JP3715204B2 - Image forming apparatus and printing restriction method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention LAN The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs printing restriction for each host device connected to the computer, and a printing restriction method for the image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a network system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer and a printer are connected via a network such as a LAN has been put into practical use. A printer connected to a network can be shared by a plurality of personal computers (users) connected to the network. When a printer is shared, if the printer is in a state where it can be used without permission to a third party (hereinafter simply referred to as a third party) who is not sharing the printer, the printer consumables and maintenance costs are shared. May cause problems.
[0003]
Various techniques for restricting the use of third-party printers have been proposed for the above problems. As restrictions on use of printers (printing restrictions) The There have been proposed a method of not using the service at all and a method of permitting the use by separately performing a billing process. Such printing restriction is performed by a method in which a printer server in which a printer sharer is registered is connected to a network, and print data is transmitted to the printer via the printer server.
[0004]
However, if a personal computer connected to the network has a function to send print data directly to the printer, if the network address of the printer is known, printing can be performed by sending the print data to the printer without going through the printer server. Can be executed. Therefore, unauthorized use of a third party's printer cannot be sufficiently prevented only by using the printer server.
[0005]
Therefore, a technique for restricting printing by adding a recitation code to print data has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-97140). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the recitation code transmitted together with the print data is appropriate. If the recitation code is appropriate, printing based on the print data is permitted. An image forming apparatus that restricts printing is proposed.
[0006]
In addition, a technique has been proposed in which a print data transmission source apparatus is identified and printing is performed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-300784). Specifically, an image forming apparatus that discriminates a host device that is a transmission source of the print data from an identifier transmitted together with the print data has been proposed.
[0007]
Note that the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-300784 discriminates a print data transmission source apparatus based on an identifier in order to efficiently share the expenses of consumables to be used. The number of printed sheets is tabulated for each paper size. Further, after printing, the device that is the transmission source of the print data is identified based on the identifier. Therefore, the configuration disclosed herein cannot restrict printing to a third party.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a function for transmitting the above-mentioned recitation code and identifier together with the print data is required for the device that is the transmission source of the print data. For this reason, a printer driver for creating and transmitting the print data with the recitation code and identifier added must be installed in the transmission source device, which complicates the entire network system and increases the cost for system construction. There was a problem of being expensive.
[0009]
In addition, when the print data transmission apparatus transmits the print data, it must execute a process of adding a recitation code or an identifier to the print data, resulting in a problem of a decrease in processing speed due to an increase in load. there were.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reliably prevent unauthorized use by a third party and is inexpensive to construct a system, and a printing restriction method in the image forming apparatus.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
[0012]
(1) receiving means for receiving print data transmitted by packet communication via a LAN;
To the packet received by the receiving means Equipped Source physical address Only based on Identification means for identifying a transmission source host device connected to the LAN;
Determination data storage means for storing determination data for determining whether or not to permit execution of printing for the host device connected to the LAN;
Print control means for determining whether or not to permit execution of printing based on the print data transmitted using the determination data for the host device identified by the identification means.
[0013]
LA In N, Data communication between connected devices is performed by well-known packet communication. Packet communication has good communication efficiency because a specific device does not occupy a line. The packet includes the transmission destination and the physical address of the transmission source in the data to be transmitted.
[0014]
In the image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the source physical address included in the received packet is used. Connected to LAN The source host device is identified. That is, the source host device is identified at the packet level. Then, it is determined whether printing is permitted for the identified host device, and execution of printing is restricted based on the determination result.
[0015]
As described above, since the host device that has transmitted the print data at the packet level is identified, it is not necessary to provide the host device with a function of adding a recitation code or an identifier to the print data to be transmitted as in the prior art. Therefore, the entire system is simplified, and the cost for building the system can be reduced.
[0016]
Further, since the host device does not have to execute a process of adding a recitation code or an identifier to the print data to be transmitted, the load applied when the print data is transmitted can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the processing speed of the host device.
[0017]
(2) A determination data update means for updating the determination data stored in the determination data storage means is provided.
[0018]
In this configuration, it is possible to update the determination data used to determine whether printing is permitted for the host device that has transmitted the print data. Therefore, LAN Even when the network system is changed, such as when a new host device is connected to the printer, it is possible to restrict printing appropriately by simply updating the determination data.
