JP2019169102A - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology for, even when a print job including authentication information is stored in an image forming apparatus, executing processing to the print job before printing is instructed.SOLUTION: A printing device 101 (image forming apparatus) is configured to store a print job received from a PC 104 (S207). The printing device 101 is configured to perform preceding processing of print data of at least a part of pages included in the received print job to generate image data (S210, S211). At that time, when the print job is a first type of print job added with authentication information (password or the like), the preceding processing is not performed, and when the print job is a second type of print job added with the authentication information, the preceding processing is performed. The printing device 101 is configured to, when receiving an execution instruction from a user regarding the stored print job (S215, execute the print job by using the image data generated by the preceding processing (S218 to S220).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  In an image forming system, “reserved printing” is known in which a print job transmitted from a client PC to an image forming apparatus such as a printer (printing apparatus) is stored in the image forming apparatus, and the stored print job is executed after user authentication. (For example, Patent Document 1). In reservation printing, execution of a print job is started in accordance with a print instruction from the user after user authentication. For this reason, if a rendering process for generating image data for printing from print data such as PDL data takes a long time, the waiting time of the user until the printing is completed becomes long. In order to reduce such a waiting time, a technique for performing a rendering process (preceding process) on a part of pages of a stored print job prior to a print instruction from a user has been studied.

Japanese Patent No. 4033857

  A print job executed by the image forming apparatus may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus in a state where authentication information such as a password is given. In this case, in order to start execution of the print job, the user needs to input authentication information that matches the authentication information included in the print job via the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. When such a print job is stored, the image forming apparatus performs such processing until appropriate authentication information is input even if the preceding processing is performed prior to the print instruction from the user. I can't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables processing for a print job to be executed before a print instruction even when a print job including authentication information is stored in the image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a storage unit that stores a print job received from an external device; and advance processing of print data of at least some pages included in the print job according to reception of the print job Processing means for generating image data by performing the preceding process when the print job is a first type print job to which authentication information for execution of the print job is given. If the print job is the second type of print job to which the authentication information is added, the processing unit that performs the preceding process and an execution instruction from the user for the print job stored by the storage unit are received. And executing means for executing the print job using the image data generated by the processing means.

  According to the present invention, even when a print job including authentication information is stored in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to execute processing for the print job before a print instruction.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system, a hardware configuration example of a printing apparatus, and a software configuration example of a printing apparatus. The sequence diagram which shows the example of the process in a printing system. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a prior | preceding process. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of printing processing. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a prior | preceding process (2nd Embodiment). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing processing (second embodiment). The figure which shows the data structural example of default password information (2nd and 3rd embodiment). The flowchart which shows the procedure of a prior | preceding process (3rd Embodiment). 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing processing (third embodiment). FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in a printing system (second embodiment). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a print job. The figure which shows the structural example of the print job to which the preceding processing result is added

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

[First Embodiment]
<Printing system>
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system and a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the printing system, a plurality of printing apparatuses 101 to 103 (image forming apparatuses) and a personal computer (PC) 104 can communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 105. It is connected to the. Although FIG. 1A shows a configuration in which three printing apparatuses are connected to the LAN 105, any number of printing apparatuses may be connected to the LAN 105. The PC 104 can be configured by a general-purpose computer.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 are MFPs (Multi Function Printers), but may be SFPs (Single Function Printers). The printing apparatuses 101 to 103 are MFPs that perform image formation (printing) by an electrophotographic method, but may be MFPs that perform printing by a printing method other than the electrophotographic method (for example, an ink jet method). Upon receiving a print instruction (print job) from the PC 104 or another printing apparatus, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 execute print processing according to the print instruction. Although the configuration of the printing apparatus 101 will be described below, the printing apparatuses 102 and 103 have the same configuration as the printing apparatus 101.

<Hardware configuration of printing device>
An example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 101 includes a controller 110, a print mechanism 111 (image forming unit), a card reader 112, and an operation panel 113 connected to the controller. The controller 110 includes a network I / F 120, a reader I / F 121, a panel I / F 122, a CPU 123, an HDD (hard disk drive) 124, a RAM 125, and a ROM 126. The controller 110 further includes a device I / F 127, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 128, and an image processing circuit 129. Each device arranged in the controller 110 is connected to the system bus 130.

  The CPU 123 controls the entire printing apparatus 101 by reading and executing a program stored in a storage device (storage medium) such as the HDD 124 or the ROM 126. The RAM 125 is a system work memory for the CPU 123 to operate, and is used as a work area for the CPU 123. The RAM 125 is also used as an image memory for temporarily storing an input print job and image data. A ROM 126 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 124 is a non-volatile storage device, and is used for storing system software for various processes and various data such as print jobs, print data, or image data.

