Image forming device, printing system, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention discloses an image forming device, a printing system, a control method, and a storage medium. A printing device that performs communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network receives print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network, and sends information of the print data to at least one of a first server that performs communication via the first network and a second server that performs communication via the second network based on which of the first network and the second network the print data has been received. In the printing device, when the print data is received via the first network, the information of the print data is sent to the first server via the first network, not via the second network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing system, a control method, and a storage medium that perform communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network. Background Art

[0002] "Reservation printing" has conventionally been implemented in image forming apparatuses installed in offices. In reservation printing, a document print instruction is issued from an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC), a document output instruction is issued from an operation unit on the image forming apparatus, and then the document is printed. The reservation printing function makes it possible to prevent an output document from being acquired or read by other users.

[0003] In remote printing, which has been widely used in recent years, print data is printed by an image forming device (output device) different from an image forming device (input device) that retains the print data. In remote printing, the image forming device as an input device sends bibliographic information of the received print data to a server that manages bibliographic information such as a document name of the print data. When a user logs in to the image forming device as an output device, the output device acquires a list of print data related to the user from the server. The image forming device as an output device receives an instruction to print the print data selected from the list, and then prints the print data.

[0004] In recent years, a certain image forming device is capable of connecting to a plurality of networks. When an image forming device that can be connected to only one network is used in an environment including a plurality of networks, it is necessary to install a plurality of image forming devices corresponding to the number of networks. On the other hand, when an image forming device that can be connected to a plurality of networks is used, the plurality of networks share the image forming device, which makes it possible to suppress the number of image forming devices to be installed. Generally, when two different networks are used, one network is made connectable to the Internet, and the other network is made non-connectable to the Internet. In this case, the latter network is used for operations for processing security documents.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-126988 discusses an image forming device that is connected to a network A (such as a local area network (LAN)) of a system A and a network B of a system B. An operating terminal connected to network A sends a print request including data to be printed, a document name of the data to be printed, and print setting information to a print server 30a connected to network A. The print server 30a then stores the received print request. Similarly, a client terminal connected to network B sends a print request to a print server 30b connected to network B. The print server 30b then stores the received print request. The image forming device determines a network associated with a logged-in user and requests a job list from a print server connected to the network.

[0006] In the above-mentioned remote printing, a terminal device sends print data to an image forming device as an input device, and the image forming device sends information of the received print data to a server that manages the information. Assume a case where the image forming device as an input device is connectable to two different networks. In this case, information of print data received from a terminal device connected to a first network may be sent to a server connected to a second network different from the first network. In particular, when the first network is a secure network, information of print data received via the first network may leak to the outside of the first network, which makes it impossible to maintain security in the first network. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing device is configured to perform communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network, the printing device comprising one or more memories and one or more processors, the one or more processors executing a set of instructions to receive print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network, and based on which of the first network and the second network the print data has been received, send information of the print data to at least any one of a first server performing communication via the first network and a second server performing communication via the second network, wherein, in a case where the print data is received via the first network, the information of the print data is sent to the first server via the first network but not via the second network.

[0008] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A configuration of a printing system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 2 Illustrate the hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

[0011] Figure 3A and Figure 3B The hardware configurations of a personal computer (PC) and a bibliographic information management server are illustrated respectively.

[0012] Figure 4 The software configurations of the MFP 101 and the bibliographic information management server 107 are illustrated.

[0013] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the contents of the bibliographic information of a job.

[0014] Figure 6 An example of the bibliographic information management table 403 managed by the bibliographic information management server is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 7 An example of a user interface (UI) displayed on the operation unit 220 of the MFP is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 8 : is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes from when the MFP 101 receives a job until when the MFP 101 transmits bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 40 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes from when the bibliographic information management server receives bibliographic information until the server registers the bibliographic information in the bibliographic information management table 403 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Fig.10 1 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes performed by the MFP 105 to display, on the operation unit 220 of the MFP 105 , a job list for enabling a user to execute hold printing on the MFP 105 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Fig.11 : is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for executing a print process of reserve printing from the MFP 105 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Fig.12 An example of bibliographic information according to the second exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0021] Fig.13 An example of a bibliographic information management table managed by the bibliographic information management server according to the second exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0022] Fig.14FIG. is a flowchart of a series of processes executed by the MFP 101 to receive a job according to a second exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] (First Exemplary Embodiment)

