Abstract: A common output unit such as a print server maintains security when an output request unit, serving as a client, sends a job to be processed to the output unit. The output unit accepts and puts the job in queue. The output unit then creates a collation key that is sent back to the output request unit, which stores the collation key in a storage medium. The output unit searches the storage medium for the collation key and processes the queued job corresponding to the collation key. The print server includes a locked stacker and an ordinary stacker to minimize the output waiting time of the print job.

Abstract: In a method of maintaining security in a common output means such as a print server and a system for maintaining security for realizing the method of maintaining security, an output request unit serving as a client sends the output process, i.e., a job to be processed, to an output unit such as a print server. The output unit accepts and puts the job in a queue. The output unit creates a collation key and sends it to the output request unit. The output request unit stores the collation key in a storage medium. The output unit searches the storage medium for the collation key. If the output unit finds the collation key, it processes the queued job corresponding to the collation key. The print server may have a locked stacker, to minimize the output waiting time of the print job.