JP2004152108A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of controlling the propriety of printing by determining the propriety of printing of a job for every printing request. <P>SOLUTION: When a limit is provided in the job, a limit value is set. This set value is determined from the input data from a user who generates the job or the limit of services in a job server. The limit includes the effective period of the job, the number of printable parts, or the like. A limit for a printer or the kind of a recording paper used for its output is set. Whether the output printer is determined or not is determined, and when it is determined, an output equipment limit is set based on the profile information of its output. When these limit items are determined, these limit items are set in a job ticket in step S1110. Finally, job data are stored in the job data storage function of the job server in step S1116. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print system, a job server, a control method of a print system, a control program of a print system, and a recording medium suitable for a network configured by connecting a client computer, a print server, and a job server for managing jobs to each other.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the related art, by using a network such as the Internet or an intranet, it is possible to transmit print data from a remote operation terminal to a specific print server and request document output.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional printing system, since the print data is sent to the print server, the print request is basically made printable. However, there are problems in terms of operation and security, such as that the print request is deleted immediately after printing or remains until the administrator or the user deletes it. In addition, each time printing is performed, whether or not printing is possible may be determined by inquiring of a central processing unit corresponding to a job server. However, once print data flows to a print server (output site), there is no limit. There are problems such as.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a printing system capable of determining whether a job can be printed for each print request and controlling the printing. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A printing system according to a first invention of the present application is a printing system including a job server, a client, and a print server, wherein the client has print data creation means for creating print data, and the job server A storage unit for storing job information composed of the print data and the restriction information, and, when a print request is issued from the print server, determining whether printing is possible based on the restriction information included in the requested job information. It is characterized by comprising a determining means for determining, and a transmitting means for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting it to the print server when the determining means determines that printing is possible.
[0006]
A job server according to a second aspect of the present invention is a job server that manages a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network. Storage means for storing job information including the print information; a determination means for determining restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is issued from the print server; and And transmitting means for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server.
[0007]
The job server according to the third invention of the present application stores job information including print data and restriction information, and when a print request is made, judges the restriction information and extracts the print data from the job information. And transmitting it.
[0008]
A printing system control method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network, wherein the print data created by the client, the restriction information, A storage step of storing job information including: a determination step of determining restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is issued from the print server; and Transmitting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server.
[0009]
In a control method of a printing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the server stores job information including print data and restriction information, and when a print request is issued, determines the restriction information and performs printing. Data is extracted from the job information and transmitted.
[0010]
A control program for a printing system according to a sixth invention of the present application is a program for causing a computer to control a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network. A storage procedure for storing job information including print data and restriction information; a determination procedure for determining restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is issued from the print server; And transmitting a print data from the requested job information to the print server.
[0011]
A computer-readable recording medium according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for controlling a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network. A storage procedure for storing job information including print data and restriction information created by the client; a determination procedure for determining restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is received from the print server; And a transmission program for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server when it is determined that printing is possible in the determination procedure step, and recording a control program of a printing system. I do.
[0012]
In the present invention, job restriction information is included in print data, and this data is treated as a target in any print server (output base). When print data is extracted from job information, job restriction is determined. It is possible to determine whether a job can be printed.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a printing system, a job server, a printing system control method, a printing system control program, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
(Configuration of printing system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this printing system, a client computer 101, a job server 102, and a print server (output site) 103 are connected to one another via a network 105. A printer 104 is connected to the print server 103.
[0015]
The client computer 101 has a document editing application, a PDL (Page Description Language) conversion driver, a job ticket creation function, and a network connection function. The client computer is an information processing device such as a host computer, a personal computer, a workstation, and a personal digital assistant. The client computer 101 creates a document including data such as characters, graphics, and images using the function of the document editing application, and then uses the data created by the document editing application (hereinafter, this data is referred to as application data). The data is converted into PDL, which is print data that can be interpreted by the printer 104. Also, the client computer 101 converts the total number of pages generated when creating the application data, the original paper size, the page layout information specified at the time of conversion, the number of sheets to be output to paper, and the like at the time of conversion to PDL. Create as a ticket item. The client computer 101 can transmit a set of data including the created application data, PDL data, and a job ticket (hereinafter, the set of data is referred to as job data (job information)) to the job server 102.
[0016]
Although FIG. 1 shows only one client computer 101, a plurality of client computers 101 may be connected to the network 105 as needed.
[0017]
The job server 102 has a function of receiving data transmitted from the client computer 101, a function of interpreting and updating the received data, a function of requesting job data from the print server 103, and a function of transmitting job data to the print server 103. I have.
