Authentication performing system, authentication printing system, network printer, printer managing terminal, program for printer, program for terminal, and authentication printing method

The present invention relates to systems, devices, terminals and programs, and methods for performing authentication and printing, and in particular, it is possible to improve the certainty of user management and efficiently manage authentication information and usage status. It relates to an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method which can be performed.

A printer management server is used to manage network printers. When printing in such a network environment, the user requests printing at the user terminal. When printing is requested, the user terminal sends a print job including print data and user information to the printer management server, and the printer management server authenticates the user based on the user information of the received print job and authenticates the user. Is obtained, the received print job is sent to the network printer. When the network printer receives the print job, it prints based on the print data of the received print job.

However, in such a network environment, a user with specialized knowledge can send a print job directly to the network printer, so that printing can be performed without being authenticated by the printer management server. Therefore, since user management cannot be performed reliably for printing, not only is security insufficient, but it is also difficult to provide a complete service even when providing a printing service that charges and prints based on the authentication result, for example. There was a problem.

Therefore, in order to improve the certainty of user management, the print control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be used. The print control device described in Patent Document 1 is a device capable of communicating with a network printer via a predetermined communication medium, and is a transfer device that generates password key information based on a password entered at the time of a print request and transfers the information to the network printer. It is composed of a unit and a control unit that determines the collation result returned from the network printer for the password key information and controls the generation and transfer of the print information to the network printer.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-187369</text></patcit>

<p> When providing a printing service that charges and prints based on the authentication result, it is necessary for a plurality of printer servers to cooperate and manage the network printer while sharing the authentication information and usage status. However, in the print control device described in Patent Document 1, since the network printer performs authentication such as verification of the print password, if the number of network printers increases, the authentication information and usage status There was a problem that efficient management could not be performed because of the dispersion.</p><p> Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the unsolved problems of such a conventional technique, and can improve the certainty of user management and efficiently use authentication information and usage status. It is an object of the present invention to provide an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method that can be managed by the user.</p>