[0019]
(3) The determination data includes host number limit data indicating the number of printed matter for which the print permission is limited for each host device.
[0020]
In this configuration, since printing is limited by the number of printed materials, useless printing can be suppressed for the user. Also, users can be charged efficiently for printing.
[0021]
(4) The host number limit data is data indicating the number of printed materials for which printing permission is limited every predetermined period.
[0022]
In this configuration, since the number of printed sheets can be limited every predetermined period, for example, one day, one week, one month, or one year, budget management associated with printing use can be performed.
[0023]
Note that the number of printed sheets for each period may be the same or different.
[0024]
(5) The determination data includes host time zone restriction data indicating a time zone in which print permission is restricted for each host device.
[0025]
In this configuration, since printing can be restricted during a time period, for example, for a shared image forming apparatus installed in a specific room such as a conference room, printing is performed only for users who use this specific room. It is possible to restrict that other users are not allowed to execute printing. For this reason, appropriate billing processing can be performed for a user who uses a specific room such as a conference room.
[0026]
(6) The determination data is the above LAN Group data for determining a group to which a host device connected to the group belongs, and group number limit data indicating the number of prints for which printing permission is limited for each group.
[0027]
In this configuration, it is possible to restrict printing for each group in which a plurality of users are present.
[0028]
(7) The group number limit data is data indicating the number of printed materials for which printing permission is limited for each predetermined period.
[0029]
In this configuration, substantially the same effect as the above (4) can be obtained for a group having a plurality of users.
[0030]
(8) The determination data includes group time zone restriction data indicating a time zone in which printing permission is restricted for each group.
[0031]
In this configuration, substantially the same effect as the above (5) can be obtained for a group having a plurality of users.
[0032]
(9) The print control means includes means for discarding print data transmitted in the packet from a host device that does not permit printing.
[0033]
In this configuration, since print data transmitted from a host device that does not permit printing is discarded, useless print data, that is, print data that does not execute printing, is never left in the main body. Accordingly, the storage capacity necessary for storing the print data can be suppressed, and the cost of the main body can be reduced.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This network system is a system in which a plurality of host devices 1 (1-1 to 1-n) and an image forming apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected to a network such as a LAN. This network system can appropriately perform printing restrictions described later without connecting a device functioning as a printer server to the network. That is, since a printer server for restricting printing is not required, the configuration of the entire system is simplified.
[0035]
Note that the number of image forming apparatuses 2 connected to the network may be one or more. In addition to the host device 1 and the image forming device 2 described above, another device may be connected to the network.
[0036]
As is well known, an address (physical address) on the network is assigned to each of the host apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 connected to the network, and each apparatus can be identified by this physical address.
[0037]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 2 includes a network interface 11 that controls transmission / reception of data via a network, for example, print data, and a physical address that identifies a device that is a transmission source of data (print data) transmitted via the network. An identification unit 12, a restricted address storage unit 13 for storing printing restriction data (corresponding to determination data referred to in the present invention) indicating what kind of printing restriction is performed for each host device 1, and a restricted address storage unit 13 The restricted address registration unit 14 for updating the print restriction data stored in the print data, the print control unit 15 for controlling the printing of the print data transmitted via the network, and the packet transmitted via the network. A print data expansion unit 16 that stores print data in an accumulated manner and expands the print data; A printer engine 17 to execute printing based on, and a.
[0038]
Data communication between devices connected to the network is performed by well-known packet communication. In the packet communication, as is well known, since a specific device does not occupy a line, communication efficiency is good. As shown in FIG. 3, the packet includes a destination physical address indicating a transmission destination device, a transmission source physical address indicating a transmission source device, and data to be transmitted.
[0039]
The physical address identification unit 12 identifies the device that is the transmission source of the print data from the transmission source physical address included in the print data (packet) received via the network interface 11, and prints based on print restriction data described later. It is determined whether or not to allow. The physical address identifying unit 12 identifies the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data at the packet level.
[0040]
The restriction address storage unit 13 stores printing restriction data (determination data referred to in the present invention) shown in FIG. This print restriction data is data in which whether or not printing is permitted for each host device 1 is set. Specifically, it is table data in which the physical address of the host device 1 is associated with data indicating whether printing is permitted.