[0018]
The print server 103 has a print application for actually printing and a printer driver function. The print server 103 further has a function of receiving job data and transmitting information after printing by connecting to the job server 102 via the network 105.
[0019]
As described above, the printer 104 is connected to the print server 103, and actually executes printing according to an instruction from the print server 103.
[0020]
Although FIG. 1 shows only one printer 104, a plurality of printers 104 may be connected to the print server 103. The print server 103 and the printer 104 are installed, for example, at a place where output is required, and may exist at a plurality of places.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the network 105 is, for example, a network based on the Internet.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the client computer 101. The client computer 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a display unit 205, an input unit 206, and a secondary storage unit 207. The client computer 101 is connected to the network 105 via the network interface 204.
[0023]
The ROM 202 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory that stores a program executed by the central processing unit 201. The RAM 203 functions as a main storage device that stores data. The display unit 205 includes, for example, a display and displays data and the contents of a program. The input unit 206 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, from which the user inputs data and the like. The secondary storage unit 207 includes, for example, a hard disk and stores an OS (Operating System), a program, a file of created data, and the like. The central processing unit 201 performs control calculations and the like of each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 202 or the secondary storage unit 207.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the job server 102. The job server 102 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 301, a ROM 302, a ROM 303, a network interface 304, and a secondary storage unit 305. The job server 102 is connected to the network 105 via the network interface 304.
[0025]
The ROM 302 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory that stores a program executed by the central processing unit 301. The RAM 303 functions as a main storage device that stores data. The secondary storage unit 304 includes, for example, a hard disk, and stores an OS, a program, and files of job data created by the client 101, and the like. The central processing unit 301 performs control calculations and the like of each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 302 or the secondary storage unit 304.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the print server 103 and the printer 104. The print server 103 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a network interface 404, a display unit 405, an input unit 406, and a secondary storage unit 407. The print server 103 is connected to the network 105 via a network interface 404.
[0027]
The ROM 402 is, for example, a nonvolatile memory that stores a program executed by the central processing unit 401. The RAM 403 functions as a main storage device that stores data. The display unit 405 includes, for example, a display and displays data and the contents of a program. The input unit 406 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, from which the user inputs data and the like. The secondary storage unit 407 includes, for example, a hard disk, and stores an OS, a program, a file of job data received from the job server 102, and the like. The central processing unit 401 performs control calculations and the like of each unit based on a program stored in the ROM 402 or the secondary storage unit 407. A plurality of printers 104 may be connected as described above.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the client computer 101. For example, an editing application program (hereinafter, referred to as an editing application) 501 is stored in the secondary storage unit 207 of the client computer 101. The editing application 501 is a program for creating a document including data such as characters, graphics, and images. The editing application 501 does not need to be a specific application, and any general application can be used, as long as it has a function of outputting an instruction to print the created application data.
[0029]
In the ROM 202 or the secondary storage unit 207 of the client computer 101, a program for causing the CPU 201 to implement the job creation function 502 is stored. The job creation function 502 includes a PDL conversion driver function 504, a job ticket creation function 505, a job data package 506, and a job data transmission function 507. The job generation function 502 having these functions is called from the secondary storage unit 207 or the like in response to a print execution instruction from the editing application 501 and causes the CPU 201 to realize each of these functions. Is generated and transmitted to the job server 102.
[0030]
The PDL conversion driver function 504 is a function of converting print data into a PDL in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 104 or a print application program 701 of the printer server 103 described later. The PDL conversion driver function 504 is realized when the editing application 501 instructs print execution, and converts application data into print data composed of PDL (hereinafter, also referred to as PDL data). Before this conversion, it is possible to specify a print layout, a print range, color printing / monochrome printing, and the like, and the PDL conversion driver function 504 performs PDL conversion based on these settings. However, the PDL conversion driver function 504 may not perform the above conversion if the application data handled by the editing application 501 is already PDL data.
[0031]
The job ticket creation function 505 creates, as a job ticket, print attributes such as the print layout, the total number of pages of application data, the paper size, and the number of paper sheets after the PDL conversion, in cooperation with the PDL conversion driver function 504. Function.
[0032]
The job data package function 506 stores a plurality of data files such as PDL data created by the PDL conversion driver function 504, a job ticket created by the job ticket creation function 505, and application data that is data of the editing application 501 into one job. It is a function to integrate with data. In the present embodiment, this job data is handled as common data among all the print servers 103.
