JP7069817B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device having a function of storing a print job in a memory and starting printing by inputting authentication information from a user.

Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus in which a print executor logs in to the image forming apparatus and then performs a printing operation of a print job (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the print executor inputs the user identification information and the authentication information by using the login screen of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus displays a list of documents associated with the logged-in user who has succeeded in authentication. The print executor selects the document data to be printed from the displayed document list, and causes the image forming apparatus to execute printing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-320166

On the other hand, there is also a function of setting a password when sending a print job to a printing device and executing printing by performing password authentication associated with the print job in the printing device. In each case, the received print job is temporarily saved in the memory, and printing is started by inputting the authentication information from the user. However, for a device in which two functions coexist, which function is prioritized has not been considered.

The present application has been proposed in view of the above problems, and performs printing processing in a security printing function for executing a print job associated with a password and a storage printing function for executing a print job associated with user identification information. The purpose is to provide technology that can be executed appropriately.

The printing apparatus according to the present application includes a storage unit for storing a print job, a communication unit, a display unit, an operation unit for receiving an operation, a printing unit for printing an image, and a control unit. By the control unit, the reception process of receiving the print job via the communication unit, the determination process of determining whether or not the print job received by the reception process includes a password, and the determination process. , When it is determined that the print job contains a password, and the save process for saving the print job in the storage unit and the determination process determine that the print job does not contain the password. In addition, a first print process of printing an image related to the print job by the print unit, and a first display process of displaying a job list showing information about the print job stored in the storage unit on the display unit. The first reception process for receiving the selection of the print job from the displayed job list by the operation unit, the second reception process for accepting the password via the operation unit, and the printing selected in the first reception process. As a result of the password determination process for determining whether or not the password associated with the job and the password accepted in the second reception process match, and the password determination process, the password associated with the print job and the first item. 2 Executes a security printing function including a second printing process in which the print job selected in the first reception process is printed by the printing unit in response to the determination that the password received in the reception process matches. In the printing device to be printed, the control unit executes a third reception process for accepting a setting of whether or not to execute a function included in the printing device including a storage printing function, and the storage printing function displays user identification information. Based on the fourth reception process received via the operation unit and the authentication data related to the authentication of the user identification information, the user identification information received in the fourth reception process is authenticated, and the authentication is successful. The printing job stored in the storage unit includes a third printing process in which the printing unit prints an image related to the printing job associated with the user identification information that has been successfully authenticated. The control unit stores the print job in the storage unit without executing the password determination process in response to the reception of the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process, and stores the print job. The third print process is executed without accepting the password of the print job saved in the unit via the operation unit.

According to the printing apparatus according to the present application, it is possible to set that the storage printing function is executed in the printing apparatus having the security printing function. Then, the printing apparatus does not execute the processing in the security printing function in response to the reception of the setting to execute the storage printing function. That is, the security printing function is restricted. By limiting the security printing function according to the activation of the storage printing function, it is possible to appropriately execute the printing process in the printing apparatus having the two functions. The term "restricting the security printing function" as used herein means not only when the security printing function is completely stopped and the security printing job is discarded, but also when at least a part of the security printing job is stored and printed. It is a concept including the case of printing as.

The technique disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the printing apparatus, and can be realized in various forms, such as a printing control method for controlling the printing apparatus, a function of the apparatus, or the method. It can be realized in the form of a computer program for realization, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the MFP of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data stored in the authentication DB. It is a figure which shows the content of the print job described in PJL. It is a sequence diagram which shows the state transition of the screen displayed on the touch panel of the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a main process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a function setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a print / accumulation process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a print / accumulation process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the standby screen display processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the processing after pressing an icon. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the function setting process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the print / accumulation process of 2nd Embodiment.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the MFP 1 of the first embodiment, which is an embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present application, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1.

(1. MFP configuration)
The MFP 1 is a multifunction device having a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 12, a RAM 13, a memory 15, a printing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a fax communication unit 18, a user interface 20, a network interface 24, and the like. These CPUs 12 and the like are connected to each other by a bus 11. Further, the MFP 1 includes a power source 25 that supplies electric power from a commercial power source. The power supply 25 includes a power cord and a power supply circuit (bridge diode, smoothing circuit, etc.), generates a DC power supply from a commercial power supply, and supplies power to each part of the MFP 1 by a power supply line.

The memory 15 (an example of the storage unit of the present invention) is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM. The storage unit of the present application is not limited to NVRAM, and may be a volatile RAM, a ROM, an HDD, an external storage device (USB memory or the like) connected to the MFP 1, or a storage unit in combination thereof. Further, the storage unit of the present application may be a file server or the like connected via the network interface 24. Further, the storage unit may be a storage medium that can be read by a computer. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitional medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a signal medium that can be read by a computer, which is a kind of medium that can be read by a computer, but is a storage that can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in the medium.

The memory 15 stores various programs such as the control program 71. The control program 71 is, for example, a program that comprehensively controls each part of the MFP1. The CPU 12 executes the control program 71 and controls each unit connected by the bus 11 while temporarily storing the executed processing result in the RAM 13. Further, the control program 71 includes an EWS (Embedded Web Server) program which is a program that functions as a Web server. The CPU 12 causes the MFP 1 to function as a Web server by executing the EWS program. Further, an authentication DB (abbreviation of database) 73 is constructed in the memory 15 of the present embodiment. As will be described later, the authentication DB 73 is data associated with, for example, the user name of the logged-in user who can log in to the MFP 1, the authority of each user, and the e-mail address of each user (see FIG. 2). In the following description, the MFP 1 that executes the control program 71 and the like on the CPU 12 may be simply described by the device name. For example, the description "the MFP 1 accepts the operation input to the touch panel 21" means "the MFP 1 receives the operation input to the touch panel 21 by executing the control program 71 on the CPU 12 and controlling the touch panel 21". There is.

The printing unit 16 has a head 161 and an ink cartridge 162. The ink cartridge 162 contains ink. The head 161 ejects the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 162 onto a sheet (paper, OHP, or the like). As a result, the printing unit 16 prints an image on the sheet by an inkjet method based on the control of the CPU 12. The printing unit 16 of the present application is not limited to the configuration in which printing is performed by the inkjet method, and may be configured to print by another method, for example, an electrophotographic method.

The image reading unit 17 includes a document stand (not shown) and an image sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). The image reading unit 17 moves the CIS or the like with respect to the document placed on the platen, reads the document, and generates image data. The FAX communication unit 18 transmits / receives FAX data to / from another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line.

The user interface 20 has operation buttons such as a touch panel 21 and a numeric keypad 22. The touch panel 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, a light source such as an LED that irradiates light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, a contact sensing film attached to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the like. The user interface 20 displays, for example, various setting screens, operating states of devices, and the like on the touch panel 21 based on the control of the CPU 12. Further, the user interface 20 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation input to the touch panel 21 and the numeric keypad 22 to the CPU 12.