  The network I / F 120 is realized by a LAN card or the like, for example, and communicates with an external device via the LAN 105. The reader I / F 121 is an interface unit for the card reader 112, and transmits information received from the card reader 112 to the CPU 123, for example. The panel I / F 122 is an interface unit for the operation panel 113. The operation panel 113 includes an operation key and a display unit (LCD) having a touch panel function, displays an operation screen on the display unit, and accepts input of information from the user. Panel I / F 122 outputs operation screen data to operation panel 113. The operation panel 113 displays an operation screen based on the operation screen data. The panel I / F 122 transmits information input by the user via the operation panel 113 to the CPU 123.

  The device I / F 127 connects the print mechanism 111 and the controller 110, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The RIP 128 analyzes the intermediate data (display list) and develops the intermediate data into image data. The image processing circuit 129 performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to the characteristics of the print mechanism 111 on the image data generated by analyzing the print job.

  The print mechanism 111 forms (prints) an image on a sheet (recording material) based on the image data in accordance with an instruction from the controller 110 (CPU 123). The card reader 112 has a function of reading information for user authentication (user information) from an ID card or the like owned by the user, and notifies the controller 110 of the read information.

<Software configuration of printing device>
With reference to FIG. 1B, an example of the software configuration of the printing apparatus 101 (controller 110) will be described. The controller 110 includes an authentication unit 131, a setting unit 132, a bibliographic management unit 133, a print control unit 134, a job analysis unit 135, a preceding processing unit 136, a reservation control unit 137, a print execution unit 138, a PDL analysis unit 139, and intermediate data. A generation unit 140 is provided. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 1B is realized on the printing apparatus 101 (controller 110) by the CPU 123 reading and executing a program stored in the HDD 124 or the ROM 126.

  The authentication unit 131 acquires user information through the reader I / F 121 and notifies the acquired control unit 137 of the acquired user information. The setting unit 132 controls input / output of information with the operation panel 113 through the panel I / F 122.

  The bibliographic management unit 133 manages the print job received by the reservation control unit 137 and information related to the print job. The print control unit 134 acquires a print instruction or print job input (received) through the network I / F 120 and instructs the reservation control unit 137 or the print execution unit 138 to execute processing for the print job.

  The job analysis unit 135 analyzes the print job received by the reservation control unit 137. The preceding processing unit 136 performs a print job rendering process according to the analysis result by the job analysis unit 135. The reservation control unit 137 controls analysis by the job analysis unit 135, management by the bibliographic management unit 133, and preceding processing by the preceding processing unit 136 for the print job received from the printing control unit 134. The reservation control unit 137 issues a print instruction to the print execution unit 138.

  The print execution unit 138 executes print processing according to the print job received from the print control unit 134 or the reservation control unit 137. Specifically, the print execution unit 138 generates image data by controlling the PDL analysis unit 139, the intermediate data generation unit 140, the RIP 128, and the image processing circuit 129 according to the print job. Further, the print execution unit 138 outputs the generated image data to the print mechanism 111 through the device I / F 127, thereby causing the print mechanism 111 to execute printing based on the image data.

  The PDL analysis unit 139 performs PDL (page description language) analysis on the print job in accordance with an instruction from the print execution unit 138. The intermediate data generation unit 140 generates intermediate data based on information obtained by the PDL analysis by the PDL analysis unit 139.

<Overview of print processing>
The printing apparatuses 101 to 103 retain the print job by storing the print job received from the external apparatus such as the PC 104 in the HDD 124. At that time, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 attempt to execute a preceding process described later on the print job. Thereafter, when the user logs in to the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 and instructs execution of a print job retained in the printing apparatus, the retained print job is executed.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in the case where a printing apparatus reserves a print job in the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of a sequence from the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 until the printing apparatus 101 receives a “secure print job” as a print job from the PC 104 and executes the received print job. The secure print job is a print job to which authentication information such as a password for executing the print job is added. In order to execute the secure print job, the user needs to input authentication information that matches the authentication information given to the print job via the operation panel 113 of the printing apparatus 101.

  In step S201, the user logs in to the PC 104, and in step S202, a password (authentication information) assigned to the print job is set. In step S203, the user operates the PC 104 to request data printing from an arbitrary application. In response to the user's request, the PC 104 acquires the user information of the user in S204, and generates a print job (secure print job) with the acquired user information and the password set in S202 in S205. To do. The user information is information that can identify the user who made the print request, such as a user name or a user ID. Thereafter, in step S <b> 206, the PC 104 transmits the generated print job to the printing apparatus 101.

