JP2012198826A - Print system, image forming device, pull-print method, and pull-print program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print out print data being received by a print server when a user is authenticated.SOLUTION: An MFP comprises: an authentication unit which receives authentication information and transmits the authentication information to a print server (S01 and S02); a first detection unit which detects spooled print data stored in the print server when the authentication information is transmitted (S04); a first acquisition unit which acquires spooled print data from the print server (S09); a second detection unit which detects print data being received by the print server when the authentication information is transmitted (S06); a second acquisition unit which acquires the print data being received from the print server (S18); and an image forming unit which forms an image of the spooled print data or the print data being received (S10 and S20).

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, an image forming apparatus, a pull printing method, and a pull printing program, and in particular, a printing system including a print server and an image forming apparatus that pull-prints print data stored therein, the image forming apparatus, and the The present invention relates to a pull printing method and a printing method executed in an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art A printing system is known in which print data transmitted from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) is not immediately printed on an image forming apparatus represented by a multifunction peripheral, but is printed when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus. ing. As a printing method in this print system, there are an authentication print system constituted by a personal computer and an image forming apparatus, and a pull print system constituted by a personal computer, an image forming apparatus and a print server.

  In the authentication print system, print data and user identification information are transmitted from the PC to the image forming apparatus, and the print data and user identification information are temporarily stored in the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, when the user logs in, the image forming apparatus forms an image of the print data stored together with the user identification information of the logged-in user. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-3006 discloses an authentication print system in which print data received from a PC can be printed when a user logs in to the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, in the pull print system, user identification information and print data are transmitted from the PC to the print server, and the print server temporarily stores the user identification information and the print data in association with each other. Thereafter, when the user logs in, the image forming apparatus transmits a transmission request including user identification information of the logged-in user to the print server. The print server that receives the transmission request from the image forming apparatus receives the print data and the user identification information associated with the same user identification information as the user identification information included in the transmission request from the temporarily stored print data. Reply to When the print data and the user identification information are received from the print server, the image forming apparatus forms an image of the print data (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the conventional pull print system, the print server is receiving the transmission request from the image forming apparatus in order to transmit the print data stored when the transmission request is received from the image forming apparatus. The print data cannot be transmitted because it is not stored. Therefore, in the conventional pull print system, when there is print data being received by the print server when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus, the user knows that there is print data being received by the print server. However, there is a problem that the print data cannot be printed on the image forming apparatus by performing an operation of logging in to the image forming apparatus. In order for the print data being received by the print server to be printed by the image forming apparatus, after the reception is completed by the print server and the print data is temporarily stored, an operation to log in to the image forming apparatus again has to be performed.
JP 2010-3006 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is a print capable of printing the print data being received by the print server when the user is authenticated. Is to provide a system.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing print data being received by a print server when a user is authenticated.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pull print method capable of printing print data being received by a print server when a user is authenticated.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pull print program capable of printing print data being received by a print server when a user is authenticated.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a print system is a print system including an image forming apparatus and a print server, and the print server receives print data and user identification information from the outside. Received print data receiving means; Temporary storage means for temporarily storing received pull print data in association with user identification information; Server side authentication means for receiving and authenticating authentication information from the image forming apparatus; Server side When authentication by the authentication unit is successful, the spool information including the print data identification information for identifying the spool print data associated with the user identification information included in the authentication information received from the stored print data is authenticated. Spool information transmission means for transmitting information to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the information; Receiving data detecting means for detecting print data being received that includes the same user identification information as the user identification information included in the authentication information, and received by the receiving data detecting means. When middle print data is detected, a receiving information transmitting means for transmitting receiving information including print data identification information of the receiving print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the authentication information, and an acquisition request from the image forming apparatus Print data transmission means for transmitting print data associated with the print data identification information included in the acquisition request from the stored print data to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the acquisition request, The image forming apparatus includes authentication information including user identification information for identifying the user. Authentication means for transmitting the received authentication information to the print server, first detection means for receiving spool information from the print server in response to the transmission of the authentication information, and print data included in the received spool information A first acquisition unit that transmits an acquisition request including identification information to the print server and acquires spool print data specified by the print data identification information included in the received spool information from the print server; The second detection means for receiving the receiving information from the print server and the acquisition request including the print data identification information included in the received receiving information are transmitted to the print server, and are included in the received receiving information. A second copy that acquires the print data being received specified by the print data identification information from the print server. And an image forming unit that forms an image of the print data being received acquired by the second acquisition unit or the spool print data acquired by the first acquisition unit.

  According to this aspect, the print server receives the authentication information from the image forming apparatus, transmits the spool information to the image forming apparatus when the authentication is successful, and receives the receiving information when the receiving print data is detected. Send to image forming device. The image forming apparatus receives the authentication information, and if the authentication is successful in the print server, acquires the spool print data from the print server. When receiving the receiving information from the print server, the image forming apparatus acquires the receiving print data from the print server. Then, an image of spool print data and print data being received is formed. For this reason, it is possible to provide a print system capable of printing the print data being received by the print server when the user is authenticated.

  Preferably, the print server transmits an acquisition request for reception completion information after receiving print data specified by print data identification information included in the reception information is received by the print data receiving unit. The image forming apparatus further includes third detection means for detecting that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is completed when receiving the information being received from the print server. Further, the second acquisition unit acquires the print data being received detected by the second detection unit on condition that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is detected by the third detection unit. To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus acquires and prints print data stored in a print server, and prints authentication information including user identification information for identifying a user. Authentication means for receiving and receiving the received authentication information to the print server, and print data stored in the print server when the authentication information is transmitted, and spool print data associated with the user identification information included in the authentication information The first detection means for detecting the print data, the first acquisition means for acquiring the spool print data detected by the first detection means from the print server, and the print data being received by the print server when the authentication information is transmitted. Detecting print data being received associated with user identification information included in authentication information Output means; second acquisition means for acquiring print data being received detected by the second detection means from the print server; and spool print data acquired by the first acquisition means or being received by the second acquisition means Image forming means for forming an image of print data.

  According to this aspect, the authentication information is received, the authentication information is transmitted to the print server, the spool print data stored in the print server when the authentication information is transmitted is detected, and the spool print data is acquired from the print server. In addition, the print data being received that is being received by the print server when the authentication information is transmitted is detected, the print data being received is acquired from the print server, and images of the spool print data and the print data being received are formed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing the print data being received by the print server when the user is authenticated.

  Preferably, there is further provided presence notification means for notifying that there is print data being received by the print server when print data being received is detected by the second detection means.

  Preferably, when the print data being received is detected by the second detection means, it further comprises third detection means for detecting that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is completed, and the second acquisition means includes: The print data being received detected by the second detection means is acquired on condition that the reception of print data being received is detected by the 3 detecting means.

  According to this aspect, since the print data being received is acquired on the condition that reception of the print data being received is detected by the print server, the print data being received can be reliably acquired.

  Preferably, when the print data being received is detected by the second detection means, the spool is received by the third detection means when all of the spool print data acquired by the first acquisition means is formed by the image forming means. When it is not detected that the reception of the medium print data has been completed, the apparatus further includes permission acceptance means for accepting permission by the user, and the second acquisition means performs the second detection on the condition that permission by the user is accepted. The print data being received detected by the means is acquired.

  According to this aspect, since the print data being received is acquired on the condition that the permission from the user is accepted, whether or not to wait for the time until the print data being received is received after the image formation of the spool print data is completed. The user can select this.

  Preferably, when the permission is not accepted by the permission accepting unit, the automatic logout for canceling the login of the authenticated user when all the spool print data acquired by the first acquiring unit is formed by the image forming unit. Means are further provided.

  According to this aspect, when the permission is not accepted, the login is canceled when all the spool print data is formed, so there is no need to input an operation for logging out. For this reason, operation can be simplified.

  Preferably, the printing apparatus further includes an in-printing notification unit that notifies the user that printing is in progress until the print data being received acquired by the second acquisition unit is image-formed by the image forming unit.