The network interface 24 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, and is connected to the router 29 via a LAN cable (not shown). For example, a plurality of PCs 41 and a mail server 43 are connected to the router 29 of the present embodiment. The user operates the PC 41 to send the print job 75 from the PC 41 to the MFP 1. The MFP 1 executes the print process based on the print job 75 received from the PC 41. Further, the MFP 1 has a mail receiving function of processing the mail received from the mail server 43 as a print job 75 and printing a file attached to the mail. The device for transmitting the print job 75 to the MFP 1 is not limited to the PC 41 and the mail server 43, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication with the MFP 1. Further, the network connecting the MFP 1, the PC 41, and the mail server 43 is not limited to the wired LAN, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN or a WAN (including the Internet).

Next, the authentication DB 73 stored in the memory 15 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows an example of data stored in the authentication DB 73. As shown in FIG. 2, in the authentication DB 73, for example, a user name 111, a PIN number 113, a print authority flag 114, a scan authority flag 115, a copy authority flag 116, and an e-mail address 117 are associated and registered as one record. ing. In the authentication DB 73 of the present embodiment, five users, a public user (PUBLIC), "inoue", "kato", "hayashi", and "minami", are registered. The user name 111 and the PIN number 113 are given to each user by, for example, the system administrator who manages the MFP1. Each user performs a login operation of the MFP 1 using the user name 111 and the PIN number 113.

Further, the print authority flag 114, the scan authority flag 115, and the copy authority flag 116 are flag values for granting or setting the execution authority of the print function, the scan function, and the copy function to the MFP1 to each user. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the public user and the user name "inoue" have print authority and scan authority, but do not have copy authority.

Further, an e-mail address 117 is set in each record in association with the user name 111, the PIN number 113, and the like. As described above, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment can print an attached file of an email received from the mail server 43.

The system administrator adds or deletes the user shown in FIG. 2, changes the authority, registers the e-mail address 117, and the like to the authentication DB 73. For example, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment can accept the setting of the authentication DB 73 by EWS. For example, the system administrator operates a Web browser on the PC 41 to access the EWS of the MFP 1. The MFP1 executes the setting of the authentication DB 73 based on the information received on the EWS Web page. The method of editing the authentication DB 73 is not limited to the method using the WEB server described above. For example, the MFP 1 may edit the authentication DB 73 according to the operation input to the touch panel 21. The data item of the authentication DB 73 shown in FIG. 2 is an example. For example, the authentication DB 73 may have a flag value for granting the execution authority of the FAX function and a value for limiting the number of prints of each user. ..

(2. Security printing function and storage printing function)
The MFP 1 of the present embodiment has a security printing function and a storage printing function. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the print job 75 for executing the security print function is referred to as a security print job 75A, and the print job 75 for executing the cumulative print function is referred to as a cumulative print job. It will be referred to as 75B.

When the storage print function receives the print job 75 in which the user name 85 is set from the PC 41 or the like, the stored print job 75 stores the received print job 75 as the stored print job 75B in the memory 15 of the MFP1. When the user name and PIN number are input via the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1, they collate with the user name 111 and PIN number 113 (see FIG. 2) registered in the authentication DB 73. As a result of the collation, when the user name 111 and the PIN number 113 registered in the authentication DB 73 match, the user who performed the input operation logs in to the MFP1. When the user logs in to the MFP 1, the storage printing job 75B associated with the user name 85 of the logged-in user is acquired from the memory 15 and printing is started.

The storage print function is set by the system administrator operating a Web browser on the PC 41 and accessing the EWS of the MFP 1. When the setting to execute the storage printing function is made, the MFP 1 executes each process for storage printing described by the present embodiment for the print job 75 received from the outside such as the PC 41. When the storage print function is set not to be executed, the MFP 1 starts the print process when the print job 75 is received from the outside such as the PC 41 without being stored in the memory 15. Note that not storing in the memory 15 in this case means that a trigger for starting printing is not separately provided, and the process of temporarily storing in the memory 15 for the printing process is not included. Further, the printer driver executed on the PC 41 sets the user account of the user for logging in to the PC 41 in the print job 75 and sends the printer driver to the MFP 1. Further, the same character string is used for the user account for logging in to the PC 41 and the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73.

The security print function is a print job 75 in which the print job 75 associated with the password is temporarily stored in the memory 15 of the MFP 1, the user operates the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1, and the password associated with the print job 75 is input. It is a function to execute printing of. When executing the security print function, the PC 41 transmits the security print job 75A in which the job name 81 and the password 83 are set to the MFP1. The job name 81 is, for example, the name of the print job 75 given by the printer driver executed by the PC 41. The password 83 is, for example, information (numbers, characters, etc.) set by the user on the setting screen of the printer driver executed by the PC 41 and associated with the security print job 75A.

The storage printing function and the security printing function are common in that the print job 75 received from the outside is stored in the memory 15 and printing is started by the user performing an operation of inputting authentication information in the MFP 1. On the other hand, the authentication information to be input is the password 83 associated with the print job 75 in the security print function, but the storage print function is different in that the PIN number 113 corresponds to the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73. Further, the print job 75 that starts printing is a print job 75 selected by the user in the security printing function, but is different in that it is all the print jobs 75 to be printed in the storage printing function.

FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a print job 75 described in PJL (Printer Job Language). The content of the data in FIG. 3 is an example. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in the header of the print job 75, a command for setting variables (JOB_NAME, etc.) in the order of job name 81, user name 85, password 83, transmission time, and description language type is described. There is. The MFP 1 changes the processing content of the print job 75, for example, based on the data set in the header of the received print job 75. For example, when a valid value is set in the variable of "JOB_PASSWORD" indicating the password 83, the MFP1 determines that the password 83 is set in the received print job 75, and treats it as a security print job 75A. Further, the MFP1 determines that the user name 85 is set in the received print job 75, for example, when a valid value is set in "PRINT_USER" indicating the user name 85. Similarly, for printer languages other than PJL, the setting state of the user name 85 or the like can be detected by determining the contents defined in each language.

FIG. 4 shows the state transition of the screen displayed on the touch panel 21 of the MFP 1. S19 to S29 in FIG. 4 are processes related to the login operation of the MFP1. The MFP 1 displays, for example, the standby screen 91 shown in the upper left of FIG. 4 on the touch panel 21 (see FIG. 1) after the power is turned on, the control program 71 is executed, and the system is started. The MFP 1 displays a function icon 93 for selecting a fax function, a copy function, a scan function, etc. in the center of the standby screen 91. Further, the MFP 1 displays a user display field 95 for displaying the currently selected user name on the upper left of the standby screen 91. When the power is turned on, since no one is logged in yet, the MFP1 displays in the user display field 95 that the public user indicating the logout state is selected on the standby screen 91. .. When the standby screen 91 is displayed, a function (scan function, etc.) according to the authority granted to the public user (see FIG. 2) can be executed. The MFP 1 displays a date and time column 97 indicating the current time and date at the lower right of the standby screen 91. Further, the MFP 1 displays a triangular icon 98 indicating that scrolling in the left-right direction is possible on both the left and right sides of the standby screen 91.

In S19 of FIG. 4, when the user touches the user display field 95 displaying the public user, the MFP 1 displays the user selection window 109 on the touch panel 21. In the user selection window 109, the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 is displayed.

