JP2018106329A - Print management server, information processing system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience for users who perform printing with a printer in another school.SOLUTION: A print management server in a second school controls printing, with a printer in the second school, of print data registered to storage means on a network outside the school from a client terminal operated by users of a first school by using the first school's print upper limit information. The print management server acquires, from the storage means that stores the cumulative number of prints performed by the users in the first school, upper limit number of prints, and print data, the cumulative number of prints, upper limit number of prints, and print data, determines whether the total value of the cumulative number of prints and the number of printed print data for which a print request from the printer in the second school is received exceeds the upper limit number of prints, when determining that the total value does not exceed the upper limit number of prints, transmits the print data to the printer in the second school and updates the cumulative number of prints stored in the storage means to the total value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management server, an information processing system, a control method, and a program. In particular, even when a user prints with a printing apparatus at another school, print control related to a print upper limit similar to the user's campus is performed. The present invention relates to a technique for improving the convenience of a user who can perform printing on a printing apparatus of another school.

  Conventionally, printing is performed from a personal computer on a network such as a university or high school to a printing device on the network. In addition, there is a mechanism that allows users such as students and teachers to set an upper limit for the number of free copies (number of copies), and if it is within the upper limit, printing can be performed free of charge from the printing device on the network. Is provided. In addition, a mechanism is also provided for controlling so that printing cannot be performed when printing exceeds the upper limit.

  Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism for acquiring print information, which is information obtained by printing print data in a non-system printing apparatus that is not connected to a print management apparatus, and updating print upper limit information according to the print information. Has been.

JP 2014-109860 A

  However, for example, students (users) may take classes at other universities through a credit exchange system, etc., and teachers (users) may lecture at multiple universities. The printer may be used at a school other than the university to which it belongs.

  On the other hand, the conventional mechanism for controlling printing up to the upper limit of printing can be controlled only by printing in the university to which the user belongs. Furthermore, it was not possible to print with a printing apparatus of another university in the conventional mechanism. Therefore, when the user prints with a printing apparatus of another university, the printing cannot be performed in the same manner as the school to which the user belongs.

  Thus, in the conventional mechanism, when printing with a printing device of a school other than the school to which the user belongs, the printing is outside the management of the printing upper limit of the school to which the user belongs. Printing cannot be performed free of charge within the range of the upper limit of the school to which the user belongs, and user convenience is reduced when using off-campus printing devices.

  Therefore, the present invention enables printing control related to the upper limit of printing similar to the user's campus even when the user prints with the printing device of another school, An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for improving the convenience of printing users.

  According to the present invention, print data registered in a storage unit on an off-campus network is printed from a client terminal operated by a user at the first school using the first school print upper limit information. A second school print management server that performs print control in the apparatus, the storage means provided on the off-campus network, wherein the cumulative number of prints of the first school user, the first school From the storage means for storing the user's upper limit number of prints and the user's print data, the acquisition means for acquiring the cumulative number of prints, the upper limit number of prints, and the print data, and the second school printing apparatus Receiving means for receiving a print request for the print data stored in the storage means; the number of prints of the print data for which the print request has been received by the receiving means; A determination unit that determines whether the total value of the cumulative number of prints acquired in step S1 exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded And transmitting means for transmitting the print data to the printing device of the second school in order to print the print data for which the print request has been received by the receiving means from the printing device of the second school. And updating means for transmitting an update request stored in the storage means for updating the cumulative number of printed sheets of the first school user to the total value to the storage means.

  In addition, the present invention is an information processing system including the print management server and an external server including the storage unit, and the external server is configured so that a user of the first school can access the second school. A management unit that manages the number of printed sheets printed by the printing apparatus, and a charge amount charged to the first school and a charge amount charged to the second school are determined according to the number of printed sheets managed by the management unit. And a determining means.

  In addition, the present invention provides a print data registered in a storage unit on an off-campus network from a client terminal operated by a user of the first school, using the second school's print upper limit information, A method for controlling a print management server of a second school that performs print control in the printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acquisition means is a storage means provided on the off-campus network, and the cumulative number of users of the first school Obtaining the cumulative number of prints, the maximum number of prints, and the print data from a storage unit that stores the number of prints, the maximum number of prints of the user at the first school, and the print data of the user; A receiving unit that receives a print request for the print data stored in the storage unit from the printing device of the second school; and a determination unit that requires printing by the receiving step. A determination step of determining whether a total value of the number of prints of the print data received and the cumulative number of prints acquired in the acquisition step exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired in the acquisition step; When the transmission means determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded in the determination step, from the printing device of the second school, to print the print data that has received the print request in the reception step, The transmission step of transmitting the print data to the printing device of the second school, and the updating unit updates the cumulative number of printed sheets of the first school user stored in the storage unit to the total value. And an on-campus update step of transmitting an update request to the storage means.

  In addition, the present invention provides a print data registered in a storage unit on an off-campus network from a client terminal operated by a user of the first school, using the second school's print upper limit information, A program that can be read and executed by a print management server of a second school that performs print control in the printing apparatus of the above-described printing apparatus, wherein the print management server is storage means provided on the off-campus network, Acquire the cumulative number of prints, the maximum number of prints, and the print data from storage means for storing the cumulative number of prints of the school users, the maximum number of prints of the user of the first school, and the print data of the users. An acquisition unit that receives the print request for the print data stored in the storage unit from the printing device of the second school, and the reception unit. A determination unit that determines whether a total value of the number of prints of the print data for which a print request has been received and the cumulative number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit; When the determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the print data received from the printing device of the second school is received by the reception unit in order to print the print data. To the printing device of the second school, and to the storage means an update request stored in the storage means for updating the cumulative number of printed sheets of the first school user to the total value. It is characterized by functioning as update means for transmission.

  According to the present invention, even when the user prints with a printing device of another school, the printing control related to the upper limit of printing similar to the user's campus can be performed. Convenience for the user who prints can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the information processing system 100 of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of client terminals 101 and 106, print management servers 102, 104, and 107, and a common authentication server 105 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus 103 and a printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for transmitting print data from the client terminal 101 to the print management server 102 and the print management server 104. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed processing in S403 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process in which a user at University A or a user at University B prints a print job with the printing device 108 at University B. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed processing of cloud printing processing in S620 of FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing of campus printing processing in S621 of FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for determining and charging a usage fee for each university using each printing result table stored in the print management server 104. It is a figure which shows an example of each screen displayed on the display part of a client terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the various screens displayed on the display part of a printing apparatus. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of various tables stored in a common authentication server 105, a print management server 102, and a print management server 107. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of various tables stored in a storage unit of the print management server 104. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<Description of FIG. 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system 100 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 includes a client terminal 101, a print management server 102, a printing apparatus 103, and a print management connected to a cloud 110 (cloud network). A server 104, a common authentication server 105, a client terminal 106, a print management server 107, and a printing apparatus 108 connected to the network 111 in the university B campus. University A is an application example of the first school of the present invention. University B is an application example of the second school of the present invention. The cloud 110 is an application example of the off-campus network of the present invention. The client terminal 101 is an application example of a client terminal operated by a user at the first school. The printing apparatus 108 is an application example of the second school printing apparatus of the present invention. The print management server 104 is an application example of an external server provided with storage means. The memory of the print management server 104 is an application example of the storage means of the present invention. This storage means is provided on the off-campus network of the first school and the second school.

  The client terminal 101 is a terminal operated by a user such as a student or a teacher at University A. The print management server 102 manages the upper limit of printing from the printing apparatus 103, and controls the printing apparatus 103 so that printing cannot be performed when the printing upper limit is exceeded. A server that controls printing. The printing apparatus 103 is a printing apparatus that performs printing in response to a printing instruction from a user. Further, the print management server 102 stores tables 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, and 1304 in FIG.