<p> [Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, the authentication operation system of the invention 1 communicatively connects a device that operates based on operation data and a device management terminal that manages the device, and manages the device. In a system in which the device operates with the authentication of the terminal, the device transmits the user information included in the operation data to the device management terminal together with the authentication request, and the device is authenticated by the device management terminal. When the notification is received, the operation is performed based on the operation data, and the device management terminal has an authentication information storage means for storing the authentication information for authenticating the usage eligibility of the device. The user information is received together with the authentication request, and it is determined whether or not the device is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means, and it is determined that the device is eligible for use. At that time, it is characterized in that the authentication notification is transmitted to the device.</p><p> With such a configuration, in the device, the user information included in the given operation data is transmitted to the device management terminal together with the authentication request. When the device management terminal receives the user information together with the authentication request, it is determined whether or not the device is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means. As a result, if it is determined that the device is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the device.</p><p> When the device receives the authentication notification, the device performs an operation based on the given operation data. As a result, since the operation cannot be performed without the authentication of the device management terminal, the act of operating the device without the authentication can be suppressed, and the certainty of user management can be improved. Is obtained. Further, since the device management terminal performs the authentication, it is possible to efficiently manage the authentication information and the usage status even if the number of devices increases as compared with the conventional case.</p><p> Here, the device may have any configuration as long as it operates based on the operation data, and includes, for example, a printer, an image signal, or an image that prints based on the print data. Includes displays and projectors that display based on data. Further, the user information refers to information about a user who intends to use the device, and includes information about a user terminal used by the user.</p><p> [Invention 2] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the certified printing system of the invention 2 communicatively connects a network printer that prints based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer. , A system that obtains the authentication of the printer management terminal and prints by the network printer. The network printer obtains the print data receiving means for receiving the print data and the authentication of the printer management terminal to perform printing. The authentication printing means has the authentication printing means to perform, and the authentication printing means transmits the user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request, and the printer management terminal sends the user information. When the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data, and the printer management terminal includes an authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating the usage eligibility of the network printer, and the above-mentioned authentication information storage means. It has a usage eligibility authentication means that certifies the usage eligibility of network printers. The use-eligible authentication means receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether or not the network printer is use-eligible based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means, and the above-mentioned When it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer.</p><p> With such a configuration, in the network printer, the print data is received by the print data receiving means, and the user information included in the received print data is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request by the authenticated printing means. .. When the printer management terminal receives the user information together with the authentication request, the usage-eligible authentication means determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the network printer.</p><p> When the network printer receives the authentication notification, the authentication printing means prints based on the received print data. As a result, printing cannot be performed without the authentication of the printer management terminal, so that the act of printing with the network printer without the authentication can be suppressed, and the reliability of user management regarding printing can be improved. The effect of being able to do is obtained. Further, since the authentication is performed by the printer management terminal, even if the number of network printers increases as compared with the conventional case, the effect that the authentication information and the usage status can be efficiently managed can be obtained.</p><p> Here, the user information refers to information about a user who intends to use the network printer, and includes information about a user terminal to be used by the user. Hereinafter, the same applies to the network printer of the invention 7, the printer management terminal of the invention 12, the printer program of the invention 13, the terminal program of the invention 18, and the certified printing method of the invention 19.</p><p> Further, the authentication information storage means stores the authentication information by any means and at any time, and the authentication information may be stored in advance, or the authentication information may be stored in advance without storing the authentication information in the book. The authentication information may be stored by input from the outside when the system is operating. Hereinafter, the same applies to the printer management terminal of Invention 12.</p><p> [Invention 3] Further, the authentication printing system of the invention 3 has a communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the network printer can communicate with the printer management terminal in the authentication printing system of the invention 2. The authentication printing means is characterized in that printing is prohibited when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means is incommunicable.</p><p> With such a configuration, in the network printer, the communication status monitoring means monitors whether or not communication with the printer management terminal is possible, and if communication with the printer management terminal is not possible, the authentication printing means prints. prohibited. As a result, when the printer management terminal and the network printer cannot communicate with each other due to a network failure or the like, printing is prohibited. Therefore, the act of printing with the network printer without obtaining authentication should be further suppressed. This also has the effect of further improving the certainty of user management regarding printing.</p><p> [Invention 4] Further, in the certified printing system of the invention 4, the network printer has a print data storage means for storing the print data, and the certified printing means has the communication state. When the monitoring result of the monitoring means is incommunicable, the print data received by the print data receiving means is stored in the print data storage means, and when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means becomes communicable, communication is possible. When the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request and the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print data storage means. It is characterized by being designed to do.</p><p> With such a configuration, in the network printer, if the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means cannot communicate, the received print data is stored in the print data storage means by the authentication printing means. Then, when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means becomes communicable, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is transmitted to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request.</p><p> When the printer management terminal receives the user information together with the authentication request, the usage-eligible authentication means determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the network printer. When the network printer receives the authentication notification, the authentication printing means prints based on the print data of the print data storage means.</p><p> As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management terminal becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like, but when communication with the printer management terminal is restored, it is based on the print data of the print data storage means. Printing is performed, so that the user does not have to redo printing even if communication with the printer management terminal becomes impossible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for printing, and thus it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the convenience of the user.</p><p> [Invention 5] Further, the authentication printing system of the invention 5 communicatively connects a user terminal to be used by the user in the authentication printing system of any one of the inventions 3 and 4, and the network printer is in the communication state. It has a monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting monitoring information including the monitoring result of the monitoring means to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives the monitoring information and notifies the user of the communication status based on the received monitoring information. It is characterized by being like this.</p><p> With such a configuration, in the network printer, the monitoring information transmitting means transmits the monitoring information including the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means to the user terminal. When the user terminal receives the monitoring information, the user is notified of the communication status based on the received monitoring information. As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management terminal becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like, but on the user terminal, the user can grasp the cause of not printing by notification. Therefore, the effect that the convenience of the user can be improved can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 6] Further, in the certified printing system of the invention 6, in the certified printing system of any one of the inventions 2 to 5, the network printer has a printing status storage means for storing the progress of printing, and the certification When the printing means transmits the authentication request to the printer management terminal, the printing start is stored in the printing status storage means in association with the print data, and when printing is completed, the printing means associates with the print data. The print end is stored in the print status storage means, the print status of the print status storage means is determined at startup, and the print data in which the print end is not stored is deleted. ..</p><p> With such a configuration, in the network printer, when the authentication request is transmitted to the printer management terminal, the print start is stored in the print status storage means in association with the print data by the certified printing means. When the printing is completed, the authentication printing means stores the printing end in the print status storage means in association with the print data. When the network printer is started, the print status of the print status storage means is determined by the authentication printing means, and the print data whose printing end is not stored is deleted.</p><p> As a result, if printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is sent and before the printing is completed, the print data will be deleted at the next startup, so the act of printing with a network printer without obtaining authentication is performed. Further, it is possible to suppress it more reliably, and it is possible to further improve the certainty of user management regarding printing. Here, the printing status storage means stores the progress of printing by any means and at any time, and may store the progress of printing in advance, or stores the progress of printing. The progress of printing may be memorized by an external input or the like when the system is operated without memorizing in advance. Hereinafter, the same applies to the network printer of the invention 11.