JP4643555B2 - PRINT SYSTEM, PRINT MANAGEMENT SERVER, ITS CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal including a storage medium storing predetermined identification information, a printer including a reading unit that reads information on the storage medium, a print management server that stores and manages print data in association with user information, and The present invention relates to control of a printing system comprising

  Conventionally, a so-called “pull print (accumulated printing) that enables only an authenticated user to output print data from the printing apparatus by making a print request to the print data temporarily accumulated on the server from the printing apparatus. "Is proposed. As a result, print data corresponding to the authenticated user can be output from a desired printing apparatus.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an IC card authentication process is performed by a multifunction peripheral, a list of print data of authenticated users is displayed on a display unit of a printing apparatus, and print data selected on the display is displayed on a print management server. A print system is disclosed in which print data specified by a user authenticated by sending a print command to a print server storing the specified print data can be printed by a desired printing apparatus.
JP 2006-99714 A

  However, if the printer does not have a display unit (even if there is a display unit, the performance of the display unit is poor and the list cannot be displayed and cannot be selected), the user cannot select and print the data he wants to print. There was a problem that no print data was printed.

An object of the present invention, the mobile terminal is held over the printer, it is to provide a mechanism for performing secure printing by outputting the print data designated by the mobile terminal.

The present invention is a printing system in which a printer and a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information are connected via a network, and the printer is a storage medium storing portable terminal identification information Reading means for reading the portable terminal identification information from the portable terminal comprising: The portable terminal identification information of the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information read by the reading means and the portable terminal identification information as a print list request Print list request transmitting means for transmitting printer identification information for identifying the printer to the print management server, wherein the print management server transmits the printer identification information transmitted as a print list request from the print list request transmitting means. It said portable terminal identification information and the print list request receiving means for receiving, before received by the print list request receiving means and To the mobile terminal as the destination of the list information identified from the mobile terminal identification information, a list information transmission means for transmitting the list information of the print data associated with the user identification information identified from the mobile terminal identification information And print data identification information for identifying print data in the list information that is requested to be printed by the portable terminal from the portable terminal that has transmitted the list information by the list information transmitting means. Print request receiving means and print data corresponding to the print data identification information received by the print request receiving means to be printed by the printer specified by the printer identification information received by the print list request receiving means . Print data output command means for commanding output.

According to the present invention, the portable terminal is held over the printer, an effect such as can be for secure printing by outputting the print data designated by the mobile terminal.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print system to which a print management server 100 and a printer of the present invention can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print system according to the present embodiment includes one or a plurality of client terminals 400 (for example, for each user), a plurality of printers 300 (printer A 300a, printer B 300b,...), Print management server 100, The authentication server 200 is connected via a local area network (LAN) 600, and the print management server 100 is configured to transmit / receive information to / from the mobile terminal 500 for each user.

  The client terminal 400 is installed with form software that obtains a form and text data necessary for form generation from a server (not shown) and overlays to generate a form. The form software transmits the generated form together with a form print execution command and user information to the print management server using communication such as SOAP.

  In the print management server 100, a printer driver is installed, the received form (print data) is accumulated in a form management database (FIG. 5 described later), and a printer is connected via the printer driver based on an output instruction from the portable terminal. Send print data to

  The authentication server 200 stores an authentication table (FIG. 8 to be described later), and performs authentication processing using the IC card authentication table in response to an authentication request made by holding the portable terminal over the card reader of the printer. .

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal, the print management server, and the authentication server illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal, the print management server, and the authentication server illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is connected to the hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. via an adapter. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 600 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 202 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the printer 300 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit of the multifunction peripheral 300 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 600 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN) 600 and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Note that the display unit has different display performance depending on the printer, and a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, or a printer that simply has a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displaying the print status and the name of the document being printed). The present invention is structured.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card provided in the mobile terminal under the control of the CPU 301 and notifies the CPU 301 of the read information via the external I / F 318.

