WO2004061741A1

WO2004061741A1 - Managing system of common use printer and copy machine and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2004061741A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002936
Authority: WO
Inventors: No-Hun PARK; Doo-Sik KANG; Jong-Cheol Lee; Min-Gyu HA; Sung-Min Choi
Original assignee: Itm Inc; Park No-Hun; Kang Doo-Sik; Jong-Cheol Lee; Ha Min-Gyu; Sung-Min Choi
Priority date: 2003-01-06
Filing date: 2003-12-31
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Also published as: AU2003289592A1

Abstract

A shared printer management system includes a user interface, and an authentication unit for making the user authentication based on the user ID and password input through the user interface. A print processing unit outputs the data of print work of the user authenticated by the authentication unit to a printer to print the data. A print information management unit stores the print information concerning the user and the number of pages of the printed documents with respect to the print work conducted by the print processing unit. With the system, the user conveniently proceeds printing based on the computer for the document writing. As plural numbers of printers are controlled by one printer server and the high-priced card terminal is not used, the system installation cost is reduced, and the print records per the respective users are easily managed.

Description

MANAGING SYSTEM OF COMMON USE PRINTER AND COPY MACHINE AND METHOD THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and a method for

managing shared printers and copiers.

(b) Description of Related Art

Generally, schools, public institutions, and companies have shared

printers and copiers for many users for printing or copying. As

unspecified persons use such shared printers and copiers, it is required to

provide means for charging the print or copy work, and to manage the print

or copy record data.

With the conventional charging system, a charging card terminal is

connected to a printer computer or a copier, and the user purchases a

print or copy card and puts it into the card terminal. When printing or

copying is done using the printer computer or the copier, the amount is

subtracted from the card.

However, such a charging system has disadvantages in that the

user must shift the target print document files to the printer computer, and

manipulate the printer computer in a direct manner, incurring much time

delay.

Furthermore, the printer computer or the copier, and the charging card terminal, should be connected to the printer. As the cost for the charging card terminal is very high, it is difficult to provide many such systems.

In addition, the print record data are not managed so that it is difficult to analyze the situation and pattern of usage of the respective users and printers, and to effectively introduce and arrange printers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for managing shared printers which print through a user computer for document writing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shared printer management system which involves an economical installation cost.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shared printer management system which manages statistics regarding the respective users, printers, paper, and colors to determine and eliminate unneeded printing, thereby reducing the cost for the total printing operation.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a shared copier management system which reduces the cost for managing copiers. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for managing shared copiers which manages the copiers together with other office equipment and accessories in a unified manner.

These and other objects may be achieved by a printer management system where the printer server allows printing through user authentication.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the shared printer management system includes a user interface, and an authentication unit for authenticating the user based on the user ID and a password input through the user interface. A print processing unit outputs the data on print work of the user authenticated by the authentication unit to a printer to print the data, and a print information management unit stores the print information concerning the user and the number of pages of printed documents with respect to the print work conducted by the print processing unit.

A balance comparison unit compares the print charge for the print work to be printed with the user balance before the print processing unit outputs the print data to the printer, and determines whether the user balance is sufficient, thereby determining whether to output the print data.

A print charge management unit subtracts the print charge for the print work output by the print processing unit from the user balance. The print processing unit displays the print results through the user interface, and the print charge management unit displays the print charge information related to the print charge for the print work output by the print processing unit, and the user balance subtracted by the print charge, through the user interface.

A user information unit stores the user information related to the user ID, password, and balance, and a print information unit stores the print information. A user information management unit classifies the user information related to the user ID, password, and the balance and print charge information, and stores and manages the classified information at the user information unit.

A printer management unit collects the state information of the printers. A printer information management unit manages the printer state information provided by the printer management unit, and when the printer state is abnormal, reports the abnormality of the printer to a remote manager.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shared printer management system includes printers, a database for storing the print information and the user information, and a deposit unit for making the user balance by depositing money into the user account. User computers provide the user interface, compare the user balance with the print charge for the target print work to determine whether the print work is performed, and transmit the data of the print work. A printer server authenticates the user based on the user information, receives the print data transmitted from the user computer, and outputs the print data to the selected printer to print. The printer server subtracts the print charge from the user balance. A management server classifies the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifies the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the shared printer management system includes printers, a database for storing the print information and the user information, and a deposit unit for making the user balance by depositing money into the user account.

User computers provide the user interface, authenticate the user based on the user information, compare the user balance with the print charge for the target print work to determine whether the print work is performed, and transmit the data of the print work. A printer server receives the print data transmitted from the user computers, outputs the print data to the selected printer to print, and subtracts the print charge from the user balance. A management server classifies the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifies the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the shared printer management system includes printers, a database for storing the print information and the user information, a deposit unit for making the user balance by depositing money into the user account, and user computers for providing the user interface and transmitting the data of the print work to be printed. A printer server authenticates the user based on the user information, and compares the user balance with the print charge for the print work to determine whether the print work is performed. The printer server receives the print data transmitted from the user computer, and outputs the print data to the selected printer to print. The printer server subtracts the print charge from the user balance. A management server classifies the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifies the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

The printer server collects the state information of the printers. The management server manages the printer state information provided by the printer server, and when the printer state is abnormal, reports the abnormality of the printer to a remote manager. In a method of managing shared printers, a window for inputting the user authentication information is first displayed upon receipt of the print instruction. The input user authentication information is compared with the stored user authentication information to determine whether the user is authenticated. The data of the target print work is output to a printer to print when it is determined that the user is authenticated. The print information is stored, and the print results are displayed.

