WO2006043562A1

WO2006043562A1 - Printer server job information management method, printer server, and printer system

Info

Publication number: WO2006043562A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/019137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideharu Yoneoka
Original assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
Priority date: 2004-10-18
Filing date: 2005-10-18
Publication date: 2006-04-27
Also published as: JP2008020936A

Abstract

A printer server is connected to a plurality of client PC via a network for managing print data transmitted from the client PC and outputting a print instruction to a printer. The printer server performs an administrator authentication according to an environment variable of the client PC which has made an access or a predetermined password. When the client PC is authenticated as an administrator, the printer server gives an administrator right such as job display and job operation of job information to the client PC. When the client PC is not authenticated as an administrator, the printer server limits the job display and job operation according to the administrator right for the access to the job information from the client PC.

Description

Specification

Printer server job information management method, printer sano, and printer system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a printer sano that outputs a print command to a printer based on print data that is connected to a plurality of client PCs and each client PC also transmits, a printer system using the printer server, and a printer It relates to the server job information management method.

Background art

[0002] A printer in which a plurality of client PCs, a printer server that also receives print data from each client PC, and a printer that outputs prints in response to a print command from the print server are connected via a network Many systems are used.

In such a printer system, a printer server generates and manages print job information based on print data transmitted from each client PC. Print job information (hereinafter simply referred to as job information) is various types of information representing the print management status of the printer in the printer server when the print data sent by the client PC is also printed by the printer. Information items such as job name, processing status, owner name, reception date / time, number of copies, number of copies printed, and data capacity are included. For example, the printer server uses the file name of the print data sent by the client PC as the job name, or uses the PC name of the client PC that sent the print data as the owner name.

[0004] Normally, the printer server makes it possible for a user to view job information related to print data transmitted from each client PC. Therefore, the user can browse the job information of the printer server as well as the client PC's ability to print the print data in what order, or how much print before the print data is printed. It can be confirmed whether there is a quantity.

[0005] On the other hand, there is a problem that job information related to its own print data is known to other users via the printer server, and the confidentiality of the information is lacking. [0006] In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-207156 discloses that when a user transmits print data to a client PC, the print server prints the print data to a print job. A technology for setting whether or not operations from other users are permitted (hereinafter referred to as job operations), the job information related to the print data being viewed by other users Z non-viewing (hereinafter referred to as job display). Is disclosed. As a result, job operations or job displays for the print data by other client PCs are restricted.

[0007] Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-089924 discloses a technique in which each user registers in advance a client PC that gives the authority of job operation or job display for its own print data and the limit of the authority. Yes. As a result, the client PC that has requested the job operation or job display for its own print data is identified, and the print is performed within the limits pre-registered in its own client PC for the identified client PC. Job operation or job display for data is allowed.

Disclosure of the invention

[0008] However, in the former prior art, when the client PC power also sends print data to the printer server, each user sets job display from other users for each print data. There is a problem that the operation is troublesome for the user.

[0009] Further, in the latter prior art, each user sets a client PC that gives authority for job operation or job display for its own print data from the client PCs connected to the network and the limit of the authority. If there are many client PCs that need to be set in advance, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time for the user's setting work.

[0010] Further, in both of the above prior arts, a client PC that is not permitted to perform job operations or job display on print data cannot view job information related to the print data at all. There is a problem of losing the purpose.

[0011] The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and is intended to be used for that purpose. The authority to set conditions (range) for job operation or job display is given to the client PC logged in with a specific password, and the printer server operates the job according to the conditions set by the client PC with the authority. Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide a job information management method for a printer server, a printer server, and a printer system capable of improving operability while maintaining confidentiality by collectively managing job displays.

