JP2014178848A - Printer, printing system, printing method and printing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent information from being leaked by leaving a printed matter behind.SOLUTION: In a printer Pr: contact information of a user using the printer Pr is stored in a contact information management section 55; a print document acquisition section 52 acquires a printed matter and the contact information on a security manager from a document server when a user authenticated by an information management section 57 specifies the printed matter of the document server to require printing; and an e-mail transmission/reception section 56 transmits a left behind checking request mail preventing the printed matter from being left behind to the user when a printing execution section 58 prints the printed document and transmits a mail notifying occurrence of the printed matter left behind even to the security manager etc., when a response is not within a latency time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, and a printing program. More specifically, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, and a printing program that reliably prevent information leakage due to forgetting to take a printed material.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printing apparatuses such as printers, copying apparatuses, and composite apparatuses are connected to a network and record and output data received from an external information processing apparatus such as a computer via a network. .

  A printing apparatus connected to such a network generally includes an image storage memory such as a hard disk, and once received data is stored in the image storage memory, it is recorded and output.

  The data handled by the printing apparatus includes data that requires confidentiality. The printing apparatus has conventionally dealt with such data that requires confidentiality (hereinafter referred to as confidential data) from the external information processing apparatus side. Alternatively, a user ID, PIN code, or the like is added to the data from the operation unit of the printing apparatus and input to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus temporarily stores the input confidential data in the image storage memory, and the user ID or PIN code. We manage based on etc. When the printing apparatus outputs a user ID, PIN code, or the like from the operation unit at the time of output and authentication is completed, a user ID, PIN code, or the like that matches the input user ID, PIN code, or the like is added. It is checked whether confidential data is stored in the image storage memory, and confidential data that matches the user ID, PIN code, etc. is read from the image storage memory and recorded.

  In this case, in order to print out the image data, it is necessary to input the user ID and PIN code that the user has sent to the printing apparatus, so that the printed material is less likely to be forgotten and left in the paper discharge tray. You can, but you can't do it all.

  In particular, in recent years, printing apparatuses have been installed in environments that can be used by an unspecified number of people, such as convenience stores, public facilities, and offices in a location-free printing environment. In a printing apparatus installed in such an installation environment, forgetting to take a printed matter leads to information leakage or loss, and therefore, it is particularly necessary to cope with printing confidential data.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus connected to a network, a printing unit that prints a printed material based on print data transmitted from a user on the network, and when the printed material is output from the printing unit, Display means for displaying a screen including a reception completion instruction section for notifying the completion of reception of the printed matter, and when the reception completion instruction section is operated, a reception completion confirmation means for updating the screen of the display means; An image forming apparatus having the above has been proposed. Further, in this image forming apparatus, when the print data from the user includes user identification information and the reception completion instruction unit is not operated, the printed matter is collected to the user who has transmitted the print data based on the user identification information. An image forming apparatus having a forgetting prevention application for notifying forgetting has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  In other words, this prior art displays a screen for instructing completion of receipt of printed matter on the display means, and if the receipt completion instructing section is not operated by specifying the user of the printed matter, information on forgetting to remove the printed matter is given to the user. It is sent by email.

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, a screen for instructing completion of receipt of a printed matter is displayed on the display means, and if the user of the printed matter is specified and the receipt completion instructing unit is not operated, the user is notified. It only sends information about forgetting to take printed matter by e-mail. Therefore, when the user of the printed material is not aware of the forgotten information transmitted, the printed material may be left forever. In addition, if the manager of the printed material is different from the person who performed printing (hereinafter referred to as the “printer”), the forgotten information is transmitted to the printer, so the administrator must remove the printed material. It is impossible to know that forgetting has occurred, and it is not possible to take security measures.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent forgetting to take a printed material and improve the security of the printed material.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device, a printing unit that performs printing based on printing information, and a print requester who has requested printing based on the printing information. Print requester notification destination acquisition means for acquiring print requester notification destination information related to the notification destination of the contact, and contact regarding the notification destination of the contact person who notifies the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information by the printing means A contact notification destination information acquisition unit that acquires the notification destination information, and a notification of the print requester based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition unit. Print result information notifying means to be transmitted first via the communication means, and a response to the print result information transmitted by the print result information notifying means being received via the communication means. A determination unit that determines whether or not the print result information has been attached, and the contact notification obtained by the contact notification destination acquisition unit when the determination unit determines that a response to the print result information has not been received. And a contact person print result information notifying means for transmitting to the contact destination of the contact person via the communication means on the basis of the destination information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent forgetting to take a printed material and improve the security of the printed material.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The block block diagram of the hardware of a printing apparatus. The functional block diagram of a printing apparatus. The block diagram of the hardware of a document server. The functional block diagram of a document server. The figure which shows an example of a document management database. The block block diagram of the hardware of a smart device. The functional block diagram of a smart device. 6 is a flowchart showing document management processing in a document server. The flowchart which shows a user contact information registration process. The sequence diagram of the printed matter security processing by a printing system. The figure which shows an example of the contact information confirmation screen forgetting to take. The flowchart which shows a forgetting correspondence process. The figure which shows an example of the forgetting to check check email. The figure which shows an example of the forgetting outbreak notification mail.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 15 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus, printing system, printing method, and printing program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a printing apparatus, printing system, printing method, and printing program according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 1 to which an embodiment is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a printing system 1 includes a printing apparatus Pr connected to a document server DS via a wired or wireless network NW1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and also connected to a smart device SD via a wireless network NW2. Connected. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus Pr is connected to an information processing apparatus (computer or the like) of the administrator of the printing system 1 via the network NW1 or other network.

