JP2020017222A - Print management apparatus, print management program and print management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a print management apparatus, a print management program and a print management system that can reduce a possibility in which print data requested to print through a communication line may be passed to a third party to be illegally used.SOLUTION: A reception unit 53 of a print management apparatus 11 receives print data from a portable terminal 14 when it is recognized that there is a requester 13 within an installation range 20 from current position information indicating a current position of the requester 13 requesting printing of the print data at the portable terminal 14 and range information indicating the installation range 20 of a printer 10 printing the print data. A transmission control unit 54 controls to transmit the print data to the printer 10 of the installation range 20 in which it is recognized that there is the requester 13. A storage control unit 55 makes the print data to be in a state being not able to print according to timing transmitted to the printer 10 by the transmission control unit 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The technology of the present disclosure relates to a print management device, a print management program, and a print management system.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 prints out document data and at least one of a storage unit that stores and stores document data and a document ID that is identification information of the document data in association with each other and a connection unit that connects to the storage unit. Code display means for displaying a device code, which is identification information of the image output device, and for causing the mobile terminal device that has acquired and held the document ID of the document data to acquire the device code, and a device code acquired by the mobile terminal device ID receiving means for receiving a document ID acquired and held by the mobile terminal device from the mobile terminal device through information transmission from the mobile terminal device to the transmission destination specified by the destination, and a document associated with the document ID received by the ID receiving means Data is retrieved from the storage means or received via the connection means and printed out. An image output device and a document output means for is described.

JP 2006-074545 A

  2. Description of the Related Art A printing machine installed in a store such as a convenience store is requested to print print data via a communication line. In this case, the print data is transmitted to the print management device and is temporarily stored in the print management device. The print management device issues an authentication key for causing the printing machine to print the print data, and stores the issued authentication key and the print data in association with each other. Then, for example, the authentication key is transmitted to the portable terminal of the client who requests the printing of the print data. The requester goes to the installation location of the printing press and inputs the authentication key transmitted to the mobile terminal to the printing press. The printing machine transmits the input authentication key to the print management device. The print management device transmits print data associated with the authentication key from the printing press to the printing press. Thereby, the print data is printed in the printing press.

  From the standpoint of keeping the print data confidential, the shorter the period in which the print data is stored in the print management device in a printable state, the better. However, conventionally, the period during which print data is registered in the print management apparatus in a printable state is relatively long, for example, about one week. This is because a relatively long registration period is set empirically because the period until the print data is actually printed is unknown when the print data is transmitted to the print management device and registered. It depends. For this reason, there is a possibility that the print data is illegally used by a third party.

  The technology of the present disclosure is directed to a print management apparatus, a print management program, and a print management method that can reduce the possibility that print data requested to be printed via a communication line is illegally used by a third party. The purpose is to provide a management system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has been determined that a requester who requests printing of print data at a portable terminal is present within an installation range of a printing machine that prints the print data. In the case, a receiving unit that receives the print data from the mobile terminal and a control of transmitting the print data received by the receiving unit to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is determined to be present are performed. A transmission control unit, a storage control unit that performs control to store the print data in a storage unit, and in accordance with a timing transmitted to the printing machine by the transmission control unit, the print data stored in the storage unit. And a storage control unit that sets a print disabled state.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the print management device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit does not receive the print data when the requester is determined not to be within the installation range.

  In the invention according to claim 3, when the requester is determined not to be within the installation range, control is performed to display a message to the effect that the print data cannot be accepted on a display unit of the portable terminal. The print management device according to claim 2, further comprising a display control unit.

  The invention according to claim 4 is an authentication key for causing the printing machine to print the print data received by the receiving unit, and an issuing unit that issues an authentication key that the requester inputs to the printing machine. The print management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

  The invention according to claim 5, wherein the receiving unit receives the print data even when it is determined that the requester does not exist in the installation range, and the issuing unit determines that the requester is in the installation range. 5. The print management device according to claim 4, wherein the authentication key is issued for the print data received by the receiving unit when the print data is determined not to exist in the print management device.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the issuing unit issues the authentication key when it is determined that a plurality of the requesters exist in one installation range. It is a management device.

  The invention according to claim 7, further comprising: an authentication acquisition unit configured to acquire the authentication key input by the requester and identification information of the printing machine from the printing machine, wherein the storage control unit includes the print data. And the control unit stores the print data associated with the authentication key acquired by the authentication acquisition unit with the identification information acquired by the authentication acquisition unit. The print management device according to claim 4, wherein the print management device performs control to transmit the print data to the printing press.

  The invention according to claim 8, wherein an expiration date is set for the authentication key, and the authentication acquisition unit, when acquiring the authentication key whose expiration date has passed, replaces the acquired authentication key with the authentication key. The print management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print management apparatus is invalidated.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the storage control unit cancels the association of the print data transmitted to the printing machine with the authentication key by the transmission control unit, so that the print data is not printed. The print management device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the print management device is in a possible state.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the storage control unit deletes the print data transmitted to the printing machine by the transmission control unit, so that the print data is in the unprintable state. 10. The print management device according to any one of 1 to 9.