The print charge for the target print work to be printed is calculated before the step of outputting the print data to the printer, and is compared with the user balance to determine whether the printing is made. The print charge is subtracted from the user balance after the step of outputting the print data to the printer. When the user authentication information input at the step of authenticating the user does not coincide with the stored user authentication information, an authentication failure message is displayed. When the user balance is smaller than the print charge at the step of determining whether the printing is made, a balance shortage message is displayed.

The print information concerns the user, the file name of the printed documents, the number of pages and form (the print paper mode and color) of the documents, the time of printing, and the printer ID.

Furthermore, the above objects of the present invention may be achieved by a copier management system where the copier server copies based on the user authentication. Specifically, the copier management system includes a user interface, an authentication unit for authenticating the user based on the user ID and password input through the user interface, and a balance management unit for calculating the copy charge, and subtracting the calculated copy charge from the user balance. A copier state control unit releases or holds the lock of the copier depending upon whether the user authentication is made and whether the user balance is exhausted.

A copy information collection unit collects the copy information related to the amount and form of copy work. A copy information management unit classifies the copy information, and a copy information storage unit stores the copy information.

The balance management unit calculates the copy charge based on the copy information. The balance management unit displays the copy charge information related to the copy charge calculated based on the copy information and the user balance subtracted by the copy charge through the user interface.

A user information management unit classifies the user information related the user ID, password, and balance, and a user information unit stores the user information.

A copier information collection unit collects the copier information related to failure of the copier and the termination of copying. A copier information management unit classifies the copier information, while a copier information unit stores the copier information.

When it is determined based on the collected copier information that the copier state is abnormal, the copier information management unit reports the abnormality of the copier to a remote manager.

In a method of managing copiers, the input user authentication information is compared with the stored user authentication information to determine whether the user is authenticated. When the user is authenticated, the lock of the copier is released and the copy information is collected. The copy charge is calculated based on the copy information, and the copy charge is subtracted from the user balance. It is determined whether the subtracted user balance is exhausted, and when the user balance is exhausted, the lock of the copier is held.

When the user authentication information input at the user authenticating step does not coincide with the stored user authentication information, the authentication failure message is displayed.

When the user balance is exhausted, a warning message may be displayed.

The copy information concerns the user, the amount of copy work, the time of copying, and the relevant copier ID.

The copier information concerns the failure of the copier, and the termination of copying. When the user balance is not exhausted, it is determined based on the copier information whether the copying is terminated, and when the copying is found to be terminated, the lock of the copier is held.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of a shared printer management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the charging process using the shared printer management system shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the charging process using the shared printer management system shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the charging process using the shared printer management system shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 illustrates the structure of a copier management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a copier management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of managing copiers using the copier management system shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 1 1 is a block diagram of a block diagram of a copier management system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of managing copiers using the copier management system shown in Fig. 1 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the embodiments, like reference symbols indicate the same or the similar components.

A system and a method for managing shared printers according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of a shared printer management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The shared printer management system includes user PCs 100, a printer server 200, a management server 300, printers 400, a deposit or settlement system 500, and a database 600. The shared printer management system may further include a remote control unit based on a web.

The user PCs 100 have various kinds of programs for document writing, and a client program of a charging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the user can write documents at the user PC 100, and perform in situ printing thereof.

When the user instructs to print the target document, the client program is operated to print by the authenticating or charging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. When needed, the π user authentication and the user balance confirmation may be made.

In addition to the client program, a user authentication program may be installed at the user PC 100 to authenticate the user.

The printer server 200 receives the print data from the user PC 100, and makes the printer 400 perform the desired printing. Plural numbers of printers 400 are usually connected to one printer server 200. The printing work is distributed to the printers 400 while considering the load thereto. The user may designate the desired printer 400 via the user PC 100, and in this case, the printer server 200 makes the designated printer 400 perform the printing irrespective of the load thereto.

The printer server 200 performs the process of authenticating the user, and the process of calculating the print charge and subtracting it from the user balance.

One or more printer servers 200 are provided per site where the interconnected printers 400 are located.

The printer server 200 may be a personal computer installed with the printer server program.

The management server 300 collectively controls the printer servers 200 at the respective sites, and performs the classifying, storing, and managing of the user information related to the user identification (ID), password, and balance, and the print information related to the printer state and record. The management server 300 further collects and manages the information related to the overall charging system, and conducts its role as a passage for remote controlling through the web.

One or more management servers 300 may be provided with respect to the plural numbers of printer servers 200.