After displaying the user name 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 in the user selection window 109, when any user name 111 in the user selection window 109, for example, the user name 111 of "inoue" is touched by the user (S21), The MFP 1 displays the PIN number input window 121 for inputting the PIN number 113. The MFP 1 displays the numeric keypad 123 for inputting the PIN number 113 and the PIN number input field 124 in the PIN number input window 121. When the PIN number 113 is input to the PIN number input field 124 using the numeric keypad 123, the MFP 1 determines the PIN number 113 associated with the input PIN number 113 and the user name 111 selected in the user selection window 109. In this case, it is determined whether or not "1111") of "windowe" in FIG. 2 matches (S23). The MFP1 permits login when the PIN number 113 matches. Although the details will be described later, in the MFP 1, when the storage printing job 75B associated with the logged-in user is stored in the memory 15 and the logged-in user is given the printing authority, the stored storage printing job 75B is stored. Print all jobs 75B (S23).

MFP1 displays the second standby screen 91B after login. The MFP 1 displays the logged-in user name (for example, "inoue") in the user display field 95 of the second standby screen 91B. In this state, the logged-in user can execute only the functions permitted by the authentication DB 73. Therefore, the MFP 1 limits the execution authority of each user by limiting the function after login based on the authority set in the authentication DB 73. For example, even if a user without copy authority touches the copy function icon 93, the function is not executed. The MFP1 does not have to display the function icon 93 of the function that the logged-in user does not have the authority to execute, that is, the function icon 93 of the function that cannot be executed on the second standby screen 91B.

When the user display field 95 is touched (S25) while the second standby screen 91B is displayed, the MFP1 displays the logout window 126. The MFP1 displays a selection key 125 for selecting whether to execute logout in the logout window 126. When the "YES" selection key 125 instructing the execution of logout is touched (S27), the MFP 1 displays the standby screen 91 on the touch panel 21. This completes the logout. Further, when a certain period of time elapses while the second standby screen 91B is displayed, the MFP 1 returns the display of the touch panel 21 from the second standby screen 91B to the standby screen 91 (S29). This fixed time is, for example, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

(3. Operation of MFP1)
Next, the operation of the MFP 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG. 5 shows the flow of the main process for processing the print job 75. The MFP 1 executes, for example, the main process shown in FIG. 5 after the power is turned on, the control program 71 is executed by the CPU 12, and the system is started. The sequence diagram and the flowchart of the present specification basically show the processing of the CPU 12 according to the instruction described in the program (control program 71, etc.). That is, the processes such as "determination", "reception", "acquisition", "acceptance", "determination", "control", and "setting" in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 also includes hardware control.

(3-1. Function setting process)
First, the function setting process of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The MFP 1 of the present embodiment has, for example, an ON setting for executing the security printing function and an OFF setting for not executing the storage printing function as initial values. Then, for example, when the control program 71 is executed after the CPU 12 is started, the management WEB server (EWS) is started. For system management, log in to the EWS of the MFP1 from the PC41 and change various settings of the MFP1. For example, the system administrator selects each item displayed on the EWS WEB page and clicks the confirm button to set ON / OFF of the security print function, ON / OFF setting of the accumulated print function, and the above. Registration of the authentication DB 73 and the like can be executed. The MFP 1 may be configured to be capable of executing ON / OFF setting of the security printing function, ON / OFF setting of the storage printing function, and the like according to the operation input of the touch panel 21 and the numeric keypad 22 (see FIG. 1).

Then, when the function setting process shown in FIG. 6 is started, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the setting change has been accepted by the above-mentioned EWS (S51). For example, when the EWS receives an instruction to change a function setting, the EWS notifies the program that executes the function setting process of the change content. The CPU 12 ends the function setting process shown in FIG. 6 when there is no notification from the EWS of the function setting change instruction in S51, that is, when there is no function setting change (S51: NO).

On the other hand, in S51, when the EWS notifies the change content of the function setting, that is, when there is a change in the function setting (S51: YES), the CPU 12 saves the acquired change content of the function setting in the memory 15. (S53), S55 is executed. As a result, the MFP1 reflects the changed contents received by the EWS and retains the set contents at the next startup. In S55, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the storage printing function is set to ON. When the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to OFF (S55: NO), the CPU 12 ends the function setting process shown in FIG. Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to ON (S55: YES), the CPU 12 executes S56. As described above, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment is set to OFF the storage printing function as an initial value. Therefore, the CPU 12 does not execute the processing after S56 until the storage printing function is set to ON by the system administrator or the like. The MFP1 may be configured so that the storage printing function is set to ON as an initial value.

In S56, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the security print function is set to ON. When the CPU 12 determines that the security print function is set to OFF (S56: NO), the CPU 12 executes S58. Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the security print function is set to ON (S56: YES), the CPU 12 saves a set value indicating that the security print function is set to OFF in the memory 15 (S57). As a result, the MFP1 sets the security print function to OFF even at the next startup. Therefore, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment automatically sets the security print function to OFF according to the ON setting of the storage print function. The CPU 12 executes S58 and then S58.

Next, in the processing after S58, the CPU 12 determines the print job 75 stored in the memory 15. Here, after starting the system, the CPU 12 saves the print job 75 received from the PC 41 or the like in the memory 15. For example, in S91 of FIG. 8, which will be described later, the CPU 12 saves the print job 75 in which the password 83 received when the security print function is set to ON is set in the memory 15 as the security print job 75A. Therefore, in S58 of FIG. 6, when the storage print function is set to ON (S55: YES), the CPU 12 determines the print job 75 (security print job 75A, etc.) stored in the memory 15 and stores the print job 75. A print job 75 that can be processed as printing is detected.

In S58, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the security print job 75A is among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15. For example, among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15, the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 in which a valid value is set in the variable of "JOB_PASSWORD" indicating the password 83 is the security print job 75A. (S58: YES). Alternatively, the CPU 12 may provide a dedicated area for storing the security print job 75A in the storage area of the memory 15, and determine the print job 75 saved in the area as the security print job 75A (. S58: YES). When the CPU 12 determines that the security print job 75A does not exist in the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 (S58: NO), the CPU 12 ends the function setting process shown in FIG.

Further, when the security print job 75A is included in the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 (S58: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user name 85 is set in the security print job 75A. Judgment (S59). When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is not set in the security print job 75A (S59: NO), the CPU 12 erases the security print job 75A from the memory 15 (S67).

Here, the security print job 75A in which the user name 85 is not set is difficult to associate with the user, and is difficult to be the target of the accumulated printing associated with the logged-in user. Therefore, when the storage printing function is set to ON, the security printing job 75A in which the user name 85, which is not the target of storage printing, is not set may remain stored in the memory 15. Further, as described above, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment sets the security print function to OFF according to the ON setting of the storage print function. Therefore, even if the print job 75 has the password 83 set, the print job 75 for which the user name 85 is not set is saved in the memory 15 until the security print function is set to ON again. It becomes. Therefore, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment releases the storage area of the memory 15 by erasing the security print job 75A for which the user name 85 is not set from the memory 15 (S67).

