JP4390567B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a printing system that performs printing by connecting a portable information processing apparatus to a printing apparatus via a network.

  With the spread of computers and networks, various types of documents are often distributed as digital data. However, printing out on paper as a means of browsing, such as materials distributed at a meeting, is still an action that many people do. Printers are also compatible with networks, and it has become common to print out from a Note PC or the like through a wireless LAN.

One of the conventional techniques as described above is a network printer system disclosed in Patent Document 1.
In Patent Document 1, a computer requests a printer information management apparatus to acquire a list of printer information. The printer information includes a printer name, an IP address, and a printer driver location. From the acquired printer information list, a list of printer names is presented to the user, and the user determines whether there is a printer to be installed. As a result, if it exists, the printer is selected. During installation, the acquired IP address and printer driver location information are used.

  Further, in the image and sound output system via a network disclosed in Patent Document 2, a system in which a client, a server such as a print portal, and a printer are connected to the network is constructed. The client sends a print request specifying the content to be printed to the print portal via communication C1. The print request is held in the print portal in a state that can be specified by the address information IPMP of the client. On the other hand, the print portal performs direct communication C2 between the printer 70 and the client MP using weak radio waves or the like, and acquires client address information and printer identification information. Further, by collating the address information obtained from the two systems, the printer specified by this identification information is specified as the output destination. In this way, the output destination can be easily specified without complicated operations on the client side.

Further, in the communication system and method disclosed in Patent Document 3, the notification unit of the printer device writes the address, driver, and public key in the inserted PC card. The PC authentication request means reads the printer device address, driver and public key from the PC card. The authentication requesting unit installs the driver in the PC, accesses the printer device via the network using the address, notifies the printer device of the PC address, and requests authentication using the public key. The authentication unit of the printer apparatus determines whether or not the authentication request is valid by using the public key included in the authentication request from the PC, and gives authentication.
JP 2000-330742 A JP 2003-36151 A JP 2003-101540 A

Here, the printing process when the user is not resident in the office where the printer 102 is present but is from another office and participating in a conference will be described.
Suppose that it is necessary to print the data in the PC that the user has brought from the conference flow and distribute it to the conference participants. However, since the printer driver is not installed in the PC, it cannot be printed out.
Even if the printer is the same type of printer that the user normally uses, and the driver itself does not need to be installed, the printer's IP address cannot be determined, so the printer cannot be set and printing is performed. I can't. For this reason, it is necessary to inquire about the IP address of the printer from a system administrator or the like to set the printer, or to pass data to other members residing in the office for printing.

  In addition, along with the reduction in size and weight of Note PCs and the like, users are increasingly carrying their own Note PCs to other places and connecting to a network through a wireless LAN or the like for work. However, in order to print out from a computer, it is usually necessary to make settings such as a printer driver, which requires various information such as the IP address of the printer, which is not easy. Therefore, even when going to an office of the same company, it was necessary to prepare and take printed materials for the number of people at the meeting. Further, when there is data or the like that is suddenly printed and handed over to the person while away from home, it is necessary to use the portable memory to pass the data to the person away from home and have it printed out.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 provides a method for acquiring various printer information through a printer information management apparatus. However, it is not easy to find a printer in front of a large number of printers. Further, even if the same type of printer is usually used, if the printer has a different IP address, it is necessary to add a new printer setting.

  Also, in Patent Document 2, when printing from a client such as a mobile phone, printer information is acquired by performing direct communication between the client and the printer by Bluetooth or infrared communication, and print processing is performed through an output mediation server or the like. I do. However, this method requires direct communication means common to the client and the printer. Also, if the communicable distance of the direct communication means is long, a plurality of printers are candidates, and it is also necessary to select them. Conversely, when the communicable distance is short, it is necessary to bring a Note PC or the like in front of the printer when printing out. When the output mediation server is used, an application corresponding to data to be printed is not only required on the server side, but it is also difficult to specify detailed printing conditions.

Also, in Patent Document 3, a PC card is mounted on a printer, printer address and driver information are written, read by a Note PC, etc., and printed.
However, this method requires a writable information storage medium. Since portable information storage media such as employee ID cards cannot normally be written from a general application, it is necessary to prepare a portable information storage medium for this system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that enables easy printing using a printer that is close to the user.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that performs a printing process, an information collation server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and that can be connected to the network and portable. The information collating server includes the unique information read from the information recording medium by the information processing apparatus using the first information input unit, and the information recording medium by the printing apparatus using the second information input unit. The unique information read from the information processing device and the printing device, respectively, and if they match, the information for identifying the printing device is notified to the information processing device directly or via the printing device, When the information processing apparatus is notified of information for identifying the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus sets the printing apparatus as an output destination of print data based on the information, It transmits the print data to the printing apparatus, characterized in that to execute a printing process to the printing apparatus.