  With the configuration described above, the printer 300 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 600 and print out the print data received from the LAN 600 by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal (mobile phone or PDA) 500 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal (mobile phone or PDA) 500 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 500 includes a control unit 411, a reception unit 412, a transmission unit 413, a transmission / reception unit 414, a display unit 415, an input unit 416, a ROM 417, a RAM 418, and an IC. Card 419.

  The control unit 411 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 417, and controls the operation of the entire mobile terminal.

  The reception unit 412 includes a speaker and the like, converts a digital audio signal supplied from the control unit 411 into an analog audio signal, and emits sound from the speaker. The transmitter 413 includes a microphone and the like, captures voice data to be transmitted, converts it into a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the controller 411.

  The transmission / reception unit 414 performs wireless communication with the print management server 100 via an antenna. The display unit 415 displays various information.

  The wireless communication between the mobile terminal 500 and the print management server 100 is configured to be performed via a base station (not shown).

  The input unit 416 includes dial buttons and inputs various instructions. The ROM 417 stores the operation program of the control unit 411 and fixed data. This operation program does not include a printer driver.

  The RAM 418 is backed up by a battery, functions as a work area for the control unit 411, and temporarily stores information acquired from the outside.

  The IC card 419 is configured by an IC chip, in which a serial number and information for identifying an individual (predetermined identification information) are written, and communication is performed with a card reader provided in the printer.

  Hereinafter, data stored in the HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a form management database stored in the HD 211 of the print management server 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the form management database includes a time stamp 501, a user name 502, a document name 503, a print state 504, and form data 505.

  The time stamp 501 indicates the date and time when the print management server 100 received the form data. The user name 502 and document name 503 correspond to the user name (user information) and document name received together with the form data from the client terminal 400.

  Note that this form management database is registered in the print management server 100 from the client terminal 400 as described above.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver related table stored in the HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer driver related table includes a printer name 601, a printer IP address 602, and a printer driver name 603.

  It is assumed that this printer driver related table is registered in advance in the HD of the print management server 100.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printer display unit presence / absence table stored in the HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  Note that this printer display unit presence / absence table is registered in advance in the HD of the print management server 100.

  Hereinafter, the authentication table stored in the HD 211 of the authentication server 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an authentication table stored in the HD 211 of the authentication server 200 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the authentication table is composed of a production number 801, a user name 802, a mail address 803, a department ID 804, a department password 805, an administrator authority 806, portable terminal identification information 807, and the like.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the registration process of the manufacturing number and the mobile terminal identification information in the authentication table shown in FIG. 8 will be described. In the present embodiment, the authentication server 200 uses a card reader (similar to the card reader 319 in FIG. 3) for reading the IC card 419 (storage medium) of the portable terminal via an external interface (for example, USB) (not shown). Function) is connected. Then, the CPU 301 of the authentication server 200 can control reading of information from the IC card of the portable terminal by the card reader, and can acquire information read from the IC chip in the portable terminal.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure in the present invention, and corresponds to the authentication information registration processing in the present invention.

  In the figure, S1 corresponds to the step of the mobile terminal 500, and is realized by the control unit 401 of the mobile terminal 500 executing a program stored in the ROM 417.

  S2 to S3 correspond to the steps of the authentication server 200, and are realized by the CPU 201 of the authentication server 200 executing a program stored in the external memory 211 on the RAM 203.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 411 of the mobile terminal 500 transmits mobile terminal identification information (for example, a telephone number or an IP address) stored in the ROM 417 or the like of the mobile terminal 500 to the authentication server 200.

  In step S <b> 2, the CPU 201 of the authentication server 200 receives mobile terminal identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal 500.

  During a predetermined period after reception of the mobile terminal identification information, the CPU 201 of the authentication server 200 reads the IC card 419 in the mobile terminal 500 by the card reader described above.

  When portable terminal 500 is held over the card reader described above, authentication server 200CPU 201 detects this and reads the detected information (manufacturing number) (S3).

  Next, in step S4, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 associates the mobile terminal identification information received in step S2 with the manufacturing number read in step S3, and uses the manufacturing number as a key in the authentication table shown in FIG. Registered in the production number 801 and the mobile terminal identification information 807.

