JP2013020636A - Print data creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print data creation method which allows printing of an optional character string or the like without requiring a user to specify in detail additional information as a watermark on a printer driver every time printing is executed or imposing a troublesome labor on the user.SOLUTION: The print data creation method includes: a registration step for registering whether a user is authorized to perform an input operation for printing additional information for each user; a setting step for causing the user to set whether the additional information is printed; a creation step for creating print data; a determination step for determining whether printing of the additional information is set; and an adding step for adding the additional information to the print data when printing of the additional information is set. The setting step blocks a user who is registered as a user unauthorized to perform the input operation for printing additional information from setting whether the additional information is printed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data creation method in an image processing apparatus including a print data creation unit that creates print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for adding printer information such as a user ID of a user and a signature as a watermark to print data has been proposed so that a user who is a printer can identify a document or the like printed on a medium (for example, Patent Documents). 1 etc.). That is, in this technique, the printer information is designated by the user as a watermark, and is printed on the medium by being embedded as image data in the print data.

JP 2004-260273 A

  However, in the conventional technique including the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, in order to print the printer information on a medium, the user needs to register a watermark on the printer driver. Therefore, in the conventional technique, each time printing is performed, there is a problem that the user must designate the watermark to be printed one by one on the printer driver, forcing the user to perform complicated work.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is not necessary for the user to designate additional information as a watermark on the printer driver every time printing is performed, and the user is forced to perform complicated operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print data creation method capable of printing out an arbitrary character string or the like without printing.

  The print data creation method according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes a registration step of registering an authority to input whether to print additional information for each user, and whether to print the additional information by the user. A setting step for setting print data, a creation step for creating print data, a determination step for determining whether printing of the additional information is set, and a case where printing of the additional information is set An additional step of adding the additional information to the print data, and the setting step determines whether or not to print the additional information for a user registered as a user who does not have permission to input. The feature is that it cannot be set.

  In the present invention, since it is not necessary for the user to operate the image processing apparatus to specify printer information every time printing is performed, the user is not forced to perform complicated work, and an arbitrary character string or the like can be obtained. It can be printed out.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a standard UNIX (registered trademark) -based printing system before applying a printing system shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to the printing system shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority setting registration screen displayed by starting the authority setting part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority information based on the content set and registered via the authority setting registration screen shown to FIG. 3 (A). It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information input screen displayed by starting the setting information input part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information based on the content input via the setting information input screen shown to FIG. 4 (A). 5 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by an administrator operating a client computer in the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by a user operating a client computer in the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the printing result by ID printing function. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing when print data is created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when the printer performs printing based on print data created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the printing system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of a standard UNIX (trademark) based printing system before applying the printing system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure which applied the printing system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention with respect to the printing system shown to FIG. 11 (A). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by an administrator operating a client computer in the printing system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by a user operating a client computer in a printing system shown as a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing when print data is created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when the print server relays and transfers the print data created by the client computer to the printer in the printing system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when a printer performs printing based on print data created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the printing system shown as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of a standard UNIX (trademark) based printing system before applying the printing system shown as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which a printing system shown as a third embodiment of the present invention is applied to the printing system shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority setting registration screen displayed by starting the authority setting part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority information based on the content set and registered via the authority setting registration screen shown to FIG. 18 (A). It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information input screen displayed by starting the setting information input part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information based on the content input via the setting information input screen shown to FIG. 20 (A). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by an administrator operating a client computer in the printing system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by a user operating a client computer in a printing system shown as a third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing when print data is created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when a printer performs printing based on print data created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the printing system shown as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of a standard UNIX (trademark) based printing system before applying the printing system shown as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which a printing system shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to the printing system shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority setting registration screen displayed by starting the authority setting part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the authority information based on the content set and registered via the authority setting registration screen shown to FIG. 27 (A). It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information input screen displayed by starting the setting information input part in the client computer shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the setting information based on the content input via the setting information input screen shown to FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the inquiry screen displayed by starting the PDF acquisition part in the client computer shown in FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by an administrator operating a client computer in a printing system shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of initial setting processes performed by a user operating a client computer in a printing system shown as a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for describing a series of processing when print data is created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing when a printer performs printing based on print data created by a client computer in the printing system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when reading print data in PDF format stored in a printer onto a client computer in the printing system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  This embodiment is a printing system to which the print data creation method of the present invention is applied, which performs printing on a predetermined recording medium using a printer that can be controlled by a client computer as an image processing apparatus.

  First, the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a client computer 10 as an image processing apparatus, and a printer 20 that performs printing based on print data created by the client computer 10.

  The client computer 10 has a predetermined application program 11 for creating application data, a printer driver 12 for converting the application data created by the application program 11 into print data, and an authority for setting and registering authority for each user of the printer 20. A setting unit 13, a setting information input unit 14 for inputting variable data, and an additional information insertion unit 15 for inserting additional information into the print data based on the contents set via the setting information input unit 14. The storage unit 16 stores various information, and the communication unit 17 communicates with the printer 20.

  The client computer 10 employs UNIX (registered trademark) as an OS (Operating System). That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the client computer 10 sends print data created by a printer driver 12 as a print data creation unit via an input / output port 18 as a transmission unit such as Dev or LPT. The present invention is applied to a UNIX (registered trademark) -based printing system that outputs to the printer 20. In the client computer 10, by installing predetermined software for realizing the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2B, an authority setting unit 13 and a setting information input unit 14 as a setting unit, and a determination The function of the additional information insertion unit 15 as a data addition unit and a data addition unit is added, and the function can be used.

  The application program 11 is, for example, a document application program that creates document data, an image application program that creates image data, and the like, and creates application data such as document data and image data. Application data created by the application program 11 is supplied to the printer driver 12.

  The printer driver 12 translates the application data created by the application program 11 into a language that can be identified by the printer 20 and creates print data. The print data created by the printer driver 12 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 16.

  The authority setting unit 13 is an application program that is used by an administrator of the printing system by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and sets and registers authority for each user of the printer 20. Specifically, prior to using the printing system, the administrator operates the client computer 10 to activate the authority setting unit 13, and displays an authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. The ID print function permission (to be described later) is set and registered as an authority for each user name via this authority setting registration screen. The authority setting unit 13 stores the contents set and registered by the administrator in the storage unit 16 as authority information in which the user name and the authority contents are associated with each other as shown in FIG. 3B, for example. Note that the contents set and registered via the authority setting unit 13 affect the display contents of the setting information input unit 14, and for users who cannot use the ID printing function, setting input for performing ID printing cannot be performed. It becomes.

  The setting information input unit 14 is an application program used by a general user who uses the printer 20 by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided by the printer driver 12. It is provided for inputting variable data such as a password that cannot be input depending on the type of password. Specifically, the user operates the client computer 10 to activate the setting information input unit 14, and displays a setting information input screen as shown in FIG. 4A on a predetermined display unit of the client computer 10, for example. Then, through this setting information input screen, together with the user name and password, the type of whether or not to perform ID printing is input. As described above, the setting information input unit 14 cannot input the ID printing function usage type for a user who is set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 as a user who cannot use the ID printing function. Control display. The setting information input unit 14 stores the contents input by the user in the storage unit 16 as setting information in which a user name, a password, and a use type of the ID printing function are associated with each other, as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. Let

  The additional information insertion unit 15 inserts additional information as a watermark into the print data based on the setting information set via the setting information input unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 16. The additional information is information including at least printer information that can identify the user, such as a user name (user ID), a password, a document name, and a printing date. The additional information insertion unit 15 supplies print data processed by inserting additional information to the communication unit 17.

