JP6340820B2 - Information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

  Conventionally, print data is not printed immediately in response to a print instruction input by a user on a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, but is associated with the user name of the user and stored in a predetermined server or a storage device in the image forming apparatus. There is a system to save. When the user inputs a user name and password via the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus executes an authentication process for the user name and password. If the authentication is successful, the image forming apparatus causes the operation panel to display a list of print data associated with the user name among the print data stored in the storage device. The image forming apparatus acquires print data selected from the list information from the storage device and executes printing.

  According to such a system, since the printed matter is output when the user is near the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being left unattended or accidentally taken by another person. Can do. As a result, the security of the printed information can be ensured.

  However, in the system as described above, only a user who has an account for receiving authentication in advance can execute printing. Therefore, for example, a visitor or the like who does not have an account has the inconvenience of having to request printing by a person who has an account. Therefore, it may be possible to prepare a common guest account for visitors. However, in this case, since a common account is assigned to a plurality of visitors, a certain visitor can operate print data of other visitors. As a result, the characteristics of the system such as ensuring the security of printed information may be lost.

  Furthermore, it is conceivable to install an image forming apparatus for a guest. However, it is difficult to say that this is an excellent solution because an economic burden increases and an installation space is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to give an output authority even to a user who does not have an account necessary for outputting data.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system including one or more computers includes a receiving unit that receives an output request for data having predetermined address information as a destination via a network, and a first that stores address information A storage unit, a determination unit that determines whether the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit, and the predetermined address information is stored in the first storage unit. Is included in the address information, the authority identification information for enabling printing is transmitted to the address of the transmission source of the output request, and the predetermined address information is stored in the first storage unit. A transmission unit that transmits a restriction release method applied according to the content of the output request to the transmission source.

  Even a user who does not have an account necessary for data output can be granted output authority.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the management server in 1st embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the printing system in 1st embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of print data storage processing in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a user information storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing information storage part of 1st embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of print information generation processing in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the restriction | limiting information storage part in 1st embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a login screen. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of print information generation processing in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the restriction | limiting information storage part in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the response mail which notifies the cancellation | release method of a restriction | limiting. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structural example of a printing information storage part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment. In the printing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one or more user terminals 30, a mail server 40, a management server 10, an authentication server 50, a storage server 60, one or more image forming apparatuses 20, and the like are included in a LAN (Local Area Network). Alternatively, they are connected to be communicable via a network N1 such as the Internet. A part or all of the network N1 may be a wireless communication network. A mobile communication network may be interposed between the user terminal 30 and the network N1. Note that the printing system 1 is operated in a certain organization such as a company. In the first embodiment, the organization is referred to as “Company A”.

  The user terminal 30 is an information processing apparatus that is directly operated by a user of the printing system 1. For example, the user operates the user terminal 30 to input a print request for the printing system 1. Examples of the user terminal 30 include a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). Each of the plurality of user terminals 30 may be a different model.

  In the present embodiment, users of the printing system 1 are classified into “regular users” and “guest users”. An authorized user refers to a user whose information is registered with respect to the printing system 1 (strictly, with respect to a user information storage unit 52 described later). That is, the regular user is a user who is scheduled as a user of the printing system 1. An example of a regular user is an employee of company A. A guest user refers to a user whose user information is not registered in the printing system 1. That is, the guest user is a user who does not have authority to use the printing system 1. As an example of the guest user, a person other than the employee of the company A such as a visitor to the company A can be cited.

  The mail server 40 is a computer that transfers e-mails transmitted from the user terminal 30 and e-mails transmitted from the management server 10. For example, the user terminal 30 transmits an e-mail including a print request to the management server 10 in response to an instruction from the user. Electronic data to be printed is attached to an electronic mail including a print request. The data format of electronic data is not limited to a predetermined format. Hereinafter, an electronic mail including a print request transmitted from the user terminal 30 is referred to as a “print request mail”.

  The authentication server 50 is a computer that manages a user name, a password, an e-mail address, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “user information”) for each authorized user, and executes processing using the user information. is there. For example, the authentication server 50 executes an authentication process in response to an authentication request in which a user name, a password, and the like are specified. Further, the authentication server 50 executes processing in response to a mail address existence confirmation request and a user name acquisition request corresponding to the mail address. That is, the user information includes the mail address of the user in association with the user name.

  The management server 10 is a computer that executes print data generation and the like for electronic data included in the print request mail in response to reception of the print request mail. The print data has a data format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20. The management server 10 transmits the generated print data to the storage server 60 in association with the user name of the user of the transmission request mail (sender) or the identifier generated for each print request mail. When the transmission source address of the print request mail is associated with the user name and managed by the authentication server 50, the user name is associated with the print data. When the source address of the print request mail is not associated with the user name and managed by the authentication server 50, an identifier generated for each print request mail is associated with the print data. Hereinafter, this identifier is referred to as a “PIN (Personal Identification Number) code”. It can be said that the PIN code is an identifier indicating the output authority of the print data related to the PIN code.

  The storage server 60 is a computer that stores print data transmitted from the management server 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a device that executes printing of print data associated with the user name or PIN code input to the image forming apparatus 20 by the user from among the print data stored in the storage server 60. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the management server according to the first embodiment. The management server 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the management server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes a function related to the management server 10 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3, the image forming apparatus 20 includes hardware such as a controller 21, a scanner 22, a printer 23, a modem 24, an operation panel 25, a network interface 26, and an SD card slot 27.