  Upon receiving a print job from the PC 104, the printing apparatus 101 stores the received print job in the HDD 124 in S207. In step S208, the printing apparatus 101 extracts user information included in the print job, and generates bibliographic information of the print job. In step S <b> 209, the printing apparatus 101 stores the generated bibliographic information in the HDD 124.

  When the bibliographic information is stored, in step S210, the printing apparatus 101 starts a preceding process for the received print job (secure print job to which authentication information such as a password is added). In the preceding process, a rendering process is performed at least partially on the print job prior to an execution instruction (print instruction) from the user for the received print job. After the start of the preceding process, in step S <b> 211, the printing apparatus 101 sequentially stores the result of the preceding process in the HDD 124.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 212, the user logs in to the printing apparatus 101 by operating the operation panel 113 of the printing apparatus 101. When the user logs in to the printing apparatus 101 by successfully authenticating the user by the authentication unit 131, the printing apparatus 101 acquires user information of the logged-in user (logged-in user) in S213. In step S214, a list of print jobs for the logged-in user is displayed on the operation panel 113 using the acquired user information.

  When the printing apparatus 101 receives a print instruction from the user for a secure print job among the print jobs stored in the HDD 124 in S215, the printing apparatus 101 requests the user for a password necessary for executing the print job in S216. In step S <b> 217, when the password is input by the user via the operation panel 113, the printing apparatus 101 matches the input password with the password assigned to the print job (included in the print job). An authentication process is performed to confirm whether or not.

  If the above-described authentication processing is successful (passwords match), the printing apparatus 101 performs processing of adding the preceding processing result saved in S211 corresponding to the print job to the print job saved in S207 in S218. In step S <b> 219, the printing apparatus 101 performs a rendering process (finishing) after a print instruction on the print job to which the result of the preceding process is added. When the rendering process is completed, the printing apparatus 101 performs printing based on the image data obtained by the rendering process in S220.

  Hereinafter, an example of processing executed by the printing apparatus 101 will be described more specifically, but the printing apparatuses 102 and 103 can execute similar processing. Each process described below is performed by the CPU 123 by reading out and executing a program stored in the HDD 124 or the ROM 126, so that each function unit shown in FIG. 1B performs processing on the printing apparatus 101 (controller 110). It is realized with.

  When the printing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment receives a print job from an external apparatus such as the PC 104, the printing apparatus 101 stores the received print job. In response to reception of the print job, the printing apparatus 101 generates image data by performing preceding processing of print data of at least some pages included in the print job. At this time, if the print job is the first type of print job to which authentication information (password or the like) for executing the print job is assigned, the preceding information is not processed and the authentication information is not displayed. Is the second type of print job, the preceding process is performed. Thereafter, when receiving an execution instruction from the user for the stored print job, the printing apparatus 101 executes the print job using the image data generated by the preceding process.

  In the present embodiment, the first type print job is an example in which access to print data included in the print job is impossible unless authentication information is input by the user. Such a type of print job is, for example, a print job in which print data is encrypted. In this case, the printing apparatus 101 operates so as not to execute the preceding process because the preceding process cannot be performed on the print data included in the received print data unless the authentication information is input.

  On the other hand, the second type of print job is a job that allows access to print data included in the print job even if the user does not input authentication information. Such a type of print job is, for example, a print job in which print data is not encrypted. In this case, since the printing apparatus 101 can execute the preceding process on the print data without inputting authentication information, the printing apparatus 101 operates to execute the preceding process. In this way, even when a print job including authentication information is stored in the printing apparatus 101, it is possible to execute as many advance processes as possible before the print instruction from the user.

<Advance processing for print jobs>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the preceding process for the print job executed in the printing apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the preceding process, and shows the procedure corresponding to S206 to S211 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 301, when the reservation control unit 137 receives a print job from the PC 104, the reservation control unit 137 stores the received print job in the HDD 124. In step S <b> 302, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the stored print job is a secure print job to which authentication information such as a password is added.

  Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a print job generated by the PC 104 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 101. In the present embodiment, the print jobs 1100a and 1100b will be described. The print jobs 1100a and 1100b are print jobs generated by the printer driver for the printing apparatus installed in the PC 104. The print jobs 1100a and 1100b are composed of header information 1102a and 1102b indicating a print job, drawing data 1101a and 1101b necessary for printing, and footer information 1103a and 1103b indicating the end of the print job.

  The print job 1100a in FIG. 11 is a general print job that does not include authentication information such as a password, and is not a secure print job. Regarding the print job 1100 a, the user can cause the printing apparatus 101 to execute a print job by inputting a print instruction using the operation panel 113 of the printing apparatus 101. Further, when the preceding processing unit 136 executes the preceding processing of the print job 1100a, no special processing is required.

