JP2015020321A - Image processing device and control method for the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of preventing a printed matter from being left and a control method for the same, and a program.SOLUTION: An image processing device 1 authenticates a user; receives a print instruction by the authenticated user; if predetermined time elapses when printing under the received instruction is performed, authenticates the user again, and when the user is authenticated again, performs the printing that received instruction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In recent years, with the spread of network environments, it has become common for a plurality of users to share and use a plurality of image processing apparatuses. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand for “retained printing” in which printing is performed after user authentication is executed by the image processing apparatus so that other users cannot see it when outputting a highly confidential printed matter.

  For example, a technique has been proposed in which print data is stored in a storage area of an image processing apparatus, a user print job list is displayed when user authentication is performed, and a user designates the print data to execute printing (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there is an increasing demand for “remote printing” in which printing is performed from a desired image processing apparatus, instead of performing printing by uniquely designating an image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus.

  For example, a technique has been proposed in which print data is temporarily stored in a server, and when a user is authenticated by a desired image processing apparatus, the user's print job list is displayed, and the user designates the print data and executes printing. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  In addition, in “retained printing” and “remote printing”, the user may leave the place without logging off after user authentication with the image processing apparatus. In order to solve this problem, for example, in the case of highly confidential data, a technique has been proposed in which authentication is requested again at the time of printing (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2007-251279 A Japanese Patent No. 4033857 JP 2012-58902 A

  However, even when authentication is requested again when printing is performed and printing is performed, if the previous job is being processed, printing is not performed immediately, and the user may wait for a while.

  In the meantime, if you are called by someone else or remember an errand, you will leave the site once, and there is a problem that the user is not there when the printing of highly confidential data is actually executed .

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program that can prevent a printed matter from being left unattended.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that prints the print data when a user who has transmitted print data from a higher-level apparatus instructs the image processing apparatus to perform printing. Authentication means for authenticating the user, reception means for receiving a print instruction by a user authenticated by the authentication means, and a predetermined time or more when printing according to the instruction received by the reception means is executed A re-authentication unit that authenticates the user again when the time has elapsed; and an execution unit that executes printing received by the reception unit when the user is authenticated by the re-authentication unit. To do.

  According to the present invention, when the user is authenticated again when executing printing, the accepted printing is executed, so that it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left unattended.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the control apparatus in FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the functional block of the control apparatus 21 of the information processing apparatus 2 in FIG. 1, (B) is a figure which shows the document list which manages the bibliographic information of the print data which the control apparatus 21 received. is there. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the control apparatus of the image processing apparatus in FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print data reception processing executed by a CPU in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process executed by the CPU in FIG. 2 with the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a printing process executed by the CPU in FIG. 2 with the configuration shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process after re-authentication by step S517 of FIG. 6, and step S409 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image processing system 100 includes an image processing apparatus 1, an information processing apparatus 2, a host apparatus PC 4, and a LAN 3 that connects them.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a control device 11, a printer device 12, an authentication unit 13, and an operation unit 14. The control device 11 controls the entire image processing device 1. The control device 11 receives an operation instruction from the authentication unit 13 and the operation unit 14 and executes processing.

  In addition, when the image processing apparatus 1 has a server function, the control apparatus 11 receives print instruction content from the PC 4 and executes processing.

  The printer device 12 executes printing in accordance with an instruction from the control device 11 and discharges the printed matter. The authentication unit 13 receives an authentication instruction from the user and notifies the control apparatus 11 of user information. The operation unit 14 receives user information from the control device 11, receives a screen display according to the user information, and receives an operation instruction from the user and notifies the control device 11.

  The image processing apparatus 1 may be an MFP (Multi Function Printer), an SFP (Single Function Printer), an LBP (Laser Beam Printer), or a printer using a printing method other than the MFP, SFP, or LBP.

  The information processing device 2 includes a control device 21 and a storage device 22. Among these, the control device 21 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213. The CPU 211 controls the information processing apparatus 2 as a whole. The ROM 212 stores a boot program and various programs. The RAM 213 is used as a work area for the CPU 211 or for developing programs.

