JP2011034160A - Network printing system, program for the system, and image forming device provided with the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network printing system for executing printing in a proper image forming device according to a position of a user, in consideration of a division of the user. a program for the system, and the image forming device provided with the program. <P>SOLUTION: The network printing system includes: a laptop computer (34a) in which one image forming device (12a) is registered as a registered image forming device (R); a means for acquiring positional information and status information of the user of the laptop computer (34a); a determination means for determining an output image forming device (C) for outputting print data, based on the positional information and the status information of the user, when the print data is transmitted from the laptop computer (34a) to the registered image forming device (R); and a means for transferring the printing data from the registered image forming device (R) to the output image forming device (C), when the registered image forming device (R) is not the output image forming device (C). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a client terminal via a network, the system program, and an image forming apparatus including the program.

  In recent years, the number of users who always carry a laptop personal computer as a client terminal and use it in various places in an office has increased. Even when such a user executes a print command on an application, printing is executed by a previously registered image forming apparatus unless otherwise specified. It is only necessary for the user to be able to pick up the printed matter immediately, but when the user is far away, the printed matter is left on the image forming apparatus for a long time and seen by a third party, and information leakage occurs. There is a fear.

  In view of this, the network print system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that user position information is managed and the image forming apparatus does not execute printing unless there is a user within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus. .

JP 2005-342964 A

  As in the network print system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, if printing is not executed unless there is a client terminal user within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus, the user is away from the image forming apparatus. You have to bother to get close to printing.

On the other hand, the user can cause an image forming apparatus near the user to execute printing. In this case, however, the user must execute a print command after selecting a desired image forming apparatus in the printer driver.
Thus, it is difficult to say that the network print system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is convenient for the user.

  Therefore, instead of requesting the user to be in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus or changing the setting of the printer driver, printing is automatically performed on the image forming apparatus closest to the user according to the position of the user of the client terminal. It is conceivable that the network print system is configured to execute the above.

In the case of such a system, the user can execute printing on an image forming apparatus in a department different from the department to which the user belongs, but printing on the image forming apparatus closest to the user without any limitation. If this is allowed, it becomes difficult to manage and supervise users. For this reason, it is conceivable that printing is performed unnecessarily and costs increase, and the risk of information leakage increases.
Further, if printing can be executed even in an image forming apparatus in a department different from the department to which the department belongs, it becomes difficult to manage the expenses of the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is made on the basis of the above-described circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to execute printing by an appropriate image forming apparatus according to the position of the user in consideration of the department to which the user belongs. It is an object to provide a network printing system, a system program, and an image forming apparatus including the program.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following solutions.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to each of the image forming apparatuses via a network, and one of the image forming apparatuses is a print data. A client terminal registered as a transmission destination, position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of a user of the client terminal, identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the user of the client terminal, and the client terminal When the print data is transmitted from the registered image forming apparatus to the registered image forming apparatus, the user's position information acquired by the position information acquiring means and the user's identity information acquired by the position information acquiring means Determining means for determining an output image forming apparatus to execute printing from among the image forming apparatuses, and the registered image forming And a transfer unit that transfers the print data from the registered image forming apparatus to the output image forming apparatus when the apparatus is not the output image forming apparatus. The

According to the network printing system of the first solving means, the output image forming apparatus is determined not only according to the position of the user but also according to the identity of the user, and a certain restriction is imposed on the user. For this reason, management and supervision of the user are easy, and there is no possibility of an increase in expenses due to an increase in useless printing and a risk of information leakage.
On the other hand, a client terminal user who is loosely restricted can easily receive a printed matter at a nearby output image forming apparatus by executing a print command as usual without being aware of the place where the user is working. . Not only this, but a user who is loosely restricted can easily receive a printed matter at a nearby output image forming apparatus even if he / she misunderstands the place where he / she is working and executes a print command.
For this reason, it is prevented that the printed material is left in the image forming apparatus for a long time, and there is no risk of information leakage due to others seeing the printed material.
In addition, a user with less restrictions does not need to change the settings on the client terminal related to the image forming apparatus used at the time of the print command according to the place where the user is working, so the work efficiency is high and there is no risk of setting mistakes. .