The CPU 12 may ask the user whether the security print job 75A may be deleted from the memory 15. For example, the CPU 12 may notify the system administrator PC 41 of the information of the security print job 75A determined to be deleted. Then, the CPU 12 may be set to execute S67 when it receives a notification from the system administrator to approve the permission for deletion.

After executing S67, the CPU 12 re-executes the process from S58. In this case, the CPU 12 determines whether or not there is another security print job 75A in the memory 15, and if there is (S58: YES), the security print job 75A is targeted for processing after S59. To execute.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines in S59 that the user name 85 is set in the security print job 75A (S59: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the set user name 85 is registered in the authentication DB 73. (S61). As shown in FIG. 2, four user names 111 such as "inoue" are registered in the authentication DB 73 of the present embodiment, except for "PUBLIC". Therefore, the CPU 12 accesses the authentication DB 73 in S61, and if the user name 85 set in the print job 75 corresponds to any of the four user names 111, it is determined that the user name 111 is registered in the authentication DB 73. (S61: YES). When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 of the security print job 75A is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S61: NO), the CPU 12 erases the security print job 75A from the memory 15 (S67), and processes from S58. Run again. As a result, the security print job 75A of the unregistered user who is not the target of the storage print is erased from the memory 15 in the same manner as the security print job 75A (S59: NO) in which the user name 85 is not set. Free up 15 storage areas.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 of the security printing job 75A is registered in the authentication DB 73 (S61: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the printing authority is granted to the user (S63). As shown in FIG. 2, in the authentication DB 73 of the present embodiment, the user of the user name 111 "inoue" and "hayashi" is given the print authority (see the print authority flag 114). Therefore, when the user name 85 set in the security print job 75A is "inoue" or "hayashi", the CPU 12 determines that the user has print authority (S63: YES), and executes S65. Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the user of the security print job 75A does not have the print authority (S63: NO), the CPU 12 erases the security print job 75A from the memory 15 and releases the storage area of the memory 15 (S67). ..

In S65, the CPU 12 stores the password-protected print job 75 that meets the conditions of S58 to S63 in the memory 15 as the storage print job 75B. As described above, the print job 75 that meets this condition is the security print job 75A in which the user name 85 of the registered user having the print authority is set (S58: YES, S59: YES, S61: YES, S63). : YES). Therefore, when the storage printing function is set to ON, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment has security printing in which the user name 85 of the registered user having print authority is set among the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 at that time. Job 75A is saved as a storage printing job 75B. After executing S65, the CPU 12 re-executes the process from S58.

The CPU 12 may erase all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 when the security print function is automatically set to OFF according to the ON setting of the storage print function (S57). In this case, for example, the CPU 12 does not execute the processes of S58 to S67, and after executing S57, erases all the print jobs 75 of the memory 15. Further, for example, when the security print function is intentionally set to OFF by the user's operation, the CPU 12 may erase all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 at that time.

Further, the CPU 12 may automatically set the security printing function to ON when the storage printing function is set to OFF again by the user after the storage printing function is set to ON. For example, when the CPU 12 receives a notification from EWS to set the storage print function OFF, the storage print function may be set to OFF and the security print function may be automatically set to ON. In this case, similarly to the function setting process shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 12 secures, for example, the print job 75 in which the password 83 is set among the print jobs 75 in which the user name 85 stored in the memory 15 is set. It may be saved in the memory 15 as a print job 75A. Further, for example, the CPU 12 may erase the print job 75 in which the password 83 is not set among the print jobs 75 in which the user name 85 is set, which is saved in the memory 15, and keeps saving in the memory 15. May be. Further, all the print jobs 75 stored in the memory 15 may be printed regardless of whether or not the password 83 is set.

Further, the method of saving the print job 75 that meets the conditions in S65 as the storage print job 75B is not particularly limited. For example, in the storage area of the memory 15, the storage area for storing the security print job 75A and the storage area for storing the storage print job 75B may be different from each other. In this case, the CPU 12 executes the processes S58 to S67, for example, for the print job 75 stored in the storage area for storing the security print job 75A. Then, in S65, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 that matches the conditions in the storage area for the storage print job 75B. As a result, the print job 75 whose save destination has been moved is processed as the storage print job 75B.

(3-2. Main processing)
The main process of FIG. 5 will be described. The CPU 12 executes the process shown in FIG. 5 when the power is turned on. The CPU 12 executes S31 after executing the function setting process (FIG. 6) of S30. In S31, the CPU 12 confirms the reception of the print job 75. As will be described later, the CPU 12 executes S41 and the like, and then executes S31 again. Therefore, after starting the system, the CPU 12 periodically confirms whether or not the print job 75 has been received. The CPU 12 determines the reception of the print job 75 based on the confirmation result of S31 (S33). When the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 has been received (S33: YES), the CPU 12 executes the print / storage process of S35. On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 has not been received (S33: NO), the CPU 12 executes S37. For example, when the CPU 12 receives a plurality of print jobs 75, the CPU 12 executes the processes after S31 in the order of receiving the plurality of print jobs 75.

In S37, the CPU 12 determines whether the user has logged in. The CPU 12 determines that the user has logged in when the processes S19 to S23 of FIG. 4 are performed. In S37 and later, the CPU 12 executes the process related to the accumulated printing in S19 and later in FIG. 4 described above. When the CPU 12 determines that the user has logged in (S37: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether there is a storage print job 75B associated with the logged-in user among the storage print jobs 75B stored in the memory 15 (S39). .. When the CPU 12 determines that there is a stored print job 75B of the logged-in user (S39: YES), the printing unit 16 executes printing of the stored print job 75B (S41). In this case, unlike security printing, the password 83 is not required when printing is executed, as in S17 of FIG. Further, in the printing process of S41, the CPU 12 prints the storage printing job 75B associated with the logged-in user among the print jobs 75 saved as the storage printing job 75B in S65 of FIG. 6 described above. As a result, among the print jobs 75 saved in the memory 15 when the storage print function is set to ON, the print job 75 of the registered user having the print authority can be printed. Further, the storage printing job 75B automatically starts printing without requesting the user to select a job or input a password. As a result, the complexity of the operation by the user can be eliminated.

After executing S41, the CPU 12 executes the process from S30 again. Further, when the CPU 12 is not logged in by the user in S37 (S37: NO), or when there is no storage printing job 75B associated with the user logged in in S39 (S39: NO), the CPU 12 executes the process from S30. do. Then, after executing the function setting process in S30, the CPU 12 confirms the reception of the new print job 75 in S31 and executes the processes after S33. When the storage print function is set to OFF, the CPU 12 does not have to execute the above-mentioned processes S37 to S41, that is, the process of printing the login user's storage print job 75B in accordance with the login operation.

(3-3. Printing / storage processing)
Next, the contents of the print / storage process of S35 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following description, the description of the same contents as the above-mentioned function setting process will be omitted as appropriate. When the print / accumulation process is executed, the newly received print job 75 exists in S33 of FIG. 5 (S33: YES). The CPU 12 uses the newly received print job 75 as the print job 75 to be processed, and executes the processing after S71. First, in S71, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the print job 75 to be processed is mail data. The determination of whether or not the data is mail can be determined based on, for example, the data format of the print job 75 to be processed.

