JP2011186745A - Print management device and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure security and achieve flexible print control in time-designated printing. <P>SOLUTION: In time-designated printing (reserved printing) for outputting a printed matter to a multifunction machine 20 installed in a room R used as a meeting room, specifically, when the multifunction machine 20 in the room R starts printing materials for a meeting at a designated time before the meeting, if an access management device 40 which detects persons in the room R does not detect a prospective participant at the designated time, the multifunction machine 20 does not start printing when notified of absence of the prospective participant from the access management device 40. If the access management device 40 detects the prospective participant at the designated time, the multifunction machine 20 starts printing when notified of presence of the prospective participant from the access management device 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management apparatus and a printing apparatus that manage time-designated printing.

  When outputting printed matter with a printing device installed at a remote location, information in the printed matter may be seen by others or leaked before the print instructor goes to the printing device to get the printed matter. May be taken away by others. In order to prevent such information leakage and loss of printed matter, a print control technology that designates a print start time and makes a reservation and starts the reserved print at the designated start time, that is, time-designated print. Therefore, a print control technique for improving security (confidentiality of print information and safety of printed matter) has been devised.

  For example, based on conference room reservations (conference room reservation information) received by the conference room reservation system in order to print conference distribution materials on the printing device installed in the conference room and prepare in advance before the conference starts The print management server reserves the printing of the distribution material with the printing device in the meeting room specified as the output destination (storage of printing reservation information), and prints the distribution material print instruction before the start of use of the meeting room in the meeting room. Send to device. Upon receiving this print instruction, the printing device in the meeting room prints the distribution material, outputs it to the document storage rack, and can retrieve the distribution material from the document storage rack through user authentication by the conference room reservation person (or print reservation person). Alternatively, there is a technique for starting distribution material printing after user authentication of the reservation person (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-301895 A

  User authentication is a technique in which when authentication information is acquired from a user and authenticated, the user (authenticator) is permitted to use the device, and the device is occupied by the user during authentication.

  For example, if the multifunction device is being used by another user B at the start time of printing reserved by user A (reserved printing), the user A cannot perform user authentication even if the multifunction device is used. Waiting for use. If the multifunction device is used by User B for purposes other than printing (such as scanning an original or sending image data) and is ready to print, the user will be in the vicinity of the multifunction device at the time when User A's reserved printing starts. Even if A is present and the security is high, the multifunction device is occupied by the user B, and therefore the reserved printing of the user A is suspended without starting. User A only has to wait for user B's de-authentication (logoff), and the acquisition of the printed matter will be delayed.

  User A who is a conference room reservation person (or print reservation person) uses a multifunction device in the conference room by time-designated printing (reservation printing) combined with conference room reservation as described in Patent Document 1. For example, if user B who is a participant in the conference is in the vicinity of the multifunction device, the distribution material is output from the multifunction device. Even if it is seen by this user B, there is no problem. Furthermore, by monitoring User B who stays (highly likely) in the conference room to participate in the conference, the risk of the handout of the distributed material output from the MFP is reduced. In such a situation, since the security is enhanced even if the user A who is the directing person for printing the distribution material is not in the vicinity of the multifunction peripheral, the conference starts even before the arrival of the user A. It may be possible to start printing at a specified time, giving priority to the preparation of handouts by the time. In addition, even if there are persons related to the conference around the MFP, and those who are not related are also nearby, when the distribution material is output from the MFP, the outsider can view the information in the distribution material. Security may be reduced. In such a situation, it may be better not to start printing even at a specified time.

  As described above, even when security is enhanced (confidentiality of print information and printed matter safety) by time-designated printing, security according to the situation of the people around the printing device (multifunction device) at the designated time. The height changes.

  However, in user authentication, for example, as described above, it is impossible to identify a person around the apparatus and perform flexible print control according to the situation (according to security level). The technique of Patent Document 1 is limited in security by limiting a person who can acquire a printed matter by combining user authentication with time-designated printing or a person who can start printing to a specific user (conference room or print reservation person). However, only the specific user is considered and there is a problem that the flexibility of print control is poor.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a print management apparatus and a printing apparatus capable of ensuring security and flexible print control in time-designated printing.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] Data specifying information for specifying data to be reserved printing, apparatus specifying information for specifying a printing apparatus for executing the reserved printing, print designation time for starting the reserved printing, and related to the reserved printing A reception unit that receives identification information indicating a person who performs,
A storage unit that stores the data specifying information, the device specifying information, the print designation time, and the identification information received by the receiving unit in association with each other;
Whether or not reserved printing related to data corresponding to the data specifying information stored in the storage unit is started at the print specifying time is determined around the printing apparatus corresponding to the device specifying information at the print specifying time. A control unit that determines a person who is present and a person corresponding to the identification information, and causes the printing apparatus to perform an operation according to the determination result;
A print management apparatus.

  In the above invention, the print management apparatus has data specifying information related to reserved printing (information for specifying data to be reserved printing) and apparatus specifying information (information for specifying a printing apparatus that executes reserved printing). Print designation time (designated time to start reserved printing) and identification information (information indicating a person related to reserved printing) are received and stored in association with each other to manage reserved printing. The reception of such information includes reception by a direct operation on the print management apparatus, reception by an input from an external apparatus (terminal apparatus), and the like.

  The print management device determines whether or not reserved printing to be managed is started at the designated print time, and whether there are persons around the printing device corresponding to the device identification information and the person corresponding to the identification information at the designated print time. A comparison is made, and the printing apparatus is caused to perform an operation corresponding to the result of the determination. In other words, whether or not to start reserved printing at a print designated time is switched based on the situation of a person at the print designated time around a printing apparatus that executes reserved printing (print control).

  The print designation time may be a time or a time zone. In the case of a time zone, the above-mentioned judgment and print control according to the judgment result are performed at the start time, end time, any time between the start time and the end time, or a specified time. Also good.

  Persons related to reserved printing include those who instructed reserved printing (printing instructor), those who directly obtain printed matter from the printing device that performed reserved printing (printed matter acquirer), and those who have received printed matter around the printing device. Includes recipients (print recipients). When the print instruction person himself / herself acquires a printed material, the print instruction person and the printed material acquisition person are the same person. When the print instructor himself / herself does not acquire a printed matter but requests a substitute, the print instructor and the printed matter acquirer are different persons. Print recipients are not required.

  A person in the vicinity of the printing apparatus can be identified by, for example, cooperation between an identification information acquisition apparatus having a function of acquiring identification information for identifying the person from a person in the vicinity of the printing apparatus and the print management apparatus. is there. The identification information acquisition device can be configured to acquire identification information in the information storage device by contact or non-contact (wireless communication) with a portable information storage device in which the identification information is stored, for example. As the information storage device, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card having an information storage medium or an ID (IDentification) card for identification can be used.