  According to this aspect, the user is informed that printing is in progress until the print data being received is imaged, so that the user can reliably obtain the paper on which the image of the print data being received is formed. Can do.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a pull printing method is a pull printing method executed by an image forming apparatus that acquires and prints print data stored in a print server, and for identifying a user. Receiving authentication information including user identification information, transmitting the received authentication information to the print server, and print data stored in the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information, the user identification information included in the authentication information A first detection step of detecting spool print data associated with the print data, a first acquisition step of acquiring the detected spool print data from the print server, and print data being received by the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information And reception associated with the user identification information included in the authentication information A second detection step of detecting print data; a second acquisition step of acquiring print data being received detected in the second detection step from the print server; and spool print data or second acquisition acquired in the first acquisition step. Forming an image of the print data being received acquired in the step.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a pull print method capable of printing the print data being received by the print server when the user is authenticated.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a pull print program is a pull print program that is executed by a computer that acquires print data stored in a print server and controls an image forming apparatus to print the print data. Receiving authentication information including user identification information for identification, transmitting the received authentication information to the print server, and print data stored in the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information, the authentication information being included in the authentication information A first detection step of detecting spool print data associated with the user identification information to be detected, a first acquisition step of acquiring the detected spool print data from the print server, and the print server receiving the authentication information Print data that is included in the authentication information. A second detection step of detecting print data being received associated with the identification information; a second acquisition step of acquiring print data being received detected in the second detection step from the print server; and acquisition in the first acquisition step. And causing the computer to execute an image of the received spool print data or an image of the print data being received acquired in the second acquisition step.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a pull print program capable of printing the print data being received by the print server when the user is authenticated.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall outline of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a print server. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function of CPU with which a print server is provided. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of print data transmission processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a pull print process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary flow of a print job management process. 6 is a first time chart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of a PC, a print server, and an MFP. It is a figure which shows an example of an authentication screen. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a printing status display screen and a permission reception screen. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen. 12 is a second time chart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of the PC, the print server, and the MFP. 12 is a third time chart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of the PC, the print server, and the MFP. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<This embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, print system 1 includes MFPs (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B as image forming apparatuses connected to network 3, print server 200, and authentication server 300. And personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 400-402. Although the figure shows an example in which three MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 100A, 100B are connected to the network 3, the number of MFPs is not limited to this, and may be one or more. That's fine. Further, instead of the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B, any apparatus having a function of forming an image may be used, for example, a facsimile or a printer. The network 3 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 3 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like.

  The PCs 400 to 402, the print server 200, and the authentication server 300 are general computers. Authentication server 300 executes processing for authenticating users who use PCs 400 to 402 and MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. The authentication server 300 stores user data that is assigned in advance for each user and includes user identification information for identifying the user and authentication information (for example, a password). The PC 400 to 402 and the MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B When the user identification information and the authentication information input to the user are received from either of them, the received user identification information and the authentication information are compared with user data stored in advance. The authentication server 300 returns an authentication result indicating that the authentication has succeeded if the two match, but returns an authentication result indicating that the authentication has failed if the two do not match.

  In addition, although the example which uses a password as authentication information is shown, you may make it authenticate using biometric information, such as a user's fingerprint, a vein pattern, and an iris. In this case, MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B are connected to a reading device for reading biometric information, and user data stored in authentication server 300 includes user identification information and biometric information. Then, each of MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B receives biometric information read by the reading device. Each of MFPs 100, 100 </ b> A, and 100 </ b> B transmits biometric information input from the reading device to authentication server 300 and causes authentication server 300 to authenticate.

  Each of PCs 400 to 402 and MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B may also serve as authentication server 300. In this case, authentication server 300 is not necessary.

  Each of the PCs 400 to 402 is used by a user and executes various processes by executing an application program. The various processes include a log-in process for authenticating the user to be used and a print process for generating print data and causing the MFP 100, 100A, or 100B to print the print data.

  In the print system 1 according to the present embodiment, a pull print driver program is installed in each of the PCs 400 to 402. Each of the PCs 400 to 402 causes the print server 200 to temporarily store print data by executing a pull print driver program. When each of the PCs 400 to 401 installs a pull print driver program, the print server 200 is registered as a print data transmission destination. For example, the print server 200 is registered by setting the network address of the print server 200.

  Each of the PCs 400 to 402 causes the MFP 100, 100A, 100B to print the print data by executing a pull print driver program. Specifically, for example, when the user A logs in with the user identification information “taro1” and instructs the print server 200 as the transmission destination on the PC 400, the pull print driver program The print data is transmitted to the print server 200. The pull print data includes print data obtained by converting data designated by the user into a print format, and user identification information “taro1”.

  When the print server 200 receives pull print data including a set of user identification information and print data from any of the PCs 400 to 402, the print server 200 temporarily stores them in association with each other. Thereafter, when the user A of the user identification information “taro1” logs in to any of the MFPs 100, 100 A, and 100 B, for example, if the user A logs in to the MFP 100, the MFP 100 stores the user identification information “ An acquisition request including “taro1” is transmitted. The print server 200 that receives the acquisition request sends the acquisition request for the print data included in the pull print data including the user identification information “taro1” included in the acquisition request from the temporarily stored pull print data. Send to. MFP 100 prints print data received from print server 200.

  Note that print conditions such as the number of copies, paper size, color and monochrome, and print layout may be transmitted together with the print data. The print conditions are determined by the PCs 400 to 402 based on values received from the user. Further, PC 400 to 402 transmit only print data without transmitting print conditions together with the print data, and specify the print conditions after the user logs in with the MFP logged in by the user among MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. You may make it do.

  MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B may have the same or different hardware configurations, but include an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet such as paper based on at least image data. Although the hardware configurations of MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B may not be the same, here, a case where MFP 100 has a configuration of at least one of other MFPs 100A and 100B will be described as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, and a post-processing unit 50.

  The ADF 10 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feed tray 11 one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the image reading unit 20, and the image reading unit 20 The document on which the document image is read is discharged onto the document discharge tray 12. The image reading unit 20 includes a light source that irradiates light to a document conveyed to a document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected by the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image forming unit 30. The paper feed unit 40 conveys the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and performs various data processing such as shading correction on image data received from the outside or image data input from the image reading unit 20. Then, an image is formed on the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding unit 40 based on the image data after the data processing.

  The post-processing unit 50 discharges the paper on which the image is formed. The post-processing unit 50 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, and can sort and discharge the sheets on which images are formed. The post-processing unit 50 includes a punch hole processing unit and a staple processing unit, and can perform punch hole processing or staple processing on the discharged paper. The MFP 100 also includes an operation panel 9 as a user interface with the user on the upper surface.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 101, a facsimile unit 122, and a communication control unit 123. The main circuit 101 is connected to an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, and a post-processing unit 50.

  The main circuit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 for storing programs executed by the CPU 111, and the like. A display unit 114, an operation unit 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, and a data communication control unit 117.

  The CPU 111 is connected to the RAM 112, the ROM 113, the display unit 114, the operation unit 115, the HDD 116, and the data communication control unit 117, and controls the entire main circuit 101. The CPU 111 is connected to the facsimile unit 122, the communication control unit 123, the ADF 10, the image reading unit 20, the image forming unit 30, the paper feeding unit 40, and the post-processing unit 50, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The display unit 114 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The operation unit 115 includes a touch panel provided on the display unit 114.

  The data communication control unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communicating with a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and a serial communication interface terminal 119 for serial communication. . The data communication control unit 117 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 118 or the serial communication interface terminal 119 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  When a LAN cable for connecting to the network 3 is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 117 includes other MFPs 100 </ b> A and 100 </ b> B, PCs 400 to 402, the print server 200, and the printer connected via the LAN terminal 118. Communicate with the authentication server 300. Furthermore, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with other computers connected to the Internet.

  When a device is connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with a device connected to the serial communication interface terminal 119, for example, a digital camera, a digital video camera, or a portable information terminal. Input and output image data. The serial communication interface terminal 119 can be connected to a memory card 119A incorporating a flash memory. The CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 117 to read a program to be executed by the CPU 111 from the memory card 119A, and stores the read program in the RAM 112 and executes it.

