Printing device, computer readable medium, printing system and printing method

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing device, a computer-readable medium, a printing system, and a printing method. The printing device comprises: a receiving unit that receives a second printing job including printing data in which storage destination information indicating a storage destination of a first printing job is encoded from a relay unit, the relay unit receiving the printing job from a user terminal, sending the printing job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be realized by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and not sending the printing job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device; an acquiring unit that acquires the first printing job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and a printing unit that performs printing based on the first printing job.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device, a computer-readable medium, a printing system, and a printing method. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2015-165394 discloses a printing device having one or more processors and a memory for storing commands. When the commands are processed by the one or more processors, print job setting data for a locked print job is received from a cloud printing service provider, wherein the print job setting data includes data for identifying a user and a storage location of print data associated with the locked print job in the cloud printing service provider. When the print data is processed by the printing device, a printout of an electronic document indicated by the print data is generated, an estimated time of the expiration of the print data is determined based on at least part of the print job setting data, and by determining that the estimated time of the expiration of the print data is within a specified period of the current time, the print data is detected to be approaching its expiration based on the estimated time of the expiration, and in response to the detection that the print data is approaching its expiration, a warning indicating that the print data is approaching its expiration is sent to the user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2017-139013 discloses a printing system, which includes: an information processing device that indicates printing using a printing service system; and an image forming device that receives print data sent from the printing service system and performs printing, the information processing device having: an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the image forming device in the printing service system from the image forming device through proximity communication; a printing function information acquisition unit that acquires capability information representing printing-related capabilities of the image forming device corresponding to the acquired identification information from the printing service system; a print setting acceptance unit that accepts print settings from a user using the acquired capability information; and a transmission processing unit that performs processing for transmitting the accepted print setting information to the image forming device, the image forming device having a providing unit that provides identification information of the device in the printing service system to the information processing device through proximity communication. Summary of the invention

[0004] In recent years, there is a cloud service in which a server manages a printing device and relays print jobs from a user terminal so that the printing device can print. When there are multiple printing devices being managed, the functions of the multiple printing devices are not necessarily the same. In such a case, the server is limited to the functions that the printing device can perform to a minimum and accepts print jobs from the user terminal. In other words, the server does not relay print jobs indicating functions that are not included in the limited functions to the printing device. Here, even if a printing device that can implement the indicated function through the print job is managed by the server, the print job cannot be sent to the printing device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to realize printing based on a request even when a relay unit relays a print job and a user requests to use a function that is not included in the limited functions.

[0006] According to the first scheme of the present disclosure, a printing device is provided, which comprises: a receiving unit, which receives a second print job including print data in which storage destination information indicating a storage destination of a first print job is encoded from a relay unit, the relay unit receives the print job from a user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be implemented by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device; an acquiring unit, which acquires the first print job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and a printing unit, which performs printing based on the first print job.

[0007] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the printing unit does not execute printing based on the second print job.

[0008] According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the printing unit deletes the second print job after reading the storage destination information.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the storage destination information is a matrix-type two-dimensional code.

[0010] According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the second print job includes the content of the first print job.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the content of the first print job is print data included in the first print job.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the content of the first print job does not include a part of the print data included in the first print job.

[0013] According to the 8th scheme of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, which stores a program that causes a computer to execute processing, and the processing has the following steps: receiving a second print job including print data in which storage destination information representing a storage destination of a first print job is encoded from a relay unit, the relay unit receiving the print job from a user terminal, sending the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be implemented by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and not sending the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device; obtaining the first print job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and executing printing based on the first print job.

[0014] According to the 9th scheme of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system comprising: the printing device; a user terminal that generates and sends a print job; and a relay unit that receives the print job from the user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be implemented by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device, the user terminal causes a first print job indicating a function other than the limited function to be stored in a specified storage destination, generates a second print job including print data incorporating storage destination information representing the storage destination, and sends the second print job to the relay unit.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the printing system includes a storage unit storing the first print job, and the printing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits a print status based on the first print job to the storage unit.

[0016] According to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the transmission unit transmits printing completion information to the storage unit after executing printing based on the first print job.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the storage unit deletes the first print job after receiving the printing completion information.

[0018] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the storage unit includes a notification unit configured to notify the user terminal of a printing status based on the first print job.

[0019] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the notification unit notifies the user terminal of a printing status based on the first print job in response to an inquiry from the user terminal.

[0020] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, after receiving the information on the completion of printing from the transmitting unit, the notifying unit notifies the user terminal of the completion of printing.