  In addition to the print data supplied from the printer driver 12, the storage unit 16 stores various information including authority information set and registered by the authority setting unit 13 and setting information set via the setting information input unit 14. To do. The print data stored in the storage unit 16 is read by the additional information insertion unit 15.

  The communication unit 17 is an interface that exchanges data with the printer 20 by predetermined wired communication or wireless communication, and includes the input / output port 18 described above. When the print data is supplied from the additional information insertion unit 15, the communication unit 17 transmits the print data to the printer 20.

  When a print instruction is issued from the application program 11, the client computer 10 converts the application data into print data by the printer driver 12 and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 16. Then, the client computer 10 transmits the print data stored in the storage unit 16 to the printer 20 via the communication unit 17. This is a printing operation in a general UNIX (registered trademark) environment. At this time, the client computer 10 processes the output of the printer driver 12 temporarily stored in the storage unit 16 by the additional information insertion unit 15 and then supplies it to the communication unit 17. As described above, the client computer 10 installs software for performing such processing in the UNIX (registered trademark) environment, so that the authority setting unit 13, the setting information input unit 14, and the additional information insertion unit 15 Realize the function.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 that performs printing based on the print data created by the client computer 10 includes a control unit 21 as a password determination unit that controls the printer 20 in an integrated manner, A communication unit 22 as a receiving unit that performs communication between the printer, a printing unit 23 that performs printing based on print data, an input unit 24 that inputs a password, and a storage unit 25 that stores various types of information. Have.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire printer 20.

  The communication unit 22 is an interface that exchanges data with the client computer 10 by predetermined wired communication or wireless communication, and receives print data transmitted from the client computer 10. The communication unit 22 supplies the received print data to the control unit 21.

  The printing unit 23 performs printing on a predetermined recording medium such as paper based on the print data transmitted from the client computer 10. For example, in the case where the printing unit 23 performs electrophotographic printing processing, the printing unit 23 forms an image on a recording medium using charged toner, and heats the toner image formed on the recording medium. It is configured as a series of mechanisms for producing printed matter by fixing. The printing unit 23 is configured as a series of mechanisms for producing a printed matter by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium when the inkjet printing process is performed.

  The input unit 24 is an operator panel having a password input key, and is provided for inputting a password input by the user of the printer 20 through the setting information input unit 14. The input unit 24 supplies the input password to the control unit 24.

  The storage unit 25 temporarily stores print data transmitted from the client computer 10. The print data stored in the storage unit 25 is read by the control unit 21 and supplied to the printing unit 23.

  When such a printer 20 performs printing based on the print data created by the client computer 10 and the print data includes a password, it is input via the input unit 24 as will be described later. Printing is performed under the control of the control unit 21 only when the password matches.

  Now, in such a printing system including the client computer 10 and the printer 20, the following processing is performed as an initial setting. This initial setting is performed by the administrator starting the client computer 10 before distributing the client computer 10 to the user.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the administrator registers authority information for each user name via the authority setting unit 13 in step S <b> 1. Specifically, the administrator sets and registers permission / inhibition of the ID printing function as an authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. That is, the authority set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 is information indicating whether or not to give the user the authority to turn off the ID printing function. In FIG. 3A, the user name “YAMADA” is set not to allow permission to turn off the ID printing function, and the user name “SATO” is given permission to turn off the ID printing function. An example of setting is shown.

  In step S2, the authority setting unit 13 stores the authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other in the storage unit 16 as shown in FIG. The initial setting process ends. Thereafter, the client computer 10 in which the authority information is set and registered is distributed to the user and becomes usable.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the user to whom the client computer 10 is distributed registers his / her user name (user ID) and password via the setting information input unit 14 in step S11. Here, the password is set to produce a printed matter based on the print data temporarily stored in the storage unit 25 of the printer 20 by inputting the password via the input unit 24 of the printer 20.

  Subsequently, in step S12, the setting information input unit 14 refers to the authority information stored in the storage unit 16, and the user corresponding to the user name input in step S11 has the authority to use the ID printing function. It is determined whether or not the user is a user. Note that the ID printing function is a function for printing additional information such as a user name (user ID), a document name, and a printing date, as shown in FIG.

  If the user has the authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 displays an item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing so that the item can be input, and the process proceeds to step S13. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the setting information input unit 14 gives permission to turn off the ID printing function via the authority setting unit 13 for the user name “SATO”. Therefore, an item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing is displayed so as to be inputable. In step S13, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, that is, whether or not to print with a bear with the ID printing function turned off.

  On the other hand, if the user is not a user having the authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 hides the item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, and proceeds to step S14. Specifically, the setting information input unit 14 gives permission to turn off the ID printing function via the authority setting unit 13 for the user name “YAMADA” as shown in FIG. Therefore, the item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing is grayed out and cannot be input, and the ID printing is always set.

  In step S14, the setting information input unit 14 associates the user name and password of the user who has logged into the client computer 10 with the ID print function usage type, as shown in FIG. 4B. The attached setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, and a series of initial setting processes by the user is completed.

  Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 6 can be executed at any time as long as the user starts the client computer 10. For example, after the user logs in, the setting information about the user has not been registered. In some cases, it is desirable to be executed automatically.

  In the printing system, when such initial setting is performed, print data can be created by the client computer 10.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when a print instruction is issued from the application program 11 in step S21, the client computer 10 converts the application data into a language that can be identified by the printer 20 by the printer driver 12 in step S22. In step S23, the generated print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 16.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 24, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether the setting information as illustrated in FIG. 4B is stored in the storage unit 16. Here, when the setting information is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 performs no processing on the print data stored in the storage unit 16 in step S25. The data is transmitted as it is to the printer 20 via the communication unit 17, and a series of processing is completed.

  On the other hand, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 inserts the additional information into the print data as necessary, and sends the processed print data to the printer via the communication unit 17. 20 is transmitted. Processing of print data is performed as follows.

  First, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 is permitted to turn off the ID printing function in step S26 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the setting information depending on the authority of whether or not given is stored in the storage unit 16.

  Here, when the setting information depending on the authority is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 corresponds to the logged-in user from the setting information stored in the storage unit 16 in step S27. Information is read, and the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, when the setting information depending on the authority is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads the setting information corresponding to the user name from the storage unit 16 in step S28. Then, in step S29, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the ID printing function has been designated in advance via the setting information input unit 14, and if not, the process proceeds to step S31. On the other hand, if the process is switched off, the ID printing function is set to the off state in step S30.

  In step S31, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads information that is not stored in the storage unit 16, such as the user name and the printing date, from the system, and is connected in step S32. Depending on the model of the printer 20, information read from the storage unit 16 or the system is converted into a format that can be identified by the printer 20, and the converted result is inserted as additional information at a predetermined position in the print data. As a result, information such as ID printing ON / OFF setting, user name, password, document name, and printing date / time is inserted as additional information in the print data. In step S <b> 33, the additional information insertion unit 15 supplies the print data with the additional information inserted to the communication unit 17. In response to this, the communication unit 17 transmits the print data to the printer 20 in accordance with the form connected to the printer 20, and ends the series of processes.

