JP2011003102A - Print controller, printer, print control method, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for starting the printing of a printer when it is confirmed that a user who has commanded a print job from an information processor is logged in the information processor.SOLUTION: The user enters a printing place 1 through an entering/leaving control apparatus 101 to transmit an entrance record of the user to a server 105. The user logs in the information processor 103. When the information processor 103 generates the print job and transmits it to the server 105, printing is started. The server 105 determines whether the user who has transmitted the first print job in a job list is logged in the information processor 103 used for transmitting the print job. When the user is logged in, printing is started. When the log-in is not verified, the first print job in the job list is suspended, and whether a user who has transmitted the next job in the job list is logged in or not is determined.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing apparatus, a printing control method, a printing method, and a program, and in particular, a printing control apparatus that determines execution of printing on condition that a user is logged in to an information processing apparatus that generates a print job. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, a printing method, and a program.

  In recent years, when confidential printing is performed using a multifunction peripheral in an office, the user goes to the front of the multifunction peripheral, and an authentication information storage medium using an IC card or RF-ID is permanently installed in the multifunction peripheral. There is a technique in which user authentication is performed by holding a card reader that can be connected to the printer, and printing is performed if the user is authenticated.

  In Patent Document 1, when a print job such as confidential printing that requires user authentication for output is input, this job is registered at the end of the queue, and when the job is in an order to start execution in the queue, This job is put in a state waiting for user authentication, and its execution start is suspended until the user is authenticated. When a user carrying an ID card (hereinafter referred to as an IC card) embedded with an IC tag comes in front of the printing apparatus, the user information is read from the IC tag, the user is automatically authenticated, the hold is released, and printing is performed. Is output. As described above, it is disclosed that the control of the print job is performed on the multifunction peripheral side, and is widely known.

  In Patent Document 2, the printing apparatus includes a management unit that manages user login information, a storage unit that stores print data of a print job received from an external device, and a control unit. If a print job is input from an external device when the login status of the user is recognized in the management unit, the print data of the print job received from the external device is temporarily stored in the storage unit 7 and the management unit stores the print data. Is disclosed that printing of a print job from an external device stored in the storage unit is started when it is detected that the log-in state has been completed and the user has logged out.

JP 2006-15624 A JP 2009-33241 A

  However, in the printing systems disclosed in these patent documents, when an IC card is held over the printing apparatus to log in and a print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus, the printing system is urgently left and exited during printing. Even in this case, the output continues as it is, and the printed file is left as it is, and there is a risk of leakage of confidential information.

  In addition, the printing system represented by the above-mentioned patent document is not efficient because it must first log in after first going to the printing apparatus in order to confirm login, and waits after starting printing. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for starting printing by a printing apparatus when a user who has instructed a print job from the information processing apparatus can confirm that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus.

The present invention solves the problem using the following configuration.
That is, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, and printing for printing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus instructed by the user. A print control apparatus capable of communicating with the apparatus, storing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus according to an instruction from the user, and managing a print order of the print apparatus; and printing by the storage management means Of the print jobs in which the order is managed, a determination unit that determines one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order, and the user who has generated the print job determined by the determination unit includes the information Determination means for determining whether or not the user is logged in to the processing apparatus, and the determination means determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus The print target candidate print job is allowed to be transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the determination unit determines that the user is not logged in to the information processing apparatus. The candidate print job is not transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the determination unit is controlled to determine the next print job stored in the storage management unit as a print target candidate.
Further, according to the present invention, an unsent print whose pre-print order is managed by the storage management unit is received by receiving a print ready notification or a print completion notification of a previously transmitted print job from the printing apparatus. Among the jobs, one print job is determined as a print target candidate in the order of print order, and when the determination unit newly determines a print target candidate in response to the print enable notification or print completion notification The determination unit determines one print job as a print target candidate in order from the first print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit.
Further, the present invention provides a user management unit that manages, in association with each print job managed by the storage management unit, an information processing apparatus that is a transmission source of the print job and information that identifies a user of the print job. The determination unit specifies the user who has generated the print job determined by the determination unit and the information processing apparatus from information managed by the user management unit, and the specified information processing The device inquires whether the specified user is logged in, obtains the result of the inquiry, and determines whether the user is logged in to the information processing device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus having a reading apparatus capable of accepting user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, which is generated by the information processing apparatus according to the user instruction. A storage management unit that stores a print job and manages the print order of the printing apparatus, and among print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit, one print job in the order of the print order is a candidate for printing Determining means for determining, a determining means for determining whether or not the user who generated the print job determined by the determining means is logged in to the information processing apparatus, and the determining means determines whether the user When it is determined that the user has logged in to the information processing apparatus, a printing unit that prints the print job that is the candidate for printing, and the information If it is determined that the user has not logged in to the physical device, the print job of the print target candidate is not printed, and the print job of the next print order stored by the storage management unit is printed in the determination unit. Control means for controlling to determine as a candidate.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for starting printing by a printing apparatus when a user who has instructed a print job from the information processing apparatus can confirm that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a print job control system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the server 105 of the print job control system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the printing apparatus 106 of the print job control system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration according to an embodiment of a print job control system in the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a series of processes performed by the print job control system according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a series of processes performed by the print job control system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table memorize | stored and managed by the server 105 of the print job control system in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table memorize | stored and managed by the server 105 of the print job control system in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table memorize | stored and managed by the server 105 of the print job control system in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table memorize | stored and managed by the server 105 of the print job control system in this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a print job control system using an IC card login system according to an embodiment.