[0021] According to the 16th scheme of the present disclosure, a printing method is provided, which has the following steps: receiving a second print job including print data in which storage destination information representing a storage destination of a first print job is encoded from a relay unit, the relay unit receiving the print job from a user terminal, sending the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be implemented by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and not sending the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device; acquiring the first print job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and performing printing based on the first print job.

[0022] (Effect)

[0023] According to the first aspect, even when the relay unit relays the print job and the user requests to use a function that is not included in the limited functions, printing based on the request is realized.

[0024] According to the second aspect, compared with the case where printing based on the second print job is executed, the print data in which the storage destination information is incorporated is not printed.

[0025] According to the third aspect, compared to the case where the second print job is not deleted, the print data in which the storage destination information is incorporated is not stored.

[0026] According to the fourth aspect, the amount of storage destination information increases compared to the case where the storage destination information is recorded in a barcode.

[0027] According to the fifth aspect, compared with the case where the second print job does not include the content of the first print job, it is possible to confirm what is printed by the second print job.

[0028] According to the sixth aspect, compared with a case where the content of the first print job is not the print data included in the first print job, the print data printed by the second print job can be visually confirmed.

[0029] According to the seventh aspect, the data capacity of the content of the first print job is reduced compared to a case where the content of the first print job includes all the print data included in the first print job.

[0030] According to the eighth aspect, even when the relay unit relays the print job and the user requests to use a function that is not included in the limited functions, printing based on the request is realized.

[0031] According to the ninth aspect, even if the user requests to use a function that is not included in the limited functions when the relay unit relays the print job, printing based on the request is realized.

[0032] According to the tenth aspect, compared with a case where the printing apparatus does not send the printing status based on the first print job to the storage unit, the user can confirm the printing status via the storage unit.

[0033] According to the eleventh aspect, compared with a case where the printing completion information is not sent to the storage unit, the user can confirm the printing completion via the storage unit.

[0034] According to the twelfth aspect, compared with a case where the storage unit does not delete the first print job after receiving the print completion information, it is possible to suppress the data of the first print job from being stored in the storage unit.

[0035] According to the thirteenth aspect, the user can confirm the printing status, compared with a case where the storage unit does not notify the user terminal of the printing status.

[0036] According to the fourteenth aspect, compared with a case where the printing status is not notified in response to an inquiry from the user terminal, the printing status can be confirmed when the user wishes to know it.

[0037] According to the fifteenth aspect, the user can confirm the completion of printing, compared with a case where the user terminal is not notified of the completion of printing.

[0038] According to the sixteenth aspect, even if the user requests to use a function that is not included in the limited functions when the relay unit relays the print job, printing based on the request is realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0040] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a user terminal.

[0041] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the cloud storage.

[0042] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a cloud storage.

[0045] Figure 7 This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of a printing device.

[0046] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing performed by a user terminal.

[0047] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing performed by the printing device.

[0048] Fig.10 This is a first sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a print process performed among a user terminal, a server, a printing device, and a cloud storage by the print system.

[0049] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing performed by the cloud storage.

[0050] Fig.12 This is a second sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process performed by the printing system among a user terminal, a printing device, and a cloud storage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Hereinafter, an example of an implementation of the technology disclosed in the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent components and parts in each of the drawings. In addition, for the convenience of description, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated and sometimes differ from the actual ratios.

[0052] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing system 1 includes a user terminal 10 , a server 20 as an example of a relay unit, a cloud storage 30 as an example of a storage destination, and a printing apparatus 40 .

[0054] The printing system 1 is, for example, a system in which a user terminal 10, a printing device 40 located at a location different from the user terminal 10, a server 20 providing a printing service using a cloud, and a cloud storage 30 providing a storage service using a cloud are connected via the Internet, a wired network, or a wireless network. Figure 1 In the figure, the printing system 1 is illustrated as a system connected via a wireless network as an example.

[0055] The user terminal 10 is a device that generates and manages the first print job J1 including the first print data D1 to be printed by the printing device 40. The first print data D1 is an example of print data included in the first print job J1. The user terminal 10 has a display unit 16, and is a structure that displays an input unit on the display unit 16. The user terminal 10 generates the first print job J1 including the first print data D1, for example, through the input unit displayed on the display unit 16, and an image based on the first print job J1 is displayed on the display unit 16. The first print job J1 includes information such as print settings when the first print data D1 is printed by the printing device 40. In the present embodiment, as the print setting information, information such as print settings for enabling the printing device 40 to implement functions other than the "limited function" that is a function that is further limited than the function that the printing device 40 managed by the server 20 can implement is included. The content of the first print job J1 will be described later.