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is a printer server that is connected to a plurality of client PCs via a network, manages print data transmitted from a plurality of client PCs, and outputs a print command to a printer. In the job information management method, the client PC that has accessed the printer server also acquires an environment variable that identifies the access source, and determines whether the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location. If it is stored, the accessed client PC is authenticated as an administrator, and if it is stored, the client PC accessed with a preset password is authenticated as an administrator and acquired. The process of storing environment variables in a predetermined location and the remaining client P that does not authenticate with the administrator for the client PC that has authenticated with the administrator. A process of giving administrator authority to set at least one of disclosure of print job information and operation of print job to C, and according to the administrator authority, to the remaining client PCs that do not authenticate with the administrator It is an object of the present invention to provide a job information management method for a printer server, comprising the steps of disclosing print job information and restricting the operation of the print job.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is a printer server that is connected to a plurality of client PCs via a network, manages a plurality of print data transmitted by the client PCs, and outputs a print command to the printer. Web server management means for controlling the screen display of the client PC accessed via a Web browser for accessing the printer server, and an environment variable for identifying the client PC power access source accessing the printer server. It is determined whether the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location, and if it is stored, the accessed client PC is authenticated as an administrator and stored. The client PC accessed with a preset password is authenticated as an administrator, and the acquired environment variable is set to a predetermined value. And job management means for storing at the administrator and the that environment variables and pre-setting of the client PC that is authenticated Operation setting means for storing a password, and the job management means gives the administrator authority to set the disclosure of print job information and the operation of the print job to the client PC authenticated as the administrator, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer server characterized by restricting the disclosure of the print job information and the operation of the print job according to the administrator authority to the remaining client PCs that are not authenticated.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention is a printer server that is connected via, manages print data transmitted from a plurality of client PC cameras, and outputs a print command, and the printer server. A plurality of client PCs having a Web browser for accessing job information of the printer server, the printer server comprising: a printer connected to and printing based on a print command of the printer server; Acquire environment variables of the client PC accessed via the Web browser, determine whether the acquired environment variables are stored in a predetermined location, and access if they are stored. If the client PC is authenticated as an administrator and stored, in this case, the client accessed with a preset password is used. Authenticate the PC as an administrator, store the acquired environment variables in a predetermined location, give the administrator authority to set the disclosure of the print job information and the operation of the print job to the client PC authenticated as an administrator, It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer system characterized by restricting the disclosure of the print job information and the operation of the print job according to the administrator authority to the remaining client PCs that are not authenticated with the administrator.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printer and a printer server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a display example of job information of a job processing status.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a display example of hold job information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an administrator setting screen for inputting a password for administrator authentication. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example when a job is deleted.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of detailed job information.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an administrator setting screen that can be operated by the administrator.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a setting screen when performing security setting.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of job information indicating job processing status when job name display and job deletion operations are prohibited.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of hold job information when a job name, preview display, and job deletion operation are prohibited.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example when deleting a job when display of the job name is prohibited.

[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detailed job information display when display of job names is prohibited.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an input screen when changing a password.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for administrator authentication.

[FIG. 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for deciding whether to display or hide job information in the job processing status and whether to execute or prohibit job operations.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining job information display / non-display of a hold job and execution / prohibition of job operation.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer system 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of client PCs 2, a printer server 3, and a network printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer” t ヽぅ) 4 connected to the printer server 3 are connected via a network 5. Ru

When printing, the client PC 2 transmits print data to be printed to the printer server 3 via the network 5. The client PC 2 also browses (displays) the print management status (job information) or various print setting statuses in the printer server 3. A web browser 21 is provided.

[0018] The printer server 3 receives print data transmitted from each client PC 2, and manages the output of printed matter based on the print data by the printer 4. The printer server 3 uses the Web browser 21 of each client PC 2. Web server management means 31 for controlling the screen display of each client PC 2 via the server, job management means 32 for managing print data transmitted from each client PC 2 and job information relating to the print data, an administrator (described later), The operation setting means 33 for storing a password for authentication, an environment variable of the client PC 2 (information for specifying the client PC 2), and various print setting items is provided.

[0019] When the job management means 32 receives access for administrator authentication from the client PC 2 (the administrator authentication screen in FIG. 5), the job management means 32 changes the screen of the client PC 2 to a password input screen and is input. It is determined whether or not the password matches the password stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting means 33. If it is determined that the password matches, the client PC 2 is authenticated as an administrator. Then, the job management unit 32 acquires the environment variable of the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator, and stores and saves it in a predetermined location of the operation setting unit 33.

[0020] In addition, the job management unit 32 clicks on the “Administrator Settings” button in FIG. 3 when receiving access from the client PC2 for administrator settings (setting of job display or job operation by the administrator). If this is the case, the environment variable of the client PC2 is acquired to determine whether the power matches the environment variable stored in the operation setting means 33, and if it matches, the client PC2 Is determined as an administrator, and the authority to set job display and job operation restrictions, etc. is given to the client PC (this is referred to as administrator authority).