It is explained that the printer server 200 and the management server 300 are installed in a separate manner, but they may be incorporated into one unit in an undistinguished manner.

The printer 400 conducts the printing in accordance with the outputs from the printer server 200.

The deposit or settlement system 500 (referred to as a "deposit unit") is a unit where money is preliminarily deposited into the user's account to make a balance, which is used when the user proceeds with printing using the embodiment of the present invention.

The deposit unit 500 is structured such that money is deposited into the user's account with the input of the user ID to make the user balance, but may utilize the settlements by credit cards, portable phones, or other payment means on line or off line. The details input by the user using the deposit unit or other external settlement systems are transmitted to the management server 300, and reflected upon the user information stored at the database. The database 600 stores various kinds of information collected, classified and managed by the management server 300, such as user information, print information and printer information.

The specifics of the shared printer management system may be made in various manners. Three embodiments related to the specifics of the shared printer management system will now be explained.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The user PC 100 includes a user interface 101 , a print data processing unit 102, a balance comparison unit 103 and a communication unit 104, which are realized by a client program.

The user interface 101 provides a display window for inputting the user ID and password, and displays the print result message, the authentication failure message, and the balance shortage message from the printer server 200 on the PC screen.

The print data processing unit 102 transmits the print data related to the target documents to be printed to the printer server 200.

When the user balance is compared with the print charge for the target documents and turns out to be sufficient, the balance comparison unit 103 makes the print data processing unit 102 transmit the print data to the printer server 200. When the user balance is not sufficient, the balance comparison unit 103 makes the user interface101 display a balance shortage message. The communication unit 104 exchanges data and instructions with the printer server 200 using a predetermined protocol.

The printer server 200 includes an authentication unit 201 , a print processing unit 202, a print charge management unit 203, a printer management unit 204, and a communication unit 205.

The authentication unit 201 receives the user ID and password input through the user PC 100, and compares them with the user information stored at the database 600. When they coincide with each other, the authentication unit 201 determines that the user authentication is made, and transmits the balance information of the relevant user to the user PC 100. When they do not coincide with each other, the authentication unit 201 determines that the user authentication is not made, and makes the user interface 101 of the user PC 100 display the authentication failure message.

The print processing unit 202 receives the print data transmitted from the user PC 100, selects the printer 400 for performing the desired printing, and transmits the print results to the user PC 100.

The print charge management unit 203 identifies the print information related to the number of pages and form of the printed documents, and calculates the print charge. The print charge management unit 203 subtracts the calculated print charge from the user balance, and transmits the subtracted user balance information to the management server 300 together with the print information. Furthermore, the print charge management unit 203 transmits the information related to the print charge and the subtracted user balance to the user PC 100 to indicate it to the user.

The printer management unit 204 collects the printer state information, and transmits it to the management server 300.

The communication unit 205 exchanges data and instructions with the user PC 100, the management server 300 and the printer 400 using a predetermined protocol. The management server 300 includes a print information management unit 301 , a user information management unit 302, a printer information management unit 303, and a communication unit 304.

The print information management unit 301 classifies the print information from the printer server 200, and stores it at the database 600, thereby managing the print records for respective printers and users.

Among the print information contents, there are the printer users, the printed document file names, the number of pages and form (the print paper mode and color) of the printed documents, and the relevant printer IDs. The user information management unit 302 classifies the user information related to the user ID, password, and balance, and stores it at the database 600. When requested by the printer server 200, the user information management unit 302 extracts the required user information, and transmits it thereto. The printer information management unit 303 stores and manages the printer management and state information collected and transmitted by the printer management unit 204, and when any of the printer states is abnormal, it reports the abnormality thereof to a remote manager. The communication unit 304 exchanges data and instructions with the printer server 200, the database 600, and the remote manager, using a predetermined protocol.

The database 600 includes a print information unit 601 , a user information unit 602, and a printer information unit 603.

The print information unit 601 stores the print information transmitted from the print information management unit 301 .

The user information unit 602 stores the user information transmitted from the user information management unit 302. The printer information unit 603 stores the printer information transmitted from the printer information management unit 303.

A process of charging the print work using the above-structured system will now be explained.

Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the charging process using the shared printer management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the user clicks the print tab to print at the step 1 1 , the print client program installed at the user PC is operated to display the window for inputting the user ID and password on the screen at the step 12. When the user ID and password are input at the step 13, the user

PC transmits them to the printer server, which requests the management server to transmit the relevant user authentication and balance information at the step 21 . When the management server extracts the user authentication information and the user balance information from the database and transmits them to the printer server at the step 31 , the printer server compares them with the received user ID and password to authenticate the user at the step 22.

When the user ID or password does not coincide with the stored one and the user authentication is not made, the printer server makes the user PC display the authentication failure message at the step 14, and returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed.

When the user authentication is successfully made, the printer server transmits the user balance information to the user PC at the step 23.

The user PC identifies the number of pages and form of the target documents, and calculates the print charge to determine whether the user balance is larger than the print charge at the step 15.

