JP2018005449A - Display control system, server, and transmission control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display UI screens suitable for respective users while reducing their communication burden.SOLUTION: A display control system includes: a client terminal on which a device driver to control a device is installed; and a server for sending the client terminal function restriction information that is function restriction information on the device and corresponds to a user of the client terminal. The device driver controls display of a UI screen to control the device on the basis of default function information indicating initial setting functions of the device and the sent function restriction information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control system, a server, and a transmission control program related to display control of a user interface screen.

  A user can set function settings of a device through a user interface (hereinafter, UI) screen provided by a driver that controls the device such as a printer.

  Also, a print restriction information recording unit that records print restriction information set for each user who uses the printer, a printer driver generation unit that generates a new printer driver with print restrictions based on the print restriction information, and A printing restriction system is known that includes a printer driver update unit that updates a printer driver to a new printer driver generated by a printer driver generation unit (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-31784

When updating the entire driver based on the restriction information for each user, if the restriction information changes finely, the driver update frequency increases, and the communication burden for sending a new driver increases.
In addition, display of a UI screen according to the situation of each user has been demanded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a display control system, a server, and a transmission control program that can display an appropriate UI screen for each user.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the display control system includes a client terminal in which a device driver for controlling a device is installed, function restriction information of the device, and function restriction information corresponding to a user of the client terminal. A UI screen for controlling the device based on the default function information indicating the initial setting function of the device and the transmitted function restriction information. Display control.

  According to this configuration, the server transmits function restriction information corresponding to the user of the client terminal to the client terminal. In the client terminal, by executing the device driver, UI screen display control is performed based on the default function information and the transmitted function restriction information. Accordingly, it is possible to display the UI screen according to the user's situation (function restriction information corresponding to the user of the client terminal) while reducing the communication burden between the server and the client terminal as much as possible.

In one aspect of the present invention, the server manages points for using the device for each user, and transmits the function restriction information corresponding to the points owned by the user of the client terminal to the client terminal. It is good.
According to this configuration, it is possible to display a UI screen that reflects function restriction information that changes according to the points of the user of the client terminal.

  The technical idea of the present invention is also realized by a category other than the display control system category. For example, it is possible to regard each client terminal and server constituting the system as an invention.

For example, a program data transmission unit that transmits a driver program data including a device driver that controls a device and default function information indicating an initial setting function of the device to a client terminal, and the function restriction information of the device, A server including a function restriction information transmitting unit that transmits function restriction information corresponding to a user of a client terminal to the client terminal can be regarded as one invention.
According to this configuration, information necessary for displaying the UI screen can be transmitted to the client terminal with as little burden as possible.

  In addition, each process realized by the above-described system, client terminal, or server can be regarded as a method invention, each program that causes a hardware (computer) to execute each method, or a computer that stores each program can be read Each storage medium can be regarded as an invention.

The figure which shows the structure of a system simply. The flowchart which shows the management process of a difference information file. The figure which illustrates a part of difference information file. The flowchart which shows the acquisition process of a difference information file. The figure which shows an example of UI screen. The figure which shows the other example of UI screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only an example for explaining this embodiment.

1. System description:
FIG. 1 schematically shows a system 10 according to the present embodiment. The system 10 includes a client terminal 20 and a server 30. Further, the system 10 includes a printer 40 as a kind of device. The printer 40 is a device that functions as at least a printer, and may be a multifunction device that also functions as a scanner, a facsimile, or the like. Since the configuration of the printer 40 is publicly known, a detailed description thereof will not be given in this embodiment. However, the device assumed in the present embodiment is not limited to a printer, and various devices in which a UI screen is presented to the user for function setting are applicable. The system 10 is also called an authentication printing system. Since the server 30 is a server that manages and supervises the authentication printing system, it may be called an authentication printing management server or the like. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the system 10 is referred to as a display control system.

