JP2019142172A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique that is able to appropriately perform a printing process, in a security printing function for performing a printing job associated with a password and in a cumulative printing function for performing a print job associated with a user identification information.SOLUTION: An MFP 1 comprises: a security printing function that prints a print job 75 including a password 83; and a cumulative printing function that prints the print job 75 including a user name 85. In response to acceptance of setting for execution of the cumulative printing function (S77: YES), the MFP 1 stores (S87) the received print job 75 in a memory 15 without determining whether the password 83 has been set for the print job 75 or not. In addition, the CPU 12 prints the password 83 for the print job 75 stored in the memory 15, without accepting it via a touch panel 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a function of storing a print job in a memory and starting printing by inputting authentication information from a user.

  Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus that performs a print job print operation after a print performer logs in to the image forming apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Literature 1, a print executor inputs user identification information and authentication information using a login screen of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus displays a list of documents associated with the login user who has been successfully authenticated. The print executor selects document data to be printed from the displayed document list and causes the image forming apparatus to execute printing.

JP 2007-320166 A

  On the other hand, there is also a function for executing printing by setting a password when transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus and performing password authentication associated with the print job in the printing apparatus. In either case, the received print job is temporarily stored in the memory, and printing is started by inputting authentication information from the user. However, it has not been considered which function has priority for an apparatus in which two functions coexist.

  The present application has been proposed in view of the above-described problem, and performs print processing in a security print function that executes a print job associated with a password and an accumulation print function that executes a print job associated with user identification information. The purpose is to provide technology that can be implemented appropriately.

  A printing apparatus according to the present application includes a storage unit that stores a print job, a communication unit, a display unit, an operation unit that receives an operation, a printing unit that prints an image, and a control unit. The control unit receives the print job via the communication unit, the determination process determines whether the print job received by the reception process includes a password, and the determination process When it is determined that a password is included in the print job, a storage process that stores the print job in the storage unit, and a determination that the print job does not include a password by the determination process A first print process for printing an image relating to the print job by the printing unit; a first display process for displaying a job list indicating information on the print job stored in the storage unit on the display unit; A first acceptance process for accepting selection of the print job from the displayed job list by the operation unit, and a password via the operation unit. A password determination process for determining whether or not the password associated with the print job selected in the first reception process matches the password received in the second reception process; As a result of the password determination process, in response to determining that the password associated with the print job matches the password received in the second reception process, the print job selected in the first reception process is In a printing apparatus that executes a security printing function including a second printing process that is printed by a printing unit, the control unit receives a setting as to whether or not to execute a function of the printing apparatus that includes an accumulation printing function A third reception process is executed, and the accumulated printing function includes a fourth reception process for receiving user identification information via the operation unit, and the user Based on the authentication data related to the authentication of the identification information, the authentication of the user identification information received in the fourth reception process is executed, and according to the success of the authentication, the print job stored in the storage unit A third printing process for printing, by the printing unit, an image related to the print job associated with the user identification information that has been successfully authenticated, and the control unit performs the stored printing function in the third receiving process. The print job is stored in the storage unit without executing the password determination process, and the password of the print job stored in the storage unit is stored in the operation unit. The third printing process is executed without receiving the request.

  According to the printing apparatus according to the present application, it is possible to set to execute the storage printing function in the printing apparatus having the security printing function. Then, the printing apparatus does not execute the process in the security printing function in response to receiving the setting for executing the accumulated printing function. That is, the security printing function is limited. By restricting the security printing function according to the validation of the accumulated printing function, it is possible to appropriately execute printing processing in a printing apparatus having two functions. Note that “restricting the security printing function” here means not only when the security printing function is completely stopped and the security printing job is discarded, but also at least a part of the security printing job is stored and stored. It is a concept including the case where it prints.

  The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to a printing apparatus, and can be realized in various forms. A printing control method for controlling the printing apparatus, a function of the apparatus, or the method described above can be used. The present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program for realizing, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data preserve | saved at authentication DB. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a print job described in PJL. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a state transition of a screen displayed on the touch panel of the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the main process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a function setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing / accumulation process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing / accumulation process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the standby screen display process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the processing after icon pressing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the function setting process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the printing / accumulation process of 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an MFP 1 according to a first embodiment, which is an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present application, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1.

(1. Configuration of MFP)
The MFP 1 is a multifunction machine having a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a FAX function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 12, a RAM 13, a memory 15, a printing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a FAX communication unit 18, a user interface 20, a network interface 24, and the like. These CPUs 12 and the like are connected to each other by a bus 11. The MFP 1 also includes a power source 25 that supplies power from a commercial power source. The power supply 25 includes a power supply cord and a power supply circuit (a bridge diode, a smoothing circuit, etc.), generates a DC power supply from a commercial power supply, and supplies power to each unit included in the MFP 1 through a power supply line.

  The memory 15 (an example of the storage unit of the present invention) is a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM, for example. The storage unit of the present application is not limited to NVRAM, but may be a volatile RAM, ROM, HDD, an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the MFP 1, or a storage unit that combines them. The storage unit of the present application may be a file server or the like connected via the network interface 24. The storage unit may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The memory 15 stores various programs such as the control program 71. The control program 71 is a program that comprehensively controls each unit of the MFP 1, for example. The CPU 12 executes the control program 71 and controls each unit connected via the bus 11 while temporarily storing the executed processing result in the RAM 13. The control program 71 includes an EWS (Embedded Web Server) program that is a program that functions as a Web server. The CPU 12 causes the MFP 1 to function as a Web server by executing the EWS program. Also, an authentication DB (abbreviation of database) 73 is constructed in the memory 15 of the present embodiment. As will be described later, the authentication DB 73 is data in which, for example, a user name of a login user who can log in to the MFP 1, authority of each user, and mail address of each user are associated (see FIG. 2). In the following description, the MFP 1 that executes the control program 71 and the like by the CPU 12 may be simply described by a device name. For example, the description “MFP1 accepts operation input to touch panel 21” means “MFP 1 accepts operation input to touch panel 21 by executing control program 71 and controlling touch panel 21 with CPU 12”. There is.

  The printing unit 16 includes a head 161 and an ink cartridge 162. The ink cartridge 162 stores ink. The head 161 discharges ink supplied from the ink cartridge 162 onto a sheet (paper, OHP, etc.). As a result, the printing unit 16 prints an image on the sheet by the inkjet method based on the control of the CPU 12. Note that the printing unit 16 of the present application is not limited to the configuration in which printing is performed by the inkjet method, but may be configured by other methods, for example, printing by an electrophotographic method.

  The image reading unit 17 includes a document table (not shown) and an image sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). The image reading unit 17 moves the CIS or the like with respect to the document placed on the document table, reads the document, and generates image data. The FAX communication unit 18 transmits and receives FAX data to and from other facsimile machines via a telephone line.

  The user interface 20 has operation buttons such as a touch panel 21 and a numeric keypad 22. The touch panel 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, a light source such as an LED that emits light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, a contact sensing film bonded to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the like. The user interface 20 displays various setting screens, operation states of the apparatus, and the like on the touch panel 21 based on the control of the CPU 12. In addition, the user interface 20 transmits a signal corresponding to an operation input to the touch panel 21 or the numeric keypad 22 to the CPU 12.

