JP5374968B2 - Control device, computer program, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controlling apparatus, computer program, and control method which suppresses the consumption of paper resources. <P>SOLUTION: The print controller receives a print request signal from a terminal device and determines whether the same print data as the print processing target data from the print request signal has already been printed. When the same data has been already printed, the print controller prepares an advising screen for advising that the same print data has been already printed by other user and sends the advice to the terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device that controls driving of a printing apparatus, a computer program for realizing the control device by a computer, and a control method by the control device.

  In recent years, with the spread of communication infrastructure, as a method of sharing information (electronic data) in various organizations, management of document files in a preset shared folder, transmission of e-mails attached with document files, etc. are performed. It is. In such a system for sharing information, consideration is given to resource saving in terms of hardware such as a memory area for storing a document file and a reduction in traffic volume when transferring the document file (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  In recent years when ecology is screamed, document files are being made paperless in order to save resources in the IT (Information Technology) field. Specifically, by saving electronic data used for business on a screen without printing as much as possible, resource saving of paper resources, power saving in a printing apparatus, and the like are performed.

In practice, however, electronic data is often printed on paper as well as seen on the screen for ease of viewing or handling. In addition, for data created on the assumption that the dimensions are larger than the screen size, such as a design drawing, the data should be printed on paper with a larger size than when viewed using a partial display area on the screen. It may be preferable to print and browse.
In view of this, an apparatus for eliminating waste of paper resources after data is printed by reliably using the printed paper by the user who performed the printing process has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).
JP 05-167613 A JP 2004-299242 A

  However, in the above-described apparatus, it is possible to eliminate waste of paper resources after data is printed, but it is not possible to reduce the printing process itself. For example, a user who uses a document file managed in a shared folder prints the document file as needed when necessary. The user who receives the e-mail prints the body of the e-mail or the document file attached to the e-mail when the e-mail is received, for example. Therefore, it is difficult to avoid a situation where the same document file is printed redundantly by different users.

  In particular, in the case of broadcast e-mails that send e-mails with the same content to multiple members at the same workplace, each recipient receives e-mails at the same time. There is a high possibility that the printing process is performed. Documents printed in this way may be discarded once they are confirmed by the recipient, and it is difficult to eliminate such waste of paper resources.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device capable of suppressing consumption of paper resources while maintaining convenience when electronic data is printed on paper. It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer program and a control method.

  A control device disclosed in the present application is a control device that controls driving of a printing device, and stores print data indicating information about print contents and information about a user who requests print processing based on the print data in association with each other. A print history storage unit is provided. In addition, when acquiring the print data and information about the user, the control device disclosed in the present application determines whether the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit. When it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, the control device disclosed in the present application is specified by information about the user associated with the same print data stored in the print history storage unit. The user specified by the information about the user acquired from the external device is notified that the user has already performed the printing process. Furthermore, when it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, the control device disclosed in the present application interrupts execution of the print processing based on the print data acquired from the external device.

  According to the control device disclosed in the present application, when the print processing based on the same print data as the print data acquired from the external device has already been performed, the print processing has already been performed and the user has performed the print processing. The user of the external device is notified of whether it has been performed. Further, according to the control device disclosed in the present application, when the print processing based on the same print data as the print data acquired from the external device has already been performed, the print processing based on the print data acquired from the external device is executed. Absent.

  A computer program disclosed in the present application is a computer program for causing a computer to control driving of a printing apparatus, and includes print data indicating information related to print contents and information related to a user who requests a print process based on the print data. Whether or not the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit when the print data and information about the user are acquired from an external device in a computer having the print history storage unit stored in association with each other To determine. The computer program disclosed in the present application is associated with the same print data stored in the print history storage unit when the computer determines that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit. The user specified by the acquired information on the user is notified that the user specified by the information on the user has already performed the printing process. Furthermore, the computer program disclosed in the present application causes the computer to interrupt the execution of the printing process based on the acquired print data when it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit.

  According to the computer program disclosed in the present application, the above-described control device can be realized by a computer by causing the computer to read and execute the computer program disclosed in the present application.

  The control method disclosed in the present application is a control method performed by a control device that controls driving of a printing apparatus, and corresponds to print data indicating information about print contents and information about a user who requests print processing based on the print data. Whether or not the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit when the control device including the print history storage unit to store the print data and information about the user is acquired from the external device Determine. The control method disclosed in the present application is associated with the same print data stored in the print history storage unit when the control device determines that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit. The user specified by the acquired information on the user is notified that the user specified by the information on the user has already performed the printing process. Further, according to the control method disclosed in the present application, when it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, the control device interrupts execution of the print processing based on the acquired print data.

  According to the control method disclosed in the present application, when the printing process based on the print data acquired from the external apparatus has already been performed, the printing process has already been performed and the user has performed the printing process. Is notified to the user of the external apparatus, and the print processing based on the print data acquired from the external apparatus is not executed.

  The control device disclosed in the present application does not perform print processing based on print data that has already been printed, and cannot perform print processing based on whether the print processing has already been performed or which user has performed the print processing. Notify users. Therefore, the user who could not perform the printing process can grasp that the print data he / she tried to print has already been printed, and can grasp who has printed it. A user who has not been able to perform the printing process borrows already printed paper (printed material) from the user who has performed the printing process. Therefore, each user can confirm each print data with a printed matter, and can eliminate wasteful consumption of paper resources.

  Hereinafter, a control device, a computer program, and a control method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments applied to a printing system.

(Embodiment 1)
The printing system according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment. The printing system according to the first embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 including a print control apparatus 101 and a printing apparatus 102, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses 200, 200. The print control apparatus 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the terminal apparatuses 200, 200,... Are communicably provided, for example, via a signal line inside the image forming apparatus 100, a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. It has been. Note that the print control apparatus 101 is a control apparatus disclosed in the present application.

  The terminal devices 200, 200... Are personal computers, workstations, and the like. When the users of the terminal devices 200, 200... Perform print processing of electronic data (document files) handled by the terminal devices 200, 200..., The users send the print data (document files) to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network N. Send. When the terminal device 200 transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 100, the print data, information about the print data, device information for identifying the terminal device 200 of itself, information about the user of the terminal device 200, and the like. A print request signal including this is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The print data is information relating to print contents, for example, data of a document file. The information related to the print data (hereinafter referred to as file information) is, for example, the file name, file size, update date and time of the print data (document file). The device information is, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the terminal device 200, a media access control (Media Access Control) address, a computer serial number acquired via BIOS, or the like. The information regarding the user is, for example, a user ID assigned to the user who uses the terminal device 200.

  The printing apparatus 102 is a printer such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. The printing apparatus 102 outputs an image based on the print data received by the image forming apparatus 100 via the network N on a recording sheet. The print control apparatus 101 controls the driving of the printing apparatus 102 and causes the printing apparatus 102 to execute a printing process based on the print request signal transmitted from the terminal apparatus 200.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. The print control apparatus 101 according to the first exemplary embodiment is realized by causing a computer program disclosed in the present application to be read by, for example, a known personal computer and executed by the personal computer. Note that the print control apparatus 101 of the first embodiment may be realized by a dedicated apparatus.

  The printing control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 4, a communication interface 5, a printing apparatus interface 6, and the like. . These hardwares are connected to each other via a bus 1a.

  The control unit 1 is a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processor unit (MPU) having a clock, and reads a control program stored in advance in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 into the RAM 3 and executes it appropriately. The control unit 1 controls the operation of the hardware described above. The ROM 2 stores in advance various control programs necessary for operating the print control apparatus 101 as a control apparatus disclosed in the present application. The RAM 3 is an SRAM or a flash memory, and temporarily stores various data generated when the control unit 1 executes the control program.

  The HDD 4 is a large capacity storage device. The HDD 4 stores in advance various control programs necessary for operating the print control apparatus 101 as a control apparatus disclosed in the present application. The HDD 4 includes a print history information database (hereinafter referred to as a print history information DB) 4a as shown in FIG. 3A and a user information database (hereinafter referred to as a user information DB) as shown in FIG. ) 4b is stored. Further, a predetermined area of the HDD 4 is used as the print data spool unit 4c.

The communication interface 5 is an interface for connecting to the network N, and transmits / receives data to / from the terminal devices 200, 200.
The printing apparatus interface 6 is an interface for connecting to a dedicated line, for example, and transmits / receives data to / from the printing apparatus 102 via the dedicated line. The printing apparatus interface 6 performs, for example, transmission of print data to the printing apparatus 102, reception of a print result signal indicating whether the printing process has been successful, or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the print history information DB 4a and the user information DB 4b. In the print history information DB (print history storage unit) 4a, as shown in FIG. 3A, for each executed print process, a print job ID, a user ID, a file name, a file size, an update date, and a print Print history information including date and time is stored. The print job ID is information for identifying print processing, and is an ID assigned by the control unit 1 when the print control apparatus 101 receives a print request signal. The user ID is information related to the user who requested execution of the printing process. The file name, file size, and update date / time are the file name, file size, and update date / time of the print data (document file) to be processed. The printing date / time is the date / time when the printing process was executed. Note that the user ID, file name, file size, and update date / time information are included in the print request signal transmitted from the terminal device 200.