Second solving means: Preferably, the position information acquiring means is constituted by an entrance / exit management system.
According to the network printing system of the second solving means, the user's position information is easily and reliably acquired by using the entrance / exit room utilization system.

  Third solving means: Preferably, the client terminal transmits the identification information of the user together with the print data to the registered image forming apparatus, and the registered image forming apparatus receives the received user. Identification information of the user is transmitted to the entrance / exit management system, and the entrance / exit management system specifies the location information and identity information of the user based on the received identification information of the user, and the identified location information and identity The output image forming apparatus is determined based on the information, and the identification information of the determined output image forming apparatus is transmitted to the registered image forming apparatus, and the registered image forming apparatus receives the information Based on the identification information of the output image forming apparatus, it is determined whether or not itself is the output image forming apparatus.

  In the network printing system of the third solving means, the registered image forming apparatus transmits the user identification information to the entrance / exit management system, and the entrance / exit management system registers the identification information of the output image forming apparatus. Since it is transmitted to the forming apparatus, it does not require new hardware resources and has a simple configuration. For this reason, this network printing system is easy to introduce.

  Fourth solving means: Preferably, the entrance / exit management system has information of a group to which the user belongs as the user identity information, and the user is based on the received identification information of the user. The group information is identified, and the identified group information of the user is transmitted to the registered image forming apparatus together with the identification information of the output image forming apparatus, and the registered image forming apparatus includes: When the print data is transferred to the output image forming apparatus, the user group information is also transferred.

  According to the fourth solution means, even if the user of the client terminal frequently uses a plurality of image forming apparatuses, it is possible to prevent the management of expenses and the like in each image forming apparatus from becoming difficult. . That is, since information regarding the group to which the user belongs is transmitted to each image forming apparatus, it is extremely easy to add up the quantity used for each group using the information. Then, according to the result of the aggregation, it is sufficient to give each group an appropriate burden, and management of expenses and the like does not become difficult.

  Fifth Solution: According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the network printing system program according to the third or fourth solution, wherein the image forming apparatus is installed with the program. The controller sends the user identification information received together with the print data to the entry / exit management system, and the output based on the output image forming apparatus identification information received from the entry / exit management system. A network printing system program for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the procedure of transferring the print data is provided.

  According to the network printing system program of the fifth solving means, the computer of the image forming apparatus transmits the user identification information to the entrance / exit management system, and the output image forming apparatus transfers the print data. Therefore, the configuration of the network printing system is simplified. For this reason, if this program is used, it is easy to introduce a network printing system.

Sixth Solution According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising the network printing system program of the fifth solution.
By using the image forming apparatus of the sixth solving means, a network printing system can be easily constructed.

  According to the present invention, the network printing system in which printing is executed by an appropriate image forming apparatus according to the position of the user in consideration of the identity of the user, the system program, and the program An image forming apparatus is provided, and the convenience for the user is dramatically improved.

It is a schematic block diagram of the network printing system of one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus used in the system of FIG. 1. It is the entrance / exit management table which the entrance / exit management server used for the system of FIG. 1 has memorize | stored. 2 is a device management table stored in an entrance / exit management server used in the system of FIG. 2 is a data flowchart for explaining a data flow when a full-time employee Mr. A who uses a laptop computer in which an image forming apparatus on the 10th floor is registered executes a print command on the 10th floor in the system of FIG. 2 is a data flowchart for explaining a data flow when a regular employee Mr. A who uses a laptop computer in which an image forming apparatus on the 10th floor is registered executes a print command on the 9th floor in the system of FIG. 2 is a data flowchart for explaining a data flow when an external vendor B who uses a laptop computer in which an image forming apparatus on the 10th floor is registered executes a print command on the 10th floor in the system of FIG. 1. 2 is a data flowchart for explaining a data flow when an external vendor B who uses a laptop computer in which an image forming apparatus on the 10th floor is registered executes a print command on the 9th floor in the system of FIG. 1. 2 is a program flowchart for explaining a program executed by the image forming apparatus in the system of FIG. 2 is a program flowchart for explaining a program executed by an entry / exit management server in the system of FIG.

