JP2008108010A - Print controller, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller and the like capable of preventing a function limited by other printer drivers from becoming unavailable when a special driver for limiting a part of functions of a printer is installed to the print controller of a personal computer or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The print controller is provided with: an acquisition means 12 for acquiring information on a printer port which a first printer 1 designated by a first printer driver 19 can deal with; and a determining means 14 which, when there is a print request, determines whether or not the print request is from the first printer driver 19 and whether or not it designates the printer port acquired by the acquisition means. A control means 81 prohibits transmission of the print request to the first printer when it is determined that the print request is not from the first printer driver and designates the printer port acquired by the acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program used in a terminal device connected to a printing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi function peripherals) which is a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral.

  With the development of network technology, a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) and a printing device represented by the MFP are introduced, and these MFPs are connected via a network so that a plurality of personal computers can share one MFP. The number of offices and schools in use is increasing.

  Along with this, due to management problems, I want to classify multiple PCs according to user attributes, and set the PC to prohibit some use of the functions of the connected MFP according to the classification. , A request has come out. For example, in a school, the computer used by students restricts the MFP's color printing function to allow only monochrome printing, while the teacher uses a computer that allows not only monochrome printing but also color printing. It is a request that you want to make a setting.

  As a technology for restricting the use of functions, a database in which MFP users are registered on a network is provided, and each user registered in the database has an access right to the MFP. In addition to the use prohibition restriction, a technique for restricting the use of functions is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a full-scale system construction is required to construct a database on a network. For this reason, there is a problem in terms of cost when a small company or the like introduces, and there is a problem that the burden of maintaining and managing the network is large. Furthermore, functions that are desired to be restricted from the market often cannot be set for each user, and there is a problem that access rights cannot be set by user registration.

Therefore, instead of a printer driver that can use the full functions of an MFP that is normally used, a printer driver that restricts the use of some functions of the MFP by customizing the printer driver (for example, printing is possible only in monochrome) In some cases, a part of the functions of the MFP is restricted by installing a special printer driver (hereinafter referred to as a special driver) on a personal computer to be restricted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-289302

  However, a printer driver that can use the full function of the MFP that is normally used is generally published on the WEB, and for this reason, by downloading it to a personal computer with limited functions, The use of restricted functions becomes possible. In this case, there is a problem that the meaning of installing the special driver is lost.

  In addition, it is possible to update the MFP so that the print request is accepted only from the special driver, but this makes it impossible to use the MFP from a personal computer on which the special driver is not installed, and the user who wants to use the MFP May cause operational problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a special driver for restricting a part of the function of the printing apparatus is installed in a print control apparatus such as a personal computer, the restriction is applied from another printer driver. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program that can prevent a situation in which a function is used.

  The above problem is solved by the following means.

  (1) It has a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver, and can send a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. And an acquisition unit that acquires information of a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver, and when there is a printing request, the printing request is A determination unit that determines whether the print request is from the first printer driver and whether the printer port acquired by the acquisition unit is designated; If it is determined that it is from a printer driver, the print request is transmitted to the first printer, and the print request is transmitted to the first printer driver. Control means for prohibiting transmission of the print request to the first printing apparatus when it is determined that the printer port is not designated from the printer and is designated by the obtaining means. A printing control apparatus comprising:

  (2) If the print request is for the first printing apparatus, but not from the first printer driver, the display request is for the first printing apparatus. Receiving means for accepting a user instruction about whether to execute the print request not from the first printer driver by a printing apparatus other than the first printing apparatus or to cancel the print request. The printing control apparatus according to (1) above.