  The print job control system implemented in the invention includes an entry / exit control device 1010 and a reading device 102 that manage user entry / exit in the printing base 1, an information processing device 103, a reading device 104 connected thereto, a server 105, and a printing device. 106 is connected on the network 100.

  The entrance / exit control device 1010 for entering / exiting management is provided with a reading device 102 for confirming that the user is present in the printing base 1, and the user records an ID record represented by an IC card. By holding the medium over the reading device 102, presence confirmation and exit confirmation are performed. When the reader 102 performs polling and the IC card is held over the reader 102, the data of the IC card is stored in the end point.

  The information processing device 103 is provided with a reading device 104 for confirming that the user is logged in. The information processing device 103 can be held by holding the IC card or the like over the reading device 104 at all times. The user is logged in and can operate the information processing apparatus 103.

  The server 105 stores and manages a print job transmitted from the information processing apparatus 103 according to a user instruction and data of a user who is present at the printing base 1.

  The storage management of the user data logged into the room entry and information processing apparatus is managed by holding the room entry user table as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a data table showing a list of users who have entered the printing base 1 and are stored and managed by the server 105.
The user ID 1001 (user identification information) is an identification number uniquely assigned to each user. In the present embodiment, it is a number, but for example, the name of the user may be used as the ID.

  The IC card number 1002 (card identification information) is a number for individually identifying the IC card assigned to each user, and is associated with the user ID 1001. In the present embodiment, it is a number, but may be an alphabet.

  A login flag 1003 indicates whether a user who has entered the printing base 1 is logged in to the information processing apparatus 103. If logged in, “1” is set, and if not logged in (if logged out), “0” is set. In other words, if the IC card is kept over the reading device 104 connected to the information processing device 103, the login flag is set to “1” as being logged in. The reading device 104 is polled at intervals of several seconds (for example, every 3 seconds). When the IC card is not held over, it is determined that the user has not logged in within 3 seconds (that is, at the next polling time).

  An entry flag 1004 indicates whether the user has entered the printing base 1. “1” stands if the user has entered the room, and “0” stands if the room has not been entered (if the person has left the room).

In order for the login flag 1003 to be “1”, the entry flag 1004 must be always “1”.
Subsequently, the description returns to FIG. The printing apparatus 106 receives the print job transmitted from the server 105 and performs printing.
Next, the hardware configuration of the server 105 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus applicable to the server 105. Note that the block diagram of FIG. 2 can also be applied to the information processing apparatus 103.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server 105 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a read only memory (ROM) 202, an input controller 205, a video controller 206, and a memory via a system bus 204. A configuration in which a controller 207, a communication I / F controller 208, and the like are connected is adopted.
The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 will be described later, which is necessary for realizing the functions executed by each server or each PC, such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and OS (Operating System) which are control programs of the CPU 201. Various programs are stored. Further, information necessary for carrying out the present invention is stored. The external memory may be a database.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 to 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 the display 210. The display device may be a 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 (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA (Personal Computer) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. 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.

  The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 400 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.

