JP2012027866A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system that stores in advance file designating information and/or information on any alteration in printing conditions into a portable memory medium and accordingly requires no cumbersome operation in front of a printer at the time of printing out.SOLUTION: A printing system comprises host equipment capable of exchanging information with a portable memory medium and a printer mutually connected via a network, wherein the host equipment has write means for writing into the portable memory medium information on user authentication and printing conditions; and the printer has memory means that stores printing data and printing conditions regarding the printing data on the basis of the information on user authentication, read means for reading information out of the portable memory medium, altering means that alters the printing conditions according to printing conditions read out of the portable memory medium by the read means, and printing control means that prints, in accordance with the printing conditions altered by this altering means, the printing data on recording paper.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system using a printing apparatus capable of mounting a portable storage medium.

  Today, computer networks are widely used. For example, a printing system is used in which a printing apparatus is connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network) and print data is transmitted from a host device such as a personal computer (PC). Has been. In such a system, the host device and the printing apparatus are often installed at a remote location, and when printing a confidential document, there is a concern that the printed material may be read by another person. Therefore, for example, authentication printing is performed in which identification information is stored in a portable storage medium such as an IC card, and at the time of print output, the IC card is put on the printing apparatus, the identification information is confirmed, and the print output is performed.

  Patent Document 1 is an invention in which identification information is converted into image data and embedded on a text print instruction sheet, and the identification information is extracted from the image data of the text print instruction sheet. Based on the extracted identification information, for example, sheet data management is performed. A document search and printing method for selecting layout information managed by a section and performing print processing using this layout information is disclosed.

JP 2009-193548 A

Authentication printing using a portable storage medium such as the IC card has the following problems. That is, in the authentication printing, registrants are managed by identification information stored in a portable storage medium, for example, UID, and all files (print data) belonging to the same registrant have the same UID (User Identifier). Registered in the storage area. For this reason, when the authentication printing is executed while approaching the printing apparatus and turning over the portable storage medium, all the files stored in the storage area of the same UID are read out.
In this case, there is no problem when all the read files are printed, but when printing only a specific file, for example, the necessary file is selected by operating the operation panel of the printing apparatus. Need to print out. Further, when changing preset printing conditions, it is necessary to change the printing conditions by operating an operation panel, for example.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and writes file (print data) designation information and print condition change information to a portable storage medium, and operates the panel of the printing apparatus during print output. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system that does not require complicated operations such as setting changes of printing conditions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which a host device capable of exchanging information with a portable storage medium and a printing apparatus are connected via a network, wherein the host device includes the portable storage medium. A writing unit for writing user authentication information and printing conditions, and the printing apparatus stores printing data and printing conditions related to the printing data based on the user authentication information; and the portable storage Reading means for reading information from a medium, changing means for changing the printing conditions stored in the storage means in accordance with the printing conditions read from the portable storage medium by the reading means, and the printing conditions changed by the changing means According to the present invention, it can be achieved by providing a printing system having printing control means for performing printing output of corresponding printing data on a recording sheet.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the above-described problem can be achieved by providing a printing system including selectively printing out a part of a plurality of print data as the print condition.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus connected to a host device capable of exchanging information with a portable storage medium via a network, based on user authentication information, Storage means for storing printing conditions relating to print data, reading means for reading information from the portable storage medium, and printing conditions stored in the storage means in accordance with the printing conditions read from the portable storage medium by the reading means This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus having a changing unit that changes the print data and a print control unit that performs print output of corresponding print data on the recording paper according to the printing condition changed by the changing unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above object can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus in which the user's authentication information and printing conditions are written in the portable storage medium by the host device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a printing apparatus connected to a host device capable of exchanging information with a portable storage medium via a network, based on user authentication information. The printing data and the printing conditions relating to the printing data are stored in the storage means, the reading process of reading information from the portable storage medium, and the storage according to the printing conditions read from the portable storage medium by the reading process Provided is a control method for a printing apparatus that performs a change process for changing a print condition stored in a means, and a print control process for printing output of corresponding print data on a recording sheet according to the print condition changed by the change process Can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, when printing condition change information or the like is recorded on a portable storage medium and printing processing is performed by the printing apparatus, the changed printing condition is printed simply by holding the portable storage medium on a card reader. It can be set in the apparatus, and the printing condition changing process can be performed without performing complicated operations.

