KR20080091678A - Management device and method of network printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a method for managing use of a printer in a network printer system are provided to enable the printer to store printing history/file of each user/program, and control printing and other embedded functions depending on authority set to each user by loading printer use management software to the printer when the printer is turned on. A network printer(30) includes a printer use management program capable of setting authority to each user and controlling functions of the network printer depending on the authority. The printer use management program is automatically loaded and a printing managing module for performing a printer output management program depending on the authority is installed when the network printer is turned on. The network printer is connected to a manager computer(40) including a printer management program. The printer management program sets the authority of the network printer by linking with the printer use management program of the network printer and storing printing management information received from the network printer to a database(60).

Description

Printer usage management device of network printer system and its method {MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD OF NETWORK PRINTER SYSTEM}

1 is a block diagram of a printer usage management apparatus of a network printer system for implementing the present invention,

2 is a block diagram of a print management module according to the present invention;

3 is a configuration example of a log file for managing a printer output history according to the present invention;

4 is a field configuration example of a log file according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a print preparation step operation in a printer of a network printer system according to the present invention;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing function according to the present invention;

7 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail the user / document information extraction and printing option acquisition functions shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a flowchart for explaining the print control function shown in FIG. 6 in detail;

9 is a flowchart for explaining the log file storage function shown in FIG. 6 in detail;

10 is a flowchart illustrating a copy print history extraction function according to the present invention;

11 is a flowchart illustrating a fax print history extraction function according to the present invention;

12A to 12D are flowcharts for explaining print content files, copy / scan files, fax transmission files, and fax reception file storage functions according to the present invention, respectively;

13 is a flowchart illustrating a printing history log file collection function according to the present invention;

14 is a flowchart for explaining a print content storing file collecting function according to the present invention;

15 is a flowchart illustrating a copy / scan / fax transmission / reception content storing file collection function according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a printer usage management apparatus and method for a network printer system for implementing output management, output control, output security, and the like for each user in a printer connected to a network so that several people can share the same. Specifically, the software for managing the use of the printer connected to the network is installed in the printer by installing a storage means such as a flash dimm, a compact flash (CF) card, a universal serial bus (USB) memory, and the like. A printer usage management apparatus for a network printer system and a method thereof for automatically loading a printer usage management program to control the operation of a printer according to a preset value for each user or user computer when the power is turned on.

In general, a network printer is connected to a network and can be used in common by using a plurality of users or user computers connected to the network. In this case, when the user can print by using all user computers connected to the network, the printer only prints in order according to the sent print command, so that even if unnecessary printing is performed, it can be properly managed. There was a problem that there was a lot of expenses due to unnecessary printing because there is no method, and that a great damage may occur when the contents to be kept in security are printed and taken out.

In particular, printers these days are often multifunction devices that include not only printing functions, but also fax and scanner functions to improve the utilization of the device. There is a problem that is more likely to occur.

In order to improve this, conventionally, a network printer processing a print command generated by a plurality of users connected to a network stores user information on the printer, print history of each user, and printer usage so that the network printer can check the unnecessary information. If the printer is occupied by a user for a long time or the operation is stopped due to an error of the printer itself, it is possible that the user who sent the command for the job that the printer is currently printing is being sent. Techniques are known to enable identification and appropriate action.

The present invention has been invented in view of the above circumstances, and when the initial power is supplied to the printer and booted up, the printer application management software mounted in a separate storage means is loaded as an application program, so that the management computer of the printer By using the printer management software, the printer extracts and saves the printed history and printouts as a file according to the authority set by each user, controls printing and usage by user and output program, and controls fax and scanning functions. In the case of the equipped multifunction printer, it is possible to manage the use of the network printer more efficiently, such as whether to allow transmission or scanning according to the user, and to store the history and contents of the transmitted and scanned documents. Control of all functions performed in the system and store information accordingly And also as to provide a printer usage management apparatus and method of a network printer system to send the stored information to the management computer for it is an object.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the network printer system for controlling the performance of the printing function according to the user or the user computer in one or more network printers connected to a plurality of user computers via a local area network to be used in common In the printer usage management device of

The network printer is equipped with a printer usage management program that can set user rights and control the functions of the printer according to the set authority. The printer usage management program is automatically loaded at boot and the printer usage management is performed. It is equipped with a print management module that is capable of performing the output management function of the printer according to the authority set through the program, the network is set in conjunction with the printer usage management program of the network printer to set the authority of the network printer and transmitted from the network printer An administrator computer equipped with a printer management program is connected to receive print management information stored in a database.

