JP2006092373A - Print system and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system and its control method for enabling a user side to perform confidential print without designating a printer to be used for print. <P>SOLUTION: A client device 10-1 generates general print data which do not depend on a printer language nor a printer function, and transmits print job information including generated general print data and print conditions designated by a user and the identification information of the user to a security print server 20, and the security print server 20 converts the general print data transmitted from a client device 10-1 into print data which can be printed by a printer 30-1 associated with an authentication device 40-1 on the basis of the user identification information transmitted from the authentication device 40-1 and the print conditions transmitted from the client device 10-1, and transmits the converted print data to the printer 30-1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that enables confidential printing by connecting an authentication device corresponding to a printer to a network and a control method thereof, and in particular, confidential printing can be performed without specifying a printer to be used for printing on the user side. The present invention relates to a printing system that can be performed and a control method thereof.

  In a printer (including a multifunction machine having both a printer function and a facsimile function), for example, information created by a client device such as a personal computer in which a printer driver for the printer to be used is installed is received as print information and printed. Done.

  Until the user who operates the client device and sends the print data to the printer goes to the printer for the printed paper discharged from the printer, the printed paper is easy for everyone. It is left in a state that is visible and can be taken away.

  Therefore, there arises a problem that the security of highly confidential documents cannot be ensured in companies, government offices, and the like.

  In order to prevent such problems, a technique called so-called confidential printing has been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a printer and a print system that realizes confidential printing. When the printer has a large memory, the content is that it is confidential printing from the host machine, its secret code number, and its accompanying information. The information is transferred, and then the print data is transferred and stored in the memory.

  Then, a personal identification number is input from the panel, and when the input personal identification number matches the personal identification number of the print data file, printing is started.

  If the printer does not have a large memory, a password is set on the host machine side, waiting for transfer, and waiting for the password from the printer.

  On the printer side, a personal identification number is input and the personal identification number is transmitted to the host machine. When the personal identification number is compared and matched on the host machine side, print data is transferred to realize confidential printing.

In Patent Document 2, confidential print data issued from a client is encrypted and stored in a print server, and a user sends a user ID, a password, and a transmission request for confidential print data from the printer to the print server. There has been proposed a network printer system, a print server, and a printer in which confidential print data that has been encrypted and stored is decrypted and sent back to the printer, and the printer that received the confidential print data from the print server prints it.
JP-A-5-143253 JP 2004-118232 A

  However, in this way, in a system that sends authentication data from a printer and, as a result, sends print data to the printer and performs confidential printing, the confidential print data to be sent to the printer includes the printer language of the destination printer, It was necessary to correspond to the function to equip.

  Therefore, when a plurality of printers having different printer languages and functions are installed on the system, it is necessary to determine a printer to be printed at the stage of generating confidential print data from the client.

  Then, after the confidential print data is generated from the client, printing cannot be performed from a printer other than the determined printer.

  If there is a possibility that confidential printing will be performed by a plurality of printers with different printer languages in the system, all printer drivers of printers that may perform confidential printing are installed in advance in the client personal computer. There was a need.