  The client terminal 20, the server 30, and the printer 40 each have a network communication function and can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW may include a local area network (LAN) and the Internet. The network NW may be a wired network or a wireless network. In FIG. 1, one client terminal 20 and one printer 40 are shown, but a plurality of client terminals 20 and printers 40 may exist.

  The client terminal 20 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or a terminal having the same performance. The client terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, a communication interface (I / F) 23, an operation input unit 24, a storage unit 25, and the like. The control unit 21 includes, for example, an IC having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other storage media. In the control unit 21, the CPU controls the behavior of the client terminal 20 by executing arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the ROM or the like using the RAM or the like as a work area. A printer driver 50 as a kind of such a program is installed in the control unit 21. The printer driver 50 is a driver (device driver) for controlling the printer 40.

  The display unit 22 is a means for displaying visual information including a UI screen or the like, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, or the like. The display unit 22 may include a display and a drive circuit for driving the display. The operation input unit 24 is a means for inputting a user operation, and is realized by, for example, a touch panel, a physical button, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. Of course, the display unit 22 can also function as such a touch panel. The display unit 22 and the operation input unit 24 may be peripheral devices externally attached to the client terminal 20.

  The communication I / F 23 is an interface that performs communication with the outside via the network NW in accordance with a predetermined communication standard including a known communication standard. The communication I / F 23 may include a port monitor that mediates between the printer driver 50 and the server 30.

  The storage unit 25 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and a part of the control unit 21. The storage unit 25 stores a default function information file 51, a difference information file 52, and the like acquired from the server 30. The default function information file 51 is a file describing default function information indicating an initial setting function of the printer 40. On the other hand, the difference information file 52 is a file describing function restriction information of the printer 40. Since the difference information file 52 describes information that restricts the functions that are not restricted in the default function information, it can be said that the difference information file 52 expresses “difference” from the default function information, that is, a kind of difference.

  The server 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication I / F 32, a storage unit 33, and the like. The control unit 31 includes, for example, an IC having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other storage media. In the control unit 31, the CPU controls the behavior of the server 30 and the printer 40 by executing arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the ROM or the like using the RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 31 is installed with an authentication printing control program 34 and a user information management program 35 as a kind of such a program. The user information management program 35 also serves as a transmission control program.

The communication I / F 32 is an interface that performs communication with the outside via the network NW in accordance with a predetermined communication standard including a known communication standard.
The storage unit 33 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and a part of the control unit 32. The storage unit 33 stores a user information database (DB) 60 and driver program data 61. The storage unit 33 temporarily stores print data PD generated by the printer driver 50.

  The driver program data 61 is data including the printer driver 50 and the default function information file 51. The client terminal 20 (control unit 21) downloads such driver program data 61 from the server 30 via the network NW, thereby installing the printer driver 50 and storing the default function information file 51 in the storage unit 25. Let In other words, the server 30 (control unit 31) transmits the driver program data 61 from the communication I / F 32 to the client terminal 20 via the network NW. It can be said that the control unit 31 and the communication I / F 32 function as a program data transmission unit in that transmission processing of the driver program data 61 to the client terminal 20 is executed.

An example of the flow of authentication printing using the authentication printing system will be briefly described.
The user operates the operation input unit 24 to log on to the OS (Operating System) of the client terminal 20 by inputting his / her own identification information (user ID) and password, and activates the printer driver 50. Start. The printer driver 50 (the control unit 21 that executes the printer driver 50, and so on) performs predetermined image processing and conversion processing on an image to be printed arbitrarily designated by the logged-on user (logged-on user). Print data PD is generated. The printer driver 50 transmits the generated print data PD from the communication I / F 23 to the server 30 via the network NW. The print data PD is raster data representing an image to be printed, for example.

  The print data PD includes print setting information describing the user ID of the logged-on user and the print settings received by the printer driver 50 through the UI screen. The print settings are settings for various items relating to printing such as paper size, magnification (enlarged scale ratio), color printing or monochrome printing, double-sided printing or single-sided printing, presence or absence of edges, number of copies, and the like. Information including the print data PD, user ID, and print setting information may be called a print job.

