JP3919480B2 - Print management server, print management system, print management method, print management program, and computer-readable recording medium recording the print management program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print management server, a print management system, a print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the print management program is recorded, and particularly preferably, at least one image forming apparatus connected to a network. It relates to a print management server that performs output management. In general offices, universities, and other public institutions, it is possible to manage costs when at least one client performs output, and an upper limit value that restricts output is urgent. A print management server, a print management system, a print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the print management program is recorded. Seki Is shall.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in network printer output management, even if it is possible to set an upper limit for each client for the purpose of cost management, it is a business practice to prohibit output when the upper limit is actually reached. Because there are many cases where it will cause trouble, there are many operations that issue a warning when the upper limit is approached.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this case, if each client ignores the warning, it becomes possible to print without limitation, resulting in a deviation from the purpose of cost management.
[0004]
There is also a system that allows the administrator of this system to change this upper limit value in a special mode instead of prohibiting output exceeding the upper limit value. When there is a need to output to the system, and the upper limit is exceeded, there is an inconvenience that it cannot be output if the system administrator is absent. Also, in such a system, if you want to allow general clients to change the upper limit value, you need to enter in the mode of the system administrator. In this case, other settings may be changed. A system that can change only the upper limit value from the mode is desirable.
[0005]
As explained above, setting the upper limit of output from the main point of cost management, prohibiting output exceeding the upper limit and the situation where printing must be done for business reasons were contradictory concepts. .
[0006]
In other words, in the past, for output prohibition exceeding the upper limit value from cost management, there is no means to perform printing by releasing this restriction quickly and with simple means when output is absolutely necessary. It was.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has a print management server for printing and manages output from each client.
[0008]
An upper limit is set for each output person, and output from the client exceeding the upper limit is prohibited. On the other hand, if there is an unavoidable circumstance and it is absolutely necessary to output data exceeding the upper limit value, the change of the upper limit value is described in specific data, so that each client can use simple means similar to normal printing. The upper limit value can be changed, and it is also possible to log this change.
[0009]
In addition, in order to prohibit this limit from being changed indefinitely, the number of people who are allowed to change is limited, or there is a further upper limit, and changes beyond this upper limit are prohibited. By doing so, it is possible to meet a certain cost reduction purpose.
[0010]
As described above, the present invention provides a print management server, a print management system, and a print management capable of taking into account as much as possible practically against the contradictory concepts of cost limitation and essential output execution. It is an object to provide a method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the print management program is recorded.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a print management server according to the present invention provides:Connected to the image forming apparatus and the client via the networkA print management server connected to a system in which a client is connected to each other via a network.,in frontImage forming apparatussoMeans for managing the upper limit of the number of outputs ofMeans for receiving an output request for output from the image forming apparatus transmitted from the client; and the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus is the upper limit value.
Determining whether the output request transmitted from the client includes predetermined data for changing the upper limit value, and means for managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so as not to exceed Comprises means for changing the upper limit value.It is characterized by
The print management server according to the present invention further includes means for storing a history indicating that the upper limit value has been changed by the means for changing the upper limit value.
Further, the history is characterized in that who indicates when and how much the upper limit value has been changed.
The print management server according to the present invention further includes means for determining whether the upper limit value to be changed based on predetermined data included in the output request is within a specific range, and changes the upper limit value. Means for changing the upper limit value based on the predetermined data when the upper limit value changed based on the predetermined data included in the output request is determined to be within a specific range. It is characterized by.
The specific range is set in advance by a system administrator.
[0012]
The print management server according to the present invention is characterized in that the output number represents the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus.
[0013]
In the print management server according to the present invention, the output number is obtained by multiplying the number of sheet materials output from the image forming apparatus by an amount based on at least one of a type of sheet material and a printing form on the sheet material. It represents the sum of the values.
[0014]
  The print management server according to the present invention isAboveLimit value is the use of the clientPerson ofIt is the upper limit of the number of outputs.
[0023]
Further, the print management system according to the present invention is characterized in that at least one or more print management servers, at least one or more image forming apparatuses, and at least one or more clients are connected to each other via a network.
[0024]
  Furthermore, a print management method according to the present invention is as follows.Connected to the image forming apparatus and the client via the networkThe print management server,in frontImage forming apparatussoManaging the upper limit of the number of outputs ofReceiving an output request for output from the image forming apparatus transmitted from the client, and managing output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value And a step of determining whether predetermined data for changing the upper limit value is included in the output request transmitted from the client and, if included, changing the upper limit value.It is characterized by that.