[0021] Furthermore, the job management means 32 does not authenticate with the administrator when the client PC2 authenticated with the administrator is set to restrict the display of information items with job information. When the job display access is received, the information item is not displayed. In addition, when a setting is made to prohibit a job operation by the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator, the job management means 32 prohibits the job operation from the client PC 2 not authenticated as the administrator. .

[0022] Further, the job management means 32 receives a predetermined time or more from the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator. If there is no access, the client P stored in the predetermined place of the operation setting means 33

Delete the C2 environment variable and delete the administrator authentication of the client PC2.

[0023] The printer 4 has a function of outputting a printed material based on print data in accordance with a print command transmitted from the printer server 3, and further provides the printer server 3 with its operation status and remaining amount information of consumables. It has a function to send periodically.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration example of the printer server 3 and the printer 4. The printer server 3 may be connected to the printer 4 via the network 5 as a separate device from the printer 4.

Next, a display example of a screen displayed on the display device (not shown) of the client PC 2 via the Web browser 21 of each client PC 2 will be described.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a screen displayed when the user accesses the printer server 3 via the Web browser 21, and when the "Job Manager" button is clicked and the tag "Job Processing Status" is opened. It is an example of a display screen. The job information screen of “job processing status” displays job information of print data from print unprocessed to print out of print data received by the printer server 3. In addition, FIG. 3 shows a case where no administrator settings are set by the administrator, so all information items of the job information are displayed! In this figure, the job information includes “job name” indicating the name of the print job, developing, printing

"Status" indicating the processing status such as normal completion, "Owner name" indicating the requester of the print job (the user who sent the print data), and the number of copies when the print data is printed

It consists of information items such as “Number of copies” and “Reception date / time” indicating the reception date / time of the print job.

[0027] Accordingly, the user can browse the job information of the printer server via the Web browser 21 to determine the number of jobs waiting to be output and the number of copies, etc. You can get a general idea of what the printed matter is from the person.

FIG. 4 is a screen that is displayed when the tag “hold (hold job)” is opened in the same manner as in FIG. 3. Of the print data received by the printer server 3, the printing process has already been completed. The job information of the print data stored in the printer server 3 is displayed in the print job! In this example, no administrator settings are set by the administrator. Show In this example, the job information is composed of information items such as “page” indicating the number of output pages and “preview” indicating a thumbnail image of the printed matter in addition to the information items described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a screen displayed when the user accesses the printer server 3 via the Web browser 21 for administrator setting. This screen is used when the user logs in with a password, and displays a “password” input box for entering a password, a “login” button for starting a login process, and the like.

[0030] When the user inputs a password stored in advance in the printer server 3 and clicks the login button, the printer server 3 determines whether the input password matches the stored password. If it is determined that they match, the printer server 3 authenticates the accessed user as an administrator, and allows the administrator to set the administrator.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when the administrator clicks the “Delete Job” button on the screen shown in FIG. In Fig. 3, the administrator selects the job name "testl.doc" that he wants to delete, and is highlighted. Clicking the "Delete Job" button displays the screen in Fig. 6. In FIG. 6, the job name “testl.doc” selected by the administrator in FIG. 3, the “OK” button for instructing whether or not to delete, and the “Cancel” button are displayed. For example, when the administrator clicks the ΟΚ button, the selected job name “testl.doc” is deleted from the tag “job processing status”.

FIG. 7 shows a display example of detailed information of a print job. Here, when the user selects the job name “testl.doc” for which detailed information is to be viewed in FIG. 3, the selected job information is highlighted, and is displayed when the user clicks the “Detail” button. An example of the screen is shown.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an administrator setting screen that is displayed when a user logs in with the password described in FIG. 5 and is authenticated by the printer server 3 as an administrator. . For example, when the tag “controller setting 1” is opened, a button for selecting an administrator setting item such as “network setting”, “date and time setting”, and an explanation thereof are displayed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when the administrator clicks the “Security setting” button on the screen shown in FIG. In this example, "Job Display" and "Job Operation" V, the setting item and the selection box to select it, and “οκ” button and “Cancel” button to indicate whether or not the selection can be confirmed (set) are displayed. To set these items, the administrator can enter a selection mark (such as a check mark) in the selection box for the desired setting item and click the ΟΚ button. In this case, the number of setting items selected by the administrator is arbitrary, s (?