[0033]
The job data transmission function 507 is a function of transmitting the job data created by the job data package function 506 to the job server 102.
[0034]
A program for causing the CPU 201 to implement the job control setting function 503 is also stored in the ROM 202 or the secondary storage unit 207 of the client computer 101.
[0035]
The job control setting function 503 is a function for performing setting of job control in the client computer 101 by communicating with the job server 102. As the job control setting function 503, for example, browser software commonly used on the Internet can be used. By using the job control setting function 503, it is possible to set job control items for the job data transmitted to the job server 102. The control items of the job include, for example, restriction items (restriction information) for the job, such as a printable valid date and the number of printable copies, and designation of an output base.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the job server 102. In the ROM 302 or the secondary storage unit 305 of the job server 102, the CPU 301 stores job data 601, a job data storage function 602, a job control setting function 603, a job ticket creation / update function 604, a printer profile function 605, a job database 606, A program for realizing a print server (output base) profile function 607, a print server transmission function 608, a job search function 609, and a print server reception function 610 is stored.
[0037]
The job data receiving function 601 is a function for receiving job data from the client computer 101.
[0038]
The job data storage function 602 is a function for performing temporary storage and final storage of received job data.
[0039]
The job control setting function 603 stores the control data input from the job setting function 503 of the client computer 101 and the control data of the job unique to the job server 102 into a job storage 602 via a job ticket creation / update function 604 described later. This is a function to set the job data temporarily stored.
[0040]
The job data received from the client computer 101 may not include a job ticket. In such a case, the job ticket creation / update function 604 obtains print attributes such as the print layout and the number of pages by interpreting the PDL data portion in the received job data, and creates a new job ticket. This function reorganizes job data.
[0041]
The job ticket creation / update function 604 reflects the job control items set by the job control setting function 603 on the job ticket, that is, the job control data of the job data in the received job data. By writing, job restriction information can be added to the job data.
[0042]
The job restriction items include, for example, “printable start date and time”, “print expiration date and time”, “printable maximum number of copies (total of output locations)”, “printable maximum number of copies (each output location unit)”, “printing”. And the number of copies that can be specified in one printing operation. These control data are set by the user using, for example, the job control setting function 503 of the client computer 101, or are set from values in services provided by the job server 102.
[0043]
The printer profile function 605 is a function that holds the attribute value of the printer 104 that the print server 103, which is each output site, has. This attribute value is referred to when restricting a job for a job ticket.
[0044]
As job restriction items other than the above-mentioned “printable start date and time”, there are also restrictions on output media such as recording paper, and designation of only a specific printer. These data are set based on, for example, the relationship between the attribute value of the printer 104 in the printer profile function 605 and the printer desired by the user.
[0045]
The database 606 stores job data. That is, the database 606 is used for temporary storage and final storage of job data.
[0046]
The print server profile function 607 is a function that holds the attribute value of the output site, while the printer profile function 605 is a function that holds the attribute value of each printer. The attribute value of the output base includes the location value of the output base. The attribute value of the output base is set by the job control setting function 603, and is used for referring to items other than the job restriction. Such items include, for example, information that the job is to be distributed in advance.
[0047]
The print server transmission function 608 is a function for transmitting job data.
[0048]
The job search function 609 is a function for searching for a specified job from a job database based on a job request from a print server. When the specified job is found, the job ticket item portion in the job data is read, the job restriction is determined, and if the restriction is reached, the job request is rejected. If the restrictions are not met, the job data is transmitted by the print server transmission function 608.
[0049]
The print server reception function 610 is a function of receiving a print result of the print server and updating a job ticket of job data in the job database 603 via the job ticket creation / update function 604 based on the result.
[0050]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the print server 103. A print application program (hereinafter, referred to as a print application) 701 is stored in the ROM 402 or the secondary storage unit 407 of the print server 103, and a job search function 702, a job ticket reference function 703, a print server data reception function 704, a printer A program for realizing a driver function 705, a printer control function 706, a job ticket update function 707, and a print server data transmission function 708 is stored.
[0051]
The print application 701 is a program used by a user to search for, receive, and print a job. In the print application 701, a job number and a job search condition can be input.
[0052]
The job search function 702 is a function for searching for job data in the print server 102. Since the job data may be present in the print server 103, the job search function 702 first searches the print server 103. If no job data exists in the print server 103, a search request is made to the job server 102 and job data is received from the job server 102. The search for job data is performed by referring to a job ticket included in the job data.