  The contents stored in the print history information DB 4a are stored by the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 every time print processing is executed by the printing apparatus 102 included in the image forming apparatus 100. The user ID and the print data file name, file size, and update date / time information are included in the print request signal transmitted from the terminal apparatus 200, 200... To the print control apparatus 101. Accordingly, when storing the print history information in the print history information DB 4a, the control unit 1 associates the assigned print job ID with the user ID, print data file name, and file size included in the received print request signal. The update date and time are stored in association with the current date and time (print date and time) indicated by their own clock.

  The print history information is stored in the print history information DB 4a at a timing when the print control apparatus 101 receives a print request signal, when the print control apparatus 101 instructs the print apparatus 102 to execute print processing, and print control. For example, the timing when the apparatus 101 is notified of the end of the printing process from the printing apparatus 102 can be used.

  In the user information DB 4b, as shown in FIG. 3B, for each user who may use the image forming apparatus 100, a user ID for identifying each user, a user name, and the like are provided. Contains user information. Specifically, user information of a user who uses the terminal devices 200, 200,... That can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network N is stored in the user information DB 4b.

  The contents stored in the user information DB 4b are updated each time a user who uses the printing system is added or deleted. Further, the contents stored in the user information DB 4b are stored in an operation unit (not shown) of a print control apparatus 101 included in the image forming apparatus 100 by an administrator who manages the printing system including the image forming apparatus 100 and the terminal apparatuses 200, 200. ) Is stored by the control unit 1 every time the user information is input via.

  The stored contents of the user information DB 4b may be stored via an external device (such as the terminal device 200) provided so as to be communicable with the print control apparatus 101 via the network N. In this case, each time the print control apparatus 101 receives user information input via the operation unit of the external apparatus, the control unit 1 stores the user information in the user information DB 4b.

  When the print control apparatus 101 configured as described above receives a print request signal from the terminal apparatus 200 via the network N, the print data included in the print request signal is temporarily stored in the print data spool unit 4c. The print control apparatus 101 transmits the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c to the printing apparatus 102 at a predetermined timing, and instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute a printing process based on the print data.

  The print control apparatus 101 stores the user ID and print data file information (file name, file size, update date / time) included in the print request signal and the current date / time indicated by the clock in the print history information DB 4a. Thereby, in the printing system of the first embodiment, the history information of the printing process executed by the printing apparatus 102 can be managed by the printing history information DB 4a.

  Hereinafter, functions realized by the control unit 1 executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 in the print control apparatus 101 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. In the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 1 executes a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 to thereby execute a print request reception unit 11, a duplicate print determination unit 12, a duplicate notification unit 13, and a print. Functions such as the interruption unit 14, the print execution unit 15, and the history update unit 16 are realized.

  The print request receiving unit (print data acquiring unit) 11 acquires the print request signal transmitted from the terminal device 200, 200... Via the communication interface 5. The print request signal includes print data, file information of the print data (file name, file size, update date / time), device information of the transmission source terminal device 200, and a user ID. When receiving a print request signal, the print request receiving unit 11 assigns a print job ID to each print request signal. Then, the print request receiving unit 11 stores the print data included in the print request signal in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID.

In addition, the print request reception unit 11 sends the print job ID and the file information, device information, and user ID included in the print request signal to the duplicate print determination unit 12.
In this way, by assigning a print job ID to each print request signal, the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c and the various information sent to the duplicate print determination unit 12 are associated with each other by the print job ID. Can manage.

  The duplicate print determination unit (duplication determination unit) 12 determines whether print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a. Since the print history information of the print processing that has already been executed is stored in the print history information DB 4a, the same print data as the print data acquired by the print request receiving unit 11 has already been printed by the determination processing by the duplicate print determination unit 12. It can be determined whether or not it has been done.

  If it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information is not stored in the print history information DB 4a, the duplicate print determination unit 12 prints the acquired print job ID, file information, and user ID. Send to unit 15. That is, if the same print data as the acquired print data has not been printed yet, the duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the corresponding print job ID, file information, and user ID to the print execution unit 15.

  When it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a, the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines the user ID and the print date / time included in the print history information. Read from the print history information DB 4a. The duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the print job ID and device information acquired from the print request reception unit 11 and the user ID and print date and time read from the print history information DB 4 a to the duplication notification unit 13. That is, when the same print data as the acquired print data has already been printed, the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines the corresponding print job ID and device information, the user ID of the user who has already performed the print process, and the print date and time. Are sent to the duplication notification unit 13.

  When the print execution unit 15 acquires the print job ID, file information, and user ID from the duplicate print determination unit 12, the print execution unit 15 reads the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID. The print execution unit 15 transmits the read print data to the printing apparatus 102 and instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute a printing process based on the print data. After instructing the printing apparatus 102 to execute the printing process, the print execution unit 15 sends the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 to the history update unit 16.

  The history update unit 16 stores the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the print execution unit 15 in association with the current date and time indicated by the clock in the print history information DB 4a.

  When the duplication notification unit 13 acquires the print job ID, device information, user ID, and print date from the duplication print determination unit 12, the duplication notification unit 13 associates the acquired user ID with the user stored in the user information DB 4b. The name is read from the user information DB 4b. The duplication notification unit 13 uses the read user name and the print date and time acquired from the duplication print determination unit 12 to notify that the user has already printed the same document file. Is generated.

  The duplicate notification unit 13 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 specified by the device information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12. Here, the device information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 is device information included in the print request signal acquired by the print request reception unit 11 via the communication interface 5. As a result, the user who has requested the printing process can be notified that the same document has already been printed by another user.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the notification screen. Upon receiving the notification screen information from the print control apparatus 101, the terminal device 200 displays a notification screen as shown in FIG. 5 on a display unit (not shown) based on the notification screen information. As shown in FIG. 5, the notification screen notifies that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user, and notifies the name and printing date of the user who performed the printing processing. To do. The notification screen displays an OK button, and when the user of the terminal device 200 operates the OK button via an operation unit (not shown), the terminal device 200 ends the display of the notification screen. .

  If such a notification screen is displayed when the printing process is performed, the same document cannot be printed. Accordingly, the user of the terminal device 200 borrows printed paper (printed material) from the user notified by the notification screen (the user who performed the printing process), so that reuse of paper resources is facilitated. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the waste of paper resources by suppressing the consumption of paper resources.

The duplicate notification unit 13 sends the corresponding print job ID to the print interruption unit 14 after performing the notification screen information transmission process.
When the print interruption unit 14 acquires the print job ID from the duplication notification unit 13, the print interruption unit 14 interrupts the print processing based on the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4 c in association with the print job ID. Specifically, the print interruption unit 14 deletes the print data corresponding to the print job ID from the print data spool unit 4c. Accordingly, the print data for which the printing process has been interrupted is not left in the print data spool unit 4c, so that the print data spool unit 4c can be used effectively and leakage of the print data from the print data spool unit 4c can be prevented.

  As described above, when the print control apparatus 101 according to the first exemplary embodiment receives a print request signal from the terminal apparatus 200, the print process of the same process target as the process target (print data) of the print process based on the print request signal is performed. If already executed, print processing based on the received print request signal is prohibited. In this way, by prohibiting the same document from being printed multiple times, the printed material is shared among multiple users who want to print the same document. Resource waste can be reduced. In addition, since the number of executions of the printing process can be reduced, it is possible to save power and various consumables associated with the execution of the printing process. Each user can confirm the print contents with the printed paper medium, so that the convenience in outputting an image to a paper resource is not impaired.

  Hereinafter, a print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the first embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 1 (print request receiving unit 11) of the print control apparatus 101 included in the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the print request signal via the communication interface 5. Receive (S1). The control unit 1 (duplicate printing determination unit 12) determines whether or not the printing process based on the received print request signal is redundant printing (S2). Specifically, the control unit 1 determines whether or not print history information including the same file information as the file information included in the received print request signal is already stored in the print history information DB 4a.

  When it is determined that the print is duplicated (S2: YES), that is, when it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the received file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a, the control unit 1 (redundant The notification unit 13) generates notification screen information for notifying that the print processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user (S3). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S1 (S4).

  The control unit 1 (print interruption unit 14) interrupts the print process based on the print request signal received in step S1 (S5), and ends the print control process. When the printing process is interrupted, the control unit 1 may delete the print data to be processed by the printing process from the print data spool unit 4c.

  When it is determined that the print is not redundant printing (S2: NO), that is, when it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the received file information is not stored in the print history information DB 4a, the control unit 1 (print execution unit) 15) instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute print processing based on the print data included in the print request signal received in step S1 (S6). The control unit 1 (history update unit 16) causes the print history information DB 4a to store print history information related to the print processing instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 (S7), and ends the print control processing.

  In the first embodiment, the print control apparatus 101 configured to perform print processing only for the user who first requested printing for each print data has been described as an example. The configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a printing process is performed on a user who makes a print request first and a user who makes a print request second.

