JP2015130046A - User terminal device, output system, program, and output method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user terminal device, an output system, a program, and an output method that can perform, to output data distributed from a distributing user, charge setting and the setting of users to whom the output data is distributed.SOLUTION: A user terminal device has a setting and registration unit that performs, in creating an output job from output data received from a distributing user, setting and registration of the output job as an output job of a specific user or a user group selected by the distributing user from among specific users or user groups associated with the distributing user, and the setting and registration unit can receive charge setting to the output data from the distributing user on the basis of charge setting authority information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a user terminal device, an output system, a program, and an output method.

  Conventionally, a print job received from a client terminal device is not immediately printed, but spooled (stored) in a print server or the like, and after the user logs in to the image forming apparatus, the user can select from a list of print jobs spooled. There is known a printing method for selecting and printing a corresponding print job. The user registers a print job from the client terminal device to the print server, and then moves to the image forming apparatus to receive the print job from the server and print it. Such printing is called on-demand printing or pull printing.

  In addition, in order to manage a huge amount of paper output at universities and companies, an integrated print management system is used in which an output billing apparatus that charges print data output is introduced (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in on-demand printing employing the comprehensive print management system, the print jobs that can be output by the user are only print jobs that the user spools (stores) from his / her client terminal to the print server and registers.

  Therefore, for example, when there is print data that a teacher (distribution user) wants to distribute to students at a university or the like, the print data is passed to the students by USB memory or e-mail, and the student prints the print data from his client terminal to the print server. It must be output after being stored and registered, and it was very troublesome.

  Further, since the conventional total print management system makes a charge request to a general user based on the number of output sheets actually output included in the print log, it is unique to print data provided by a distribution user such as a teacher. I couldn't set the price. For this reason, there has been a problem that, for example, in a university or the like, print data distributed for educational purposes cannot be printed by a user (student) free of charge.

  Such a problem is not limited to a printing system such as on-demand printing, but also exists in an output system that outputs a job stored in a storage destination by a user from an output device such as a projector or a monitor.

  In view of the above problems, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a user terminal device that can perform distribution user setting and fee setting for distribution user output data.

In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application
A user terminal device that communicates with one or more output devices and information processing devices,
When generating an output job from the output data received from the distribution user,
Among the specific users or user groups associated with the distribution user, a setting registration unit that performs setting registration as an output job of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user,
The setting registration unit can accept a fee setting for the output data from the distribution user based on fee setting authority information.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user terminal device that can perform setting of a user to be distributed and fee setting for output data of the distribution user.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a charge setting table. It is a figure which shows an example of a user information table. It is a figure which shows an example of a job information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing block of a distribution user terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing block of a print server apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing block of a printing accounting apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the setting registration process in a distribution user terminal device. It is an image figure which shows an example of a setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of output processing of the printing system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the process block of the image forming apparatus which comprises the printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a system configuration figure showing an example of a printing system concerning a 3rd embodiment.

  Next, an embodiment of a user terminal device, an output system, a program, and an output method according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a printing system as an example of an output system will be described as an example. Therefore, hereinafter, output means printing, and output data is described as print data and an output job is described as a print job. Also, print data provided by the distribution user is described as distribution print data, and general user print data is simply described as print data. However, the present invention is not limited to printing systems. The output system may be a system that outputs output data stored in a storage destination in addition to a projection system and a display system.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The printing system 1 includes a network N1 such as a LAN, a client terminal device 2 used by a user, a distribution user terminal device 3 (an example of a user terminal device) used by a distribution user, a print server device 4 and an authentication server device 5, and an output device. 6 (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) and a print billing apparatus 7. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the distribution user terminal device 3, the print server device 4, the authentication server device 5, the image forming device 6, and the print billing device 7 are one, a plurality of devices may be provided.

  The client terminal device 2 is an example of an information processing device used by general users. A general user is, for example, a student associated with a teacher at a university or the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as a user). The client terminal device 2 is a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a PC. The client terminal device 2 has a function of transmitting a print job to the print server device 4 and making a print request using installed application software or the like.

The distribution user terminal device 3 is an information processing device used by the distribution user. The distribution user is, for example, a teacher (professor) who is responsible for a plurality of students (general users) at a university or the like, and a user who distributes distribution print data to other users such as students.
The distribution user terminal device 3 is basically a terminal device such as a PC, similar to the client terminal device 2, and uses the installed application software to send a print job to the print server device 4 for printing. Has a function to make a request. In addition, it has a function of setting and registering distribution print data to be printed by other users in the print server apparatus 4 as a print job of a user or user group associated with the distribution user.
Further, at this time, it also has a function of acquiring data necessary for printing from other information processing apparatuses (print server apparatus 4 and authentication server apparatus 5).