  Even if the administrator does not execute the processing shown in FIG. 9, the method of registering the manufacturing number 801 and the mobile terminal identification information 807 in the authentication table by manual operation or the like can be used. Is feasible.

  Hereinafter, the printing process according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing related to printing based on the print instruction from the printer according to the present invention.

  In the figure, S101 to S102 correspond to the steps of the authentication server 200, and are realized by the CPU of the authentication server 200 executing a program stored in the external memory on the RAM.

  In the figure, S201 to S212 correspond to the steps of the print management server 100, and are realized by the CPU of the print management server 100 executing a program stored in the external memory on the RAM.

  In the figure, S301 to S303 correspond to the steps of the portable terminal 500, and are realized by the control unit 401 of the portable terminal 500 executing a program stored in the ROM 417.

  In the figure, S401 to S402 correspond to the steps of the printer 300 (here, any printer may be described as the printer A 300a), and the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a executes a program stored in the ROM 303. It is realized by.

  First, when the user instructs the mobile terminal 500 to start an application (a connection application for connecting to the print management server 100), in step S301, the control unit 401 of the mobile terminal 500 starts the application and A connection request including the mobile terminal identification information of the terminal 500 is transmitted to the print management server 500. Thereby, a session between the portable terminal 500 and the print management server 100 is established.

  In step S201, the print management server 100 maintains the session based on a connection request (including mobile terminal identification information) from the connection application of the mobile terminal 500. This session is managed in association with the mobile terminal identification information until it is released. In addition, when communication with the portable terminal 500 is not performed for a fixed time, you may comprise so that the said session may be open | released.

  Needless to say, the present embodiment can be realized even if the application is not activated if a form list to be described later can be displayed on the printer. Further, when the application is activated by a command from the print management server, it can be realized without executing S301 and S201.

  Next, in step S401, when the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a detects that the portable terminal 500 is held over the card reader 319, the detected information (manufacturing number) is read and transmitted to the authentication server 200 as authentication information. (Authentication information transmission).

  When the authentication server 200 receives the authentication information transmitted from the printer A 300a, in step S101, the CPU of the authentication server 200 displays the received manufacturing number and the authentication table shown in FIG. 8 (in the HD of the authentication server 200). The stored user) is used to authenticate whether or not the user is a legitimate user.

  Next, in step S102, the CPU of the authentication server 200 transmits the authentication result of S101 to the printer (printer A 300a) that requested the authentication. Specifically, if the received manufacturing number is registered in the authentication table, it is determined that the authentication is successful (normal authentication), and the authentication result including the user name 902 and the mobile terminal identification information 907 in the authentication table is displayed on the printer. Send to A300a. If the received manufacturing number is not registered in the authentication table, it is determined as an authentication error, and an authentication result including information indicating the authentication error is transmitted to the printer A 300a.

  Next, when the printer A 300a receives the authentication result transmitted from the authentication server 200, in step S402, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a determines whether or not normal authentication has been performed based on the received authentication result. If it is determined that no user information is included in the authentication result, the initial state is restored.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that normal authentication has been performed (user information and portable terminal identification information are included in the authentication result), the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a advances the process to step S403.

  Next, in step S403, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a transmits a request for transmitting the form information of the authenticated user to the print management server 100 based on the user name and portable terminal identification information included in the received authentication result. This form information acquisition / transmission request of the authenticated user includes the user name, the portable terminal identification information, and the IP address of the printer.

Next, in the print management server 100, in step S202, upon receiving the document information acquisition and transmission request of the authenticated user which is transmitted from the printer A 300a, CPU 201 of print management server 100, document information acquisition and transmission request of the authenticated user who received The portable terminal identification information and the IP address of the printer A 300a are stored in the portable terminal printer related table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable terminal printer related table stored in the RAM 302 of the print management server 100.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the portable terminal printer related table, portable terminal identification information 1101 and printer IP address 1102 are associated.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S203, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines whether or not there is a display unit that can display a list on the printer A 300a (can issue a print instruction) based on the printer display unit presence / absence table shown in FIG. To do.