  As described above, in a system that performs confidential printing, after generating confidential print data from a client, printing from a printer other than the selected printer cannot be performed, and the printer cannot be selected flexibly. The preparation also had problems such as the need to install all printer drivers for printers that could perform confidential printing.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the number of printer drivers to be installed on the client side even when a plurality of printers having different printer languages and printing functions are installed in the system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system capable of performing confidential printing without specifying a printer to be used, and a control method therefor.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an authentication device for authenticating printing permission in a printer corresponding to one or a plurality of printers connected to the network is connected to the network. In a printing system that stores a print job related to the print instruction in a server and executes the print job stored in the server based on authentication of the authentication apparatus, the client device uses a printer based on the print data related to the print instruction General-purpose print data generation means for generating general-purpose print data independent of language and printer function, and print job information including at least the general-purpose print data, printing conditions specified by the user, and user identification information First server means for transmitting, wherein the server is transmitted from the authentication device. Print data conversion means for converting the print conditions and the general-purpose print data into print data that can be printed by the printer associated with the authentication device based on the user identification information, and the print data conversion And a second transmission unit configured to transmit the print data converted by the unit to the printer.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the server includes a selection unit that selects a suitable printer from the plurality of printers based on the print job information transmitted from the client device. When the selection unit cannot select a suitable printer, the printing unit further includes a printing condition changing unit that changes the printing condition to a printing condition suitable for one of the plurality of printers.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the server selects the printer that matches the plurality of printers based on the print job information transmitted from the client device. And notification means for notifying the client device of the contents related to the printer selected by the selection means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an authentication device that performs authentication of print permission in each printer corresponding to one or a plurality of printers connected to the network is connected to the network, and a print command from a client device is related. In a method of controlling a printing system that stores a print job in a server and executes the print job stored in the server based on authentication of the authentication device, the client device uses a printer language based on print data related to the print instruction. Generating general-purpose print data independent of the printer function, and transmitting print job information including at least the general-purpose print data, a printing condition designated by the user, and the user identification information, and the server includes the authentication device Based on the user identification information transmitted from the printing condition and the general-purpose printing The chromatography data was converted into print data to be printable by the printer associated with the authentication device, and transmits the converted print data to the printer.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the server selects a suitable printer from the plurality of printers based on the print job information transmitted from the client device, and adapts the server. When a printer cannot be selected, the printing condition is changed to a printing condition suitable for one of the plurality of printers.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the server notifies the client device of contents relating to the selected printer or a printer adapted by changing the printing conditions. And

  According to the printing system of the present invention, the client device generates general-purpose print data independent of the printer language and the printer function based on the print data related to the print instruction, and the generated general-purpose print data and the user specify Print job information including at least print conditions and user identification information is transmitted to the server, and the server associates general-purpose print data with the authentication apparatus based on the user identification information and the print conditions transmitted from the authentication apparatus. The print data is converted into print data that can be printed by the printer, and the converted print data is transmitted to the printer. Therefore, confidential printing can be performed without designating the printer to be used for printing on the user side. There is an effect that can.

  Embodiments of a printing system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system according to the present invention.

  1, the printing system 100 includes a plurality of client apparatuses 10-1, 10-2,... 10-N, a security print server 20, a plurality of printing apparatuses 30-1, 30-2,. 30-M and authentication devices 40-1, 40-2,... 40-M provided corresponding to the plurality of printing devices 30-1, 30-2,. Each is configured to be connected to the network 50.

  Here, the client apparatuses 10-1, 10-2,... 10 -N (collectively referred to as the client apparatus 10) make a print request for a desired document using the printing system 100.

  The authentication devices 40-1, 40-2,... 40-M are connected to the network 50 in correspondence with the printing devices 30-1, 30-2,. When printing a document related to the print request to the devices 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M, user authentication is performed to determine whether the user has the authority to print.

  User authentication in the authentication devices 40-1, 40-2,... 40-M includes user authentication using a user ID and password, and card-like storage in which user identification information (user ID) carried by the user is stored. User authentication using a medium, user authentication that reads biometric feature information such as a user's fingerprint, and the like can be employed. In this embodiment, a case where user authentication is performed using a user ID and a password will be described as an example. .

  Although the authentication devices 40-1, 40-2,... 40-M are connected to the network 50, they are locally connected to the printing devices 30-1, 30-2,. Alternatively, the printers 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M may be configured.

  The security print server 20 prints “adapted printing devices” that can satisfy the printing conditions in the confidential printing information sent as a print request from the client device 10 and print the printing devices 30-1, 30-2,. 30-M is selected and sent back to the client device 10, and the authentication information sent by the user from any of the authentication devices 40-1, 40-2,... 40-M is authenticated, Confidential print information sent as a print request from the client device is sent to the printing device installed corresponding to the authentication device after print data conversion or the like.

  The security print server 20 includes printing device drivers 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-M.

  Next, a process from when a print request is made by the client apparatus 10 until printing on paper is described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data flow in the printing system 100 from when a print request is made by the client device 10 until printing is performed on a sheet.