  The print server device 4 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The storage unit 40 also stores a print job having print data and job information transmitted from the client terminal device 2 and the distribution user terminal device 3. Further, it has a function of outputting a print job to the image forming apparatus 6 (or the print billing apparatus 7) in response to a print request from the user. Further, it has a function of managing the number of printed sheets used in the image forming apparatus 6, and includes a client terminal device 2, a distribution user terminal device 3, an image forming device 6, and a print billing device 7 via the network N 1. It is connected.

  The storage unit 40 stores a print job transmitted from the client terminal device 2 or the distribution user terminal device 3 as a print job associated with each user, and a print job that stores a print log (print history). A log storage unit 42 is included.

  The print job storage unit 41 records respective print job information registered by a user who operates the client terminal device 2 and a distribution user who operates the distribution user terminal device 3. The print job information refers to data in which print data (including distribution print data) provided by each user is associated with job information such as a user name, description method, and fee setting. In the case of the present embodiment, setting information set for the distribution print data by the distribution user is also included. The print server device 4 transmits print data and job information constituting the print job to the image forming device 6 or the print billing device 7 based on a request from the image forming device 6 or the like.

  The print job registered by the distribution user is registered as a print job of the user or user group designated by the distribution user. Therefore, a user (including a user belonging to a user group) designated by the distribution user prints his or her own registered print job when the list of print jobs is displayed on the image forming apparatus 6 or the print billing apparatus 7 described later. And a print job registered by the distribution user are displayed.

  The print log storage unit 42 stores, as a print log, print information including at least one or more of the number of printed sheets, paper size, and print type actually printed by the image forming apparatus 6. The print log is stored in association with user information for printing the print data. Therefore, it is possible to extract a user who printed specific print data (distribution print data).

  Incidentally, the print server device 4 has a print log totaling function for totalizing the number of prints recorded in the print log for each printer belonging to each printer group when managing a plurality of printers as a printer group. ing. Further, it has a total print log totaling function for totaling print logs of all printer groups totaled by the print log totaling function.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which these two functions are realized by a single print server device 4. Here, the information recorded in the print log includes at least a user name, a client terminal device name, a printing date and time, and from any one or more of the actual number of printed sheets, paper size, monochrome / color printing type. Print information that is included. This print log is stored in a storage device such as a hard disk of the image forming apparatus 6 after printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 6, and the print log is printed in response to a print log transfer request from the print server apparatus 4. A print log can be provided to the server device 4.

  The authentication server device 5 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The authentication server device 5 has user information, and has a function of performing authentication based on a request from the image forming device 6 or the print billing device 7 according to a hierarchical structure for authenticating each user.

  The image forming apparatus 6 is an output device such as a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or a laser printer connected to the network N1 by wired or wireless communication. The image forming apparatus 6 may be a projection apparatus or display apparatus that performs display output such as a projector or a monitor, or an audio output apparatus that outputs audio data such as audio.

  The print billing device 7 is an example of an information processing device, and is connected to the image forming device 6 so as to be communicable. When the print billing device 7 recognizes the billing of the user in response to the print request from the image forming device 6 and recognizes the billing. The image forming apparatus 6 has a function of starting printing. Incidentally, when the image forming apparatus 6 is a laser printer or the like, the print data (including distribution print data) is acquired from the print server apparatus 4 in response to a print request from the image forming apparatus 6 and charged. The print data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 6 and output. As will be described later, the print billing apparatus 7 can include a reading unit for identifying a user, a fee display unit, and the like.

  Further, in describing each embodiment in the present invention, the print server device 4 and the authentication server device 5 are shown as one device, but their functions may be distributed via various types of networks. Further, each client terminal device 2 and distribution user terminal device 3 are illustrated as a desktop personal computer, but may be a mobile phone or a mobile computer that can be connected to a network, and may be in a form according to a usage form. That's fine.

  In addition, the network N1 shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to wired and wireless, but may be in the form of an Internet connected by a dedicated line, a telephone line, etc., or an intranet using Internet technology. Furthermore, even when a dedicated line is used, it is not limited to WAN (Wide Area Network) or MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), and depending on the installation location of the print server device 4, a form constituted by a LAN (Local Area Network) can be taken. . The network N1 needs to be enhanced by various methods such as the use of a dedicated line, encryption of transmission data, and authentication of a user who uses each client terminal device.