  In the printing system, print data in which additional information is inserted by the client computer 10 can be created by performing such a series of processes.

  On the other hand, the printer 20 performs a series of processes as shown in FIG. 9 based on the print data created by the client computer 10.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, when the printer 20 receives print data through the communication unit 22 in step S <b> 41, the printer 20 supplies the print data to the control unit 21. In step S42, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a password is included in the received print data.

  Here, if the password is not included in the print data, the control unit 21 shifts the processing to step S46, controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, and causes the printing to be executed. . On the other hand, when the password is included in the print data, the control unit 21 temporarily stores the print data in the storage unit 25 in step S43, and in step S44, the password is set by the user via the input unit 24. Wait until is entered.

  Subsequently, when confirming the password input, the control unit 21 determines the content of the password in step S45. If the determined password does not match the password input via the setting information input unit 14, the control unit 21 waits until the password is input again without performing any processing.

  If the passwords match, the control unit 21 shifts the processing to step S46, controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, executes printing, and ends the series of processing. To do. At this time, when the ID printing ON or OFF setting included in the print data is ON, the control unit 21 sets additional information including the user name inserted in the print data as a data target to be printed out.

  By performing such a series of processes, the printer 20 can produce a printed material on which the additional information is superimposed when the additional information is included in the print data.

  As described above, in the printing system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, every time printing is performed, the user designates additional information as a watermark such as a user name on the printer driver 12 one by one. Therefore, an arbitrary character string or the like can be printed out without forcing the user to perform complicated operations.

  Next, a printing system shown as the second embodiment will be described.

  The printing system shown as the second embodiment is obtained by improving the printing system shown as the first embodiment so that authority information is centrally managed by a server. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the printing system shown as the first embodiment, it is necessary for an administrator to register authority information in all client computers. However, in a large-scale network environment in which the number of client computers is large, the burden on the administrator In addition, there is a problem that maintenance takes time.

  Therefore, in the printing system shown as the second embodiment, the authority information is centrally managed by the server.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the printing system includes a client computer 10 ′ serving as an image processing apparatus, a printer 20 that performs printing based on print data created by the client computer 10 ′, and a print server 30 that manages authority information. With.

  The client computer 10 ′ includes the above-described application program 11, printer driver 12, setting information input unit 14, additional information insertion unit 15, storage unit 16, and communication unit 17. That is, the client computer 10 ′ is configured not to have the authority setting unit 13 in the client computer 10.

  Note that the client computer 10 ′ uses UNIX (registered trademark) as the OS, as with the client computer 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the client computer 10 ′ is a UNIX (registered trademark) base that outputs print data created by the printer driver 12 to the print server 30 via the input / output port 18 ′. This is applied to the printing system. In the client computer 10 ′, by installing predetermined software for realizing the present invention, the functions of the setting information input unit 14 and the additional information insertion unit 15 are added as shown in FIG. The function can be used.

  When a print instruction is issued from the application program 11, the client computer 10 ′ converts application data into print data by the printer driver 12 and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 16. The client computer 10 ′ transmits the print data stored in the storage unit 16 to the print server 30 via the communication unit 17. This is a printing operation in a general UNIX (registered trademark) environment. At this time, the client computer 10 ′ processes the output of the printer driver 12 temporarily stored in the storage unit 16 by the additional information insertion unit 15, and then supplies it to the communication unit 17.

  The print server 30 includes an authority setting unit 31 that sets and registers authority for each user of the printer 20, a storage unit 32 that stores various types of information, and a communication unit 33 that performs communication between the client computer 10 ′ and the printer 20. Have

  The print server 30 employs UNIX (registered trademark) as an OS, and spools print data transmitted from the client computer 10 'by the spooler 34 as shown in FIG. The present invention is applied to a UNIX (registered trademark) -based printing system that outputs to the printer 20 via the input / output port 35. In the print server 30, by installing predetermined software for realizing the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11B, the function of the authority setting unit 31 is added, and the function can be used.

  Similar to the authority setting unit 13 described above, the authority setting unit 31 is an application program used by a printing system administrator by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Set and register authority. Specifically, before using the printing system, the administrator operates the print server 30 to activate the authority setting unit 31 and prints the authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. The information is displayed on a predetermined display unit of the server 30, and the permission / inhibition of the ID printing function is set and registered as an authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen. The authority setting unit 31 stores the content set and registered by the administrator in the storage unit 32 as authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other as shown in FIG. 3B. The contents set and registered through the authority setting unit 31 affect the display contents of the setting information input unit 14 in the client computer 10 ′, and ID printing is performed for users who cannot use the ID printing function. Cannot be entered.

  The storage unit 32 temporarily stores the print data transmitted from the client computer 10 ′ and stores various information including authority information set and registered by the authority setting unit 31. The print data stored in the storage unit 32 is transmitted to the printer 20 via the communication unit 33.

  The communication unit 33 is an interface that exchanges data between the client computer 10 ′ and the printer 20 by predetermined wired communication or wireless communication, and includes the above-described spooler 34 and input / output port 35. Upon receiving the print data transmitted from the client computer 10 ′, the communication unit 33 temporarily stores the print data in the storage unit 32 and transmits the print data to the printer 20. In addition, the communication unit 35 reads the authority information stored in the storage unit 32 and transmits the authority information to the client computer 10 ′.

  When such print server 30 receives print data from the client computer 10 ′ via the communication unit 33, the print server 30 temporarily stores it in the storage unit 32. Then, the print server 30 transmits the print data stored in the storage unit 32 to the printer 20 via the communication unit 33. This is a printing operation in a general UNIX (registered trademark) environment. The print server 30 stores authority information set and registered by the administrator via the authority setting unit 31 in the storage unit 32, and stores it in the storage unit 32 in response to an inquiry from the client computer 10 '. The authority information is read out and transmitted to the client computer 10 ′ via the communication unit 33. As described above, the print server 30 implements the function of the authority setting unit 31 by installing software for performing such processing in the UNIX (registered trademark) environment.

  Now, in such a printing system including the client computer 10 ′, the printer 20, and the print server 30, the following processing is performed as an initial setting. This initial setting is performed when the administrator activates the print server 30 when the printing system is constructed.

  First, as shown in FIG. 12, the administrator registers authority information for each user name via the authority setting unit 31 in step S51. Specifically, the administrator sets and registers permission / inhibition of the ID printing function as an authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG.

  Then, in step S52, the authority setting unit 31 stores authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other in the storage unit 32 as shown in FIG. The initial setting process ends.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the user to whom the client computer 10 ′ has been distributed registers his / her user name (user ID) and password via the setting information input unit 14 in step S61.

  Subsequently, in step S62, the setting information input unit 14 inquires of the print server 30 whether or not the user corresponding to the user name input in step S61 is a user having authority to use the ID printing function. In step S63, based on the result of the inquiry, it is determined whether or not the user is a user who has the authority to use the ID printing function.