[0053]
Although the description is omitted here, the job ticket may be read one by one every time a search is performed. However, by setting items in the job ticket in a database in the print server 103 in advance, high-speed processing is performed. You may search for it.
[0054]
The job ticket reference function 703 is a function of reading the attributes and restrictions of a job by referring to the job ticket included in the job data, and rejecting search or printing based on the restrictions in the job ticket. Specifically, when it is determined that printing is not possible from the job ticket item of the specified job data, the PDL data included in the job data necessary for actual printing is not passed to the print application 701.
[0055]
The print server data receiving function 704 is a function for receiving job data sent from the print server 102.
[0056]
The printer driver function 705 is a function for the print application 701 to output the rendered print data to the printer 104.
[0057]
The printer control function 706 is a function for actually outputting data from the printer driver function 705 to the printer 104 and for confirming the end of printing. The printer control function 706 can also notify the print application 701 of the result of printing. The print application 701 notified of the print result updates the job ticket and transmits the result to the print server 102.
[0058]
The job ticket update function 707 is a function for updating the job ticket of the printed job data. The number of copies printed and the print end time are reflected in the job ticket, and are used for the determination of the restriction for the next printing.
[0059]
The print server data transmission function 708 is a function for updating a job by transmitting a print result to the job server 102.
[0060]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the format of job data used in the present embodiment. The job data 801 includes job ticket data 802, thumbnail image data 803, PDL data 804, application data 805, and other data 806.
[0061]
In the job ticket data 802, print attributes and job limit values described later are set.
[0062]
The PDL data 803 is data that can be interpreted by the printer 104 or the print application 701.
[0063]
The thumbnail image data 804 is obtained by converting each page of the PDL into an image. The thumbnail image data 804 is not always necessary, and can be added to the job data in consideration of convenience.
[0064]
The application data 805 can also be added to the job data as needed. By setting the application data 805 in the job data, the document data can be re-edited even by the client computer 101.
[0065]
The job data has a format in which each data can be added or deleted as needed.
[0066]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the items of the job ticket in the job data. The job ticket describes attributes of the print data such as “number of logical pages”, “print layout”, “physical number”, and “paper size”. These data are set by the job ticket creation function 505 or the like. “Printable start date and time”, “Print expiration date and time”, “Maximum number of printable copies (total of output sites)”, “Maximum number of printable copies (for each output site)”, “Number of printable times”, “Once The job limit such as “number of copies that can be specified in the print operation” is also described in the job ticket.
[0067]
The “total number of copies” is an item in which the total number of copies as a result of actual printing is described. By referring to the above-described job limit value and the “total number of prints” of the job data, it is possible to determine the restriction such as prohibition of printing of the job.
[0068]
In the job ticket, in addition to the above, only the restriction of the media such as paper when printing and the like, “printable paper type” and the specific printer “printable printer type” can be specified.
[0069]
Next, the operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a program for generating and transmitting a job in the client computer 101. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a program for performing operations of receiving job data from the client computer 101 and setting job restrictions in the job server 102. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a program for performing a job restriction determination operation when the job server 102 or the print server 103 responds to a print request for job data.
[0070]
In the client computer 101, as shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S1001, when a job is generated from the editing application, the PDL conversion driver function 504 shown in FIG. 5 is selected, and then a print instruction is issued.
[0071]
Next, in step S1002, it is determined whether the target application data is PDL-converted data. If PDL conversion has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S1005.
[0072]
If the application data has not been converted to PDL data, the process advances to step S1003 to convert the application data to PDL data.
[0073]
Thereafter, in step S1004, a new job ticket is created by the job ticket creation function 505, and the number of pages and print layout information, which are the attribute values of the print data obtained at the time of PDL conversion, are set in the job ticket. The job ticket created in this process becomes a template for subsequent processes.
[0074]
In step S1005, the job data package function 506 creates job data centering on PDL data. The job data includes the job ticket created in step S1004. However, if it is determined in step S1002 that PDL conversion has already been performed, the job data does not include the job ticket. In this case, the job ticket is created based on the PDL data in the processing by the job server 102.
[0075]
Thereafter, in step S1006, an authentication procedure for sending the job data to the job server is performed by the job data transmission function 507, and the actual job data is transmitted to the job server 102 in step S1007.
[0076]
In the job server 102, as shown in FIG. 11, first, in step S1101, the job data receiving function 601 receives job data from the client computer 101.
[0077]
Next, in step S1102, it is determined whether the received job data includes a job ticket. If the job ticket is included, the process proceeds to step S1105.
