JP7438751B2 - Printing device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method, and a program.

When a conventional image forming apparatus receives a print job from a terminal device such as a PC, it immediately performs printing. In this case, there is a possibility that information may be leaked if the printed matter is left behind or a third party sees the left printed matter. Therefore, in recent years, in order to maintain confidentiality, when a print job is received, it is stored in the non-volatile storage area of the image forming device without printing, and then the user can issue a print instruction on the operation panel of the image forming device. There is a hold print function that performs printing.

Two methods for realizing hold printing will be explained. The first method is that the PC sends a print job with a password, and the image forming apparatus executes printing after accepting the password input on the operation panel. Specifically, there are secure print and encrypted secure print. With secure printing, a print job is sent after setting an ID and password on a PC. When the image forming apparatus receives a secure print print job, the image forming apparatus stores the print job in a nonvolatile storage area of the image forming apparatus without immediately printing the print job. Thereafter, the user can perform printing by inputting a password on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and issuing a print instruction. On the other hand, in encrypted secure print, the print job is encrypted and sent to the image forming apparatus, so security can be stronger than in secure print.

On the other hand, if a user sends a normal print job that is not a secure print or encrypted secure print job, the print job will be performed immediately, which could lead to information leaks. Therefore, as a second method for implementing hold printing, there is a method of forcibly holding print jobs submitted by an image forming apparatus. In this case, security can be improved because normal print jobs for which no password is set are also forcibly retained in the image forming apparatus.

Generally, an image forming apparatus is sometimes used in a state where such normal print jobs and secure print (including encrypted secure print) print jobs coexist. In this case, the image forming apparatus may change the process to be executed depending on the type of print job (normal job or secure print job; hereinafter also referred to as print job type). Here, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when in the secure mode, printing of a normal job is canceled, but printing of a secure print job is not canceled.

Furthermore, when displaying a list of print jobs that the user can print or delete, the image forming apparatus can display the list as one list without distinguishing the types of print jobs. The user can select multiple print jobs of the same type for printing or deletion from the displayed list and instruct them to execute the process all at once.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-184611

Consider a case where a job list includes a plurality of print jobs of different job types, such as the above-mentioned normal job and secure print job, and the user selects one of the plurality of print jobs. In this case, it is difficult for the printing device to simultaneously perform processing related to print jobs of multiple selected job types. This is because there are print jobs of job types that require user input to start processing and print jobs of job types that do not require user input. Therefore, the user has to take the job type into consideration and select a print job of one job type from the job list before issuing a print instruction, which takes time and effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for a printing device to execute processing related to a desired print job while reducing the above-mentioned effort by the user when a printing device stores print jobs of multiple job types. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a printing device including a storage unit, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a print job from an external device; a storage unit that stores the received print job in the storage unit; display means for displaying the list of stored print jobs on a first screen; acceptance means for accepting a selection of print jobs included in the list from a user via the first screen; In the case where the means receives a selection of a plurality of print jobs, the plurality of print jobs include a first job type print job that requires a password entry by the user and a second job type print job that does not require a password entry by the user. If a print job is included, a selection of a job type to be processed is accepted from the user , and if the accepted job type to be processed is the first job type, the user is prompted to enter a password. , executes print processing for a print job of the first job type among the plurality of print jobs using the inputted password, while the job type to be processed is the second job type. In this case, the printing apparatus is characterized by comprising an execution means for executing print processing for a print job of the second job type among the plurality of print jobs .

According to the present invention, when a plurality of job types of print jobs are stored in a printing device, the printing device can execute processing related to a desired print job while reducing the above-mentioned effort by the user.