  The controller 21 includes a CPU 211, RAM 212, ROM 213, HDD 214, NVRAM 215, and the like. The ROM 213 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 212 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 211 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 212. The HDD 214 stores a program and various data used by the program. The NVRAM 215 stores various setting information and the like.

  The scanner 22 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 23 is hardware (printing means) for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 24 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 25 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from a user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The network interface 26 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 27 is used for reading a program stored in the SD card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 20, not only the program stored in the ROM 213 but also the program stored in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 212 and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 27 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 does not necessarily have the scanner 22 and the modem 24. In other words, the image forming apparatus 20 may be a printer instead of a multifunction peripheral.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the management server 10 includes a mail receiving unit 11, an address confirmation unit 12, a print restriction determination unit 13, a PIN code generation unit 14, a print information generation unit 15, a response mail generation unit 16, a mail reply unit 17, and a print An information transmission unit 18 and the like are included. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the management server 10 cause the CPU 104 to execute.

  The management server 10 also uses the restriction information storage unit 19. The restriction information storage unit 19 can be realized by using the auxiliary storage device 102 or a storage device connected to the management server 10 via a network.

  The mail receiving unit 11 receives a print request mail. The print request mail includes print target data that the user wants to print (for example, a mail text or an attached file). For example, the user transmits a mail including print target data from the user terminal 30 to a mail address (destination) of a specific domain. The mail reception unit 11 recognizes that the mail is a print request mail by receiving the mail in which the specific domain is set as the destination.

  The address confirmation unit 12 confirms whether or not the transmission source address is registered in the authentication server 50 by transmitting a request for confirming the existence of the transmission source address of the print request mail to the authentication server 50. When the transmission source address is registered in the authentication server 50, the address confirmation unit 12 acquires user information corresponding to the transmission source address from the authentication server 50. As a result, user information corresponding to the transmission source address is specified. The print restriction determination unit 13 determines whether or not the restriction on the printing of the print target data is necessary according to whether or not the user information corresponding to the transmission source address is specified or the user information specified as corresponding to the transmission source address. judge. The restriction on printing is, for example, a restriction on a printing mode (output mode). The print restriction determination unit 13 also determines the content of the restriction when it is determined that the restriction is necessary. The content of the restriction is, for example, to refuse printing or to forcibly change print setting information. The restriction information storage unit 19 stores information indicating the contents of the restriction on printing depending on whether or not the user is a guest user or corresponding to user information of a regular user. The PIN code generation unit 14 generates a PIN code when the transmission source address is not registered in the authentication server 50 (when user information corresponding to the transmission source address is not specified). The case where the user information corresponding to the transmission source address is not specified is a case where the user related to the transmission source address is a guest user. The case where the user information corresponding to the transmission source address is specified is a case where the user related to the transmission source address is a regular user. The print information generation unit 15 generates print information corresponding to the print request mail. The print information includes a user name, a PIN code, and the like in addition to print data and information related to a print job of the print data. When the print restriction determination unit 13 determines that the restriction is necessary, the print information generation unit 15 generates print information to which the content of the restriction is applied.

  The response mail generation unit 16 generates an electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as “response mail”) as a response to the print request mail. The response mail includes print job identification information based on each print data. The response mail also includes the PIN code when a PIN code is generated for the print request mail.

  The mail reply unit 17 returns a response mail to the transmission source address of the print request mail. The print information transmission unit 18 stores the print information in the storage server 60 by transmitting the print information to the storage server 60.

  The authentication server 50 includes a request response unit 51, a user information storage unit 52, and the like. The user information storage unit 52 stores user information for each authorized user. The request response unit 51 executes processing according to an authentication request, a mail address existence confirmation request, a user information acquisition request corresponding to the mail address, and the like. The request response unit 51 is realized by a process that a program installed in the authentication server 50 causes the CPU of the authentication server 50 to execute. The user information storage unit 52 can be realized using an auxiliary storage device of the authentication server 50 or a storage device connected to the authentication server 50 via a network.

  The storage server 60 includes a print information receiving unit 61, a print information storage unit 62, a print information providing unit 63, and the like. The print information receiving unit 61 receives the print information transmitted from the management server 10 and stores (saves) it in the print information storage unit 62. In response to the print information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 20, the print information providing unit 63 includes the user name specified in the acquisition request among the print information stored (saved) in the print information storage unit 62. Alternatively, print information including a PIN code is returned to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The print information receiving unit 61 and the print information providing unit 63 are realized by a process in which one or more programs installed in the storage server 60 are executed by the CPU of the storage server 60. The print information storage unit 62 can be realized by using an auxiliary storage device of the storage server 60 or a storage device connected to the storage server 60 via a network.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an authentication control unit 221, a print information acquisition unit 222, a print control unit 223, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing executed by the CPU 211 by one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus 20. The authentication control unit 221 receives an input of a user name and password or a PIN code from the user. When the user name and password are input, the authentication control unit 221 requests the authentication server 50 to authenticate the user name and password. The print information acquisition unit 222 transmits a print information acquisition request to the storage server 60. In the acquisition request, at least one of the user name and the PIN code received by the authentication control unit 221 is designated. The print control unit 223 executes print processing on the print data acquired by the print information acquisition unit 222.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the print data storage processing in the first embodiment.

