JP4021868B2 - Printing apparatus, printing method, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing system that are shared and used by a plurality of users, and in particular, a printing apparatus that holds a password-added print job with a password until a password is input. The present invention relates to a printing method and a printing system.

  In a printing apparatus shared by a plurality of users, printing output is performed as needed. For this reason, there is a problem in that there is a risk that the printed content that should be kept secret may be in the eyes of others.

  To solve this problem, the user adds a password to the print data and sends it to the printing apparatus in advance. The printing apparatus holds the print data, and the user who has issued the print request actually operates the printing apparatus. Thus, there is disclosed a technique relating to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method having a printing function in which printing processing is not started until a password is input (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Note that this function is sometimes referred to as a confidential print function because a print output cannot be obtained unless the user inputs his / her own password.

  However, in the image forming apparatus, when the user goes to the printer installation location and inputs a command for starting confidential printing (confidential printing) to the image forming apparatus, if the normal print processing is performed, the waiting time Will occur.

  For this reason, a technique for a printer system that prioritizes the printing of confidential data by interrupting the normal printing process has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In addition, as a method of outputting data in the order input to the printer and outputting urgent data with priority over other data, input priority attributes and input from multiple print queues assigned to each print mode. A technique for controlling a plurality of print queues to be printed out in accordance with the order in which they are printed is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-244315 JP-A-11-0921010 JP 05-189174 A

  In the printer system disclosed in Patent Document 2, priority is given to printing confidential data, so that the waiting time when the user prints confidential data is shortened. However, when a plurality of users give instructions to print confidential data from a personal computer, a plurality of confidential data are output continuously, so it is necessary to avoid mistaking the print output. In addition, since a plurality of users come to obtain the print output at the place where the printer is installed, there is a high possibility that the contents of the print output will be visible to other users.

  In the control method for a plurality of print queues disclosed in Patent Document 2, print jobs are performed in the order in which print requests are received. Therefore, when a plurality of privilege attribute data is input, the order expected by the user is obtained. May not be output.

  For example, if privilege attribute data is input during execution of a print job, the print job of privilege attribute data is performed after the print job is completed. Thereafter, the normal data print job is performed in the order in which the print requests are received. For this reason, there is a case where the print job that has been input as normal data first is output after the print job of privilege attribute data, although it is desired to output the print job first.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to perform confidential printing in the order of password entry even if a plurality of passwords such as personal identification numbers are entered in succession. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing system that can maintain confidentiality with each other even if confidential printing is congested by appropriately separating confidential printing.

  The present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above problems.

(1) In a printing apparatus that executes printing of print jobs transmitted from a host apparatus in the order received,
A function that holds a password-added print job sent from the host device in a queue that manages the order of all print jobs together with a normal print job that does not require password entry until the password is entered. has,
When a password is entered for a print job with a password that has been put on hold, the print jobs with passwords are printed sequentially in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding normal print jobs that do not require a password to be printed. A control unit to execute ;
A timing means for timing a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed in the queue a plurality of times ;
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, a plurality of password-added print data is printed with the predetermined time between them.

In this configuration, the control unit of the printing apparatus having a function of executing printing of the print job transmitted from the host apparatus in the order received and holding the password until the password is input for the password-added print job. When a password is entered for a password-designated print job that has been specified and held in advance, the password print job is entered in the order in which the password was entered, overriding the normal print job that does not require a password to be executed. Execute printing. Therefore, in the case of conventional confidential printing, for example, when a plurality of users input passwords before and after printing a print job, the print jobs are printed in the order in which the print requests are received after the print job is printed. On the other hand, since the print jobs are printed in the order in which the passwords are input to the printer, it is possible to prevent the user from mistaking the print output. Further, in order to prevent such a mistake, it is not necessary for the next user to take a troublesome response such as refraining from inputting the password until the user who previously input the password takes away the print result.
Further, when a plurality of users input passwords one after another, the confidential print job is not output continuously, but the next confidential print job is executed after at least a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by other users.