  The storage device 22 stores programs, image data, and the like. The information processing apparatus 2 may be a computer having a server function or a printer as shown in the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 described above execute processing according to the content of the print instruction from the PC 4. The image processing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 can also operate as a bibliographic server that manages a document list according to the contents of a print instruction from the PC 4.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control device 11 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the control device 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 113, an operation unit interface 122, a network interface 123, a modem 233, a ROM 112, and a storage device 15, which are connected by a system bus 232.

  The control device 11 includes a RIP (raster image processor) 226, a device interface 227, a printer image processing unit 229, an image editing image processing unit 230, and a CMM (color management module) 231, which are connected via an image bus 225. Connected.

  The system bus 232 and the image bus 225 are connected by an image bus interface 224 that is a bus bridge for converting a data structure.

  The CPU 111 controls the entire image processing apparatus 1. A RAM 113 is a system work memory for the CPU 111 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing input image data.

  A ROM 112 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The storage device 15 is a hard disk drive, and stores system software for various processes, input image data, and the like.

  The operation unit interface 122 is an interface between the operation unit 14 and the control device 11, and outputs operation screen data to the operation unit 14. The operation unit interface 122 notifies the CPU 111 of information input by the operator from the operation unit 14.

  The network interface 123 is connected to the LAN 3 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device. A modem 233 is connected to the public line 121 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device.

  The RIP 226 expands a page description language (PDL data) code and vector data into an image. The device interface 227 is an interface between the printer device 12 and the control device 11, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The printer image processing unit 229 performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion corresponding to the printer engine on the image data to be printed. The image editing image processing unit 230 performs various image processing such as rotation of image data and compression / decompression processing of image data.

  The CMM 231 is a dedicated hardware module that performs color conversion processing on image data based on a profile and calibration data. A profile is information for converting color image data expressed in a device-dependent color space into a device-independent color space such as Lab. The calibration data is data for correcting the color reproduction characteristics of the printer device 12 in the image processing apparatus 1.

  3A is a diagram showing functional blocks of the control device 21 of the information processing device 2 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a document list for managing bibliographic information of print data received by the control device 21. FIG.

  In FIG. 3A, the control device 21 includes functions of a data reception unit 201, a data analysis unit 202, a document list update unit 203, and a data storage unit 204.

  The data receiving unit 201 receives print data 200 and a print instruction from a user. If the received print data is the print data of the hold job, the data analysis unit 202 acquires bibliographic information such as user information and job name of the print data. The reservation job is a process in which print data is printed by a user who has transmitted print data from the PC 4 as a host device instructing printing by the image processing apparatus 1.

  The document list update unit 203 updates the document list based on the acquired bibliographic information when the received print data is the print data of the hold job. The data storage unit 204 stores the print data in the storage device 22 when the received print data is the print data of the hold job.

  The configuration described above is also a configuration included in the control device 11 when the image processing device 1 has a server function.

  In FIG. 3B, the document list includes a job name, user information, and setting information. As described above, the job name, user information, and setting information are acquired from the print data by the data analysis unit 202.

  The job name is the job name of the print data. The user information is information indicating a user who gives an instruction to print the print data. The setting information is information indicating settings related to printing, and includes information such as whether the above-described reservation job or a normal print job that is printed immediately after receiving print data.

  The document list is updated by the document list update unit 203 when print data is received. For example, as shown in the figure, when the job name of the received print data is “Job N”, the user information is “Mr. A”, and the setting information is “YYX”, it is added to the document list. Updated in form.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, two types of functional blocks are shown. 4A, the image processing apparatus 1 includes functions of an authentication reception unit 501, a document list display unit 502, a print execution reception unit 503, and a re-authentication determination unit 504.

  The authentication reception unit 501 receives the authentication information input from the authentication unit 13 and acquires user information. The document list display unit 502 displays a corresponding document list on the operation unit 14 based on the acquired user information.

  The print execution receiving unit 503 receives a print execution instruction from the operation unit 14 by the user. The re-authentication determination unit 504 requests the user to re-authenticate in the case of print data that requires re-authentication when discharge of print data is started.

  4B, the image processing apparatus 1 includes functions of an authentication reception unit 205, a document list display unit 206, a print execution reception unit 207, a time acquisition unit 208, a re-authentication inquiry unit 209, and a re-authentication determination unit 210. It has.