  The client terminal 106 is a terminal operated by a user such as a student or a teacher at University B. The print management server 107 manages the upper limit of printing from the printing apparatus 108 and controls the printing apparatus 108 so that printing cannot be performed when the printing upper limit is exceeded. A server that controls printing. The printing apparatus 108 is a printing apparatus that performs printing in response to a printing instruction from a user. In addition, the print management server 107 stores tables 1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, and 1308 in FIG.

  The client terminal 101 and the client terminal 106 have the same function. The print management server 102 and the print management server 107 have the same function. The printing apparatus 103 and the printing apparatus 108 have the same function.

  The print management server 104 is a server that performs upper limit management and control of printing for users of a plurality of universities such as a user of A university and a user of B university. Therefore, the print management server 104 stores various tables shown in FIG.

  The common authentication server 105 is a server having a function of authenticating a plurality of university users. Therefore, the common authentication server 105 stores a table indicated by 1201 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a client terminal 101 is connected to a print management server 102, a print management server 104, and a common authentication server 105 so that they can communicate with each other. Similarly, the client terminal 106, the print management server 107, the print management server 104, and the common authentication server 105 are connected to be communicable with each other.

  In the print management server 102, a client terminal 101, a printing apparatus 103, a print management server 104, and a common authentication server 105 are connected to be communicable with each other. Similarly, in the print management server 107, a client terminal 106, a printing apparatus 108, a print management server 104, and a common authentication server 105 are connected to be communicable with each other.

  The printing apparatus 103 is connected to the print management server 102 so as to communicate with each other. Similarly, the printing apparatus 108 is connected to the print management server 107 so as to communicate with each other.

The print management server 107 is an application example of the second school print management server of the present invention. From the client terminal operated by the user of the first school, the print data registered in the storage unit on the off-campus network, Print control is performed in the printing device of the second school using the upper limit printing information of the first school.
<Description of FIG. 2>
Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminals 101 and 106, the print management servers 102, 104, and 107 and the common authentication server 105 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the client terminals 101 and 106, the print management servers 102, 104, and 107, and the common authentication server 105 illustrated in FIG.

  2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus to which the client terminals 101 and 106, the print management servers 102, 104, and 107, and the common authentication server 105 illustrated in FIG. Here, the client terminals 101 and 106, the print management servers 102, 104, and 107 and the common authentication server 105 are referred to as information processing apparatuses.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a system bus 204, an input controller 205, a video controller 206, a memory controller 207, a communication I / F controller 208, and a keyboard. 209, a CRT 210, and an external memory 211.

  The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus, and controls various devices and various controllers connected to the system bus 204 as necessary.

  The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the processing into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

  The ROM 203 includes a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), which are control programs for the CPU 201, and various programs necessary for the CPU 201 to realize the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Etc. are stored. These programs may be stored in the external memory 211.

  The system bus 204 connects the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, system bus 204, input controller 205, video controller 206, memory controller 207, and communication I / F controller 208 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The input controller 205 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 209 or a mouse (not shown).

  The video controller 206 controls display on a display unit such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. This display unit may be not only a CRT but also a liquid crystal display or the like.

  The memory controller 207 is an adapter to a hard disk (HD), floppy disk (registered trademark FD) or PCMCIA card slot that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Is used to control access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected via the network.

  The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on the display information area of the RAM 202, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) of the CRT 210 or the like.
<Description of FIG. 3>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 103 and the printing apparatus 108 illustrated in FIG.

  3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus to which the printing apparatus 103 and the printing apparatus 108 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be applied. Here, the printing apparatus 103 and the printing apparatus 108 are simply referred to as a printing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus includes a controller unit 310, an operation unit 320, a card reader 330, a printer unit 340 (printing unit), and a scanner unit 350 (reading unit). . The controller unit 310 performs operation control of the operation unit 320, the card reader 330, the inserter 500, the printer unit 340, the scanner unit 350, and the like.

  The controller unit 310 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, an HDD 304, a network I / F (Network I / F) 305, a modem (MODEM) 306, an operation unit I / F 307, and a system bus 308. An external I / F 309, an image bus I / F (IMAGE BUS I / F) 311, an image bus 312, a RIP 313, a printer I / F 314, a scanner I / F 315, and an image processing unit 316. It is configured.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that comprehensively controls operations in the printing apparatus.

  The RAM 302 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 301, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  The ROM 303 is a memory that permanently stores various programs and various data. The ROM 303 is necessary for the boot program, various control programs, and the CPU 301 to realize the functions of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Various programs are stored. Note that these programs may be stored in the HDD 304.

  The HDD 304 is a hard disk drive of an external storage device, stores various programs and various data necessary for the CPU 301 to perform processing, and various data generated by the processing of the CPU 301 as necessary. Memorize etc.

  A network I / F (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network such as a LAN and controls communication between a printing apparatus and an external apparatus. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  The operation unit I / F 307 notifies the CPU 301 of information (for example, a user name, a card number, and a password) input by the user from the operation unit 320. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 outputs image data to be displayed on the display screen 321 of the operation unit 320 to the operation unit 320.

  In the printer with a display screen that is premised on the printer 300 of the present embodiment, the operation unit 320 is provided with a display screen 321 that is a display unit having a touch panel. When the user presses a button or the like displayed on the display screen 321 (touches with a finger or the like), various input instructions are performed.

  A system bus 308 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, an HDD 304, a network I / F (Network I / F) 305, a modem (MODEM) 306, an operation unit I / F 307, an external I / F 309, and an image bus I / F (IMAGE BUS). I / F) 311 are connected so as to communicate with each other.

  The external I / F 309 is an interface unit that receives external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. The external I / F 309 is connected to a card reader 330 that reads card information of the non-contact type IC card 600 and an inserter 500.

  The CPU 301 can acquire card information of the non-contact type IC card 600 read by the card reader 330 via the external I / F 309.

  An image bus I / F (IMAGE BUS I / F) 311 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 308 and an image bus 312 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 312 connects an image bus I / F (IMAGE BUS I / F) 311, a RIP 313, a printer I / F 314, a scanner I / F 315, and an image processing unit 316 so that they can communicate with each other. The image bus 312 is constituted by, for example, a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

  The RIP 313 is a raster image processor and develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image.

  A printer I / F 314 connects the printer unit 340 and the controller unit 310, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner I / F 315 connects the scanner unit 350 and the controller unit 310 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The image processing unit 316 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Further, the image processing unit 316 performs rotation processing of image data, and performs compression / decompression processing such as JPEG and binary image data on multi-value image data, such as JBIG, MMR, and MH.

  The operation unit 320 is used to input an operation instruction from the user or to display an operation status. The operation unit 320 has a display screen 321, and a touch panel sheet is attached to the display screen 321. The operation unit 320 displays an operation screen on the display screen 321, and notifies the CPU 301 of the position information via the operation unit I / F 307 when a user touches a button or key of the displayed operation screen. To do.

  The operation unit 320 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, and a reset key as various operation keys. The start key is a key used when starting a document image reading operation. In the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs of green and red, and it is possible to know whether or not the start key can be used depending on the color.

  The stop key is a key having a function of stopping an operation in operation. The ID key is a key used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is a key used when initializing settings by the operation unit 320.

  The card reader 330 reads card information stored in the non-contact type IC card 600 under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read card information via the external I / F 309. Here, as the non-contact type IC card 600, for example, Sony's FeliCa (registered trademark) or the like can be applied.