  (3) It has a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver, and can send a print request to at least one printing device including the first printing device designated by the first printer driver. And a step of acquiring information on a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver, and when there is a print request, the print request is Determining whether the print request is from the first printer driver and designating the printer port acquired in the acquisition step; and determining the print request by the determination step. If it is determined that it is from the driver, the print request is transmitted to the first printing apparatus, and the print request is transmitted to the first pre-printer. A step of prohibiting transmission of the print request to the first printing device when it is determined that the printer port is not specified from a data driver and specifies the printer port acquired in the acquisition step; A printing control method comprising:

  (4) A plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver are included, and a print request is transmitted to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. There is a print control program for causing a computer to execute processing, obtaining information of a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver, and a print request And determining whether the print request is from the first printer driver and designating the printer port obtained by the obtaining step, and determining step, If it is determined that the print request is from the first printer driver, the print request is designated as the first mark. And when it is determined that the print request is not from the first printer driver and specifies the printer port acquired by the acquisition step, the first of the print requests A printing control program for causing a computer to execute the step of prohibiting transmission to one printing apparatus.

  (5) It has a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and can send a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. Acquisition of information on a printer port designated by the first printer driver and information on a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver And the printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquisition unit is prohibited from being used by a printer driver other than the first printer driver, and the first printing apparatus is compatible Use of a printer port other than the printer port designated by the first printer driver Print control apparatus comprising: the inhibiting means for stopping, the.

  (6) It has a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver, and can send a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. And a printer port information specified by the first printer driver and information on a printer port that can be supported by the first printer specified by the first printer driver. The printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquisition step is prohibited from being used by a printer driver other than the first printer driver, and the first printing apparatus can handle the printer port. Use of a printer port other than the printer port designated by the first printer driver Printing control method characterized by comprising the steps of: prohibiting a.

  (7) A print request is transmitted to at least one printing apparatus including a first printing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and designated by the first printer driver. A print control program for causing a computer to execute processing, the printer port information specified by the first printer driver and the printer that the first printer specified by the first printer driver can handle A step of acquiring port information; and prohibiting use of a printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquiring step by a printer driver other than the first printer driver; Among the printer ports that can be supported by the printing apparatus, the first printer driver specifies Print control program for executing the steps of prohibiting the use of the printer port other than printer port, to a computer.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, when print port information that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver is acquired and a print request is made, the print request is sent. Is determined from the first printer driver and whether the printer port acquired by the acquiring means is specified, and the print request is from the first printer driver. The print request is transmitted to the first printing apparatus, the print request is not from the first printer driver, and designates the acquired printer port. If it is determined that the print request is received, transmission of the print request to the first printing apparatus is prohibited. Therefore, the user can cause the first printing apparatus to execute printing only via the first printer driver, and cannot execute printing from other printer drivers.

  In other words, when a special driver is applied as the first printer driver, the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus can be limited to only the special driver, whereby the printing apparatus from the printing control apparatus can be limited. It is possible to restrict the use of some functions.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, when the print request is for the first printing apparatus but not from the first printer driver, a message to that effect is displayed, and the user submits the print request. It is possible to select whether to change the printing apparatus to be executed or to cancel the execution of printing.

  According to the invention described in item (3), the user can cause the first printing apparatus to execute printing only via the first printer driver, and can cause other printer drivers to execute printing. Since the special driver is applied as the first printer driver, the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus can be limited to only the special driver.

  According to the invention described in item (4) above, it is possible to cause a computer to execute a process capable of limiting the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus to only the first printer driver.

  According to the invention described in (5) above, information on the printer port designated by the first printer driver and information on the printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver are acquired. The printer driver other than the first printer driver is prohibited from using the acquired printer port, thereby making it possible to use the first printing apparatus from a printer driver other than the first printer driver. Can be banned. In other words, when a special driver is applied as the first printer driver, the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus can be limited to only the special driver, whereby the printing apparatus from the printing control apparatus can be limited. It is possible to restrict the use of some functions.

  According to the invention described in (6) above, the user can cause the first printing apparatus to execute printing only via the first printer driver, and can execute printing from other printer drivers. Since the special driver is applied as the first printer driver, the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus can be limited to only the special driver.

  According to the invention described in item (7), it is possible to cause a computer to execute a process capable of limiting the printer driver that can use the first printing apparatus to only the first printer driver.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which a printing control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

  This system includes MFP1 to MFP5 as printing apparatuses, a print control apparatus 6, and a print control apparatus 7.

