JP4645402B2 - Printer apparatus, printing system, and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer device, a printing system, and a printing method, and more particularly to a technique for using a printer device in a network environment from an external portable terminal or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printer apparatuses disposed in offices or the like are connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and are commonly used for client PCs (Personal Computers) in the network.

  For this reason, in order to use a printer device from a mobile terminal that is not normally connected to this network, the settings for connecting the mobile device to the network and the printer device shared on the network are recognized by the mobile terminal. The setting for making it necessary is necessary, and the time and effort required to start printing is complicated.

Therefore, a virtual print server is provided so that settings relating to the recognition of the printer device can be omitted, and when the virtual print server is requested to print, the virtual print server automatically searches for a default printer on the network, and the default printer. There is a printing system in which a print job is registered (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-99288 A

  Even when the printing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is used, setting work for connecting the mobile terminal to the network is required, which is still complicated. Also, due to restrictions such as domain authentication, the mobile terminal may not be connected to the network, and the printer device in the network environment may not be usable.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem. Even when the printer device is in a network environment, the printer device can be used from an external portable terminal or information processing device without being connected to the network. It is an object to provide a system and a printing method.

  The above object is achieved by the invention shown in the following items.

(1) storage means for storing printer driver information;
Connection means for connecting an external storage medium;
Account management means for creating a guest account for the printer device and setting usage restrictions on the guest account;
On the external storage medium connected to the connection means, the printer driver information stored in the storage means, guest account information relating to the guest account created by the account management means, and use set for the guest account It possesses a writing means for writing the use restriction information indicating a restriction,
The printer driver provided by the printer driver information is an application stored in the information processing apparatus based on the use restriction information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. A printer device that restricts print requests from a program .

  In the above invention, when an external storage medium is connected to the printer apparatus, printer driver information for using the printer apparatus is written (downloaded) to the external storage medium. As a result, the printer driver of the printer apparatus can be provided to the client PC or the like via the external storage medium, and the client PC can use the printer apparatus without obtaining a printer driver separately.

  In the above invention, by writing the guest account information in the external storage medium, it is possible to confirm the right to use the printer device when printing the print data written in the external storage medium later.

  In the above invention, usage restrictions such as the upper limit number of prints and the expiration date are imposed on each guest account. This has the effect of limiting temporary use by outpatients to a certain range.

  In the above invention, guest account information and use restriction information representing use restrictions for the guest account are written in the external storage medium. As a result, the use restriction can be confirmed on the information processing apparatus (client PC, etc.) side to which the external storage medium is connected, and the print data is written to the external storage medium, but printing is rejected by the printer device due to the use restriction. Is prevented.

  In the above invention, the printer driver is installed in the information processing apparatus and executed based on the printer driver information downloaded to the external storage medium. The printer driver reads use restriction information from an external storage medium connected to the information processing apparatus, and restricts a print request from the application program based on the use restriction information. Thereby, at the stage of receiving a print request from the application program, it is possible to reject a print request that exceeds the usage limit.

(2) The account management means deletes a guest account that exceeds the set usage limit
(1) The printer apparatus according to (1).
(3) The account management means creates the guest account when writing the printer driver information to the external storage medium.
The printer device according to (1) or (2), wherein
(4) Reading means for reading guest account information and print data from an external storage medium connected to the connection means;
A determination is made as to whether or not the guest account indicated by the guest account information read from the external storage medium by the reading means is valid, and if valid, print processing is executed based on the print data read from the external storage medium The printer according to any one of (1) to (3) , further comprising: a control unit that controls the printer.

  According to the above invention, when the guest account indicated by the guest account information read from the external storage medium is valid, the print data in the external storage medium is printed by the printing apparatus. For example, if the corresponding guest account has already been deleted, it becomes invalid. Even if the guest account is valid, the printing process is not executed if the usage limit is exceeded.

(5) the external storage medium, a first external storage medium by the printer driver information is written, the guest account information is second by being configured divided into the external storage medium and said to be written (1) to The printer device according to any one of (4) .

