JP6361426B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

  In normal business, documents created by a personal computer or a tablet terminal are frequently printed by a printer.

  However, many created documents include personal information and confidential information, and printing such documents may lead to leakage of personal information and confidential information.

  In particular, when a document is printed for illegal purposes and confidential information is taken out, it is considered that printing is performed outside of normal business hours.

  In order to prevent such unauthorized printing, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for setting a time zone during which printing is prohibited and prohibiting printing during the prohibited time zone.

JP 2001-96842 A

  However, there are cases where it is absolutely necessary to perform printing for business reasons even when printing is prohibited. Even when printing is prohibited, there may be no problem with printing.

  As described above, in the case of handling that printing is not permitted at all during the printing prohibition time, inconvenience often occurs.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control system that prevents leakage of confidential information and maintains convenience by controlling whether or not printing is possible according to a document to be printed.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information for identifying a client terminal in association with a print expiration date, a creation instruction reception unit that receives a new document creation instruction according to a user instruction, and a user Using device ID acquisition means for acquiring information for identifying a client terminal that has received a new document creation instruction, identification information acquired by the device ID acquisition means, and a print expiration date stored in the storage means, Printing expiration date setting means for setting a printing expiration date of a document for which a new creation instruction has been received by the creation instruction receiving means.

  An information processing method of the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus that stores information for identifying a client terminal and a print expiration date in association with each other, and the creation instruction reception unit of the information processing apparatus includes: In response to an instruction from the user, a creation instruction receiving step for receiving a new document creation instruction, and a device ID by which the device ID acquisition unit of the information processing apparatus acquires information identifying the client terminal that has received the new document creation instruction from the user And using the identification information acquired in the device ID acquisition step and the stored print expiration date by the print expiration date setting unit of the information processing apparatus, a new creation instruction is issued in the creation instruction reception step. A printing expiration date setting step for setting a printing expiration date for the received document.

  The program of the present invention is a program that can be executed by an information processing apparatus that stores information for identifying a client terminal and a print expiration date in association with each other. A creation instruction accepting unit that accepts a new creation instruction, a device ID obtaining unit that obtains information for identifying a client terminal that has accepted a new document creation instruction by a user, the identification information obtained by the device ID obtaining unit, Using the print expiration date stored in the storage means, it functions as a print expiration date setting means for setting a print expiration date of a document for which a new creation instruction has been received by the creation instruction reception means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print control system that prevents leakage of confidential information and maintains convenience by controlling whether or not printing is possible according to a document to be printed.

The figure which shows the constitution of the information processing system The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the client terminal and the server device The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the image forming apparatus 102 Flow chart showing processing executed by information processing system Flow chart showing processing executed by information processing system The figure which shows an example of the data table which shows the information of a new document ticket The figure which shows an example of the data table in which document classification restriction information was registered The figure which shows an example of the data table in which user restriction information was registered The figure which shows an example of the data table in which device restriction information was registered The figure which shows an example of the table where the normal business hours are set

  The configuration of the information processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The information processing system according to the present invention has a configuration in which a client terminal 101, an image forming apparatus 102, and a server apparatus 103 are communicably connected via a network.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client terminal 101 and the server apparatus 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Stores various programs to be described later.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A main controller 207 is connected to an HDD, a flexible disk (FD), or a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on a display information area in the RAM 203. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the image forming apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN). To input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM, which is a system network memory for operating the CPU 301, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, for reading an IC card required for authentication Card reader 319 is connected to the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified.

  With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 102 can transmit the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN, and print out the print data received from the LAN by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be fax-transmitted on the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by FAX from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, processing in the information processing system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S401, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 performs login processing for the user by receiving input of an ID and password from the user.

  In step S402, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 receives an instruction to create a new document from the user. At this time, selection of the type of the document is accepted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an outputable printer ID, an outputable time, a document expiration date, and the like are set for each document type. In step S402, selection of any of these document types is accepted.

  In step S <b> 403, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 transmits a new document ticket issuance request to the server apparatus 103.

  The new document ticket means each record shown in the data table of FIG. 6 and includes information such as a ticket ID, a device ID, a user ID, and an issuance request date. Details will be described later.

  The new document ticket issuance process in step S403 is a process for requesting the server apparatus 103 to create a new document ticket.