Hereinafter, a network printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a network printing system. The network printing system is installed, for example, in a building 10 in the office.

  The building 10 has, for example, 10 floors, and the network printing system includes image forming apparatuses 12a, 12b, 12c,... Installed on each floor of the building 10. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatuses 12a, 12b, 12c,... Are collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 12 is connected to a network 14 such as a LAN installed in the building 10.

The image forming apparatus 12 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) and has a printing function, a scanning function, a FAX function, and a box function.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 12 has a controller (computer) 16 for integrated control of all the functions of the image forming apparatus 12, and the controller 16 is a microprocessor for executing a program. (MPU) 18 and a memory 20 for storing the program itself and the calculation result of the program.
An operation panel 22 is connected to the controller 16, and a command can be directly input to the image forming apparatus 12 using the operation panel 22.

  A network communication unit 24 is connected to the controller 16, and the image forming apparatus 12 can communicate with an external device through the network communication unit 24 and the network 14. For example, an external device can input a command to the controller 16 through the network 14, and conversely, the controller 16 can output a command to the external device through the network communication unit 24 and the network 14.

  The controller 16 transmits / receives a printing unit 26 for executing a printing function, a scanner unit 28 for executing a scanning function, and a FAX based on a program preinstalled therein and a command input to the controller 16. The operations of the FAX unit 30 and the external storage device (HDD) 32 for executing the box function are controlled.

Referring again to FIG. 1, laptop computers 34 a, 34 b, 34 c and the like are connected to the network 14 as client terminals used by employees and the like, and the user of the client terminal forms an image via the network 14. A desired image forming apparatus can be selected and used from the apparatuses 12 each time.
Hereinafter, the laptop computers 34a, 34b, and 34c are collectively referred to as a laptop computer 34.

  In addition, if the user registers a desired one of the image forming apparatuses 12 in advance in the printer driver of the client terminal, the registered image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a registered image) can be selected without being selected each time it is used. It is also possible to use an image forming apparatus 12 selection operation. In general, the user sets the registered image forming apparatus R that has a dedicated desk among the image forming apparatuses 12.

On the other hand, an entrance / exit management system 36 is installed in the building 10. The entrance / exit management system 36 is used as an authentication terminal, for example, an IC card reader 38a, 38b, 38c,... Installed on each floor and an IC card reader 38a, 38b, 38c,. And a management server 40. Hereinafter, the IC card readers 38a, 38b, 38c,... Are collectively referred to as an IC card reader 38.
A biometric authentication terminal can also be used as the authentication terminal.

More specifically, the IC card reader 38 is provided in the vicinity of an entrance / exit door such as an office, work room, or conference room on each floor. When a person who wants to enter the room holds an IC card such as an employee card over the IC card reader 38, the IC card and the IC card reader 38 communicate with each other, and the identification information about the person who attempted the authentication is the IC card reader 38. Is input to the room entry / exit management server 40.
The entrance / exit management server 40 has a list of identification information that permits entry, and if the input identification information is in the list, the authentication is successful. When the authentication is successful, the entrance / exit management server 40 unlocks the entrance / exit and allows the person who attempted the authentication to enter the room.

  Here, in the network printing system of the present embodiment, when the user of the client terminal uses the image forming apparatus 12 through the network 14, the user is conscious based on the position information and the identity information of the user. Even if it is not selected, printing is executed by an appropriate image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an output image forming apparatus, which is denoted by reference symbol C) among the image forming apparatuses 12.

  For this purpose, the network printing system is linked with the entrance / exit management system 36, means for acquiring the position information of the user of the client terminal (position information acquisition means) and means for acquiring the identity information (identity information acquisition means). The entrance / exit management system 36 is used.

  Specifically, when the authentication is successful, the entrance / exit management server 40 stores identification information regarding the person who attempted the authentication, and also stores information on the floor (room occupancy) permitted to enter. In addition, the identification information regarding the person who attempted the authentication is, for example, IC card information assigned to each IC card, and the identification information is stored in each IC card.