The print management module stores an IOF storage unit for storing input / output interface files, an executable program storage unit for storing an executable program (Exe) and a dynamic link library file (dll) for managing printer use, a policy file, and a user information file. Management information storage unit, an output form information storage unit for storing a print form and a footnote file, a work file storage unit for storing an output file, a scan file or a fax file, and a creation date, user information, and document contents of a printed matter. It consists of a log file storage unit that stores information about the printed matter, such as the number of prints, paper type, and print type.

In addition, the usage management method of the network printer according to the present invention includes a network printer controlled by a printing function according to the printer control information stored in a print management module, and an administrator capable of inputting the printer control information by installing a printer usage management program. Connecting a computer and one or more user computers that output data to be printed via a network; In the administrator computer, a user input table for inputting user information to use a printer, a document input table for inputting document type information for document control, and a document type previously stored in the document input table are driven by the printer usage management program. Displaying each policy level input table for setting a print policy and inputting print control information through the table; Transmitting, at the administrator computer, the input print control information to a print management module of a network printer; The network printer performing a function test of the printer itself when the initial power is turned on, and then loading and maintaining the printer usage management program stored in the print management module in a running state and waiting to receive print data; When print data is received through the input / output channel, the print management module receives the input stream data, extracts user and document information, obtains print options by comparing with the print policy, and performs print control according to the print options. A print control step of exporting to a stream; Generating, by the network printer, an event in the print management module after performing a print operation with a value controlled by the print management module; The print management module is characterized in that the step of completing the print job and waiting for the reception of the next print data after creating and storing the extracted print data information and the printed history in a log file according to the reception of the event information. .

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printer usage management apparatus of a network printer system for implementing the present invention.

The network printer system 10 for implementing the present invention is formed by connecting a network printer 30, an administrator computer 40, and a user computer 10 to a network 20 that is mainly composed of a local area network such as a LAN.

The network printer 30 may be a printer having only a unique printing function, or a complex printer having fax transmission, scanning, or all of these functions may be used, and a printer usage management client program (hereinafter referred to as "client") will be described below. Program). A print management module 32 is mounted. The print management module 32 is composed of storage means that can be mounted on a printer board, such as a flash dim, a CF card, or a USB memory, and can be determined according to the hardware structure of the network printer 30. Therefore, when the network printer 30 is turned on, the client program is automatically loaded into the execution mode in the memory of the network printer 30.

In particular, the print management module 32 may include an input / output interface file storage unit 321, an execution program Exe for managing the printer usage, and a storage unit for storing the dynamic link library file dll as shown in FIG. 322), a policy file and user information file storage unit 323, a print form and footnote file storage unit 324, a work file storage unit 325 such as an output file, a scan file, a fax file, and a log file storage Section 326.

The administrator computer 40 is a user interface for controlling printing of the network printer 30, and includes a printer usage management server program (hereinafter, referred to as a "server program") consisting of a Windows program and a web program. All of the functions are the same, but only the user's approach and usage are different The server program has a management function for registering, changing, and deleting user information, document type information, and printing policy information. Sending to the network printer 30 causes the memory module 32 to manage the received policy information as a file in the printer 30. The administrator computer 40 also stores the electronic form file, image file, and font file in the printer 30. The print management module 32 receives and manages the policy information as a file in the printer 30. .

When the client program is executed in the network printer 30, when the print data is transmitted from the general user computer 50 to the printer 30 and printed matter is output, the client program prints the print history in the log file of the print management module 32. In addition, if print control options by user and document type are set, the print data is compared so that only the document to which the print control is applied is output as a document to which the control option is applied.

The print management module 32 of the network printer 30 is configured to transmit the log file stored therein to the manager computer 40 at the request of the manager computer 40, and the manager computer 40 receives the received information. Use as a basic data for statistics on printing history inquiry and print quantity. In addition, it receives the output document file storing the printed output and uses it as the data for the print contents inquiry.

Meanwhile, a database 60 for managing user information using a user computer 50 connected to the network 20 to manage a user who is connected to the network 20 and uses the network printer 30 is provided. User information may be obtained and reflected from the database 60 at the time of use management of the 30. The database 60 may be provided in the manager computer 40 or connected to the network 20 as a separate database server.

