in the multifunction device 300, and if authentication cannot be performed by the IC card authentication server, authentication is performed in the multifunction device 300 using the IC card authentication table. To do.

  Further, the IC card authentication server 800 is configured to perform IC card authentication. However, the IC card authentication server 800 may be integrated with the print management server 400. Further, the IC card authentication server 800 cooperates with the login service PC 500 and the login service PC 500 Authentication may be executed. At this time, the print management server 400 does not refer to the IC card authentication table if it is authenticated by the login service PC 500 and can be determined as a legitimate user.

  In FIG. 1, the print server 200, the print management server 400, and the IC card authentication server 800 are shown in separate cases, but it is also possible to configure all servers or any two servers in the same case. There are various configurations depending on the form of operating the print system 1 according to the present invention. For example, even if the print server 200 and the print management server 400 are operated as a print management server that is a single casing, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, information processing apparatus hardware applicable to the client PC 100, print server 200, print management server 400, login service PC 500, directory service server 600, and IC card authentication server 800 shown in FIG. The configuration will be described.
2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100, the print server 200, the print management server 400, the login service PC 500, the directory service server 600, and the IC card authentication server 800 shown in FIG. It is.

  In FIG. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or an external memory 211 has a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, and functions executed by each server or each PC. Various programs described below necessary for realizing the above are stored.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). The video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  The memory controller 207 is an external storage device such as a hard disk (HD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc., a flexible disk (FD), or a PCMCIA (Personal Computer). Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a Compact Flash (registered trademark) memory connected to a Memory Card International Association (Card Memory) card slot via an adapter.

A communication I / F (interface) controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network such as the LAN 700 shown in FIG. 1, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is possible.
Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211, and are executed by the CPU 201 by loading them into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit 316 that controls the multifunction peripheral 300 as the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit 316 of the multifunction peripheral 300 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a controller unit 316 is connected to a printer 312 functioning as an image output device, while a LAN such as the LAN 700 shown in FIG. 1, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and the like. By connecting to a public line (WAN), image data and device information are input / output.

In the controller unit 316, the CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.
The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304 is an external storage device and stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like. The HDD 304 stores the IC card authentication table 50 shown in FIG.

The operation unit I / F 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information such as user information input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.
Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.
A network I / F 305 is connected to a network such as the LAN 700 and inputs / outputs data.
A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line network, and inputs and outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.
The external I / F 318 is an USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394, a printer port, an RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232 Version), and an RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232 Version). A card reader 319 for reading required IC cards is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card.
The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

The image bus I / F 320 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure.
The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.
A RIP (Raster Image Processor) 310 develops, for example, vector data such as a PDL (Page Description Language) code into a bitmap image.

A printer I / F 311 connects the printer 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.
The image processing unit 317 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for binary image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.
The scanner 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, or ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array onto the paper. There is an inkjet method for directly printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

The operation unit 308 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit in the case of a multifunction peripheral, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD to display a system operation screen and a displayed key is pressed. The position information is transmitted to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 307.
The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys. Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.
In the case of one printer, it has a small LCD display compared to a multifunction machine and has only simple hard keys such as arrow keys.

The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified.
Since the IC card is used, the card reader 319 is provided. However, in addition to the IC card, authentication using a fingerprint or a finger vein can be used. In that case, the card reader 319 can be realized by replacing it with a fingerprint reader or a finger vein reader.
With the configuration described above, the printer 300 can print out print data received from the LAN 700 using the printer 312.
Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, the flow of print processing in the print system 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The flow of print processing in the print system 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to two embodiments. That is, when there are two use cases (first embodiment) and when there are three or more use cases (second embodiment). However, in both cases, the configuration described above is used as the configuration of the print system 1.

[First embodiment]
First, the flow of print processing in the print system 1 of the present invention when there are two use cases will be described with reference to FIGS.
4 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the bibliographic information data 40, FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the IC card authentication table 50, and FIG. 6 shows the overall flow of the printing process in the print system 1. 7 is a first data configuration diagram illustrating an example of memory data, FIG. 8 is a second data configuration diagram illustrating an example of memory data, and FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a user screen. 10 is a first flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure, FIG. 11 is a second flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure, and FIG. 12 is a second diagram showing an example of a user screen. FIG. 13 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a user screen, and FIG. 14 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of a user screen.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, first, the user logs in to the client PC 100 and issues a print instruction to the logical printer corresponding to the printer driver set as the print destination from an application program executed on the client PC 100.
In response to this print instruction, the application program of the client PC 100 transmits data to the printer driver via the graphic engine. The printer driver of the client PC 100 generates print data based on the data received from the application program via the graphic engine (step S601). Then, the client PC 100 transmits the generated print data to the print server 200 (step S602), and the print server 200 stores the print data in a predetermined storage location (step S603).
Note that transmission from the client PC 100 to the print server 200 is performed using, for example, an LPR printing mechanism. Further, even if the print data is stored in the predetermined storage location, the print server 200 does not transmit to the printing apparatus at this time.

  Next, the print server 200 extracts and generates the bibliographic information data 400 shown in FIG. 4 from the print data received from the client PC 100 and stored in the predetermined storage location (step S604). The print server 200 transmits the extracted and generated bibliographic information data 40 to the print management server 400 (step S605), and uses a predetermined file storage location (preliminarily stored in the print management server 400 using a file sharing mechanism on the network). Stored in the set directory) (step S606).