In the server 30, the control unit 31 stores the print data PD (print job) received by the communication I / F 32 via the network NW in the storage unit 33.
On the other hand, the user inputs his / her user ID to the printer 40. The user ID input to the printer 40 is a user ID input when logging on to the client terminal 20. The input method of the user ID to the printer 40 is not particularly limited. For example, the printer 40 is provided with a card reader, and the user inputs the user ID to the printer 40 by causing the card reader to read an IC card or the like on which the user ID is written.

Upon receiving the user ID input, the printer 40 transmits a print data confirmation request including the input user ID to the server 30 via the network NW.
In the server 30 that has received the print data confirmation request, the control unit 31 controls the authentication print as follows by executing the authentication print control program 34. First, the control unit 31 confirms the presence or absence of the print data PD stored in the storage unit 33 together with the user ID that matches the user ID included in the received print data confirmation request. If such print data PD exists, a notification that there is print data PD that can be printed (data presence notification) is sent to the transmission source (printer 40) of the print data confirmation request via the network NW. Send through.

  The printer 40 that has received the data presence notification as a response to the print data confirmation request transmits an authentication print request including the input user ID to the server 30 via the network NW. At this time, the printer 40 displays information related to the print data PD (for example, the generation date and time of the print data PD) indicated by the data presence notification on the operation panel (not shown) of the printer 40, and the user for the print data PD The authentication print request may be transmitted to the server 30 on condition that the selection from is accepted.

In the server 30 that has received the authentication print request, the control unit 31 (authentication print control program 34) print data stored in the storage unit 33 together with a user ID that matches the user ID included in the received authentication print request. A print command is generated based on the PD and print setting information stored together with the print data PD. The print command is information that the printer 40 can interpret and execute printing, for example, information in a PDL (Page Description Language) format. The control unit 31 transmits the generated print command to the authentication print request transmission source (printer 40) via the network NW.
The printer 40 that has received the print command as a response to the authentication print request interprets the received print command and executes printing (outputs a printed matter). The printer 40 can transmit the result of printing executed based on the print command to the server 30 in this way. This completes the authentication printing.

  The user information DB 60 is a database that stores a user ID, points for the user to use the printer 40 (hereinafter, points), and a difference information file 52 in association with each other. Naturally, the user ID referred to here is a user ID that is input when each user logs on to the client terminal 20 or input to the printer 40 as described above. That is, the user information DB 60 manages the points and the difference information file 52 for each user (user ID) registered in the authentication printing system.

  In order to receive a service by the authentication printing system, the user deposits money to a person (company or organization) that operates the authentication printing system. The method of depositing is not particularly limited here. The number of points corresponding to the amount deposited by the user is recorded in the user information DB 60 in association with the user ID of the user. Every time a user receives a service (authenticated printing) by the authenticated printing system, that is, every time the user outputs a printed matter from the printer 40 as described above, the user's points are reduced. Therefore, the points may be called a deposit balance.

2. Management of difference information file for each user:
Next, the management process of the difference information file 52 for each user (user ID) performed by the server 30 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the management process for the difference information file 52. This process is realized by the control unit 31 executing the user information management program 35.

  The control unit 31 repeatedly determines whether or not authentication printing has been executed (step S100). If it is determined that authentication printing has been executed ("Yes" in step S100), the control unit 31 proceeds to step S110. For example, the control unit 31 determines that the authentication printing has been executed at the timing when the print command is transmitted to the printer 40 as described above. Alternatively, the control unit 31 may determine that the authentication printing has been executed when a print result is received from the printer 40 after the print command is transmitted to the printer 40.