According to such a configuration, the network printer 30 collects and stores print information performed by print commands of a plurality of user computers 50 and controls the output. In addition, the manager computer 40 is configured to analyze and manage the current state of data stored in the network printer 30 and to set the authority for the network printer 30 to control the output.

3 shows an example of the configuration of a log file for managing the printer output history according to the present invention.

The print management module 32 extracts information about the printed matter when the printed matter is output from the printer 30 and records the printed information in the log file storage unit 326, and records the log file created by the server program of the manager computer 40. By uploading data, print history data can be accumulated and managed in print history database and statistics database.

As the storage fields of the log file stored in the print management module 32, as shown in FIG. 4, [create date], output user information ([user ID], [computer ID], [group ID]) and [ Document Content (aka Job name)], [Job ID], [Accumulated Total Prints], [Black & White Prints], [Column Prints], [Paper Type], [Print Status], etc. It can be arbitrarily changed in the use environment.

The [Date Date] field extracts the print time in the received print data header or, if there is no print time in the header, contains the year / month / day hour, minute and second values according to the time printed by the printer.

Output user information fields ([User ID], [Computer ID], [Group ID]) Field) is obtained by extracting user information (login environment information of the computer which issued the print command) in the received print data header, and in some cases, only part of the information may be extracted.

The [Document Contents] field is called Job name, and when extracted or absent from the JOB NAME field in the header of the received print data, it reads a part of the print contents, for example, a value of about 128 bytes.

The [JOB ID] field is an ID number value for distinguishing one piece of print data information and is managed by incrementing the first print information by one and starting with one.

The Total Cumulative Printer Count field stores a total number of print information information that the printer has printed from the beginning to the present.

[B & W Print], [Color Print] The field stores total monochrome and color print quantity information values output as received print data.

[Paper Type] The field stores the paper type (A4, A5, Letter, etc.) outputted in the received print data.

[Print Status] The field stores the output state, and the state consists of IOEnded (the state after the first printing), Complete (the print end state), and Canceled (the print cancel state).

4A to 4C are diagrams showing a policy related input table to which a printing policy is applied according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is a document type input table, FIG. 4B is a user input table, and FIG. 4C is a policy level input table. Indicates.

The document type input table and the user input table are tables for storing comparison target (document type and user) information to which a print policy is applied.

The document type input table shown in FIG. 4A is a table for inputting information on a document type desired for print control. The document type input table is registered, changed, and deleted in a server program of the manager computer 40 and transmitted to the printer 30. The same table contents are stored and managed in the print management module 32. The print management module 32 updates the document type table that has been added, changed, or deleted, puts it in the memory, and, when print data is received, performs print control through a serial process of comparing the document content (aka job name) extracted from the header. .

For example, the document type input table includes a search option input unit for searching for a document, a first keyword input unit for searching for a document, and a second keyword input unit for searching for a document.

Examples of find options include find from beginning, find two words (OR), find two words (AND), and so on.

The keyword input value may find a keyword value based on document contents (aka job name) extracted by the print management module 32 from the received print data.

In general, the value of a job name is a document file name or, if there is no document file name (for example, SAP (System Application and Products) print data), the print data content is extracted.

The user input table illustrated in FIG. 4B is a table for inputting user information for using a printer, and is a comparison target table for printing control for each user. In addition, the server program of the manager computer 40 is managed to register, change, delete, and transmit the same to the printer 30 to store the same table content in the print management module 32 to manage. The print management module 32 performs printing control by updating a user input table that has been added, changed, or deleted, put it in a memory, and comparing the user information extracted from a header when print data is received.

The user input table includes an input unit for inputting a policy level, a user ID (login ID) input unit, a computer ID input unit, and a group ID input unit. The user ID, machine ID, and group ID should be the user preference values that users log in to when they use their personal computers. The user registration method associates a direct user input with a user database (for example, a "personnel database"). There may be a method of acquiring the user information at a predetermined time by the scheduler and registering them collectively.

The policy level input unit selects and inputs the level number set in the policy level table described later based on FIG. 4C.