  The identification information acquisition device may be installed around the printing device or may be provided in the printing device. When the print management apparatus is installed around the printing apparatus, the identification information acquisition apparatus may be provided in the print management apparatus. That is, the acquisition of identification information from people around the printing device may be performed by (1) an external device (identification information acquisition device) installed around the printing device, or (2) performed by the printing device. (3) The print management apparatus may do this.

  The comparison between the person around the printing apparatus and the person corresponding to the identification information stored in the printing management apparatus (person related to reserved printing) is performed by the above-described (1) to (3), for example. This can be done by comparing the identification information acquired from the people around the printer and the identification information stored in the print management apparatus. Specifically, in the case of (1), the print management apparatus performs comparison in cooperation with the external apparatus (acquiring identification information from the external apparatus). In the case of (2), the print management apparatus cooperates with the printing apparatus (acquires identification information from the printing apparatus) and performs comparison. In the case of (3), the print management apparatus performs the comparison independently (the print management apparatus itself acquires identification information).

  This comparison makes it possible to grasp (confirm) the situation of people around the printing apparatus. For example, it is possible to grasp whether there is a person related to reserved printing around the printing apparatus. Furthermore, it is possible to grasp whether or not there is a person who is not related to reserved printing around the printing apparatus.

  In this manner, whether or not to start reserved printing at a specified time (print specified time) is switched based on the situation of a person around the printing apparatus that executes reserved printing at the specified time. As a result, it is possible to achieve security and flexible printing control in reserved printing (time-designated printing). This flexible print control improves convenience in reserved printing.

[2] The control unit determines that the reserved printing is not started when the comparison confirms that there is no person corresponding to the identification information around the printing apparatus. [1] The print management apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the above invention, when it is confirmed that there is no person related to reserved printing (a person corresponding to the identification information stored in the print management apparatus) around the designated printing apparatus at the designated time to start reserved printing. By not starting reserved printing, it is possible to ensure the security related to reserved printing.

[3] The control unit determines that the reserved printing is not started when it is confirmed in the comparison that there is a person who does not correspond to the identification information around the printing apparatus. [1] The print management apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, when it is confirmed that there is a person who is not related to reserved printing (a person who does not correspond to the identification information stored in the print management apparatus) around the designated printing apparatus at the designated time to start reserved printing. By not starting reserved printing, security related to reserved printing can be ensured. In the confirmation that there is a person who is not related to reserved printing, it does not matter whether there is a person related to reserved printing. Whether or not there is a person related to reserved printing, even if there is a person who is not related, control is performed so that reserved printing is not started.

[4] When the control unit determines not to start the reserved printing, the controller cancels the reserved printing and notifies the person corresponding to the identification information of the cancellation of the reserved printing. [1] ] The print management apparatus according to any one of [3].

  In the above invention, if the reserved printing is not started (if it cannot be started) at the specified printing device at the specified time for starting the reserved printing, the reserved printing is canceled and the person (print management apparatus) related to the reserved printing is canceled. The person who corresponds to the identification information stored in (1) can recognize that the reserved printing has been canceled upon receiving the notification. If it is necessary to perform this printing, it is possible to take measures such as printing with another printing apparatus, and convenience is improved.

[5] When it is determined that the reserved printing is not started, the control unit notifies a person corresponding to the identification information to perform printing corresponding to the reserved printing with a printing apparatus different from the printing apparatus. The print management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4].

  In the above invention, if the reserved printing is not started (if it cannot be started) at the specified printing device at the specified time to start the reserved printing, the person related to the reserved printing (the identification stored in the print management device) The person who corresponds to the information can recognize that it is better to perform the printing corresponding to the reserved printing with another printing apparatus upon receiving the notification. If it is necessary to perform this printing, it is possible to take measures such as printing with another printing apparatus, and convenience is improved.

[6] When the control unit confirms that there is a person corresponding to the identification information and no person corresponding to the identification information around the printing apparatus in the comparison, the control unit starts the reserved printing. The print management apparatus according to [1], wherein the determination is made.

  In the above-described invention, there is a person (a person corresponding to the identification information stored in the print management apparatus) associated with the reserved printing around the designated printing apparatus at the designated time to start the reserved printing (printing). When it is confirmed that there is no person who does not correspond to the identification information stored in the management apparatus, reserved printing is started. In this way, in addition to the presence of people related to reserved printing in the vicinity of the printing device, it is confirmed that there are no unrelated people, and the security related to reserved printing is strengthened by starting reserved printing. Can do.

[7] When the control unit confirms that the reserved use time of the room in which the printing apparatus is installed overlaps with the designated printing time, the printing apparatus is installed in a person corresponding to the identification information. The print management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein a notification is made that a reserved use time of a certain room overlaps with the designated print time and a change relating to the reserved print is received. .

  In the above invention, if the reserved use time of the room overlaps the reserved print time specified for the printing device installed in the room, the person related to the reserved printing (in the identification information stored in the print management apparatus) The corresponding person) is notified of this, and changes related to reserved printing are accepted. The change related to reserved printing includes changing the designated printing time, canceling reserved printing, and the like.

  The person related to reserved printing that has received the above notification may have a person who is not related to reserved printing in the room where the specified printing device is installed at the specified printing time, that is, security related to reserved printing. Therefore, it is possible to grasp in advance that there is a possibility that the printability may be reduced, and it is possible to take measures by making a change related to reserved printing. Thereby, it is possible to ensure security related to reserved printing.

[8] A person around the printing device is identified by an entrance / exit management device that identifies a person in the room where the printing device is installed,
The control unit performs the comparison by acquiring occupant identification information indicating the identified occupant from the entrance / exit management device and comparing it with the identification information [1] to [1] to The print management apparatus according to any one of [7].

  In the above invention, the print management apparatus performs the comparison described in [1] in cooperation with the entrance / exit management apparatus that identifies the occupant in the room in which the printing apparatus is installed, and the situation of the occupants in the room ( Understand the situation of people around the printing device). Specifically, the print management device acquires the occupant identification information indicating the occupant in the room where the designated printing device is installed from the entrance / exit management device at the designated time to start reserved printing. By comparing the occupant identification information with the identification information stored in the print management apparatus, the occupancy status of persons related to reserved printing or unrelated persons in the room is grasped.

  In a configuration in which a printing device is installed in a room, the print management device can easily link the situation of people around the printing device with a simple configuration by cooperating with an entrance / exit management device that identifies the person in the room. I can grasp it.