Diagram showing an example of network configuration Block diagram showing the overall configuration of image forming apparatus 102 A block diagram showing the functional configuration of system software of the image forming apparatus 102 Block diagram showing the overall configuration of PC101 Block diagram showing the configuration of system software of PC 101 Flowchart explaining the print job submission process Flowchart explaining print job storage processing Flowchart explaining print job save determination An example of bibliographic information list 901 Configuration of operation unit 207 Example of screen displayed on the panel section Flowchart explaining print control processing Flowchart explaining print control processing

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)
In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a print job is submitted from the PC 101 to the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 does not immediately print a print job input from the PC 101, but temporarily stores the print job in a hard disk drive (HDD) 205 or the like included in the image forming apparatus 102. Then, by operating the operation unit 207 or the like of the image forming apparatus 102, the user selects a plurality of print jobs held in the image forming apparatus 102 and prints them. At this time, if the multiple print jobs selected by the user include multiple print job types (normal print, secure print, encrypted secure print, etc.), you cannot print them all at once. can't do it. Here, the secure print job and the encrypted secure print job are job type print jobs that require user input, and the normal print job is a job type print job that does not require user input. In that case, select which type of print job to print, and print only the selected print job. By doing so, even if a plurality of print job types are mixed and a print job is selected, the printing process can be progressed, so that the image forming apparatus 102 with excellent usability can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connected to the LAN 105 are a personal computer (PC) 101 that inputs print jobs, and an image forming apparatus 102 that processes the input print jobs. The number of connected PCs and image forming apparatuses is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 102 manages bibliographic information for uniquely identifying a print job input from the PC 101. Note that in this embodiment, the input source of the print job is the PC 101, but it may be a device other than the PC (for example, a mobile terminal or another image forming apparatus).

When a user performs user authentication on the image forming apparatus 102 and logs in, the image forming apparatus 102 acquires and displays a list of print jobs that can be printed by the logged-in user. When the user selects a desired print job from among them, the image forming apparatus 102 acquires print data of the selected print job and prints it.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an SFP will be used as an example of the image forming apparatus, but it may also be an MFP. In the controller unit 201 in the image forming apparatus 102, the CPU 202 is a calculation device that controls the entire system. The RAM 203 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 202, and is an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Further, the RAM 203 also stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. The ROM 204 stores a system boot program. A hard disk drive (HDD) 205 is a storage unit that stores an operating system, system software, application software, image data, setting data, and the like. However, other storage devices such as SSD, SD memory card, or eMMC may be used as long as they can store data. The operating unit I/F 206 is an interface unit with the operating unit 207 and outputs information to be displayed on the operating unit 207 to the operating unit 207. Further, information input by the user is accepted from the operation unit 207. A network I/F 208 is connected to the network (LAN) 105 and inputs and outputs information to and from a PC or another image forming apparatus connected to the same LAN. A device I/F 209 connects a printer 210, which is an image output device, and a controller unit 201, and outputs image data. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 211.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit 207 is shown in FIG. The operation section 207 includes a panel section 1001 and a key input section 1002. The panel section 1001 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In the key input section 1002, hard keys for operating the screen displayed on the panel section 1001 are laid out.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system software of the image forming apparatus 102. System software 301 is stored in any one of storage means such as RAM 203, ROM 204, and HDD 205, and is executed by CPU 202.

The UI control unit 302 receives information input by the user using the operation unit 207 via the operation unit I/F 206, and transmits the information to the authentication unit 303, data management unit 304, and job management unit 307. Alternatively, the UI control unit 302 receives responses from the authentication unit 303, data management unit 304, and job management unit 307, and outputs the information to the operation unit 207 via the operation unit I/F 206.

Further, the UI control unit 302 controls the screen display displayed on the panel unit 1001 based on input by operating the key input unit 1002. The panel section mainly displays 4 or 5 lines of character strings. The UI control unit 302 detects the operation of the up key 1003 and the down key 1004, and changes the selected line. The operation of the right key 1006 or the OK key 1007 is detected and the screen is transited to the next screen. The operation of the left key 1005 or the back key 1008 is detected and the screen is moved to the previous screen. Alphabets, numbers, symbols, etc. are input using the numeric keypad 1009. Using the home key 1010, the display screen is transitioned to the initial screen (home screen).

The authentication unit 303 performs user authentication processing based on the authentication information received from the UI control unit 302, and returns the result.