  The recording medium for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the memory card 119A, but a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc / It may be a medium such as a semiconductor memory such as an MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an IC card (including a memory card), an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Programmable EPROM), or the like. In addition, the CPU 111 downloads a program from a computer connected to the Internet and The program may be stored in D116, or the computer connected to the Internet may write the program to HDD 116, and the program stored in HDD 116 may be loaded into RAM 112 and executed by CPU 111. Includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The communication control unit 123 is a modem for connecting the CPU 111 to the PSTN 7. The telephone number in PSTN 7 is assigned to MFP 100 in advance, and when a call is made from the facsimile apparatus connected to PSTN 7 to the telephone number assigned to MFP 100, communication control unit 123 detects the call. When the communication control unit 123 detects a call, the communication control unit 123 establishes a call and causes the facsimile unit 122 to communicate.

  The facsimile unit 122 is connected to the PSTN 7 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 7 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 7. The facsimile unit 122 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116, converts the received facsimile data into print data that can be printed by the image forming unit 30, and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 30. As a result, the image forming unit 30 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 122 on paper. Further, the facsimile unit 122 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN 7.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the print server. Referring to FIG. 4, print server 200 is connected to bus 208, CPU 201 for controlling the entire print server 200, ROM 202 for storing a program executed by CPU 201, and operation of CPU 201. A RAM 203 used as an area, a network I / F 204 for connecting the print server 200 to a network, an HDD 205 as a large-capacity storage device, a display unit 206, an operation unit 207 for accepting input of user operations, an external A storage device 209.

  The external storage device 209 is loaded with a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) 209A storing a program. The CPU 201 loads the program stored in the CD-ROM 209A via the external storage device 209 to the RAM 203 and executes it. The recording medium for storing the program is not limited to the CD-ROM 209A, but a semiconductor memory such as a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (MO / MD / DVD), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. But you can. Further, the program stored in the HDD 205 may be loaded into the RAM 203 and executed. In this case, the print server 200 may download a program from another computer connected to the network 3 and store the program in the HDD 205. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 201 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the CPU provided in the print server. The functions of the CPU 201 included in the print server 200 illustrated in FIG. 5 are functions formed in the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 executes a print data transmission program stored in the ROM 202, the HDD 205, or the CD-ROM 209A.

  Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 201 provided in print server 200 includes a print data receiving unit 251 that receives pull print data from the outside, a spool unit 253 that temporarily stores pull print data, and a server-side authentication unit that authenticates a user. 255, a spool information transmission unit 257 that transmits spool information, a data reception detection unit 259, a reception information transmission unit 261 that transmits reception information, and a reception completion information transmission unit 263 that transmits reception completion information. An acquisition request receiving unit 265 that receives the acquisition request, and a print data transmission unit 267 that transmits the print data to the device that has transmitted the acquisition request.

  The print data receiving unit 251 controls the network I / F 204 and receives pull print data including print data and user identification information from any of the PCs 400 to 402. Upon receiving the pull print data, the print data receiving unit 251 outputs the received pull print data to the spool unit 253.

  When the pull print data is input from the print data receiving unit 251, the spool unit 253 stores the pull print data in the HDD 205. As a result, the pull print data 281 is stored in the HDD 205. The pull print data 281 includes print data and user identification information, and associates the print data with the user identification information.

  When the server-side authentication unit 255 controls the network I / F 204 to receive authentication information from any of the MFPs 100, 100, and 100B, the server-side authentication unit 255 has transmitted authentication information from the MFPs 100, 100, and 100B based on the authentication information. Authenticate the user who operates the device. The authentication information includes user identification information for identifying the user and a password. The server-side authentication unit 255 transmits user identification information and a password included in the received authentication information to the authentication server 300 via the network I / F 204, and causes the authentication server 300 to authenticate. When the authentication server 300 receives the user identification information and the password, the authentication server 300 compares the user identification information and the password with user data stored in advance, and if both match, returns an authentication result indicating a successful authentication. If they do not match, an authentication result indicating authentication failure is returned. Here, the user data includes user identification information for identifying the user and a password.

  Here, for explanation, an example will be described in which server-side authentication unit 255 receives authentication information from MFP 100 among MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B. When the network I / F 204 receives the authentication result from the authentication server 300, the server-side authentication unit 255 receives the authentication result. Server-side authentication unit 255 transmits the authentication result to MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information. When the authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful, server-side authentication unit 255 sends the user identification information of the authenticated user and the device identification information of MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information to spool information transmission unit 257 and data reception detection. Output to the unit 259.

  When the server-side authentication unit 255 receives the authentication result indicating the authentication success from the authentication server 300, the information received by the network I / F 204 from the MFP 100 thereafter is transmitted for the authenticated user until the logout request is received. As treated information. In other words, the server-side authentication unit 255 treats information received from the MFP 100 as valid after receiving an authentication result indicating successful authentication from the authentication server 300 and thereafter receiving a logout request from the MFP 100. However, the information received from MFP 100 after receiving the logout request is not validated.

  The spool information transmission unit 257 receives the user identification information from the server-side authentication unit 255, and the user identification input from the server-side authentication unit 255 from the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205. Pull print data 281 including information is extracted. When the spool information transmission unit 257 extracts the pull print data 281 including the user identification information input from the server side authentication unit 255, the spool information transmission unit 257 transmits the network I to the MFP 100 specified by the device identification information input from the server side authentication unit 255. Spool information is transmitted via / F204. The spool information is a print of print data included in the pull print data 281 including pull identification data extracted from the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205, in other words, user identification information input from the server-side authentication unit 255. Contains data identification information. When a plurality of pull print data 281 including user identification information is extracted, the spool information transmission unit 257 transmits spool information including all print data identification information of print data included in each of the plurality of extracted pull print data 281. To do.

  In response to the input of the user identification information from the server-side authentication unit 255, the receiving data detection unit 259 receives the pull print data including the input user identification information. Judge whether it is medium or not. The receiving data detection unit 259 is a print data receiving unit when the server side authentication unit 255 receives the authentication information from the MFP 100 and the authentication is determined to be successful, in other words, when the user of the MFP 100 logs in to the MFP 100. 251 determines whether pull print data including the user identification information of the login user has been received.

  The receiving data detecting unit 259 outputs a receiving information output instruction to the receiving information transmitting unit 261 when the print data receiving unit 251 is receiving such pull print data. The in-reception information output instruction includes print data identification information for identifying print data included in the pull print data being received by the print data reception unit 251 and device identification information input from the server-side authentication unit 255. Including. The device identification information here is device identification information of MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information.

  In addition, the reception data detection unit 259 outputs a reception completion information output instruction to the reception completion information transmission unit 263 when the print data reception unit 251 completes reception of the pull print data after outputting the reception information output instruction. To do. The reception completion information output instruction includes print data identification information for identifying print data included in the pull print data that has been received by the print data reception unit 251, device identification information input from the server-side authentication unit 255, and including. The device identification information here is device identification information of MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information.

  When the receiving information transmitting unit 261 receives the receiving information output instruction from the receiving data detecting unit 259, the receiving information transmitting unit 261 specifies the receiving information with the device identification information included in the receiving information output instruction via the network I / F 204. Sent to the MFP 100. The receiving information includes print data identification information included in the receiving information output instruction.

  When the receiving information transmitting unit 261 transmits the receiving information, the receiving information is output to the spool information transmitting unit 257, and the spool information transmitting unit 257 transmits the spool information and the receiving information to the MFP 100. You may make it do.

  Upon receiving the reception completion information output instruction from the receiving data detection unit 259, the reception completion information transmission unit 263 specifies the reception completion information with the device identification information included in the reception completion information output instruction via the network I / F 204. Sent to the MFP 100. The reception completion information includes print data identification information included in the reception completion information output instruction.