  The network interface 24 is a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, for example, and is connected to the router 29 via a LAN cable (not shown). For example, a plurality of PCs 41 and a mail server 43 are connected to the router 29 of this embodiment. The user operates the PC 41 to transmit a print job 75 from the PC 41 to the MFP 1. The MFP 1 executes print processing based on the print job 75 received from the PC 41. Further, the MFP 1 has a mail receiving function for processing a mail received from the mail server 43 as a print job 75 and printing a file attached to the mail. Note that the apparatus that transmits the print job 75 to the MFP 1 is not limited to the PC 41 or the mail server 43, and may be a portable terminal capable of wireless communication with the MFP 1, for example. The network connecting the MFP 1, the PC 41, and the mail server 43 is not limited to a wired LAN, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN or a WAN (including the Internet).

Next, the authentication DB 73 stored in the memory 15 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows an example of data stored in the authentication DB 73. As shown in FIG. 2, in the authentication DB 73, for example, a user name 111, a PIN number 113, a print authority flag 114, a scan authority flag 115, a copy authority flag 116, and an email address 117 are associated and registered as one record. ing. In the authentication DB 73 of the present embodiment, five public users (PUBLIC), “inoue”, “kato”, “hayashi”, and “minami” are registered as users. The user name 111 and the PIN number 113 are given to each user by, for example, a system administrator who manages the MFP 1. Each user performs a login operation of the MFP 1 using the user name 111 and the PIN number 113.

  Further, the print authority flag 114, the scan authority flag 115, and the copy authority flag 116 are flag values for setting whether to give the authority to execute the print function, scan function, and copy function for the MFP 1 to each user. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the public user and the user name “inoue” have the print authority and the scan authority, but do not have the copy authority.

  Further, in each record, a mail address 117 is set in association with the user name 111, the PIN number 113, and the like. As described above, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment can print an attached file of a mail received from the mail server 43.

  The system administrator performs addition and deletion of users, change of authority, registration of the mail address 117, and the like shown in FIG. For example, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment can accept the setting of the authentication DB 73 by EWS. For example, the system administrator operates a Web browser on the PC 41 to access the EWS of the MFP 1. The MFP 1 sets the authentication DB 73 based on the information received on the EWS web page. Note that the editing method of the authentication DB 73 is not limited to the method using the above-described WEB server. For example, the MFP 1 may edit the authentication DB 73 in response to an operation input on the touch panel 21. Further, the data items of the authentication DB 73 shown in FIG. 2 are examples. For example, the authentication DB 73 may have a flag value for granting the authority to execute the FAX function and a value for limiting the number of printed sheets for each user. .

(2. Security printing function and accumulated printing function)
The MFP 1 of this embodiment has a security printing function and a storage printing function. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the print job 75 for executing the security printing function is referred to as a security printing job 75A, and the print job 75 for executing the storage printing function is referred to as the storage printing job. This will be described as 75B.

  When the print job 75 in which the user name 85 is set is received from the PC 41 or the like, the accumulated print function stores the received print job 75 in the memory 15 of the MFP 1 as the accumulated print job 75B. When a user name and a PIN number are input via the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1, the user name 111 and the PIN number 113 (see FIG. 2) registered in the authentication DB 73 are collated. If the user name 111 and PIN number 113 registered in the authentication DB 73 match as a result of the verification, the user who has performed the input operation logs in to the MFP 1. When the user logs in to the MFP 1, the stored print job 75 </ b> B associated with the user name 85 of the logged-in user is acquired from the memory 15 and printing is started.

  Setting of the accumulated printing function is performed by the system administrator operating the Web browser on the PC 41 and accessing the EWS of the MFP 1. When setting to execute the accumulated printing function is performed, the MFP 1 executes each process for accumulated printing described in the present embodiment on the print job 75 received from the outside such as the PC 41. In a case where the setting that the accumulated printing function is not executed is performed, the MFP 1 starts the printing process without being stored in the memory 15 when receiving the print job 75 from the outside such as the PC 41. Note that not storing in the memory 15 in this case means that a trigger for starting printing is not provided separately, and processing for temporarily storing in the memory 15 for printing processing is not included. The printer driver executed on the PC 41 sets a user account of the user for logging in to the PC 41 in the print job 75 and transmits the print job 75 to the MFP 1. The same character string is used for the user account for logging in to the PC 41 and the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73.

  In the security printing function, a print job 75 associated with a password is temporarily stored in the memory 15 of the MFP 1, and the user operates the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1 to input the password associated with the print job 75. This is a function for executing printing. When executing the security printing function, the PC 41 transmits to the MFP 1 a security printing job 75A in which a job name 81 and a password 83 are set. The job name 81 is, for example, the name of the print job 75 given by the printer driver executed on the PC 41. The password 83 is information (numbers, characters, etc.) set by the user on the printer driver setting screen executed on the PC 41 and associated with the security printing job 75A, for example.

  The storage printing function and the security printing function are common in that the print job 75 received from the outside is stored in the memory 15 and printing is started when the user performs an authentication information input operation in the MFP 1. On the other hand, the authentication information to be input is a password 83 associated with the print job 75 in the security printing function, but the stored printing function is different in that it is a PIN number 113 corresponding to the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73. Also, the print job 75 to start printing is the print job 75 selected by the user in the security print function, but differs in that it is all print jobs 75 to be printed in the accumulated print function.

  FIG. 3 shows a print job 75 described in PJL (Printer Job Language) as an example. Note that the content of the data in FIG. 3 is an example. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the header of the print job 75, a command for setting a variable (such as JOB_NAME) is described in the order of job name 81, user name 85, password 83, transmission time, and description language type. Yes. For example, the MFP 1 changes the processing content of the print job 75 based on the data set in the header of the received print job 75. For example, when a valid value is set in the variable “JOB_PASSWORD” indicating the password 83, the MFP 1 determines that the password 83 is set in the received print job 75 and treats it as the security print job 75A. For example, when a valid value is set in “PRINT_USER” indicating the user name 85, the MFP 1 determines that the user name 85 is set in the received print job 75. For printer languages other than PJL, the setting state of the user name 85 or the like can be detected by determining the contents defined in each language.

  FIG. 4 shows the state transition of the screen displayed on the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1. 4 are processes related to the login operation of the MFP 1. For example, after turning on the power and executing the control program 71 to start the system, the MFP 1 displays the standby screen 91 shown in the upper left of FIG. 4 on the touch panel 21 (see FIG. 1). The MFP 1 displays a function icon 93 for selecting a FAX function, a copy function, a scan function, and the like at the center of the standby screen 91. Further, the MFP 1 displays a user display field 95 for displaying the currently selected user name on the upper left of the standby screen 91. Since nobody is logged in when the power is turned on, the MFP 1 displays in the user display field 95 that a public user indicating that it is in a logout state is selected on the standby screen 91. . In a state where the standby screen 91 is displayed, a function (such as a scan function) according to the authority (see FIG. 2) permitted to the public user can be executed. The MFP 1 displays a date / time field 97 indicating the current time and date at the lower right of the standby screen 91. In addition, the MFP 1 displays a triangle icon 98 indicating that scrolling in the left-right direction is possible on both the left and right sides of the standby screen 91.