  The authentication reception unit 205 receives the authentication information input from the authentication unit 13 and acquires user information. The document list display unit 206 displays a corresponding document list based on the acquired user information.

  The print execution receiving unit 207 receives a print execution instruction from the operation unit 14 by the user. The time acquisition unit 208 acquires the time required until the instructed printing can be executed when the user instructs to execute the printing.

  The following method is mentioned as an example of the acquisition method. First, the remaining print number A is acquired for the print data currently being printed. Next, the number of prints B in the print data excluding the print data instructed by the user among the print data currently waiting for printing is acquired. The time can be acquired from A + B which is the total number of printed sheets and a predetermined paper discharge speed. In addition to the number of printed sheets and the paper discharge speed, the time required for data processing of print data may be taken into consideration. The number of prints is obtained from information indicating the number of pages included in the print data. If the number of pages is not included in the print data, for example, when the print data is stored in the information processing apparatus 2 The number of pages may be acquired.

  The re-authentication inquiry unit 209 inquires of the user whether re-authentication is necessary before the discharge of the print data is started according to the device state. The re-authentication determination unit 210 requests the user to re-authenticate in the case of print data that needs to be re-authenticated when the discharge of print data is started.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data reception processing executed by the CPU 211 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the data receiving unit 201 receives the reception of print data instructed to be printed via the LAN 3 (step S301). Next, the data analysis unit 202 analyzes the received print data (step S302).

  Then, the data analysis unit 202 determines whether the job is a holding job based on the setting information (step S303). As a result of the determination in step S303, if the job is a normal print job instead of a holding job (NO in step S303), printing is performed by the image processing apparatus 1 (step S304), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S303, if the job is a deferred job (YES in step S303), the document list update unit 203 updates the document list based on the bibliographic information acquired in step S302 (step S305).

  Next, the data storage unit 204 stores the print data of the hold job in the storage device 22 (step S306), and ends this process.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process executed by the CPU 111 in FIG. 2 with the configuration shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when the user is authenticated (YES in step S511) and the user information is acquired from the authentication unit 13, the document list display unit 502 operates the document list of the corresponding user based on the acquired user information. The information is displayed on the unit 14 (step S512).

  Next, the print execution receiving unit 503 determines whether print data to be printed is selected from the document list by the user and a print instruction is given (step S513).

  If the result of determination in step S513 is that there is no print instruction (NO in step S513) and the user has logged out, this processing ends.

  On the other hand, if printing is instructed as a result of the determination in step S513 (YES in step S513), the re-authentication determination unit 504 needs to re-authenticate before the selected print data is printed and discharged. It is determined whether or not (step S514).

  Next, the re-authentication determination unit 504 determines whether or not it is determined that re-authentication is necessary (step S515). If it is determined in step S515 that re-authentication is not required (NO in step S515), the process proceeds to step S518.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that re-authentication is necessary as a result of the determination in step S515 (YES in step S515), the re-authentication determination unit 504 requests the user to re-authenticate (step S516).

  Next, it is determined whether or not re-authentication is performed (step S517). If re-authentication is not performed (NO in step S517), the process returns to step S516.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S517 is re-authentication (YES in step S517), printing is performed and paper discharge is started (step S518).

  Next, after the paper discharge is completed, it is determined whether there is other print data of the same user (step S519). If the result of determination in step S519 is that there is no other print data (NO in step S519), this process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is other print data as a result of the determination in step S519 (YES in step S519), the process returns to step S514.

  The determination in step S514 will be described. When the selected print data is printed and ejected, it is determined that re-authentication is required if a predetermined time or more has passed since the time when the print data was instructed. Also good.

  This predetermined time may be a fixed time or may be set as appropriate by the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1. Further, during printing, it may be determined whether or not re-authentication is required only when the selected print data is printed and discharged.

  Next, determination when returning from step S519 to step S514 will be described. Even for print data of the same user, it is determined that re-authentication is required if a predetermined time or more has passed since the previous authentication. This predetermined time may be a fixed time or may be set as appropriate by the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1.

  6, whether re-authentication is necessary in consideration of the time elapsed from the time when printing is instructed when the user instructs printing with the image processing apparatus 1 and is actually printed and discharged. Judge whether or not.