(2) In a printing apparatus that executes printing of print jobs transmitted from a host apparatus in the order received,
A function that holds a password-added print job sent from the host device in a queue that manages the order of all print jobs together with a normal print job that does not require password entry until the password is entered. Have
When a password is entered for a print job with a password that has been put on hold, the print jobs with passwords are printed sequentially in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding normal print jobs that do not require a password to be printed. A control unit to execute,
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, a plurality of password-added print data is printed with a normal print job interposed therebetween .
In this configuration, when multiple users input passwords in succession, confidential print jobs are not output continuously, but the next print job with a password that does not require password input is placed between them. A confidential print job is executed. Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by other users.
(3) The control unit stores the password-added print job in the queue in the print pending state, moves the password-added print job in which the password is input to the end of the print job stored in the queue, and sets the print pending state. And printing the password-added print job in which the password is input is executed in the order in which the print pending state is released.

  In this configuration, the control unit of the printing apparatus stores the received password-added print job in a queue in a print pending state. When a password is entered, the print job with the password is moved to the end of the print job stored in the queue and the print pending state is released, and the print of the password-added print job with the password entered is released. Run in the order in which they were performed. Therefore, for a device that can enter a password for another password-added print job while a password-printed print job is being printed, move the print job to the end of the queue to add multiple passwords. Even when a password for a print job is input, it is possible to print the password-added print job in the order in which the input is accepted, and printout can be performed in the order input by the user.

  (4) The control unit includes a pointer indicating the end of a password-added print job stored in the queue.

  In this configuration, the control unit includes a pointer indicating the end of the password-added print job stored in the queue. Therefore, with a simple configuration, when a queue is rearranged, a password-entered print job can be easily moved to the end of a password-added print job without searching the queue contents each time. Can do.

  (5) The control unit includes a pointer indicating the end of the normal print job stored in the queue.

  In this configuration, the control unit includes a pointer indicating the end of the normal print job stored in the queue. Therefore, it is possible to move the normal print job to the end of the last normal print job without searching the queue contents each time the queues are rearranged with a simple configuration. Printing can be performed reliably.

  (6) The control unit stores a print job with a password at the head of one queue, stores the normal print job after the print job with a password, and stores the end of the print job with a password and the end of the normal print job. And a pointer.

  In this configuration, the control unit stores a print job with a password at the head of one queue, has a pointer at the end thereof, stores a normal print job after the print job with a password, and has a pointer at the end thereof. ing. Therefore, it is possible to share the memory between the password-added print job and the normal print job without control for dynamically allocating the memory.

(7) when the password input is performing printing of unnecessary normal print jobs in the order received, a password is entered at the password with a print job that requires password which has been stored in the print hold, After the normal print job that does not require password input is completed, the print job with password is executed in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding another normal print job waiting to be printed .
When a password-type print job that requires password input is being printed, if a password is entered for another password-added print job that was stored in print pending status, the password-added print job that is being executed When a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed a plurality of times has elapsed after the completion of printing, printing of the other password-added print job is executed .

In this configuration, when a plurality of users input passwords in succession, the confidential print job is not output continuously, but the next confidential print job is executed after at least a predetermined time has elapsed. The Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by other users.

(8) When a normal print job that does not require password input is executed in the order received, and a password is input for a password-added print job that is stored in the print pending state and that requires password input, After the normal print job that does not require password input is completed, the print job with password is executed in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding another normal print job waiting to be printed.
When a password-type print job that requires password input is being printed, if a password is entered for another password-added print job that was stored in print pending status, the password-added print job that is being executed After completion of the printing, printing of a password-added print job that does not require a password is executed, and then printing of the other password-added print job is executed.

In this configuration, when multiple users enter passwords in succession, confidential print jobs are not output continuously, but the next print job with password that does not require password input is placed between them . A confidential print job is executed. Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by the eyes of other users.