<Table information>
Next, table information included in the authentication server device 5 will be described.

(Price setting table 501)
The authentication server device 5 has a fee setting table 501 shown in FIG. The fee setting table 501 is a fee table set according to the paper size and color. The distribution user can set the charge setting based on (reflected to) the charge information in the charge setting table 501.

(User information table 502)
Further, the authentication server device 5 has a user information table 502 shown in FIG. 3 as user information. The user information table 502 includes information such as a user name, password, affiliation group, upper limit (number of printable sheets), current value (cumulative value), print permission group, and charge change authority. Since the user information is managed in cooperation with, for example, an AD (Active Directory) / LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server, the belonging group becomes an AD / LDAP group. The charge change authority is set for a specific distribution user, and only the distribution user having the charge change authority can set the charge change. Incidentally, the illustrated user name “UserA” is a distribution user in which the print permission group is designated as “Group 1 and Group 2” and the print change authority is set to “O” valid. That is, this distribution user means that “Group 1, Group 2” is permitted to print the distribution print data provided by the distribution user. The user names “UserB” and “UserC” are general users who belong to both “Group1” and can print the distribution print data provided by “UserA”.

  Next, a job information table 401 that the print server apparatus 4 stores as a print job in the storage unit 40 will be described.

(Job information table 401)
FIG. 4 shows an example of the job information table 401 of the print job set and registered by the distribution user. For each print job ID, information relating to the paper size, the scheduled number of prints, the print type, the charge, the user name, and the print permission group is stored. The print job ID is identification information for identifying a print job. The print job ID is associated with the print data or distribution print data recorded in the print job storage unit 41, and the print data or distribution print data can be extracted using the print job ID as a key. In the illustrated example, the print job ID of the distribution print data is shown. The user name is the name of the user who registered the print job.

  In the case of the print job ID “A0123” in the illustrated example, the distribution user permits printing for “Group 1”, and the charge setting is set to “0”. This is preferably distribution print data used for class purposes, for example.

  In the case of the print job ID “A0124”, the distribution user permits printing to a unique general user. That is, the distribution print data is provided to a unique general user associated with the distribution user. In the fee setting, “100” yen calculated from the fee setting table 501 is described. This is particularly true for print data provided for purposes other than class.

<Hardware configuration>
The client terminal device 2, the distribution user terminal device 3, the print server device 4, and the authentication server device 5 in FIG. 1 are realized by a computer system having the following hardware configuration.

  These hardware configurations are the same as those of a general personal computer or workstation and are not shown in the figure. However, the input device, display device, external I / F, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory (CPU), Central Processing Unit (CPU), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), and the like are connected to each other via a bus.

  The CPU executes various programs and performs arithmetic processing. The ROM stores a program and the like necessary at startup. The RAM temporarily stores processing performed by the CPU and stores data. The input device is a keyboard or a mouse. The output device is a display. The communication device communicates with other devices via the network N1. The HDD stores various data and programs. Note that the input device and the display device may be connected and used when necessary.

<Software configuration>
(Distribution user terminal device 3)
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining each processing block of the distribution user terminal device 3 according to the present embodiment.
The distribution user terminal device 3 is a terminal to which an administrator authority is given from the print server device 4 and permitted to set distribution print data as an output job of another user. Incidentally, the print server device 4 and the authentication server device 5 determine whether the distribution user terminal device 3 is permitted based on the IP address. “Administrator authority” refers to an authority to permit fee setting and an authority to permit distribution print data to be registered in a print job of another user, but is not limited thereto. Also, the distribution user terminal device 3 performs various settings for the distribution print data to register the print job settings, or displays a GUI (graphical user interface) for deleting the print job. It has a control means.

  The distribution user terminal device 3 includes a port monitor unit 30 that exchanges information between the print server device 4 and the authentication server device 5. The port monitor unit 30 includes a print data reception unit 31 and a print data analysis unit 32. A job setting registration unit 33 as a setting registration unit, and a server transmission / reception unit 34.

  The print data receiving unit 31 has a function of receiving distribution print data (including own print data that is not distributed, but not specifically described here) from, for example, a print spooler service. This is a process performed when the distribution user operates the distribution user terminal device 3 (PC) to transmit a print instruction.

  The print data analysis unit 32 analyzes the transmitted print data for distribution. Analysis refers to processing for detecting the number of paper sheets, paper size, color information, and the like of print data for distribution.

