Printing system, terminal device, and program

Abstract

To configure settings relating to authentication printing on a terminal device 2 without requiring the time and effort of a user P.SOLUTION: A printing system 1000 includes a terminal device 2, a printing server 3 that receives print data from the terminal device 2, and a printing device 1 that performs printing based on the print data received by the printing server 3. The terminal device 2 stores terminal authentication print setting information 213 indicating settings on the terminal device 2 relating to authentication printing. The printing server 3 stores change authentication print setting information for changing the terminal authentication print setting information 213. The terminal device 2 transmits, to the printing server 3, request information requesting the change authentication print setting information. The printing server 3 transmits the change authentication print setting information 315 to the terminal device 2 upon receiving the request information. The terminal device 2 changes the terminal authentication print setting information 213 based on the change authentication print setting information received from the printing server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a terminal device, and Program M Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known authentication printing, in which printing is performed if user authentication is successful. For example, in the printing system described in Patent Literature 1, after authentication is completed, the server transmits a print instruction to the terminal device, and the terminal device transmits a stored print job based on the received print instruction to the printing device, and the printing device performs printing based on the received print job. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-139991 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In authenticated printing, in addition to a configuration in which a print job is sent directly from a terminal device to a printing device as described in Patent Document 1, there is also a configuration in which a print job is sent from a terminal device to a printing device via a server. In authenticated printing with this configuration, settings related to authenticated printing must be configured for both the terminal device and the server. However, if the OS of the terminal device and the server are different, there is a problem that it is time-consuming for the user to manually configure settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the invention that solves the above problem is a printing system that performs authentication printing, comprising a terminal device, a print server that receives print data from the terminal device, and a print device that performs printing based on the print data received by the print server, wherein the terminal device stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing, the print server stores changed authentication printing setting information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information, the terminal device sends request information to the print server requesting the changed authentication printing setting information, and when the print server receives the request information, it sends the changed authentication printing setting information to the terminal device, and the terminal device changes the terminal authentication printing setting information based on the changed authentication printing setting information received from the print server.

[0006] Another aspect for solving the above problem is a terminal device that performs authentication printing together with a print server and a printing device that performs printing based on print data received from the print server, the terminal device comprising: a print data sending unit that sends the print data to the print server; a terminal memory unit that stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating the settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing; a request information sending unit that sends request information to the print server requesting changed authentication printing setting information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information; an authentication printing setting information receiving unit that receives the changed authentication printing setting information from the print server when the print server receives the request information; and a change unit that changes the terminal authentication printing setting information stored in the terminal memory unit based on the received changed authentication printing setting information when the authentication printing setting information receiving unit receives the changed authentication printing setting information.

[0007] Yet another aspect for solving the above problem is a program executed by a processor of a terminal device that performs authentication printing together with a print server and a print device that prints based on print data received from the print server, wherein the terminal device stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating the settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing, causes the processor to send the print data to the print server and send request information to the print server requesting changed authentication printing setting information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information, and when the print server receives the request information, causes the processor to receive the changed authentication printing setting information from the print server, and when the print server receives the changed authentication printing setting information, causes the processor to change the terminal authentication printing setting information based on the received changed authentication printing setting information.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the invention that solves the above problem is a print server that performs authentication printing together with a terminal device and a printing device, comprising: a server print data sending unit that sends print data received from the terminal device to the printing device; a server memory unit that stores changed authentication printing setting information for changing terminal authentication printing setting information indicating the settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing; a request information receiving unit that receives request information from the terminal device requesting the changed authentication printing setting information; and an authentication printing setting information sending unit that, when the request information receiving unit receives the request information, sends the changed authentication printing setting information stored in the server memory unit to the terminal device that stores the terminal authentication printing setting information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device and a terminal device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a print server and an authentication server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1000. 1, the printing system 1000 includes a printing device 1, a terminal device 2, a print server 3, and an authentication server 4. The printing device 1, the terminal device 2, the print server 3, and the authentication server 4 are connected to a network NW. The network NW may be a local network, a global network, or a network including a local network and a global network. The global network includes the Internet, a telephone network, and other communication networks.

[0011] The printing system 1000 performs authenticated printing. In authenticated printing, the printing device 1 of the printing system 1000 accepts an operation related to user authentication from the user P, and the authentication server 4 performs user authentication based on the accepted operation related to user authentication. Then, in authenticated printing, if the user authentication is successful, the printing system 1000 performs printing based on the print data 3131 desired by the user P using the printing device 1 that accepted the operation related to user authentication.

[0012] The printing device 1 is a device that prints an image on a printing medium. There is no limit to the type of printing medium, and examples include cut paper of a specified size, roll paper, and synthetic resin sheets. There is no limit to the printing method of the printing device 1, and printing methods such as dot impact, thermal dye sublimation, and thermal can be used.

[0013] In this embodiment, a large format printer that ejects ink onto a print medium using an inkjet system and prints onto a relatively large print medium is exemplified as the printing device 1. Note that as the print medium for a large format printer, for example, print media such as fine paper, cast paper, art paper, coated paper, synthetic paper, films made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) or PP (Polypropylene), fabrics, etc. can be used.

[0014] The printing device 1 performs printing based on the print data 3131 received from the print server 3. The printing device 1 also accepts an operation related to user authentication, and when the user authentication is successful in the authentication server 4, performs printing based on the print data 3131 received from the print server 3.

[0015] The terminal device 2 is a PC (Personal Computer). In FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 is illustrated as a notebook PC, but it may be a desktop PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone. A terminal printer driver 212 is installed in the terminal device 2. The terminal printer driver 212 will be described later. When the terminal printer driver 212 is installed in the terminal device 2, a print queue is created in the terminal device 2. Hereinafter, this print queue will be referred to as the "terminal print queue" and denoted by the reference number "214." The terminal printer driver 212 corresponds to an example of a "program."

[0016] The print server 3 is a server device that performs calculations based on requests from each client connected to the network NW. A server printer driver 311 and a management program 312 are installed on the print server 3. The server printer driver 311 and the management program 312 will be described later. When the server printer driver 311 is installed on the print server 3, a print queue for authentication printing is created on the print server 3. Hereinafter, this print queue will be referred to as the "server print queue" and denoted by the reference number "316."