Here, bibliographic information data will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the bibliographic information data 40 includes a login user name 401, a print data storage server IP address 402, a print data path 403, a document name 404, the number of copies 405, a page 406, an error presence / absence 407, a time stamp 408, It consists of information such as interrupt printing enable / disable 409 and interrupt permission job count 410.

A login user name 401 indicates a login user name of the client PC 100, for example.
The print data storage server IP address 402 indicates the IP address of the print server 200 that stores the corresponding print data.
A print data path 403 indicates a full path indicating a storage location of the corresponding print data.

A document name 404 indicates the document name of the corresponding print data.
The number of copies 405 indicates the number of copies of the corresponding print data.
A page 406 indicates the number of pages of corresponding print data.
The error presence / absence 407 indicates whether or not there is an error in printing the corresponding print data, and is “None” at the timing when the bibliographic information data is created.
The time stamp 408 is given when print data is received by the print server 200, and indicates the date and time when the corresponding print data is received.

The interrupt printing permission / inhibition 409 is set when a print instruction is issued in step S601, and sets whether or not the job (print data) can be interrupted during printing of the job (print data).
The number of interrupt-permitted jobs 410 is also set when a print instruction is issued in step S601, and is the maximum number of jobs that can be interrupted when “interrupt permitted” is set in the interrupt print enable / disable 409. In this embodiment, the maximum number of jobs is used. However, the maximum number of pages may be used.

Hereinafter, the entire description of the print system 1 will be returned.
The print management server 400 monitors the predetermined directory, and when the bibliographic information data 40 is stored from the print server 200 in the predetermined directory, the bibliographic information data 40 is analyzed, and the bibliographic information data 40 is analyzed. It is registered in the bibliographic information DB constructed on 400 external storage devices. Note that the interrupt management permission / inhibition 409 and interrupt permission job count 410 in FIG. 4 may be generated by the print management server 400.

On the other hand, when the MFP 300 detects an IC card that can be read by the card reader 319, it reads the personal authentication information in the IC card (step S607), and uses the read personal authentication information as an authentication request for the IC card authentication server 800. (Step S608). The personal authentication information is information used for authentication and may be a manufacturing number of the IC card.
In the case of an operation in which it is positive to have an IC card, a login user name (user identification information) is held in the IC card, and processing in steps S608 to S611 described later is not performed. It is also possible.

When the IC card authentication server 800 receives the personal authentication information from the multi-function device 300 (step S609), the IC card authentication server 800 is based on the IC card authentication table 50 shown in FIG. 5 stored on the external storage device of the IC card authentication server 800. The authentication process of the personal authentication information is performed, and the authentication result is returned to the multi-function device 300 (step S610). When the authentication process is successful, the login user name of the client PC 100 is transmitted as the authentication result.
Note that the authentication processing may not be performed by the IC card authentication server 800, but authentication information may be held in the multifunction device 300 and authentication may be performed in the multifunction device 300.

Here, the IC card authentication table will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the IC card authentication table 50 includes information such as a card manufacturing number 501, a user name 502, a mail address 503, a department ID 504, a department password 505, and an administrator authority 506.

The card production number 501 indicates the production number of the IC card, for example.
A user name 502 indicates a login user name of the client PC 100.
A mail address 503 indicates an electronic mail address associated with the login user name.
The department ID 504 indicates the department ID of the department to which the login user belongs.
The department password 505 indicates a password for performing authentication using the department ID 504.
The administrator authority 506 indicates whether the login user has administrator authority.

  A print authority 507 indicates a print authority when performing pull print printing. If the authority is high, interrupt printing can be forcibly performed without obtaining permission for interrupt printing from the user who is printing. The authority level may be divided into numerical levels, or may be managed in categories such as managerial positions and general positions.

Returning to the overall description of the printing system.
The multifunction device 300 receives (accepts) the user name 502 (user identification information) from the IC card authentication server 800 as an authentication result indicating that the authentication has been successful (step S611).

  Here, an example of the data in the RAM 302 of the multifunction machine 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data in the RAM 302 includes user information 701, the number of interrupt pages 702, and user screen operation information 703.
The user information 701 includes information necessary for user authentication. In the present embodiment, the user name 502 is stored.
The interrupt page number 702 stores the interrupted page when printing of the print data is interrupted. (Default 0 page)
The user screen operation information 703 stores operation information of the logged-in user's panel. (Default user screen)

The information in FIG. 7 is assumed to be held in each storage area shown in FIG. 8, such as a normal login user, an interrupt login user, and a print login user.
The user information 701 stores the user name (user identification information) of the authenticated user. In the case of normal printing, the user information 701 is stored in the RAM 302 (identification information storage unit) as a normal login as shown in FIG. In the case of interrupt printing, the interrupt log-in is stored in the RAM 302 (identification information storage means).
The print login stores information on a user who is currently printing.

  Returning to the overall description of the printing system.