The job setting registration unit 33 has a function of setting and registering the analyzed distribution print data as a print job of a user or user group associated with the distribution user. At that time, the authentication server device 5 also has a function of acquiring user information and fee information of a user associated with the distribution user, and a function of allowing the distribution user to perform various setting registrations on the GUI screen. .
Specifically, as will be described later, a GUI screen for performing user selection and fee setting with reference to each piece of information acquired from the authentication server device 5 is displayed. When setting the fee, if the distribution print data to be distributed is for educational purposes, for example, it is possible to set the fee setting “0” and perform an effective lesson.

  Further, the job setting registration unit 33 has a function of receiving and registering each setting information such as the upper limit number of prints for the distribution print data and the print type (monochrome or color) print allowable number from the distribution user. In addition, when the user (or user group) who set the set and registered print job completes printing, the job setting registration unit 33 accepts the setting to automatically delete the print job from the distribution user and registers it. It also has a function. This deletion setting can be set, for example, by displaying a deletion setting screen. Each of the setting information registered and registered is stored in the print job storage unit 41 of the print server device 4 as a print job together with the distribution print data.

  The server transmission / reception unit 34 has a function of exchanging data between the print server device 4 and the authentication server device 5.

  The distribution user terminal device 3 according to the present embodiment includes a job setting registration unit 33 that registers the distribution user's distribution print data in the user's print job associated with the distribution user. Therefore, the distribution user does not need to give distribution print data to the general user who wants to distribute, and the general user does not need to receive distribution print data from the distribution user, so that efficient data exchange can be performed. Especially when teachers such as universities want to provide print data for distribution to students for class purposes, it is very efficient and contributes to the rapid progress of the class. In addition, since the distribution user terminal device 3 is configured so that detailed settings regarding printing including fee setting can be performed, the fee setting can be changed to, for example, free of charge for the distribution print data that the teacher wants to distribute. Output management suitable for the situation can be performed.

(Print server device 4)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining each processing block of the print server device 4.
The print server device 4 includes a print job reception unit 4a, a print job storage unit 4b, a print log storage unit 4c, an output notification unit 4d, and an output user extraction unit 4e.
The print job reception unit 4a receives a print job from the client terminal device 2 used by a general user. Further, it has a function of accepting a print job set and registered by the job setting registration unit 33 of the distribution user terminal device 3 used by the distribution user.

  The print job storage unit 4 b has a function of storing print jobs received from the client terminal device 2 and the distribution user terminal device 3 in the print job storage unit 41. The print data or the distribution print data is stored in a storage area assigned to each user in the print job storage unit 41.

  The print log storage unit 4c has a function of storing, in the print log storage unit 42, print information including at least one of the number of printed sheets, paper size, and print type actually printed by the image forming apparatus 6 as a print log. doing.

  When the general user (or user group) to whom the distribution user has provided the distribution print data has completed printing the distribution print data by the image forming apparatus 6, the output notification unit 4 d is printed on the distribution user terminal device 3. (Printing completion) is notified. Therefore, the output notification unit 4d also has a function of receiving print completion information from the image forming apparatus 6. Notification methods include emails, but are not limited to this.

  In response to the extraction request from the distribution user terminal device 3, the output user extraction unit 4 e prints the distribution print data provided by the distribution user terminal device 3 from the print log information stored in the print log storage unit 42. A list of (or user groups) is extracted. The extracted data is transmitted to the distribution user terminal device 3.

(Print Billing Device 7)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining each processing block of the print billing apparatus 7 according to the present invention.
The print billing apparatus 7 includes a user information reading unit 7a, a print job presentation unit 7b, a print instruction unit 7c, and a billing unit 7d.
As an embodiment of the print billing apparatus 7, for example, a variety of input means such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard can be provided, and a form as a billing operation terminal can be taken.

  The user information reading unit 7a is a card reader that reads an IC card in which user information for specifying a user is written, for example. The user information reading unit 7a transmits the read user information to the authentication server device 5 and receives an authentication response.

  The print job presentation unit 7b reads (acquires) all print jobs that can be output by an authenticated user from the print job storage unit 41, and displays a list of the read print jobs as job information on a screen such as a touch panel. Have At this time, the job information registered by the general user and the job information provided by the distribution user are displayed in a list. In this list, fee information recorded in the print job storage unit 41 is also displayed.

  The print instruction unit 7 c transmits a print instruction for a print job (job information) selected from print jobs displayed on the screen by the general user to the print server apparatus 4 and the image forming apparatus 6. If the fee is set, a print instruction is transmitted after a charge completion instruction from the charging unit 7d.