  The CPU 201 can display on the display 210 by executing an outline font rasterization process on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded 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 of the printing apparatus 106 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit of the printing apparatus 106 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN (network 100) shown in FIG. 1). Or a public line (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which 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.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. An external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (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 the 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 interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network 105 (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, RS-232C, and the like. A card reader 319 for reading an IC card is an external I / F unit. 318 is connected. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which 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 bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An 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 to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as PDF, JPEG, and binary image data for JBIG, MMR, and MH for multi-valued image data.

  The scanner unit 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 unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  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, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for 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 display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via 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. The card reader 319 reads information stored in the IC card under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read information via the external I / F 318.

  With the configuration described above, the image processing apparatus 103 transmits the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN (network), and prints the print data received from the LAN (network) by the printer unit 312. be able to.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 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 case function configuration of the entrance / exit control device 101, the information processing device 103, the server 105, and the printing device 106 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a print job control system using the IC card login system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The authentication information receiving unit 401 of the entrance / exit control device 101 uses the reading device 102 provided in the entrance / exit control device 101 to receive authentication information when the user enters / exits the room.

  The entrance / exit control unit 402 performs opening / closing control of the entrance / exit control device 101 when the user holds the IC card over the reading device 102.

  The authentication information transmission / reception unit 403 of the information processing apparatus 103 uses the reading device 104 provided in the information processing apparatus 103 to receive authentication information when the user logs in to the information processing apparatus 103 and transmits it to the server 105.

  The login user confirmation unit 404 receives a user login determination inquiry from the server 105 and confirms whether or not the sender of the job inquired from the server 105 (that is, the user of the information processing apparatus) is logged in. As described above, if it can be confirmed that the IC card of the user who is the job sender is held over the reader 104 as described above, it is determined that the user is logging in and the IC card of the user is held over. If it cannot be confirmed, it is determined that the user is not logged in.

  A print job generation unit 405 generates a print job using a printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus 103 according to a user instruction. Since the operation process of the printer driver is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The print job transmission unit 406 transmits the print job generated by the information processing apparatus 103 to the server 105 according to a user instruction. It should be noted that the user name and document name that are the owner (job sender) of the print job are also added to the print job. Further, this is the case when the output port of the printer driver is the printing device 106 via the server 105, but when the output port directly specifies the printing device 106, the print job is It is transmitted to the printing apparatus 106.

  A print job storage unit 407 of the server 105 stores a print job transmitted from the information processing apparatus 103.

  The login user determination unit 408 transmits to the information processing apparatus 103 a determination as to whether or not the user who has transmitted the print job for executing printing received from the information processing apparatus 103 is logged in. Receive the result. As will be described later, the log-in user determination unit 408 determines whether or not the transmission user is logged in for a print job whose print order has changed among a plurality of print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 407. Will do.

  The print execution control unit 409 confirms the user's login in order from the first print job in the print queue (table in which the print order is managed) of the printing apparatus 106, and first prints the user's login confirmed. To the printing device 106.

  The print execution unit 410 of the printing apparatus 106 executes printing of the print job received from the server 105. Since the printing process is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The print completion notification unit 411 notifies the information processing apparatus 103 and the server 105 that have transmitted the print job that the print job has been printed. Note that the notification of printing completion may be notified from the printing apparatus 106 to the server 105 and from the server 105 to the information processing apparatus 103. Further, the print completion notification may be configured to notify a print enable notification for notifying that the next print job can be printed when printing of the print job is completed.

  Next, a series of processing of the print job control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The reader 102 of the entrance / exit control device 101 always performs polling, and when the IC card is held over the reader 102, IC card data (for example, user identification information or card identification information) is stored in the endpoint.

  First, in step S101, when the user holds the IC card over the reading device 102 of the entrance / exit control device 101, the CPU 201 determines entrance permission.

If the user stored in the IC card can enter the printing base 1, the CPU 201 of the entrance / exit control device 101 unlocks the door (step S103) in step S102, and the reading device 102 in step S104. The CPU 201 transmits the user information of the user holding the IC card to the server 105. Since the entry / exit management process itself is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In step S105, the CPU 201 of the server 105 receives and stores user information.

  Next, in step S106, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 accepts a user login. When the personal computer is assumed as the information processing apparatus 103, login authentication can be performed by each PC. However, when one device shared by a plurality of users is assumed, an authentication server or IC card authentication is possible. I think I need a table. The CPU 201 of the information processing device 103 acquires user information from the end point of the reading device 104.