[0056] Furthermore, the user terminal 10 generates a second print job J2 including the second print data D2, in which a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicating the storage destination of the first print job J1 is incorporated. The matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is an example of storage destination information. The second print data D2 is an example of print data in which the storage destination information is incorporated. The user terminal 10 generates the second print job J2 including the second print data D2, for example, through an input unit displayed on the display unit 16, and an image based on the second print job J2 is displayed on the display unit 16.

[0057] The second print job J2 is a print job that instructs "limited function." The user terminal 10 sends the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 to the server 20 as a print job. The specific structure and function of the user terminal 10 will be described later.

[0058] The server 20 is a cloud server that provides a printing service using the cloud. The server 20 receives the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 sent from the user terminal 10. Furthermore, the server 20 sends the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 to the printing device 40. The server 20 sends the print job indicating the "limited function" (for example, the second print job J2) to the printing device 40, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the above-mentioned "limited function" (for example, the first print job J1) to the printing device 40.

[0059] The cloud storage 30 is an external storage device that provides a storage service using the cloud. The cloud storage 30 stores the first print job J1 including the first print data D1 sent from the user terminal 10. In addition, the cloud storage 30 receives the print status of the first print job J1 from the printing device 40. In this embodiment, the cloud storage 30 notifies the user terminal 10 of the print status of the first print job J1 in response to an inquiry from the user terminal 10. The specific structure and function of the cloud storage 30 will be described later.

[0060] The printing device 40 is a device that prints a recording medium according to an instruction from the user terminal 10. The printing device 40 receives the second print job J2 sent from the server 20, and reads the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 as storage destination information included in the second print data D2 of the second print job J2. In addition, the printing device 40 obtains the first print job J1 from the cloud storage 30 as the storage destination read by the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60. Then, the printing device 40 prints the first print data D1 based on the first print job J1. The specific structure and function of the printing device 40 will be described later.

[0061] Figure 2 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 .

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, the user terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, and a communication interface 17. Each component is connected via a bus 19 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0063] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that executes various programs or controls various parts. That is, the CPU 11 reads the program from the ROM 12 or the memory 14 and executes the program using the RAM 13 as a work area. The CPU 11 controls the above-mentioned structures and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 12 or the memory 14. In this embodiment, a printing program is stored in the ROM 12 or the memory 14.

[0064] ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. RAM 13 temporarily stores programs or data as a work area. Memory 14 is composed of HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. A printer driver program is stored in memory 14. CPU 11 reads the printer driver program from memory 14 and executes the program, thereby functioning as a printer driver.

[0065] The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display unit 16 adopts a touch panel method, and a part of the display unit 16 functions as the input unit 15. The input unit 15 is used to perform various inputs. In addition, the input unit 15 may also be a structure including a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard instead of a touch panel method.

[0066] The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the server 20 and the cloud storage 30 , and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0067] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the cloud storage 30 .

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, the cloud storage 30 includes components such as a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory 34, and a communication interface 35. The components are connected via a bus 39 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0069] The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that executes various programs or controls various parts. That is, the CPU 31 reads the program from the ROM 32 or the memory 34 and executes the program using the RAM 33 as a work area. The CPU 31 controls the above-mentioned structures and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 32 or the memory 34. In this embodiment, a printing program is stored in the ROM 32 or the memory 34.

[0070] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 33 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The memory 34 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0071] The communication interface 35 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the user terminal 10 and the printing device 40 , and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0072] Figure 4 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device 40 .

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the printing device 40 includes components such as a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a memory 44, an operation panel 45, a printing unit 46, and a communication interface 47. The components are connected via a bus 49 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0074] The CPU 41 is a central processing unit that executes various programs or controls various parts. That is, the CPU 41 reads the program from the ROM 42 or the memory 44 and executes the program using the RAM 43 as a work area. The CPU 41 controls the above-mentioned structures and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 42 or the memory 44. In this embodiment, a printing program is stored in the ROM 42 or the memory 44.

[0075] The ROM 42 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 43 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The memory 44 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

[0076] The operation panel 45 includes an input unit 45A and a display unit 45B. The display unit 45B is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display unit 45B is a touch panel, and a part of the display unit 45B functions as the input unit 45A.

[0077] The printing unit 46 prints the first print data D1 based on the first print job J1 on the recording medium. The printing unit 46 prints the first print data D1 on the recording medium by, for example, an electronic photograph method, that is, forms the first print data D1. The printing unit 46 includes: a processing unit that forms a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the recording medium; and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium to the recording medium. In addition, the printing unit 46 may also be a method of forming the first print data D1 on the recording medium by an inkjet method instead of an electronic photograph method.

