JP5720872B2 - Print management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management system having a notification function to a user.

  Some printers and multi-function peripherals perform various notifications to the user.

  For example, when a predetermined event such as the end of printing occurs, there is an image forming apparatus that notifies the requester of a print job or a specified user of the occurrence of the event by e-mail (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, an image that allows the administrator to set an arbitrary message created by the administrator and its display timing for the purpose of notifying the user who is unfamiliar with how to use various functions of the original operation guide created by the administrator. There is a forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-192562 A JP 2002-67452 A

  When printing a meeting material or the like, an attendee or a host may sometimes duplicate the print without noticing that it has already been printed. In addition, an old version may be printed out without noticing that files such as conference materials have been updated.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is basically a technique for notifying the user who has submitted a print job of the occurrence of an event related to the printing (printing end, error occurrence, etc.) by e-mail. It does not contribute to printing or preventing printing of older versions. Also, even if the parties concerned are notified by e-mail that they have already been printed or upgraded, the e-mail may not be confirmed before printing.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 displays a message such as a printer failure or a maintenance notice on a screen of a client PC or an operation panel of a printing device for a certain period of time. A message for preventing duplicate printing or the like cannot be transmitted. In addition, since a message is displayed even for a user who does not need a message, the display area is reduced due to the display of an unnecessary message for a user who does not need a message, and work efficiency is reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print management system that can reliably transmit a message about a file to a user who wants to print the file.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a message registration unit for registering a message in association with a file;
A message management unit for notifying the selected user of a message registered in the message registration unit in association with a file selected for printing;
For the message registered in association with the file, further comprising a user registration unit that registers with a plurality of users and notification target,
The message management unit performs the notification when the selected user is included in a plurality of users registered in the user registration unit.

In the above invention, if a message is registered in association with a file, when the user tries to print the file, the user is notified of the message registered in association with the file. For example, when a user selects a file to be printed from the terminal device and issues a print instruction, a message associated with the file is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device of the user (print requesting user) who issued the print instruction. Is displayed. Note that message notification is not limited to display, but may be a method of reading out a message by voice. Message registration may be performed when the file is printed, or may be registered at an arbitrary timing independent of printing. Moreover, in the said invention, the user of the notification object of a message can be limited. The notification target user may be registered for each file, or may be registered for each user who registered the message. Further, it may be a print management system unit.

[2] The print management system according to [1], wherein when a file is printed, the message registration unit registers a message in association with the file.

  In the above invention, when a file is printed, a message related to the file is registered. For example, a message such as “10 printed as meeting materials” can be registered at the time of printing.

[3] The message notifying unit sets a match between the file selected for printing and the file associated with the message registered in the message registering unit at least in the file name and the file update date and time. The print management system according to [1] or [2], wherein the determination is based on the above.

  In the above invention, the file match is determined based on the file name and the update date / time. You can register and display different messages for each version.

[ 4 ] The message notification unit determines whether the selected user matches the user registered in the user registration unit based on the network address of the terminal device used by the user or the login ID to the terminal device. The print management system according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that :

[ 5 ] The print management system according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ], wherein an instruction to start or cancel printing of the selected file is received after the notification.

  In the above invention, when a message associated with a file to be printed is displayed, a print start / cancel selection operation is received after the message is displayed. Thus, the user can determine whether or not to execute this printing by looking at the message registered in association with the file to be printed.

  According to the print management system of the present invention, a message about a file can be transmitted to a user who wants to print the file, and for example, duplicate printing or printing of an old version file can be prevented.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the printing management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a message management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a user management table. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions and data flows of a terminal device and an image forming apparatus of a print management system. It is a flowchart which shows the processing sequence at the time of printing of a printing management system. It is a front view which shows an example of the input setting screen which sets a message and a message user. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a file determination process (step S201 of FIG. 7). It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a user determination process (step S203 of FIG. 7). It is a front view which shows an example of a message screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of registering a message at the arbitrary timings independent of printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the printing management system at the time of providing a print server. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print management system when one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses collectively manages a message management table and a user management table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the printing management system in the case of preserve | saving a message management table and a user management table in a document management apparatus.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a print management system 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The print management system 5 includes one or more terminal devices 30 and an image forming apparatus 10 that performs printing based on print data received from the terminal device 30, and these include a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). 2 is communicably connected via the terminal 2.