The data management unit 304 receives data write and read requests from the UI control unit 302, network control unit 306, and job management unit 307, and transmits data write and read requests to the storage control unit 305. Alternatively, the data management unit 304 receives a response from the storage control unit 305 and transmits the information to the UI control unit 302, network control unit 306, and job management unit 307.

The storage control unit 305 receives data write and read requests from the data management unit 304, writes and reads data to and from the HDD 205, and returns the results to the data management unit 304.

The network control unit 306 receives requests from the PC 101 or any image forming apparatus connected to the LAN 105 via the network I/F 208. Then, the network control unit 306 requests processing to the data management unit 304 and job management unit 307 in response to the received request. Alternatively, the network control unit 306 receives responses from the data management unit 304 and job management unit 307. Then, the network control unit 306 transmits the received response to the PC 101 or any image forming apparatus connected to the LAN 105 via the network I/F 208.

A job management unit 307 receives job execution requests from the UI control unit 302 and network control unit 306, and manages jobs. Then, the job management unit 307 requests the job control unit 308 to execute the job. Alternatively, the job management unit 307 sends a data write/read request to the data management unit 304. Alternatively, the job management unit 307 receives responses from the data management unit 304 and job control unit 308, and transmits the job status to the UI control unit 302 and network control unit 306.

The job control unit 308 receives a job execution request from the job management unit 307 and controls the operation of the printer 210 via the device I/F 209. Alternatively, the job control unit 308 receives the operating state of the printer 210 via the device I/F 209 and transmits it to the job management unit 307 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the PC 101. In the PC 101, a CPU 401 is an arithmetic unit that controls the entire system. The ROM 402 stores programs and data related to each process. The RAM 403 is a system work memory for the CPU to operate, and is a storage memory that stores temporary data related to each process. A hard disk drive (HDD) 404 stores programs and data related to each process, temporary data, application data, and the like. The input device 405 is a keyboard or pointing device that accepts instructions input to the device. The display device 406 displays the operating status of this device and information output by each program running on this device. A network I/F 407 is connected to the network (LAN) 105 and inputs and outputs information to and from other PCs and image forming apparatuses connected to the same LAN. The above elements are arranged on the system bus 408.

Note that the CPU 401 executes processing based on programs corresponding to the operating system (OS), printer driver, and applications stored in the HDD 404, thereby realizing functions (or processing) by the OS and printer driver. .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system software of the PC 101. System software 501 is stored in storage means such as ROM 402, RAM 403, or HDD 404, and is executed by CPU 401.

System software 501 includes an application 502 and a printer driver 503. The application 502 is a tool for creating and editing images and documents using an input device 405 such as a pointing device or a keyboard while viewing the display device 406 of the PC 101, for example. A user uses an application 502 to create data such as an image or a document, uses a printer driver 503 to create print command data, and sends it to a printable device such as the image forming apparatus 102.

Here, a print job submission process in which a user operates the PC 101 and submits a print job to the image forming apparatus 102 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job input processing executed by the CPU 401 of the PC 101.

While looking at the display device 406, the user uses the input device 405, such as a pointing device or keyboard, to create data such as images or documents with the application 502, and instructs printing. The printer driver creates PDL data according to data such as images and documents, document attributes such as document name, and print setting information set in the printer driver at the time of print instruction (S601). When performing secure printing or encrypted secure printing, a password included in print setting information is added to the PDL data. Then, it is transmitted as a print job to the image forming apparatus 102 (S602).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating print job storage processing in the system software 301 executed by the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102.

When the network control unit 306 receives a print job from the PC 101 (S701), the network control unit 306 transmits the print job to the job management unit 307. When the job management unit 307 receives the print job, it determines whether or not to save the print job (S702). Details of S702 will be described later. As a result of S702, the job management unit 307 determines whether or not to save the print job (S703). If the print job is not to be saved, the job management unit 307 requests the job control unit 308 to execute the print job (S707), and executes printing. When saving a print job, the job management unit 307 transmits the print job to the data management unit 304. The data management unit 304 analyzes the print job received from the job management unit 307 and generates bibliographic information (S704). Bibliographic information will be discussed later. The data management unit 304 then transmits the print job and the generated bibliographic information to the storage control unit 305. The storage control unit 305 stores the received print job and the generated bibliographic information in the HDD 205 (S705, S706). Note that when bibliographic information is managed on a cloud, server, etc. (not shown), the data management section 304 transmits the generated bibliographic information to the network control section 306, and the network control section 306 transmits it to an external cloud, server, etc. It's okay.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the print job save determination in S702 in the system software 301, which is executed by the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102.