  In step S101, the user terminal 30 transmits a print request mail to a predetermined mail address in response to an instruction input from the user. Electronic data to be printed is attached to the print request mail. The predetermined mail address is, for example, a mail address determined in advance as a mail address addressed to the management server 10.

  However, when the user is a guest user, the guest user designates the mail address of one of the regular users in Cc (Carbon copy) of the print request mail. Hereinafter, the mail address designated by Cc is referred to as “Cc address”.

  As an example of the mail address designated as the Cc address, for example, the mail address of a regular user belonging to a department that is responsible for the cost of printing by the user can be cited. For example, a user needs to print a document for a meeting with a regular user a belonging to the department, and after obtaining approval from the regular user a, designate the mail address of the regular user a as the Cc address. It is possible.

  The mail server 40 transfers the print request mail to the management server 10 in accordance with a general communication protocol for transferring electronic mail (S102). If the Cc address is specified in the print request mail, the mail server 40 transfers the print request mail to the Cc address. As a result, a legitimate user whose mail address is designated as the Cc address of the print request mail can know the existence of a person who is trying to print using his mail address. Therefore, a regular user whose e-mail address has been used without permission can know it.

  The print request mail is received by the mail receiving unit 11 of the management server 10. In response to the reception of the print request mail, the address confirmation unit 12 of the management server 10 designates the transmission source address of the print request mail and transmits the mail address existence confirmation request to the authentication server 50 (S103).

  In response to the reception of the presence confirmation request, the request response unit 51 of the authentication server 50 confirms whether or not the mail address specified in the presence confirmation request is stored in the user information storage unit 52 (S104).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user information storage unit. In FIG. 6, the user information storage unit 52 stores user information for each authorized user. The user information includes, for example, a user name, password, e-mail address, department, and the like. The user name and password are a user name and password for authenticating the regular user. The mail address is the mail address of the regular user. The department to which the employee belongs is the department name of the department to which the regular user belongs. For each regular user, other attributes may be included in the user information. For example, the title of the authorized user may be included in the user information. In addition, a plurality of e-mail addresses may be registered for one regular user, such as for PCs and mobile terminals.

  In step S <b> 104, the request response unit 51 confirms whether the mail address specified in the presence confirmation request is included as the mail address of any user information stored in the user information storage unit 52. .

  Subsequently, the request response unit 51 returns a response including the confirmation result to the management server 10 (S105). The confirmation result is information indicating whether or not the mail address exists. The address confirmation unit 12 receives the confirmation result.

  If the confirmation result indicates that the mail address does not exist and the Cc address is designated in the print request mail, the address confirmation unit 12 designates the Cc address and the existence of the mail address. A confirmation request is transmitted to the authentication server 50 (S106).

  In response to the reception of the presence confirmation request, the request response unit 51 of the authentication server 50 determines whether the mail address specified in the presence confirmation request is stored in the user information storage unit 52 as in step S104. Confirm (S107). Subsequently, the request response unit 51 returns a response including the confirmation result to the management server 10 (S108). The confirmation result includes, for example, a user name corresponding to the Cc address.

  In response to receiving the confirmation result in step S105 or S108, the management server 10 executes a print information generation process for the print request mail (S109). Subsequently, the mail reply unit 17 of the management server 10 returns a response mail for the print request mail to the transmission source address of the print request mail (S110). The response mail is transferred by the mail server 40 to the user terminal 30 that is the transmission source of the print request mail (S111). The response mail is generated in the print information generation process.

  On the other hand, after the response mail is returned, the print information transmission unit 18 of the management server 10 saves the print information including the print data generated in the print information generation process and the information associated with the print data to the storage server 60. (S112).

  When receiving the print information, the print information receiving unit 61 of the storage server 60 stores (saves) the print information in the print information storage unit 62 (S113).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print information storage unit according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the print information storage unit 62 stores print information for each print data. The print information includes a job name, a user domain, a user name, a PIN code, print data, and the like.

  The job name is identification information for each print data or each print job executed for each print data. The user domain is information indicating the affiliation of the user related to the transmission source address of the print request mail. The value of the guest user's user domain is “guest”. The value of the regular user's user domain is the department name of the department to which the regular user belongs. Note that another attribute of the authorized user may be the value of the authorized user's user domain. For example, the title of a regular user may be a user domain value. The user name is the name of a regular user who is responsible for a print job based on the print information. The responsible user refers to, for example, a user who should bear the cost related to the print job (however, the actual loader may be a department to which the user belongs). The PIN code is a PIN code assigned to a user who is a print request source and is a guest user.

  Next, details of step S109 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of print information generation processing in the first embodiment.

  When the confirmation result received in step S105 in FIG. 5 indicates the presence of the transmission source address of the print request mail (Yes in S201), the address confirmation unit 12 sets the user information corresponding to the transmission source address. Obtained from the authentication server 50 (S202). That is, in the user information storage unit 52, user information associated with the transmission source address is acquired. All of the user information may not be acquired. In the present embodiment, it is only necessary to acquire the user name and the department to which the user belongs. That is, it is only necessary to acquire a user name that can identify the user who requested the print request, and a department that is necessary for determining whether or not to restrict printing.