  If the user has authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 inputs an item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, as shown in FIG. Display is possible, and the process proceeds to step S64. In step S64, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, that is, whether or not to print with a bear with the ID printing function turned off.

  On the other hand, if the user is not a user who has the authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 sets an item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S65 as non-display.

  In step S65, the setting information input unit 14 determines the user name and password of the user who has logged in to the client computer 10 ′, and the ID print function usage type, as shown in FIG. 4B. The associated setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, and a series of initial setting processes by the user is completed.

  Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 13 can be executed at any time as long as the user starts the client computer 10 ′ as in the series of processes shown in FIG. It is desirable that this is automatically executed when the setting information about the user is not registered.

  In the printing system, when such initial settings are made, print data can be created by the client computer 10 '.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when a print instruction is issued from the application program 11 in step S71, the client computer 10 ′ uses a language in which the printer 20 can identify the application data by the printer driver 12 in step S72. In step S73, the created print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 16.

  Subsequently, in step S74, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the setting information as shown in FIG. Here, when the setting information is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 performs no processing on the print data stored in the storage unit 16 in step S <b> 75. The data is transmitted as it is to the printer 20 via the communication unit 17, and a series of processing is completed.

  On the other hand, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 inserts the additional information into the print data as necessary, and sends the processed print data to the printer via the communication unit 17. 20 is transmitted. Processing of print data is performed as follows.

  First, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 is permitted to turn off the ID printing function in step S76 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the setting information depending on the authority of whether or not given is stored in the storage unit 16.

  Here, when the setting information depending on the authority is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 corresponds to the logged-in user from the setting information stored in the storage unit 16 in step S 77. The information is read, and the process proceeds to step S82. On the other hand, when the setting information depending on the authority is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads the setting information corresponding to the user name from the storage unit 16 in step S78. Then, in step S79, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the ID printing function has been designated in advance via the setting information input unit 14, and if not, the process proceeds to step S81. On the other hand, if the processing is shifted to OFF, the ID printing function is set to OFF in step S80.

  In step S81, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads information that is not stored in the storage unit 16, such as the user name and the name of the document to be printed, from the system, and is connected in step S82. Depending on the model of the printer 20, information read from the storage unit 16 or the system is converted into a format that can be identified by the printer 20, and the converted result is inserted as additional information at a predetermined position in the print data. As a result, information such as ID printing ON / OFF setting, user name, password, document name, and printing date / time is inserted as additional information in the print data. In step S83, the additional information inserting unit 15 supplies the print data into which the additional information is inserted to the communication unit 17. In response to this, the communication unit 17 transmits the print data to the print server 30 according to the form connected to the print server 30, and ends the series of processes.

  In the printing system, print data into which additional information is inserted can be created by the client computer 10 ′ by performing such a series of processes.

  Further, when print data is created by the client computer 10 ′, the print server 30 performs a series of processes as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15, when the print server 30 receives print data by the communication unit 33 in step S91, the print server 30 stores the print data in the storage unit 32 in step S92.

  Subsequently, in step S93, the print server 30 checks whether or not the printer 20 is in the standby state. If the printer 20 is not in the standby state, the print server 30 waits until the printer 20 enters the standby state.

  When the print server 30 confirms that the printer 20 is in a standby state, the print server 30 reads the print data stored in the storage unit 32 and transmits it to the printer 20 via the communication unit 33 in step S94. .

  The print server 30 can relay and transfer the print data created by the client computer 10 ′ to the printer 20 by performing such a series of processes.

  The printer 20 performs a series of processes as shown in FIG. 16 based on the print data created by the client computer 10.

  First, as shown in FIG. 16, when the printer 20 receives print data by the communication unit 22 in step S <b> 101, the printer 20 supplies the print data to the control unit 21. In step S102, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a password is included in the received print data.

  Here, if the password is not included in the print data, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S106 to control the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format and execute printing. . On the other hand, when the password is included in the print data, the control unit 21 temporarily stores the print data in the storage unit 25 in step S103, and in step S104, the password is set by the user via the input unit 24. Wait until is entered.

  Subsequently, when confirming the password input, the control unit 21 determines the content of the password in step S105. If the determined password does not match the password input via the setting information input unit 14, the control unit 21 waits until the password is input again without performing any processing.

  If the passwords match, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S106, controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, executes printing, and ends the series of processing. To do. At this time, when the ID printing ON or OFF setting included in the print data is ON, the control unit 21 sets additional information including the user name inserted in the print data as a data target to be printed out.

  By performing such a series of processes, the printer 20 can produce a printed material on which the additional information is superimposed when the additional information is included in the print data.

  As described above, in the printing system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention, the administrator registers authority information in all client computers 10 ′ by centrally managing the authority information by the print server 30. This eliminates the need for the administrator, greatly reduces the burden on the administrator, and reduces the man-hours required for maintenance.

  Next, a printing system shown as the third embodiment will be described.

  The printing system shown as the third embodiment is an improvement of the printing system shown as the first embodiment and is created by encrypting print data. Therefore, in the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In recent years, there is a market demand for prevention of information leakage, and it is necessary to design a system in consideration of security for data on a network.

  Therefore, in the printing system shown as the third embodiment, print data subjected to predetermined encryption is created.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the printing system includes a client computer 10 ″ as an image processing apparatus and a printer 20 ″ that performs printing based on print data created by the client computer 10 ″.

  The client computer 10 ″ sets the authority for each user of the printer 20 ″ in addition to the application program 11, the printer driver 12, the additional information insertion unit 15, the storage unit 16, and the communication unit 17 described above. An authority setting unit 13 ″ to be registered, a setting information input unit 14 ″ for performing input of variable data and an ON / OFF setting of an encrypted printing function, and an encryption conversion unit 41 for encrypting print data. . That is, the client computer 10 ″ has an authority setting unit 13 ″ and a setting information input unit 14 ″ instead of the authority setting unit 13 and the setting information input unit 14 in the client computer 10, and a new encryption conversion unit. 41 is added.

  As with the client computer 10, the client computer 10 '' adopts UNIX (registered trademark) as an OS. That is, as shown in FIG. 18A, the client computer 10 ″ outputs the print data created by the printer driver 12 to the printer 20 ″ via the input / output port 18 ″. Trademark) based printing system. In the client computer 10 ″, by installing predetermined software for realizing the present invention, as shown in FIG. 18B, an authority setting unit 13 ″, a setting information input unit 14 ″, and an additional Functions of the information insertion unit 15 and the encryption conversion unit 41 are added, and the functions can be used.

  Similar to the authority setting unit 13, the authority setting unit 13 '' is an application program that is used by the administrator of the printing system by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Set and register each authority. Specifically, prior to using the printing system, the administrator operates the client computer 10 ″ to activate the authority setting unit 13 ″, for example, an authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed on a predetermined display unit of the client computer 10 ″, and permission / rejection of the ID printing function and the encrypted printing function is set and registered as an authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen. The authority setting unit 13 '' stores the content set and registered by the administrator in the storage unit 16 as authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other as shown in FIG. 19B, for example. Note that the contents set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 '' affect the display contents of the setting information input unit 14 '', and the ID printing function and the encrypted printing function cannot be used for users who cannot use the ID printing function. Setting input for printing and encrypted printing becomes impossible.

