JP5056598B2 - Image forming apparatus, print control apparatus, and print management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a print control apparatus, and a print management program.

  In recent years, network printers that share a printing apparatus among a plurality of personal computers connected to a network are often used in offices and the like.

  In this network printer, printing is performed by sending print data from a personal computer connected to the network.

  Therefore, there was a concern that employees operating personal computers may spend more than necessary on consumables such as paper and toner for network printers by printing private image data that is not related to work in color. .

  Therefore, a technique for appropriately limiting print output has been proposed, such as unnecessary color printing being appropriately limited.

  In Patent Document 1, an image forming apparatus that has received an image formation request signal from a host computer reads function restriction information set for each host computer, and performs image formation processing based on the image formation request signal using the function restriction information. An image forming apparatus and an image forming system have been proposed that perform image formation within the range of function restriction information when it is determined whether or not it is possible.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a printing system in which a host device such as a personal computer and a printing device are connected via a network, a printer driver in the host device reads the function restriction information into a storage device connected to the printing device, and the host. There has been proposed a printing system that enables function-restricted printing that enables cost reduction and security printing only by changing settings on the printer apparatus main body by being configured to be supplied to a device.

Also, in Patent Document 3, in a printing system in which a client terminal such as a personal computer, a print server, and a printing apparatus are connected, a print job sent from the client terminal to the print server includes a machine name, a document name of the document, and the document The additional information such as the color ratio is set, and the print server compares the additional information with the output restriction determination data to determine whether or not to perform output restriction. When it is determined that the output restriction is performed by the print server, color printing is restricted by canceling printing (deleting a print job), changing the output destination printer, or the like. Such a printing system, an output restriction method, a printing apparatus, a printer driver, and a print server have been proposed.
JP 2006-346944 A JP 2007-041875 A JP 2007-058746 A

  However, there is a case where it is desired to temporarily cancel the print restriction once set in order to perform temporary work. For example, I want a user who has been restricted to print in color to request that an administrator create a document using color printing, and then temporarily remove the color printing restrictions applied to that employee. Such as the case.

  In such a case, after the task of temporarily performing color printing is completed, the printing restriction of color printing needs to be applied to the employee again.

  It is troublesome for the administrator to confirm the end of the temporary work and apply the print restriction again.

  In view of this, the present invention cancels a print restriction that has been set once, with conditions such as a limited number of sheets or a limited period, and an image forming apparatus and a print control apparatus in which the original print restriction is applied again after those conditions are reached. And to provide a print management program.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the invention of claim 1 receives and manages printing restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to the document processing apparatus from the management apparatus, and prints from the document processing apparatus. An image forming apparatus that performs print output restriction based on the print restriction information managed in correspondence with the document processing apparatus when receiving data, and indicates a period for releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information The management apparatus sets a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing apparatus, including a predetermined release period and an application name that has created a document of print data to be released based on the print restriction information. receiving a receiving means for receiving, setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means, the print data from the document processing device from, corresponding to the document processing device If Te is an application in which the print restriction information is set and the application that created the document of the print data relating to printing of the print data are shown in the application name included in the set the print restriction releasing condition by said setting means A print output restriction release means for releasing the print output restriction based on the print restriction information until the release period included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting means is reached, and the print output restriction release means. If the duration releasing the yo Ri limit reaches the release period included in the printing restriction release condition, the print output based on the print control information to stop the release of the printed output restriction by the printed output restriction releasing means And a print output re-restricting unit that performs the restriction again.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the print restriction release condition includes information on a predetermined time zone for releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information, and the print output restriction release. The means is configured to release the print output restriction based on the print restriction information only during the predetermined time period .

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention receives and manages print restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to the document processing apparatus from the management apparatus, and receives the print data from the document processing apparatus. An image forming apparatus that performs print output restriction based on the print restriction information managed in correspondence with a document processing apparatus, wherein a predetermined number of prints is output after releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information Receiving a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing apparatus from the management apparatus, including the name of the application that created the original of the print data that is a target for releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information Means, setting means for setting the print restriction cancellation condition received by the receiving means, print data from the document processing apparatus, and the print data corresponding to the document processing apparatus. If the print restriction information related to printing is set and the application that created the print data document is an application indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting means, the setting means Print output restriction release means for releasing the restriction on the print output based on the print restriction information until the number of printed sheets included in the print restriction release condition set in step 1 is output, and the print output restriction release means When the number of prints printed out after the release reaches the number of prints included in the print restriction release condition, the release of the print output restriction by the print output restriction release unit is stopped and the print restriction information is based on the print restriction information. A print output re-restricting unit that restricts the print output again is configured.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the print restriction release condition includes information on a predetermined time zone for releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information, and the print output restriction release. The means is configured to release the print output restriction based on the print restriction information only during the predetermined time period.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a management apparatus, and a document processing apparatus through a communication line, and printing that restricts printing for each document processing apparatus corresponding to the image forming apparatus. The restriction information is received and managed from the management apparatus, print data from the document processing apparatus as a printing destination is received, and the document processing apparatus and each image forming apparatus of the printing destination are received. A print control apparatus that restricts a print instruction so as not to transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus that is a printing destination, based on print restriction information that is managed correspondingly, and restricts printing based on the print restriction information. Receiving means for receiving, from the management device, a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing device, including the name of the application that created the original of the print data to be released; The setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received in the stage, and the print data having the image forming apparatus as the print destination is received from the document processing apparatus, and corresponds to the document processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the print destination Then, the print restriction information related to the printing of the print data is set, and the application that created the print data document is the application indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting unit. In this case, until the print restriction release condition is reached, the print output restriction release means for releasing the restriction on the print output based on the print restriction information, and the print results when the restriction is released by the print output restriction release means is the print restriction release. When the condition is reached, the cancellation of the print output restriction by the print output restriction release unit is stopped and the print restriction information is displayed. Configured to have a printout re limiting means for performing restriction of a print instruction again to brute.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the print restriction release condition includes a release period that is a restriction release period by the print output restriction release means, and the print output restriction release means includes The restriction is released until the period during which the restriction on the print output based on the print restriction information is released reaches the release period .