[0078]
If the job data does not include a job ticket, in step S1103, the job ticket creation / update function 604 analyzes the PDL and obtains print attributes such as the number of pages and the print layout.
[0079]
Then, in step S1104, a new job ticket is created, and the print attribute value obtained in step S1103 is set.
[0080]
Next, in step S1105, the job control setting function 603 determines whether to limit the job. If no particular restriction is required, the process proceeds to step S1111.
[0081]
If a limit is set for the job, the limit value is set by the job control setting function 603 in step S1106. This limit value is determined based on input data from the user who generated the job and restrictions on services in the job server 102. Here, the restrictions are, for example, the validity period of the job and the number of printable copies.
[0082]
Next, the job control setting function 603 sets restrictions on the printer and the type of recording paper used for its output. First, in step S1107, it is determined whether an output printer has been determined. If so, in step S1108, output device restrictions are set in step S1109 based on profile information of the output environment. When these restrictions are determined, in step S1110, these restrictions are set in the job ticket by the job control setting function 603.
[0083]
The processing up to this point is related to the setting of the job restriction. Step S1111 and subsequent steps are a flow in a case where the job data is distributed to the print server 103 as an output destination in advance.
[0084]
In step S1111, the print server profile function 607 determines in advance whether to distribute the job data. If the job data is to be distributed in advance, the print server 103 to which the job data is to be distributed is selected in step S1112. Since the print server profile function 607 stores the profile information of the print server 103, it is determined whether or not to perform the pre-delivery based on the pre-delivery reception acceptability state which is a part of this information. In addition, the selection includes a location of a specific print server 103, selection of a plurality of print servers 103, and the like. It should be noted that by distributing in advance, it is possible to omit the inquiry to the job server 102 and the distribution of job data each time a print request is made by the print server 103.
[0085]
In step S1113, according to the number of selected locations, job data including only job tickets is sent (step S1115), or job data including PDL data and job tickets is sent (step S1114). Specifically, if there is only one selected place, the job data is transmitted to the print server 103 in step S1114, and if there are two or more selected places, the job ticket is sent in step S1115. Is transmitted to each print server 103. The reason why the type of job data to be transmitted is changed in accordance with the number of selected locations is to transmit only the minimum necessary data so as not to impose a load on the network. In any case, by sending a job ticket in which the job restriction is set, the job restriction can be detected even at the output destination.
[0086]
Finally, in step S1116, the job data is stored in the job data storage function 602 of the job server 102. Information stored in the job data storage function 602 is appropriately stored in the RAM 303, the secondary storage unit 304, or the like.
[0087]
Although not shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, the result output by the print server 103 is based on information such as the number of output copies and the like. Will be updated to
[0088]
In the print server 103, as shown in FIG. 12, when a print request is generated in step S1201, the job search function 702 searches and specifies job data in step S1202.
[0089]
Next, in step S1203, the job ticket reference function 703 reads a job ticket item included in the specified job data.
[0090]
The determination of the actual job restriction is performed by the job ticket reference function 703 in step S1204. In step S1204, “printable start date and time”, “print expiration date”, “maximum number of printable copies (total of output locations)”, “maximum number of printable copies (each output location)”, and “ The job limitation is determined based on the number of printable times, the number of copies that can be designated in one printing operation, the total number of copies output so far, the usable printers and papers, and the like. If any one of the items has a problem, the request for the job data is rejected.
[0091]
According to such a printing system, the job data includes the job ticket, the job ticket describes the restriction information, and the restriction information is stored in the job server while being updated. Can be determined whether or not the job can be printed. Therefore, it is possible to control whether or not printing can be performed for each print request.
[0092]
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by a computer executing a program. Further, means for supplying the program to the computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded, or a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting the program is also applied as an embodiment of the present invention. Can be. Further, the above-described program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above programs, recording media, transmission media, and program products are included in the scope of the present invention.
[0093]
Examples of embodiments of the present invention are listed below.
[0094]
Embodiment 1 In a printing system including a job server, a client, and a print server,
The client has print data creation means for creating print data,
A storage unit for storing job information composed of the print data and the restriction information; and a print server that can perform printing based on the restriction information included in the requested job information when a print request is received from the print server. And a transmission unit for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting it to the print server when the determination unit determines that printing is possible. Characterized printing system.
[0095]
(Second Embodiment) A printing system according to the first embodiment, wherein at least one selected from the job server and the client has a restriction information creating unit that creates the restriction information.