Subsequently, the multi-function apparatus 300 performs presence check processing in step S612.
Note that, when authentication is successful in step S611, the process proceeds to step S612. However, the MFP 300 includes a FAX transmission function for transmitting a FAX, a scan function, a copy function, a print function, and the like. Therefore, if authentication is successful and a print function (for example, pull print function) is selected (executed), the process can be configured to proceed to step S612.
Since the multifunction device 300 is used not only when the printing function is used, the above processing can be performed to prevent the transition to unnecessary interrupt processing when the printing function is not used. A high mechanism can be provided.
The processing in step S612 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10. After step S612 is completed, the user who wants to print is the RAM 302 as a normal login user and a print login user or an interrupt login user and a print login user in FIG. Will be remembered.
Next, the multifunction device 300 transmits a print data list request (acquisition request) to the print management server 400 (step S613). The print data list request includes a user name.
Also, the login user name 401 in the bibliographic information data 40 shown in FIG. 4 and the user name 502 of the IC card authentication table 50 shown in FIG. 5 have the same format, and a list of print data is created by associating this user information. Make it available.

When the print management server 400 receives the print data list request from the multifunction device 300 (step S614), the print management server 400 searches the bibliographic information DB with the user name included in the print data list request, and print data corresponding to the user name. A list (job list) is generated and returned to the MFP 300 (step S615).
The print data list includes a user name, a time stamp, a document name, a print date, interrupt enable / disable information, interrupt-permitted print data number information, and the like.

  When the MFP 300 receives the print data list from the print management server 400 (step S616), the MFP 300 displays the print data list on the UI of the operation unit 308.

Here, a display screen (normal mode screen) for displaying a print data list will be described with reference to FIG.
The screen shown in FIG. 9 includes a list display unit that displays print data in a touch-selectable manner, a print instruction unit that instructs printing, and the like.
In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes an interrupt setting unit, which can set whether or not interrupt printing of print data is possible (whether or not other user's print data is interrupted and printed). The default setting is prohibited.

When the user selects print data on the screen shown in FIG. 9 and issues a print instruction (step S617), the multifunction peripheral 300 prints the print request (print instruction) for the print data selected in step S617. It transmits to the management server 400 (step S618).
This print request includes a user name and a time stamp of print data. Further, the interrupt printability information of the print data requested for printing is stored in the RAM 302.
Also, it is assumed that the IP address of the MFP 300 is transmitted together with a print request.
In step S617, the interrupt setting unit 901 in FIG. 9 also sets whether or not interrupt printing of print data is possible.

When the print management server 400 receives a print data print request from the MFP 300 (step S619), the bibliographic information of the print data for which the print request has been made is stored using the user name and the print data time stamp as keys. A search is performed from the information DB, the print server 200 storing the corresponding print data is specified from the searched bibliographic information, and a print request for the corresponding print data is transmitted to the print server 200 (step S620).
The print request is a print command including the corresponding time stamp and document name. At the same time, the IP address of the MFP 300 is transmitted.
The time stamp described above is given when the print server 200 receives print data in step S603.

  When the print server 200 receives a print request from the print management server 400 (step S621), the print server 200 transmits print data to the multifunction peripheral 300 based on the print request (step S622). The MFP 300 receives the print data, prints the received print data by LPR printing (step S623), and completes the printing (step S624).

  The interrupt control process in the pull print system of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  Note that the interrupt control process of the multifunction device 300 described below is realized by the CPU 301 of the multifunction device 300 loading a program stored in the ROM 303 or the HDD 304 onto the RAM 302 and executing the program.

  In the process performed in step S612 in FIG. 6, first, in step S1001 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not there is a user (first user) who is currently normally logged in to the MFP 300, that is, It is determined whether or not one user is normally logged in (step S1001). This determination is made based on whether or not the user information 701 exists in the storage area of the normal login 801 in FIG.

If the user information 701 exists in the storage area of the normal login 801, the multifunction peripheral 300 determines that the first user is in the normal login state, and moves the process to step S1002. If the user information 701 does not exist in the storage area of the normal login 801, it is determined that the user is not in the normal login state, and the process proceeds to step S1006-1 to be described later.
The presence of the user information 701 is a case where the user A has already logged in to the MFP 300 as a normal user as indicated by 804 in FIG. That is, the first user here indicates the user A of the normal login 801 of 804 in FIG. At this time, the user (second user) who intends to print is the user B who performs interrupt printing.

In step S1002, the screen information currently displayed on the operation unit 308 is stored in the user screen operation information 703 corresponding to the user information of the first user in the RAM 302 (step S1002).
This screen information is, for example, stored in order to return to the screen that was normally operated by the logged-in user when the interrupt process is completed, for example, by storing the screen ID.
The screen ID corresponds to, for example, a screen (resource data) stored in the HDD 304 of the multifunction machine 301 displayed on the operation unit 308.

Subsequently, the first user is logged out from the MFP 300 (step S1003). In this logout, the user information 701 of the normal login 801 is not deleted.
Next, the user (second user) who performs interrupt printing is logged in to the multifunction peripheral 300 as an interrupt user (step S1004), and the user information 701 of the interrupt login 802 in the RAM 302 (identification information storage unit) is stored in the second user's information 701. A user name (user information) is stored (step S1005).