  The printer unit 340 converts raster image data into an image on paper. As the conversion method at this time, there are an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, an ink jet method in which an ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array and an image is directly printed on a paper, and any conversion method is available. May be used.

  The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 340 is provided with a plurality of paper feed stages and paper cassettes corresponding to these paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected.

  The scanner unit 350 obtains an electrical signal as raster image data by illuminating an image on a sheet serving as a document and scanning with a CCD line sensor. At this time, the original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder.

  When the user issues a document reading start instruction from the operation unit 320, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 350, and the document sheet is fed one by one by the document feeder to perform a document image reading operation.

With the above-described configuration, the printing apparatus can transmit image data read from the scanner unit 350 to the network, and print data received from the network can be printed on a sheet by the printer unit 340. In addition, the printer transmits the image data read from the scanner unit 350 via the modem (MODEM) 306 to the public line, or prints the image data received by FAX from the public line on a sheet by the printer unit 340. Can do.
<Description of FIG. 4>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for transmitting print data from the client terminal 101 to the print management server 102 and the print management server 104.

  The processing shown in S401 to S404, S407 to 409, S413, and S414 shown in FIG. 4 is performed by the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 provided on the university A network 109 executing the program stored in the storage means such as the external memory 211. This is realized by loading into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  Further, in the processes shown in S405, S406, S410 to S412, S415, and S416 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 201 of the print management server 102 provided on the university A network 109 is stored in a storage unit such as the external memory 211. This is realized by loading the program into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  First, the client terminal 101 operated by the user of the university A requests the print management server 102 to display a print type selection screen 1001 shown in FIG. When receiving the request from the client terminal 101, the print management server 102 transmits display data of the print type selection screen 1001 to the client terminal 101. Upon receiving the display data, the client terminal 101 displays a print type selection screen 1001 on a display unit such as the CRT 210 according to the display data (S401).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of each screen displayed on the display unit of the client terminal.

  The print type selection screen 1001 shown in FIG. 10 displays a button 1002 displaying “Please click here for campus printing” and a button 1003 displaying “Please click here for cloud printing”. ing.

  When printing a print job that has been instructed by a client terminal in the university and stored on the print management server in the same university using the same university printing device, the message "Please click here for on-campus printing" is displayed. Button 1002 is pressed to print the print job. In addition, when printing a print job instructed by a client terminal in the university and accumulated in the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 is to be printed by a printing device of the same university or another university, “cloud printing is The user presses a button 1003 displayed as “Please press here” to print the print job.

  The client terminal 101 determines whether the user has pressed the button 1002 or the button 1003 (S402). If it is determined by the user that the button 1002 has been pressed, a print job is stored in the print management server in the university of the client terminal instructed to print, and on-campus printing is performed using the university printing apparatus. It is determined that the instruction has been issued, and the process proceeds to S404.

  On the other hand, if it is determined by the user that the button 1003 has been pressed, the client terminal 101 stores the print job instructed to be printed in the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 and the client terminal 101 instructed to print. The university printing apparatus or another university printing apparatus determines that cloud printing for printing the print job has been instructed, and the process proceeds to S403. The detailed process of S403 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, processing for accumulating (registering) a print job in the university print management server 102 of the client terminal 101 in order to perform on-campus printing will be described.

  The client terminal 101 transmits a print authentication screen display request indicated by 1004 in FIG. 10 to the print management server 102 (S404). When receiving the display request (S405), the print management server 102 transmits display data of the print authentication screen 1004 to the client terminal 101 (S406).

  Upon receiving the display data from the print management server 102 (S407), the client terminal 101 displays a print authentication screen 1004 on the display unit according to the display data (S408).

  In the print authentication screen 1004 shown in FIG. 10, an input field 1005 for inputting a user's login ID, an input field 1006 for inputting a password, and a login button 1007 are displayed.

  When the client terminal 101 detects that the user's login ID and password are input via the print authentication screen 1004 and the login button 1007 is pressed, the print management server 102 receives the input login ID and password. (S409). Here, the login ID and the password are referred to as authentication information.

  When the print management server 102 receives the authentication information from the client terminal 101 (S410), is the authentication information registered in the authentication table 1203 stored in the storage unit such as the memory of the print management server 102? It is determined whether or not the user who is operating the client terminal 101 is authenticated. If it is determined that the user has been authenticated (authentication success) (the authentication information is registered in the authentication table 1203) (S411: YES), the print management server 102 proceeds to S412. The display data of the login completion screen 1008 is transmitted to the client terminal 101 (S412). On the other hand, if the print management server 102 determines that the user has not been authenticated (authentication failure) (the authentication information is not registered in the authentication table 1203) (S411: NO), the process proceeds to S406. Then, the display data of the print authentication screen is transmitted to the client terminal 101 again.

  When the client terminal 101 receives the display data of the login completion screen 1008 from the print management server 102 (S413), the print data (from the file specified by the user and the print setting set by the user using the printer driver ( Print job), and the generated print job is transmitted to the print management server 102 (S414). When the print management server 102 receives the print job from the client terminal 101 (S415), the print management server 102 registers the print job in the print job management table 1205 stored in a storage unit such as a memory of the print management server 102 ( S416).

Specifically, since the print setting set by the user is set in the print job, the print management server 102 sets the print setting (for example, color printing / monochrome printing, duplex printing / single-sided printing, number of output pages). And the print job name (file name) of the print job and the user ID received in S410 are registered in the print job management table 1205. Also, the print management server 102 assigns a print job ID and registers the assigned print job ID in the print job management table 1205. Here, it has been described that the user ID received in step S410 is registered in the print job management table 1205. However, in step S414, the client terminal 101 transmits the user ID together with the print job to the print management server 102 to perform printing. The management server 102 can also receive the user ID in S415 and register the received user ID in the print job management table 1205.
<Description of FIG. 5>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing in S403 of FIG.

  The processing shown in S501, S504 to S506, and S516 to S519 shown in FIG. 5 is performed by the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 provided on the university A network 109 storing the program stored in the storage means such as the external memory 211 in the RAM 202. Realized by loading and executing.

  Further, the processing shown in S502, S503, S507 to S509, S513 to S515, and S520 to 522 shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the storage unit such as the external memory 211 by the CPU 201 of the print management server 104 provided on the cloud 110. This is realized by loading the executed program into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  5 is executed by the CPU 201 of the common authentication server 105 provided on the cloud 110 by loading the program stored in the storage unit such as the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing the processing. It is realized by.

  First, the client terminal 101 transmits a display request for the print authentication screen 1009 (login screen) in FIG. 10 to the print management server 104 (S501).

  When receiving the display request from the client terminal 101 (S502), the print management server 104 transmits the display data of the print authentication screen 1009 (login screen) in FIG. 10 to the client terminal 101 (S503).

  Upon receiving the display data from the print management server 104 (S504), the client terminal 101 displays the print authentication screen 1009 (login screen) in FIG. 10 on the display unit according to the display data (S505).

  The print authentication screen 1009 (login screen) in FIG. 10 includes an input field 1010 for inputting a university ID that is identification information for identifying a university, an input field 1011 for a login ID (user ID), an input field 1012 for a password, A login button 1013 is displayed.

  When the client terminal 101 receives an input of a university ID, a login ID, and a password in each input column of the print authentication screen 1009 (login screen) and detects that the login button 1013 has been pressed, The entered university ID, login ID, and password are transmitted to the print management server 104 (S506). Here, the university ID, the login ID, and the password are referred to as authentication information.