The policy level table shown in FIG. 4C is a table for setting a print policy based on a document type previously stored in the document type input table of FIG. 4A, which is also registered, changed, and managed by the server program of the administrator computer 40. In addition, the same table contents are stored and managed in the print management module 32 by transmitting to the printer 30. The print management module 32 updates the policy level input table added, changed, or deleted, puts it in the memory, and when the print data is received, the print management module 32 performs print control according to a print policy option for comparing the user information extracted from the header with the document type. .

The policy level input table includes an input unit for storing print options for each document and an input unit for storing print options for unregistered documents, and the number of documents is not limited. The first record is an input section for setting print options for unregistered users. The next record is a level-level record configuration, and the number of levels is unlimited. Examples of the policy options may include output permission, output prohibition, color / monochrome conversion output, watermark / Footnote output, and output file storage option.

The level is determined for each user in the user input table of FIG. 4B according to the printing policy level set as described above.

Thus, the tables as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C are combined so that a policy capable of controlling printing by user and document is configured as a table.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a print preparation step operation in the printer of the network printer system according to the present invention.

First, when the network printer 30 is powered on and booted, the printer 30, that is, the controller installed inside the printer performs its own self-test.

At this time, if it is determined that the printer 30 is normal, the print management module 32 according to the present invention, which is an application module, is loaded and maintained in the printer memory.

The print management module 32 checks the printer status and log file when initially loaded, reads the policy file for output control, loads it into the memory, and waits for a print reception signal to come in.

The printer status inspection includes obtaining a printer system environment variable value (date, model) for creating a print history, checking a device serial number in which the print management module 32 is embedded, and confirming whether it is a registered product, and print management. Checking whether the files and directories in which the module 32 is installed is normal is included.

Log file check also checks file size and entire log contents to check if previously created log file is normal, and has the necessary values (date, job ID, status) in the last created log contents in memory. Actions are included.

In addition, the operation includes reading information files (user information, document information, policy level information) related to the policy and maintaining the values in the memory. This is to control printing according to the user information and document information compared with the information in the received data when the print reception data is received.

As such, after the loading of the print management module 32 is completed, the printer 30 tests a job to be performed at the beginning of booting (test job) and waits for a print signal to be input if there is no error.

 6 shows a flowchart for explaining a print processing function according to the present invention.

When print data is received from the user computer 50 or the like through the IOF channel of the printer 30, the printter is turned on and the print data receiving process is received as input stream data at the input side of the activated print management module 32. Will perform the action.

The print management module 32 extracts user information and document information from the header of the received print data, obtains a print option by comparing with a print policy, performs a print control function according to the print option, and then outputs an output stream. (Output Stream) Send as data and print.

When the printing is finished, a print event occurs in the print management module 32. At this time, the extracted print data information and the printed history are created as a log file to terminate all jobs of one received print data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the user / document information extraction and print option acquisition function shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.

The print management module 32 extracts user information and document type in the print header when print data is received as an input stream.

Next, the print option set is obtained by comparing the extracted user's document type with the values in the policy-related tables, and if the user information and document type information do not exist in each policy-related table, Acquire the set print option.

That is, it is determined whether the extracted user information exists in the user information table described above, and if it is determined that the extracted user information exists in the user information table, the policy level specified in the user information table is obtained. If it is determined that the information exists in the document type table, and it is determined that the information exists in the document type table, the print level set for the user and document type is obtained from the policy level table. Obtain print options set for users and unregistered documents from the policy level table.

If it is determined that the extracted user information does not exist in the user information table, it is determined whether information about the extracted document type exists in the document type table. If it is determined that the extracted user information exists in the document type table, the unregistered user is determined in the policy level table. And print options set for the document type, and if it is determined that they do not exist in the document type table, the print options set for the unregistered user and the unregistered document are obtained from the policy level table.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for explaining the print control function shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.

As described above, the print option value is obtained based on the user information and the document information extracted from the print data received by the input stream of the print management module 32. Print options include print bypass, print prohibition, color / monochrome conversion, watermark / footnote output, and output file storage. Afterwards, the print control function is sent to the output stream.

For example, it is determined whether the obtained print option policy is an output bypass. In the case of an output bypass, the printing history log file is stored and sent to an output stream as described below with reference to FIG. 9. If it is determined that the obtained policy option corresponds to the output prohibition option, it stores the print history log file corresponding to the output prohibition option and does not send it to the output stream.