In step S1008, it is determined whether the first user (normally logged-in user) is printing (printing determination). If the first user is printing, the process proceeds to step S1010, which will be described later. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1009. Whether or not printing is in progress is determined by whether or not a user name corresponding to the user information 701 of the print login 803 in FIG. 8 exists.
For example, if user A exists in the print login 803 as indicated by reference numeral 805 in FIG. 8, it is determined that the first user is printing, and the process proceeds to step S1010.
On the other hand, if the user A does not exist in the print login 803 of 805 in FIG. 8, the process proceeds to step S1009. When the process proceeds to step S1009, since the printing is not performed, the interruption process may not be performed.

  In step S1009, the user name of the second user is stored in the user information 701 of the print login 803 in the RAM 302, and the process ends. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S613 in FIG. 6 described above, and printing is performed thereafter.

In step S1006-1, whether or not the first user (normally logged-in user) is printing is determined by determining whether or not the user name exists in the user information 701 of the print login 803 of the RAM 302 illustrated in FIG. It is determined whether or not (printing determination).
This determination is performed because the print processing of the print data of the first user may be continued even when the first user is not normally logged in due to, for example, automatic logout.

If the first user is printing, the process proceeds to step S1006-2, and if the first user is not printing, the process proceeds to step S1006 described below.
When the process moves to step S1006, there is no user who is normally logged in or a user who is printing, and a user who wants to print (second user) can normally log in to the MFP 300.

In step S <b> 1006-2, the second user is logged in to the multifunction peripheral 300 as an interrupt login user who performs interrupt printing.
In this process, since there is no user who is normally logged in, the login method may be performed in the same manner as the normal login.

In step S1006-3, the user name (user information) of the second user included in the authentication result received in step S611 is stored in the user information 701 of the interrupt login 802 in the RAM 302 illustrated in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1010 described later.
In this case, the user information 701 of the normal login 801 in FIG. 8 does not include a user name.

  On the other hand, in step S1006, the user (second user) who wants to print is logged in as a normal login user. That is, in this case, the user who wants to print is the user A of the normal login 801 of 804 in FIG. Note that the login of the present embodiment is to notify the OS (operating system) provided in the multifunction peripheral 300 of the user name received in step S611 (login instruction) so that the user can access the functions of the multifunction peripheral 300. This means that the user logs in to the MFP 300 with the user name.

Subsequently, in step S1007, the user name of the second user is stored as the user of the normal login in the user information 701 of the normal login 801 of the RAM 302 shown in FIG.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1009 described above.

In step S1010, interrupt processing is performed. Details of the interrupt processing will be described later.
Note that the state of the login user when proceeding to step S1010 is the state indicated by 805 in FIG. 8, or the state where user A is stored for print login and user B is stored for interrupt login.

After completion of the interrupt process in step S1010, the user name (user information) of the second user is stored in the user information 701 of the interrupt login 802 and the user information 701 of the print login 803 in FIG. (Step S1011).
Note that the entire data 70 corresponding to the interrupt login 802 may be deleted.

In addition, the user name of the second user is deleted, and the second user (interrupt login user) is logged out.
In the present embodiment, the interrupt page number 702 and the user screen operation information 703 of the interrupt login 802 and the print login 803 shown in FIG. 8 are storage areas used for the normal login 801 and no data is stored. In this embodiment, it is configured not to delete in step S1011.

  Subsequently, in step S1012, if the first user is in a normal login state, the process proceeds to step S1013. Otherwise, the process is terminated. Whether or not the first user is in the normal login state is determined by whether or not the user name exists in the user information 701 of the normal login 801 in FIG.

Next, in step S1013, the screen information stored in step S1002 is acquired from the user screen operation information 703 of the normal login 801 stored in the RAM 302 shown in FIG. 8, and the user name is acquired from the user information 701 (step S1013).
Subsequently, re-login processing of the first user is performed with the user name acquired in step S1013 (step S1014).
Thereafter, a screen corresponding to the screen information acquired in step S1013 is displayed on the operation unit 308, the display state is returned to the first user before logout (step S1015), and the process is terminated. After the process is completed, the first user resumes the operation of the MFP 300 from the redisplayed screen information, and prints.

  By performing the processing in steps S1013 to S1015, the first user does not have to hold the IC card again to log in again, and the convenience of operation of the multifunction peripheral is improved.

In the processing performed in step S1010 in FIG. 10, first, in step S1101 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the corresponding print data list (from the print management server 400) using the user name of the second user (interrupt login user) as a key ( (Job list) is acquired (step S1101), and the interrupt mode screen of the second user shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (step S1102).
Note that the process for acquiring the print data list is the same process as steps S613 to S616 in FIG.

Here, a display screen for displaying a list of print data during interrupt printing will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a screen similar to FIG. 9, and includes a display unit that displays a list of print data in a touch-selectable manner, a print instruction unit that instructs printing, and the like.
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes an interrupt setting unit, which can set whether or not print data can be interrupted (whether or not to print other user's print data). The default setting is prohibited.

When the ID hard key is pressed on the interrupt mode screen, the interrupt process is terminated. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1104 (step S1103).
In addition, after the ID hard key is pressed (YES in step S1103) and the interrupt printing is finished, the second user information (the user of the interrupt login 802 in 806 in FIG. 8) is logged out to log out the second user. Information 701 and “User B” in the user information 701 of the print login 803 are deleted, and the process proceeds to S1011 in FIG.