The entry / exit management server 40 also stores predetermined information associated with the identification information of the person who has attempted to enter the room, and when these are collected, for example, an entrance / exit management table as shown in FIG. 3 is stored. ing.
In other words, in the entrance / exit management table, information on the floor of each person such as employees, IC card information of the IC card held by each person, information on the identity of each person (identity information), and Each user's user ID is included. The user ID is identification information of the user of the client terminal necessary when logging in to the client terminal. As a matter of course, the information on the occupancy floor in the entry / exit management table is updated every time an employee or the like moves on the floor.

  In the present embodiment, the identification information includes information on the department to which the user belongs, and contract classification information such as whether or not the user is a regular employee. The unit of the belonging department is, for example, a section or a department. In addition to regular employees, the contract category includes external vendors (hereinafter also simply referred to as outside) that have been dispatched from business partners. The status information can include the job title of the user.

  In the network printing system, when the user of the client terminal executes a print command on the application and print data is transmitted from the client terminal to the registered image forming apparatus R, the network printing system is based on the position information and the identity information of the user. And determining means for determining the output image forming apparatus C. The determining means includes a client terminal, an entrance / exit management server 40, and a registered image forming apparatus R.

  The network printing system also includes a transfer unit that transfers print data from the registered image forming apparatus R to the output image forming apparatus C when the registered image forming apparatus R is not the output image forming apparatus C. The transfer unit can be configured by the registered image forming apparatus R.

  Specifically, when the client terminal transmits print data to the registered image forming apparatus R in accordance with the user's print command, the client terminal is also configured to transmit a user ID that is user identification information to the registered image forming apparatus R. It is configured. The registered image forming apparatus R is configured to transmit the user ID received from the client terminal and the IP address that is identification information of the registered image forming apparatus R to the entrance / exit management server 40.

The entrance / exit management server 40 stores a management table of the image forming apparatus 12 (hereinafter also referred to as an apparatus management table). As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus management table stores the management table of each image forming apparatus 12. It includes an installation floor, an IP address as identification information of each image forming apparatus 12, and information on an arrangement department that mainly uses each image forming apparatus 12.
As the identification information of the image forming apparatus 12, the name of the image forming apparatus 12 on the network 14 can be used.

  In addition, the entrance / exit management server 40 is configured as follows. First, when the user ID is received, the user's occupancy floor, the department to which the user belongs, and the classification are specified based on the user ID with reference to the entry / exit management table.

  Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 refers to the apparatus management table and identifies the IP address and the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12 whose identified floor is the same as the installation floor. Thereafter, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the specified belonging department and the specified placement department match. If they match, the entrance / exit management server 40 returns the specified IP address to the registered image forming apparatus R that has transmitted the user ID together with the department data of the user.

  On the other hand, if the specified department does not match the specified placement department, the entrance / exit management server 40 further determines whether or not the specified user category is a regular employee. As a result of the determination, if the identified user category is a regular employee, the identified IP address is returned to the registered image forming apparatus R that has transmitted the user ID together with the user's department data.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the user is not a regular employee, the entrance / exit management server 40 uses the IP address of the registered image forming apparatus R instead of the specified IP address to the registered image forming apparatus R. Reply with department data.

  The registered image forming apparatus R compares the IP address received from the entry / exit management server 40 with its own IP address, and if these IP addresses are the same as each other, the print data is output to create a printed matter. It is configured.

  On the other hand, if these IP addresses are different, the registered image forming apparatus R transmits the print data and the user department data to the output image forming apparatus C different from the one having the received IP address. To do. When the output image forming apparatus C receives print data from the registered image forming apparatus R, the output image forming apparatus C outputs the print data to create a printed matter.

  The image forming apparatus 12 is configured to create a print log when printing is executed. The print log includes the date and time of printing, the number of copies, and information on the department to which the user belongs, and based on the print log, the expenses of each image forming apparatus 12 such as the printing fee are tabulated for each department. can do.