  The client device 10 is installed with a dedicated printing device driver capable of generating general-purpose print data, and the user can use the dedicated printing device driver from the client device 10 to select a document for confidential printing. Generate general-purpose print data from

  Further, printing conditions such as color / monochrome, paper size, paper feeding method, duplex / single-sided, post-processing, and the like executed by the printing apparatus are also determined from the client apparatus 10.

  Similarly, the user ID and password authentication information registered in the security print server 20 is input to the client device 10 by the user who executes confidential printing.

  This user ID and password are set for each individual user and registered in the security print server 20.

  Whether the user has the right to use the printing system 100 and which printing device in the printing system 100 has the right to use is managed by the user ID and password registered in the security print server 20. ing.

  As described above, when the confidential print information including “general-purpose print data”, “printing conditions”, and “authentication information” is determined in the client device 10, the confidential print information is sent from the client device 10 as a print request. It is transmitted to the security print server 20 (arrow 1).

  Note that the user does not specify a printing apparatus that performs confidential printing when generating confidential printing information.

  Here, when generating general-purpose print data not related to the printer compatibility included in the confidential print information, it may be a so-called PDF file, and is particularly optimized in such a print system. It may be general-purpose print data.

  When a PDF file is used, the load on the client device side is reduced and the versatility of the system can be expected.

  In the secure print server 20 to which the confidential print information is transmitted, the confidential print information is stored and saved in the secure print server 20.

  Note that general-purpose print data and printing conditions included in confidential print information are encrypted and stored in the security print server 20.

  The security print server 20 searches the printing devices 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M for printing devices that can execute the printing conditions from the printing conditions included in the confidential printing information, and prints the printing devices. Using the apparatus as a compatible printing apparatus, information on a printing apparatus capable of confidential printing is sent back to the client apparatus 10 (dotted line arrow 2).

  Of course, there may be a plurality of compatible printing apparatuses.

  The client device 10 to which the information on the compatible printing device is sent from the security print server 20 causes the user to confirm the information on the compatible printing device, and the user selects a printing device for confidential printing from the confirmed compatible printing devices. .

  In the security print server 20, if there is no printing apparatus that completely matches the printing conditions, if there is a printing apparatus that partially satisfies the printing conditions, information on the printing apparatus that can be printed with the printing conditions adjusted is displayed. The user can transmit to the client device 10 to display it, and the user can select a printing device for confidential printing from the displayed printing devices, or cancel the printing request itself.

  The user who has selected the printing apparatus (explains the case where the printing apparatus 30-1 is selected as an example) is an authentication apparatus 40-1 installed corresponding to the printing apparatus 30-1 that performs confidential printing. Go to the authentication device 40-1 and input the user ID and password transmitted by the arrow 1 to request authentication.

  The user ID and password input to the authentication device 40-1 by the user are transmitted from the authentication device 40-1 to the security print server 20 (dotted arrow 3).

  Upon receiving the authentication request from the authentication device 40-1, the security print server 20 refers to the received user ID and password with the user ID and password registered in advance, and the user having the received user ID prints the print system. Whether the user has the right to use 100, whether the user having the received user ID has the right to use the printing apparatus 30-1 corresponding to the authentication apparatus 40-1, and has the received user ID. Whether the confidential print information of the user is recorded and stored, whether the received password of the user ID matches the password of the user ID sent from the client device 10, and the received password of the user ID is a security print in advance Whether it matches the password of the user ID registered in the server 20 Perform Kano authentication process.

  As a result of the authentication processing, if the user having the user ID has the right to use the printing system 100, the confidential print information of the user is in the security print server 20, and the password matches, the security print server 20 The confidential information in which the client device 10 can confirm the information of the print request made by the user from the confidential print information of the user recorded and stored in the security print server 20 corresponding to the user who has requested authentication. Print information data (document name of general-purpose print data, printing conditions, etc.) is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30-1 (dotted arrow 4).

  Upon receiving the transmission, the printing apparatus 30-1 displays the confidential print information data received from the security print server 20 on an operation panel or the like of the printing apparatus 30-1 (not shown) or prints it out on a sheet of paper and prints the confidential print to the user. The confidential print information data (document name of general-purpose print data, printing conditions, etc.) that can be displayed is displayed.