In step S1104, desired print data is selected from the interrupt mode screen to perform printing (step S1104).
After that, the interrupt setting unit 1201 in FIG. 12 sets whether or not interrupt printing is possible for the selected print data (step S1105, default is setting of interrupt prohibition).

Next, it is determined whether or not the first user's print data is set to disable interrupts (step S1106, interrupt enable / disable determination). If interrupts are disabled, the process proceeds to step S1107. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1114 described later. Whether or not interrupt prohibition is set is determined by referring to the setting of whether or not to allow interrupt printing stored in step S618 of FIG.
Here, if there is one or more interrupt prohibition settings in the print data requested by the first user, the process proceeds to S1106.

In step S1107, the consent confirmation screen 1301 in FIG. 13 is displayed. This is because it is necessary to obtain the consent of the first user when the first user has set the print data to be prohibited from interruption.
In the consent confirmation screen 1301 of FIG. 13, a display unit that displays print data that cannot be interrupted or a message for confirming whether or not to receive approval from the first user (“There is a job that cannot be interrupted. Do you want approval?”, Etc.) ), An input section for inputting whether to receive approval or not is displayed.

  If the first user obtains consent ("Yes" button is pressed in FIG. 13), the process proceeds to step S1109. If consent is not obtained ("NO" button is pressed in FIG. 13), the interrupt process is terminated (step S1108). When the interrupt process is completed, the process proceeds to S1011 in FIG.

In step S1109, the user name of the first user is acquired from the user information 701 of the print login 803 stored in the RAM 302 (step S11009), and then the consent execution screen (re-acknowledgment notifying means shown in 1401 in FIG. 14). ) Is displayed (step S1110).
On the consent execution screen 1401 in FIG. 14, a message for prompting the first user's approval (such as “Please hold the IC card of user A”) or the like is displayed.

The multi-function device 300 confirms whether or not the IC card is held over in order to obtain permission for interruption (step S1111). If no card is held for a certain period of time, the interrupt process is terminated. Also in this case, the processing is shifted to S1011 in FIG.
If the IC card is held over, the process proceeds to step S1112. Whether or not the IC card is held is determined by whether or not the personal authentication information (card manufacturing number) included in the IC card has been acquired.

  In step S1112, the authentication processing in steps S607 to S611 in FIG. 6 described above is executed using the personal authentication information (card manufacturing number) acquired in step S1111 to obtain (accept) the user name (step S1112).

Next, it is determined whether or not the user name obtained in step S1112 matches the user name obtained in step S1109, and authentication is performed (step S1113). If they match, it is determined that the IC card of the first user being printed is held over, the authentication is successful, and the process proceeds to step S1114. If the authentication fails, the process returns to step S1108, and then the consent execution screen of FIG. 14 is displayed.
The personal authentication information (card manufacturing number) acquired in step S607 in FIG. 6 and the user name acquired in step S611 are associated with each other and managed by the MFP 300, and the IC card authentication server in step S1112 The authentication process at 800 may be omitted.

  In step S1114, printing of the print data of the first user is stopped (step S1114). The printing stop of the print data is assumed to be stopped after printing is completed, and the number of stopped pages is stored in the interrupt page number 702 of the normal login 801 in FIG. 8 as the interrupt page number.

Subsequently, the print data of the second user (interrupt login user) is printed (step S1115). Printing execution of the print data is realized by executing the processing in steps S618 to S623 in FIG. 6 for the print data selected in the interrupt mode screen in FIG. 12 in step S1104.
That is, in step S1104, the print data selected (designated) in FIG. 12 is acquired, printing currently being printed is interrupted, and interrupt printing of the acquired print data is performed.
When printing of the print data of the second user is executed, the user name of the second user is stored in the user information 701 of the print login 803 in FIG. More specifically, “User B” is stored in the print login 803 as indicated by reference numeral 806 in FIG.

  When printing by the second user is completed, the number of pages stored in the number of interrupt pages 702 of the normal login 801 is acquired as the number of interrupt pages, and the print data of the first user that was printing from the acquired number of pages. Is resumed (step S1116), and the process is terminated.

In the present embodiment, when the print data of the user who is printing (first user) is set to be interrupt-disabled, in order for the user (second user) who performs interrupt printing to perform printing, It is necessary to obtain the consent of the first user (step S1108). As a result, interrupt printing is not performed unconditionally, and highly convenient interrupt printing can be realized.
Also, the second user who performs interrupt printing can log in to the image processing apparatus as a second user different from the first user who is currently printing, and can select print data to be interrupted (step S1104). . Thereby, the convenience in interrupt printing can be improved.
Further, after the second user's interrupt printing is completed, the first user is automatically logged in again (step S1014). This also contributes to improving the convenience of interrupt printing.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the flow of print processing in the print system 1 of the present invention when the use case is three or more will be described.
In the first embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, it is configured so that one user can be interrupted. However, in the second embodiment, it is configured so that a plurality of users can be interrupted.
Note that the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is in the interrupt control process, which is common in the normal print process as shown in FIG. Therefore, the part corresponding to the normal printing process will be described using the same flowchart of FIG. 6 as that of the first embodiment.