[0017] The authentication server 4 is a server device that executes a predetermined calculation process based on requests from each client connected to the network NW. The authentication server 4 provides the printing device 1 with various screens related to the print data 3131 stored in the print server 3. The authentication server 4 functions as a Web server, and transmits to the printing device 1, for each screen, an HTML file that displays the screen.

[0018] In each figure, the print server 3 and the authentication server 4 are each represented by a single block, but this does not necessarily mean that the print server 3 and the authentication server 4 are configured as a single server device. For example, the print server 3 and the authentication server 4 may each be configured to include multiple server devices with different processing contents. In addition, in each figure, the print server 3 and the authentication server 4 are each illustrated as separate server devices, but the print server 3 and the authentication server 4 may be configured as the same server device.

[0019] In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing system 1000 is illustrated as having one printing device 1, but the number of printing devices 1 included in the printing system 1000 is not limited to one and may be multiple. In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing system 1000 is illustrated as having one terminal device 2, but the number of terminal devices 2 included in the printing system 1000 is not limited to one and may be multiple.

[0020] Next, the configurations of the printing device 1, the terminal device 2, the printing server 3, and the authentication server 4 will be described. First, the printing device 1 and the terminal device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 1 and the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The printing device 1 includes a printing device control unit 10, a printing device communication unit 11, a printing device display unit 12, a printing device input unit 13, a printing unit 14, and a heating unit 15.

[0022] The printing device control unit 10 includes a printing device processor 100, which is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro-processing unit), and a printing device storage unit 110. The printing device control unit 10 controls each unit of the printing device 1 by the printing device processor 100 reading and executing a control program stored in the printing device storage unit 110. The printing device processor 100 functions as a printing device communication control unit 101 and a printing control unit 102 by reading and executing the control program. The printing device processor 100 also functions as a browser execution unit 103 by reading and executing a browser 111.

[0023] The printing device storage unit 110 includes a memory for storing programs executed by the printing device processor 100 and data processed by the printing device processor 100. The printing device storage unit 110 stores a control program executed by the printing device processor 100, a browser 111, a printing device ID 112 which is identification information for the printing device 1, and various other data. The printing device storage unit 110 includes a non-volatile memory. The printing device storage unit 110 may also include a volatile memory and constitute a work area for the printing device processor 100.

[0024] The printing device communication unit 11 is a communication interface equipped with a communication circuit, connector, etc. that conforms to a specific communication standard, and communicates with the print server 3 and authentication server 4 under the control of the printing device control unit 10 in accordance with the specific communication standard.

[0025] The printing device display unit 12 includes a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and a display panel, and, under the control of the printing device control unit 10, turns on, off, or blinks the LEDs in a predetermined manner, and also displays information on the display panel.

[0026] The printing device input unit 13 includes an input means such as an operation switch or a touch panel provided on the printing device 1, detects an operation of the user P on the input means, and outputs the operation to the printing device control unit 10. The printing device control unit 10 executes a process corresponding to the operation on the input means based on the input from the printing device input unit 13. The printing device input unit 13 includes an input means for the user P to input authentication information NJ to the printing device 1. An example of the input means is a card reader that reads an IC card or the like that stores the authentication information NJ of the user P. Note that the input method of the user P is not limited to this example, and for example, the user P may input a combination of a user ID 4111 and a password 4112 as the authentication information NJ into an operation switch or a touch panel, or may input the authentication information NJ by fingerprint authentication. In this embodiment, the combination of the user ID 4111 and the password 4112 is exemplified as the authentication information NJ, but the authentication information NJ is not limited to this, and for example, in the case of fingerprint authentication, information indicating a fingerprint may be used instead of the password 4112. The user ID 4111 is identification information for identifying the user P in authenticated printing. The password 4112 is a password used for user authentication.

[0027] The printing unit 14 includes components related to printing, such as an inkjet head that ejects ink onto the printing medium to form dots, a carriage that operates the inkjet head in a scanning direction, a carriage drive motor that drives the carriage, a transport unit that transports the printing medium, and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the inkjet head. The printing unit 14 prints on the printing medium by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the inkjet head to form dots on the printing surface of the transported printing medium, according to the control of the printing device control unit 10.

[0028] The heating section 15 includes a heater for drying and fixing the ink on the print medium, and is controlled by the printing apparatus control section 10 to heat the print medium being transported along the transport path.

[0029] As described above, the printing device processor 100 functions as a printing device communication control unit 101, a print control unit 102, and a browser execution unit 103.

[0030] The printing device communication control unit 101 communicates with the printing server 3 and the authentication server 4 via the printing device communication unit 11 .

[0031] The print control unit 102 controls the printing unit 14 and the heating unit 15 to perform printing based on the print data 3131 received from the print server 3.

[0032] The browser execution unit 103 sends an authentication screen request to the authentication server 4 via the printing device communication unit 11. The authentication screen request is information requesting an HTML file for displaying an authentication screen related to user authentication. When the browser execution unit 103 receives the HTML file for displaying the authentication screen from the authentication server 4, it displays the authentication screen on the printing device display unit 12. The authentication screen includes information prompting the user P to input authentication information NJ, such as, for example, “Please hold your IC card over the card reader” or “Please enter your user ID and password.” The browser execution unit 103 accepts input of authentication information NJ from user P via the authentication screen. The browser execution unit 103 then transmits the accepted authentication information NJ to the authentication server 4.

[0033] The browser execution unit 103 also sends an operation screen request to the authentication server 4 via the printing device communication unit 11. The operation screen request is information requesting an HTML file for displaying a print start instruction operation screen. The print start instruction operation screen is a screen on which the user P performs the print start instruction operation. The operation screen request includes the authentication information NJ input by the user P. When the browser execution unit 103 receives the HTML file of the print start instruction operation screen, it displays the print start instruction operation screen on the printing device display unit 12. The browser execution unit 103 accepts a print start instruction from the user P via the print start instruction operation screen, and sends an authentication print start request to the authentication server 4 requesting the start of authentication printing.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 2 will be described. The terminal device 2 includes a terminal control unit 20, a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal display unit 22, and a terminal input unit 23.

[0035] The terminal control unit 20 includes a terminal processor 200, which is a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a terminal storage unit 210. The terminal control unit 20 controls each unit of the terminal device 2 by the terminal processor 200 reading and executing a control program stored in the terminal storage unit 210. The terminal processor 200 also functions as a terminal driver execution unit 201 by reading and executing a terminal printer driver 212 stored in the terminal storage unit 210. The terminal processor 200 corresponds to an example of a processor. The terminal printer driver 212 corresponds to an example of a program.