  Subsequently, the print restriction determination unit 13 refers to the restriction information storage unit 19 and determines whether restriction is necessary (S203).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the restriction information storage unit in the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the restriction information storage unit 19 stores the contents of restriction on the printing mode (output mode) for each item constituting the print setting according to the user domain. In FIG. 9, the color attribute change and the upper limit of the number of prints are shown as an example of the restriction content, but double-sided printing, consolidated printing, and the like may be the restriction content. For example, the content of the restriction is to change the printing mode so that the cost (expense) for printing decreases.

  In step S203, whether or not a record in which the value of the department to which the user information (hereinafter referred to as “target user information”) acquired in step S202 belongs is set as the value of the user domain is stored in the restriction information storage unit 19. Is determined. If the corresponding record is not stored (No in S203), the process proceeds to step S206. If the corresponding record is stored (Yes in S203), the print restriction determination unit 13 determines the content of restriction based on the record (S204). In the example of FIG. 9, regarding the department b, it is shown that the upper limit of the number of prints is 30 as the content of restriction. Therefore, if the value of the department to which the target user information belongs is department b, it is determined as the restriction content that the upper limit of the number of printed sheets is 30.

  Subsequently, the print information generation unit 15 generates print data for each of the text of the print request mail and the attached electronic data (print target data) (S206). However, only the attached electronic data may be a generation target of print data. Further, when the electronic data is in an archive file format such as a zip format including a plurality of files, the print information generation unit 15 decompresses the electronic data and generates print data for each decompressed file. Accordingly, a plurality of print data (print jobs) can be generated for one print request mail. When the print restriction determination unit 13 determines that the restriction is necessary, the content of the restriction is applied to the generated print data. For example, the value of the item to be restricted may be forcibly changed in the header portion (PJL (Printer Job Language) portion) of the print data. For example, the value of the item of the number of printed sheets or the number of printed copies may be forcibly changed so that the total number of printed sheets is within the upper limit.

  Subsequently, the print information generation unit 15 generates print information for each print data (S207). That is, a job name is generated for each print data and included in the print information. The value of the department to which the target user information belongs is set in the user domain of each print information. Further, the user name of the target user information is set for each print information. The print information generated here is transmitted to the storage server 60 in step S112 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the response mail generation unit 16 generates a response mail in which the job name of each print information is described in the text (S208). The response mail is transferred to the user terminal 30 that is the transmission source of the print request mail in steps S110 and S111 in FIG. The user who browses the response mail can know the job name corresponding to each print data generated in response to the print request mail. However, when the transmission source address exists in the user information storage unit 52, the response mail does not necessarily have to be returned. For example, when the job name is generated based on the file name of the electronic data, the user can grasp the contents of the print data corresponding to each job name when operating the image forming apparatus 20 described later. Because.

  On the other hand, the confirmation result received in step S105 in FIG. 5 indicates the absence of the source address of the print request mail (No in S201), and the confirmation result received in step S108 indicates the presence of the Cc address. If it is to be shown (Yes in S209), steps S210 to S216 are executed.

  In step S210, the print restriction determination unit 13 refers to the restriction information storage unit 19 (FIG. 9) and determines whether restriction is necessary. The processing content of step S210 may be the same as that of step S203. However, in step S210, it is determined whether or not there is a record whose user domain value is “guest”. If there is no corresponding record (No in S210), the process proceeds to step S214. If there is a corresponding record (Yes in S210), the print restriction determination unit 13 determines the content of restriction based on the record (S211). In the example of FIG. 9, for the guest user, it is determined that the color attribute is limited to monochrome and the upper limit of the number of prints is 10.

  Subsequently, the PIN code generation unit 14 generates a PIN code for each print request mail (S213). The PIN code may be generated by any method as long as it has a different value for each print request mail. However, the PIN code is preferably composed of characters that can be easily input via the operation panel 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 or a software keyboard displayed on the operation panel 25.

  Subsequently, the print information generation unit 15 generates print data for each of the text of the print request mail and the attached electronic data (print target data) (S214). The processing content of step S214 may be the same as that of step S206. Here, for example, with respect to PJL (Printer Job Language), the color attribute value is forcibly changed to monochrome, and the total number of printed sheets is changed to 10 or less. Therefore, for example, even if the print target data is data including a color image or the like, it is forced to be monochrome.

  Subsequently, the print information generation unit 15 generates print information for each print data (S215). That is, a job name is generated for each print data and included in the print information. “Guest” is set in the user domain of each print information. Each print information is set with the user name included in the confirmation result in step S108 of FIG. 5, the PIN code generated in step S213, and the like. The print information generated here is transmitted to the storage server 60 in step S112 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the response mail generation unit 16 generates a response mail in which the PIN code is described in the text, for example, in addition to the job name of each print information (S216). The response mail is transferred to the user terminal 30 that is the transmission source of the print request mail in steps S110 and S111 in FIG. The user who has viewed the response mail can know the PIN code that is required to be input to the image forming apparatus 20 when printing the print data generated in response to the print request mail. Further, the user can know the job name corresponding to each print data. However, the job name does not necessarily have to be included in the response mail.