[9] The print management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8];
A printing unit that is controlled by the control unit and performs printing related to data corresponding to the data information;
A printing apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, when the printing apparatus includes the print management apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8], security can be ensured and flexible printing control can be performed in time-designated printing.

  According to the printing management apparatus and the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve security and flexible printing control in time-designated printing. This improves the convenience in time-designated printing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the management server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine as a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the entrance / exit management apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a management server. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of an entrance / exit management apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of operations of the multifunction machine. It is an image figure which shows the meeting information registered into the management server which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of the management server which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print management system 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The print management system 5 is a system that prints conference distribution materials and the like with a time specified by a multifunction device installed in a room (room) used for a conference. The number of multifunction peripherals in this system and the number of rooms in which the multifunction peripherals are installed are arbitrary. In this embodiment, a description will be given by taking as an example a configuration with two living rooms and a total of two multifunction peripherals installed in each living room.

  Note that “time-designated printing” is also referred to as “reserved printing”. Here, reserved printing refers to printing in which a reservation is made or printing in which a reservation is made in order to execute printing by specifying a start time. The printing for which reservation has been made is the printing to be executed (printing process).

  The print management system 5 includes a management server 10, a multifunction device 20 a (multifunction device 1), an entry / exit management device 40 a (entrance / exit management device 1), and a detection device 50 a (detection device) installed in the room Ra (room 1). 1), a multifunction machine 20b (multifunction machine 2) installed in the room Rb (room 2), an entry / exit management device 40b (entrance / exit management device 2), and a detection device 50b (detection device 2). .

  The management server 10 is connected to each device installed in the living room Ra and the living room Rb through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and an arbitrary number of terminal devices 60 (terminal devices 60a to 60 in the example of FIG. 1). 60e) is also connected through the network. In the room Ra, the multifunction machine 20a and the entrance / exit management device 40a are communicably connected, and the entrance / exit management device 40a and the detection device 50a are communicably connected. In the living room Rb, the multifunction machine 20b and the entrance / exit management device 40b are communicably connected, and the entrance / exit management device 40b and the detection device 50b are communicably connected.

  The MFP 20a and the MFP 20b, the entrance / exit management device 40a and the entrance / exit management device 40b, the detection device 50a and the detection device 50b, and the terminal devices 60a to 60e are each configured (substantially) the same. The room Ra and the room Rb are also substantially the same configuration. When not distinguishing each in the following description, an identifier (“a” or the like) in the code is omitted.

  The terminal device 60 includes a personal computer that includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse. The terminal device 60 receives conference information and a registration instruction thereof from the user, transmits the conference information to the management server 10 and requests registration, and displays the notification when a notification regarding the conference information is received from the management server 10. With functionality.

  Meeting information includes a room used as a meeting room, meeting name, meeting room reservation time, meeting prospective person, document to be printed (conference distribution materials, etc.), print designation time (print designation times 1 and 2), number of copies It is information including. The terminal device 60 accepts various types of information included in the conference information through selection and input through, for example, a conference information registration screen displayed on the display unit and the operation unit. Here, the details of various information and the selection / input method will be described by taking as an example the case where selection items are displayed on the conference information registration screen and selection is accepted or input is accepted through the conference information registration screen.

  As for the conference room, the room 1 (room Ra) or the room 2 (room Rb) used as the conference room is accepted by selection. The correspondence between the room R and the multifunction device 20 is registered in advance in a relationship table in the management server 10 described later. In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 1 (the multifunction device 20a) corresponds to the living room 1 (the living room Ra), and the multifunction device 2 (the multifunction device 20b) corresponds to the living room 2 (the living room Rb). Information to be shown is registered in advance in a relation table in the management server 10. Based on this relationship table, the MFP 20 corresponding to the living room R selected for use as a conference room is determined. In the present embodiment, the information (room information) indicating the selected room 1 or room 2 has a function as “device identification information” for identifying the multifunction machine 20 (printing device) that executes reserved printing. .

  The meeting name is accepted by input or selection. When selecting a meeting name, it is good also as a structure selected from several meeting names registered previously. As for the conference room reservation time, the scheduled start time and the scheduled end time are accepted by selection or input. For example, if a meeting is scheduled to start at 15:00 and end at 16:00, the scheduled start time is selected / inputted at 15:00, and the scheduled end time is selected / inputted at 16:00.

  As for the prospective participants, the identification information of each person who will participate in the conference is accepted by selection or input. As the identification information, various kinds of information that can identify an individual such as a name, an employee number, and a user ID for authentication for using the terminal device 60 can be used. The identification information of the prospective participant in the meeting may be selected from a database or the like in which identification information such as employees and organizational members is registered in advance, or may be input directly. In the present embodiment, the prospective participant of the conference is a person related to reserved printing, and the identification information of the prospective participant of the conference is “identification information indicating a person related to reserved printing”.

  Registration of conference information through the terminal device 60 can be performed by a conference organizer or other participants, or by a person who does not participate in the conference but is requested to register conference information. When a conference organizer or other participants register conference information, the conference information registrant is included in the conference participation prospects (persons related to reserved printing) in the conference information. When the agent registers conference information, the conference information registrant is not included in the conference participation prospects (persons related to reserved printing) in the conference information.

  For a document to be printed, document specifying information (document name or the like) for specifying a document stored in advance in the management server 10 is displayed on the terminal device 60 and accepted by selection.

  A document to be printed may be selected (designated) other than those stored in the management server 10. For example, a document stored in another data server or a document stored in the terminal device 60 may be selected as a print target. Also in these cases, document specifying information for specifying a document stored in the data server and document specifying information for specifying a document stored in the terminal device 60 that is currently accepting registration of conference information. Is displayed on the terminal device 60 and accepted by selection. When a document in the data server is selected, the data server information (server ID, server address, etc.) is added to the document specifying information.

  In this embodiment, the document specifying information for specifying the document selected as the printing target is “data specifying information for specifying the data to be reserved for printing”.

  The print designation time is a time zone, and includes two print designation times indicating the start time and end time of the time zone. As for the print designation time, a desired first print designation time 1 (time zone start time) and a desired last print designation time 2 (time zone end time) are accepted by selection or input. The designated print time 1 is preferably set to a time when printing is completed with some time margin immediately before or after the start of the conference when printing is started at that time. The print designation time 2 is also a time (print cancel time) at which printing is canceled when printing is not started at that time. In this embodiment, the print designation time including these two print designation times indicating the start time and end time of the time zone is “print designation time for starting reserved printing”.