  In the above invention, the printer driver information and guest account information are written and managed in separate external storage media. In addition, information related to the printing entity (print data and printer attribute information) is written to the first external storage medium, and information related to the right of use (use restriction information) is written to the second external storage medium. Good.

(6) Reading means for reading print data from an external storage medium connected to the connection means;
(1) to (5) , further comprising: a control unit that controls to execute a printing process based on print data read from the external storage medium by the reading unit. Printer device.

(7) Any one of (1) to (6) , wherein the writing unit further writes attribute information relating to the capability of the printer device to an external storage medium connected to the connection unit. The printer device described in 1.

  The attribute information in the above invention includes, for example, information related to post-processing functions such as the paper size set in the printer device, stapling and punching.

(8) The printer driver provided by the printer driver information recognizes the capability of the printer apparatus based on the attribute information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. The printer device according to (7), which is characterized.

  In the above invention, the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus recognizes the capability of the printer apparatus based on the attribute information stored in the external storage medium connected to the information processing apparatus. As a result, the functions of the printer device can be displayed, can be selected, or a print request exceeding the capability of the printer device can be rejected.

(9) The printer driver according to any one of (1) to (8) , wherein the printer driver information includes a printer driver and an installer for installing the printer driver in the information processing apparatus. apparatus.

  According to the above invention, the printer driver and its installer are downloaded to the external storage medium. Thus, the printer driver in the external storage medium can be installed in the information processing apparatus without preparing any special software on the information processing apparatus side.

(10) The printer driver provided by the printer driver information controls to write print data to the external storage medium in accordance with a print instruction from an application program stored in the information processing apparatus (1) The printer device according to any one of (9) to (9) .

  In the above invention, the printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus writes print data in an external storage medium connected to the information processing apparatus in response to a print instruction from the application program. That is, print data that is output directly to a printer device or a printer device via a network when a normal printer driver is used is written to an external storage medium by using this printer driver.

(11) The printer device according to any one of (1) to (10) , wherein the external storage medium is a USB memory that is detachable from the printer device.

(12) having a printer device and an information processing device;
The printer device includes:
Storage means for storing a printer driver;
Connection means for connecting an external storage medium;
Account management means for creating a guest account for the printer device and setting usage restrictions on the guest account;
On the external storage medium connected to the connection means, the printer driver stored in the storage means and the guest account information related to the guest account created by the account management means and the usage restrictions set for the guest account And writing means for writing usage restriction information to indicate
Information processing equipment
Connection means for connecting the external storage medium;
Reading means for reading out the printer driver and the use restriction information from the external storage medium connected to the connection means;
Installation means for installing the printer driver;
Writing means for writing print data based on a print request from an application program to the external storage medium using the printer driver;
The printer device further includes reading means for reading the print data from the external storage medium;
Printing means for executing a printing process based on the print data,
The printer driver restricts the print request from the application program based on the use restriction information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. Printing system to do.

(13) A printing method in a printing system having a printer device and an information processing device,
The printer device creates a guest account, sets usage restrictions on the guest account, and writes printer driver information and guest account information on the guest account and the usage restrictions to an external storage medium;
A step wherein the information processing apparatus, which it reads the printer driver and the use restriction information from the external storage medium, install the printer driver,
When the information processing apparatus uses the installed printer driver to restrict a print request from an application program based on the use restriction information and does not restrict the print request, print data based on the print request is stored in the external storage medium. Writing step;
The printing apparatus includes a step of reading the print data from the external storage medium and executing a printing process.

  According to the printer apparatus, the printing system, and the printing method according to the present invention, the printer driver can be provided to the information processing apparatus through the external storage medium, so that the trouble of separately obtaining the printer driver on the information processing apparatus side can be saved.

  In addition, when printing out print data from an external storage medium, it is possible to use a printer device in a network environment from an external portable terminal or the like without making troublesome connection settings to the network. Will improve. Further, even when connection to the network is not possible due to restrictions such as domain authentication, a printer device in a network environment can be used from an external portable terminal or the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printing system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 5 includes a printer device 10 and a client PC 30. Further, the external storage medium 8 is used for data exchange between the printer device 10 and the client PC 30.