  The printing device Pr is a printer device or the like, and its hardware is configured as a block as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus Pr includes a controller 10, an operation panel 31, an FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 32, an engine unit 33, and the like.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a system memory 12, a north bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB as appropriate) 13, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 14, a local memory 15, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD as appropriate). 16), South Bridge (hereinafter referred to as SB as appropriate) 17, NIC (Network Interface Card) 18, USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F 19, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 I / F 20 and Centronics. I / F21 etc. are provided.

  The operation panel 31 is connected to the ASIC 14 of the controller 10, and the FCU 32 and the engine unit 33 are connected to the ASIC 14 of the controller 10 via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 40.

In the controller 10, a local memory 15 and an HDD 16 are connected to the ASIC 14, and a CPU 11 and the ASIC 14 are connected via an NB 13 of a CPU chip set. Thus, by connecting the CPU 11 and the ASIC 14 via the NB 13, it is possible to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 11 is not disclosed. The NB 13 and the SB 17 to the Centronics I / F 21 are connected by the PCI bus 41. Note that the ASIC 14 and the NB 13 are connected not via the PCI bus but via a high-speed AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 42. Performance improvements are being made.

  Although not shown, a communication line such as a public line (PN) is connected to the FCU 32, and the FCU 32 realizes G3 and G4 facsimile transmission and facsimile reception functions. That is, at the time of fax transmission, the printing apparatus Pr transfers the image data read by the scanner of the engine unit 33 or the image data received from the document server DS to the FCU 32 after performing necessary image processing by the ASIC 14. The FCU 32 converts the image data received from the ASIC 14 into a communication line and transmits it by facsimile. Further, when receiving a fax, the printing device Pr receives facsimile data from an external facsimile device or the like via a communication line by the FCU 32 and converts it into image data, and prints it out on a sheet by the plotter unit of the engine unit 33. And stored in the HDD 16.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11, the system memory 12, an interface from the SB 17 to the Centronics I / F 21 and the ASIC 14, and the system memory 12 is a memory used as a drawing memory of the printing apparatus Pr. The local memory 15 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

  The SB 17, NIC 18, USB I / F 19, IEEE 1394 I / F 20, and Centronics I / F 21 are connected to the PCI bus 41.

  The SB 17 is a bridge that connects to a PCI bust ROM, peripheral devices, and the like.

  The network (NW2) to which network terminals such as other printing devices, host devices, and smart devices SD are connected is connected to the NIC (communication means) 18, and the NIC 18 is connected to other composite devices and hosts via the network NW2. It communicates with network terminals such as devices and smart devices SD.

  The USB I / F 19 is connected to a USB device that communicates with the printing apparatus Pr by wire, and the USB I / F 19 performs an interface with the USB device.

  The IEEE 1394 I / F 21 communicates with a host device or the like by wire.

  A Centronics I / F (communication means) 21 communicates mainly with a computer host device, a document server DS, and the like via a parallel network NW1.

  The HDD 16 is a large-capacity auxiliary storage device, and is a storage for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like. In particular, the HDD 16 is a printing program for realizing various programs and data necessary for realizing the function as the printing apparatus Pr, for example, a basic program of the printing apparatus Pr and a printing method for reliably preventing forgetting to remove a printed matter described later. And various information.

  The ASIC 14 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and performs various image processing on image data using the local memory 15.

  The operation panel (display unit) 31 includes various operation keys, a display, and the like, receives input operations from the various operation keys by the operator, and displays various information on the display to the operator. The operation panel 31 is particularly used for displaying various information to be notified to the user in a printed matter security process to be described later, and for inputting user information.

  The engine unit 33 includes a plotter engine, a scanner engine, and the like, and is connected to the ASIC 14 of the controller 10. The plotter engine prints an image on a sheet based on image data sent from the ASIC 14 of the controller 10 by a predetermined image forming method, for example, an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, etc. Eject onto the output tray. The scanner engine performs main scanning and sub-scanning on a document on which an image is recorded, and photoelectrically converts the document image with a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The image data is converted into value image data and output to the ASIC 14.

  The CPU 11 controls each unit of the printing device Pr based on a program in the hard disk 16 to execute basic processing as the printing device Pr, and performs the printing method of the present invention based on the printing program of the present invention described later. Run.

  That is, the printing apparatus Pr includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), a DVD ( A printing program for executing the printing method of the present invention recorded on a recording medium readable by an information identification device such as a digital video disk (SD), a secure digital (SD) card, or an MO (magneto-optic disc) is read into a ROM or By being introduced into the hard disk 16 or the like, it is constructed as a printing apparatus Pr that executes a printing method that reliably prevents forgetting to remove printed matter discharged to a paper discharge tray, which will be described later. This print program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  Then, the printing device Pr is constructed with the basic program and the printing program installed and executed, so that a functional block is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, the printing apparatus Pr includes a UI display unit 51, a print document acquisition unit 52, a forgetting detection unit 53, a contact information acquisition unit 54, a contact information management unit 55, a mail transmission / reception unit 56, a user information management unit 57, and a print. The execution unit 58 and the like are constructed.

  In the user information management unit 57, user information such as user specifying information for specifying a user permitted to print by the printing apparatus Pr and contact information for a user specified by the user specifying information is registered in advance. The user information management unit 57 performs user authentication based on whether or not the user who has requested printing is a user registered in advance, and controls permission / denial of the printing request.