An interruption process of a plurality of users will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 by giving an example of a case where two users interrupt.
15 is a third flowchart illustrating an example of an interrupt control processing procedure, FIG. 16 is a fourth flowchart illustrating an example of an interrupt control processing procedure, and FIG. 17 is a fifth flowchart illustrating an example of an interrupt control processing procedure. It is.
This embodiment is processing when two users make an interruption. In the state 813 of FIG. 8, the user of the normal login 807 is the user A (first user) and the user of the interruption login (1) 808 is executed. Is a process when user B (second user), the user of print login 810 is in the state of user B, user B is in the interrupt login state, and user C (third user) further performs interrupt printing. The following description is based on this state.

  Before executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, the third user first holds the IC card over the card reader 319. Then, the MFP 300 receives (accepts) the authentication result (the user name of the third user) by the processing in steps S607 to S611 in FIG. 6, and then proceeds to the processing in step S1501 in FIG.

In step S1501, the MFP 300 stores the screen information of the second user operation screen currently displayed on the operation unit 308 in the user screen operation information 703 of the interrupt login (1) 808 in FIG.
Subsequently, the interrupt login of the second user is logged out from the MFP 300 (step S1502). In this logout, the user information 701 of the interrupt login (1) 808 is not deleted.

Next, a user (third user) who performs interrupt printing is logged in to the MFP 300 (step S1503), and the third user (interrupt) is stored in the user information 701 of the interrupt login (2) 809 in the RAM 302 shown in FIG. The user name (user information) of the user is stored (step S1504). The user name is included in the authentication result.
Note that the state when the process of step S1504 is executed is the state of 814 in FIG.

  In step S1505, it is determined whether the second user is printing. If the second user is printing, the process proceeds to step S1507; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1506. Whether or not printing is in progress is determined by whether or not the user name of the second user exists in the user information 701 of the print login 810 in FIG.

  In step S1506, the user name of the third user is stored in the user information 701 of the print login 810 of the RAM 302 shown in FIG. 8, and the process ends. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S613 in FIG. 6 described above, and printing is performed thereafter.

  On the other hand, in step S1507, interrupt processing is performed. Details of the interrupt processing will be described later.

After interrupt printing in step S1507, the user name (user information) of the third user is stored in the user information 701 of interrupt login (2) 809 and the user information 701 of print login 810 in FIG. This is deleted (step S1508).
The entire data 70 corresponding to the interrupt login (2) 809 may be deleted.
In addition, the user name of the third user is deleted, and the third user is logged out.

  Subsequently, in step S1509, if the second user is in the interrupt login state, the process proceeds to step S1510. Otherwise, the process is terminated. Whether or not the second user is in the interrupt login state is determined by whether or not the user name exists in the user information 701 of the interrupt login (1) 808 in FIG.

In step S1510, the screen information stored in step S1501 is acquired from the user screen operation information 703 of the interrupt login (1) 808 stored in the RAM 302, and the user name is acquired from the user information 701 (step S1510).
Subsequently, re-login processing of the second user is performed with the user name acquired in step S1510 (step S1511).
Thereafter, a screen corresponding to the screen information acquired in step S1510 is displayed on the operation unit 308, the display state is returned to the second user before logout (step S1512), and the process is terminated. After the process is completed, the first user resumes the operation of the MFP 300 from the redisplayed screen information, and prints.
Note that the processing in steps S1511 and S1512 is the same as the processing in steps S1014 and S1015 in FIG. 11 described above.

  By performing the processing from step S1510 to step S1512, it is not necessary for the second user to hold the IC card again and log in again, and the convenience of operation of the multifunction peripheral is improved.

  16 and 17 are flowcharts showing the interrupt printing process.

  In FIG. 11, since there was a single interrupted user, authentication of the normal login user (first user) was performed. However, in FIG. 16, since there were two interrupted users, normal login was performed. It is configured to obtain authentication processing of the user (first user) and the interrupt login (1) user (second user).

In the process performed in step S1507 in FIG. 15, first, in step S1601 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the corresponding print from the print management server 400 using the user name of the third user (user of interrupt login (2)) as a key. A data list (job list) is acquired (step S1601). Corresponding to the processing of step S1101 in FIG. 11, the second user is replaced with the third user.
Subsequently, the interrupt mode screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (step S1602). This corresponds to the processing in step S1102 of FIG.

When the ID hard key is pressed on the interrupt mode screen, the interrupt process is terminated. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1604 (step S1603). This corresponds to the processing of S1103 in FIG.
Note that after the ID hard key is pressed (YES in step S1603) and the interrupt printing is finished, the third user's user information (interrupt login (2) 815 in FIG. 8) is used to log out the third user. The process proceeds to S1508 of FIG. 15 described above to delete the user information 701 of 809 and “user C” of the user information 701 of the print login 810).

In step S1604, desired print data is selected from the interrupt mode screen for printing (step S1604). Corresponding to the processing in step S1104 in FIG. 11, the second user is replaced with the third user.
After that, the interrupt setting unit 1201 in FIG. 12 sets whether or not interrupt printing is possible for the selected print data (step S1605, default is setting of interrupt prohibition). This corresponds to the processing in step S1105 in FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print data of the second user is set to disable interrupts (step S1606). If interrupts are disabled, the process proceeds to step S1607. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1608 described later. Corresponding to the processing in step S1106 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.
Here, if there is one or more interrupt prohibition settings in the print data requested by the second user, the process proceeds to S1607.