  Similar to the setting information input unit 14, the setting information input unit 14 '' is an application program that is used by a general user who uses the printer 20 '' by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. It is provided to input variable data such as a password that cannot be input by the GUI provided by the printer driver 12 and to turn on or off the encrypted printing function. Specifically, the user operates the client computer 10 ″ to activate the setting information input unit 14 ″, and displays a setting information input screen as shown in FIG. 20A, for example, on the client computer 10 ″. And the type of whether or not to perform ID printing and encrypted printing, together with the user name and password, is input via this setting information input screen. Note that, as described above, the setting information input unit 14 ″ uses ID printing for a user who is set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 ″ as a user who cannot use the ID printing function and the encrypted printing function. Display control is performed so that the use type of the function and the encrypted printing function cannot be input. The setting information input unit 14 ″ sets the contents inputted by the user in association with the user name, the password, the ID printing function and the usage type of the encrypted printing function as shown in FIG. 20B, for example. It is stored in the storage unit 16 as information.

  The encryption conversion unit 41 encrypts the print data supplied from the additional information insertion unit 15 according to a predetermined encryption method when the encrypted printing function is on. The encryption conversion unit 41 supplies the encrypted print data to the communication unit 17.

  When a print instruction is issued from the application program 11, the client computer 10 ″ converts application data into print data by the printer driver 12 and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 16. Then, the client computer 10 ″ transmits the print data stored in the storage unit 16 to the printer 20 ″ via the communication unit 17. This is a printing operation in a general UNIX (registered trademark) environment. At this time, the client computer 10 '' processes the output of the printer driver 12 temporarily stored in the storage unit 16 by the additional information insertion unit 15 and encrypts it by the encryption conversion unit 41 as necessary. Supply to the communication unit 17.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, a printer 20 ″ that performs printing based on print data created by the client computer 10 ″ includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a printing unit 23, and an input unit as described above. 24 and the storage unit 25, a decrypting unit 42 for decrypting the encrypted print data is provided. That is, the printer 20 ″ has a configuration in which a decoding unit 42 is newly added to the printer 20.

  The decrypting unit 42 decrypts the encrypted print data among the print data transmitted from the client computer 10 ″ and stored in the storage unit 25. The decrypting unit 42 temporarily stores the decrypted print data in the storage unit 25.

  When printing based on the print data created by the client computer 10 '', such a printer 20 '' is input via the input unit 24 if the print data includes a password. Only when the password matches, the printing is performed under the control of the control unit 21. Further, when the print data is encrypted, the printer 20 ″ decrypts the print data by the decrypting unit 42 and reproduces printable data.

  Now, in a printing system including such a client computer 10 ″ and a printer 20 ″, the following processing is performed as an initial setting. This initial setting is performed by the administrator starting the client computer 10 '' before distributing the client computer 10 '' to the user.

  First, as shown in FIG. 21, the administrator registers authority information for each user name via the authority setting unit 13 ″ in step S111. Specifically, the administrator sets and registers permission / inhibition of the ID printing function and the encrypted printing function as authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. That is, the authority set and registered via the authority setting unit 13 ″ includes information on whether or not to give the user authority to turn off the ID printing function and authority to perform encrypted printing. This is information about whether to give to the user. In FIG. 19A, the user name “YAMADA” is set not to allow permission to turn off the ID printing function and to perform permission to perform the encrypted printing function, and to the user name “SATO”. In this example, permission for turning off the ID printing function and setting for permission to perform the encrypted printing function are shown.

  In step S112, the authority setting unit 13 ″ stores authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other in the storage unit 16 as illustrated in FIG. 19B. A series of initial setting processing ends. Thereafter, the client computer 10 ″ with the authority information set and registered is distributed to the user and becomes available for use.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, the user to whom the client computer 10 ″ is distributed registers his / her user name (user ID) and password via the setting information input unit 14 ″ in step S121. .

  Subsequently, in step S122, the setting information input unit 14 ″ refers to the authority information stored in the storage unit 16, and the user corresponding to the user name input in step S121 has the authority to use the ID printing function. It is determined whether or not the user has.

  In the case where the setting information input unit 14 ″ is a user who has the authority to use the ID printing function, as shown in FIG. 20A, an item for inputting the type of whether or not to perform ID printing. Is displayed so as to be inputable, and the process proceeds to step S123. In step S123, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, that is, whether or not to print with a bear with the ID printing function turned off.

  On the other hand, if the user is not a user having the authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 '' inputs the type of whether or not to perform ID printing as shown in FIG. The item is hidden and the process proceeds to step S124. In step S124, the setting information input unit 14 '' refers to the authority information stored in the storage unit 16, and the user corresponding to the user name input in step S121 uses the authority to use the encrypted printing function. It is determined whether or not the user has.

  If the user has authority to use the encrypted printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ″ inputs the type of whether or not to perform encrypted printing as shown in FIG. The item to be input is displayed so as to be inputable, and the process proceeds to step S125. In step S125, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform encrypted printing.

  On the other hand, if the setting information input unit 14 ″ is not a user who has the authority to use the encrypted printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ″ determines the type of whether or not to perform encrypted printing, as shown in FIG. The input item is hidden and the process proceeds to step S126.

  Then, in step S126, the setting information input unit 14 ″, as shown in FIG. 20B, the user name, password, ID printing function, and encryption of the user who has logged in the client computer 10 ″. The setting information in which the use type of the print function is associated is stored in the storage unit 16, and the series of initial setting processes by the user ends.

  The series of processes shown in FIG. 22 can be executed at any time as long as the user starts the client computer 10 ″, as in the series of processes shown in FIG. It is desirable that this is automatically executed later when the setting information about the user is not registered.

  In the printing system, when such initial setting is performed, print data can be created by the client computer 10 ''.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 23, when a print instruction is issued from the application program 11 in step S131, the client computer 10 ″ identifies the application data by the printer driver 12 in step S132 by the printer driver 12. In step S133, the created print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 16.

  Subsequently, in step S134, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the setting information as shown in FIG. Here, when the setting information is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 performs no processing on the print data stored in the storage unit 16 in step S <b> 135. The data is transmitted as it is to the printer 20 ″ via the communication unit 17, and the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 inserts the additional information into the print data as necessary, and sends the processed print data to the printer via the communication unit 17. Sent to 20 ″. Processing of print data is performed as follows.

  First, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 is permitted to turn off the ID printing function in step S136 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the setting information depending on the authority of whether or not given is stored in the storage unit 16.

  Here, when the setting information depending on the authority is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 corresponds to the user who has logged in from the setting information stored in the storage unit 16 in step S137. The information is read, and the process proceeds to step S142. On the other hand, when the setting information depending on the authority is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads the setting information corresponding to the user name from the storage unit 16 in step S138. Then, in step S139, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the ID printing function is designated in advance via the setting information input unit 14 ''. On the other hand, if the process is shifted to S141, and the OFF designation is made, the ID printing function is set to the off state in step S140.

  In step S141, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads information that is not stored in the storage unit 16 such as a user name, such as a document name to be printed and a printing date, from the system, and is connected in step S142. Depending on the model of the printer 20 ″, the information read from the storage unit 16 or the system is converted into a format that can be identified by the printer 20 ″, and the converted result is inserted as additional information at a predetermined position in the print data. . As a result, information such as ID printing ON / OFF setting, user name, password, document name, and printing date / time is inserted as additional information in the print data.