[0025] <Configuration of Print System>

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. illustrates a configuration of a print system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] In this system, a local area network (LAN) 110 is connected to a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) 101, a personal computer (PC) 102, a bibliographic information management server 103, and an MFP 104, and a LAN 120 is connected to the MFP 101, an MFP 105, and a PC 106. The MFPs 101 and 105 and the PC 106 can communicate with a bibliographic information management server 107 connected to a wide area network (WAN) 130 as the Internet via the LAN 120. The MFP 101 is connected to two different LANs: the LAN 110 and the LAN 120. Devices on the same LAN can communicate with each other. Devices on the LAN 120 can communicate with the bibliographic information management server 107 via the WAN 130.

[0028] The MFPs 101, 104, and 105 are image forming devices having a scanner and a printer. The PCs 102 and 106 are used to perform settings and printing on the MFPs on each LAN.

[0029] The bibliographic information management servers 103 and 107 manage bibliographic information sent from the MFP 101.

[0030] <Hardware Configuration of MFP>

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. illustrates a hardware configuration of an MFP according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] A control unit 210 including a central processing unit (CPU) 211 controls the operation of the entire MFP. The CPU 211 reads a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 212 or a hard disk drive (HDD) 214, and executes various control processes such as read control and transmission control. A random access memory (RAM) 213 is used as a main memory of the CPU 211 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 214 stores image data, a print control program, and job data.

[0033] The operation unit interface (I / F) 215 is connected between the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 220 is provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a touch panel function and a keyboard.

[0034] The printer I / F 216 is connected between the printer 221 and the control unit 210. Job data to be printed by the printer 221 is transmitted from the control unit 210 to the printer 221 via the printer I / F 216, and then printed on a recording medium by the printer 221.

[0035] The scanner I / F 217 is connected between the scanner 222 and the control unit 210. The scanner 222 reads an image on a document to generate image data and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217. The MFP includes two different network I / Fs: network I / F 1 and network I / F 2. The network I / F 1 218 is connected to the LAN 110. The network I / F 1 218 sends and receives various information to / from other devices on the LAN 110. The network I / F 2 219 is connected to the LAN 120. The network I / F2 219 sends and receives various information to / from other devices on the LAN 120 or the WAN 130. Either the network I / F 1 218 or the network I / F 2 219 may not be built in the MFP, but may be external to the MFP.

[0036] <Hardware Configuration of PC and Bibliographic Information Management Server>

[0037] Figure 3A and 3B Illustrated is the hardware configuration of a PC and a bibliographic information management server according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3A Illustrated is the hardware configuration of the PC. A control unit 310 including a CPU 311 controls the operation of the entire PC. The CPU311 reads a control program stored in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 and performs various control processes. The RAM 313 is used as the main memory of the CPU 311 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 314 is a storage device for storing various programs and data.

[0039] The display unit I / F 315 is connected between the display unit 318 and the control unit 310. The keyboard I / F 316 is connected between the keyboard 319 and the control unit 310. The CPU 311 identifies an instruction from a user via the keyboard 319 and changes the screen display on the display unit 318 in response to the identified instruction.

[0040] The network I / F 317 sends and receives various information to / from other devices on the LAN 110 or 120.

[0041] Figure 3B The hardware configuration of the bibliographic information management server is illustrated.

[0042] The control unit 320 including the CPU 321 controls the operation of the entire bibliographic information management server. The CPU 321 reads the control program stored in the ROM 322 or HDD 324 and executes various control processes. The RAM 323 is used as the main memory of the CPU 321 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 324 stores various programs and data. According to this exemplary embodiment, the data in the bibliographic information management table managed by the bibliographic information management server is stored in the HDD 324.

[0043] The network I / F 325 connects the control unit 320 to the LAN 110 or WAN 130. The network I / F 325 sends and receives various information to / from other devices connected via the LAN 110 or WAN 130.

[0044] <Software Configuration of the MFP 101 and the Bibliographic Information Management Server 107>

[0045] Figure 4 The software configuration of the MFP 101 and the bibliographic information management server 107 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0046] The bibliographic information management unit 401 includes a bibliographic information management table 403 for managing bibliographic information and a bibliographic information control unit 402 for controlling bibliographic information.