  In S <b> 19 of FIG. 4, when the user touches the user display field 95 displaying the public user, the MFP 1 displays a user selection window 109 on the touch panel 21. In the user selection window 109, the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 is displayed.

  After the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 is displayed in the user selection window 109, when any user name 111 in the user selection window 109, for example, the user name 111 of “inoue” is touched by the user (S21), The MFP 1 displays a PIN number input window 121 for inputting the PIN number 113. The MFP 1 displays a numeric keypad 123 for inputting the PIN number 113 and a PIN number input field 124 in the PIN number input window 121. When the PIN number 113 is entered in the PIN number input field 124 using the numeric keypad 123, the MFP 1 inputs the entered PIN number 113 and the PIN number 113 (associated with the user name 111 selected in the user selection window 109). In this case, it is determined whether or not “1111” of “inoue” in FIG. 2 matches (S23). When the PIN number 113 matches, the MFP 1 permits login. Although details will be described later, when the accumulated print job 75B associated with the logged-in user is accumulated in the memory 15 and the logged-in user has been given print authority, the MFP 1 stores the accumulated print job. All jobs 75B are printed (S23).

  The MFP 1 displays a second standby screen 91B after login. The MFP 1 displays the name of the logged-in user (for example, “inoue”) in the user display field 95 of the second standby screen 91B. In this state, the logged-in user can execute only the functions permitted by the authentication DB 73. Therefore, the MFP 1 limits the execution authority of each user by limiting the function after login based on the authority set in the authentication DB 73. For example, even if a user without copy authority touches the copy function icon 93, the function is not executed. Note that the MFP 1 does not have to display the function icon 93 of the function for which the logged-in user has no authority, that is, the function that cannot be executed, on the second standby screen 91B.

  When the user display field 95 is touched while the second standby screen 91B is displayed (S25), the MFP 1 displays a logout window 126. The MFP 1 displays a selection key 125 for selecting whether to execute logout on the logout window 126. When the “YES” selection key 125 for instructing execution of logout is touched (S27), the MFP 1 displays a standby screen 91 on the touch panel 21. This completes logout. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed while the second standby screen 91B is displayed, the MFP 1 returns the display on the touch panel 21 from the second standby screen 91B to the standby screen 91 (S29). This fixed time is, for example, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

(3. Operation of MFP1)
Next, the operation of the MFP 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows the flow of main processing for processing the print job 75. For example, after the MFP 1 is turned on and the control program 71 is executed by the CPU 12 to activate the system, the main process shown in FIG. 5 is executed. Note that the sequence diagrams and flowcharts in this specification basically show processing of the CPU 12 in accordance with instructions described in a program (such as the control program 71). That is, processes such as “determination”, “reception”, “acquisition”, “acceptance”, “determination”, “control”, and “setting” in the following description represent processes of the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 includes hardware control.

(3-1. Function setting process)
First, the function setting process of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment has an ON setting for executing the security printing function and an OFF setting for not executing the accumulated printing function as initial values. For example, when the CPU 12 executes the control program 71 after activation, the CPU 12 activates a management WEB server (EWS). In system management, the user logs in to the EWS of the MFP 1 from the PC 41 and changes various settings of the MFP 1. The system administrator, for example, selects each item displayed on the EWS WEB page and clicks the confirm button to set the security print function ON / OFF, the storage print function ON / OFF, Registration and the like of the authentication DB 73 can be executed. The MFP 1 may be configured to execute ON / OFF setting of the security printing function, ON / OFF setting of the accumulation printing function, and the like in response to an operation input of the touch panel 21 or the numeric keypad 22 (see FIG. 1).

  Then, when the function setting process shown in FIG. 6 is started, the CPU 12 determines whether or not a setting change has been received by the above-described EWS (S51). For example, when receiving an instruction to change the function setting, the EWS notifies the program that executes the function setting process of the change contents. When there is no notification of a function setting change instruction from the EWS in S51, that is, when there is no function setting change (S51: NO), the CPU 12 ends the function setting process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the function setting change is notified from the EWS in S51, that is, if the function setting is changed (S51: YES), the CPU 12 stores the acquired function setting change in the memory 15. (S53) and S55 are executed. As a result, the MFP 1 reflects the changed content accepted by the EWS, and retains the set content at the next and subsequent startups. In S55, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the accumulated printing function is set to ON. When the CPU 12 determines that the accumulated printing function is set to OFF (S55: NO), the function setting process shown in FIG. If the CPU 12 determines that the accumulated printing function is set to ON (S55: YES), it executes S56. As described above, in the MFP 1 of the present embodiment, the accumulation print function is set to OFF as an initial value. For this reason, the CPU 12 does not execute the processing from S56 onward until the storage printing function is set to ON by the system administrator or the like. The MFP 1 may have a configuration in which the accumulation print function is set to ON as an initial value.

  In S56, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the security printing function is set to ON. If the CPU 12 determines that the security printing function is set to OFF (S56: NO), it executes S58. If the CPU 12 determines that the security printing function is set to ON (S56: YES), the CPU 12 stores a setting value indicating that the security printing function is set to OFF in the memory 15 (S57). Thus, the MFP 1 sets the security printing function to OFF at the next startup. Accordingly, the CPU 12 according to the present embodiment automatically sets the security printing function to OFF in accordance with the ON setting of the accumulation printing function. After executing S57, the CPU 12 executes S58.

  Next, in the processing after S58, the CPU 12 determines the print job 75 stored in the memory 15. Here, after starting the system, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 received from the PC 41 or the like in the memory 15. For example, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 in which the password 83 received when the security print function is turned on in S91 of FIG. 8 described later in the memory 15 as the security print job 75A. Therefore, in S58 of FIG. 6, when the storage print function is set to ON (S55: YES), the CPU 12 determines the print job 75 (such as the security print job 75A) stored in the memory 15 and stores it. A print job 75 that can be processed as printing is detected.

  In S <b> 58, the CPU 12 determines whether there is a security print job 75 </ b> A among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15. For example, the CPU 12 determines that, among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15, the print job 75 in which a valid value is set in the variable “JOB_PASSWORD” indicating the password 83 is the security print job 75 </ b> A. (S58: YES). Alternatively, the CPU 12 may provide a dedicated area for storing the security print job 75A in the storage area of the memory 15, and determine the print job 75 stored in the area as the security print job 75A ( S58: YES). If the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 does not include the security print job 75A (S58: NO), the function setting process shown in FIG.

  Further, when the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 includes the security print job 75A (S58: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user name 85 is set in the security print job 75A. Judgment is made (S59). If the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is not set in the security printing job 75A (S59: NO), the CPU 12 deletes the security printing job 75A from the memory 15 (S67).

  Here, the security printing job 75A in which the user name 85 is not set is difficult to associate with the user, and it is difficult to make it the target of accumulated printing associated with the login user. For this reason, when the accumulated printing function is set to ON, there is a possibility that the security printing job 75A in which the user name 85 that is not the target of accumulated printing is not set is stored in the memory 15. In addition, as described above, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment sets the security print function to OFF in accordance with the ON setting of the accumulation print function. Therefore, even if the print job 75 has the password 83 set, the print job 75 in which the user name 85 is not set is stored in the memory 15 until the security print function is set to ON again. It becomes. Therefore, the CPU 12 of this embodiment releases the storage area of the memory 15 by deleting the security printing job 75A in which the user name 85 is not set from the memory 15 (S67).