  In the print management system 5, the message management table 50 in which a message is registered in association with a file is held in the image forming apparatus 10 or the like, and when the file is printed from the terminal device 30 to the image forming apparatus 10, the printing is performed. It has a function of checking whether or not a message associated with the file selected as a target is registered in the message management table 50 and displaying the message on the terminal device 30 if registered.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 is a printer or a multifunction machine having a PC print function that forms (prints) an image on a recording sheet based on data received from a terminal device 30 (hereinafter also referred to as a client PC). In this example, the image forming apparatus 10 scans a copy job that optically reads a document and prints the duplicate image on recording paper, and stores the image data of the read document as a file or transmits it to an external terminal. This is a multifunction machine having a function of executing a job such as a PC print job for forming and printing out an image related to print data received from a job or terminal device 30 on a recording sheet.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 connected to the CPU 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, A scanner unit 14, a printer unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, an image processing unit 18, a hard disk device 19, a nonvolatile memory 21, and a network I / F unit 22 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS program, on which middleware, application programs, and the like are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like. Other necessary programs are loaded from the hard disk device 19 to the RAM 13 and executed.

  The scanner unit 14 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 14 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path consisting of moving means (including a motor) and lenses and mirrors that guide the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and convert the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data It is configured to include a conversion unit that performs.

  The printer unit 15 functions to form and output an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer device, a separating device, a cleaning device, and a fixing unit. It is configured as a so-called laser printer that performs image formation.

  The operation panel of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 16 and an operation unit 17. The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 17 has a function of accepting various operations such as job input and setting from the user. The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 16 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like.

  The image processing unit 18 performs rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression and expansion processing, in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The hard disk device 19 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and is used for storing print data, image data, job history, and the like in addition to programs. A message management table 50 and a user management table 60 described later are also stored in the hard disk device 19. The nonvolatile memory 21 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The network I / F unit 22 fulfills a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal device 30, other image forming apparatuses 10, external devices, and servers via the network 2.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the terminal device 30 (client PC). The terminal device 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an input / output I / F unit 34, a nonvolatile memory 37, a hard disk device 38, and a network I / F unit 39. Further, an input device 35 such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display device 36 such as a liquid crystal display are connected via the input / output I / F unit 34.

  The ROM 32 stores a startup program and fixed data. The RAM 33 stores a program loaded from the hard disk device 38. The RAM 33 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 31 executes a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 37 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off. The hard disk device 38 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, a driver program for the image processing apparatus 10, middleware, various application programs, files, data, and the like.

  The network I / F unit 39 performs a function of communicating with the image forming apparatus 10, another terminal device 30, an external device, a server, and the like via the network 2 such as a LAN.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the message management table 50. In the message management table 50, a message is registered in association with information (file information) for specifying a file. The message is specified by a user arbitrarily inputting it and specifying it by, for example, a method of selecting from a plurality of types of predefined messages prepared in advance. File information for identifying a file is composed of a file name and a time stamp (update date and time).

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which two messages are registered in the message management table 50 in association with individual files. Any number of messages can be registered in the message management table 50.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the user management table 60. In the user management table 60, users to be notified of messages are registered. In the user management table 60, as information for uniquely identifying a user, a user ID and an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the terminal device 30 used by the user are associated and registered. The information for specifying the user may be, for example, the user's login ID. Here, it is assumed that the user management table 60 is created and registered for each file, and is associated with the corresponding file. For example, file information may be associated with a key.

  Next, the operation of the print management system 5 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the functions and data flow of the terminal device 30 and the image forming apparatus 10 of the print management system 5, and FIG. 7 shows the flow of print processing in the print management system 5.