When the CPU 12 determines that the print job 75 to be processed is email data (S71: YES), the CPU 12 issues a password (an example of the email password of the present invention) to the email address of the sender of the email (S73). .. This password is the password 83 required to execute security printing. The CPU 12 associates the print data (attached file, etc.) of the mail with the issued password 83, and saves the issued job 75A in the memory 15 as a security print job 75A (S75). The CPU 12 stores, for example, data such as an attached file (an example of mail information related to the mail of the present invention) in the storage area of the memory 15 for storing the security print job 75A (S75). .. After executing S75, the CPU 12 ends the print / storage process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines in S71 that the print job 75 to be processed is not mail data, that is, is a normal print job 75 described in PJL or the like (S71: NO), the storage print function is set to ON. It is determined whether or not the printing is performed (S77). When the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to ON (S77: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user name 85 is set in the print job 75 to be processed (S79). When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is set for the print job 75 to be processed (S79: YES), the CPU 12 executes S81.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is not set in the print job 75 to be processed (S79: NO), the CPU 12 discards the print job 75 to be processed without saving it in the memory 15 (S83). Therefore, when the storage print function is set to ON, when the print job 75 for which the user name 85 is not set is received, the print job 75 is discarded. This makes it possible to prevent the storage area of the memory 15 from being compressed. For example, when the security print job 75A having no user name 85 is received from the PC 41 even though the storage print function is set to ON and the security print function is set to OFF on the MFP1 side, the CPU 12 receives the received security print. The job 75A can be erased without being saved in the memory 15. As a result, while the security print function is set to OFF, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the security print job 75A is not printed and is accumulated in the memory 15. After executing S83, the CPU 12 ends the print / storage process.

Further, the CPU 12 determines in S81 whether or not the user name 85 set in the print job 75 to be processed is registered in the authentication DB 73. When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: NO), the CPU 12 executes S83. As a result, the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured while improving the security by discarding the print job 75 of the unregistered user.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines in S81 that the user name 85 is registered in the authentication DB 73 (S81: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user with the user name 85 is granted the print authority (S85). .. When the CPU 12 determines that the user is not granted the print authority (S85: NO), the CPU 12 executes S83. As a result, the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured while improving the security by discarding the print job 75 of the registered user who does not have the print authority.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines in S85 that the user is granted the print authority (S85: YES), the CPU 12 executes S87. In S87, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 to be processed in the storage area for storing the storage print job 75B in the storage area of the memory 15. The print job 75 stored in the memory 15 in S87 is executed as the storage print job 75B in S41 of FIG. When the CPU 12 executes S87, the print / storage process ends. The CPU 12 of the present embodiment has not determined whether or not the password 83 is set in the print job 75 between S77 and S87. Therefore, even if the password 83 is set in the received print job 75 when the storage print function is set to ON, the CPU 12 stores the storage job 75B as the storage print job 75B if the conditions of S77 to S87 are satisfied.

Further, in S77 described above, when the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to OFF (S77: NO), it determines whether or not the password 83 is set in the print job 75 to be processed (FIG. 8). S89). As shown in FIG. 8, when the CPU 12 determines that the password 83 is set in the print job 75 (S89: YES), the CPU 12 executes S91 and determines that the password 83 is not set (S89: NO). , S93 is executed.

Further, in S91, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 to be processed in the memory 15 as a security print job 75A, and ends the print / storage process. Further, in S93, the CPU 12 has print authority to 1) the condition that the user name 85 is not set in the print job 75 to be processed, and 2) the user with the user name 85 set in the print job 75 to be processed. If at least one of the conditions that there is no such condition is satisfied (S93: YES), S95 is executed. Further, the CPU 12 executes S97 when both of the above two conditions are not satisfied (S93: NO).

The CPU 12 executes printing of the print job 75 to be processed in S95. As a result, the CPU 12 performs the print job 75 (S89: NO, S93: YES) in which the password 83 and the user name 85 are not set, that is, the print job 75 that does not correspond to the security print job 75A and the accumulated print job 75B. Print. Further, in S95, the CPU 12 prints the print job 75 in which the password 83 is not set but the user name 85 of the registered user having the print authority is set (S89: NO, S93: YES). Further, in S97, the CPU 12 discards the print job 75 to be processed without saving it in the memory 15. As a result, the print job 75 in which the unregistered user name 85 is set and the print job 75 in which the user name 85 of the registered user who does not have the print authority is set are discarded, and the storage area of the memory 15 is secured. When the CPU 12 executes S95 or S97, the CPU 12 ends the print / storage process.

(3-4. Processing after pressing the icon)
Next, the processing of the CPU 12 in security printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 10. FIG. 10 shows the content of the post-icon pressing process after the function icon 93A of the security print function shown on the first standby screen 91A of FIG. 4 is pressed. For example, in S11 of FIG. 4, when the user performs an operation of scrolling the standby screen 91 displayed on the touch panel 21 to the left, the CPU 12 displays the first standby screen 91A on the touch panel 21. The CPU 12 displays the function icon 93A for security printing on the first standby screen 91A. When the function icon 93A of the first standby screen 91A is touched, the CPU 12 displays the job selection window 101 (S13 in FIG. 4) and starts the process shown in FIG.

First, in S101 of FIG. 10, the CPU 12 displays a list of job names 81 of the security printing job 75A accumulated in S91 of FIG. 8 in the job selection window 101 of the touch panel 21 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, in S75 of FIG. 7, the CPU 12 saves the attached file or the like of the mail for which the password 83 is issued as the security print job 75A. Therefore, for example, the name of the attached file of the e-mail to which the password 83 is issued is also displayed in the job selection window 101 as the security print job 75A.

Next, the CPU 12 determines in S103 whether or not any one of the job names 81 displayed in the job selection window 101 is touched. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the process of S103 until the job name 81 is touched (S103: NO). If the job name 81 is not selected even after a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed, the CPU 12 erases the job selection window 101 and returns the display of the touch panel 21 to the first standby screen 91A or the standby screen 91. May be.

When the job name 81 of any of the job selection windows 101 is touched (S103: YES, S15 in FIG. 4), the CPU 12 causes the password input window 103 in FIG. 4 to be displayed on the touch panel 21 (S105). After displaying the password input window 103, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the input of the password 83 to the password input window 103 is confirmed (S107). For example, when the confirmation key of the numeric keypad 22 (see FIG. 1) is pressed while the password input window 103 of FIG. 4 is displayed, the CPU 12 determines that the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: YES). The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the process of S107 until the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: NO). If the input of the password 83 is not confirmed even after a lapse of a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds), the CPU 12 may delete the password input window 103 and display the job selection window 101.

When the CPU 12 determines that the input of the password 83 is confirmed (S107: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether the password 83 input in the password input window 103 and the password 83 of the selected security print job 75A match (S107: YES). S109, S17 in FIG. 4). When the passwords 83 match (S109: YES), the CPU 12 executes printing of the security print job 75A (S111, S107 in FIG. 4). The CPU 12 ends the process of FIG. 10, for example, displays the print execution screen 107 of FIG. 4 on the touch panel 21 during printing, and displays the standby screen 91 on the touch panel 21 when printing is completed.