The job management unit 307 analyzes the print job and determines whether storage settings have been made (S801). The save settings here refer to settings for saving in a box. If the save setting has been made, the job management unit 307 determines to save the print job (S805). If storage settings have not been made, the job management unit 307 analyzes the print job and determines whether secure job settings or encrypted secure job settings have been made (S802). If the secure job setting or the encrypted secure job setting has been made, the job management unit 307 determines to save the print job (S805). If the secure job setting or the encrypted secure job setting has not been made, the storage control unit 305 acquires the forced retention setting value stored in the HDD 205 and passes it to the job management unit 307 via the data management unit. The setting for forced retention is set in advance by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 102. When the forced retention setting is set to ON, the print job submitted to the image forming apparatus 102 is forcibly stored in the HDD 205. The job management unit 307 determines whether forced retention is set based on the forced retention setting value (S803). If forced retention is set, the job management unit 307 determines to store the print job (S805). That is, the print job is stored in the HDD 205 until an execution instruction is received from the user on the operation unit. If forced retention is not set, the job management unit 307 determines not to store the print job (S804). That is, in S804, the print job is executed without receiving an execution instruction from the user on the operation unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a bibliographic information list 901 stored in the HDD 205. The bibliographic information list 901 includes the date and time when the print job was submitted 902, the name of the user who submitted the print job 903, the storage location of the submitted print job 904, the print job name 905, the print settings 906, the type of print job 907, and the password. Consists of 908. The bibliographic information list 901 is not limited to these, and may include, for example, the paper size of the print job. 921 to 926 are bibliographic information of the print job submitted by User1, and 941 to 946 are bibliographic information of the print job submitted by User2.

Here, a process for printing a print job that has been retained by a user will be described. The user operates the key input unit 1002 to switch the display content on the panel unit 1001 and instruct printing.

The user operates a login screen (not shown) displayed on the operation unit 207 to log in to the image forming apparatus 102 . In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a user whose user name is User1 performs this operation. When the image forming apparatus 102 is logged in, the UI control unit 302 retrieves the initial screen setting values from the storage control unit 305 via the data management unit 304 . If the home screen is set as the initial screen, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100. Note that this embodiment is applicable even when the user issues an instruction to execute a print job without logging into the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 11A is an example of a home screen. The home screen displays buttons for using applications installed in the image forming apparatus 102 and buttons for changing settings regarding the image forming apparatus 102. Reference numeral 1101 is a print button, and when selected, a print application screen for hold printing is displayed. Reference numeral 1102 is a setting button, and when selected, a screen for setting various setting values regarding the image forming apparatus 102 is displayed. Reference numeral 1103 denotes a paper setting button, and when selected, a screen for changing settings regarding the paper set in the paper feed tray included in the image forming apparatus 102 is displayed. Since the home screen 1100 can only display four lines, other buttons cannot be displayed at the same time, but if you scroll the screen by operating the up key 1003 or down key 1004, you can display the remaining buttons in order on the home screen 1100. . In this embodiment, the user selects the print button 1101 in order to print the print job that the user has reserved. When detecting that the print button 1101 has been selected, the UI control unit 302 displays a job list switching screen 1104.