  First, in the terminal device 30, a file to be printed is selected, and if the user desires, input of a message associated with the file and information for specifying a user (message user) to be notified of this message Input or the like is performed (FIG. 6: function F1, step S101 in FIG. 7). The message or message user information (message user information) is input as shown in FIG. 8 displayed on the display device 36 of the terminal device 30 by the driver program of the image forming apparatus 10 installed in the terminal device 30. This is done through the setting screen 70. The input content of the message user information is stored on the terminal device 30 side, and is displayed by default on the next input setting screen 70.

  Next, when a printing instruction is received in the terminal device 30 (FIG. 7: Step S102), the terminal device 30 specifies file information (file name, time stamp) for specifying a file selected as a printing target, and the terminal device 30 is selected. Information (for example, the user ID and the IP address of the terminal device 30) specifying the user in use (the user who issued the print instruction: the print requesting user) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (FIG. 6: function F2). FIG. 7; Step S103).

  Upon receiving these, the image forming apparatus 10 checks whether the file specified by the file information is a message display target file (FIG. 6: Function G1, FIG. 7: Step S201).

  FIG. 9 shows details of step S201 (file determination processing) in FIG. The file information received from the terminal device 30 is read (step S241), and the message management table 50 is searched with the file information (step S242). When file information that matches the file name of the received file information (step S243; Yes) and matches the time stamp indicated by the received file information is registered in the message management table 50 (step S244; Yes), It is determined that the file specified by the received file information (the file selected as the print target) is the message display target file (step S246, return).

  If even one of the file name and time stamp does not match (step S243; No, or step S244; No), it is determined that the file specified by the received file information is not a message display target file (step S245). ,return).

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. If the file selected as the print target is not the message display target file (step S202; No), the image forming apparatus 10 proceeds to step S205. If the file selected as the print target is a message display target file (step S202; Yes), the print requesting user indicated by the information received from the terminal device 30 is the message display target registered in the user management table 60. (FIG. 6: function G2, FIG. 7: step S203).

  FIG. 10 shows details of step S203 (user determination processing) in FIG. Information indicating the print requesting user received from the terminal device 30 is read (step S251), and the user management table 60 is searched by the print requesting user (step S252). The search target user management table 60 is associated with a print target file (a file indicated by file information received from the terminal device 30).

  If a user that matches the print requesting user is registered in the user management table 60 (step S253; Yes), the current print requesting user is determined to be a message display target user (step S255, return). If a user that matches the print requesting user is not registered in the user management table 60 (step S253; No), it is determined that the current print requesting user is not a message display target user (step S254, return). For example, if the information specifying the print requesting user is the IP address of the terminal device 30, if the IP address is registered in the user management table 60, it is determined that the user is a message display target user and must be registered. It is determined that the user is not a message display target.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description will be continued. If the print requesting user is not a message display target user (step S204; No), the image forming apparatus 10 proceeds to step S205. In step S205, a print continuation instruction (an instruction to start printing without performing message display) is transmitted to the terminal device 30.

  If the user is a message display target user (step S204; Yes), the message registered in the message management table 50 in association with the file information matching the file information received from the terminal device 30 is read from the message management table 50. The message and its display instruction are transmitted to the terminal device 30 (step S206).

  The terminal device 30 that has received the message and its display instruction from the image forming apparatus 10 displays the received message on the display device 36 (step S104), and accepts a selection as to whether or not to continue printing (FIG. 6: Function). F3, FIG. 7 step S105). For example, a message screen 80 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. A message received from the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed at the bottom of the message screen 80. The message screen 80 also displays a “Yes” button 81 for selecting execution of printing and a “No” button 82 for selecting cancellation of printing.

  When canceling printing is selected (FIG. 7: Step S106; No), the terminal device 30 cancels the current printing instruction and stops printing.

  If execution of printing is selected (step S106; Yes), if there is print data of the file selected as a print target and the message input in step S101, message registration information (message body to be registered and The message user information and file information for specifying the file to be printed are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (a print job is transmitted) (FIG. 6: function F4, FIG. 7: step S107). In the case of a configuration in which message user information is registered at a separate timing (appropriate timing other than at the time of printing), the message user information may not be included in the registration information transmitted together with the print data.