[0047] The reception / transmission control unit 404 controls the reception and transmission of bibliographic information and receives the bibliographic information sent from the MFP 101 via the network I / F 325. The reception / transmission control unit 404 sends the bibliographic information via the network I / F 325 in response to a bibliographic information acquisition request sent from the MFP that performs job output.

[0048] The input service 410 includes a job reception unit 414 for receiving jobs from a PC, a job storage unit 411 for storing the jobs in the HDD 214, and a bibliographic information generation unit 412 for generating bibliographic information of the jobs stored in the job storage unit 411. The input service 410 further includes a bibliographic information transmission unit 413 for transmitting the generated bibliographic information to the bibliographic information server via the network I / F.

[0049] The job transmission service 420 includes a job transmission request receiving unit 421 for receiving a job transmission request from the MFP, and a job transmission unit 422 for transmitting a job to the MFP.

[0050] The output service 430 acquires a list of bibliographic information, receives an output instruction from a user, and controls output.

[0051] The job list control unit 431 acquires bibliographic information from the bibliographic information management server, and displays the bibliographic information on the operation unit 220 .

[0052] The output job identifying unit 432 receives an output job instruction from a user and identifies a job to be output.

[0053] The input device identification unit 433 identifies which MFP stores a job to be output based on the bibliographic information.

[0054] The job transmission request transmitting unit 434 transmits a job transmission request to the job transmission service 420 of the MFP storing the job to be output.

[0055] The job receiving unit 435 receives a job transmitted from the job transmitting unit 422 of the job transmitting service 420 of the MFP storing the job to be output.

[0056] The job output unit 436 outputs the job received by the job receiving unit 435 via the print control unit 450 .

[0057] The network control unit 440 controls communication with other devices via the network I / F and each LAN.

[0058] The authentication control unit 460 displays a user authentication screen via the operation unit 220 , receives authentication information from the user, and performs authentication processing to identify the user.

[0059] Figure 4 The software configuration of the bibliographic information management server 107 is illustrated. The bibliographic information management server 103 has a similar software configuration to the bibliographic information management server 107. However, the bibliographic information management server 103 is different from the bibliographic information management server 107 in being connected to a LAN 110 instead of a WAN 130.

[0060] The MFPs 104 and 105 have a software configuration similar to that of the MFP 101 .

[0061] However, the MFP 101 is connected to two different LANs, and the MFPs 104 and 105 are each connected to either of the two LANs.

[0062] Like the MFP 101, the MFPs 104 and 105 can receive a job input from a PC. The present exemplary embodiment will be described below centering on job input to the MFPs connected to two LANs, and description of job input to the MFPs 104 and 105 will be omitted.

[0063] The present exemplary embodiment will be described below on the premise that the MFP that performs job output is the MFP 105 and the MFP that performs job input is the MFP 101 .

[0064] <Bibliographic information of the assignment>

[0065] Figure 5 The contents of the bibliographic information of the job according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated.

[0066] Figure 5 An example of bibliographic information generated when User A inputs a job to the MFP 101 via the PC 106 is illustrated.

[0067] Job ID is a unique identifier (ID) for identifying a job. A job input to MFP 101 is assigned a unique number and given an ID "MFP101_1111". When a new job is input, the ID is incremented to MFP101_1112. The ID may also be a random number or other format as long as it is a unique identifier.

[0068] Document Name indicates the document name.

[0069] Submit Date indicates the date and time the job was entered.

[0070] User Name indicates the user who entered the job.

[0071] Job Setting indicates the print settings for the job.

[0072] Job Holder indicates a device that stores a job. According to the present exemplary embodiment, since the job is stored in the MFP 101, information on the MFP 101 is stored as the Job Holder.

[0073] The MFP that performs job output identifies the MFP that stores the job based on the bibliographic information.

[0074] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the device name of the MFP 101 is used as the Job Holder. However, the Job Holder only needs to be information that enables the MFP 105 to recognize the MFP 101, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

[0075] <Bibliographic Information Management Table>

[0076] Figure 6 An example of the bibliographic information management table 403 managed by the bibliographic information management server according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0077] Figure 6 An example of the bibliographic information management table 600 managed by the bibliographic information management server 107 and an example of the bibliographic information management table 610 managed by the bibliographic information management server 103 are illustrated.

[0078] In table 600, each row is represented as a job.

[0079] ID 601 stores the Job ID of the bibliographic information.