  Upon receiving the authentication information from the client terminal 101 (S507), the print management server 104 stores the university ID included in the authentication information in a storage unit such as a memory of the print management server 104 in FIG. It is determined whether it is registered in the list table 1301. In the university list table 1301 in FIG. 13, a list of universities using the upper limit management of printing and the cloud printing service of this embodiment is registered. Therefore, if it is determined that the university with the university ID received in S507 is registered in the used university list table 1301, the print management server 104 determines this service (upper limit management for printing and cloud management of this embodiment). It is determined that the university is using a service that performs printing (S508: YES). If it is determined that the university with the university ID received in S507 is not registered in the university list table 1301, the print management server 104 determines that this service (upper limit management of printing and cloud management of this embodiment) It is determined that the university is not using the printing service (S508: NO).

  If the print management server 104 determines that the university with the university ID received in S507 is not a university using this service, the print management server 104 returns the process to S503.

  If it is determined that the university with the university ID received in S507 is a university that uses this service, the print management server 104 transmits the authentication information received in S507 to the common authentication server 105 (S509). ).

  When the common authentication server 105 receives the authentication information from the print management server 104 (S510), the common authentication server 105 registers the authentication information in the authentication table 1201 of FIG. 12 stored in a storage unit such as a memory of the common authentication server 105. By determining whether or not it has been performed, user authentication processing is performed (S511). The authentication table 1201 is a table in which university IDs, user IDs, and passwords are registered, and authentication information of users of a plurality of universities is registered. Therefore, the common authentication server 105 can perform authentication processing for users of a plurality of universities using the authentication table 1201.

  If it is determined that the authentication information received in S510 from the print management server 104 is registered in the authentication table 1201, the common authentication server 105 can authenticate the user who has input the authentication information (successful authentication). The authentication result is transmitted to the print management server 104. Further, if it is determined that the authentication information received in S510 from the print management server 104 is not registered in the authentication table 1201, the common authentication server 105 cannot authenticate the user who has input the authentication information. The authentication result is sent to the print management server 104 (S512).

  When the print management server 104 receives the authentication result of the authentication processing of S511 from the common authentication server 105 (S513), the print management server 104 determines whether the authentication result is an authentication result indicating that the authentication is successful (authenticated) or an authentication failure (authentication). If it is determined that the authentication result is authentication success (authenticated) (S514: YSE), the process proceeds to S515 as being authenticated. Transition. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication result is an authentication failure (not authenticated) (S514: NO), the process returns to S503, assuming that the authentication has not been performed.

  In S515, the print management server 104 transmits the display data of the file upload screen 1014 of FIG. 10 to the client terminal 101 (S515).

  Upon receiving the display data from the print management server 104 (S516), the client terminal 101 displays the file upload screen 1014 of FIG. 10 on the display unit according to the display data (S517).

  In the file upload screen 1014 of FIG. 10, whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing as the input field 1015 for the file path (including the file name) of the file to be uploaded and the input field for the print setting of the file. A setting input field 1016, an input field 1017 for setting whether to perform duplex printing or single-sided printing, and an input field 1018 for the number of copies are displayed. In addition, a file upload button 1019 is displayed on the file upload screen 1014.

  When the client terminal 101 receives an input of a file path and various print settings through the file upload screen 1014 by a user operation and detects that the file upload button 1019 is pressed, the client terminal 101 uses the input file path. Various print settings are transmitted to the print management server 104 together with the identified file (S519).

  When the print management server 104 receives the file and print settings from the client terminal 101 (S520), the print management server 104 generates the file and print data (print job) of the file according to the print settings (S521). The generated print job is registered in the print job management table 1302 stored in a storage unit such as a memory of the print management server 104 (S522). Specifically, the print management server 104 displays the print settings set in the print job or the print settings received in step S520 (for example, color printing / monochrome printing, duplex printing / single-sided printing, the number of output copies). Register in the management table 1302. Also, the date and time at this time is registered as the reception date and time. As the number of output faces, a value calculated from the number of copies and the number of pages is registered. In the print job name of the print job management table 1302, the file name of the file received in S520 is registered. In the user ID of the print job management table 1302, the user ID received in S507 is registered, or the user ID transmitted by the client terminal 101 in S519 (the user ID received in S520) is registered. When the print management server 104 generates a print job in step S521, the print management server 104 assigns a print job ID and registers the assigned print job ID in the print job ID column of the print job management table 1302. The print job registered in S522 is an application example of print data registered in the storage unit on the off-campus network from the client terminal operated by the first school user.

The processing for registering a print job from the A university client terminal 101 to the print management server 102 in the A university has been described above using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and the A university client terminal has been described with reference to FIG. The processing for registering a print job in the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 from 101 has been described. The client terminal 101 and the client terminal 106 have the same function. The print management server 102 and the print management server 107 have the same function. The printing apparatus 103 and the printing apparatus 108 have the same function. 4 and 5, the client terminal 101 is replaced with the client terminal 106, and the print management server 102 is replaced with the print management server 107. It becomes possible to register with the print management server 107 in the University B and to register a print job in the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 from the client terminal 106 at the University B.
<Description of FIG. 6>
Next, referring to FIG. 6, a user at University A or a user at University B uses the printing device 108 at University B to print a print job registered in the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 (cloud printing). ) And processing for printing a print job registered in the print management server 107 (on-campus printing) will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing in which a user at University A or a user at University B prints a print job with the printing device 108 at University B.

  In the processing shown in S601, S602, S611, and S614 to S617 shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 108 provided on the University B network 111 loads the program stored in the storage means such as the HDD 304 into the RAM 302. It is realized by executing.

  In addition, the processing shown in S603, S604, S609, S610, S612, S613, and S618 to S621 shown in FIG. 6 is performed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 107 provided on the network 111 in the University B in the external memory 211 or the like. This is realized by loading the program stored in the storage means into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  6 is executed by the CPU 201 of the common authentication server 105 provided on the cloud 110 by loading the program stored in the storage unit such as the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing the processing. It is realized by.

  First, the printing apparatus 108 displays the login screen 1101 of FIG. 11 on a display unit such as the display screen 321 (S601). A login screen 1101 shown in FIG. 11 displays a university ID input field 1102, a login ID input field 1103, a password input field 1104, and a login button 1105.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of various screens displayed on the display unit of the printing apparatus.

  When the printing apparatus 108 receives an input of a university ID, a login ID, and a password via a login screen 1101 by a user operation and detects that the login button 1105 is pressed, the input university ID and login ID are input. The password is sent as authentication information to the print management server 107 (S602).

  When the print management server 107 receives the authentication information from the printing apparatus 108 (S603), the print management server 107 transmits the authentication information to the common authentication server 105 (S604). S603 is an application example of the identification information receiving means of the present invention, and inputs user identification information (user ID, password) for identifying a user, including school identification information (college ID) identifying the user's school. Accept.

  S604 is an application example of the identification information transmission unit of the present invention, and transmits the user identification information received by the identification information reception unit of S603 to the common authentication server 105.

  When the common authentication server 105 receives the authentication information from the print management server 107 (S605), the authentication information is registered in the authentication table 1201 of FIG. 12 stored in a storage unit such as a memory of the common authentication server 105. By determining whether or not it has been performed, a user authentication process is performed (S606). The authentication process in S606 is the same process as the authentication process in S511.

  If it is determined that the authentication information received from the print management server 107 is registered in the authentication table 1201, the common authentication server 105 can authenticate the user who has input the authentication information (the authentication is successful). ) Send the authentication result to the print management server 107. If it is determined that the authentication information received from the print management server 107 is not registered in the authentication table 1201, the common authentication server 105 cannot authenticate the user who has input the authentication information (authentication). The authentication result is transmitted to the print management server 107 (S607).