  Along with the issuance request, the identification information (device ID) of the client terminal that requested the issuance, the identification information of the user who requested the issuance (user ID), and the identification information (document type ID) of the document type selected at the issuance request Transmit to the device 103.

  In step S404, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 receives the new document ticket issuance request transmitted from the client terminal 101 in step S403.

  In step S405, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 acquires various IDs (device ID, user ID, document type ID) included in the new document ticket issue request received in step S404 and the current date and time.

In step S406, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 issues a new document ticket using the various IDs acquired in step S405.
A specific example of a new document ticket is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the new document ticket includes a ticket ID, a device ID, a user ID, a document type ID, an issue request date and time, a print expiration date, and the like.

  The ticket ID is information for identifying a new document ticket, and is given a serial number in the order of issue.

  The device ID is information for identifying the client terminal that has requested the issuance of a new document ticket.

  The user ID is information for identifying a user who has requested the issuance of a new document ticket. The user ID received when executing the login process in step S401 is used.

  The document type ID is information for identifying the document type for which selection has been accepted at the time of requesting issuance of a new document ticket (selection has been accepted in step S402).

  The issuance request date is the date when a new document ticket issuance was requested.

The print expiration date is information indicating a printable time limit of the document created based on the new document ticket, and is determined based on information registered in the data tables shown in FIGS.
A specific method for determining the print expiration date will be described.

  For example, a case will be described in which the information included in the request for issuing a new document ticket is device ID: Device001, user ID: User001, and document type ID: Doc001.

  According to the document-specific restriction table shown in FIG. 7, the printable time (printable time limit) is within 2 hours from the creation of the document of Doc001.

  According to the user restriction table shown in FIG. 8, the printable time limit of the document created by the user of User001 is within 3 hours from the creation.

  According to the device restriction table shown in FIG. 9, the printable time limit of the document created by Device001 is within 12 hours from the creation.

  Considering the above points, if the information included in the new document ticket issuance request is the device ID: Device001, the user ID: User001, and the document type ID: Doc001, the printable time limit is within 2 hours. Become.

  Note that “*” in the data tables of FIGS. 7 to 9 means unlimited.

  In addition, when the time when the request for issuing a new document ticket is received is within the normal business hours shown in FIG. 10 (in the example of FIG. 10, from 8:00 to 18:00 on weekdays), the print expiration date is set to unlimited. Shall. As a result, printing can be performed freely within the normal business hours, but if it is out of time, a print expiration date is set, and the printable time is limited.

  In step S407, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 transmits the new document ticket issued in step S406 to the client terminal 101 that is the issue request source.

  In step S408, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 receives the new document ticket transmitted from the server apparatus 103 in step S407.

  In step S409, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 accepts document editing from the user.

  In step S409-2, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 prohibits copy and paste processing in document editing. For example, an operation of copying the contents of an existing document and pasting (pasting) it into an editing target (newly created) document is prohibited.

  In step S410, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 receives a document print instruction from the user.

  In step S411, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 transmits the print instruction received in step S410 to the image forming apparatus 102.

  The print instruction includes document data to be printed and a new document ticket related to the document.

  In step S412, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 receives the print instruction transmitted from the client terminal 101 in step S411.

  In step S413, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 acquires the new document ticket received together with the print instruction received in step S412.

  In step S <b> 414, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits a request for confirming whether or not to print the document that has received the print instruction to the server apparatus 103 based on the new document ticket acquired in step S <b> 413.

  The print request confirmation request includes the new document ticket acquired in step S413 and the identification information (printer ID) of the image forming apparatus that is the request source of the confirmation request.

  In step S415, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 receives the print permission confirmation request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 in step S414.

  In step S <b> 416, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 acquires a new document ticket and a printer ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102.

  In step S417, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 uses the new document ticket acquired in step S416 and the printer ID to determine whether or not the document related to the new document ticket can be printed.

  In step S <b> 418, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 103 transmits a determination result indicating whether printing is possible to the image forming apparatus 102.

  In step S419, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 receives the print propriety determination result transmitted from the server apparatus 103 in step S418.

  In step S501, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 determines whether the document according to the print instruction received in step S412 can be printed based on the print propriety determination result received in step S419.