[0035] In addition to the job deletion described above (Fig. 3), the job operations that can be set by the administrator include "Job output" (Fig. 4) for outputting a hold job, and "Name change" for changing the job name. (Fig. 7).

[0036] FIG. 10 shows that the job display on the screen of FIG. 9 is set to “Do not display the job name of the job processing status to anyone other than the administrator” on the screen of FIG. Job information screen of the job processing status displayed on the client PC2 when the job operation is set to "Prohibit deletion of jobs with job processing status by non-administrator". FIG. In this case, a job name “* * * *” is displayed on the job information screen so that a user who is not authenticated as an administrator does not know the job name. The job deletion button is also grayed out (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 10) on the job information screen so that the client PC 2 cannot perform job operations without being authenticated as an administrator.

[0037] Fig. 11 shows the job display on the job information screen of Fig. 9 by the client PC2 (user) who has been authenticated as an administrator, and "Hold job job name 'Preview not displayed to non-administrators" When the job operation is set to “Prohibit hold job deletion except for the administrator”, the job information screen of the hold job displayed on the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as the administrator is shown in FIG. is there. In this case, the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as an administrator displays the job name as “* * * *” on the job information screen so that the job name is not known. The job deletion button is also grayed out (indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 11) on the job information screen and is not authenticated as an administrator!ヽ Client PC2 cannot perform job operations (delete hold jobs)! /, Now! /

[0038] In FIG. 12, the job display is set to “Do not display the job name of the job processing status except for the administrator” by the client PC2 (the user) who has been authenticated as the administrator as in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a job deletion screen displayed on the client PC 2 when no job operation is set and authentication with an administrator is performed. In this case, the job name is displayed as “* * * *” according to the administrator settings by the administrator, and the OK button for instructing job deletion is displayed as valid.

[0039] Fig. 13 shows the details displayed on the client PC2 when the administrator settings similar to those in Fig. 10 (however, the job operation items are set to rename)! It is a figure which shows the example of a screen. In this case, the job name is displayed as “* * * *” according to the administrator setting by the client PC2 (the user) who has been authenticated as the administrator, as in FIG. The client PC2 that is not authenticated as an administrator cannot perform job operations (name change)! /

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen when the administrator and the authenticated client PC 2 (the user) change the password. When the administrator opens the administrator setting tag “controller setting 1” shown in FIG. 8 and clicks the “change password” button, a change screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In this example, an old password input box, a new password input box, a new password confirmation input box, and an “OK” button and a “cancel” button for confirming (setting) the change are displayed.

Next, the processing operation of the printer system 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0042] Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, a processing procedure when a user who is an administrator accesses the printer server 3 from an arbitrary client PC 2 and receives authentication from the administrator will be described. .

When the job management means 32 of the printer server 3 receives an administrator setting access from an arbitrary client PC 2, it acquires the environment variable of the client PC 2 and specifies the access source (step ST 11).

Next, the job management means 32 determines whether or not the environment variable acquired from the client PC 2 is stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting means 33 (step ST12). If it is determined that the environment variable of the accessed client PC 2 is stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting means 33 (YES in step ST12), the process is performed in step ST15. If it is determined that it is not stored (NO in step ST12), the job management means 32 displays the administrator setting screen shown in FIG. Require login. Thereafter, the job management means 32 determines whether or not the input password matches the password stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting means 33 (step ST13). If it is determined that they match (YES in step ST13), the job management means 32 authenticates the client PC2 that is the access source as an administrator, and stores the acquired environment variable in a predetermined location of the operation setting means 33. (Step ST1 4). Then, the job management means 32 displays the administrator setting screen shown in FIG. 8 on the accessed client PC 2 (step ST15).

[0045] In this way, the client PC2 (user) authenticated as the administrator can perform operations on the administrator setting screen as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and the "change password" is displayed on the administrator setting screen. You can change the password by clicking the button (Figure 14), or click the “Security Settings” button to set the job display and job operation (Figure 9).

[0046] In order to reflect the intentions of each user, this "security setting" can be performed separately between a client PC authenticated as an administrator and another client PC by e-mail, telephone, A configuration that acquires the information items of job information that each user wants to hide, such as fax, etc., and the contents of the job operation that wants to be prohibited, and sets the job display and job operation to reflect it Tomo ヽ.