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 , wherein the print restriction release condition includes a predetermined number of prints printed by the restriction release by the print output restriction release means, and the print output restriction release means Is configured to release the restriction on print output based on the print restriction information until the number of printed sheets included in the print restriction release condition is output.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the print restriction cancellation condition includes a content for canceling a restriction on printing of print data having a predetermined image forming apparatus as a printing destination. Configured as follows.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print management program for receiving and managing print restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to a document processing apparatus from the management apparatus, and receiving the print data from the document processing apparatus, A computer print management program for restricting print output based on the print restriction information managed corresponding to a document processing apparatus, wherein the print data document is a target for releasing the print restriction based on the print restriction information Receiving means for receiving a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing apparatus that includes the name of the application that created the document, a setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means, and the document processing Print data is received from the apparatus, the print restriction information relating to printing of the print data is set corresponding to the document processing apparatus, and the print data is set. If the application that created the document is an application indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting unit, printing based on the print restriction information is performed until the print restriction release condition is reached. A print output restriction release means for releasing the output restriction, and when the print result at the time of the restriction release by the print output restriction release means reaches the print restriction release condition, the print output restriction release means cancels the print output restriction release means. This is to function as a print output re-restricting unit that cancels and restricts the print output based on the print restriction information again .

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9 , wherein the print restriction release condition includes a release period which is a restriction release period by the print output restriction release means , and the print output restriction release means The restriction is released until the period during which the restriction on the print output based on the print restriction information is released reaches the release period .

The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the invention according to the ninth aspect , wherein the print restriction release condition includes a predetermined number of prints printed by the restriction release by the print output restriction release means, and the print output restriction release means. Is configured to release the restriction on print output based on the print restriction information until the number of printed sheets included in the print restriction release condition is output .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the release of the print output restriction is stopped, the print output restriction is performed again.

According to the invention of claim 2, there is an effect that the restriction of the print output is canceled only during a predetermined time period .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined number of prints are printed, the restriction of the print output is canceled and the print output is restricted again .

  According to the invention of claim 4, there is an effect that the restriction of the print output is canceled only during a predetermined time period.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the print control device, when the cancellation of the control of the print output is stopped, there is an effect that the print output is restricted again.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the print control apparatus reaches a predetermined period, the cancellation of the print output restriction is stopped, and the print output restriction is performed again .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention , when a predetermined number of prints are output in the print control apparatus, the cancellation of the print output restriction is stopped, and the print output restriction is performed again .

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the print control apparatus can achieve the effect that the restriction on the print output is canceled for the print data having the predetermined image forming apparatus as the print destination .

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that when the release of the restriction on the print output is stopped, the restriction on the print output is performed again.

According to the invention of claim 10, there is an effect that when it reaches a predetermined period, cancellation of the print output limit is stopped, is performed again in the print output limit.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined number of prints are printed, the restriction on the print output is canceled and the restriction on the print output is performed again .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a simple configuration of the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simple configuration of the image forming system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is connected so that a general user terminal device 2, an administrator terminal device 10, and a printing device 20 can communicate with each other via a network 3.

  The general user terminal device 2 is constituted by a personal computer, and includes a printer driver for the printing device 20, and can generate print data 30 for causing the printing device 20 to perform printing.

  The administrator terminal device 10 is configured by a personal computer, and can perform setting of print output restriction for the printing apparatus 20, setting of conditional release of print output restriction for the printing apparatus 20, and the like.

  Further, the manager terminal device 10 includes a printer driver of the printing device 20 and can generate print data 30 that causes the printing device 20 to perform printing.

  The printing apparatus 20 is an image forming apparatus capable of printing image data on paper, and print output restriction, which is an operation restriction of print output, is performed by an operation of the administrator terminal device 10. The print output restriction is, for example, a restriction that the print data 30 from a specific terminal device is not color-copied.

  Further, the printing device 20 is conditionally released from the restricted printing output restriction by the operation from the manager terminal device 10. Conditional cancellation is performed, for example, in a state where print data 30 from a specific terminal device is restricted so as not to perform color copy, and color copy is also performed on the print data 30 from that terminal device for two days from now. For example, the print output restriction is canceled as shown in FIG.

  Next, the configuration of the manager terminal device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the manager terminal device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the manager terminal device 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a control unit 13, a storage unit 18, and a communication unit 19.

  The operation unit 11 bears the information input function of the manager terminal device 10 which is a personal computer, and is configured by a keyboard and a mouse.

  The display unit 12 includes a display, and displays information to a user who operates the manager terminal device 10.

  The control unit 13 includes a central processing unit that controls the manager terminal device 10 in an integrated manner. The control unit 13 includes an application function 14, a printer driver function 15, an output restriction setting function 16, and a conditional release setting function 17.

  The application function 14 is a function for calling and executing an application such as Excel, which is spreadsheet software of Microsoft Corporation, or paint, which is image processing software of Microsoft Corporation, from the storage unit 18.

  The printer driver function 15 controls the function of calling the printer driver of the printing apparatus 20 stored in the storage unit 18 and executing the printer driver. Print data 30 to be printed by the printing apparatus 20 is generated by the printer driver executed by the printer driver function 15.

  The output restriction setting function 16 generates print output restriction data that is detailed data for restricting the print output of the printing apparatus 20. The print output restriction data generated by the output restriction setting function 16 is transmitted from the manager terminal device 10 to the printing device 20 and stored in the print output restriction management table 27 of the printing device 20. When the transmitted print output restriction data is stored, the printing apparatus 20 performs print output restriction based on the print output restriction data.

  The conditional cancellation setting function 17 generates conditional cancellation data that is detailed data for canceling the printing output restriction of the printing apparatus 20 with a condition. Conditional release data generated by the conditional release setting function 17 is transmitted from the manager terminal 10 to the printing apparatus 20 and stored in the conditional cancellation management table 28 of the printing apparatus 20. When the transmitted conditional cancellation data is stored, the printing apparatus 20 performs conditional cancellation of print output restriction based on the conditional cancellation data.

  The storage unit 18 includes a storage device such as a hard disk, and stores an application executed by the application function 14, a printer driver executed by the printer driver function 15, various software for operating the administrator terminal device 10, and the like. To do.

  The communication unit 19 is connected to the network 3 and exchanges information via the network 3.

  Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 20 and the configuration of the print data 30 sent to the printing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus 20 and the configuration of the print data 30.

  The printer driver stored in the general user terminal device 2 or the administrator terminal device 10 creates the print data 30 from the manuscript created by various applications such as Microsoft's document creation software word.

  When the print data 30 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 and printed out by the printing apparatus 20, it is printed out on paper by the image forming unit 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the print data 30 includes transmission source device information 31 indicating a transmission source terminal device, requester information 32 indicating a requester who has requested printing by operating the transmission source terminal device, and printing. It includes output destination information 33 indicating the output destination printing apparatus of the data 30 and application information 34 indicating an application that created the original document before the print data 30 is generated by the printer driver.

  In addition to the above-described various information, the print data 30 also includes various print attributes such as color printing, black-and-white printing, and N-UP printing necessary for printing.