[0041]
FIG. 4 shows an example in which printing is permitted for the host devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, and 1-n and printing is not permitted for the host devices 1-2 and 1-5. . The host apparatus 1 that is permitted to execute printing is a sharer of the image forming apparatus 2, and the host apparatus 1 that is not permitted to execute printing is a third party that is not permitted to perform printing (hereinafter simply referred to as a third party). ).
[0042]
This print restriction data may be table data in which only the physical address of the host device 1 (sharer) that permits printing is registered, or conversely, the physical data of the host device 1 (third party) that does not permit printing. It may be table data in which only addresses are registered.
[0043]
The restriction address registration unit 14 controls the change of the printing restriction data shown in FIG. The change referred to here is a new setting for whether printing is permitted for the host apparatus 1 newly connected to the network, or a change setting for whether printing is permitted for the already registered host apparatus 1.
[0044]
The print control unit 15 is a control unit that controls the overall printing function, and determines whether or not to permit printing based on the print restriction data.
[0045]
The print data expansion unit 16 stores the print data of the received packet in an accumulated manner, expands the accumulated print data, and sends it to the printer engine 17.
[0046]
The printer engine 17 prints characters and images based on the print data on paper. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method.
[0047]
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. When a packet addressed to the image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted via the network, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the packet (s1, s2). The image forming apparatus 1 identifies the host apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of the packet received in s2 in the physical address identifying unit 12 (s3), and whether printing is permitted for the host apparatus 1 identified in s3 in the print control unit 13 It is determined whether or not (s4).
[0048]
As described above, since the source physical address is included in the packet, the source host device 1 can be identified by extracting the source physical address from the received packet. As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment identifies the transmission source host apparatus 1 at the packet level.
[0049]
In s4, it is determined whether or not printing is permitted using the print restriction data shown in FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether printing is permitted for the host device 1 with the physical address identified in s3.
[0050]
If execution of printing is not permitted for the transmission source host device 1, the packet received in s2 is discarded (s5), and the process returns to s1.
[0051]
On the other hand, if execution of printing is permitted for the transmission source host device 1, the print data of the packet received in s2 is stored in the print data expansion unit 16 (s6), and the packet of the packet from the transmission source host device 1 is stored. It is determined whether the reception is completed (s7). If reception of the packet is not completed, the process returns to s1 in order to receive the next packet transmitted thereafter. If reception of the packet is completed, the printing process shown in FIG. 6 is started (s8), and the process returns to s1.
[0052]
Next, the printing process activated in s8 will be described with reference to FIG. In the printing process, the print data accumulated by the print data development unit 16 is developed (s11). The print data expanded in s11 is sent to the printer engine 17. The printer engine 17 prints characters and images based on the print data on a sheet (s12), and the process ends.
[0053]
As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment identifies the host apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of print data at the packet level. Since printing is executed only when execution of printing is permitted for the identified host device 1, unauthorized use by a third party who is not permitted to print can be prevented.
[0054]
Since the image forming apparatus 2 identifies the transmission source host apparatus 1 at the packet level as described above, the host apparatus 1 only needs to have a function of transmitting print data in packets. Therefore, it is not necessary to install special driver software in the host device 1. In addition, since a printer server is not required, the network system is simplified. Therefore, the cost for constructing the system can be reduced.
[0055]
In addition, the load on the transmission of print data is reduced in the host device 1. As a result, a decrease in the processing speed of the host device 1 can also be prevented.
[0056]
In addition, in order to transmit the identification code together with the print data proposed in the above-described prior art, an identification code for identifying the own machine is added to the print data, and the physical of the own machine specified in the packet communication This process is different from the process of transmitting a packet with an address.
[0057]
In addition, since print data transmitted in packets from the host device 1 that is not permitted to print is discarded without being stored in the print data expansion unit 16, useless printing is performed in the print data expansion unit 16. No data remains. Therefore, the storage capacity required for the print data expansion unit 16 can be suppressed, and the cost of the main body of the image forming apparatus 2 can be reduced.
[0058]
Furthermore, when a change occurs in the network system, such as when a new host device 1 is connected to the network, the restricted address registration unit 14 changes the print restriction data stored in the restricted address storage unit 13, Appropriate printing restrictions can be made. The restricted address registration unit 14 may have a configuration that includes a key that allows an input operation to the main body, or may have a configuration that changes the print restriction data according to an input from the outside.