(9) In a printing system that prints print data transmitted from a host device in the order received by a printing device via a server device,
Having a function of holding the password-added print data with a plurality of passwords transmitted from the host device until the password is input;
When a password is entered for the pending print data with password, the print data with password is sequentially printed in the order in which the password is entered, overriding normal print data that does not require password entry for printing execution. A control unit;
A timing means for timing a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed in the queue a plurality of times ;
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, a plurality of password-added print data is printed with the predetermined time between them.

In this configuration, when a plurality of users input passwords in succession, the confidential print job is not output continuously, but the next confidential print job is executed after at least a predetermined time has elapsed. The Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by other users.

(10) In a printing system that prints print data transmitted from a host device in the order of reception by a printing device via a server device,
Having a function of holding the password-added print data with a plurality of passwords transmitted from the host device until the password is input;
When a password is entered for the pending print data with password, the print data with password is sequentially printed in the order in which the password is entered, overriding normal print data that does not require password entry for printing execution. With a control unit,
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, a plurality of password-added print data is printed with the password-added print data that does not require a password being inserted therebetween .

In this configuration, when multiple users input passwords in succession, confidential print jobs are not output continuously, but the next print job with a password that does not require password input is placed between them. A confidential print job is executed. Therefore, the print output related to the confidential print job is not accidentally touched by other users.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) A control unit of a printing apparatus having a confidential printing function that executes print jobs transmitted from the data output apparatus in the order received and holds the password until a password is input for the password-added print job. If a password is entered for a passworded print job that has been entered, the passworded print jobs are executed in the order in which the passwords were entered, overriding normal print jobs that do not require waiting for execution. Print jobs are executed in the order in which passwords are input, and it is possible to prevent the user from mistaken print output. Further, in order to prevent such a mistake, the next user can obtain a print output without taking a troublesome response such as refraining from entering the password until the user who previously input the password takes away the print result. it can.

  (2) The control unit of the printing apparatus stores the received password-added print job in a queue in a print pending state. When the password is entered, the password-added print job is moved to the end of the print job stored in the queue, and then the password-added print job is executed in the order in which the password is entered and the print pending state is canceled. For devices that can enter passwords for other password-printed jobs while a password-printed print job is being printed, move the print jobs to the end of the queue to move multiple print jobs with passwords. Even when a password is input, jobs can be printed in the order in which the input is accepted, and printing can be performed in the order input by the user.

  (3) The queue management unit prints the next password-added print job after the timekeeping unit measures at least the predetermined time after the completion of processing of one password-added print job. Even if the password is input, the print job with the password is printed at least at a predetermined time interval, so that it is possible to prevent other users from accidentally looking at the print output related to the print job with the password. In addition, even when a password-added print job is given priority over a normal print job regardless of the order in which the print jobs are received, if the password-added print jobs are overlapped, the predetermined time interval is left, so this is not possible. It is also possible to prevent abuse such as printing with a password if necessary and preferential printing.

  (4) By providing a pointer that indicates the end of the confidential print job stored in the queue, the control unit can be used to enter a password without searching the queue contents each time the queue is rearranged with a simple configuration. The passworded print job can be easily moved after the last passworded print job.

  (5) Since the control unit is provided with a pointer indicating the end of the normal print job stored in the queue, normal printing can be performed with a simple configuration without searching the queue contents each time the queue is rearranged. The job can be moved after the last normal print job, and printing can be surely performed in the order of reception of the normal print job.

  (6) The queue management unit stores a password-added print job at the head of one queue, has a pointer at the end thereof, stores a normal print job after the password-added print job, and has a pointer at the end thereof. Therefore, the memory can be shared between the password-added print job and the normal print job without control of dynamically allocating the memory. Since the password-added print job is processed with priority over the normal print job, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the user who has come to obtain the print output to the printer.

(7) By displaying a list of password-added print jobs that require password entry stored in the print pending state, when a password is entered for any of the password-added print jobs stored in the print pending state Therefore, it is possible to easily select a print job with a password desired to be printed.
(8) When a plurality of users input passwords in succession, instead of continuously outputting a confidential print job, by executing the next confidential print job after at least a predetermined time has elapsed, It is possible to prevent the print output relating to the confidential print job from being accidentally touched by the eyes of other users.
(9) When multiple users input passwords in succession, the confidential print job is not output continuously, but the next confidential print job with a password-added print job that does not require password input in between. By executing this, it is possible to prevent the print output relating to the confidential print job from being accidentally touched by the eyes of other users.