  Note that the CPU 12 may confirm with the user whether the security printing job 75A may be deleted from the memory 15. For example, the CPU 12 may notify the PC 41 of the system administrator of information on the security printing job 75A that is determined to be deleted. Then, the CPU 12 may be configured to execute S67 when receiving a notification for approving the deletion permission from the system administrator.

  After executing S67, the CPU 12 executes the processing from S58 again. In this case, the CPU 12 determines whether or not there is another security printing job 75A in the memory 15, and if there is (S58: YES), the processing from S59 onward for the security printing job 75A. Execute.

  If the CPU 12 determines in S59 that the user name 85 is set in the security printing job 75A (S59: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the set user name 85 is registered in the authentication DB 73. (S61). As shown in FIG. 2, four user names 111 such as “inoue” are registered in the authentication DB 73 of this embodiment except “PUBLIC”. Accordingly, the CPU 12 accesses the authentication DB 73 in S61, and determines that the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 is the user name 85 set in the print job 75 if any of the four user names 111 corresponds. (S61: YES). If the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 of the security printing job 75A is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S61: NO), the CPU 12 deletes the security printing job 75A from the memory 15 (S67), and performs the processing from S58. Try again. As a result, similarly to the security printing job 75A in which the user name 85 is not set (S59: NO), the security printing job 75A of the unregistered user that is not the target of accumulated printing is deleted from the memory 15, thereby Free up 15 storage areas.

  Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 of the security printing job 75A is registered in the authentication DB 73 (S61: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not printing authority is given to the user (S63). As shown in FIG. 2, in the authentication DB 73 of this embodiment, printing authority is given to the users “inoue” and “hayashi” of the user name 111 (see the printing authority flag 114). Accordingly, when the user name 85 set in the security print job 75A is “inoue” or “hayashi”, the CPU 12 determines that the user has the print authority (S63: YES), and executes S65. If the CPU 12 determines that the user of the security printing job 75A has no printing authority (S63: NO), the CPU 12 erases the security printing job 75A from the memory 15 and releases the storage area of the memory 15 (S67). .

  In S65, the CPU 12 stores the password-added print job 75 that meets the conditions in S58 to S63 in the memory 15 as the storage print job 75B. As described above, the print job 75 that matches this condition is the security print job 75A in which the user name 85 of the registered user having print authority is set (S58: YES, S59: YES, S61: YES, S63). : YES) Therefore, when the accumulation printing function is set to ON, the CPU 12 according to the present embodiment sets the security printing in which the user name 85 of the registered user who has the printing authority among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 at that time is set. The job 75A is saved as a stored print job 75B. After executing S65, the CPU 12 executes the processing from S58 again.

  Note that the CPU 12 may delete all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 when the security printing function is automatically set to OFF according to the ON setting of the accumulated printing function (S57). In this case, for example, the CPU 12 does not execute the processes of S58 to S67, and deletes all the print jobs 75 in the memory 15 after executing S57. Further, for example, when the security printing function is intentionally set to OFF by a user operation, the CPU 12 may delete all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 at that time.

  Further, the CPU 12 may automatically set the security printing function ON when the user sets the storage printing function OFF again after the storage printing function is set ON. For example, when the CPU 12 receives a notification from the EWS to set the accumulated print function OFF, the CPU 12 may set the accumulated print function OFF and automatically set the security print function ON. In this case, as in the function setting process shown in FIG. 6, for example, among the print jobs 75 set with the user name 85 stored in the memory 15, the CPU 12 sets the print job 75 set with the password 83 as security. The print job 75A may be stored in the memory 15. For example, the CPU 12 may delete the print job 75 in which the password 83 is not set among the print jobs 75 in which the user name 85 saved in the memory 15 is set, or may continue to save in the memory 15. May be. Alternatively, all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 may be printed regardless of whether or not the password 83 is set.

  In addition, the method for storing the print job 75 that matches the conditions in S65 as the accumulated print job 75B is not particularly limited. For example, the CPU 12 may use different storage areas for storing the security print job 75A and storage areas for storing the accumulated print job 75B in the storage area of the memory 15. In this case, for example, the CPU 12 executes the processes of S58 to S67 for the print job 75 stored in the storage area for storing the security print job 75A. In step S65, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 that matches the conditions in the storage area for the accumulated print job 75B. As a result, the print job 75 whose storage destination has been moved is processed as an accumulated print job 75B.

(3-2. Main processing)
The main process in FIG. 5 will be described. The CPU 12 executes the process of FIG. 5 when the power is turned on. The CPU 12 executes S31 after executing the function setting process (FIG. 6) in S30. In S <b> 31, the CPU 12 confirms reception of the print job 75. As will be described later, after executing S41 and the like, the CPU 12 executes S31 again. Therefore, the CPU 12 periodically checks whether the print job 75 has been received after starting the system. The CPU 12 determines reception of the print job 75 based on the confirmation result of S31 (S33). If the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 has been received (S33: YES), the CPU 12 executes the printing / accumulation process of S35. On the other hand, when determining that the print job 75 has not been received (S33: NO), the CPU 12 executes S37. For example, when the CPU 12 receives a plurality of print jobs 75, the CPU 12 executes the processes after S 31 in the order received for the plurality of print jobs 75.

  In S37, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user has logged in. The CPU 12 determines that the user has logged in when the processes of S19 to S23 in FIG. 4 are performed. In S37 and subsequent steps, the CPU 12 executes processing related to the accumulated printing in S19 and subsequent steps in FIG. When determining that the user has logged in (S37: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether there is a stored print job 75B associated with the logged-in user among the stored print jobs 75B stored in the memory 15 (S39). . If the CPU 12 determines that there is an accumulated printing job 75B of the logged-in user (S39: YES), the printing unit 16 performs printing of the accumulated printing job 75B (S41). In this case, unlike the security printing, the password 83 is not requested as in S17 of FIG. Further, in the print processing of S41, the CPU 12 prints the accumulated print job 75B associated with the login user among the print jobs 75 saved as the accumulated print job 75B in S65 of FIG. As a result, among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 when the accumulation print function is set to ON, a print job 75 of a registered user having print authority can be printed. In addition, printing of the accumulated print job 75B is automatically started without requesting the user to select a job or input a password. Thereby, the complexity of operation by the user can be eliminated.

  After executing S41, the CPU 12 executes the processing from S30 again. Further, when the user is not logged in at S37 (S37: NO), or when there is no accumulated printing job 75B associated with the logged-in user at S39 (S39: NO), the CPU 12 executes the processing from S30. To do. Then, after executing the function setting process in S30, the CPU 12 confirms the reception of a new print job 75 in S31 and executes the processes after S33. When the accumulated printing function is set to OFF, the CPU 12 does not need to execute the above-described processes of S37 to S41, that is, the process of printing the accumulated printing job 75B of the login user in accordance with the login operation.