[0080] Document Name 602 stores the Document Name of the bibliographic information.

[0081] Submit Date 603 stores the Submit Date of the bibliographic information.

[0082] User Name 604 stores the User Name of the bibliographic information.

[0083] Job Setting 605 stores the Job Setting of the bibliographic information.

[0084] Job Holder 606 is a Job Holder that stores bibliographic information.

[0085] Therefore, the contents of the bibliographic information are stored in the bibliographic information management tables 600 and 610. The bibliographic information management table 610 including columns 611 to 616 has a similar row and column configuration to the bibliographic information management table 600, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] According to the present exemplary embodiment, a total of four different pieces of bibliographic information are registered in the bibliographic information management table 600. Among the bibliographic information registered in the bibliographic information management table 600, two jobs MFP101_1111 and MFP101_1112 are registered as User A's jobs.

[0087] Figure 7 An example of a user interface (UI) displayed on the operation unit 220 of the MFP according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0088] The present exemplary embodiment will be described below centering on an example in which the MFP 105 is used as an output device.

[0089] Figure 7 An authentication screen 700 is illustrated.

[0090] This screen is a UI for performing authentication to identify the user when using reserve printing.

[0091] The present exemplary embodiment does not feature a specific authentication method, and a detailed description of the authentication will be omitted. Many examples of authentication methods include a method for providing an authentication table in HDD 214, a method for performing authentication on an external server, a method for using a user ID and password as input means, and a method for using an authentication device such as an integrated circuit (IC) card.

[0092] A user ID is input via a text box 701, and a password is input via a text box 702. When the user presses a login button 703, the authentication control unit 460 performs authentication processing, and the user operating the MFP is identified.

[0093] When User A logs into the MFP 105, an example 710 of a job list UI is displayed.

[0094] The MFP 105 acquires a list of bibliographic information of the job of User A from the bibliographic information server 107 and then displays the list.

[0095] Referring to table 711, a row is represented as a job.

[0096] "Select" indicates whether the job is selected. A black check mark indicates that the job is selected, and a white check mark indicates that the job is not selected.

[0097] "Document Name" indicates Document Name of the bibliographic information, "Registered Date and Time" indicates Submit Date of the bibliographic information, and "Setting" indicates information of Job Setting of the bibliographic information.

[0098] A delete button 712 and a print button 713 are used to delete and print the selected job, respectively.

[0099] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes from when the MFP 101 receives a job until when the MFP 101 transmits bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. This flowchart is started when the MFP 101 receives a job from a PC via a network I / F.

[0100] In step S801, the MFP 101 receives a job. More specifically, the job receiving unit 414 of the input service 410 of the MFP 101 receives the job from the PC via the network I / F 1 or the network I / F 2.

[0101] In step S802, the MFP 101 generates bibliographic information. More specifically, the job received in step S801 is analyzed by the bibliographic information generating unit 412, and Figure 5 The bibliographic information shown in is generated.

[0102] The bibliographic information generating unit 412 analyzes through which of the network I / Fs 1 and 2 the job receiving unit 414 has received the job, and stores the Job Holder information corresponding to the network I / F used for the reception in the bibliographic information.

[0103] The MFP that outputs the job recognizes the MFP that stores the job based on the Job Holder information.

[0104] When the Job Holder is represented by an IP address or an FQDN, it is necessary to store information corresponding to the network I / F for receiving in the Job Holder so that the MFP that performs job output can perform identification. For example, when the MFP 101 receives a job from the PC 106, the job is received by the network I / F 2 via the LAN 120. In this case, the Job Holder information to be recorded in the Job Holder identifies the MFP 101 on the LAN 120. On the other hand, when the MFP 101 receives a job via the LAN 110, information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 110 is recorded in the Job Holder. When a unit for identifying the MFP 101 is provided separately on the network, for example, when another server for performing address resolution exists on the network, an identifier common to the LANs 110 and 120 may be used. When the IP address or the FQDN is used, the value thereof differs according to the network I / F, and therefore a different value corresponding to each network is stored.

[0105] In step S803, the MFP 101 stores the job. More specifically, the job storage unit 411 stores the received job in the HDD 214.

[0106] In step S804, the MFP 101 determines the transmission source network. More specifically, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 determines through which of the network I / Fs 1 and 2 the job reception unit 414 has received the job.