The present invention is also a printing system including a printing apparatus that performs a printing process, an information collation server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and can be connected to the network and carried. Then, the information processing apparatus transmits first information input means for inputting the unique information recorded on the information recording medium, and the input unique information and information for identifying the information processing apparatus to the information verification server. When the information for identifying the printing device is received from the first information transmitting means and the information collating server, the printing device is set as the output destination of the print data based on the information and the print data is printed. Print data transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a second information input means for inputting unique information recorded on the information recording medium, and a second information input section. Second information transmitting means for transmitting the unique information input by the means and information for identifying the printing apparatus to the information collating server, and the information collating server includes the first and second information transmitting means. A printing apparatus information transmitting unit configured to transmit the identification information of the printing apparatus to the information processing apparatus when the transmitted unique information matches;

The present invention is also a printing system including a printing apparatus that performs a printing process, an information collation server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network, and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and can be connected to the network and carried. Then, the information processing apparatus transmits first information input means for inputting the unique information recorded on the information recording medium, and the input unique information and information for identifying the information processing apparatus to the information verification server. When the information for identifying the printing device is received from the first information transmission means and the printing device , the printing device is set as an output destination of the print data based on the information, and the printing data is set to the printing device. Print data transmitting means for transmitting to the printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus includes second information input means for inputting unique information recorded on the information recording medium, and second information input means. And second information transmitting means for transmitting the unique information that is more input to the information checking server, the information checking server receives the identification information of the information processing apparatus, printing the identification to transmit the identification information of the printing apparatus to the information processing apparatus And an information collating server for transmitting information processing apparatus information for transmitting the identification information of the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus when the unique information transmitted by the first and second information transmitting means matches. And means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a unique information storage unit that stores unique information.

  Further, according to the present invention, the first and second information input means input user-specific information recorded in the information storage medium.

  Further, the above printing apparatus has functions of the printer 102 and the information reading apparatus 104. Further, the information processing apparatus has the functions of the PC 103 and the information reading apparatus 105. Further, the information collating server has the function of the server 101.

  The present invention enables easy printing using a printer that is close to the user.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a server 101, a printer 102, a PC 103, and information reading devices 104 and 105.
Further, the server 101, the printer 102, and the PC 103 are interconnected via a network. Here, the “network” represents a general concept. In this embodiment, the Internet and LAN, the communication means such as wireless and wired, the communication mode such as TCP / IP and the original protocol are distinguished. It does not depend on. Further, the printing system shown in FIG. 1 includes only one printer and one PC, but a plurality of printers and PCs may naturally be connected on the network.

The server 101 is an information processing apparatus such as a workstation.
The printer 102 and the PC 103 have functions similar to those of a general printer and a PC, respectively. The PC 103 is a portable information processing apparatus, and is preferably a notebook PC.
Further, the printer 102 and the PC 103 each store information for identifying itself (its own IP address).

Information reading devices 104 and 105 are connected to the printer 102 and the PC 103, respectively. The information reading devices 104 and 105 can read information from a medium on which information is recorded, such as an IC card or a non-contact IC card.
The information reading devices 104 and 105 may read information from an optical / magnetic recording medium or an information recording medium such as a semiconductor, or read information optically like a barcode reader or a scanner. There may be. Further, the information reading devices 104 and 105 are provided with a key switch, and a user ID may be input by selecting the key switch. This user ID is unique information and is preferably information that can identify each user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of printing processing by the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, first, the information reading device 104 reads a user ID from an employee ID or the like, and designates a printer 102 as a printing destination.
Next, the IP address of the designated printer 102 is transmitted from the printer 102 to the PC 103 via the server 101.
The PC 103 outputs print data to the received IP address (printer 102) and issues a print request.
In this way, in the present embodiment, the printing system executes the printing process.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of a printing process in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the user carries the PC 103 and the information reading device 105 that he / she operates to the installation location (company, office, store, etc.) of the printer 102.
First, the user physically connects the PC 103 to the network to which the printer 102 is connected.

  Next, the information reading apparatus 105 reads a user ID for identifying the user from an employee ID card (IC card) or the like (step S101). The information reading device 105 outputs the read user ID to the PC 103.