  The user visually checks the confidential print information data and confirms the document name, printing conditions, and the like.

  If the user makes a print request from the client device 10 a plurality of times, the confidential print information data to be displayed to the user also exists in response to the print request.

  After the user visually confirms the confidential printing information data on the printing apparatus 30-1 and confirms the printing conditions and the like, the authentication apparatus 40- requests the confidential printing information on the printing apparatus 30-1 to request confidential printing on the printing apparatus 30-1. 1 transmits the user ID and password again to the security print server 20 (dotted line arrow 5).

  If there is a plurality of confidential print information data confirmed by the printing apparatus 30-1, the authentication apparatus 40-1 transmits the user ID and password again to the security print server 20 to perform confidential printing. When requested, confidential printing of all confidential printing information is requested.

  The security print server 20 that has received the user ID and password from the authentication device 40-1 again can perform confidential printing of the confidential print information of the user ID stored in the security print server 20 using the printing device 30-1. As described above, processing is performed in the security print server 20.

  That is, a printer capable of printing with the printing apparatus 30-1 using the printing apparatus driver of the printing apparatus 30-1 based on general-purpose print data and printing conditions of the document to be confidentially stored stored in the security print server 20 Generate print data using language.

  The generated print data is transmitted as final print data to the printing apparatus 30-1 (arrow 6), and the print data is printed out under the printing conditions in the printing apparatus 30-1, and confidential printing is executed. The

  As described above, confidential print information including general-purpose print data is sent from the client apparatus 10, so that confidential print can be executed by an arbitrary printing apparatus even after print data is generated.

  When the user performs confidential printing, the printing apparatus that is not described in the information of the printing apparatus that can perform confidential printing sent from the security print server 20 to the client apparatus 10 by the dotted line arrow 2 (the printing condition does not match) is used. Private printing is also possible.

  The user selects a printing device that is not described as a compatible printing device in the information of the printing device that can perform confidential printing (assuming that the printing device 30-2 is selected in this case), and the authentication device 40 corresponding to the printing device 30-2. -2 makes an authentication request, the confidential printing information data is confirmed by the printing apparatus 30-2 as described above, and a printing request is made by re-sending the user ID and password, and security is performed. The print server 20 performs processing for adapting a part of the printing conditions so that the printing apparatus 30-2 can print the printing conditions recorded and stored as confidential print information of the user having the user ID.

  For example, assuming that the printing conditions initially sent from the client apparatus 10 are printing conditions for performing duplex printing in A4 size, the printing apparatus 30-2 selected by the user can perform A4 size printing but can perform duplex printing. If the user does not have the function to perform, the printing conditions are adapted so that the conditions for performing duplex printing are deleted and A4 size printing is performed by the printing apparatus 30-2.

  From the adapted printing conditions, as shown above, the print device driver of the printing device 30-2 generates final print data together with the general-purpose print data sent from the client device 10, and the printing device 30-2 and confidential printing is executed by the printing apparatus 30-2.

  Further, when sending confidential print information from the client device 10 to the security print server 20, it is not necessary to send the printing conditions. In this case, from the printing device selected by the user, an operation panel of the printing device (not shown), etc. Then, a process for inputting printing conditions that can be executed by the printing apparatus is added, and the print data received from the security print server 20 is confidentially printed under the printing conditions input to the printing apparatus.

  In the printing system 100 according to the present invention, when transmitting confidential print information from the client apparatus 10, the user may select a printing apparatus for confidential printing in advance (for example, the printing apparatus 30-3 is selected). In this case, the print data is generated by the printing device driver for the printing device 30-3 in the client device 10, and the generated print data, the printing conditions, and the confidential print information of the authentication information are the security print. It is sent to the server 20 and confidential printing is performed.

  Note that when multiple print requests are made from the client device 10 to the security print server 20, confidential print information data (document name of general-purpose print data, print conditions, etc.) is indicated by a dotted arrow 4. When sent, the document to be confidentially printed may be selected from the printing apparatus and transmitted to the security print server 20 to perform confidential printing of the selected document.