  For example, the designated print time 1 is a predetermined time before the scheduled start time (scheduled conference start time) in the conference room reservation time, and the designated print time 2 is the scheduled end time (scheduled conference end time) in the conference room reserved time. ) Is a time before a predetermined time. When the predetermined time is 10 minutes, if the scheduled start time is 15:00, the designated print time 1 is 14:50, and if the scheduled end time is 16:00, the designated print time 2 is 15:50. To do.

  The designated print time 1 may be automatically selected / input based on the scheduled start time of the conference room reservation time. For example, when a scheduled start time is selected / input, a time before the predetermined time may be automatically selected / input as the print designation time 1. The designated print time 2 may be automatically selected / input based on the scheduled end time of the conference room reservation time. For example, when the scheduled end time is selected / input, a time before the predetermined time may be automatically selected / input as the print designation time 2.

  The designated print time 2 may be the same time as the scheduled start time (scheduled start time of the conference) in the conference room reservation time, or may be a time after a predetermined time. For example, when the scheduled start time is 15:00, the print designation time 2 may be set to 15:00 or may be set to 15:10. Also in these cases, the print designation time 2 may be automatically selected / input based on the scheduled start time of the conference room reservation time. For example, when the scheduled start time is selected / input, the same time as that time or a time after that time may be automatically selected / input as the print designation time 2.

  The number of print copies is accepted by selection or input. The number of copies to be printed may be automatically selected / input based on the number of people who are scheduled to participate in the conference. For example, when the number of people scheduled to participate in the conference is confirmed, the same number as the number of people (for the number of people), or a predetermined number added to the number of people (addition of one or two copies as a spare) or the predetermined number is subtracted from that number The number obtained by subtracting one or two copies as the hand held by the meeting organizer may be automatically selected / input as the number of copies to be printed.

  When the terminal device 60 receives the conference information and the registration instruction from the user, the terminal device 60 transmits the conference information to the management server 10 to request registration. When a document in the terminal device 60 is selected as a document to be printed, the terminal device 60 sends the conference information and the data (print data) of the document to the management server 10 and requests registration.

  Further, when it is necessary to specify the registrant of the conference information later, the registrant identification information is also transmitted to the management server 10. The registrant identification information can be the terminal ID of the terminal device 60, the user ID of the user who registered the conference information through the terminal device 60 (the user ID used for logging in the terminal device 60), and the like.

  The terminal device 60 makes a conference and print reservation to the management server 10 by transmitting these pieces of information to the management server 10. More specifically, a reservation for using the room R in the meeting and a reservation for executing the time-designated printing related to the meeting by the multifunction machine 20 installed in the room R are performed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management server 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The management server 10 transmits to the multifunction device 20 a function for registering and managing conference information received and received from the terminal device 60, document data corresponding to the document specifying information included in the conference information, and conference information. A print reservation function, a function of notifying the detection device 50 of print designation time information at print designation times (print designation times 1 and 2) included in the conference information, and the like. In addition, the management server 10 cooperates with the multi-function device 20, the entrance / exit management device 40, and the detection device 50 to print the reserved print related to the document corresponding to the document specifying information included in the conference information at the print designated time (print designated time). Whether or not to start in 1 and 2), the MFP 20 (MFP 1 or M2) corresponding to the room information (Room 1 or Room 2) included in the conference information at the designated print time. A function that makes a judgment by comparing a person in the surrounding area with a prospective participant (a person corresponding to the identification information included in the meeting information) and causing the MFP 20 to perform an operation according to the judgment result. I have. This function is a print control function for switching whether or not to start reserved printing at a print designated time based on the situation of a person around the multifunction device 20 that executes the reserved print at the print designated time.

  If the management server 10 confirms that there are no prospective participants in the conference around the multifunction device 20 at the designated print time (print designated time 1 and print designated time 2) included in the conference information, the reservation is made. It has a function of canceling printing and notifying the scheduled attendees of cancellation of reserved printing.

  The management server 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a hard disk device 15, and a network communication unit 16 via a bus 12. The conference information notification unit 17 and the entrance / exit information acquisition unit 18 are connected to each other.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the management server 10 based on a program stored in the ROM 13. The RAM 14 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program.

  The hard disk device 15 stores various types of saved data and also saves conference information received from the terminal device 60. When meeting information and document data (print data) are received from the terminal device 60, they are stored in association with each other. When registrant identification information (terminal ID, user ID, etc.) is also received from the terminal device 60, the registrant identification information is also associated with the conference information and stored. The hard disk device 15 includes a database in which identification information (name, employee number, user ID, etc.) and information of the terminal device 60 (terminal ID, terminal address, etc.) are registered in association with each other, and the room R and the room R A relationship table showing the correspondence with each device installed in is also stored.

  In the relationship table in the present embodiment, the living room Ra (living room 1), the multifunction machine 20a (multifunction machine 1), the entrance / exit management device 40a (entrance / exit management device 1), and the detection device 50a (detection device 1) are associated. The information indicating that there is a room, the living room Rb (living room 2), the multifunction machine 20b (multifunction machine 2), the entry / exit management device 40b (entrance / exit management device 2), and the detection device 50b (detection device 2) are in a correspondence relationship. Information indicating that it exists is registered.

  The network communication unit 16 communicates with the multifunction device 20, the entrance / exit management device 40, the detection device 50, the terminal device 60, and the like through the network. The conference information notification unit 17 notifies the MFP 20 of conference information. The entrance / exit information acquisition unit 18 acquires entrance / exit information from the entrance / exit management device 40.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 20 as the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The multi-function device 20 has a copy function for optically reading an image of a document, printing the duplicate image on a recording sheet and outputting it, and scanning for storing the image data of the read document as a file or transmitting it to an external device. Functions, a printer function for printing an image relating to print data received from an external device and an image relating to image data stored in the multifunction device 20 on a recording sheet, and a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data. Yes.

  The multi-function device 20 includes a CPU 21 serving as a control unit, a ROM 23, a RAM 24, a nonvolatile memory 25, a hard disk device 26, a display unit 27, an operation unit 28, a facsimile communication unit 29, a network via a bus 22. The communication unit 30, the scanner unit 31, the image processing unit 32, the printer unit 33, the conference information acquisition unit 34, and the entrance / exit information acquisition unit 35 are connected.

  The CPU 21 controls the operation of the multifunction device 20 based on a program stored in the ROM 23. The RAM 24 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 21 executes a program, and is also used for an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The non-volatile memory 25 is a memory that retains memory even when the power is turned off, and stores device-specific information and various setting information. The hard disk device 26 stores various types of saved data and also saves input image data (including print data received from an external device).

  The display unit 27 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as an operation screen and a setting screen. The operation unit 28 includes various buttons such as a start button, a stop button, and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel that is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects a pressed coordinate position. Accepts various operations to be performed.