  When the print management server 107 receives the authentication result of the authentication processing in S606 from the common authentication server 105 (S608), the print management server 107 determines whether the authentication result is an authentication result indicating that the authentication is successful (authenticated) or an authentication failure (authentication). If it is determined that the authentication result is authentication success (authenticated) (S609: YSE), the process proceeds to S612. Transition. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication result is an authentication failure (not authenticated) (S609: NO), the process proceeds to S610 assuming that the authentication has not been performed.

  S608 is an application example of the authentication result receiving unit of the present invention, and the common authentication server 105 includes the user identification information transmitted by the identification information transmitting unit of S604 and the user identification including the school identification information registered in advance. An authentication result obtained by authenticating the user using the information (authentication table 1201) is received from the common authentication server 105.

  In step S610, the print management server 107 transmits information indicating that the authentication has failed to the printing apparatus 108. Upon receiving the information from the print management server 107, the printing apparatus 108 displays information indicating that the authentication has failed on the display unit (S611). Then, the printing apparatus 108 returns the process to S601.

  The print management server 107 determines whether the university ID included in the authentication information received in S603 is stored in the university table 1206 (FIG. 12) stored in the storage unit such as the memory of the print management server 107. (S612). The university table stores a university ID that identifies the university where the print management server storing the university table is installed. Therefore, if it is determined that the university ID included in the authentication information received in S603 is stored in the university table 1206 (FIG. 12), the print management server 107 determines that the user who performed the authentication process (S612: YES). On the other hand, if it is determined that the university ID included in the authentication information received in S603 is not stored in the university table 1206 (FIG. 12), the print management server 107 determines that the user who performed the authentication process is off-campus (S612: NO). When it is determined that the user who has performed the authentication process is an off-campus user (S612: NO), the print management server 107 displays the print type selection screen without shifting the process to S613. Without performing the process for), the process proceeds to S620.

  If it is determined that the user who has performed the authentication process is a user on campus (S612: YES), the print management server 107 sends the display data of the print type selection screen 1106 in FIG. Transmit (S613). Upon receiving the display data (S614), the printing apparatus 108 displays a print type selection screen 1106 on the display unit according to the display data (S615). As shown in FIG. 11, the print type selection screen 1106 displays a button 1107 that displays “Please click here for campus printing” and a button 1108 that displays “Please click here for cloud printing”. Has been.

  Here, when the user prints a print job stored in the print management server 107 of the same university where the printing apparatus 108 is installed (on-campus printing), the user presses the button 1107 to When a print job stored in the print management server 104 on 110 is printed (cloud printing), a button 1108 is pressed.

  The printing apparatus 108 accepts pressing (selection) of either the button 1107 or the button 1108 via the print type selection screen 1106 by the user. That is, the selection of campus printing or cloud printing is accepted as the print type (S616).

  The printing apparatus 108 transmits the selection result of S616 to the print management server 107 (S617). Upon receiving the selection result from the printing apparatus 108 (S618), the print management server 107 indicates that the selection result has received selection of the button 1107 (selection to perform campus printing has been received), or the button 1108 It is determined whether or not the selection is accepted (selection for performing cloud printing is accepted) (S619).

If the print management server 107 determines that the selection result indicates that selection of the button 1107 has been accepted (selection to perform on-campus printing has been accepted) (S619: NO), the process proceeds to S621. Then, the campus printing process is executed (S621). On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection result indicates that selection of the button 1108 has been accepted (selection for performing cloud printing has been accepted) (S619: YES), the process proceeds to S620 and the cloud printing process is performed. Is executed (S620). Details of the cloud printing process in S620 will be described with reference to FIG. Details of the campus printing process in S621 will be described with reference to FIG.
<Explanation of FIG. 7>
Next, detailed processing of the cloud printing processing in S620 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed processing of the cloud printing processing in S620 of FIG.

  The processing shown in S706 to S709 and S716 to 719 shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 108 provided on the University B network 111 by loading the program stored in the storage means such as the HDD 304 into the RAM 302. It is realized by doing.

  Also, the processing shown in S701, S704, S705, S710 to 712, S715 to S717, S720, and S721 shown in FIG. 7 is performed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 107 provided on the network 111 in the University B by the external memory 211. This is realized by loading a program stored in the storage means such as the RAM 202 and executing it.

  Also, the processing shown in S702, S703, S713, S714, S722 to S726 shown in FIG. 7 is performed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 104 provided on the cloud 110 executing a program stored in a storage unit such as the external memory 211. This is realized by loading into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  Also, the processing shown in S727 to S729 shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the print management server 102CPU201 provided on the university A network 109 loading the program stored in the storage means such as the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it. Is realized.

  Here, a user of University A registers a print job in the print management server 104 by the process shown in FIG. 5, and the user comes to University B and is registered in the print management server 104 from the printing device 108 of University B. A case of printing a print job (cloud printing) will be described as an example.

  First, the print management server 107 at the University B transmits the authentication information received in S603 and the user's print job authenticated in S609 and the print upper limit information acquisition request to the print management server 104 on the cloud 110 (see FIG. S701). Here, the university ID and user ID included in the authentication information received in S603 are transmitted.

  When the print management server 104 receives the acquisition request including the university ID and the user ID from the print management server 107 (S702), the print management server 104 stores the university name registered in the used university list table 1301 in association with the university ID. Among the management tables, a print job management table and a user upper limit management table are specified. Here, when the user's university is A university and the university ID is 1, the print job management table 1302 and user upper limit management table 1303 of A university are specified. Here, the user upper limit management table 1303 and the user upper limit management table 1204 are application examples of the first school printing upper limit information. Further, like the tables 1302 and 1303, the storage unit stores the accumulated number of prints, the upper limit number of prints, and print data of the users for each of a plurality of schools.

  Then, the print management server 104 includes a record including the user ID (login ID) (A1 in this case) acquired in S702 among the records of the print job management table 1302 and the user upper limit management table 1303 specified here. All are acquired and transmitted to the print management server 107 (S703).

  The storage means such as the memory of the print management server 104 in which each table of FIG. 13 is stored is an application example of the storage means of the present invention, and is a storage means provided on the off-campus network. Cumulative user print count (printed actual value in user upper limit management table 1303), first school user print upper limit print count (print upper limit value in user upper limit management table 1303), and user print data (print job management table 1302) Stored in correspondence with the print job ID).

  When the print management server 107 receives the record of the user ID in the print job management table 1302 and the user upper limit management table 1303 from the print management server 104 (S704), the user ID of the print job management table 1302 is received. Is sent to the printing apparatus 108 as print job list information (S705). Here, the record of the user ID in the user upper limit management table 1303 is referred to as upper limit information.

  S704 is an application example of the acquisition unit of the present invention, and acquires the cumulative number of prints, the upper limit number of prints, and print data from the storage unit.

  In other words, the acquisition unit acquires from the storage unit the school identified by the user identification information (university ID, user ID) received by the identification information reception unit in S603, and the user's cumulative print number, print upper limit number, and print data. To do. More specifically, the acquisition unit is identified by the user identification information received by the identification information reception unit of S603 on the condition that the authentication result received by the authentication result reception unit of S608 indicates that the authentication has been performed. In S704, the cumulative number of prints, the maximum number of prints, and the print data of the school and the user are acquired from the storage unit.

  Upon receiving the print job list information from the print management server 107 (S706), the printing apparatus 108 displays the print job list information on the display unit as a print job list screen 1109 shown in FIG. 11 (S707).

  In the print job list screen 1109 shown in FIG. 11, print job list information 1110 and a print button 1111 are displayed.