  First, a case where there is no display unit capable of displaying a list on the printer A 300a will be described.

  In step S203, if the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines that there is no display unit that can display a list (can issue a print instruction) on the printer A 300a, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 refers to the form management database shown in FIG. 5, and displays a list of unprinted form data corresponding to the user name included in the received authentication user form information acquisition transmission request. The obtained unprinted form data list is obtained through the session (session held in S201) associated with the mobile terminal identification information included in the received authentication user form information acquisition transmission request. It transmits to the terminal 500. The information transmitted as the form data list includes the form document name, user name, and time stamp.

  In step S <b> 302, the control unit 401 of the portable terminal 500 displays a list of unprinted form data transmitted from the print management server 500 on the display unit 415.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the form data list displayed on the display unit 415 of the portable terminal 500 in the present invention.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes a form data selection area, and the user selects (checks) form data to be printed from the form data selection area 1201 (a plurality of form data can be selected).

  Reference numeral 1202 denotes a transmission button. By selecting and instructing this button, the print management server 100 can be requested to print the form data selected in the form data selection area 1201.

Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG. 10.

  When form data is selected (checked) in the form data selection area 1201 and the transmission button 1202 is selected, the control unit 401 of the mobile terminal 500 lists the forms selected in the form data selection area 1201 in step S303. (Information on one or more selected form data (time stamp)) is transmitted to the print management server 100 as a print request command together with the user name and portable terminal identification information via the above-described session.

  Next, a case where the printer A 300a has a display unit that can display a list will be described.

  In step S203, if the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines that there is a display unit that can display a list (can issue a print instruction) on the printer A 300a, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 refers to the form management database shown in FIG. 6 and creates a list of unprinted form data corresponding to the user name included in the received authentication user form information acquisition transmission request. The acquired unprinted form data list is transmitted to the printer 300 (here, the printer A 300a) corresponding to the IP address included in the received authentication user form information acquisition request. The information transmitted as the form data list includes the form document name, user name, and time stamp.

  Next, when the printer A 300a receives the form data list transmitted from the print management server 100, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a displays the received form data list on the display unit of the operation unit 308 in step S404.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a form data list displayed on the printer 300 in the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes a form data selection area. The user touches and selects form data to be printed from the form data selection area 1301 (a plurality of form data can be selected).

  Reference numeral 1302 denotes a print button, and by touching this button, the print management server 100 can be requested to print the form data selected in the form data selection area 1301.

Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG. 10.

  When form data is selected in the form data selection area 1301 and the print button 1302 is touched, in step S405, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a displays a list of forms selected in the form data selection area 1301 (one selected item). The above form data information (time stamp) is transmitted to the print management server 100 together with the user name and IP address as a print request command.

  Hereinafter, the description is common to the case where the printer A 300a has a display unit capable of displaying a list and the case where there is no display unit.

  In step S206, when the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 receives the print request command transmitted from the portable terminal 500 or the printer A 300a, the information (time) of one or a plurality of print target forms included in the received print request command. Get the stamp). The CPU 201 of the print management server 100 records the acquired information (time stamp) of one or more print target forms in the print management table shown in FIG.

  When the print request command is received from the mobile terminal 500, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 acquires the printer IP address from the mobile terminal printer related table using the mobile terminal identification information included in the print request command as a key. Then, the IP address 1403 of the print management table is stored.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a print management table stored in the RAM 203 of the print management server 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the print management table includes a user name 1401, a printer name 1402, an IP address 1403, and a selected form time stamp 1404 (the selected number exists).

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S207, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 acquires the form data of the print target form acquired in S206 (that is, acquired from the form management database based on the time stamp 1404 of the print management table), and prints. The print processing of the acquired form data is executed (print data is output (transmitted)) to the printer (printer A 300a) having the IP address indicated by the IP address 1403 of the management table.

  At this time, based on the IP address, the printer driver related table (FIG. 6) is searched to select the printer driver, and the print data of the form data is output (transmitted) to the printer A 300a through the selected printer driver. . In addition, this print processing may be LPR printing or print processing using a standard TCP / IP port supported by Windows (registered trademark).