The PC 103 transmits the input user ID and the address information (IP address) of the PC 103 to the server 101 using a normal application (printer driver) installed in the PC 103 (step S102).
Server 101 includes a user ID received from the PC 103, is stored in its own associates the IP address of the PC 103.

  Next, the information reading device 104 reads the user ID from the user's employee ID card (step S103). The information reading device 105 outputs the read user ID to the printer 102.

The printer 102 transmits the input user ID and information (IP address, etc.) of the printer 102 to the server 101 (step S104).
The server 101 stores the user ID received from the printer 102 and the IP address of the printer 102 in association with each other.

Next, the server 101 refers to the user ID from the PC 103 and the user ID from the printer 102 stored in the server 101, and information on the printer 102 associated with the same user ID, Address information is extracted (step S105).
The server 101 transmits the extracted information of the printer 102 to the address of the extracted PC 103 at the same time (step S106).

When the PC 103 receives the printer 102 information from the server 101, the printer driver installed in the PC 103 sets the received printer 102 information in the PC 103.
The PC 103 (printer driver) transmits the print data stored therein to the printer 102 using the set information (step S107).

The printer 102 executes print processing for the print data received from the PC 103 (step S108).
In this way, the user can perform print processing without being aware of information (such as an IP address) of the printer 102 installed in the vicinity.

Further, when using the printing system according to the present embodiment, the server 101 can also specify a user who uses the printer 102, so that information can be used for billing management and the like.
In this case, the server 101 stores each user ID and personal data (name, contact information, account number, etc.) of each user in association with each other.
Furthermore, when the server 101 receives information indicating the contents of the print job when receiving the user ID and address information from the PC 103, the server 101 can execute more detailed charging according to the number of printed sheets. .

  In this embodiment, the user ID is also read on the PC 103 side. However, in the case of a Note PC that is usually used by the user, the procedure is omitted by registering the user ID in advance. You can also. In this case, since the user only needs to read the information storage medium only on the printing apparatus (printer 102) side, the printing process can be performed more easily.

In the above description, the information reading device 104 is directly connected to the printer 102 and the PC 103. However, the present embodiment uses an existing printer or PC using an external information reading device or the like. It is also possible to configure a printing system in
The same effect can be obtained by using a non-contact IC card or a portable memory instead of the IC card. Furthermore, although only the IP address is given as printer information, it is also possible to exchange printer type and option information.

  Further, the processing order of the processing from step S101 to step S102 and the processing from step S103 to step S104 in the present embodiment may be switched.

  As described above, the printing system according to the present embodiment is conscious of the IP address of the printing apparatus because the user designates the printing apparatus (printer 102) by causing the user to read an information storage medium (such as an employee ID card). Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the printing process. Further, it is not necessary to perform a plurality of printer settings on the computer (PC 103) side.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the server 101 can grasp which user has performed the printing process, so that it is possible to perform charging processing, security management, and the like.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, instead of the PC 103 inquiring the server 102 for information on the printer 102, the printer 102 inquires the server 101 for information on the PC 103, and notifies the printer information from the printer 102 side to the PC 103 side.
The configuration and operation in this embodiment will be described below as being the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a printing process in the printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the user visits a place where the printer 102 is installed (company, office, store, etc.) with the PC 103 and the information reading device 105 operated by the user.
First, the user physically connects the PC 103 to the network to which the printer 102 is connected.

  Next, the information reading apparatus 105 reads a user ID for identifying the user from an employee ID card (IC card) or the like (step S201). The information reading device 105 outputs the read user ID to the PC 103.

The PC 103 transmits the input user ID and information (IP address, etc.) of the PC 103 to the server 101 using a normal application (printer driver) installed in the PC 103 (step S202).
Server 101 stores the user ID received from the PC 103, to itself in association with information of PC 103.

  Next, the information reading device 104 reads the user ID from the user's employee ID card (step S203). The information reading device 105 outputs the read user ID to the printer 102.

The printer 102 transmits the input user ID and the address information (IP address, etc.) of the printer 102 to the server 101 (step S204).
The server 101 stores the user ID received from the printer 102 and the IP address of the printer 102 in association with each other.

Next, the server 101 refers to the user ID from the PC 103 stored in the server 101 and the user ID from the printer 102, the information of the PC 103 associated with the same user ID, and the printer 102. Address information is extracted (step S205).
The server 101 transmits the extracted information of the PC 103 simultaneously to the address of the extracted printer 102 (step S206).

  When the printer 102 receives the information on the PC 103 from the server 101, the printer 102 transmits the information on the printer 102 including its own IP address to the PC 103 (step S207).