  The contact information acquisition unit (print requester notification destination acquisition unit, contact notification destination acquisition unit) 54 is constructed by the NIC 18, the operation panel 31, and the like, and is transmitted from the smart device SD or the UI display unit 51. Receive information (printer notification destination information, contact notification destination information). The contact information acquisition unit 54 passes the acquired user contact information to the contact information management unit 55 as it is, and the user contact information of the user who has requested printing coincides with the user information managed by the user information management unit 57. Then, the user contact information is passed to the contact information management unit 55 as user contact information (printer contact information) that has been subjected to user authentication.

  The print document acquisition unit (contact person notification destination acquisition means) 52 acquires a print document from the document server DS via the network NW1. The print document acquisition unit 52 analyzes and acquires the contact information (hereinafter referred to as administrator contact information as appropriate) of the security administrator associated with the print document, and acquires the acquired administrator contact information. The information is transferred to the contact information management unit 55 in association with the print document.

  The contact information management unit (display control means) 55 manages the user contact information passed from the contact information acquisition unit 54, and stores and manages the user contact information in association with the print document. . Further, the contact information acquisition unit 54 stores and manages the administrator contact information received from the print document acquisition unit 52 in association with the print document. Further, the contact information management unit 55 controls display of user contact information on the UI display unit 51.

  The UI display unit (display unit) 51 is constructed by the operation panel 31 and displays various kinds of information necessary for the printed material security process. In particular, the UI display unit 51 displays a user identification information input screen for identifying a user who requests printing, a dialog for confirming contact information (user contact information) stored in the contact information management unit 55, and the like. To do.

  The mail transmission / reception unit (communication means) 56 is constructed by the NIC 18, the Centronics I / F 21, and the like, and transmits / receives a mail corresponding to forgetting to remove the printed material to the user and the security administrator via the network NW1 and the network NW2.

  The forgetting-to-get-off detection unit 53 uses the contact information management unit 55 and the mail transmission / reception unit 56 to check the forgetting-to-miss check request mail (printing result information) ) M1 (see FIG. 14) is transmitted. Therefore, it functions as a printing result information notification unit. In addition, the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 determines whether or not a response to the forgetting to check check mail M1 which is the print result information has been received via the mail transmitting / receiving unit 56. Therefore, it functions as a determination means. Further, the forgetting detection unit 53 transmits the check request mail M1, but if the mail transmission / reception unit 56 does not accept a response from the printer, the contact information of the user (contact person) other than the printer is displayed. A forgetting notification mail (printing result information) M2 (see FIG. 15) is sent to the contact information of the security administrator. Therefore, it functions as a contact person print information notification means.

  The print execution unit (printing unit) 58 is constructed by the plotter engine of the engine unit 33, and is based on document data acquired by the print document acquisition unit 52 and subjected to necessary image processing by a predetermined image forming method. Print out the image. The print execution unit 58 discharges the printed matter on the discharge tray.

  As the document server DS, for example, a personal computer or server having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration is used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the document server DS includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a hard disk (HDD) 104, an I / F 105, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 106, an operation unit (keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc.) 107 and A network I / F 108 and the like are provided, and each unit is connected by a bus 109.

  The document server DS executes basic processing as the document server DS by installing a program as the document server DS in the hard disk 104 or the like. Further, the document server DS executes the printing method in the document server DS of the present invention by installing the print program in the document server DS of the present invention in the hard disk 104 or the like.

  The ROM 102 stores programs such as firmware necessary for the document server DS, system data, and the like.

  The hard disk 104 is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory that can be read and written. The hard disk 104 stores an OS (Operating System), a program as a document server, other application programs, a document, and user information that has transmitted the document in association with each other. The hard disk 104 stores a document management database DB1 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  The CPU 101 operates as the document server DS by operating the firmware in the ROM 102 and executing a program on the OS of the hard disk 104 using the RAM 102 as a work memory.

  The LCD 106 and the operation unit 107 are connected to the bus 109 via the I / F 105. The LCD 106 is a user interface that displays various types of information, and displays various types of information on the screen under the control of the CPU 101. The operation unit 107 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is an input user interface for inputting various types of information to the document server DS.

  The network I / F 108 is connected to the network NW1, communicates with the printing apparatus Pr via the network NW1, and transmits a print job (document) or the like to the printing apparatus Pr. Further, when the document server DS is an external device used by the security administrator, the network I / F 108 receives the forgetting-notification notification mail M2 from the printing device Pr.

  In the document server DS, the function block as shown in FIG. 5 is constructed by introducing the program as the document server and the printing program in the document server DS of the present invention. That is, the document server DS includes a print document management unit 111 and a print document transmission unit 112 as shown in FIG.

  The print document management unit 111 registers administrator information such as contact information of a security administrator in association with a document that requires security management. The document and administrator information are, for example, as shown in FIG. Correspondingly, it is registered and managed in the document management database DB1. In FIG. 6, the management number is stored in the document management database DB1. (1, 2, 3,...), Document name (document A, document B, document C,...), Security level (high, low), administrator (administrator X, administrator Y,...・) And contact information (XXX@manager.co.jp, ...) are registered. Further, in the document management database DB1 in FIG. 6, the administrator and the contact information are registered only for a document with a high security level.

  When receiving a document request from the printing apparatus Pr, the print document transmission unit 112 passes the document request to the print document management unit 111.

  The print document management unit 111 passes a document corresponding to the document request received from the print document transmission unit 112 and administrator information to the print document transmission unit 112 with reference to the document management database.

