JP2011198230A - Printing system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform print authentication processing through the use of identification information of a receiver belonging to an aggregation even with respect to the print indication for designating the aggregation to which the receiver belongs as a reception destination without designating the specified receiver as the reception destination.SOLUTION: A printing system comprising a reader to which a storage medium is inserted and which reads data stored in the inserted storage medium includes: a print indication receiving means for receiving the print indication to which aggregation identification information to identify the aggregation constituted of one or more receivers is added as identification information to identify the reception destination of a printed matter; a storage medium identification information obtaining means for obtaining storage medium identification information to identify the storage medium from the read data; and a print authenticating means for obtaining the aggregation identification information of the aggregation which the receiver of the obtained receiver identification information belongs to when the obtained storage medium information indicates the receiver identification information of the receiver, and then, authenticating print processing with respect to the print indication with the obtained aggregation identification information added thereto among the received print indications.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  For example, the cited document 1 is necessary by bringing the IC card closer to the printing apparatus, reading out the user ID, document file name information, host device address information, etc. stored in the IC card and notifying the corresponding host device. Disclosed is a printing system that acquires printing information and performs printing processing by a printer apparatus.

  Also, for example, cited document 2 stores a plurality of host devices having a function of transmitting print data including authentication information and print data including authentication information when the print data including authentication information is received. A printing system including a printing apparatus that prints print data including authentication information when an IC card storing authentication information is tapped is disclosed.

  For example, cited document 3 is an image forming apparatus that receives print information in which security information is written simultaneously with print data at the time of printing, detects whether there is security information, and controls whether to output the print data. Disclose.

JP 2007-241578 A JP 2007-164251 A JP 2007-142657 A

  The present invention does not designate a specific recipient as a recipient, but also performs a print authentication process using the identification information of the recipient belonging to the set for a print instruction that designates a set to which the recipient belongs as a recipient. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reader for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium, and the identification information for identifying the recipient of the printed matter output by the printing process is 1 Print instruction accepting means for accepting a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set composed of more than one recipient is added, and storage medium identification information for identifying the storage medium from the data read by the reading device Storage medium identification information acquisition means, and when the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition means indicates recipient identification information for identifying a recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the storage medium identification information acquisition means The set identification information of the set to which the recipient of the recipient identification information acquired by the method belongs is acquired, and the print instruction received by the print instruction receiving means The aggregate identification information is a print system having a print authentication means for authenticating the print processing for additional print instruction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition means indicates set identification information, the recipient identification information of the recipient who has inserted the storage medium is used as the storage medium identification information. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying that a storage medium to be stored is inserted into the reading device.

  The present invention according to claim 3 further includes a print instruction storage unit that stores a print instruction received by the print instruction reception unit, and the print instruction storage unit includes set identification information added to the stored print instruction. All the recipients belonging to the set hold the stored print instruction until a recipient inserts a storage medium into the reader and receives a printed matter output by the print process authenticated by the print authentication unit. Item 3. The printing system according to Item 1 or 2.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction received by the print instruction receiving unit includes print instruction holding information indicating whether to hold a print instruction, and the print instruction holding information holds a print instruction. The print instruction storage means, all recipients belonging to the set of set identification information added to the stored print instruction insert a storage medium into the reader and authenticate with the print authentication means. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the stored print instruction is held until a printed matter output by the printed processing is received.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction accepting unit accepts a print instruction to which recipient identification information of a recipient of a printed matter output by printing processing is added, and the print authentication unit includes the print instruction accepting unit. 5. The print processing for the print instruction added with the recipient information that matches the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit among the print instructions received by the storage medium authentication unit is authenticated. It is a printing system.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reader for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium, and the identification information for identifying the recipient of the printed matter output by the printing process is 1 Print instruction accepting means for accepting a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set composed of more than one recipient is added, and storage medium identification information for identifying the storage medium from the data read by the reading device Storage medium identification information acquisition means, and when the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition means indicates recipient identification information for identifying a recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the storage medium identification information acquisition means The set identification information of the set to which the recipient of the recipient identification information acquired by the method belongs is acquired, and the print instruction received by the print instruction receiving means The set identification information is an image forming apparatus having a print authentication means for authenticating the print processing for additional print instruction.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reader for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium, and the identification information for identifying the recipient of the printed matter output by the printing process is 1 A print instruction receiving step for receiving a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set composed of more than one recipient is added, and storage medium identification information for identifying the storage medium is acquired from the data read by the reading device Storage medium identification information acquisition step, and when the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition step indicates recipient identification information for identifying a recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the storage medium identification information acquisition step The set identification information of the set to which the recipient of the recipient identification information acquired in step 1 belongs is acquired and received by the print instruction receiving step. Of the print instruction, a program for executing a print authentication step of authenticating the print processing for the acquired set identification information is added print instruction to the computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the recipients belonging to the set is also applied to a print instruction that designates the set to which the recipient belongs without specifying a specific recipient as the recipient. It is possible to provide a printing system that performs print authentication processing.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, even if the identification information of the set to which the recipient belongs is used, the identification information of the recipient is used for printing. A printing system that performs authentication processing can be provided.