It should be noted that in the description 0062 paragraph and FIG. 2, whether the hold state is canceled due to the input of a correct password by “H” added to the job name as the operation content of the queue management unit 16 is determined. However, the fact that the contents of the queue management unit 16 are displayed as they are on the display unit is not described in the specification. For this reason, the configuration that displays whether or not the hold state has been released is likely to be judged as the addition of a new matter, and no claims were created that featured this. .

  A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a password-added print job with a password attached is called a confidential print job. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 1 as a printing apparatus includes a control unit 11 that controls each unit of the apparatus, a display device 18, an input unit 19, a timer 20, a network interface (I / F) 2, a print data storage unit 21, and a printer engine 15.

  The control unit 11 includes a print job input unit 12, a print data division unit 13, a queue management unit 16, a print output unit 14, and a confidential processing unit 17.

  The display device 18 is display means for displaying the print data stored in the print data storage unit 21, and is connected to the confidential processing unit 17.

  The input unit 19 is an input unit for inputting a password or the like for executing a confidential print job, and is connected to the confidential processing unit 17.

  The timer 20 is a timing unit that is connected to the queue management unit 16 and counts time intervals so that printing of a plurality of confidential print jobs is performed for a predetermined time or more.

  The network interface 2 is for connecting the printer 1 to the network 3. The printer 1 is connected to a plurality of host devices 4, 5, 6, etc., which are computers, via a network 3. Further, it receives a print job transmitted from an output device such as the host devices 3 to 5 via the network 3 and outputs it to the print job input unit 12. A print request is input together with the print data, and a print job is transmitted from the output device.

  The print data storage unit 21 stores print data sent from the print job input unit 12 or the print data dividing unit 13. The stored print data is output to the print output unit 14.

  The printer engine 15 prints the print data output from the print output unit 14 on a recording medium such as paper.

  The print job input unit 12 of the control unit 11 outputs the print job received via the network interface 2 to the print data storage unit 21. Further, the print request of the print job is output to the queue management unit 16.

  At this time, a large amount of print data is output from the print job input unit 12 to the print data dividing unit 13, and the print data is divided by the print data dividing unit 13 and then output to the print data storage unit 21.

  The queue management unit 16 stores the print requests input together with the print data in the queue in the order received. The queue is provided with a confidential printing queue and a normal printing queue.

  The print output unit 14 reads the print data from the print data storage unit 21 in response to an instruction from the queue management unit 16, performs data expansion or correction, and outputs the print data to the printer engine 15.

  The confidential processing unit 17 outputs the password information input to the input unit 19 to the queue management unit 16. In addition, when inputting the password of the confidential print job, a print request list of the confidential print job is displayed on the display device 18. Further, the password input from the input unit 19 is collated with the password attached to the print data.

  Each unit of the printer 1 operates in conjunction as described below. That is, print data of a print job received by the network interface 2 is stored in the print data storage unit 21 via the print job input unit 12 and the print data dividing unit 13 of the control unit 11.

  At the time of print output, the print data read from the print data storage unit 21 is subjected to print processing by the printer engine 15 after the print output unit 14 performs data expansion or correction.

  A print request for a print job input from the network interface 2 together with the print data is input from the print job input unit 12 to the queue management unit 16. Then, normal print job requests and confidential print job requests are queued in the order of reception.