[0025]
  Further, a print management program according to the present invention isConnected to the image forming apparatus and the client via the networkPrint management serverin frontImage forming apparatussoMeans for managing the upper limit of the number of outputs ofMeans for receiving an output request for output from the image forming apparatus transmitted from the client; and means for managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit value. And determining whether or not the output request transmitted from the client includes predetermined data for changing the upper limit value, and if included, functions as means for changing the upper limit valueIt is characterized by that.
[0027]
Thus, in the present invention, for example, the upper limit value can be changed by printing special data (for example, this data is referred to as upper limit value change ticket data) from the client. It is what.
[0028]
By changing the upper limit value, even when the client exceeds the upper limit value, the output prohibition can be easily canceled if it is urgent and unavoidable.
[0030]
The present invention also saves a history of who, when, and how (from how much) the upper limit value has been changed in order to prevent the upper limit value from being changed without limit when the output limit is exceeded. It is characterized by having a mechanism.
[0031]
In addition, the present invention prevents the upper limit value from being changed without limitation when the output limit is exceeded, and the upper limit value with a margin once set and the actual limit amount (second upper limit value). In order to prepare for the case of an emergency, a mechanism that permits the change of the upper limit up to the actual limit is prepared.
[0036]
The image forming apparatus is, for example, a printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and has at least a printer function, and further has at least one of a copier function, a FAX function, and a scanner function. The apparatus which has may be sufficient. The output of the image forming apparatus refers to a printed matter.
[0037]
Further, the collection of the upper limit value change history by the collecting means refers to storing the change history in the storage means when the upper limit value is changed, for example.
[0038]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0039]
Moreover, in the following drawings, the same number is attached | subjected to the member similar to the member described in above-mentioned drawing. Also, the description of each embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention described below includes a print management server, a print management method, a print management program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the print management program according to the present invention. Also serves as an explanation of each embodiment.
[0040]
(First Embodiment of Print Management System)
Hereinafter, a print management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0041]
First, the overall configuration of the first embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.
[0042]
Under the network 121, not only the print management server 100 but also a plurality of clients 200 and 210 and a plurality of printers 220 and 230 are connected.
[0043]
In this embodiment, two clients and two printers are provided for the sake of simplicity of explanation, but in practice, there is no problem even if this number is greater than two.
[0044]
When a print request is generated from the client 200 or 210, the print management server 100 operates according to the control program of the CPU 101 shown in the flowchart of FIG. This description will be described in detail later.
[0045]
Next, the print management server 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print management server used in the print management system shown in FIG.
[0046]
The print management server 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls the entire print management server 100. A ROM 102, a RAM 103, a network control unit 104, an input device 105 such as a keyboard, and a data input unit 105a such as a floppy drive are connected to a bus 100a of the CPU 101. A display device 106 such as a display and a data storage device 108 such as a hard disk (HDD) are connected. In the present embodiment and the following embodiments, an HDD is used as the data storage device 108 as shown in the drawings.
[0047]
The network control unit 104 is connected to the network 121 via the network I / F 107.
[0048]
The ROM 102 stores a control program for the CPU 101 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0049]
The RAM 103 and the data storage device 108 function as storage means described in the claims of this application. However, the storage means is not limited to the RAM 103 or the data storage device 108, for example, write-once CD-R, DVD-R, phase change recording CD-RW, DVD-RAM capable of writing information. DVD + RW, PD, magneto-optical storage system MO, MD DATA, iD format, magnetic recording system SuperDisk, floppy disk, Zip, Clip! And removable HDD type ORB, jaz, SparQ, Syjet, EZFlyer, micro drive, flash memory type recording device and the like. Here, the name of the storage means includes a trademark. The same applies to the following names.
[0050]
The CPU 101 controls the entire print management server 100 according to a control program stored in the ROM 102.
[0051]
Here, the CPU 101 is a single unit, together with other members shown in FIG. 2, or in cooperation with a program stored in the ROM 102, means for managing the output operation as a component of the present invention, Means for managing the upper limit value, means for selecting, means for collecting change history, means for prohibiting changes beyond the second upper limit value, means for limiting who can change the upper limit value, set to a group It functions as a means for prohibiting a change exceeding the upper limit, and a means for writing on the magnetic card.
[0052]
Therefore, the ROM 102 shown in FIG. 2 functions as a recording medium according to the present invention. However, the recording medium according to the present invention is not limited to the ROM 102, but the RAM 103 and the data storage device 108, and if necessary, other than the RAM 103 and the data storage device 108 as a member for supplementing the storage capacity of the ROM 102. In addition to CD-ROM, etc., it is possible to write information such as write-once CD-R, DVD-R, phase change recording CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD + RW, PD, magneto-optical storage system. MO, MD DATA, iD format, magnetic disk SuperDisk, floppy disk, Zip, Click! A removable HDD type ORB, jaz, SparQ, Syjet, EZFlyer, micro drive, flash memory type recording device, or the like can be used.