  The facsimile communication unit 29 transmits / receives image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line. The network communication unit 30 communicates with the management server 10 and the entrance / exit management device 40 through the network.

  The scanner unit 31 optically reads a document and acquires image data. The scanner unit 31 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The image processing unit 32 performs rasterization processing, and performs various types of image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion on the image data.

  The printer unit 33 forms and outputs an image based on the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 33 includes, for example, a recording paper conveyance device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) that is controlled to be turned on according to input image data, and laser light emitted from the LD. It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit that scans on a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Instead of an LED printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of a laser beam, other types of printers may be used.

  The conference information acquisition unit 34 acquires conference information from the management server 10 and determines whether to execute reserved printing related to the conference information. The entrance / exit information acquisition unit 35 acquires entrance / exit information from the entrance / exit management device 40.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entrance / exit management device 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The entrance / exit management device 40 has a function of detecting a person entering the room R and a person leaving the room R and managing it as entry / exit information. The entry / exit information may be, for example, information (entrance / exit history information) indicating the history of the person entering and leaving the room. In this embodiment, this entry / exit information has a function as “occupant identification information” indicating the occupants of the room R. The entry / exit management device 40 detects a person entering or leaving the room (entrance / exit detection), for example, by wireless communication.

  For example, an ID card as an identification card possessed by each person has a wireless communication function with the entrance / exit management device 40, and identification information is stored in the ID card. The entrance / exit management device 40 is configured to have a wireless communication function with the ID card, and sets the communication range in the room R. When the person carrying the ID card enters the room R, the entrance / exit management device 40 acquires identification information from the ID card by wireless communication, and detects the person entering the room corresponding to the identification information. When the person carrying the ID card leaves the room R, the entrance / exit management device 40 cannot acquire identification information from the ID card by wireless communication, and detects the person leaving the room corresponding to the identification information. The entrance / exit management device 40 includes the identification information of the occupants in the room R in the entrance / exit information generated by detecting the entrance / exit.

  The entrance / exit management device 40 is connected to a CPU 41 as a control unit via a bus 42, a ROM 43, a RAM 44, a hard disk device 45, a network communication unit 46, an entrance / exit detection unit 47, and an entrance / exit information notification unit 48. The time information acquisition unit 49 is connected.

  The CPU 41 controls the operation of the entry / exit management device 40 based on a program stored in the ROM 43. The RAM 44 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 41 executes a program. The hard disk device 45 stores various types of saved data and saves entry / exit information.

  The network communication unit 46 communicates with the management server 10, the multifunction device 20, the detection device 50, and the like through the network. The entrance / exit detector 47 detects a person who enters the room R and a person who leaves the room R. In the present embodiment, the detection of the occupants in the room R is performed by the detection of the occupants and the evacuators. The entry / exit information notification unit 48 notifies the management server 10 and the multifunction machine 20 of entry / exit information (the presence / absence of the person who is scheduled to attend the conference). The time information acquisition unit 49 acquires print designation time information from the detection device 50.

  Next, the operation of the print management system 5 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management server 10.

  In the management server 10, when the conference information is received from the terminal device 60 through the network communication unit 16, the CPU 11 registers and stores the conference information in the hard disk device 15 (step S101). When the conference information and document data (print data) are received from the terminal device 60, the CPU 11 associates the conference information with the document data and registers and stores them in the hard disk device 15. When the registrant identification information (terminal ID, user ID, etc.) is also received from the terminal device 60, the CPU 11 registers and stores the registrant identification information in the hard disk device 15 in association with the conference information.

  The meeting information notification unit 17 specifies a document to be printed from the document specifying information included in the meeting information. When the document specifying information indicates a document stored in advance in the management server 10, the document is specified as a print target. When the document specifying information indicates a document received from the terminal device 60 and stored in the management server 10, the document is specified as a print target. When data server information (server ID, server address, etc.) is added to the document specifying information and the document specifying information indicates a document stored in the data server, the document is specified as a print target, and the document Data from the data server.

  In addition, the conference information notification unit 17 specifies the multifunction device 20 (the multifunction device 1 or the multifunction device 2) corresponding to the room information (room 1 or room 2) included in the conference information with reference to the relation table, The conference information and the data of the document to be printed are transmitted to the multifunction device 20 to notify the reserved printing.

  The conference information notification unit 17 periodically monitors the current time (step S102; No), and when the print designation time 1 of the print designation time included in the conference information is reached (step S102; Yes), A detection device 50 (detection device 1 or detection device 2) corresponding to the room information (room 1 or room 2) included in the conference information is specified with reference to the related table, and the print designated time is specified in the detection device 50. Information (print designation time 1) is notified (step S103). At this time, the entrance / exit management device 40 (entrance / exit management device 1 or entrance / exit management device 2) corresponding to the room information (room 1 or room 2) included in the conference information is referred to the related table. The identification information (scheduled to attend the conference) may be notified to the entry / exit management device 40.

  The conference information notification unit 17 periodically monitors the current time again (step S104; No), and when the print designation time 2 of the print designation time included in the conference information is reached (step S104; Yes). The detection device 50 corresponding to the room information included in the conference information is specified with reference to the relation table, and the print designation time information (print designation time 2) is notified to the detection device 50 (step S105 / End). ). At this time, the entrance / exit management device 40 corresponding to the room information included in the conference information is specified with reference to the relation table, and the identification information (scheduled to attend the conference) is notified to the entrance / exit management device 40. You may make it do.

  When receiving the notification of the print designation time information indicating the print designation time 1 from the management server 10, the detection device 50 notifies the connected entry / exit management device 40 that the print designation time 1 has been reached. When the notification of the print designation time information indicating the print designation time 2 is received from the management server 10, it notifies the connection entrance / exit management device 40 that the print designation time 2 has been reached.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the entry / exit management device 40.

  In the entrance / exit management device 40, the time information acquisition unit 49 monitors whether or not a notification that the print designation time 1 has been reached is received from the connection destination detection device 50 through the network communication unit 46 (step S201; No). When the notification is received (step S201; Yes), the entrance / exit detection unit 47 detects entrance / exit of the living room R (detection of occupants). The CPU 41 generates entry / exit information (occupant identification information) indicating the result of entry / exit detection by the entry / exit detection unit 47 and stores it in the hard disk device 45 (step S202).

  The entry / exit information notifying unit 48 (or CPU 11) compares the identification information received from the management server 10 with the entry / exit information, and determines whether or not the prospective meeting participant corresponding to the identification information is present (step). S203). If it is determined that the user is in the room (step S203; Yes), the management server 10 and the connected multifunction device 20 are notified of “resident” (step S204 / End).