  The invention according to claim 11, further comprising a position acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position of the requester, wherein the range information indicating the installation range is registered for each printing press, and the position acquisition The printing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein when the range information corresponding to the current position information acquired by the copy unit is registered, the requester is determined to be present in the installation range. It is a management device.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when a requester for requesting printing of print data at a portable terminal is recognized as being within an installation range of a printing machine for printing the print data, the request from the portable terminal is A reception unit that receives the print data, a transmission control unit that controls transmission of the print data received by the reception unit to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is recognized to be present, and the print data Is a storage control unit that performs control to store the print data in the storage unit, and stores the print data stored in the storage unit in an unprintable state in accordance with the timing transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control unit. A print management program that causes a computer to function as a control unit.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a printing machine that prints print data, a portable terminal of a requester that requests printing of the print data, and the printing machine are connected via a communication line to manage the print data. A print management device, a receiving unit that receives the print data from the mobile terminal when the requester is determined to be within the installation range of the printing press, and the print data received by the receiving unit. A transmission control unit that controls transmission to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is determined to be present; and a storage control unit that controls storage of the print data in a storage unit. And a storage control unit that sets the print data stored in the storage unit to a state in which printing cannot be performed in accordance with the timing transmitted to the printing press. That is a print management system.

  According to the first, twelfth, and thirteenth aspects, it is possible to reduce a possibility that print data requested to be printed via a communication line is illegally used by a third party. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, print data from a requester who does not exist within the installation range remains registered for a relatively long period of time, and does not create a trigger for unauthorized use by a third party. Can be completed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify the requester that print data cannot be received at the current position.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the confidentiality of the print data can be improved.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to request printing of print data without environmental restrictions.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the problem of print data being mixed up beforehand.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, an error occurs in which print data associated with the authentication key input by the requester is transmitted to a printer other than the printer on which the authentication key is input by the requester and printed. Can be suppressed.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the confidentiality of the print data can be further improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to easily make the print data unprintable.

  According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to easily set the print data in a state where printing is impossible.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 11, the range information is registered in the portable terminal, and it is determined whether or not the requester exists within the installation range by the portable terminal, and the result of the certification is printed from the portable terminal. The processing load on the mobile terminal can be reduced as compared with the case of transmitting to the management device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a print management system. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case where a requester is present within an installation range of a printing press. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case where the requester is not present within the installation range of the printing press. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer that configures a print management device and a mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a processing unit of a CPU of the mobile terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a processing unit of a CPU of the print management device. It is a figure showing the contents of a range information table. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a print data table. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a process of the authorization unit. FIG. 9A shows a case where range information corresponding to the current position information from the position acquisition unit is registered in the range information table. The case where the range information corresponding to the information is not registered in the range information table is shown. It is a figure showing processing of a display control part when receiving a permission signal from a recognition part. It is a figure showing processing of a display control part when a non-permission signal is received from a recognition part. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a process of a reception unit, FIG. 12A illustrates a case where a permission signal is received from a certification unit, and FIG. 12B illustrates a case of receiving a non-permission signal from the certification unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating processing of the storage control unit after transmission of print data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print management device. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a processing unit of a CPU of the print management apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a print data table according to the second embodiment. It is a figure showing processing of an authorized part when range information corresponding to current position information from a position acquisition part is not registered into a range information table. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a series of flows from the acquisition of an authentication key and a printing machine ID by an authentication acquisition unit to the transmission of printing data to a printing machine by a transmission control unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the acquired authentication key is invalidated when the authentication acquisition unit acquires an authentication key whose expiration date has passed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating processing of the storage control unit after transmission of print data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment in which an authentication key is issued when a plurality of requesters exist in one installation range.

[First Embodiment]
1, the print management system 2 includes a printing machine 10 and a print management device 11. The printing press 10 is installed in a store such as a convenience store. The printing machine 10 is a so-called multifunction machine that has functions of not only printing, but also copying, faxing, and scanning. The print management device 11 is configured by a server computer and manages print data. The printing machine 10 and the print management device 11 are communicably connected to each other via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 12 such as the Internet or a public communication line.

  The WAN 12 is also connected to a mobile terminal 14 operated by a client 13 who requests printing of print data using the print management system 2. The mobile terminal 14 is configured by, for example, a tablet-type personal computer such as a smartphone.

  The print management device 11 and the mobile terminal 14 are based on computers such as a server computer, a workstation, and a tablet-type personal computer. The print management device 11 and the mobile terminal 14 are configured by installing a control program such as an operating system and various application programs on these computers.

  The client 13 operates the portable terminal 14 and requests the printing machine 10 to print the print data via the WAN 12. The print data is, for example, an image captured by the mobile terminal 14, a text file created by the mobile terminal 14, a web page viewed by the mobile terminal 14, a document file downloaded from the web page, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the installation range 20 is predetermined in the printing press 10. The installation range 20 is, for example, a plane range around the installation location of the printing press 10. The installation range 20 is a range that covers at least the store where the printing machine 10 is installed, and is, for example, a rectangular range having a side of about 5 m to 10 m. The installation range 20 is indicated by the longitude and latitude of four corners P1, P2, P3, and P4 of the rectangle. The longitude and latitude of these four angles P1, P2, P3, P4 are range information indicating the installation range 20. On the other hand, the requester 13 can acquire the current position information indicating its own current position by the position detection unit 41 (see FIG. 5) such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) provided in the portable terminal 14.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the requester 13 exists within the installation range 20. That is, it is a case where it is determined that the client 13 exists within the installation range 20 from the current position information of the client 13 and the range information of the printing press 10. In this case, the print management device 11 receives print data from the mobile terminal 14. Then, the received print data is transmitted to the printing press 10 in the installation range 20 where the requester 13 is determined to be present.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the requester 13 is not present in the installation range 20. That is, this is a case where it is determined from the current position information and the range information that the requester 13 does not exist within the installation range 20. In this case, the print management device 11 does not accept print data from the mobile terminal 14. Since the print management device 11 does not accept the print data, it does not transmit the print data to the printer 10 as a matter of course.

  In FIG. 4, a computer constituting the print management apparatus 11 and the portable terminal 14 includes a storage device 30, a memory 31, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a communication unit 33, a display 34, and an input device 35. These are interconnected via a data bus 36.