  In step S302, if the saved print job is not a secure print job (that is, if it is the print job 1100a), the job analysis unit 135 advances the processing to step S305. In step S305, the preceding processing unit 136 performs preceding processing for the print job 1100a and ends the processing.

  In the preceding process performed by the preceding processing unit 136, the rendering process may be executed for all pages included in the stored (retained) print job, or the rendering process may be executed for some pages. Also good. For example, the rendering process may be performed on a page in which the time required for the rendering process of each page of the print job is determined based on the prediction. In that case, rendering processing may be performed for pages whose predicted time exceeds a predetermined threshold among all pages included in the print job.

  On the other hand, the print job 1100b in FIG. 11 is a secure print job in which authentication information 1104b such as a password is included in the header information 1102b. In order to cause the printing apparatus 101 to execute the print job 1100b, the user inputs a print instruction using the operation panel 113, and further inputs authentication information set in the print job 1100b (included in the header information 1102b). There is a need to. However, the print job 1100b includes authentication information 1104b, but the drawing data 1101b is not encrypted.

  In step S302, the job analysis unit 135 advances the processing to step S303 when the stored print job is a secure print job (that is, the print job 1100b). In step S <b> 303, the print job 1100 b that is a secure print job is subjected to analysis processing by the job analysis unit 135. In step S303, the job analysis unit 135 attempts to access the drawing data 1101b without processing the header information 1102b including the authentication information 1104b as processing for the print job 1100b.

  Specifically, the job analysis unit 135 attempts to process the drawing data 1101b by omitting the process for requesting the user to input a password, which is necessary when executing the print job 1100b. In the print job 1100b (that is, secure print job) of the present embodiment, the drawing data 1101b is not encrypted. Therefore, if the print job 1100b is a type of print job that can access the drawing data 1101b, the drawing data 1101b can be analyzed and a preceding process can be executed before receiving a print instruction from the user.

  Thereafter, in step S304, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the access to the drawing data 1101b included in the print job 1100b is successful. If the access to the drawing data 1101b fails for some reason, the job analysis unit 135 ends the process without setting the print job 1100b as an execution target of the preceding process. On the other hand, if the access to the drawing data 1101b is successful, the job analysis unit 135 advances the process to S305. In step S305, the preceding processing unit 136 executes the preceding processing for the print job 1100b (similar to the case where the stored print job is the secure print job 1100a), and ends the processing.

<Print processing>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a printing process executed in the printing apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process based on the print job, and shows the procedure corresponding to S215 to S220 of FIG.

  In step S401, the setting unit 132 determines whether an execution instruction (print instruction) for a print job has been received from the user. If the setting unit 132 has not received a print instruction, the setting unit 132 repeats the process of S401. If the print unit 132 has received a print instruction, the process proceeds to S402.

  In step S402, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the print job for which the print instruction has been issued is a secure print job (print job 1100b) including a password (authentication information). The job analysis unit 135 advances the process to S403 if the job for which the print instruction is given is a secure print job, and advances the process to S405 if the job is not a secure print job.

  In step S <b> 403, the job analysis unit 135 uses the operation panel 113 to execute the authentication job based on the password (authentication information) included in the print job for which the print instruction has been issued. Prompts the user for In step S <b> 404, when a password is input by the user via the operation panel 113, the job analysis unit 135 executes an authentication process using the input password and authentication information (password) assigned to the print job. Then, it is determined whether or not the authentication process is successful. If the authentication information included in the print job matches the password entered by the user, the job analysis unit 135 determines that the authentication process has been successful, and advances the process to step S405. On the other hand, if the authentication processing fails, the job analysis unit 135 cannot execute the print job, and thus ends the processing without performing printing by the print execution unit 138.

  In step S <b> 405, the print control unit 134 determines whether a preceding process result corresponding to the print job for which the print instruction has been issued exists in the HDD 124. If there is a preceding process result, the print control unit 134 advances the process to S406. If the preceding process result does not exist, the print control unit 134 advances the process to S407.

  In step S <b> 407, the print control unit 134 causes the print execution unit 138 to execute a print job stored in the HDD 124 and instructed to be printed. In this case, since there is no preceding processing result corresponding to the print job to be executed, the print execution unit 138 causes the PDL analysis unit 139 to execute PDL analysis for all pages included in the print job. That is, the print execution unit 138 generates image data from the print data included in the print job, and prints an image based on the generated image data. For this reason, the time until the execution of the print job is completed (the time required for the printing process) becomes longer than in the case where the preceding processing result exists.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 406, the print control unit 134 causes the print execution unit 138 to execute a print job that has been stored in the HDD 124 and for which a print instruction has been issued, using the corresponding preceding process result. That is, when there is image data generated by the preceding process, the print execution unit 138 prints an image of a corresponding page based on the image data. When executing the print job stored in the HDD 124, the print execution unit 138 performs a process of adding the preceding process result stored in the HDD 124 in association with the print job (S218).

  Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print job 1202 to which the preceding processing result 1201 is added. In this example, the print job 1202 includes five pages, and the preceding process is performed on the second and fifth pages of the five pages, and the result is added to the print job 1202 as the preceding process result 1201. . Note that the print job 1202 corresponds to the print job 1100a or the print job 1100b shown in FIG.

  The preceding processing result 1201 includes identifier information 1201a, the data size 1201b of the entire preceding processing result, the total number of pages 1201c of the print job, and information 1201d indicating the page on which the preceding processing has been performed. The preceding process result 1201 further includes image data 1201f and 1201g of the page on which the preceding process has been performed, and an index 1201e corresponding to the image data. The identifier information 1201a indicates the identifier of the print job 1202 to which the preceding processing result 1201 is added. The identifier only needs to be identifiable within the controller 110, and may be constituted by a character string or may include a numerical value.

  In the printing process using the preceding process result in S406, it is not necessary for the PDL analyzing unit 139 to perform the PDL analysis for the page on which the preceding process has been performed. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the time (time required for the printing process) until the execution of the print job is completed by the printing process using the image data 1201f and 1201g generated by the preceding process. As described above, when the printing process using the preceding process result (S406) or the printing process not using the preceding process result (S407) is completed, the print control unit 134 ends the process.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the reservation control unit 137 receives a print job from an external device, the reservation control unit 137 stores the received print job in the HDD 124. In accordance with reception of a print job, the preceding processing unit 136 performs preceding processing on print data of at least some pages included in the print job and generates image data. At this time, if the print job is the first type of print job to which authentication information (password or the like) for executing the print job is assigned, the preceding processing unit 136 performs the authentication without performing the preceding process. If it is the second type of print job to which information is added, the preceding process is performed. The second type of print job is, for example, a job that allows access to print data included in the print job even if the user does not input authentication information. For the received print job, the preceding processing unit 136 executes the preceding processing for the print job as long as the print data can be accessed. Thereafter, when receiving an execution instruction from the user for the stored print job, the print control unit 134 controls the print execution unit 138 to execute the print job using the image data generated by the preceding process.

  According to the present exemplary embodiment, even when a print job including authentication information is stored in the printing apparatus 101, it is possible to execute processing for the print job before a user issues a print instruction. As a result, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user until the printing is completed as compared with the case where the execution of the print job is started after waiting for the print instruction.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, an example of processing executed when the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 (image forming apparatuses) receive an “encrypted secure print job” as a print job from an external apparatus such as the PC 104 will be described. The encrypted secure print job corresponds to a print job in which print data is encrypted among the secure print jobs. Below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and difference with 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

<Overview of print processing>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing in the case where a printing apparatus reserves a print job in the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an example of a sequence from the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 until the printing apparatus 101 receives a “secure print job” as a print job from the PC 104 and executes the received print job.

  The processing of S1001 to S1006 is basically the same as the processing of S201 to S206. However, in step S1005, the PC 104 generates a print job (encrypted secure print job) in which the user information acquired in step S1004 and the password set in step S1002 are added and the print data is encrypted. In step S <b> 1006, the printing apparatus 101 transmits the generated encrypted secure print job to the printing apparatus 101.

  The processing of S1007 to S1009 is the same as the processing of S207 to S209. When the storage of the bibliographic information is completed, the printing apparatus 101 acquires a default password (default authentication information) from the HDD 124 in step S1010. The default password is stored in the HDD 124 so that print data included in the encrypted secure print job can be decrypted and the preceding process can be executed. As will be described later, the default password corresponds to a password stored by the user via the operation panel 113 when the print job is executed (registered as a default password).

  When the acquisition of the default password is completed, the printing apparatus 101 starts pre-processing for the received print job (encrypted secure print job) in step S1011 using the acquired default password. In this preceding process, an authentication process using a default password is attempted, and when the authentication process is successful, the encrypted print data is decrypted using the default password. Further, a preceding process is performed on the decoded print data. After the start of the preceding process, in step S1012, the printing apparatus 101 sequentially stores the result of the preceding process in the HDD 124.