  If it is determined that the user is not in the room (step S203; No), the time information acquisition unit 49 receives a notification that the print designated time 2 has been reached from the connection destination detection device 50 through the network communication unit 46. Is monitored (step S205; No). When the notification is received (step S205; Yes), the entrance / exit detection unit 47 performs entrance / exit detection of the living room R (detection of occupants). The CPU 41 generates entry / exit information (occupant identification information) indicating the result of entry / exit detection by the entry / exit detector 47 and stores it in the hard disk device 45 (step S206).

  The entry / exit information notifying unit 48 (or CPU 11) compares the identification information received from the management server 10 with the entry / exit information, and determines whether or not the prospective meeting participant corresponding to the identification information is present (step). S207). If it is determined that the user is in the room (step S207; Yes), “in-room” is notified to the management server 10 and the connected multifunction peripheral 20 (step S204 / End). If it is determined that the user is not in the room (step S207; No), “not present” is notified to the management server 10 and the connected multifunction device 20 (step S208 / End).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine 20.

  In the MFP 20, when the conference information acquisition unit 34 receives (acquires) the conference information and document data from the management server 10 through the network communication unit 30, they are associated with each other and stored in the hard disk device 26 (step S301). When the entry / exit information acquisition unit 35 receives a notification of “in-room” from the connection / exit room management device 40 at the designated print time 1 of the designated print time included in the conference information (step S302; Yes). The conference information acquisition unit 34 determines to execute the printing (reserved printing of the conference material) related to the document data associated with the conference information including the print designated time 1, and the CPU 11 performs the print execution indicating the determination result. Notice. Upon receiving the print execution notification from the conference information acquisition unit 34, the CPU 11 controls the printer unit 33 to start printing related to the document data (step S303 / End).

  If the entry / exit information acquisition unit 35 does not receive the “in-room” notification from the entry / exit management device 40 at the connection destination at the print designation time 1 of the print designation time included in the conference information (step S302; No) ), The conference information acquisition unit 34 suspends printing (reserved printing of the conference material) related to the document data associated with the conference information including the designated print time 1 (step S304).

  When the entry / exit information acquisition unit 35 receives a notification of occupancy from the connection destination entry / exit management device 40 at the designated print time 2 of the designated print time included in the conference information (step S305; Yes), the conference The information acquisition unit 34 determines to execute the printing (reserved printing of the conference material) related to the document data associated with the conference information including the print designation time 2, and notifies the CPU 11 of the printing execution indicating the determination result. . Upon receiving the print execution notification from the conference information acquisition unit 34, the CPU 11 controls the printer unit 33 to start printing related to the document data (step S303 / End).

  When the entrance / exit information acquisition unit 35 receives a notification of “absence” from the connection entrance / exit management device 40 (step S305; No), the conference information acquisition unit 34 prints the data of the document. The management server 10 is requested to cancel and notify the prospective meeting participant that the printing has been canceled (step S306 / End).

  When the management server 10 receives the notification request from the multifunction device 20, the management server 10 identifies the terminal device 60 corresponding to the identification information included in the conference information with reference to the database, and plans to participate in the terminal device 60. Notify that printing of materials distributed at the meeting has been canceled. Note that the MFP 20 does not request the management server 10 for the notification, but that the management server 10 has received a notification of absence from the entrance / exit management device 40, so that printing is canceled by the person who is scheduled to participate in the conference. You may make it notify.

  In addition, when the management server 10 receives a notification of “in-room” from the entrance / exit management device 40 at the designated print time 1, the management server 10 determines that reserved printing of the conference material has started in the multifunction device 20, The notification of print designation time information to the detection device 50 at the print designation time 2 (steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 5) is omitted.

  The multi-function device 20 deletes the meeting information and document data related to reserved printing that has been completed or canceled from the hard disk device 26 at a predetermined timing. The management server 10 deletes the conference information related to reserved printing that has been executed or canceled by the multifunction device 20 from the hard disk device 15 at a predetermined timing. When document data is received from the terminal device 60, the document data is associated with the conference information. In this case, the document data is also deleted together with the conference information. The entrance / exit management device 40 deletes the entrance / exit information stored in the hard disk device 45 at a predetermined timing.

  As described above, in the print management system 5 according to the present embodiment, the management server 10 cooperates with the multifunction device 20, the entrance / exit management device 40, and the detection device 50, and performs reserved printing for a print designated time (print designated time 1 and 2), whether or not to start the process is compared between the person around the multifunction machine 20 (in the room R) and the person related to reserved printing (scheduled to attend the meeting) at the designated printing time (the multifunction machine 20). Based on the situation of the people around the device), and causes the multifunction device 20 to perform an operation according to the result of the determination. Specifically, when it is confirmed that there is no person related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20, the multifunction device 20 does not start reserved printing. Thereby, security related to reserved printing is ensured. In other words, if reserved printing is started when there is no person related to reserved printing in the vicinity of the multifunction device 20, information in the printed material may be seen by other people and leaked or the printed material may be lost. Such a situation is avoided, and security (confidentiality of print information and safety of printed matter) is ensured.

  When it is confirmed that there is a person related to reserved printing around the multifunction machine 20, the multifunction machine 20 starts reserved printing. As described above, when there is a person related to reserved printing around the multi-function device 20, the security is improved by monitoring the person, and printing may be started. As a result, flexible print control can be performed while ensuring security related to reserved printing, and convenience is improved. As in the present embodiment, when printing of the distribution material of the meeting is started at the designated print time 1, the distribution material can be efficiently prepared before the start of the meeting.

  In FIGS. 5 to 7, it is determined whether or not to start reserved printing based on the result of confirming whether or not there is a person related to reserved printing around the MFP 20. In the configuration using the entrance / exit management device 40 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not there is a person not related to reserved printing around the multifunction machine 20 (in the living room R). Whether or not to start reserved printing may be determined based on the result of confirming whether or not there is a person who is not related to.

  For example, when it is confirmed that there is a person who is not related even if there is a person related to reserved printing around the multifunction machine 20, the multifunction machine 20 operates so as not to start reserved printing. When it is confirmed that there is a person related to reserved printing and there are no unrelated persons around the multifunction machine 20, the multifunction machine 20 operates to start reserved printing. Thereby, the security concerning reserved printing can be strengthened.

  In addition, if reserved printing is not started in the multi-function device 20 at the print designated time (print designated time 1 and 2), the reserved print is canceled, and the person related to the reserved print (scheduled to participate in the meeting) is notified. It is possible to grasp that reserved printing has been canceled. If it is necessary to perform this printing, it is possible to take measures such as printing with another multifunction device 20 or the like, and convenience is improved.