When the user balance is smaller than the print charge, the balance shortage message is displayed at the step 16, and it returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed, or the overall process is terminated. When the user balance is larger than the print charge, the print data are transmitted to the printer server at the step 17, and the printer server outputs the print data to the printer designated by the user, or to a printer identified to be less loaded, thereby performing the print job at the step 24.

When the printing is completed, the printer server transmits the print charge information related to the print charge and the user balance subtracted by the print charge, and the print information related to the printer user, the file name of the printed documents, the number of pages and form (the print paper mode and color) of the printed documents, and the printer ID to the management server at the step 25. The management server classifies the user balance information and the print information to store them in the database at the step 32. The printer server transmits the print result and print charge information to the user PC at the step 26, and the user PC indicates it to the user at the step 18. The print result and print charge information contains the information related to the location of the printer, the print charge, and the user balance subtracted by the print charge. When the above-structured charging system is used, the user can proceed with printing with the computer used for the document writing, and a plurality of printers can be controlled by one printer server. As it does not use the high-priced card terminal, installation costs can be reduced, and the print record and state of the printer can be managed easily. It is explained that when the print work is conducted, the charging is made for respective users. Alternatively, the charging process may be omitted while only authenticating the user, thereby managing the print particulars for respective users. In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, after the user authentication is made at the step 22, the step 23 of transmitting the user balance information and the step 15 of determining whether the user balance is larger than the print charge are omitted, and the print data are directly transmitted to the printer server, thereby processing the print job. With the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the user authentication program is installed at the printer server to authenticate the user. Alternatively, the user authentication program may be installed at the user PC to authenticate the user. This will be explained with the structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the user PC 100 includes a user interface 101 , a print data processing unit 102, a balance comparison unit 103, a communication unit 104, and an authentication unit 105.

The authentication unit 105 may be realized by the client program, but it is practically realized by a separate authentication program.

As the user authentication is made at the user PC 100, the authentication unit is omitted at the printer server 200, which includes a print management unit 202, a print charge management unit 203, a printer management unit 204, and a communication unit 205.

The management server 300 and the database 600 are similar to those related to the first embodiment of the present invention. The process of charging the print work with the above-structured system will now be explained.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the process of charging using the shared printers management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

When the user clicks the print tab and to print at the step 1 1 , the print client program installed at the user PC is operated to display the window for inputting the user ID and password on the screen at the step

12. It is preferable that the user authentication program is operated at the same time.

When the user ID and password are input at the step 13, the user

PC requests the management server to transmit the relevant user authentication and balance information at the step 14. At this time, the communication between the user PC and the management server may be made in a direct manner, but it is practically made via the printer server.

When the management server extracts the user authentication information and the user balance information from the database and transmits them to the printer server at the step 31 , the user PC compares them with the input user ID and password to authenticate the user at the step 15.

When the user ID or password does not coincide with the stored one and the user authentication is not made, the user PC displays the authentication failure message at the step 16, and it returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed.

When the user authentication is successfully made, the user PC identifies the number of pages and form of the target documents, and calculates the print charge to determine whether the user balance is larger than the print charge at the step 17.

When the user balance is smaller than the print charge, the balance shortage message is displayed at the step 18, and it returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed, or the overall process is terminated. When the user balance is larger than the print charge, the print data are transmitted to the printer server at the step 19, and the printer server outputs the print data to the printer identified to be less loaded, thereby processing the print job at the step 21 .

When the printing is completed, the printer server transmits the print charge information related to the print charge and the user balance subtracted by the print charge, the print information related to the relevant printer, and the number of pages and form of the printed documents to the management server at the step 22. The management server classifies the user balance information and the print information to store them in the database at the step 32.

The printer server transmits the print result and print charge information to the user PC at the step 23, and the user PC indicates the same to the user at the step 20. The print result and print charge information contains the information related to the location of the printer, the print charge, and the user balance subtracted by the print charge.

It is explained that when the print work is conducted, the charging is made for respective users. Alternatively, the charging process may be omitted while only authenticating the user, thereby managing the print particulars for respective users. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5, after the user authentication is made at the step 15, the step 17 of determining whether the user balance is larger than the print charge is omitted, and the print data are directly transmitted to the printer server, thereby processing the print job.

With the system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the user PC authenticates the user, and determines whether the user balance is larger than the print charge. Alternatively, the printer server may conduct such operations. This will now be explained with the structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a shared printer management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the user PC 100 includes a user interface 101 , a print data processing unit 102, and a communication unit 104, and the authentication unit and the balance comparison unit are omitted.

The printer server 200 includes a print processing unit 202, a print charge management unit 203, a printer management unit 204, a communication unit 205, an authentication unit 201 , and a balance comparison unit 206.

The management server 300 and the database 600 are similar to those related to the first and the second embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the charging process using the shared printer management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

When the user clicks the print tab to print at the step 1 1 , the print client program installed at the user PC is operated to display the window for inputting the user ID and password on the screen at the step 12.

When the user ID and password are input at the step 13, the user PC transmits them to the printer server, and the printer server requests the management server to transmit the relevant user authentication and balance information at the step 21 .