  Thereafter, the processing of S1013 to S1018 is the same as that of S212 to S217. In step S <b> 1018, if a password is input by the user via the operation panel 113 in the printing apparatus 101, does the input password match the password assigned to the print job (included in the print job)? An authentication process is performed to confirm whether or not. When the authentication process is successful, the printing apparatus 101 registers the password (authentication information) input by the user when executing the print job as a default password (default authentication information) in step S1019. The registered default password is stored in the HDD 124.

  After that, the printing apparatus 101 executes a print job using the preceding process result (image data generated by the preceding process) by executing the same process as S218 to S220 in S1020 to S1022.

<Advance processing for print jobs>
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the preceding process for the print job according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the preceding process, and shows the procedure corresponding to S1006 to S1012 of FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 501, when the reservation control unit 137 receives a print job from the PC 104, it stores the received print job in the HDD 124. In step S <b> 502, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the stored print job is an encrypted secure print job to which authentication information such as a password is given and which includes encrypted print data. .

  The print job 1100c in FIG. 11 is an encrypted secure print job, and is generated by the printer driver for the printing apparatus installed in the PC 104, including authentication information 1104c such as a password in the header information 1102c, as with the print job 1100b. The However, the print job 1100c is different from the print job 1100b in that the drawing data 1101c is encrypted. In order to cause the printing apparatus 101 to execute the print job 1100c, the user inputs a print instruction using the operation panel 113, and further inputs authentication information set in the print job 1100c (included in the header information 1102c). There is a need to. The inputted authentication information is used for authentication processing and decryption of the drawing data 1101c.

  Also, the print jobs 1100d and 1100e in FIG. 11 are print jobs composed of data having a standard document format. The standard document format is, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format) or XPS (XML Paper Specification). These document formats can set restrictions on the printing and display of documents as documents.

  The print job 1100d does not include authentication information such as a password, and the drawing data 1101d corresponds to a PDF file that is not encrypted and has no printing restrictions. That is, the print job 1100d is neither a secure print job nor an encrypted secure print job. Therefore, for the print job 1100d, the user can cause the printing apparatus 101 to execute a print job by inputting a print instruction using the operation panel 113 of the printing apparatus 101. Further, when the preceding processing unit 136 executes the preceding processing of the print job 1100d, no special processing is required.

  The print job 1100e corresponds to a PDF file with printing restrictions including authentication information 1104e such as a password and encrypted drawing data 1101e. That is, the print job 1100e is an encrypted secure print job. In order to cause the printing apparatus 101 to execute the print job 1100e, the user needs to input a print instruction using the operation panel 113, and further input authentication information set in the print job 1100e (restricted PDF file). There is. The inputted authentication information is used for authentication processing and decryption of the drawing data 1101e.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 5, if the stored print job is an encrypted secure print job (print job 1100c or 1100e), the job analysis unit 135 advances the process from S502 to S503. On the other hand, if the stored print job is not an encrypted secure print job, the job analysis unit 135 advances the process from S502 to S508.

  In step S <b> 503, the job analysis unit 135 acquires a default password stored in the HDD 124. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of default password information holding a plurality of default passwords. The default password information is provided for each user, and includes default passwords 701 and 702 and a termination unit 703. Note that the default password information is stored in the HDD 124.

  In the default password 701, a password for a driver generation file (print job 1100c) generated by the printer driver and the use date and time of the password are registered in association with each other. Also, in the default password 702, a password for a restricted PDF file (print job 1100e) in which printing restrictions are set and a use date and time of the password are registered in association with each other. As described above, the default password 701 corresponds to the format of the driver generation file, and the default password 702 corresponds to the format of the restricted PDF file. In the data configuration shown in FIG. 7, any of the default passwords 701 and 702 can register a maximum of three passwords, and the oldest password is overwritten by the newly registered password. The default password registration process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the job analysis unit 135 preferentially acquires a password with a new use date and time from among a plurality of passwords (authentication information) registered in the default password information, and tries the authentication process. Further, the job analysis unit 135 acquires a password corresponding to the format of the print data included in the print job (encrypted secure print job) that is the target of the preceding process, and tries the authentication process.

  Specifically, in step S <b> 503, if the print job to be subjected to the preceding process is a driver generation file (print job 1100 c), the job analysis unit 135 uses the password “XXX” having the latest use date and time among the default passwords 701. To get. On the other hand, when the print job to be subjected to the preceding process is a restricted PDF file (print job 1100e), the job analysis unit 135 acquires the password “AAA” having the latest use date and time among the default passwords 702.