  Accordingly, it takes a long time until the paper is discharged, and it is possible to prevent a highly confidential document from being discharged and left before the user temporarily leaves and returns.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process executed by the CPU 111 in FIG. 2 with the configuration shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, when user authentication is performed (YES in step S <b> 401) and user information is acquired from the authentication unit 13, the document list display unit 502 operates a corresponding user's document list based on the acquired user information. The information is displayed on the unit 14 (step S402). Step S401 corresponds to an authentication unit that authenticates the user.

  Next, the print execution receiving unit 503 determines whether print data to be printed is selected from the document list by the user and a print instruction is given (step S403). This step S403 corresponds to accepting means for accepting a print instruction by an authenticated user.

  If the result of determination in step S403 is that there is no print instruction (NO in step S403) and logout is performed, this processing ends.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S403, if a print instruction is given (YES in step S403), the time acquisition unit 208 acquires a time t required until printing instructed by the user can be executed (step S404). .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired time t is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T (step S405). If it is determined in step S405 that the time t is less than the predetermined time T (NO in step S405), the process proceeds to step S407.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S405, if the time t is equal to or greater than the predetermined time T (YES in step S405), the re-authentication inquiry unit 209 excludes the print data instructed to print to the user. An inquiry is made as to whether re-authentication should be requested before the paper is printed (step S406).

  Specifically, an inquiry screen asking whether to require re-authentication is displayed on the operation unit 14 to prompt the user to input. It is determined that re-authentication is required when the user logs out without reacting to the inquiry.

  Next, the re-authentication determination unit 504 determines whether or not it is determined that re-authentication is necessary (step S407). If it is determined in step S407 that re-authentication is not necessary (NO in step S407), the process proceeds to step S410.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S407, if it is determined that re-authentication is necessary (YES in step S407), the re-authentication determination unit 504 requests the user to re-authenticate (step S408). This step S408 corresponds to a re-authentication unit that authenticates the user again when a predetermined time or more (T or more) has elapsed when printing according to the received instruction is executed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not re-authentication is performed (step S409). If re-authentication is not performed (NO in step S409), the process returns to step S408.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S409 is that re-authentication is made (YES in step S409), printing is performed and paper discharge is started (step S410). This step S410 corresponds to execution means for executing the accepted printing when the user is authenticated.

  Next, after the paper discharge is completed, it is determined whether there is other print data of the same user (step S411). If the result of determination in step S411 is that there is no other print data (NO in step S411), this process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is other print data as a result of the determination in step S411 (YES in step S411), the process returns to step S407. In step S407, it is determined that re-authentication is not required if the print data is another print data of the same user. As described above, in the present embodiment, after the printing is completed, when the user further prints other print data, printing of the other print data is executed without authentication.

  With the processing in FIG. 7, it is possible to inquire whether or not re-authentication is necessary when the user instructs printing with the image processing apparatus 1 and it takes a long time until the paper is actually discharged. Thus, it is possible to prevent a highly confidential document from being discharged and left before the user temporarily leaves the place and returns.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modification of the processing after re-authentication in step S517 in FIG. 6 and step S409 in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, when re-authentication is performed in step S517 of FIG. 6 and step S409 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether there is print data added by the same user (step S601).

  The added print data is an instruction to print the corrected print data when the print data instructed to be printed is corrected after the user instructs printing from the PC 4. As described above, the print data once instructed to be printed indicates print data instructed to be printed again before it is printed. This determination can be made by referring to the document list.

  As a result of the determination in step S601, if there is no added print data (NO in step S601), printing is performed in step S605 and the sheet is discharged (step S605), and this process ends. When this process ends, the process proceeds to step S519 in FIG. 6, and the process proceeds to step S411 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if there is additional print data as a result of the determination in step S601 (YES in step S601), whether or not to allow the print data instructed to be printed to the user to be printed and discharged is determined. (Step S602). Specifically, a confirmation screen is displayed on the operation unit 14 to prompt the user to input. In addition, the print data that is the target for paper discharge corresponds to the print data transmitted before the correction in the example in the description of the added print data described above.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user has accepted the paper discharge (step S603). As a result of the determination in step S603, if paper discharge is accepted (YES in step S603), the process proceeds to step S605.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that the paper discharge is not accepted (NO in step S603), the user's document list is displayed on the operation unit 14 without printing the print data instructed to be printed. (Step S604), and this process is terminated.