  The storage device 30 is a hard disk drive built in a computer constituting the print management apparatus 11 or the like, or connected via a cable or a network. Alternatively, the storage device 30 is a disk array in which a plurality of hard disk drives are connected. The storage device 30 stores control programs such as an operating system, various application programs, and various data accompanying these programs.

  The memory 31 is a work memory for the CPU 32 to execute processing. The CPU 32 loads the program stored in the storage device 30 into the memory 31 and executes processes according to the program, thereby controlling the components of the computer in an integrated manner.

  The communication unit 33 is a network interface that controls transmission of various types of information via the WAN 12. The display 34 displays various screens. Various screens are provided with an operation function using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). A computer constituting the print management apparatus 11 and the like receives an input of an operation instruction from the input device 35 through various screens. The input device 35 is a keyboard and a mouse in the case of the print management apparatus 11, and a touch panel in the case of the mobile terminal 14.

  In the following description, the suffix “A” is attached to each part of the computer constituting the portable terminal 14, and the suffix “B” is attached to each part of the computer constituting the print management apparatus 11. To distinguish.

  An application program (hereinafter, simply referred to as a print request application) for requesting printing of print data is installed in the mobile terminal 14. When the print request application is activated, a dedicated web browser (hereinafter simply referred to as a print request browser) for requesting printing of print data is activated.

  5, when the print request browser is started, the CPU 32A of the mobile terminal 14 functions as the browser control unit 40 in cooperation with the memory 31 and the like. The browser control unit 40 controls the operation of the print request browser. The browser control unit 40 receives screen data of various screens from the print management device 11. The browser control unit 40 reproduces various screens displayed on the print request browser based on the screen data, and displays them on the display 34A.

  In addition, the browser control unit 40 receives various operation instructions input from the input device 35A through various screens. The browser control unit 40 transmits various requests according to various operation instructions to the print management device 11. The operation instruction includes an instruction to print the print data. When receiving the print instruction for the print data, the browser control unit 40 transmits a print data print request to the print management apparatus 11. The print request includes print data and a terminal ID (Identification Data) that is identification information of the mobile terminal 14.

  Further, the browser control unit 40 causes the position detection unit 41 to detect the current position information when the print request browser is activated. Then, the current position information detected by the position detection unit 41 is transmitted to the print management device 11.

  6, a print management program 45 is stored in the storage device 30B of the print management apparatus 11 as an application program. The print management program 45 is an application program for causing a computer to function as a print management device. The storage device 30B stores a range information table 46 and a print data table 47 in addition to the print management program 45.

  When the print management program 45 is started, the CPU 32B of the print management device 11 cooperates with the memory 31 and the like to acquire the position acquisition unit 50, the certification unit 51, the display control unit 52, the reception unit 53, the transmission control unit 54, And functions as the storage control unit 55.

  The position obtaining unit 50 obtains current position information from the mobile terminal 14. The position acquisition unit 50 outputs the acquired current position information to the authentication unit 51.

  Based on the current position information from the position acquisition unit 50 and the range information of the printing machine 10 in the range information table 46, the certifying unit 51 certifies whether or not the client 13 is within the installation range 20. The certification unit 51 outputs the certification result to the display control unit 52, the reception unit 53, and the storage control unit 55.

  The display control unit 52 controls to generate various screens that can be browsed on the print request browser of the mobile terminal 14 and to display the generated various screens on the display 34 </ b> A of the mobile terminal 14. That is, the display 34A corresponds to a display unit. More specifically, the display control unit 52 outputs various screens in the form of screen data for web distribution created in a markup language such as XML (Extensible Markup Language). Instead of XML, another data description language such as JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) may be used.

  The accepting unit 53 accepts a print request from the mobile terminal 14 when the result of the certification from the certification unit 51 is the result of the certification that the client 13 is within the installation range 20. As described above, since the print request includes the print data, it can be said that the receiving unit 53 receives the print data when the requester 13 is determined to be within the installation range 20. The receiving unit 53 outputs the received print request to the storage control unit 55. On the other hand, the reception unit 53 does not receive a print request (print data) from the mobile terminal 14 when the result of the authentication from the authentication unit 51 is the result of the authentication that the client 13 is not within the installation range 20.

  The transmission control unit 54 receives the print data received by the reception unit 53 from the storage control unit 55. Then, control is performed to transmit the received print data to the printing press 10 in the installation range 20 where the requester 13 has been recognized as being present by the recognition unit 51.

  The storage control unit 55 controls to store the print data from the reception unit 53 in the print data table 47 of the storage device 30B. That is, the storage device 30B corresponds to a storage unit. Further, the storage control unit 55 reads out the print data from the print data table 47 and transfers the read out print data to the transmission control unit 54. Further, the storage control unit 55 sets the print data stored in the print data table 47 to a state where printing is not possible in accordance with the timing transmitted to the printing press 10 by the transmission control unit 54.

  In FIG. 7, the range information table 46 is a table in which range information is registered for each printing machine ID that is identification information of the printing machine 10. The range information is the longitude and latitude of the four corners P1 to P4 of the installation range 20, as described above.

  In FIG. 8, the print data table 47 is a table in which a terminal ID, print data, and a printing machine ID are registered for each print data ID. The print data ID is identification information of the print data, and is added by the storage control unit 55 when the print data is registered. The terminal ID is identification information of the mobile terminal 14. In the item of the terminal ID, the terminal ID of the portable terminal 14 that has requested the print data print request is registered. In the item of the printing press ID, the printing press IDs of the printing presses 10 of the installation range 20 for which the requester 13 has been recognized as being present by the recognition unit 51 are registered. The transmission control unit 54 transmits the print data to the printing press 10 having the printing press ID registered in the printing press ID item.