  It should be noted that the process of confirming confidential print information data performed from the security print server 20 to the printing apparatus 30-1 (data flows as indicated by the dotted arrow 4 in FIG. 2) and the printing apparatus 30-1 or authentication apparatus 40. -1 to the security print server 20 for performing the confidential print request (data flows as shown by the dotted arrow 5 in FIG. 2) is omitted, and the first authentication request expressed by the dotted arrow 3 is used. You may make it request | require confidential printing.

  In the security print server 20, the process of selecting the compatible printing device to be notified to the client device 10 from the printing devices 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M is stored in the security print server 20. Also, referring to the information of the printing apparatus to which the user has the right to use, first, the printing apparatus that can be used by the user who made the print request from the client apparatus 10 is selected, and then the selected printing apparatus is adapted. A printing device may be selected.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the client device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the client device 10.

  In FIG. 3, a client device 10 makes a print request using the printing system 100, and is configured by a personal computer or the like.

  The client device 10 includes an input / operation unit 301 such as a keyboard, a print request reception unit 302, a confidential print information generation unit 303, a printing device driver unit 304, a general-purpose print data generation unit 305, and a printing device designation print data generation unit. 306, a printing condition setting unit 307, an authentication information setting unit 308, a data transmission unit 309, a transmission data recording unit 310, a network interface unit 311, a compatible printing apparatus notification reception unit 312, and a display unit 313 that is a display for displaying information to the user. The deletion request generation unit 314 is provided.

  Here, the input / operation unit 301 is used for the purpose of inputting a user request to the client device 10 when the user makes a print request or deletes the print request.

  The print request reception unit 302 receives a print request made by the user from the input / operation unit 301 and receives a document to be confidentially printed, a printing condition for confidential printing, a user ID, and the like.

  The confidential print information generation unit 303 extracts and sets print conditions from a print device driver unit 304 that converts a document to be printed into a form of print data sent from the client device 10 and a print request received by the print request reception unit 302. A print condition setting unit 307 that performs authentication, and an authentication information setting unit 308 that extracts user ID and password from the print request received by the print request reception unit 302 and sets authentication information.

  A printing device driver unit 304 includes a general-purpose print data generation unit 305 that generates general-purpose print data from a document to be printed received by the print request reception unit 302, and a printing device that performs confidential printing when a user makes a print request. When designated, the document includes a printing device designated print data generation unit 306 that generates print data with a printing device driver corresponding to the printing device designated by the user.

  The confidential print information generation unit 303 generates confidential print information including general-purpose print data or print data generated by a printing device driver corresponding to a printing device designated by the user, printing conditions, and authentication information. .

  The data transmission unit 309 performs processing for transmitting the confidential print information generated by the confidential print information generation unit 303 to the security print server 20.

  The transmission data recording unit 310 performs processing for temporarily storing confidential print information transmitted by the data transmission unit 309.

  The network interface unit 311 exchanges information through the network 50.

  The compatible printing apparatus notification receiving unit 312 receives the notification of the compatible printing apparatus transmitted from the security print server 20 and performs a process of displaying the compatible printing apparatus on the display unit 313.

  The deletion request generation unit 314 receives the notification of the compatible printing device from the server 20 by the client device 10, and there is no printing device that completely matches the printing conditions set by the user, and the user inputs the deletion of the printing request / operation unit 301. When a request is issued from the user, a process for generating a deletion request to be transmitted to the security print server 20 is performed.

  The deletion request generation unit 314 refers to the transmission data recording unit 310, confirms the print request made by the user, and performs processing for generating the deletion request by describing confidential print information desired to be deleted in the deletion request.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the security print server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the security print server 20.

The security print server 20 includes a confidential print information receiving unit 501, a record storage unit 502, a compatible printing device selection unit 503, a compatible printing device notification transmission unit 504, an authentication information reception unit 505, an authentication processing unit 506, an authentication result transmission unit 507, A transmission data generation unit 509, a transmission destination determination unit 510, a printer driver unit 511, a printing condition setting unit 512, a data transmission unit 513, a network interface unit 514, and a deletion request reception processing unit 515 are configured.