[0053]
Next, the internal structure of the client shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the client 200 shown in FIG.
[0054]
The client 200 includes a CPU 201 that controls the entire apparatus. A ROM 202, a RAM 203, a network control unit 204, an input device 205 such as a keyboard, a floppy disk, and the like that store programs for processing various operations on the bus 200a of the CPU 201. A data input unit 205a such as a drive, a display device 206 such as a display, and a data storage device 208 such as a hard disk (HDD) are connected.
[0055]
The network control unit 204 is connected to the network 121 via the network I / F 207.
[0056]
Next, the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. The operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is processed by the CPU of the print management server, the client, and the printer alone, together with other members, or in cooperation with a program stored in the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device. Is done.
[0057]
When the CPU 101 receives a print request from the client 200 according to the control program stored in the ROM 102 (S401), the CPU 101 detects the state of the printer 220 connected to the network 121 (S402), and no error such as a paper out occurs. Assuming that the balance is obtained by subtracting the current usage amount from the upper limit value permitted for output owned by the output user who is the user of the client (S403), the balance is smaller than the upper limit value. In the normal state, printing is executed (S431), and as a result, the balance decreases (S432).
[0058]
There are two types of balances here, which may be a simple number of printed sheets or a concept of an amount obtained by multiplying the number of copies by an added value such as a sheet material or a printing form.
[0059]
In this case, the amount per sheet may differ depending on the type of paper, paper size, and color / monochrome (printing form). As described above, when there is a balance, printing is executed, and a normal process of decreasing the balance accordingly is performed (S431, S432, S433).
[0060]
However, when the above-described printing is repeated, a case where there is no balance is encountered.
[0061]
In this case, the CPU 101 of the print management server first operates to display a message indicating that there is no balance as shown in FIG. 5 on the client 200 (S404). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu displayed when there is no balance displayed on the client shown in FIG.
[0062]
The output person who uses the client 200 receives this message and determines whether or not to re-request printing (S405).
[0063]
If there is no balance, the print management server CPU 101 changes (increases) the upper limit value in the client 200 as shown in the screen example of FIG. Is changed to be positive (S406). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit change screen displayed on the client shown in FIG.
[0064]
  At this time,Client 20In the case of 0, the upper limit value change ticket for changing the upper limit value is printed on the printer 220 as shown in FIG. 7, so that the upper limit value change is notified from the client 200 to the print management server 100 (S407). However, the printer that prints the upper limit value change ticket is not limited to the printer 220, and may be any other printer. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit change ticket printed by the printer shown in FIG.
[0065]
More specifically, this upper limit value change ticket is an upper limit value change ticket whose format is already determined when the word processor application of the client is activated when “Yes” is selected from the screen example of FIG. Is generated by being called.
[0066]
At this time, the changer name and the current upper limit value in FIG. 7 have already been described. The client who wants to change the upper limit value inputs the upper limit value to be changed within the dotted line in FIG. 7, and executes printing via the print management server to the printer to which printing is to be performed.
[0067]
Then, the program stored in the print management server recognizes the ID in the file that is the upper limit change ticket, and if it recognizes, the upper limit management table in the print management server in the upper limit change value. Change the value of. This upper limit management table is stored in, for example, the data storage device 108 shown in FIG.
[0068]
With this method, the upper limit value can be changed without calling the administrator mode from the general client 200.
[0069]
In addition, the charge by the upper limit value change ticket printing is ignored. In this way, normal printing becomes possible because the balance has become positive.
[0070]
As described above, when there is no balance, it can be easily set so that the balance becomes positive again. On the other hand, it also leads to a contradictory situation from the viewpoint of cost management.
[0071]
Therefore, in this embodiment, it is indispensable to provide some restriction for the change of the upper limit in practice as in the following operations 1 to 5.
[0072]
Hereinafter, this limitation will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The operation example 1 of the present embodiment is a mechanism provided to limit the printers that can print when changing the upper limit value, and the printer that can output to the client as shown in the screen example of FIG. Can be selected. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu for selecting a printer to be output when changing the upper limit value in the operation example 1 of the print management system shown in FIG.
[0073]
The client display screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed when the CPU 101 of the print management server instructs the client.
[0074]
As a result, even when the balance is exhausted and printing has to be performed even after changing the upper limit value, it is possible to limit the output to the minimum necessary printer.