  Hereinafter, regarding the operation of the network printing system described above, Mr. A (user ID: ab0001, category: regular employee, installation floor of registered image forming apparatus R and IP address: 10th floor, 111.1. 200.10) explains a case where a print command is executed when the laptop computer 34a is used on the 10th floor based on FIG.

  Before executing the print command, Mr. A holds his IC card over the IC card reader 38a for authentication, and the tenth floor is registered in the entrance / exit management table as information on the floor in the room. . As a matter of course, Mr. A logs in to the laptop computer 34a using the user ID and the password.

  When Mr. A executes the print command, the laptop computer 34a transmits the user ID and print data to the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor which is the registered image forming apparatus R. When receiving the user ID and the print data, the image forming apparatus 12 a transmits the user ID and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12 a itself to the entrance / exit management server 40.

The entrance / exit management server 40 refers to the entrance / exit management table and the device management table, identifies the occupancy floor, department, and division of Mr. A based on the received user ID. And the IP address and arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a whose installation floor matches.
Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether the department to which Mr. A belongs matches the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a. Because the department to which Mr. A belongs and the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a are the same in the general affairs department, the entrance / exit management server 40 transmits the department data of Mr. A and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12a to the image forming apparatus 12a0. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 12a compares the received IP address with its own IP address to determine whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus C. In this case, since the IP addresses match, the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor outputs print data and creates a printed matter. Because Mr. A is on the same 10th floor, he can get a printed matter in a short time.

  Next, Mr. A moved to the 9th floor for a meeting, for example, and executed a print command using the laptop computer 34a on the 9th floor without consciously selecting the image forming apparatus 12b on the 9th floor. The case will be described with reference to FIG.

In this case, prior to the print command, Mr. A has completed the authentication by holding the IC card over the IC card reader 38b on the 9th floor, and the 9th floor is registered in the entrance / exit management table as information on the occupancy floor.
When Mr. A executes the print command, Mr. A does not consciously select the image forming apparatus 12b on the 9th floor, so the user ID and the print data are stored in the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor as the registered image forming measure R. Sent.

  Then, as in the previous case, the image forming apparatus 12 a transmits the user ID to the entry / exit management server 40. Based on the received user ID, the entrance / exit management server 40 identifies Mr. A's occupancy floor, department and division, and further, the IP of the image forming apparatus 12b in which Mr. A's occupancy floor matches the installation floor. Identify the address.

Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 refers to the apparatus management table and determines whether the department to which Mr. A belongs matches the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12b. The department to which Mr. A belongs is the general affairs department, whereas the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a is the sales department, and these do not match.
In response to this determination result, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether the classification of Mr. A is a regular employee. Since Mr. A is a regular employee, the entrance / exit management server 40 transmits Mr. A's belonging department data and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12b to the image forming apparatus 12a.

  The image forming apparatus 12a that has received Mr. A's department data and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12b compares the returned IP address with its own IP address, and determines whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus C. To determine. In this case, these IP addresses are different and the image forming apparatus 12a is not the output image forming apparatus C. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 12a has the image forming apparatus 12b on the ninth floor to which the returned IP address is assigned. That is, the print data and Mr. A's department data are transmitted to the output image forming apparatus C.

  Upon receiving the print data from the registered image forming apparatus R, the image forming apparatus 12b on the ninth floor outputs the print data, creates a printed matter, and creates a print log. Because Mr. A is on the same 9th floor, he can get the printed matter in a short time.

  In addition, Mr. B (user ID: ef0003, classification: external, installation floor of registered image forming apparatus R and IP address: 10th floor, 111.1.200.10.) Belonging to the general affairs department on the 10th floor is a laptop computer. A case where a print command is executed when 34b is used on the 10th floor will be described with reference to FIG.

  Before executing the print command, Mr. B holds his IC card over the IC card reader 38a for authentication, and the tenth floor is registered as information on the floor in the room entrance / exit management table. . As a matter of course, Mr. B logs in to the laptop computer 34b using the user ID and the password.

  When Mr. B executes the print command, the laptop computer 34b transmits the user ID and the print data to the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor which is the registered image forming apparatus R. When receiving the user ID and the print data, the image forming apparatus 12 a transmits the user ID and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12 a itself to the entrance / exit management server 40.