  In the first embodiment, when determining whether or not the print data included in the print request signal received by the print control apparatus 101 is print data that has already been subjected to print processing (whether or not it is duplicate printing) The file name, file size, and update date / time information of the print data was used. However, the configuration is not limited to the above as long as the information can identify the print data. For example, a print data creator name, a file type, a title set in advance for each print data, a comment, and the like can be used.

  In the first exemplary embodiment, the print control apparatus 101 configured to interrupt the print processing by the print interrupting unit 14 after notifying the duplication printing by the duplication notifying unit 13 has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration may be adopted in which the fact that duplicate printing is performed after the print processing is interrupted, or a configuration in which the interrupt processing and the notification processing are performed in parallel. Similarly, the order of the print processing execution instruction by the print execution unit 15 and the print history information storage processing by the history update unit 16 may be interchanged, or both processes may be performed in parallel.

  In the first embodiment, when the execution of the printing process is prohibited, the printing control apparatus 101 configured to notify the user who has requested the printing process that the same document has already been printed by another user. Was described as an example. Further, when the execution of the printing process is prohibited, another user has requested the user who has already printed the same document (the user who first requested the execution of the printing process) to execute the printing process. You may provide the structure which notifies that. By providing such a configuration, it is possible to perform a printing process and notify a user who owns the printed material that there is a possibility that another user may borrow the printed material.

(Embodiment 2)
The printing system according to the second embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system of the second embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and the description thereof is omitted.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is based on the received print request signal when the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal received from the terminal apparatus 200 has already been performed. The configuration is such that execution of printing processing is prohibited (interrupted). On the other hand, the print control apparatus 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment has received the print request signal transmitted from the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal received from the terminal apparatus 200. In the case where it has already been performed by a user who belongs to the same affiliation as the affiliation destination, the execution of print processing based on the received print request signal is prohibited.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. The print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment stores a user information DB 4b as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the user information DB 4b of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the user information DB 4b of the second embodiment includes a user ID, a user name, affiliation information, etc. for each user who may use the image forming apparatus 100. Information is stored. The affiliation information is information regarding the affiliation to which each user belongs, and for example, the affiliation team name can be used.

  Similar to the print control apparatus 101 of the first embodiment described above, when the print control apparatus 101 of the second embodiment also receives a print request signal from the terminal apparatus 200, the print data spool unit prints print data included in the print request signal. The data is temporarily stored in 4c, and the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 102 at a predetermined timing. The print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment stores the user ID and print data file information included in the print request signal and the print date and time in the print history information DB 4a.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, the control unit 1 that operates as the duplicate print determination unit 12 reads out affiliation information corresponding to the user ID acquired from the print request reception unit 11 from the user information DB 4b. The duplicate print determination unit 12 performs printing including the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request receiving unit 11 with respect to print history information including the user ID of the user who belongs to the same affiliation indicated by the read affiliation information. It is determined whether there is history information.

Specifically, the duplicate print determination unit 12 reads the user ID stored in the user information DB 4b corresponding to the same affiliation information as the read affiliation information from the user information DB 4b. The duplicate print determination unit 12 reads the print history information including the read user ID from the print history information DB 4a, and the read print history information includes the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request reception unit 11. It is determined whether there is print history information.
By such a determination process, it is possible to determine whether or not the same print data as the print data acquired by the print request receiving unit 11 has already been printed by a user belonging to the same affiliation.

  Note that the affiliation information corresponding to the user ID included in each print history information may be included in the print history information stored in the print history information DB 4a. In such a configuration, the duplicate print determination unit 12 reads out affiliation information corresponding to the user ID acquired from the print request reception unit 11 from the user information DB 4b, and includes the same affiliation information as the read out affiliation information. It may be determined whether or not print history information including the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request receiving unit 11 is already stored in the print history information DB 4a.

  The duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that print history information including the same affiliation information as the affiliation information corresponding to the acquired user ID and not including the same file information as the acquired file information is stored in the print history information DB 4a. In this case, the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the print request reception unit 11 are sent to the print execution unit 15.

  The duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that print history information including the same affiliation information as the affiliation information corresponding to the acquired user ID and the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a. In this case, the user ID and the printing date / time included in the printing history information are read from the printing history information DB 4a. The duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the print job ID and device information acquired from the print request reception unit 11 and the user ID and print date and time read from the print history information DB 4 a to the duplication notification unit 13.

  When the duplication notification unit 13 according to the second exemplary embodiment acquires the print job ID, device information, user ID, and print date from the duplication print determination unit 12, the duplication notification unit 13 stores the print job ID, the device information, and the print date in association with the acquired user ID in the user information DB 4b. The registered user name and affiliation information are read from the user information DB 4b. The duplication notification unit 13 uses the read user name and affiliation information and the print date and time acquired from the duplication print determination unit 12 to notify that this user has already printed the same document file. Notification screen information is generated.

  The duplication notification unit 13 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 specified by the device information acquired from the duplication print determination unit 12, and the terminal device 200 performs FIG. 8 based on the received notification screen information. A notification screen as shown in FIG. Here, the device information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 is device information included in the print request signal acquired by the print request reception unit 11 via the communication interface 5. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the notification screen. The notification screen shown in FIG. 8 notifies that the printing process of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user, and the name, printing date, and user affiliation of the user who performed the printing process. Notify the destination.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, the functions other than the duplicate print determination unit 12 and the duplicate notification unit 13 realized by the control unit 1 perform the same processes as those described in the first embodiment. The detailed explanation is omitted.

  As described above, when the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment receives a print request signal from the terminal device 200, the print processing of the same processing target as the processing target of the print processing based on the print request signal is If it has already been executed by a user who belongs to the same affiliation as the affiliation of the user who sent the message, print processing based on the received print request signal is prohibited.

  In this way, by prohibiting the same document from being printed more than once by a user belonging to the same affiliation, the printed material is shared between users who belong to the same affiliation, so paper resources are sufficient. It can be reused to reduce waste of paper resources. In addition, the seats or floors (rooms) of users with the same affiliation are often located in places where physical distances are close, and printed materials are shared among users who are close to each other. Can alleviate the burden of borrowing prints from other users.

  The print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment is the same as the print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, in step S2 in FIG. 6, the control unit 1 is included in the print request signal when determining whether or not the print processing based on the received print request signal is redundant printing. The affiliation information corresponding to the user ID is read from the user information DB 4b. The control unit 1 also includes a user ID stored in the user information DB 4b corresponding to the same affiliation information as the read affiliation information, and includes a print history including the same file information as the file information included in the print request signal. It is determined whether or not the information is stored in the print history information DB 4a.

  Also in the print control apparatus 101 of the second embodiment, the modification described in the first embodiment can be applied.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, the same print processing target as the print processing processing target based on the print request signal belongs to the same affiliation as the affiliation of the user who has transmitted the print request signal. If already executed by the user, the print processing based on the received print request signal is prohibited. For example, the same print processing target as that of the print processing based on the print request signal is already executed by a user who has a seat on the same floor as the user who has transmitted the print request signal. If so, the print processing based on the received print request signal may be prohibited.

  In this case, if information on the floor on which each user's seat is provided is stored in the user information DB 4b instead of the affiliation information of the user information stored in the user information DB 4b of the second embodiment. Good. In such a configuration, the same document can be prohibited (restricted) for each floor from being printed a plurality of times.

(Embodiment 3)
The printing system according to the third embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system according to the third embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system according to the first embodiment described above.

The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is based on the received print request signal when the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal received from the terminal apparatus 200 has already been performed. The configuration is such that execution of printing processing is prohibited (interrupted).
In contrast, the printing system according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of printing apparatuses 102. Further, the print control apparatus 101 according to the third exemplary embodiment performs the same printing process as that of the printing apparatus 102 that performs the printing process based on the received print request signal, based on the same print data as the print data included in the received print request signal. In the case where it has already been performed by the apparatus 102, execution of the printing process based on the received print request signal is prohibited.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the third embodiment. The printing system according to the third embodiment includes a print control apparatus 101 that operates as a print server, a plurality of printing apparatuses 102, 102, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses 200, 200, and so on. The printing control apparatus 101, the printing apparatuses 102, 102,... And the terminal apparatuses 200, 200,... Are communicatably provided via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the print control apparatus 101 is a control apparatus disclosed in the present application.

  In the printing system of the third embodiment, each user of the terminal devices 200, 200... Designates and prints the printing device 102 when printing processing of electronic data (document file) handled by the terminal devices 200, 200. Data (document file) is transmitted to the print control apparatus 101. When the terminal device 200 transmits print data to the print control device 101, in addition to the print data, file information, device information, and user ID, the terminal device 200 is a printer for specifying the printing device 102 specified by the user. A print request signal including information is transmitted to the print control apparatus 101.

  The printing apparatus 102 that performs the printing process is not limited to the configuration designated by the user of the terminal apparatus 200, 200. For example, when a usable printing device 102 is set by each terminal device 200, 200 ..., the terminal device 200, 200 ... automatically includes the printer information of the set printing device 102 in the print request signal. Transmit to the print control apparatus 101.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the third exemplary embodiment transmits / receives data to / from the printing apparatuses 102, 102,. Therefore, the print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment does not include the printing apparatus interface 6. The print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment stores a print history information DB 4a as illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the print history information DB 4a of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the print history information DB 4a according to the third embodiment includes a print job ID, a user ID, a file name, a file size, an update date, a print date, a printer ID, etc. for each executed print process. Is stored. The printer ID is information (printer information) related to the printing apparatus (printer) 102 on which each printing process has been executed. For example, the printer ID is an ID for identifying the printing apparatus 102. The printer ID is included in the print request signal transmitted from the terminal device 200 together with the user ID, file name, file size, and update date / time information.