  The MFP 1 to MFP 5, the print control device 6, and the print control device 7 are connected to each other via a network 8.

  The MFP 1 to MFP 5 are multifunction digital multi-function peripherals having a color printing function and a monochrome printing function, and print a document, an image, etc. in response to an output instruction for a document / image from the print control device 6 or the print control device 7. .

  In this embodiment, TCP / IP (address IP # 192.168.0.4) is set as a printer port (hereinafter also referred to as an output port or simply a port) that can be supported by the MFP 1. The user can print from the MFP 1 by specifying this address and executing printing.

  In addition to this, the MFP 1 also supports LPT and USB 1 printer ports, and printing by using these printer ports is also possible (hereinafter, this type of MFP is compatible). Possible printer ports are called printer ports supported by the MFP).

Printer ports supported by the MFP 2 are TCP / IP (address IP # 192.168.0.2), LPT, and COM1. In the MFP 3, it is TCP / IP (address IP # 192.168.0.3). Further, in MFP 4 and MFP 5, TCP / IP is not set, and both support only LPT.
<Configuration of print control device>
Here, the configuration of the print control device 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, but the configuration of the print control device 7 is also the same as that of the print control device 6, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The print control device 6 includes a personal computer as a terminal device for creating a document, an image, and the like by a user. The print control device 6 includes a CPU 81, and a ROM 82, a RAM 83, a display unit 84, a storage unit 85, a keyboard 86, A mouse 87, a communication interface (communication I / F) 88, and a CD-ROM drive 89 are connected to each other.

  The CPU 81 comprehensively controls the entire print control apparatus 6, and details will be described later.

  The ROM 82 stores an operation program for the CPU 81 and other data.

  The RAM 83 provides a work area when the CPU 81 operates according to the operation program.

  The display unit 84 displays various messages and a reception screen for the user.

  The storage unit 85 stores document data and image data data files created by operating the keyboard 86 and the mouse 87, application software, a printer driver, and other data. In this embodiment, a hard disk (HDD) is stored. It is used.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, necessary programs including application software 17, an MFP1 driver 18, an MFP1 special driver 19, an MFP2 driver 20, an MFP3 driver 21, an MFP4 driver 22, and an MFP5 driver 23 are included. Is saved.

  The application software 17 is a program for the user to create a document / image, etc., and the user can create a document / image with the apparatus by the CPU 81 operating according to this program.

  The MFP 1 driver 18 is a printer driver that can use all functions including the color printing function and the monochrome printing function of the MFP 1, and a program for creating a print job from a print command sent from the application software 17, A program for transmitting a print job to the MFP 1 is provided.

  In this embodiment, the special driver 19 for the MFP 1 is a printer driver customized so that, for example, the color printing function of the MFP 1 cannot be used, and identification information unique to the printer driver (hereinafter referred to as a special driver ID) is used. Have. The special driver 19 includes a program that creates a print job from a print command sent from the application software 17, adds a special driver ID to the print job, and transmits the print job to the MFP 1.

  The MFP 2 driver 20, the MFP 3 driver 21, the MFP 4 driver 22, and the MFP 5 driver 23 create a print job from a print command sent from the application software 17, and the print jobs are respectively MFP 2, MFP 3, MFP 4, and A program to be transmitted to the MFP 5 is provided.

  As for the designated output port (IP address in the case of TCP / IP) of each of these printer drivers, as shown in the driver output port table 30 of FIG. 4, USB 1 is designated as the designated output port of the MFP 1 driver 18. As the designated output port of the MFP 1 special driver 19, TCP / IP (address 192.168.0.4) is designated as the designated output port of the MFP 2 driver, and TCP / IP (address 192.168.0.2) is designated as the designated output port of the MFP 3 driver. In TCP / IP (address 192.168.0.3), LPT2 is set as the designated output port of the driver for MFP4, and LPT3 is set as the designated output port of the driver for MFP5.

  The keyboard 86 and the mouse 87 are used for an input operation by the user.

  The communication interface (communication I / F) 88 functions as a communication unit that transmits / receives data to / from the MFP 1 shown in FIG.

  The CD-ROM drive 89 drives a CD-ROM.

Note that reference numeral 11 shown in FIG. 3 indicates an information processing unit that is a functional main part of the print control apparatus 6 and has the following configuration.
(Information Processing Department)
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing unit 11 includes an information acquisition unit 12, a registration unit 13, and a determination unit 14. The function of the information processing unit 11 is exhibited when the CPU 81 actually operates according to an operation program stored in the ROM 82 or the storage unit 85.

  The information acquisition unit 12 acquires a device name specified by the special driver 19 for MFP 1 (hereinafter referred to as a target device, which is MFP 1 in this embodiment), a specified port (IP address in the case of TCP / IP), Also, based on the information acquired from the special driver 19 for MFP1, all ports and device firmware versions supported by the device are acquired from the target device, and the driver name and special driver ID are acquired from the special driver 19 for MFP1. To get.

  As shown in Table 31 of FIG. 5, the registration unit 13 includes target device information (consisting of a device name, a port supported by the device, and a device firmware) acquired by the information acquisition unit 12, and special driver determination information. Registration information such as a driver name and a special driver ID is registered.

The determination unit 14 compares the registration information registered in the registration unit 13 with the information added to the print job for a print job as a print request sent from the printer driver, and determines the print job. By determining whether or not a special driver ID is added, it is determined whether or not the print job is from the MFP 1 special driver 19. Further, based on registration information registered in the registration unit 13, it is determined whether or not the printer port specified by the print job is a port supported by the MFP 1 that is the target device.
<Operation of print control device>
The operation of the print control apparatus 6 when a print instruction from the user is received will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  This operation is realized by the CPU 81 executing a program stored in the ROM 82 or the storage unit 85.

  When the user selects a printer driver and instructs execution of a job, a print job is issued.

  In step S50, the CPU 81 determines whether the output port specified by the selected printer driver matches the output port specified by the special driver 19 for MFP 1 or the port supported by the MFP 1 as the target device. Make a judgment about

  If it is determined in step S50 that the output port specified by the selected printer driver does not match any of the above two ports (NO in step S50), the print job is for an MFP other than MFP1, and the job is prohibited. Therefore, the CPU 81 transmits the print job to the designated output port via the transmission unit 15 (step S51), and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the output port specified by the selected printer driver matches any of the above ports (YES in step S50), the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the CPU 81 determines whether or not a special driver ID is added to the sent print job via the determination unit 14.

  If it is determined in step S52 that the special driver ID is added to the sent print job (YES in step S52), the print job is a job from the special driver, and there is no need for prohibition. Proceed to S53. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that the special driver ID is not added to the print job (NO in step S52), the process proceeds to the port type determination process in step S54.

  In step S53, the CPU 81 transmits the print job to the designated output port via the transmission unit 15, and ends the process. Therefore, in this case, the MFP 1 can execute a print job from the special driver.

  On the other hand, in the port type determination process in step S54, in step S541 in FIG. 7, the CPU 81 determines whether the port matched by the above determination is a legacy port (a port other than TCP / IP, such as a USB, LPT, or COM), or Judge whether it is TCP / IP (IP address) or not.

  If it is determined in step S541 that the matched port is TCP / IP (IP address) (NO in step S541), the process returns and proceeds to step S55 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S541 that the matched port is a legacy port (YES in step S541), the CPU 81 via the information acquisition unit 12 specifies the connection destination device information specified by the selected printer driver. Is acquired (step S542), and the process proceeds to step S543.

In step S543, the CPU 81 determines whether the connection destination device of the selected driver matches the target device via the determination unit 14.

  If it is determined in step S543 that the two devices match (YES in step S543), it is a print job to the MFP 1 from a printer driver other than the special driver, and the process returns to step S55. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two devices do not match (NO in step S543), it is a print job to other than the MFP 1 and there is no need to prohibit the print job, so the print job is sent to the output port designated by the selected printer driver. (Step S544), and the process ends.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step S55, printing is canceled or a port other than the port supported by the target device (other than the “supporting port” registered in the target device information of the registration information 31 in FIG. 5). Whether or not to execute output from the port) is displayed on the display unit 84 for accepting an instruction from the user on the display unit 84 and waits for selection from the user (step S59).

  For example, when each printer driver designates an output port as shown in FIG. 4, a print instruction reception screen 70 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 84. On the print instruction acceptance screen 70, the ports supported by the target device (MFP 1) are displayed in gray.

Next, when the “stop” button 71 is selected in step S56 (stop in step S56),
The CPU 81 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, when the “print after port change” button 72 is selected (printing in step S56), the CPU 81 selects the change destination port from the ports not grayed out on the print instruction reception screen 70 in FIG. The print job is received (step S57), the print job is transmitted to the changed output port (step S58), and the process ends.

  For example, when the MFP1 driver 18 is selected by the user, the special driver ID is not added, and in step S50, it is determined whether or not the output ports match, but the output port of the MFP1 driver 18 is USB1. Since it matches one of the ports supported by the target device (MFP 1) as shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, it is determined that the special driver ID is not added, and the process proceeds to step S541. Here, it is determined whether or not the output port designated by the MFP1 driver 18 is a legacy port. Since the output port specified by is the legacy port (USB1), the process proceeds to step S542, and the CPU 81 acquires the device information of the connection destination specified by the MFP1 driver 18 via the information acquisition unit 12, Proceed to S543.

  Next, in step S543, it is determined whether or not the device designated by the MFP1 driver 18 and the device designated by the MFP1 special driver 19 match. However, since both of these two designated devices are MFP1, Proceeding to step S55, the print instruction acceptance screen 70 shown in FIG. In step S56, when the “print after port change” button 72 is pressed and the user selects a port from a port that is not grayed out, for example, TCP / IP (IP: 192.168. If 0.2) is selected, the print job is transmitted to the MFP 2 via the communication interface 88, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the “print cancel” button 71 is pressed and the print cancel is accepted, the process is ended as it is.

  If the MFP2 driver 20 is selected, the processing up to step S55 is the same as that for the MFP1 driver 18, but in step S543, the device (MFP2) specified by the MFP2 driver and the special driver for MFP1 specify. Since it does not match the device (MFP 1), the print job is transmitted to the MFP 2 (step S544), and the process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the MFP 1 printer driver 18 capable of using the full function of the MFP 1 is installed in the print control apparatus 6, the transmission of the print job to the MFP 1 has a function restriction. It is limited only to the special driver 19 for MFP1 to be performed. In other words, since transmission of a print job from the MFP 1 driver 18 that can use the color print function of the MFP 1 to the MFP 1 is prohibited, use of the color print function of the MFP 1 from the print control apparatus 6 is limited. Further, since the output control to the output port designated by the MFP printer driver other than the MFP 1 such as the MFP 2 driver 20 is not restricted, the print control apparatus 6 can perform normal printing.
(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, a printer driver that can perform a predetermined process and send a print job to the target device (MFP 1) when a user gives a print instruction is limited to the special driver for MFP 1 only. In the second embodiment, however, the printer driver that can use the target device (MFP1) is limited to the special driver for MFP1 by providing a port restriction when installing the special driver for MFP1 and the port monitor program (described later). It is.

  Since the configuration of the printing control apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the storage unit 85, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, a driver and a port monitor program installed in the storage unit 85 will be described.

  In this embodiment, the special driver for MFP 1 is a printer driver customized so that the color printing function of MFP 1 cannot be used, and includes a program for creating a print job, transmitting the print job, and the like.

  The port monitor is a program, and when the CPU 81 operates according to this program, the acquisition of the output port specified by the special driver for the MFP 1 and the port supported by the target device (MFP 1) can be performed. Will be described later.

  When these programs are installed and the CPU 81 operates according to this program, the use of the color printing function of the MFP 1 from the print control apparatus 6 is restricted.

The storage unit 85 stores the MFP1 driver to the MFP5 driver shown in the designated output port table 91 of FIG. The designated output port is TCP / IP (address 192.168.0.4) for the MFP1 driver, LPT3 for the MFP2 driver, USB1 for the MFP3 driver, COM1 for the MFP4 driver, and TCP / IP (address for the MFP5 driver). 192.168.0.5) is set for each.
(Operation of print control device)
Next, the operation of the print control apparatus 6 that acquires and restricts ports when installing the special driver for MFP 1 and the port monitor will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This operation is realized by the CPU 81 executing a program stored in the ROM 82 or the storage unit 85.

  The CPU 81 starts the installation of the special driver for MFP 1 and the port monitor in accordance with an instruction from the user (step S101), sets the output port of the special driver for MFP 1 (step S102), and installs the special driver for MFP 1 and the port monitor. Complete (step S103).

  Next, the CPU 81 acquires all the output port setting information specified by the printer driver stored in the print control device 6 and the port information supported by the target device (MFP 1) according to the port monitor program ( The process proceeds to step S104) and step S105.

  In step S105, the CPU 81 determines whether the output port set by the special driver for MFP1 or the port supported by the target device (MFP1) is being used by a printer driver other than the special driver for MFP1. This is performed (step S105).

  If it is determined in step S105 that at least one of the ports is used by another printer driver (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to the port type determination process in step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that none of the ports is used by another printer driver (NO in step S105), the process proceeds to step S108.

  In the port type determination process in step S106, as shown in FIG. 11, in step S1061, the CPU 81 determines whether the port used by another printer driver is a legacy port (such as USB, LPT, COM, etc.) Judge whether it is TCP / IP (IP address).

  If it is determined that the port used by another printer driver is TCP / IP (IP address) (NO in step S1061), the process returns as it is and proceeds to step S107 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the port used by another printer driver is a legacy port (YES in step S1061), the device information of the connection destination designated by the other printer driver using the port is acquired. (Step S1062), the process proceeds to Step S1063.

  In step S1063, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the connection destination device designated by another printer driver matches the device designated by the special driver for MFP1 (MFP1).

  If it is determined that the two devices match (YES in step S1063), the process returns and proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two devices do not match (NO in step S1063), it is a printer driver that transmits a print job to an MFP other than MFP 1 and there is no need to restrict the port. (Step S109), the process ends.

  Returning to FIG. 10, in step S107, the port setting of the other printer driver is changed to a port other than the output port specified by the special driver for MFP 1 and a port other than the port supported by the target device (MFP 1). Is displayed on the display unit 84, and a port change from the user is accepted.

  For example, when the port supported by the target device (MFP 1) is LPT, USB1, TCP / IP (IP # 192.168.0.4), a port change acceptance screen 92 as shown in FIG. The ports that are displayed and supported by the target device (MFP 1) are grayed out.

  Here, since the designated port of the driver for MFP 1 overlaps with TCP / IP (IP # 192.168.0.4) set in the target device (MFP 1), the user is requested to change to a port other than the grayed out port. Request.

Next, after accepting the port change from the user, the output port specified by the special driver for MFP 1 and the port supported by the target device (MFP 1) are masked to disable the port setting by other drivers (the port setting). (Exclusive control) (step S108), the process is terminated. For example, in the case of the above example, the port LPT set by the special driver for MFP1, the port USB1 supported by the target device (MFP1), and TCP / IP ( IP # 192.168.0.4) is masked and is controlled exclusively, and other printer drivers cannot use these ports. In step S107, the port change is accepted from the user, but the CPU 81 may forcibly change the port (Port File or the like).

  According to this embodiment, by prohibiting the use of all ports supported by the target device (MFP1) by a printer driver other than the special driver for MFP1, the printer driver other than the special driver for MFP1 can make the target Using the port supported by the device (MFP1), it is possible to prevent printing from the target device (MFP1).

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system in which a printing control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a memory | storage part and an information processing part. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver name stored in a storage unit of the print instruction apparatus according to the first embodiment and a designated printer port. FIG. It is a figure showing the registration information registered into the registration part. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the print control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the port classification determination process of FIG. It is a figure showing the printing instruction reception screen which receives the printing cancellation or port change from a user. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver name stored in a storage unit of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment and a designated printer port. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of port type determination processing in FIG. 10. It is a figure showing the port change reception screen which receives the port change from a user.

Explanation of symbols

1-5 ・ ・ ・ MFP
6, 7 ... Print control device 8 ... Network 81 ... CPU
82 ... ROM
83 ... RAM
84 ... Display unit 85 ... Storage unit 86 ... Keyboard 87 ... Mouse 88 ... Communication interface (communication I / F)
89 ... CD-ROM
90 ... Bus line

Claims (7)

A printing apparatus having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and capable of transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver Because
Obtaining means for obtaining information of a printer port that can be supported by the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver;
A determination unit that determines whether the print request is from the first printer driver and specifies the printer port acquired by the acquisition unit when there is a print request; ,
When the determination unit determines that the print request is from the first printer driver, the print request is transmitted to the first printer, and the print request is transmitted to the first printer driver. Control means for prohibiting transmission of the print request to the first printing device when it is determined that the printer port acquired by the acquisition means is not designated, and
A printing control apparatus comprising: Display means for displaying if the print request is for the first printing device but not from the first printer driver;
User instruction to execute the print request for the first printing device but not from the first printer driver by a printing device other than the first printing device or to cancel the printing request Accepting means for accepting,
The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Print control having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and capable of transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver A method,
Obtaining information of a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver;
When there is a print request, determining whether the print request is from the first printer driver and designating the printer port obtained by the obtaining step;
If it is determined in the determining step that the print request is from the first printer driver, the print request is transmitted to the first printer, and the print request is transmitted from the first printer driver. And prohibiting transmission of the print request to the first printing device if it is determined that the printer port acquired by the acquiring step is designated.
A printing control method comprising: A computer having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. A print control program for executing
Obtaining information of a printer port that can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver;
When there is a print request, determining whether the print request is from the first printer driver and designating the printer port obtained by the obtaining step;
If it is determined in the determining step that the print request is from the first printer driver, the print request is transmitted to the first printer, and the print request is transmitted from the first printer driver. And prohibiting transmission of the print request to the first printing device if it is determined that the printer port acquired by the acquiring step is designated.
Print control program for causing a computer to execute. Print control having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and capable of transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver A device,
Obtaining means for obtaining information on a printer port designated by the first printer driver and information on a printer port which can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver;
A printer that is prohibited by the printer driver other than the first printer driver from using the printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquisition unit and that can be supported by the first printing apparatus. Prohibiting means for prohibiting use of a printer port other than the printer port designated by the first printer driver among the ports;
A printing control apparatus comprising: Print control having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and capable of transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver A method,
Obtaining information on a printer port designated by the first printer driver and information on a printer port which can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver;
A printer that prohibits use of the printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquisition step by a printer driver other than the first printer driver, and that is compatible with the first printing apparatus. Prohibiting use of a printer port other than the printer port designated by the first printer driver among the ports;
A printing control method comprising: A computer having a plurality of printer drivers including a first printer driver and transmitting a print request to at least one printing apparatus including the first printing apparatus designated by the first printer driver. A print control program for executing
Obtaining information on a printer port designated by the first printer driver and information on a printer port which can be supported by the first printing device designated by the first printer driver;
A printer that prohibits use of the printer port specified by the first printer driver acquired by the acquisition step by a printer driver other than the first printer driver, and that is compatible with the first printing apparatus. Prohibiting use of a printer port other than the printer port designated by the first printer driver among the ports;
Print control program for causing a computer to execute.

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