  Subsequently, in step S143, the additional information inserting unit 15 determines whether or not the encrypted printing function is designated in advance via the setting information input unit 14 '', and the encrypted printing function is designated. If not, the process proceeds to step S145, and the print data into which the additional information is inserted is supplied to the communication unit 17. On the other hand, when the encrypted printing function is designated, the additional information inserting unit 15 supplies the print data into which the additional information is inserted to the cipher converting unit 41, and the cipher converting unit 41 performs printing in step S144. The data is encrypted, and the encrypted print data is supplied to the communication unit 17 in step S145. In response to this, the communication unit 17 transmits the print data to the printer 20 ″ in accordance with the form connected to the printer 20 ″, and the series of processing ends.

  In the printing system, by performing such a series of processing, it is possible to create print data in which additional information is inserted by the client computer 10 '' and encrypted as necessary.

  On the other hand, the printer 20 ″ performs a series of processes as shown in FIG. 24 based on the print data created by the client computer 10 ″.

  First, as shown in FIG. 24, when the printer 20 ″ receives print data by the communication unit 22 in step S151, the printer 20 ″ supplies the print data to the control unit 21. In step S152, the control unit 21 determines whether a password is included in the received print data.

  Here, if the password is not included in the print data, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S156. If the print data includes a password, the control unit 21 performs printing in step S153. The data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 25, and the process waits until a password is input by the user via the input unit 24 in step S154.

  Subsequently, when confirming the password input, the control unit 21 determines the content of the password in step S155. When the determined password does not match the password input via the setting information input unit 14 ″, the control unit 21 waits until the password is input again without performing any processing.

  If the passwords match, the control unit 21 moves the process to step S156 and determines whether the print data has an encryption print function designated. If the encrypted printing function is not designated, the control unit 21 shifts the process to step S158, controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, and causes the printing to be executed. On the other hand, if the encrypted print function is designated, the control unit 21 controls the decryption unit 42 to decrypt the print data in step S157. In step S158, the control unit 21 controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, execute printing, and ends a series of processes. At this time, when the ID printing ON or OFF setting included in the print data is ON, the control unit 21 sets additional information including the user name inserted in the print data as a data target to be printed out.

  By performing such a series of processes, the printer 20 ″ can produce a printed matter after appropriately decrypting the print data when it is encrypted.

  As described above, in the printing system shown as the third embodiment of the present invention, print data that has been encrypted by the client computer 10 ″ is created, and the encrypted print data is transferred to the printer 20. By decrypting with '', security in print data communication can be improved and information leakage can be prevented.

  Finally, a printing system shown as the fourth embodiment will be described.

  The printing system shown as the fourth embodiment is similar to the printing system shown as the third embodiment, and the printing shown as the first embodiment for the purpose of improving the security for data on the network. The system has been improved to convert print data to PDF (Portable Document Format) format data. Therefore, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the printing system shown as the fourth embodiment performs printing based on a client computer 10 ′ ″ as an image processing apparatus and print data created by the client computer 10 ′ ″. And a printer 20 '' '.

  In addition to the application program 11, the printer driver 12, the additional information insertion unit 15, the storage unit 16, and the communication unit 17, the client computer 10 ′ ″ has authority for each user of the printer 20 ′ ″. An authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ for setting and registering, a setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ for inputting variable data and setting the PDF printing function on or off, and converting print data into PDF format data. A PDF conversion unit 51 that performs printing, and a PDF acquisition unit 52 that acquires print data in PDF format stored in the printer 20 ′ ″. That is, the client computer 10 ′ ″ has an authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ and a setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ in place of the authority setting unit 13 and the setting information input unit 14 in the client computer 10, and is newly added. A PDF conversion unit 51 and a PDF acquisition unit 52 are added.

  Note that the client computer 10 ′ ″ employs UNIX (registered trademark) as the OS, similarly to the client computer 10. That is, the client computer 10 ′ ″ outputs the print data created by the printer driver 12 to the printer 20 ′ ″ via the input / output port 18 ′ ″ as shown in FIG. The present invention is applied to a UNIX (registered trademark) -based printing system. In the client computer 10 ′ ″, by installing predetermined software for realizing the present invention, as shown in FIG. 26B, an authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ and a setting information input unit 14 ″. ', The functions of the additional information insertion unit 15, the PDF conversion unit 51, and the PDF acquisition unit 52 are added, and the functions can be used.

  Similar to the authority setting unit 13, the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ is an application program that is used by an administrator of the printing system by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Set and register the authority for each user. Specifically, prior to using the printing system, the administrator operates the client computer 10 '' 'to activate the authority setting unit 13' '', for example, authority setting as shown in FIG. A registration screen is displayed on a predetermined display unit of the client computer 10 ′ ″, and permission / inhibition of the ID printing function and the PDF printing function is set and registered as an authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen. The authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ stores the contents set and registered by the administrator in the storage unit 16 as authority information in which the user name and the authority contents are associated with each other as shown in FIG. 27B, for example. Note that the contents set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ affect the display contents of the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″, and for users who cannot use the ID printing function and the PDF printing function, Setting input for performing ID printing and PDF printing becomes impossible.

  Like the setting information input unit 14, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ is an application program that is used by a general user who uses the printer 20 ′ ″ by inputting an arbitrary character string using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Yes, it is provided to input variable data such as passwords that cannot be input by the GUI provided by the printer driver 12 and to turn on or off the PDF printing function. Specifically, the user operates the client computer 10 ′ ″ to activate the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″, and displays a setting information input screen as shown in FIG. 28A, for example, for the client computer 10 ″. 'Is displayed on a predetermined display section, and through this setting information input screen, together with its own user name and password, the type of whether or not to perform ID printing and PDF printing is input. Note that, as described above, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ is the ID for users who are set and registered through the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ as users who cannot use the ID printing function and the PDF printing function. Display control is performed so that the use type of the print function and the PDF print function cannot be input. The setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ sets the contents inputted by the user in association with the user name, the password, the ID printing function, and the usage type of the PDF printing function as shown in FIG. 28B, for example. The information is stored in the storage unit 16 as information.

  The PDF conversion unit 51 converts the print data supplied from the additional information insertion unit 15 into PDF format data when the PDF printing function is on. The PDF conversion unit 51 supplies the print data converted into the PDF format to the communication unit 17.

  The PDF acquisition unit 52 acquires the print data in the PDF format stored in the storage unit 25 of the printer 20 ′ ″ on the client computer 10 ′ ″. Specifically, the user operates the client computer 10 ′ ″ to activate the PDF acquisition unit 52, and displays an inquiry screen as shown in FIG. 29 on a predetermined display unit of the client computer 10 ′ ″, for example. Then, through the inquiry screen, the user's own user name and password are input, and a predetermined acquisition button is pressed. In response to this, the PDF acquisition unit 52 determines whether or not there is PDF format print data transmitted to the printer 20 ′ ″ under the user name via the communication unit 17. Inquire about ', and as a result, get print data list data. Then, the PDF acquisition unit 52 displays the acquired list data on the inquiry screen. The user specifies a file name to be acquired from the list data displayed on the inquiry screen, and presses an acquisition button to acquire print data of the file name from the printer 20 ′ ″, and the client computer 10 ′. '' Can be copied over.