  The print document transmission unit 112 transmits the document and administrator information passed from the print document management unit 111 to the printing apparatus Pr via the network NW1.

  Further, when receiving the document list request from the printing apparatus Pr, the print document transmission unit 112 passes the document list request to the print document management unit 111.

  When the print document management unit 111 receives a document list request from the print document transmission unit 112, it passes all document list information registered in the document management database to the print document transmission unit 112.

  When the print document transmission unit 112 receives the document list information from the print document management unit 111, the print document transmission unit 112 transmits the document list information to the printing apparatus Pr.

  As the smart device (external device) SD, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like is used. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the smart device SD includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, a hard disk (HDD) 124, an I / F 125, an LCD 126, an operation unit (hard key, touch panel, etc.) 127, a network I / F 128, and the like. Each part is connected by a bus 129.

  The smart device SD executes basic processing as the smart device SD by introducing a program as the smart device SD into the hard disk 124 or the like. In addition, the smart device SD has the printing program of the present invention installed in the hard disk 124 or the like, and the printing program in the smart device SD of the present invention is installed in the hard disk 124 or the like. Execute the printing method.

  The ROM 122 stores programs such as firmware necessary for the smart device SD, system data, and the like.

  The hard disk 124 is a large-capacity nonvolatile memory that can be read and written. The hard disk 124 stores an OS (Operating System), a program as a document server, other application programs, and user information (user identification information, user contact information, etc.) in association with each other.

  The CPU 121 functions as the smart device SD by operating the firmware in the ROM 122 and executing the program using the RAM 122 as a work memory on the OS of the hard disk 124.

  The LCD 126 and the operation unit 127 are connected to the bus 129 via the I / F 125. The LCD 126 is a user interface that displays various types of information, and displays various types of information on the screen under the control of the CPU 121. The operation unit 127 is configured by a hard key, a touch panel, or the like, and is an input user interface for inputting various types of information to the smart device SD.

  The network I / F 128 is connected to the network NW2, communicates with the printing device Pr via the network NW2, and transmits a print request or the like to the printing device Pr or a mail forgetting to remove a printed matter from the printing device Pr (forgetting check). The request mail M1 and the forgetting occurrence notification mail M2) are transmitted and received.

  In the smart device SD, a functional block as shown in FIG. 8 is constructed by introducing a program as a smart device and a printing program in the smart device SD of the present invention. That is, in the smart device SD, as shown in FIG. 8, a contact selection unit 131, a contact information storage unit 132, a contact information transmission unit 133, a mail management unit 134, and a mail transmission / reception unit 135 are constructed.

  In the contact information storage unit 132, user contact information (for example, an e-mail address), which is information related to the contact information of the user who uses the smart device SD, is registered in advance for all users who use the smart device SD. . This user is a user of the smart device SD, a user (printer) who causes the printing apparatus Pr to print a document, and a contact person who needs to be contacted regarding other printing.

  The contact selection unit 131 acquires user contact information stored in the contact information storage unit 132 in response to an operation by the user through the operation unit 127, and sends it to the contact information transmission unit 133 via the network NW2. It is transmitted to the printing apparatus Pr. That is, the contact information transmission unit 133 transmits the user contact information passed from the contact selection unit 131 via the network NW2.

  The mail transmission / reception unit 135 transmits / receives mail to / from the printing apparatus Pr via the network NW2.

  The mail management unit 134 uses the mail transmission / reception unit 135 to exchange mail with the printing apparatus Pr.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The printing system 1 of the present embodiment prevents forgetting to take a printed material and improves the security of the printed material.

  The printing system 1 of this embodiment registers and manages a document to be printed in the document management database DB1 in the document server DS, and a security administrator sets a security level for this document. When the security level is set by the security administrator for the stored document, the document server DS associates the document with the security administrator's contact address (email address) if the security level is high. Etc.).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the document server DS receives a document list request from the security administrator from the operation unit 107 or an external device (information processing device) of the security administrator connected to the network NW1, A list of stored documents is output to the LCD 106 or an external device of the security administrator, and a document selection is accepted (step S101).

  When a document is selected from the document list, the document server DS displays management information registered in the document management database DB1 for the selected document, and acquires a security level for the document (step S102). .

  Upon receiving the security level, the document server DS checks whether the security level is “high” or “low” (step S103).

  If the security level is “high” in step S103, the document server DS receives the contact information (administrator information) of the security administrator (step S104).

  Upon receiving the administrator information, the document server DS associates the selected document with the contact information (administrator information) of the security administrator, registers them in the document management database DB1, and ends the document management process (step S105). .

  If the security level is “low” in step S103, the document server DS ends the document management process without registering the contact information of the security administrator corresponding to the document in the document management database DB1. .

  Further, the printing system 1 performs user contact address registration processing for transmitting and registering user contact information, which is a mail contact address to the smart device SD, from the smart device SD to the printing apparatus Pr in advance as shown in FIG. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when the smart device SD has a display request for user contact information stored in the contact information storage unit 132 by the operation of the operation unit 127 by the user, the contact selection unit 131 The user contact information stored in the contact information storage unit 132 is displayed on the LCD 126 (step S201).

  The contact selection unit 131 of the smart device SD accepts the user contact information selected from the user contact information displayed on the LCD 126 by using the operation unit 127 (step S202).

  The contact selecting unit 131 causes the contact information transmitting unit 133 to transmit the selected and accepted user contact information to the printing device Pr (step S203).

  When the user contact information is transmitted from the smart device SD, the printing device Pr receives the contact information acquisition unit 54 and passes it to the contact information management unit 55 (step S211).