  In the printing system according to the third embodiment, when the print control apparatus 101 receives a print request signal from the terminal apparatus 200, the print control apparatus 101 temporarily stores the print data included in the print request signal in the print data spool unit 4c, and at a predetermined timing. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 102 indicated by the printer ID included in the print request signal. The print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment stores the user ID, the print data file information and the printer ID, and the print date and time included in the print request signal in the print history information DB 4a.

  In the print control apparatus 101 of the third embodiment, the control unit 1 operating as the print request receiving unit 11 acquires a print request signal transmitted from the terminal devices 200, 200. When receiving the print request signal, the print request receiving unit 11 assigns a print job ID to each print request signal and associates the print request signal with the print job ID to the print data spool unit 4c. Store. The print request receiving unit 11 sends the print job ID and the file information, device information, user ID, and printer ID included in the print request signal to the duplicate print determination unit 12.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, the control unit 1 operating as the duplicate print determination unit 12 prints print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information and including the same printer ID as the acquired printer ID. It is determined whether or not it is already stored in the history information DB 4a. With such a determination process, it is possible to determine whether or not the same print data as the print data acquired by the print request receiving unit 11 has already been printed by the same printing apparatus 102.

  If the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that print history information including the same printer ID as the acquired printer ID and including the same file information as the acquired file information is not stored in the print history information DB 4a, the acquired print job The ID, file information, user ID, and printer ID are sent to the print execution unit 15.

  If the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that print history information that includes the same printer ID as the acquired printer ID and includes the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a, this print history The user ID and the printing date / time included in the information are read from the printing history information DB 4a. The duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the print job ID and device information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 and the user ID and print date and time read from the print history information DB 4 a to the duplication notification unit 13.

  The print execution unit 15 according to the third embodiment stores the print job ID, file information, user ID, and printer ID from the duplicate print determination unit 12 and stores them in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 102 indicated by the printer ID. Accordingly, the print execution unit 15 can instruct the printing apparatus 102 according to the print request signal to execute a print process based on the print data.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, the functions other than the duplicate print determination unit 12 and the print execution unit 15 realized by the control unit 1 perform the same processing as the processing described in the first embodiment. The detailed explanation is omitted.

  As described above, when the print control apparatus 101 according to the third exemplary embodiment receives a print request signal from the terminal apparatus 200, the print processing of the same processing target as the processing target of the print processing based on the print request signal is If it has already been executed by the same printing apparatus 102 as the printing apparatus 102 that performs the printing process based on the above, the printing process based on the received print request signal is prohibited.

  In this way, by prohibiting the same printing device 102 from printing the same document a plurality of times, the printed material is shared among users who share one printing device 102, so that paper resources are reduced. It can be reused sufficiently and the consumption of paper resources can be suppressed to reduce waste of paper resources. Note that the seats or floors (rooms) of users who share one printing device 102 are often provided in places where physical distances are close, and printed materials are shared among users who are close to each other. , It is possible to reduce the burden on each user when borrowing printed materials from other users.

  The print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment is the same as the print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, in step S2 in FIG. 6, the control unit 1 is included in the print request signal when determining whether or not the print processing based on the received print request signal is redundant printing. It is determined whether the same file information as the file information and printer ID and the print history information of the printer ID are stored in the print history information DB 4a.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment, the modifications described in the first and second embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment described above. Specifically, the same printing apparatus 102 performs the same printing target processing as the processing target of the printing process based on the print request signal in accordance with a request from a user belonging to the same affiliation as the user who transmitted the print request signal. In this case, the printing process may be prohibited when the process is already executed.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the third embodiment is configured to determine whether the same print data has already been printed by the same printing apparatus 102 based on the printer ID and file information included in the print request signal. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, workplace information for specifying the workplace (floor) of each user is stored in the user information DB 4b, and installation location information for specifying the installation location of each printing apparatus 102, 102. (Not shown). Then, the printing device 102 having the same installation location information as the workplace information stored in the user information DB 4b corresponding to the user ID included in the print request signal is specified, and the specified printing device 102 generates a print request signal. It may be determined whether or not a printing process based on this has been performed.

  The printing system of the third embodiment has a configuration in which a printing control apparatus 101 is provided separately from the printing apparatuses 102, 102. In addition to such a configuration, the function of the printing control apparatus 101 of the third embodiment is provided in one printing apparatus 102, and printing processing performed in all the printing apparatuses 102, 102,. A configuration for managing print history information may also be adopted.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the third exemplary embodiment is configured to restrict the same document from being printed a plurality of times by the same print apparatus 102. The print control apparatus 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment described above can be used by users with the same affiliation destination. It was the structure which restrict | limits printing the same document in multiple times. Further, as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, it has been described that a configuration in which a user with the same floor is restricted from printing the same document a plurality of times is possible. All such configurations may be provided, and before using the print control apparatus 101, it may be configured to set whether to limit the printing process based on the printing apparatus 102, the affiliation destination, or the floor.

(Embodiment 4)
The printing system according to the fourth embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system of the fourth embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system of the first embodiment described above, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is based on the received print request signal when the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal received from the terminal apparatus 200 has already been performed. The configuration is such that execution of printing processing is prohibited (interrupted). The print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment also performs similar processing.

  Further, the above-described print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment is configured to perform the print process based on the print request signal when the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal has not been performed yet. there were. The print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment performs the same processing, and generates a circulation table used when circulating printed paper (printed material) among users who share print data to be processed. It has a configuration for printing.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment. The print control apparatus 101 of the fourth embodiment stores a group information DB 4d as shown in FIG. 12 in the HDD 4 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment stores the user information DB 4b illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the group information DB 4d. As shown in FIG. 12, the group information DB (data storage unit) 4d stores group information including a file name, a file size, an update date, a user ID, etc. for each document file (print data). .
The user ID is information relating to a plurality of users who share each document file. The document file in which group information is stored in the group information DB 4d is, for example, a document file that is stored in a shared folder provided in any of the terminal devices 200, 200, and is shared among a plurality of users. . In addition, the same document file which each terminal device 200,200 ... stored separately may be sufficient.

The contents stored in the group information DB 4d are updated each time a document file shared between a plurality of users is added or deleted. The contents stored in the group information DB 4d are stored by the control unit 1 every time an administrator who manages the printing system inputs group information via the operation unit of the print control apparatus 101.
The stored contents of the group information DB 4d may be stored via an external device (such as the terminal device 200) provided so as to be communicable with the print control apparatus 101 via the network N. In this case, every time the print control apparatus 101 receives group information input via the operation unit of the external apparatus, the control unit 1 stores the group information in the group information DB 4d.

  Hereinafter, functions realized by the control unit 1 executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 in the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment. In the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment, the control unit 1 includes functions of a print request reception unit 11, a duplicate print determination unit 12, a duplicate notification unit 13, a print interruption unit 14, a print execution unit 15, and a history update unit 16. In addition, the functions of the circulation table generation unit 17 and the circulation table printing unit 18 are realized.

  In the print control apparatus 101 of the fourth embodiment, the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that print history information including the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request reception unit 11 is not stored in the print history information DB 4a. In this case, the acquired print job ID, file information, and user ID are sent to the circulation table generating unit 17. That is, if the same print data as the acquired print data has not been printed yet, the duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the corresponding print job ID, file information, and user ID to the circulation table generation unit 17.

  If the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that the print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a, the user ID and the print included in the print history information are printed. Read the date and time from the print history information DB 4a. The duplicate print determination unit 12 sends the print job ID and device information acquired from the print request reception unit 11 and the user ID and print date and time read from the print history information DB 4 a to the duplication notification unit 13. That is, when the same print data as the acquired print data has already been printed, the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines the corresponding print job ID and device information, the user ID of the user who has already performed the print process, and the print date and time. Are sent to the duplication notification unit 13.

  The circulation table generation unit (determination unit) 17 determines whether or not group information including the acquired file information is stored in the group information DB 4d. When it is determined that the group information including the acquired file information is not stored in the group information DB 4d, the circulation table generation unit 17 circulates the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 in the circulation table. It is sent to the printing unit 18. At this time, the circulation table printing unit 18 sends the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the circulation table generation unit 17 to the print execution unit 15 without doing anything.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the group information including the acquired file information is stored in the group information DB 4d, the circulation table generating unit 17 reads a plurality of user IDs included in the group information from the group information DB 4d. The circulation table generation unit 17 reads the user name and affiliation information corresponding to each of the read user IDs from the user information DB 4b.

  The circulation table generation unit 17 displays each user and the affiliation of each user based on the read user name and affiliation information, the file information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 and the current date and time indicated by the clock. Is generated. The circulation table generation unit 17 sends the generated circulation table to the circulation table printing unit 18 together with the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12.