  The printing apparatus 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, an image forming unit 25, and a storage unit 26, as shown in FIG.

  The communication unit 21 is connected to the network 3 and exchanges various information.

  The control unit 22 performs overall control of the printing apparatus 20 and has a print control function 23 and an output management function 24 as its functions.

  The print control function 23 is a function for controlling the image forming unit 25 to print the print data 30 determined to be printed out by the output management function 24 using the print data 30 received from the communication unit 21 on a sheet.

  The output management function 24 determines whether to print out the print data 30 received by the communication unit 21 or whether to print the print data by restricting the print output. This is performed based on information stored in the release management table 28 and the output management table 29.

  The image forming unit 25 prints and outputs the print data 30 received by the communication unit 21 and sent from the control unit 22 on a sheet.

  The storage unit 26 includes various storage devices, stores a program for realizing the functions of the printing device 20, and also performs a process of temporarily pooling the print data 30 received by the communication unit 21.

  The storage unit 26 also stores a print output restriction management table 27, a conditional release management table 28, an output management table 29, and the like.

  The print output restriction management table 27 stored in the storage unit 26 is a table for storing and managing print output restriction data relating to print output control of the printing apparatus 20.

  The conditional cancellation management table 28 is a table that stores and manages conditional cancellation data related to conditional cancellation of print output restriction of the printing apparatus 20.

  The output management table 29 is a table for storing and managing information relating to the number of printed sheets printed out by the image forming unit 25 of the printing apparatus 20.

  The printing apparatus 20 also has a clock function that measures the current time.

  In the printing apparatus 20 configured as described above, the print output restriction data transmitted from the administrator terminal device 10 is stored in the print output restriction management table 27, and the print output restriction of the print data 30 received by the communication unit 21 is limited. Done.

  When the administrator wants to temporarily cancel the print output restriction set in the printing apparatus 20, the administrator creates conditional release data on the administrator terminal device 10 and transmits it to the printing apparatus 20.

  When the user wishes to temporarily cancel the print output restriction, for example, the administrator operates the general user terminal device 2 in a state where the print output restriction is set so that color printing cannot be performed from the general user terminal device 2. For example, when the user B is requested to create color data and the user terminal device 2 wants to temporarily perform color printing.

  The printing apparatus 20 receives the conditional release data from the manager terminal device 10, and stores and manages the received conditional release data in the conditional release management table 28.

  Then, the output management function 24 of the printing apparatus 20 performs conditional cancellation of the print output restriction based on the conditional cancellation data stored in the conditional cancellation management table 28, and conditional cancellation management of the received print data 30. Printing is executed without applying the print output restriction to the print data 30 corresponding to the conditional release data in the table 28.

  The number of sheets printed out after the conditional release data is stored in the conditional release management table 28 is recorded in the output management table 29 of the storage unit 26.

  Then, the cancellation of conditional release is performed such as when the predetermined number of printed sheets is output based on information in the output management table 29 or the like. When the conditional cancellation is stopped, the printing apparatus 20 Return to the state where the original printout restriction is applied.

  Next, the print output restriction management table 27, the conditional release management table 28, and the output management table 29 stored in the storage unit 26 will be described with reference to FIG.

  4A is a table showing an example of the print output restriction management table 27, FIG. 4B is a table showing an example of the conditional release management table 28, and FIG. 4C is an output management. 10 is a table showing an example of a table 29.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the print output restriction management table 27 includes a “restriction ID” for identifying the print output restriction data to be set and a “creator of the print data 30 to which the print output restriction is applied”. “Applicable person”, “Restriction condition” indicating the content of the restriction to be set, “Applied application” indicating the application that created the document of the print data 30 to which the print output restriction is applied, and the time zone in which the print output restriction is applied "Applicable time period" indicating that, when the print output restriction is applied only for a desired period, the "applicable period" indicating the application period, and indicating that the condition is set to the condition for canceling the print output restriction " “Unconditional release” and “Applied release ID” indicating the identification number of the conditional release data set are stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the conditional cancellation management table 28 includes a “release ID” for identifying the conditional cancellation data to be set, and an identification number for print output restriction for setting the conditional cancellation. “Restriction ID”, “Applicable Person” indicating the creator of the print data 30 to which the conditional release is applied, an application condition for applying the conditional release, “release content” indicating a condition for ending the application, and conditional release “Applicable time zone” indicating a specific time zone to be applied, “Applicable period” indicating the application period when conditional cancellation is applied only for a desired period, “Date and time of setting conditional cancellation” Is stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the output management table 29 includes an “applied release ID” indicating an identification number of the conditional release data to be applied, and image formation after the conditional release is applied. “Print user” indicating the creator of the print data 30 that has been printed by the unit 25, “Number of output color prints” indicating the number of color pages printed out after conditional cancellation is applied, Conditional The “number of printed monochrome printed sheets” indicating the number of printed sheets printed in black and white after the cancellation is applied is stored.

  The “output color print number” and “output monochrome print number” in the output management table 29 store the number of prints for each application that created the original of the output print data 30.

  In the output management table 29, new conditional release data is stored in the conditional release management table 28, and at the same time, a table relating to the release ID of the stored conditional release data is newly created by the control unit 22, and the image forming unit Each time printing is performed at 25, the number of printed pages is recorded.

  Next, conditional cancellation applied to actual print output restrictions will be described.

  First, conditional cancellation for canceling the print output limitation for a limited time will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating conditional cancellation in which the print output limitation is canceled for a limited time.

  First, the print output restriction is applied to the printing apparatus 20 by the manager terminal apparatus 10.

  By the output restriction setting function 16 of the administrator terminal device 10, the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 transmits print output restriction data to the printing device 20 with the content that color printing is prohibited.

  The printing apparatus 20 receives the print output restriction data and stores it in the print output restriction management table 27.

  Then, even if the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 transmits the print data 30 for color printing from the general user terminal device 2 to the printing device 20, the printing is not performed by the printing device 20, but from the printing device 20. A print NG response is received (reference number 501).

  In this state, when the user B transmits a print instruction for monochrome printing from the general user terminal device 2 to the printing apparatus 20, the print output restriction for the user B to perform monochrome printing is set in the print output restriction management table 27 of the printing apparatus 20. Since it is not set, the printing apparatus 20 prints out the monochrome print data 30 sent by the user B (reference numeral 502).

  Next, the administrator terminal device 10 performs setting for conditional release of print output restriction. An administrator who operates the terminal device for administrator 10 requests a user B who operates the terminal device 2 for general users to create a document using Microsoft PowerPoint, and the user B uses the power point performed from the terminal device 2 for general users. It is set so that color printing of the print data 30 of the created original is performed for only two days. In other words, the print output restriction of prohibiting color printing set for the user B is set so as to be released under the condition of only two days for a document made with PowerPoint.