  Next, when the printer A 300a receives the print data of the form data output from the print management server 100 via the printer driver, in step S406, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a prints out the print data based on the received print data of the form data. Execute.

  When the print output based on the print data of the form data is completed, in step S407, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a notifies the print management server 100 of the completion of printing. Note that the notification of printing completion is performed using the time stamp (or document name or the like) of the form data corresponding to the print data that has been printed. This time stamp is included in the print data (for example, a header).

  Next, when the print management server 100 receives the print completion notification transmitted from the printer A 300a (S208), the print management server 100 deletes the time stamp 1404 corresponding to the received time stamp from the print management table, and advances the process to step S209. .

  In step S209, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines whether all the selected forms have been printed (whether there is no time stamp 1404 in the print management table), and has not completed printing (print management). If it is determined that there is still a time stamp 1404 in the table, the process returns to step S206.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S209 that all the selected forms have been printed (the print management table does not have the time stamp 1404), the process proceeds to step S210.

  In step S210, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 notifies the corresponding printer (printer A 300a in this case) that printing has been completed (print completion notification). Here, the destination printer is specified by the IP address 1403 in the print management table.

  Next, when the printer A 300a receives the print completion notification transmitted from the print management server 100, in step S408, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a executes post-processing such as cancellation of the authentication state (logoff) and release of the system. .

  Next, in step S409, if there is a display unit capable of displaying a message, the CPU 301 of the printer A 300a displays a message indicating that the printing of the selected form data has been completed, on the display unit of the operation unit 308 of the printer A 300a. To display.

  Note that the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 transmits the completion notification in step S210 to the portable terminal 500 via the session associated with the portable terminal identification information associated with the printer by the portable terminal printer related table. You may comprise as follows.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print completion notification displayed on the display unit 415 of the mobile terminal 500 illustrated in FIG.

  Further, the print completion notification to the mobile terminal 500 may be configured to use an electronic mail. In this case, the e-mail address of the portable terminal 500 is stored in the e-mail address 803 of the authentication table, and is transmitted to the printer that requested the authentication together with the user name at the time of authentication in S102, and printed from the printer when the list is requested. It is assumed that the management server 100 is notified.

  Further, the printer A 300a may be configured to transmit a print completion notification to the portable terminal 500. In this case, the portable terminal identification information received from the authentication server 200 in S402 is held, and the portable terminal identification information is used to detect that the printing performed by sending the form list selected in S303 is completed. Thus, a print completion notification is transmitted from the printer A 300a to the portable terminal 500.

  Accordingly, even when the printer is momentarily separated from the printer, the completion can be confirmed in real time, and the paper printed on the printer can be prevented from being left unattended.

  In FIG. 10, the configuration is such that all the selected forms are printed and the completion notification is performed, but the notification may be performed at the timing when the printing for each job is completed.

  When the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 completes the notification of completion in S311, in step S211, the mobile terminal information (mobile terminal identification information and IP address) for which printing has been completed is obtained from the mobile terminal printer-related table in FIG. delete. Also, the information in the print management table for which printing has been completed is deleted.

  Next, in step S312, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 ends the connection (session) with the mobile terminal corresponding to the information deleted in S311 and ends the processing in this flowchart.

  Hereinafter, when the session is not held in S201, the processing of S311 and S312 is not performed. However, it is assumed that the information in the print management table that has been printed is deleted.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a session is established between the print management server 100 and the portable terminal 500 to perform communication. However, communication between the print management server 100 and the portable terminal 500 is performed using an e-mail. You may comprise so that it may carry out.

  That is, it may be configured such that transmission of a form list, transmission of a form to be printed selected from the form list (print request), notification of completion of printing, and the like are all performed by e-mail.