When the management server extracts the user authentication information and the user balance information from the database and transmits them to the printer server at the step 31 , the printer server compares them with the input user ID and password to authenticate the user at the step 22.

When the user ID or password does not coincide with the stored one and the user authentication is not made, the printer server makes the user PC display the authentication failure message at the step 14, and it returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed. When the user authentication is successfully made, the printer server requests the user PC to transmit the print data at the step 23, and the user PC transmits the printer data to the printer server at the step 15.

The printer server identifies the number of pages and form of the target documents, and calculates the print charge to determine whether the user balance is larger than the print charge at the step 24.

When the user balance is smaller than the print charge, the printer server makes the user PC display the balance shortage message at the step 16, and it returns to the step where the window for inputting the user ID and password is displayed, or the overall process is terminated. When the user balance is larger than the print charge, the printer server outputs the print data to the printer identified to be less loaded, thereby processing the print job at the step 25.

When the printing is completed, the printer server transmits the print charge information related to the print charge and the user balance subtracted by the print charge, the print information related to the relevant printer, and the number of pages and form of the printed documents to the management server at the step 26. The management server classifies the user balance information and the print information to store them in the database at the step 32.

The printer server transmits the print result and print charge information to the user PC at the step 27, and the user PC indicates it to the user at the step 17. The print result and print charge information contains the information related to the location of the printer, the print charge, and the user balance subtracted by the print charge.

It is explained that when the print work is conducted, the charging is made for respective users. Alternatively, the charging process may be omitted while only authenticating the user, thereby managing the print particulars for respective users. In this case, as shown in Fig. 7, when the user authentication is made at the step 22 and the print data are transmitted at the steps 23 and 15, the step 24 of determining whether the user balance is larger than the print charge is omitted, and the print data are directly transmitted to the printer, thereby processing the print job. It is explained in relation to the first to third embodiments of the present invention that the printer server and the management server are separated from each other, but they may be incorporated into one unit.

With the shared printer management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the client program installed at the user PC (preferably in the form of a virtual printer device driver on the PC), the print server program installed at the printer server, the management server program installed at the management server, and the authentication program installed at the user PC may be provided at medium-scale or 03 002936

large-scale computers capable of being used as personal computers or servers, and they may be connected to each other by way of a network.

The programs for the system according to the embodiment of the present invention may be supplied from the supplier while being stored at. the storage media such as compact disc (CD), or by on-line transmission through the network of Internet. In the case of the on-line transmission, the target program is stored at the server or the database of the supplier, and is down-loaded.

A system and a method for managing copiers according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 8 illustrates the structure of a copier management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The copier management system includes copiers 100, terminals 200, a copier management server 300, a database 400, and a deposit or settlement system 500. The copier management system may further include a remote management system based on a network.

The terminal 200 is connected to the respective copiers 100, and is installed with a program for managing the copy information or the copier information from the copier, and a control program for releasing or holding the lock of the copier 100.

The terminal 200 is further installed with various kinds of programs for inputting and outputting the data, and a client program for the copier management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal 200 may perform the process of authenticating the user as well as the process of calculating the copy charge and subtracting it from the user balance.

The copier management server 300 is commonly connected to the plurality of terminals 200, preferably by way of a network.

One or more copier management servers 300 are provided at the site where the interconnected copiers 100 are located. The copier management server 300 may be a personal computer with a copier server program installed thereon.

The copier management server classifies and manages the user information, the copy information, and the copier information, and stores them at the database 400. The user information may include the information related to the user ID, password, and balance, and the copy information may include the information related to the user, the amount of copy work, the time of copying, and the copier ID. The copier information may include the information related to failure of the copier, and the termination of copying. The copier 100 conducts the copy work by the operation of the user.

The deposit or settlement system 500 (referred to as a "deposit unit") is a unit where money is preliminarily deposited into the user's account to make a balance, which is used when the user proceeds with copying using the copier management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The deposit unit 500 is structured such that money is deposited into the user's account with the input of the user ID to make the user balance, but may utilize the settlements by credit cards, portable phones, or other payment means, on line or off line. The detail input by the user using the deposit unit or other external settlement systems is transmitted to the copier management server 300, and is reflected upon the user information stored at the database.

The database 400 stores various kinds of information that is collected, classified, and managed by the management server 300, such as user information, print information, and printer information.

The specifics of the copier management system may be various. Two embodiments related to the specifics of the copier management system will now be explained.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a copier management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal 200 includes a communication unit 201 , a user interface 202, a copy information collection unit 203, a copier information collection unit 204, a balance management unit 205, a copier state control unit 206, and an authentication unit 207, which are realized by a client program. The authentication unit 207 may be realized by a separate program.

The user interface 101 provides a keyboard or screen for inputting the user ID and password, and displays the authentication failure message and the balance shortage message on the screen. It is preferable that the copy information and the copier information are also displayed on the screen.

The copy information collection unit 203 collects the information related to the user, the amount of copy work, the time of copying, and the copier ID, and the copier information collection unit 204 collects the copier information related to the termination of copying and failure of the copier.