  When the circulation table printing unit (circulation table printing instruction unit) 18 acquires the circulation table from the circulation table generation unit 17, the circulation table printing unit 18 transmits the acquired circulation table to the printing apparatus 102 and executes the printing process based on the circulation table. 102 is instructed. Thereby, the circulation table as shown in FIG. 14 is printed by the printing apparatus 102. The circulation table printing unit 18 sends the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the circulation table generation unit 17 to the print execution unit 15. The print execution unit 15 reads out the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID acquired from the circulation table printing unit 18 and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 102, and prints based on the print data. Instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute the process.

  With the configuration described above, when the print data requested by the user of the terminal device 200 to execute print processing is data that has not yet been printed, and group information regarding this print data is stored in the group information DB 4d, A print process based on the print data is performed and a circulation table print process is also performed.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the circulation table. As shown in FIG. 14, the circulation table displays the file name of the printed material to be circulated, the printing date and time, the user who requested the printing, and the name and affiliation of each user who should circulate the printed material. The circulation table also displays a confirmation column for confirming whether or not each user has confirmed the printed matter. It should be noted that the seating chart of each user may be displayed on the circulation chart, and in this case, it is possible to easily circulate the printed matter among users who are not familiar with the face.

  Thereby, the user who first made a print request for each print data (document file) whose group information is stored in the group information DB 4d can obtain a circulation table together with the printed matter. The user who has obtained the circulation table can grasp that the printed material printed together with the circulation table is to be circulated among multiple users. Can be used reliably. In addition, since printed materials are circulated to other users according to the circulation table, each user does not forget to confirm the necessary printed materials.

  Hereinafter, a print control process by the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the fourth embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the print control apparatus 101, the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 receives the print request signal via the communication interface 5 (S11). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the printing process based on the received print request signal is duplicate printing (S12). Specifically, the control unit 1 determines whether or not print history information including the same file information as the file information included in the received print request signal is already stored in the print history information DB 4a.

  When it is determined that the printing is duplicate printing (S12: YES), the control unit 1 generates notification screen information for notifying that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user. (S13). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S11 (S14).

  The control unit 1 interrupts the printing process based on the printing request signal received in step S11 (S15), and ends the printing control process. When the printing process is interrupted, the control unit 1 may delete the print data to be processed by the printing process from the print data spool unit 4c. If it is determined that the printing is not duplicate printing (S12: NO), the control unit 1 (circulation table generation unit 17) stores group information including file information included in the print request signal received in step S11 in the group information DB 4d. It is determined whether or not (S16).

  When it is determined that group information including file information included in the print request signal is stored in the group information DB 4d (S16: YES), the control unit 1 (circulation table generation unit 17) includes a plurality of items included in the group information. A circulation table used between the users specified by the user ID is generated (S17). The control unit 1 (circulation table printing unit 18) instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute printing processing of the generated circulation table (S18). On the other hand, when it is determined that the group information including the file information included in the print request signal is not stored in the group information DB 4d (S16: NO), the control unit 1 skips the processes of steps S17 and S18.

  The control unit 1 instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute print processing based on the print data included in the print request signal received in step S11 (S19). The control unit 1 causes the print history information DB 4a to store print history information related to the print processing instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 (S20), and ends the print control processing.

  In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the print control apparatus 101 configured to perform print processing based on print data to be processed after printing the corresponding circulation table when the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines that it is not duplicate print is taken as an example. explained. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and it may be configured to print the circulation table after performing print processing based on print data, or may be configured to perform these processing in parallel.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment has a configuration in which the affiliation information of each user is stored in the user information DB 4b, and the name and affiliation of each user who circulates the printed matter is displayed in the circulation table. there were. For example, when the user DB 4b stores information related to the floor on which each user's seat is provided instead of the affiliation information of each user, the printed matter is circulated. It is possible to print a circular with the user's name and information about the floor where the seat is located. In this case, when each user circulates the printed matter to other users, it becomes easier to find the seats of other users, so the burden on each user to circulate the printed matter to other users is increased. Can be reduced.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment, the modifications described in the first to third embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second and third embodiments described above. .

(Embodiment 5)
The printing system according to the fifth embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system of the fifth embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system of the fourth embodiment described above, and therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment described above, print processing based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal has not yet been performed, and group information regarding this print data is stored in the group information DB 4d. In this case, the print processing based on the received print request signal is performed, and the circulation table used for circulating the printed material among a plurality of users is printed.

  When the print data included in the print request signal is a broadcast mail transmitted to a plurality of transmission destinations simultaneously, the print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment performs print processing based on the print request signal, This is a configuration for printing a circulation table used when circulating a printed material among a plurality of users who have received the broadcast mail. The user who sent this broadcast mail may be included in the circulation target.

  Hereinafter, functions realized by the control unit 1 executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 in the print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment. In the print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit 1 includes a print request reception unit 11, a duplicate print determination unit 12, a duplicate notification unit 13, a print interruption unit 14, a print execution unit 15, a history update unit 16, and a circulation table. In addition to the functions of the generation unit 17 and the circulation table printing unit 18, the functions of a broadcast message determination unit 19, a broadcast destination acquisition unit 20, a group information generation unit 21, and a group information registration unit 22 are realized.

  In the print control apparatus 101 of the fifth embodiment, the duplicate print determination unit 12 determines whether print history information including the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request reception unit 11 is stored in the print history information DB 4a. judge. In the fifth embodiment, the print processing target includes not only the document file but also e-mail data transmitted and received as an e-mail.

  Therefore, the file information of the fifth embodiment may be not only file information related to the print data file but also information related to the e-mail data. The information about the e-mail data includes, for example, information about the sender of the e-mail (for example, the e-mail address of the sender), information about the destination (for example, the e-mail address of the recipient), transmission date / time, reception date / time, subject, data size, etc. It is. In the following, information on a document file and information on electronic mail data are collectively referred to as file information.

  When it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the file information acquired from the print request receiving unit 11 is not stored in the print history information DB 4a, the duplicate print determination unit 12 acquires the acquired print job ID, file information, The user ID is sent to the broadcast message determination unit 19. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print history information including the same file information as the acquired file information is already stored in the print history information DB 4a, the duplicate print determination unit 12 is the same as the duplicate print determination unit 12 of the fourth embodiment. Perform processing.

  Based on the acquired file information, the broadcast message determination unit 19 determines whether the print data indicated by the file information is data (broadcast mail data) transmitted as a broadcast mail. Since the file information of the electronic mail data includes the mail address of the user (recipient) as the destination information, the file information of the broadcast mail data includes the mail addresses of a plurality of recipients. Accordingly, the broadcast message determination unit (determination unit) 19 determines whether or not the file information includes mail addresses (information about users) of a plurality of users (recipients), thereby determining the print data. Can be determined whether or not is mail data.

  A broadcast message determination unit 19 determines whether or not the print data is broadcast mail data, and the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12. 20 to send.

  When the determination result that the print data is the broadcast mail data is acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19, the broadcast address acquisition unit 20 determines all the addresses (broadcast addresses) from the file information acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19. Report destination). The broadcast destination acquisition unit 20 sends the extracted broadcast destination and the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19 to the circulation table generation unit 17. On the other hand, when the determination result that the print data is not broadcast mail data is acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19, the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20 does nothing and the print job acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19. The ID, file information, and user ID are sent to the circulation table generator 17.

  When the circulation table generation unit 17 of the fifth embodiment acquires a broadcast destination from the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20, the circulation destination, the file information acquired from the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20, and the current date and time indicated by the clock Based on the above, a circulation table for displaying the address of each user is generated. The circulation table generation unit 17 sends the generated circulation table to the circulation table printing unit 18 together with the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12.

  Here, when the mail address of each user is stored in the user information DB 4b, the name and affiliation of each user can be specified from the mail address of each user based on the user information DB 4b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, a circulation table displaying the name and affiliation of each user can be created.

  On the other hand, when the broadcast destination is not acquired from the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20, the circulation table generation unit 17 does nothing, and acquires the print job ID, file information, and user acquired from the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20. The ID is sent to the circulation table printing unit 18. At this time, the circulation table printing unit 18 also sends the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the circulation table generation unit 17 to the print execution unit 15 without doing anything.

  When the circulation table printing unit 18 acquires the circulation table from the circulation table generation unit 17, the circulation table printing unit 18 transmits the acquired circulation table to the printing apparatus 102 and instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute a printing process based on the circulation table. As a result, the circulation table is printed by the printing apparatus 102. In addition, the print execution unit 15 reads out the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID acquired from the circulation table printing unit 18 and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 102, and prints based on the print data. Instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute the process. Thereby, it is possible to print the circulation table and generate a printed matter based on the print data.

Also, the broadcast destination acquisition unit 20 sends the broadcast destination extracted from the file information and the file information acquired from the broadcast message determination unit 19 to the group information generation unit 21.
The group information generation unit 21 generates one group information by associating the acquired file information with the broadcast destination, and sends the generated group information to the group information registration unit 22.