</p><p> [Invention 7] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the network printer of the invention 7 includes a print data receiving means for receiving print data and a certified printing means for printing with external authentication. The authentication printing means transmits the user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means together with the authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data. It is characterized by being. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the network printer in the authentication printing system of Invention 2 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 2 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 8] Further, the network printer of the invention 8 includes a communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the network printer of the invention 7 can communicate with the outside, and the authentication printing means is the communication state monitoring means. When the monitoring result of is incommunicable, printing is prohibited. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the network printer in the certified printing system of Invention 3 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 3 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 9] Further, the network printer of the invention 9 includes a print data storage means for storing the print data in the network printer of the invention 8, and the authentication printing means cannot communicate with the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means. When is, the print data received by the print data receiving means is stored in the print data storage means, and when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means becomes communicable, the print data of the print data storage means is stored. When the user information included in the above is transmitted together with the authentication request and the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print data storage means. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the network printer in the certified printing system of Invention 4 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 4 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 10] Further, the network printer of the invention 10 is characterized in that the network printer of any one of the inventions 8 and 9 includes a monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting the monitoring information including the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means. And. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the network printer in the certified printing system of Invention 5 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 5 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 11] Further, the network printer of the invention 11 includes a printing status storage means for storing the progress of printing in the network printer of any one of the inventions 7 to 10, and the certified printing means requests the certification. When transmitted, the print start is stored in the print status storage means in association with the print data, and when printing is completed, the print end is stored in the print status storage means in association with the print data. The print status of the print status storage means is determined at the time of activation, and the print data whose print end is not stored is deleted. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the network printer in the certified printing system of Invention 6 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 6 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 12] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the printer management terminal of Invention 12 includes an authentication information storage means for storing authentication information for authenticating usage eligibility and a usage eligibility authentication means for authenticating usage eligibility. , The use-eligible authentication means receives user information together with an authentication request, determines whether or not the user is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means, and determines that the user is eligible for use. When this happens, an authentication notification is sent. With such a configuration, the same operation as that of the printer management terminal in the authentication printing system of Invention 2 can be obtained. Therefore, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 2 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 13] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the printer program of the invention 13 is realized as a print data receiving means for receiving print data and an authorized printing means for printing with external authentication. The authentication printing means includes a program for causing a computer to execute a process, and the authentication printing means transmits user information included in the print data received by the print data receiving means together with an authentication request, and when the authentication notification is received, the authentication printing means is transmitted. It is characterized in that printing is performed based on the print data. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the invention 7 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 14] Further, the printer program of the invention 14 is for causing a computer to execute a process realized as a communication state monitoring means for monitoring whether or not communication with the outside is possible in the printer program of the invention 13. The authentication printing means including a program is characterized in that printing is prohibited when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means is incommunicable. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the invention 8 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 15] Further, the printer program of the invention 15 is the printer program of the invention 14, and the certified printing means is the print data receiving means when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means is incommunicable. When the received print data is stored in the print data storage means and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means becomes communicable, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is sent together with the authentication request. When it is transmitted and the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print data storage means. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the invention 9 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 16] Further, the printer program of the invention 16 is realized as a monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting the monitoring information including the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring means in the printer program of any one of the inventions 14 and 15. It is characterized by including a program for causing a computer to execute a process. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the invention 10 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 17] Further, the printer program of the invention 17 is the printer program of any one of the inventions 13 to 16, and when the authentication printing means transmits the authentication request, it is associated with the print data. The print start is stored in the print status storage means, and when printing is completed, the print end is stored in the print status storage means in association with the print data, and the print status of the print status storage means is determined at startup. The print data for which the end of printing is not stored is deleted. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the invention 11 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 18] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the terminal program of the invention 18 includes a program for causing a computer to execute a process realized as a use-eligible authentication means for authenticating use-eligibility. The authentication means receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether or not the user is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means, and if it is determined that the user is eligible for use, authenticates. It is characterized in that it is designed to send notifications. With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes the process according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the printer management terminal of the invention 12 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 19] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the certified printing method of the invention 19 communicatively connects a network printer that prints based on print data and a printer management terminal that manages the network printer. , The method of obtaining the authentication of the printer management terminal and printing by the network printer. For the network printer, the print data receiving step of receiving the print data and the authentication of the printer management terminal are obtained. Including the authentication printing step of printing, the authentication printing step transmits the user information included in the print data received in the print data receiving step to the printer management terminal together with the authentication request, and the printer management terminal. When the authentication notification is received from, printing is performed based on the print data, and the printer management terminal includes a usage eligibility authentication step for authenticating the usage eligibility of the network printer. The usage eligibility authentication step receives the user information together with the authentication request, determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information storage means, and determines whether or not the network printer is eligible for use. When it is determined that the printer is eligible for use, the authentication notification is transmitted to the network printer. As a result, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 2 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 20] Further, in the authentication printing method of the invention 20, the authentication printing method of the invention 20 includes a communication state monitoring step for monitoring whether or not the network printer can communicate with the printer management terminal. Including, the certified printing step is characterized in that printing is prohibited when the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring step is incommunicable. As a result, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 3 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 21] Further, the certified printing method of the invention 21 is the certified printing method of the invention 20, in which the certified printing step is the print data receiving step when the monitoring result of the communication status monitoring step is incommunicable. When the received print data is stored in the print data storage means and the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring step becomes communicable, the user information included in the print data of the print data storage means is sent together with the authentication request. When it is transmitted to the printer management terminal and the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print data storage means. As a result, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 4 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 22] Further, in the authentication printing method of the invention 22, in the authentication printing method of any one of the inventions 20 and 21, the user terminal to be used by the user is communicably connected, and the network printer is described. The monitoring information transmission step of transmitting the monitoring information including the monitoring result of the communication state monitoring step to the user terminal is included, the monitoring information is received to the user terminal, and the communication state is based on the received monitoring information. Is notified to the user. As a result, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 5 can be obtained.</p><p> [Invention 23] Further, the certified printing method of the invention 23 is the certified printing method of any one of the inventions 19 to 22, and the certified printing step is the printing when the certification request is transmitted to the printer management terminal. The print start is stored in the print status storage means in association with the data, and when printing is completed, the print end is stored in the print status storage means in association with the print data, and the print status of the print status storage means is stored. Is determined at the time of startup, and the print data whose print end is not stored is deleted. As a result, the same effect as that of the certified printing system of Invention 6 can be obtained.</p>