The balance management unit 205 calculates the copy charge based on the copy information, and subtracts it from the user balance. When the copy work is completed, the subtracted user balance information is transmitted to the copier management server 300, and the information related to the copy charge and the subtracted user balance is displayed on the screen. Furthermore, when the user balance is exhausted, the balance shortage message is displayed by the user interface 202.

The authentication unit 207 receives the user ID and password input through the user interface 202, and requests the copier management server 300 to transmit the user information. When the copier management server 300 extracts the user information stored at the database 400 and transmits it to the authentication unit 207 of the terminal 200, the authentication unit 207 compares the received user information with the user information input through the user interface 202. When they coincide with each other, it is determined that the user authentication is made. When they do not coincide with each other, it is determined that the user authentication is not made. When the user authentication is not made, the authentication unit 207 makes the user interface 202 of the terminal 200 display the authentication failure message.

The copier state control unit 206 releases or holds the lock of the copier based on the information related to the user authentication, the user balance, and the termination of copying. That is, when the user authentication is made, the lock of the copier is released. In contrast, when the user authentication is not made, the user balance is not sufficient, or the copying is terminated, the lock of the copier 100 is held.

The communication unit 201 exchanges the data and instructions with the copier management server 300 using a predetermined protocol. The copier management server 300 includes a copy information management unit 302, a copier information management unit 303, a user information management unit 304, and a communication unit 205.

The copy information management unit 302 classifies the copy information collected and transmitted by the copy information collection unit 203, and stores it at the database 400, thereby managing the copy records for respective copiers and users. The copy information concerns the user, the amount of copy work, the time of copying, and the copier ID.

The copier information management unit 303 stores and manages the copier information collected and transmitted by the copier information collection unit 204. When the copier state is abnormal, it reports the abnormality to the remote manager. The copier information concerns the failure of the copier, and the termination of copying. The user information management unit 304 classifies the user information related to the user ID, password, and balance, and stores and manages it at the database 400. Upon the request of the terminal 200, the user information management unit 304 extracts the requested user information, and transmits it to the terminal 200. The communication unit 301 exchanges the data and instructions with the terminals 200, the database 400, and the remote manager using a predetermined protocol.

The database 400 includes a copy information unit 401 , a copier information unit 402, and a user information unit 403. The copy information unit 401 stores the copy information transmitted from the copy information management unit 302, and the copier information unit 402 stores the copier information transmitted from the copier information management unit 303. The user information unit 403 stores the user information transmitted from the user information management unit 304.

A method of managing copiers using the above-structured system will now be explained.

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of managing copiers using the copier management system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

When the user ID and password are input at the step 301 , the terminal 200 requests the copier management server 300 to transmit the relevant user authentication information and balance information at the step 302.

When the copier management server 300 extracts the user authentication information and the user balance information from the database 400 and transmits them to the terminal 200 at the step 303, the terminal 200 compares the input user ID and password with the ones stored to authenticate the user at the step 304.

When the user ID or password does not coincide with the stored one and the user authentication is not made, the terminal 200 displays the authentication failure message on the screen at the step 306, and returns to the step of displaying the window for inputting the user ID and password.

When the user authentication is successfully made, the lock of the copier 100 is released at the step 305 such that the user can use the copier to perform the copy work.

When the user makes the copy using the copier 100, the terminal 200 collects copy information and copier information, and calculates the copy charge based on the collected information at the step 307. The copy charge is continuously renewed as the copying proceeds.

The terminal 200 subtracts the calculated copy charge from the user balance, and determines whether the user balance is completely exhausted at the step 308.

When the user balance is not exhausted, the terminal 200 determines whether the copying is terminated at the step 309. The termination of copying is determined based on the copier information, or the information input by the user via the terminal.

When the user balance is exhausted, or it is determined that the copying is terminated, the terminal 200 holds the lock of the copier 100 at the step 31 1 , and the step of displaying the window for inputting the user ID and password returns.

The termination of copying includes the case where the copying of the copier is not made for a predetermined period of time.

When the balance of the copier is exhausted, the balance shortage message is output at the step 310. When the balance is exhausted or the copying is terminated, the terminal 200 transmits the balance information related to the copy charge and the user balance subtracted by the copy charge, the copy information, and the copier information to the copier management server 300, and the copier management server 300 stores the balance information, the copier information, and the copy information at the database 400.

With the above-structured management system, a plurality of copiers can be controlled with one copier server, and it is not required to continuously purchase copy cards, thereby reducing the card production cost. The user is not burdened with the risk of card loss, and as the copiers are connected to the copier management server by a network, they can be used irrespective of location.

With the system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the user authentication is made by installing an authentication unit at the terminal. Alternatively, an authentication unit 207 may be installed at the copier management server 300 such that the user authentication can be made at the copier management server 300. This will be explained with the structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 1 is a block diagram of a copier management system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

With the copier management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the copier management server 300 further includes an authentication unit 305, and the user authentication is made at the copier management server 300. Therefore, the authentication unit is omitted at the terminal 200.