  If neither the transmission source address nor the Cc address exists, or if the transmission source address does not exist and the Cc address is not specified (No in S209), the response mail generation unit 16 generates an error message, for example. A response mail (hereinafter, referred to as “error mail”) including is generated (S217). In this case, an error mail is returned in step S110. In this case, print information is not generated. Accordingly, steps S112 and S113 in FIG. 5 are not executed. That is, the user cannot perform printing.

  Thereafter, the user who has received the response mail other than the error mail goes to the installation place of the image forming apparatus 20 and operates the image forming apparatus 20. Next, a processing procedure executed by the image forming apparatus 20 according to a user operation will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the image forming apparatus in the first embodiment.

  For example, the authentication control unit 221 displays a login screen on the operation panel 25 in response to a call for a print function of print data stored in the storage server 60 (S301).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a login screen. In FIG. 11, a login screen 510 has input areas such as a user name, a password, and a PIN code.

  For example, when the operator of the image forming apparatus 20 is a regular user, a user name and a password are input to the login screen 510. On the other hand, when the operator is a guest user, the PIN code notified by the response mail is input to the login screen 510.

  In addition, even if it is a regular user, a PIN code may be input. For example, when a regular user sends a print request mail from a mail address of the private user terminal 30, that is, a mail address not stored in the user information storage unit 52, a response mail returned to the user terminal 30 Includes a PIN code. On the other hand, the regular user may separately send a print request mail from the mail address stored in the user information storage unit 52. In this case, for the regular user, the print data associated with the PIN code and the print data associated with the user name are stored in the storage server 60. For both print data, both the user name and password and the PIN code may be input at the same time in order to enable execution of print processing with a single login operation.

  When at least one of the user name, password, and PIN code is input to the login screen 510 and the OK button 511 is pressed, the authentication control unit 221 determines whether the user name and password are input on the login screen 510. It is determined whether or not (S302). When the user name and password are input (Yes in S302), the authentication control unit 221 executes an authentication process (S303). Specifically, the authentication control unit 221 transmits an authentication request specifying the input user name and password to the authentication server 50. The request response unit 51 of the authentication server 50 determines whether or not the combination of the user name and password specified in the authentication request is stored in the user information storage unit 52. If the set is stored in the user information storage unit 52, the authentication is successful. If the group is not stored in the user information storage unit 52, the authentication fails. The request response unit 51 returns information indicating whether authentication is correct or not to the authentication control unit 221 of the image forming apparatus 20 that is the authentication request source.

  When the authentication is successful (Yes in S304), the print information acquisition unit 222 adds the user name input on the login screen 510 to the designation information (S305). The designation information refers to information that is designated when a list of print information is acquired from the storage server 60 in the subsequent step S308. If the authentication fails (No in S304), step S305 is not executed.

  If the user name and password are not entered in the login screen 510 (No in S302), if authentication based on the user name and password fails (No in S304), or following step S305, the print information acquisition unit 222 Then, it is determined whether or not a PIN code is input on the login screen 510 (S306). When the PIN code has been input (Yes in S306), the print information acquisition unit 222 adds the PIN code to the designation information (S307). If the PIN code has not been input (No in S306), step S307 is not executed.

  Subsequently, the print information acquisition unit 222 specifies the specification information and acquires a list of print information from the storage server 60 (S308). More specifically, the print information acquisition unit 222 specifies designation information and transmits a print information list acquisition request to the storage server 60. In response to the acquisition request, the print information providing unit 63 of the storage server 60 acquires print information including the designation information specified in the acquisition request from the print information storage unit 62 (FIG. 7). That is, when the user name and password are input on the login screen 510, the user domain is other than “guest”, and print information including the user name is acquired. Here, the user name is also included in the print information based on the print request mail from the guest user in which the mail address of the regular user related to the user name is designated as the Cc address. Therefore, when a user name and password are input on the login screen 510, the user domain is “guest”, and print information including the user name is also acquired. As a result, as will be apparent from the description below, the authorized user can cause the image forming apparatus 20 to execute a print job based on the print request mail from the guest user. By doing so, for example, when the image forming apparatus 20 is installed in an area where guest users are prohibited from entering, the authorized user can execute a print job on behalf of the user. However, in an environment where protection of confidential information included in print request emails from guest users is prioritized, the user domain is “guest” when the user name and password are entered on the login screen 510. The print information including the user name may be excluded from acquisition targets.

  On the other hand, when a PIN code is input on the login screen 510, the user domain is “guest” and print information including the PIN is acquired.

  When both the user name and password and the PIN code are input on the login screen 510 and the authentication is successful, the user domain is other than “guest”, the print information including the user name, and the user domain Is “guest”, and print information including the PIN code is acquired. When both the user name and password and the PIN code are input on the login screen 510 and the authentication fails, the user domain is “guest”, and print information including the PIN is acquired.

  The print information providing unit 63 returns a list of acquired print information to the image forming apparatus 20. Note that the print data returned here does not need to include print data.

  Subsequently, the print information acquisition unit 222 of the image forming apparatus 20 displays a list of job names and the like included in each returned print information on the operation panel 25 (S309). The list is a candidate for printing. That is, the user can input a print execution instruction for the print information included in the list.