The group information registration unit 22 registers (stores) the group information acquired from the group information generation unit 21 in the group information DB 4d.
In this case as well, when each user's mail address is stored in the user information DB 4b, the user ID of each user is specified from the mail address (destination) of each user based on the user information DB 4b. Therefore, group information as shown in FIG. 12 can be registered in the group information DB 4d.

  As described above, when the print data is broadcast mail data, group information related to the broadcast mail data is generated and registered in the group information DB 4d, and thereafter, based on the broadcast mail data. When print processing is requested, a circulation table can be generated based on the group information DB 4d.

  With the configuration described above, if the print data requested by the user of the terminal device 200 to execute the print process is data that has not yet been printed and the print data is broadcast mail data, printing based on the print data is performed. In addition to the processing, the circulation table printing process is also performed.

  Hereinafter, a print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the print control process of the fifth embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the print control apparatus 101, the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 receives the print request signal via the communication interface 5 (S31). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the printing process based on the received print request signal is duplicate printing (S32). If it is determined that the printing is duplicate printing (S32: YES), the control unit 1 generates notification screen information for notifying that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user. (S33). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S31 (S34).

  The control unit 1 interrupts the printing process based on the printing request signal received in step S31 (S35), and ends the printing control process. When the printing process is interrupted, the control unit 1 may delete the print data to be processed by the printing process from the print data spool unit 4c. If it is determined that it is not duplicate printing (S32: NO), the control unit 1 (broadcast message determination unit 19) determines whether the print data included in the print request signal received in step S31 is broadcast mail data. Determination is made (S36).

When it is determined that the print data is broadcast mail data (S36: YES), the control unit 1 (broadcast destination acquisition unit 20) determines the broadcast destination from the file information included in the print request signal received in step S31. Is acquired (S37). The control unit 1 generates a circulation table to be used between users specified by the acquired broadcast destination (S38). The control unit 1 instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute printing processing of the generated circulation table (S39).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the print data is not broadcast mail data (S36: NO), the control unit 1 skips the processes of steps S37 to S39.

  The control unit 1 instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute print processing based on the print data included in the print request signal received in step S31 (S40). The control unit 1 causes the print history information DB 4a to store print history information related to the print processing instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 (S41). The control unit 1 generates group information based on the file information included in the print request signal received in step S31 and the broadcast destination acquired in step S37 (S42), and the generated group information is stored in the group information DB 4d. Registration is performed (S43), and the print control process is terminated.

  In the fifth embodiment, when it is determined that the printing is not duplicate printing and the print data is determined to be broadcast mail data, the broadcast address is acquired, and a circulation table for displaying the acquired broadcast address is generated. The print control apparatus 101 has been described as an example in which a print process based on print data to be processed is performed after printing, and group information related to the broadcast destination acquired thereafter is stored in the group information DB 4d. Not limited to such a configuration, the execution order of the circulation table generation processing and printing processing, the printing processing based on the print data to be processed, and the group information registration processing regarding the acquired broadcast destination may be changed, It is good also as a structure which performs these processes in parallel.

  In the fifth embodiment, the print control apparatus 101 having a configuration in which e-mail data is a processing target is described as an example. Such a configuration may further include a configuration for extracting email attachment data from the email data so that the attachment data is handled as one document file. For example, when the print data included in the print request signal is e-mail data including attached data, the attached data is extracted, and file information related to the attached data is extracted from the extracted attached data. In this case, the print history information including the extracted file information can be stored in the print history information DB 4a.

  When the e-mail data is broadcast mail data, group information based on the extracted file information and the broadcast destination is registered in the group information DB 4d. Thereby, the group information regarding the document file transmitted as the attached data of the e-mail can be registered in the group information DB 4d.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 of the fifth embodiment, the modifications described in the first to fourth embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the fifth embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the fourth embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first to third embodiments described above. .

(Embodiment 6)
The printing system according to the sixth embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system of the sixth embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is based on the received print request signal when the print process based on the same print data as the print data included in the print request signal received from the terminal apparatus 200 has already been performed. The configuration is such that execution of printing processing is prohibited (interrupted). In contrast, the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment has a configuration capable of resuming the interrupted print processing in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  Hereinafter, functions realized by the control unit 1 executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 in the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment. In the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment, the control unit 1 includes functions of a print request reception unit 11, a duplicate print determination unit 12, a duplicate notification unit 13, a print interruption unit 14, a print execution unit 15, and a history update unit 16. In addition, the functions of the restart request receiving unit 23 and the printing restarting unit 24 are realized.

  When the duplication notification unit 13 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment acquires the print job ID, device information, user ID, and print date from the duplication print determination unit 12, the duplication notification unit 13 stores the duplication notification unit 13 in the user information DB 4b in association with the obtained user ID. The user name is read from the user information DB 4b. The duplication notification unit 13 uses the read user name and the print date and time acquired from the duplication print determination unit 12 to notify that the user has already printed the same document file. Is generated.

The duplication notification unit 13 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 specified by the device information acquired from the duplication print determination unit 12, and the terminal device 200 receives the notification screen information shown in FIG. A notification screen as shown in FIG. Here, the device information acquired from the duplicate print determination unit 12 is device information included in the print request signal acquired by the print request reception unit 11 via the communication interface 5.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a notification screen according to the sixth embodiment. The notification screen shown in FIG. 20 notifies that the printing process of the document file requested to be printed has already been performed by another user, and notifies the name and printing date of the user who performed the printing process.

  The notification screen displays a print cancel button and a print continue button. When the user of the terminal device 200 operates the print cancel button or the print continue button via the operation unit, the terminal device 200 is operated. A signal corresponding to the button is returned to the print control apparatus 101, and the display of the notification screen is terminated. Specifically, when the print cancel button is operated, the terminal device 200 transmits a signal indicating print stop (print stop signal) to the print control apparatus 101. When the print continue button is operated, the terminal device 200 continues the print. A signal (print continuation signal) is transmitted to the print control apparatus 101.

The duplication notification unit 13 sends the corresponding print job ID and device information to the print interruption unit 14 after performing the notification screen information transmission process.
The print interruption unit 14 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment interrupts (suspends) print processing based on the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the print job ID acquired from the duplication notification unit 13. In addition, the print interruption unit 14 sends the print job ID and device information acquired from the duplication notification unit 13 to the restart request reception unit 23.

  The restart request receiving unit (restart request acquiring unit) 23 receives a print stop signal or a print continuation signal transmitted from the terminal device 200 when the user of the terminal device 200 operates the print stop button or the print continue button. To do. When the restart request receiving unit 23 receives the print stop signal or the print continuation signal, the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the received signal is the terminal device 200 identified by the device information acquired from the print interrupt unit 14. Judge whether there is.

  When it is determined that the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the received signal is not the terminal device 200 specified by the device information acquired from the print interrupting unit 14, the restart request receiving unit 23 waits as it is. When the restart request receiving unit 23 determines that the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the received signal is the terminal device 200 specified by the device information acquired from the print interrupting unit 14, the received signal is a print stop signal. It is determined whether there is a print continuation signal.

If the restart request receiving unit 23 determines that the print stop signal has been received, the restart request receiving unit 23 ends the print processing that has been interrupted by the print interrupting unit 14. Specifically, the restart request receiving unit 23 deletes the print data corresponding to the print job ID acquired from the print interruption unit 14 from the print data spool unit 4c.
On the other hand, when determining that the print continuation signal has been received, the restart request receiving unit 23 sends the print job ID acquired from the print interrupting unit 14 to the print resuming unit 24.

  When the print resumption unit (resumption instruction unit) 24 acquires the print job ID from the resumption request reception unit 23, the print resumption unit 24 sends the acquired print job ID to the print execution unit 15. The print execution unit 15 reads the print data stored in the print data spool unit 4c in association with the acquired print job ID. The print execution unit 15 transmits the read print data to the printing apparatus 102 and instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute a printing process based on the print data.

  Since the history update unit 16 according to the sixth embodiment stores print history information related to the print processing executed by the print execution unit 15 in the print history information DB 4a, the print history information of the print processing executed by a plurality of users is stored. It is stored in the print history information DB 4a. When different users perform print processing on the same print data, user IDs of a plurality of users are registered in the user ID column of the print history information DB 4a shown in FIG. do it.

  Further, by registering a plurality of user IDs in the print history information DB 4a, the names and printing dates and times of the plurality of users are also displayed on the notification screen shown in FIG. Therefore, when such a notification screen is displayed, the user of the terminal device 200 only has to borrow a printed material from one of a plurality of users notified by the notification screen.

  With the above-described configuration, the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment can perform a print process for a print process that has been interrupted due to the prohibition of duplicate printing if there is a restart request from the user. Thus, when the user does not request resumption, the consumption of paper resources can be suppressed by not performing the printing process, and when printing on paper is required, the user requests resumption. By doing so, the printing process can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the sixth embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the print control apparatus 101, the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 receives the print request signal via the communication interface 5 (S51). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the printing process based on the received print request signal is duplicate printing (S52). If it is determined that the printing is duplicate printing (S52: YES), the control unit 1 generates notification screen information for notifying that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user. (S53). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S51 (S54).