[0078] The communication interface 47 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the server 20 , and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0079] Next, the functional configurations of the user terminal 10 , the cloud storage 30 , and the printing device 40 will be described.

[0080] Figure 5 : is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 .

[0081] like Figure 5 As shown, the user terminal 10 includes, as a functional structure, a first print data generating unit 101, a first print job generating unit 102, a first print job storage destination sending unit 103, a storage destination information generating unit 104, a second print data generating unit 105, a second print job generating unit 106, a second print job sending unit 107, and an inquiry unit 108. Each functional structure is realized by the CPU 11 reading a print program stored in the ROM 12 or the memory 14, loading it into the RAM 13, and executing it.

[0082] The first print data generating unit 101 generates the first print data D1 (see Figure 1 The user may generate the first print data D1 by inputting data using the input unit 15 of the user terminal 10 , or may generate the first print data D1 using data received from other devices via the communication interface 17 of the user terminal 10 .

[0083] The first print job generation unit 102 generates a first print job J1 including the first print data D1. The first print job J1 includes print settings for printing the first print data D1. The print settings include: functions that can be implemented by the printing device 40; and "limited functions" that are further limited than the functions that can be implemented by the printing device 40. Here, the "limited functions" are functions that can be commonly executed in general-purpose printing devices, and are functions specified by the server 20, such as color / black and white settings, paper size settings, and the number of printing units. In this embodiment, the limited functions obtained from the server 20 are stored in the ROM 12 or the memory 14. Functions that can be implemented by the printing device 40 other than the "limited functions" include, for example, authentication that allows only specific users to perform print execution processing, color settings for each page, double-sided switching in the first print job J1, image correction instructions, or post-processing such as binding or punching with a puncher.

[0084] The first print job storage destination transmission unit 103 transmits the first print job J1 including the first print data D1 and the print setting to the cloud storage 30 .

[0085] The storage destination information generating unit 104 generates storage destination information indicating the cloud storage 30 as the storage destination of the first print job J1. In the present embodiment, a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 (see Figure 1), the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicates the storage destination URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and account information as the right required to use the network. For example, the QR code (registered trademark) and the like conform to the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60.

[0086] The second print data generating unit 105 generates the second print data D2 (see Figure 1 ) In the present embodiment, the second print data D2 is print data in which a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is encoded on the first page.

[0087] The second print job generation unit 106 generates a second print job J2 including the second print data D2. The second print job J2 includes: a print setting of the second print data D2 indicating "limited function"; and the content of the first print job J1. The content of the first print job J1 is, for example, the name of the first print job J1 (for example, the file name of the print object), the first print data D1 to be printed, and the like. Thus, when the second print job J2 is sent from the user terminal 10 to the printing device 40 via the server 20 and printing based on the first print job J1 is performed by the printing device 40, the content of the first print data D1 to be printed can be known. From the viewpoint of reducing the data capacity of the second print job J2, the content of the first print job J1 is preferably a part of the first print data D1 to be printed, more preferably only one page of the first print data D1, and further preferably only the first page of the first print data D1.

[0088] The second print job sending unit 107 sends the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 to the server 20. That is, the second print job sending unit 107 sends the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 in which the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is encoded to the server 20 as a print job.

[0089] The inquiry unit 108 makes an inquiry (polling) to the cloud storage 30 regarding the printing status based on the first print job J1 .

[0090] Figure 6 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the cloud storage 30 .

[0091] like Figure 6 As shown, the cloud storage 30 includes, as a functional structure, a first print job storage unit 301 as an example of a storage unit, a first print job sending unit 302, a first print job deleting unit 303, a print status receiving unit 304, and a print status notifying unit 305 as an example of a notifying unit. Each functional structure is realized by the CPU 31 reading a print program stored in the ROM 32 or the memory 34, loading it into the RAM 33, and executing it.

[0092] The first print job storage unit 301 stores the first print job J1 transmitted from the user terminal 10 .

[0093] In response to a request from the printing apparatus 40 , the first print job transmission unit 302 transmits the first print job J1 stored in the first print job storage unit 301 to the printing apparatus 40 .

[0094] The first print job deleting unit 303 deletes the first print job J1 stored in the first print job storage unit 301. In the present embodiment, the first print job deleting unit 303 deletes the first print job J1 stored in the first print job storage unit 301 after receiving the information indicating that printing is completed from the print status receiving unit 304. In addition, as another example, the first print job deleting unit 303 may delete the first print job J1 stored in the first print job storage unit 301 when there is a request for deletion from the printing device 40.