  The confidential printing information receiving unit 501 is a printing apparatus that performs confidential printing and general-purpose printing data that is confidential printing information from the client apparatus 10 or printing data generated by a printing apparatus driver corresponding to a printing apparatus designated by the user. The print condition, the user ID and password authentication information are received, the received information is sent to the record storage unit 502, and the compatible printing device selection unit 503 is instructed to select the compatible printing device.

  In the recording storage unit 502, printing conditions that can be printed by the printing apparatuses 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M in the printing system 100 and user IDs of users who can use the printing system 100 are stored in advance. , The password, and information on the printing apparatus each user has the right to use, and the confidential print information received by the confidential print information receiving unit 501 is recorded and stored.

  The compatible printing apparatus selection unit 503 receives a command from the confidential print information reception unit 501 and refers to the printing conditions included in the confidential print information received by the confidential print information reception unit 501 stored in the record storage unit 502. A process of selecting a compatible printing apparatus that is a printing apparatus capable of printing under the printing conditions is performed.

  The compatible printing device notification transmission unit 504 performs processing for transmitting information on the compatible printing device selected by the compatible printing device selection unit 503 to the client device 10.

  The authentication information receiving unit 505 receives the user ID and password transmitted from the authentication apparatus installed corresponding to the printing apparatus in which the user desires confidential printing in the printing system 100, and transmits the user ID and password transmitted. Information for identifying the device (various numbers of the authentication device) is sent to the authentication processing unit 506.

  The authentication processing unit 506 refers to the user ID and password stored in the record storage unit 502 based on the user ID and password sent from the authentication reception unit 505, and stores the user stored in the record storage unit 502. Whether the ID password matches the password of the user ID received by the authentication processing unit 506, whether the user having the user ID received by the authentication receiving unit 505 has the right to use the printing system 100, and authentication information The user having the user ID received by the receiving unit 505 confirms whether or not the user having the right to use the printing apparatus corresponding to the authentication apparatus that has transmitted the user ID to the authentication information receiving unit 505 is confirmed. The user I received by the authentication information receiving unit 505 is sent to the printing device corresponding to the authentication device that sent the user ID to the information receiving unit 505. User instructs the authentication result transmitting unit 507 to transmit the data of the confidential print information has been printed request (document name of the print data to be confidential printing, printing conditions, etc.).

  Then, the authentication processing unit 506 stores the information sent from the authentication receiving unit 505 that can identify the authentication device that sent the user ID and the user ID, and the stored user ID is sent again from the stored authentication device. If the user ID and password are transmitted from the authentication device for the second time, it is determined that the user has requested confidential printing, and transmission is performed so that confidential printing information corresponding to the user ID is confidentially printed. The destination determination unit 510 performs processing for sending information that can identify the authentication device that sent the user ID and the user ID.

  The authentication result transmission unit 507 receives a command from the authentication processing unit 506, and the user having the user ID transmits the client device to the printing apparatus corresponding to the authentication apparatus that has transmitted the user ID and password to the security print server 20. 10 performs processing for obtaining and transmitting confidential print information data (document name, print condition, etc. of print data to be confidentially printed) from the record storage unit 502 that has been requested for printing.

  When the authentication processing unit 506 receives information that can identify the authentication device and a user ID, the transmission destination determination unit 510 performs processing for determining a printing device that performs confidential printing from the received information, and sends a print condition setting unit 512 to the print condition setting unit 512. Information on the printing apparatus that performs confidential printing and a user ID are sent.

  Then, the print condition setting unit 512 refers to the print conditions stored in the record storage unit 502 to check the print conditions specified by the user and the print conditions that can be executed by the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510. In addition, it is confirmed whether or not the printing conditions specified by the user can be executed by the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510.

  After checking, if the printing conditions specified by the user cannot be executed by the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510, the printing conditions are set so that printing can be executed by the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510. Perform the process of adapting and setting the printing conditions.

  The adaptation of the printing conditions has also been described at the location where the data flow is described with reference to FIG. 2. For example, if the printing conditions specified by the user are the printing conditions for performing A2 size duplex printing, When the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510 is capable of A4 size printing but does not have the function of performing double-sided printing, it is adapted to delete the conditions for performing double-sided printing and perform A4 size printing. That is.