The database 600 has the same structure as that related to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A method of managing shared copiers using the copier management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be explained.

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of managing copiers using the copier management system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

When the user ID and password are input at the step 501 , the terminal 200 transmits them to the copier management server 300 at the step 502.

The copier management server 300 extracts the user authentication information and the user balance information from the database 400 at the step 503, and compares them with the user ID and password transmitted from the terminal 200 to authenticate the user at the step 504.

The authentication information is transmitted to the copier management server 300. When the user ID or password does not coincide with the stored one and the user authentication is not made, the terminal 100 displays the authentication failure message on the screen at the step 506, and it is returned to the step of displaying the window for inputting the user ID and password.

By contrast, when the user authentication is successfully made, the terminal 200 releases the lock of the copier 100 at the step 505 such that the user can perform the copy work using the copier 100. When the user performs the desired copy work using the copier

1 00, the terminal 200 collects the copy information and the copier information, and calculates the copy charge based on the collected information at the step 507. The copy charge is continuously renewed as the copying proceeds.

The terminal 200 subtracts the calculated copy charge from the user balance, and determines whether the user balance is completely exhausted at the step 508. When the user balance is exhausted, the balance shortage message is displayed at the step 510. By contrast, when the user balance is not exhausted, it is determined whether the copying is terminated at the step 509.

The termination of copying is determined based on the copier state information or the information directly input by the user through the terminal.

When the balance shortage message is displayed at the step 510 or it is determined that the copying is terminated at the step 509, the terminal 200 holds the lock of the copier 100 at the step 51 1 , and returns to the step of displaying the window for inputting the user ID and password.

The termination of copying preferably includes the case where the copying of the copier is not made for a predetermined period of time.

When the user balance is exhausted or the copying is terminated, the terminal 200 transmits to the copier management server at the step 312 the balance information related to the copy charge and the user balance subtracted by the copy charge, the copy information related to the user, the amount of copy work, the copy form (the paper size and color) and the copier ID, and copier information related to failure of the copier and the termination of copying. The copier management server 300 classifies the balance information, the copier information, and the copy information, and stores them at the database 400.

With the copier management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the client program installed at the terminal, the copier management server program installed at the copier management server, and the authentication program installed at the terminal or the copier management server are connected to each other via a network.

As described above, with the above-structured charging system, the user can conveniently proceed with printing based on the computer for document writing, and a plurality of printers can be controlled by one printer server. As the high-priced card terminal is not used, the system installation cost can be reduced, and the print records and states of the printers can be easily managed. With the above-structured management system, a plurality of copiers can be controlled by one copier, and as it is not required to purchase copy cards continuously, the card production cost can be reduced. The user is not burdened with the risk of card loss, and as the copiers are connected to the copier management server via a network, the copiers can be used irrespective of location.

Furthermore, when various kinds of office equipment are managed, a server unit with management servers for the respective office equipment is constructed such that the user can use the plurality of office equipment using the same ID and the same account for making settlement for the charge of using the equipment.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concept herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shared printer management system comprising: a user interface; an authentication unit for authenticating a user based on a user ID and password input through the user interface; a print processing unit for outputting data of print work of the user authenticated by the authentication unit to a printer to print the data; and a print information management unit for storing print information concerning the user and the number of pages of printed documents with respect to the print work conducted by the print processing unit.

2. The shared printer management system of claim 1 , further comprising: a balance comparison unit for comparing a print charge for the print work to be printed with a user balance before the print processing unit outputs the print data to the printer, and determining whether the user balance is sufficient, thereby determining whether to output the print data; and a print charge management unit for subtracting the print charge for the print work, output by the print processing unit, from the user balance.

3. The shared printer management system of claim 2, wherein the print processing unit displays the print results through the user interface, and the print charge management unit displays the print charge information related to the print charge for the print work output by the print processing unit, and the user balance subtracted by the print charge, through the user interface.

4. The shared printer management system of claim 3, further comprising: a user information unit for storing the user information related to the user ID, password, and balance; and a print information unit for storing the print information.

5. The shared printer management system of claim 4, further comprising a user information management unit for classifying the user' information related to the user ID, password, and balance, and the print charge information, and storing and managing the classified information at the user information unit.

6. The shared printer management system of claim 1 , further comprising: a printer management unit for collecting state information of the printers; and a printer information management unit for managing the printer state information provided by the printer management unit, and when the printer state is abnormal, reporting the abnormality to a remote manager.