(3-3. Printing / accumulation processing)
Next, the contents of the printing / accumulating process in S35 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the description of the same contents as the function setting process described above will be omitted as appropriate. When the print / accumulation process is executed, the newly received print job 75 exists in S33 of FIG. 5 (S33: YES). The CPU 12 executes the processing from S71 onward with the newly received print job 75 as the print job 75 to be processed. First, in step S <b> 71, the CPU 12 determines whether the print job 75 to be processed is mail data. The determination as to whether the data is mail data can be made based on, for example, the data format of the print job 75 to be processed.

  When determining that the print job 75 to be processed is mail data (S71: YES), the CPU 12 issues a password (an example of a mail password of the present invention) to the mail address of the mail sender (S73). . This password is the password 83 necessary for executing the security printing. The CPU 12 associates the print data (e.g., attached file) of the mail with the issued password 83, and stores it in the memory 15 as the security print job 75A (S75). For example, the CPU 12 stores data such as an attached file (an example of mail information related to the mail of the present invention) in the storage area of the memory 15 for storing the security print job 75A (S75). . After executing S75, the CPU 12 ends the printing / accumulation process shown in FIGS.

  If the CPU 12 determines in S71 that the print job 75 to be processed is not mail data, that is, a normal print job 75 described in PJL or the like (S71: NO), the accumulated print function is set to ON. It is determined whether or not it is performed (S77). When the CPU 12 determines that the accumulated print function is set to ON (S77: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether the user name 85 is set for the print job 75 to be processed (S79). If the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is set for the print job 75 to be processed (S79: YES), it executes S81.

  If the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is not set for the print job 75 to be processed (S79: NO), the CPU 12 discards the print job 75 to be processed without saving it in the memory 15 (S83). Accordingly, when the accumulated print function is set to ON, when a print job 75 in which the user name 85 is not set is received, the print job 75 is discarded. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage area of the memory 15 from being compressed. For example, when the MFP 1 receives the security printing job 75A that does not have the user name 85 from the PC 41 even though the storage printing function is set to ON and the security printing function is set to OFF, the CPU 12 receives the received security printing. The job 75A can be deleted without being stored in the memory 15. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the security printing job 75A is not printed and accumulated in the memory 15 while the security printing function is set to OFF. After executing S83, the CPU 12 ends the printing / accumulation process.

  In step S <b> 81, the CPU 12 determines whether the user name 85 set for the print job 75 to be processed is registered in the authentication DB 73. When determining that the user name 85 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: NO), the CPU 12 executes S83. Thereby, by discarding the print job 75 of the unregistered user, the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured while improving security.

  If the CPU 12 determines in S81 that the user name 85 is registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the printing authority is given to the user with the user name 85 (S85). . If the CPU 12 determines that the printing authority is not given to the user (S85: NO), it executes S83. As a result, the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured while the security is improved by discarding the print job 75 of the registered user without the print authority.

  If the CPU 12 determines in S85 that the user is authorized to print (S85: YES), it executes S87. In S <b> 87, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 to be processed in a storage area for storing the accumulated print job 75 </ b> B in the storage area of the memory 15. The print job 75 stored in the memory 15 in S87 is subjected to print processing in S41 of FIG. 5 as the stored print job 75B. When executing S87, the CPU 12 ends the printing / accumulation process. The CPU 12 of this embodiment does not determine whether or not the password 83 is set for the print job 75 between S77 and S87. For this reason, when the storage print function is set to ON, even if the password 83 is set in the received print job 75, the CPU 12 stores the stored print job 75B as long as the conditions of S77 to S87 are satisfied.

  In S77 described above, when the CPU 12 determines that the accumulated printing function is set to OFF (S77: NO), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the password 83 is set in the print job 75 to be processed (FIG. 8). S89). As shown in FIG. 8, when the CPU 12 determines that the password 83 is set in the print job 75 (S89: YES), the CPU 12 executes S91 and determines that the password 83 is not set (S89: NO). , S93 is executed.

  In S91, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 to be processed in the memory 15 as the security print job 75A, and ends the print / accumulation process. Further, in S93, the CPU 12 prints the user 1 with the condition that the user name 85 is not set in the print job 75 to be processed and 2) the user with the user name 85 set in the print job 75 to be processed. If at least one of the conditions that there is no is satisfied (S93: YES), S95 is executed. Further, when the CPU 12 does not satisfy both of the above two conditions (S93: NO), the CPU 12 executes S97.

  In step S95, the CPU 12 executes printing of the print job 75 to be processed. As a result, the CPU 12 executes the print job 75 (S89: NO, S93: YES) in which the password 83 and the user name 85 are not set, that is, the print job 75 that does not correspond to the security print job 75A and the accumulated print job 75B. Print. In S95, the CPU 12 prints the print job 75 in which the user name 85 of the registered user having the print authority is set although the password 83 is not set (S89: NO, S93: YES). In step S97, the CPU 12 discards the print job 75 to be processed without saving it in the memory 15. As a result, the print job 75 in which the unregistered user name 85 is set or the print job 75 in which the registered user name 85 of the registered user without print authority is discarded is reserved, and the storage area of the memory 15 is secured. When executing S95 or S97, the CPU 12 ends the printing / accumulation process.

(3-4. Processing after pressing the icon)
Next, processing of the CPU 12 in security printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 10. FIG. 10 shows the contents of the processing after pressing the icon after pressing the function icon 93A of the security printing function shown on the first standby screen 91A of FIG. For example, when the user performs an operation of scrolling the standby screen 91 displayed on the touch panel 21 to the left in S <b> 11 of FIG. 4, the CPU 12 displays the first standby screen 91 </ b> A on the touch panel 21. The CPU 12 displays a security printing function icon 93A on the first standby screen 91A. When the function icon 93A on the first standby screen 91A is touched, the CPU 12 displays the job selection window 101 (S13 in FIG. 4) and starts the process shown in FIG.

  First, in S101 of FIG. 10, the CPU 12 displays a list of job names 81 of the security printing job 75A accumulated in S91 of FIG. 8 on the job selection window 101 of the touch panel 21 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the CPU 12 stores the attached file of the mail that issued the password 83 as a security printing job 75A in S75 of FIG. Therefore, for example, the attached file name of the mail for which the password 83 is issued is also displayed in the job selection window 101 as the security printing job 75A.

  Next, in step S <b> 103, the CPU 12 determines whether any of the job names 81 displayed on the job selection window 101 has been touched. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the process of S103 until the job name 81 is touched (S103: NO). If the job name 81 is not selected even after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), the CPU 12 deletes the job selection window 101 and returns the display on the touch panel 21 to the first standby screen 91A or the standby screen 91. May be.

  When any job name 81 in the job selection window 101 is touched (S103: YES, S15 in FIG. 4), the CPU 12 displays the password input window 103 in FIG. 4 on the touch panel 21 (S105). After displaying the password input window 103, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the input of the password 83 to the password input window 103 has been confirmed (S107). For example, when the password input window 103 of FIG. 4 is displayed and the confirmation key of the numeric keypad 22 (see FIG. 1) is pressed, the CPU 12 determines that the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: YES). The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the process of S107 until the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: NO). Note that the CPU 12 may delete the password input window 103 and display the job selection window 101 when the input of the password 83 is not confirmed after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).