On the other hand, if the passwords 83 do not match, the CPU 12 displays an error message on the touch panel 21 (S113). For example, after displaying the error message for a certain period of time, the CPU 12 ends the process of FIG. 10 and displays the password input window 103 again. The CPU 12 re-executes, for example, the processing from S105. In this way, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment executes the security printing function.

(3-5. Standby screen display processing)
Next, with respect to the standby screen display processing for controlling the display / non-display of the function icon 93A for security printing on the standby screen 91, the first standby screen 91A, and the second standby screen 91B shown in FIG. 4, refer to FIG. I will explain while. The CPU 12 executes the process shown in FIG. 9, for example, when starting the display of the standby screen 91 or when switching the display of the standby screen 91. More specifically, when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on and the standby screen 91 is displayed for the first time, when the printing is finished and the standby screen 91 is displayed, the second standby screen 91B is displayed after login, and the like. Then, the process of FIG. 9 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the standby screen display process is started, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the storage print function is set to ON (S121). The CPU 12 executes S123 when the storage printing function is set to ON (S121: YES), and executes S125 when the storage printing function is set to OFF (S121: NO).

In S125, the CPU 12 executes a process of displaying the function icon 93A on the standby screen 91 or the like shown in FIG. As a result, when the storage print function is set to OFF, the function icon 93A is displayed on the first standby screen 91A corresponding to the scroll operation on the standby screen 91. The user can operate the function icon 93A to execute security printing.

Further, in S123, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the user is logged in. When the CPU 12 determines that the user is not logged in (S123: NO), the CPU 12 executes S125. Therefore, when the storage print function is set to ON, the CPU 12 displays the function icon 93A on the first standby screen 91A by scrolling the standby screen 91 in the logout state.

Further, when the CPU 12 determines in S123 that it is logged in (S123: YES), the CPU 12 displays a second standby screen 91B that does not include the function icon 93A (S127). As a result, when the storage printing function is set to ON, the function icon 93A for security printing is not displayed on the second standby screen 91B after login. As described above, when the storage print function is set to ON, the security print job 75A is not stored except for mail. Therefore, by hiding the function icon 93A on the second standby screen 91B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous operations. The CPU 12 prints the print job 75 related to the logged-in user, more specifically, the print job 75 of the mail from the transmission address registered in the authentication DB 73 as the mail address of the logged-in user, in accordance with the login operation. May be. In this way, the CPU 12 executes the display process of the standby screen 91 and the like.

Incidentally, the MFP 1 is an example of a printing apparatus. The CPU 12 is an example of a control unit. The memory 15 is an example of a storage unit. The touch panel 21 is an example of a display unit and an operation unit. The network interface 24 is an example of a communication unit. The authentication DB 73 is an example of authentication data. The user names 85 and 111 are examples of user identification information.

(4. Effect)
As described above, according to the above-mentioned first embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) In the security printing function, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment includes the reception process (S31) for receiving the print job 75 via the network interface 24 and the print job 75 received by the reception process including the password 83. A determination process (S89) for determining whether or not the print job 75 is stored in the memory 15 when it is determined by the determination process that the print job 75 includes the password 83 (S89: YES) (save process). S91)
When it is determined by the determination process that the print job 75 does not include the password 83 (S89: NO), the first print process (S95) in which the image related to the print job 75 is printed by the print unit 16 is performed. The first display process (S13) for displaying a job list showing information about the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 on the touch panel 21, and the first reception process for accepting the selection of the print job 75 from the displayed job list by the touch panel 21. (S15), the second reception process (S17) for accepting the password 83 via the touch panel 21, the password 83 associated with the print job 75 selected in the first reception process, and the password received in the second reception process. As a result of the password determination process (S17) for determining whether or not the 83 matches, it is determined that the password 83 associated with the print job 75 and the password 83 received in the second reception process match. Accordingly, the second printing process (S17) of printing the print job 75 selected in the first reception process by the printing unit 16 is executed. Further, the CPU 12 executes a third reception process (S77) for accepting a setting of whether or not to execute a function included in the MFP 1 including a storage print function. The storage printing function performs the authentication of the user name 85 received in the fourth reception process based on the fourth reception process (S21) in which the user name 85 is received via the touch panel 21 and the authentication DB 73 related to the authentication of the user name 85. A third print process for printing the image related to the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 that has been successfully authenticated among the print jobs 75 that are executed and stored in the memory 15 according to the success of the authentication by the printing unit 16. (S23) and. The CPU 12 stores the print job 75 in the memory 15 without executing the determination process (S89) in response to the reception of the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process (S77: YES). (S87), the third print process (S23) is executed without accepting the password 83 of the print job 75 stored in the memory 15 via the touch panel 21.

According to this, the security print function that prints the print job 75 selected from the job list according to the match between the password 83 associated with the print job 75 and the password 83 received via the touch panel 21. When the authentication by the user name 85 is successful, it is possible to set to print the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 that has succeeded in the authentication and to execute the storage printing function. Then, the MFP 1 limits the security printing function according to the acceptance of the setting to execute the storage printing function. By limiting the security printing function according to the activation of the storage printing function, it is possible to appropriately execute the printing process in the MFP1 having the two functions.

Further, for example, the login user ID of the PC 41 may be automatically associated with the print job 75 as the user name 85 by a printer driver or the like. On the other hand, the password 83 in the security printing function needs to be set by the user when instructing printing by the printer driver. By adding the storage print function to the MFP 1, the same effect as the security print function can be obtained without setting the password 83 for each print job 75. Then, by limiting one of the two functions that can obtain the same effect, the operability of the user can be improved.

(2) Further, the CPU 12 does not execute the security print function in the third reception process in response to the reception of the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process (S55) (S55: YES). The security print function is not executed even if the setting of is not accepted (S57).

According to this, the security printing function is automatically set to OFF according to the ON setting of the storage printing function. As a result, by exclusively executing the storage printing function and the security printing function, the printing processing in the two functions can be appropriately executed.

(3) Further, the CPU 12 executes a second determination process (S81) for determining whether or not the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 received by the reception process is registered in the authentication DB 73. When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed (S81: YES), the print job The 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a storage print job 75B, which is a print job 75 to be printed by the third print process of the storage print function (S87). When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed (S81: NO), the print job The 75 is not stored in the memory 15 (S83).

According to this, even when the print job 75 associated with the password 83 is received, the storage printing function can be executed according to the user name 85 associated with the print job 75. Further, when the print job 75 of the user name 85 that is not registered in the authentication DB 73 is received, the print job 75 is not stored in the memory 15 and is discarded. As a result, it is possible to prevent the print job 75 associated with the user name 85 that is not registered in the authentication DB 73 from being continuously stored in the memory 15 without being printed and squeezing the storage area of the memory 15. Become.