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an authentication operation system, an authentication printing system, a network printer, a printer management terminal, a printer program and a terminal program, and an authentication printing method according to the present invention. .. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer management server 200 describes the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention. This is applied to the case of printing with the network printer 100 with the certification of.

First, the configuration of the network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the Internet 199 is connected to a plurality of network printers 100, a printer management server 200 that manages the network printer 100, and a user terminal 300 that is used by a user of the network printer 100.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network printer 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the network printer 100 has a CPU 30 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 32 that stores a control program of the CPU 30 in a predetermined area in advance, and data read from the ROM 32 and the like. It consists of a RAM 34 for storing the calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 30 and the I / F 38 for mediating data input / output to an external device, and these are signals for transferring data. It is connected to each other by bus 39, which is a line, so that data can be exchanged.

As an external device, the I / F 38 is connected to a storage device 42 that stores print data, a table, etc. as a file, a printing device 46 that prints based on the print data, and a signal line for connecting to the Internet 199. Has been done. The CPU 30 is composed of a micro-processing unit (MPU) or the like, activates a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 32, and executes the authentication printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 according to the program. ..

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the authentication printing process. The authentication print process is a process executed in response to a print request transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the network printer 100 via the Internet 199, and when executed in the CPU 30, first, as shown in FIG. It is designed to move to step S100. In step S100, when an interrupt is generated from the I / F 38 to the CPU 30 via the bus 39, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received based on the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that the print request has been received (Yes), , The process proceeds to step S101, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No), the process waits in step S100 until a print request is received.

In step S101, the print data including the user information from the user terminal 300 is received from the I / F 38 via the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S102 to register the received print data in the storage device 42 through the bus 39. Registration to the storage device 42 generates a print job ID for identifying the received print data, and associates the generated print job ID with the print data in the queue of the storage device 42 (hereinafter referred to as a print queue). It is done by registering at the end. The print queue registers print data at the end in the order in which print requests are made, and processes the print data in order from the beginning.

Next, the process proceeds to step S104, an instruction is given to the I / F 38 via the bus 39, it is determined whether or not the printer management server 200 can be communicated, and the printer management server 200 can be communicated through the I / F 38. When it is determined that there is (Yes), the process proceeds to step S106, an authentication request to be sent to the printer management server 200 is created, held in RAM34, and this authentication request is sent from the I / F 38 to the printer management server via bus 39. Send to 200, move to step S108, acquire the print data at the beginning of the print queue from the storage device 42, hold it in RAM34, and acquire the user information included in the print data for this print data. , This user information is transmitted from the I / F 38 to the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199 via the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the I / F 38 is instructed to receive the authentication notification via the bus 39, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 38 to the CPU 30 via the bus 39, and whether or not the authentication notification is received depending on the content of the interrupt is determined. When the determination is made and it is determined that the authentication notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S112, the print data at the head of the print queue is read from the storage device 42 through the bus 39, and the print data is read on the RAM 34. Hold and move to step S114.

In step S114, printing is performed by the printing device 46 via the bus 39 based on the read print data, and the process proceeds to step S116 to transfer the print data at the head of the print queue stored in the storage device 42 to the bus 39. Deletes through, ends a series of processes, and returns to the original process. On the other hand, in step S110, when it is determined from the I / F38 via the bus 39 that the authentication notification to the I / F38 is not received from the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199 (No), the process proceeds to step S118. When it is determined from the I / F 38 via the bus 39 whether or not the denial notification to the I / F 38 has been received from the printer management server 200 via the Internet 199, and it is determined that the denial notification has been received (Yes), step. Move to S116.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that the denial notification is not received from the I / F 38 via the bus 39 (No), the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that the I / F 38 cannot communicate with the printer management server 200 via the bus 39 (No), the process proceeds to step S120 to create a notification that communication is not possible. It is held on the RAM 34, and the communication failure held on the RAM 34 is transmitted from the I / F 38 to the user terminal 300 via the Internet 199 via the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S104.

Next, the configuration of the printer management server 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer management server 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the printer management server 200 reads from the CPU 50 that controls the calculation and the entire system based on the control program, the ROM 52 that stores the control program of the CPU 50 in advance in a predetermined area, the ROM 52, and the like. It consists of RAM54 for storing data and calculation results required in the calculation process of CPU50, and I / F58 for mediating data input / output to an external device, and these are for transferring data. It is connected to each other by bus 59, which is a signal line, so that data can be exchanged.

The I / F 58 includes an input device 60 consisting of a keyboard and a mouse capable of inputting data as a human interface as an external device, a storage device 62 for storing data and tables as a file, and a screen based on an image signal. The display device 64 for displaying the above and the signal line for connecting to the Internet 199 are connected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of the authentication information registration table 400. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage device 62 stores the authentication information registration table 400 in which the authentication information is registered. One record is registered in the authentication information registration table 400 for each authentication information. Each record is composed of a field 402 in which user information is registered and a field 404 in which whether or not the network printer 100 is eligible for use is registered.

In the example of FIG. 5, "xxxx" is registered as user information and "Yes" is registered as whether or not the user is eligible for use in the first-stage record. This means that the user "xxxx" is eligible to use the network printer 100. The CPU 50 is composed of a micro-processing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and performs the authentication process and the authentication information setting process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 according to the program. Each is designed to be executed in a time-division manner.

First, the authentication process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the authentication process. The authentication process is a process executed in response to an authentication request from the network printer 100, and when executed in the CPU 50, the process first proceeds to step S200 as shown in FIG. In step S200, when an interrupt occurs from the I / F 58 to the CPU 50 via the bus 59, it is determined whether or not an authentication request has been received based on the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that the authentication request has been received (Yes), , The process proceeds to step S202, but if it is determined that this is not the case, the process waits in step S200 until an authentication request is received.