  Acquisition request receiving unit 265 controls network I / F 204 to receive an acquisition request from an apparatus operated by the authenticated user of MFPs 100, 100, 100 B, in this case, MFP 100. The acquisition request includes print data identification information for identifying print data. Although details of the operation of MFP 100 will be described later, since spool information transmitting unit 257 transmits spool information to MFP 100, MFP 100 transmits an acquisition request including print data identification information included in the received spool information. . When the reception completion information transmission unit 263 transmits the reception completion information to the MFP 100, the MFP 100 can transmit an acquisition request including print data identification information included in the received reception completion information. In other words, the print data specified by the print data identification information included in the acquisition request is included in any of the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205.

  Upon receiving the acquisition request, acquisition request reception unit 265 outputs a transmission instruction including print data identification information included in the acquisition request and device identification information of MFP 100 that has transmitted the acquisition request, to print data transmission unit 267.

  When the transmission instruction is input from the acquisition request reception unit 265, the print data transmission unit 267 reads the pull print data 281 including the user identification information included in the transmission instruction from the HDD 205, and prints included in the read pull print data 281. Data is transmitted via the network I / F 204 to the MFP 100 specified by the device identification information included in the transmission instruction.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in the MFP. The functions shown in FIG. 6 are functions formed in CPU 111 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 executes a pull print program stored in ROM 113, HDD 116, or memory card 119A.

  Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 includes an authentication unit 51 for authenticating a user who operates MFP 100 and a first detection unit that detects print data stored in print server 200 at the time of authentication. 53. A second detection unit 55 that detects print data being received by the print server 200 at the time of authentication, and that the reception by the print server 200 of the print data detected by the second detection unit 55 is completed. The third detection unit 57, the first acquisition unit 59 for acquiring the print data detected by the first detection unit 53, and the second acquisition unit for acquiring the print data detected by the second detection unit 55 from the print server 200 61, a job management unit 63 that manages print jobs, an image formation control unit 65 that controls the image forming unit 30, It includes a permission accepting portion 67 to accept the permission of chromatography The, the automatic logout portion 69 to eliminate the login of the authenticated user, the.

  Authentication unit 51 authenticates a user who operates MFP 100. Specifically, the authentication unit 51 displays a login screen on the display unit 114. The login screen includes an area for entering user identification information and an area for entering a password. When the user inputs user identification information and a password to the operation unit 115, the user identification information and the password are received from the operation unit 115, and authentication information including the received user identification information and password is received via the data communication control unit 117. Are transmitted to the print server 200, and the print server 200 is authenticated. Information on the transmission destination of the authentication information, specifically, device identification information of the print server 200 is stored in the MFP 100 in advance in the HDD 116 by the user.

  When the data communication control unit 117 receives an authentication result from the print server 200, the authentication unit 51 receives the authentication result. When the authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful, the authentication unit 51 outputs the user identification information of the login user to the first detection unit 53, the second detection unit 55, and the automatic logout unit 69. When the authentication result indicates an authentication failure, the authentication unit 51 displays an error message on the display unit 114. When the authentication result indicates that the authentication is successful, the authentication unit 51 performs an operation input to the operation unit 115 until a logout instruction is subsequently input, or until login is canceled by an automatic logout unit 69 described later, It is accepted as an operation by a user who is authenticated and permitted to log in.

  The first detection unit 53 is print data stored in the HDD 205 by the print server 200 when user identification information is input from the authentication unit 51, in other words, when the authentication unit 51 transmits authentication information. Spool print data associated with the user identification information of the user is detected. When the data communication control unit 117 receives spool information from the print server 200, the first detection unit 53 detects spool print data. The first detection unit 53 acquires spool information received by the data communication control unit 117 from the print server 200, and outputs print data identification information included in the acquired spool information to the first acquisition unit 59. The print data identification information included in the spool information is print data identification information of the spool print data. When the spool information includes a plurality of print data identification information, the plurality of print data identification information is output to the first acquisition unit 59.

  The first acquisition unit 59 receives the print data identification information of the spool print data from the first detection unit 53, and acquires the spool print data detected by the first detection unit 53. The first acquisition unit 59 includes a first acquisition request transmission unit 71 and a first print data reception unit 73. The first acquisition request transmission unit 71 transmits an acquisition request including print data identification information input from the first detection unit 53 to the print server 200 via the data communication control unit 117. When the first acquisition request transmission unit 71 transmits the acquisition request, the first acquisition request transmission unit 71 outputs a signal indicating the acquisition request to the first print data reception unit 73. When a plurality of print data identification information is input from the first detection unit 53, the first acquisition request transmission unit 71 sends a plurality of acquisition requests each including a plurality of print data identification information to the print server 200 as a data communication control unit. 117 is transmitted.

  As described above, when the print server 200 receives the acquisition request from the MFP 100, the pull print data including the print data identification information included in the received acquisition request is included in the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205. If stored, the print data included in the pull print data is returned.

  When the data communication control unit 117 receives print data from the print server 200, the first print data receiving unit 73 acquires the print data and outputs the print data to the job management unit 63. When the first print data receiving unit 73 receives a plurality of print data, the first print data receiving unit 73 outputs the received print data to the job management unit 63 every time it receives a plurality of print data.

  The second detection unit 55 is print data received by the print server 200 when the user identification information is input from the authentication unit 51, in other words, when the authentication unit 51 transmits the authentication information. The print data being received associated with the user identification information of the user is detected. When the data communication control unit 117 receives the receiving information from the print server 200, the second detecting unit 55 detects the receiving print data. The second detection unit 55 acquires the receiving information that the data communication control unit 117 receives from the print server 200, and the print data identification information included in the acquired receiving information is the second acquisition unit 59 and the job management unit. 63, to the third detection unit 57 and the permission receiving unit 67. The print data identification information included in the receiving information is print data identification information of the receiving print data.

  When the job management unit 63 receives print data from the first print data receiving unit 73 or the second print data receiving unit 77 to be described later, the job management unit 63 generates a print job including the print data, and the generated print job is an image formation control unit. Output to 65. When a print job is input from the job management unit 63, the image formation control unit 65 prints print data included in the print job. Specifically, the print data is output to the image forming unit 30, and the image forming unit 30 is caused to form an image of the print data. When the printing of the print data is completed, the image formation control unit 65 outputs the print data identification information of the print data to the job management unit 63.

  When receiving a plurality of print data, the first print data receiving unit 73 outputs the print data to the job management unit 63 every time print data is received. The time for the first print data receiving unit 73 to receive the print data may be shorter than the time for the image formation control unit 65 to print the print data. The job management unit 63 generates a print job including print data so that the print data input from the first print data reception unit 73 is not lost, and temporarily stores the generated print job in the RAM 112. Each time the image formation control unit 65 completes printing, the job management unit 63 newly reads a print job temporarily stored in the RAM 112 and outputs the read print job to the image formation control unit 65.

  The job management unit 63 includes a status notification unit 79. The status notification unit 79 generates a print status display screen and displays it on the display unit 114. The print status display screen is a screen showing the status for each print job. Specifically, the screen displays a set of print data identification information included in the print job and the status of the print job. Since the status of the print job changes with time, the status notification unit 79 updates the contents of the print status display screen each time the status of the print job changes. The status of the print job includes a printing state in which the image formation control unit 65 is printing the print data, a standby state waiting for printing by the image formation control unit 65, and completion of printing of the print data by the image formation control unit 65 And a receiving state being received by the print server 200.

  When the print data identification information of the print data being received is input from the second detection unit 55, the status notification unit 79 displays the set of the input print data identification information and the reception status on the print status display screen. . The status notification unit 79 receives the print data identification information until the print data having the same print data identification information as the print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55 is input from a second print data receiving unit 77 described later. The pair with the receiving status is displayed on the print status display screen. Also, a message indicating that there is print data being received by the print server 200 on the print status display screen, for example, “the document being spooled” is displayed on the display unit 114. Good. The user can know that there is print data being received by looking at the print status display screen.

  The status notification unit 79 displays the print data identification information and the print status on the print status display screen for print jobs whose print status is receiving, waiting, and printing, but the print status is in the completed status. For print jobs, the print data identification information is deleted from the print status display screen. Note that the print data identification information and the print status in the completed state may be displayed on the print status display screen without deleting the print data identification information from the print status display screen.