[0096]
(Embodiment 3) The client comprises: a job ticket creating means for creating a job ticket based on the print data;
Integrating means for integrating the print data and the job ticket to create job data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the job data;
The printing system according to the first or second embodiment, comprising:
[0097]
(Embodiment 4) The print system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the job server includes an updating unit that updates the restriction information.
[0098]
(Embodiment 5) In a job server that manages a printing system including a client and a print server that are connected to each other on a network,
Storage means for storing job information including print data and restriction information created by the client,
Judging means for judging restriction information included in the job information requested when there is a print request from the print server;
Transmitting means for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server when it is determined that printing is possible by the determining means;
A job server comprising:
[0099]
(Embodiment 6) The job server according to Embodiment 5, further comprising a restriction information creating unit that creates the restriction information.
[0100]
(Embodiment 7) Job information including print data and restriction information is stored, and when there is a print request, the restriction information is determined, and the print data is extracted from the job information and transmitted. Job server.
[0101]
(Eighth Embodiment) The job server according to any one of the fifth to seventh embodiments, further comprising an updating unit that updates the restriction information.
[0102]
(Embodiment 9) In a method for controlling a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network,
A storage step of storing job information including print data and restriction information created by the client,
A determination step of determining restriction information included in the requested job information when there is a print request from the print server;
A transmitting step of extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server when it is determined that printing is possible in the determining step;
A control method for a printing system, comprising:
[0103]
(Embodiment 10) The method of controlling a printing system according to embodiment 9, further comprising a restriction information creating step, comprising a step of creating the restriction information before the storage step.
[0104]
(Embodiment 11) The control method for a printing system according to embodiment 9 or 10, further comprising an update step of updating the restriction information.
[0105]
(Embodiment 12) A server stores job information including print data and restriction information, and when there is a print request, judges the restriction information and extracts and transmits the print data from the job information. A method for controlling a printing system, comprising:
[0106]
Embodiment 13 In a program for causing a computer to control a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network,
On the computer,
A storage procedure for storing job information including print data and restriction information created by the client,
A determining step of determining the restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is issued from the print server;
A transmission step of extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server when it is determined that printing is possible in the determination step;
And a control program for a printing system.
[0107]
(Embodiment 14) In a recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to control a printing system having a client and a print server connected to each other on a network,
On the computer,
A storage procedure for storing job information including print data and restriction information created by the client,
A determining step of determining the restriction information included in the job information requested when a print request is issued from the print server;
A transmission step of extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting the print data to the print server when it is determined that printing is possible in the determination step;
A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a control program of a printing system for executing the program.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the print restriction information is stored in the job server, it is possible to determine whether or not the job can be printed for each print request. Therefore, it is possible to control whether or not printing can be performed for each print request.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a client computer 101.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the job server 102.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print server 103 and a printer 104.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a client computer 101.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a job server 102.
FIG. 7 illustrates a functional configuration of the print server 103.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a format of job data used in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing job ticket items in job data.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a program for performing a job generation and transmission operation in the client computer 101.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of a program for performing operations of receiving job data from the client computer 101 and setting job restrictions in the job server 102.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of a program for performing a job restriction determination operation when a job server 102 or a print server 103 responds to a print request for job data.
[Explanation of symbols]
101: client computer
102; job server
103; print server
104; printer
201, 301, 401; CPU
202, 302, 402; ROM
203, 303, 403; RAM
204, 304, 404; network interface
205, 405; display unit
206, 406; input unit
207, 304, 407; secondary storage unit
501; Editing application
502; Job generation function
503, 603; job control setting function
504; PDL conversion driver function
505: Job ticket creation function
506; Job data package function
507: Job data transmission function
601; job data receiving function
602: Job data storage function
604; job ticket creation / update function
605: Printer profile function function
606; job database
607; print server profile function
608; print server transmission function
609; Job search function
610: print server reception function
701: Editing application
702: Job search function
703: Job ticket reference function
704: print server data reception function
705: Printer driver function
706: Printer control function
707: Job ticket update function
708: print server data transmission function
801; job data
802: job ticket data
803: thumbnail data
804; PDL data
805: Application data
806; other data

Claims (1)

In a printing system having a job server, a client, and a print server,
The client has print data creation means for creating print data,
A storage unit for storing job information composed of the print data and the restriction information; and a print server that can perform printing based on the restriction information included in the requested job information when a print request is received from the print server. And a transmission unit for extracting print data from the requested job information and transmitting it to the print server when the determination unit determines that printing is possible. Characterized printing system.

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