  In step S107, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 determines whether or not the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 is a user who can log in.

  As this determination method, the information processing apparatus 103 transmits its own IP address information to the server 105 and the IC card number acquired when the IC card is read in step S106, and the user data table stored in the server 105 The user corresponding to the IC card number is used to obtain information on whether or not login is possible and determine.

A user data table for managing users who can use the print job control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a data table showing an example of a user data table stored and managed by the server 105.

  In this embodiment, the user data table includes a user ID 701 (user identification information), an IC card number 702 (card identification information), a login status 703, and an IP address 704 of a PC that can log in.

  The user ID 701 is a number that uniquely identifies a user who can use the print job control system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the user ID 701 uses an arbitrary number, but the user's name or the like may be used.

  The IC card number 702 is a number assigned to an IC card for identifying an individual owned by each user.

  The entry flag 703 is a flag indicating that the user has entered the printing base 1, and when the information that the user entered in step S105 is transmitted to the server 105, the entry flag is changed from “0” to “1”. Be changed.

An IP address 704 indicates the IP address of the information processing apparatus 103 that can be used by the user. As described above, in the user data table stored and managed by the server 105, information (IP address) for identifying the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the print job and information for identifying the user as the owner of the print job ( User ID), an IC card number, and an entry / exit flag are managed in association with each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, an owner user ID is specified for each print job managed in the print job list and is associated with FIG. It is possible to specify a user who inquires whether or not he is logged in.
Subsequently, the description returns to FIG.

  As a result of the determination, if the user corresponding to the IC card number acquired at the time of reading the IC card is a user who can log in, login processing is executed. For example, if the IC card number read in step S106 is “987654” and the IP address of the information processing apparatus 103 connected to the reading apparatus 104 over which the IC card is held is “192.168.1.2”. In step S107, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 transmits the IC card number “987654” and the IP address “192.168.1.2” to the server 105, and the server 105 is a user stored in the server 105. A user corresponding to the IC card number “987654” is searched from the data table.

  In this embodiment, the user of the user identification information “123456” corresponds to the IC card number “987654”, and the IP address of the login PC of the user “123456” is “192.168.1.2”. Therefore, it is determined that login is possible.

  In step S <b> 108, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 creates a file such as a document according to a user operation, generates a print job at an arbitrary timing, and transmits the print job to the server 105. As described above, when the output destination port of the printer driver of the information processing apparatus 103 is designated as “printing apparatus 106 via the server 105”, the information is transmitted to the server 105. When the output destination port of the printer driver of the information processing apparatus 103 is directly designated as “printing apparatus 106 (IP address)”, it is transmitted to the printing apparatus 106.

  Specifically, when the user makes a print request using the information processing apparatus 103, the print job data is transmitted to the server 105 as print job data. When a plurality of users transmit their print jobs to the server 105, the server 105 sequentially stores the print job data in a list held in the internal memory.

  In step S <b> 109, the CPU 201 of the server 105 receives the print job data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 103, stores the print job data in the internal memory at the end of the print job list, stores and manages the print job data, and stores the data in the print apparatus 106. Control and management until transmission is performed (step 110).

  FIG. 8 is a data table showing an example of a print job list stored and managed by the server 105. This print job list is prepared for each printing apparatus, and manages the print order as a print queue. In the print job data, since the output destination printing device is designated from the output destination port information of the printer driver, the print job data is sorted and stored in a print job list which is a print queue of the printing device.

  In FIG. 8, print jobs transmitted from the plurality of information processing apparatuses 103 are arranged in the order of “a” to “n” in order of the time transmitted to the server 105.

Each print job includes, for example, data of a reception number 801, a user ID 802, a job ID 803, a file name 804, a total print number 805, an IP address 806, a print hold flag 808, and a print job transmission time 809.
The reception number 801 is a number assigned in the order in which the server 105 receives print jobs.

  The user ID 802 is a number (user identification information) that uniquely identifies a user who has logged in to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the print job.

  The job ID 803 is a number (print job identification information) assigned to uniquely identify the print job when the server 105 receives the print job.

  A file name 804 is a name (document name) of a file transmitted as a print job.

  The total number of printed sheets 805 indicates the number of printed sheets per print job.