  The status notification unit 79 sets the status of the print job to the standby state before receiving the print data and before outputting the print job including the print data to the image formation control unit 65. The status notification unit 79 sets the status of the print job to a standby state during printing in a stage before the printing by the image formation control unit 65 is completed after the print job is output to the image formation control unit 65. The status notification unit 79 sets the status of the print job to a completed state at a stage after the printing by the image formation control unit 65 is completed. By viewing the print status display screen, the user can know that there is a standby print job to be printed next to the print data being printed.

  Further, the job management unit 63 outputs a print completion signal to the second acquisition unit 61 and the permission reception unit 67 when printing of the print data of the print data identification information input from the first print data reception unit 73 is completed. To do.

  When the second detection unit 55 detects print data being received, the third detection unit 57 detects that the print server 200 has received the print data being received. Specifically, when the data communication control unit 117 receives the reception completion information including the print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55 from the print server 200, the third detection unit 57 performs the processing by the print server 200. Detecting completion of reception of print data during reception. When receiving the reception completion information, the third detection unit 57 outputs the print data identification information included in the received reception completion information to the second acquisition unit 61 and the permission reception unit 67.

  When the print data identification information of the print data being received is input from the second detection unit 55, the permission reception unit 67 is input from the second detection unit 55 when a print completion signal is input from the job management unit 63. When the same print data identification information as the print data identification information to be printed is not input from the third detection unit 57, permission for printing is received from the user. In other words, when reception of the print data being received is not completed at the print server 200 at the time when all prints of the spool print data are completed, the user is inquired whether to print the print data being received.

  The status notification unit 79 notifies the print server 200 of the presence of print data being received, and displays on the display unit 114 a permission acceptance screen asking whether to print the print data being received. The permission reception screen includes a message “There is a document being spooled. Do you want to output after spooling is completed? (Y / N)”. If the user inputs an operation for permitting printing to the operation unit 115 according to the permission acceptance screen, the permission is accepted. Here, permission is accepted when the “Y” key is pressed, but permission is not accepted when the “N” key is pressed. The permission receiving unit 67 outputs a permission signal to the second acquisition request transmitting unit 75 when receiving permission from the user. The permission signal includes print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55.

  On the other hand, the permission receiving unit 67 outputs a logout instruction to the automatic logout unit 69 if the permission from the user is not received. If the status notification unit 79 notifies the presence of the print data being received and all prints of the spool print data received from the print server 200 have been completed, the print server 200 is still receiving the print data being received. On the condition that permission is accepted by the permission accepting unit 67, the print server 200 prints the print data being received until it is received. On the other hand, if the permission is not received by the permission receiving unit 67, the print data being received in the print server 200 is not printed. For this reason, the user can instruct whether to print the print data being received in the print server 200. For this reason, user convenience is improved.

  When a logout instruction is input from the permission receiving unit 67, the automatic logout unit 69 cancels the login of the user specified by the user identification information input from the authentication unit 51. The automatic logout unit 69 transmits a logout request to the print server 200 via the data communication control unit 117. The logout request includes user identification information input from the authentication unit 51.

  The second acquisition unit 61 acquires the print data being received detected by the second detection unit 55. The second acquisition unit 61 receives print data identification information of print data being received from the second detection unit 55, receives print data identification information from the third detection unit 57, and receives a print completion signal from the job management unit 63. Then, a permission signal is input from the permission receiving unit 67. The second type metropolitan area unit 61 includes a second acquisition request transmission unit 75 and a second print data reception unit 77. When the print data identification information of the print data being received is input from the second detection unit 55, the second acquisition request transmission unit 75 sends an acquisition request to the print server 200 and the data communication control unit 117 when the predetermined condition is satisfied. To send through. The acquisition request includes print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55. When the second acquisition request transmission unit 75 transmits the acquisition request, the second acquisition request transmission unit 75 outputs a signal indicating that the acquisition request has been made to the second print data reception unit 77.

  The predetermined condition is that the same print data identification information as the print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55 is input from the third detection unit 57 before the print completion signal is input from the job management unit 63. After the print completion signal is input from the job management unit 63 before the print data identification information identical to the print data identification information input from the condition 1 and the second detection unit 55 is input from the third detection unit 57 The second condition in which the permission signal is input from the permission receiving unit 67 and the same print data identification information as the print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55 is input from the third detection unit 57 is included. .

  The case where the first condition is satisfied is a case where reception of the print data being received is completed in the print server 200 before all the spool print data is printed. If the first condition is satisfied, if the acquisition request is transmitted and the print data being received is received, the print data being received can be printed following the printing of the spool print data, and no waiting time occurs.

  When the second condition is satisfied, when printing of the spool print data is completed and the reception of the print data being received is not completed in the print server 200, the user has permitted printing of the print data being received. This is a case where the reception of the print data being received is completed thereafter. After the spool print data has been printed, there is a waiting time until the reception of the print data being received is completed. In this case, the user can instruct whether or not to print the print data being received, and the print data being received is printed only when the user permits printing of the print data being received. If not permitted, print data being received is not printed. For this reason, the user can select whether to print the print data being received, in other words, whether to wait until the print data being received is received.

  The first condition and the second condition both include a condition in which the same print data identification information as the print data identification information input from the second detection unit 55 is input from the third detection unit 57. Therefore, since the print server 200 transmits the acquisition request to the print server after the reception of the print data being received is completed, at the time when the print server 200 receives the acquisition request transmitted by the second acquisition request transmission unit 75. The receiving print server is stored as pull print data 281 in the HDD 205. Therefore, the print server 200 is in a state where it can transmit the print data included in the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205 at the stage of receiving the acquisition request transmitted by the second acquisition request transmission unit 75. The print data is transmitted to MFP 100. Therefore, the print data being received can be reliably received from the print server 200.

  As a result, the second print data receiving unit 77 receives the print data from the print server 200 after the signal indicating that the acquisition request has been input, and acquires the print data. Output to the job management unit 63.

  When the print data is input from the second print data receiving unit 77, the job management unit 63 receives the input from the second print data receiving unit 77 in the same manner as when the print data is input from the first print data receiving unit 77. A print job including the print data to be generated is generated, and the generated print job is output to the image formation control unit 65. The status notification unit 79 included in the job management unit 63 changes the display of the reception status on the print status display screen to the display of the printing status or the standby status, and when printing is completed, the second print data The display of the print data identification information of the print data input from the receiving unit 77 and the in-printing state is deleted from the print state display screen.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of print data transmission processing. The print data transmission process is a process executed by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the print server 200 executes a print data transmission program stored in the ROM 202, the HDD 205, or the CD-ROM 209A.

  Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 201 determines whether print data and user identification information have been received (step S51). It is determined whether the network I / F 204 has received print data and user identification information from any of the PCs 400 to 402. If the print data and the user identification information are received, the process proceeds to step S52. If not, step S52 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S53. In step S52, pull print data including print data and user identification information is stored in HDD 205, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, it is determined whether network I / F 204 has received authentication information from any of MFPs 100, 100, and 100B. If the authentication information is received, the process proceeds to step S54; otherwise, the process returns to step S51. The authentication information includes user identification information for identifying the user and a password. Here, for the sake of explanation, a case where authentication information is received from MFP 100 among MFPs 100, 100A, and 100B will be described as an example.

  In step S54, authentication is performed based on the received authentication information, and it is determined whether or not the authentication is successful. If the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S55; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S66. Based on the authentication information, the user who operates MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information is authenticated. Specifically, user identification information and a password included in the authentication information are transmitted to the authentication server 300 via the data communication control unit 117, and the authentication server 300 is authenticated. If the authentication is successful, the authentication server 300 returns an authentication result indicating that the authentication is successful. If authentication fails, the authentication server 300 returns an authentication result indicating that the authentication has failed. In step S66, an error signal is transmitted to MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information, and the process returns to step S51.

  In step S55, it is determined whether or not spool print data exists. The spool print data is print data stored in the HDD 205 and associated with user identification information included in the authentication information received in step S51. Therefore, if pull print data 281 including user identification information included in the authentication information received in step S51 is stored in HDD 205, it is determined that spool print data exists. If the spool print data exists, the process proceeds to step S56; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S57.