  When the printing conditions are set by the printing condition setting unit 512 in this way, the printing conditions set in the printer driver unit 511, the user ID, and the information on the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determining unit 510 are sent to the printer driver unit 511. Send.

  When the printer driver unit 511 receives information on a printing apparatus that performs confidential printing and a user ID, the printer driver unit 511 obtains print data corresponding to the user ID stored in the record storage unit 502 from the user ID, and acquires the obtained print data. If the data is general-purpose print data, final print data is generated from the general-purpose print data and printing conditions by the printing device driver of the printing device that performs confidential printing, and the obtained print data is subjected to confidential printing. If the print data is generated by the printing device driver of the printing device to be performed and the printing conditions are adapted, final print data is generated based on the adapted printing conditions and the obtained print data. To do.

  The data transmission unit 513 receives the final print data created by the printer driver unit 511 and performs a process of transmitting the final print data to the printing apparatus determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510.

  The network interface unit 514 performs processing for exchanging information through the network 50.

  The deletion request reception processing unit 515 receives the data deletion request from the client device 10 and performs processing for deleting the confidential print information described in the data deletion request from the record storage unit 502.

  Next, processing of the client device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the client device 10.

  First, when a print request for confidential printing is made by the user from the input / operation unit 301 of the client apparatus 10 (YES in step 551), it is determined whether or not a printing apparatus for confidential printing is designated by the user (step 552). If not specified (NO in step 552), the general-purpose print data generation unit 305 generates general-purpose print data that does not depend on the printer language of a specific printing apparatus (step 553), and if specified (step 552). YES) In the printing device designated print data generation unit 306, print data is generated by a printing device driver corresponding to the printing device designated by the user (step 554).

  Then, the print condition setting unit 307 extracts and sets the print condition from the print request made by the user (step 555), and the authentication information setting unit 308 extracts the user ID and password from the print request made by the user and authenticates. Information is set (step 556).

  When print data, print conditions, and authentication information are set in steps 553 to 556, they are transmitted to the secure print server 20 as confidential print information (step 557).

  After the transmission, when the compatible printing device notification receiving unit 312 receives the notification of the compatible printing device from the security print server 20 (YES in step 558), the content of the notification is displayed on the display unit 313 (step 559).

  If the user requests to cancel the print request (YES in step 560), the deletion request generation unit 314 generates a deletion request for deleting the confidential print information transmitted in step 557, and sends a deletion request to the security print server 20. Transmit (step 561).

  Next, processing of the security print server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the security print server 20.

  When the confidential print information receiving unit 501 receives the confidential print information from the client device 10 (YES in step 601), the confidential print information reception unit 501 sends the received confidential print information to the record storage unit 502, and the record storage unit 502 records and stores the confidential print information. (Step 602).

  Then, the compatible printing apparatus selection unit 503 searches the printing apparatus in the printing system 100 for a printing apparatus that can print under the printing conditions described in the confidential print information (step 603), and the compatible printing apparatus transmission unit 504 sends the client apparatus 10 a response. Then, the information of the found compatible printing apparatus is notified (step 604).

  When the information about the compatible printing device is transmitted to the client device 10, the security print server waits for the authentication information from the authentication device to be transmitted, and when the authentication information receiving unit 505 receives the user ID and password from the authentication device (YES in step 605). ) Based on the user ID and password received by the authentication processing unit 506, the user ID password stored in the record storage unit 502 is authenticated by referring to the user ID and password stored in the record storage unit 502. It is transmitted from the authentication information receiving unit 505 whether the processing unit 506 matches the password of the user ID received, whether the user having the user ID received by the authentication information receiving unit 505 has the right to use the printing system 100, or not. The user having the specified user ID has transmitted the user ID to the authentication information receiving unit 505. How have the right to use the corresponding printing device to device or to confirm (step 608).

  If all the confirmations can be obtained (YES in step 609), the authentication result transmitting unit 507 receives the user received by the authentication information receiving unit 505 for the printing apparatus corresponding to the authentication device that has sent the user ID to the authentication information receiving unit 505. The confidential print information data (the document name of the print data to be confidentially printed, the printing conditions, etc.) requested by the ID user is transmitted (step 610).