  If reserved printing does not start at the designated multifunction device 20 at the designated printing time (print designated times 1 and 2), the reserved printing is performed at the multifunction device 20 different from the designated multifunction device 20 for the person related to reserved printing. You may make it notify to perform the printing corresponding to. Further, another multifunction device 20 recommended as a change destination may be registered in advance. Accordingly, a person related to reserved printing can be notified that it is better to perform printing corresponding to the reserved printing on the other multifunction device 20. If it is necessary to perform this printing, it is possible to take measures such as executing printing with another multifunction device 20, and convenience is improved.

  In addition, the notification of cancellation of reserved printing and the recommendation of changing the output destination do not notify all persons related to reserved printing (all participants in the meeting), but the printing instructor of reserved printing (registrant of meeting information) You may make it notify only. In this case, the management server 10 specifies the terminal device 60 used by the registrant of the conference information from the registrant identification information (terminal ID, user ID, etc.) stored in the hard disk device 15 in association with the conference information, The terminal device 60 can be notified.

  In the case where the multifunction machine 20 is installed in the living room R as in the present embodiment, the management server 10 and the multifunction machine 20 cooperate with the entrance / exit management device 40 that identifies the occupants in the living room R. Thus, it is possible to easily grasp the situation of people around the multifunction machine 20 with a simple configuration.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a process will be described in the case where the print designation time of reserved printing related to the conference described in the first embodiment overlaps with the conference room reservation time of another conference.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the conference information registered in the management server 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention as an image.

  In this figure, for example, in a situation where the conference 2 using the living room 1 is registered first, the conference 1 using the same living room 1 is registered later. In this example, the conference reservation time (15:00 to 16:00) of the conference 1 registered later overlaps the print designation time 1 (15:50) of the conference 2 registered earlier. In such a case, the management server 10 notifies the registrant of the conference information of the conference 2 that the reservation of the conference 1 (other conference) overlapping the print designated time 1 has been entered, and changes the conference information (reservation) (Changes related to printing) are accepted.

  In the above notification, a conference reservation time of the conference 1 that overlaps the print designation time 1 of the conference 2, a message that recommends changing the print designation time 1 or canceling reserved printing, and the like may be notified together. As the change of the meeting information, for example, a change of the print designated time 1 or a change for canceling the reserved printing is accepted.

  The registrant of the conference information can also be specified by receiving the registrant identification information (terminal ID, user ID, etc.) from the terminal device 60 together with the conference information, and registering them in association with each other.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management server 10 when accepting a change in conference information.

  In the management server 10, when new meeting information is received and registered from the terminal device 60 (step S501), the meeting information notification unit 17 includes the room information included in the new meeting information (room 1 used for the meeting). Alternatively, registered conference information including the same room information as the room 2) is searched, and the conference reservation time in the new conference information is compared with the print designated time 1 in the detected registered conference information (step S502). ). If they do not overlap, or if registered conference information to be compared is not detected (step S503; No), this operation ends (End). In the case of overlapping (step S503; Yes), the conference information notification unit 17 causes the terminal device 60 used by the registrant of the registered conference information to overlap the print specified time (print specified time 1) in the conference information. Is notified that the conference reservation has been made (step S504).

  When the changed conference information is not received from the terminal device 60 that is the notification destination (step S505; No), this operation ends (End). When the changed conference information is received (step S505; Yes), the conference information notifying unit 17 updates the target registered conference information to the changed conference information and changes the conference information (step). S506 / End).

  As described above, the management server 10 according to the present embodiment uses the newly reserved reservation time (conference reservation) in the same room R for the registered reservation printing in which the multifunction machine 20 installed in the room R is specified as the output destination. Time), if a use reservation time that overlaps with the print reservation time (print print time 1) of a reserved print that has already been registered is received, the person (registrant of the conference information) related to the reserved print that has already registered the room A notification that the new reserved use time in R overlaps with the print designation time for reserved printing is received, and a change related to reserved printing is accepted.

  The person who has received the above notification may have a person who is not related to the designated print time in the living room R where the multifunction machine 20 that executes reserved printing is installed. It is possible to grasp in advance that there is a possibility of a decrease, and it is possible to take measures by making a change related to reserved printing. Thereby, it is possible to ensure security related to reserved printing.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  In the embodiment, the multifunction machine 20 that executes reserved printing is configured to be indirectly designated by designating the room (the living room R) in which the multifunction machine 20 is installed (reserving use as a conference room). However, the multifunction device 20 may be designated directly. Not only reserved printing that designates the MFP 20 installed in a room used as a conference room, but also a secret room or warehouse in which security is ensured except for offices, reception rooms, classrooms, and other parties. Reserved printing that designates the multifunction device 20 installed in various spaces such as the above can also be targeted.

  When the reservation printing other than the conference is targeted, not the conference information including various information described in the embodiment (see FIG. 1) but only the minimum necessary information related to the reservation printing may be accepted. Good. The minimum necessary information related to reserved printing includes data specifying information for specifying data to be reserved for printing, device specifying information for specifying a printing device for executing reserved printing, and print designation time for starting reserved printing. This is identification information indicating a person related to reserved printing.

  The identification information is not limited to individual-unit identification information. It may be identification information of a plurality of people who can belong to a plurality of people and specify the member of the membership, that is, identification information of a unit of affiliation for an organization or a group. When such identification information of affiliation units (multiple person units) is used, a person who belongs to an organization or a group corresponding to the identification information is a person related to reserved printing.

  In the embodiment, the reception unit, the storage unit, and the control unit included in the print management apparatus according to the present invention have been described as being distributed among various devices in the print management system 5, but the reception unit, the storage unit, and the control unit are described. May have a configuration provided in one device, or may be a configuration distributed in a plurality of devices as in the embodiment. In short, as long as the reception unit, the storage unit, and the control unit of the print management apparatus according to the present invention are provided, any configuration or combination may be used regardless of a single device or system. The configurations and combinations of various devices in the print management system 5 described in the embodiment are merely examples, and other configurations and combinations may be used.

  For example, the information related to reserved printing is not limited to the configuration in which the management server 10 receives and accepts it from the terminal device 60, but the management server 10 may receive and receive an operation from the user.

  The management server 10 or the multifunction device 20 determines whether or not there is a person (scheduled to attend the conference) related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20 (in the living room R) performed by the entrance / exit management device 40. You may comprise as follows. In this case, the entry / exit management device 40 transmits the detected occupant identification information (entrance / exit information) to the management server 10 or the multifunction device 20. The management server 10 or the multifunction device 20 compares the identification information included in the conference information stored in the hard disk device with the occupant identification information received from the entry / exit management device 40, so that the multifunction device 20 It is possible to determine whether or not there is a person related to reserved printing in the vicinity.