  The conditional release data set in this way is transmitted from the manager terminal device 10 to the printing device 20 and stored in the conditional cancellation management table 28 of the printing device 20 to set the conditional release of the print output restriction. (Reference number 503).

  Then, the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 gives the printing device 20 a print instruction to perform color printing on a document created by, for example, a Microsoft word other than the Microsoft power point from the general user terminal device 2. However, printing is not performed due to print output restrictions that prohibit color printing. Then, a response of printing NG is sent from the printing device 20 to the general user terminal device 2 (reference number 504).

  However, when the user B issues a print instruction to the printing apparatus 20 from the general user terminal device 2 to perform color printing of a document created with Microsoft PowerPoint, the printing apparatus 20 uses the output management function 24 to perform conditional release management. It is determined in table 28 that the color printing of the original by the power point of user B is set so as to cancel the print output restriction of the color printing prohibition, and the color printing of the original created by the power point designated by user B is performed. Is performed (reference numeral 505).

  Then, after two days, which is a desired period set first, elapses after the administrator performs a conditional release setting for canceling the print output restriction on the color printing of the document by the power point of the user B, the printing apparatus The corresponding conditional release data in the 20 conditional release management table 28 is deleted. Then, in the print output management table 27, based on the cancellation ID of the deleted conditional cancellation data, it is rewritten to the content in which the conditional cancellation is not set in the “conditional cancellation in progress” column. In the column “ID”, the cancellation ID of the deleted conditional cancellation data is deleted (reference number 506).

  In this way, the conditional output is not set, and the print output restriction that prohibits the color printing of the original user B is effective.

  Therefore, even if print data 30 for color printing a document created by Microsoft's PowerPoint is sent from the general user terminal device 2 to the printing device 20 by the user B, color printing of the print data 30 instructed by the user B to be printed. Is not performed, and a response of printing NG is sent to the general user terminal device 2 (reference number 507).

  In this way, the printing device 20 performs conditional release of the print output restriction for a limited time.

  In the sequence diagram described with reference to FIG. 5, the application for creating the document of the print data 30 and the application period are set as reference condition 503 and the condition cancellation is set. However, the setting is not limited to such a combination, and may be a configuration in which the application that created the document of the print data 30 and the application time period are arbitrarily combined with the application period.

  Next, conditional cancellation for canceling the print output restriction under conditions until a specific number of printed sheets is printed will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing conditional cancellation of print output restriction with conditions until a specific number of printed sheets are printed out.

  First, a print output restriction is set in the printing apparatus 20 so that color printing of the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 is prohibited. The setting of the print output restriction is performed by sending print output restriction data indicating the contents of the print output restriction from the manager terminal device 10 to the printing apparatus 20. The print output restriction data sent to the printing apparatus 20 is stored in the print output restriction management table 27.

  Then, the user B cannot perform color printing on the printing device 20 from the general user terminal device 2 (reference number 601). However, the user B can cause the printing apparatus 20 to perform monochrome printing other than color printing set as a print output restriction from the general user terminal device 2 (reference number 602).

  Next, conditional release with respect to print output restriction is set from the administrator terminal device 10 to the printing device 20 (reference number 603).

  The conditional cancellation set here means that 100 sheets of color printing are permitted in accordance with the printing instruction of the user B only between 10:00 and 16:00.

  Conditional release data having such contents is indicated by reference numeral 401 in FIG.

  Conditional release data sent from the administrator terminal device 10 is stored in the conditional release management table 28 of the printing apparatus 20 (reference numeral 401).

  Even if the user B issues a print instruction for color printing from the general user terminal device 2 at the time of 9:30 after the conditional release of the print output restriction is set, the conditional condition set by the code number 401 is set. Since the time zone does not match the cancellation setting, the print output restriction of color printing is applied and color printing is not performed (reference numeral 604).

  The user B then issues a color print instruction from the general user terminal device 2 to the printing device 20 at the time of 11:00 included in the time zone of the conditional release data indicated by the reference numeral 401.

  Then, the printing device 20 receives the print data 30 sent from the general user terminal device 2, and the output management function 24 of the printing device 20 causes the printing output restriction management table 27, the conditional release management table 28, and the output management table. With reference to the contents 29, it is determined that printing of the received print data 30 is a conditional release of print output restriction, and the print data 30 is printed (reference number 605).

  In this way, when the print output restriction conditional release causes color printing of the print data 30 sent from the general user terminal device 2 and the number of prints of the conditional release data indicated by the reference numeral 401 is reached, The conditional release data indicated by the reference numeral 401 is deleted and changed to the content in which the conditional release is not performed in the column for conditional release of the corresponding print output restriction data in the print output restriction management table 27, The release ID of the conditional release data indicated by the reference numeral 401 is deleted from the “applied release ID” column of the print output restriction management table 27. Then, the print output restriction is applied again so that the color printing from the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 is restricted.

  Therefore, even if the user B gives a print instruction for color printing from the general user terminal device 2 after the color printing from the general user terminal device 2 exceeds 100 sheets (conditional release data indicated by the reference numeral 401). Color printing is not performed in the printing apparatus 20 (reference number 606).

  In addition, after the printing instruction failure indicated by the reference numeral 604, even if 100 printing is not performed on the printing apparatus 20 by the printing instruction from the user B from the general user terminal device 2, the conditional condition indicated by the reference numeral 401 is provided. When the application time zone of the release data is exceeded (reference number 607), the conditional release indicated by reference number 401 is not applied to the print output restriction, and the print output restriction is validated. Therefore, after 16:00, the print output restriction that prohibits color printing by the user B becomes effective. For example, color printing that the user B instructs to print from the general user terminal device 2 at 17:00 is the printing device 20. (No. 608).

  In this way, the print output restriction is released under conditions until the printing device 20 prints out a specific number of prints.

  In the sequence diagram described with reference to FIG. 6, the application time zone and the number of prints are set as the setting for the conditional release at the reference numeral 603, but such a combination is used as the setting for the conditional release. However, the setting of the application for creating the document of the print data 30 and the application time zone may be arbitrarily combined with the number of printed sheets.

  Next, processing performed in the printing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing processing performed in the printing apparatus 20.

  First, when print output restriction data is sent from the administrator terminal device 10, the printing device 20 receives a command in step 701 (YES in step 701), and in step 702, relates to output restriction setting. (Output restriction setting in step 702), and print output restriction data in step 703 (print output restriction data in step 703). The received print output restriction data is stored in the print output restriction management table 27 of the storage unit 26. (Step 704). Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step 701 through the connector B.