[0036] The terminal storage unit 210 has a memory for storing programs executed by the terminal processor 200 and data processed by the terminal processor 200. The terminal storage unit 210 stores a control program executed by the terminal processor 200, a generation application 211, a terminal printer driver 212, terminal authentication printing setting information 213, and various other data. The terminal storage unit 210 has a non-volatile memory. The terminal storage unit 210 may also have a volatile memory and constitute a work area for the terminal processor 200.

[0037] The generation application 211 is an application program that generates data such as documents and images.

[0038] The terminal printer driver 212 is a program having a function of generating print data 3131 based on data generated by the generation application 211. The print data 3131 includes print commands, printing conditions such as the number of copies to be printed, and the data generated by the generation application 211. The print commands are commands that correspond to the command specifications of the printing device 1.

[0039] The terminal authentication printing setting information 213 is information indicating the settings of the terminal device 2 related to authentication printing. The terminal authentication printing setting information 213 has a combination of a setting item and a setting value corresponding to the setting item. The terminal authentication printing setting information 213 of this embodiment has a print queue setting item and a user ID setting item. The print queue setting item is a setting item in which the output destination of the terminal print queue 214 is set as a setting value. The user ID setting item is a setting item in which a setting value indicating the validity or invalidity of a process related to the user ID 4111 is set. The process related to the user ID 4111 includes accepting the input of the user ID 4111 and adding the user ID 4111 to the print data 3131. The terminal authentication printing setting information 213 is stored in the terminal storage unit 210 together with the installation of the terminal printer driver 212. A default setting value is set in the setting item of the default terminal printer driver 212. For example, a setting value indicating that the output destination is not set is set in the print queue setting item of the default terminal printer driver 212.

[0040] The terminal communication unit 21 is a communication interface that includes a communication circuit, a connector, and the like that conforms to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the print server 3 under the control of the terminal control unit 20.

[0041] The terminal display unit 22 includes an LED, a display panel, and the like, and displays various information according to the control of the terminal control unit 20.

[0042] The terminal input unit 23 includes input means such as an operation switch, a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard provided on the terminal device 2, detects an operation of the input means by the user P, and outputs the detection result to the terminal control unit 20. Based on the input from the terminal input unit 23, the terminal control unit 20 executes a process corresponding to the operation on the input means.

[0043] As described above, the terminal processor 200 functions as a terminal driver execution unit 201. The terminal driver execution unit 201 functions as a print data generation unit 2011, a user ID processing unit 2012, a terminal print data transmission unit 2013, a request information transmission unit 2014, an authentication print setting information reception unit 2015, and a change unit 2016.

[0044] The print data generation unit 2011 generates print data 3131 based on the data generated by the generation application 211. The print data generation unit 2011 accepts printing conditions from the user P, and generates the print data 3131 based on the accepted printing conditions.

[0045] The user ID processing unit 2012 refers to the terminal authentication print setting information 213, and if a valid setting value is set in the user ID setting item, displays an input screen for a user ID 4111 on the terminal display unit 22. Furthermore, if a valid setting value is set in the user ID setting item of the terminal authentication print setting information 213, the user ID processing unit 2012 adds the user ID 4111 received on the input screen to the print data 3131 generated by the print data generation unit 2011.

[0046] The terminal print data transmission unit 2013 communicates with the print server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21. The terminal print data transmission unit 2013 transmits print data 3131 generated by the print data generation unit 2011 to the print server 3. When the user ID processing unit 2012 adds the user ID 4111 to the print data 3131, the terminal print data transmission unit 2013 transmits the print data 3131 with the user ID 4111 added to the print server 3. When the setting value of the server print queue 316 is set in the print queue setting item of the terminal authentication print setting information 213, the terminal print data transmission unit 2013 transmits the print data 3131 with the user ID 4111 added to the server print queue 316.

[0047] The request information sending unit 2014 communicates with the print server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21. The request information sending unit 2014 sends request information requesting the change authentication print setting information 315 to the print server 3. The change authentication print setting information 315 will be described later.

[0048] The authentication print setting information receiving unit 2015 receives the changed authentication print setting information 315 from the print server 3 as a response to the request information sent by the request information sending unit 2014 .

[0049] The change unit 2016 determines whether the content of the change authentication printing setting information 315 received by the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 is different from the content of the terminal authentication printing setting information 213. If the change unit 2016 determines that they are different, it changes the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 based on the received change authentication printing setting information 315.

[0050] More specifically, the change unit 2016 compares the changed authentication printing setting information 315 with the terminal authentication printing setting information 213. Then, for all setting items, the change unit 2016 determines whether the same setting value is set for the common setting items of the changed authentication printing setting information 315 and the terminal authentication printing setting information 213. If the same setting value is not set for the common setting items, the change unit 2016 determines that the contents of the changed authentication printing setting information 315 and the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 are different. If the change unit 2016 determines that the same setting value is set for the common setting items of all setting items, the change unit 2016 determines that the contents of the changed authentication printing setting information 315 and the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 are the same. If the change unit 2016 determines that the contents of the changed authentication printing setting information 315 and the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 are different, the change unit 2016 makes each setting value of the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 match each setting value of the changed authentication printing setting information 315.

[0051] Next, the configuration of the authentication server 4 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print server 3 and the authentication server 4. As shown in FIG.

[0052] First, the authentication server 4 will be described. The authentication server 4 includes an authentication server control unit 40 and an authentication server communication unit 41 .

[0053] The authentication server control unit 40 includes an authentication server processor 400, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or MPU, and an authentication server storage unit 410, and controls each unit of the authentication server 4. The authentication server control unit 40 reads out the control program stored in the authentication server storage unit 410 by the authentication server processor 400, and controls each unit of the authentication server 4. The authentication server processor 400 functions as an authentication server communication control unit 401, an authentication unit 402, and a print instruction generation unit 403 by reading and executing the control program.

[0054] The authentication server storage unit 410 has a memory that stores programs executed by the authentication server processor 400 and data processed by the authentication server processor 400. The authentication server storage unit 410 stores control programs executed by the authentication server processor 400, an authentication information DB 411, a print information DB 412, and various other data. The authentication server storage unit 410 has a non-volatile storage area. The authentication server storage unit 410 may also have a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the authentication server processor 400.