7. A shared printer management system, comprising: printers; a database for storing print information and user information; a deposit unit for making a user balance by depositing money into a user account; user computers for providing a user interface, comparing the user balance with a print charge for target print work to determine whether the print work is to be performed, and transmitting the data of the print work; a printer server for authenticating the user based on the user information, receiving the print data transmitted from the user computer and outputting the print data to the selected printer to print, and subtracting the print charge from the user balance; and a management server for classifying the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifying the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

8. A shared printer management system comprising: printers; a database for storing print information and user information; a deposit unit for making a user balance by depositing money into a user account; user computers for providing a user, interface, authenticating the user based on the user information, comparing the user balance with a print charge for target print work to determine whether the print work is to be performed, and transmitting the data of the print work; a printer server for receiving the print data transmitted from the user computer and outputting the print data to the selected printer to print, and subtracting the print charge from the user balance; and a management server for classifying the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifying the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

9. A shared printer management system comprising: printers; a database for storing print information and user information; a deposit unit for making a user balance by depositing money into a user account; user computers for providing a user interface, and transmitting data of print work to be printed; a printer server for authenticating a user based on the user information, comparing the user balance with a print charge for the print work to determine whether the print work is to be performed, receiving the print data transmitted from the user computer and outputting the print data to a selected printer to print, and subtracting the print charge from the user balance; and a management server for classifying the information provided by the printer server to store and manage the classified print information at the database, and classifying the information provided by the deposit unit and the printer server to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

10. The shared printer management system of claim 7, wherein the printer server collects state information of the printers, and the management server manages the printer state information provided by the printer server, and when the printer state is abnormal, reporting the abnormality to a remote manager.

11. A method of managing shared printers, comprising the steps of: displaying a window for inputting user authentication information upon receipt of a print instruction; comparing the input user authentication information with stored user authentication information to determine whether the user is authenticated; outputting data of the target print work to a printer to print when it is determined that the user is authenticated; storing the print information; and displaying the print results.

12. The method of claim 1 1 , further comprising the steps of: calculating a print charge for the target print work to be printed before the step of outputting the print data to the printer, and comparing the calculated print charge with a user balance to determine whether the print work is to be performed; and subtracting the print charge from the user balance after the step of outputting the print data to the printer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein an authentication failure message is displayed when the user authentication information input at the step of authenticating the user does not coincide with the stored user authentication information, and a balance shortage message is displayed when the user balance is smaller than the print charge at the step of determining whether the print work is to be performed.

14. The method of claim 1 1 wherein the print information concerns the user, the file name of the printed documents, the number of pages and form of the documents, the time of printing, and the printer ID.

15. A copier management system comprising: a user interface; an authentication unit for authenticating a user based on a user ID and password input through the user interface; a balance management unit for calculating a copy charge, and subtracting the calculated copy charge from a user balance; and a copier state control unit for releasing or holding the lock of the copier depending upon whether the user authentication is made and whether the user balance is exhausted.

16. The copier management system of claim 15 further comprising; a copy information collection unit for collecting copy information related to an amount and form of copy work; a copy information management unit for classifying the copy information; and a copy information storage unit for storing the copy information.

17. The copier management system of claim 16, wherein the balance management unit calculates the copy charge based on the copy information.

18. The copier management system of claim 17, wherein the balance management unit displays the copy charge information related to the copy charge calculated based on the copy information, and the user balance subtracted by the copy charge, through the user interface.

19. The copier management system of claim 15, further comprising: a user information management unit for classifying the user information related the user ID, password, and balance; and a user information unit for storing the user information.

20. The copier management system of claim 19, further comprising: a copier information collection unit for collecting copier information related to failure of the copier and termination of copying; a copier information management unit for classifying the copier information; and a copier information unit for storing the copier information.

21 . The copier management system of claim 20, wherein when it is determined based on the collected copier information that the copier state is abnormal, the copier information management unit reports the abnormality to a remote manager.

22. A copier management system comprising: copiers; a database for storing user information, copy information, and copier information; a deposit unit for making a user balance by depositing money into a user account; terminals for providing a user interface, authenticating a user based on the user information, subtracting a copy charge from the user balance, and releasing or holding a lock of a copier depending upon the user authentication and the subtracted user balance; and a copier management server for classifying the information provided by the terminal to store and manage the classified information at the database, and classifying the information provided by the deposit unit to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

23. A copier management system comprising: copiers; a database for storing user information, copy information, and copier information; a deposit unit for making a user balance by depositing money into a user account; terminals for providing a user interface, subtracting a copy charge from the user balance, and releasing or holding a lock of a copier depending upon a user authentication and the subtracted user balance; and a copier management server for authenticating a user based on the user information, classifying information provided by the terminal to store and manage the classified information at the database, and classifying information provided by the deposit unit to store and manage the user balance information and the user information at the database.

24. A method of managing copiers comprising the steps of: comparing input user authentication information with stored user authentication information to determine whether a user is authenticated; releasing a lock of a copier when the user is authenticated; collecting copy information; calculating a copy charge based on the copy information, and subtracting the copy charge from a user balance; determining whether the subtracted user balance is exhausted; and holding the lock of the copier when the user balance is exhausted.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein when the user authentication information input at the user authenticating step does not

4S coincide with the stored user authentication information, an authentication failure message is displayed.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein when the user balance is exhausted, a warning message is displayed.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the copy information concerns the user, the amount of copy work, the time of copying, and the relevant copier ID.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the copier information concerns a failure of the copier, and termination of copying.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein when the user balance is not exhausted, it is determined based on the copier information whether the copying is terminated, and when the termination of copying is determined, the lock of the copier is held.