  In step S504, the job analysis unit 135 attempts authentication processing using the default password acquired in step S503 and the password assigned to the print job (included in the print job). In step S505, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the authentication process is successful. If the authentication process is successful, the process proceeds to step S506. If the authentication process fails, the job analysis unit 135 proceeds to step S507. In step S <b> 507, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether there is another default password in the default password information stored in the HDD 124. If there is no other default password, the job analysis unit 135 ends the process because the authentication process fails and the preceding process for the print job cannot be executed. On the other hand, if there is another default password, the process returns to S503, the default password is acquired again, and the authentication process is attempted.

  If the authentication process in S505 is successful, in S506, the job analysis unit 135 decrypts the encrypted print data included in the print job using the default password (authentication information) used in the authentication process. The job analysis unit 135 stores the print job including the decrypted print data in the HDD 124, and advances the process to S508.

  Finally, in step S <b> 508, the preceding processing unit 136 executes the preceding processing for the print job stored in the HDD 124 and ends the processing.

<Print processing>
Next, a printing process executed in the printing apparatus 101 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing based on the print job, and shows the procedure corresponding to S1016 to S1022 of FIG.

  The processing of S601 to S604 is basically the same as the processing of S401 to S404. However, in step S602, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether the print job for which the print instruction has been issued is an encrypted secure print job. The job analysis unit 135 advances the process to S603 if the job for which the print instruction has been issued is an encrypted secure print job, and advances the process to S606 if it is not the encrypted secure print job.

  If the authentication process using the password input by the user and the authentication information (password) assigned to the print job is successful in S604, the job analysis unit 135 advances the process to S605. In step S605, the job analysis unit 135 registers the password input in step S603 as a default password. At that time, the job analysis unit 135 associates the input password with the use date and time of the password, and uses the password as a default password 701 or 702 corresponding to the format of the print data included in the print job (encrypted secure print job). sign up. Thereafter, the job analysis unit 135 advances the processing to S606.

  The processing of S606 to S608 is the same as the processing of S405 to S407.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to execute the preceding process for a print job including authentication information and including encrypted print data. As a result, for a larger number of types of print jobs, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user until the printing is completed by executing the preceding process.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 (image forming apparatuses) execute processing when an “encrypted secure print job” is received as a print job from an external apparatus such as the PC 104. An example will be described. However, this embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the following points.

  After completion of the preceding process, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 encrypt and store the image data generated by the preceding process using the authentication information used for decrypting the print data included in the print job. Further, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 use the authentication data input by the user at the time of executing the print job to decrypt the image data that has been encrypted and stored and execute the print job. Below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and difference with 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

<Overview of print processing>
In the printing system according to the present embodiment, an example of processing when a print job is reserved in the printing apparatus is basically the same as the processing shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, in step S <b> 1012, the printing apparatus 101 does not store the result of the preceding process as it is in the HDD 124, but encrypts and stores the result of the preceding process in the HDD 124. In this embodiment, in step S1020, the printing apparatus 101 performs processing for decrypting the encrypted preceding processing result stored in step S1012 and adding the result to the print job. With such processing, it is possible to improve security for a print job that is retained (stored) in the printing apparatus 101.

<Advance processing for print jobs>
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the preceding process for the print job according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 8, the processes of S801 to S808 are the same as the processes of S501 to S508 in the second embodiment, and the processes of S809 and S810 are added.

  In the present embodiment, the advance processing unit 136 advances the process from S808 to S809 when the execution of the advance process for the print job stored in the HDD 124 is completed. In step S809, the job analysis unit 135 determines whether authentication information is included in the print job for which the preceding process has been executed. If the authentication information is not included, the job analysis unit 135 ends the processing. In that case, the process proceeds to S810.

  In step S810, the job analysis unit 135 encrypts the preceding process result (image data) obtained in step S808 using the default password (authentication information) used for decryption in step S806, and ends the process.

<Print processing>
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a printing process executed in the printing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 9, the processing of S901 to S906 and S910 is the same as the processing of S601 to S606 and S608 in the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the print control unit 134 advances the process to S907 when the preceding process result corresponding to the print job for which the print instruction has been issued exists in the HDD 124 (“YES” in S906). In step S907, the print control unit 134 determines whether the preceding process result is encrypted. If the preceding process result is encrypted, the print control unit 134 proceeds to step S908, and decrypts the preceding process result using the password input in step S903. Thereafter, in step S909, the print control unit 134 causes the print execution unit 138 to execute the print job stored in the HDD 124 and instructed to be printed using the corresponding preceding process result, and ends the process.

  In this embodiment, the preceding process result of the encrypted secure print job including the authentication information is encrypted and stored. Thereby, it is possible to improve the security for the print job as compared to the case where the preceding processing result of the print job is stored without being encrypted as in the second embodiment.