(4) Further, the CPU 12 causes the touch panel 21 to display the function icon 93A for executing the print process by the security print function (see the first standby screen 91A in FIG. 4). The CPU 12 displays the function icon 93A on the touch panel 21 in a selectable state when it is set to execute the storage printing function and when the authentication of the user name 85 received by the fourth reception process is successful. (S127) When it is set to execute the storage print function and the authentication of the user name 85 received by the 4th reception process is not successful, the touch panel is in a state where the function icon 93A can be operated. It is displayed on 21 (S125).

According to this, when the storage printing function or the like is executed by the login operation, the function icon 93A for executing the security printing function is not displayed in a selectable state, so that the occurrence of erroneous operation can be suppressed. Further, by displaying the function icon 93A in the logout state, it is possible to execute security printing for selecting the print job 75. As a result, the coexistence of the two functions can be appropriately executed.

(5) Further, when the CPU 12 receives the setting to execute the storage print function, if the memory 15 already has the print job 75 saved as the security print job 75A by the security print function, the memory 15 has the print job 75. Of the saved print jobs 75, the print job 75 for which the user name 85 is set is saved as the cumulative print job 75B of the cumulative print function (S65).

According to this, when it is set to execute the storage print function, the print job 75 for which the user name 85 is set in the print job 75 that has already been acquired is processed as the storage print job 75B. Can be done. As a result, even if the security printing function is restricted according to the setting to execute the storage printing function, the print job 75 already stored in the memory 15 can be printed by the storage printing function.

(6) Further, the MFP 1 has a mail receiving function for receiving and printing a mail. The CPU 12 associates the password transmission process (S73) of transmitting an email password to the email address of the sender of the email in response to receiving the email, and the email information related to the received email with the email password to be transmitted. The touch panel 21 accepts the mail information saving process (S75) to be saved in the memory 15, the second display process for displaying the mail information on the touch panel 21 (job selection window 101 in FIG. 4), and the selection of the displayed mail information. The fifth reception process (S15), the sixth reception process (S17) for receiving the mail password via the touch panel 21, the mail password associated with the mail information selected in the fifth reception process, and the sixth reception. The email associated with the email information selected in the 5th acceptance process as a result of the email password determination process (S17) that determines whether or not the email password received in the process matches, and the email password determination process. The fourth printing process (S17), in which the printing unit 16 executes printing related to the mail information, is executed in response to the determination that the mail password and the mail password received in the sixth receiving process match. The CPU 12 maintains the print function related to the mail even after receiving the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process.

According to this, even if the security printing function is restricted according to the setting for executing the storage printing function, the mail printing function is maintained. The user who requests printing by e-mail may be different from the user who sends the print job 75 from the printer driver or the like. Therefore, even if the security printing function is restricted, the user's convenience can be suppressed by maintaining the printing function by e-mail.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be given to the same contents as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 11 shows the contents of the function setting process of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment described above, the CPU 12 automatically sets the security print function to OFF in response to the storage print function being set to ON. On the other hand, the CPU 12 of the second embodiment does not automatically set the security print function to OFF. As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 12 executes S58 and then S58.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, when the storage print function is set to ON, the print job 75 that cannot be saved as the storage print job 75B among the security print jobs 75A already stored in the memory 15 is discarded. (S67 in FIG. 6). On the other hand. The print job 75 that cannot be saved as the storage print job 75B may continue to be saved as the security print job 75A. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, when the CPU 12 determines in S59 that the user name 85 is not set in the security print job 75A (S59: NO), the print job 75 is not deleted from S58. Execute the process of. In S58 again, the CPU 12 determines whether or not another security print job 75A exists in the print job 75 stored in the memory 15. Further, the CPU 12 similarly executes the process from S58 again in the case of an unregistered user (S61: NO) and the case of a user who does not have printing authority (S63: NO). As a result, even after the storage printing function is set to ON, the security printing job 75A in which the password 83 is set is left in the memory 15, and printing can be performed by security printing.

FIG. 12 shows the contents of the print / storage process of the second embodiment, and is another embodiment of the process of FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. Since the printing / storage process shown in FIG. 8 is the same in the second embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIG. In the CPU 12 of the first embodiment, after the storage print function is set to ON (S77: YES), the print job 75 (S79: NO) in which the user name 85 is not set or the print job 75 (S81) of an unregistered user : NO) was discarded (S83 in FIG. 7).

On the other hand, in the CPU 12 of the second embodiment, the password 83 is set for the print job 75 (S79: NO) in which the user name 85 is not set and the print job 75 (S81: NO) of the unregistered user. It is determined whether or not it is present (S89 in FIG. 8). As a result, the CPU 12 can save the print job 75 in which the password 83 received after the storage print function is set to ON (S89: YES in FIG. 8) as the security print job 75A (S91). Further, the CPU 12 stores the print job 75 (S93: YES, S79: NO in FIG. 12) in which the user name 85 is not set even when the password 83 is not set in the print job 75 (S89: NO). Printing is performed without storing in 15 (S95 in FIG. 8). As a result, even if the storage print function is set to ON, the print job 75 received from the printer driver or the like that does not set the user name 85 can be printed.

Further, in the CPU 12, when the user name 85 of the unregistered user is set in the print job 75 (81: NO in FIG. 12) and the password 83 is not set in the print job 75 (S89: NO), the print job Discard 75 (S97). As a result, security can be enhanced without executing the print job 75 of the unregistered user, and the storage area of the memory 15 can be secured. In this way, the CPU 12 of the second embodiment can execute printing of the security printing job 75A without automatically turning off the security printing function.

(5. Effect)
As described above, according to the above-mentioned second embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) The CPU 12 executes a second determination process (S81) for determining whether or not the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 received by the reception process is registered in the authentication DB 73. When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed (S81: YES), the print job The 75 is stored in the memory 15 as a storage print job 75B, which is a print job 75 to be printed by the third print process of the storage print function (S87). When the CPU 12 determines that the user name 85 associated with the print job 75 is not registered in the authentication DB 73 in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed (S81: NO), the print job The 75 is saved in the memory 15 as a security print job 75A, which is a print job 75 to be printed by the second print process of the security print function (S91 in FIG. 8).

According to this, even when the print job 75 associated with the password 83 is received, the storage printing function can be executed according to the user name 85 associated with the print job 75. Further, when the print job 75 of the user name 85 that is not registered in the authentication DB 73 is received, the print job 75 is saved in the memory 15 as the security print job 75A. That is, the security print function is exceptionally executed for the print job 75 of the user name 85 that is not registered in the authentication DB 73. As a result, even if the print job 75 has an unregistered user name 85 set, the print job 75 with a password can be printed by the security print function. For example, even if the security print function is restricted on the MFP1 side, the sender may not be able to recognize that the function is restricted unless the sender of the print job 75 is notified. As a result, there is a possibility that the print job 75 with a password is transmitted from the transmitting side. Even in this case, by saving the print job 75 in which the password 83 and the user name 85 are set as the security print job 75A or the storage print job 75B, printing can be performed while maintaining security.

(2) Further, when the CPU 12 accepts the setting to execute the storage print function, if there is a print job 75 already saved in the memory 15, the password among the print jobs 75 saved in the memory 15 is used. The print job 75 (security print job 75A) in which 83 is set is processed as a security print job 75A, which is a print job 75 to be printed in the first print process of the security print function (S59: NO, S61 in FIG. 11). : NO, S63: NO).