  The printing apparatus 108 receives a selection of a print job to be printed from the print jobs in the print job list information 1110 displayed on the print job list screen 1109 (S708), and the print button 1111 is pressed. Is detected, a print request for the selected print job is transmitted to the print management server 107 (S709). Here, the print job ID of the selected print job is transmitted.

  When the print management server 107 receives a print request for the selected print job from the printing apparatus 108 (S710), the record of the print job management table 1302 received in S704 including the print job ID included in the print request. It is determined whether the value obtained by adding the number of output pages and the printing result value of the upper limit information received in S704 exceeds the value of the printing upper limit value of the upper limit information (S711). If it is determined in S711 that the print upper limit value is exceeded (S711: NO), the print management server 107 returns the process to S705, while the print upper limit value is exceeded. If it is determined that there is no print job ID (S711: YES), the print job ID is transmitted to the print management server 104, and a print job acquisition request identified by the print job ID is transmitted to the print management server 104 ( S712). Here, S710 is an application example of the accepting unit of the present invention, and accepts a print request for print data stored in the storage unit from the second school printing apparatus. Further, S711 is an application example of the determination unit of the present invention, and the acquisition unit acquires the total value of the number of prints of the print data whose print request has been received by the reception unit and the cumulative number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit. It is determined whether or not the upper limit number of prints is exceeded.

  Upon receiving a print job acquisition request including the print job ID from the print management server 107 (S713), the print management server 104 acquires the print job with the print job ID using the print job management table 1302. The print job is transmitted to the print management server 107 (S714). In the print job ID included in the print job management table such as the print job management table 1302, the print job is stored in the storage unit corresponding to the print job ID, and the print management server 104 determines in step S713. The print job stored in the storage unit corresponding to the received print job ID is acquired and transmitted to the print management server 107.

  When the print management server 107 receives a print job from the print management server 104 (S715), the print management server 107 transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 108 and issues a print instruction for the print job (S716). The process of S716 is an application example of the transmission unit of the present invention, and when the determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the reception unit receives a print request from the second school printing apparatus. In order to print the print data, the print data is transmitted to the second school printing apparatus.

  Upon receiving a print instruction including a print job from the print management server 107, the printing apparatus 108 executes print processing for the print job (S716).

  Further, the print management server 107 transmits a print result acquisition request indicating whether printing has been normally performed in the printing process of S716 or how many pages have been printed to the printing apparatus 108 (S716).

  When the printing apparatus 108 receives a print result acquisition request from the print management server 107 (S718), the print management server 107 displays a print result indicating whether printing has been performed normally in the printing process of S716 or how many pages have been printed. It transmits to 107 (S719).

  When the print management server 107 receives the print result from the printing apparatus 108 and receives the print result indicating that the printing has been normally performed in the print processing in S716 (S720), the print management server 107 sends the print result to the print management server 104. Transmit (S721). S721 is an application example of the update means of the present invention, and transmits an update request stored in the storage means for updating the cumulative number of printed pages of the first school user to the total value.

  When the print management server 104 receives the print result from the print management server 107 (S722), the print management server 104 deletes the record of the print job management table 1302 of the print job ID of the print job transmitted in S714, and displays the print job management table 1302 in the print job management table 1302. Update (S723).

  Then, the print management server 104 adds the number of print pages included in the print result to the total number of output pages of the printer print result table 1305 corresponding to the university ID included in the authentication information received in S603. Then, the printer printing result table 1305 is updated (S724).

  The printer printing result table 1305 is a table in which the number of printed pages printed by the university's printing apparatus by users of other universities is registered for each university. In the example of the printer printing result table 1305, it is indicated that the user of the university A is printing 1500 pages (1500 pages) on the printing apparatus of the university B with the university ID 2.

  The print management server 104 adds the number of printed pages included in the print result received in step S722 from the print management server 107 to the print result value of the upper limit information transmitted in step S703, thereby creating the user upper limit management table 1303. Update (S725). That is, the cumulative number of printed sheets of the first school user is updated to the total value.

  The print management server 104 transmits the record information of the print job management table 1302 deleted in S723 to the print management server 102 in the university A to which the user belongs as a print result (S726).

  Upon receiving the print result from the print management server 104 (S727), the print management server 102 registers the print result in the print history table 1304 and updates the print history table 1304 (S728).

  Further, the print management server 102 adds the print history table registered in S728 to the print record value of the record in the user upper limit management table 1204 including the user ID included in the record of the print history table 1304 registered in S728 as the print result. The user upper limit management table 1204 is updated by adding the number of output faces (number of print faces) included in the record 1304 (S729).

  As described with reference to FIG. 7, when a user of the university (for example, University A) prints a print job stored on the cloud with a printing apparatus at another university (for example, University B), the print management server at the other university The university can acquire the upper limit information and print job of the university related to the print restriction of the user from the server on the cloud, and perform print control for determining whether or not the print job can be printed based on the upper limit information. Therefore, users of the university can print at other universities based on the upper limit information of the university.

In addition, because the results of printing by a university user's printing device in this way are also reflected in the upper limit information of the university's print management server, the user of the university has printed it using a printing device at another university. Later, even when printing with the University's printing device, the upper limit of printing can be appropriately managed.
<Description of FIG. 8>
Next, detailed processing of the on-campus printing process in S621 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed processing of the campus printing process in S621 of FIG.

  The processing shown in S802 to S805 and S809 to S812 shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 301 of the printing apparatus 108 provided on the University B network 111 by loading the program stored in the storage means such as the HDD 304 into the RAM 302. It is realized by doing.

  Further, the processing shown in S801, S806 to S808, S810, and S813 to S815 shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the storage unit such as the external memory 211 by the CPU 201 of the print management server 107 provided on the network 111 in the university B. This is realized by loading the executed program into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  Further, the processing shown in S816 and S817 shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the CPU 201 of the print management server 104 provided on the cloud 110 loading the program stored in the storage means such as the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it. It is realized by.

Here, a user of B University (client terminal 106) registers a print job in the print management server 107 by the process shown in FIG. 4, and the user is registered in the print management server 107 from the B University printing apparatus 108. An example of printing a print job (on-campus printing) will be described.

First, the print management server 107 identifies a record in the print job management table 1209 that includes the user ID (for example, the user ID is B1) of the user who has received the authentication information in S603 and has been authenticated in S609, and the identified record Is transmitted to the printing apparatus 108 as information of a list of print jobs (S801).

  Upon receiving the print job list information from the print management server 107 (S802), the printing apparatus 108 displays the print job list information 1110 on the display unit (S803). Here, a screen similar to the print job list screen 1109 is displayed, but the print job displayed here is a print job stored in a storage unit such as a memory of the print management server 107 (print job management table). The print job is managed in 1209).

  Then, the printing apparatus 108 receives a selection of a print job to be printed from the print jobs in the print job list information 1110 displayed on the print job list screen 1109 (S804), and the print button 1111 is pressed. When this is detected, a print request for the selected print job is transmitted to the print management server 107 (S805). Here, the print job ID of the selected print job is transmitted.

  Upon receiving a print request for the selected print job from the printing apparatus 108 (S806), the print management server 107 outputs the number of output records in the print job management table 1209 including the print job ID included in the print request. Then, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by adding the print actual value of the record of the user upper limit management table 1208 including the user ID received in S603 exceeds the value of the print upper limit value in the record (S807).

  S806 is an application example of the campus reception unit of the present invention, and receives a print request for print data of the second school user stored in the campus storage unit from the second school printing device.

  If the print management server 107 determines in S807 that the print upper limit value has been exceeded (S807: NO), the process returns to S801, while the print upper limit value has been exceeded. If it is determined that the print job is not present (S807: YES), the print job stored in correspondence with the print job ID is transmitted to the printing apparatus 108 and a print instruction for the print job is issued (S808).