[0095] The print status receiving unit 304 receives the print status of the printing executed according to the first print job J1 from the printing device 40 .

[0096] The print status notification unit 305 notifies the user of the print status of the printing executed according to the first print job J1 in response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit 108 of the user terminal 10 .

[0097] Figure 7 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the printing device 40 .

[0098] like Figure 7 As shown, the printing device 40 includes, as a functional structure, a second print job receiving unit 401, a storage destination information reading unit 402, a second print job deleting unit 403, a first print job acquiring unit 404, a printing unit 405, and a print status transmitting unit 406 as an example of a transmitting unit. Each functional structure is realized by the CPU 41 reading a print program stored in the ROM 42 or the memory 44, loading it into the RAM 43, and executing it.

[0099] The second print job receiving unit 401 receives the second print job J2 transmitted from the server 20 .

[0100] The storage destination information reading unit 402 reads the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 included in the second print data D2 of the second print job J2. In the present embodiment, the storage destination URL and account information indicating the cloud storage 30 are read from the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60.

[0101] The second print job deletion unit 403 deletes the second print job J2. In the present embodiment, after the storage destination of the first print job J1 is read by the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60, the second print job J2 is deleted.

[0102] The first print job acquisition unit 404 acquires the first print job J1 from the cloud storage 30 as the storage destination read by the storage destination information reading unit 402 .

[0103] The printing unit 405 prints the first print data D1 based on the first print job J1. The first print job J1 includes print settings that instruct functions other than the above-described “limited functions” not to be relayed by the server 20.

[0104] The print status transmission unit 406 transmits the print status of the first print data D1 based on the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30. For example, the print status transmission unit 406 transmits the print status such as waiting for printing, printing in progress, or printing completed to the cloud storage 30.

[0105] Next, the operation of the printing system will be described.

[0106] The printing process executed by the printing system 1 as a whole is shared among the user terminal 10, the server 20, the cloud storage 30, and the printing device 40. Therefore, the part of the printing process performed by the user terminal 10, the server 20, the cloud storage 30, and the printing device 40 will be described below.

[0107] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process performed by the user terminal 10. The CPU 11 reads out the printing program from the ROM 12 or the memory 14, loads it into the RAM 13, and executes it, thereby performing the printing process.

[0108] In execution Figure 8 Before the printing process shown, the user performs the first printing data D1 (see Figure 1 ) is generated. When the first print data D1 is to be printed by the printing device 40, the execution Figure 8 The user specifies the first print data D1 to be printed through the input unit 15 of the user terminal 10 and inputs print settings and print instructions for printing the first print data D1.

[0109] When the user inputs designation of the first print data D1 , print settings, and print instructions, the CPU 11 accepts the print instruction (step S101 ).

[0110] The CPU 11 generates a first print job J1 for printing the first print data D1 (step S102). The first print job J1 includes the first print data D1 and print setting information for enabling the printing device 40 to implement functions other than the above-mentioned "limited functions" managed by the server 20. Examples of the print settings other than the above-mentioned "limited functions" include authentication for allowing only specific users to perform printing and color settings for each page.

[0111] The CPU 11 stores the first print job J1 in the cloud storage 30 as a storage destination (step S103 ).

[0112] The CPU 11 determines whether the storage destination information is acquired from the cloud storage 30 (step S104). In this embodiment, as the storage destination information, the storage destination URL and account information indicating the cloud storage 30 are acquired. If the storage destination information is not acquired (step S104: No), the CPU 11 waits until the storage destination information is acquired.

[0113] When the storage destination information is acquired (step S104: Yes), the CPU 11 generates a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicating the storage destination (step S105). In the present embodiment, a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicating the storage destination URL and the account information is generated. As the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) is generated. The generation of the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is performed by a two-dimensional code generation program stored in the ROM 12 or the memory 14.

[0114] The CPU 11 generates a second print job J2 including the second print data D2 in which the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is encoded (step S106). The second print job J2 includes: the print setting of the second print data D2 indicating the above-mentioned "limited function"; and the content of the first print job J1 (for example, the first page of the first print data D1). Since the content of the first print job J1 is included in the second print job J2, when confirming the job list including the second print job J2, for example, the content of the first print job J1 can be displayed as a preview to allow the user to confirm the print job that he actually wants to print through the second print job J2.

[0115] The CPU 11 sends the second print job J2 to the server 20 (step S107). As described later, after receiving the second print job J2 from the user terminal 10, the server 20 sends the second print job J2 to the printing device 40 (see Fig.10 ).