  The control unit 1 interrupts the printing process based on the print request signal received in step S51 (S55), and determines whether a print continuation signal is received from the terminal device 200 that has transmitted the print request signal received in step S51. Judgment is made (S56). When it is determined that the printing is not redundant printing (S52: NO), or when it is determined that the print continuation signal is received (S56: YES), the control unit 1 is based on the print data included in the print request signal received in step S51. The printing apparatus 102 is instructed to execute the printing process (S57). The control unit 1 causes the print history information DB 4a to store print history information related to the print processing instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 (S58), and ends the print control processing.

  When it is determined that the print continuation signal has not been received (S56: NO), that is, when the print stop signal has been received, the control unit 1 ends the print control process. At this time, the control unit 1 may delete the print data to be processed by the print processing from the print data spool unit 4c.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment, the modifications described in the first to fifth embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the sixth embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second to fifth embodiments described above. .

(Embodiment 7)
The printing system according to the seventh embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system according to the seventh embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system according to the first embodiment described above.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is configured to store print history information related to print processing in the print history information DB 4a when the print apparatus 102 is instructed to execute print processing. The print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment is configured to store the print history information in the print history information DB 4a only when the printing process by the printing apparatus 102 instructed to execute the printing process is successful.

  Hereinafter, functions implemented by the control unit 1 executing a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 in the print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment. In the print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment, the control unit 1 includes functions of a print request reception unit 11, a duplicate print determination unit 12, a duplicate notification unit 13, a print interruption unit 14, a print execution unit 15, and a history update unit 16. In addition, the function of the print result acquisition unit 25 is realized.

In the printing system according to the seventh embodiment, each of the printing apparatuses 102, 102..., When executing a printing process based on the print data acquired from the printing execution unit 15, print result signals indicating whether the printing process has been successful. Is returned to the print control apparatus 101.
The print result acquisition unit (result acquisition unit) 25 acquires the print result signal transmitted from the printing apparatus 102 via the printing apparatus interface 6. The print result signal includes a print job ID.

The print result acquisition unit 25 sends the acquired print result signal to the history update unit 16. The history update unit 16 obtains the print job ID, file information, and user ID from the print execution unit 15.
When the history update unit 16 acquires a print result signal indicating the success of the print processing from the print result acquisition unit 25, the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the print execution unit 15, and the current date and time indicated by the clock Are stored in the print history information DB 4a in association with each other. On the other hand, when a print result signal indicating a print process failure is acquired, the history update unit 16 processes the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the print execution unit 15 as invalid. That is, for example, the print history unit 16 discards the print job ID, file information, and user ID acquired from the print execution unit 15 without performing print history information storage processing.

  As described above, the print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment can store only the print history information related to the print processing that has been successful by the printing apparatuses 102, 102... In the print history information DB 4a. As a result, the print control apparatus 101 can prohibit print processing only when there is a print request for the same print data as print data that has been successfully printed. Accordingly, when there is a print request for the same print data as the print data for which the print process has failed, the print process is not prohibited, so that the print process cannot be executed for the print data for which the print process has failed. Can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, a print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the seventh embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the print control apparatus 101, the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 receives the print request signal via the communication interface 5 (S61). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the printing process based on the received print request signal is duplicate printing (S62). When it is determined that the printing is duplicate printing (S62: YES), the control unit 1 generates notification screen information for notifying that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user. (S63). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S61 (S64).

  The control unit 1 interrupts the printing process based on the printing request signal received in step S61 (S65), and ends the printing control process. If it is determined that the printing is not overlapping printing (S62: NO), the control unit 1 instructs the printing apparatus 102 to execute printing processing based on the print data included in the print request signal received in step S61 (S66).

  The control unit 1 (print result acquisition unit 25) determines whether or not a print result signal has been acquired from the printing apparatus 102 (S67), and if it has determined that it has not been acquired (S67: NO), acquires it. Wait until. When it is determined that the print result signal has been acquired (S67: YES), the control unit 1 determines whether the print process has been successful (S68).

  If the control unit 1 determines that the printing process is successful (S68: YES), the printing unit 102 stores printing history information related to the printing process instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 in step S66 (S69). The control process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing process has not been successful (S68: NO), the control unit 1 skips the process of step S69 and ends the printing control process.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 of the seventh embodiment, the modifications described in the first to sixth embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the seventh embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second to sixth embodiments described above. .

(Embodiment 8)
The printing system according to the eighth embodiment will be described below. Note that the printing system of the eighth embodiment can be realized by the same configuration as the printing system of the first embodiment described above, and therefore the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above is configured to prohibit print processing based on the print data when the print data included in the print request signal acquired from the terminal apparatus 200 has already been printed. The print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment has such a function (hereinafter referred to as a duplicate print restriction function), and when any information included in the print request signal includes predetermined information. The function is stopped.

  For example, the printing system according to the eighth embodiment has a rule that the predetermined print information is described in the print data or the print data file information so that the duplicate print restriction function is not operated on the print data. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 200 has only to write predetermined information for print data that the printing device 102 wants to print reliably. For example, the file name or title of the print data (document file) may be used as the predetermined information. Also, predetermined information (for example, one sentence “duplicate printing restriction function =“ 0 ””) may be described in the first line of print data such as body data of an e-mail.

  Whether or not to stop the duplicate printing restriction function is specified by the user of the terminal device 200. When the user instructs to stop the duplicate printing restriction function, the terminal device 200 prints the print data or the print data file. A print request signal in which predetermined information is added to the information is transmitted to the print control apparatus 101.

  When receiving a print request signal from the terminal device 200, the print request receiving unit 11 assigns a print job ID to the acquired print request signal, and sets the print data included in the print request signal to print data corresponding to the print job ID. Store in the spool unit 4c. The print request reception unit (information determination unit) 11 according to the eighth embodiment determines whether predetermined information is included in the print data or file information included in the acquired print request signal.

If the print request receiving unit 11 determines that the predetermined information is not included in the print request signal, the print request receiving unit 11 determines that the duplicate print restriction function is to be operated, and assigns the assigned print job ID and the file information included in the print request signal. The device information and the user ID are sent to the duplicate print determination unit 12.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined information is included in the print request signal, the print request receiving unit 11 determines to stop the duplicate print restriction function, and is included in the assigned print job ID and the print request signal. The file information and user ID are sent to the print execution unit (print instruction unit) 15.

  With the configuration described above, the print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment basically prohibits the same print data from being repeatedly printed a plurality of times by operating the duplicate print restriction function. Thus, it is possible to promote the reuse of paper resources and reduce the waste of paper resources. Further, the print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment can respond to a user's request to print the same print data redundantly by stopping the duplicate print restriction function for each print data. .

  Hereinafter, a print control process performed by the print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the eighth embodiment. The following processing is executed by the control unit 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 2 or the HDD 4 of the print control apparatus 101.

  When the terminal apparatus 200 transmits a print request signal to the print control apparatus 101, the control unit 1 of the print control apparatus 101 receives the print request signal via the communication interface 5 (S71). The control unit 1 determines whether or not it is necessary to stop the duplicate printing restriction function based on whether or not the received print request signal includes predetermined information (S72). If it is determined that it is not necessary to stop the duplicate printing restriction function (S72: NO), the control unit 1 determines whether the printing process based on the received print request signal is duplicate printing (S73).

  If it is determined that the printing is duplicate printing (S73: YES), the control unit 1 generates notification screen information for notifying that printing processing of the document file requested for printing has already been performed by another user. (S74). The control unit 1 transmits the generated notification screen information to the terminal device 200 that is the transmission source of the print request signal received in step S71 (S75). The control unit 1 interrupts the printing process based on the printing request signal received in step S71 (S76), and ends the printing control process.

  When it is determined that it is necessary to stop the duplicate printing restriction function (S72: YES), or when it is determined that it is not duplicate printing (S73: NO), the control unit 1 is included in the print request signal received in step S71. The printing apparatus 102 is instructed to execute a printing process based on the print data (S77). The control unit 1 causes the print history information DB 4a to store print history information related to the print processing instructed to be executed by the printing apparatus 102 (S78), and ends the print control processing.

Also in the print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment, the modifications described in the first to seventh embodiments can be applied.
The print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment has been described as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment described above, but may be configured as a modification of the print control apparatus 101 according to the second to seventh embodiments described above. .

  The print control apparatus 101 according to the eighth embodiment is configured to stop the duplication print restriction function when predetermined information is included in any information included in a print request signal such as print data or print data file information. Met. In addition to such a configuration, for example, when the device information of the terminal device 200 that has transmitted the print request signal or the user ID of the user of the terminal device 200 is pre-registered device information or a user ID Alternatively, the duplication printing restriction function may be stopped. In this case, the privilege to stop the duplicate printing restriction function can be given for each terminal device 200 or for each user.

  The following supplementary notes are further disclosed with respect to the embodiments including the above first to eighth embodiments.