[0059]
Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus 2 of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment is different from the apparatus of the above embodiment in that printing restriction data shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the restriction address storage unit 13. The print restriction data shown in FIG. 7 is a table in which the physical address of the host device 1 and data indicating whether printing is permitted are associated with the print restriction number (corresponding to the host number restriction data referred to in the present invention). It is data. The print limit number is the maximum number of pages that the host apparatus 1 is allowed to execute. Execution of printing exceeding the print limit number is not permitted. The print limit number is counted down each time printing is performed as described later.
[0060]
FIG. 7 shows an example in which execution of printing is permitted for the host devices 1-1, 1-3, 1-4, and 1-n, and execution of printing is not permitted for the host devices 1-2 and 1-5. Is shown. The host device 1-1 has a print limit of 10 sheets, the host device 1-3 has a print limit of 2 sheets, the host device 1-4 has a print limit of 1004, and the host apparatus 1 The print limit number of -n is 134.
[0061]
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. In this figure, the same step number (s *) is assigned to the same process as in FIG. The image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment also executes the processes of s1 to s4 described in the apparatus of the above embodiment. If printing is not permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data in s4, the received packet is discarded (s5).
[0062]
On the other hand, if printing is permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data, it is determined whether or not the print limit number for the host device 1 is 1 or more (s21), and the print limit number is 0. If there is, the process proceeds to step s5 to discard the received packet.
[0063]
When the print limit number is 1 or more, the processing of s6 to s8 in the above-described embodiment is executed.
[0064]
Next, the printing process activated in s8 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing process. In this figure, the same step number (s *) is assigned to the same processing as in FIG. The image forming apparatus 2 expands the print data of the packet stored in the print data storage unit 16 (s11), and determines whether the number of prints of this print data is within the print limit number (s31). If the number of prints is not less than the print limit in s31, the print data developed in s11 is discarded and this process is terminated (s32). On the other hand, if it is within the print limit, the print data developed in s11 is sent to the printer engine 17, and printing is executed by the printer engine 17 (s12). When printing is completed, the print limit number set for the corresponding host device 1 is counted down by the number of printed pages, and the process is terminated (s33).
[0065]
As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment also identifies the host device that is the transmission source of print data at the packet level, and determines whether or not to execute printing based on the print data. Has the same effect as.
[0066]
Further, since the print limit number that is counted down by the number of printed sheets every time printing is performed is used to determine whether or not to allow each host apparatus 1 to execute printing, The cost of consumables and maintenance can be charged according to the number of printed sheets. Moreover, since it is possible to suppress execution of useless printing for the user of the host device 1, the cost for printing can be reduced.
[0067]
For example, when a consumable or maintenance cost is received from a user of the host device 1, the print limit number may be increased by the number corresponding to the cost.
[0068]
Next, another embodiment of the image forming apparatus 2 of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment is different from the apparatus of the above-described embodiment in that printing restriction data shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the restriction address storage unit 13. The print restriction data includes table data (see FIG. 10A) in which information indicating whether printing is permitted for each host device 1 and information indicating a group to which the host device 1 belongs, and the above group. It consists of table data (see FIG. 10B) showing the print limit number (corresponding to the group limit data referred to in the present invention) for each.
[0069]
FIG. 10 shows that host device 1-1 and host device 1-4 belong to group A, host device 1-2 and host device 1-5 belong to group D, and host device 1-3 belongs to group B. In this example, the host apparatus 1-n belongs to the group C. The group A print limit number is 200, the group B print limit number is 1002, the group C print limit number is 163, and the group D print limit number is 0.
[0070]
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment executes the following s41 instead of s21 shown in FIG.
[0071]
Specifically, the above-described processing of s1 to s3 is performed to determine whether printing execution is permitted for the identified host device 1 (s4). If printing execution is permitted, the processing is performed in s3. It is determined whether or not the print limit number of the group to which the identified host device 1 belongs is one or more (s41). If it is determined in s41 that the number is one or more, the processing from s6 is executed. If it is zero, the packet received in s2 is discarded (s5), and the process returns to s1.
[0072]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the printing process activated in s8. In this printing process, s51 shown below is executed instead of s31 shown in FIG.