  In step S110, the control unit 31 sets the point stored in the user information DB 60 corresponding to the user ID corresponding to the authentication print determined to have been executed in step S100 according to the content (print setting) of the authentication print. Update (reduce points). For example, a user inputs a user ID to the printer 40 as described above, and when the user ID is input, the printer 40 performs color printing (single-sided printing) on 100 sheets of A4 size paper based on the print command. It is assumed that the authentication printing is executed. In this case, the control unit 31 subtracts the number of points necessary for A4 size color printing × 100 from the points stored in the user information DB 60 corresponding to the user ID. The correspondence between the print setting and the required number of points is defined in advance. For example, the required number of points is determined for each of various print settings such as A4 size monochrome printing, A4 size color printing, A3 size monochrome printing, A3 size color printing, and the like.

  In step S120, the control unit 31 uses the difference information file 52 stored in the user information DB 60 corresponding to the user ID corresponding to the authentication print determined to have been executed in step S100 as a point corresponding to the user ID ( It is updated according to the points updated in step S110.

  The difference information file 52 is a file in which restriction information (restriction level) is set for each function of the printer 40. The restriction level mentioned here includes a prohibition level for prohibiting the use of the target function and a warning level indicating that the target function may not be used. The difference information file 52 in the initial state for each user ID is substantially an empty file. In the difference information file 52, basically, restriction information that is set increases as the corresponding points decrease. That is, the control part 31 sets a prohibition level with respect to the function which became impossible to use because the point was updated by step S110 (step S120). Moreover, the control part 31 sets a warning level to the function whose possibility that it became impossible to use by having updated the point by step S110 increased to some extent or more (step S120).

  As an example, at least 20 points are required for color printing, and when the point corresponding to a certain user ID becomes 18 points due to the update in step S110, the control unit 31 determines the difference information corresponding to the user ID. In the file 52, a prohibition level is set for a function called color printing (step S120). As another example, at least 20 points are required for color printing, and as a result of the update in step S110, the point corresponding to a certain user ID is 20 points × predetermined number of sheets (for example, 5 sheets) or less. In this case, the control unit 31 sets a warning level for the function called color printing in the difference information file 52 corresponding to the user ID (step S120).

  In this way, the control unit 31 (user information management program 35) updates the point corresponding to the user (user ID) each time authentication printing is executed in response to a request from a user, and after the update. The difference information file 52 corresponding to the user (user ID) is updated according to the points. However, the difference information file 52 may not be updated as a result even if the points are updated.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a part of the difference information file 52 corresponding to a certain user ID. The difference information file 52 is a file described in, for example, an XML (Extensible Markup Language) language. In the example of the difference information file 52 shown in FIG. 3, the function defined by function ID (Function id) = 1 (for example, color printing) is prohibited (Prohibit), that is, set to a prohibited level. Further, a combination of a function defined by function ID (Function id) = 1 (for example, color printing) and a function defined by function ID (Function id) = 9 (for example, A3 size printing) is prohibited ( Prohibit), that is, the prohibited level. A combination of a function defined by function ID (Function id) = 2 (for example, monochrome printing) and a function defined by function ID (Function id) = 9 (for example, A3 size printing) is a warning ( Warning), that is, the warning level is set.

  The required number of points differs depending on the combination of print settings. For example, as described above, the required number of points differs depending on the combination of color printing / monochrome printing and paper size. Accordingly, even in the difference information file 52, a prohibition level and a warning level can be set for each combination of such print settings (combination of functions). In the example of FIG. 3, the prohibition level is set for the combination of color printing and A3 size from the current point situation, but the warning level is set for the combination of monochrome printing and A3 size.

3. Acquisition of difference information file:
Next, the acquisition process of the difference information file 52 performed by the client terminal 20 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the acquisition process of the difference information file 52.
The communication I / F 23 (port monitor) determines whether or not a predetermined timing (difference information file request timing) for requesting the difference information file 52 is reached (step S200), and determines that the difference information file request timing has come. If so ("Yes" in step S200), the process proceeds to step S210. For example, the communication I / F 23 determines that the difference information file request timing has come periodically (for example, at intervals of several minutes) while the user is logged on to the client terminal 20.