  In step S1607, consent processing for the second user is performed. Details of the acceptance process will be described later.

After completion of the consent process in step S1607, the process proceeds to step S1608.
In step 1608, it is determined whether the print data of the first user is set to disable interrupts (step S1608). If interrupts are disabled, the process proceeds to step S1609. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1610 described later. This corresponds to the processing of S1106 in FIG.

  In step S1609, a consent process for the first user is performed. Details of the acceptance process will be described later.

After completion of the consent process in step S1609, the process proceeds to step S1610.
In step S1610, printing of the print data of the second user is stopped (step S1610). Corresponding to the processing in step S1114 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.
The printing stop of the print data is assumed to be stopped after the printing is completed, and the number of stopped pages is stored in the interrupt page number 702 of the interrupt login (1) 808 in FIG. 8 as the interrupt page number.

  Subsequently, printing of the print data of the third user (user of interrupt login (2)) is executed (step S1611). Printing execution of the print data is realized by executing the processing from step S618 to step S623 in FIG. 6 on the print data selected in FIG. When printing of the print data of the third user is executed, the user name of the third user is stored in the user information 701 of the print login 810 in FIG. Specifically, “user C” is stored in the print login 810 as indicated by reference numeral 815 in FIG. Corresponding to the process of step S1115 in FIG. 11, the second user is replaced with the third user.

When printing by the third user is completed, the number of pages stored in the number of interrupted pages 702 of the interrupt login (1) 808 in FIG. 8 is acquired as the number of interrupted pages. The printing of the print data of the user 2 is resumed (step S1612), and the process ends. Corresponding to the processing of S1116 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.
Note that when the printing of the second user is completed, the printing of the first user is started.

With reference to FIG. 17, the second user's consent process in step S1607 of FIG. 16 will be described.
In the processing performed in step S1607 in FIG. 16, first, in step S1701 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, the consent confirmation screen shown in 1301 in FIG. 13 is displayed. This is because it is necessary to obtain the consent of the second user when the second user has set the print data to be prohibited from interruption. Corresponding to the processing in step S1107 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.

  When the second user obtains consent (pressing the “Yes” button in FIG. 13), the process proceeds to step S1703. When the consent is not obtained (“NO” button is pressed in FIG. 13), the interruption process is terminated (step S1702). When the interrupt process is completed, the process proceeds to S1508 in FIG. Corresponding to the processing of S1108 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.

  In step S1703, the user name of the second user is acquired from the user information 701 of the print login 810 stored in the RAM 302 (step S1703), and then the consent execution screen shown in 1401 of FIG. 14 is displayed (step S1703). S1704). Corresponding to the processing of steps S1109 and S1110 of FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.

The multi-function device 300 confirms whether or not the IC card is held over in order to obtain permission for interruption (step S1705). If no card is held for a certain period of time, interrupt printing is terminated. Also in this case, the process proceeds to S1508 in FIG.
If an IC card is held over, the process advances to step S1706. Whether or not the IC card is held is determined based on whether or not the personal authentication information (card manufacturing number) included in the IC card has been acquired. This corresponds to the processing in step S1111 in FIG.

  In step S1706, the authentication processing in steps S607 to S611 in FIG. 6 described above is executed using the personal authentication information (card manufacturing number) acquired in step S1705, and a user name is obtained (accepted) (step S1706). This corresponds to the processing in step S1112 of FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user name obtained in step S1706 matches the user name obtained in step S1703, and authentication is performed (step S1707). If they match, it is determined that the second user's IC card being printed is held over, authentication is successful, and the acceptance process is terminated. After the acceptance process is completed, the process proceeds to step S1608 in FIG. On the other hand, if the authentication fails, the process returns to step S1702, and then the consent execution screen of FIG. 14 is displayed. Corresponding to the processing of S1113 in FIG. 11, the first user is replaced with the second user.

  The consent process in step S1609 in FIG. 16 is the same as the process in steps S1107 to S1113 in FIG.

Also in the present embodiment, interrupt printing with high convenience can be performed in the same points as in the first embodiment. That is, it is possible to accept a user when performing interrupt printing, select print data to be interrupted, and automatically log in again after the interrupt printing is completed. As a result, the convenience of interrupt printing can be improved.
Even in a use case of three or more people, the interrupt control process can be considered as in the second embodiment. In other words, the user who newly performs the interrupt printing can perform the interrupt printing with the approval of the user who is logged in to the multifunction peripheral 300 as well as the user who is printing (print login user) as necessary. After interrupt printing is completed, the user who has been printing up to that point is automatically re-logged in and printing is resumed. At this time, the user who newly performs interrupt printing can select the print data to be interrupted and logged in in advance.

  Finally, in the case of performing interrupt printing in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the print is interrupted in the middle of one print data (one job) being printed, but one print data being printed It is also possible to configure such that printing of print data to be printed subsequent to (one job) is interrupted.