  The image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job from the terminal device 30 (FIG. 6: function G3, FIG. 7: step S210). If the message registration information is not included in the received print job (S211, step S212; No), the image forming apparatus 10 performs printing based on the received print data (FIG. 6: function G5). FIG. 7: Step S215) The process ends.

  When message registration information is included in the received print job (steps S211, S212; Yes), the message is registered in the message management table 50 based on the registration information (FIG. 6: function G4, FIG. 7: Step S213). That is, the received message is registered in the message management table 50 in association with the received file information. If the message registration information is included in the received registration information, the message user information is registered in the corresponding user management table 60 (step S214). Then, printing based on the received print data is performed (FIG. 6: function G5, FIG. 7: step S215), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, when printing is requested from the terminal device 30 to the image forming apparatus 10, a message associated with the file to be printed is notified to the print requesting user of the file (a message is displayed). The message registered in association with the file can be surely transmitted to the user who wants to print the file.

  Next, a function for registering a message at an arbitrary timing independent from the time of printing will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows the operation of the print management system 5 when a message is registered at an arbitrary timing independent from printing. The terminal device 30 (particularly the driver program for the image forming apparatus 10) accepts selection of a file on a predetermined message registration screen, further inputs a message associated with the file, and a user (message user) to be notified of this message Information) and the like (FIG. 6: function F5, FIG. 12: step S301).

  Thereafter, upon receiving a registration instruction (step S302), the terminal device 30 transmits the registration information (message text, message user information, and file information of the selected file) input in step S301 to the image forming apparatus 10. (FIG. 6: Function F5, FIG. 12: Step S303). In the case of a configuration in which message user information is separately registered, the message user information may not be included in the registration information transmitted this time.

  The image forming apparatus 10 receives the registration information from the terminal device 30 (step S401), and registers a message in the message management table 50 based on the received registration information (step S402). If the message information is included in the received information, the message user information is registered in the user management table 60 (step S403), and the process is terminated.

  In this way, messages can be registered at an independent timing different from printing. For example, when a file version is updated, a message indicating that the file has been updated is registered in association with the file before the update. can do. If this registration is performed, when someone tries to print the file before update, a message that the file has been updated can be displayed as a warning.

  The configuration of the print management system of the present invention is not limited to that shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the print management system 5B when the print server 91 is provided. The print server 91 has all the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 of the print management system 5 in FIG. 1 relating to message registration / display, that is, a computer apparatus having the functions G1, G2, G3, and G4 in FIG. It is. The message management table 50 and the user management table 60 are created and stored in the print server 91. The terminal device 30 performs all operations performed on the image forming apparatus 10 in the configuration of FIG. The print server 91 transmits the print data received from the terminal device 30 to the image forming apparatus 10 as a function corresponding to the function 5 in FIG.

  In this case, since the print server 91 centrally manages the message management table 50 and the user management table 60, messages can be registered and displayed regardless of the image forming apparatus 10 designated from the terminal device 30. . For example, when the user A of the terminal device 30 (a) prints the file abc on the image forming apparatus 10 (a) and registers a message in the file a, the user B sends the file abc from the terminal device 30 (b). Is printed, the message associated with the file abc is displayed on the terminal device 30 (b) of the user B.

  FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of the print management system 5C when one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 centrally manages the message management table 50 and the user management table 60. For example, the master image forming apparatus 10 (c) has the function of the print server 91 in the print management system 5b.

  FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of the print management system 5D when the message management table 50 and the user management table 60 are stored in the document management apparatus 93. In the print management system 5D, the document management device 93 is used as a storage location for the message management table 50 and the user management table 60.

  The terminal device 30 of the print management system 5D recognizes the addresses of the message management table 50 and the user management table 60 in the document management device 93, and directly accesses them, and the message corresponding to the file selected for printing. The message screen 80 is displayed if it exists. That is, among the processes performed by the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 7, the driver program on the terminal apparatus 30 side (driver program for the image forming apparatus 10) performs the processes of steps S201 to S206.

  The image forming apparatus 10 also recognizes the addresses of the message management table 50 and the user management table 60 in the document management apparatus 93, and accesses these for writing / updating. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 takes charge of the processing from step S210 to S215 in FIG.