  When the CPU 12 determines that the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether the password 83 input in the password input window 103 matches the password 83 of the selected security printing job 75A ( S109, S17 of FIG. 4). If the passwords 83 match (S109: YES), the CPU 12 executes printing of the security printing job 75A (S111, S107 in FIG. 4). The CPU 12 ends the processing of FIG. 10, for example, displays the print execution screen 107 of FIG. 4 on the touch panel 21 during printing, and displays the standby screen 91 on the touch panel 21 when printing is completed.

  On the other hand, if the password 83 does not match, the CPU 12 displays an error message on the touch panel 21 (S113). For example, after displaying an error message for a certain time, the CPU 12 ends the processing of FIG. 10 and displays the password input window 103 again. For example, the CPU 12 executes the processing from S105 again. In this way, the CPU 12 of this embodiment executes the security printing function.

(3-5. Standby screen display process)
Next, referring to FIG. 9, the standby screen display process for controlling the display and non-display of the function icon 93A for security printing on the standby screen 91, the first standby screen 91A, and the second standby screen 91B shown in FIG. I will explain. For example, when starting the display of the standby screen 91 or switching the display of the standby screen 91, the CPU 12 executes the process shown in FIG. More specifically, the CPU 12 turns on the MFP 1 to display the standby screen 91 for the first time, displays the standby screen 91 after printing, displays the second standby screen 91B after login, and the like. Next, the process of FIG. 9 is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when starting the standby screen display process, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the accumulated printing function is set to ON (S121). When the accumulated printing function is set to ON (S121: YES), the CPU 12 executes S123, and when it is set to OFF (S121: NO), the CPU 12 executes S125.

  In S125, the CPU 12 executes a process of displaying the function icon 93A on the standby screen 91 shown in FIG. Thus, when the accumulated printing function is set to OFF, the standby screen 91 displays the function icon 93A on the first standby screen 91A corresponding to the scroll operation. The user can execute security printing by operating the function icon 93A.

  In S123, the CPU 12 determines whether or not login is in progress. If the CPU 12 determines that it is not logged in (S123: NO), it executes S125. Accordingly, when the accumulated printing function is set to ON, the CPU 12 displays the function icon 93A on the first standby screen 91A in which the standby screen 91 in the logout state is scrolled.

  If the CPU 12 determines in S123 that the user is logged in (S123: YES), the CPU 12 displays a second standby screen 91B that does not include the function icon 93A (S127). Thereby, when the accumulated printing function is set to ON, the security printing function icon 93A is not displayed on the second standby screen 91B after the login. As described above, when the storage print function is set to ON, the security print job 75A is not stored except for mail. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of an erroneous operation can be suppressed by hiding the function icon 93A on the 2nd standby screen 91B. The CPU 12 prints a print job 75 related to the login user, more specifically, a print job 75 of a mail from a transmission address registered in the authentication DB 73 as the login user's mail address in accordance with the login operation. May be. In this way, the CPU 12 executes display processing for the standby screen 91 and the like.

  Incidentally, the MFP 1 is an example of a printing apparatus. The CPU 12 is an example of a control unit. The memory 15 is an example of a storage unit. The touch panel 21 is an example of a display unit and an operation unit. The network interface 24 is an example of a communication unit. The authentication DB 73 is an example of authentication data. User names 85 and 111 are examples of user identification information.

(4. Effect)
As described above, according to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are provided.
(1) In the security printing function, the CPU 12 of this embodiment receives a print job 75 via the network interface 24 (S31), and whether the print job 75 received by the reception process includes the password 83. A determination process (S89) for determining whether or not, and if the determination process determines that the password 83 is included in the print job 75 (S89: YES), a storage process for storing the print job 75 in the memory 15 (S89: YES). When the determination process determines that the password 83 is not included in the print job 75 (S89: NO), the printing unit 16 prints an image related to the print job 75 (S95). And a job list indicating information on the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 is displayed on the touch panel 21. A first display process (S13), a first reception process (S15) for accepting selection of the print job 75 from the displayed job list by the touch panel 21, and a second acceptance process (S17) for accepting the password 83 via the touch panel 21. A password determination process (S17) for determining whether or not the password 83 associated with the print job 75 selected in the first reception process matches the password 83 received in the second reception process, and a password determination As a result of the processing, in response to determining that the password 83 associated with the print job 75 matches the password 83 received in the second reception process, the print unit 16 selects the print job 75 selected in the first reception process. The second printing process (S17) for printing is executed. In addition, the CPU 12 executes a third reception process (S77) for receiving a setting as to whether or not to execute functions provided in the MFP 1 including the storage printing function. The accumulated printing function performs authentication of the user name 85 received in the fourth reception process based on the fourth reception process (S21) for receiving the user name 85 via the touch panel 21 and the authentication DB 73 related to the authentication of the user name 85. The third print processing is executed, and the printing unit 16 prints an image related to the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 that has been successfully authenticated, of the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 according to the success of the authentication. (S23). The CPU 12 stores the print job 75 in the memory 15 without executing the password determination process (S89) in response to receiving the setting for executing the storage print function in the third reception process (S77: YES). (S87) The third printing process (S23) is executed without accepting the password 83 of the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 via the touch panel 21.

  According to this, the security print function for printing the print job 75 selected from the job list in response to the password 83 associated with the print job 75 and the password 83 received via the touch panel 21 being the same. When the authentication with the user name 85 is successful in the MFP 1 having the above, it is possible to set the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 that has been successfully authenticated to execute the accumulated print function. Then, the MFP 1 restricts the security printing function in response to accepting the setting for executing the stored printing function. By restricting the security printing function according to the validation of the accumulated printing function, it is possible to appropriately execute the printing process in the MFP 1 having two functions.

  Further, for example, the login user ID of the PC 41 may be automatically associated with the print job 75 as the user name 85 by a printer driver or the like. On the other hand, the password 83 in the security printing function needs to be set by the user when printing is instructed by the printer driver. By adding the accumulated print function to the MFP 1, the same effect as the security print function can be obtained without setting the password 83 for each print job 75. Further, by restricting one of the two functions that can achieve the same effect, the operability for the user can be improved.

(2) The CPU 12 does not execute the security print function in the third reception process in response to receiving the setting to execute the accumulated print function in the third reception process (S55) (S55: YES). Even if the setting is not accepted, a setting is made not to execute the security printing function (S57).

  According to this, the security printing function is automatically set to OFF according to the ON setting of the accumulated printing function. Thereby, the print processing in the two functions can be appropriately executed by exclusively executing the storage printing function and the security printing function.

(3) Further, the CPU 12 executes a second determination process (S81) for determining whether or not the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 received by the reception process is registered in the authentication DB 73. When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the setting for executing the accumulated print function has been performed (S81: YES), the print job 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a storage print job 75B, which is a print job 75 to be printed in the third print processing of the storage print function (S87). When the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to be executed and the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: NO), the print job 75 is not stored in the memory 15 (S83).

  Accordingly, even when the print job 75 associated with the password 83 is received, the stored print function can be executed according to the user name 85 associated with the print job 75. Furthermore, when a print job 75 having a user name 85 that is not registered in the authentication DB 73 is received, the print job 75 is discarded without being stored in the memory 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 not registered in the authentication DB 73 from being continuously stored in the memory 15 without being printed and squeezing the storage area of the memory 15 in advance. Become.