Here, the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator by the process shown in FIG. 15 is authenticated under a certain condition that the administrator authentication of the client PC 2 is not continued thereafter. Will be erased. That is, as described above, the job management unit 32 deletes the environment variable of the client PC 2 stored in the operation setting unit 33 when there is no access to the printer server 3 from the Web browser 21 for a predetermined time. As a result, the administrator authentication of the client PC2 is deleted. As a result, it is possible to prevent a non-administrator user from browsing the job information or operating the job using the client PC 2 once authenticated as the administrator.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, a processing procedure when a job display of job processing status and job operation is requested from an arbitrary client PC 2 will be described. The

First, when receiving job display and job operation access from an arbitrary client PC 2, the job management means 32 acquires the environment variable of the client PC 2 and specifies the access source (step ST21).

[0050] Then, the job management unit 32 compares the acquired environment variable with the environment variable stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting unit 33, thereby determining whether or not the client PC2 as the access source is an administrator. Is determined (step ST22).

[0051] As a result, when it is determined that the client PC 2 is an administrator (YES in step ST22), the job management means 32 sends a tag "" to the client PC 2 as shown in FIG. All job information included in the “job processing status” is displayed (step ST23). As a result, the client PC2 (the user) who has been authenticated as an administrator can view all job information in the job processing status.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the job management means 32 displays a “job deletion” button, and allows deletion of an arbitrary job displayed on the job processing status screen ( Step ST 24). As a result, the client PC 2 (or the user) who has been authenticated as an administrator can select and delete any job from the jobs up to printing, including the waiting power received by the printer server 3 at that point. .

[0053] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the client PC2 as the access source is not an administrator (NO in step ST22), the job management means 32 is authenticated as an administrator. It is determined how the job display is set by the client PC2 (user) (step ST25). For example, when the job display is set to “Do not display the job name of the job processing status except for the administrator” (YES in step ST25), the job management means 32 displays the job of the client PC2. Do not display the job name as confidential information on the processing screen (step ST26).

[0054] To be precise, as shown in FIG. 10, on the job processing status screen of the client PC 2 determined not to be an administrator, all “job names” are converted to “* * * *” and displayed. Therefore, the client PC2 (the user) cannot browse the information items of the job information such as the number of jobs, the owner name, etc. from the waiting state currently accepted by the printer server 3 to the printing state. Although the job name is confidential information, it cannot be known.

[0055] If the job display setting is set by the administrator (NO in step ST25), all the job information will be displayed regardless of whether or not the access source client PC 2 is authenticated as the administrator. The information item is displayed (step ST27).

Next, the job management means 32 determines how the job operation is set! (Step ST28). For example, if the job operation is set to “Prohibit job deletion in the job processing status except for the administrator” on the security setting screen shown in FIG. 9 (YES in step ST28), As shown in FIG. 10, by graying out the “delete job” button, the job management means 32 prevents the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as an administrator from deleting the job (step ST29).

[0057] If the job operation has been set (NO in step ST28), the “job deletion” button is displayed, and the job can be deleted from all accessed client PCs 2 (step ST30). ).

[0058] As described above, when the administrator setting is made by the client PC2 (user) whose job display or job operation is authenticated as the administrator, the client PC2 that is not authenticated as the administrator includes You cannot view the restricted job display or perform job operations! /.

Next, with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 17, a processing procedure when an “client” job display and job operation are requested from an arbitrary client PC 2 will be described.

First, when receiving job display and job operation access from an arbitrary client PC 2, the job management means 32 acquires the environment variable of the client PC 2 and specifies the access source (step ST41).

[0061] Then, the job management unit 32 compares the acquired environment variable with the environment variable stored in a predetermined location of the operation setting unit 33, thereby determining whether or not the client PC2 as the access source is an administrator. Is determined (step ST42).

[0062] As a result, when it is determined that the client PC 2 is an administrator (YES in step ST42), the job management means 32 sends a tag "" to the client PC 2 as shown in FIG. All job information included in “Hold” is displayed (step ST43). As a result, the client PC2 (the user) can view all held job information. The

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the job management means 32 displays a “job deletion” button, and can delete an arbitrary job displayed on the hold screen (step ST 44). As a result, the client PC 2 (user) can select and delete an arbitrary job from among the jobs that the printer server 3 is currently accepting and holding.