  The printer device 10 is connected to a network such as a LAN, and is normally used as a shared printer in a network environment. The client PC 30 is an information processing apparatus such as a portable personal computer, and is used without being connected to the network to which the printer apparatus 10 is connected. For example, the printer device 10 is connected to a branch office network, and the client PC 30 is an external portable terminal brought in by an employee from the head office. The external storage medium 8 is an information storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the printer device 10 and the client PC 30, and for example, a USB memory or the like is used. The external storage medium 8 may be a general purpose one. A memory card other than a USB memory may be used.

  In this embodiment, the case where an employee coming from the head office brought in as the client PC 30 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In a situation where login is not possible, this client PC is in a state similar to that of the stand-alone, and is positioned the same as the client PC 30 described in the embodiment.

  In the printing system 5, the external storage medium 8 is attached to the printer device 10, and the printer driver is downloaded from the printer device 10 to the external storage medium 8. Next, the external storage medium 8 is attached to the client PC 30 and a printer driver is installed on the client PC 30 from the external storage medium 8. The client PC 30 writes print data to the external storage medium 8 using this printer driver. When the external storage medium 8 in which the print data is written is mounted on the printer device 10 again, the print data in the external storage medium 8 is printed by the printer device 10.

  The printer apparatus 10 includes an external storage medium connection unit 11, an information read / write unit 12, a driver information storage unit 13, an attribute information creation unit 14, a control unit 15, a guest account management unit 16, and a printing unit 17. I have.

  The external storage medium connecting means 11 includes an insertion slot for connecting the external storage medium 8 and an electronic circuit for interfacing with the external storage medium 8.

  The information read / write unit 12 functions to read / write various data to / from the external storage medium 8 through the external storage medium connection unit 11 and functions as a read unit and a write unit. The driver information storage unit 13 stores printer driver information. The printer driver information includes program data that causes the computer to function as a printer driver and program data that causes the computer to function as an installer. The printer driver information may be stored in the driver information storage unit 13 from the beginning, or may be obtained and stored from the outside via a network or the like.

  The attribute information creation unit 14 functions to create attribute information indicating the attributes of the printer device 10. The attributes indicated by the attribute information include, for example, the presence / absence and function of a finisher that performs processing such as folding and binding on the recording paper, a punch kit for punching, and a facsimile board that realizes facsimile transmission instead of output to the recording paper , Presence / absence and function of HDD (Hard Disk Drive), large-capacity paper cassette, etc., presence / absence of paper of each size, and the like. That is, it is information indicating attributes relating to the capabilities of the printer device 10.

  The guest account management unit 16 has a function of creating a guest account for the printer device, a function of deleting the guest account, a function of setting use restrictions on the guest account, and a function of managing these. The guest account is a right for a temporary terminal device that is not connected to the printer device 10 via a network to temporarily use the printer device 10. When a guest account is created, guest account information representing the rights content is created. When the use restriction is set, use restriction information indicating the restriction content is created and added to the corresponding guest account information.

  The contents of the use restriction are the upper limit number of prints and the expiration date. The functions that can be used may be limited. For example, use of the print function is permitted but use of the facsimile transmission function is prohibited. The contents of the use restriction may be fixed uniformly or may be configured to be changeable. It is preferable that the contents of usage restrictions can be set and changed from an operation unit (not shown) of the printer device 10 or an administrator terminal via a network.

  When the new external storage medium 8 is connected to the printer device, the information read / write unit 12 includes the printer driver information stored in the driver information storage unit 13, the attribute information created by the attribute information creation unit 14, the guest account The management unit 16 operates to write the guest account information and use restriction information created in the external storage medium 8. Further, it functions to read out various data stored in the connected external storage medium 8.

  The control unit 15 determines whether the guest account corresponding to the guest account information read from the connected external storage medium 8 is valid or invalid, and if valid, prints based on the print data read from the external storage medium 8 Control to execute the process. When the guest account is invalid, the print data in the external storage medium 8 is not printed. The printing unit 17 functions to form an image on recording paper based on the print data.

  The client PC 30 includes an external storage medium connection unit 31, an information read / write unit 32, a driver information installation unit 33, an attribute information reading unit 34, and a print data creation unit 35.