  An IP address 806 indicates an address on the local network of the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the print job (identification information of the information processing apparatus).

A login flag 807 indicates a login status indicating whether or not the user who transmitted the print job is logged in to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the print job. In this embodiment, “1” is stored in the login flag 807 when logged in and “0” is logged out.
The information processing apparatus 103 determines whether an IC card is held over the reading apparatus 104, and transmits user logout information to the server 105 when user information cannot be read from the IC card. The logout information includes, for example, a user name. Upon receiving logout information including the user name, the server 105 identifies a print job corresponding to the user name, and identifies the log flag 807 for the identified print job. For example, “0” is stored. Further, when the user information of the IC card read by the reading device 104 is different from the user information logged in until now, the information processing device 103 determines that the user who has logged in until now has logged out, Logout information may be transmitted to the server 105. In this determination, the information read from the IC card may be card identification information, and user identification information corresponding to the card identification information may be specified to determine whether the user is logged in or logged out.
In the present embodiment, when the server 105 receives logout information including a user name, the server 105 specifies a print job corresponding to the user name, and stores, for example, “0” in the login flag 807 of the specified print job. However, for example, when transmitting a print job, the server 105 can make an inquiry to the information processing apparatus 103 to determine whether or not the user is logged in. In this case, if it is determined that the user is logged out, “0” is stored in the login flag 807. Also, for example, when the print device 106 manages the order of print jobs and prints the first print job, the print device 106 makes an inquiry to the information processing device 103 to determine whether or not the user is logged in. It is also possible to configure as described above.

  In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the user is logged in by referring to the login flag 1003 in FIG. 10 without making an inquiry to the information processing apparatus 103.

  A print hold flag 808 indicates that printing of the print job is held. In the present embodiment, “0” is indicated when the state is not on hold (usually, when the user is logged in), and “1” is indicated when the state is on hold (when the user is logged out).

  The print job transmission time 809 indicates the time when the print job is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 103.

A series of processes of the print job control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S111 in FIG. 6, when starting the printing process, the CPU 201 of the server 105 transmits the first print job stored in the list among the print job lists stored in the internal memory. Is identified.

  First, print job data is extracted from the print job data list. The print job is extracted one by one and processed.

  Specifically, in order to start printing of the print job a in the print job list of FIG. 8, the user “123456” who transmitted the print job a is specified.

  When the user is specified, in step S112, the CPU 201 of the server 105 determines whether or not the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus 103 specified from the IP address 806 that transmitted the print job a.

  Specifically, in order to confirm the login of the user who transmitted the print job from the information processing apparatus 103, the process of the information processing apparatus 103 is called to obtain a return value. The server 105 requests confirmation that the user “123456” is logged in to the information processing apparatus 103 identified from the IP address 806 that has transmitted the print job a.

  If the information processing apparatus 103 is used by a plurality of users, this process is performed because a user other than the user “123456” may be logged in.

  As a result of the determination, if the user who transmitted the first print job in the job list is logged in, the CPU 201 of the server 105 transmits the first print job in the job list to the printing apparatus 106 in step S113. . Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 103 that has transmitted the print job to the server 105 is also notified, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 displays a notification indicating “printing” on the display 210 (step S115). The notification to be displayed is not particularly specified, and may be “print start” or the like.

  If the result of determination is that the user who sent the first print job in the job list is logged out (NO in step S112), printing of the first print job is suspended and the process returns to step S111. The user who transmitted the next (second) print job is specified.

  In step S <b> 116, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 106 receives a print job from the server 105. In step S117, the print execution unit 410 of the printing apparatus 106 starts printing the received print job. As described above, since the printing technique is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted. Note that the server 105 may be notified that printing has started at this time. In this way, the information processing apparatus 103 that has received the print start from the server 105 can display a notification indicating “printing” on the display 210.

  In step S118, when the printing execution unit 410 of the printing apparatus 106 completes the printing process, the process proceeds to step S119, and notifies the server 105 that the printing is completed.

  In step S <b> 119, the print completion notification unit 411 of the printing apparatus 106 transmits a print completion notification indicating that the print job has been printed or a print ready notification indicating that the next print job can be printed. Notify In step S120, the CPU 201 of the server 105 receives the print completion notification (or print ready notification) from the printing apparatus 106, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 103 displays “print complete” or “printed” on the display 210. A notification indicating is displayed.