  S807 is an application example of the campus determination means of the present invention, and printing of the second school user's print data stored in the campus storage means from the second school printing device by the campus reception means of S806. If the request is accepted, the total of the number of prints of the print data stored in the campus storage unit and the cumulative number of prints of the user stored in the campus storage unit without performing processing by the acquisition unit It is determined whether or not the value exceeds the upper limit printing number of the user stored in the on-campus storage unit.

  S808 is an application example of the on-campus transmission unit of the present invention. When the on-campus determination unit of S807 determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the print data is printed from the second school printing apparatus. In order to do so, the print data is transmitted to the printing device of the second school.

  Upon receiving a print instruction including a print job from the print management server 107, the printing apparatus 108 executes print processing for the print job (S809).

  Further, the print management server 107 transmits a print result acquisition request indicating whether printing has been normally performed in the printing process of S809 or how many pages have been printed to the printing apparatus 108 (S810).

  Upon receiving a print result acquisition request from the print management server 107 (S811), the printing apparatus 108 displays a print result indicating whether printing has been performed normally in the printing process of S809 or how many pages have been printed. It transmits to 107 (S812).

  When the print management server 107 receives a print result from the printing apparatus 108 and receives a print result indicating that printing has been normally performed in the print processing of S809 (S813), the print job of the print job transmitted in S808 The record of the ID print job management table 1209 is deleted, and the print job management table 1209 is updated. The deleted record is additionally registered in the print history table 1308 to update the print history table 1308. In addition, the print management server 107 receives the authentication information in S603 and adds the print result value received in S813 to the print result value of the user upper limit management table 1208 including the user ID of the user authenticated in S609 (for example, the user ID is B1). The user upper limit management table 1208 is updated by adding the number of print planes included in (S814).

  Then, the print management server 107 transmits the record (including the print result value) of the user upper limit management table 1208 updated in S814 to the print management server 104 (S815).

  S815 is an application example of the on-campus update unit of the present invention, and transmits an update request for updating the accumulated print number of the user of the second school stored in the storage unit to the total value to the storage unit.

  When the print management server 104 receives, from the print management server 107, the record (including the print record value) of the user upper limit management table 1208 updated in S814 (S816), the print management server 104 corresponds (matches) to the user ID included in the record. The print record value of the record in the user upper limit management table 1307 to be updated is updated to the print record value included in the record received in S816 (S817).

In this way, for example, a user at B University (client terminal 106) registers a print job in the print management server 107 by the process shown in FIG. The print job registered in can be printed (on-campus printing).
<Description of FIG. 9>
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a process for determining and charging a usage fee for each university using each printing result table stored in the printing management server 104 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for determining and charging a usage fee for each university using each printing result table stored in the print management server 104.

  The processing shown in each step shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 201 of the print management server 104 provided on the cloud 110 loading the program stored in the storage unit such as the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The

  First, the print management server 104 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (S901). Here, the predetermined condition includes a condition as to whether or not the current date and time (date) has reached a predetermined date and time, or a condition as to whether or not the user has received an instruction to start the processing of S902 to S904.

  If it is determined that the predetermined condition has been satisfied (S901: YES), the print management server 104 executes an offset process for the number of print results for each university (S902).

  Here, a specific example of the canceling process will be described. For example, a storage unit such as a memory of the print management server 104 stores a printer printing result table 1305 of another university and a printer printing result table 1309 of another university. In the printer printing record table 1305 of another university, the number of pages on which the user of the university A has printed on the printing apparatus of the university (University B) with the university ID 2 is registered as the actual value (for example, 1500 sheets). ing. Also, in the printer printing record table 1309 of another university, the number of pages printed by the user of the university B using the printing apparatus of the university (University A) with the university ID 1 is registered as the actual value (2400 sheets). ing.

  The printer printing result table 1305 of the other university of the print management server 104 is an application example of the management means of the present invention, and the first school user manages the number of prints printed by the second school printing apparatus. Yes.

  Therefore, the print management server 104 prints the actual number (for example, 2400) of the number of pages printed by the University B user using the University A printing apparatus, and the University A user performs the printing using the University B printing apparatus. The number of printed pages is subtracted by the actual value (for example, 1500 sheets), thereby canceling the number of printed actual results for each university (S902).

  The print management server 104 adds the amount corresponding to the value calculated in S902 (for example, 900 sheets) to a predetermined charge amount to the University B (usage fee for this service or usage fee for the printing apparatus). , Determine the amount billed to University B. Similarly, the print management server 104 uses the amount for the value calculated in S902 (for example, 900 sheets) as a predetermined amount charged to University A (usage fee for this service or usage fee for the printing apparatus). The amount charged to University A is determined by subtraction (S903).

  S903 is an application example of the determination means of the present invention, and determines the charge amount charged to the first school and the charge amount charged to the second school according to the number of printed sheets managed by the management means.

Then, the print management server 104 transmits the billing amount determined in S903 to each predetermined destination of University A and University B by E-mail or the like (S904). For example, the amount billed to University A determined in S903 is transmitted to a predetermined destination of University A. In addition, the amount charged to B University determined in S903 is transmitted to a predetermined destination of B University. Here, the transmission has been described as an example, but the print management server 104 may simply perform printing, and the user may mail it to each university.
<Description of FIG. 12>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of various tables stored in the common authentication server 105, the print management server 102, and the print management server 107.

  The authentication table 1201 is stored in the storage unit of the common authentication server 105. The university table 1202, the authentication table 1203, the user upper limit management table 1204, the print job management table 1205, and the print history table 1304 are stored in the storage unit of the print management server 102.

  A university ID of University A is registered in the university table 1202. In the authentication table 1203, the user ID and password of a user at University A are registered.

  In the user upper limit management table 1204, a print upper limit value and a print result value for each user of A University are set and registered.

  The print job management table 1205 is a table for managing print jobs that have been requested to be printed on campus by the print management server 102. The print job ID for specifying the print job and the user of the user who made the print request The ID, the print job name of the print job, the print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time (acceptance date and time) when the print job is received are registered.

  The print history table 1304 includes a print job ID for specifying the print job, a user ID of the user who made the print request, and the print job history as a print job history that has already been printed by the University A printing apparatus. The print job name of the job, print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time when the print job was received (acceptance date and time) are registered.

  Further, the university table 1206, the authentication table 1207, the user upper limit management table 1208, the print job management table 1209, and the print history table 1308 are stored in the storage unit of the print management server 107 (an application example of the on-campus storage unit). Yes.

  The on-campus storage means includes print data requested for registration from the client terminal 106 on the on-campus network of the second school (print data stored in correspondence with the print job ID in the print job management table 1209), the second school The user's cumulative print number (printed actual value in the user upper limit management table 1208) and the second school user's print upper limit number (print upper limit value in the user upper limit management table 1208) are stored.

  In the university table 1206, university IDs of University B are registered. In the authentication table 1207, user IDs and passwords of users of University B are registered.

  In the user upper limit management table 1208, a printing upper limit value and a printing result value for each user of the University B are set and registered.

  The print job management table 1209 is a table for managing print jobs that have been requested to be printed on campus by the print management server 107. The print job ID for specifying the print job and the user of the user who made the print request The ID, the print job name of the print job, the print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time (acceptance date and time) when the print job is received are registered.

The print history table 1308 includes a print job ID for identifying the print job, a user ID of the user who made the print request, and the print job history as a print job history that has already been printed by the University B printing apparatus. The print job name of the job, print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time when the print job was received (acceptance date and time) are registered.
<Description of FIG. 13>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of various tables stored in the storage unit of the print management server 104.