[0107] In step S805, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server 103 on the LAN 110. More specifically, when the MFP 101 determines that the network I / F 1 has received a job, that is, the job has been sent from the PC 102 on the LAN 110 (YES in step S804), the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information server 103 on the LAN 110.

[0108] In step S806, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server 107 on the LAN 120 (WAN 130). More specifically, when the MFP 101 determines that the job has been transmitted from the PC 106 on the LAN 120 (NO in step S804), the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information server 107 on the LAN 120.

[0109] When the transmission of the bibliographic information of the received job is completed in step S805 or S806, the process exits this flowchart.Although the bibliographic information of the job is transmitted in step S805 or S806, the substance of the print data included in the job or information related to the job may be transmitted as the job information.

[0110] Fig. 9 4 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes from when the bibliographic information management server receives bibliographic information until the server registers the bibliographic information into the bibliographic information management table 403 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 This flowchart starts when a series of processing shown in (from job reception to bibliographic information transmission) is performed and then the bibliographic information management server receives the bibliographic information via the network I / F 325.

[0111] An example of processing from when the bibliographic information management server 107 receives bibliographic information from the MFP 101 until the server registers the information will be described below.

[0112] In step S901, the bibliographic information management server 107 receives bibliographic information. More specifically, the reception / transmission control unit 404 of the bibliographic information management server 107 receives bibliographic information from the MFP 101 via the WAN 130.

[0113] In step S902, the bibliographic information management server 107 registers the bibliographic information into the bibliographic information management table 403. More specifically, the bibliographic information control unit 402 of the bibliographic information management unit 401 registers the bibliographic information received in step S901 into the bibliographic information management table 403.

[0114] When the registration of the bibliographic information in step S902 is completed, the process exits this flowchart.

[0115] For example, when the bibliographic information management server 107 receives Figure 5 When the bibliographic information shown in FIG. 1 is registered in the bibliographic information management table 403 in steps S901 and S902, Figure 6 The information in the bibliographic information management table 600 shown in MFP101_1111.

[0116] The bibliographic information management server 103 receives bibliographic information in a similar procedure to the bibliographic information management server 107 and registers the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management table 403. The bibliographic information management server 103 is connected to a network different from the network to which the bibliographic information management server 107 is connected.

[0117] Fig.10 1 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes in which the MFP 105 displays, on the operation unit 220 of the MFP 105 , a job list for enabling a user to execute reserve printing on the MFP 105 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] The processes in steps S1001 to S1003 , S1007 , and S1008 are executed by the MFP 105 .

[0119] In step S1001, the MFP 105 performs user authentication. More specifically, when executing reserve printing, the MFP 105 displays a job list associated with the user on the operation unit 220. In order to identify the job associated with the user, the MFP 105 identifies the user who operates the MFP 105.

[0120] The authentication control unit 460 of the MFP 105 displays the Figure 7 Authentication screen 700 shown in FIG.

[0121] The MFP 105 receives a user ID and a password from the user via the authentication screen. When the user presses a login button 703, authentication processing is performed. The present exemplary embodiment does not feature a specific authentication method, and a detailed description of authentication will be omitted.

[0122] In step S1002, MFP 105 determines whether user authentication is successful. More specifically, when MFP 105 determines that user authentication is successful ("Yes" in step S1002), the process proceeds to step S1003. On the other hand, when MFP 105 determines that user authentication fails ("No" in step S1002), the process returns to step S1001. In step S1001, MFP 105 receives input of authentication information from the user. According to the present exemplary embodiment, User A is authenticated.

[0123] In step S1003, the MFP 105 sends a bibliographic information acquisition request. More specifically, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the MFP 105 makes an inquiry about bibliographic information to a bibliographic information management server on the same network as the LAN to which the MFP 105 is connected. Therefore, the MFP 105 sends a bibliographic information acquisition request to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the WAN 130 via the LAN 120. In order to acquire bibliographic information associated with User A, which is the user authenticated in step S1001, the job list control unit 431 sends a bibliographic information acquisition request to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the WAN 130 via the LAN 120.

[0124] The processing in steps S1004 to S1006 is executed by the bibliographic information management server 107 .

[0125] In step S1004, the bibliographic information management server 107 receives the bibliographic information acquisition request. More specifically, the reception / transmission control unit 404 of the bibliographic information management server 107 receives the bibliographic information acquisition request transmitted from the MFP 105 in step S1003.