  When the user contact information is received from the contact information acquisition unit 54, the contact information management unit 55 registers and stores the user contact information in a user contact database (not shown) (step S212). ).

When the user contact information is registered in the user contact database, the contact information management unit 55 displays the registered user contact information on the UI display unit 51 so that the user can confirm the registration of the user contact information. Then, the user contact address registration process is terminated (step S213).
In the printing system 1, as described above, a security request and necessary administrator information are registered for each document in the document server DS, and the user contact information is registered in the printing apparatus Pr. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.

  That is, when the user inputs user information (for example, ID, password, etc.) from the UI display unit 51 of the printing apparatus Pr, the printing system 1 sends the user information from the UI display unit 51 to the user information management unit 57 (S1). .

  The user information management unit 57 performs user authentication by confirming whether the user information received from the UI display unit 51 matches the user information registered in advance. When user authentication is successful, the user information management unit 57 passes the user information to the contact information management unit 55, and the contact information management unit 55 stores the user information (S3).

  Next, when the user makes a document list request using the UI display unit 51, the UI display unit 51 makes a document list request to the print document management unit 111 of the document server DS via the print document acquisition unit 52 ( S4). The print document management unit 111 transmits a list of stored documents to the printing apparatus Pr (S5).

  When the document list is transmitted, the UI display unit 51 displays the list of documents (S6). When the user views the document list and selects a document to be printed, the UI display unit 51 sends a transmission request for the selected document to the print document transmission unit 112 of the document server DS (S7).

  The print document transmission unit 112 obtains the document requested to be transmitted and the contact information of the security administrator associated with the document from the print document management unit 111, and transmits it to the printing apparatus Pr (S8).

  When a document is transmitted from the document server DS, the printing device Pr acquires the document, the print document acquisition unit 52 acquires the contact information of the security administrator associated with the document, Registration is made in the contact information manager 55 (S9).

  Then, the print document acquisition unit 52 sends the acquired document to be printed to the print execution unit 58 (S10).

  The contact information management unit 55 transmits the user information of the document to be printed and the contact information of the security administrator to the UI display unit 51 (S11), and the UI display unit 51 notifies the user that the document to be printed has been forgotten. The destination is displayed (S12). For example, the UI display unit 51 displays a forgetting correspondence contact confirmation screen G1 as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example in which two users, user A and user B, are registered as contacts. In this case, for example, the user A is a printer, and the user B is a user (contactor) who needs contact other than the printer.

  When the user confirms the display on the UI display unit 51 and performs a print instruction operation, the UI display unit 51 makes a print request to the print execution unit 58 (S13), and the print execution unit 58 has a print request. Then, printing is executed based on the previously sent document (S14).

  When printing is executed, the print execution unit 58 outputs a message indicating that printing has been executed (print completion notification) to the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 (S15).

  Upon receipt of the print completion notification from the print execution unit 58, the forget-to-remember occurrence detection unit 53 requests the contact information management unit 55 for contact information associated with (associated with) the print document (S16). ).

  The contact information management unit 55 passes the contact information associated with the print document to the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 (S17).

  The forget-to-be-missed occurrence detection unit 53 responds to forgetting such as sending a forget-to-get check request mail M1 (see FIG. 14) as print result information to the smart device SD of the mail address registered in the contact information. Processing is performed (S19).

  Then, the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 performs forgetting handling processing as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the forgetting-to-get-off detection unit 53 first transmits a forgetting-to-miss check request mail M1 as print result information to the user contact given from the contact information management unit 55. Then, counting of the waiting time until the reply mail arrives is started (step S301). The transmission destination of this forgetting to check check mail M1 is the above-mentioned user contact, and this user contact is the mail address of the smart device SD.

  This forgetting check request mail M1 is an e-mail as shown in FIG. 14, for example, “Document A has been printed. After receiving the printed matter, please reply to this mail.” The content is an email. In this forgetting check request mail M1, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for checking may be described as shown in FIG.

  The user who has received the forgetting-to-remove check request mail M1 takes out printed matter from the paper discharge tray of the printing apparatus Pr, and then sends a reply mail to the forgetting-to-remove check request mail M1. Note that instead of sending a reply mail to the forget-to-get check request mail M1, the user may perform a reply process by clicking or double-touching the URL described in the forget-to-get check request mail M1. Good.

  When the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 starts measuring the waiting time, it checks whether there is a reply within a preset waiting time (a predetermined time) (step S302).

  In step S302, when there is no reply within the waiting time (NO in step S302), the forgetting-to-get-off occurrence detecting unit 53 assumes that the printed material may be forgotten to be removed and the registered user and A forgetting-notification notification mail M2 (see FIG. 15) is transmitted as print result information to the security administrator (step S303).

  This forgetting-notification notification e-mail is, for example, an e-mail as shown in FIG. 15, such as “The printed matter of the printed document A has not been received. Please receive the printed matter for delivery”. The content is an email. This forgetting occurrence notification mail may include a URL for checking.

  The user or security administrator who has received the forgetting-notification notification mail sends out a reply mail in response to the forgetting-notification occurrence notification mail after taking out the printed matter from the paper discharge tray of the printing apparatus Pr. Note that the user or the security administrator performs a reply process by clicking or double-touching the URL described in the forgotten occurrence notification email instead of sending a reply email for the forgetting occurrence notification email. May be. Further, the printing device Pr may allow the security administrator to confirm that the user has taken out the printed matter from the paper discharge tray of the printing device Pr when the forgetting occurrence notification mail is transmitted. For example, the printing device Pr prevents the user from replying to the forgetting to take out notification mail, notifies the security administrator that the user has taken out the printed matter, and the security administrator who has received the notification has forgotten to take it off. Reply to notification mail. Alternatively, when receiving a reply to the forgetting occurrence notification mail from the user, the printing apparatus Pr transmits a notification mail indicating that the user has received a reply to the security administrator.