[0073]
The image forming apparatus 2 expands the print data in s11, and determines whether or not the number of prints of the print data is within the print limit number of the corresponding group (s51). If the number of prints is not within the print limit, the print data expanded in s11 is discarded and this process is terminated (s32). On the other hand, if it is within the print limit, the print data developed in s11 is sent to the printer engine 17, and printing is executed by the printer engine 17 (s12). When printing is completed, the print limit number set for the group to which the corresponding host device 1 belongs is counted down by the number of printed pages, and this process is terminated (s33).
[0074]
As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment also identifies the host device that is the transmission source of print data at the packet level, and determines whether or not to execute printing based on the print data. Has the same effect as.
[0075]
In addition, since execution of printing is restricted by using the above-mentioned print limit number that is counted down every time printing is performed in units of groups to which the host apparatus 1 belongs, consumables and maintenance for each group are limited. Can be charged according to the number of printed sheets. As a way of dividing the group, a department unit or the like can be considered. Moreover, since it is possible to suppress execution of useless printing for the user of the host device 1, the cost for printing can be reduced.
[0076]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment stores the print restriction data shown in FIG. The print restriction data shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by setting a print restriction number for each period of day / month / year in addition to information indicating whether or not printing is permitted for each host device 1. In the example shown in FIG. 13, for example, the number of printable sheets on January 1, 2001 is 250, and the number of printable sheets on January 31, 2001 is set to 250. Further, the printable number of sheets in January 2001 is set to 6000 sheets, and the printable sheet number in 2001 is set to 72,000 sheets. The data indicating the print limit number is set for each host device 1.
[0077]
It should be noted that the total print limit number of each day from January 1, 2001 to January 31, 2001 may coincide with the print limit number of January 2001, or may not match. Also good. Similarly, the total print limit number of each month from January 2001 to December 2001 may coincide with the print limit number in 2001 or may not match.
[0078]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. In this figure, the same step number (s *) is assigned to the same process as the process described in the above embodiment.
[0079]
The image forming apparatus 2 executes the processes of s1 to s4 described in the above embodiment. If printing is not permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data in s4, the received packet is discarded (s5).
[0080]
On the other hand, if printing is permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data, it is determined whether or not the print limit number for the host device 1 is one or more (s61). In s61, it is determined whether or not the current print limit number, the current month print limit number, and the current year print limit number are one or more. If at least one of these print limit sheets is received, the packet received at s2 is discarded (s5), and the process returns to s1. On the other hand, if the above three print limit sheets are all one or more, the processes of s6 to s8 described in the above embodiment are executed.
[0081]
Next, the printing process activated in s8 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the printing process. In this figure, the same step numbers (s *) are assigned to the same processes as those in the above embodiment. The image forming apparatus 2 expands the print data of the packet stored in the print data storage unit 16 (s11), and determines whether or not the print number of this print data is within the print limit number (s71). In s71, it is determined whether or not the current print limit number, the current month print limit number, and the current year print limit number are one or more. If at least one of these print limits is zero, the print data developed in s11 is discarded (s35), and this process ends. On the other hand, if all of the three print limit sheets are equal to or greater than the print sheet number, printing based on the print data developed in s11 is executed (s12), the print limit sheet number is counted down, and the process ends. (S33).
[0082]
In s33, the countdown is performed for all of the current print limit number, the current month print limit number, and the current year print limit number.
[0083]
As described above, the apparatus according to this embodiment can set the print limit number of sheets in units of days, months, and years, so that budget management for printing can be performed.
[0084]
Further, since the host device 1 that has transmitted the packet is identified at the packet level, the same effect as the device of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
[0085]
In this embodiment, the print limit sheet number for each period of day / month / year is set for each host device 1, but the print limit sheet number for each period of day / month / year is set to the above group. It may be set in units.
[0086]
In addition, the limited number of prints may be set only for any period of day / month / year.
[0087]
. Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The restriction data shown in FIG. 16 is stored in the restriction address storage unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 2 of this embodiment. This print restriction data includes a time zone in which execution of printing is permitted for each host device 1. The host device 1-1 is permitted to print only from 13:00 to 17:00, the host device 1-3 is permitted to print only from 8:00 to 12:00, and the host device 1-4 is permitted to print at all times, The host device 1-n is allowed to print only between 9:00 and 17:00.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. In this figure, the same step number (s *) is assigned to the same process as the process described in the above embodiment.