  FIG. 9A shows a case where the range information corresponding to the current position information from the position acquisition unit 50 is registered in the range information table 46 (current position information = range information). In this case, the certifying unit 51 certifies that the client 13 exists within the installation range 20. The certification unit 51 outputs a permission signal to the display control unit 52 and the reception unit 53 as a certification result that the client 13 has been recognized as being within the installation range 20. Further, the certification unit 51 outputs the printing machine ID to the storage control unit 55 as a certification result that the client 13 has been recognized as being within the installation range 20. This printing machine ID is the printing machine ID of the printing machine 10 in the installation range 20 where the requester 13 is recognized as existing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9B shows a case where the range information corresponding to the current position information from the position acquisition unit 50 is not registered in the range information table 46 (current position information ≠ range information). In this case, the certifying unit 51 certifies that the client 13 does not exist within the installation range 20. The certification unit 51 outputs a non-permission signal to the display control unit 52 and the reception unit 53 as a certification result that the client 13 has been recognized as not existing within the installation range 20.

  FIG. 10 shows a case where the display control unit 52 receives a permission signal from the certification unit 51. In this case, the display control unit 52 generates a print request screen 60, and outputs the generated print request screen 60 to the mobile terminal 14.

  The print request screen 60 has, for example, a list 61 in which thumbnails of images captured by the mobile terminal 14 are arranged vertically and horizontally, and a transmission button 62 is arranged at the bottom. As indicated by hatching, the client 13 selects at least one of the images in the list 61 and selects the transmission button 62. This operation instruction corresponds to a print instruction for print data. Although not shown, on the print request screen 60, print settings such as the direction and size of paper to be printed, black and white, color, and enlargement ratio can be made for the print data requested to be printed. Note that the print request screen 60 may specify a text file, a web page, a document file, or the like.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a case where the display control unit 52 receives a non-permission signal from the authentication unit 51. In this case, the display control unit 52 generates a message notification screen 65, and outputs the generated message notification screen 65 to the mobile terminal 14.

  On the message notification screen 65, a message 66 indicating that print data cannot be received by the reception unit 53 ("Print data cannot be received because it is not close to the printing press.") 66 is displayed. The message notification screen 65 also includes a message 67 that prompts the user to move to the installation range 20 of the printing press 10 and retry the print request (“Please move to the installation range of the printing press and try again.”) 67. An OK button 68 for deleting the message notification screen 65 is also displayed.

  FIG. 12A shows a case where the accepting unit 53 receives a permission signal from the certifying unit 51. In this case, the receiving unit 53 receives the print data from the mobile terminal 14 as described above.

  On the other hand, FIG. 12B shows a case where the receiving unit 53 receives a non-permission signal from the certifying unit 51. In this case, the receiving unit 53 does not receive the print data from the mobile terminal 14 as described above.

  As described above, when the requester 13 is recognized as being within the installation range 20 by the authentication unit 51, the print request screen 60 is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14, and a print instruction for print data can be given. . As a result, the receiving unit 53 can receive the print data. On the other hand, if the requesting unit 13 is determined not to be within the installation range 20 by the authentication unit 51, a message notification screen 65 is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14. In this case, it is not possible to give an instruction to print the print data, and therefore, the receiving unit 53 cannot receive the print data.

  In FIG. 13, when the print data is transmitted to the printing press 10, the transmission control unit 54 outputs a transmission completion signal indicating that to the storage control unit 55. The transmission completion signal includes the print data ID of the print data transmitted to the printing press 10. Upon receiving the transmission completion signal, the storage control unit 55 deletes the print data of the print data ID included in the transmission completion signal from the print data table 47. By doing so, the storage control unit 55 sets the print data in a state where printing is not possible. In FIG. 13, the item of the printer ID in the print data table 47 is omitted.

  Here, the timing at which the storage control unit 55 sets the print data to a state where printing is not possible refers to a case where the print data requested to be printed via a communication line such as the WAN 12 is illegally used by a third party. It is enough timing to reduce the possibility than before. For example, the print data may be in a state in which printing cannot be performed until one second elapses after the print data is transmitted to the printing press 10 by the transmission control unit 54.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the print management program 45 is started, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 32 causes the position acquisition unit 50, the certification unit 51, the display control unit 52, the reception unit 53, the transmission control unit 54, and the storage control unit. The computer functions as the print management device 11.

  On the other hand, in the mobile terminal 14, the print request application is activated and the print request browser is activated. Then, under the control of the browser control unit 40, the current position information is detected by the position detection unit 41. The current position information is transmitted to the print management device 11.

  The print management device 11 waits for the current position information from the portable terminal 14 (step ST100). When the current position information has been received (YES in step ST100), current position information is obtained by position obtaining section 50 (step ST110). The current position information is output from the position acquisition unit 50 to the certification unit 51.

  The authentication unit 51 determines whether or not the range information corresponding to the current position information from the position acquisition unit 50 is registered in the range information table 46 of the storage device 30B, that is, the requester 13 exists in the installation range 20. It is determined whether or not (step ST120). If the requester 13 is determined to be within the installation range 20 (YES in step ST120), a permission signal is output from the recognition unit 51 to the display control unit 52 and the reception unit 53, as shown in FIG. 9A. Then, the display control unit 52 generates the print request screen 60 shown in FIG. 10 and outputs it to the mobile terminal 14 (step ST130).