  Next, when conditional release data is sent from the manager terminal device 10, the printing device 20 receives a command in step 701 (YES in step 701), and outputs the contents of the command in step 702. The restriction setting is made (output restriction setting in step 702), the conditional release data is set in step 703 (conditional release data in step 703), and the process proceeds to step 705.

  In step 705, “conditional release” is set for the print output restriction data to which the received conditional release data is applied (step 705).

  Then, a release ID that is an identification number is set in the received conditional release data, and the received conditional release data is recorded in the conditional release management table 28 (step 706).

  When the release ID is set in the received conditional release data and recorded in the conditional release management table 28, the “applied release ID” in the print output restriction management table 27 in which conditional release is set in step 705. The release ID of the set conditional release data is recorded in the column. Then, the print output restriction data to which the received conditional release data is applied is in a state in which the print output restriction is released conditional (step 707). Processing then proceeds to step 701 via connector B.

  Next, when the print data 30 is received by the communication unit 21, the printing apparatus 20 receives the command in step 701 (YES in step 701), and the print data 30 in step 702. Processing moves to 708.

  In step 708, the output management function 24 determines whether or not the received print data 30 corresponds to the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 28 of the storage unit 26 (step 708).

  If the received print data 30 satisfies the condition indicated by the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 28 in step 708 (YES in step 708), the print data 30 is released from the print output restriction. Is determined, and printing is performed by the image forming unit 25 (step 709).

  If the received print data 30 does not meet the condition indicated by the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 28 in step 708 (NO in step 708), the print data 30 is printed. The output management function 24 determines whether or not the condition indicated by the print output restriction data stored in the print output restriction management table 27 is satisfied (step 710).

  If printing of the received print data 30 is restricted in accordance with the contents indicated by the print output restriction data (YES in step 710), the print data 30 can be printed on the terminal device that has transmitted the print data 30. A print NG indicating that there is no response is returned (step 711).

  If the printing of the print data 30 received in step 710 is a print that does not match the content indicated by the print output restriction data and the print output is not restricted (NO in step 710), the print data 30 is an image. Printing is performed by the forming unit 25 (step 709).

  When printing is performed (step 709) or printing NG is returned (step 711), the process proceeds to step 701 via the connector B.

  When the control unit 22 of the printing apparatus 20 does not detect reception of a command by the communication unit 21 in the state of step 701 (whether the control unit 22 has detected that the communication unit 21 has received a command) The output management function 24 checks whether the conditional release is applied to the print output restriction data recorded in the print output restriction management table 27 and whether the conditional release is in progress. (Step 712).

  If the conditional release is not in progress (NO in step 712), the process returns to step 701 via the connector B.

  If any of the print output restriction data recorded in the print output restriction management table 27 is being conditionally released (YES in step 712), should the applied condition release still be applied now? In step 713, the output management function 24 determines whether or not.

  The determination in step 713 by the output management function 24 is based on information such as the number of prints recorded in the output management table 29, the current time, and the content of conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 28. Determine whether conditional cancellation should be applied. For example, in the case where the cancellation content of the conditional cancellation data is “permit 100 sheets of color printing”, if 100 sheets of color printing are performed based on the number of color printing performed from the output management table 29, the conditional processing is performed. If the color printing is not performed for 100 sheets without applying the cancellation, it is determined to apply the conditional cancellation. Also, for example, if the application period of conditional release data is “2 days from setting”, the conditional release is not applied if the period has passed, and the conditional release data is applied if the period has not passed. It is determined to apply the release.

  If it is determined that conditional cancellation is applied (YES in step 713), the process proceeds to step 701 via the connector B.

  If it is determined in step 713 that the conditional release is not applied (NO in step 713), the conditional release is performed on the print output restriction data in the print output restriction management table 27 to which the corresponding conditional release is applied. The column in the middle is changed to the content that has not been subjected to conditional cancellation, and the print output restriction is applied by the output management function 24 without conditional cancellation (step 714).

  If the print output restriction setting is reset for some reason, the command is accepted in step 701 (YES in step 701), and the output restriction setting is related in step 702 (output restriction in step 702). In step 703, the print output restriction data is set. In step 704, the print output restriction is reset.

  In this way, the print output restriction set in the printing apparatus 20 is released conditionally, and the conditional release is stopped after a predetermined number of prints have been output or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the original print output Restrictions apply again.

  Next, a simple configuration of the image forming system 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a simple configuration of the image forming system 2.

  Note that the same constituent elements as those shown in the first embodiment in the constituent elements of the image forming system 2 such as a terminal device and a network are denoted by the same reference numerals and a part of the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming system 2 includes a general user terminal device 2, an administrator terminal device 10, a server 40, a printing device A (5), and a printing device B (6) that are mutually connected via a network 3. Connected for information communication.

  Here, the general user terminal device 2 is composed of the same personal computer as the general user terminal device 2 described in the first embodiment, and further includes printer drivers for the printing device A (5) and the printing device B (6). Prepare.

  The administrator terminal device 10 is the administrator terminal device 10 described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment, and further includes printer drivers for the printing device A (5) and the printing device B (6). .

  The printing apparatus A (5) and the printing apparatus B (6) are printing apparatuses that receive the print data 30 and perform printing. Further, it does not have an output management function or the like related to print output restriction like the printing apparatus 20 described in the first embodiment.

  Further, the print data 30 is created by a printer driver provided in the general user terminal device 2 or the administrator terminal device 10, and the created print data 30 is transmitted to the server 40.

  The server 40 is a print control device, stores the print data 30 sent from the general user terminal device 2 and the administrator terminal device 10, and transmits the print data 30 to each printing device on which the print data 30 is printed.

  Further, the server 40 is subjected to print output restriction by an operation from the manager terminal device 10. The print output restriction means, for example, that a print instruction from the server 40 to the printing apparatus is restricted so that the color printing print data 30 sent from a specific terminal apparatus is not sent to the printing apparatus.

  The server 40 is also set so that the applied print output restriction is conditionally released by an operation from the manager terminal device 10. The conditional release is, for example, a state in which color printing from a specific terminal device is restricted to be prohibited, and the print output restriction is released under the condition that only 100 sheets of color printing are OK.

  As described above, since the server 40 has the functions of the print output restriction of the print data 30 and the conditional release of the print output restriction similarly to the printing apparatus 20 described in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 20 includes the server 40. A print output restriction management table 27, a conditional release management table 28, and an output management table 29.

  Next, the configuration of the server 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of the server 40.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the server 40 includes a control unit 41, a communication unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

  The control unit 41 performs overall control of the server 40 and has a print output management function 42.