  When the user inputs the password for the confidential print job, the confidential processing unit 17 causes the display device 18 to display a list of print requests for the confidential print job. Further, the password input by the user from the input unit 19 configured with a keyboard or the like is compared with the password attached to the print data. In the queue management unit 16, the print request for the confidential print job is stored in a print hold state at the time of acceptance. When the user inputs a correct password, the hold state is released and printing processing is performed as described in detail below.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the queue management unit 16. As described above, the queue management unit 16 is provided with two queues: a confidential print job queue and a normal print job queue. A pointer is set at the end of the confidential print job and the end of the normal print job. The newly generated print job is stored at the end of each. Here, “H” in the confidential print job represents the hold state, and the priority order of the print processing is set in the order in which the hold state is canceled by inputting a correct password.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2A, the normal print job a is being processed, and the unprocessed normal print job is divided into two normal print jobs b1 and b2 and normal print job c in this order. Priorities are set. All confidential print jobs A, B, and C are in the hold state, and print jobs are input in this order.

  When the user inputs the correct password of confidential print job A from the input unit 19 of the printer 1, the control unit 11 cancels the hold state of the confidential print job A as shown in FIG. With reference to the end pointer of the job, confidential print job A is moved to the end of the confidential print job. Note that the normal print job a is still being processed.

  Subsequently, when a new confidential print job D is received, as shown in FIG. 2 (3), the control unit 11 refers to the end pointer of the confidential print job and sets the confidential print job A, which is the end of the confidential print job. Store in the rear. Note that the normal print job a is still being processed.

  When the user inputs the correct password of the confidential print job C from the input unit 19, as shown in FIG. 2 (4), the control unit 11 cancels the hold state of the confidential print job C and also sets the tail pointer of the confidential print job. The confidential print job C is moved to the end of the confidential print job.

  In this state, when the processing of the normal print job a is completed, as shown in FIG. 2 (5), the control unit 11 does not perform the processing of the confidential print jobs B and D that are held, and does not hold the confidential. In the print job, the confidential print job A whose hold state is released first is processed.

  When processing of confidential print job A is completed, the next priority job is confidential print job C, but processing is performed so that confidential print jobs do not continue. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 (6), the control unit 11 performs the process of the normal print job b1 received first among the unprocessed normal print jobs b1, b2, and c. This is to increase the confidential print job processing interval so that the confidentiality of the confidential print job can be maintained even if the confidential print job processing is congested.

  If the print data of the normal print job executed between confidential print jobs is large, the user waiting for the completion of the subsequent confidential print job waits for a long time on the printer 1 side. Therefore, a print job with large print data is divided by the print data dividing unit 13 so that the time between confidential print jobs does not become long.

  Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing password input processing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing job selection processing.

  When performing the password input process, the control unit 11 of the printer 1 displays a list of confidential print jobs on the display device 18 (s1). The user designates a confidential print job for inputting a password (s2). Then, the password for the designated confidential print job is input (s3). The control unit 11 collates the password attached to the print data of the target job with the input password (s4). If the input password is incorrect, the control unit 11 displays an error message such as “The password is incorrect” on the display device 18 (s7), and ends the process.

  If the controller 11 authenticates that the input password is correct, the controller 11 moves the target job to the end of the confidential print job (s5). Then, the hold state of the confidential print job is canceled (s6), and the process is terminated.

  Next, the print job selection operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 11 waits until the currently processed print job is completed (s11). When the print job is completed, it is determined whether the print job being processed is a confidential print job (s12). If the print job being processed is a confidential print job, the control unit 11 resets the timer 20, and the timer 20 starts counting again (s13).

  On the other hand, if it is not a confidential print job in step s12, then step s14 is executed.

  The control unit 11 searches for a confidential print job that can be processed (s14). Then, it is determined whether there is a confidential print job that can be processed (s15). If there is a confidential print job that can be processed, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of the previous confidential print job (s16). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the confidential print job at the head of the queue is selected (s17), the printing process is started (s18), and the job selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is no confidential print job that can be processed in step s15, a normal print job that can be printed is searched (s24). Then, it is determined whether there is a processable normal print job (s25).

  If there is a normal print job that can be processed, the normal print job at the head of the queue is selected (s23), the print process is started (s18), and the job selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is no normal print job that can be processed in step s25, the job selection process ends.