  The print request screen 60 is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14. The requester 13 selects print data to be requested to print on the print request screen 60, and selects the send button 62. As a result, a print request for print data is transmitted from the browser control unit 40 of the mobile terminal 14 to the print management device 11.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the requester 13 does not exist within the installation range 20 (NO in step ST120), as shown in FIG. 9B, the rejection signal is sent from the recognition unit 51 to the display control unit 52 and the reception unit 53. Is output. Then, the display control unit 52 generates the message notification screen 65 shown in FIG. 11 and outputs it to the mobile terminal 14 (step ST140). In this case, as shown in FIG. 12B, the print data is not received by the receiving unit 53.

  The message notification screen 65 is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14. After seeing the message 66 indicating that print data cannot be received, the requester 13 selects the OK button 68 to delete the message notification screen 65.

  As described above, when it is determined that the requester 13 does not exist within the installation range 20, the receiving unit 53 does not receive the print data. Therefore, the print data from the requester 13 that does not exist in the installation range 20 remains registered for a relatively long time, and it is not necessary to create a trigger for the print data to be illegally used by a third party.

  When it is determined that the requester 13 does not exist within the installation range 20, a message notification screen 65 having a message 66 indicating that print data cannot be received is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14. Therefore, the requester 13 understands that the print management device 11 cannot receive the print data at the current position.

  The range information is registered in the range information table 46 for each printing machine 10. Then, the position acquisition unit 50 acquires the current position information, and when the range information corresponding to the acquired current position information is registered, the certification unit 51 certifies that the requester 13 exists in the installation range 20. Therefore, the range information is registered in the mobile terminal 14, the client 13 is authorized by the mobile terminal 14 to determine whether or not the client 13 is within the installation range 20, and the result of the authentication is transmitted from the mobile terminal 14 to the print management device 11. The processing load on the mobile terminal 14 is reduced as compared with the case of transmitting.

  After outputting the print request screen 60, the print management device 11 waits for a print request from the mobile terminal 14 (step ST150). If a print request has been received (YES in step ST150), as shown in FIG. 12A, print request, and thus print data, is received in receiving section 53 (step ST160). The print data is output from the reception unit 53 to the storage control unit 55, and registered in the print data table 47 of the storage device 30B by the storage control unit 55 (step ST170).

  The print data in the print data table 47 is read by the storage control unit 55 and passed to the transmission control unit 54. Then, the transmission control unit 54 transmits the print request to the printing press 10 in the installation range 20 where the requester 13 is recognized as being present by the recognition unit 51 (step ST180). In the printing machine 10, the transmitted print data is printed. The client 13 pays for printing at the cash register.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the print data in the print data table 47 is deleted from the print data table 47 by the storage control unit 55 at the timing transmitted to the printing press 10 by the transmission control unit 54. As a result, the print data is set in a state where printing is not possible (step ST190).

  As described above, when it is determined that the requester 13 exists in the installation range 20, the print data is received by the receiving unit 53, and the print data is printed in accordance with the timing transmitted to the printing machine 10 by the transmission control unit 54. Make it impossible. Therefore, the period during which the print data is registered in the print data table 47 in a printable state is extremely short, for example, about 1 second. Therefore, compared to the conventional case where the print data is registered in a printable state for a relatively long period of time, for example, about one week, there is a possibility that the print data is illegally used by a third party. Reduce. Further, unlike the related art, since the authentication key for causing the printing machine 10 to print the print data is not issued, the requester 13 does not need to input the authentication key to the printing machine 10.

  The print data is deleted by the storage control unit 55, thereby making the print data unprintable. Therefore, the print data is simply set to a state where printing is impossible. Also, there is no need to prepare a large-capacity storage device 30B.

  The reason why the print data is not directly transmitted from the portable terminal 14 to the printer 10 via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like but transmitted to the printer 10 via the print management device 11 is as follows. That is, in wireless communication such as Wi-Fi, there are many cases where print data cannot be successfully transmitted due to a communication failure. Particularly in a convenience store, a microwave oven is used, so that a communication failure is likely to occur.

[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 20, the print data is received by the reception unit 53 even when the requester 13 is determined not to be within the installation range 20. Then, an authentication key for causing the printing machine 10 to print the print data is issued.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a print management program 71 is stored in the storage device 30B of the print management apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment. Further, the storage device 30B stores a range information table 46 having the same contents as in the first embodiment and a print data table 72 having contents different from those in the first embodiment.

  When the print management program 71 is activated, the CPU 32B functions as an issuing unit 75 and an authentication obtaining unit 76 in addition to the processing units 50 to 55 of the first embodiment in cooperation with the memory 31 and the like.

  The certification unit 51 also outputs the certification result to the issuing unit 75. In the first embodiment, the receiving unit 53 does not receive the print data when the requesting unit 13 is recognized as not existing in the installation range 20 by the recognition unit 51. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the accepting unit 53 accepts the print data even when the authorizing unit 51 identifies that the requester 13 does not exist within the installation range 20. That is, the receiving unit 53 receives the print data irrespective of the certification result of the certification unit 51.

  The issuing unit 75 issues an authentication key with an expiration date to the print data received by the receiving unit 53 when the requesting unit 13 is determined not to be within the installation range 20 by the authentication unit 51. The issuing unit 75 outputs the authentication key to the display control unit 52 and the storage control unit 55. The expiration date of the authentication key is, for example, 5 to 10 minutes after receiving the print data in the receiving unit 53.

  The display control unit 52 generates an authentication key notification screen (not shown) that notifies the requester 13 of the authentication key from the issuing unit 75 and the expiration date. Then, an authentication key notification screen is transmitted to the mobile terminal 14. The authentication key notification screen is displayed on the display 34A of the mobile terminal 14. The client 13 goes to the installation location of the printing press 10 within the expiration date notified on the authentication key notification screen, and inputs the authentication key notified on the authentication key notification screen to the printing press 10. The printing machine 10 transmits the input authentication key to the print management device 70.