  The print output management function 42 issues a print instruction to transmit the print data 30 sent from the general user terminal device 2 or the administrator terminal device 10 to the designated printing device, or sends it to the designated printing device. Determines whether to cancel printing without sending the print data 30. The print output management function 42 determines whether the print instruction or printing is to be canceled based on information stored in the print output restriction management table 45, the conditional release management table 46, and the output management table 47 stored in the storage unit 44. Based on.

  The communication unit 43 is connected to the network 3 and exchanges information via the network 3.

  The storage unit 44 is configured by a storage device such as a hard disk, stores a program for realizing the function of the server 40, and print data 30 sent from the general user terminal device 2 or the administrator terminal device 10. A temporary storage process is also performed.

  The storage unit 44 also stores a print output restriction management table 45, a conditional release management table 46, and an output management table 47.

  The print output restriction management table 45 is a table for storing and managing print output restriction data, which is detailed data for restricting printing instructions of the print data 30 sent from the terminal device to each printing apparatus.

  The conditional cancellation management table 46 is a table for storing and managing conditional cancellation data, which is detailed data for conditional release of the print output restriction of the print server.

  The output management table 29 is a table that stores and manages information related to the number of printed sheets printed by each printing apparatus in the image forming system 4.

  The server 40 has a clock function for measuring the current time.

  In the server 40 configured as described above, the print output restriction data sent from the administrator terminal device 10 is stored in the print output restriction management table 45 and the print instruction of the print data 30 to be sent to the printing device in the image forming system 4 is printed. The print output restriction for is performed.

  When the administrator wants to temporarily cancel the print output restriction set in the server 40, the administrator creates conditional release data based on a desired condition and transmits it to the server 40 from the administrator terminal device 10.

  The server 40 receives the conditional release data and stores it in the conditional release management table 46 in the storage unit 44.

  Then, the print output management function 42 of the server 40 performs conditional release of the print output restriction described in the print output restriction management table 45 in accordance with the contents of the conditional release management table 46, and sets the condition in the received print data 30. A print instruction is given to the print data 30 applicable to the attachment / removal management table 46 without restricting print output, and the print data 30 is transmitted to each printing apparatus.

  The number of prints of the print data 30 instructed to be printed after the conditional release data is stored in the conditional release management table 46 is recorded in the output management table 47 for each conditional release data.

  Then, the cancellation of the conditional release of the print output restriction is performed based on information such as the output management table 47, and when the conditional release is stopped, the server 40 returns to a state where the original print output restriction is applied. .

  Next, the print output restriction management table 45, the conditional release management table 46, and the output management table 47 stored in the storage unit 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11A is a table showing an example of the print output restriction management table 45, FIG. 11B is a table showing an example of the conditional release management table 46, and FIG. 11C is an output management. 7 is a table showing an example of a table 47.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the print output restriction management table 45 includes a “restriction ID” for identifying print output restriction data to be set and a “creator of print data 30 to which the print output restriction is applied”. “Applicable person”, “Restriction condition” indicating the contents of the restriction to be set, “Applied application” indicating the application that created the document of the print data 30 to which the print output restriction is applied, and printing apparatus to which the print output restriction is applied “Applicable printing device” indicating “Applicable time zone” indicating the time period in which the print output restriction is applied, “Applicable period” indicating the application period when the print output restriction is applied only for a desired period, Print output “Conditional release in progress” indicating that the conditional release is set in the restriction, and “Applied release ID” indicating the identification number of the set conditional release data are stored.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 11B, the conditional cancellation management table 46 includes a “release ID” for identifying the conditional cancellation data to be set, and an identification number for print output restriction for setting the conditional cancellation. “Restriction ID”, “applicable person” indicating the creator of the print data 30 to which conditional cancellation is applied, “applicable printing apparatus” indicating a printing apparatus to which conditional cancellation is applied, application conditions for applying conditional cancellation, “Release contents” indicating the condition to end the application, “Applicable time zone” indicating the specific time zone to which the conditional cancellation is applied, and “Apply” indicating the application period when the conditional cancellation is applied only for a desired period “Period” and “set date / time” which is the date / time when conditional release is set are stored.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 11C, the output management table 47 prints the “applied release ID” indicating the identification number of the conditional release data to be applied, and after the conditional release is applied. A “print user” indicating the creator of the print data 30 that has been performed is stored, and the number of prints printed out after the conditional release is applied is recorded for each printing apparatus.

  As the number of prints for each printing apparatus stored in the output management table 47, “output color print number” printed in color and “output black and white print number” printed in black and white are recorded. In “output color print number” and “output monochrome print number”, the number of prints is recorded for each application in which the document of the print data 30 is created.

  Next, conditional cancellation for canceling the print output restriction in the image forming system 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating how the print output restriction of the image forming system 4 is conditionally cancelled.

  First, the print output restriction is set in the server 40 by the manager terminal device 10.

  By the output restriction setting function 16 of the manager terminal device 10, the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 transmits print output restriction data having contents that prohibit color printing to the server 40.

  The server 40 receives the print output restriction data and stores it in the print output restriction management table 45.

  Then, even if the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 transmits the print data 30 so that color printing is performed by the printing device 4 from the general user terminal device 2 (reference numeral 1201), the printing device Even if the print data 30 is transmitted so that color printing is performed at 5 (reference number 1202), the print output management function 42 of the server 40 does not issue a print instruction to each printing apparatus, and a print NG response is returned. It is sent to the terminal device 2 for general users (reference number 1203).

  Therefore, the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 transmits the print data 30 to the server 40 so that monochrome printing is performed on the printing device A (5) and the printing device B (6) (reference number). 1204).

  Then, in the server 40, a print output restriction that does not perform color printing from the user B who uses the general user terminal device 2 is set, but no print output restriction is set for monochrome printing. The print data 30 which is the print instruction for monochrome printing sent to is sent to the designated printing apparatus A (5) and printing apparatus B (6), and monochrome printing is performed (reference numeral 1205).

  As described above, color printing by the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 is performed from the administrator terminal device 10 in a state where print output restriction is performed in which no printing instruction is issued from the server 40 to each printing device. Setting of conditional release for the print output restriction of user B is performed.

  The setting contents of the conditional cancellation are contents that 100 sheets of color printing are permitted from the printing apparatus A (5). That is, the “applied printing device” of the conditional release data is the printing device B, and the “release content” is the content that 100 sheets of color printing are permitted (reference number 1206).

  Here, even if print data 30 that causes the printing apparatus B (6) to perform color printing is sent from the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 to the server 40 (reference number 1207), Since this does not apply to the conditional release data set by the number 1206, the print data 30 for color printing for the printing apparatus B (6) is not sent to the printing apparatus B (6) and is sent to the general user terminal device 2. A response of printing NG is transmitted (reference number 1208).