FIG. 11B is an example of a job list switching screen. On this screen, before displaying the list of submitted print jobs, select in advance what type of job list to display. Reference numeral 1105 denotes a <Confirm> button, and when selected, a job list screen matching the selected job type and print status is displayed. 1106 is a job type button, and when selected, the UI control unit 302 displays a job type selection screen (not shown), and the job type can be selected. Job types can be selected from personal jobs for logged-in users, shared jobs shared with other users, and group jobs that are jobs for users who are group-managed. Reference numeral 1107 is a print status button, and when selected, the UI control unit 302 displays a print status selection screen (not shown), allowing the user to select a print status. As the print status, you can select a print-waiting job that has never been printed or a printed job that has been printed in the past. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects "Individual" as the job type and selects "Waiting for printing" as the print status. Then, upon detecting that the <Confirm> button 1105 has been selected, the UI control unit 302 requests the job management unit 307 for a print job list of the logged-in user (User 1) whose job type is personal and whose print status is wait for printing. . The job management unit 307 obtains the user name (User1) of the logged-in user (User1) from the authentication unit 303. Then, using the acquired user name, job type, and print status, the corresponding bibliographic information list is generated from the bibliographic information stored in the HDD 205 during the print job submission process via the data management unit 304 and storage control unit 305. It is acquired and transmitted to the UI control unit 302. In this embodiment, there are six print jobs associated with User1, from print job 921 to print job 926, and these are sent to the UI control unit 302 as a print job list. The UI control unit 302 displays a job selection screen 1108.

FIG. 11C is an example of the job selection screen 1108. The UI control unit 302 displays the received print job list on the job selection screen 1108. 1109 is a <Confirm> button, and when selected, a screen for selecting an operation to be executed is displayed. 1110 is a <select all> button, and when selected, all jobs in the print job list are selected. 1111 and 1112 display the print job names of two print jobs 921 and 922 whose date and time 902 are older in the received print job list. Since the job selection screen 1108 can display only five lines, only two jobs can be displayed at the same time, but by operating the up key 1003 or the down key 1004 to scroll the screen, up to four jobs can be displayed at the same time. Further, by further scrolling the screen, the remaining print jobs 923 to 926 can be sequentially displayed on the job selection screen 1108. A □ is displayed at the beginning of print job 1111 and print job 1112, indicating that no print job is selected. When print job 1111 or 1112 is selected, the display of □ changes to □ with a check, indicating that the print job has been selected. If no print job is selected, there is no print job to be printed, so the UI control unit 302 displays the <Confirm> button 1109 in grayout to prevent the user from selecting it. When the <Select All> button 1110 is selected, all print job lists are selected. When all print job lists are selected, the UI control unit displays a job selection screen 1113.

FIG. 11D is an example of the job selection screen 1113. The display of the <Select All> button 1110 changes to <Deselect> 1115. When the <Deselection> button 1115 is selected, the UI control unit 302 cancels the selection of all jobs in the print job list, and returns to the job selection screen 1108. The <Confirm> button 1114 is equivalent to the <Confirm> button 1109. 1116 and 1117 are equivalent to 1111 and 1112, respectively, but the □ at the beginning is changed to a checked □, indicating that the print job has been selected. Upon detecting that the <Confirm> button 1114 has been selected, the UI control unit 302 displays a screen 1118 for selecting an operation to be performed. From now on, the explanation will be continued using an example in which all jobs in the print job list are selected.

FIG. 11E is an example of a screen 1118 for selecting an operation to perform. Reference numeral 1119 is a <Print Start> button, and when selected, printing processing of the selected print job can be started. Reference numeral 1120 is a <Job Delete> button, and when selected, the deletion process for the selected print job can be started.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing in the system software 301 executed by the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102. The user starts the printing process by selecting the <Start Printing> button 1119. The UI control unit 302 waits for the user to select the <Start Printing> button 1119 (S1201). When the <Start Printing> button 1119 is selected, the job management unit 307 determines whether or not types of print jobs are mixed (S1202). Whether the types of print jobs are mixed is determined by whether or not the selected print job includes two or more print job types 907. If the selected print jobs are 921 to 926, they include three print job types 907: normal job, secure job, and encrypted secure job, so if the print job types are mixed. judge. Note that whether or not types of print jobs are mixed may be determined in advance and the result held, and only the result may be referred to in step S1202. For example, since the job list is finalized when the <Confirm> button is selected on the job selection screen 1113, it may be determined at this timing whether or not print job types are mixed. As a result of the determination in S1202, if the types of print jobs are mixed, the job management unit 307 determines the type of print job to be executed (S1203). In order to determine the type of print job, the UI control unit may display a job type selection screen 1122 and allow the user to select the job type. First, the UI control unit displays a mixed job type error screen 1121 to notify the user that print job types are mixed.