  You may comprise the function of the detection apparatus 50 so that the management server 10 and the entrance / exit management apparatus 40 may be equipped. The function of the management server 10 may be configured to be included in the multifunction machine 20. The multifunction device 20 may be configured to include a non-contact personal identification function (non-contact authentication function) corresponding to the non-contact type entrance / exit management device 40 by wireless communication. In addition, if the management server 10 is configured to be installed around the multifunction device 20, the same function may be configured to be included in the management server 10.

  The entrance / exit management device 40 is not limited to a non-contact type by wireless communication, but may be a contact type. The contact type may be configured by a biometric authentication apparatus that acquires and authenticates biometric information such as a fingerprint or a finger vein pattern as identification information. In the case of the contact type, a lock mechanism is provided at the door of the entrance / exit of the space (room) where the multifunction machine 20 is installed, and the entrance / exit detection units 47 are arranged on the entrance side and the exit side, respectively. On / off may be linked to detection of a person entering or leaving the room (personal identification function (authentication function)) by the room entry / exit detector 47. Instead of such a door with a lock mechanism, a contact-type security gate or the like may be combined. Further, a non-contact type security gate may be used instead of the non-contact type entrance / exit management device. Moreover, you may make it use a general purpose entrance / exit management apparatus.

  The timing for determining whether or not to start reserved printing is not limited to the two print designation times (print designation times 1 and 2) described in the embodiment. For example, the print designation time 2 may be omitted and only the print designation time 1 may be used. Further, it is determined whether or not reserved printing is to be started at an arbitrary time between print designation times 1 and 2 or at a designated time, and the MFP 20 performs an operation according to the judgment result. Good. For example, if there is no person related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20 at the print designated time 1, monitoring whether or not there is a person related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20 after the print designated time 1. If it is confirmed that there is a person related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20 even before the designated print time 2 is reached, it is determined that reserved printing is started, and the reserved printing is started on the multifunction device 20. You may make it make it.

  The condition for determining whether or not to start reserved printing is not limited to the condition described in the embodiment. For example, if it is confirmed that there are not all persons related to reserved printing around the multifunction device 20, it may be determined that reserved printing is not started.

  The number of copies related to reserved printing may be changed according to the situation (number of people) related to reserved printing around the multi-function device 20 at the designated printing time. For example, when the print designation time is time, the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons related to reserved printing around the multi-function device 20 at that time may be printed. When the designated print time is a time zone, every time a person related to reserved printing is detected around the multi-function device 20 between the start time and the end time of the time zone, printing of that person (printed matter) Output) may be started.

  The condition for performing the notification for accepting the change related to the reservation printing described in the second embodiment is not limited to the condition described in the embodiment. For example, based on a comparison between a person who has previously registered reserved printing for the MFP 20 installed in a room and a person who has newly registered the reserved use time of the room that overlaps the designated print time for the reserved printing. You may make it switch whether notification is performed. For example, as a result of comparison, if both are the same person, notification may not be performed, and if both are different persons, notification may be performed. In addition, as a result of the comparison, notification is not made if the person who newly registered the reserved time for use of the room is a person related to reserved printing previously registered, and notified if the person is not related to reserved printing. May be performed.

  Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multifunction machine described in the embodiment, and can also be a printer, a copying machine, or the like.

5 ... Print management system 10 ... Management server 11 ... CPU
12 ... Bus 13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Hard disk apparatus 16 ... Network communication part 17 ... Conference information notification part 18 ... Entrance / exit information acquisition part 20 (20a, 20b) ... Multifunction machine 21 ... CPU
22 ... Bus 23 ... ROM
24 ... RAM
25 ... Nonvolatile memory 26 ... Hard disk device 27 ... Display unit 28 ... Operation unit 29 ... Facsimile communication unit 30 ... Network communication unit 31 ... Scanner unit 32 ... Image processing unit 33 ... Printer unit 34 ... Conference information acquisition unit 35 ... Entrance / exit information Acquisition unit 40 (40a, 40b) ... entry / exit management device 41 ... CPU
42 ... Bus 43 ... ROM
44 ... RAM
45 ... Hard disk device 46 ... Network communication unit 47 ... Entry / exit detection unit 48 ... Entry / exit information notification unit 49 ... Time information acquisition unit 50 (50a, 50b) ... Detection device 60 (60a-60e) ... Terminal device R (Ra, Rb) ... Living room

Claims (9)

Data specifying information for specifying data to be reserved printing, device specifying information for specifying a printing device for executing the reserved printing, a print designated time for starting the reserved printing, and a person related to the reserved printing A reception unit for receiving identification information to be shown;
A storage unit that stores the data specifying information, the device specifying information, the print designation time, and the identification information received by the receiving unit in association with each other;
Whether or not reserved printing related to data corresponding to the data specifying information stored in the storage unit is started at the print specifying time is determined around the printing apparatus corresponding to the device specifying information at the print specifying time. A control unit that determines a person who is present and a person corresponding to the identification information, and causes the printing apparatus to perform an operation according to the determination result;
A print management apparatus. The said control part judges that the said reservation printing is not started when it confirms that the person corresponding to the said identification information does not exist around the said printing apparatus by the said comparison. Print management device. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the reserved printing is not started when the comparison confirms that there is a person who does not correspond to the identification information around the printing apparatus. Print management device. The said control part cancels the said reserved printing when it judges that the said reserved printing is not started, and notifies the cancellation of the said reserved printing to the person corresponding to the said identification information. The print management apparatus according to any one of the above. When it is determined that the reserved printing is not started, the control unit notifies a person corresponding to the identification information to perform printing corresponding to the reserved printing with a printing apparatus different from the printing apparatus. The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit determines to start the reserved printing when it is confirmed in the comparison that there is a person corresponding to the identification information and no person corresponding to the identification information around the printing apparatus. The print management apparatus according to claim 1. When the controller confirms that the reserved use time of the room in which the printing apparatus is installed overlaps with the designated printing time, the control unit determines the room corresponding to the identification information in the room in which the printing apparatus is installed. The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a notification that a reserved use time overlaps with the designated print time is notified and a change related to the reserved printing is received. A person around the printing device is identified by an entrance / exit management device that identifies a person in the room where the printing device is installed,
The said control part performs said comparison by acquiring the occupant specific information which shows the said resident in the room from the said entrance / exit management apparatus, and comparing with the said identification information. 8. The print management apparatus according to any one of items 7. The print management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A printing unit that is controlled by the control unit and performs printing related to data corresponding to the data information;
A printing apparatus comprising:

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