The room entry / exit management server 40 refers to the room entry / exit management table and the device management table, specifies the room, the department and the division of Mr. B based on the received user ID, and further, the room of Mr. B And the IP address and arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a whose installation floor matches.
Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the department to which Mr. B belongs matches the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a. Since the department to which Mr. B belongs and the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12a are the same in the general affairs department, the entrance / exit management server 40 transmits the department data of Mr. B and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12a to the image forming apparatus 12a0. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 12a compares the received IP address with its own IP address to determine whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus C. In this case, since the IP addresses match, the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor outputs print data and creates a printed matter. Mr. B is on the same 10th floor, so he can get the printed matter in a short time.

  Further, a case where Mr. B executes a print command while using the laptop computer 34b on the 9th floor will be described with reference to FIG.

  Before executing the print command, Mr. B holds his IC card over the IC card reader 38b for authentication, and the 9th floor is registered in the entrance / exit management table as information on the floor in the room. . As a matter of course, Mr. B logs in to the laptop computer 34b using the user ID and the password.

  When Mr. B executes the print command, the laptop computer 34b transmits the user ID and the print data to the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor which is the registered image forming apparatus R. When receiving the user ID and the print data, the image forming apparatus 12 a transmits the user ID and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12 a itself to the entrance / exit management server 40.

The room entry / exit management server 40 refers to the room entry / exit management table and the device management table, specifies the room, the department and the division of Mr. B based on the received user ID, and further, the room of Mr. B And the IP address and arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12b whose installation floor matches.
Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the department to which Mr. B belongs matches the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12b. The department to which Mr. B belongs is general affairs, whereas the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12b is the sales department, and these do not match.

  In response to this determination result, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether the classification of Mr. B is a regular employee. Mr. B is an external vendor and not a full-time employee. Upon receiving this determination result, the entrance / exit management server 40 forms the image of the department data of Mr. B and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 12a which is the registered image forming apparatus R. Transmit to device 12a.

  The image forming apparatus 12a compares the received IP address with its own IP address to determine whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus C. In this case, since the IP addresses match, the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor outputs print data and creates a printed matter.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a program that is installed in the above-described registered image forming apparatus R and executed when the registered image forming apparatus R receives a print command.
The registered image forming apparatus R determines whether or not the user's user ID and print data have been received (step S10). If the determination result is Yes, the received user's user ID and the registered image forming apparatus R are determined. The own IP address is transmitted to the entrance / exit management server 40 (step S12).

  Thereafter, the registered image forming apparatus R determines whether or not the IP address of the output image forming apparatus C and department data have been received (step S14). When the determination result is Yes, the registered image forming apparatus R determines whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus C by comparing its own IP address with the received IP address (step S16). .

If the determination result in step S16 is Yes, the registered image forming apparatus R executes printing (step S18), creates a print log (step S20), and the program flow ends.
On the other hand, if the determination result in step S16 is No, the registered image forming apparatus R transmits the print data and department data to the output image forming apparatus C (step S22), and the program in the registered image forming apparatus R Although the flow ends, the output image forming apparatus C that has received the print data and the department data executes printing and creates a print log.

  FIG. 10 shows a program that is installed in the above-described entrance / exit management server 40 and that is executed when the entrance / exit management server 40 receives the user ID of the user and the IP address of the registered image forming apparatus R from the registered image forming apparatus R. It is a flowchart.

The entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the user ID of the user and the IP address of the registered image forming apparatus R have been received (step S50). If the determination result is Yes, the entrance / exit management server 40 is referred to. Based on the received user ID, the user's occupancy floor, department, and classification are read (step S52).
Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 refers to the device management table, and reads the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus on the user's occupancy floor based on the read occupancy floor of the user (step S54).