  When the authentication information receiving unit 505 receives the same user ID and password as the information received in step 605 again (YES in step 611), the authentication processing unit 506 sends the user ID to the transmission destination determining unit 510. The information that can identify the transmitted authentication apparatus and the user ID are sent, and the transmission destination determination unit 510 determines the printing apparatus that performs confidential printing (step 612).

  When the printing apparatus that performs confidential printing is determined by the transmission destination determination unit 510, if the printing conditions specified by the user cannot be executed by the printing apparatus of the transmission destination by the printing condition setting unit 512 (NO in step 613), transmission is performed. The printing conditions are adapted so that they can be executed by the previous printing apparatus (step 614), the final print data is generated by the printer driver unit 511 (step 614), and the data transmission unit 513 decides at step 612. The final print data is transmitted to the printed printing apparatus.

  In step 608, whether the password of the user ID stored in the record storage unit 502 matches the password of the user ID received by the authentication processing unit 506, and the user ID received by the authentication information receiving unit 505 are included. Whether the user has the right to use the printing system 100, and the user having the user ID sent from the authentication information receiving unit 505 uses the printing device corresponding to the authentication device that has transmitted the user ID to the authentication information receiving unit 505. As a result of confirming whether or not the user has the right, if any confirmation is not obtained (NO in step 609), the process in the security print server 20 is terminated.

  The present invention can be used in a printing system that enables confidential printing by connecting an authentication device corresponding to a printer to a network.

  According to the present invention, confidential printing can be performed without designating a printer to be used for printing on the user side.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of a printing system 100. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data flow in the printing system 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the client device 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a security print server 20. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the client device 10. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the security print server 20.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10-1, 10-2,... 10-N client device 20 security print server 30, 30-1, 30-2,... 30-M printing device 40, 40-1, 40-2, ... 40-M authentication device 50 network

Claims (6)

An authentication device that performs authentication of print permission in the printer corresponding to one or a plurality of printers connected to the network is connected to the network, print jobs related to print instructions from client devices are accumulated in the server, and In a printing system that executes a print job stored in the server based on authentication of an authentication device,
The client device is
General-purpose print data generating means for generating general-purpose print data independent of the printer language and printer function based on the print data relating to the print instruction;
First transmission means for transmitting, to the server, print job information including at least the general-purpose print data generated by the general-purpose print data generation means, printing conditions specified by a user, and identification information of the user;
The server
Print data conversion means for converting the general-purpose print data into print data that can be printed by the printer associated with the authentication device based on the user identification information and the printing conditions transmitted from the authentication device;
And a second transmission unit configured to transmit the print data converted by the print data conversion unit to the printer. The server
Selection means for selecting a suitable printer among the plurality of printers based on the print job information transmitted from the client device;
The printing condition changing means for changing the printing condition to a printing condition suitable for one of the plurality of printers when the selection means cannot select a suitable printer. The printing system according to 1. The server
3. The printing according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the client device of contents relating to the printer selected by the selection means or the printer that matches the printing conditions changed by the printing condition changing means. system. An authentication device that performs authentication of print permission in the printer corresponding to one or a plurality of printers connected to the network is connected to the network, print jobs related to print instructions from client devices are accumulated in the server, and In a control method of a printing system for executing a print job stored in the server based on authentication of an authentication device,
The client device generates general-purpose print data that does not depend on a printer language and a printer function based on print data related to the print instruction,
Sending print job information including at least general-purpose print data, printing conditions designated by the user, and identification information of the user to the server;
The server converts the general-purpose print data into print data that can be printed by the printer associated with the authentication device based on the user identification information and the printing condition transmitted from the authentication device,
A printing system control method, comprising: transmitting converted print data to the printer. The server selects a suitable printer from the plurality of printers based on the print job information transmitted from the client device,
The control method for a printing system according to claim 4, wherein when a suitable printer cannot be selected, the printing condition is changed to a printing condition suitable for one of the plurality of printers. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the server notifies the client device of contents relating to the selected printer or a printer adapted by changing the printing conditions.

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