[0075]
Further, when the administrator changes the upper limit value and prints, the administrator can also limit the output printer. In this case, selection of the printer for output from the client is rejected.
[0076]
Next, the operation example 2 of the present embodiment is a method in which when the upper limit value is changed for printing, the print management server keeps a history of who changed the upper limit value from when and how much.
[0077]
When an upper limit change ticket is issued in S407 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the print management server changes the upper limit value and stores the aforementioned history in the data storage device 108 at the same time. FIG. 9 shows an example of the output. That is, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the history output of the upper limit value change in the operation example 2 of the print management system shown in FIG.
[0078]
Next, the operation example 3 of the present embodiment prepares an upper limit for permitting the change in order to prevent the upper limit value from being reset indefinitely when the upper limit value is changed and printed. Only changes within the scope are allowed.
[0079]
This upper limit is set in advance by the system administrator. According to S406 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 of the print management server determines whether or not the upper limit value is within the upper limit range prepared by the system administrator when trying to change the upper limit value. If so, the change of the upper limit value is prohibited.
[0080]
Next, in the fourth operation example of the present embodiment, when the upper limit value is changed and printing is performed, the user of the client who performs the change is restricted, and whether or not the user is already permitted. In order to perform collation, a unique password is entered for each client user as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a password input menu for verifying a client user who is permitted to change the upper limit value in the operation example 4 of the print management system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0081]
Then, the CPU 101 of the print management server collates the password, and prohibits the change of the upper limit value if the client user does not permit the change of the upper limit value.
[0082]
Next, in the fifth operation example of the present embodiment, when the upper limit value is changed and printed, the upper limit value is summed within a group having a hierarchical structure in which the change amount of the upper limit value is set in advance. This is a method that keeps it from increasing.
[0083]
When the upper limit value change ticket is issued in S407 of the flowchart in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 of the print management server calculates the upper limit value in the group set in the example of FIG. 11 when the upper limit value is changed. Then, it is determined whether or not the change is within the range. If the change is outside the range, the change of the upper limit value is prohibited. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a group setting menu for grouping clients that are allowed to change the upper limit value in the operation example 5 of the print management system shown in FIG.
[0084]
As shown in FIG. 11, for example, if the upper limit value of the first personnel section is set to 1000 yen in advance, the sum of the upper limit values of Yamada XX and Yamamoto XX belonging to the first personnel section is 1000. If it is not less than Yen, the change of the upper limit value is not permitted.
[0085]
Similarly, for example, if the upper limit value of the general affairs headquarters is set to 10,000 yen in advance, the change of the upper limit value of any person belonging to this general affairs headquarters will result in the total upper limit value of the entire general affairs headquarters being 10,000 yen If the value exceeds, the upper limit is not allowed to change.
[0086]
As described above, there are a plurality of methods for limiting the change of the upper limit value as described above, and these methods can be used in combination.
[0087]
(Second Embodiment of Print Management System)
Next, a second embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment will be described focusing on the parts that are different from the first embodiment.
[0088]
Since the configuration of the print management server and the configuration of the client according to the present embodiment are the same as the configurations of FIGS. 2 and 3 described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[0089]
FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention, and a magnetic card reader / writer 240 as a recording medium reader / writer according to the claims of this application. 2 is different from FIG. 2 of the first embodiment.
[0090]
In the present embodiment, the same operation as that of the first embodiment is performed, and the upper limit management is not only stored in the data storage device 108 of the print management server 100, but also the client or the output person is notified of this book. The magnetic card as a recording medium described in the claims of the application is owned, and the operation of storing the balance information of the upper limit value is also performed.
[0091]
However, in the present embodiment, a magnetic card will be described as an example of the recording medium described in the claims of the present application, and the present invention is not limited to this, and a portable external storage such as a memory card or an optical card. The device is not limited to a magnetic card as long as it can be stored.
[0092]
In this embodiment, when the balance runs out and an upper limit change ticket is issued as in the first embodiment, as shown in S508 and S531 in the flowchart of FIG. The information in the upper limit management table stored in the device 108 is synchronized. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG. However, among the operations shown in FIG. 13, the operations from S500 to S522 (except S502 and S508), and the operations from S533 and S541 are the operations from S400 to S422 and S433, respectively, shown in FIG. Since it is the same as that of S441, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0093]
Therefore, among the operations of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the operations different from the operations of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are the operations of S502, S508, and S531, and the operation of S532 corresponds to the operation of S431 shown in FIG. To do.
[0094]
In this embodiment, in step 502, authentication through the magnetic card and confirmation of the balance are performed, and in step 531, the balance of the magnetic card is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, and the information whose upper limit is changed is written to the magnetic card, so that the information whose upper limit is changed can be used more easily. it can.