Then, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the department to which the user belongs and the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus 12 on the user's occupancy floor match (step S56). When the determination result of step S56 is Yes, the entrance / exit management server 40 sets the image forming apparatus 12 on the occupancy floor to the output image forming apparatus C (step S58).
Thereafter, the entrance / exit management server 40 transmits the IP address of the output image forming apparatus C and the department data of the user to the registered image forming apparatus R (step S60), and the program flow ends.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S56 is No, the entrance / exit management server 40 determines whether or not the user category is a regular employee (step S62). When the determination result of step S62 is Yes, step S58 and step S60 are sequentially executed, and the program flow ends.
On the other hand, when the determination result in step S62 is No, the entrance / exit management server 40 sets the registered image forming apparatus R that has transmitted its own IP address together with the user ID as the output image forming apparatus C (step S42). S64). After step S64, step S60 is executed, and the program flow ends.

According to the network printing system of the above-described embodiment, the output image forming apparatus C is determined according to not only the position of the user but also the identity of the user, and a certain restriction is imposed on the user. Specifically, the external vendor is permitted to print on the image forming apparatus 12 other than the registered image forming apparatus R only when the department to which the external vendor belongs and the installation department of the image forming machine 12 match.
For this reason, management and supervision of the user are easy, and there is no possibility of an increase in expenses due to an increase in useless printing and a risk of information leakage.
On the other hand, a user of a client terminal with less restrictions can easily receive a printed matter at a nearby output image forming apparatus C by executing a print command as usual, without being conscious of the place where the user is working. I can do it. In addition to this, a user who is loosely restricted can easily receive a printed matter at the nearby output image forming apparatus C even if he / she misunderstands the place where he / she is working and executes a print command.

For this reason, the printed material is prevented from being left in the image forming apparatus 12 for a long time, and there is no risk of information leakage due to the printed material being viewed by others.
In addition, an operator with less restrictions does not need to change the setting at the client terminal regarding the image forming apparatus 12 used at the time of the print command according to the place where the user is working, so that the work efficiency is high and there is no risk of setting mistakes. .

  And according to the network printing system of one embodiment mentioned above, by using entrance / exit room use system 36, a user's position information is acquired easily and certainly.

  In the network printing system according to the embodiment described above, the registered image forming apparatus R transmits user identification information to the entry / exit management system 36, and the entrance / exit management system 36 transmits the identification information of the output image forming apparatus C. Since the data is transmitted to the registered image forming apparatus R, new hardware resources such as a printer server are not required, and the configuration is simple. For this reason, this network printing system is easy to introduce.

Further, according to the network printing system of one embodiment, even if the user of the client terminal frequently uses a plurality of image forming apparatuses 12 by introducing this system, the cost etc. in each image forming apparatus 12 is reduced. Management is prevented from becoming difficult. That is, since information related to the user's department is transmitted to each image forming apparatus 12, it is very easy to add up the quantity used for each department and the like. Then, depending on the result of the aggregation, it is only necessary to give each department a corresponding burden, and it is not difficult to manage expenses.
If it is not necessary to manage expenses for each department, there is no need to use information related to the department.

Furthermore, according to the program for the image forming apparatus 12 used in the network printing system according to the embodiment, the step of causing the controller 16 of the image forming apparatus 12 to transmit the user identification information to the entrance / exit management system 36. Since S12 and step S22 for transferring print data to the output image forming apparatus C are executed, the configuration of the network printing system is simplified. For this reason, if this program is used, it is easy to introduce a network printing system.
In other words, a network printing system can be easily constructed by using the image forming apparatus 12 in which this program is installed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, the means for acquiring the location information of the user of the client terminal is not limited to the entrance / exit management system 36. However, considering the ease of introduction of the network printing system, it is preferable to use the entrance / exit management system 36 as the position information acquisition means.

  In the embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 12a on the 10th floor is the registered image forming apparatus R, but any of the image forming apparatuses 12 may be set as the registered image forming apparatus R.