  The storage control unit 55 performs control to store the print data from the reception unit 53 and the authentication key from the issuing unit 75 in association with each other.

  The authentication acquiring unit 76 acquires the authentication key input by the client 13 and the printing machine ID of the printing machine 10 from the printing machine 10. The authentication acquisition unit 76 outputs the acquired authentication key and printing machine ID to the storage control unit 55. The storage control unit 55 reads the print data associated with the authentication key from the authentication acquisition unit 76 from the print data table 72. Then, the read print data and the printing press ID from the authentication acquisition unit 76 are output to the transmission control unit 54.

  The transmission control unit 54 controls transmission of the print data from the storage control unit 55 to the printing press 10 represented by the printing press ID from the storage control unit 55. As a result, the print data associated with the authentication key input by the client 13 is transmitted to the printing machine 10 to which the authentication key has been input by the client 13. Then, the print data is printed in the printing press 10.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the print data table 72, an authentication key item is provided in addition to the items of the print data table 47 of the first embodiment. The storage control unit 55 registers the authentication key issued by the issuing unit 75 and the expiration date in the authentication key item. As a result, the print data and the authentication key are stored in association with each other. Here, a 12-digit number is exemplified as the authentication key. As described above, the authentication unit 51 issues an authentication key when it is determined that the requester 13 does not exist in the installation range 20. Therefore, the print data in which the authentication key is registered is No printing machine ID is registered in the item.

  FIG. 17 shows that the range information corresponding to the current position information from the position acquisition unit 50 is not registered in the range information table 46 (current position information ≠ range information), and the client 13 Indicates a case where it is determined that the item does not exist in the. In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, the certifying unit 51 outputs a non-permission signal to the display control unit 52 and the receiving unit 53 as a certifying result. Therefore, the display control unit 52 generates the message notification screen 65 and transmits it to the mobile terminal 14 as shown in FIG. The receiving unit 53 did not receive the print data as shown in FIG. 12B.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the certification unit 51 outputs a permission signal to the display control unit 52 and the reception unit 53 as a certification result. Therefore, the display control unit 52 generates the print request screen 60 and transmits it to the mobile terminal 14 as shown in FIG. Further, the receiving unit 53 receives the print data as shown in FIG. 12A.

  In addition, the certification unit 51 outputs an issue signal to the issue unit 75 as a certification result. In response to the issuance signal, the issuance unit 75 issues an authentication key with an expiration date.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of a series of flows from the acquisition of the authentication key and the printing press ID by the authentication acquisition unit 76 to the transmission of print data to the printing press 10 by the transmission control unit 54. First, the authentication acquisition unit 76 acquires the authentication key “2445797648120” and the printing machine ID “PR00050”. The authentication key and the printing press ID are output from the authentication acquisition unit 76 to the storage control unit 55.

  Subsequently, the print data of the print data ID “PD00050” associated with the authentication key “2445797648120” from the authentication acquisition unit 76 is read from the print data table 72 by the storage control unit 55. Then, the print data of the print data ID “PD00005” and the printing machine ID “PR00050” are output from the storage control unit 55 to the transmission control unit 54.

  Finally, the transmission control unit 54 transmits the print data with the print data ID “PD00050” to the printing press 10 with the printing press ID “PR00050”. In FIG. 18, the expiration date of the authentication key in the print data table 72 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when acquiring an authentication key whose expiration date has passed, the authentication acquiring unit 76 invalidates the acquired authentication key. The authentication acquisition unit 76 invalidates the authentication key whose expiration date has been expired by not outputting the authentication key whose expiration date has expired to the storage control unit 55. Alternatively, the authentication acquisition unit 76 invalidates the authentication key whose expiration date has expired by not accepting the authentication key whose expiration date has expired.

  When the authentication key having expired is invalidated, the authentication acquisition unit 76 outputs an invalidation signal indicating that to the display control unit 52 and the storage control unit 55. In response to the invalidation signal, the display control unit 52 displays a message notification screen (not shown) indicating that the input authentication key has expired due to expiration of the validity period and that a request to reprint the print data has been made. ) Is generated and transmitted to the portable terminal 14. Further, the storage control unit 55 receives the invalidation signal and deletes the print data associated with the invalidated authentication key from the print data table 72. Instead of deleting the print data associated with the invalidated authentication key from the print data table 72, the print key of the print data table 72 may be used as it is, and the authentication key may be reissued from the issuing unit 75.

  20, upon receiving the transmission completion signal from the transmission control unit 54, the storage control unit 55 releases the association between the print data of the print data ID included in the transmission completion signal and the authentication key. Specifically, the authentication key registered in the authentication key item of the print data table 72 is deleted. By doing so, the storage control unit 55 sets the print data in a state where printing is not possible. Not only the authentication key but also the print data may be deleted from the print data table 72. In FIG. 20, each item of the terminal ID and the printing press ID of the print data table 72 and the expiration date of the authentication key are omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the issuing unit 75 issues the authentication key, so that the confidentiality of the print data is improved. Further, the issuance of the authentication key confirms that the print data has been accepted by the print management apparatus 11.

  Even when the requesting unit 13 is determined not to be within the installation range 20 by the authentication unit 51, the receiving unit 53 receives print data, and issues an authentication key to the issuing unit 75 for the received print data. . Therefore, there is no restriction on the environment for requesting printing of print data.