FIG. 11F is an example of an error screen 1121 with mixed job types. This screen displays a message indicating that printing cannot be performed because job types are mixed, and prompting the user to select a job type. This screen may be displayed for a certain period of time (for example, 5 seconds) and then transition to the next screen without any user instruction, or it may transition to the next screen after detecting that the user has pressed the OK key 1007. It's okay. In order to transition to the next screen, the UI control unit 302 displays a screen 1122 for selecting a job type.

FIG. 11G is an example of a screen 1122 for selecting a job type. The buttons displayed on this screen are dynamically determined based on the print job types of jobs included in the print job list. In this embodiment, since the print job list includes jobs 921 to 926, buttons for normal job, secure job, and encrypted secure job are displayed. 1123 is a print job button, and when selected, a print job is selected. 1124 is a secure print job button, and when selected, a secure print job is selected. Reference numeral 1125 is an encrypted secure print job button, and when selected, the encrypted secure print job is selected. Here, after the error screen shown in FIG. 11F is displayed, it is difficult for the user to return to the job selection screen shown in FIG. 11C or FIG. 11D and select a print job of one job type. Therefore, in this embodiment, after the error screen shown in FIG. 11F is displayed, the job type is selected by the user on the job type selection screen shown in FIG. The target print job is identified.

Note that if the print job type of the job included in the print job list is a print job or a secure print job, a job type selection screen 1126 shown in FIG. 11H is displayed instead of the job type selection screen 1122. . Further, if the print job type of the job included in the print job list is a print job or an encrypted secure print job, a job type selection screen 1129 shown in FIG. 11I is displayed instead of the job type selection screen 1122. indicate. Further, if the print job type of the job included in the print job list is a secure print job or an encrypted secure print job, a job type selection screen 1132 shown in FIG. 11J is displayed instead of the job type selection screen 1122. Display. When detecting that the print job type has been selected, the job management unit determines the selected job type as the print job type to be executed, and the process advances to step S1204.

As a result of the determination in S1202, if the types of print jobs are not mixed, the process advances to S1204.

In step S1204, the job management unit 307 determines whether password input is required to print the selected print job type. The job management unit 307 determines that password input is not required when a normal job is selected, and determines that password input is required when a secure print job or an encrypted secure job is selected. As a result of the determination in S1202, if password entry is not required, the job management unit 307 sets the print targets to normal print jobs 921 and 922, requests the job control unit 308 to execute the print job (S1206), and executes printing. do. After issuing the print execution request, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100. If the result of the determination in S1202 is that password input is required, the job management unit 307 receives the password (S1205). In order to receive the password, the UI control unit displays a screen 1135 for inputting a password or a screen 1137 for inputting a password, and prompts the user to input the password.

FIG. 11K is an example of a screen 1135 for entering a password. If the type of the selected print job is a secure job, the UI control unit 302 displays a screen 1135 for entering a password. 1136 is a password input field. The user enters the password for the secure print job in the password input field 1136. Then, by pressing the OK key 1007, the input of the password is confirmed. Note that only numbers can be used as the password, and up to 7 characters can be entered. When the UI control unit 302 detects that the input of the password has been confirmed, it acquires the password from the password input field 1136 and transmits it to the job management unit 307 . The job management unit 307 sets the secure print jobs 923 and 924 to be printed, uses the received password to release the password for the secure print job, and requests the job control unit 308 to execute the print job (S1206). Execute printing. After issuing the print execution request, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100.

FIG. 11L is an example of a screen 1135 for entering a password. If the type of the selected print job is an encrypted secure job, the UI control unit 302 displays a screen 1137 for entering a password. 1138 is a password input field. The user enters the password for the encrypted secure print job in the password input field 1138. Then, by pressing the OK key 1007, the password input is confirmed. Note that only numbers can be used as a password, and up to 15 characters can be entered. When the UI control unit 302 detects that the password input is confirmed, it acquires the password from the password input field 1138 and sends it to the job management unit 307. The job management unit 307 sets the encrypted secure print jobs 925 and 926 to be printed, cancels the password of the encrypted secure print job using the received password, and requests the job control unit 308 to execute the print job (S1206 ), execute printing. After issuing the print execution request, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which different screens are displayed depending on whether the job is a secure job or an encrypted secure job. However, if there is no need to distinguish between the pin number and password that the user enters, the same screen may be displayed. For example, in either case, a screen 1137 for entering a secure password may be displayed.

Note that this embodiment has been described with an example in which <Start Printing> is selected on the screen 1118 for selecting an operation to be performed. On the other hand, if <Delete job> 1120 is selected, the job management unit 307 requests the job control unit 308 to delete the print job, thereby allowing the print job to be deleted.

In this embodiment, when there are a mixture of print job types, one of the job type selection screens 1122, 1126, 1129, and 1132 is displayed to prompt the user to select the print job type. explained. However, the user may be allowed to select the type of print job before acquiring the print job list. For example, instead of the job list switching screen 1104, a job list switching screen 1139 as shown in FIG. 11M is displayed. Then, by selecting the job type button 1143, the UI control unit 302 may display a screen 1122 for selecting a job type so that the job type can be selected. By doing so, there is no need to select a print job with mixed print job types, so that it is possible to obtain the effect of progressing the printing process.

In this embodiment, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100 after making a print execution request, but the job selection screen 1108 may also be displayed. By doing so, when printing a print job that remains unprinted, it is possible to start from the job selection screen 1108 instead of starting from selecting the print button 1101. Therefore, the user can efficiently print the remaining print jobs.

(Example 2)
The differences between this example and Example 1 are as follows. That is, when the types of print jobs are mixed, a password input screen is displayed and printing is started from the top of the print job list. By doing so, printing of normal jobs that do not require password entry can proceed without waiting for the user to enter the password. For secure print jobs that require a password or encrypted secure print jobs, printing is performed after waiting for the user to complete password entry. By doing so, even if multiple print job types are mixed and a print job is selected, all jobs in the selected print job list can be printed, so the image forming apparatus 102 with excellent usability can be used. Can be provided.

Note that this embodiment will be explained with respect to the differences from the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing in the system software 301 executed by the CPU 202 of the image forming apparatus 102. The user starts the printing process by selecting the <Start Printing> button 1119.

S1301 to S1305 are equivalent to S1201, S1202, S1204, S1205, and S1206, respectively, and therefore their description will be omitted.

As a result of the determination in S1302, if the types of print jobs are mixed, the UI control unit 302 displays a password input screen 1137 (S1306) and starts printing all jobs in the print job list. (S1308).

FIG. 11L is an example of a screen 1135 for entering a password. 1138 is a password input field. The user enters the password for the secure print job or encrypted secure print job in the password input field 1138. Then, by pressing the OK key 1007, the password input is confirmed. When the UI control unit 302 detects that the password input is confirmed, it acquires the password from the password input field 1138 (S1307).

In S1308, the job management unit 307 sequentially processes all jobs (921 to 926) in the print job list. In S1309, the job management unit 307 determines whether a password is required to print the print job to be processed. The job management unit 307 determines that a password is not required if the print job type 907 of the print job to be processed is a normal job, and determines that a password is required if the print job is a secure print job or an encrypted secure job. As a result of the determination in S1309, if a password is not required, the job management unit 307 requests the job control unit 308 to execute one or more print jobs to be processed (S1301), and executes printing. For example, if the print jobs to be processed are 921 and 922, it is determined in S1309 that a password is not required, and printing is executed in S1310. If the result of the determination in S1309 is that a password is required, it is determined whether the password reception in S1307 has been completed (S1311). As a result of the determination in S1311, if password reception is not completed, wait until password reception is completed. Alternatively, processing of the corresponding print job may be postponed, and the process returns to step S1309 to process the next print job. As a result of the determination in S1311, if the password reception has been completed, the job management unit 307 uses the received password to release the password for the secure print job, and requests the job control unit 308 to execute the print job. (S1310), printing is executed. Further, the received password is used to cancel the password of the encrypted secure print job, and a print job execution request is sent to the job control unit 308 (S1310) to execute printing. After issuing a request to print all jobs in the print job list, the UI control unit 302 displays the home screen 1100.