  According to the present invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, all recipients belonging to the set designate the set as a recipient without increasing the burden on the recipient. It is possible to provide a printing system that receives a printed matter output by a printing process in response to a print instruction.

  According to the present invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 3, all recipients belonging to the set are only displayed when all recipients are printing instructions that need to receive printed matter. It is possible to provide a printing system that receives a printed matter output by a printing process in response to a print instruction.

  According to the present invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, in addition to a print instruction that designates a set to which the recipient belongs as a recipient, the recipient It is possible to provide a printing system that performs print authentication processing even for a print instruction that designates as a recipient.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the recipients belonging to the set is also specified for a print instruction that designates the set to which the recipient belongs as the recipient without specifying the specific recipient as the recipient. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that performs print authentication processing.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the identification information of the recipients belonging to the set is also provided for a print instruction that designates the set to which the recipient belongs as the recipient without specifying the specific recipient as the recipient. By using this, a program for performing print authentication processing can be provided.

It is a figure which illustrates the composition of the printing system concerning this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a program executed on the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first print job information table stored in a print job information storage unit illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure which illustrates the group structure information table which the group structure information storage part shown in FIG. 3 memorize | stores. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing in the first embodiment of the print authentication unit illustrated in FIG. 3. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing in the second embodiment of the print authentication unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second print job information table stored in a print job information storage unit illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing in the third embodiment of the print authentication unit illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG.

[Background to the implementation of this embodiment]
Prior to the description of the present embodiment, the background to which this embodiment has been made will be described in order to help understanding thereof.
A printing system using IC (Integrated Circuit) card authentication performs printing after IC card authentication in a printing apparatus, thereby preventing information leakage due to leaving the printed material, loss due to misprinting of the printed material, and the like.
Specifically, for example, when a printing instruction is issued from a terminal device used by a user to a printing apparatus, a printer driver installed in the terminal apparatus uses IC card identification information for identifying the user who has issued the printing instruction. And added to the print job (print instruction).
Next, the user who has instructed printing performs IC card authentication on the printing apparatus, and outputs a printed matter.
In this case, the user who issued the print instruction (print instructor) and the user who outputs the printed material from the printing apparatus (recipient) are the same.

On the other hand, depending on the content and type of a print job (for example, a print job output from a general-purpose machine used for basic business), it may be necessary to output a printed matter by a recipient different from the print instructor.
In this case, the print instructor designates the recipient when performing the print instruction, adds the IC card identification information of the designated recipient to the print job, and prints via the terminal device used by the print instructor. Send a print job to the device.