In step S202, the user information is received from the I / F 58 via the bus 59, held in the RAM 54, and the process proceeds to step S204 to acquire the authentication information of the authentication information table 400 from the storage device 62 via the bus 59. , It is determined whether or not the network printer 100 is eligible for use based on the received user information held in the RAM 54 and the received user information held in the RAM 54 and the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400 held in the RAM 54. First, the same user information as the user information is searched from the authentication information registration table 400, and when the corresponding user information is searched for by the search, the presence or absence of the usage eligibility corresponding to the corresponding user information is read out, and the usage eligibility is set to ". When "Yes" is registered, it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use. On the other hand, when the corresponding user information cannot be searched for, or when the corresponding user information is searched for but the corresponding usage eligibility is "none", it is determined that the network printer 100 is not eligible for use.

Next, when the process proceeds to step S206, it is determined whether or not the authentication result of step S204 is eligible for use of the network printer 100, and it is determined that the result is eligible for use of the network printer 100 ( Yes) proceeds to step S208, creates an authentication notification, holds it on the RAM 54, sends the authentication notification from the I / F 58 via the bus 59 to the network printer 100, and ends the series of processes. Return to the original processing. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that the authentication result of step S204 is not eligible for use of the network printer 100 (No), the process proceeds to step S210 to create a denial notice and hold it on the RAM 54. Then, a denial notice is sent from the I / F 58 to the network printer 100 via the bus 59, the series of processes is completed, and the original process is restored.

Next, the authentication information setting process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the authentication information setting process. The authentication information setting process is a process executed in response to a setting request sent from the user terminal 300 to the I / F 58 via the Internet 199, and when executed in the CPU 50, first, as shown in FIG. , It is designed to move to step S300. In the following, all inputs in each step are performed by interactive communication with the user.

In step S300, when an interrupt is generated from the I / F 58 to the CPU 50 via the bus 59, it is determined whether or not a setting request has been received based on the content of the interrupt, and when it is determined that the setting request has been received (Yes), , The process proceeds to step S302, but when it is determined that this is not the case (No), the process waits in step S300 until a setting request is received. In step S302, when it is determined whether or not the setting request received from the I / F 58 via the bus 59 is related to the registration of the authentication information, and it is determined that the setting request is related to the registration of the authentication information (Yes). Goes to step S304.

In step S304, the user information received from the I / F 58 by the interactive communication with the user terminal 300 is input, held in the RAM 54, and the process proceeds to step S306, and the I / F 58 is performed by the interactive communication with the user terminal 300. Enter the presence or absence of usage eligibility received, hold it on RAM54, move to step S308, and based on the input results of steps S304 and S306, new user information and usage eligibility held on RAM54 The authentication information is created, new authentication information is registered in the authentication information registration table 400 on the storage device 62 via the bus 59, and the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, an interrupt is generated from the I / F 58 to the CPU 50 via the bus 59, and based on the content of the interrupt, it is determined whether or not the received setting request is related to the change of the authentication information, and the authentication information is displayed. When it is determined that the change is related (Yes), the process proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, one of the user information specified in the authentication information registration table 400 is input from the I / F 58 by interactive communication with the user terminal 300, held in the RAM 54, and the process proceeds to step S314 to move to the user terminal. By interactive communication with 300, I / F58 inputs whether or not it is eligible for use, holds it on RAM54, moves to step S316, and is qualified for use held on RAM54 based on the input result of step S314. Of the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400, the authentication information related to the designation of the user information held in the RAM 54 by step S312 is changed on the storage device 62 through the bus 59, and the process proceeds to step S318.

In step S318, it is determined whether or not the received setting request is related to the deletion of the authentication information, and when it is determined (Yes) that it is related to the deletion of the authentication information, the process proceeds to step S320. In step S320, one of the user information specified in the authentication information registration table 400 is input from the I / F 58 by interactive communication with the user terminal 300, held in the RAM 54, and the process proceeds to step S322 to proceed to the authentication information. Of the authentication information in the registration table 400, the authentication information related to the designation of the user information held in the RAM 54 of step S320 is deleted on the storage device 62 through the bus 59, the series of processing is completed, and the original processing is restored. Let me.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302 that the received setting request is not related to the registration of the authentication information (No), the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S310 that the received setting request is not related to the change of the authentication information (No), the process proceeds to step S318. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S318 that the received setting request is not related to the deletion of the authentication information (No), the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

Next, the configuration of the user terminal 300 will be described. The user terminal 300 is configured to have the same functions as a general computer such as a PC / AT compatible with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / F, etc. connected by bus, and receives a notification that communication is not possible. When this happens, the user is notified that communication is not possible. This notification is performed, for example, by displaying the icon corresponding to the network printer 100 offline, displaying the fact that communication is not possible on the panel, or printing the fact that communication is not possible on the status sheet.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. To print with the network printer 100, there are a method of making a print request to the printer management server 200 and a method of making a print request to the network printer 100. Since the former method is the same as the conventional method, the description thereof will be omitted, and the latter method will be described below.

At the user terminal 300, the user transmits print data including his / her own user information to the network printer 100 together with a print request by a printer driver or the like. When the network printer 100 receives a print request, it receives print data through steps S101 and S102, generates a print job ID for identifying the received print data, and associates it with the generated print job ID. The print data is registered at the end of the print queue.

Then, through step S104, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. Here, if the network printer 100 is in an environment in which it can communicate with the printer management server 200 without causing a network failure or the like, the print data at the head of the print queue is included in the print data through steps S106 and S108. The user information is sent to the printer management server 200 together with the print request.