As a result of the determination of the obtained print option, if it is neither output bypass nor output prohibition, it is determined whether it is a color / monochrome conversion option, and if it is applicable, converts it to a monochrome print command and then checks whether it corresponds to the watermark / footnote output option. If not, and if not, it is determined whether or not the watermark / footnote output option.

Watermark / Footnote Print Option Determines whether to add a watermark / footnote to print based on whether or not it is available, and then determines whether it is an output file save option, and if so, saves the print contents to a file. If not, the print contents are stored in the print history log file without being saved as a file and then sent to the output stream.

9 is a flowchart for explaining the log file storing function shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.

When print data is received as an input stream of the print management module 32, information to be stored in the print history log file is extracted from the print data. The extracted information includes the print date and user information (login ID, computer ID, group ID), document type (file name and application name), print method (single-sided / double-sided), and print language type in the print data header. There are values (PCLXL / PS / PCL5, etc.).

The first extracted information is saved as a new record in the print history log file, and then the print data is sent to the output stream for printing through the print engine.

Subsequently, an IOF (Input Output Filter) event occurs upon completion of printing, and when the occurrence occurs, the print history log file contents are updated to extract print result information. The information that can be obtained from the event includes, for example, the number of black and white prints, the number of color prints, the print paper, the print direction, the print status (printing success, print failure, and cancellation of printing), and the ink usage values. 3).

The log file stored as described above is transmitted to the server program when a collection request is received from the server program of the manager computer 40 as shown in the flowchart of the log file collection function described with reference to FIG. Used.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a copy print history extraction function according to the present invention.

In a printer multifunction printer equipped with a copy function, when a user makes a copy job, the user inserts a copy paper into the scanner to perform a scan job. When the scan job is performed, the printer scans the data and prints the copy paper.

At this time, a copy event occurs to the print management module 32 and extracts copy information from the copy event to create a copy history log file. As the copy information, for example, the copy time, the number of prints, and the like may be stored (see FIG. 3).

11 is a flowchart illustrating a fax print history extraction function according to the present invention.

When a fax is called and the fax data is received from the printer MFP equipped with the fax function, the printer stores the fax reception information as a log file.

When the fax data is printed, a fax reception event occurs in the print management module 32. At this time, the fax reception information is extracted from the fax log file and the fax history log file is stored. The fax reception information may be a fax reception time, a counterpart phone number received, a fax reception status, a number of prints, and the like (see FIG. 3).

12A is a flow chart for explaining the function of storing the print content in a file according to the present invention, FIG. 12B is a flow chart for explaining the function of storing the copy / scan content in a file according to the present invention, and FIG. Flow chart for explaining the function of storing the fax transmission contents according to the file, Figure 12d shows a flow chart for explaining the function of storing the fax reception contents in a file according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the print data is received as the input stream of the print management module 32, the print page is stored before being sent to the output stream. Save data to file separately. As the file to be stored, for example, general print data can be stored in a printer control language such as PCL, JPEG can be copied, and fax data can be stored in a picture file format such as TIFF file format. Each stored file is managed by storing it as a [JOB ID] file name in a hard disk installed separately in the case where the print management module 32 has a built-in disk or a multifunction device.

The stored print file is collected by the server program when a collection request is received from the server program of the manager computer 40 and used as an image file when the print contents are inquired.

In a similar manner, the operation of saving the copy / scan contents to a file is performed as shown in FIG. 12B. When a copy or scan operation is performed, the printer generates an original image file and ends the copy or scan operation. The management module 32 generates a copy / scan end event. Accordingly, the print management module 32 checks whether the original image file exists in the temporary storage path of the copy / scan original image file for each printer device, and then copies and stores the original image file in the storage path. The copied / scanned file is usually saved as a jpg file, and depending on the copy option, it can be saved in a picture format file format such as TIFF or PDF.

In addition, the operation of storing the fax transmission contents as a file is illustrated in FIG. 12C. When the scanning operation for the fax transmission is performed, the printer generates an original image file and connects the target fax to transmit the original image file. After generating the fax transmission, generate a fax transmission event to the print management module (32). Accordingly, the print management module 32 copies and stores the original image file to the storage path in the same manner as the print content storage method.

In addition, the operation of storing the fax reception contents as a file is as shown in FIG. 12D. When the fax image is received, the printer generates an original image file based on the received fax image and prints the fax image. Generates a fax reception event to the print management module (32). Accordingly, the print management module 32 copies and stores the original image file to the storage path in the same manner as the print content storage method.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a printing history log file collection function according to the present invention.