However, there are cases where a specific recipient cannot be specified at the time when a print instruction is issued, such as the recipient who processes (for example, distribution, enclosing, sealing) the printed matter changes depending on the date and time.
In addition, even if some of the members belonging to a group (for example, a department or project) may be a recipient, a specific member belonging to the group must be designated as the recipient, and the designated member If no is present, the printing process may not be performed.
In addition, even if all members belonging to the group need to receive the printed material, a specific member belonging to the group must be designated as the recipient. The burden on the recipient may increase, such as distributing to other members.
This embodiment has been made based on the background described above.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Printing system 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system 1 used for realizing the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a network 100-1 such as a LAN and a network 100-2 connected via a print server 14.
The network 100-1 is connected to a general-purpose machine (host computer) 12 used for basic business, and the network 100-2 includes an IC card reader 18 that reads data stored in the inserted IC card. Each of n image forming apparatuses 16-1 to 16-n (n ≧ 1; however, not all n always indicate the same number) is connected.
In the present embodiment, the IC card reader 18 has a configuration for reading data stored in the inserted IC card, but further has a configuration for writing data to the inserted IC card. It may be a device.
Further, the general-purpose device 12 may be a terminal device used by a normal user.

The print system 1 uses these components to allow print jobs that are permitted to be printed as a result of authentication using an IC card (hereinafter referred to as “IC card authentication”) among received print jobs (print instructions). Print processing for.
Hereinafter, when any one of a plurality of components such as the image forming apparatuses 16-1 to 16-n is indicated, the image forming apparatus 16 may be simply described.
Hereinafter, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component and process.
Hereinafter, a print job is used as an example of a print instruction, and an IC card is used as an example of a storage medium.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 16 illustrated in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 16 includes a main body 120 including a memory 124 and a CPU 122, an external input / output device 126 including a keyboard, a touch panel, and a display device, and the image forming apparatus 12. And a function realizing unit 128 such as a printing device used for data communication, a communication device 130 for performing data communication, and writing of data to a storage medium 134 such as an HD, CD, DVD, FD, non-volatile memory, USB memory, etc. The recording device 132 is configured to perform reading.
In other words, the image forming apparatus 16 has a constituent part for realizing a required function, and has a constituent part as a computer that can communicate with other apparatuses.

[Image Forming Program 20]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming program 20 executed on the image forming apparatus 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming program 20 includes a print job receiving unit 200, a print job storage unit 202, a print job information storage unit 204, a group configuration information management unit 206, a group configuration information storage unit 208, and IC card information acquisition. , A print authentication unit 212, a print control unit 214, and a print job deletion unit 216.
For example, the image forming program 20 is stored in the memory 124 (FIG. 2), supplied to the image forming apparatus 16, and, if necessary, forms an image on an OS (not shown) installed in the image forming apparatus 16. The hardware resources of the device 16 are specifically used for execution.
The image forming program 20 includes a print job that designates a user who has performed IC card authentication as a recipient, and a print job that designates a group to which the user belongs (for example, determined by a department or a project) as a recipient. The printing process is performed.

The print job receiving unit 200 receives a print job to which attribute information is added from the print server 14 (FIG. 1).
The attribute information includes, for example, a job number for identifying a print job, a print job name, a print job type, identification information for a print instructor (print instructor identification information), and an IC card identification for identifying a print job recipient Information (IC card identification information) is added to the print job by the print server 14.
The IC card identification information indicates, for example, an ID (Identity Document) number.
The type of print job is distinguished by, for example, whether or not a recipient (individual or group) of a printed material is designated.

The print job receiving unit 200 outputs the received print job to the print job storage unit 202 when the type of the received print job is a job in which the destination of the printed material is specified, and the print job described later The information is output to the print job information storage unit 204.
In other cases, the print job receiving unit 200 outputs the received print job to the print control unit 214.

FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a print job information table stored in the print job information storage unit 204.
The print job information storage unit 204 stores the print job information input from the print job receiving unit 200 so that the print authentication unit 212 can refer to it.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the print job information includes a print job name and IC card identification information included in the attribute information of the print job.
The group configuration information management unit 206 registers, updates, and deletes group configuration information (described later) input from the terminal device (not shown) used by the printing system administrator with respect to the group configuration information storage unit 208. I do.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a group configuration information table stored in the group configuration information storage unit 208.
The group configuration information storage unit 208 stores the group configuration information input from the group configuration information management unit 206 so that the print authentication unit 212 can refer to it.
As shown in FIG. 5, the group configuration information includes, for example, a group name and IC card identification information of a recipient belonging to the group.
As described above, the group may be determined by the department or project unit, or may be determined by the person responsible for the print data according to the form name to be printed and the importance (security level, etc.) of the print data.

The IC card information acquisition unit 210 acquires IC card identification information from the data read by the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1), and outputs it to the print authentication unit 212.
The print authentication unit 212 receives the IC card identification information from the IC card information acquisition unit 210.
Further, the print authentication unit 212 is based on the received IC card identification information, the first print job information table stored in the print job information storage unit 204, and the group configuration information table stored in the group configuration information storage unit 208. The selected print job information is output to the print control unit 214 (described later with reference to FIG. 6).

The print control unit 214 performs print processing on the print job input from the print job reception unit 200.
The print control unit 214 performs print processing for a print job corresponding to the print job name included in the print job information input from the print authentication unit 212 among the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 202.
In addition, the print control unit 214 transmits a print job for which print processing has been performed and a print job information deletion request to the print job deletion unit 216.
Upon receiving a print job and print job information deletion request from the print control unit 214, the print job deletion unit 216 sends the requested print job and print job information from the print job storage unit 202 and the print job information storage unit 204. delete.

[Processing of Print Authentication Unit 212]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing of the print authentication unit 212 (FIG. 3).
Hereinafter, the print authentication processing of the print authentication unit 212 will be further described with reference to FIG.
In step 240 (S240), the print authentication unit 212 acquires the IC card identification information input from the IC card information acquisition unit 210 (FIG. 3).

In step 242 (S242), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether there is a print job that designates the user corresponding to the IC card identification information acquired in S240 as a recipient.
Specifically, the print authentication unit 212 refers to the first print job information table stored in the print job information storage unit 204, and print job information including the IC card identification information acquired in S240 as recipient information. Determine if it exists.
If it is determined that the print job information exists, the print authentication unit 212 proceeds to the process of S244, and otherwise proceeds to the process of S246.
In step 244 (S244), the print authentication unit 212 outputs the print job information determined to exist in S242 to the print control unit 214.

In step 246 (S246), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether there is a group to which the user corresponding to the IC card identification information acquired in S240 belongs.
Specifically, the print authentication unit 212 refers to the group information configuration table stored in the group configuration information storage unit 208, and there is a group including IC card identification information that matches the IC card identification information acquired in S240. It is determined whether or not.
If the print authentication unit 212 determines that there is a group to which the print authentication unit 212 belongs, the process proceeds to step S248. Otherwise, the process ends.

In step 248 (S248), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether there is a print job that designates the group to which the group determined to exist in S246 is specified as the recipient.
Specifically, the print authentication unit 212 refers to the first print job information table stored in the print job information storage unit 204, and print job information including the group to which it has been determined in S246 as recipient information. Determine if it exists.
If the print authentication unit 212 determines that there is print job information, the process proceeds to S250. Otherwise, the process ends.
In step 250 (S250), the print authentication unit 212 outputs the print job information determined to exist in S248 to the print control unit 214, and ends the process.

[Operation Example of Printing System 1]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 (FIG. 1) will be described.
Hereinafter, for the sake of clarification and realization, the following (1-1) and (1) will be referred to with reference to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 and the group configuration information table shown in FIG. An operation example in the case of 1-2) will be described.
(1-1) Printed matter is output using the IC card (IC card identification information “12345”) owned by the user X.
(1-2) A printed matter is output using an IC card (IC card identification information “44444”) owned by the user Y.