Further, the communication I / F 23 may determine that the difference information file request timing has come immediately after the print data PD generated by the printer driver 50 is transmitted to the server 30 in accordance with the instruction of the printer driver 50 as described above. .
In step S210, the communication I / F 23 transmits a difference information file acquisition request to the server 30 via the network NW in order to acquire the difference information file 52 of the logged-on user. The difference information file acquisition request includes the user ID of the logon user.

  In the server 30 that has received the difference information file acquisition request, the control unit 31 (user information management program 35) associates the user information with the user ID that matches the user ID included in the received difference information file acquisition request. The difference information file 52 stored in the DB 60 is read out. Then, the control unit 31 transmits the read difference information file 52 to the transmission source (client terminal 20) of the difference information file acquisition request from the communication I / F 32 via the network NW. As described above, the control unit 31 and the communication I / O are executed in such a manner that the function restriction information (difference information file 52) corresponding to the user of the client terminal 20 (logon user of the client terminal 20) is transmitted to the client terminal 20. It can be said that F32 functions as a function restriction information transmission unit.

  The communication I / F 23 receives the difference information file 52 from the server 30 as a response to the difference information file acquisition request (step S220), and stores the received difference information file 52 in the storage unit 25 (step S230). The storage unit 25 stores a difference information file 52 in association with each user ID. The difference information file 52 received from the server 30 associates the difference information file 52 with the user ID to which the received difference information file 52 corresponds. The currently stored difference information file 52 is updated. According to such acquisition processing of the difference information file 52, the client terminal 20 can acquire only the difference file information 52 of the logged-on user from the server 30.

  However, other methods for the client terminal 20 to acquire the difference information file 52 from the server 30 are conceivable. On the assumption that the printer driver 50 is installed in the client terminal 20 by so-called Point & Print, the server 30 writes a difference information file 52 for each user ID in the registry of the server 30. Registry synchronization processing is executed between the server 30 sharing the printer 40 and the client terminal 20 by Point & Print. According to such a configuration, the client terminal 20 can always obtain the latest difference information file 52 corresponding to each user ID, without periodically requesting the difference information file 52 from the server 30, for example.

4). UI screen display control:
In the client terminal 20, the printer driver 50 displays a UI screen for controlling the printer 40 (accepting print settings of the printer 40) on the display unit 22 after activation. At this time, the printer driver 50 executes UI screen display control based on the default function information file 51 and the difference information file 52 stored in the storage unit 25. That is, the printer driver 50 reads the default function information file 51 from the storage unit 25 and also reads the difference information file 52 associated with the user ID of the logon user from the storage unit 25. Then, a UI screen reflecting information obtained by merging information of these two files 51 and 52 is displayed on the display unit 22.

  The default function information file 51 basically does not limit all the functions of the printer 40. Therefore, if the printer driver 50 displays the UI screen on the display unit 22 based only on the default function information file 51, the logged-on user can arbitrarily use / not use each function of the printer 40 without restriction. You can select and make print settings. In the present embodiment, the printer driver 50 constructs a UI screen based on the default function information file 51, but displays a function related to the function set to the prohibited level in the difference information file 52 of the logon user (item ) Is grayed out or hidden, or a predetermined prohibition icon (for example, a x mark) is attached in the vicinity of the item. As a result, the logged-on user recognizes the function set to the prohibited level in the difference information file 52 corresponding to the logged-on user, and the function cannot be selected in the UI screen.