[0116] After a predetermined time has passed, the CPU 11 inquires (polls) the cloud storage 30 as the storage destination about the printing status of the first print job J1 (step S108). As the predetermined time, for example, a normal time required until the server 20 sends the second print job J2 to the printing device 40 and the printing device 40 reads the storage destination information from the two-dimensional code 60 included in the second print job J2 and obtains the first print job J1 is set in advance.

[0117] The CPU 11 receives the print status of the first print job J1 from the cloud storage 30 (step S109 ).

[0118] The CPU 11 determines whether printing of the first print job J1 has been completed (step S110 ). If printing has not been completed (step S110 : No), the process returns to step S108 .

[0119] When printing is completed (step S110 : Yes), the process based on the printing program performed by the user terminal 10 ends.

[0120] Fig. 9 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process performed by the printing device 40. The CPU 41 reads out the printing program from the ROM 42 or the memory 44, loads it into the RAM 43, and executes it, thereby performing the printing process.

[0121] The CPU 41 determines whether the second print job J2 has been received from the server 20 (step S201 ). If the second print job J2 has not been received (step S201 : NO), the CPU 41 waits until the second print job J2 is received.

[0122] When the second print job J2 is received (step S201: Yes), the CPU 41 confirms the second print job J2 (step S202). In the present embodiment, the second print job J2 includes the second print data D2 in which the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 is encoded and the content of the first print job J1 (for example, the first page of the first print data D1).

[0123] The CPU 41 reads the storage destination information from the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 (step S205 ). In the present embodiment, the storage destination URL and account information indicating the cloud storage 30 are read as the storage destination information.

[0124] The CPU 41 deletes the second print job J2 (step S204 ). This prevents the printing device 40 from erroneously executing printing based on the second print job J2 .

[0125] The CPU 41 acquires the first print job J1 from the cloud storage 30 (step S205 ).

[0126] The CPU 41 notifies the cloud storage 30 that the first print job J1 has been acquired (step S206 ). At this time, the CPU 41 may notify the cloud storage 30 of the print status of the first print job J1 simultaneously with the acquisition of the first print job J1.

[0127] The CPU 41 executes printing based on the first print job J1 (step S207 ). Thus, by instructing the print setting of functions other than the above-mentioned “limited function”, the first print data D1 is printed on the recording medium.

[0128] The CPU 41 transmits the print status of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30 as a storage destination (step S208 ).

[0129] The CPU 41 determines whether printing of the first print job J1 is completed (step S209 ). If printing of the first print job J1 is not completed (step S209 : No), the CPU 41 returns to the process of step S208 .

[0130] When printing of the first print job J1 is completed (step S209 : YES), the CPU 41 transmits a notification of completion of printing of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30 as a storage destination (step S210 ). Thus, the processing by the print program performed by the printing device 40 ends.

[0131] Here, using Fig.10 The flow of the printing process by the printing system 1 will be described. Fig.10 1 is a first sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the printing process by the printing system 1. Fig.10 In the description, the same steps as those described in the printing process of each of the user terminal 10 , the server 20 , the cloud storage 30 , and the printing device 40 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0132] First, the user terminal 10 receives a print instruction (step S101 ), and generates a first print job J1 (step S102 ). Then, the user terminal 10 stores the first print job J1 in the cloud storage 30 (step S103 ).

[0133] The cloud storage 30 transmits the storage destination information of the first print job J1 (step S302 ).

[0134] The user terminal 10 generates a matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicating the storage destination information (step S105), and generates a second print job J2 including the second print data D2 encoded with the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 (step S106). The user terminal 10 then sends the second print job J2 to the server 20 (step S107).

[0135] The server 20 receives the second print job J2 from the user terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the second print job J2 does not include print settings that instruct functions other than the above-mentioned "limited functions." The server 20 sends the second print job J2 to the printer 40 (step S122).

[0136] The printer 40 confirms the second print job J2 (step S202 ), and reads the storage location information from the two-dimensional code 60 (step S203 ). Then, the printer 40 deletes the second print job J2 (step S204 ).

[0137] The printing device 40 acquires the first print job J1 from the cloud storage 30 (step S205 ), and executes printing based on the first print job J1 (step S207 ).

[0138] Fig.11 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process performed by the cloud storage 30. The CPU 31 reads out the printing program from the ROM 32 or the memory 34, loads it into the RAM 33, and executes it, thereby performing the printing process.

[0139] The CPU 31 determines whether the first print job J1 is stored from the user terminal 10 (step S301 ). If the first print job J1 is not stored (step S301 : No), the CPU 11 waits until the first print job J1 is stored.