(4) In addition, the CPU 12 causes the touch panel 21 to display a function icon 93A for performing a print processing execution operation using the security printing function (see the first standby screen 91A in FIG. 4). The CPU 12 displays the function icon 93 </ b> A on the touch panel 21 in a selectable state when it is set to execute the accumulated printing function and when the authentication of the user name 85 accepted by the fourth acceptance process is successful. Without (S127), when it is set to execute the accumulated printing function and when the authentication of the user name 85 received by the fourth receiving process is not successful, the function icon 93A is operable in the touch panel. 21 (S125).

  According to this, when the accumulated printing function or the like is executed by the login operation, the occurrence of an erroneous operation can be suppressed by not displaying the function icon 93A for executing the security printing function in a selectable state. Further, in the logout state, the security icon for selecting the print job 75 can be executed by displaying the function icon 93A. Thereby, coexistence of two functions can be performed appropriately.

(5) Further, when the CPU 12 accepts the setting for executing the accumulated printing function, if the memory 15 already has a print job 75 stored as the security printing job 75A by the security printing function, the CPU 15 Of the stored print jobs 75, the print job 75 in which the user name 85 is set is stored as a storage print job 75B of the storage print function (S65).

  According to this, when the execution of the accumulated printing function is set, the print job 75 in which the user name 85 is set in the already acquired print job 75 is processed as the accumulated printing job 75B. Can do. Thereby, even if the security printing function is limited according to the setting for executing the accumulated printing function, the print job 75 already stored in the memory 15 can be printed by the accumulated printing function.

(6) The MFP 1 also has a mail receiving function for receiving and printing mail. In response to receiving the mail, the CPU 12 associates the password transmission process (S73) for transmitting the mail password to the mail address of the mail transmission source, and the mail information related to the received mail with the mail password to be transmitted. The mail information storing process (S75) to be stored in the memory 15, the second display process for displaying the mail information on the touch panel 21 (the job selection window 101 in FIG. 4), and the selection of the displayed mail information are received by the touch panel 21. A fifth reception process (S15), a sixth reception process (S17) for receiving a mail password via the touch panel 21, a mail password associated with the mail information selected in the fifth reception process, and a sixth reception Email that determines whether or not the email password received in processing matches As a result of the password determination process (S17) and the mail password determination process, it is determined that the mail password associated with the mail information selected in the fifth reception process matches the mail password received in the sixth reception process. In response to this, the fourth printing process (S17) is executed in which the printing unit 16 executes printing related to the mail information. The CPU 12 maintains the print function related to the mail even after receiving the setting for executing the accumulated print function in the third reception process.

  According to this, even when the security printing function is restricted according to the setting for executing the accumulated printing function, the mail printing function is maintained. A user who requests printing by e-mail may be different from a user who transmits a print job 75 from a printer driver or the like. For this reason, even if the security printing function is restricted, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience by maintaining the printing function by mail.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same contents as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. FIG. 11 shows the contents of the function setting process of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the CPU 12 automatically sets the security printing function to OFF in response to the accumulation printing function being set to ON. On the other hand, the CPU 12 of the second embodiment does not automatically set the security printing function to OFF. As shown in FIG. 11, after executing S55, the CPU 12 executes S58.

  In the first embodiment described above, when the accumulation print function is set to ON, the print job 75 that cannot be saved as the accumulation print job 75B among the security print jobs 75A already saved in the memory 15 is discarded. (S67 in FIG. 6). On the other hand. The print job 75 that cannot be stored as the accumulated print job 75B may be continuously stored as the security print job 75A. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, if the CPU 12 determines in S59 that the user name 85 is not set in the security printing job 75A (S59: NO), the CPU 12 does not delete the print job 75 and starts from S58. Execute the process again. In S <b> 58 again, the CPU 12 determines whether there is another security print job 75 </ b> A among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15. Similarly, when the user is an unregistered user (S61: NO) and the user does not have the print authority (S63: NO), the CPU 12 executes the processing from S58 again. As a result, even after the accumulation printing function is set to ON, it is possible to leave the security printing job 75A in which the password 83 is set in the memory 15 and perform printing by security printing.

  FIG. 12 shows the contents of the print / accumulation process of the second embodiment, which is another example of the process of FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. Note that the printing / accumulation process shown in FIG. 8 is the same in the second embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIG. After the accumulated printing function is set to ON (S77: YES), the CPU 12 according to the first embodiment prints a job 75 (S79: NO) in which the user name 85 is not set or a print job 75 (S81 of an unregistered user). : NO) was discarded (S83 in FIG. 7).

  On the other hand, the CPU 12 of the second embodiment has the password 83 set for the print job 75 (S79: NO) in which the user name 85 is not set and the print job 75 (S81: NO) of the unregistered user. It is determined whether or not (S89 in FIG. 8). As a result, the CPU 12 can store the print job 75 in which the password 83 received after the accumulated print function is set to ON (S89: YES in FIG. 8) as the security print job 75A (S91). Further, even when the password 83 is not set in the print job 75 (S89: NO), the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 (S93: YES, S79: NO in FIG. 12) in which the user name 85 is not set in the memory. 15 is printed without saving (S95 in FIG. 8). Thereby, even if the accumulated print function is set to ON, the print job 75 received from a printer driver or the like that does not set the user name 85 can be printed.

  Further, when the user name 85 of the unregistered user is set in the print job 75 (81: NO in FIG. 12) and the password 83 is not set in the print job 75 (S89: NO), the CPU 12 print job 75 is discarded (S97). Thereby, security can be enhanced without executing the print job 75 of the unregistered user, and the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured. In this way, the CPU 12 of the second embodiment can execute the printing of the security printing job 75A without automatically turning off the security printing function.

(5. Effect)
As described above, according to the above-described second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The CPU 12 executes a second determination process (S81) for determining whether or not the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 received by the reception process is registered in the authentication DB 73. When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the setting for executing the accumulated print function has been performed (S81: YES), the print job 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a storage print job 75B, which is a print job 75 to be printed in the third print processing of the storage print function (S87). When the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to be executed and the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: NO), the print job 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a security printing job 75A, which is a print job 75 to be printed in the second printing process of the security printing function (S91 in FIG. 8).

  Accordingly, even when the print job 75 associated with the password 83 is received, the stored print function can be executed according to the user name 85 associated with the print job 75. Further, when a print job 75 with a user name 85 not registered in the authentication DB 73 is received, the print job 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a security print job 75A. In other words, the security print function is exceptionally executed for the print job 75 with the user name 85 not registered in the authentication DB 73. As a result, even if the print job 75 has an unregistered user name 85 set, the print job 75 with a password can be printed by the security print function. For example, even if the security printing function is limited on the MFP 1 side, the transmission side may not be able to recognize that the function is limited unless the transmission side of the print job 75 is notified. As a result, there is a possibility that a print job 75 with a password is transmitted from the transmission side. Even in this case, the print job 75 in which the password 83 and the user name 85 are set is stored as the security print job 75A and the accumulated print job 75B, so that printing can be performed while maintaining security.

(2) When the CPU 12 accepts the setting for executing the accumulated print function, and there is a print job 75 already stored in the memory 15, the password is included in the print job 75 stored in the memory 15. The print job 75 (security print job 75A) in which 83 is set is processed as a secure print job 75A that is a print job 75 to be printed in the first print processing of the secure print function (S59 in FIG. 11: NO, S61). : NO, S63: NO).