  Further, when displaying the UI screen on the display unit 22, the printer driver 50 attaches a predetermined warning icon in the vicinity of the display (item) related to the function set to the warning level in the difference information file 52 of the logged-on user. As a result, the logged-on user can select the function set to the warning level in the difference information file 52 corresponding to himself / herself in the UI screen at present, but may not be able to select in the near future (unless points are increased). Recognize that is high.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a UI screen 70 that the printer driver 50 displays on the display unit 22, and FIG. 6 illustrates a UI screen 71 that the printer driver 50 displays on the display unit 22. On the UI screen 70, a warning icon WI is attached in the vicinity of a display related to color printing (display for selecting color printing). The UI screen 71 shows a state in which a paper size selection list is displayed when a combo box for setting the paper size in the UI screen 70 is clicked. On the UI screen 71, warning icons WI are attached corresponding to some items (for example, A3 297 × 420 mm) listed in the selection list. Such a warning icon WI is attached corresponding to the function set to the warning level in the difference information file 52 of the logged-on user as described above.

  Note that the printer driver 50 displays a warning icon WI near the box when a numerical value exceeding the maximum number of printable points depending on the current point is input to a box for inputting an amount such as the number of copies to be printed on the UI screen. May be displayed.

  The server 30 (control unit 31) may include character data describing the reason and contents of the warning for each function set to the warning level in the difference information file 52 provided to the client terminal 20 as described above. Similarly, the server 30 may include, in such a difference information file 52, character data describing an alternative printing method for each function set to the prohibited level. The printer driver 50 then sends a message based on the corresponding character data when a prohibited icon or warning icon is clicked on the UI screen, or when an item with a prohibited icon or warning icon is selected. It may be displayed on the UI screen.

  For example, when the user clicks on the warning icon WI displayed near the display related to color printing (display for selecting color printing) on the UI screen 70, the printer driver 50 is set to the warning level in the difference information file 52. Based on the character data relating to the current color printing, for example, a message such as “Maximum XX sheets can be color printed” is displayed. Further, as the character data (message) describing the alternative printing method for each function set to the prohibition level in the difference information file 52, the following message can be considered. For example, when color printing is set to a prohibition level in the difference information file 52, the printer driver 50 receives “grayscale (monochrome) in response to a click on a prohibition icon indicating that color printing in the UI screen is prohibited. "If you select print, you can print" message is displayed. Further, for example, when A3 size printing is set to a prohibition level in the difference information file 52, the printer driver 50 selects “enlarged scale” in response to a click on a prohibition icon indicating that selection of the A3 size is prohibited. A message such as “Printing is possible if A4 size is selected using the function” is displayed. Alternatively, the printer driver 50 may display a message such as “please charge points” in response to a click on the prohibition icon in general.

  Further, when the current setting state on the UI screen is out of the print setting corresponding to the prohibition level or the warning level, the printer driver 50 deletes the unnecessary prohibition icon and warning icon from the UI screen. For example, in the difference information file 52, the warning icon WI is displayed near the display related to color printing (display for selecting color printing) on the UI screen 70 because A3 size color printing is set to the warning level. Is displayed. In such a situation, when a paper size smaller than a predetermined size smaller than A3 is selected on the UI screen by a user operation, the printer driver 50 can delete the warning icon WI and select color printing. Like that.