The general-purpose machine 12 (FIG. 1) transmits a print job to the print server 14.
The print server 14 adds attribute information to the print job received from the general-purpose device 12 and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 16.
The image forming apparatus 16 registers the print job information of the print job transmitted from the print server 14 (FIG. 4).

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (1-1) will be described.
When the user X inserts his / her IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “12345” (S240; FIG. 6). .
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 and acquires the print job name “job A-1” having the IC card identification information “12345” as the recipient information. Print processing is performed on the print job “Job A-1” (S242, S244).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job A-1” held by itself.

The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-A” to which the user X belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4, obtains the print job name “job A-2” having “Grp-A” as recipient information, -2 "print job (S248, S250).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job A-2” held by itself.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (1-2) will be described.
When the user Y inserts his / her IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “44444” (S240; FIG. 6). .
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 and acquires the print job name “job B-2” having the IC card identification information “44444” as the recipient information. Print processing is performed on the print job “Job B-2” (S242, S244).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job B-2” held by itself.

The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-B” to which the user Y belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4, acquires the print job name “job B-1” having “Grp-B” as recipient information, -1 "is printed (S248, S250).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job B-1” held by itself.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a personal IC card for identifying a user is inserted into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) by changing the operation of the print authentication unit 212 (FIG. 3). In addition to the case where printing is performed, a printing process is executed when a group IC card for identifying a group is inserted.
An IC card for a group is a card owned by each member belonging to the group and stores group identification information, but does not store individual member identification information.

[Processing of Print Authentication Unit 212 in Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing of the print authentication unit 212 in the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, the print authentication process of the print authentication unit 212 in the second embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

In step 260 (S260), the print authentication unit 212 acquires the IC card identification information input from the IC card information acquisition unit 210 (FIG. 3).
In step 262 (S262), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether the IC card of the IC card identification information acquired in S260 is for a group.
Specifically, for example, the print authentication unit 212 makes a determination based on a character string or number configuration indicating identification information of the IC card.
Note that the determination method is not limited to this, and may be based on, for example, attribute information of an IC card indicating whether or not it is for a group.

If the print authentication unit 212 determines that the IC card is a group IC card, the process proceeds to step S264. In other cases, the print authentication unit 212 performs the same process as in steps S242 to S250 illustrated in FIG.
In step 264 (S264), the print authentication unit 212 causes the external output device 126 (FIG. 2) or the like to display an instruction to insert the personal IC card of the member who has inserted the group IC card.
When the member's personal IC card is inserted into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same processing as S240 to S250 shown in FIG.

[Operation Example of Printing System 1 in Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment will be described.
Hereinafter, for the sake of clarification and realization, the following (2-1) and (2-1) will be referred to with reference to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 and the group configuration information table shown in FIG. An operation example in the case of 2-2) will be described.
(2-1) A member X (IC card identification information “12345”) belonging to group A (IC card identification information “Grp-A”) outputs a printed matter using the group A IC card.
(2-2) Member Y (IC card identification information “88888”) belonging to group B (IC card identification information “Grp-B”) outputs a printed matter using the group IC card for group B.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (2-1) will be described.
When the member X inserts the group IC card of group A into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “Grp-A” ( S260; FIG. 7).
The image forming apparatus 16 determines that the inserted IC card is for a group, and causes the external output device 126 (FIG. 2) or the like to display an instruction to insert a personal IC card (S262, S264).

When the member X inserts the personal IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1), the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “12345” (S240; FIG. 6).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 and acquires the print job name “job A-1” having the IC card identification information “12345” as the recipient information. Print processing is performed on the print job “Job A-1” (S242, S244).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job A-1” held by itself.

The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-A” to which the member X belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4, obtains the print job name “job A-2” having “Grp-A” as recipient information, -2 "print job (S248, S250).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job A-2” held by itself.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (2-2) will be described.
When the member Y inserts the group IC card for group B into the IC card reader (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “Grp-B” ( S260; FIG. 7).
The image forming apparatus 16 determines that the inserted IC card is for a group, and causes the external output device 126 (FIG. 2) or the like to display an instruction to insert a personal IC card (S262, S264).