[0055] The authentication information DB 411 is a database that stores the authentication information NJ as a record.

[0056] The print information DB 412 is a database that stores the print information IJ as a record. One piece of print information IJ includes a user ID 4111 and a print data ID 4121.

[0057] The print data ID 4121 is identification information of the print data 3131 .

[0058] The authentication server communication unit 41 is a communication interface that includes a communication circuit, connector, and the like that conforms to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the printing device 1 and the print server 3 under the control of the authentication server control unit 40.

[0059] As described above, the authentication server processor 400 functions as an authentication server communication control unit 401 , an authentication unit 402 , and a print instruction generating unit 403 .

[0060] The authentication server communication control unit 401 communicates with the printing device 1 and the print server 3 via the authentication server communication unit 41 .

[0061] The authentication unit 402 performs user authentication based on the authentication information NJ input to the printing device 1 .

[0062] The print instruction generating unit 403 generates print instruction information indicating a print instruction when the user authentication is successful by the authentication unit 402. When the print instruction generating unit 403 generates the print instruction information, the print instruction generating unit 403 outputs the generated print instruction information to the authentication server communication control unit 401.

[0063] Next, the configuration of the print server 3 will be described. The print server 3 includes a print server control unit 30 and a print server communication unit 31.

[0064] The print server control unit 30 includes a print server processor 300, which is a processor that executes programs such as a CPU or MPU, and a print server storage unit 310, and controls each unit of the print server 3. The print server control unit 30 controls each unit of the print server 3 by the print server processor 300 reading out a control program stored in the print server storage unit 310. The print server processor 300 functions as a server driver execution unit 301 by reading out a server printer driver 311. The print server processor 300 also functions as a management program execution unit 302 by reading out a management program 312.

[0065] The print server storage unit 310 has a memory that stores programs executed by the print server processor 300 and data processed by the print server processor 300. The print server storage unit 310 stores a control program executed by the print server processor 300, a server printer driver 311, a management program 312, a print data management DB 313, a printing device management DB 314, changed authentication print setting information 315, and various other data. The print server storage unit 310 has a non-volatile storage area. The print server storage unit 310 may also have a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the print server processor 300. The print server storage unit 310 corresponds to an example of a "server storage unit."

[0066] The server printer driver 311 is a program involved in sending and receiving print data 3131 . The management program 312 is a program related to the management of print data 3131 .

[0067] The print data management DB 313 is a database that manages print data 3131 transmitted from the terminal device 2. One record stored in the print data management DB 313 includes a user ID 4111, a print data ID 4121, and the print data 3131.

[0068] The printing device management DB 314 is a database for managing the printing device 1. Each record stored in the printing device management DB 314 includes the printing device ID 112 and communication information 3141.

[0069] The communication information 3141 is information for communicating with the printing device 1 indicated by the corresponding printing device ID 112 in the same record. The communication information 3141 is, for example, address information.

[0070] The changed authentication printing setting information 315 is information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information 213, and indicates settings related to authentication printing. The changed authentication printing setting information 315 has the same setting items as the terminal authentication printing setting information 213.

[0071] The print server communication unit 31 is a communication interface equipped with a communication circuit, connector, etc. that conforms to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the printing device 1, the terminal device 2, and the authentication server 4 under the control of the print server control unit 30.

[0072] As described above, the print server processor 300 functions as a server driver execution unit 301 and a management program execution unit 302 .

[0073] The server driver execution unit 301 functions as a print data receiving unit 3011 and a server print data transmitting unit 3012 .

[0074] The print data receiving unit 3011 communicates with the terminal device 2 via the print server communication unit 31. The print data receiving unit 3011 receives print data 3131 from the terminal device 2.

[0075] The server print data transmission unit 3012 transmits the print data 3131 to the printing device 1 via the print server communication unit 31 .

[0076] The management program execution unit 302 functions as a print information transmission unit 3021 , a database processing unit 3022 , a request information receiving unit 3023 , and an authentication print setting information transmission unit 3024 .

[0077] The print information transmission unit 3021 communicates with the authentication server 4 via the print server communication unit 31. The print information transmission unit 3021 generates print information IJ and transmits the generated print information IJ to the authentication server 4.

[0078] The database processing unit 3022 executes processes related to various databases stored in the print server storage unit 310. When the print data receiving unit 3011 outputs print data 3131, the database processing unit 3022 generates a print data ID 4121, associates the generated print data ID 4121 with the print data 3131 output by the print data receiving unit 3011, and a user ID 4111 linked to the print data 3131, and stores them as one record in the print data management DB 313.

[0079] The request information receiving unit 3023 receives request information from the terminal device 2 via the print server communication unit 31 .

[0080] When the request information receiving unit 3023 receives the request information, the authentication printing setting information sending unit 3024 reads the changed authentication printing setting information 315 from the print server storage unit 310, and sends the changed authentication printing setting information 315 to the terminal device 2 as a response to the request information.

[0081] Next, the operation of the printing system 1000 will be described.

[0082] The operation of the printing system 1000 in authenticated printing will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In the description using Figures 4 and 5, a setting value indicating the server print queue 316 is set in the print queue setting item of the terminal authenticated printing setting information 213, and a setting value indicating that processing related to the user ID 4111 is enabled is set in the user ID setting item.

[0083] First, in authentication printing, the operation of the printing system 1000 until the user P registers the print data 3131 in the print server 3 will be described. In this embodiment, registering the print data 3131 in the print server 3 means newly storing a record having the print data 3131 generated by the terminal device 2 in the print data management DB 313.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system 1000.

[0085] The user ID processing unit 2012 of the terminal device 2 displays an input screen on the terminal display unit 22 (step SK101).

[0086] User P inputs the user ID 4111 on the input screen displayed by terminal device 2 (step SK102).

[0087] The user ID processing unit 2012 of the terminal device 2 receives the input of the user ID 4111 via the input screen (step SK103).

[0088] The user P issues a registration instruction to the terminal device 2 to register the print data 3131 generated by the terminal device 2 in the print server 3 (step SK104).

[0089] When the print data generating unit 2011 of the terminal device 2 accepts a registration instruction from the user P (step SK105), it generates print data 3131 (step SK106).

[0090] Next, the user ID processing unit 2012 adds the user ID 4111 received in step SK103 to the print data 3131 generated in step SK106 (step SK107).