  When one or more job names are selected from the list, the print information acquisition unit 222 acquires the print data corresponding to the job name from the storage server 60 (S310). More specifically, the print information acquisition unit 222 transmits a print data acquisition request in which the job name is specified to the storage server 60. In response to the acquisition request, the print information providing unit 63 of the storage server 60 returns print data corresponding to the job name specified in the acquisition request to the image forming apparatus 20. Hereinafter, the print information related to the selected job name is referred to as “target print information”.

  If only print information for one print data is acquired based on the input user name or PIN code, the print information acquisition unit 222 may acquire the print data without performing the process of S309. Further, the print information providing unit 63 may return the print data acquired based on the user name and the PIN code instead of returning the list of print information to the image forming apparatus 20.

  Subsequently, the print control unit 223 controls execution of a print job related to the print data (S311). As a result, a sheet on which the print data is printed is output. At this time, if a restriction is applied to the print data, the print job is executed in a state where the restriction is applied. For example, the number of printed pages is limited within the upper limit range, or the color attribute is forcibly changed to monochrome.

  The log indicating the execution of the print job includes the user name included in the target print information. In the present embodiment, the user name is also included in the print information related to the user whose user domain is “guest”. That is, the user name is included in any print information. Therefore, for example, when the expense billing destination for the execution of the print job is determined based on the user name, it is possible to determine the expense billing destination even for the print job by the user whose user domain is “guest”. Note that the identification information of the billing destination and the correspondence information between each user name are stored in the HDD 214, for example.

  If the user domain of the target print information is other than “guest”, that is, if the operator of the image forming apparatus 20 is a regular user, the print control unit 223 displays the user name input at the time of login in step S311. The print job is executed within the range of authority (print authority) corresponding to. On the other hand, when the user domain of the target print information is “guest”, that is, when the operator of the image forming apparatus 20 is a guest user, the print control unit 223 displays the regular user associated with the guest user. Execute the print job within the authority. However, the print job may be executed within the range of authority for the guest user. The authority of each regular user may be stored in the user information storage unit 52, for example. The authority of each guest user may be stored in the guest information storage unit. The authority of each guest user may be common or may be different individually.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, even a guest user whose account such as a user name and a password is not registered in the authentication server 50 can be given printing authority. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the necessity for the guest user to request printing from a regular user. In addition, the guest user is notified of a PIN code for each print request mail. Therefore, a pseudo and temporary account can be given for each guest user. Therefore, the print data that can be operated by each guest user is limited to the print data corresponding to the print request mail from the guest user. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which print data of other users can be easily operated between guest users.

  Furthermore, the necessity of installing a dedicated image forming apparatus 20 for guest users can be reduced.

  Moreover, restrictions can be applied to the printing mode according to the user domain. Therefore, in particular, unlimited use by guest users can be suppressed.

  In addition, the mail address of any regular user is designated as the Cc address of the print request mail from the guest user. As a result, the regular user can be associated with the print job by the guest user, and the billing destination of the cost of the print job can be determined based on the association.

  In addition, even if the user is a regular user, a case where the regular user is treated as a guest user by transmitting a print request mail from a mail address different from the mail address registered for the regular user can be considered. Even in such a case, the Cc address of the print request mail requires the designation of the mail address of the authorized user, so that it is possible to determine the billing destination for the cost of the print job.

  Note that in the print request of the guest user, the designation destination of the regular user's mail address may not be Cc. The regular user's mail address may be designated as Bcc, or may be designated as To together with the address of the print request mail. In other words, the mail address of the authorized user may be included in the transmission destination of the print request mail. In any case of Cc, Bcc, or To, the print request mail by the guest user is transmitted to the authorized user, so that the authorized user can detect the registration of the print job in his own name. As a result, the authorized user can detect the registration of an unauthorized print job that is not intended by the authorized user.

  When the same guest user transmits a plurality of print request mails, a plurality of response mails each including a different PIN code are returned to the user terminal 30 of the guest user. In consideration of such a situation, a plurality of PIN codes may be input to the login screen 510. The print information acquisition unit 222 may acquire print information including any of the plurality of PIN codes from the storage server 60. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of having to repeatedly log in and display a list of print information for each PIN code.

  Alternatively, the PIN code generation unit 14 of the management server 10 may store the generated PIN code in the auxiliary storage device 102 in association with the transmission source address of the print request mail, for example. If the source address of the print request mail is stored in the auxiliary storage device 102 in association with the PIN code, the PIN code generation unit 14 does not generate a new PIN code but stores the stored PIN code. Is output. In this case, a response mail including the PIN code is returned.

  In this way, when the same guest user transmits a plurality of print request mails, a single PIN code is assigned to the guest user instead of each print request mail. Therefore, the guest user can cause the image forming apparatus 20 to display and print a list of print information corresponding to a plurality of print request mails by inputting the PIN code on the login screen 510.

  The PIN code may be provided with an expiration date. A PIN code that has expired may be invalidated.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Accordingly, points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of print information generation processing in the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same steps as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, steps S203, S204, S208, S210, S211 and S216 are replaced with steps S203a, S204a, S208a, S210a, S211a and S216a, respectively. Further, steps S205 and S212 are added. Further, steps S209 and S217 are deleted.