When the member Y inserts the personal IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1), the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “88888” (S240; FIG. 6).
The image forming apparatus 16 determines that there is no print job information having the IC card identification information “88888” as destination information in the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4 (S242).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-B” to which the member Y belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the first print job information table shown in FIG. 4, acquires the print job name “job B-1” having “Grp-B” as recipient information, -1 "is printed (S248, S250).
The image forming apparatus 16 deletes the print job and print job information of “Job B-1” held by itself.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the third embodiment of the present invention, by changing the operations of the print authentication unit 212 and the print control unit 214 (FIG. 3), all the members belonging to the group output a printed material having the group as the recipient. Hold the print job until.

FIG. 8 is a second diagram illustrating a print job information table stored in the print job information storage unit 204 shown in FIG.
The print job information storage unit 204 stores the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8 so that the print authentication unit 212 (FIG. 3) can refer to it.
As shown in FIG. 8, the print job information in the second print job information table includes a print job holding instruction (to be described later) and a reception status in addition to the print job information in the first print job information table shown in FIG. And further including.

The print job holding instruction indicates whether or not to hold a print job until all members of the receiving group output printed matter.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the recipient of the print job information is an individual user, there is no need to indicate a print job holding instruction because there is only one recipient. For example, “-” is indicated.
The receipt status indicates whether or not each recipient has output (received) the printed matter (“not received” or “received”). In FIG. 8, if the receipt status is “received”, A check mark is shown in the check box of the IC card identification information.

[Processing of Print Authentication Unit 212 in Third Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating print authentication processing of the print authentication unit 212 in the third embodiment.
Hereinafter, the print authentication process of the print authentication unit 212 in the third embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

In step 240 (S240), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same process as in S240 shown in FIG.
In step 242 (S242), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same processing as in S242 shown in FIG. 6, and proceeds to the processing of S244 if it is determined that a print job exists, and otherwise proceeds to the processing of S246. move on.
In step 244 (S244), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same processing as in S244 shown in FIG.

In step 280 (S280), the print authentication unit 212 updates the reception status of the print job information in the second print job information table shown in FIG.
Specifically, for example, the print authentication unit 212 updates the reception status of the IC card authentication information acquired in S240 out of the reception status of the print job information output in S244 from “not received” to “received”. To do.
In the reception status update process, for example, a flag indicating “received” is added to the IC card information.

In step 282 (S282), the print authentication unit 212 requests the print control unit 214 to delete the print job information output in S244.
In step 246 (S246), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same processing as that in S246 shown in FIG. 6, and if there is an affiliated group, the process proceeds to S248. Otherwise, the process ends.
In step 248 (S248), the print authentication unit 212 performs the same process as in S248 shown in FIG. 6, and proceeds to the process of S250 if it is determined that a print job exists, otherwise ends the process. .

In step 250 (S250), the print authentication unit 212 outputs the print job information of the print job determined to exist in S248 to the print control unit 214.
In step 284 (S284), the print authentication unit 212 updates the reception status of the IC card authentication information acquired in S240 out of the reception status of the print job information output in S250 from “not received” to “received”. To do.
In step 286 (S286), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether there is a print job holding instruction (FIG. 8) for the print job information output in S250.

If the print authentication unit 212 determines that there is a holding instruction, the process proceeds to step S288. Otherwise, the print authentication unit 212 proceeds to step S290.
In step 288 (S288), the print authentication unit 212 determines whether all recipients have printed the print job information print job output in S250.
Specifically, the print authentication unit 212 determines whether or not the reception status of the print job information output in S250 is “received” for all the IC card identification information.

If the print authentication unit 212 determines that all recipients have printed, the process proceeds to S290. Otherwise, the process ends.
In step 290 (S290), the print authentication unit 212 requests the print control unit 214 to delete the print job information output in S250.