  The external storage medium connection unit 31 includes an insertion slot for connecting the external storage medium 8 and a circuit for interfacing with the external storage medium 8. The information read / write unit 32 functions to read / write various data from / to the external storage medium 8 through the external storage medium connection unit 31. The driver information installation unit 33 functions to install a printer driver provided by the printer driver information stored in the external storage medium 8 in the client PC 30. The attribute information reading unit 34 functions to read the attribute information stored in the external storage medium 8 connected to the external storage medium connection unit 31 into the client PC 30.

  The external storage medium connection unit 31 may be a non-contact type interface as long as there is no problem in reading and writing data on the external storage medium.

  The print data creating unit 35 has a function of creating print data. The print data creation unit 35 outputs a print request from the external storage medium 8 to the installed printer driver 40 and executes print processing using the printer driver 40. Specifically, the print data creation unit 35 outputs the created print data to the printer driver 40, and the printer driver 40 operates to write the print data input from the print data creation unit 35 to the external storage medium 8.

  A general-purpose computer device can be used for the client PC 30. For example, the print data creation means 35 is an application program such as a document editor or word processor software. The attribute information reading unit 34 is realized as a partial function of the printer driver 40. The information read / write unit 32 corresponds to a device driver for the external storage medium connection unit 31.

  Next, a printing procedure using the printing system 5 will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing in the printer apparatus 10. When the external storage medium 8 is connected to the external storage medium connection means 11 of the printer apparatus 10 (step S101), the printer apparatus 10 reads information in the external storage medium 8 and checks whether it is a new external storage medium. (Step S102). Here, it is checked whether or not guest account information is stored in the external storage medium 8, and if it is not stored, it is determined as a new external storage medium.

  In the case of a new external storage medium (step S102; Y), a guest account is created and usage restrictions are set for this guest account (step S103). Specifically, guest account information and usage restriction information are created and stored in the internal memory of the printer 10.

  Also, the printer driver information stored in the driver information storage unit 13 is downloaded to the external storage medium 8 (step S104). Further, the attribute information of the printer device 10 is created and written to the external storage medium 8 (step S105). Finally, the previously created guest account information and use restriction information are written in the external storage medium 8 (step S106), and the process is terminated (END). Thereafter, the user removes the external storage medium 8 from the printer device 10 and connects it to the client PC 30. Note that information to be written to the external storage medium 8 may be encrypted so that it is not misused by a third party due to loss of the external storage medium 8 or the like.

  If the connected external storage medium 8 is not a new external storage medium (step S102; N), a print confirmation process is performed (step S107). The print confirmation process is a process for printing the print data in the external storage medium 8, and details thereof will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of guest account information and usage restriction information created by the guest account management means 16 and the state of writing to these external storage media 8. When creating a guest account, the guest account management means 16 creates account management data 50 in a nonvolatile memory (not shown). A management number is set for each account management data 50. The account management data 50 includes a management number 51, a guest account ID 52 as guest account information, a print upper limit number 53 and a use time limit 54 as use restriction information. In the external storage medium 8, the portion of the created account management data 50 excluding the management number 51, that is, the guest account ID 52a, the print upper limit number 53a, and the expiration date 54a are written and stored.

  The guest account management unit 16 may automatically create the account management data 50 when the external storage medium 8 connected to the printer apparatus 10 is recognized as a new external storage medium, or the user may You may create it when you choose to create a guest account from the control panel. Note that the upper limit number of prints and the expiration date may be set by default, or may be set in advance by a system administrator. The expiration date indicates the end of the usable period, and is expressed in the year, month, day, hour and minute. Depending on the management method, only the date or only the hour and minute may be used. Further, the expiration date may be expressed as a relative time based on the creation time of the account management data 50. For example, “within 24 hours from the time of creation” may be set. In the example of FIG. 3, 20:00 on October 15, 2005 is set as the expiration date.

  FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing in the client PC 30. 2 is connected to the client PC 30 (step S201), the printer driver information stored in the external storage medium 8 is read and provided. The printer driver is installed in the own device 30 (step S202). Further, the attribute information stored in the external storage medium 8 is read and set in a predetermined area in the own device 30 (step S203). For example, the attribute information is stored in a storage area that can be referred to by the installed printer driver 40.