  When the print data 30 that causes the printing apparatus A (5) to perform color printing is transmitted from the user B who operates the general user terminal device 2 to the server 40 (reference numeral 1209), Since the printing output restriction condition is canceled so that 100 color printing is performed in the printing apparatus A (5) as set by the number 1206, color printing to the printing apparatus A (5) is performed. The data 30 is sent to the printing apparatus A (5) (reference number 1210).

  In this way, when 100 color printing is performed on the printing apparatus A (5) according to the printing instruction from the general user terminal apparatus 2, the conditional cancellation written in the “release contents” set by the code number 1206 is performed. Is satisfied, the conditional cancellation is terminated (reference number 1211).

  When the conditional cancellation is ended at the code number 1211, the print output restriction is applied again, and the print data 30 for color printing in the printing apparatus A (5) sent from the user B operating the general user terminal device 2. Is sent from the server 40 to the general user terminal device 2 without being instructed to print to the printing device A (5) (reference number 1212).

  In the sequence diagram described with reference to FIG. 12, the reference number 1206 sets the applicable printing apparatus and the number of prints as the conditional cancellation setting. However, the conditional cancellation setting includes such a combination. However, the setting of the application that created the document of the print data 30, the application time zone, and the application printing apparatus may be arbitrarily combined with the number of prints.

  In the sequence diagram described with reference to FIG. 12, the reference number 1206 sets the applicable printing apparatus and the number of prints as the conditional cancellation setting. However, the conditional cancellation setting includes such a combination. However, the setting of the application that created the document of the print data 30, the application time zone, and the application printing apparatus may be arbitrarily combined with the application period.

  Next, processing performed in the server 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the processing performed by the server 40.

  First, when print output restriction data is sent from the administrator terminal device 10, the server 40 accepts a command in step 1301 (YES in step 1301), and sets output restriction in step 1302. (Regarding output restriction setting in step 1302), it is set as print output restriction data in step 1303 (print output restriction data in step 1303), and the received print output restriction data is stored in the print output restriction management table 45 of the storage unit 44. (Step 1304). Thereafter, the processing moves to step 1301 via the connector D.

  Next, when conditional release data is sent from the manager terminal device 10, the server 40 accepts the command in step 1301 (YES in step 1301), and in step 1302 sets the output restriction setting. (Regarding the output restriction setting in step 1302), the conditional release data is set in step 1303 (conditional release data in step 1303), and the process proceeds to step 1305.

  In step 1305, “conditional release” is set for the print output restriction data to which the received conditional release data is applied (step 1305).

  Then, a release ID that is an identification number is set in the received conditional release data, and the received conditional release data is recorded in the conditional release management table 46 (step 1306).

  When the release ID is set in the received conditional release data and recorded in the conditional release management table 46, the “applied release ID” column of the print output restriction data in which conditional release is set in step 1305 The release ID is recorded in.

  Then, the print output restriction data to which the received conditional release data is applied is in a state in which the print output restriction is released with a condition (step 1307). Then, the process proceeds to step 1301 via the connector D.

  Next, when the print data 30 is received by the communication unit 43, the server 40 receives the command at step 1301 (YES at step 1301), sets the print data 30 at step 1302, and step 1308. The process moves to.

  In step 1308, the print output management function 42 determines whether or not the received print data 30 corresponds to the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 46 of the storage unit 44 (step 1308).

  If the received print data 30 satisfies the condition indicated by the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 46 in step 1308 (YES in step 1308), the print data 30 is released from the print output restriction. In step 1309, a print instruction sent to the printing apparatus designated by the print data 30 is issued.

  If the received print data 30 does not satisfy the condition indicated by the conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 46 in step 1308 (NO in step 1308), the print data 30 is printed. The print output management function 42 determines whether or not the condition indicated by the print output restriction data stored in the print output restriction management table 46 is satisfied (step 1310).

  If printing of the received print data 30 is restricted in accordance with the content indicated by the print output restriction data (YES in step 1310), the print data 30 can be printed to the terminal device that has transmitted the print data 30. A print NG indicating that there is no response is returned (step 1311).

  If the printing of the print data 30 received in step 1310 does not match the content indicated by the print output restriction data and the print output is not restricted (NO in step 1310), the print data 30 is printed. A print instruction sent to the printing apparatus designated by the data 30 is issued (step 1309).

  When a print instruction is issued (step 1309) or a print NG is returned (step 1311), the process proceeds to step 1301 via the connector D.

  When the control unit 41 of the server 40 does not detect reception of a command by the communication unit 43 in the state of step 1301 (whether or not it is detected that the control unit 41 has received a command by the communication unit 43). The print output management function 42 checks whether the conditional release is applied to the print output restriction data recorded in the print output restriction management table 45 and the conditional release is in progress. (Step 1312).

  If the condition is not being canceled (NO in step 1312), the process returns to step 1301 via the connector D.

  If any of the print output restriction data recorded in the print output restriction management table 45 is being conditionally released (YES in step 1312), should the applied condition release still be applied now? In step 1313, the print output management function 42 determines whether or not.

  The determination in step 1313 by the print output management function 42 is based on the number of prints recorded in the output management table 47, information such as the current time, and the content of conditional release data stored in the conditional release management table 46. Determine whether conditional cancellation should be applied.

  If it is determined that conditional cancellation is applied (YES in step 1313), the process proceeds to step 1301 via the connector D.

  If it is determined in step 1313 that conditional cancellation is not applied (NO in step 1313), conditional cancellation is performed on the print output restriction data in the print output restriction management table 46 to which the corresponding conditional cancellation is applied. The column in the middle is changed to the content that has not been subjected to conditional cancellation, and the print output restriction is applied by the print output management function 42 without performing conditional cancellation (step 1314). If the print output restriction setting is reset, the command is accepted in step 1301 (YES in step 1301), the output restriction setting is related in step 1302 (output restriction setting in step 1302), and step 1303. In step 1304, the print output restriction is reset.

  In this way, the print output restriction set in the server 40 is conditionally released, the conditional release is stopped after a predetermined number of prints have been output or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and the original print output restriction has been set. It is applied again to the server 40.

  The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus, a print control apparatus, and a print management program.