  In step S56, the spool information is transmitted to MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information, and the process proceeds to step S57. The spool information includes print data identification information for identifying spool print data. Pull print data 281 including user identification information included in the authentication information received in step S51 is extracted, and spool information including print data identification information of print data included in the extracted pull print data is transmitted.

  In step S57, it is determined whether print data being received exists. The print data being received is print data being received by the network I / F 204 and is print data associated with the user identification information included in the authentication information received in step S51. If print data being received exists, the process proceeds to step S58; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step S58, the receiving information is transmitted to MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information, and the process proceeds to step S59. The receiving information includes print data identification information for identifying print data being received. The network I / F 204 specifies the print data identification information of the print data being received, and transmits the receiving information including the specified print data identification information.

  In the next step S59, it is determined whether an acquisition request has been received. It is determined whether network I / F 204 has received an acquisition request from MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information. The acquisition request is transmitted from the MFP 100 that receives the spool information or receiving information, and includes print data identification information included in the spool information or receiving information. If an acquisition request has been received, the process proceeds to step S60; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S60, the pull print data 281 including the print data of the print data identification information included in the acquisition request received in step S59 is extracted from the pull print data 281 stored in the HDD 205, and the extracted pull data 281 is extracted. The print data included in the print data is transmitted to MFP 100 that has transmitted the acquisition request. Then, the extracted pull print data 281 is deleted from the HDD 205 (step S61).

  In the next step S62, it is determined whether or not a logout request has been received. It is determined whether network I / F 204 has received a logout request from MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information. The logout request includes user identification information. If a logout request including the same user identification information as the user identification information included in the authentication information received in step S53 is received, the process proceeds to step S63; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S64. In step S63, the login of the user specified by the user identification information included in the logout request is canceled, and the process ends.

  In step S64, it is determined whether reception of the print data being received is completed. The process proceeds to step S65 if the reception of the print data being received that is determined to be received in step S57 is completed, but the process returns to step S59 if the reception is not completed. In step S65, the reception completion information is transmitted to MFP 100 that has transmitted the authentication information, and the process returns to step S59. The reception completion information includes the print data identification information of the print data being received that is determined to be being received in step S57.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of pull print processing. The pull print process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 executes a pull print program stored in the ROM 113, the HDD 116, or the memory card 119A.

  Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 111 determines whether authentication information has been accepted (step S01). An authentication screen is displayed on display unit 114, and authentication information input by a user who operates MFP 100 is accepted. The authentication information includes user identification information and a password. The process waits until authentication information is received (NO in step S01). If authentication information is received, the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, the authentication information accepted in step S01 is transmitted to print server 200. Then, based on the authentication result returned from the print server 200, it is determined whether or not the authentication is successful. If the authentication result indicates authentication success, the process proceeds to step S04. If the authentication result indicates authentication failure, the process returns to step S01.

  In step S04, it is determined whether spool information has been received. If spool information is received from print server 200, the process proceeds to step S05. If not received, step S05 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S06. The spool information is print data stored in the print server 200 and includes print data identification information of print data associated with the user identification information received in step S01. In step S05, spool print data is specified from the spool information. Specifically, the print data identification information included in the spool information is temporarily stored in the RAM 112 as the print data identification information of the spool print data.

  In step S06, it is determined whether or not receiving information has been received. If the receiving information is received from print server 200, the process proceeds to step S07. If not received, the process proceeds to step S25. The receiving information is print data being received by the print server 200, and includes print data identification information of print data associated with the user identification information received in step S01. In step S07, print data being received is specified from the information being received. Specifically, the print data identification information included in the receiving information is temporarily stored in the RAM 112 as the print data identification information of the receiving print data.

  In the next step S08, the reception status is displayed on the print status notification screen. Specifically, the print data identification information of the print data being received specified in step S07 and the print status indicating the reception status are displayed on the print status display screen. Further, a message indicating that the print server 200 is receiving, for example, “There is a document being spooled” is displayed on the display unit 114.

  In step S09, a spool print data acquisition request is transmitted to the print server 200. The spool print data acquisition request includes the print data identification information of the spool print data specified in step S05. In the next step S10, a print job management process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S11. Although details of the print job management process will be described later, this is a process of receiving and printing print data and displaying the print status.

  In step S <b> 11, it is determined whether reception completion information has been received from the print server 200. It is determined whether or not the data communication control unit 117 has received from the print server 200 reception completion information including the same print data identification information as the print data identification information included in the receiving information received in step S06. If such reception completion information is received, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, step S12 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S12, reception completion information is temporarily stored in the RAM 112.

  In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not printing of the spool print data specified in step S07 is completed. If a plurality of spool print data are specified in step S07, it is determined whether or not all printing of the plurality of spool print data has been completed. If the spool print data has been printed, the process proceeds to step S14; otherwise, the process returns to step S09.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not reception completion information is stored in RAM 112. If reception completion information is stored, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, a permission acceptance screen is displayed on display unit 114. Then, it is determined whether or not permission has been accepted (step S16). If the user inputs an operation for permitting printing to the operation unit 115 according to the permission acceptance screen, the permission is accepted. If permission by the user is accepted (YES in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17. If permission is not accepted (NO in step S16), the process proceeds to step S24. In step S17, as in step S11, it is determined whether or not reception completion information has been received from the print server 200. The process waits until reception completion information is received (NO in step S17). When reception completion information is received (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S <b> 18, an acquisition request for print data being received is transmitted to the print server 200. The reception print data acquisition request includes the print data identification information of the reception print data specified in step S07. In the next step S19, the receiving state display displayed in step S08 is terminated. Specifically, the receiving state displayed on the print state notification screen is deleted. If the print server 200 displays a message indicating that the message is being received, the message display is stopped. The user viewing the print status display screen can know that the print data that was being received is no longer being received.

  In the next step S20, a print job management process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, it is determined whether printing of the print data being received is completed. If printing of the print data being received is completed, the process proceeds to step S22. If not, the process returns to step S20.

  In step S22, normal processing is executed, and the process proceeds to step S23. The normal process is a process for executing a function of the MFP 100, such as a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a print function for forming an image of image data stored in the HDD 116, and the like.

  In step S23, it is determined whether a logout instruction has been accepted. When a key provided in advance on the operation unit 115 is pressed, it is determined that a logout instruction has been accepted. If a logout instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S24; otherwise, the process returns to step S22. In step S24, a logout request including the user identification information of the user authenticated in step S01 is transmitted to the print server 200, and the process ends.

  In step S16, if permission by the user is not accepted, the process proceeds to step S24. For this reason, when the user finishes printing the spool print data, the user immediately logs out. If the user does not permit printing of the print data being received, when printing of the spool print data is finished, the login is immediately canceled and the user is logged out, so that the operation for logging out is omitted. It can be simplified.

  On the other hand, if the receiving information is not received from the print server 200 in step S06, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, as in step S09, a spool print data acquisition request is transmitted to print server 200, and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, a print job management process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, it is determined whether printing of all spool print data specified in step S05 has been completed. If all prints of spool print data have been completed, the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process returns to step S25.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of print job management processing. The print job management process is a process executed in steps S10, S20, and S26 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, in step S31, it is determined whether or not print data has been received. If print data is received, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In the next step S32, it is determined whether or not there is a job being printed. If there is a job being printed, the process proceeds to step S33; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S33, a print job including the print data received in step S31 is generated and added to the standby job. Here, the generated print job is temporarily stored in the RAM 112. Then, the standby state is displayed (step S34), and the process proceeds to step S37. Specifically, the display of the print data identification information of the print data received in step S31 and the standby state is added to the print state display screen. Thereby, the user can know the print data on standby before printing is started.

  On the other hand, in step S35, a print job including the print data received in step S31 is generated, and printing is started. Specifically, the image forming unit 30 is caused to print the print data received in step S31. Then, a display during printing is added to the print status display screen (step S36), and the process proceeds to step S37. Specifically, the display of the print data identification information of the print data received in step S31 and the printing status is added to the print status display screen. Thereby, the user can know the print data currently printed.