  As described above, two examples of the embodiment have been described in detail. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium. You may apply to the system comprised from an apparatus, and may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  The preferred embodiments of the image processing apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a print system 1 to which an image processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied. A block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100, the print server 200, the print management server 400, the login service PC 500, the directory service server 600, and the IC card authentication server 800. Block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit 316 of the multifunction machine 300 Data structure diagram showing an example of bibliographic information data 40 Data configuration diagram showing an example of the IC card authentication table 50 A flowchart showing an overall flow of printing processing in the printing system 1 First data configuration diagram showing an example of memory data Second data configuration diagram showing an example of memory data 1st figure which shows an example of a user screen First flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure Second flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure 2nd figure which shows an example of a user screen 3rd figure which shows an example of a user screen 4th figure which shows an example of a user screen Third flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure Fourth flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure Fifth flowchart showing an example of an interrupt control processing procedure

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Print system 10 ... Office A
20 ... Office B
100: Client PC
200... Print server 300 ... Multifunction device 400 ... Print management server 500 ... Log-in service PC
600 ... Directory service server 700 ... LAN
800 ... IC card authentication server 900 ... WAN

Claims (15)

An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information,
Receiving means for receiving user identification information for logging in to the image processing apparatus;
Printing means for printing the print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means;
A print determination unit that determines whether the print data of the first user is being printed when the reception unit receives the user identification information of the second user;
When the print determination unit determines that the print data of the first user is being printed, the user identification information of the second user is added to the user identification information of the second user in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. Interrupt printing means for interrupt printing of the corresponding print data of the second user;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   When the print determination unit determines that the print data of the first user is being printed, the print determination unit further includes a reacceptance notification unit that prompts the user identification information of the first user to be reaccepted. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The print interrupting means for interrupting printing of the print data of the first user before the interrupt printing of the print data of the second user by the interrupt printing means is further provided. Image processing apparatus.   The printing apparatus further comprises a print restarting unit for restarting printing of the print data of the first user interrupted by the print interrupting unit after interrupt printing of the print data of the second user by the interrupt printing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. An interrupt printing enable / disable determining unit that determines whether interrupt printing of the print data of the second user is possible;
The interrupt printing means does not re-accept the user identification information of the first user when the interrupt printing enable / disable determining means determines that interrupt printing of the print data of the second user is possible The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein interrupt printing of the print data of the second user is performed. Login means for logging in the image processing apparatus to the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means;
Login determination means for determining whether or not the first user is logged in to the image processing apparatus when the reception means receives the user identification information of the second user;
Logout means for logging out the first user when the login determination means determines that the first user is logged in to the image processing apparatus;
Interrupt login means for interrupting and logging in the second user in order to designate print data for interrupt printing from the print data of the second user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising re-login means for automatically logging in the first user again after interrupt printing of the print data of the second user. The logout means stores screen information of an operation screen of the image processing apparatus when the first user logs out,
8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the re-login means displays the operation screen of the image processing apparatus again based on the screen information when the first user logs in again. A print data list acquisition request means for making a print data list acquisition request to acquire a list of print data of the user corresponding to the user identification information received by the reception means;
Print data list display means for displaying the print data list received in response to the print data list acquisition request;
Print data designation means for designating print data from the print data list displayed by the print data list display means;
Further comprising
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit and the interrupt printing unit print print data designated by the print data designation unit among print data in the print data list.   The print data list displayed by the print data list display means further comprises interrupt print enable / disable setting means for setting whether or not interrupt print of another print data is possible. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9. A control method in an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information,
The image processing apparatus accepting user identification information to log in to the image processing apparatus;
A printing step in which the image processing apparatus prints the print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received in the receiving step;
A print determination step of determining whether or not the print data of the first user is being printed when the image processing apparatus receives the user identification information of the second user in the reception step;
When it is determined in the print determination step that the print data of the first user is being printed, the image processing apparatus performs the second processing in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. An interrupt printing step for interrupt printing of the print data of the second user corresponding to the user identification information of the user;
A control method comprising: An image processing system comprising a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, and an image processing apparatus that can communicate with the print server,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving user identification information for logging in to the image processing apparatus;
Printing means for printing the print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received by the receiving means;
A print determination unit that determines whether the print data of the first user is being printed when the reception unit receives the user identification information of the second user;
When the print determination unit determines that the print data of the first user is being printed, the user identification information of the second user is added to the user identification information of the second user in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. Interrupt printing means for interrupt printing of the corresponding print data of the second user;
With
The print management server includes a transmission unit that transmits print data to the image processing apparatus in response to a print instruction from the printing unit or an interrupt print instruction from the interrupt printing unit. . A control method in an image processing system comprising a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information, and an image processing apparatus that can communicate with the print server,
The image processing apparatus accepting user identification information to log in to the image processing apparatus;
A printing step in which the image processing apparatus prints the print data of the first user corresponding to the user identification information of the first user received in the receiving step;
A print determination step of determining whether or not the print data of the first user is being printed when the image processing apparatus receives the user identification information of the second user in the reception step;
When it is determined in the print determination step that the print data of the first user is being printed, the image processing apparatus performs the second processing in response to re-acceptance of the user identification information of the first user. An interrupt printing step for interrupt printing of the print data of the second user corresponding to the user identification information of the user;
A transmission step in which the print management server transmits print data to the image processing apparatus in response to a print instruction in the print step or an interrupt print instruction in the interrupt print step;
A control method comprising:   A program for causing an image processing apparatus to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   A program for controlling an image processing apparatus and a print management server by the control method according to claim 13.

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