  If it is determined in step s16 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, a printable normal job is searched (s21). Then, it is determined whether there is a normal print job that can be processed (s22).

  If there is a normal print job that can be processed, the normal print job at the head of the queue is selected (s23), the print process is started (s18), and the job selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is no processable normal print job in step s22, the process is executed in step s16, and the loop of steps s16, s21, and s22 is executed until a predetermined time elapses.

  By performing the confidential print job printing in the order in which the passwords are input in this way, it is possible to prevent the user from mistaking the print output. Further, in order to prevent a mistake in print output, it is possible to eliminate a troublesome response such as the next user refraining from entering a password until the user who previously input the password takes away the print result.

  Also, when multiple users input passwords in succession, confidential print jobs are not output continuously, but the next confidential print job is executed after at least a predetermined time has passed. It is possible to prevent the print output relating to the confidential print job from being accidentally touched by the eyes of other users.

  Furthermore, since the confidential print job is processed with priority over the normal print job, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the user who has come to obtain the print output up to the printer installation location.

  In addition, confidential print jobs are given priority over normal print jobs regardless of the job reception order. However, when confidential print jobs overlap, a predetermined time interval is left unnecessarily. Can be prevented from being abused by preferential printing.

  Further, since the queue management unit 16 sets a pointer to the position of the most confidential print job in the queue, the queue management unit 16 retrieves the contents of the queue each time the queue is rearranged with a simple configuration. The confidential print job in which the password is entered can be moved to the end of the confidential print job.

  Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the printer 31 shown in FIG. 5, a queue management unit 26 is provided instead of the queue management unit 16 of the control unit 11 of the printer 1 shown in FIG. The queue management unit 26 stores the confidential print job and the normal print job in one queue, stores the confidential print job on the head side of the queue, and then stores the normal print job.

  Also, pointers are provided at the end of the confidential print job and the end of the normal print job, respectively, and the pointer at the end of the confidential print job indicates the boundary between the new print job and the normal print job. Since the components other than the queue management unit 26 are the same as the configuration of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 1, description of each unit of the printer 31 is omitted.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the queue management unit 26. As described above, the queue management unit 26 sets pointers at the end of the confidential print job and the normal print job. Newly generated print jobs are added to the end of each. Then, the confidential print job and the normal print job whose hold state is released by inputting the correct password can be printed in the arrangement order.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6A, the normal print job a is being printed, and the unprocessed confidential print jobs A, B, and C are in the hold state. In addition, the normal print jobs b1 and b2 and the normal print job c divided into two are set in this order of priority.

  When the user inputs the correct password of confidential print job A to the input unit 19, as shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit 11 cancels the hold state of confidential print job A and also sets the tail pointer of the confidential print job. To move to the end of the confidential print job.

  Subsequently, when a new confidential print job D is received, the control unit 11 refers to the end pointer of the confidential print job and stores it at the end of the confidential print job as shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs the correct password of the confidential print job C to the input unit 19, as shown in FIG. 6 (4), the control unit 11 cancels the hold state of the confidential print job C and moves to the end of the confidential print job. To do.

  When the normal print job a is completed in this state, as shown in FIG. 6 (5), the control unit 11 of the confidential print job A that has been released from the hold state first among the confidential print jobs that are not held. Process.

  When processing of confidential print job A is completed, the next priority job is confidential print job C, but the control unit 11 performs processing so that confidential print jobs do not continue. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 (6), the normal print job b1 received first among the normal print jobs b1, b2, and c is processed.

  By using the pointer in this way, it is possible to share the memory between the confidential print job and the normal print job without control for dynamically allocating the memory.

  In the above embodiment, when the password is input and the hold state of the confidential print job is canceled during the processing of the previous print job, the confidential print job is processed after the processing of the previous print job is completed. However, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous confidential print job was completed, the normal print job may be stopped and an interrupt process may be performed to execute the confidential print job.