  In this case, the e-mail address of the portable terminal 500 is stored in the e-mail address 803 of the authentication table, and is transmitted to the printer that requested the authentication together with the user name at the time of authentication in S102, and printed from the printer when the list is requested. It is assumed that the management server 100 is notified.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the processing is described that is performed by holding the portable terminal 500 including the display unit 415 over the card reader 319 of the printer 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an IC card (display) including an IC chip (display) It is also possible to realize a configuration in which a portable terminal is mixed.

  In this case, when the IC card is held over the card reader 319 of the printer 300, the IC card manufacturing number is transmitted from the printer 300 to the authentication server 200.

  The authentication server 200 acquires a user name and portable terminal identification information based on the transmitted manufacturing number. At this time, since the mobile terminal identification information cannot be acquired by the IC card, the mobile terminal identification information is not transmitted to the printer, and the user name is transmitted.

  When the printer 300 receives this user name (without portable terminal identification information), it makes a print data list request including the user name and IP address to the print management server.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the print management server 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third control processing procedure according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the print management server 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, S1601 to S1603 correspond to the steps of the print management server 100, and are realized by the CPU of the print management server 100 executing a program stored in the external memory on the RAM. In addition, the same step number is attached | subjected to the step same as FIG.

  In step S202 of FIG. 10, when the print management server 100 receives the form information acquisition transmission request of the authenticated user transmitted from the printer 300, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 proceeds to step S1601 to request the portable terminal It is determined whether there is identification information.

  If it is determined in step S1601 that there is mobile terminal identification information, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 advances the processing to step S204 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S1601 that there is no portable terminal identification information, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 advances the process to step S1602.

  In step S1602, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines whether there is a display unit that can display a list (can issue a print instruction) on the printer 300 that has received the form information acquisition transmission request of the authenticated user in step S202 of FIG. The determination is made based on the printer display unit presence / absence table shown in FIG.

  If the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines in step S1602 that there is a display unit that can display a list (can issue a print instruction) on the printer A 300a, the process proceeds to step S204 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 determines in step S1602 that there is no display unit that can display a list (can issue a print instruction) on the printer A 300a, the process advances to step S1603.

  In step S1603, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 acquires all unprinted data (form data) corresponding to the user name included in the form information acquisition / transmission request of the authenticated user received in step S202 in FIG. .

  In step S <b> 1604, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 performs a printing process on the unprinted data (form data) acquired in step S <b> 1603, to the printer 300 that has received the authentication user form information acquisition request in step S <b> 202. Execute.

  In addition, when the IC card is held over the card reader 319 of the printer 300 and the mobile terminal identification information cannot be acquired from the authentication server 200, the configuration of the display unit is determined on the printer side instead of the printer display unit presence / absence table. In S403, a request (command) to be transmitted to the print management server 100 may be changed.

  In this case, if the printer does not have a display unit (list display is not possible), a print data batch transmission request is transmitted to the print management server 100. If the printer has a display unit (list display is possible), the form is in an unprinted state. Configure to request data listing.

  Then, the print management server 100 determines the type of the received request, and if the request is a list request, transmits the list information. If the request is a print data batch transmission request, the print management server 100 does not transmit the list information and receives the received request. The print data is specified from the user name included in the printer name, and the print data is printed by the printer corresponding to the received printer name.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the configuration has been described in which the mobile terminal identification information and the manufacturing number are linked and recorded in the authentication table of the authentication server 200. However, in the HD 211 of the print management server 100, You may comprise so that portable terminal identification information and a manufacturing number may be linked | related and recorded.

  In this case, in step S102 of FIG. 10, the CPU 201 of the authentication server 200 transmits the manufacturing number as the authentication result.

  Then, the CPU 201 of the print management server 100 is configured to acquire the mobile terminal identification information held in the HD 211 of the print management server 100 using the manufacturing number transmitted from the printer 300 as a key, and execute the subsequent processing. To do.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, the print management server 100 is provided with form data, and the print data of the form data is output from the print management server 100 to the authenticated printer 300. In the present embodiment, One or a plurality of print servers are provided, print data (PDL format) is held in the print server, and print data management information held in the print server is managed by the print management server 100.

  The print management server 100 stores the print data from the print management server 100 so that the print server outputs the print data corresponding to the instruction to the instructed printer 300 based on the print instruction from the printer 300. The print server may be instructed to be present.

  In this configuration, form data is generated in the client terminal 400, and the form data is transmitted as print data to the above-described print server through the printer driver. The print server holds print data transmitted from the client terminal 400.

  The print management server 100 holds bibliographic information (user name, print data storage server IP address, print data storage path, document name, time stamp, etc.) stored in the print server. To do. By having this bibliographic information, the print management server 100 can recognize in which print server the print data designated by the printer 300 exists, and can issue a print instruction for the designated print data from the print management server. This can be done in a print server that holds the print data.

  In addition, although the case where the IC card was built in the portable terminal 500 was demonstrated in the said embodiment, the form from which the portable terminal 500 and the IC card were separated may be sufficient.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the configuration in which the print management server 100 holds the form data has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which the print management server 100 holds general print data. Is possible.

  Further, the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the server device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) for storing various data processing programs readable by the server according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 16 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print system to which a print management server 100 and a printer of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal, the print management server, and the authentication server illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a controller unit of the multifunction machine 300 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware constitutions of the portable terminal (cellular phone and PDA) 500 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a form management database stored in an HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver related table stored in an HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printer display unit presence / absence table stored in an HD 211 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the table for authentication memorize | stored in HD211 of the authentication server 200 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing procedure in this invention. It is a flowchart. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure in this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable terminal printer related table stored in a RAM 302 of the print management server 100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the form data list displayed on the display part 415 of the portable terminal 500 in this invention. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a form data list displayed on the printer 300 in the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print management table stored in a RAM 203 of the print management server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print completion notification displayed on a display unit 415 of the mobile terminal 500 illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd control processing procedure in this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read (read) by the server apparatus based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Print management server 200 Authentication server 300 Printer 400 Client terminal 500 Network 201 CPU
203 RAM
211 External memory 301 CPU
303 ROM
308 Operation unit 312 Printer unit 319 Card reader

Claims (10)