2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printer apparatus. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram in which a printing apparatus according to an embodiment is connected to a host device via a network. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a registration user management table. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an authentication printing management table. It is a figure explaining the flow of the print data in the case of authentication printing. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a printing condition change process. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the printer device 3. It is a flowchart explaining the registration process of authentication data. It is a flowchart explaining an authentication printing start process. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of authentication data registration processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram in which the printer apparatus (printing apparatus) of the present embodiment is connected to a host device via a network. This system has a configuration in which three personal computers (PC1 to PC3), three printer devices 1 to 3, and a server computer 4 are connected via a LAN (local area network). The personal computer (PC1 to PC3) includes an input unit such as a keyboard, a display unit, a printer driver, and the like, and outputs print data created according to an application to the server computer 4 or one of the printer devices 1 to 3. .

As shown in the figure, the printer device 3 is provided with an IC card reader 5a, and the personal computer (PC 2) is also provided with an IC card reader 5b.
On the other hand, FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the printer apparatuses 1 to 3. The printer apparatuses 1 to 3 will be described below as a representative of the printer apparatuses 1 to 3.
The printer device 3 includes an operation panel 6, ROM 7, RAM 8, clock circuit 9, flash memory 10, internal connection bus 11, printer control LSI 12, USB host LSI 13, engine unit 14, USB / LAN interface 15, hard disk (HDD), etc. A storage device 16 and a CPU 17 are included.

  The CPU 17 controls the printer device 3 in accordance with the program and data stored in the ROM 7 and performs processing described later using the RAM 8 as a work area. The USB host LSI 13 is connected to the IC card reader 5a described above, and transmits the UID information read from the IC card reader 5a to the CPU 17. The printer apparatuses 1 and 2 have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the USB host LSI 13 (IC card reader 5a).

FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the registered user management table, and FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the authentication print management table, both of which are constructed in the flash memory 10.
In the registered user management table shown in FIG. 3, a storage area for registration date, UID, and user name is provided corresponding to the user name. For example, in the storage area of the user name “1”, “2010.07.10” is stored as the registration date, “1001” is stored as the UID, and “OO” is stored as the user name. Information such as a user name is sequentially added to the registered user management table when there is a print data print instruction from a new user.

  4 is a user name storage area 20a, a UID storage area 20b, a file name storage area 20c, a thumbnail image storage area 20d, an output condition storage area 20e, and a print data storage. The area 20f is configured. The above configuration is set for each authentication print data, and is deleted when the authentication printing is completed.

The user name storage area 20a may store a PC login name. In addition, a personal identification number may be stored in the UID storage area 20b. The file name storage area 20c also stores registration date and time information.
In the output condition storage area 20e, output conditions such as paper size information, color and monochrome printing, and paper opening information are set.

In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of print data during authentication printing. First, the personal computer (for example, PC 2) to which the above-described IC card reader 5b is connected is operated to create print data according to the application. The IC card shown in the figure is tapped and the UID is read by the IC card reader 5b. The personal computer (PC2) records the UID information read via the IC card reader 5b in the header portion of the print data and transmits it to the server computer 4.

  The print data transmitted to the server computer 4 is further input to the printer device 3 via the USB / LAN interface 15 described above, temporarily stored in the reception buffer (RAM 8) under the control of the CPU 17, and then stored in the external storage device 16. It is stored and waits for an instruction for authentication printing.

  Next, a writing process such as printing conditions on the IC card will be described. The writing process of the printing conditions and the like to the IC card may be changed when, for example, printing data is stored in the printer device 3 and printing is performed. In some cases, it is desired to output only a specific file among a plurality of files (print data). Therefore, in such a case, the IC card is put on the personal computer (PC 2) and the printing condition is changed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the printing condition writing process to the IC card. First, the personal computer (PC 2) reads the registered file list from the printer device 3 (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). For example, the personal computer (PC 2) starts a Web application, designates a user name (UID), and reads a registered file list from the printer device 3.

  Based on the above instruction, the printer device 3 determines whether there is an authentication print management table (S2), and determines whether the user name specified in the authentication print management table exists (S3). If there is no authentication print management table or the user name does not exist, the process ends (S2 is NO or S3 is NO).