[0126] In step S1005, the bibliographic information management server 107 extracts the bibliographic information of the user from the bibliographic information management table 403. More specifically, the bibliographic information control unit 402 of the bibliographic information management unit 401 extracts the bibliographic information corresponding to the identifier of the user from the bibliographic information registered in the bibliographic information management table 403 based on the User Name as the identifier of the user included in the bibliographic information acquisition request. According to the present exemplary embodiment, Figure 6 The contents of the bibliographic information management table 600 shown in FIG. 1 are managed by the bibliographic information management server 107. The bibliographic information management server 107 extracts jobs for which User A is registered as User Name in the table 600. As a result, two jobs having IDs MFP101_1111 and MFP101_1112 are extracted as jobs of User A.

[0127] In step S1006 , the bibliographic information management server 107 returns the bibliographic information. More specifically, the bibliographic information control unit 402 instructs the reception / transmission control unit 404 to transmit the bibliographic information extracted in step S1005 to the MFP 105 , and the reception / transmission control unit 404 transmits the bibliographic information to the MFP 105 .

[0128] In step S1007, the MFP 105 receives the bibliographic information. More specifically, the job list control unit 431 of the MFP 105 receives the bibliographic information via the network control unit 440.

[0129] In step S1008, the MFP 105 displays a job list. More specifically, the job list control unit 431 analyzes the bibliographic information received in step S1007 and displays the job list on the operation unit 220. Figure 7 According to the present exemplary embodiment, the two jobs extracted in step S1005 are displayed in a list form. When the job list display is completed, the process exits this flowchart.

[0130] Fig.11 : is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes of a print process for executing reserve printing from the MFP 105 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] when Fig.10 This flowchart is started when the processing for displaying a job list shown in is completed and then the user selects a job from the job list screen (job list UI) 710 displayed on the operation unit 220 and presses the print button 713.

[0132] The processes in steps S1101 , S1102 , S1106 , and S1107 are executed by the MFP 105 .

[0133] The processing in steps S1103 to S1105 is executed by the MFP 101 .

[0134] In step S1101, the MFP 105 identifies an input device. More specifically, the output job identification unit 432 of the output service 430 receives a print instruction and identifies which job in the job list is selected as a print target by the user. Figure 7 The job list UI 710 shown in FIG. 7 identifies that Document A is selected among two jobs (Document A and Document B).

[0135] In step S1102, the MFP 105 sends a job transmission request. More specifically, the input device identification unit 433 of the output job service 430 identifies the input device based on the bibliographic information of the selected job. Figure 5 The bibliographic information of Document A is shown in FIG. Figure 5 The Job Holder shown in identifies that the MFP 101 is an input device. The job transmission request sending unit 434 of the output service 430 sends a job transmission request for sending a job to the MFP 105 to the MFP 101 .

[0136] In step S1103, the MFP 101 receives the job transmission request. More specifically, the job transmission request receiving unit 421 of the job transmission service 420 of the MFP 101 receives the job transmission request transmitted from the MFP 105 in step S1102.

[0137] In step S1104, the MFP 101 acquires job data. More specifically, the job transmission service 420 acquires job MFP101_1111 stored in the HDD 214.

[0138] In step S1105, the MFP 101 sends the job. More specifically, the job sending unit 422 sends the job data acquired in step S1104 to the MFP 105 which is the request source.

[0139] In step S1106, the MFP 105 receives the job. More specifically, the job receiving unit 435 of the output service 430 of the MFP 105 receives the job data transmitted from the MFP 101 in step S1105.

[0140] In step S1107, the MFP 105 performs output processing. More specifically, the job output unit 436 of the MFP 105 outputs the job data received in step S1106 via the print control unit 450. The print control unit 450 performs the job output processing via the printer I / F 216 and the printer 221. When the job output processing is completed, the process exits this flowchart.

[0141] As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 connected to a plurality of networks transmits the bibliographic information of the print data received from the PC 102 connected to the LAN 110 to the bibliographic information management server 103 connected to the LAN 110. The MFP 101 also transmits the bibliographic information of the print data received from the PC 106 connected to the LAN 120 to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the LAN 120. The MFP 101 connected to a plurality of networks does not transmit the bibliographic information of the print data received from the PC 102 connected to the LAN 110 to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the LAN 120. This makes it possible to prevent the bibliographic information of the print data received via the LAN 110 which is not connected to the Internet from being transmitted to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the LAN 120 which is connected to the Internet.