[0064] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the client PC2 as the access source is not an administrator (NO in step ST42), the job management means 32 determines that the client PC2 (user) To determine how the job display setting is set (step ST45). For example, when “job name of the hold job 'preview is not displayed except for the administrator” (YES in step ST45), the job management means 32 displays the job display power on the hold screen. The hold job name is not displayed as confidential information (step ST46).

[0065] To be precise, as shown in Fig. 11, on the hold screen of client PC2 (user 1) that is determined not to be an administrator, all "job names" are changed to "* * * *". Since it is converted and displayed and the preview field is blank, the client PC 2 (the user) browses the job information information items such as the number of jobs currently held by the printer server 3 and the owner name. However, the job name and preview are confidential information and cannot be known.

[0066] If the job display is set! /! (NO in step ST45), the job information is displayed regardless of whether or not the client PC2 of the access source is authenticated as an administrator. All information items are displayed (step ST47).

Next, the job management means 32 determines how the job operation is set! (Step ST48). For example, if the job operation is set to `` Prohibit hold job deletion except for administrators '' on the security screen shown in Fig. 9 (YES in step ST48), As shown in the figure, by graying out the “delete job” button, the job management means 32 displays that the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as an administrator cannot delete the job (step ST49).

[0068] In addition, in the case where the job operation has been set (NO in step ST48), "Job The “Delete” button is displayed, and jobs can be deleted from all accessed client PCs 2 (step ST50).

[0069] In this way, if the administrator setting is restricted by the client PC (user) who is authenticated as the administrator for job display or job operation, the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as the administrator Does not allow restricted job operations, such as viewing a job display or preview with restricted hold.

[0070] The power described above based on the embodiment of the printer system of the present invention The present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each unit is replaced with an arbitrary configuration having the same function be able to.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the job name or the force S described in the example of prohibiting the preview display as the job information, or other job information can be set to be prohibited. .

[0072] Further, as an example of prohibiting job deletion as a job operation, it is also possible to prohibit setting by the force described above and other job operations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to reflect the user's intention at the time of “security setting” by the administrator, details of the setting items desired by each user via e-mail, telephone, fax, etc. The configuration is such that the administrator obtains the print data separately from the print data and sets the job display and job operation based on it, but the following configuration is also possible.

[0074] For example, the printer server 3 only needs to display the list information indicating each setting item (administrator setting item) of the job information and job operation only once (for example, when the administrator clicks the “security setting” button) ) Or every time the list information is updated by the administrator, it is sent to all client PCs 2. Next, a setting item for performing security settings on the client PC 2 other than the administrator is selected from the list information, and information on the selected setting item is transmitted to the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator. Then, the client PC 2 authenticated as the administrator refers to the information regarding the setting item transmitted from each client PC 2 and sets the job display and job operation. As an example, when the client PC2-1 sends information that wishes to hide the “owner name”, the administrator In the job display, if “Owner name” is set to be hidden, and the client PC2-2 sends the information to hide “Job name”, the administrator sends the client PC2 — For the second job display, set “Job Name” to hidden.

[0075] Also, for example, the printer server only provides list information indicating each setting item (administrator setting item) of job information and job operation only once (for example, when the administrator clicks the "security setting" button). Or every time the list information is updated by the administrator, it is sent to all client PCs 2. Next, a setting item for performing security settings on the client PC 2 other than the administrator is selected from the list information, and information on the selected setting item is transmitted to the printer server 3. Then, the printer server 3 allows the administrator to set only items for which the number of requests from the client PCs 2 other than the administrator exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the information about the setting items transmitted from each client PC2. Control the “Security Settings” screen of the client PC2 who has been authenticated as an administrator. The administrator then configures the screen display and job operation settings for the “security settings” reconfigured in this way. Or, the client PC2 that has been authenticated as an administrator can automatically set only items that exceed the above-mentioned threshold.

Industrial applicability

In the printer system 1 according to the present embodiment, the client PC 2 accessed using the password registered in the operation setting unit 33 among the client PCs 2 is authenticated as an administrator, and only this administrator is the administrator. Give the setting authority (administrator authority)!

Therefore, if the administrator sets the job display on the security setting screen shown in FIG.

If you are not authenticated as an administrator, you will not be able to view job information on client PC2.