  When a print instruction is issued from the application program 11, such a client computer 10 ′ ″ converts the application data into print data by the printer driver 12 and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 16. Then, the client computer 10 ′ ″ transmits the print data stored in the storage unit 16 to the printer 20 ′ ″ via the communication unit 17. This is a printing operation in a general UNIX (registered trademark) environment. At this time, the client computer 10 ′ ″ processes the output of the printer driver 12 temporarily stored in the storage unit 16 by the additional information insertion unit 15, and also converts the PDF format data as necessary by the PDF conversion unit 51. Then, the data is supplied to the communication unit 17.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25, the printer 20 ′ ″ that performs printing based on the print data created by the client computer 10 ′ ″ includes the control unit 21, the communication unit 22, the printing unit 23, In addition to the input unit 24 and the storage unit 25, a PDF drawing unit 53 for drawing print data in PDF format is provided. That is, the printer 20 ′ ″ is configured such that a PDF drawing unit 53 is newly added to the printer 20.

  The PDF drawing unit 53 converts the print data in PDF format from the print data transmitted from the client computer 10 ′ ″ and stored in the storage unit 25 into data in a format printable by the printer 20 ′ ″. And draw. The PDF drawing unit 53 temporarily stores the drawn print data in the storage unit 25.

  When such a printer 20 ′ ″ performs printing based on the print data created by the client computer 10 ′ ″, if the print data includes a password, the printer 20 ′ ″ passes through the input unit 24. Printing is performed under the control of the control unit 21 only when it matches the input password. Further, when the print data is PDF format data, the printer 20 ′ ″ draws the data by the PDF drawing unit 53 and reproduces printable data.

  Now, in a printing system including such a client computer 10 ″ ″ and a printer 20 ′ ″, the following processing is performed as an initial setting. This initial setting is performed by the administrator starting the client computer 10 ′ ″ before distributing the client computer 10 ″ ″ to the user.

  First, as shown in FIG. 30, the administrator registers authority information for each user name via the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ in step S161. Specifically, the administrator sets and registers permission / inhibition of the ID print function and PDF print function as authority for each user name via the authority setting registration screen as shown in FIG. That is, the authority set and registered via the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ includes information on whether or not to give the user the authority to turn off the ID printing function and the authority to perform PDF printing. This is information about whether to give to the user. In FIG. 27A, the user name “YAMADA” is set not to give permission to turn off the ID printing function and to give permission to perform the PDF printing function, and to the user name “SATO”, An example is shown in which the permission to turn off the ID printing function and the permission to perform the PDF printing function are set.

  In step S162, the authority setting unit 13 ′ ″ stores the authority information in which the user name and the authority content are associated with each other in the storage unit 16 as illustrated in FIG. The series of initial setting processing by is terminated. Thereafter, the client computer 10 ′ ″ in which the authority information is set and registered is distributed to the user and becomes usable.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31, the user to whom the client computer 10 ′ ″ is distributed registers his / her user name (user ID) and password via the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ in step S171. I do.

  Subsequently, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ refers to the authority information stored in the storage unit 16 in step S172, and the user corresponding to the user name input in step S171 uses the ID print function. It is determined whether or not the user is an authorized user.

  If the user has authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ inputs the type of whether or not to perform ID printing as shown in FIG. The item is displayed so as to be inputable, and the process proceeds to step S173. In step S173, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform ID printing, that is, whether or not to print with a bear with the ID printing function turned off.

  On the other hand, if the user is not a user having the authority to use the ID printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ inputs the type of whether or not to perform ID printing as shown in FIG. The item to be displayed is hidden and the process proceeds to step S174. Then, in step S174, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ refers to the authority information stored in the storage unit 16, and the user corresponding to the user name input in step S171 has the authority to use the PDF printing function. It is determined whether or not the user has.

  If the user has authority to use the PDF printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ inputs the type of whether or not to perform PDF printing, as shown in FIG. 28A. The item is displayed so as to be inputable, and the process proceeds to step S175. In step S175, the user sets the type of whether or not to perform PDF printing.

  On the other hand, if the user is not a user who has the authority to use the PDF printing function, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″ inputs the type of whether or not to perform PDF printing as shown in FIG. The item to be displayed is hidden, and the process proceeds to step S176.

  Then, in step S176, the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″, as shown in FIG. 28B, the user name, password, and ID printing function of the user who has logged into the client computer 10 ′ ″. Then, the setting information in which the use type of the PDF printing function is associated is stored in the storage unit 16, and a series of initial setting processes by the user is ended.

  The series of processes shown in FIG. 31 can be executed at any time as long as the user starts the client computer 10 ′ ″ as in the series of processes shown in FIG. After that, it is desirable to execute automatically when the setting information about the user is not registered.

  In the printing system, when such initial setting is performed, print data can be created by the client computer 10 '' '.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 32, when a print instruction is issued from the application program 11 in step S181, the client computer 10 ′ ″ sends application data to the printer 20 ′ ″ by the printer driver 12 in step S182. Is translated into an identifiable language, and the created print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 16 in step S183.

  Subsequently, in step S184, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the setting information as shown in FIG. Here, if the setting information is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 performs no processing on the print data stored in the storage unit 16 in step S 185. The data is transmitted as it is to the printer 20 '' 'via the communication unit 17, and the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 inserts the additional information into the print data as necessary, and sends the processed print data to the printer via the communication unit 17. Send to 20 '' '. Processing of print data is performed as follows.

  First, when the setting information is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 is permitted to turn off the ID printing function in step S186 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the setting information depending on the authority of whether or not given is stored in the storage unit 16.

  Here, when the setting information depending on the authority is not stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 corresponds to the logged-in user from the setting information stored in the storage unit 16 in step S 187. Information is read, and the process proceeds to step S192. On the other hand, when the setting information depending on the authority is stored in the storage unit 16, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads the setting information corresponding to the user name from the storage unit 16 in step S188. Then, in step S189, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the ID printing function has been designated off in advance via the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″. If the process is shifted to step S191, but off is designated, in step S190, the ID printing function is set to the off state.

  In step S191, the additional information insertion unit 15 reads information that is not stored in the storage unit 16 such as a user name such as a document name and a printing date to be printed from the system, and is connected in step S192. Depending on the model of the printer 20 ′ ″, the information read from the storage unit 16 or the system is converted into a format that can be identified by the printer 20 ′ ″, and the converted result is added as additional information to a predetermined position in the print data. insert. As a result, information such as ID printing ON / OFF setting, user name, password, document name, and printing date / time is inserted as additional information in the print data.

  Subsequently, in step S193, the additional information insertion unit 15 determines whether or not the PDF printing function is designated in advance via the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″, and the PDF printing function is not designated. In this case, the process proceeds to step S195, and the print data into which the additional information is inserted is supplied to the communication unit 17. On the other hand, when the PDF printing function is designated, the additional information insertion unit 15 supplies the print data into which the additional information is inserted to the PDF conversion unit 51. The PDF conversion unit 51 prints the print data in step S194. Is converted to PDF format data. At this time, the PDF conversion unit 51 also inserts additional information into the PDF format data in accordance with preset contents.