  When the forgetting occurrence detection unit 53 transmits the forgetting occurrence notification e-mail, it starts counting the waiting time set in advance, and checks whether there is a reply within the waiting time (fixed time) (step S302).

  In step S302, when there is no reply within the waiting time, the forgetting-to-get-off detection unit 53 similarly sends the forgetting-not-occurring notice mail M2 to the user and the security manager, and starts measuring the waiting time. (Step S303).

  In step S302, if there is a reply within the waiting time (YES in step S302), the forgetting occurrence detecting unit 53 determines that the printed matter has been received, stops timing the waiting time, and forgets to remove it. The handling process is terminated (step S304).

  In the above description, a case has been described in which the user operates the operation panel 31 of the printing apparatus Pr, that is, the UI display unit 51 to designate a document stored in the document server DS and make a print request. However, the print request is not limited to the case where the print request is made on the operation panel 31 of the printing apparatus Pr. For example, the print request may be made from the smart device SD, or from an information processing apparatus such as a computer connected to the network NW1. Also good.

  For example, when making a print request from the smart device SD, the user first operates the operation unit 127 of the smart device SD, transmits user information to the printing apparatus Pr, and causes the printing apparatus Pr to perform user authentication.

  Thereafter, the user operates the operation unit 127 of the smart device SD, notifies the user information, and requests a document list from the document server DS.

  When there is a document list request from the smart device SD, the document server DS transmits a list of stored documents to the smart device SD.

  The smart device SD displays the document list transmitted from the document server DS on the LCD 126, and when the user selects a document to be printed from the document list, the smart device SD notifies the document server DS of the selected document.

  The document server DS transmits the selected document, user information of the user who has requested printing, and contact information of the security administrator to the printing apparatus Pr via the network NW1.

  When the document, the user information, and the contact information of the security administrator are sent from the document server, the printing device Pr confirms whether the user of the user information is a user who has previously performed user authentication. When the user confirmation is completed, the printing device Pr executes printing in the same manner as described above. When the printing is completed, the printing device Pr performs forgetting handling processing in the same manner as described above.

  Note that the printing system 1 performs the same processing when the user makes a print request from a personal computer or the like connected to the network NW1 or the like as in the case of making a print request from the smart device SD.

  In the above description, the document server DS is provided as an external device of the printing apparatus Pr. However, even if the document server DS is provided as a module inside the printing apparatus Pr, the same processing can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the document server DS includes a document management database in which the security level, the administrator, and the contact information are associated with each document to be printed, and only the document with a high security level is associated with the administrator. The contact information is registered. The management of the security level and the contact information of the administrator is not limited to the case where the document server DS performs as described above, and the printing apparatus Pr acquires the security level, the administrator information, and the contact information corresponding to the document. However, it may be determined whether or not to forget to take notice to the administrator according to the security level.

  As described above, the printing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a mail transmission / reception unit (communication unit) 56 in which the printing device Pr is configured by the NIC 18 or the Centronics I / F 22 and communicates with an external device such as the smart device SD, and the document. User contact information regarding a print execution unit (printing unit) 58 constructed by the engine unit 33 that performs printing based on (print information) and a notification destination to a user (print requester) who has requested printing based on the document Print processing based on the print information by the contact information acquisition unit (print requester notification destination acquisition unit) 54 constructed by the operation panel 31 or the NIC 18 that acquires (print requester notification destination information) and the print execution unit 58 Printing constructed by the NIC 18 or the Centronics I / F 21 that obtains the contact notification destination information related to the notification destination of the contact who notifies the print result information according to the The print request acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition unit, and the contact notification destination acquisition unit such as the document acquisition unit 52 and the contact information acquisition unit 54, and the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information Sent to the print requester's notification destination via the mail transmission / reception unit 56, and a forgetting occurrence detection unit (print result information notification unit) 53 and the print result information notification unit. The forgetting occurrence detection unit (determination unit) 53 that determines whether or not a response to the print result information has been received via the communication unit, and the determination unit determines that a response to the print result information has not been received. In this case, the print result information is sent to the notification destination of the contact based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition means. Forgetting removal occurrence detection unit transmits via the transceiver 56 (the contact person print information notifying means) 53, and a.

  Therefore, the print request information is sent to the print requester to prevent it from being forgotten, and the print result information is sent to a contact person such as a user other than the print requester or a security administrator so that theft caused by forgetting to take it. And the occurrence of loss can be prevented. As a result, forgetting to remove the printed material can be prevented, and the security of the printed material can be improved.

  The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment requests that the printing device Pr perform a communication processing step for communicating with an external device, a printing processing step for performing printing based on a document (printing information), and printing based on the document. Print requester notification destination acquisition processing step of acquiring user contact information (print requester notification destination information) related to a notification destination to the user (print requester), and print processing based on the print information in the print processing step A contact notification destination information acquisition processing step for acquiring contact notification destination information related to a notification destination of the contact person who notifies the print result information according to the print information, and the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information. Based on the print requester notification destination information acquired in the requester notification destination acquisition processing step, the communication request is sent to the print requester notification destination. A printing result information notification processing step; a determination processing step for determining whether or not a response to the printing result information transmitted in the printing result information notification processing step has been accepted in the communication processing step; and If it is determined that a response to the print result information has not been received, the print result information is determined based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition processing step. And a contact printing result information notification processing step to be transmitted to the communication processing step.