(Appendix 1)
A control device for controlling the drive of the printing device,
A print data acquisition unit that acquires, from an external device, print data indicating information about print contents and information about a user who requests print processing based on the print data;
A print history storage unit that stores the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit and information about the user in association with each other;
A duplication determination unit that determines whether or not the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit when the print data acquisition unit acquires information about the print data and the user;
When it is determined by the duplication determination unit that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, it is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same print data. A duplicate notification unit for notifying a user specified by the information about the user acquired by the print data acquisition unit that the user has already performed the printing process;
A print interruption unit that interrupts execution of print processing based on the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit when the duplication determination unit determines that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit. A control device characterized by that.

(Appendix 2)
The information about the user includes information about the affiliation to which the user belongs,
The duplication determination unit acquires the print data stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same information as the affiliation information included in the information about the user acquired by the print data acquisition unit. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is configured to determine whether or not there is the same print data as the print data.

(Appendix 3)
The print history storage unit is configured to store information related to the print data and a user in association with information related to a printing apparatus that has performed print processing based on the print data,
The duplication determination unit corresponds to the print data stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same information as the information related to the printing apparatus that executes the printing process based on the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is configured to determine whether or not there is the same print data as the acquired print data.

(Appendix 4)
When it is determined by the duplication determination unit that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, the duplication determination unit is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same print data. The control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies other users that other users have requested print processing.

(Appendix 5)
The print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit includes information on a plurality of users having the print data,
When it is determined by the duplication determination unit that the same print data is not stored in the print history storage unit, it is determined whether the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit includes information on a plurality of users A determination unit to perform,
A circulation table generating unit that generates a circulation table displaying information about the plurality of users when the determination unit determines that the print data includes information about a plurality of users;
A control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, further comprising: a circulation table print instruction unit that instructs the printing device to execute a printing process based on the circulation table generated by the circulation table generation unit. .

(Appendix 6)
A data storage unit that stores print data and information related to a plurality of users having the print data in association with each other;
Whether or not the same print data as the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit is stored in the data storage unit when the duplication determination unit determines that the same print data is not stored in the print history storage unit A determination unit for determining whether or not
When the determination unit determines that the same print data is stored in the data storage unit, the circulation displaying information on a plurality of users stored in the data storage unit in association with the same print data. A circular generation unit for generating a table;
A control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, further comprising: a circulation table print instruction unit that instructs the printing device to execute a printing process based on the circulation table generated by the circulation table generation unit. .

(Appendix 7)
A resumption request acquisition unit for acquiring a resumption request for requesting resumption of the printing process interrupted by the print interruption unit;
The control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, further comprising: a restart instruction unit that instructs the printing apparatus to execute the printing process in which the restart request acquisition unit has acquired the restart request.

(Appendix 8)
A result obtaining unit that obtains information indicating whether or not a printing process based on the print data obtained by the print data obtaining unit is successful from the printing apparatus;
Appendices 1 to 7 characterized in that the print history storage unit is configured to store the print data from which the information indicating that the print processing has been successful by the result acquisition unit is acquired and information about the user in association with each other. The control apparatus as described in any one of to.

(Appendix 9)
The print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit includes predetermined information,
An information determination unit for determining whether the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit includes predetermined information;
If the information determination unit determines that the print data includes predetermined information, the print apparatus is instructed to execute the print process based on the print data without performing the determination process by the duplication determination unit. A control apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, further comprising: a print instruction unit.

(Appendix 10)
The control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9,
And a printing device controlled by the control device.

(Appendix 11)
A computer program for controlling a drive of a printing apparatus to a computer having a print history storage unit that stores print data indicating information related to print contents and information related to a user who requests print processing based on the print data in association with each other. There,
Causing the computer to determine whether or not the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit when the print data and information about the user are acquired from an external device;
When it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit in the computer, it is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same print data. Notifying the user specified by the acquired information about the user that the user has already performed the printing process;
And a step of interrupting execution of a printing process based on the acquired print data when the computer determines that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit.

(Appendix 12)
A control device including a print history storage unit that stores print data indicating information about print contents and information about a user who requests print processing based on the print data in association with each other is a control method for controlling the drive of the print device. And
The control device acquires print data and information about the user from an external device;
Determining whether or not the same print data as the acquired print data is stored in the print history storage unit when the control device acquires information about the print data and the user;
When it is determined that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit, the control device is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same print data. Informing the user specified by the acquired information about the user that the user has already performed the printing process;
And a step of interrupting execution of a printing process based on the acquired print data when the control device determines that the same print data is stored in the print history storage unit.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of printing history information DB and user information DB. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a notification screen. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of user information DB of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a notification screen. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents stored in a print history information DB according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of group information DB. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a circulation table. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing control apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the fifth exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the fifth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print control apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a notification screen according to a sixth embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing control apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to the seventh embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print control processing according to an eighth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image forming apparatus 101 Print control apparatus (control apparatus)
102 Printing Device 1 Control Unit 11 Print Request Reception Unit (Print Data Acquisition Unit)
12 Duplicate print determination unit (duplication determination unit)
13 Duplicate Notification Unit 14 Printing Interruption Unit 17 Circulation Table Generation Unit (Decision Unit)
18 Circulation table print section (Circuit table print instruction section)
23 Resumption Request Receiving Unit (Resumption Request Acquisition Unit)
24 Printing resumption part (resumption instruction part)
25 Print result acquisition unit (result acquisition unit)
4 HDD
4a Print history information DB (print history storage unit)
4d Group information DB (data storage unit)

Claims (10)

A control device for controlling the drive of the printing device,
A print data acquisition unit for acquiring print data from a print request signal for requesting print processing to the printing apparatus;
A print history storage unit that stores information about print data that has been subjected to print processing by the printing apparatus;
A duplication determination unit that determines whether or not the same information as the information related to the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit is stored in the print history storage unit;
When the duplication determination unit determines that the same information is not stored in the print history storage unit, the duplication determination unit determines whether there is information about a plurality of users related to the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit A determination unit;
When the determination unit determines that the information is present, a circulation table generation unit that generates a circulation table including information on the plurality of users ;
A control device, comprising: a circulation table print instruction unit that instructs the printing apparatus to print the circulation table generated by the circulation table generation unit and the acquired print data. 2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that there is information about the plurality of users when the acquired print data includes information about the plurality of users. 3. Control device. The determination unit includes information relating to print data, in a storage unit in association with a plurality of user identifiers, if the same information as the information on the print data acquired is stored, said plurality of The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is information about the user . The overlap determination unit, the same information, if it is determined to be stored in the print history storage unit, from claim 1, characterized in that the determination is not performed printing process of acquiring said print data The control device according to any one of 3 to 3 . The print data acquisition unit further acquires, from the print request signal, information about a user who transmits the print request signal,
The print history storage unit stores information related to print data printed by the printing apparatus and information related to a user who has transmitted a print request signal for the print data in association with each other,
When the duplication determination unit determines that the same information is stored in the print history storage unit, the duplication determination unit is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same information. It further has a duplication notification unit for notifying the user specified by the information about the user acquired by the print data acquisition unit that the user has performed the printing process of the acquired print data. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Information about the user includes information about the affiliation to which the user belongs,
The duplication determination unit stores the same information with respect to the information related to the print data stored in the print history storage unit in association with the information related to the affiliation included in the acquired information related to the user. The control device according to claim 5 , wherein the control device is configured to determine whether or not there is. The print history storage unit includes information about print data that has been printed by the printing apparatus, information about a user who has transmitted a print request signal for the print data, and information about a printing apparatus that has performed the print processing of the print data. Are stored in association with each other.
The duplication determination unit determines whether or not the same information is stored with respect to information about print data stored in the print history storage unit in association with information about the printing apparatus that has received the print request signal. control device according to any one of the things that is configured to determine from claim 1 to 6. When the duplication determination unit determines that the same information is stored in the print history storage unit, the duplication determination unit is specified by information about the user stored in the print history storage unit in association with the same information. the user, the control device according to any one of claims 5, characterized in that the other user is provided with a notification unit for notifying that has requested the printing process to 7. A computer program for controlling a drive of a printing apparatus to a computer including a print history storage unit that stores information about print data that has been subjected to printing processing by the printing apparatus,
Causing the computer to acquire print data from a print request signal requesting the printing apparatus to perform print processing;
Causing the computer to determine whether or not the same information as the acquired information related to the print data is stored in the print history storage unit;
If the computer determines that the same information is not stored in the print history storage unit, the step of determining the presence or absence of information about a plurality of users related to the acquired print data;
If the computer determines that the information is present, generating a circulation table including information on the plurality of users ;
A computer program comprising: causing the computer to instruct the printing device to print the generated circulation table and the acquired print data. A control device including a print history storage unit that stores information about print data that has been subjected to print processing by a printing device is a control method for controlling driving of the printing device,
The control device acquires print data from a print request signal requesting the printing device to perform a printing process;
Determining whether the control device stores the same information as the acquired information related to the print data in the print history storage unit;
If the control device determines that the same information is not stored in the print history storage unit, determining whether there is information on a plurality of users related to the acquired print data; and
If the control device determines that the information is present, generating a circulation table including information on the plurality of users ;
The control method includes: a step of instructing the printing device to print the generated circulation table and the acquired print data.

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