[0140] When the first print job J1 is stored (step S301: Yes), the CPU 31 transmits the storage destination information to the user terminal 10 (step S302). In the present embodiment, the storage destination URL and the account information are transmitted as the storage destination information.

[0141] The CPU 31 determines whether there is a request to obtain the first print job J1 from the printing device 40 (step S303 ). If there is no request to obtain the first print job J1 (step S303 : No), the CPU 11 waits until there is a request to obtain the first print job J1 .

[0142] If there is a request to obtain the first print job J1 (step S303 : YES), the CPU 31 sends the first print job J1 to the printing device 40 ( S304 ).

[0143] The CPU 31 receives a notification of acquisition of the first print job J1 from the printer 40 (step S305 ). At this time, the CPU 31 may receive the print status of the first print job J1 from the printer 40 together with the notification of acquisition of the first print job J1 .

[0144] The CPU 31 receives the print status of the first print job J1 from the printing device 40 (step S306 ).

[0145] The CPU 31 determines whether there is an inquiry (polling) about the print status of the first print job J1 from the user terminal 10 (step S307 ). If there is no inquiry about the print status of the first print job J1 from the user terminal 10 (step S307 : No), the CPU 31 returns to the process of step S306 .

[0146] When there is an inquiry about the print status of the first print job J1 from the user terminal 10 (step S307 : Yes), the CPU 31 notifies the user terminal 10 of the print status of the first print job J1 ( S308 ).

[0147] The CPU 31 determines whether the printing completion of the first print job J1 has been received from the printer 40 (step S309 ). If the printing completion of the first print job J1 has not been received from the printer 40 (step S309 : NO), the CPU 31 returns to the process of step S306 .

[0148] When receiving the printing completion notification of the first print job J1 from the printing device 40 (step S309 : YES), the CPU 31 deletes the first print job J1 ( S310 ). Thus, the processing by the print program performed by the cloud storage 30 ends.

[0149] Here, using Fig.12 The flow of the printing process by the printing system 1 will be described. Fig.12 is a second sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of a printing process by the printing system 1. Fig.10 The process of printing processing based on the printing system 1 shown in FIG. Fig.12 In the drawings, the same steps as those described in the printing processes of the user terminal 10 , the cloud storage 30 , and the printing device 40 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0150] The printing device 40 notifies the cloud storage 30 of the acquisition of the first print job J1 (step S206 ). At this time, the printing device 40 may send the print status (in this example, the print waiting status) of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30 .

[0151] In this state, when the user terminal 10 inquires (polls) the cloud storage 30 about the print status of the first print job J1 (step S108 ), the cloud storage 30 notifies the user terminal 10 of the print status of the first print job J1 (in this example, the print waiting state).

[0152] The printing device 40 executes printing based on the first print job J1 (step S207 ). The printing device 40 transmits the printing status (printing status in this example) of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30 (step S208 ).

[0153] In this state, when the user terminal 10 inquires (polls) the cloud storage 30 about the printing status of the first print job J1 (step S108 ), the cloud storage 30 notifies the user terminal 10 of the printing status (printing status in this example) of the first print job J1 .

[0154] When the printing of the first print job J1 is completed, the printing device 40 transmits a print completion notification of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30 (step S210 ). When receiving the print completion notification of the first print job J1 , the cloud storage 30 deletes the first print job J1 (step S310 ).

[0155] In this state, when the user terminal 10 inquires (polls) the cloud storage 30 about the printing status of the first print job J1 (step S108 ), the cloud storage 30 notifies the user terminal 10 of the printing status of the first print job J1 (printing completed in this example).

[0156] In addition, in the present embodiment, the second print job J2 including the second print data D2 including the matrix-type two-dimensional code 60 indicating the storage destination is used, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the second print job including the print data including the annotation (i.e., note) indicating the storage destination may also be used.

[0157] Furthermore, the printer 40 deletes the second print job J2 after reading the storage destination information, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the printer 40 may perform processing such as not executing printing of the second print job J2 after reading the storage destination information.

[0158] When the printing device 40 completes all printing of the first print job J1, the printing device 40 sends the printing completion of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the printing device 40 deletes the second print job J2, the printing device 40 may send the printing completion of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30.

[0159] Furthermore, in the printing system 1, when the user terminal 10 inquires (polls) the printing status of the first print job J1 to the cloud storage 30, the printing status of the first print job J1 is notified to the user terminal 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, even if there is no inquiry (polling) of the printing status of the first print job J1 from the user terminal 10, the printing status of the first print job J1 can be notified to the user terminal 10 periodically from the cloud storage 30.