[Processing of Print Control Unit 214 in Third Embodiment]
As described above, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention, the print control unit 214 (FIG. 3) performs a print process on a print job, and then performs a print job deletion unit 216 on the print job deletion unit 216. A configuration is adopted in which a print job for which print processing has been performed and a print job information deletion request are transmitted.
On the other hand, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the print control unit 214 does not necessarily send a deletion request to the print job deletion unit 216 after performing the printing process, and the print authentication unit 212 performs printing. When a job deletion request is input, a deletion request is transmitted to the print job deletion unit 216.

[Operation Example of Printing System 1 in Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 (FIG. 1) according to the third embodiment will be described.
Hereinafter, for the sake of clarification and realization, the following (3-1) and (3) are referred to with reference to the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8 and the group configuration information table shown in FIG. An operation example in the case of 3-2) will be described.
(3-1) User X (IC card identification information “12345”) belonging to group A (IC card identification information “Grp-A”) outputs a printed matter using his own IC card.
(3-2) After the above (3-1), the user Y belonging to the group A (IC card identification information “98765”) outputs a printed matter using his / her IC card.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (3-1) will be described.
When the user X inserts his IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “12345” (S240; FIG. 9). .
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8, acquires the print job name “job A-1” having the IC card identification information “12345” as recipient information, Print processing is performed on the print job “Job A-1” (S242, S244).
The image forming apparatus 16 updates the reception status of “Job A-1” to “Received”, and deletes the print job and print job information of “Job A-1” held by itself (S280, S282). .

The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-A” to which the user X belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8 and print job names “job A-2” and “job A-3” having “Grp-A” as recipient information. And print processing is performed on the print jobs “job A-2” and “job A-3” (S248, S250).
The image forming apparatus 16 updates the reception status of the IC card identification information “12345” among the reception statuses of “Job A-2” and “Job A-3” to “Received” (S284).

The image forming apparatus 16 determines that the print job holding instruction of “job A-2” has not been issued, and deletes the print job and print job information of “job A-2” held by itself (S286, S290). .
The image forming apparatus 16 determines that the print job holding instruction of “job A-3” has been made, and that only the reception status of the IC card identification information “12345” is “received”. 3 ”and the print job information are held as they are (S286, S288).

Hereinafter, an operation example of the printing system 1 in the above (3-2) will be described.
When the user Y inserts his / her IC card into the IC card reader 18 (FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 16 acquires the IC card identification information “98765” (S240; FIG. 9). .
The image forming apparatus 16 determines that there is no print job information having the IC card identification information “98765” as recipient information in the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8 (S242).

The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the group configuration information table shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the group name “Grp-A” to which the user Y belongs (S246).
The image forming apparatus 16 refers to the second print job information table shown in FIG. 8, acquires the print job name “job A-3” having “Grp-A” as recipient information, -3 ”print job (S248, S250).
Note that the print job information of “job A-2” is not acquired by the image forming apparatus 16 because it has been deleted in step (2-1) as a result of the printing process performed by the user X.

The image forming apparatus 16 updates the reception status of the IC card identification information “98765” among the reception status of “Job A-3” to “Received” (S284).
The image forming apparatus 16 is instructed to hold the print job “job A-3”, and further determines that the reception status of the IC card identification information is all “received”. The print job and the print job information “A-3” are deleted (S286 to S290).

[Modification 1]
In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 16 (FIG. 3) stores various information tables shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 and print authentication processing. These storage and processing may be performed in a distributed manner with the general-purpose machine 12 and the print server 14 (FIG. 1).

[Modification 2]
In the third embodiment of the present invention, print processing using a personal IC card is taken as a specific example. However, by combining with the second embodiment, print processing using a group IC card is also realized. be able to.