  Accordingly, a forgetting check request mail M1 is transmitted as print result information to the print requester to prompt the prevention of forgetting, and a forgetting occurrence notification mail is sent to a contact person such as a user other than the print requester or a security administrator. M2 can be transmitted to prevent theft or loss due to forgetting to remove it. As a result, forgetting to remove the printed material can be prevented, and the security of the printed material can be improved.

  Further, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the printing device Pr communicates with an external device, performs printing based on a document (print information), and a user who requests printing based on the document. Print requester notification destination acquisition processing for acquiring user contact information (print requester notification destination information) regarding a notification destination to (print requester), and printing according to the print processing based on the print information in the print processing Acquire contact information of contact information about the contact information of the contact person who notifies the result information, and acquire print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information. Based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the processing, a print result information notification process for sending the communication request to the print requester notification destination and the print result information notification process. A determination process for determining whether or not a response to the transmitted print result information has been received in the communication process; and a determination to determine that a response to the print result information has not been received in the determination process. Printing that executes a contact printing result information notification process that causes the communication process to send the information to the notification destination of the contact based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition process The program is installed.

  Accordingly, a forgetting check request mail M1 is transmitted as print result information to the print requester to prompt the prevention of forgetting, and a forgetting occurrence notification mail is sent to a contact person such as a user other than the print requester or a security administrator. M2 can be transmitted to prevent theft or loss due to forgetting to remove it. As a result, forgetting to remove the printed material can be prevented, and the security of the printed material can be improved.

  Further, the printing device Pr of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the print result information transmitted by the print result information notifying unit includes information indicating that printing has been performed by the printing unit (forget check check request). The print result information transmitted by the contact print result information notification means is information based on the fact that the determination means determines that no response has been made (missing occurrence notification mail M2). is there.

  Therefore, the e-mail can prompt the printer and the related person to confirm that they have forgotten to take and to promptly respond to the occurrence of forgetting.

  Further, in the printing apparatus Pr of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the contact information acquisition unit (print requester notification destination acquisition unit) 54 constructed by the NIC 18 or the like uses a smart device (external device) used by the print requester. The terminal contact information is acquired from the smart device SD using the terminal SD as the notification destination.

  Accordingly, the forgetting to remove check request mail (printing result information) M1 for preventing forgetting to remove the printed matter can be transmitted to the smart device SD which is an external terminal used by the printer, thereby preventing the forgetting to remove the printed matter. Security can be improved.

  Further, the printing apparatus Pr of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the contact notification destination acquisition unit such as the print document acquisition unit 52 and the contact information acquisition unit 54 constructed by the Centronics I / F 21 has security importance. The contact notification destination information, particularly the security administrator contact information is acquired only for the high print information.

  Therefore, security due to forgetting to take a printed matter can be improved efficiently and reliably.

  The printing device Pr of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a UI display unit (display unit) 51 configured by an operation panel 31 that displays information, the print requester notification destination information, and the contactee notification destination information. A contact information management unit (display control means) 55 that displays at least one of them on the UI display unit 51.

  Accordingly, it is possible to confirm a notification destination for notifying information regarding forgetting to take a printed matter, and it is possible to further improve security while improving usability.

  Furthermore, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment needs to contact the printing apparatus Pr that prints based on a document (printing information) and discharges the printed matter, and the printing person or other printing in response to a request from the printing person. The printing device Pr is constructed by the NIC 18, the Centronics I / F 22, or the like, and communicates with the external device such as the smart device SD. A mail transmission / reception unit (communication unit) 56, a print execution unit (printing unit) 58 constructed by an engine unit 33 that performs printing based on a document (print information), and a user (print request) that has requested printing based on the document Contact information acquisition unit (printing required) constructed by the operation panel 31 or the NIC 18 for acquiring user contact information (print requester notification destination information) related to the notification destination And the NIC 18 or Centronics I / F 21 for acquiring contact notification destination information related to the notification destination of the contact that notifies the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information by the print execution unit 58. The contact notification destination acquisition unit such as the print document acquisition unit 52 and the contact information acquisition unit 54 constructed by the method, and the print requester notification destination acquisition unit according to the print processing based on the print information. A forgetting occurrence detection unit (print result information notifying unit) 53 that transmits the print requester notification destination information to the print requester notification destination via the mail transmission / reception unit 56, and the print result. Forgetting occurrence detection unit (determination unit) for determining whether or not a response to the print result information transmitted by the information notification unit has been received via the communication unit 3 and when the determination means determines that a response to the print result information has not been received, the print result information is determined based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition means. A forgetting occurrence detection unit (contact person print information notification unit) 53 that transmits the notification to the notification destination of the person via the mail transmission / reception unit 56.

  Accordingly, a forgetting check request mail M1 is transmitted as print result information to the print requester to prompt the prevention of forgetting, and a forgetting occurrence notification mail is sent to a contact person such as a user other than the print requester or a security administrator. M2 can be transmitted to prevent theft or loss due to forgetting to remove it. As a result, forgetting to remove the printed material can be prevented, and the security of the printed material can be improved.