  The charging unit 7d uses a coin rack system that automatically charges with coins or bills, or includes a reading device such as a prepaid card or an IC card. When the charging unit 7d recognizes the user's charging, the charging unit 7d transmits a charging end to the print server device 4 and the image processing device 6 to execute printing. When the charge setting is “0”, the charge is not displayed or displayed as free, and the image forming apparatus 6 is caused to execute printing.

<Details of processing>
Details of the processing of the printing system 1 will be described below.

<< Setting processing for setting distribution print data in distribution user terminal device 3 >>
First, the setting registration process of the distribution print data of the distribution user terminal device 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of distribution print data setting registration processing in the distribution user terminal device 3. For example, when the teacher is a distribution user, the teacher operates the distribution user terminal device 3 to provide distribution print data such as a test to be printed for the purpose of class to the user or user group (student) in charge. , You can set the charge setting to free and print it yourself. Hereinafter, the above case will be described as an example.

  In S1, the distribution user operates the distribution user terminal device 3 to instruct the printing of the distribution print data created by the distribution user. Then, the print data receiving unit 31 of the port monitor unit 30 receives the distribution print data from, for example, a print spooler service and outputs it to the print data analyzing unit 32 (S2).

  The print data analysis unit 32 analyzes and determines information related to print data such as user information of the distribution print data, the number of printed sheets, the paper size, and the print type (monochrome or color) from the print spooler (S3).

  The job setting registration unit 33 includes user information in the user information table 502 (see FIG. 3) that the authentication server device 5 has via the server transmission / reception unit 34, and fee information in the fee setting table 501 (see FIG. 2). To get. (S4).

  The job setting registration unit 33 displays a setting screen for setting a user (including a user group) to be distributed from the acquired user information and setting a fee (S5). FIG. 9 shows an image diagram showing an example of the setting screen 901.

  The job setting registration unit 33 causes the distribution user to set the “user” and “user group” that provides the print data for distribution and the fee setting on the setting screen 901 described above, and to set each piece of information set. Registration as setting information (setting file) (S6).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the setting screen 901 includes a printable user group setting area 902, a charge setting area 903, and a selection determination button 904.

  The printable user group setting area 902 has a pull-down menu unit 902a, and user group information (user information) acquired by the pull-down menu unit 902a is displayed. Can be selected.

  The charge setting area 903 has three selection buttons, and includes a server setting button 903a according to the server setting, a manual setting button 903b that is manually set, and a free setting button 903c that is free. The distribution user can easily set the fee by selecting each setting button.

  When the server setting button 903a is selected, the fee setting in the fee setting table 501 acquired in S4 is reflected. When the manual setting button 903b is selected, a desired fee can be input in the fee input field 903d, and the input fee is reflected as a set value. When the free setting button 903c is selected, the setting is made so that the set user or user group prints for free. This setting is effective when distribution print data is used for class purposes.

  After the selection operation, the distribution user completes the printable user setting (or user group) and fee setting by inputting the selection determination button 904. The changed fee information may be overwritten in the corresponding part of the fee setting table 501.

  Incidentally, since the charge change authority information is given to the user information (see FIG. 3), the charge setting can be changed only by the distribution user who is given the charge change authority. Therefore, it may be set so that the charge setting area 903 cannot be selected for the distribution user to whom the charge change authority is not granted. Although illustration is omitted, in addition to the fee setting, it is possible to set an upper limit number of prints, a print type, and a print allowable number of copies. In that case, dedicated setting areas are provided on the setting screen and can be set by input or selection from a pull-down menu section. Furthermore, when the set user (or user group) completes the printing of the print job, it can be set whether to delete the print job. In this case, for example, the setting is accepted by displaying a deletion setting screen.

  The job setting registration unit 33 prints the distribution print data, job information (analysis information) for the distribution print data, and setting information (setting file) as a print job to the print server apparatus 4 via the server transmission / reception unit 34. Transmit (S7).

  The print job reception unit 4 a of the print server device 4 receives distribution print data, job information, and setting information from the distribution user terminal device 3 as a print job. Then, the print job storage unit 4b records the accepted print job in the print job storage unit 41 and completes registration (S8). When the registration is completed, the print server device 4 transmits a registration completion notification as a response to the server transmission / reception unit 34 (S9).