When the PC 103 receives the printer 102 information from the server 101, the printer driver installed in the PC 103 sets the received printer 102 information in the PC 103.
The PC 103 (printer driver) transmits the print data stored therein to the printer 102 using the set information (step S208).

  The printer 102 executes print processing for the print data received from the PC 103 (step S209).

  Further, the processing order of the processing from step S201 to step S202 and the processing from step S203 to step S204 in the present embodiment may be switched.

  As described above, the printing system according to the present embodiment is conscious of the IP address of the printing apparatus because the user designates the printing apparatus (printer 102) by causing the user to read an information storage medium (such as an employee ID card). Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the printing process. Further, it is not necessary to perform a plurality of printer settings on the computer (PC 103) side.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration and operation in this embodiment will be described below as being the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

In this embodiment, instead of going through the server 101, the printer 102 writes information (IP address, etc.) of the printer 102 on a recording medium (employee ID, etc.) on the printer 102 side, and reads it on the PC 103 side. And print processing.
By adopting such a method, it is possible to easily perform print processing even in an environment where the printer 102 and the PC 103 cannot be connected to the server 101.
Conversely, the address of the PC 103 can be written on a recording medium on the PC 103 side, read on the printer 102 side, and information about the printer 102 can be notified from the printer 102 to the PC 103.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the server 101 does not need to be used, it can be used in a closed network or the like. Further, since personal information and information specific to the printing apparatus do not flow on the network, security problems are reduced.

(Summary of embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments described above, the print data in the user's PC 103 is printed out by the printer 102. However, the print data may be similarly applied to audio output or video output.

  The processes in the first to third embodiments described above are executed by a computer program included in the server 101, the printer 102, or the PC 103. The above programs are an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, and a magneto-optical recording medium. Alternatively, the program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor and loaded from the above-described recording medium, or may be loaded from an external device connected via a predetermined network.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the printing process by the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the printing process in the printing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the printing process in the printing system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Server 102 Printer 103 PC
104, 105 Information reading device

Claims (5)

A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that performs a printing process; an information matching server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network; and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and that can be connected to the network and portable.
The information verification server
The unique information read from the information recording medium by the information processing apparatus using the first information input means and the unique information read from the information recording medium by the printing apparatus using the second information input means Obtain and compare each from the processing device and the printing device, if they match, notify the information processing device directly or via the printing device information for identifying the printing device,
When the information processing apparatus is notified of information for identifying the printing apparatus, the information processing apparatus sets the printing apparatus as an output destination of print data based on the information and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus. A printing system that causes the printing apparatus to execute a printing process . A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that performs a printing process; an information matching server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network; and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and that can be connected to the network and portable.
The information processing apparatus includes:
First information input means for inputting unique information recorded in the information recording medium;
First information transmitting means for transmitting the input unique information and information for identifying the information processing apparatus to the information verification server;
When the information for identifying the printing device is received from the information collating server, the printing device sets the printing device as an output destination of the print data based on the information, and transmits the print data to the printing device. Transmission means,
The printing apparatus includes:
Second information input means for inputting unique information recorded in the information recording medium;
A second information transmission unit configured to transmit the unique information input by the second information input unit and the information for identifying the printing apparatus to the information verification server;
The information verification server
A printing apparatus information transmission unit that transmits identification information of the printing apparatus to the information processing apparatus when the unique information transmitted by the first and second information transmission units matches;
A printing system comprising: A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that performs a printing process; an information matching server that is connected to the printing apparatus via a network; and an information processing apparatus that is operated by a user and that can be connected to the network and portable.
The information processing apparatus includes:
First information input means for inputting unique information recorded in the information recording medium;
First information transmitting means for transmitting the input unique information and information for identifying the information processing apparatus to the information verification server;
From the printing device receives the information for identifying the printing device, and sets the printer as the output destination of the print data based on the information, the print data transmission for transmitting the print data to the printing device Means,
The printing apparatus includes:
Second information input means for inputting unique information recorded in the information recording medium;
Second information transmitting means for transmitting the unique information input by the second information input means to the information verification server;
Receiving the identification information of the information processing apparatus from the information verification server, and having print identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information of the printing apparatus to the information processing apparatus,
The information verification server
An information processing apparatus information transmitting means for transmitting identification information of the information processing apparatus to the printing apparatus when the unique information transmitted by the first and second information transmitting means matches;
A printing system comprising: The information processing apparatus includes:
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising unique information storage means for storing the unique information. The first and second information input means are:
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein user-specific information recorded in the information storage medium is input.

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