[0160] The above-mentioned processing of the user terminal 10 and the printing device 40 can also be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, it can be executed by one hardware or by a plurality of hardware.

[0161] Furthermore, the program for operating the user terminal 10 and the printing device 40 may be provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a floppy disk, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded in the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a memory or storage, etc. Furthermore, the program may be provided as a separate application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the user terminal 10 and the printing device 40 as a function of the respective devices.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there is one printing device 40 , but the present disclosure can also be applied to a printing system in which one of a plurality of printing devices is selected.

[0163] The same can be done even when a universal printer driver is installed in the user terminal 10. That is, since the universal printer driver is a printer driver that can be used in common in various printing devices, it is limited to the print settings that can be instructed by the printer driver. Even in such a case, the first print job that instructs functions other than the limited functions is stored in the cloud storage 30, and the second print job including the print data in which the storage destination information is incorporated is sent to the printing device 40 via the server 20. As a result, the printing of the first print job can be executed in the printing device 40 using the print settings that are more than the limited functions.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the server 20 that performs a service utilizing the cloud is used, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a relay unit other than a cloud service may relay the second print job.

[0165] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first print job for executing printing in the printing device 40 is stored in the cloud storage 30, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the first print job may be stored in a storage unit such as a server, and the first print job may be obtained by link reading in the printing device 40.

[0166] In addition, although the present disclosure has been described in detail about specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A printing device, wherein: The printing device has: a receiving unit that receives a second print job from a relay unit, wherein the relay unit receives a print job from a user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be realized by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device, wherein the second print job is a print job indicating the limited function and includes print data in which storage destination information indicating a storage destination of a first print job is incorporated, and the first print job includes a print setting indicating a function other than the limited function that is not relayed by the relay unit; an acquisition unit that acquires the first print job from a storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and A printing unit executes printing of the first print job using print settings of functions other than the limited functions included in the first print job.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The printing unit does not execute printing based on the second print job.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein: The printing unit deletes the second print job after reading the storage destination information.

4. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The storage destination information is a matrix-type two-dimensional code.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The second print job includes the content of the first print job.

6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein: The content of the first print job is the print data included in the first print job.

7. The printing device according to claim 6, wherein: The content of the first print job does not include a part of the print data included in the first print job.

8. A computer-readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process, The process has the following steps: A second print job is received from the relay unit, wherein: The relay unit receives a print job from a user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function further limited than the function that can be realized by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device, wherein the second print job is a print job indicating the limited function and includes print data in which storage destination information indicating a storage destination of the first print job is incorporated, and the first print job includes a print setting indicating a function other than the limited function that is not relayed by the relay unit; acquiring the first print job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and Printing of the first print job is executed using the print setting of the function other than the limited function included in the first print job.

9. A printing system, wherein: The printing system has: The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A user terminal that generates and sends a print job; as well as a relay unit that receives the print job from the user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function that is further limited than the function that can be realized by the printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device, The user terminal stores a first print job indicating a function other than the limited function in a predetermined storage destination, generates a second print job including print data incorporating storage destination information indicating the storage destination, and transmits the second print job to the relay unit.

10. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein: The printing system includes a storage unit storing the first printing job. The printing device includes a transmitting unit that transmits a printing status based on the first print job to the storage unit.

11. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein: The transmitting unit transmits printing completion information to the storage unit after executing printing based on the first print job.

12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein: The storage unit deletes the first print job after receiving the print completion information.

13. The printing system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The storage unit includes a notification unit configured to notify the user terminal of a printing status based on the first print job.

14. The printing system according to claim 13, wherein: The notification unit notifies the user terminal of a printing status based on the first print job in response to an inquiry from the user terminal.

15. The printing system according to claim 13, wherein: The notification unit notifies the user terminal of the completion of printing after receiving the information on the completion of printing from the transmission unit.

16. A printing method, wherein: The method has the following steps: receiving a second print job from a relay unit, wherein the relay unit receives a print job from a user terminal, sends the print job indicating a limited function further limited than a function that can be realized by a printing device as a relay destination to the printing device, and does not send the print job indicating a function other than the limited function to the printing device, wherein the second print job is a print job indicating the limited function and includes print data in which storage destination information indicating a storage destination of a first print job is incorporated, and the first print job includes a print setting indicating a function other than the limited function that is not relayed by the relay unit; acquiring the first print job from the storage destination indicated by the storage destination information; and Printing of the first print job is executed using the print setting of the function other than the limited function included in the first print job.

Images