  The storage control unit 55 stores the print data and the authentication key in association with each other. Further, the authentication acquisition unit 76 acquires the authentication key input by the client 13 and the printer ID from the printer 10. Then, the transmission control unit 54 transmits the print data associated with the authentication key acquired by the authentication acquisition unit 76 to the printing machine 10 represented by the printing machine ID acquired by the authentication acquisition unit 76. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an error in which the print data associated with the authentication key input by the client 13 is transmitted and printed to a device other than the printer 10 where the authentication key is input by the client 13.

  An expiration date is set for the authentication key. Then, when the authentication obtaining unit 76 obtains an authentication key whose expiration date has passed, the obtained authentication key is invalidated. Therefore, the confidentiality of the print data is further improved.

  The storage control unit 55 cancels the association of the print data transmitted to the printing press 10 with the authentication key by the transmission control unit 54, thereby making the print data unprintable. Therefore, the print data is simply set to a state where printing is impossible.

  When the requesting unit 13 is determined not to be within the installation range 20 by the authentication unit 51, the message notification screen 65 is output to the portable terminal 14 as in the first embodiment, or is changed as in the second embodiment. The client 13 may select whether to accept the print data and issue the authentication key.

[Third embodiment]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 21, an authentication key is issued when a plurality of requesters 13 exist in one installation range 20.

  FIG. 21 illustrates a case where three requesters 13 of A, B, and C exist in one installation range 20. In this case, the certification unit 51 outputs the issuance signals A, B, and C for the requesters 13 of A, B, and C to the issuing unit 80 as the certification result. Receiving these issuance signals A, B, and C, the issuing unit 80 issues authentication keys A, B, and C with expiration dates for the requesters 13 of A, B, and C, respectively.

  In the case where a plurality of clients 13 are present in one installation range 20, if the print data is printed without any restrictions as in the first embodiment, a problem of misinterpretation of the print data occurs. It is assumed that However, in the third embodiment, when the authentication unit 51 determines that a plurality of requesters 13 exist in one installation range 20, the issuing unit 80 issues an authentication key. Therefore, the problem of misinterpretation of print data is prevented beforehand.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 of the second embodiment, the storage control unit 55 stores print data and an authentication key in association with each other. Further, the authentication acquisition unit 76 acquires the authentication key input by the client 13 and the printer ID from the printer 10. Then, the transmission control unit 54 transmits the print data associated with the authentication key acquired by the authentication acquisition unit 76 to the printing machine 10 represented by the printing machine ID acquired by the authentication acquisition unit 76.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the authentication obtaining unit 76 obtains an authentication key whose expiration date has passed, the obtained authentication key is invalidated. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the storage control unit 55 cancels the association of the print data transmitted to the printing press 10 with the authentication key by the transmission control unit 54, so that the print data cannot be printed. And

  The installation range 20 of the printing press 10 is not limited to the illustrated rectangular shape. For example, a circular installation range may be used. The range information in this case includes the longitude and latitude of the center of the circle and the radius or diameter of the circle.

  In each of the above embodiments, whether or not the requester 13 exists within the installation range 20 is determined based on the current position information detected by the position detection unit 41 of the mobile terminal 14, but is not limited thereto. . A transmitter that periodically emits a beacon signal may be provided in the printing press 10 and the portable terminal 14 may receive the beacon signal to determine whether the requester 13 is within the installation range 20. . More specifically, when the portable terminal 14 receives a beacon signal from the transmitter, the portable terminal 14 transmits a reception notification signal notifying the reception to the print management device 11. The reception notification signal includes a transmitter ID, which is identification information of the transmitter. In the print management device 11, a printing machine ID is registered for each transmitter ID. When the printing machine ID corresponding to the transmitter ID included in the reception notification signal from the mobile terminal 14 is registered, the certifying section 51 certifies that the requester 13 exists within the installation range 20. In this case, the communicable range of the beacon signal corresponds to the installation range 20.

  An e-mail address may be registered in advance by the requester 13, and an e-mail in which the authentication key is described may be transmitted to the registered e-mail address.

  In the second embodiment, the issuing unit 75 issues an authentication key to the print data received by the receiving unit 53 when it is determined that the client 13 does not exist within the installation range 20. In the third embodiment, the issuing unit 80 issues the authentication key when it is determined that the plurality of requesters 13 exist in one installation range 20. However, situations where the authentication key is issued are not limited to these. An authentication key may be issued for the print data received by the reception unit 53 when the requester 13 is determined to be within the installation range 20.

  Various modifications can be made to the hardware configuration of the computer constituting the print management device 11. For example, the print management apparatus 11 may be configured by a plurality of server computers separated as hardware for the purpose of improving processing performance and reliability. Specifically, the functions of the position acquisition unit 50, the certification unit 51, the display control unit 52, and the reception unit 53, and the functions of the transmission control unit 54 and the storage control unit 55 are distributed to two server computers. Let it be carried. In this case, the print management device 11 is composed of two server computers.

  As described above, the hardware configuration of the computer can be appropriately changed according to the required performance such as processing capability, security, and reliability. Further, not only the hardware but also application programs such as the print management programs 45 and 71 may be duplicated or distributed and stored in a plurality of storage devices for the purpose of ensuring safety and reliability. Of course it is possible.

  In the above embodiments, for example, various processes such as a position acquisition unit 50, a certification unit 51, a display control unit 52, a reception unit 53, a transmission control unit 54, a storage control unit 55, issue units 75 and 80, and an authentication acquisition unit 76 The following various processors can be used as a hardware structure of the processing unit that executes the processing. As described above, in addition to a CPU which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (print management programs 45 and 71) and functions as various processing units, various processors include an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and the like. Processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process such as a programmable logic device (PLD) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture of the device. And a dedicated electric circuit.

  One processing unit may be configured by one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Combination). Further, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor.