  In steps S203a and S210a, the print restriction determination unit 13 refers to the restriction information storage unit 19 to determine whether restriction is necessary.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a restriction information storage unit in the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the restriction information storage unit 19 stores restriction contents corresponding to the conditions. The conditions include items constituting the contents of the print request (output request) such as the user domain, the number of printed sheets, and the presence / absence of a Cc address. When all of these items are satisfied, the condition including the item is satisfied. The user domain is a comparison item with the user domain of the user who made the print request. In the example of FIG. 13, the regular user is shared, but the user domain of the regular user may be subdivided for each department or the like as in the first embodiment. The number of printed sheets is a comparison item with the number of printed sheets of print data. The presence / absence of the Cc address is a comparison item for the presence / absence of designation of the Cc address of the print request mail and the presence / absence of the mail address designated as the Cc address. “None” indicates a state in which the Cc address of the print request mail is not designated, or the mail address designated in the Cc address is not that of any regular user.

  The restriction content indicates the content of the restriction applied when the condition is satisfied. In FIG. 13, the restriction content includes items such as output permission / rejection and forced duplex. The output permission / inhibition indicates whether or not output (printing) is permitted. Forced duplex indicates whether to apply duplex printing forcibly when output is permitted. “◯” indicates that double-sided printing is forcibly applied.

  The print restriction determination unit 13 collates the user domain related to the print request mail, the number of prints, and the presence / absence of the Cc address with each record in the restriction information storage unit 19. Collation with each record is executed in the order of arrangement in the restriction information storage unit 19. Therefore, the record in which the arrangement order is first (higher order) is preferentially applied to the record in which the arrangement order is later (lower order). If the user domain related to the print request mail, the number of copies, and the presence / absence of the Cc address match any of the record conditions, the print restriction determination unit 13 determines that the restriction is necessary. If the user domain related to the print request mail, the number of copies, and the presence / absence of the Cc address do not match any of the record conditions, the print restriction determination unit 13 determines that no restriction is necessary. If no restriction is required (No in S203a or No in S210a), the process proceeds to step S206 or S213.

  When the restriction is necessary (Yes in S203a or Yes in S210a), the print restriction determination unit 13 sets the restriction content value of the record that matches the user domain related to the print request mail, the number of prints, and the presence or absence of the Cc address. The content is determined (S204a or S211a). For example, according to the example of FIG. 13, if more than 20 sheets are printed by a regular user, forced duplex is determined as the restriction content. Further, when the guest user prints 10 sheets or more and the mail address of the authorized user is not specified as the Cc address, output disapproval (output rejection) is determined as the restriction content.

  The setting contents of the condition and restriction contents of the second record in FIG. 13 are unlimited even if the user of the print request source is a guest user when the mail address of the authorized user is designated as the Cc address. Based on the policy to allow printing. Further, even if the mail address of the authorized user is not specified as the Cc address, it is based on the policy of permitting the printing by the guest user if the amount of printing is less than 10 sheets. However, the condition may be set based on a policy different from such a policy. In addition, each of the conditions and the restriction contents may be configured by items different from the example of FIG.

  Subsequently, the print restriction determination unit 13 determines whether the output permission / prohibition value of the restriction content is “permitted” (S205 or S212). If the output permission value is “permitted” (Yes in S205 or Yes in S212), the process proceeds to step S206 or S213. When the output permission / prohibition value is “not permitted” (No in S205 or No in S212), the process proceeds to step S208a or S216a.

  In step S208a or S216a, the response mail generator 16 generates a response mail. Here, when the restriction is applied, the response mail generation unit 16 generates a response mail including information indicating the content of the restriction determined in step S204a or S211a. By doing so, it is possible to notify the recipient of the response mail (user who requested the printing) of the restrictions applied to the requested printing. Further, information indicating a method for releasing the restriction may be included in the response mail. The method for releasing the restriction is a method for preventing the condition to which the restriction is applied from being satisfied. For example, when the second record in FIG. 13 is applied, a response mail including a message as shown in FIG. 14 may be generated.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a response mail that notifies the restriction release method. The response mail shown in FIG. 14 includes a message indicating that printing cannot be performed because the mail address of the authorized user (employee) is not designated as the Cc address. In addition, a message that prompts retransmission of the print request mail in which the mail address of the authorized user is designated as the Cc address is included. According to such a response mail, the user can easily grasp what kind of print request mail should be transmitted in order to permit printing.

  If printing is possible with restrictions applied, information indicating the contents of the restrictions and a PIN code for performing printing with the restrictions applied are included in the response mail. For example, the print restriction determination unit 13 determines that the forced monochrome restriction is applied, the print information generation unit 15 generates print data with the monochrome print setting, and the PIN code generation unit 14 generates the PIN code “1234”. In this case, the response e-mail contains “PIN code is 1234. However, if printing is performed with this PIN code, monochrome printing will occur. If you want to perform color printing, specify the e-mail address of the employee in Cc and resend the e-mail. Please send me a response email.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by notifying the restriction on printing by the response mail, the user can know in advance (before operating the image forming apparatus 20) that the restriction is applied to printing. As a result, in particular, when printing is not permitted, it is possible to save the trouble of moving to operate the image forming apparatus 20 even though printing cannot be performed. Also in the first embodiment, information indicating the content of restriction may be included in the response mail.

  Note that the comparison target with the number of prints of the condition in the restriction information storage unit 19 shown in FIG. 13 is the total number of prints related to the print information stored in the print information storage unit 62 for the user who is the print request source. May be. In other words, the number of prints of the condition in the restriction information storage unit 19 may be defined as the number of printable sheets.