  In step S121, the CPU 201 of the server 105 deletes the print job that has been printed in the job list. Specifically, the print job data is deleted from the internal memory.

  In step S122, the CPU 201 of the server 105 determines whether printing of all print jobs in the job list has been completed (whether there are print jobs remaining in the job list). Returning to S111, the user of the first print job in the job list is newly specified.

  Next, with reference to the series of processes shown in FIG. 6, an example of the movement of the list in the order in which the server 105 issues a print execution instruction to the printing apparatus 106 by using the job list shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a job list of print jobs stored and managed by the server 105, and print jobs a to d are accumulated in the server 105 in order from the top.

  The server 105 performs login determination to the information processing apparatus 103 identified from the IP address 806 in FIG. 8 in order to confirm the current login status of the user who transmitted the first print job data in the job list.

  In 1 of FIG. 9, since the user “123456” who has transmitted the print job a has been confirmed by the response from the information processing apparatus 103, the server 105 transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 106. Execute printing.

  At this time, the user “234567” who sent the print job b after the print job a is in the logout state, and the user “345467” who sent the print job c is confirmed to log in, and the user “ 456789 ”is also in a logout state.

  When printing of the print job a is completed and the print job a is deleted from the job list, the server 105 determines whether printing of all the print jobs is completed based on step S123 of FIG. Since the print job exists in the job list at the time point 2 in FIG. 9, the server 105 returns to step S111 and identifies the user of the next print job b. That is, among unsent print jobs managed in the print job list, one print job is selected as a candidate for printing in the order of printing, and it is sequentially determined whether the user of the corresponding job is logged in. it can.

  In order to confirm the login status of the user of the first print job b in the job list in 2 of FIG. 9, login determination is performed again on the information processing apparatus 103 identified from the IP address 806 in FIG.

  When it is confirmed that the user “234567” who transmitted the print job b is logged out, the print hold flag 808 of the print job in FIG. 8 is changed from “0” to “1”. (Step S114 in FIG. 6) This print hold flag 808 is in a state of “1” until the next login job of the print job b is determined by the server 105 and the login of the user can be confirmed.

  When the printing of the print job b is suspended, the server 105 continues to perform the user login determination of the print job excluding the jobs whose printing is suspended.

  In 3 of FIG. 9, since the print job b is suspended, the user login determination of the next print job c is performed. Since the user “345678” who has transmitted the print job c has been confirmed to be logged in by a response from the information processing apparatus 103, the print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 106 to execute printing.

  In step 4 in FIG. 9, the user is returned to the first job list and the user login determination of the print job b is performed. Since the login of the user “234567” who transmitted the print job b cannot be confirmed even at the time point 4 in FIG. 9, the user of the next print job d is continued with the print hold flag 808 in FIG. Perform login determination.

  Since the user who transmitted the print job d cannot confirm the login at the time point 4 in FIG. 9, the print hold flag 808 is changed to “1” as in the above-described print job b, and the next print job e The user login determination is performed, and since the login is confirmed, printing is executed.

  Also in 5 of FIG. 9, the user returns to the first job list again, and the user login determination of the print job b is performed. At this time, since the login of the user “234567” who transmitted the print job b has been confirmed, the server 105 transmits the print job b to the printing apparatus 106 and executes printing.

As described above, the server 105 determines the user login of the first user in the job list. If the login information of the corresponding user can be confirmed, the server 105 transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 106, and the login information is not confirmed. Then, the process of changing the print hold flag 808 of the print job to “1” and leaving the server 105 as a target for the next user login determination is repeated until all the print jobs are removed from the job list.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the server 105 is configured to hold a job list that allows the server 105 to have the print server function. However, the print job is directly sent from the information processing apparatus 103 to the printing apparatus 106 without using the print server. It can also be realized by a transmission configuration. In this case, the job list of the server 105 is realized by the printing apparatus.
That is, the server 105 and the printing apparatus 106 can be rephrased as a printing control apparatus.