A printing system in which a printer and a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information are connected via a network,
The printer is
Reading means for reading mobile terminal identification information from a mobile terminal comprising a storage medium in which mobile terminal identification information is stored;
As the print list request, portable terminal identification information of a portable terminal that is a transmission destination of the list information read by the reading unit, and printer identification information that identifies the printer that has read the portable terminal identification information are included in the print management server. A print list request transmission means for transmitting to
The print management server
A print list request receiving means for receiving the printer identification information and the mobile terminal identification information transmitted as a print list request from the print list request transmitting means;
Print data associated with the user identification information identified from the portable terminal identification information to the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information identified from the portable terminal identification information received by the print list request receiving unit List information transmitting means for transmitting the list information of
A print request for receiving print data identification information for identifying print data in the list information that is requested to be printed by the portable terminal from the portable terminal that has transmitted the list information by the list information transmitting means. Receiving means;
Print data output for instructing the printer to output the print data corresponding to the print data identification information received by the print request receiving means with the printer specified by the printer identification information received by the print list request receiving means Command means;
A printing system comprising: The portable terminal is
Display means for displaying a list of print data received from the print management server;
Designating means for designating print data from the displayed print data list information;
Print request means for transmitting print data identification information of print data designated by the designation means to the print management server for printing by the printer that has read the portable terminal identification information of the portable terminal ;
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: The printer is
Print data receiving means for receiving the print data output by the print data output instruction means;
Printing means for printing the received print data;
Print completion transmitting means for transmitting to the portable terminal that the output of the print data has been completed in order to notify the portable terminal of completion of printing;
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The print management server further includes:
  Managing the printer identification information in association with display enable / disable information indicating whether print data list information can be displayed on the printer specified by the printer identification information;
  In accordance with the display enable / disable information, the printer comprises display determination means for determining whether or not the print data list information can be displayed.
  The list information transmission means transmits print data list information to the printer when the display determination means determines that display is possible, and when the display determination means determines that display is impossible, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein list information of print data is sent to the portable terminal.   The print data output command means of the print management server does not transmit the list information of the print data by the list information transmission means when the reading means reads portable terminal identification information from a portable terminal without a display unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein an output command for print data specified by the user identification information is issued. The printing system further includes a print server and a client terminal connected via a network,
The print server
Comprising print data holding means for holding print data generated by the client terminal;
The print management server
Bibliographic information holding means for holding bibliographic information including user identification information and print data identification information for managing the print data held by the print data holding means,
The print data output command means prints the print data in order to print the print data specified according to the print data identification information received by the print request receiving means and the bibliographic information with the printer specified by the printer identification information. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein printing is instructed to a print server to be held. Reading means for reading portable terminal identification information from a portable terminal provided with a storage medium in which portable terminal identification information is stored, and portable terminal identification information of a portable terminal that is a transmission destination of the list information read by the reading means as a print list request When the user identification information print data is connected via a printer and a network and a print list request transmitting means for transmitting the printer identification information for identifying the printer read the portable terminal identification information to the print management server A print management server that manages the association;
A print list request receiving means for receiving the printer identification information and the mobile terminal identification information transmitted as a print list request from the print list request transmitting means;
Print data associated with the user identification information identified from the portable terminal identification information to the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information identified from the portable terminal identification information received by the print list request receiving unit List information transmitting means for transmitting the list information of
A print request for receiving print data identification information for identifying print data in the list information that is requested to be printed by the portable terminal from the portable terminal that has transmitted the list information by the list information transmitting means. Receiving means;
Print data output for instructing the printer to output the print data corresponding to the print data identification information received by the print request receiving means with the printer specified by the printer identification information received by the print list request receiving means Command means;
A print management server comprising: A control method in a printing system in which a printer and a print management server that manages print data in association with user identification information are connected via a network,
A reading step for reading portable terminal identification information from a portable terminal provided with a storage medium storing portable terminal identification information;
The print list request transmission means, as a print list request, the portable terminal identification information of the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information read by the reading means, and the printer identification information that identifies the printer that has read the portable terminal identification information And a print list request transmission step for transmitting to the print management server,
The print management server
A print list request receiving means for receiving the printer identification information and the mobile terminal identification information transmitted as a print list request from the print list request transmitting means ;
The list information transmitting means corresponds to the user identification information specified from the portable terminal identification information to the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information specified from the portable terminal identification information received by the print list request receiving means. A list information sending step for sending list information of attached print data;
Print data identification for identifying print data in the list information that is requested to be printed by the portable terminal from the portable terminal that has transmitted the list information by the list information transmitting unit. A print request receiving step for receiving information;
The print data output instruction unit, the print data corresponding to print data identification information received by the print request receiving means, to be printed by the printer specified by the printer identification information received by said print list request receiving means, said printer a print data output command step of outputting instructions to,
The control method characterized by performing. Reading means for reading portable terminal identification information from a portable terminal provided with a storage medium in which portable terminal identification information is stored, and portable terminal identification information of a portable terminal that is a transmission destination of the list information read by the reading means as a print list request When, a printer identification information for identifying the printer read the portable terminal identification information, and a printer and a print list request transmitting means for transmitting to the print management server, the user identifies the print data connected via a network A control method in a print management server that manages in association with information,
The print management server
A print list request receiving means for receiving the printer identification information and the mobile terminal identification information transmitted as a print list request from the print list request transmitting means ;
The list information transmitting means corresponds to the user identification information specified from the portable terminal identification information to the portable terminal that is the transmission destination of the list information specified from the portable terminal identification information received by the print list request receiving means. A list information sending step for sending list information of attached print data;
Print data identification for identifying print data in the list information that is requested to be printed by the portable terminal from the portable terminal that has transmitted the list information by the list information transmitting unit. A print request receiving step for receiving information;
The print data output instruction unit, the print data corresponding to print data identification information received by the print request receiving means, to be printed by the printer specified by the printer identification information received by said print list request receiving means, said printer And a print data output instruction step for instructing output to the control method.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 8 or 9.

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