  Incidentally, when the user (student) operates the client terminal device 2 to instruct to print the print data created by the user himself, the port monitor unit 30 performs the above-described S1 to S3 as the print data receiving unit 31, the print data analyzing unit. 32. Then, the print data and the analyzed job information are transmitted as a print job to the print server device 4 via the server transmission / reception unit 34, and are registered as its own print job. Since this is a process that has been conventionally performed, the illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  The distribution user terminal device 3 according to the present embodiment is configured to register the distribution user's distribution print data in a print job of a user or user group associated with the distribution user. Therefore, the distribution user does not need to give distribution print data to a general user who wants to provide, and the provided general user does not need to receive distribution print data from the distribution user, so that efficient data exchange can be performed. In particular, if a teacher at a university wants to distribute print data for distribution, such as test papers, to all students (users) who are in charge of education, each student is free to register as a print job for the students they want to distribute. Print out the distribution print data and contribute to a smooth lesson.

  Further, since the conventional total print management system makes a charge request to a general user based on the number of output sheets actually output included in the print log, it is unique to print data provided by a distribution user such as a teacher. The billing settings could not be made. For this reason, there has been a problem at universities and the like that the print data for distribution distributed for educational purposes cannot be printed for free by users (students).

  However, since the distribution user terminal device 3 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the setting registration for changing the fee setting can be performed, the fee setting can be changed to, for example, free of charge for the distribution print data that the teacher wants to distribute. Output management can be performed according to the situation.

《Print system printing process》
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the printing process of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The following printing system 1 is used when, for example, a university teacher registers distribution print data as a print job for a student in charge in the print server apparatus 4 and each student prints the distribution print data from the image forming apparatus 6 by himself / herself. It can implement suitably. Hereinafter, an example in which the image forming apparatus 6 is an LP (laser printer) and the print accounting apparatus 7 performs an authentication function, a print job list display, and an exchange between the print server apparatus 4 and the authentication server apparatus 5 will be described as an example. I will explain.

  When the user (student) inputs the user name and password by the user information reading unit 7a of the print billing apparatus 7, the authentication server apparatus 5 refers to the user information table 502 to check whether the user is registered and perform user authentication. Perform (S21). Specifically, the user information reading unit 7a is a card reader, and when the user puts an IC card in the card reader, the card ID stored in the IC card is read and an authentication request is made to the authentication server device 5. . The authentication server device 5 searches the user information stored in the user information table 502 by using the card ID as key information, and confirms whether the card ID included in the authentication request exists in the user information. If it exists, user authentication is performed.

  In S <b> 21, the authentication server device 5 transmits the user authentication to the print billing device 7.

The print billing apparatus 7 requests (requests) the print server apparatus 4 to acquire the print job of the authenticated user (S22).
The print server device 4 extracts from the print job storage unit 41 the print job registered by the authenticated user himself and the print job for which the group to which the user belongs has the print authority, and prints a list of the print job. (S23). In short, all print jobs that can be output by an authenticated general user are all extracted and transmitted using user information as a key.

  The print billing apparatus 7 causes the print job presentation unit 7b to display a list of authenticated user print jobs on the display (S24). This list also displays price information. When the distribution user sets the charge setting of the print job to “0” and no charge, for example, “free (FREE)” is displayed.

  When the print billing apparatus 7 accepts selection of a desired print job from among the print jobs displayed as a list by the user's operation (S25), the print billing device 7 confirms whether billing is required for the selected print job (S26). ). In S25 and S26, it is preferable that the print billing apparatus 7 displays, for example, a user's remaining points, points necessary for printing, a print execution button, and a print cancel button on the display screen. The point is a printable sheet value obtained by a general user paying a price for the number of printed sheets in advance. Therefore, it can be calculated from the remaining points and points necessary for printing whether charging is necessary (insufficient). When charging is necessary, the print charging apparatus 7 displays a message for prompting charging on the display (touch panel).

  If the distribution user (teacher) has set the student (user) to print the distribution print data free of charge for educational purposes, the process proceeds to the next step.

  When the user has confirmed the user's charge in S26 or no charge is required, the print charging device 7 requests the print server device 4 to acquire the print data selected by the user, and acquires the corresponding print data from the print server device 4. (S27).

  The print billing apparatus 7 transmits the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 6, and the image forming apparatus 6 prints the transmitted print data (S28).

  When the image forming apparatus 6 completes printing, the print accounting apparatus 7 updates the information in the user information table 502 of the user who executed printing (S29). As information to be updated, for example, “upper limit value” that can be printed, “current value” related to the cumulative number of sheets, and the like. Of course, the print server apparatus 4 may perform update processing.