  As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units with one processor, first, as represented by computers such as clients and servers, one processor is configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and software. There is a form in which a processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Second, as represented by a system-on-chip (System On Chip: SoC) or the like, a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including a plurality of processing units by one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. is there. As described above, the various processing units are configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

  Further, as a hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, an electric circuit (circuitry) in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined can be used.

  From the above description, the invention described in the following additional item 1 can be grasped.

[Appendix 1]
A request processor that requests printing of print data at the mobile terminal, when it is determined that the print data is present within the installation range of the printing machine that prints the print data, a reception processor that receives the print data from the mobile terminal,
A transmission control processor that performs control to transmit the print data received by the reception processor to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is identified as present;
A storage control processor for performing control for storing the print data in a storage unit, and in a state where the print data stored in the storage unit cannot be printed according to the timing transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control processor. A storage control processor,
A print management device comprising:

  The technology of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined with the various embodiments and the various modifications described above. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various configurations may be employed without departing from the gist of course.

  Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure extends to a storage medium that stores a program, in addition to the program. Specifically, the application programs such as the print management programs 45 and 71 are not limited to the forms stored in the storage device 30B as in the above embodiments. The print management programs 45 and 71 may be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of the storage medium include optical disks such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) and a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and semiconductor memories such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and a memory card. . Alternatively, the print management programs 45 and 71 may be obtained from an external device via a communication line such as the WAN 12 connected to the communication unit 33.

2 Print Management System 10 Printing Machine 11, 70 Print Management Device 12 WAN
13 Client 14 Mobile terminal 20 Installation range 30, 30B Storage device 31 Memory 32, 32A, 32B CPU
33 Communication unit 34, 34A Display 35, 35A Input device 36 Data bus 40 Browser control unit 41 Position detection unit 45, 71 Print management program 46 Range information table 47, 72 Print data table 50 Position acquisition unit 51 Authorization unit 52 Display control unit 53 reception unit 54 transmission control unit 55 storage control unit 60 print request screen 61 list 62 transmission button 65 message notification screen 66 message to the effect that print data cannot be received 67 move to the installation range of the printing press and retry print request 68 OK button 75, 80 Issuing unit 76 Authentication acquiring units P1, P2, P3, P4 Four corners ST100 to ST190 of installation range

Claims (13)

A requesting unit for requesting printing of print data at the mobile terminal, when it is determined that the print data is present within an installation range of a printing machine that prints the print data, a receiving unit that receives the print data from the mobile terminal;
A transmission control unit configured to control the transmission of the print data received by the reception unit to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is recognized as being present;
A storage control unit for performing control for storing the print data in a storage unit, wherein the print data stored in the storage unit cannot be printed according to the timing transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control unit; A storage control unit,
A print management device comprising:   The print management device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit does not receive the print data when the requester is determined not to be within the installation range.   3. The display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a display control unit configured to perform a control to display a message indicating that the print data cannot be received on a display unit of the mobile terminal when the requester is determined to be out of the installation range. The print management device according to the above.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an issuing unit that issues an authentication key for causing the printing machine to print the print data received by the receiving unit, the authentication key being input to the printing machine by the requester. 2. The print management device according to claim 1. The receiving unit receives the print data even when the requester is determined not to be within the installation range,
The print management device according to claim 4, wherein the issuing unit issues the authentication key to the print data received by the receiving unit when the requester is determined not to be within the installation range. .   The print management device according to claim 4, wherein the issuing unit issues the authentication key when it is determined that a plurality of the requesters exist in one installation range. From the printing press, the authentication key input by the requester, and comprising an authentication acquisition unit to obtain the identification information of the printing press,
The storage control unit performs control to store the print data and the authentication key in association with each other,
The said transmission control part performs control which transmits the said print data linked | related with the said authentication key acquired by the said authentication acquisition part to the said printing machine represented by the said identification information acquired by the said authentication acquisition part. The print management device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. An expiration date is set for the authentication key,
The print management device according to claim 7, wherein the authentication acquisition unit invalidates the acquired authentication key when acquiring the expired authentication key.   8. The print control unit according to claim 7, wherein the storage control unit cancels the association of the print data transmitted to the printing press with the authentication key by the transmission control unit, thereby setting the print data to the unprintable state. 9. 9. The print management device according to 8.   The storage control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the print data transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control unit is deleted to make the print data unprintable. The print management device according to the above. A position acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating the current position of the requester,
When range information indicating the installation range is registered for each printing press, and the range information corresponding to the current position information acquired by the position acquisition unit is registered, the requester sets the installation range The print management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the print management device is determined to be present in the printer. A requesting unit for requesting printing of print data at the mobile terminal, when it is determined that the print data is present within an installation range of a printing machine that prints the print data, a receiving unit that receives the print data from the mobile terminal;
A transmission control unit configured to control the transmission of the print data received by the reception unit to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is recognized as being present;
A storage control unit for performing control for storing the print data in a storage unit, wherein the print data stored in the storage unit cannot be printed according to the timing transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control unit; A print management program that causes a computer to function as a storage control unit. A printing machine for printing print data,
A print management device that is connected to the portable terminal and the printing machine of the client who requests the printing of the print data via a communication line and manages the print data;
When the requester is determined to be within the installation range of the printing press, a receiving unit that receives the print data from the mobile terminal,
A transmission control unit configured to control the transmission of the print data received by the reception unit to the printing press in the installation range where the requester is recognized as being present;
A storage control unit for performing control for storing the print data in a storage unit, wherein the print data stored in the storage unit cannot be printed according to the timing transmitted to the printing press by the transmission control unit; A print management device having a storage control unit;
A print management system comprising: