JP2011065287A - Information processor, image forming device, printing system, printing method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor or the like capable of printing print data in consideration of a function of an image forming device which prints the print data accumulated in a server and sets the print data. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor includes: a function information acquisition means 17 accumulating a print job of an authenticated user, and acquiring the function information of the image forming device of a request source according to a print request from the image forming device 20; a printing propriety decision means 16 deciding, in each print job, whether or not the image forming device can perform the printing complying with a print condition; a job list transmission means 15 transmitting a decision result and a list of the print job to the image forming device displaying the printable print job and the non-printable print job in different modes based on the decision result; and a print condition change means 18 changing the print condition of the accumulated print job into the print condition that the image forming device can perform printing based on image identification information received from the image forming device and setting the alteration request of the print condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and a recording medium, and in particular, an information processing apparatus that stores print jobs in the information processing apparatus and prints the image forming apparatus, and image formation The present invention relates to an apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and a recording medium.

  The print data received from the host computer is not immediately printed but spooled (stored) in the print server or image forming apparatus, and the print data selected from the list of print data spooled after the user logs in is displayed. An image forming apparatus for printing is known.

  In a printing system including such a print server, a user first inputs a print instruction on a client PC. The client PC transmits a print job corresponding to the print instruction to the print server or the image forming apparatus. The print server does not immediately transfer the print job to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus does not immediately print but stores the print job in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Thereafter, the user operates the image forming apparatus to instruct printing of the accumulated print job. In response to the instruction, the image forming apparatus acquires a print job from the HDD or the print server, and performs printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a printing system, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of security that a print job accumulated by each user is printed by another user. Therefore, conventionally, a user authentication process is executed when a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus. For example, when a user inputs his / her authentication information when instructing printing of an accumulated print job and is authenticated based on the authentication information, printing of the print job related to the user is permitted. . The user may store the print job in the print server without being conscious of the image forming apparatus used for printing.

  However, it is rare that all image forming apparatuses available to the user have the same model and the same options. For this reason, when print data is printed from the print server without the user being aware of the image forming apparatus, there arises a problem that printing using the option cannot be performed, for example. For example, if the user transmits print data designated for stapling when accumulating in the print server, but the image forming apparatus used for printing does not support stapling, the image forming apparatus uses stapling in the print data. Ignores the specification and prints. In this case, the printed matter expected by the user cannot be obtained.

  In this regard, an information processing apparatus is disclosed in which it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus is capable of printing when the client PC accumulates print data in the print server. (See Patent Document 2).

  However, if it is determined whether or not printing is possible at the time of accumulation in the print server, printing cannot be performed even if printing can be performed by another image forming apparatus. In addition, there is a problem that even if the printed matter is not obtained as expected, it cannot be handled when the user wants to print.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention considers the function of an image forming apparatus that prints print data stored in a server and the setting of print data, an information processing apparatus that prints print data, an image forming apparatus, a printing system, and printing. An object is to provide a method, a program, and a recording medium.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a print job receiving means (for example, the input unit 11) that receives a print job together with user authentication information from a client device connected via a network, and user authentication using the authentication information. An authentication control means (for example, a print permission / rejection determination unit 9) that requests user authentication to an authentication means that determines whether or not the print job is established, and if authentication is established, the print job is associated with the user identification information. In response to a print request from a print information recording unit (for example, the information management unit 13) to be stored in the storage unit (for example, the information storage unit 14) and an image forming apparatus connected via a network, image formation of the request source A function information acquisition unit (for example, an installed function acquisition unit 17) that acquires the function information of the apparatus, the print condition of the print job and the function information are compared, and the image forming apparatus A mode for determining whether or not printing according to printing conditions is possible for each print job (for example, the setting information matching unit 16), and a mode in which a print job that can be printed and a print job that cannot be printed based on the determination result are different A job list transmission means (for example, the request accepting unit 15) for transmitting the determination result and the list of print jobs to the image forming apparatus to be displayed, and a job identification information and print condition setting change request received from the image forming apparatus. Based on the print condition change means (for example, setting processing unit 18) for changing the print condition of the accumulated print job to a print condition that can be printed by the image forming apparatus, the print condition and the print job changed by the print condition change means An information processing apparatus comprising: a print data transmission unit (for example, a request reception unit 15) that transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. Subjected to.

  An information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a printing system, a printing method, a program, and a recording medium for printing print data are provided in consideration of the function of the image forming apparatus that prints print data stored in a server and the setting of the print data. be able to

1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system. FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a print server. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system. It is an example of the figure which shows print permission information typically. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding information recorded on the corresponding information storage part. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for storing print jobs by the printing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the authentication information input screen which comprises a print setting screen. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a stage in which the image forming apparatus executes a print job. It is a figure which shows an example of a job selection screen. FIG. 10 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system (second embodiment). It is an example of the confirmation screen of a setting change. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for an image forming apparatus to execute a print job (second embodiment). FIG. 10 is an example of a functional block diagram of a printing system (third embodiment). It is a figure which shows an example of printing propriety information. It is a figure which shows an example of a printing confirmation screen. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure for an image forming apparatus to execute a print job (third embodiment).

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 1.
(1) First, the user operates the client PC 60 to store print jobs in the print server 10.
(2) Next, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 20 and requests the print server 10 to display a job list of print jobs registered by the user.
(3) The print server 10 acquires function information on the functions of the image forming apparatus 20 from the image forming apparatus 20.
(4) The print server 10 determines, for each print job, whether or not printing is possible using the function indicated by the function information, based on the print condition of the print job registered by the user. The print server 10 transmits the printability information, which is the determination result, to the image forming apparatus 20 by attaching it to the print job.
(5) The image forming apparatus 20 receives one or more print jobs from the print server 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 displays a print job that can be printed according to the printing conditions at a normal luminance and a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions at a low luminance. Thus, the user can easily determine whether each print job can be printed according to the printing conditions. The user can avoid printing a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions, or can force printing. Note that “can print according to printing conditions” means that the image forming apparatus 20 has a function for specifying printing conditions, or a function for specifying printing conditions, and the remaining consumables necessary for the printing conditions. The amount is sufficient.

〔System configuration〕
The printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1 includes a print server 10, one or more image forming apparatuses 20, an authentication server 30, and one or more client PCs 60. Each device is connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. A plurality of print servers 10 and authentication servers 30 may exist.

  The client PC 60 generates data to be printed (document data, image data, etc.) with application software, etc., and prints the print data to be printed, the printing conditions, and the print request according to the input of the print instruction by the user. It is a computer that transmits to the server 10 (hereinafter, a print job includes print data, bibliographic conditions (including print conditions), and a print request). The user inputs authentication information (for example, a user name (or user ID) and a password) when logging into the PC or instructing printing. The client PC 60 includes or attaches this authentication information to the print job.

  The print server 10 is a computer that stores a print job received from the client PC 60 in a storage device. The print server 10 requests the authentication server 30 for authentication processing based on the authentication information received together with the print job. The authentication server 30 is a computer that executes authentication processing. The authentication server 30 and the print server 10 are shared by the image forming apparatus 20.

  The authentication server 30 transmits an authentication result indicating whether or not user authentication has been established to the print server 10. The print server 10 accumulates the print job when the authentication is established.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a printer that receives an operation instruction from a user, acquires a print job stored in the print server 10, and prints print data. The image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to a printer, and may be a scanner, a facsimile, and an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) equipped with one or more of these functions. Also, any one of the image forming apparatuses 20 may be shared by other image forming apparatuses 20 as the print server 10.

  A user who uses the image forming apparatus 20 inputs authentication information from an IC card or the like at the time of login. The image forming apparatus 20 transmits the authentication information input by the user to the print server 10. The print server 10 requests the authentication server 30 for authentication processing based on the authentication information. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may directly request the authentication server 30 for authentication processing based on the authentication information.

  The authentication server 30 transmits an authentication result indicating whether or not user authentication has been established to the print server 10. When authentication is established, the print server 10 acquires function information from the image forming apparatus 20 and determines whether or not the print job can be executed with the function included in the function information. The print server 10 sends the print job to the image forming apparatus 20 with execution permission information attached thereto.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the print server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The print server 10 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, and an interface device 105 that are connected to each other via a bus B.

  A program 110 for realizing processing in the print server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 on which the program 110 is recorded is set in the drive device 100, the program 110 is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program 110 may be distributed by downloading from a computer (not shown) in addition to being distributed by the recording medium 101.

  The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program 110 and also stores necessary files and data. The auxiliary storage device 102 is a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

  The memory device 103 reads the program 110 from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program 110. The memory device 103 is, for example, a DIMM (dual in-line memory module), a SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module), or the like. The CPU 104 executes functions related to the print server 10 in accordance with the program 110 stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is an interface (for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) network card) for connecting to a network.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a network I / F 204, an image output unit 205, an image processing unit 206, an external device I / F 207, a display unit 208, an operation unit 209, and the like.

  A program 81 that realizes functions in the image forming apparatus 20 is recorded (installed) in a nonvolatile auxiliary storage device 203 such as an HDD. The auxiliary storage device 203 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data. The memory 202 reads the program 81 from the auxiliary storage device 203 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program 81. The CPU 201 implements functions related to the image forming apparatus 20 according to the program 81 stored in the memory 202. The network I / F 204 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  The display unit 208 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an operation screen, a message, and the like. The operation unit 209 is configured with hardware buttons (keys), and receives an operation input by the user. The display unit 208 includes a touch panel, and the display unit 208 and the operation unit 209 are integrally configured as an operation panel.

  The image processing unit 206 executes various types of image processing required when outputting (printing) image data. The image output unit 205 outputs (prints) image data.

  The external device I / F 207 is an interface for connecting to the card reader 40 used for inputting authentication information, and is configured by, for example, a USB port (USB host interface) or a serial port. The card reader 40 is a so-called card reader (card reader) 40 that reads information from the card 50 and includes a hardware interface (for example, a USB connector or a serial interface) that can be connected to the external device I / F 207. Note that the card reader 40 may be built in the image forming apparatus 20. The card reader 40 may be either a contact type or a non-contact type. The card 50 is not limited to an IC card, and may be a magnetic card or the like that can record a card ID (card number) unique to at least each card. The card ID is generally called Universal ID or Card Serial Number. Specific examples of the card 50 include a Proximity card, a Mifare card, a Java (registered trademark) card, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the card 50 is distributed to each user. However, a single card 50 may be shared by a plurality of users according to the level of security required for operation. Note that the card 50 distributed to each user may not be limited to one type. As described above, the card reader 40 can be easily connected to the image forming apparatus 20 by USB or the like. Therefore, a plurality of card readers 40 may be simultaneously connected to the image forming apparatus 20 according to the type of card 50 (Proximity card, Mifare card, Java (registered trademark) Card, etc.). In this case, a plurality of types of cards 50 can be used simultaneously.

  A recording medium mounting unit 19 is connected to the external device I / F 207. The recording medium mounting unit 19 loads the recording medium 120, reads data stored in the recording medium 120, and transmits the data to the CPU 201 or the memory 202. The recording medium 120 is, for example, a USB memory, an SD card memory, a CD-ROM, or the like.

  A program 81 is stored in the recording medium 120, and when the user mounts the recording medium 120 in the recording medium mounting unit 19, for example, the CPU 201 receives an interrupt or a user operation, and the CPU 201 stores in the recording medium 120. Executed program 81 is executed. By executing this program 81, the image forming apparatus 20 provides a printing method (extended confidential printing) of the following embodiment. The recording medium 120 and the card 50 may be integrated, and the program 81 may be recorded on the card 50.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. The client PC 60 has an installed application. The application is, for example, word processing software, spreadsheet software, browser software, or presentation software. When the CPU of the client PC 60 executes the application, the illustrated print instruction reception unit 61, print data generation unit 62, print request transmission unit 63, and non-permission notification unit 64 are realized.

  The print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts designation of document data to be printed. The print instruction reception unit 61 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as “print setting screen”) for setting print attribute information (also referred to as a print condition or a print setting item) on the display device of the client PC 60, and displays the print setting screen. Via this, the setting of the printing attribute information and the input of the printing instruction are accepted.

  The print instruction accepting unit 61 further accepts input of user authentication information via the print setting screen. The authentication information only needs to correspond to the authentication method in the authentication server 30. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user name and password are used.

  The print data generation unit 62 generates print data for document data to be printed based on print attribute information. The print data is data described in PDL (Page Description Language) and includes print attribute information. Further, the print data generation unit 62 includes the authentication information received by the print instruction reception unit 61 in the print data (or adds it to the print data). The print request transmission unit 63 transmits a print job including print data to the print server 10. The non-permission notification unit 64 executes a process for notifying the user that printing according to the print job is not permitted (cannot be performed) based on information transmitted from the print server 10 based on the print job.

  Note that the print instruction reception unit 61 and the print data generation unit 62 are realized by, for example, a printer driver. The printer driver may be installed in the client PC 60 or may be installed in another computer such as the print server 10. In the latter case, a printer sharing mechanism provided by an OS (Operating System) may be used.

  The print server 10 includes an input unit 11, an information analysis unit 12, an information management unit 13, an information storage unit 14, a request reception unit 15, a setting information verification unit 16, a mounted function acquisition unit 17, and a print permission / rejection determination unit 9. . Each of these units is realized by processing executed by the CPU 104 by the program 110 installed in the print server 10. The information storage unit 14 is a type of database provided in the auxiliary storage device 102.

  The input unit 11 receives a print job transmitted from the client PC 60. The print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines whether printing is permitted or not based on authentication information extracted from the print job. Specifically, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 transmits authentication information to the authentication server 30 and causes the authentication server 30 to execute authentication based on the authentication information. When the authentication server 30 determines that authentication is not established, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines that printing is not permitted. When the authentication server 30 determines that authentication is established, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines that printing is permitted. Note that the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 transmits a determination result of print disapproval to the client PC 60. The client PC 60 that is the transmission destination of the determination result is determined based on, for example, identification information (IP address or the like) included in the IP header when transmitting the print job.

  The information analysis unit 12 generates a job ID of the print job and extracts print attribute information and print data included in the print job when the print permission determination unit 9 determines the print permission. The information analysis unit 12 extracts part or all of the print attribute information as bibliographic information. For example, for bibliographic information, user name, file name, number of pages, accumulation date / time, printing conditions (whether color printing or monochrome printing is used, if staples are used, staple position, punch is used Includes punch position, double-sided printing, collective printing, bookbinding processing, and the like.

  The information management unit 13 stores bibliographic information, print data, and the like in the information storage unit 14 in association with the job ID. As described above, the information storage unit 14 is a storage area (for example, a table or a folder) in the auxiliary storage device 102 for storing bibliographic information, print data, and the like.

  The request receiving unit 15 receives a print request from the image forming apparatus 20. The request reception unit 15 extracts the print job stored in the information storage unit 14 using the user name received from the image forming apparatus 20 as a key. The request receiving unit 15 can selectively read information in the information storage unit 14 such as extracting only bibliographic information, extracting only print data, and extracting bibliographic information and print data.

  The mounted function acquisition unit 17 acquires function information of the image forming apparatus 20 from the image forming apparatus 20 that has requested printing. The function information is information indicating whether the image forming apparatus 20 can perform color printing, duplex printing, aggregate printing, stapling, punching, bookbinding, and the like. The IP address of the image forming apparatus 20 is included in the IP header of the print request data, and the function information is disclosed in MIB ((Management Information Base).

  The setting information matching unit 16 compares the print job print conditions extracted by the request receiving unit 15 with the function information, and determines whether the print job can be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 according to the print conditions for each print job. Determine. For example, if the print condition includes an instruction for color printing and the function information does not register that color printing is possible, the setting information collation unit 16 cannot print the print job by the image forming apparatus. Is determined. The setting information collating unit 16 attaches print permission / prohibition information to the determined print job. The print propriety information is information indicating whether or not the print job can be printed according to the print condition and the setting of the print condition that is not possible when the print job is not possible. The printability information may be attached only when the image forming apparatus 20 cannot print according to the printing conditions.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a diagram schematically showing printability information. In the printability information, “printability” and “unexecutable printing conditions” are registered for each print job in association with the job ID. It can be seen that in the print job with the job ID “1”, the color printing included in the bibliographic information cannot be used by the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user. It can be seen that the print job with the job ID “2” cannot be used by the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user for color printing and stapling included in the bibliographic information.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 includes an extended confidential printing unit 90 and a correspondence information storage unit 23. The extended confidential printing unit 90 includes a card ID acquisition unit 21, an authentication control unit 22, a job acquisition unit 24, a print control unit 25, a result transmission unit 26, and a mounted function detection unit 27. The extended confidential printing unit 90 is realized by the CPU 201 executing the program 81 stored in the recording medium 120. The administrator may install the program 81 in the image forming apparatus 20 in advance, or the image forming apparatus 20 may copy the program 81 from the recording medium 120 to the auxiliary storage device 203.

  The card ID acquisition unit 21 acquires the card ID read by the card reader 40 from the card 50 from the card reader 40. The authentication control unit 22 acquires the user name and password corresponding to the card ID from the corresponding information storage unit 23, and causes the authentication server 30 to perform authentication based on the acquired user name and password.

  The correspondence information storage unit 23 is a storage area (for example, a table) for storing correspondence information between a card ID, a user name, and a password in the auxiliary storage device 203. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information recorded in the correspondence information storage unit 23. As shown in the figure, in the correspondence information storage unit 23, a user name, a card ID, and a password are recorded in association (associated) for each user. Therefore, the authentication control unit 22 acquires the user name and password associated with the current card ID from the correspondence information storage unit 23, thereby converting the card ID into the user name and password.

  The job acquisition unit 24 requests the print server 10 to transmit a job list of print jobs using the user name as a key. The job display unit 241 displays a job list of print jobs acquired by the job acquisition unit 24 on the display unit 208. Further, the job display unit 241 refers to the printability information and displays the pixels in the display unit 208 corresponding to the print job that can be printed with normal luminance and the pixels corresponding to the print job that cannot be printed with lower luminance. To do.

  The setting reception unit 242 receives a print job selected by the user using the operation unit 209 from the job list displayed on the display unit 208. The setting reception unit 242 acquires a touch panel pressing event from the system side, and specifies a print job selected from the pressing position and the display position of each print job.

  Further, the job acquisition unit 24 acquires print data of the print job selected by the user from the print server 10. The print control unit 25 causes the image output unit 205 to execute the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit 24. The result transmission unit 26 transmits the execution result of the print job to the print server 10. The on-board function detector 27 is a MIB or a program that accesses the MIB. The installed function detection unit 27 reads function information from the MIB and transmits it to the print server 10.

  The authentication server 30 includes an authentication processing unit 31, a user DB 32, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the authentication server 30 causes the CPU of the authentication server 30 to execute. In response to an authentication request from the print server 10 or the image forming apparatus 20, the authentication processing unit 31 performs authentication processing using authentication information registered in advance in the user DB 32 for each user. The user DB 32 is a database in which authentication information is recorded for each user. In addition to the authentication information, user attribute information may be recorded in the user DB 32. For example, authority information related to the function of the image forming apparatus 20 may be recorded for each user.

[Operation Procedure of Extended Confidential Printing Unit 90]
<When storing jobs>
A processing procedure at the time of job accumulation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the printing system 1 stores a print job. In the figure, the user operates the client PC 60.

  In step S <b> 101, the print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts selection of document data to be printed, and displays a print setting screen on the display device of the client PC 60. The print instruction reception unit 61 receives input of print attribute information and authentication information (user name and password) via the print setting screen. Note that the screen for inputting the print attribute information and the authentication information may be different. That is, the print setting screen here may be a set of a plurality of screens.

  For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication information input screen constituting the print setting screen. In the figure, an authentication information input screen 610 has a user name input area 611, a password input area 612, and the like. The print instruction accepting unit 61 accepts input of a user name and password via the authentication information input screen 610.

  Subsequently, the print data generation unit 62 generates print data of document data to be printed according to the print attribute information, and records the input user name and password in the print data (S102). Subsequently, the print request transmission unit 63 transmits a print job including the generated print data to the print server 10 (S103). Note that the identification information (for example, IP address) of the print server 10 to which the print data is sent is recorded in advance in the storage device of the client PC 60.

  The print job is received by the input unit 11 in the print server 10 (S201). The print permission / rejection determination unit 9 extracts authentication information from the print job, and transmits the extracted authentication information to the authentication server 30 (S202). The identification information (for example, IP address) of the authentication server 30 that is the authentication request destination is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 102 in advance.

  Upon receiving the authentication request (S301), the authentication processing unit 31 of the authentication server 30 performs authentication by comparing the authentication information included in the authentication request with the authentication information recorded for each user in the user DB 32. (S302). Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 31 returns an authentication result (information indicating the success or failure of authentication) to the print server 10 (S303).

  When receiving the authentication result (S203), the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 of the print server 10 determines whether printing is permitted or not based on the success or failure of the authentication (S204). That is, if authentication is established, it is determined that printing is permitted (Yes in S204), and the determination result (print permission determination result) is input to the information analysis unit 12. The information analysis unit 12 generates a job ID according to the determination result, and records the print job in the information storage unit 14 in association with the job ID (S205). The information management unit 13 extracts print attribute information from the print job, and records the extracted print attribute information in the information storage unit 14 in association with the job ID as bibliographic information of the print job.

  On the other hand, if the authentication fails, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines that printing is not permitted (No in S204), and inputs the determination result (determination result of printing non-permission) to the information analysis unit 12. The information management unit 13 transmits the determination result of printing disapproval to the client PC 60 (S206).

  Upon receipt of the print non-permission determination result, the non-permission notification unit 64 of the client PC 60 displays an error message indicating that printing is not permitted on the display device of the client PC 60 (S104). Accordingly, when the user inputs a print instruction on the client PC 60, the user can recognize whether printing is permitted (or not). As a result, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of noticing that printing is not permitted after visiting the image forming apparatus 20.

  Further, by avoiding accumulation of print data that is not permitted to be printed, wasteful consumption of the storage area of the information storage unit 14 can be suppressed. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized data from being input by a malicious user.

  In the above description, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines whether or not printing is permitted based only on the success or failure of authentication. You may make it do. In this case, for example, in step 303, when authentication is established, the authentication processing unit 31 of the print server 10 acquires authority information of the user who has been authenticated from the user DB 32, and obtains the authority information together with the authentication result together with the print server. 10 to send. The authority information is information indicating the presence / absence of the use authority for each item (function) corresponding to the print attribute information. The print permission / rejection determination unit 9 compares the authority information and the print attribute information, and if the user has authority for all the print attributes (for example, color printing) specified as the use target in the print attribute information, the print permission is permitted. Judgment. On the other hand, if there is no authority for all print attributes, the print permission / rejection determination unit 9 determines that printing is not permitted even if authentication is established. The authority information may be recorded in the auxiliary storage device 203 of the print server 10.

  As described above, when accumulating jobs, the use permission for the print attribute is also taken into consideration to determine whether printing is permitted or not, so that when the user operates the image forming apparatus 20, printing cannot be performed due to lack of authority. Inconvenience can be avoided.

  After the job is accumulated, the user moves to the desired image forming apparatus 20. In other words, since the image forming apparatus 20 that is the output destination (print destination) is not specified at the time of job accumulation, any image forming apparatus 20 that is compatible with the print server 10 is suitable for itself. Can be selected as the output destination.

<Step in which image forming apparatus 20 executes print job>
A procedure at a stage where the image forming apparatus 20 executes a print job will be described with reference to FIG. When the user sets the card 50 in the card reader 40 for the purpose of logging in to the image forming apparatus 20, the card ID acquisition unit 21 reads the card ID read by the card reader 40 from the card (hereinafter, “current card ID”). Is obtained from the card reader 40 and recorded in the memory 202 (S401). Note that the setting of the card 50 to the card reader 40 means that the card reader 40 can read information recorded on the card 50, such as inserting the card 50 into the card reader 40 or tricking the card 50. To do. The card 50 unset from the card reader 40 is information recorded on the card 50 by the card reader 40 such as unsetting the card 50 from the card reader 40 or separating the card 50 more than the processing distance. Is in a state where it cannot be read.

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 converts the current card ID into user authentication information (user name and password) using the correspondence information recorded in the correspondence information storage unit 23 (S402).

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 transmits an authentication request including the converted authentication information to the authentication server 30 (S403). The identification information (for example, IP address) of the authentication server 30 that is the authentication request destination is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 203 in advance. In response to the authentication request, the authentication server 30 executes an authentication process similar to the process described with reference to FIG. 7, and returns an authentication result to the image forming apparatus 20 (S301 to S302). The same authentication server 30 does not necessarily have to be used for authentication for login of the image forming apparatus 20 and authentication for determining whether printing is permitted in the print server 10. However, by using the same authentication server 30 for both authentications, it is possible to increase the possibility that the determination result of whether printing is permitted and the determination result of whether the image forming apparatus 20 can log in match. That is, it is possible to improve the reliability of the determination result of whether printing is permitted in the print server 10.

  Subsequently, the authentication control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the authentication result (S404). If the authentication fails (No in S405), the authentication control unit 22 rejects the login. In this case, the user cannot use the image forming apparatus 20.

  In response to the successful login, the job acquisition unit 24 designates the user name of the login user and transmits an acquisition request for the accumulated job list to the print server 10 (S406). The job list is a list of one or more print jobs, and includes, for example, a print date, a file name, and the number of pages for each print job.

  Identification information (for example, IP address) of the print server 10 from which the job is acquired is registered in the auxiliary storage device 203 in advance. Also, a plurality of print servers 10 can be registered, and all the print servers 10 may be used as job acquisition destinations, or the user selects a print server 10 as a job acquisition destination from among the plurality of print servers 10. You may do it.

  Upon receiving the job list acquisition request (S211), the request reception unit 15 of the print server 10 acquires the job list (list) associated with the user name specified in the acquisition request from the information storage unit 14. (S212). Note that there may be only one job entry in the list.

  Next, the mounted function acquisition unit 17 acquires function information of the image forming apparatus 20 from the image forming apparatus 20 that has requested printing (S213). Specifically, the mounted function acquisition unit 17 requests the mounted function detection unit 27 of the image forming apparatus 20 to read out and transmit the function information of the image forming apparatus 20 from the MIB. Thereby, the mounted function acquisition unit 17 can acquire function information from the image forming apparatus 20. The mounted function detection unit 27 transmits the function information of the image forming apparatus 20 to the print server 10 (S407).

Next, the setting information matching unit 16 compares the print conditions of the print job extracted by the request receiving unit 15 and the function information, and determines whether the print job can be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 for each print job. (S214).
10A and 10B will be used to explain the setting information collation and the job list display. 10A and 10B are views showing an example of the job selection screen 701. FIG. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that the printing conditions included in the bibliographic information of each print job are as follows.
-Document 1: No setting-Document 2: Integrated printing (2 in 1)
Document 3: Staple Document 4: Double-sided Document 5: Double-sided + Staple Further, according to the function information of the image forming apparatus 20 in FIG. 10A, the image forming apparatus 20 in FIG. Yes, duplex printing is possible, stapling is not possible. Accordingly, if the image forming apparatus 20 can print the documents 1, 2, and 4 according to the printing conditions, the setting information matching unit 16 can print the documents 3, 4 according to the printing conditions. It is determined that printing cannot be performed. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 in FIG. 10B can perform collective printing, cannot perform duplex printing, and can staple. Accordingly, if the image forming apparatus 20 can print the documents 1 to 3 according to the printing conditions, the setting information collating unit 16 can print the documents 4 and 5 according to the printing conditions. It is determined that it is not possible.

  The setting information collation unit 16 attaches printability information for each print job based on such a determination result. The setting information collation unit 16 may attach the printability information so as to be included in the job list. The request reception unit 15 transmits a job list and printability information to the image forming apparatus 20 (S215). The job list includes a job ID.

  When the job acquisition unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the job list (S408), the job display unit 241 displays the job list 702 on the display unit 208 (S409). The job display unit 241 refers to the print enable / disable information and has a normal brightness for a print job that the image forming apparatus 20 can print according to the print conditions, and a lower brightness than a print job that can print a print job that cannot be printed according to the print conditions. Is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the documents 3 and 5 that are print jobs that cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 are displayed with low luminance. As shown in FIG. 10B, the documents 4 and 5 that are print jobs that cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 are displayed with low luminance. 10A and 10B, for five print jobs, the print time, document name, and number of pages are displayed for each job. Document names “Document 1” to “Document 5” are file names of application software, for example. The user selects a desired print job by visually checking the print time and the document name. In addition, since the print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions is low in the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user, the user can easily grasp whether or not an expected printed matter can be obtained. The job list also displays print jobs that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions on the image forming apparatus 20 used by the user, so if the user wants to print even if the expected printed matter is not obtained, print A job can be selected.

  The all selection button 704 is a button for accepting selection of all print jobs, the print button 705 is a button for requesting printing of the selected print job, and the delete button 706 is a button for deleting a print job from the job list. (The print job in the job storage unit of the print server 10 may be deleted.) The setting change button 703 will be described later.

  When the user selects (presses) one or more print jobs and further presses the print button 705, the setting reception unit 242 receives the print job selected by the user (S410). The job acquisition unit 24 designates the job ID of the selected print job and transmits a print data acquisition request to the print server 10 (S411).

  When receiving the print data acquisition request (S216), the request reception unit 15 of the print server 10 acquires the print data associated with the job ID specified in the acquisition request from the information storage unit 14 (S217). . Subsequently, the request reception unit 15 returns the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 (S218).

  In the image forming apparatus 20, when the print data is received by the job acquisition unit 24 (S412), the print control unit 25 causes the image output unit 205 to print the print data (S413). When the printing is completed, the result transmission unit 26 designates the job ID related to the printed print job and transmits a message indicating the completion of printing to the print server 10 (S414).

  When receiving the message indicating the completion of printing (S219), the result receiving unit 8 of the print server 10 deletes the print job corresponding to the job ID specified in the message from the information storage unit 14 (S220). By deleting the print job upon completion of printing, an increase in the amount of consumption of the storage area in the information storage unit 14 can be suppressed. However, the deletion of the print job may be performed periodically. In this case, at the timing of step S218, flag information indicating that it is a deletion target may be given to the print job. In the periodic deletion process, the print job to which the flag information is assigned may be deleted.

  Subsequently, the result receiving unit 8 updates the bibliographic information corresponding to the job ID specified in the message indicating the completion of printing (S221). For example, the result receiving unit 8 adds the date and time of printing to the bibliographic information.

  In the above description, the example in which the authentication information input in the client PC 60 is included in the print job and transmitted to the print server 10 has been described. However, the transfer of the print job and the authentication information may be performed separately. For example, authentication information may be transferred first, and print data may be transferred when authentication is established. That is, the authentication information may be transferred before the print job or the like is stored by the information management unit 13.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present exemplary embodiment displays so that the user can determine whether printing can be performed according to the printing conditions. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether each print job can be printed. Can be determined. The user can also force printing.

  The image forming apparatus 20 may change the color instead of changing the brightness of the print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions (for example, the print job that can be printed is displayed in chromatic color and the print job that cannot be printed is displayed in achromatic color). .

  In addition, the size of the characters and the frame of the print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions by the image forming apparatus 20 may be smaller than the print job that can be printed. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 may display a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions, together with a message “Cannot print according to the printing conditions”.

  Further, when the user selects a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions, the image forming apparatus 20 may output an alarm sound or a voice message “cannot print according to the printing conditions”.

  When there is a discrepancy between the print job printing conditions and the function of the image forming apparatus 20 as in the first embodiment, the user wants to change the printing conditions not supported by the image forming apparatus 20 on the spot (by the image forming apparatus 20). There is a case. In the present embodiment, the user is presented with which setting of the printing conditions causes a discrepancy with the function of the image forming apparatus 20, and the user processes (changes) the printing conditions that the image forming apparatus 20 does not support on the spot. ) A printing system that can be described. Therefore, even when the user does not have a file to be printed, the user can print by changing the printing conditions without accumulating the print job in the print server 10 again.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the print server 10 has a setting processing unit 18, and the image forming apparatus 20 has a setting processing request unit 28. The setting process request unit 28 requests the print server 10 to process the print conditions of the print job. The setting processing unit 18 processes the printing conditions of the print job in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 20.

As described in the first embodiment, the job display unit 241 displays the setting change button 703 together with the job list. When the user presses the setting change button 703 while the image forming apparatus 20 selects a print job that cannot be printed according to the printing conditions, the job display unit 241 displays a setting change confirmation screen 801.
FIG. 12 shows an example of a setting change confirmation screen 801. FIG. 12 shows a confirmation screen 801 when the user presses the setting change button 703 in the state where the user selects “Document 3” on the job selection screen 701 in FIG. In FIG. 12, there is a possibility that “Document 3 is set with stapling and may not be output correctly. Do you want to cancel the setting and print?”, “Cancel” button 802, and “Do not cancel” "Button 803 is displayed. In this way, by displaying the print condition setting (in this case, stapling) that the image forming apparatus 20 cannot print, the user processes the print condition and prints, or forcibly prints without processing the print condition. It is easy to determine whether to give up or to give up printing (select another image forming apparatus 20).

  When the user presses the “do not cancel” button 803, the print job is not processed as a printing condition, so when the print button 705 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 20 prints forcibly.

  When the user presses a “cancel” button 802, the setting reception unit 242 receives the cancellation of the staple setting of the printing conditions of the document 3. That is, the setting of the printing condition to be canceled here is only the printing condition registered in the “printing condition that cannot be executed” in the printing propriety information.

  Therefore, if the image forming apparatus 20 transmits information equivalent to the printability information to the print server 10, the setting processing unit 18 of the print server 10 can process the printing conditions. Further, if the print server 10 holds the print availability information, the image forming apparatus 20 does not need to transmit information equivalent to the print availability information to the print server 10.

  The setting processing unit 18 processes the print conditions of the print job specified by the job ID so that the image forming apparatus 20 can print. That is, the printing conditions are processed so that the “unexecutable printing conditions” in the printability information disappears. For example, in the case of the document 3, since the printability information includes that stapling cannot be performed, the setting processing unit 18 removes the staple from the setting of the printing condition.

  The request receiving unit 15 transmits a print job in which the printing conditions are processed to the image forming apparatus 20. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may overwrite the bibliographic information of the print job stored in the information storage unit 14 with the bibliographic information including the processed printing conditions, or after transmitting to the image forming apparatus 20, It may be erased. Any of these may be selectable by the user from the confirmation screen 801 in FIG.

  A stage in which the image forming apparatus 20 executes a print job will be described with reference to FIG. Since the processing procedure at the stage of accumulating the print job is the same as that in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 13, the same parts as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the job list, and the process is the same as in FIG. 9 until selection is accepted (S410). After the user selects a print job, the user presses a setting change button 703 when further processing of printing conditions is desired. Then, the user presses a “cancel” button 802. The setting reception unit 242 receives the job ID and the processing request of the selected print job (S4101). The setting processing request unit 28 includes the job ID and the printing condition processing request in the print data acquisition request and transmits them to the image forming apparatus 20 (S411).

  When receiving the print data acquisition request (S216), the request reception unit 15 of the print server 10 acquires the print data associated with the job ID specified in the acquisition request from the information storage unit 14 (S217). . When the processing request is included in the print data acquisition request, the setting processing unit 18 enables the image forming apparatus 20 to print the print conditions of the print data for which processing has been requested among the acquired print data. Processing is performed (S2171). The request reception unit 15 transmits the print data acquired from the information storage unit 14 and the printing conditions processed by the setting processing unit 18 to the image forming apparatus 20 (S218).

  The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 20, when the print job is received by the job acquisition unit 24 (S412), the print control unit 25 causes the image output unit 205 to execute printing based on the print job (S413). When the printing is completed, the result transmission unit 26 designates the job ID related to the printed print job and transmits a message indicating the completion of printing to the print server 10 (S414).

  According to the image forming apparatus 20 of this embodiment, a user can process a print job that cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 according to the printing conditions on the spot (by the image forming apparatus 20). Since the user is presented with settings for printing conditions that cannot be printed, it is easy for the user to decide whether to print after modifying the printing conditions, forcibly printing without modifying the printing conditions, or to give up printing. Become. When the user processes the printing conditions, the user does not need to store the print job in the print server 10 again.

  In the first exemplary embodiment, the print server 10 determines whether or not the print server 10 can execute a print job based on the function of the image forming apparatus 20. However, the image forming apparatus 20 also includes a case where the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming apparatus 20 is insufficient. The same is true in that printing cannot be performed according to the printing conditions. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus 20 that reduces the brightness of a print job when the remaining amount of consumables is insufficient will be described as in the first embodiment. Further, as in the second embodiment, a printing system that allows a user to process printing conditions on the spot (using the image forming apparatus 20) will be described.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the printing system 1. 14, the same parts as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the print server 10 includes the device state acquisition unit 7, and the image forming apparatus 20 includes the device state detection unit 29. The device state detection unit 29 detects the device status. The device status is managed by a system (not shown). The device status includes paper remaining amount for each paper size, toner remaining amount for each color toner, error information such as paper jam, and the like. The device state acquisition unit 7 acquires the device state detected by the device state detection unit 29.

  For example, the printing conditions include color printing, and the image forming apparatus 20 can also perform color printing, but there may be no color toner remaining. This is not exactly the same as when the image forming apparatus 20 cannot perform color printing, but is the same in that the printed material differs from the color scheme of the document during printing (it cannot be printed according to the printing conditions). Therefore, if it is clear that the consumables are already insufficient, it is preferable that the print server 10 generates print permission information to that effect.

  For example, when the number of pages of a print job in which color printing is included in the printing conditions is large, the toner may run out during printing depending on the remaining amount of toner. In such a case, it is preferable to notify the user in advance of printability information that there is a possibility that the remaining amount of toner may be insufficient.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of print permission / prohibition information in this embodiment. In addition to “unexecutable printing conditions” determined from the function information, “printing conditions that cannot be performed from the device state” and “printing conditions for consumables that may be lost during printing” are registered.

  The setting information collating unit 16 compares the printing condition with the device state, and generates the printability information shown in FIG. For example, when color printing is included in the printing conditions and there is toner with almost zero toner remaining even in one of the colors Y, C, M, and Bk in the device state, the setting information matching unit 16 indicates that “printing that cannot be performed from the device state” Color printing is registered in “Condition” (not shown). When the paper size of the printing condition is A4 and the device status includes A4 size paper out, the setting information matching unit 16 registers “A4 size paper out” in the “printing condition that cannot be executed from the device status”. (Not shown). “Print conditions that cannot be executed from the device status” are handled in the same manner as “print conditions that cannot be executed”.

  Also, for example, if the printing condition includes color printing and there is toner whose remaining toner amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value even in one of the colors Y, C, M, and Bk, the setting information collating unit 16 The toner and the printing conditions (color printing) are registered in “Printing conditions for consumables that may be lost”. When the paper size of the printing condition is A4 and the number of pages is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the device status includes information that the A4 size paper is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number of sheets, the setting information collating unit 16 A4 size paper and printing conditions (printing) are registered in “Printing conditions for a certain consumable item”.

  As described above, registration of information such as consumables in the “printing condition relating to consumables that may be lost during printing” does not mean that the image forming apparatus 20 cannot perform printing at the present time. Preferably 20 gives the user an opportunity to make a selection.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a print confirmation screen 901 displayed by the image forming apparatus 20. The job display unit 241 displays the print confirmation screen 901 shown in FIG. 16 when the consumable information is registered in the “printing condition relating to consumables that may be lost during printing” with reference to the printability information. . In FIG. 16, a message “○ color toner is scarce. Do you want to print in monochrome?”, A monochrome print button 902, and a color print button 903 are displayed.

  In addition, for example, when B5 size paper is registered in “Printing conditions for consumables that may be lost during printing”, a message “B5 size paper is very small. Do you want to change the settings?” , A4 size button, B4 size button, etc. are displayed (not shown). In the present embodiment, the setting of the printing conditions to be processed and the printing conditions after processing may be unclear when the print server 10 simply receives a processing request (for example, which paper size is processed). The setting processing request unit 28 attaches processing details including setting of the printing conditions to be processed and the printing conditions after processing to the processing requests. For example, in the case of FIG. 16, the setting processing request unit 28 transmits the processing content “processing target: color printing, printing condition after processing: monochrome” to the processing server 10 with the processing content attached. Instead of attaching the processing content to the processing request, the setting of the post-processing printing condition and the post-processing printing condition may be registered in advance in the print server 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 according to the consumable item. Good.

  The job display unit 241 can print the brightness of a print job in which information is registered in “printing conditions that cannot be executed” or “printing conditions that cannot be executed from the device state” of the printability information according to the printing conditions. Display lower than print job. In the case of a print job in which information is registered in the “printing condition relating to consumables that may be lost during printing” of the printability information, the job display unit 241 may reduce the brightness, or the normal brightness May be displayed. In addition, the job display unit 241 may display the brightness at an intermediate level between the two.

  For example, if the print confirmation screen 901 is automatically displayed (without the user pressing the setting change button 703) in accordance with the printability information, the image forming apparatus 20 “consumes that may be lost during printing”. The print job whose information is registered in the “printing condition for the product” may be displayed in the same manner as a print job that can be printed. If the print confirmation screen 901 is not automatically displayed according to the printability information, the image forming apparatus 20 has a print job in which information is registered in “unexecutable print condition” or “print condition unexecutable from the device state”. May be displayed with the same brightness as the above, or with a brightness higher than those and lower than a print job that can be printed. In the latter case, when the user presses the setting change button 703, the print confirmation screen 901 in FIG. 16 is displayed.

  When the user presses the monochrome print button 902 on the print confirmation screen 901, the setting process request unit 28 requests the print server 10 to process the print conditions of the print job. The setting processing unit 18 processes the printing conditions of the print job in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 20. Taking FIG. 16 as an example, the setting processing unit 18 processes color printing included in the printing conditions into monochrome printing.

  A procedure at a stage where the image forming apparatus 20 executes a print job will be described with reference to FIG. Since the processing procedure at the stage of accumulating the print job is the same as that in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 17, the same parts as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 17, after the installed function acquisition unit 17 acquires function information (S213), the device status acquisition unit 7 acquires the device status of the image forming device 20 from the image forming device 20 that requested printing (S2131). The device status detection unit 29 of the image forming apparatus 20 may transmit the device status to the print server 10 (S4071).

  Then, the setting information matching unit 16 compares the bibliographic information of the print job extracted by the request receiving unit 15 with the function information and the device state, and whether or not the print job can be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 for each print job. Is determined (S214).

  The setting information matching unit 16 registers information in “printing conditions that cannot be executed”, “printing conditions that cannot be executed from the device state”, and “consumables that may be lost during printing” for each print job based on the matching result, and prints the information. Generate availability information. The request reception unit 15 transmits a job list and printability information to the image forming apparatus 20 (S215).

  The job acquisition unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives the job list (S408), and the job display unit 241 displays the job list (S409). The setting reception unit 242 receives a print job selection (S410). The job display unit 241 displays a print confirmation screen 901. After the user selects a print job, the user presses the setting change button 703 to further press the “cancel” button 802 or the monochrome print button 902 when he / she wants to modify the printing conditions. The setting receiving unit 242 receives the processing request and the processing content (S4101). The set processing request unit 28 includes the processing request or the processing request and processing content in the print data acquisition request and transmits them to the image forming apparatus 20 (S411).

  Upon receiving the print data acquisition request (S216), the request reception unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 20 acquires the print data and the print job associated with the job ID specified in the acquisition request from the information storage unit 14. (S217). If the acquisition request includes a processing request, the setting processing unit 18 processes the print condition of the print job requested to be processed among the acquired print conditions (S2171). Also, the setting processing unit 18 processes the print conditions of the print job requested to be processed for the consumable item among the acquired print conditions based on the processing content (S2172). The request reception unit 15 transmits the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 together with the printing conditions processed by the setting processing unit 18 (S218). Subsequent processing is the same as that in the first and second embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the image forming apparatus 20 of this embodiment, a user can process a print job including the consumables that cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 according to printing conditions on the spot (by the image forming apparatus 20). In addition, since it is predicted that there is a consumable item that is likely to be insufficient during printing and the user is notified before printing, it is possible to prevent the consumable item from running out during printing and preventing printing from being performed as expected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 7 Apparatus state acquisition part 8 Result receiving part 9 Print permission determination part 10 Print server 11 Input part 12 Information analysis part 13 Information management part 14 Information storage part 15 Request reception part 16 Setting information collation part 17 Built-in function acquisition part 18 Setting processing unit 19 Recording medium mounting unit 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Card ID acquisition unit 22 Authentication control unit 23 Corresponding information storage unit 24 Job acquisition unit 25 Print control unit 26 Result transmission unit 27 Installed function detection unit 28 Setting processing request unit 29 Device Status detection unit 30 Authentication server 31 Authentication processing unit 32 User DB
60 Client PC
61 Print Instruction Accepting Unit 62 Print Data Generating Unit 63 Print Request Transmitting Unit 64 Non-permission Notification Unit 81 Program 100 Drive Device 101 Recording Medium 102 Auxiliary Storage Device 103 Memory Device 104 CPU
105 Interface Device 110 Program 120 Recording Medium 201 CPU
202 Memory 203 Auxiliary Storage 204 Network I / F
205 Image output unit 206 Image processing unit 207 External device I / F
208 Display unit 209 Operation unit

JP 2007-200284 A JP 2008-97226 A

Claims (13)

Print job receiving means for receiving a print job together with user authentication information from a client device connected via a network;
Authentication control means for requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information; and
A print information recording unit that records the print job in the storage unit in association with the user identification information when authentication is established;
In response to a print request from an image forming apparatus connected via a network, function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of the requesting image forming apparatus;
A print availability determination unit that compares the print condition of the print job with the function information to determine whether the image forming apparatus can print according to the print condition for each print job;
Job list transmission means for transmitting the determination result and the list of the print job to the image forming apparatus that displays the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
Print condition changing means for changing the print conditions of the stored print job to print conditions that can be printed by the image forming apparatus based on the job identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the print condition setting change request;
Print data transmitting means for transmitting the print conditions changed by the print condition changing means and print data of the print job to the image forming apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: In response to a print request from the image forming apparatus, an apparatus state acquisition unit that acquires an apparatus state of the image forming apparatus,
The print availability determination unit compares, for each print job, whether the image forming apparatus is capable of printing according to the print condition by comparing the print condition of the print job with the function information and the device status. To
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The print propriety determining means predicts for each print job whether or not the image forming apparatus is capable of printing according to a print condition by predicting that consumables are insufficient during execution of the print job.
The job list transmission means displays that the shortage of consumables is predicted based on the determination result, and receives the change of the printing conditions related to the shortage consumables in the image forming apparatus, and the determination result and the print Submit a list of jobs,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. In an image forming apparatus that executes a print job, which is stored in advance in association with user identification information on a server connected via a network,
When a portable recording medium storing specific information for specifying user identification information is set, specific information acquisition means for acquiring the specific information;
Authentication control means for requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the specific information; and
A print request transmission means for transmitting a print request for a print job together with user identification information to the server when authentication is established;
Functional information transmitting means for transmitting functional information representing the function of the image forming apparatus to the server;
The server compares the print job's print condition with the function information, and the image forming apparatus determines for each print job whether or not printing according to the print condition is possible, and the print job's Job list receiving means for receiving a list from the server;
Job display means for displaying the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
Setting accepting means for accepting selection of a print job displayed as a print job that cannot be printed and change of print conditions of the print job;
The job identification information of the selected print job and the print condition change request are transmitted to the server, and the server changes the print condition that can be printed by the image forming apparatus to the print condition of the accumulated print job. And job acquisition means for receiving print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The job display means displays the print job that cannot be printed at a lower brightness than the print job that can be printed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The server has a device status notification means for reporting the device status of the image forming apparatus,
In the job list receiving unit, the server compares the print condition of the print job with the function information and the device status, and determines whether the image forming apparatus can print according to the print condition. Receiving a determination result determined for each job and a list of the print jobs;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The determination result includes whether or not the image forming apparatus is capable of printing according to printing conditions by predicting that the server runs out of consumables during execution of the print job,
The setting accepting unit accepts a change in printing conditions related to a shortage of consumables for the prediction information of shortage of consumables displayed by the job display unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. A printing system in which an image forming apparatus and a server are connected via a network,
The server includes a print job receiving unit that receives a print job together with user authentication information from a client device connected via a network;
Authentication control means for requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information; and
A print information recording unit that records the print job in the storage unit in association with the user identification information when authentication is established;
In response to a request from the image forming apparatus, function information acquisition means for acquiring function information of the image forming apparatus;
A print availability determination unit that compares the print condition of the print job with the function information and determines whether the image forming apparatus can print according to the print condition for each print job;
Job list transmission means for transmitting a determination result and the list of print jobs to the image forming apparatus;
Print condition changing means for changing the print condition of the accumulated print job to a print condition that the image forming apparatus can print based on the job identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the print condition setting change request. Have
The image forming apparatus includes a specific information acquisition unit configured to acquire the specific information when a portable recording medium storing specific information for specifying user identification information is set;
Authentication control means for requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the specific information; and
A print request transmission means for transmitting a print request for a print job together with user identification information to the server when authentication is established;
Functional information transmitting means for transmitting functional information representing the function of the image forming apparatus to the server;
A job list receiving means for receiving the determination result determined by the print propriety determining means and the list of the print jobs from the server;
Job display means for displaying the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
Setting accepting means for accepting selection of a print job displayed as a print job that cannot be printed and change of print conditions of the print job;
A job acquisition unit that transmits job identification information and a print condition change request of the selected print job to the server and receives the print condition and print data of the print job changed by the print condition change unit;
A printing system characterized by that. Receiving a print job together with user authentication information from a client device connected via a network;
An authentication control means requesting authentication of a user to an authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information; and
A print information recording means for recording the print job in the storage means in association with the user identification information when authentication is established;
A step of acquiring function information of a request source image forming apparatus in response to a request from an image forming apparatus connected via a network;
A step for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is capable of printing according to a printing condition for each printing job, wherein printability determination means compares the printing job with a printing condition and the function information;
A job list transmission unit that transmits the determination result and the list of the print job to the image forming apparatus that displays the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
A step of changing the print condition of the accumulated print job to a print condition that the image forming apparatus can print based on the job identification information and the print condition setting change request received from the image forming apparatus; When,
A print job transmitting unit transmitting the print condition changed by the print condition changing unit and the print data of the print job to the image forming apparatus;
A printing method characterized by comprising: In a printing method of an image forming apparatus that executes a print job stored in advance in association with user identification information on a server connected via a network,
When the portable information recording medium storing the specific information for specifying the user identification information is set, the specific information acquisition means acquires the specific information;
Requesting authentication of the user from authentication means for determining whether or not authentication of the user is established using the specific information; and
A print request transmitting unit that transmits a print request of a print job together with user identification information to the server when authentication is established;
A step of transmitting function information representing the function of the image forming apparatus to the server;
Determination result obtained when the job list receiving unit determines, for each print job, whether or not the server compares the print condition of the print job with the function information and the image forming apparatus can perform printing according to the print condition. Receiving the list of print jobs from the server;
Job display means for displaying the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
A step of receiving a selection of a print job displayed as a print job that cannot be printed and a change in print conditions of the print job;
Job acquisition means transmits job identification information of the selected print job and a print condition change request to the server, and the server stores the print conditions changed to print conditions that can be printed by the image forming apparatus. Receiving print conditions and print data of a print job;
A printing method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
Receiving a print job together with user authentication information from a client device connected via a network;
Requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether or not user authentication is established using the authentication information;
When authentication is established, recording the print job in the storage means in association with the user identification information; and
In response to a request from an image forming apparatus connected via a network, obtaining function information of the requesting image forming apparatus;
Comparing the print conditions of the print job with the function information, and determining for each print job whether the image forming apparatus can print according to the print conditions;
Transmitting the determination result and the list of the print jobs to the image forming apparatus that displays the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
Changing the print conditions of the stored print job to print conditions that the image forming apparatus can print based on the job identification information received from the image forming apparatus and the print condition setting change request;
Transmitting a print job having a print condition changed by the print condition changing unit to the image forming apparatus;
A program that executes In a computer of an image forming apparatus that executes a print job stored in advance in association with user identification information on a server connected via a network,
When a portable recording medium storing specific information for specifying user identification information is set, obtaining the specific information;
Requesting user authentication to authentication means for determining whether user authentication is established using the specific information; and
If authentication is established, sending a print job print request to the server together with user identification information;
Transmitting functional information representing the function of the image forming apparatus to the server;
The server compares the print job's print condition with the function information, and the image forming apparatus determines for each print job whether or not printing according to the print condition is possible, and the print job's Receiving a list from the server;
Displaying the print job that can be printed based on the determination result and the print job that cannot be printed in different modes;
Receiving a selection of a print job displayed as a print job that cannot be printed and a change in print conditions of the print job;
The job identification information of the selected print job and the print condition change request are transmitted to the server, and the server changes the print condition that can be printed by the image forming apparatus to the print condition of the accumulated print job. And receiving print data;
A program that executes   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 11 or 12.

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