Note that in step S1308, control may be performed such that all print jobs whose print job type 907 is a normal job are printed first, and then print jobs that require a password are printed. By doing so, if the user completes password input while printing a normal job and obtains the password in S1307, the determination in S1311 only needs to be performed once, so printing can be performed efficiently. be able to.

(Other examples)
The present invention also includes devices or systems configured by appropriately combining the embodiments described above, and methods therefor.

Here, the present invention is a device or system that is the main body that executes one or more software (programs) that implements the functions of the embodiments described above. The present invention also includes a method for implementing the above-described embodiments executed by the device or system. Further, the program is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the program is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device. In other words, the present invention further includes the program itself or various computer-readable storage media storing the program. Further, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above.

102 Image forming device 202 CPU
205 HDD
207 Operation section

Claims (7)

A printing device comprising a storage unit,
receiving means for receiving a print job from an external device;
storage means for storing the received print job in the storage unit;
Display means for displaying the list of stored print jobs on a first screen;
acceptance means for accepting a selection of a print job included in the list from a user via the first screen;
In the case where the accepting means accepts a selection of a plurality of print jobs, the plurality of print jobs include a first job type print job that requires a password input by the user and a second job that does not require a password input by the user. type of print job is included, a selection of the job type to be processed is accepted from the user, and if the accepted job type to be processed is the first job type, a password is input to the user. Then, print processing for a print job of the first job type among the plurality of print jobs is executed using the inputted password, while the job type to be processed is the second job type. If the print job is a job type, execution means executes print processing for a print job of the second job type among the plurality of print jobs ;
A printing device characterized by having: The displaying means is configured when the accepting means receives the selection of the plurality of print jobs, and the plurality of print jobs include a print job of the first job type and a print job of the second job type. further displaying a second screen different from the first screen in order to accept selection of the job type to be processed;
The execution means is configured when the acceptance means receives the selection of the plurality of print jobs, and the plurality of print jobs include a print job of the first job type and a print job of the second job type. In this case, a selection of a job type to be processed is accepted from the user via the second screen, and if the accepted job type to be processed is the first job type, a password is provided to the user. The input password is used to execute print processing for a print job of the first job type among the plurality of print jobs using the input password; 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the print job is of the second job type, print processing is executed for the print job of the second job type among the plurality of print jobs . The displaying means is configured when the accepting means receives the selection of the plurality of print jobs, and the plurality of print jobs include a print job of the first job type and a print job of the second job type. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus displays information indicating that printing jobs of different job types cannot be executed at the same time. further comprising authentication means for authenticating the user;
Printing according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the list displayed on the first screen by the display means is a list of print jobs associated with the authenticated user. Device. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first job type is secure print or encrypted secure print. A method for controlling a printing device including a storage unit, the method comprising:
a receiving step of receiving a print job from an external device;
a storage step of storing the received print job in the storage unit;
a display step of displaying the list of stored print jobs on a first screen;
a step of accepting a selection of print jobs included in the list from the user via the first screen;
In the case where a selection of a plurality of print jobs is accepted in the acceptance step, the plurality of print jobs include a first job type print job that requires a password entry by the user and a second job that does not require a password entry by the user. type of print job is included, a selection of the job type to be processed is accepted from the user, and if the accepted job type to be processed is the first job type, a password is input to the user. Then, print processing for a print job of the first job type among the plurality of print jobs is executed using the inputted password, while the job type to be processed is the second job type. If the print job is a job type, an execution step of executing print processing for a print job of the second job type among the plurality of print jobs ;
A control method characterized by having the following. A program for causing a computer to function as each means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

Images