  Next, the printer device 3 searches the authentication print management table based on the user name (UID), and sends a file list of the corresponding user name (UID) to the personal computer (PC 2) by, for example, FTP (file transfer protocol) communication. Transmit (S3 is YES, S4 is YES). The FTP communication is communication using a protocol for transferring a file between the printer apparatuses 1 to 3 and the personal computers (PC1 to PC3) via the network. The printer apparatus 3 performs the above file according to the instruction of the host computer PC2. The list is transmitted to the host computer PC2. If the file list cannot be acquired, the process ends (NO in S4).

  Next, a list is displayed (S5), and a file is selected (S6). If there is a change in the printing conditions (YES in S7), an instruction to change the printing conditions is given (S8). For example, an instruction to change to monochrome printing is given to a file that has been initially set for color printing. In addition, an instruction to change the A4 size print setting is issued to a file for which A3 size print settings were initially set. Furthermore, a necessary print condition change instruction such as a print number change instruction is issued.

  The print condition change instruction can be issued for each file. Therefore, it is possible to select a file to be printed and to specify a print page in the file according to the print condition instruction. In addition, the print conditions can be set for each print page.

Next, the printing condition change and file designation information are written to the IC card (S9). In this process, for example, when a setting completion instruction is given by the user, the IC card reader 5b is driven to write information such as the printing conditions on the IC card.
The IC card on which the information such as the printing conditions is written in this way is input to the printer device 3 and information necessary for the printer device 3 is read out.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the printer apparatus 3.
First, it is determined whether there is a registered user management table (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). If the registered user management table is not created (ST1 is NO), the registered user management table is created (ST2).

  Next, it is determined whether the current time has been acquired (ST3). The CPU 17 acquires information on the current time from the clock circuit 9, and records the current time in the registered user management table (ST4). If the clock circuit 9 is not set in the printer 3, the current time information is acquired from the server computer 4, for example (ST4 is NO, ST5), and the current time is recorded in the registered user management table (ST4).

  Next, it is determined whether the printer apparatus 3 is operating (ST6). If the printer device 3 is operating (YES in ST6), it is determined whether it is registration of authentication data (ST7). If it is not registration of authentication data (ST7 is NO), processing is determined (ST3). Return to. On the other hand, if it is registration of authentication data (ST7 is YES), authentication data registration processing is performed (ST8).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the authentication data registration process. FIG. 3 is a registered user management table in which the authentication data is registered. First, it is determined whether or not a user has already been registered in the registered user management table (ST8-1). If user registration has been performed, it is determined whether the UID is the same (ST8-2). 2 is YES), the registered user management table is overwritten (ST8-3). On the other hand, if user registration has not been performed (ST8-1 is NO) or the UID is not the same (ST8-2 is NO), new user registration is performed in the registered user management table (ST8-3). For example, in the registered user management table shown in FIG. 3, user registration is performed up to user n, and new user registration is performed in the storage area of user n + 1.

  On the other hand, if the printer apparatus 3 is not in operation (ST6 is NO) in the above-described determination shown in FIG. 7 (ST6), it is determined whether the process is to acquire UID information from the IC card reader 5a (ST9). Here, when it is not an acquisition process of UID information from the IC card reader 5a (ST9 is NO), the process returns to the determination (ST3), but when it is an acquisition process of UID information from the IC card reader 5a (ST9 is YES), authentication printing start processing is performed (ST10).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication printing start process. First, the IC card on which the information such as the printing conditions is written is put on the printer device 3 and the UID information is read by the IC card reader 5a (ST10-1). Then, the UID information is confirmed (ST10-2), and the authentication print management table is searched to determine whether there is a print file (ST10-3). Next, the print condition of the print file is confirmed (ST10-4), and compared with the print condition read from the IC card, it is determined whether the print condition is changed (ST10-5).

  Here, when there is a change in the printing conditions (YES in ST10-5), a printing condition changing process is performed. For example, if the IC card stores an instruction to change from color printing to monochrome printing or an instruction to change from A3 size print setting to A4 size print setting, as described above, the print condition change processing is performed. (ST10-6). The CPU 17 creates an authentication print management table in accordance with a print condition change instruction.