  The university list table 1301 registers a list of universities using the upper limit management of printing and the cloud printing service of the present embodiment, and the university ID and the university name are registered.

  Further, the print job management table 1302, the user upper limit management table 1303, and the printer printing result table 1305 are tables used for print management of the user of A University.

  The print job management table 1302 is a table used by a user of University A to manage a print job for which the print management server 104 has requested cloud printing. A print job ID for specifying a print job, the print request The user ID of the user who performed the print job, the print job name of the print job, the print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time when the print job was received (reception date and time) are registered.

  In the user upper limit management table 1303, a print upper limit value and a print record value for each user of A University are set and registered. The user upper limit management table 1303 is synchronized with each other so as to be the same data as the user upper limit management table 1204.

  The printer printing result table 1305 is a table in which the number of printing surfaces (printing result values) printed by the user of another university by the printing apparatus of University A is registered for each university. The example of the printer printing result table 1305 indicates that the user of University A is printing 1500 pages (1500 pages) on the University B printing device.

A print job management table 1306, a user upper limit management table 1307, and a printer print record table 1309 are tables used for print management of a user at University B.
A print job management table 1306 is a table used by a user of University B to manage a print job for which the print management server 104 has requested cloud printing. A print job ID for specifying a print job, the print request The user ID of the user who performed the print job, the print job name of the print job, the print setting information (color / monochrome, etc.) of the print job, and the date and time when the print job was received (reception date and time) are registered.

  The user upper limit management table 1307 is set and registered with a print upper limit value and a print record value for each user at University B. The user upper limit management table 1307 is synchronized with each other so as to be the same data as the user upper limit management table 1208.

  The printer printing result table 1309 is a table in which the number of printing surfaces (printing result values) printed by the user of another university using the printing apparatus of University B is registered for each university. The example of the printer printing result table 1309 indicates that the user of University B is printing 2400 pages (2400 pages) on the University A printing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when a user prints with a printing device of another school, it is possible to perform printing control related to the upper limit of printing similar to the user's campus, It is possible to provide a mechanism for improving the convenience of the user who prints with the apparatus.

  The present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that allows a computer to execute the processing method of the flowchart shown in the figure, and the storage medium according to the present invention stores a program that allows the computer to execute the processing method of the figure. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus shown in the figure.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium recording the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Client terminal 102 Print management server 103 Printing apparatus 104 Print management server 105 Common authentication server 106 Client terminal 107 Print management server 108 Printing apparatus

Claims (8)

Print control in the second school printing apparatus is performed by using the first school print upper limit information from the client terminal operated by the first school user to print data registered in the storage means on the off-campus network. A second school print management server that performs
Storage means provided on the off-campus network, the storage means storing the cumulative number of prints of the first school user, the maximum number of prints of the user of the first school, and the print data of the user Obtaining means for obtaining the cumulative number of printed sheets, the upper limit number of printed sheets, and the print data;
Receiving means for receiving a print request for the print data stored in the storage means from the second school printing device;
Determining whether the total value of the number of prints of the print data received by the reception unit and the cumulative number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit Determination means to perform,
When the determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the print data received from the printing device of the second school is printed in order to print the print data received by the reception unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to the printing device of the second school;
Updating means for transmitting an update request stored in the storage means for updating the cumulative number of printed sheets of the first school user to the total value to the storage means;
A print management server comprising: The storage means stores, for each of a plurality of school users, the cumulative number of prints of the user, the maximum number of prints, and print data.
An identification information receiving means for receiving input of user identification information for identifying the user, including school identification information for identifying the user's school;
The acquisition unit acquires the school identified by the user identification information received by the identification information reception unit, and the user's cumulative print number, the upper limit number of prints, and the print data from the storage unit. The print management server according to claim 1. Identification information transmitting means for transmitting user identification information received by the identification information receiving means to a common authentication server;
The common authentication server uses the user identification information transmitted by the identification information transmitting means and the user identification information including the school identification information registered in advance as an authentication result of the user authentication. An authentication result receiving means for receiving from the server;
Further comprising
The acquisition unit includes a school identified by the user identification information received by the identification information reception unit and the cumulative number of users on the condition that the authentication result received by the authentication result reception unit indicates that the authentication result has been authenticated. The print management server according to claim 2, wherein the number of printed sheets, the upper limit number of printed sheets, and the print data are acquired from the storage unit. On-campus storage for storing print data requested for registration from a client terminal on the second school campus network, the cumulative number of prints of users at the second school, and the maximum number of prints for users at the second school Means,
On-campus acceptance means for accepting a print request for print data of the second school user stored in the on-campus storage means from the second school printing device;
When the on-campus reception means receives a print request for print data of the second school user stored in the on-campus storage means from the second school printing device, the processing by the acquisition means The total number of print data of the print data stored in the on-campus storage means and the cumulative number of prints of the user stored on the on-campus storage means is stored in the on-campus storage means. On-campus determination means for determining whether or not the upper limit number of prints of the user is exceeded,
When the campus determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the print data is printed from the printing device at the second school to print the print data from the printing device at the second school. On-campus transmission means to transmit to
On-campus update means for transmitting an update request for updating the accumulated number of printed sheets of the user of the second school stored in the storage means to the total value;
The print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: An information processing system including the print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and an external server including the storage unit,
The external server is
Management means for managing the number of printed sheets printed by the second school printing device by the first school user;
Determining means for determining a charge amount charged to the first school and a charge amount charged to the second school according to the number of printed sheets managed by the management means;
An information processing system comprising:   6. The print management server according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is provided on an off-campus network of the first school and the second school. Print control in the second school printing apparatus is performed by using the first school print upper limit information from the client terminal operated by the first school user to print data registered in the storage means on the off-campus network. A second school print management server control method comprising:
The acquisition unit is a storage unit provided on the off-campus network, and stores the cumulative number of prints of the user at the first school, the maximum number of prints of the user at the first school, and the print data of the user. An acquisition step of acquiring the cumulative number of printed sheets, the upper limit number of printed sheets, and the print data from storage means for storing;
An accepting step for accepting a print request for the print data stored in the storage means from the printing device of the second school;
The total value of the number of prints of the print data for which the determination unit has received a print request in the reception step and the cumulative number of prints acquired in the acquisition step exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired in the acquisition step. A determination step of determining whether or not,
When the transmission means determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded in the determination step, from the printing device of the second school, to print the print data that has received the print request in the reception step, A transmission step of transmitting the print data to the printing device of the second school;
An on-campus update step in which an update means transmits an update request stored in the storage means to update the cumulative print number of the first school user to the total value to the storage means;
A control method comprising: Print control in the second school printing apparatus is performed by using the first school print upper limit information from the client terminal operated by the first school user to print data registered in the storage means on the off-campus network. A program that can be read and executed by the print management server of the second school,
The print management server;
Storage means provided on the off-campus network, the storage means storing the cumulative number of prints of the first school user, the maximum number of prints of the user of the first school, and the print data of the user Obtaining means for obtaining the cumulative number of printed sheets, the upper limit number of printed sheets, and the print data;
Receiving means for receiving a print request for the print data stored in the storage means from the second school printing device;
Determining whether the total value of the number of prints of the print data received by the reception unit and the cumulative number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit exceeds the upper limit number of prints acquired by the acquisition unit Determination means to perform,
When the determination unit determines that the upper limit number of prints is not exceeded, the print data received from the printing device of the second school is printed in order to print the print data received by the reception unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to the printing device of the second school;
A program that functions as an update unit that transmits an update request stored in the storage unit to update the cumulative number of printed pages of the first school user to the total value to the storage unit.

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