  The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a document server (print information storage device) DS that stores the document (print information) in association with the contact notification destination information, and the printing device Pr includes a Centronics I The contact notification destination information is acquired together with the print information from the document server DS by the print document acquisition unit 52 constructed by / F21 or the like.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1 provided with the document server DS, the security manager can centrally manage the security regarding forgetting to remove the printed matter, and the security of the printed matter can be improved efficiently and effectively.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

1 Printing System Pr Printing Device DS Document Server SD Smart Device NW1, NW2 Network 10 Controller 11 CPU
12 System memory 13 North Bridge (NB)
14 ASIC
15 Local memory 16 Hard disk drive (HDD)
17 South Bridge (SB)
18 NIC
19 USB I / F
20 IEEE1394 I / F
21 Centronics I / F
31 Operation panel 32 FCU
33 Engine section 51 UI display section 52 Print document acquisition section 53 Forgetting detection section 54 Contact information acquisition section 55 Contact information management section 56 Mail transmission / reception section 57 User information management section 58 Print execution section 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Hard disk (HDD)
105 I / F
106 LCD
107 Operation unit 108 Network I / F
109 Bus 111 Print Document Management Unit 112 Print Document Transmission Unit 121 CPU
122 ROM
123 RAM
124 hard disk (HDD)
125 I / F
126 LCD
127 Operation unit 128 Network I / F
129 Bus 131 Contact selection unit 132 Contact information storage unit 133 Contact information transmission unit 134 Mail management unit 135 Mail transmission / reception unit

JP 2009-292013 A

Claims (9)

A communication means for communicating with an external device;
Printing means for performing printing based on the print information;
Print requester notification destination acquisition means for acquiring print requester notification destination information regarding a notification destination to a print requester who has requested printing based on the print information;
Contact notification destination information acquisition means for acquiring contact notification destination information related to the notification destination of the contact person who notifies the print result information corresponding to the printing process based on the print information by the printing means;
Based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition unit, print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information is sent to the print requester notification destination via the communication unit. Printing result information notifying means for sending
A determination unit that determines whether or not a response to the print result information transmitted by the print result information notification unit has been received via the communication unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that a response to the print result information has not been received, the print result information is notified based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition means. A contact print result information notifying means for transmitting to the destination via the communication means;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing result information transmitted by the printing result information notifying unit is information indicating that printing has been performed by the printing unit,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print result information transmitted by the contact print result information notifying unit is information based on a determination that a response is not made by the determination unit. The print requester notification destination acquisition unit includes:
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer notification destination information is acquired from the external terminal using the external terminal used by the print requester as a notification destination. The contact notification destination acquisition means includes:
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact notification destination information is acquired only for the print information having high security importance. The printing apparatus includes:
Display means for displaying information;
Display control means for causing the display means to display at least one of the print requester notification destination information and the contact person notification destination information;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Printing provided with a printing device that prints based on print information and discharges printed matter in response to a request from the printer, and an external terminal that is used by the printer or other contact person who needs to be contacted regarding the printing A system,
The printing apparatus includes:
A communication means for communicating with an external device;
Printing means for performing printing based on the print information;
Print requester notification destination acquisition means for acquiring print requester notification destination information regarding a notification destination to a print requester who has requested printing based on the print information;
Contact notification destination information acquisition means for acquiring contact notification destination information related to the notification destination of the contact person who notifies the print result information corresponding to the printing process based on the print information by the printing means;
Print result information notifying means for transmitting the print result information to the print requester notification destination via the communication means based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition means; ,
A determination unit that determines whether or not a response to the print result information transmitted by the print result information notification unit has been received via the communication unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that a response to the print result information has not been received, the print result information is notified based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition means. A contact print result information notifying means for transmitting to the destination via the communication means;
A printing system comprising: The printing system includes:
A print information storage device for storing the print information in association with the contact notification destination information;
The contact notification destination acquisition unit of the printing apparatus includes:
7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the contact notification destination information is acquired together with the print information from the print information storage device. A communication processing step for communicating with an external device;
A print processing step for performing printing based on the print information;
A print requester notification destination acquisition processing step for acquiring print requester notification destination information regarding a notification destination to a print requester who has requested printing based on the print information;
A contact notification destination information acquisition processing step for acquiring contact notification destination information related to a notification destination of a contact who notifies the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information in the print processing step;
Print result information notification process for transmitting the print result information to the print requester notification destination to the communication processing step based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition processing step Steps,
A determination processing step for determining whether or not a response to the print result information transmitted in the print result information notification processing step has been accepted in the communication processing step;
If it is determined in the determination processing step that a response to the print result information is not accepted, the print result information is based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition processing step. A contact printing result information notification processing step for causing the communication processing step to transmit to the notification destination of the contact;
A printing method characterized by comprising: To the control processor,
A communication process for communicating with an external device;
A printing process for printing based on the print information;
A print requester notification destination acquisition process for acquiring print requester notification destination information regarding a notification destination to a print requester who has requested printing based on the print information;
A contact notification destination information acquisition process for acquiring contact notification destination information related to a notification destination of a contact person who notifies the print result information corresponding to the print processing based on the print information in the print processing;
A print result information notification process for transmitting the print result information to the communication destination to the print requester notification destination based on the print requester notification destination information acquired by the print requester notification destination acquisition process;
A determination process for determining whether or not a response to the print result information transmitted by the print result information notification process has been accepted by the communication process;
If it is determined in the determination process that a response to the print result information has not been received, the print result information is determined based on the contact notification destination information acquired by the contact notification destination acquisition process. A contact print result information notification process for sending the communication process to the notification destination,
A printing program characterized in that the program is executed.

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