  In step S37, it is determined whether printing of print data by the image forming unit 30 has been completed. If printing by image forming unit 30 is completed, the process proceeds to step S38. If not, the process returns to the pull printing process. In step S38, the display of the print state is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S39. Specifically, the print data identification information of the print data that has been printed on the print status display screen and the display of the printing status corresponding to the print data are deleted. Thus, the user can know the print data that has been printed.

  In the next step S39, it is determined whether or not there is a standby job. If a print job is stored in the RAM 112, it is determined that a standby job exists. If there is a waiting job, the process proceeds to step S40; otherwise, the process returns to the pull print process.

  In step S40, printing of the standby job is started. A print job stored first in the print job stored in the RAM 112 is read, and print data included in the read print job is printed on the image forming unit 30. In step S41, the printing status is displayed, and the process returns to the pull printing process. Specifically, the print state corresponding to the print data identification information of the print data that has started printing on the print state display screen is changed from the standby state to the printing state. Thereby, the user can know the print data currently printed.

  FIG. 10 is a first time chart illustrating an exemplary operation flow of the PC, the print server, and the MFP. In the first time chart shown in FIG. 10, the user A transmits print data of print data identification information “document A” and print data of print data identification information “document B” from the PC 400 to the print server 200. Thereafter, a case where the user A logs in to the MFP 100 is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 10, transmission of print data of print data identification information “document A” starts from PC 400 at time T1, and ends at time T2. The print data of the print data identification information “document B” starts to be transmitted from the PC 400 at time T3, and the transmission ends at time T9.

  At time T4, the user logs in to MFP 100. At time T4, an authentication screen is displayed on display unit 114 of MFP 100.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication screen. Referring to FIG. 11, authentication screen 501 includes an area 503 for inputting user identification information and an area 505 for inputting a password. In addition, a message “Please enter information necessary for authentication” is included below.

  Returning to FIG. 10, at time T <b> 4, when the user inputs authentication information according to the authentication screen, MFP 100 transmits the authentication information to print server 200. The print server 200 that receives the authentication information authenticates the user A, but the print data of the print data identification information “document A” has been received at time T 4 and is stored in the HDD 205 as spool print data. However, reception of the print data of the print data identification information “Document B” has not been completed. For this reason, the print server 200 handles the print data of the print data identification information “document B” as the print data being received. Therefore, print server 200 transmits spool information and receiving information to MFP 100 at time T5. The spool information includes print data identification information “document A”, and the receiving information includes print data identification information “document B”.

  The MFP 100 that receives the spool information and the receiving information displays a print status display screen on the display unit 114. FIG. 12 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen. Referring to FIG. 12, print status display screen 511 displays, for each print data, a document name item, a size item, a number of items, a plurality of items, and a print status item. In the document name item, print data identification information of the print data is displayed. In the size item, the data size of the print data is displayed. The number of pages of print data is displayed in the number of items item. In the plurality of items, the number of copies of the print data is displayed. The print status item displays the print status of the print data. In the area 513, “printing” is displayed as the print status of the spool print data of the print data identification information “document A”. In the area 515, the print status of the print data being received of the print data identification information “document B” is displayed. “Receiving” is displayed. In the message area 517 below the print status display screen 511, a message “Document A is being printed.” Is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the MFP 100 receiving the spool information transmits a spool print data acquisition request to the print server 200 at time T <b> 6. The spool print data acquisition request includes print data identification information “document A”.

  The print server 200 that receives the spool print data acquisition request transmits the print data of the print data identification information “document A” to the MFP 100 at time T7. The MFP 100 starts printing the print data of the received print data identification information “Document A” and ends at time T8.

  At time T8, the print data of the print data identification information “Document B” has not been completely received by the print server 200. Therefore, MFP 100 displays a permission acceptance screen on display unit 114. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen and a permission reception screen. Referring to FIG. 13, “receiving” is displayed in area 515 in print status display screen 511 as the print status of the print data of print data identification information “document B”. Note that the print data identification information “document A” and the print status “printing” that are displayed on the print status display screen 511 shown in FIG. 12 are not displayed. In addition, a permission acceptance screen 519 is displayed below the print status display screen 511. The permission reception screen 519 includes a message “There is a document being spooled. Do you want to output after completion of spooling? (Y / N)”.

  If user A inputs an operation for permitting printing to operation unit 115 in accordance with permission acceptance screen 519, permission is accepted. Hereinafter, a case where the user A inputs an operation for permitting printing to the operation unit 115 according to the permission reception screen 519 will be described.

  If the user presses the “Y” key in accordance with permission acceptance screen 519, MFP 100 enters a standby state until reception completion information is received from print server 200. In this case, the print status display screen 511 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and instead of the permission reception screen 519 below the print status display screen 511, “There is a document being spooled. Message is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 10, at time T <b> 9, the print server 200 transmits the reception completion information to the MFP 100 in response to the completion of reception of the print data being received for the print data identification information “Document B”. Receiving the reception completion information, MFP 100 transmits an acquisition request for print data being received to print server 200 at time T10. The acquisition request for print data being received includes print data identification information “document B”.

  The print server 200 that receives the print data acquisition request being received transmits print data of the print data identification information “document B” to the MFP 100 at time T11. The MFP 100 starts printing the print data of the print data identification information “Document B” at time T11 and ends at time T12. MFP 100 displays a print status display screen shown in FIG. 14 on display unit 114 at time T11.

  FIG. 14 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen. Referring to FIG. 14, print status display screen 511 displays “printing” as print status of print data of print data identification information “document B” in area 515. In the message area 517 below the print status display screen 511, a message “Document B is being printed.” Is displayed. As a result, the user can know that printing of print data being received has started.

  FIG. 15 is a second time chart illustrating an exemplary operation flow of the PC, the print server, and the MFP. The second time chart shown in FIG. 15 shows the flow when the user A presses the “N” button on the permission reception screen displayed at time T8 in the first time chart shown in FIG. Show.

  The flow up to time T8 is the same as that in the first time chart shown in FIG. Therefore, description is not repeated here. If user A inputs an operation not permitting printing to operation unit 115 in accordance with permission acceptance screen 519 displayed on display unit 114 at time T8, MFP 100 transmits a logout request to print server 200 at time T13. To do.

  FIG. 16 is a third time chart illustrating an exemplary operation flow of the PC, the print server, and the MFP. In the first time chart shown in FIG. 10, the MFP 100 starts printing the print data of the print data identification information “document A” at time T7 and ends at time T8 earlier than time T9. The third time chart shown in FIG. 16 is that MFP 100 starts printing print data with print data identification information “document A” at time T7 and ends at time T21 later than time T9. Is different from the first time chart shown in FIG.

  The MFP 100 receives the reception completion information from the print server 200 at time T9, but the print data of the print data identification information “document A” has not been printed. Change the print status to "Waiting".

  FIG. 17 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a print status display screen. Referring to FIG. 17, the difference from print state display screen 511 shown in FIG. 12 is that “standby” is displayed in area 515 as the print state of the print data of print data identification information “document B”. It is. Thereby, the user can know that the reception of the print data being received is completed.