  The client PC 30 recognizes the capability of the printer device 10 based on the attribute information read from the external storage medium 8, and creates print data within the range of the capability (step S204). Specifically, the printer driver 40 recognizes the capability of the printer device 10 based on the attribute information read from the external storage medium 8, and accepts a print request from the application program within that range. For example, when the attribute information indicates the presence of a finisher, settings such as folding and binding can be made on the print setting screen of the printer driver, but such setting cannot be made when there is no finisher.

  Further, the printer driver 40 reads the use restriction information from the external storage medium 8 and accepts a print request within the use restriction range indicated by this. For example, when the upper limit number 53a of printing in the external storage medium 8 indicates 30 sheets, a print request for 30 sheets or more is not accepted. Further, the expiration date 54a in the external storage medium 8 is compared with the current date and time, and when the expiration date has passed, the print request is not accepted at all. When a print request exceeding the usage limit is received, the user may be warned with a screen or sound.

  When the printer driver 40 writes the print data to the external storage medium 8 according to the print request from the application program (step S205), the processing on the client PC 30 side ends (end). When the print data is written, the print upper limit number 53a in the external storage medium 8 is subtracted and updated by the number of pages printed by the print data. After the print data has been written, the external storage medium 8 is removed from the client PC 30.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of the print confirmation process in FIG. When the external storage medium 8 in which the print data is written by the client PC 30 in the process of FIG. 4 is connected to the external storage medium connection means 11 of the printer apparatus 10, since the guest account information is already stored, the printer apparatus 10 This external storage medium 8 is determined not to be a new external storage medium this time, and the print confirmation process of FIG. 5 is performed.

  In the print confirmation process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the guest account is valid (step S121). Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the guest account ID 52a in the external storage medium 8 is read, and the same guest account is included in any of the account management data 50 managed by the guest account management means 16 of the printer apparatus 10. If there is an ID, the guest account is authenticated.

  If the guest account is not authenticated (step S122; N), the printer apparatus 10 ends the process (end). When the guest account is authenticated (step S122; Y), the expiration date 54 corresponding to the guest account is checked. If the time limit has passed (step S123; N), the guest account is deleted from the printer device 10. (Step S129). Specifically, the corresponding account management data 50 is deleted from the guest account management means 16. Further, the guest account information 52a and the usage restriction information 53a and 54a in the external storage medium 8 are also deleted.

  If it is within the expiration date (step S123; Y), the value of the print upper limit number 53 corresponding to the guest account is checked (step S124). If there is no remaining number (step S124; N), the guest account is deleted. (Step S129). That is, the corresponding account management data 50 is deleted and the guest account information 52a and the usage restriction information 53a and 54a of the external storage medium 8 are deleted.

  If the print upper limit number 53a and the expiration date 54 in the external storage medium 8 exceed the print upper limit number 53 and the expiration date 54 on the guest account management means 16 side in the guest account, the data in the external storage medium 8 The processing may be terminated assuming that there has been an unauthorized rewriting. At this time, the account management data 50 may be deleted from the guest account management means 16 and the guest account information 52a and the usage restriction information 53a and 54a may be deleted from the external storage medium 8.

  If there is a remaining number (step S124; Y), the printing process for one sheet is executed (step S125), and the value of the upper limit number 53 for printing (one sheet) is subtracted (step S126). If printing related to the print data read from the external storage medium 8 has not been completed (step S127; N), the process returns to step S124 to print the next page.

  When printing is completed (step S127; Y), the value of the print upper limit number 53 corresponding to the guest account is checked, and if there is no remaining number (step S128; N), the guest account is registered as guest account management means. 16 and the external storage medium 8 (step S129). If there is a remaining number (step S128; Y), the process is ended as it is (end).

  If the guest account cannot be authenticated, if the expiration date has passed, or if the upper limit number of prints has been reached during printing, an error message corresponding to each may be displayed.