[0091] Next, the terminal print data transmission unit 2013 transmits the print data 3131 with the user ID 4111 added thereto to the print server 3 (step SK108).

[0092] The print data receiving unit 3011 of the print server 3 receives the print data 3131 to which the user ID 4111 has been added from the terminal device 2 (step SK109).

[0093] Next, the database processing unit 3022 generates a new record to be stored in the print data management DB 313 based on the print data 3131 received by the print data receiving unit 3011 (step SK110).

[0094] In step SK110, the database processing unit 3022 generates a print data ID 4121. Then, in step SK110, the database processing unit 3022 generates a record including the generated print data ID 4121, the received print data 3131, and the user ID 4111 added to this print data 3131.

[0095] The database processing unit 3022 stores the newly created record in the print data management DB 313 (step SK111).

[0096] The print information transmission unit 3021 generates print information based on the record stored in step SK111 (step SK112), and transmits the generated print information to the authentication server 4 (step SK113).

[0097] The print information generated in step SK112 includes the print data ID 4121 and the user ID 4111 included in the record stored in step SK111.

[0098] The authentication server communication control unit 401 of the authentication server 4 receives the print information from the print server 3 (step SK114), and stores the received print information in the print information DB 412 (step SK115).

[0099] Next, the operation of the printing system 1000 when the printing device 1 performs printing based on the print data 3131 registered in the print server 3 in authenticated printing will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system 1000.

[0100] The browser execution unit 103 of the printing device 1 sends an authentication screen request to the authentication server 4 via the printing device communication unit 11 (step SK201).

[0101] When the authentication server communication control unit 401 of the authentication server 4 receives the authentication screen request, it transmits an HTML file for displaying the authentication screen to the printing device 1 (step SK202).

[0102] When the browser execution unit 103 of the printing device 1 receives the HTML file for displaying the authentication screen from the authentication server 4, the printing device display unit 12 displays the authentication screen (step SK203).

[0103] The user P inputs the authentication information NJ to the printing device 1 based on the authentication screen displayed by the printing device 1 (step SK204).

[0104] The browser execution unit 103 of the printing device 1 accepts the authentication information NJ entered by the user P (step SK205).

[0105] Next, browser execution unit 103 sends a request for an operation screen to authentication server 4 (step SK206).

[0106] The operation screen request is information requesting an HTML file for displaying a print start instruction operation screen. The print start instruction operation screen is a screen for user P to perform an operation to instruct to start printing. The operation screen request includes authentication information NJ input by user P.

[0107] When the authentication server communication control unit 401 receives the operation screen request, the authentication unit 402 of the authentication server 4 performs user authentication based on the authentication information NJ included in the received operation screen request (step SK207).

[0108] In step SK207, authentication unit 402 refers to authentication information DB 411 and determines whether authentication information NJ included in the received operation screen request is stored as one record in authentication information DB 411. If authentication unit 402 determines that it is not stored, it determines that user authentication has failed. If authentication unit 402 determines that it is stored, it determines that user authentication has succeeded.

[0109] If the authentication unit 402 determines that the user authentication has been successful, it identifies the print information IJ having the user ID 4111 for which the user authentication has been successful from the print information DB 412 (step SK208).

[0110] The authentication unit 402 generates a print start instruction operation screen for the user P to perform a print start instruction operation for the print data 3131 indicated by the print data ID 4121 included in the identified print information IJ (step SK209).

[0111] The print start instruction operation screen is a screen that displays a list of print data 3131 of user P who has been successfully authenticated. The print start instruction operation screen also includes software buttons for selecting one or more print data 3131 from the list of print data 3131. The print start instruction operation screen also includes, for example, a software button for user P to perform an operation to issue a print start instruction.

[0112] The authentication server communication control unit 401 transmits to the printing device 1 the HTML file for displaying the print start instruction operation screen generated by the authentication unit 402 (step SK210).

[0113] If the authentication unit 402 determines that the user authentication has failed, it does not transmit to the printing device 1 an HTML file for displaying a print start instruction screen.

[0114] When the browser execution unit 103 of the printer 1 receives the HTML file for displaying the print start instruction operation screen via the printer communication unit 11, the printer display unit 12 displays the print start instruction operation screen (step SK211).

[0115] The user P selects one or more print data 3131 to be printed by the printer 1 on the print start instruction operation screen displayed by the printer 1 (step SK212).

[0116] The user P issues a print start instruction on the print start instruction operation screen displayed by the printer 1 (step SK213).

[0117] The browser execution unit 103 of the printer 1 accepts the print start instruction issued by the user P (step SK214).

[0118] When the print start instruction is received, the browser execution unit 103 sends an authentication print start request to the authentication server 4 to request the start of authentication printing (step SK215).

[0119] The authentication print start request sent in step SK215 includes all of the print data IDs 4121 of the print data 3131 selected by the user P in step SK212. The authentication print start request sent in step SK215 also includes the printing device ID 112 stored in the printing device 1.

[0120] The authentication server communication control unit 401 of the authentication server 4 receives the authentication printing start request from the printing device 1 (step SK216).

[0121] Next, the print instruction generating unit 403 refers to the print information DB 412 to identify the user ID 4111 that corresponds to the print data ID 4121 included in the authentication print start request (step SK217).

[0122] Next, the print instruction generation unit 403 generates print instruction information indicating a print instruction, and transmits the generated print instruction information to the print server 3 (step SK218). The print instruction information includes the print data ID 4121 included in the authentication print start request, the identified user ID 4111, and the printing device ID 112 included in the authentication print start request.

[0123] The server print data transmission unit 3012 of the print server 3 receives the print instruction information from the authentication server 4 (step SK219).

[0124] The server print data transmission unit 3012 acquires print data 3131 corresponding to the combination of the print data ID 4121 and the user ID 4111 contained in the received print instruction information from the print data management DB 313 (step SK220).

[0125] Next, the server print data transmission unit 3012 identifies the communication information 3141 that corresponds to the printing device ID 112 included in the received print instruction information (step SK221).

[0126] The server print data transmission unit 3012 transmits the print data 3131 acquired in step SK220 to the printing device 1 based on the communication information 3141 identified in step SK221 (step SK222).

[0127] When the printing device communication control unit 101 receives the printing data 3131, the printing control unit 102 of the printing device 1 controls the printing unit 14 and heating unit 15 to perform printing based on the received printing data 3131 (step SK223).