When the printer management server 200 receives the print request, it receives the user information through steps S202 and S204, and is eligible to use the network printer 100 based on the received user information and the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. Whether or not it is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the network printer 100 through step S208.

When the network printer 100 receives the authentication notification, the print data is read out for the print data at the head of the print queue through steps S112 to S116, and the printing device 46 prints based on the read print data. Is performed, and the print data at the beginning of the print queue is deleted. If the printer management server 200 determines that the network printer 100 is not eligible for use, the denial notification is transmitted to the network printer 100 through step S210.

When the network printer 100 receives the denial notification, the print data at the head of the print queue is deleted through step S116. Further, in the network printer 100, if the network printer 100 is in an environment in which communication with the printer management server 200 is not possible due to a network failure or the like, a notification indicating that communication is not possible is transmitted to the user terminal 300 through step S120. ..

When the user terminal 300 receives the notification that communication is not possible, the user is notified that communication is not possible. When registering new authentication information in the printer management server 200, in the user terminal 300, the user sends a setting request related to the registration of the authentication information to the printer management server 200 to check the user information and whether or not the user is eligible for use. input.

When the printer management server 200 receives the setting request related to the registration of the authentication information and inputs the user information and whether or not the user is eligible for use, the printer management server 200 goes through step S308 and newly adds the authentication information registration table 400 based on the input results. Authentication information is registered. Further, when changing the authentication information registered in the printer management server 200, in the user terminal 300, the user sends a setting request related to the change of the authentication information to the printer management server 200 to specify and use the user information. Enter whether or not you are eligible.

When the printer management server 200 receives the setting request related to the change of the authentication information, specifies the user information and inputs whether or not the user is eligible for use, the authentication information registration table is based on the input result through step S316. Of the 400 credentials, the designated one will be changed. When deleting the authentication information registered in the printer management server 200, the user sends a setting request for deleting the authentication information to the printer management server 200 and inputs the user information specification in the user terminal 300. To do. When the printer management server 200 receives the setting request related to the deletion of the authentication information and the specification of the user information is input, the authentication information related to the specification is deleted from the authentication information registration table 400 through step S322. To.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the network printer 100 receives the print data, transmits the user information included in the received print data to the printer management server 200 together with the authentication request, and from the printer management server 200. When the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data, and when the printer management server 200 receives the user information together with the authentication request, the received user information and the authentication information registration table 400 It is determined whether or not the network printer 100 is eligible for use based on the authentication information of the above, and when it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the network printer 100.

As a result, printing cannot be performed without the authentication of the printer management server 200, so that the act of printing with the network printer 100 without the authentication can be suppressed, and the reliability of user management regarding printing is improved. can do. Further, since the printer management server 200 performs the authentication, the authentication information and the usage status can be efficiently managed even if the number of network printers 100 increases as compared with the conventional case.

Further, in the present embodiment, the network printer 100 determines whether or not it can communicate with the printer management server 200, and when it determines that it cannot communicate with the printer management server 200, printing is prohibited. It has become. As a result, when the printer management server 200 and the network printer 100 cannot communicate with each other due to a network failure or the like, printing is prohibited, so that the act of printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication is more reliable. It can be suppressed, and the certainty of user management regarding printing can be further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the network printer 100 cannot communicate with the printer management server 200, the received print data is registered at the end of the print queue and can communicate with the printer management server 200. When the user information contained in the print data of the print queue is sent to the printer management server 200 together with the authentication request, when the authentication notification is received, printing is performed based on the print data of the print queue. ing.

As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management server 200 becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like, but when communication with the printer management server 200 is restored, it is based on the print data of the print queue. Printing is performed, so that the user does not have to redo printing even if communication with the printer management server 200 becomes impossible. Therefore, the labor required for printing can be reduced, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 100 determines that communication with the printer management server 200 is impossible, the network printer 100 transmits a notification to the user terminal 300 that communication is not possible, and the user terminal When the 300 receives a notification that communication is not possible, it notifies the user that communication is not possible. As a result, printing is prohibited when communication with the printer management server 200 becomes impossible due to a network failure or the like, but at the user terminal 300, the user should be aware of the cause of the printing not being performed by notification. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the print data corresponds to the operation data of invention 1, the network printer 100 corresponds to the device of invention 1, and step S101 corresponds to inventions 2, 4, 7, 9, 13 or It corresponds to 15 print data receiving means or the print data receiving step of Invention 19 or 21. Further, step S104 corresponds to the communication state monitoring means of inventions 3 to 5, 8 to 10, 14 to 16 or the communication state monitoring step of inventions 20 to 22, and steps S106 to S114 correspond to inventions 2 to 4, 7 Or 9, 13 to 15 certified printing means, or 19 to 21 certified printing steps.