  When there is a remaining number, the same external storage medium 8 can be reused and further printed. That is, the external storage medium 8 having the remaining number can be connected to the client PC 30 to write another print data, and the print data can be printed by the printer device 10. FIG. 7 shows the account management data 50 before and after printing 20 sheets using the guest account 1. Before printing shown in FIG. 7A, the print upper limit number 53 on the guest account management means 16 side indicates 100 sheets which is the initial upper limit number when the guest account 1 is created. On the other hand, the print upper limit number 53a on the external storage medium 8 side is already 80 sheets because it is subtracted by the client PC 30 by the number of prints.

  After the printing shown in FIG. 7B, the printing upper limit number 53 in the printer apparatus 10 is subtracted with the execution of printing, so that the printing upper limit number 53a (80 sheets) on the external storage medium 8 side and the printer apparatus are subtracted. The upper limit number of prints 53 in 10 (80 sheets) matches.

  When the external storage medium 8 is limited to one-time use, the guest account may be deleted even if there is a remaining number after printing is completed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, when an external storage medium 8 that is not a new external storage medium is connected, the expiration date of the corresponding guest account is checked, and if the expiration date has passed, the guest account is deleted. However, the guest account management unit 16 may sequentially compare the current date and time with the expiration date of each guest account stored therein, and automatically delete those that have exceeded the expiration date.

  In the embodiment, the absolute date and time such as the date is set as the expiration date, but the valid time from the guest account creation may be set as the expiration date. In this case, the guest account management means 16 may sequentially subtract and manage the validity time of each guest account and delete the guest account when it becomes zero.

  In the embodiment, the usage restriction information is written in the external storage medium 8, and when the print data is written in the external storage medium 8 on the client PC 30 side, it is confirmed whether or not the usage restriction is satisfied. Although a warning is issued or a print request is rejected when the limit is exceeded, the use limit may be confirmed only on the printer device 10 side. That is, when downloading the printer driver information, the use restriction information is not written in the external storage medium 8, but only the guest account ID is written. When the external storage medium 8 containing the print data is connected, the printer device 10 reads the guest account ID, refers to the usage restriction information of the same guest account ID held on the printer device 10 side, Manage and limit the maximum number of prints.

  On the other hand, the guest account information and the use restriction information may be written only in the external storage medium 8 and the information may not be stored in the printer apparatus 10 side. In this case, the guest account cannot be authenticated. In the embodiment, since the guest account information and the usage restriction information are stored in both the printer device 10 and the external storage medium 8, the stored contents of the external storage medium 8 are illegally altered by collating each other. Can be used to prevent unauthorized use.

  In addition, in the embodiment, the printer driver information and the guest account information are written in the same external storage medium 8. However, the printer driver information, print data, and attribute information are written in the first external storage medium. Guest account information and usage restriction information may be written in the external storage medium 2. As the second external storage medium, for example, a non-contact information storage medium such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) card (for personal authentication, etc.) owned by the user may be used.

  The client PC 30 obtains printer driver information from the first external storage medium and writes print data to the first external storage medium. Further, when referring to the use restriction information on the client PC 30 side, the information is obtained from a second external storage medium such as an RFID card. In order to associate the first external storage medium with the second external storage medium, for example, the identification information such as the guest account ID written in the second external storage medium is also written in the first external storage medium. What should I do?

  However, the first external storage medium and the second external storage medium do not necessarily need to be associated. In other words, if authentication and confirmation regarding the guest account and usage restrictions can be taken by the second external storage medium, the user can freely decide which print data is printed using the right, and the printer device and the first There is no need to specify an external storage medium.

  In the embodiment, the printer driver information stored in the printer device 10 is provided to the client PC 30 via the external storage medium 8. However, the printer driver is configured to be available from other paths. Also good. For example, a printer driver may be separately distributed on a CD-ROM or the like. This printer driver writes print data into the external storage medium 8 based on a print request received from an application program.

If the client PC connected to the LAN is temporarily used without logging in, a printer driver that is already installed may be used.