5. Summary:
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the system 10 includes the difference information file corresponding to the client terminal 20 in which the printer driver 50 is installed and the function restriction information of the printer 40 and corresponding to the user (logon user) of the client terminal 20. And the server 30 that transmits the data 52 to the client terminal 20. The printer driver 50 receives a function setting (print setting) of the printer 40 based on the default function information file 51 indicating the initial setting function of the printer 40 and the transmitted difference information file 52. Display control is executed (to be executed by the client terminal 20). According to this configuration, the server 30 transmits the difference information file 52 to the client terminal 20 instead of updating the printer driver and transmitting it to the client terminal 20 each time. Therefore, the communication burden (traffic in the network NW) between the server 30 and the client terminal 20 can be reduced. In addition, since the UI screen is displayed according to the situation of the user of the client terminal 20 (the current difference information file 52 of the logged-on user who is logged on to the client terminal 20), the UI screen customized for individuals is displayed as the user. Can be said to be provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the server 30 manages points for using the printer 40 for each user in the user information DB 60, and the difference information file 52 corresponding to the points possessed by the user (logon user) of the client terminal 20. Is transmitted to the client terminal 20. With such a configuration, it is possible to present to the user a UI screen that reflects the difference information file 52 that is updated in accordance with changes in points that the user of the client terminal 20 has.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the print settings prohibited by the user can be shown to the user through the UI screen, so that the processing efficiency of the entire system is improved. For example, since the user who is prohibited from color printing due to the current point is notified that color printing is prohibited through the UI screen, the user does not select color printing. As a result, the print data PD generated by the printer driver 50 becomes grayscale raster data having a smaller data size than the raster data generated when color printing is selected by mistake. Therefore, the transmission load of the print data PD is reduced, and the load on the server 30 (processing for converting the print data PD into a print command (PDL format)) is also reduced.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the user can grasp detailed information such as what kind of printing can be executed at the current point by a message displayed on the UI screen regarding the warning level function. it can. In addition, since an alternative printing method is presented to the user by a message displayed on the UI screen corresponding to the function of the prohibition level, it is very useful for a user who wants to complete authenticated printing even if the print settings are changed somewhat. Convenient.

  As a matter of course, the user can increase his / her points managed in the user information DB 60 by making the additional deposit. The control unit 31 (user information management program 35) is updated not only when the user's points are reduced by executing the authentication printing (outputting the printed matter by the printer 40) but also when the user's points are increased due to the deposit. The difference information file 52 is updated according to the (after increase) points. When the difference information file 52 is updated in response to an increase in points, the restriction information set in the difference information file 52 until then is reduced.

  So far, the example in which the user's difference information file 52 is determined according to the user's points has been described. However, instead of such “points”, it is possible to apply a concept such as “authority (or position)” given to the user. The authority given to the user is, for example, the authority to use the printer 40 given to each user in the organization where the system 10 is introduced. For example, users who belong to department A of the organization are allowed to print up to XX sheets per month, users who belong to department B of the organization are prohibited from color printing and monochrome printing is allowed. Each authority can be considered. In the user information DB 60 that the server 30 has, the user ID and the difference information file 52 are managed in association with the user ID. Then, the user information management program 35 generates the difference information file 52 for each user ID according to the authority of the corresponding user, or the number of prints permitted under the authority and the authentication printing already executed. The difference information file 52 for each user ID is updated based on the relationship.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... System, 20 ... Client terminal, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Display part, 23 ... Communication I / F, 24 ... Operation input part, 25 ... Memory | storage part, 30 ... Server, 31 ... Control part, 32 ... Communication I / F, 33 ... storage unit, 34 ... authentication printing control program, 35 ... user information management program, 40 ... printer, 50 ... printer driver, 51 ... default function information file, 52 ... difference information file, 60 ... user information DB, 61 ... Driver program data, 70, 71 ... UI screen, NW ... Network, PD ... Print data, WI ... Warning icon

Claims (4)

A client terminal in which a device driver for controlling the device is installed;
A server that transmits function restriction information corresponding to a user of the client terminal to the client terminal.
The device driver performs display control of a user interface screen for controlling the device based on default function information indicating an initial setting function of the device and the transmitted function restriction information. Display control system.   2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server manages points for using the device for each user, and transmits the function restriction information corresponding to the points owned by the user of the client terminal to the client terminal. The display control system described. A program data transmission unit for transmitting driver program data including a device driver for controlling a device and default function information indicating a function of initial setting of the device to the client terminal;
A server comprising: a function restriction information transmitting unit that transmits function restriction information of the device corresponding to a user of the client terminal to the client terminal. A program data transmission function for transmitting driver program data including a device driver for controlling the device and default function information indicating the initial setting function of the device to the client terminal;
A transmission control program for causing a computer to execute a function restriction information transmission function for transmitting function restriction information corresponding to a user of the client terminal to the client terminal.