  1 and 5 show the embodiment in which the printing apparatus is directly connected to the network, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as long as a plurality of users share and use the printing apparatus, for example, a form connected to a server apparatus connected to a network via a parallel interface or a serial interface may be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the queue management unit 16. It is a flowchart which shows the input process of a password. It is a flowchart which shows a job selection process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the queue management unit 26. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer 11 Control Unit 16 Queue Management Unit 19 Input Unit A, B, C, D Confidential print job (print job with password)
a, b1, b2, c Normal print job

Claims (10)

In a printing apparatus that executes printing of print jobs sent from a host device in the order received,
A function that holds a password-added print job sent from the host device in a queue that manages the order of all print jobs together with a normal print job that does not require password entry until the password is entered. has,
When a password is entered for a print job with a password that has been put on hold, the print jobs with passwords are printed sequentially in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding normal print jobs that do not require a password to be printed. A control unit to execute ;
A timing means for timing a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed in the queue a plurality of times ;
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, the printing apparatus prints a plurality of password-added print data with the predetermined time interposed therebetween . In a printing apparatus that executes printing of print jobs sent from a host device in the order received,
A function that holds a password-added print job sent from the host device in a queue that manages the order of all print jobs together with a normal print job that does not require password entry until the password is entered. Have
When a password is entered for a print job with a password that has been put on hold, the print jobs with passwords are printed sequentially in the order in which the passwords are entered, overriding normal print jobs that do not require a password to be printed. A control unit to execute,
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. when the, printing device you characterized by printing with multiple passwords print data across the normal print job between each. The control unit stores the print job with password in the print pending state in the queue, moves the print job with password with the password input to the end of the print job stored in the queue and cancels the print pending state. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing of a password-added print job in which a password is input is executed in the order in which the print hold state is canceled .   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a pointer indicating a tail of a password-added print job stored in the queue.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a pointer indicating the end of the normal print job stored in the queue.   The control unit stores a print job with a password at the head of one queue, stores the normal print job after the print job with a password, and points to the end of the print job with a password and the end of the normal print job. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the password input is performing printing of unnecessary normal print jobs in the order received, a password is entered at the password with a print job that requires password which has been stored in a print pending, running After printing of a normal print job that does not require password input, the print job with password is executed in the order in which the passwords were entered, overriding another normal print job waiting to be printed ,
When a password-type print job that requires password input is being printed, if a password is entered for another password-added print job that was stored in print pending status, the password-added print job that is being executed A printing method characterized in that, when a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed a plurality of times has elapsed after completion of printing, printing of another print job with a password is executed . When a normal print job that does not require password entry is executed in the order received, if a password is entered for a password-added print job that requires password entry that was stored in print pending status, After printing of a normal print job that does not require password input, the print job with password is executed in the order in which the passwords were entered, overriding another normal print job waiting to be printed,
When a password-type print job that requires password input is being printed, if a password is entered for another password-added print job that was stored in print pending status, the password-added print job that is being executed A printing method comprising: printing a password-added print job that does not require a password after printing is completed , and then printing the other password-added print job. In a print system that prints print data transmitted from a host device in the order received by a printing device via a server device,
Having a function of holding the password-added print data with a plurality of passwords transmitted from the host device until the password is input;
When a password is entered for the pending print data with password, the print data with password is sequentially printed in the order in which the password is entered, overriding normal print data that does not require password entry for printing execution. A control unit;
A timing means for timing a predetermined time required for repeatedly searching for a normal print job that can be printed in the queue a plurality of times ;
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, the printing system prints a plurality of password-added print data with the predetermined time between them . In a print system that prints print data transmitted from a host device in the order received by a printing device via a server device,
Having a function of holding the password-added print data with a plurality of passwords transmitted from the host device until the password is input;
When a password is entered for the pending print data with password, the print data with password is sequentially printed in the order in which the password is entered, overriding normal print data that does not require password entry for printing execution. With a control unit,
When the password is input to a plurality of password-added print data, or the password is input to another password-added print data waiting to be printed while the password-added print data is being printed. In this case, a printing system is characterized in that a plurality of password-added print data are printed with password-added print data that does not require a password being inserted therebetween .

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