Further, in the first embodiment, the step S120 corresponds to the monitoring information transmitting means of the invention 5, 10 or 16 or the monitoring information transmitting step of the invention 22, and the printer management server 200 corresponds to the device management of the invention 1. It corresponds to the terminal or the printer management terminal of inventions 2 to 4, 12, 19 to 21. Further, the storage device 42 corresponds to the authentication information storage means of inventions 1, 2, 12, 18 or 19, or the print data storage means of inventions 4, 9, 15 or 21, and steps S200 to S208 correspond to invention 2, It corresponds to 12 or 18 use-eligible authentication means, or the use-eligible authentication step of Invention 19.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a second mode of implementation of the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention. .. In this embodiment, the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention are described in the printer management server 200 as shown in FIG. This is applied to the case of printing with the network printer 100 after obtaining the certification of the above, and the difference from the first embodiment is that the printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is transmitted and before the printing is completed. In that case, the print data related to the printing is deleted. Hereinafter, only the parts different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the overlapping parts will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the network printer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The network printer 100 executes the authentication print process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 instead of the authentication print process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the print data deletion process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is time-divided from the authentication print process. It is supposed to run. First, the authentication printing process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the authentication printing process. The authentication print process is a process executed in response to a print request from the user terminal 300, and when executed in the CPU 30, the process first proceeds to step S400 as shown in FIG. In step S400, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received, and when it is determined that the print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S401, but when it is determined that the print request has not been received (No), the print request is made. Wait in step S400 until it receives.

In step S401, the print data including the user information is received, the process proceeds to step S402, a print job ID for specifying the received print data is generated, and the print data is printed in association with the generated print job ID. Register at the end of the queue and move to step S404. In step S404, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible, and when it is determined that communication with the printer management server 200 is possible (Yes), the process proceeds to step S406 to the printer management server 200. Send the authentication request and move to step S408.

In step S408, for the print data at the beginning and end of the print queue on the storage device 42, the status information indicating "print start" is registered in association with the print data through the bus 39, and the process proceeds to step S410. , The user information included in the print data at the head of the print queue is transmitted to the printer management server 200, and the process proceeds to step S412.

In step S412, it is determined whether or not the authentication notification has been received, and when it is determined that the authentication notification has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S414, and the print data at the head of the print queue is targeted. Is read, and the process proceeds to step S416. In step S416, printing is performed by the printing device 46 based on the read print data, the process proceeds to step S418, and the print data at the head of the print queue on the storage device 42 is targeted through the bus 39 and the I / F 38. Register the status information indicating "print end" in association with the print data, move to step S420, delete the print data at the beginning of the print queue, end the series of processes, and return to the original process. ..

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S412 that the authentication notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S422 to determine whether or not the denial notification has been received, and when it is determined that the denial notification has been received (Yes). ) Goes to step S420. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S422 that the denial notification is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S412. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S404 that communication with the printer management server 200 is not possible (No), the process proceeds to step S424, a notification indicating that communication is not possible is sent to the user terminal 300, and the process proceeds to step S404. ..

Next, the print data deletion process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the print data deletion process. The print data deletion process is a process executed when the network printer 100 is started, and when the print data deletion process is executed in the CPU 30, as shown in FIG. 9, the process first proceeds to step S500. In step S500, the print data in the print queue on the storage device 42 for which the status information indicating "print end" is not registered is searched through the bus 39 and the I / F 38, and the process proceeds to step S502. The print data retrieved by the search is deleted from the storage device 42 through the bus 39 and the I / F 38, the series of processing is completed, and the original processing is restored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. At the user terminal 300, the user transmits print data including his / her own user information to the network printer 100 together with a print request by a printer driver or the like. When the network printer 100 receives a print request, it receives print data through steps S401 and S402, generates a print job ID for identifying the received print data, and associates it with the generated print job ID. The print data is registered at the end of the print queue.

Then, through step S404, it is determined whether or not communication with the printer management server 200 is possible. Here, if the network printer 100 is in an environment where it can communicate with the printer management server 200 without causing a network failure or the like, an authentication request is sent to the printer management server 200 through steps S406 and S408, and the top of the print queue is displayed. Status information indicating "print start" is registered in association with the print data for the print data. Then, through step S410, the user information included in the print data is transmitted to the printer management server 200 for the print data at the head of the print queue.

When the printer management server 200 receives the print request, it receives the user information through steps S202 and S204, and is eligible to use the network printer 100 based on the received user information and the authentication information in the authentication information registration table 400. Whether or not it is determined. As a result, if it is determined that the network printer 100 is eligible for use, an authentication notification is sent to the network printer 100 through step S208.

When the network printer 100 receives the authentication notification, the print data is read out for the print data at the head of the print queue through steps S414 and S416, and is printed by the printing device 46 based on the read print data. Is done. Then, through steps S418 and S420, the status information indicating "print end" is registered in association with the print data at the head of the print queue, and the print data at the head of the print queue is deleted.

Next, a case where printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is transmitted and before the printing is completed will be described. In the network printer 100, if printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is sent and before the printing is completed, the status information indicating "print end" is not registered. Therefore, when the network printer 100 is started, steps S500 and S502 are performed. Then, among the print data in the print queue, the data in which the status information indicating "print end" is not registered is searched. When print data is searched by this search, the corresponding print data is deleted.

In this way, in the present embodiment, when the network printer 100 sends an authentication request to the printer management server 200, the print data at the head of the print queue is associated with the print data and "print start". When printing is completed, the status information indicating "print end" is registered in association with the print data at the beginning of the print queue, and the status information is started when the status information is started. Judgment is made, and print data for which the status information of "print end" is not registered is deleted. As a result, if printing is interrupted for some reason after the authentication request is sent and before the printing is completed, the print data will be deleted at the next startup, so the act of printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication. Can be more reliably suppressed, and the certainty of user management regarding printing can be further improved.