  When the print server device 4 receives a notification of completion of printing of the distribution print data from the image forming device 6 (or the print billing device 7), the print server device 4 sends a print completion notification to the output notification unit 4d by mail or the like. Notify (S30). At this time, for example, information such as a print job name and a user name that output the distribution print data is notified.

  In response to the extraction request from the distribution user terminal device 3, the print server device 4 causes the output user extraction unit 4e to print a list of print users who have printed the distribution print data from the print log information stored in the print log storage unit 42. And the extracted data is transmitted to the distribution user terminal device 3 (S31). As a result, the distribution user can grasp the printing status of the distribution print data provided by the distribution user.

  Incidentally, after each of the print processing steps is completed, a process for deleting the print job is performed. This deletion process is performed when the setting for deleting the print job is received from the distribution user after the printing is completed when the print job setting is registered. In the print job setting information, an instruction to delete the print job is given after the print is completed, and the print server apparatus 4 that has accumulated the print job prints according to the instruction after the print processing step is finished. This can be done by deleting a print job that has already been completed.

  Even if the deletion setting is not performed, when the distribution user terminal device 3 receives the print completion notification, for example, the job setting registration unit 33 displays a message asking “Do you want to delete the print job”? You may let them.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the distribution user terminal device 3 can register the distribution user's distribution print data in a print job of a user (or user group) associated with the distribution user. Therefore, the distribution user can easily print the distribution print data provided by the distribution user to a general user who wants to distribute. In addition, the distribution user terminal device 3 is configured so that settings relating to printing including fee setting can be made, so that the teacher can change the fee setting for distribution print data to be free, and more flexible and output management according to the situation. It can be performed.

  In addition, since the information of the user who printed the distribution print data is notified to the distribution user terminal device 3, the distribution user (teacher) can check the printing status of the general user (student) and perform an efficient lesson. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
<System configuration>
In the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the case where the print accounting apparatus 7 performs authentication exchange with the authentication server apparatus 5 and print job exchange with the print server apparatus 4 has been described. However, when the image forming apparatus 6 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP), the above-described exchange can be performed by a printing system in which the image forming apparatus 60 performs.

FIG. 11 is a processing block diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus 60 constituting the printing system according to the second embodiment.
By executing the program, the image forming apparatus 60 executes an operation reception unit 61, a data display processing unit 62, a user information reading unit 63, a job information acquisition unit 64, a job selection reception unit 65, a print data acquisition unit 66, and a print processing unit. 67 is realized.

  The operation reception unit 61 receives an operation from the user. The data display processing unit 62 performs display for the user. The user information reading unit 63 is, for example, a card reader, and has a function of reading the user ID from the user's IC card and transmitting user ID information to the authentication server device 5 to request user authentication. The job information acquisition unit 64 acquires print job list information of the authenticated user from the print server device 4.

  The job selection receiving unit 65 receives selection of a print job desired by the user from the print job information list screen. The print data acquisition unit 66 acquires the print data of the print job selected by the user from the print server device 4 after confirming the charging status of the user. The print processing unit 67 performs print processing for printing the acquired print data in accordance with print settings.

  That is, a system configuration in which the image forming apparatus 60 performs processing other than billing processing can be performed. Therefore, the print billing apparatus 7 only needs to include at least the billing unit 7d shown in FIG. The configurations of the client terminal device 2 and the distribution user terminal device 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<About processing>
Since the setting registration process and the printing process of the printing system having the image forming apparatus 60 are substantially the same as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the illustration and description thereof will be omitted. In short, the only difference is that the image forming apparatus 60 performs processing other than charging performed by the print charging apparatus 7 in FIG.

[Third Embodiment]
The printing system according to the third embodiment has a cloud environment.
FIG. 12 shows a system configuration diagram of the printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system includes a private environment network N2 such as a university or a company, and a public environment network N3 that provides a cloud service. The network N2 and the network N3 are connected by a firewall FW on the network N2 side. The firewall FW is installed at the contact point between the network N2 and the network N3, and relays access from the network N2 to the network N3.

  The network N3 that provides the cloud service includes one or more information processing apparatuses (computer systems) that provide functions by Web applications or server-side applications. By such an information processing device, the print server device 4, the authentication server device 5, the storage unit 40 (DB), and the like are realized on the network N3 side. The storage unit 40 includes the above-described print job storage unit 41 and print log storage unit 42, which are not shown. A network N2 in a private environment such as a university or a company includes a client terminal device 2, a distribution user terminal device 3, an image forming device 6, and a print billing device 7.