As described above, the present invention is an information processing apparatus 103 having a reading device that can accept user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, and a print generated by the information processing apparatus 103 instructed by the user. In a print control apparatus 105 that can communicate with a printing apparatus 106 that prints a job, a storage management unit (print job) that stores a print job generated by an information processing apparatus according to a user instruction and manages the printing order of the printing apparatus Of the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit 407 and the print management list in FIG. 8, the determination unit (CPU 301) determines one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order. Step S112), and the user who generated the print job determined by the determination unit logs the information processing apparatus. Determining means (CPU 301, step S112) for determining whether the user is logged in, and when the determining means determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus, A job is allowed to be transmitted to the printing apparatus (Yes in step S112), and when the determination unit determines that the user has not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job for the print target candidate is displayed. Without transmitting to the printing apparatus (No in step S112), the determination unit is controlled to determine the next print order print job stored by the storage management unit as a print target candidate (print execution control unit) 409 control processing).
As described above, according to the present invention, when the user who has instructed a print job from the information processing apparatus can confirm that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus, printing by the printing apparatus (multifunction device) is started. Can be provided.
It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

For example, the determination and determination processing performed by the server 105 may be performed by the printing apparatus 106. That is, the printing apparatus 106 includes a print job storage unit 407, a login user determination unit 408, and a print execution control unit 409. By doing in this way, this invention is realizable with the following structures.
That is, the present invention is a printing apparatus 106 that can communicate with an information processing apparatus 103 having a reading apparatus that can accept user information from a storage medium that stores user authentication information. A storage management unit (a print job storage unit 407 included in the printing apparatus 106) that stores the generated print job and manages the printing order of the printing apparatus, and a print job whose printing order is managed by the storage management unit Among them, a determination unit (CPU 301 provided in the printing apparatus 106, step S112) that determines one print job as a printing target candidate in the order of the printing order, and the user who generates the print job determined by the determination unit, Determination means for determining whether or not the user has logged in to the information processing apparatus (CPU 301 provided in the printing apparatus 106, step S112) and a printing unit that prints the print job of the candidate to be printed when the determination unit determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus (Yes in step S112; print execution unit 410). When the determination unit determines that the user has not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate for printing is not printed (No in step S112), and the determination unit stores the storage And a control unit (a print execution control unit 409 included in the printing apparatus 106) that controls to determine a print job in the next printing order stored by the management unit as a print target candidate.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that can be executed by the computer in the processing methods of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the storage medium according to the present invention stores the program that can be executed by the computer as shown in FIGS. Has been. Note that the program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus shown in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing base 100 Network 101 Adjunct quality control apparatus 102 Reading apparatus 103 Information processing apparatus 104 Reading apparatus 105 Server 106 Printing apparatus

Claims (12)