[Modification 3]
In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the group configuration information management unit 206 (FIG. 3) performs registration processing of group configuration information input from a terminal device or the like. In response to this, the group configuration information may be updated.
In the case of such a configuration, when the group configuration information management unit 206 receives a user entry / exit or a leave / exit as an event, the group configuration information storage unit 208 ( Update processing for adding or deleting is performed on the group configuration information table (FIG. 5) stored in FIG.

1 ... Printing system,
12 ... General purpose machine,
14 ... print server,
16 Image forming apparatus,
120 ... main body,
122... CPU
124 ... memory,
126 ... External input / output device,
128 ... function realization part,
130: Communication device,
132... Recording device,
134... Storage medium,
18 ... IC card reader,
100 ... Network,
20: Image forming program,
200: Print job receiving unit,
202... Print job storage unit,
204... Print job information storage unit,
206: Group configuration information management unit,
208: Group configuration information storage unit,
210 ... IC card information acquisition unit,
212 ... Print authentication unit,
214... Print control unit,
216... Print job deletion unit

Claims (7)

A storage device is inserted and a reading device for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium is provided.
A print instruction receiving means for receiving a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set composed of one or more recipients is added as identification information for identifying a recipient of a printed matter output by the printing process;
Storage medium identification information acquisition means for acquiring storage medium identification information for identifying a storage medium from data read by the reader;
When the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit indicates the recipient identification information for identifying the recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the recipient identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit is received. A print system comprising: print authentication means for acquiring set identification information of a set to which a person belongs and authenticating a print process for a print instruction to which the acquired set identification information is added among print instructions received by the print instruction receiving means . When the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition means indicates set identification information, a storage medium that stores the recipient identification information of the recipient who has inserted the storage medium as the storage medium identification information, The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying insertion into the printing system. A print instruction storage means for storing a print instruction received by the print instruction reception means;
The print instruction storage unit is a print process in which all recipients belonging to a set of set identification information added to a stored print instruction insert a storage medium into the reader and are authenticated by the print authentication unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the stored printing instruction is held until the printed matter output by the printer is received. The print instruction received by the print instruction receiving means includes print instruction holding information indicating whether to hold a print instruction,
When the print instruction holding information indicates that the print instruction is held, the print instruction storage means stores all recipients belonging to the set of set identification information added to the stored print instruction in the reading device. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the stored printing instruction is held until a medium is inserted and a printed matter output by the printing process authenticated by the print authentication unit is received. The print instruction accepting means accepts a print instruction added with recipient identification information of a recipient of a printed matter output by a printing process;
The print authentication unit authenticates a print process for a print instruction added with recipient information that matches the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit among the print instructions received by the print instruction reception unit. The printing system according to claim 1. A storage device is inserted and a reading device for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium is provided.
A print instruction receiving means for receiving a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set composed of one or more recipients is added as identification information for identifying a recipient of a printed matter output by the printing process;
Storage medium identification information acquisition means for acquiring storage medium identification information for identifying a storage medium from data read by the reader;
When the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit indicates the recipient identification information for identifying the recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the recipient identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition unit is received. Print authentication means for acquiring set identification information of a set to which a person belongs and authenticating a print process for a print instruction to which the acquired set identification information is added among print instructions received by the print instruction receiving means apparatus. A storage device is inserted and a reading device for reading data stored in the inserted storage medium is provided.
A print instruction receiving step for receiving a print instruction to which set identification information for identifying a set made up of one or more recipients is added as identification information for identifying a recipient of the printed matter output by the printing process;
A storage medium identification information acquisition step for acquiring storage medium identification information for identifying a storage medium from the data read by the reader;
When the storage medium identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition step indicates the recipient identification information for identifying the recipient who has inserted the storage medium, the reception of the recipient identification information acquired by the storage medium identification information acquisition step Acquire set identification information of a set to which a person belongs, and execute, in a computer, a print authentication step for authenticating a print process for the print instruction to which the acquired set identification information is added among the print instructions received in the print instruction receiving step. Program to make.

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