  In this case, for example, the print information storage unit 62 may be configured as shown in FIG. The print information storage unit 62a shown in FIG. 15 has items of mail address and number of prints added to the print information storage unit 62 shown in FIG. The mail address is a transmission source address of the print request mail. The number of printed sheets is the number of printed data. When adopting a configuration such as the print information storage unit 62a, in steps S206 and S215, the print information generation unit 15 includes the print request mail transmission source mail address and the number of print data prints in the print information.

  For the print request source user, the total number of prints related to the print information stored in the print information storage unit 62 is the print information including the transmission source address of the print request mail in the mail address item, and the print information storage unit 62a. To obtain the total number of prints of the retrieved print information.

In each of the above embodiments, the management server 10, the authentication server 50, and the storage server 60 are examples of an information processing system. The print data is an example of output data. That is, the above embodiments may be applied to cases where data other than print data is output to the image forming apparatus 20 or other devices. The mail receiving unit 11 is an example of a receiving unit. The address confirmation unit 12 is an example of a determination unit. The transmission source address is an example of transmission source address information. The address information may be changed as appropriate according to the communication protocol used. For example, when HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is used, the address information may be an IP address or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). PIN code generation unit 14 is an example of a generate part. The PIN code is an example of authority identification information. The print information generation unit 15 is an example of a second generation unit. Print data or print information is an example of output information. The print information storage unit 62 is an example of a second storage unit. The mail reply unit 17 is an example of a transmission unit. The print information providing unit 63 is an example of a reply unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Management server 11 Mail receiving part 12 Address confirmation part 13 Printing restriction determination part 14 PIN code generation part 15 Print information generation part 16 Response mail generation part 17 Mail reply part 18 Print information transmission part 19 Restriction information storage part 20 Image Forming device 21 Controller 22 Scanner 23 Printer 24 Modem 25 Operation panel 26 Network interface 27 SD card slot 30 User terminal 40 Mail server 50 Authentication server 51 Request response unit 52 User information storage unit 60 Storage server 61 Print information reception unit 62 Print information storage Unit 63 print information providing unit 80 SD card 100 drive unit 101 recording medium 102 auxiliary storage unit 103 memory unit 104 CPU
105 Interface device 211 CPU
212 RAM
213 ROM
214 HDD
215 NVRAM
221 Authentication control unit 222 Print information acquisition unit 223 Print control unit B bus

JP 2004-236348 A JP 2001-051915 A

Claims (10)

An information processing system including one or more computers,
A receiving unit that receives an output request of data having predetermined address information as a destination via a network;
A first storage unit for storing address information;
A determination unit that determines whether the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit;
When the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit, the authority identification information for enabling printing is transmitted to the address of the transmission source of the output request, A transmission unit that transmits a restriction release method applied according to the content of the output request to the transmission source when predetermined address information is not included in the address information stored in the first storage unit; ,
An information processing system. The determination unit includes the predetermined address information in the address information stored in the first storage unit when the address information of the transmission source of the output request is not stored in the first storage unit. To determine whether
The information processing system according to claim 1. A first generation unit that generates the authority identification information when address information of a source of the output request is not stored in the first storage unit;
A determination unit that determines the content of restrictions applied to the output of the data according to a condition that matches the content of the output request;
A second generation unit that generates output information of data related to the output request, and that applies the restriction determined by the determination unit to the output information;
A second storage unit that stores the output information in association with the authority identification information;
In response to a request transmitted from the device via the network, a reply unit that returns the output information stored in the second storage unit in association with the authority identification information included in the request to the device. ,
The information processing system according to claim 2. The second generation unit generates the output information to which the content of the restriction determined by the determination unit regarding the output mode of the data is applied.
The information processing system according to claim 3. The second storage unit does not store the output information of the data in the second storage unit when the content of the restriction determined by the determination unit is output rejection,
The information processing system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The transmission unit transmits information indicating the content of the restriction determined by the determination unit to a transmission source of the output request;
The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the information processing system is an information processing system. An information processing system including one or more computers
A reception procedure for receiving an output request of data having predetermined address information as a destination via a network;
A determination procedure for determining whether the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit;
When the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit, the authority identification information for enabling printing is transmitted to the address of the transmission source of the output request, A transmission procedure for transmitting, to the transmission source, a restriction release method applied according to the content of the output request, when predetermined address information is not included in the address information stored in the first storage unit; ,
The information processing method characterized by performing. The determination procedure includes the predetermined address information in the address information stored in the first storage unit when the address information of the transmission source of the output request is not stored in the first storage unit. To determine whether
The information processing method according to claim 7. On the computer,
A reception procedure for receiving an output request of data having predetermined address information as a destination via a network;
A determination procedure for determining whether the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit;
When the predetermined address information is included in the address information stored in the first storage unit, the authority identification information for enabling printing is transmitted to the address of the transmission source of the output request, A transmission procedure for transmitting, to the transmission source, a restriction release method applied according to the content of the output request, when predetermined address information is not included in the address information stored in the first storage unit; ,
A program that executes The determination procedure includes the predetermined address information in the address information stored in the first storage unit when the address information of the transmission source of the output request is not stored in the first storage unit. To determine whether
The program according to claim 9.

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