[0088]
The image forming apparatus 2 executes the processes of s1 to s4 described in the above embodiment. If printing is not permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data in s4, the received packet is discarded (s5).
[0089]
On the other hand, if printing is permitted for the host device 1 that is the transmission source of the print data, it is determined whether or not the current time is the print permission time zone (s81). If the current time is not the print permission time zone, the packet received in s5 is discarded, and the process returns to s1. On the other hand, if the current print permission time zone, the process from s6 to s8 is executed and the process returns to s1.
[0090]
The printing process activated in s8 is the same as the process shown in FIG. 6 described above, and a description thereof is omitted here.
[0091]
As described above, since the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment can limit whether or not execution of printing is permitted in a time zone, for example, a shared image forming apparatus installed in a specific room such as a conference room. Regarding 2, the printing can be restricted only for users who use this specific room, and printing is not allowed for others. For this reason, the user can be charged appropriately for the image forming apparatus 2 installed in a specific room such as a conference room.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, print data has been transmitted at the packet level. Connected to LAN Since the host device is identified, unauthorized use by a third party who is not shared can be prevented, and the configuration of the entire system is simplified, thereby reducing the cost for system construction.
[0093]
In addition, since the host device does not need to execute processing for adding a recitation code or an identifier to the print data to be transmitted, the load on transmission of the print data can be suppressed, and a decrease in processing speed can be prevented. .
[0094]
In addition, since the determination data used for determining whether printing is permitted for the host device that has transmitted the print data can be updated, even when a new host device is connected to the network, the network system is changed. Appropriate printing restrictions can be made by updating the judgment data.
[0095]
In addition, since printing is limited by the number of printed materials, useless printing can be suppressed for the user. Also, users can be charged efficiently for printing.
[0096]
Further, since the number of printed sheets can be limited every predetermined period, for example, every day, every week, every month, or every year, it is possible to manage the budget for printing costs.
[0097]
In addition, printing restrictions can be performed in units of groups.
[0098]
Furthermore, since print data transmitted from a host device that does not permit printing is discarded, useless print data, that is, print data that does not execute printing, is never left in the main body. Accordingly, the storage capacity necessary for storing the print data can be suppressed, and the cost of the main body can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a packet received by the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing print restriction data in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print processing of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing print restriction data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing print processing of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing print restriction data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing print processing of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing print restriction data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing print processing of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing print restriction data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 (1-1 to 1-n)-Host device
2-Image forming apparatus
11-Network interface
12-Physical address identification unit
13-Restricted address storage
14-Restricted address registration section
15-Print control unit
16-Print data development unit
17-Printer engine

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving print data transmitted by packet communication via a LAN;
Identifying means for identifying a source host device connected to the LAN based only on the source physical address provided in the packet received by the receiving means;
Determination data storage means for storing determination data for determining whether or not to permit execution of printing for the host device connected to the LAN;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that determines whether or not execution of printing based on print data transmitted using the determination data is permitted for the host device identified by the identification unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination data update unit that updates the determination data stored in the determination data storage unit.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination data includes host number limit data indicating a number of printed matter for which printing permission is limited for each host apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the host number limit data is data indicating a number of printed materials for which printing permission is limited every predetermined period.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination data includes host time period restriction data indicating a time period for restricting printing permission for each host apparatus.   The determination data includes group data for determining a group to which a host device connected to the LAN belongs, and group number limit data indicating the number of printed materials for which printing permission is limited for each group. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the group number limit data is data indicating the number of prints for which printing permission is limited every predetermined period.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determination data includes group time zone restriction data indicating a time zone in which printing permission is restricted for each group.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control unit includes a unit that discards the received packet when it is determined that printing is not permitted. Receives print data sent by packet communication via LAN, identifies the source host device connected to the LAN based only on the source physical address provided in the received packet, and connects to the LAN Using the determination data for determining whether or not to allow execution of printing for a given host device, it is determined whether or not to allow execution of printing based on the print data transmitted in the packet, and the determination result is A printing restriction method for an image forming apparatus that executes printing based on received print data only when printing is permitted.

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