  In the process of FIG. 8, after authentication, the user inputs whether to execute the received printing (step S602), and when the user inputs not to execute (NO in step S603), A list of print data that can be printed by the user is displayed on the display unit without executing the accepted printing (step S604).

  With the processing in FIG. 8, even if the print data is corrected before printing is performed after the user instructs printing, the user can be confirmed even when printing is instructed again. Normally, when two pieces of print data are printed, useless printing can be avoided, so that waste of recording paper and toner can be reduced.

  In the embodiment described above, when re-authentication is performed, a page description language code or vector data may be preliminarily developed into an image by the RIP 226 so that printing can be performed immediately after re-authentication.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of users are in a state where re-authentication is required, printing is performed from the re-authenticated user's print data regardless of the order in which the print data is received.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user is authenticated again when printing is performed (YES in step S409), the received printing is performed (step S410), and the printed matter is left unattended. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the print data transmitted from the PC 4 is stored in the storage device 22 of the information processing apparatus 2 has been described. However, the print data may be stored not in the information processing apparatus 2 but in the storage device 15 of the image processing apparatus 1. In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 operates as follows. That is, the CPU 111 of the image processing apparatus 1 stores the print data received from the PC 4 without going through the information processing apparatus 2 in the storage device 15. When the authenticated user gives an instruction to print the print data, the print data is read from the storage device 15 and printed based on the instruction.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Information processing apparatus 11, 21 Control apparatus 12 Printer apparatus 13 Authentication part 14 Operation part 111,211 CPU
113,212 ROM
113,213 RAM

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus that prints the print data when a user who has transmitted print data from an upper apparatus instructs the image processing apparatus to print,
Authentication means for authenticating the user;
Accepting means for accepting a print instruction by a user authenticated by the authenticating means;
A re-authentication unit that authenticates the user again when a predetermined time or more has elapsed when printing according to the instruction received by the reception unit is executed;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an execution unit configured to execute printing received by the reception unit when a user is authenticated by the re-authentication unit.   When the user prints another print data after the printing executed by the execution unit is completed, the execution unit prints the other print data without performing authentication by the re-authentication unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: is executed.   After being authenticated by the re-authentication unit, the user is allowed to input whether or not to execute printing received by the receiving unit, and when the user inputs that the printing is not performed, the printing is received by the receiving unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a list of print data that can be printed by the user is displayed on a display unit without executing printing. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus that prints the print data when a user who has transmitted print data from a host apparatus instructs the image processing apparatus to print,
An authentication step of authenticating the user;
A reception step of receiving a print instruction by the user authenticated by the authentication step;
A re-authentication step of re-authenticating the user if a predetermined time or more has elapsed when printing is performed in accordance with the instruction received in the reception step;
A control method comprising: an execution step of executing printing received in the receiving step when a user is authenticated in the re-authentication step.   When the user prints another print data after the printing executed by the execution step is completed, the printing of the other print data is performed by the execution step without performing authentication by the re-authentication step. The control method according to claim 4, wherein: is executed.   After being authenticated by the re-authentication step, if the user inputs whether or not to execute the printing accepted by the accepting step, and the user inputs not to execute, the acceptance is accepted by the accepting step 6. The control method according to claim 4, wherein a list of print data printable by the user is displayed on a display unit without executing printing. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image processing apparatus that prints the print data when a user who has transmitted print data from a host apparatus instructs the image processing apparatus to print,
The control method is:
An authentication step of authenticating the user;
A reception step of receiving a print instruction by the user authenticated by the authentication step;
A re-authentication step of re-authenticating the user if a predetermined time or more has elapsed when printing is performed in accordance with the instruction received in the reception step;
An execution step of executing printing received by the receiving step when a user is authenticated by the re-authentication step.   When the user prints another print data after the printing executed by the execution step is completed, the printing of the other print data is performed by the execution step without performing authentication by the re-authentication step. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein: is executed.   After being authenticated by the re-authentication step, if the user inputs whether or not to execute the printing accepted by the accepting step, and the user inputs not to execute, the acceptance is accepted by the accepting step The program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a list of print data that can be printed by the user is displayed on a display unit without executing printing.

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