When an authenticated user, that is, an administrator, sends a print history log collection command to the printer 30 by using a server program to the administrator computer 40 or the like, whether the printer 30 is powered on, connected to a network, or ready to print. If the condition is checked and the condition is met, the print management module 32 of the printer 30 is requested whether or not the log file exists.

At this time, when the response that the log file does not exist from the printer 30 side is sent to the administrator computer 40 displays a log file in the form of a message, while the response that the log file exists, the print management module 32 The log file read request is sent to the log file side, and the print management module 32 transmits the log file data to the manager computer 40.

The manager computer 40 reads the received log file and stores the print history log file in the manager computer 40 or a database 60 provided separately.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a printing content storing file collecting function according to the present invention.

When an authorized administrator sends a print content file collection command to the printer 30 by using a server program to the administrator computer 40 or the like, whether the printer 30 is in a power-on state, a network connection, or a print ready state. If the condition is met, the print management module 32 of the printer 30 is requested whether or not the print content file exists.

At this time, if a response is sent from the printer 30 that the print content file does not exist, the administrator computer 40 displays the absence of a print content file in the form of a message, and if a reply is transmitted that the print content file exists, print management is performed. The print content file read request is made to the module 32 side, and accordingly, the print management module 32 transmits the print content file data to the manager computer 40.

The manager computer 40 reads the received print content file and stores the print history log file in the manager computer 40 or a database 60 provided separately.

15 is a flowchart illustrating a copy / scan / fax storage file collection function according to the present invention.

When an authorized administrator sends a collection command for a file copied, scanned, or faxed to or sent to a printer 30 using a server program to the administrator computer 40 or the like, the printer 30 status is turned on, It checks whether the printer is connected or ready to print, and if the condition is met, the print management module 32 of the printer 30 is requested whether a copy / scan / fax file exists.

At this time, when a response is sent from the printer 30 that a copy / scan / fax file does not exist, the manager computer 40 displays the copy / scan / fax file in the form of a message, while copy / scan / fax is displayed. When a response is sent that a stored file exists, a copy / scan / fax file read request is requested to the print management module 32. Accordingly, the print management module 32 copies the copy / scan / fax file data to the manager computer (40). To send).

The manager computer 40 reads the received copy / scan / fax storage file and stores the copy / scan / fax storage file in the manager computer 40 or a database 60 provided separately.

As described above, the present invention allows security management of the output document by allowing or restricting the output contents for each user and document according to a preset authority when using the printing, faxing, and copying functions provided in the printer. Unnecessary output is prevented due to restrictions, output document data management, user display, etc., and thus, there is an advantage of reducing the printing cost.

Claims (12)