The job information can be kept secret.

[0078] Further, in the client PC 2 that is not authenticated as an administrator, some job information cannot be browsed according to the administrator setting on the security setting screen, but until the print processing related to the own job is performed. You can know the waiting time and improve work efficiency.

[0079] Further, since a job operation such as job deletion is given only to the client PC 2 (one of the users) authenticated as the administrator, the job operation is performed by the client PC 2 not authenticated as the administrator. The problem that the work is executed can be solved.

[0080] Even if the client PC 2 is authenticated as an administrator, the administrator authentication is canceled due to the condition that the Web browser 21 has not been accessed for more than a predetermined time. It is possible to eliminate the concern that the administrator authority is inadvertently used by a user other than the administrator who uses the client PC2, which is not continuously given administrator authority to the client PC2 for a predetermined time or longer. .

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer server with high work efficiency while improving the confidentiality of job information.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A method for managing job information of a printer server that is connected to a plurality of client PCs via a network, manages the print data transmitted by the plurality of client PCs, and outputs a print command to the printer.

The client PC that accesses the printer server acquires an environment variable that identifies the access source, and determines whether or not the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location.

If it is stored, the accessed client PC is authenticated as an administrator, and if it is stored, the client PC accessed with a preset password is authenticated as an administrator, and the obtained environment variable is set. Storing in a predetermined location;

Providing administrator authority to the client PC that has been authenticated as an administrator, not authenticating as an administrator, and setting at least one of disclosure of print job information and print job operations for the remaining client PCs When,

According to the administrator authority, for the remaining client PCs that do not authenticate with the administrator

A step of restricting disclosure of the print job information and operation of the print job;

A job information management method for a printer server, comprising:

[2] The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a step of deleting the administrator authentication of the client PC when access by the client PC authenticated with the administrator does not occur for a predetermined time or more. Server job information management method.

[3] The printer server job information according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an administrator authority for disclosure of the print job information restricts any information item of the print job information. Management method.

[4] The administrator authority for the operation of the print job restricts at least one of the operation for deleting the print job, the operation for outputting the hold job, and the operation for changing the job name of the print job. The method for managing job information of a printer server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:

[5] In a printer server connected to a plurality of client PCs via a network and managing a plurality of print data transmitted from the client PCs and outputting a print command to the printer, Web server management means for controlling screen display of the client PC accessed via a Web browser for accessing the printer server;

The client PC that has accessed the printer server acquires an environment variable that identifies the access source, and determines whether or not the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location. If the client PC is authenticated as an administrator and stored, in this case, the client PC accessed with a preset password is authenticated as an administrator, and the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location. Means, and an operation setting means for storing environment variables of the client PC authenticated as an administrator and the preset password.

With

The job management means gives the administrator authority to set the disclosure of print job information and the operation of the print job to the client PC authenticated as the administrator, and does not authenticate with the administrator! For the remaining client PCs, A printer server that restricts disclosure of the print job information and operation of the print job according to the administrator authority.

[6] The job management means, if the client PC power authenticated with the administrator does not generate an access for a predetermined time or more !, the job management means cancels the administrator authentication of the client PC. The printer server described in 1.

7. The printer server according to claim 5, wherein an administrator authority for disclosure of the print job information restricts display of an arbitrary information item of the job information.

[8] The administrator authority for the operation of the print job restricts an operation for deleting the print job, an operation for outputting a hold job, and an operation for renaming the job name of the print job. The printer server according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the power is any one.

[9] A plurality of client PCs, a printer server connected to the plurality of client PCs via a network, managing print data transmitted from the plurality of client PCs and outputting a print command, and the printer server And a printer that prints based on a print command of the printer server, The plurality of client PCs have Web browsers for accessing job information of the printer server,

The printer server acquires an environment variable of a client PC accessed via the Web browser, and the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined location to determine whether or not it is strong and stored. In this case, the accessed client PC is authenticated as an administrator, and if it is stored, the client PC accessed with a preset password is authenticated as an administrator, and the acquired environment variable is stored in a predetermined place. Store and authenticate with the administrator Give the administrator authority to set the disclosure of the print job information and print job operation to the client PC, and the administrator authority to the remaining client PC that does not authenticate with the administrator A printer system characterized by restricting the disclosure of the print job information and the operation of the print job according to the above.