  The configurations of the client terminal device 2, the distribution user terminal device 3, the image forming device 6, and the print billing device 7 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. As for print job setting registration processing and print processing, the client terminal device 2 and the distribution user terminal device 3 perform authentication processing by the print server device 4, the authentication server device 5 and the storage unit 40 (DB) on the network N3 side. Job setting registration processing is performed. In the printing process, the image forming apparatus 6 and the print billing apparatus 7 perform authentication processing and print jobs (print data and print data for distribution) by the print server apparatus 4, the authentication server apparatus 5, and the storage unit 40 (DB) on the network N3 side. Acquire and print. Specific authentication processing, job setting registration processing, and printing processing are as described in the first and second embodiments.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Information including processing procedures, specific names, various data, parameters, and the like shown in the document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. Each element configuration of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily have to be physically combined as illustrated. That is, the specific form of distribution or integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various burdens or usage conditions. Can be integrated. That is, the distribution user terminal device 3 described in the above-described embodiment may be configured to be incorporated in various systems according to the use and purpose, and each functional unit of the distribution user terminal device 3 is distributed or integrated. The printing system can be implemented.

<Program>
In addition, the setting registration program executed in the distribution user terminal device 3 and the print processing program executed in the printing system 1 are, in one form, an installable or executable file, a CD-ROM, The program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD. Further, each program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. The setting registration program executed on the distribution user terminal device 3 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The setting registration program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, although the configuration in which the authentication server device 5 has the fee setting table 501 and the user information table 502 has been shown, the distribution user terminal device 3 may have the respective tables.

  The output device described in the claims corresponds to the image forming apparatuses 6 and 60. The user terminal device corresponds to the distribution user terminal device 3. One or more information processing devices correspond to the client terminal device 2, the print server device 4, the authentication server device 5, and the print billing device 7. The extraction unit corresponds to the output user extraction unit 4e.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 2 Client terminal device 3 Distribution user terminal device 4 Print server apparatus (information processing apparatus)
5 Authentication server device (information processing device)
6, 60 image forming device (output device)
7 Print billing device

JP 2003-345558 A

Claims (12)

A user terminal device that communicates with one or more output devices and information processing devices,
When generating an output job from the output data received from the distribution user,
Among the specific users or user groups associated with the distribution user, a setting registration unit that performs setting registration as an output job of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user,
The setting registration unit can accept a fee setting for the output data from the distribution user based on fee setting authority information.   2. The distribution user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the fee setting authority information includes information for permitting a distribution user to whom the fee setting authority is given to set the fee for the output data. The setting registration unit
3. The user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein fee information is acquired when accepting the fee setting. The setting registration unit
2. The distribution user according to claim 1, wherein user information of the information processing apparatus is acquired, and setting information of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user based on the user information is registered. Terminal device. The setting registration unit
2. The user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is received by receiving each setting information of an upper limit number of prints, a print type, and a print allowable number of copies for the output data from the distribution user. The setting registration unit
The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein after the specific user or user group outputs the output job, setting information for deleting the output job is received from a distribution user and the setting information is registered. apparatus.   The user terminal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying a GUI screen for setting and registering the output job. An output system in which one or more user terminal devices, output devices, and information processing devices are connected via a network,
When generating an output job from the output data received from the distribution user,
Among the specific users or user groups associated with the distribution user, a setting registration unit that performs setting registration as an output job of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user,
The output system according to claim 1, wherein the setting registration unit is capable of accepting a charge setting for the output data from the distribution user based on charge setting authority information. The information processing apparatus includes:
The output system according to claim 8, further comprising an output notification unit that notifies the user terminal device of the output when the specific user or user group outputs the output job. The information processing apparatus includes:
Recording means for recording the output history information output from the output job in association with user information;
10. The output system according to claim 8, further comprising: an extraction unit that extracts a list of users who output the output job from the output history information in response to an extraction request from the user terminal device. A user terminal device capable of communicating with one or more output devices and information processing devices,
When generating an output job from output data received from a distribution user, among the specific user or user group associated with the distribution user, set and register as an output job of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user Setting registration means for performing
A program for functioning as a means for accepting a fee setting for the output data from the distribution user based on fee setting authority information. An output method executed in an output system in which one or more user terminal devices, output devices, and information processing devices are connected via a network,
When generating an output job from the output data received from the distribution user,
A setting registration step of performing setting registration as an output job of the specific user or user group selected by the distribution user among the specific user or user group associated with the distribution user;
The output registration method is characterized in that, based on fee setting authority information, a fee setting for the output data can be accepted from the distribution user.

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