  Thereafter, the print condition changing process for other print files is performed (ST10-3 to ST10-7). Then, when there is no file for which print processing is designated (ST10-8 is NO, ST10-9 is YES), the file in the authentication print management table is printed (ST10-10).

  That is, the authentication print data is read from the external storage device 16 according to the information of the changed authentication print management table, the command analysis of the print data is performed according to the changed print condition, and the video data is developed in the RAM 8. Then, the video data is output to the engine unit 14 and printed on paper.

  Next, the print completion file in the authentication print management table is deleted (ST10-11), and it is determined whether there is a file in the authentication print management table (ST10-12). Thereafter, when there are no more files to be printed out in the authentication print management table, the process ends (NO in ST10-12).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the printing condition change information or the like is recorded on the IC card and the printing process is performed by the printer device 3, the IC card is simply changed by placing it on the card reader 5a. The printing conditions can be set in the printer 3, and the printing process according to the changed printing conditions can be performed thereafter.

Therefore, it is not necessary to change the printing conditions as in the prior art by operating the operation panel of the printer device 3, for example, and the printing condition setting changing process can be performed very easily.
Note that the change of the printing conditions can be set for each file of the print data. Therefore, the file to be printed can be selected, and the print page in the file can be designated. Also, various print condition change instructions such as an instruction to change the number of copies and a setting change of the paper feed port can be written on the IC card and executed.

In addition, the writing of the print condition change instruction is not limited to the IC card, but can be similarly used by writing to another portable storage medium such as an SD card.
Further, setting of printing conditions and the like on the portable storage medium need not be performed by a personal computer (PC 2), and may be performed by, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose data writer.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the authentication data registration process shown in FIG. First, as in FIG. 8 described above, it is determined whether user registration has already been performed in the registered user management table (ST8-4). If user registration has not been performed (NO in ST8-4), user registration is performed. (ST8-7). On the other hand, if the user registration has been performed (YES in ST8-4), the personal computer (PC2) is notified that the user registration is duplicated (ST8-5) and waits for a registration instruction (ST8-6). Then, according to the instruction, duplicate registration or change registration is performed (ST8-6, ST8-7). By processing in this way, the user's intention can be further confirmed.

1-3..Printer 4 ... Server computers 5a, 5b ... Card reader 6 ... Operation panel 7 ... ROM
8 ... RAM
9 .. Clock circuit 10 .. Flash memory 11 .. Internal connection bus 12 .. Printer control LSI
13. USB host LSI
14 .. Engine unit 15. USB / LAN interface 16. External storage device 20a. CPU user name storage area 20b. UID storage area 20c. File name storage area 20d. Thumbnail image storage area. 20e ··· Output condition storage area 20f · · Print data storage area

Claims (5)

In a printing system in which a host device capable of exchanging information with a portable storage medium and a printing apparatus are connected via a network,
The host device has a writing means for writing user authentication information and printing conditions on the portable storage medium,
The printing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing print data and print conditions relating to the print data based on the user authentication information;
Reading means for reading information from the portable storage medium;
Changing means for changing the printing conditions stored in the storage means in accordance with the printing conditions read from the portable storage medium by the reading means;
Print control means for performing print output of the corresponding print data on the recording paper in accordance with the printing conditions changed by the changing means;
A printing system comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition includes selectively printing out a part of a plurality of print data. In a printing device connected via a network to a host device capable of transferring information to and from a portable storage medium,
Storage means for storing print data and print conditions relating to the print data based on user authentication information;
Reading means for reading information from the portable storage medium;
Changing means for changing the printing conditions stored in the storage means in accordance with the printing conditions read from the portable storage medium by the reading means;
Print control means for performing print output of the corresponding print data on the recording paper in accordance with the printing conditions changed by the changing means;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the user authentication information and printing conditions are written in the portable storage medium by the host device. A method for controlling a printing apparatus connected via a network to a host device capable of exchanging information with a portable storage medium,
Processing for storing print data and print conditions relating to the print data in a storage unit based on user authentication information;
A reading process for reading information from the portable storage medium;
A changing process for changing the printing condition stored in the storage unit according to the printing condition read from the portable storage medium by the reading process;
A print control process for performing print output of the corresponding print data on the recording paper in accordance with the print conditions changed by the change process;
A control method for a printing apparatus.