  Also in the print management system 5D, the message management table 50 and the user management table 60 are one for the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and can be managed in a unified manner. That is, when printing is performed from which terminal device 30 to which image forming apparatus 10, a message can be registered and displayed in association with a file to be printed.

  In the print management system 5D, the driver program on the terminal device 30 side may also be configured to perform processing related to message registration.

  As described above, the print management system of the present invention can have various system configurations. In any system configuration, if a message is registered in association with a file, the file is printed. The message can be notified to the print requesting user who has instructed the printing (before starting printing). As a result, when a file such as a meeting material is printed, if a message indicating that the meeting has been printed is registered in association with the file, another attendee or someone of the organizer tried to print the file. At this time, since a message indicating “printed” is displayed, it is possible to prevent duplicate printing without noticing that printing has already been performed.

  Also, if you update a file such as meeting materials, if you register that a version upgrade exists in the old version file as a message, there will be a version upgrade when someone tries to print the old version file A message to this effect is displayed, and it is possible to prevent the old version from being accidentally printed out.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the file matching check is performed using the file name and the time stamp, but it may be performed using only the file name. In this case, if an updated message is registered in the file when the updated version is printed, the message "Updated" will be displayed when someone tries to print the old version of the file. The

  In addition, associating a file with a message may directly associate a message with a file entity. For example, the configuration may be such that the file entity is stored in the file information portion of the message management table 50 and associated with the message.

  In the embodiment, the message is notified only to the users registered in the user management table 60. However, the configuration may be such that all users are notified.

  In the embodiment, the user management table 60 is individually provided for each file. However, for example, the user management table 60 may be provided for each terminal device 30. In this case, when registering the message, the identification information (for example, IP address) of the terminal device 30 that registered the message is registered in the message management table 50 in association with the file information and the message. The user management table 60 is created for each terminal device 30 (for each IP address). When printing a file, if a message associated with the file is registered in the message management table 50, the IP address registered in the message management table 50 in association with the file information and the message. The corresponding user management table 60 may be specified using (identification information of the terminal device 30) as a key, and it may be determined by referring to this whether the print requesting user is a message user.

  Further, a configuration in which the user management table 60 is provided for each print management system may be used.

  When the user management table 60 is provided for each print management system unit or for each terminal device 30, the message user information registration process does not need to be performed when the file is printed, but may be performed at an arbitrary timing. Good. That is, what is necessary is just to provide as a registration process what changed the process shown in FIG. 12 so that only input and registration of message user information may be performed.

  In the embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral has been described as an example. However, any apparatus that receives and executes a PC print job from a terminal apparatus may be used, and a network-connected printer or the like may be used.

2 ... Network 5, 5B, 5C, 5D ... Print management system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Scanner part 15 ... Printer part 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Image processing part 19 ... Hard disk drive (HDD)
21 ... Nonvolatile memory 22 ... Network I / F unit 30 ... Terminal device (client PC)
31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Input / output I / F unit 35 ... Input device 36 ... Display device 37 ... Non-volatile memory 38 ... Hard disk device (HDD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 ... Network I / F part 50 ... Message management table 60 ... User management table 70 ... Input setting screen 80 ... Message screen 81 ... "Yes" button 82 ... "No" button 91 ... Print server 93 ... Document management apparatus

Claims (5)

A message registration unit that registers messages in association with files;
A message management unit for notifying the selected user of a message registered in the message registration unit in association with a file selected for printing;
For the message registered in association with the file, further comprising a user registration unit that registers with a plurality of users and notification target,
The message management unit performs the notification when the selected user is included in a plurality of users registered in the user registration unit. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein when printing of a file is executed, the message registration unit registers a message in association with the file. The message notification unit determines a match between the file selected for printing and the file associated with the message registered in the message registration unit based on at least the file name and the file update date and time. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the print management system is a print management system. The message notification unit determines a match between the selected user and a user registered in the user registration unit based on a network address of a terminal device used by the user or a login ID to the terminal device. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the print management system is a print management system. 5. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to start or cancel printing of the selected file is received after the notification.

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