[0095]
(Third embodiment of print management system)
Next, a third embodiment of the print management system according to the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the print management server and the configuration of the client according to the present embodiment are the same as the configurations of FIGS. 2 and 3 described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.
[0096]
FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of a third embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.
[0097]
In the present embodiment, the same operation as that of the first embodiment is performed, and the configuration of the network is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the operation based on the different configuration is performed. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above.
[0098]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the print management server 100 is characterized in that it is connected to a wide area network via a modem 601 using a public line or a dedicated line with the outside. .
[0099]
As a result, the printers 220, 221, 230, and 231 managed by the print management server 100 according to the present invention can output to a remote place by connecting to a network over a wide area. Printing, printing from home to office, and the like are possible, and the upper limit management and change described in the first embodiment can also be applied to a remote printer. In the third embodiment, for example, by connecting a magnetic card reader / writer to the network 121, 122 or 123, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above,BookAccording to the invention,It is possible to set an upper limit value for output from the image forming apparatus and to prohibit output exceeding the upper limit value, and to change the upper limit value by simple means similar to normal printing from a client.It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print management server 100 used in the print management system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client 200 shown in FIG.
4 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a menu displayed on the client illustrated in FIG. 1 when there is no balance.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit change screen displayed on the client shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an upper limit change ticket printed by the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu for selecting a printer to be output when changing the upper limit value in the operation example 1 of the print management system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a history output of an upper limit change in the operation example 2 of the print management system illustrated in FIG. 1;
10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a password input menu for collating a user of a client who permits an upper limit value change in the operation example 4 of the print management system shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a group setting menu for grouping clients that are allowed to change the upper limit value in the operation example 5 of the print management system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of a second embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.
13 is a flowchart of the operation of the print management system shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is an overall configuration diagram of a third embodiment of a print management system according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Print management server
100a bus
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Network control unit
105 Input section
105a Data input part
106 Display section
107 Network I / F
108 Data storage device (HDD)
121, 122, 123 networks
200 clients
200a bus
201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Network control unit
205 Input section
205a Data input part
206 Display section
207 Network I / F
208 Data storage device
210, 211, 212 clients
220, 221, 230, 231 Printer
240 Magnetic card reader / writer
601 modem

Claims (11)

A print management server connected to an image forming apparatus and a client via a network ,
Means for managing an upper limit number of outputs of the previous SL image forming apparatus,
Means for receiving an output request transmitted from the client and requesting output from the image forming apparatus;
Means for managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit;
And a means for determining whether or not predetermined data for changing the upper limit value is included in the output request transmitted from the client and, if included, changing the upper limit value. Management server.   The print management server according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing a history indicating that the upper limit value has been changed by the means for changing the upper limit value.   The print management server according to claim 2, wherein the history indicates when and when the upper limit value is changed from how much to how much.   Means for determining whether or not the upper limit value changed based on predetermined data included in the output request is within a specific range;
  The means for changing the upper limit value is based on the predetermined data when the upper limit value to be changed based on the predetermined data included in the output request is determined to be within a specific range. The print management server according to claim 1, wherein the value is changed.   The print management server according to claim 4, wherein the specific range is set in advance by a system administrator. The number of outputs is
Print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that indicating the number of sheets outputted from the image forming apparatus. The number of outputs is
Wherein the number of the sheet material outputted from the image forming apparatus, the sheet material type and of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that represents the sum of values obtained by multiplying the amount based on at least one of the print form of the sheet material The print management server according to any one of the above. The upper limit is
Print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an upper limit value of the output number of a user of the client. A print management server according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
At least one image forming apparatus;
A print management system, wherein at least one client is connected to each other via a network. A print management server connected to an image forming apparatus and a client via a network
A step of managing an upper limit number of outputs of the previous SL image forming apparatus,
It said client sent from the steps of applying receiving an output request for output in the image forming apparatus,
Managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit;
Determining whether predetermined data for changing the upper limit value is included in the output request transmitted from the client, and executing the step of changing the upper limit value if included. Print management method. A print management server connected to the image forming apparatus and the client via a network ,
Means for managing an upper limit number of outputs of the previous SL image forming apparatus,
Means for receiving an output request transmitted from the client and requesting output from the image forming apparatus;
Means for managing the output operation of the image forming apparatus so that the number of outputs of the image forming apparatus does not exceed the upper limit;
The output request transmitted from the client determines whether or not predetermined data for changing the upper limit value is included, and if included, functions as means for changing the upper limit value. Print management program.

Images