[Other Embodiments]
The first to third embodiments described above can be implemented in appropriate combination. In the first to third embodiments, the controller 110 (the CPU 123) attempts to execute a preceding process for a print job including authentication information (a secure print job and an encrypted secure print job). However, there may be a user who does not want the controller 110 to access a print job including authentication information before a print instruction. In order to cope with such a case, the printing apparatuses 101 to 103 have, as operation modes, a plurality of modes including a first mode in which the preceding process is executed and a second mode in which the preceding process is not executed. The operation mode may be set by the user.

  Specifically, the setting unit 132 receives a setting of one mode among a plurality of modes including a first mode in which the preceding process is executed and a second mode in which the preceding process is not executed from the user. When the first mode is set and the print job is the first type of print job to which authentication information is assigned, the preceding processing unit 136 does not perform the preceding process and assigns authentication information. If the print job is the second type print job, the preceding process is performed. Further, the preceding processing unit 136 is configured not to perform the preceding processing in the state where the second mode is set.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101-103: Printing device (image forming device), 104: PC, 105: LAN
110: Controller, 111: Print mechanism, 112: Card reader, 113: Operation panel, 123: CPU, 124: HDD, 124: RAM, 126: ROM, 128: RIP, 129: Image processing circuit, 131: Authentication unit, 132: Setting unit, 133: Bibliographic management unit, 135: Job analysis unit, 136: Advance processing unit, 137: Reservation control unit, 138: Print execution unit, 139: PDL analysis unit, 140: Intermediate data generation unit

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing a print job received from an external device;
In accordance with reception of the print job, processing means for generating image data by performing advance processing of print data of at least some pages included in the print job, wherein the print job is for executing the print job. If it is the first type of print job to which the authentication information is assigned, the preceding process is not performed, and if it is the second type of print job to which the authentication information is assigned, the preceding process is performed. Performing the processing means;
An execution unit that executes the print job using the image data generated by the processing unit when receiving an execution instruction from the user for the print job stored by the storage unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The first type of print job is a job in which access to print data included in the print job is impossible unless the user inputs authentication information.
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the second type of print job is a job that allows access to print data included in the print job without inputting authentication information by a user. Forming equipment. The first type of print job is a print job in which print data is encrypted,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second type of print job is a print job in which print data is not encrypted.   The execution unit requests the user to input authentication information, and executes the print job when the authentication process using the input authentication information and the authentication information given to the print job is successful. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A registration unit for registering authentication information input by a user when the print job is executed by the execution unit as default authentication information;
The processing means tries the authentication process using the authentication information registered by the registration means when the print job is a print job to which authentication information is added and which includes encrypted print data. 5. The image formation according to claim 4, wherein when the authentication process is successful, the encrypted print data is decrypted using the authentication information, and the preceding process is performed on the decrypted print data. apparatus. The processing means, after completion of the preceding process, the image data generated by the preceding process is encrypted and stored using the authentication information used for decrypting the print data,
The execution means decrypts the image data stored encrypted and uses authentication information input by a user at the time of execution of the print job, and uses the image data to execute the print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The registration unit registers authentication information input by a user at the time of execution of the print job in association with a use date and time of the authentication information;
7. The image formation according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit preferentially acquires authentication information with a new usage date from the authentication information registered by the registration unit and tries the authentication process. 8. apparatus. The registration unit registers the input authentication information in association with a format of print data included in the print job,
The processing unit acquires authentication information corresponding to a format of print data included in the print job from the authentication information registered by the registration unit, and tries the authentication process. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7 above. A receiving unit that receives a setting of one mode from a plurality of modes including a first mode for executing the preceding process and a second mode for not executing the preceding process;
The processing means includes
In the state where the first mode is set, if the print job is the first type of print job to which authentication information is assigned, the preceding process is not performed and authentication information is given. If the print job is the second type of print job, the preceding process is performed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preceding process is not performed in a state where the second mode is set. The execution means includes
If there is image data generated by the preceding process, the image of the corresponding page is printed based on the image data,
The image data is generated from the print data included in the print job when the image data generated by the preceding process does not exist, and the image is printed based on the generated image data. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus control method comprising:
A storage process for storing a print job received from an external device;
In accordance with reception of the print job, a processing step of generating image data by performing advance processing of print data of at least some pages included in the print job, the print job being used for executing the print job If it is the first type of print job to which the authentication information is assigned, the preceding process is not performed, and if it is the second type of print job to which the authentication information is assigned, the preceding process is performed. Performing the processing step;
When an execution instruction is received from the user for the print job stored in the storage step, an execution step of executing the print job using the image data generated in the processing step;
A control method for an image forming apparatus.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the image forming apparatus of Claim 11.

Images