According to this, when it is set to execute the storage print function, the print job 75 for which the password 83 is set in the print job 75 that has already been acquired is exceptionally processed as the security print job 75A. can. As a result, even if the security print function is restricted according to the setting to execute the storage print function, the print job 75 already stored in the memory 15 can be printed by the security print function.

(6. Modification example)
Needless to say, the present application is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the authentication information of the present application is not limited to numbers such as PIN numbers, but may be characters or the like. Further, the authentication using the authentication information of the present application may be authentication using the information of the authentication card or biometric authentication such as a fingerprint.
Further, the CPU 12 does not have to execute the standby screen display process shown in FIG. In this case, the CPU 12 may display the function icon 93A on the second standby screen 91B after login regardless of whether the storage printing function is ON or OFF.
Further, the MFP 1 does not have to have a function of receiving an e-mail or a function of printing e-mail information.
In the above embodiment, the MFP 1 starts printing the stored print job 75B after the user logs in, but the MFP 1 starts printing the stored print job 75B after the user logs in and further responds to a predetermined operation on the touch panel 21. You may perform printing of.
Further, when it is determined as NO in S79 or NO in S81 in the second embodiment, the received print job 75 may be discarded.
Further, although the MFP 1 is provided with the touch panel 21 as an operation unit for receiving a login operation, a configuration in which the login operation can be performed by another method may be used. For example, the MFP 1 may determine whether to allow login based on the data received from the mobile terminal. The user may input the user name 85 and the PIN number 113 on the mobile terminal and send the user name to the MFP 1 to perform a login operation. In this case, the communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal is an example of the operation unit of the present application.

Further, in the above embodiment, the CPU 12 that executes a predetermined program is adopted as the control unit of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the control unit may be configured to operate by using, for example, processing by software and processing by hardware in combination.
Further, in the above embodiment, the MFP1 which is a multifunction device is adopted as the printing apparatus of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. The printing device of the present application may be a printer device having only a printing function.

1 MFP (printing device), 12 CPU (control unit), 15 memory (storage unit), 21 touch panel (display unit, operation unit), 16 printing unit, 24 network interface (communication unit), 73 authentication DB (authentication data) , 75 print job, 75A security print job, 75B storage print job, 83 password, 85,111 user name (user identification information), 93A function icon.

Claims (8)

A storage unit for storing print jobs and
Communication department and
Display and
The operation unit that accepts operations and
The printing section that prints the image and
Control unit and
Equipped with
By the control unit, the reception process of receiving the print job via the communication unit, the determination process of determining whether or not the print job received by the reception process includes a password, and the determination process. , When it is determined that the print job contains a password, and the save process for saving the print job in the storage unit and the determination process determine that the print job does not contain the password. In addition, a first print process of printing an image related to the print job by the print unit, and a first display process of displaying a job list showing information about the print job stored in the storage unit on the display unit. The first reception process for receiving the selection of the print job from the displayed job list by the operation unit, the second reception process for accepting the password via the operation unit, and the printing selected in the first reception process. As a result of the password determination process for determining whether or not the password associated with the job and the password accepted in the second reception process match, and the password determination process, the password associated with the print job and the first item. 2 Executes a security printing function including a second printing process in which the print job selected in the first reception process is printed by the printing unit in response to the determination that the password received in the reception process matches. In the printing equipment
The control unit
The third reception process for accepting the setting of whether or not to execute the function provided in the printing device including the storage printing function is executed.
The storage printing function receives the user identification information in the fourth reception process based on the fourth reception process for receiving the user identification information via the operation unit and the authentication data related to the authentication of the user identification information. Authentication is executed, and depending on the success of the authentication, the printing unit prints an image related to the printing job associated with the user identification information that has been successfully authenticated among the printing jobs stored in the storage unit. Including the third printing process
The control unit
In response to the reception of the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process, the print job is saved in the storage unit without executing the determination process, and the print job is saved in the storage unit. The third print process, without accepting the password of the print job performed through the operation unit.
To run, printing equipment. The control unit
In response to the acceptance of the setting to execute the storage print function in the third reception process, the security print function does not have to accept the setting not to execute the security print function in the third reception process. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is set so as not to execute the above. The reception process receives the print job associated with the password and the user identification information via the communication unit, and receives the print job.
The control unit
A second determination process for determining whether or not the user identification information associated with the print job received by the reception process is registered in the authentication data is executed.
When it is determined that the user identification information associated with the print job is registered in the authentication data in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed, the print job is printed by the storage job. It is stored in the storage unit as a storage printing job which is the printing job to be printed by the third printing process of the function, and is associated with the printing job in a state where the setting to execute the stored printing function is made. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print job is not stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the user identification information is not registered in the authentication data. The reception process receives the print job associated with the password and the user identification information via the communication unit, and receives the print job.
The control unit
A second determination process for determining whether or not the user identification information associated with the print job received by the reception process is registered in the authentication data is executed.
When it is determined that the user identification information associated with the print job is registered in the authentication data in a state where the storage print function is set to be executed, the print job is printed by the storage job. It is stored in the storage unit as a storage printing job which is the printing job to be printed by the third printing process of the function, and is associated with the printing job in a state where the setting to execute the stored printing function is made. When it is determined that the user identification information is not registered in the authentication data, the storage unit is used as a security print job, which is a print job that prints the print job in the second print process of the security print function. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is stored in. The control unit
A function icon for performing a print process execution operation by the security print function is displayed on the display unit.
When it is set to execute the stored print function and the authentication of the user identification information received by the fourth reception process is successful, the function icon can be selected on the display unit. When it is set not to display and the storage printing function is executed and the authentication of the user identification information received by the fourth reception process is not successful, the function icon can be operated. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is displayed on the display unit. The control unit
If the storage unit already has the print job saved as a security print job by the security print function when the setting to execute the storage print function is received, the print stored in the storage unit is performed. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the print job in which the user identification information is set is saved as a cumulative print job of the cumulative print function. The control unit
If there is already a print job saved in the storage unit when the setting to execute the storage print function is accepted, the print job saved in the storage unit has a password set. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the print job is processed as a security print job which is the print job for printing in the first print process of the security print function. Equipped with an email reception function to receive and print emails
The control unit
In response to receiving the e-mail, the password transmission process of sending the e-mail password to the e-mail address of the sender of the e-mail, and the password transmission process.
The mail information saving process of associating the received mail information related to the mail with the password for the mail to be sent and saving it in the storage unit, and
A second display process for displaying the mail information on the display unit,
The fifth reception process for receiving the selection of the displayed mail information by the operation unit, and
The sixth reception process for accepting email passwords via the operation unit,
An email password determination process for determining whether or not the email password associated with the email information selected in the fifth reception process and the email password accepted in the sixth reception process match.
As a result of the e-mail password determination process, it is determined that the e-mail password associated with the e-mail information selected in the fifth reception process matches the e-mail password received in the sixth reception process. The fourth printing process, in which the printing unit executes printing related to the mail information,
And run
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the printing function related to the mail is maintained even after receiving the setting to execute the storage printing function in the third reception process.

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