  Returning to FIG. 16, MFP 100 has already received the reception completion information from print server 200 at time T21 (time T9). For this reason, when printing of the print data of the print data identification information “document A” is completed at time T21, the MFP 100 immediately transmits an acquisition request to the print server 200 without displaying the permission reception screen. This acquisition request includes the print data identification information “document B” included in the reception completion information received at time T9. Upon receiving the acquisition request, the print server 200 transmits the print data of the print data identification information “document B” at time T22. Therefore, the MFP 100 receives the print data of the print data identification information “document B” received at time T22. Print by time T23. Actually, since the time from time T21 to time T22 is a very short time of about several milliseconds, the time when MFP 100 is not printing is very short. In FIG. 16, the acquisition request is transmitted at time T21. However, the acquisition request may be transmitted at any time between time T9 and time T21.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print system 1 has been described. However, the print data transmission process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the print server 200, and the pull print process shown in FIGS. Needless to say, the invention can be understood as a pull print method or a pull print program to be executed by each of 100B and 100B.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The image forming apparatus further includes presence notifying means for notifying that there is pull print data being received by the print server when the receiving information is received from the print server. The printing system according to 1.
(2) When the image forming apparatus receives the receiving information from the print server, when all the print data for pull printing acquired by the first acquisition unit has been image-formed by the image forming unit. , Further comprising permission accepting means for accepting permission by the user when it is not detected by the third detecting means that reception of the print data for pull printing is completed,
The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the print data for pull printing detected by the second detection unit on the condition that permission from the user is received.
(3) When the permission is not accepted by the permission accepting unit, the authenticated user logs in when all the print data for pull printing acquired by the first acquiring unit is formed by the image forming unit. The print system according to (2), further comprising an automatic logout means for canceling.
(4) The image forming apparatus includes an in-print notifying unit that notifies the user that printing is in progress until the print data for pull printing acquired by the second acquiring unit is formed by the image forming unit. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: (1) to (3).
(5) The first detection unit receives spool information to be transmitted when the print server that receives the authentication information stores print data associated with user identification information included in the authentication information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print data for pull printing is detected.
(6) The second detection unit receives receiving information that is transmitted when the print server that receives the authentication information is receiving print data associated with the user identification information included in the authentication information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pull print data is detected.
(7) When the print server that transmits the receiving information receives the reception completion information that is transmitted when the reception of the pull-print print data is completed, the third detection unit performs the above-described reception by the print server. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that reception of the print data for pull printing has been completed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system, 3 Network, 10 ADF, 20 Image reading part, 30 Image formation part, 40 Paper feed part, 50 Post-processing part, 51 Authentication part, 53 1st detection part, 55 2nd detection part, 57 3rd detection 59, first acquisition unit, 61 second acquisition unit, 63 job management unit, 65 image formation control unit, 67 permission reception unit, 69 automatic logout unit, 71 acquisition request transmission unit, 73 print data reception unit, 75 acquisition request Transmission unit, 77 Print data reception unit, 79 Status notification unit, 100, 100A, 100B MFP, 101 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 ROM, 114 display unit, 115 operation unit, 116 HDD, 117 data communication control unit 119 Serial communication interface terminal, 119A memory card, 122 facsimile unit, 123 communication control unit 200 Print Server, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 Network I / F, 205 HDD, 206 Display Unit, 207 Operation Unit, 208 Bus, 209 External Storage Device, 251 Print Data Receiving Unit, 251 Pull Print Data Receiving Unit 251 Print data reception unit, 251 Pull print data reception unit, 253 Spool unit, 255 Server side authentication unit, 257 Spool information transmission unit, 259 Data reception detection unit, 261 Information transmission unit during reception, 263 Reception completion information transmission unit 265 acquisition request receiving unit, 267 print data transmission unit, 281 pull print data, 300 authentication server, 400, 401, 402 PC, 501 authentication screen, 511 print status display screen, 519 permission acceptance screen, 204 network I / F.

Claims (10)

A printing system including an image forming apparatus and a print server,
The print server
Print data receiving means for receiving print data and user identification information from outside;
Temporary storage means for temporarily storing the received pull print data in association with the user identification information;
Server-side authentication means for receiving and authenticating authentication information from the image forming apparatus;
If authentication by the server-side authentication means is successful, print data identification information for identifying spool print data associated with user identification information included in the received authentication information from the stored print data Spool information transmitting means for transmitting spool information including the image information to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the authentication information;
Receiving data detection means for detecting print data being received which is the print data being received by the print data receiving means and includes the same user identification information as the user identification information included in the authentication information;
When receiving data is detected by the receiving data detecting means, receiving information including receiving information including print data identification information of the receiving print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the authentication information. A transmission means;
In response to receiving an acquisition request from the image forming apparatus, image formation that has transmitted the acquisition request to print data associated with print data identification information included in the acquisition request from among the stored print data Print data transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Authentication means for receiving authentication information including user identification information for identifying a user, and transmitting the received authentication information to the print server;
First detection means for receiving the spool information from the print server in response to transmission of the authentication information;
An acquisition request including print data identification information included in the received spool information is transmitted to the print server, and spool print data specified by the print data identification information included in the received spool information is transmitted from the print server. First acquiring means for acquiring;
Second detection means for receiving the receiving information from the print server in response to transmission of the authentication information;
An acquisition request including print data identification information included in the received reception information is transmitted to the print server, and the received print data specified by the print data identification information included in the received reception information is Second acquisition means for acquiring from the print server;
An image forming unit configured to form an image of spool print data acquired by the first acquisition unit or print data being received acquired by the second acquisition unit. The print server is configured to form an image which has transmitted the acquisition request for the reception completion information after the print data reception means specified by the print data identification information included in the reception information is received by the print data reception unit. Further comprising reception completion information transmitting means for transmitting to the device,
The image forming apparatus further includes third detection means for detecting that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is completed when receiving the information being received from the print server,
The second acquisition means detects the print data being received detected by the second detection means on the condition that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is completed by the third detection means. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the print system is acquired. An image forming apparatus for acquiring and printing print data stored in a print server,
Authentication means for receiving authentication information including user identification information for identifying a user, and transmitting the received authentication information to the print server;
First detection means for detecting spool print data associated with user identification information included in the authentication information, which is print data stored in the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information;
First acquisition means for acquiring spool print data detected by the first detection means from the print server;
Second detection means for detecting print data being received, which is print data being received by the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information and is associated with user identification information included in the authentication information;
Second acquisition means for acquiring print data being received detected by the second detection means from the print server;
An image forming apparatus comprising: spool print data acquired by the first acquisition unit or an image forming unit that forms an image of print data being received acquired by the second acquisition unit.   The image formation according to claim 3, further comprising presence notifying means for notifying that there is print data being received by the print server when the second print means detects the print data being received. apparatus. A third detecting unit configured to detect that the reception of the print data being received by the print server is completed when the print data being received is detected by the second detecting unit;
The second acquisition means acquires the print data being received detected by the second detection means on condition that the reception of the print data being received is detected by the third detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. When the print data being received is detected by the second detection means, the third detection means at the time when all of the spool print data acquired by the first acquisition means is formed by the image forming means. A permission accepting means for accepting permission by the user when it is not detected that reception of the print data being received is completed;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires the print data being received detected by the second detection unit on the condition that the permission from the user is received.   If the permission is not accepted by the permission accepting unit, an automatic logout for canceling the login of the authenticated user when all of the spool print data acquired by the first acquiring unit is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means.   8. A printing informing means for notifying a user that printing is in progress until the printing data being received acquired by the second acquisition means is formed by the image forming means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. A pull printing method executed by an image forming apparatus for acquiring and printing print data stored in a print server,
Receiving authentication information including user identification information for identifying a user, and transmitting the received authentication information to the print server;
A first detecting step of detecting spool print data associated with user identification information included in the authentication information, which is print data stored in the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information;
A first acquisition step of acquiring the detected push spool print data from the print server;
A second detection step of detecting print data being received by the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information, the print data being received associated with user identification information included in the authentication information;
A second acquisition step of acquiring the print data being received detected in the second detection step from the print server;
Forming an image of the spool print data acquired in the first acquisition step or the print data being received acquired in the second acquisition step. A pull print program that is executed by a computer that acquires print data stored in a print server and controls an image forming apparatus to print,
Receiving authentication information including user identification information for identifying a user, and transmitting the received authentication information to the print server;
A first detecting step of detecting spool print data associated with user identification information included in the authentication information, which is print data stored in the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information;
A first acquisition step of acquiring the detected spool print data from the print server;
A second detection step of detecting print data being received by the print server at the time of transmitting the authentication information, the print data being received associated with user identification information included in the authentication information;
A second acquisition step of acquiring the print data being received detected in the second detection step from the print server;
A pull print program that causes the computer to execute an image of spool print data acquired in the first acquisition step or an image of print data being received acquired in the second acquisition step.

Images