[0128] In order to execute the authenticated printing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printing system 1000 executes the operations shown in FIG.

[0129] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system 1000. In FIG.

[0130] The request information transmission unit 2014 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not the timing for the terminal driver execution unit 201 to perform communication has arrived (step SA1). Examples of the timing for the terminal driver execution unit 201 to start communication include the timing when a new terminal print queue 214 is created, the timing when the user P starts authentication printing, etc.

[0131] If the request information sending unit 2014 determines that the time has come for the terminal driver execution unit 201 to start communication (step SA1: YES), it determines whether the communication destination of the terminal driver execution unit 201 is the print server 3 (step SA2).

[0132] If the request information transmitting unit 2014 determines that the communication destination of the terminal driver execution unit 201 is not the print server 3 (step SA2: NO), it ends this process.

[0133] On the other hand, if the request information transmitting unit 2014 determines that the communication destination of the terminal driver execution unit 201 is the print server 3 (step SA2: YES), it transmits the request information to the print server 3 (step SA3).

[0134] As shown in the flowchart FB, the request information receiving unit 3023 of the print server 3 receives request information from the terminal device 2 (step SB1).

[0135] Next, the authentication print setting information transmission unit 3024 determines whether the changed authentication print setting information 315 is stored in the print server storage unit 310 (step SB2).

[0136] If the authentication printing setting information transmission unit 3024 determines that the changed authentication printing setting information 315 is not stored in the print server memory unit 310 (step SB2: NO), it transmits information indicating that the changed authentication printing setting information 315 is not stored to the terminal device 2 as a response to the request information (step SB3).

[0137] If the authentication print setting information transmission unit 3024 determines that the changed authentication print setting information 315 is stored in the print server storage unit 310 (step SB2: YES), it reads out the changed authentication print setting information 315 from the print server storage unit 310 (step SB4).

[0138] Next, the authentication printing setting information transmission unit 3024 transmits the read changed authentication printing setting information 315 to the terminal device 2 as a response to the request information (step SB5).

[0139] As shown in the flowchart FA, the request information sending unit 2014 determines whether or not communication with the print server 3 is possible (step SA4).

[0140] In step SA4, the request information sending unit 2014 determines that it is in a state where it can communicate with the print server 3 if it can send the request information, and determines that it is not in a state where it can communicate with the print server 3 if it cannot send the request information.

[0141] If the request information sending unit 2014 determines that communication with the print server 3 is not possible (step SA4: NO), it ends this process. An example of a case in which it is determined that communication with the print server 3 is not possible is when the network address of the print server 3 has been changed.

[0142] On the other hand, if the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that it is in a state where it can communicate with the print server 3 (step SA4: YES), it determines whether it has received a response to the request information sent by the request information sending unit 2014 (step SA5).

[0143] If the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that a response to the request information has not been received (step SA5: NO), it determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the request information sending unit 2014 sent the request information without receiving a response to the request information (step SA6). That is, the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines whether a timeout time has elapsed in step SA6.

[0144] If the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that the time during which no response has been received since the request information was sent has exceeded a predetermined time (step SA6: YES), the change unit 2016 invalidates the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 (step SA7).

[0145] In step SA7, for example, the change unit 2016 performs a predetermined information process on the terminal authentication print setting information 213 so that each unit of the driver execution unit 201 cannot refer to the terminal authentication print setting information 213.

[0146] On the other hand, if the authentication print setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that the time during which no response to the request information has been received has not exceeded the predetermined time (step SA6: NO), the process returns to step SA5.

[0147] Returning to the explanation of step SA5, if the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that a response to the request information has been received (step SA5: YES), it determines whether the response to the received request information is changed authentication printing setting information 315 (step SA8).

[0148] When the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that the response to the request information is not the changed authentication printing setting information 315 (step SA8: NO), the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 performs the process of step SA7.

[0149] On the other hand, if the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 determines that the response to the request information is changed authentication printing setting information 315 (step SA8: YES), the change unit 2016 determines whether the received changed authentication printing setting information 315 is different from the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 (step SA9).

[0150] If the change unit 2016 determines that the change authentication print setting information 315 is the same as the terminal authentication print setting information 213 (step SA9: NO), the change unit 2016 ends this process.

[0151] If the change unit 2016 determines that the changed authentication printing setting information 315 and the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 are different (step SA9: YES), it makes the contents of the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 match the contents of the changed authentication printing setting information 315 (step SA10).

[0152] By performing the operation of FIG. 6, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 is automatically changed. Therefore, when configuring settings related to authentication printing in the terminal device 2 when the terminal device 2 is newly installed or replaced in authentication printing, the user P does not need to manually configure the settings in the terminal device 2. Conventionally, in an OS (Operating System) such as Windows (registered trademark), if the OS of the terminal device 2 and the print server 3 are the same, the settings related to authentication printing are automatically synchronized between the terminal device 2 and the print server 3. On the other hand, if the OS of the terminal device 2 and the print server 3 are different, such as when the OS of the terminal device 2 is Linux (registered trademark) and the OS of the print server 3 is Windows, the settings related to authentication printing are not automatically synchronized. Therefore, if the OS of the terminal device 2 and the print server 3 are different, the user P had to manually configure settings related to authentication printing in the terminal device 2. However, in the printing system 1000 of this embodiment, the settings related to authentication printing are automatically synchronized regardless of the OS. Therefore, even if the OS of the terminal device 2 and the print server 3 are different, the user P can perform settings related to authenticated printing on the terminal device 2 without any trouble.

[0153] Next, several variations of the above-described embodiment will be described. [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 and the changed authentication printing setting information 315 have a print queue setting item and a user ID setting item. In the first modification, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 and the changed authentication printing setting information 315 have a print function restriction item in addition to these two setting items or in place of at least one of these two setting items.

[0154] The print function restriction items are setting items that are set as setting values ​​that indicate whether the restriction of the print function is enabled or disabled. For example, if a setting value indicating enable is set in the print function restriction items, color printing is restricted. In this example, the print data generation unit 2011 does not accept a designation of color printing as a printing condition during authentication printing. Therefore, in this example, color printing is not performed in the printing system 1000.

[0155] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 and the changed authentication printing setting information 315 have a print queue setting item and a user ID setting item. In the second modification, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 and the changed authentication printing setting information 315 have a specific user usability item in addition to the setting items in the above-described embodiment and the first modification, or in place of at least one of the setting items in the above-described embodiment and the first modification.

[0156] The specific user usability item is a setting item in which a setting value is set indicating whether or not authentication printing is available for a specific user P, such as a guest. For example, assume that a setting value of "unusable" is set in the specific user usability item. In this case, if the user ID 4111 is not input or if a specific user ID 4111 is input, the print data generation unit 2011 does not generate print data 3131 for authentication printing.

[0157] According to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the following effects are achieved.

[0158] As described above, the printing system 1000 performing authentication printing includes the terminal device 2, the print server 3 that receives print data 3131 from the terminal device 2, and the printing device 1 that performs printing based on the print data 3131 received by the print server 3. The terminal device 2 stores the terminal authentication printing setting information 213. The print server 3 stores changed authentication printing setting information 315 for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information 213. The terminal device 2 transmits request information requesting the changed authentication printing setting information 315 to the print server 3. When the print server 3 receives the request information, it transmits the changed authentication printing setting information 315 to the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 changes the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 based on the changed authentication printing setting information 315 received from the print server 3.

[0159] According to this printing system 1000, the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 are automatically performed, so that the user P can perform the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 without any trouble.

[0160] If the contents of the received change authentication printing setting information 315 differ from the contents of the terminal authentication printing setting information 213, the terminal device 2 makes the contents of the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 coincide with the contents of the change authentication printing setting information 315.

[0161] According to this, the settings related to authentication printing are automatically synchronized between the terminal device 2 and the print server 3. Therefore, the same settings related to authentication printing stored in the print server 3 can be made on the terminal device 2 without any effort on the part of the user P.

[0162] When the terminal device 2 is in a state in which it can communicate with the print server 3, and does not receive the changed authentication print setting information 315 from the print server 3 after sending request information, the terminal device 2 invalidates the terminal authentication print setting information 213.

[0163] This makes it possible to invalidate settings related to authenticated printing that have been set for the terminal device 2 when the print server 3 does not support authenticated printing. This makes it possible to prevent the terminal device 2 from operating based on settings related to authenticated printing even when the print server 3 does not support authenticated printing. For example, it is possible to prevent the terminal device 2 from accepting input of the user ID 4111 even when the print server 3 does not support authenticated printing.

[0164] The printing device 1 accepts input of authentication information NJ from the user P, and if user authentication based on the accepted authentication information NJ is successful, receives print data 3131 from the print server 3 and performs printing based on the received print data 3131.

[0165] This allows the user P to configure settings for authenticated printing, which starts when the user inputs the authentication information NJ into the printer 1, on the terminal device 2 without any effort on his / her part.

[0166] The printing system 1000 includes an authentication server 4 capable of communicating with the print server 3. The authentication server 4 receives input authentication information NJ from the printing device 1, performs user authentication based on the received authentication information NJ, and if the user authentication is successful, transmits print instruction information indicating a print instruction to the print server 3. The print server 3 transmits print data 3131 to the printing device 1 based on the print instruction information received from the authentication server 4.

[0167] This allows the user P to configure settings for authenticated printing using the authentication server 4, which is separate from the print server 3, on the terminal device 2 without any effort on his / her part.

[0168] The changed authentication printing setting information 315 indicates a setting for designating the output destination of the terminal print queue 214 to the server print queue 316 for authentication printing.

[0169] According to this, the output destination of the terminal print queue 214 can be automatically set, so that the output destination of the terminal print queue 214 can be set to the print queue for authentication printing that the print server 3 has, without any effort on the part of the user P.

[0170] The changed authentication printing setting information 315 indicates a setting for validating a function for adding a user ID 4111 used in authentication printing to print data 3131 .

[0171] According to this, the setting to add the user ID 4111 used in authentication printing can be performed automatically, so that the user P can perform the setting to add the user ID 4111 to the print data 3131 on the terminal device 2 without any effort on his / her part.

[0172] The changed authentication print setting information 315 indicates a setting for enabling a function for restricting print functions.

[0173] According to this, since the restriction on the printing function can be automatically set, the user P can set the terminal device 2 to restrict the printing function without any trouble.

[0174] The changed authentication printing setting information 315 indicates whether a specific user P can use authentication printing.

[0175] According to this, the setting as to whether or not a specific user P can use authentication printing can be performed automatically, so that the setting as to whether or not a specific user P can use authentication printing can be performed on the terminal device 2 without any effort on the part of the user P.

[0176] The terminal device 2 performs authentication printing together with the print server 3 and the print device 1 which performs printing based on print data 3131 received from the print server 3. The terminal device 2 includes a terminal print data sending unit 2013 which sends the print data 3131 to the print server 3, a terminal storage unit 210 which stores terminal authentication printing setting information 213, a request information sending unit 2014 which sends request information requesting changed authentication printing setting information 315 to the print server 3, an authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 which receives the changed authentication printing setting information 315 from the print server 3 when the print server 3 receives the request information, and a change unit 2016 which changes the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 based on the received changed authentication printing setting information 315 when the authentication printing setting information receiving unit 2015 receives the changed authentication printing setting information 315.

[0177] According to this terminal device 2, the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 are automatically performed, so that the user P can perform the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 without any trouble.

[0178] The terminal printer driver 212 causes the terminal processor 200 to send print data 3131 to the print server 3, and to send request information to the print server 3 requesting changed authentication printing setting information 315, and when the print server 3 receives the request information, causes the terminal processor 200 to receive the changed authentication printing setting information 315 from the print server 3, and when the changed authentication printing setting information is received, causes the terminal processor 200 to change the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 based on the received changed authentication printing setting information 315.

[0179] According to this terminal printer driver 212, the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 are automatically configured, so that the user P can configure the settings related to authenticated printing for the terminal device 2 without any effort.

[0180] The print server 3 performs authentication printing together with the terminal device 2 and the printer 1. The print server 3 includes a server print data transmission unit 3012 that transmits print data 3131 received from the terminal device 2 to the printer 1, a print server storage unit 310 that stores changed authentication printing setting information 315 for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information 213, a request information receiving unit 3023 that receives request information requesting the changed authentication printing setting information 315 from the terminal device 2, and an authentication printing setting information transmission unit 3024 that transmits the changed authentication printing setting information 315 stored in the print server storage unit 310 to the terminal device 2 when the request information receiving unit 3023 receives the request information.

[0181] According to this print server 3, the terminal device 2 can automatically configure settings related to authenticated printing, so that the user P can configure settings related to authenticated printing on the terminal device 2 without any effort on his / her part.

[0182] The above-described embodiment and modified examples are merely illustrative of one aspect, and any modification and application is possible.

[0183] For example, in the above embodiment, the terminal authentication printing setting information 213 and the changed authentication printing setting information 315 have a print queue setting item and a user ID setting item. However, these pieces of authentication printing setting information may further have other types of setting items.

[0184] For example, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, a large format printer has been given as an example of the printing device 1, but the printing device 1 is not limited to a large format printer and can be applied to various printing devices such as a multifunction device having functions other than a printing function, such as a scanning function, and a textile printing machine that performs textile printing.

[0185] Furthermore, the functions of the printing device control unit 10, the terminal control unit 20, the print server control unit 30, and the authentication server control unit 40 may be realized by multiple processors or multiple semiconductor chips.

[0186] 2 and 3 are merely examples, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the functions of each unit by having one processor execute a program. Also, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiment may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software. In addition, the specific detailed configurations of the other units of the printing device 1, the terminal device 2, the printing server 3, and the authentication server 4 can also be changed as desired.

[0187] 4 to 6 are divided according to the main processing contents to facilitate understanding of the operations of each part of the printing system 1000, and the present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing units may be further divided into more step units according to the processing contents. Furthermore, each step unit may be divided to include more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0188] 1...printing device, 2...terminal device, 3...printing server, 4...authentication server, 10...printing device control unit, 11...printing device communication unit, 12...printing device display unit, 13...printing device input unit, 14...printing unit, 15...heating unit, 20...terminal control unit, 21...terminal communication unit, 22...terminal display unit, 23...terminal input unit, 30...print server control unit, 31...print server communication unit, 40...authentication server control unit, 41...authentication server communication unit, 100...printing device processor, 101...printing device communication control unit, 102...printing control unit, 103...browser implementation Line section, 110...printing device storage section, 111...browser, 112...printing device ID, 200...terminal processor (processor), 201...terminal driver execution section, 210...terminal storage section, 211...generating application, 212...terminal printer driver (program), 213...terminal authentication printing setting information, 214...terminal print queue, 300...print server processor, 301...server driver execution section, 302...management program execution section, 310...print server storage section (server storage section), 311...server printer 312... management program, 313... print data management DB, 314... printing device management DB, 315... changed authentication print setting information, 316... server print queue, 400... authentication server processor, 401... authentication server communication control unit, 402... authentication unit, 403... print instruction generation unit, 410... authentication server storage unit, 411... authentication information DB, 412... print information DB, 1000... printing system, 2011... print data generation unit, 2012... user ID processing unit, 2013... terminal print data transmission unit, 20 14...request information sending unit, 2015...authentication printing setting information receiving unit, 2016...change unit, 3011...print data receiving unit, 3012...server print data sending unit, 3012...print information sending unit, 3022...database processing unit, 3023...request information receiving unit, 3024...authentication printing setting information sending unit, 3131...print data, 3141...communication information, 4111...user ID (user identification information), 4112...password, 4121...print data ID, IJ...print information, NJ...authentication information, NW...network, P...user.

Claims

1. A printing system that performs authenticated printing, A terminal device; a print server that receives print data from the terminal device; a printing device that performs printing based on the print data received by the print server, the terminal device stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing; the print server stores change authentication print setting information for changing the terminal authentication print setting information; the terminal device transmits request information to the print server requesting the changed authentication print setting information; the print server transmits the changed authentication print setting information to the terminal device when the request information is received; the terminal device changes the terminal authentication printing setting information based on the changed authentication printing setting information received from the print server; when the terminal device does not receive the changed authentication printing setting information from the print server after transmitting the request information while the terminal device is in a state capable of communicating with the print server, the terminal device invalidates the terminal authentication printing setting information. Printing system.

2. The terminal device When the content of the received changed authentication printing setting information is different from the content of the terminal authentication printing setting information, the content of the terminal authentication printing setting information is made to coincide with the content of the changed authentication printing setting information. The printing system of claim 1 .

3. The printing device includes: accepting an input of authentication information from a user, and if user authentication based on the accepted authentication information is successful, receiving the print data from the print server, and performing printing based on the received print data.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an authentication server capable of communicating with the print server; the authentication server receives the input authentication information from the printing device, performs user authentication based on the received authentication information, and if the user authentication is successful, transmits print instruction information indicating a print instruction to the printing server; the print server transmits the print data to the printing device based on the print instruction information received from the authentication server; The printing system according to claim 3 .

5. The changed authentication printing setting information indicates a setting for designating an output destination of a print queue of the terminal device to a print queue of the authentication printing of the print server. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The modified authentication printing setting information indicates a setting for enabling a function for adding user identification information used in the authentication printing to the print data. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The change authentication print setting information indicates a setting for enabling a function for restricting a print function. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The change authentication printing setting information indicates a setting for whether or not a specific user is allowed to use the authentication printing. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A terminal device that performs authentication printing together with a print server and a printing device that performs printing based on print data received from the print server, a terminal print data transmission unit that transmits the print data to the print server; a terminal storage unit that stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing; a request information sending unit that sends request information to the print server to request changed authentication printing setting information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information; an authentication printing setting information receiving unit that receives the changed authentication printing setting information from the print server when the print server receives the request information; a change unit that changes the terminal authentication printing setting information stored in the terminal storage unit based on the changed authentication printing setting information when the authentication printing setting information receiving unit receives the changed authentication printing setting information, the change unit invalidates the terminal authentication printing setting information when the changed authentication printing setting information is not received from the print server after the request information is transmitted in a state in which communication with the print server is possible; Terminal device.

10. A program executed by a processor of a terminal device that performs authentication printing together with a print server and a printing device that performs printing based on print data received from the print server, comprising: the terminal device stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating settings of the terminal device related to the authentication printing; The processor, causing the print server to transmit the print data; transmitting request information to the print server to request changed authentication print setting information for changing the terminal authentication print setting information; When the print server receives the request information, the changed authentication print setting information is received from the print server; When the changed authentication printing setting information is received, the terminal authentication printing setting information is changed based on the received changed authentication printing setting information; when the changed authentication printing setting information is not received from the print server after the request information is transmitted in a state in which communication with the print server is possible, the terminal authentication printing setting information is invalidated. program.

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