It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, and a printing apparatus that prints a print job generated by the information processing apparatus instructed by the user. A printing control device,
Storage management means for storing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus according to an instruction from the user and managing a printing order of the printing apparatus;
A determining unit configured to determine one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
Determination means for determining whether the user who has generated the print job determined by the determination means is logged in to the information processing apparatus,
When the determination unit determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print unit candidate print job is allowed to be transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the determination unit allows the user to If it is determined that the user has not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate to be printed is not transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the next print order stored in the storage management unit is stored in the determination unit. A print control apparatus that controls to determine a print job as a print target candidate. By receiving a print ready notification or a print completion notification of a previously sent print job from the printing device, the determination unit prints out of unsent print jobs whose pre-print order is managed by the storage management unit. In this order, one print job is determined as a candidate for printing,
When the determination unit newly determines a print target candidate in response to the print ready notification or the print completion notification, the determination unit prints a print job whose print order is managed by the storage management unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one print job is determined as a print target candidate in order from the first order. For each print job managed by the storage management means, a user management means for managing the information processing apparatus that is the transmission source of the print job and information for identifying the user of the print job in association with each other is further provided.
The determination unit identifies the user who generated the print job determined by the determination unit and the information processing apparatus from information managed by the user management unit, and specifies the specified information processing apparatus. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an inquiry is made as to whether or not the user is logged in, a result of the inquiry is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus. Print control device. A printing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus having a reading apparatus capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information,
Storage management means for storing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus according to an instruction from the user and managing a printing order of the printing apparatus;
A determining unit configured to determine one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
Determining means for determining whether or not the user who has generated the print job determined by the determining means is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
A printing unit that prints the print job of the print target candidate when the determination unit determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
When the determination unit determines that the user is not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate to be printed is not printed, and is stored in the determination unit by the storage management unit And a control unit that controls to determine a print job in the print order as a candidate for printing. It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, and a printing apparatus that prints a print job generated by the information processing apparatus instructed by the user. A print control method for a print control apparatus, comprising a storage management means for storing a print job generated by an information processing apparatus according to an instruction from the user and managing a print order of the print apparatus,
A determination step of determining one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user who has generated the print job determined in the determination step is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
A transmission step of transmitting the print job of the print target candidate to the printing device when it is determined in the determination step that the user is logged in to the information processing device;
If it is determined in the determining step that the user is not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print management candidate is not transmitted to the printing apparatus and stored in the determining step by the storage management unit. A print control method, wherein a print job in the next print order is determined as a print target candidate. By receiving a print ready notice or a print completion notice of a previously sent print job from the printing apparatus, the determining step is configured to print out an unsent print job whose pre-print order is managed by the storage management unit. One print job is determined as a candidate for printing in the order of the order,
When a new print target candidate is determined in the determination step in response to the print ready notification or the print completion notification, the determination step includes printing among print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein one print job is determined as a print target candidate in order from the first order. The print control apparatus manages, for each print job managed by the storage management unit, an information processing apparatus that is a transmission source of the print job and information that identifies a user of the print job in association with each other Further comprising means,
The determining step of the print control method specifies the user who has generated the print job determined in the determining step and the information processing apparatus from information managed by the user management unit, and the specified information An inquiry as to whether or not the specified user is logged in to a processing device, obtains a result of the inquiry, and determines whether or not the user is logged in to the information processing device. The printing control method according to 5 or 6. It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, storing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus according to the user's instruction, and A printing method in a printing apparatus comprising storage management means for managing,
A determination step of determining one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
A determination step of determining whether or not the user who has generated the print job determined in the determination step is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
A printing step of printing the print job of the candidate to be printed when it is determined in the determination step that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
If it is determined in the determination step that the user has not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate for printing is not printed, and the next stored in the determination step is stored by the storage management unit And a control step for controlling to determine a print job in the print order as a candidate for printing. It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, and a printing apparatus that prints a print job generated by the information processing apparatus instructed by the user. A program that is executed by a print control apparatus that stores a print job generated by an information processing apparatus according to an instruction from the user and includes a storage management unit that manages a printing order of the printing apparatus;
The printing control device;
A determining unit configured to determine one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
The user who has generated the print job determined by the determination unit functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus,
When the determination unit determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print unit candidate print job is allowed to be transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the determination unit allows the user to If it is determined that the user has not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate to be printed is not transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the next print order stored in the storage management unit is stored in the determination unit. A program for controlling to determine a print job as a candidate for printing. By receiving a print ready notification or a print completion notification of a previously sent print job from the printing device, the determination unit prints out of unsent print jobs whose pre-print order is managed by the storage management unit. In this order, one print job is determined as a candidate for printing,
When the determination unit newly determines a print target candidate in response to the print ready notification or the print completion notification, the determination unit prints a print job whose print order is managed by the storage management unit. The program according to claim 9, wherein one print job is determined as a candidate to be printed in order from the first order. The print control apparatus manages, for each print job managed by the storage management unit, an information processing apparatus that is a transmission source of the print job and information that identifies a user of the print job in association with each other Further comprising means,
The determination unit identifies the user who generated the print job determined by the determination unit and the information processing apparatus from information managed by the user management unit, and specifies the specified information processing apparatus. The inquiry as to whether or not the logged-in user is logged in, the result of the inquiry is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus. Program. It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus having a reading device capable of receiving user information from a storage medium storing user authentication information, storing a print job generated by the information processing apparatus according to the user's instruction, and A program that is executed by a printing apparatus that includes storage management means for managing,
The printing device;
A determining unit configured to determine one print job as a print target candidate in the order of the print order among the print jobs whose print order is managed by the storage management unit;
Determining means for determining whether or not the user who has generated the print job determined by the determining means is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
A printing unit that prints the print job of the print target candidate when the determination unit determines that the user is logged in to the information processing apparatus;
When the determination unit determines that the user is not logged in to the information processing apparatus, the print job of the candidate to be printed is not printed, and is stored in the determination unit by the storage management unit A program that functions as a control unit that controls to determine a print job in the print order as a candidate for printing.

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