  A plurality of types of printer driver information may be prepared in the printer device 10 so as to be compatible with a plurality of types of OSs.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a state in which account management data created by a printer device, guest account information, and the like are written to an external storage medium. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the client PC concerning embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing print confirmation processing performed by the printer apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a guest account is authenticated. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the account management data before and after performing printing of 20 sheets.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Printing system 8 ... External storage medium 10 ... Printer apparatus 11 ... External storage medium connection means 12 ... Information reading / writing means 13 ... Driver information storage means 14 ... Attribute information creation means 15 ... Control means 16 ... Guest account management means 17 ... Print Means 30 ... Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... External storage medium connection part 32 ... Information reading / writing part 33 ... Driver information installation means 34 ... Attribute information reading means 35 ... Print data creation means 40 ... Installed printer driver 50 ... Account management data 51 ... Management number 52 ... Guest account ID
53 ... Maximum number of prints 54 ... Expiration date

Claims (13)

Storage means for storing printer driver information;
Connection means for connecting an external storage medium;
Account management means for creating a guest account for the printer device and setting usage restrictions on the guest account;
On the external storage medium connected to the connection means, the printer driver information stored in the storage means, guest account information relating to the guest account created by the account management means, and use set for the guest account It possesses a writing means for writing the use restriction information indicating a restriction,
The printer driver provided by the printer driver information is an application stored in the information processing apparatus based on the use restriction information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. A printer device that restricts print requests from a program . The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the account management unit deletes a guest account exceeding a set use limit . The account management means when writing the printer driver information to the external storage medium, the printer apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to create the guest account. Reading means for reading guest account information and print data from an external storage medium connected to the connection means;
A determination is made as to whether or not the guest account indicated by the guest account information read from the external storage medium by the reading means is valid, and if valid, print processing is executed based on the print data read from the external storage medium the printer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a control means for controlling. Said external storage medium, a first external storage medium by the printer driver information is written, one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guest account information is organized into the second external storage medium to be written The printer apparatus as described in any one. Reading means for reading print data from an external storage medium connected to the connection means;
The printer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a control means for controlling to execute the printing process based on the print data read from the external storage medium by said reading means . Said writing means, the connected external storage medium to the connection unit, the printer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that further write the attribute information relating to the ability of the printer device . The printer driver provided by the printer driver information recognizes the capability of the printer apparatus based on the attribute information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. The printer device according to claim 7 . It said printer driver information, and a printer driver, the printer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises and installer for installing the printer driver in the information processing apparatus. Said printer driver provided by the printer driver information, claims 1 to 9, wherein the controller controls to write the print data in the external storage medium in accordance with a print instruction from an application program stored in the information processing apparatus The printer apparatus as described in any one of these. The printer device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the external storage medium is a USB memory that is detachable from the printer device. A printer device and an information processing device;
The printer device includes:
Storage means for storing a printer driver;
Connection means for connecting an external storage medium;
Account management means for creating a guest account for the printer device and setting usage restrictions on the guest account;
On the external storage medium connected to the connection means, the printer driver stored in the storage means and the guest account information related to the guest account created by the account management means and the usage restrictions set for the guest account And writing means for writing usage restriction information to indicate
Information processing equipment
Connection means for connecting the external storage medium;
Reading means for reading out the printer driver and the use restriction information from the external storage medium connected to the connection means;
Installation means for installing the printer driver;
Writing means for writing print data based on a print request from an application program to the external storage medium using the printer driver;
The printer device further includes reading means for reading the print data from the external storage medium;
Printing means for executing a printing process based on the print data,
The printer driver restricts the print request from the application program based on the use restriction information read from the external storage medium in the information processing apparatus to which the printer driver is installed. Printing system to do. A printing method in a printing system having a printer device and an information processing device,
The printer device creates a guest account, sets usage restrictions on the guest account, and writes printer driver information and guest account information on the guest account and the usage restrictions to an external storage medium;
A step wherein the information processing apparatus, which it reads the printer driver and the use restriction information from the external storage medium, install the printer driver,
When the information processing apparatus uses the installed printer driver to restrict a print request from an application program based on the use restriction information and does not restrict the print request, print data based on the print request is stored in the external storage medium. Writing step;
The printing apparatus includes a step of reading the print data from the external storage medium and executing a printing process.

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