  According to this, when the execution of the accumulated print function is set, the print job 75 with the password 83 set in the already acquired print job 75 is exceptionally processed as the security print job 75A. it can. Thereby, even if the security printing function is limited according to the setting for executing the accumulated printing function, the print job 75 already stored in the memory 15 can be printed by the security printing function.

(6. Modifications)
In addition, this application is not limited to said each embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that various improvement and change are possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, the authentication information of the present application is not limited to numbers such as PIN numbers, but may be characters. The authentication using the authentication information of the present application may be authentication using information on an authentication card or biometric authentication such as a fingerprint.
Further, the CPU 12 may not execute the standby screen display process shown in FIG. In this case, the CPU 12 may display the function icon 93 </ b> A on the second standby screen 91 </ b> B after login regardless of whether the accumulation printing function is ON or OFF.
Further, the MFP 1 may not have a function of receiving mail or a function of printing mail information.
In the above embodiment, the MFP 1 starts printing the accumulated print job 75B after the user logs in. However, the MFP 1 further accumulates the accumulated print job 75B in response to a predetermined operation on the touch panel 21 after the user logs in. May be executed.
Further, when it is determined NO in S79 in the second embodiment or when NO is determined in S81, the received print job 75 may be discarded.
The MFP 1 includes the touch panel 21 as an operation unit that receives a login operation. However, the MFP 1 may have a configuration in which a login operation can be performed by another method. For example, the MFP 1 may determine whether to allow login based on data received from the mobile terminal. The user may input the user name 85 and the PIN number 113 on the portable terminal and transmit the input to the MFP 1 to perform a login operation. In this case, the communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal is an example of the operation unit of the present application.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although CPU12 which executes a predetermined program as a control part of this application was adopted, it is not restricted to this. For example, the control unit may be configured by dedicated hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). In addition, the control unit may be configured to operate using, for example, software processing and hardware processing together.
In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 that is a multifunction peripheral is used as the printing apparatus of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. The printing apparatus of the present application may be a printer apparatus having only a printing function.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP (printing apparatus), 12 CPU (control part), 15 Memory (memory | storage part), 21 Touch panel (display part, operation part), 16 Printing part, 24 Network interface (communication part), 73 Authentication DB (authentication data) 75 print job, 75A security print job, 75B storage print job, 83 password, 85, 111 user name (user identification information), 93A function icon.

Claims (8)

A storage unit for storing print jobs;
A communication department;
A display unit;
An operation unit for receiving an operation;
A printing section for printing an image;
A control unit;
With
The control unit receives the print job via the communication unit, the determination process determines whether the print job received by the reception process includes a password, and the determination process When it is determined that a password is included in the print job, a storage process that stores the print job in the storage unit, and a determination that the print job does not include a password by the determination process A first print process for printing an image relating to the print job by the printing unit; a first display process for displaying a job list indicating information on the print job stored in the storage unit on the display unit; A first acceptance process for accepting selection of the print job from the displayed job list by the operation unit, and a password via the operation unit. A password determination process for determining whether or not the password associated with the print job selected in the first reception process matches the password received in the second reception process; As a result of the password determination process, in response to determining that the password associated with the print job matches the password received in the second reception process, the print job selected in the first reception process is In a printing apparatus that executes a security printing function including a second printing process for printing by a printing unit,
The controller is
Executing a third accepting process for accepting a setting as to whether or not to execute a function included in the printing apparatus including a storage printing function;
The accumulated printing function includes: a fourth reception process for receiving user identification information via the operation unit; and authentication data related to authentication of the user identification information, and the user identification information received in the fourth reception process. Authentication is executed, and an image related to the print job associated with the user identification information that has been successfully authenticated, among the print jobs stored in the storage unit, is printed by the printing unit in response to successful authentication. A third printing process,
The controller is
In response to accepting the setting to execute the accumulated printing function in the third accepting process, the print job is saved in the storage unit without executing the password determination process, and saved in the storage unit A third print process without accepting the password of the print job via the operation unit;
Run the printing device. The controller is
In response to accepting the setting to execute the stored printing function in the third receiving process, the secure printing function can be executed without receiving the setting to not execute the security printing function in the third receiving process. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein setting is made not to execute. The reception process receives the print job associated with a password and the user identification information via the communication unit,
The controller is
Executing a second determination process for determining whether or not the user identification information associated with the print job received by the reception process is registered in the authentication data;
When it is determined that the user ID information associated with the print job is registered in the authentication data in a state where the setting to execute the stored print function has been performed, the print job is stored in the stored print The function is stored in the storage unit as an accumulated print job, which is the print job to be printed in the third print process of the function, and is set to execute the accumulated print function and is associated with the print job. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print job is not stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the user identification information is not registered in the authentication data. The reception process receives the print job associated with a password and the user identification information via the communication unit,
The controller is
Executing a second determination process for determining whether or not the user identification information associated with the print job received by the reception process is registered in the authentication data;
When it is determined that the user ID information associated with the print job is registered in the authentication data in a state where the setting to execute the stored print function has been performed, the print job is stored in the stored print The function is stored in the storage unit as an accumulated print job, which is the print job to be printed in the third print process of the function, and is set to execute the accumulated print function and is associated with the print job. When it is determined that the user identification information is not registered in the authentication data, the storage unit is used as a security print job that is the print job for printing the print job in the second print processing of the security print function. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is stored in the printer. The controller is
A function icon for performing an operation of executing a printing process by the security printing function is displayed on the display unit;
When it is set to execute the stored printing function and when the authentication of the user identification information received by the fourth receiving process is successful, the function icon can be selected and displayed on the display unit. If the function to execute the stored printing function is not displayed and the authentication of the user identification information received by the fourth reception process is not successful, the function icon can be operated in the operable state. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing apparatus displays the information on a display unit. The controller is
When the setting to execute the stored printing function is accepted, if the print job is already stored in the storage unit as a security print job by the security print function, the print stored in the storage unit The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print job in which the user identification information is set is stored as a stored print job of the stored print function. The controller is
When there is a print job already stored in the storage unit when a setting for executing the accumulated print function is received, the password in the print job stored in the storage unit is set The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus processes a print job as a security print job that is the print job printed by the first print processing of the security print function. E-mail reception function to receive and print e-mails,
The controller is
In response to receiving the email, a password transmission process for sending an email password to the email address of the email sender;
Email information storage processing for storing email information related to the received email in association with the email password to be sent and storing in the storage unit;
A second display process for displaying the mail information on the display unit;
A fifth accepting process for accepting selection of the displayed mail information by the operation unit;
A sixth accepting process for accepting a mail password via the operation unit;
A mail password determination process for determining whether or not the mail password associated with the mail information selected in the fifth reception process matches the mail password received in the sixth reception process;
As a result of the mail password determination process, it is determined that the mail password associated with the mail information selected in the fifth reception process matches the mail password received in the sixth reception process. A fourth printing process for executing printing related to the mail information by the printing unit;
Run
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the printing function related to the mail is maintained even after receiving a setting for executing the accumulated printing function in the third receiving process.

Images