  If printing is possible (step S501: YES), the process proceeds to step S502.

  If printing is not possible (step S501: NO), the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S502, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 determines whether there is a document to be printed other than the document determined to be printable in step S501.

  If it is determined that there is a document to be printed (there is a print job) (step S502: YES), the process proceeds to step S503.

  If it is determined that there is no document to be printed (no print job) (step S502: NO), the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S503, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 controls the printing order. Specifically, control is performed so that a document with a short print expiration date is printed first.

  In step S <b> 504, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 performs printing in order from the document that has received the print instruction or the document that has the first print order.

  In step S505, the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the print result to the client terminal.

  In step S506, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 receives the print result transmitted from the image forming apparatus in step S505.

  In step S507, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 determines whether the document instructed to be printed has been printed based on the contents of the print result received in step S506.

  If it is printed (step S507: YES), the process proceeds to step S508.

  If printing has not been performed (step S507: NO), the processing shown in this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S508, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 deletes the printed document data. Then, the process shown in this flowchart is terminated.

  As described above, by setting a print expiration date based on the document type ID, user ID, and device ID for a document for which a new creation instruction has been issued, it is possible to prevent the leakage of confidential information and the like while improving the convenience. A maintained print control system can be provided.

  In addition, by setting a printable time limit only for a document for which a new creation instruction has been issued and enabling printing, it is possible to restrict printing of documents created outside business hours, etc. Can be reduced.

  In addition, when a document is created outside business hours or the like, it is possible to prevent leakage of the existing document by prohibiting copy and paste from the existing document.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  The program in the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the processes of FIGS. The program in the present invention may be a program for each process in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium recording the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

101 Information processing apparatus

Claims (10)

A creation instruction receiving means for receiving a new document creation instruction according to a user instruction;
Storage means for storing information relating to the creation instruction and a print expiration date in association with each other;
A print expiration date setting means for setting a print expiration date stored in association with the information related to the creation instruction as a print expiration date of the document created by the creation instruction ;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The storage means stores information for identifying a client terminal and a print expiration date in association with each other,
A device ID acquisition unit that acquires information for identifying a client terminal that has received a document generation instruction by the generation instruction reception unit ;
The print expiration setting means, according to claim, characterized in that the setting information print expiration date stored in association with identifying the client terminal acquired by the device ID acquisition unit, as the print expiration date of the document The information processing apparatus according to 1. The storage means stores a document type and a print expiration date in association with each other,
The print expiration setting means, claims, characterized in that setting the print expiration date stored in association with the type of document that has received the creation instruction by the creation instruction acceptance unit, a print expiration date of the document The information processing apparatus according to 1 or 2. The storage means stores information for identifying a user and a print expiration date in association with each other,
Further comprising a user ID acquiring means for acquiring information identifying the user who performed the creation instruction,
The print expiration setting means, according to claim 1, characterized in that said printing expiration date stored in association with information identifying the user acquired by the user ID acquiring unit, set as the print expiration of the document 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The print expiration date setting unit corresponds to the print expiration date associated with the information identifying the client terminal stored in the storage unit, the print expiration date associated with the document type, and the information identifying the user. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shortest one of the attached print expiration dates is set as the print expiration date of the document for which the creation instruction has been received.   6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the copy of the content of an existing document so that the content cannot be pasted on the document with the print expiration date set. The information processing apparatus described.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print control unit that preferentially prints a document with a short print expiration date when there are a plurality of documents to be printed.   The print expiration date setting unit sets a print expiration date for the document when the time period when the creation instruction reception unit receives a new document creation instruction from the user is a predetermined time period. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus for storing information relating to a creation instruction and a print expiration date in association with each other,
A creation instruction accepting step for accepting a new creation instruction for a document according to an instruction by a user;
Printing expiration setting unit of the information processing apparatus, a print expiration date stored in association with the information on the creation instruction, the print expiration setting step of setting as the print expiration of documents created by the creation instruction When,
An information processing method comprising: A computer that stores information relating to the creation instruction and the print expiration date in association with each other,
A creation instruction receiving means for receiving a new document creation instruction according to a user instruction;
Program for operating the print expiration date stored in association with the information on the creation instruction, a print expiration setting means for setting a print expiration of documents created by the creation instruction.

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