  In the embodiment described above, the entrance / exit management server 40 stores the device management table. However, the image management device 12 may store the device management table. In this case, when the user ID is received from the registered image forming apparatus R, the entrance / exit management server 40 may return only the user's occupancy floor information to the registered image forming apparatus R. The registered image forming apparatus R can determine the output image forming apparatus C based on the received occupancy floor information with reference to the apparatus management table.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, after the entrance / exit management server 40 determines in step S56 whether or not the department to which the user belongs matches the arrangement department of the image forming apparatus on the occupancy floor, in step S62. Although the identity information of the user has been determined, a substantially similar configuration can be obtained even if the order of step S62 and step 56 is reversed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the restriction is imposed only on the external vendor. However, various restrictions may be imposed according to the user's identification information. For example, for a user in a department that handles confidential documents, printing on the image forming apparatus 12 other than the registered image forming apparatus R may be restricted even if it is a regular employee.

  On the other hand, in the embodiment described above, the registered image forming apparatus R temporarily holds the print data from when the user ID is transmitted to the entry / exit management server 40 until the IP address is received. The print data may be transmitted to the entrance / exit management server 40 together with the user ID.

  In this case, the entrance / exit management server 40 can transmit the print data to the output image printing apparatus C after determining the output image printing apparatus C. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the traffic on the network 14, it is preferable to temporarily store the print data in the registered image forming apparatus R as in the embodiment.

  Further, the number of image forming apparatuses 12 arranged on each floor is not limited to one. When there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 12 on one floor, it is sufficient to register only one specific IP address for the floor in the apparatus management table of the entrance / exit management system 40.

  Alternatively, it may be configured to acquire more detailed position information of the client terminal and determine the image forming apparatus 12 closest to the user as the output image forming apparatus C based on the acquired position information. For example, the IP address of the wireless LAN router connected to the client terminal may be acquired as the location information of the client terminal, and the image forming apparatus 12 closest to the wireless LAN router may be determined as the output image forming apparatus C.

  Finally, the image forming apparatus 12 used in the present invention is an MFP in one embodiment, but may be a single function printer or the like.

10 Building 12a, 12b, 12c Image forming apparatus C Image forming apparatus for output R Registered image forming apparatus (position information acquisition means, determination means, transfer means)
14 Network 16 Controller 34a, 34b, 34c Laptop computer (client terminal)
36 Entrance / exit management system (location information acquisition means, identification information acquisition means)
38a, 38b, 38c IC card reader (authentication terminal)
40 Entrance / exit management server (decision means)

Claims (6)

A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
A client terminal connected to each of the image forming apparatuses via a network, wherein one of the image forming apparatuses is registered as a print data transmission destination;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of a user of the client terminal;
Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the user of the client terminal;
When the print data is transmitted from the client terminal to the registered image forming apparatus, the user's location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit and the user acquired by the identity information acquisition unit Determining means for determining an output image forming apparatus to execute printing from among the image forming apparatuses based on the identification information of
A transfer unit configured to transfer the print data from the registered image forming apparatus to the output image forming apparatus when the registered image forming apparatus is not the output image forming apparatus; Network printing system. The network printing system according to claim 1,
The network printing system, wherein the position information acquisition means is configured by an entrance / exit management system. The network printing system according to claim 2,
The client terminal transmits the user identification information together with the print data to the registered image forming apparatus,
The registered image forming apparatus transmits the received identification information of the user to the entrance / exit management system,
The entrance / exit management system identifies the user's location information and identity information based on the received identification information of the user, and determines the output image forming apparatus based on the identified location information and identity information. And transmitting the determined identification information of the output image forming apparatus to the registered image forming apparatus,
The registered image forming apparatus determines whether or not it is the output image forming apparatus based on the received identification information of the output image forming apparatus. The network printing system according to claim 3,
The entrance / exit management system includes:
As the user's identity information, has information of the group to which the user belongs,
Based on the received identification information of the user, information on the group of users is specified, and the specified information on the group of users is registered together with the identification information on the image forming apparatus for output. To the device,
The registered image forming apparatus also transfers the user group information when transferring the print data to the output image forming apparatus. A network printing system program according to claim 3 or 4,
In the controller of the image forming apparatus in which the program is installed,
A procedure for transmitting the user identification information received together with the print data to an entrance / exit management system;
A network printing system program for causing the output image forming apparatus to transfer the print data based on the identification information of the output image forming apparatus received from the entrance / exit management system.   An image forming apparatus comprising the network printing system program according to claim 5.

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