In one or more network printers connected to a plurality of user computers via a local area network to control the performance of the printing function according to the user or the user computer in the printer usage management device of the network printer system, The network printer is equipped with a printer usage management program that can set the authority for each user and control the functions of the printer according to the set authority, and automatically loads the printer usage management program at boot time and also uses the printer usage management program. It is equipped with a print management module that is capable of performing the output management function of the printer according to the authority set through the network, and set the authority of the network printer in conjunction with the printer usage management program of the network printer and transmits from the network printer A printer usage management device for a network printer system, characterized in that an administrator computer equipped with a printer management program is connected to receive print management information and store it in a database. The print management module of claim 1, wherein the print management module comprises: an IOF storage unit for storing an input / output interface file, an execution program storage unit for storing an executable program (Exe) and a dynamic link library file (dll) for managing printer use, a policy file; An administrative information storage unit for storing user information files, an output form information storage unit for storing print forms and footnote files, a job file storage unit for storing output files, scan files or fax files, and creation date of printed matters; And a log file storage unit for storing information on printed matters, such as user information, document contents, number of copies, paper type, and printing type. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the print management module includes a printer usage management software mounted on a flash dim, a CF card, or a USB memory. A network printer whose printing function is controlled according to the printer control information stored in the print management module, an administrator computer equipped with a printer usage management program, and one or more user computers that output data to be printed; Connecting via a network; In the administrator computer, a user input table for inputting user information to use a printer, a document input table for inputting document type information for document control, and a document type previously stored in the document input table are driven by the printer usage management program. Displaying each policy level input table for setting a print policy and inputting print control information through the table; Transmitting, at the administrator computer, the input print control information to a print management module of a network printer; The network printer performing a function test of the printer itself when the initial power is turned on, and then loading and maintaining the printer usage management program stored in the print management module in a running state and waiting to receive print data; When print data is received through the input / output channel, the print management module receives the input stream data, extracts user and document information, obtains print options by comparing with the print policy, and performs print control according to the print options. A print control step of exporting to a stream; Generating, by the network printer, an event in the print management module after performing a print operation with a value controlled by the print management module; The print management module comprises a step of creating and storing the extracted print data information and the printed history as a log file according to the reception of the event information, ending the print job, and waiting for the reception of the next print data. How to manage the use of network printers. The method of claim 4, wherein the print control step extracts the user information and the document type in the print header from the print data received by the print management module as an input stream, and compares the extracted document type and the value in the policy related table. And a print option acquisition process of acquiring a print option set by using the network printer. The printing control step of claim 4, wherein the print control step sets an output bypass, an output prohibition, a color / monochrome conversion, a watermark / footnote output, and an output file storage option in the policy related table as a print option in advance, and extracts the extracted data. Includes a print control function that compares a user's document type with a value in a policy-related table to obtain one or more of the preset print options, changes and saves print data according to the acquired options, and exports them to an output stream. Usage management method of the network printer, characterized in that. 5. The printing control step according to claim 4, wherein the print control step includes a print date and user information (login ID, computer ID, group ID) and document type (file name and application) from the print data header when print data is received as an input stream of the print management module. Extract log values such as program name), printing method (single-sided / double-sided), and print language type (PCLXL / PS / PCL5, etc.) and save them as new records in the print history log file, and then send the print data to the output stream. After printing through the print engine, when the IOF event occurs according to the printing completion, the number of black and white prints, color prints, print paper, print direction, print status (print success, print failure, print cancellation), ink usage value and And a log file storing step of extracting the same print result information and updating the print history log file contents. The method of claim 4, wherein the print control step comprises generating a copy event to the print management module after printing the copy paper by imaging the data scanned by the printer when a scan job is performed in a printer having a copy function. And a copy print history extracting process of extracting copy information such as copy time and number of copies from a copy event to create and save a copy history log file. The method according to claim 4, wherein the print control step stores fax reception information in a log file when the fax data is received from a printer having a fax function, prints the fax data, and then generates a fax reception event to the print management module. The use of a network printer, comprising a process of storing a fax print history, which extracts fax received information such as fax reception time, incoming call number, fax reception status, and number of prints from a fax reception event and stores it in a fax history log file. How to manage. The printing control step of claim 4, wherein the print control step stores the data for each print page as a file before sending it to the output stream if the print storage option is set among the print options when the print data is received as an input stream of the print management module. If the data is stored in the printer control language, and if it is copied or printed, the printed matter is scanned, or the printed matter is sent and received by fax. To manage the use of network printers. 5. The printing control step of claim 4, wherein the print control step is performed by an authorized user running a server program of an administrator computer to send a print history log collecting command to the printer to determine whether the printer status is powered on, network connected, or ready to print. After checking the condition, if the condition is met, the printer asks the print management module of the printer whether the log file exists, and the printer sends information regarding the presence or absence of the log file to the administrator's computer, and if the log file does not exist, the log is sent. If there is no file in the form of a message, and a response is sent that a log file exists, a request is made to read the log file to the print management module to send the log file data to the administrator's computer. Save as print history log file to database Using the management method of a network printer, it characterized in that it comprises a history log file acquisition process. 5. The printing control step of claim 4, wherein the print control step is performed by an authorized user running a server program of an administrator computer to send a print content storing file collection command to the printer, so that the printer status is turned on, the network is connected, and the print ready status. After checking whether the print content storage file exists, the print management module of the printer is requested to check whether the print content storage file exists, and the printer transmits the information on the presence or absence of the print content storage file to the administrator's computer so that the print content storage file does not exist. If a response is sent, the print content storage file is displayed in the form of a message. If a response is sent to the print management module, a print content storage file is requested to the print management module. After the data has been transferred to the administrator's computer Use method of managing network printer characterized in that it comprises a print information stored files by collecting and storing print information stored in the file, read the song files stored in the print information received into the database.

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