  In step S195, the PDF conversion unit 51 supplies the print data converted into the PDF format to the communication unit 17. In response to this, the communication unit 17 transmits the print data to the printer 20 ′ ″ according to the form connected to the printer 20 ′ ″, and ends the series of processing.

  In the printing system, by performing such a series of processes, it is possible to create print data in which additional information is inserted by the client computer 10 ′ ″ and converted into the PDF format as necessary.

  On the other hand, the printer 20 ′ ″ performs a series of processes as shown in FIG. 33 based on the print data created by the client computer 10 ′ ″.

  First, as shown in FIG. 33, when the printer 20 ′ ″ receives print data by the communication unit 22 in step S201, the printer 20 ′ ″ supplies the print data to the control unit 21. In step S202, the control unit 21 determines whether the received print data is PDF format data.

  If the control unit 21 determines that the print data is not in PDF format, the process proceeds to step S204. If the control unit 21 determines that the print data is in PDF format, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S203. The print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 25 together with the user name.

  Subsequently, in step S204, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a password is included in the print data. Here, if the password is not included in the print data, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S208. If the password is included in the print data, the control unit 21 prints in step S205. The data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 25, and the process waits until a password is input by the user via the input unit 24 in step S206.

  Subsequently, when confirming the password input, the control unit 21 determines the content of the password in step S207. When the determined password does not match the password input via the setting information input unit 14 ′ ″, the control unit 21 waits until the password is input again without performing any processing.

  If the passwords match, the control unit 21 moves the process to step S208, and determines whether the print data has a PDF print function designated. If the PDF printing function is not designated, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S210, controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, and executes printing. On the other hand, if the PDF printing function is designated, the control unit 21 controls the PDF drawing unit 53 to print the PDF format data in a format that the printer 20 ′ ″ can print in step S209. Convert to data. In step S210, the control unit 21 controls the printing unit 23 to generate a print image according to the format, execute printing, and ends the series of processes. At this time, when the ID printing ON or OFF setting included in the print data is ON, the control unit 21 sets additional information including the user name inserted in the print data as a data target to be printed out.

  By performing such a series of processing, the printer 20 ′ ″ appropriately converts the print data into data that can be printed by the printer 20 ′ ″ when the print data is in PDF format. Thus, a printed material can be produced.

  Next, a process of reading out PDF format print data stored in the printer 20 ′ ″ onto the client computer 10 ′ ″ will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 34, the PDF acquisition unit 52 in the client computer 10 ′ ″ receives the user name and password via the inquiry screen as shown in FIG. 29 in step S211. Accordingly, an inquiry is made as to whether or not PDF format print data is stored in the storage unit 25 of the printer 20 ′ ″.

  In response to this, the control unit 21 in the printer 20 ′ ″ checks whether or not the PDF format print data is stored in the storage unit 25 in step S212.

  Here, when the PDF format print data is not stored in the storage unit 25, the control unit 21 ends the series of processes as it is. On the other hand, if PDF format print data is stored in the storage unit 25, the control unit 21 determines in step S213 whether print data with a user name that matches the inquired user name exists. Check. If such print data does not exist, the control unit 21 ends the series of processes as it is. If such print data exists, the control unit 21 displays list data of the file names of the existing print data in step S214. And transmitted to the client computer 10 '' 'via the communication unit 22.

  Then, the PDF acquisition unit 52 in the client computer 10 ′ ″ displays the acquired list data on the inquiry screen in step S215. In step S216, the PDF acquisition unit 52 transmits the file name information to the printer 20 ′ ″ in response to the user specifying a desired file name via the inquiry screen. Print data can be acquired.

  In the printing system, by performing such a series of processes, the print data in the PDF format already transmitted to the printer 20 ′ ″ and stored in the storage unit 25 is acquired on the client computer 10 ′ ″. can do.

  As described above, in the printing system shown as the fourth embodiment of the present invention, print data converted into PDF format data is created by the client computer 10 ′ ″, and the printer 20 is based on the print data. By printing with '' ', security in print data communication can be improved and information leakage can be prevented.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment described above, the case where the client computer and the printer are directly connected has been described. However, the present invention performs printing as in the second embodiment. In the case where a server is provided, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment is applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the apparatus for producing printed matter is described as a printer. However, the present invention can also be applied to a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), and the like.

  Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10, 10 ′, 10 ″, 10 ′ ″ Client computer 11 Application program 12 Printer driver 13, 13 ″, 13 ′ ″, 31 Authority setting unit 14, 14 ″, 14 ′ ″ Setting information input unit 15 Additional information insertion unit 16, 25, 32 Storage unit 17, 22, 33 Communication unit 18, 18 ′, 18 ″, 18 ′ ″, 35 Input / output port 20, 20 ″, 20 ′ ″ Printer 21 control Unit 23 printing unit 24 input unit 30 print server 34 spooler 41 encryption conversion unit 42 decryption unit 51 PDF conversion unit 52 PDF acquisition unit 53 PDF drawing unit

Claims (10)

A registration step for registering permission to input whether to print additional information for each user;
A setting step for setting whether or not to print the additional information by the user;
A creation step to create print data;
A determination step of determining whether printing of the additional information is set;
An additional step of adding the additional information to the print data when printing of the additional information is set,
The print data creation method, wherein the setting step is configured not to set whether or not to print the additional information for a user registered as a user who does not have the input permission authority. An authority setting unit for registering an authority to input whether to print additional information for each user is provided in an external server,
In the setting step, the server is inquired whether the user is registered through the authority setting unit as a user who cannot print the additional information, and the user who cannot print the additional information prints the additional information. The print data creation method according to claim 1, wherein it is not possible to set whether or not to perform. The print data creation method according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption conversion step of encrypting the print data created in the creation step according to a predetermined encryption method. In the setting step, a type indicating whether or not to encrypt the print data in the encryption conversion step is set in advance,
In the determination step, it is determined whether or not a type indicating that the print data is encrypted in the encryption conversion step is set through the setting step;
The print data is encrypted in the encryption conversion step when it is determined in the determination step that a type indicating that the print data is encrypted is set. 3. The print data creation method according to 3. The print data creation method according to claim 1, further comprising a PDF conversion step of converting the print data created in the creation step into print data in PDF format. In the setting step, a type indicating whether to convert the print data in the PDF conversion step into print data in PDF format is set in advance,
In the determination step, it is determined whether or not a type indicating that conversion to print data in PDF format in the PDF conversion step is performed through the setting step;
In the PDF conversion step, when it is determined in the determination step that the type indicating conversion to PDF format print data is set, the print data generated in the generation step is converted into the PDF format. The print data creating method according to claim 5, wherein the print data is converted into print data. The print data creation method according to claim 5, further comprising a PDF acquisition step of acquiring print data in a PDF format already transmitted to the printing apparatus and stored in the printing apparatus. In the setting step, a password for creating a printed matter based on the print data by the printing apparatus is set together with the additional information,
The print data creation method according to claim 1, wherein, in the adding step, the password is added to the print data together with the additional information. The print data creation method according to claim 1, wherein the additional information includes at least one of a user name, a user ID, a password, a document name, a print date, and an additional information print setting. The print data creation method according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is user identification information for identifying a user.