In the second embodiment, the print data corresponds to the operation data of invention 1, the network printer 100 corresponds to the device of invention 1, and step S401 corresponds to inventions 2, 4, 7, 9, 13 or It corresponds to 15 print data receiving means or the print data receiving step of Invention 19 or 21. Further, step S404 corresponds to the communication status monitoring means of inventions 3 to 5, 8 to 10, 14 to 16, or the communication status monitoring step of inventions 20 to 22, and steps S406 to S418, S500, S502 correspond to invention 2. It corresponds to the certified printing means of 4, 6 to 9, 11, 13 to 15 or 17, or the certified printing step of Inventions 19 to 21 or 23.

Further, in the second embodiment, the step S424 corresponds to the monitoring information transmitting means of the invention 5, 10 or 16 or the monitoring information transmitting step of the invention 22, and the printer management server 200 corresponds to the device management of the invention 1. It corresponds to the terminal or the printer management terminal of Inventions 2 to 4, 6, 12, 19 to 21 or 23. The storage device 42 also stores the authentication information storage means of inventions 1, 2, 12, 18 or 19, the print data storage means of inventions 4, 9, 15 or 21, or the print status storage of inventions 6, 11, 17 or 23. Corresponding to the means, steps S200 to S208 correspond to the use-eligible authentication means of Invention 2, 12 or 18, or the use-eligible authentication step of Invention 19.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the print data includes user information has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to the user information, the copyright holder and other copyrights of the print data The print data may include copyright information about the print data, a print job ID of the print data, or status information of the print data. Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the communication between the network printer 100 and the printer management server 200 is encrypted has not been described, but from the viewpoint of improving security, the network printer has not been described. It is preferable that the communication between the 100 and the printer management server 200 is encrypted by a secret key encryption method, a common key encryption method, or the like. As a result, it is possible to further reliably suppress the act of a malicious user impersonating the printer management server 200 and printing with the network printer 100 without obtaining authentication, and further improving the reliability of user management regarding printing. it can.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, when the printer management server 200 receives the user information together with the authentication request, the network printer 100 is based on the received user information and the authentication information of the authentication information registration table 400. Although it is configured to determine whether or not it is eligible for use, it is not limited to this, and it can also be configured as follows. The network printer 100 transmits the user information as well as the content information indicating the content and type of print data to the printer management server 200 together with the authentication request. When the printer management server 200 receives the user information and the content information together with the authentication request, whether or not the printer management server 200 is eligible to use the network printer 100 based on the received user information and the content information and the authentication information of the authentication information registration table 400. Is determined. Here, in the authentication information registration table 400, whether or not printing is possible is registered for each content and type of print data. This makes it possible to set whether or not to print according to the content and type of print data.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the provision of a printing service for charging and printing based on the authentication result has not been particularly described, but when providing such a service, for example, , The printer management server 200 may manage the usage status of the network printer 100 and charge according to the usage status. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the sharing of print data between the network printers 100 has not been particularly described, but the print data and the print data from the printer management server 200 are transmitted between the plurality of network printers 100. It can also be configured to share authentication or denial notices. As a result, the processing load of the printer management server 200 can be reduced.

In this case, it is conceivable to change the sharing method according to the reliability of the network printer 100. The date and time when the notification from the printer management server 200 is received, and the resources and specifications of the network printer 100 are registered in association with the shared data. If there are multiple shared data with the same name, the new shared data with the received date and time is prioritized. Or preferentially adopt the shared data of the network printer 100, which has large resources and specifications.

As a result, sharing can be performed based on the highly reliable network printer 100. Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the processing when the printer management server 200 goes down has not been particularly described, but when the printer management server 200 goes down, among a plurality of network printers 100. It can also be configured to share print data and authentication or denial notifications from the printer management server 200.

Further, in each of the first and second embodiments described above, when the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 8 and 9 are executed, the case where the control program stored in the ROM 32 is executed will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read into the RAM 34 and executed from the storage medium in which the program showing these procedures is stored.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, when the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 are executed, the case where the control program stored in the ROM 52 is executed has been described. Not limited to this, the program may be read into the RAM 54 and executed from the storage medium in which the program showing these procedures is stored.

Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading method Any storage medium that can be read by a computer, regardless of the reading method such as electronic, magnetic, or optical, is included in the storage medium.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention are described on the Internet 199. The case where it is applied to a network system consisting of the above is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be applied to a so-called intranet that communicates by the same method as the Internet 199. Of course, it can be applied not only to a network that communicates by the same method as the Internet 199 but also to a normal network.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the authentication operation system, the authentication printing system, the network printer, the printer management terminal, the printer program and the terminal program, and the authentication printing method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. As shown in the above, the case where printing is performed by the network printer 100 with the authentication of the printer management server 200 is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other cases as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated. ..

<figref num="1">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network system to which this invention is applied.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a network printer 100.</figref><figref num="3">It is a flowchart which shows the authentication printing process.</figref><figref num="4">It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printer management server 200.</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure which shows the data structure of the authentication information registration table 400.</figref><figref num="6">It is a flowchart which shows the authentication process.</figref><figref num="7">It is a flowchart which shows the authentication information setting process.</figref><figref num="8">It is a flowchart which shows the authentication printing process.</figref><figref num="9">It is a flowchart which shows the print data deletion process.</figref>

Code description

100 ... Network Printer, 30 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 34 ... RAM, 38 ... I / F, 42 ... Storage Device, 46 ... Printing Device, 200 .. Printer management server, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 54 ... RAM, 58 ... I / F, 60 ... Input device, 62 ... Storage device, 64 ... Display Device, 300 ... User terminal, 400 ... Credential registration table