  The above embodiment can also be obtained by supplying a storage medium in which a software program for realizing the functions of the above embodiment is recorded, and reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium with a communication device or the like. Has the same effect as. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program include a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD card (Secure Digital memory card), and a server that supplies the program. There may be.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system 1. FIG. The block diagram which showed the structure of the terminal device 10 for managers. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 20 and print data 30. The table | surface which showed the various tables memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 26. FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram in which print output restriction is conditionally released for a limited time. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing conditional release of print output restriction with a condition for the number of printed sheets. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the printing apparatus 20. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the printing apparatus 20. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server 40. The table | surface which shows the various tables memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 44. FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of the image forming system 4. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the server 40. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the server 40.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Terminal apparatus for general users 3 Network 10 Terminal apparatus for administrators 11 Operation part 12 Display part 13 Control part 14 Application function 15 Printer driver function 16 Output restriction setting function 17 Conditional cancellation setting function 18 Storage part 19 Communication Unit 20 Printing device 21 Communication unit 22 Control unit 23 Print control function 24 Output management function 25 Image forming unit 26 Storage unit 27 Print output restriction management table 28 Conditional release management table 29 Output management table 30 Print data 40 Server 41 Control unit 42 Print output management function 43 Communication unit 44 Storage unit 45 Print output restriction management table 46 Conditional release management table 47 Output management table

Claims (11)

Print restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to the document processing apparatus is received and managed from the management apparatus, and when the print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction is managed corresponding to the document processing apparatus An image forming apparatus for restricting print output based on information,
A predetermined release period indicating a period during which the restriction on printing based on the printing restriction information is released, and an application name that creates a document of print data to be released based on the printing restriction information. Receiving means for receiving a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing device from the management device;
Setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means ;
The print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction information relating to the printing of the print data is set corresponding to the document processing apparatus, and the application that created the document of the print data is set by the setting unit In the case of the application indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition, the release period included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting unit for reaching the print output restriction based on the print restriction information cannot be reached. Print output restriction release means for releasing until
If the duration releasing the by Ri restriction on the printout restriction releasing means reaches said release period included in the printing restriction releasing condition, the printing was discontinued release of the printed output restriction by the printed output restriction releasing means An image forming apparatus comprising: a print output re-restricting unit that re-limits the print output based on the restriction information. The print restriction release condition is
Including information on a predetermined time period for canceling the restriction of printing based on the printing restriction information,
The print output restriction releasing means is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print output restriction based on the print restriction information is canceled only during the predetermined time period . Print restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to the document processing apparatus is received and managed from the management apparatus, and when the print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction is managed corresponding to the document processing apparatus An image forming apparatus for restricting print output based on information,
A predetermined number of prints to be printed out after canceling the print restriction based on the print restriction information and the name of the application that created the original of the print data to be released based on the print restriction information. Receiving means for receiving a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing device from the management device;
Setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means;
The print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction information relating to the printing of the print data is set corresponding to the document processing apparatus, and the application that created the document of the print data is set by the setting unit In the case where the application is indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition, it is based on the print restriction information until the number of printed sheets included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting unit is output. Print output restriction release means for releasing the print output restriction;
When the number of prints that have been printed out after the restriction is released by the print output restriction release means reaches the number of prints included in the print restriction release condition, the release of the print output restriction by the print output restriction release means is stopped. And a print output re-restricting means for re-limiting the print output based on the print restriction information
An image forming apparatus. The print restriction release condition is
Including information on a predetermined time period for canceling the restriction of printing based on the printing restriction information,
The print output restriction releasing means is
Said predetermined only during the time period, the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein to release the restriction of the print output based on the print control information. A plurality of image forming apparatuses, a management apparatus, and a document processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and print restriction information for restricting printing for each document processing apparatus corresponding to the image forming apparatus is received from the management apparatus and managed. Based on the print restriction information managed corresponding to each of the document processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the print destination, receiving print data having an arbitrary image forming apparatus as the print destination from the document processing apparatus. A print control device that restricts a print instruction so as not to transmit the print data to a print destination image forming device,
Receiving means for receiving, from the management apparatus, a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing apparatus, including an application name that has created a document of print data to be released based on the print restriction information; ,
Setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means;
Receiving print data having the image forming apparatus as a printing destination from the document processing apparatus, and setting the print restriction information relating to printing of the print data corresponding to the document processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus of the printing destination; When the application that created the print data document is an application indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition set by the setting unit, the print restriction information is output until the print restriction release condition is reached. Print output restriction release means for releasing the print output restriction based on
When the printing result when the restriction is released by the print output restriction release means reaches the print restriction release condition, the release of the print output restriction by the print output restriction release means is stopped and a print instruction based on the print restriction information is issued. Re-limitation means for re-limiting print output
A printing control apparatus. The print restriction release condition is
Including a cancellation period that is a period of limitation cancellation by the print output limitation cancellation unit;
The print output restriction releasing means is
The restriction is removed until the period during which the restriction on print output based on the print restriction information is released reaches the release period.
The printing control apparatus according to claim 5 . The print restriction release condition is
Including a predetermined number of prints to be printed by the restriction release by the print output restriction release means,
The print output restriction releasing means is
The printing restriction releasing the print control information for releasing the restriction of the print output based on claim 5 Symbol mounting of the print control apparatus to condition the printout of the number of printed sheets contained in the are. The print restriction release condition includes contents for releasing the restriction on printing of print data having a predetermined image forming apparatus as a printing destination.
The print control apparatus according to claim 5 . Print restriction information for restricting printing corresponding to the document processing apparatus is received and managed from the management apparatus, and when the print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction is managed corresponding to the document processing apparatus A computer print management program for restricting print output based on information,
Receiving means for receiving, from the management apparatus, a print restriction release condition corresponding to the document processing apparatus, including an application name that has created a document of print data to be released based on the print restriction information;
Setting means for setting the print restriction release condition received by the receiving means;
The print data is received from the document processing apparatus, the print restriction information relating to the printing of the print data is set corresponding to the document processing apparatus, and the application that created the document of the print data is set by the setting unit Print output restriction release means for releasing the restriction of print output based on the print restriction information until the print restriction release condition is reached when the application is indicated by the application name included in the print restriction release condition;
When the print result when the restriction is released by the print output restriction release means reaches the print restriction release condition, the release of the print output restriction by the print output restriction release means is stopped and the print output based on the print restriction information is canceled. Print output re-restriction means to re-limit
Print management program to function as The print restriction release condition is
Including a cancellation period that is a period of limitation cancellation by the print output limitation cancellation unit ;
The print output restriction releasing means is
The restriction is removed until the period during which the restriction on print output based on the print restriction information is released reaches the release period.
The print management program according to claim 9 . The print restriction release condition is
Including a predetermined number of prints to be printed by the restriction release by the print output restriction release means,
The print output restriction releasing means is
The restriction on the print output based on the print restriction information is released until the number of printed sheets included in the print restriction release condition is output.
The print management program according to claim 9 .

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