[0142] (Second exemplary embodiment)

[0143] A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0144] According to the first exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information of the print data received from the PC 106 connected to the LAN 120 only to the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the LAN 120. However, assume a case where the user also wants to print the print data received from the PC 106 connected to the LAN 120 in the image forming apparatus connected only to the LAN 110.

[0145] According to the second exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 stores information about bibliographic information transmission settings in the HDD 214. The bibliographic information transmission settings refer to settings as to whether the bibliographic information of an input job is to be transmitted to a bibliographic information management server on each network or to only a bibliographic information management server connected to the same network as the network from which the job is input.

[0146] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the bibliographic information of the job transmitted from the LAN 110 is transmitted to the bibliographic information management server 103 on the LAN 110. In addition, it is assumed that a setting for transmitting the bibliographic information of the job transmitted from the LAN 120 to the bibliographic information management servers 103 and 107 respectively connected to the LANs 110 and 120 is preset as the bibliographic information transmission setting. The description of the setting value format and the setting method will be omitted.

[0147] Figures 1 to 4 The system configuration shown in , the hardware configuration of the MFP, the hardware configuration of the PC and the bibliographic information management server, and the software configuration of the MFP 101 and the bibliographic information management server 107 are similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0148] Fig.12 An example of bibliographic information according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0149] Fig.12 Two different bibliographic information 1201 and 1202 of the same job are illustrated.

[0150] The bibliographic information 1201 is sent to the bibliographic information management server 107 on the LAN 120 , and the bibliographic information 1202 is sent to the bibliographic information management server 103 on the LAN 110 .

[0151] The two pieces of information 1201 and 1202 store the same contents except for Job Holder. For Job Holder, information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 120 is stored in the bibliographic information 1201 , and information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 110 is stored in the bibliographic information 1202 .

[0152] Fig.13 A specific example of the bibliographic information management table managed by the bibliographic information management server according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0153] Fig.13 An example of the bibliographic information management table 1300 managed by the bibliographic information management server 107 is illustrated.

[0154] Fig.13 An example of the bibliographic information management table 1310 managed by the bibliographic information management server 103 is illustrated.

[0155] According to the second exemplary embodiment, jobs having IDs MFP101_1111, MFP101_1112, MFP101_1113, and MFP101_1118 are managed by the bibliographic information management servers 103 and 107.

[0156] On the other hand, jobs having IDs MFP101_1114 to MFP101_1117 are managed only by the bibliographic information management server 103. The example shows that bibliographic information registered in the bibliographic information management server 107 is also registered in the bibliographic information server 103.

[0157] Fig.14 : is a flowchart illustrating a series of job reception processing executed by the MFP 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0158] This flowchart starts when the MFP 101 receives a job from the PC via the network I / F.

[0159] In step S1401, the MFP 101 receives a job. More specifically, the job receiving unit 414 of the input service 410 of the MFP 101 receives the job from the PC via the network I / F 1 or 2.

[0160] In step S1402, the MFP 101 generates bibliographic information. More specifically, the bibliographic information generating unit 412 analyzes the job received in step S1401 and generates Fig.12 The bibliographic information generating unit 412 analyzes through which of the network I / Fs 1 and 2 the job receiving unit 414 has received the job, and stores the Job Holder information corresponding to the network I / F used for the reception in the bibliographic information.

[0161] The MFP that outputs the job recognizes the MFP that stores the job based on the Job Holder information.

[0162] When the Job Holder is represented by an IP address or an FQDN, it is necessary to store information corresponding to the network I / F for receiving in the Job Holder so that the MFP that performs job output can perform identification. For example, when the MFP 101 receives a job from the PC 106, the job is received by the network I / F 2 via the LAN 120. In this case, the Job Holder information to be recorded in the Job Holder is used as information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 120, and the bibliographic information 1201 is generated. On the other hand, when the MFP 101 receives a job via the LAN 110, information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 110 is recorded in the Job Holder. When a unit for identifying the MFP 101 is provided separately on the network, for example, when another server for performing address resolution exists on the network, an identifier common to the LANs 110 and 120 may be used. When the IP address or the FQDN is used, the value thereof differs according to the network I / F, and therefore a different value corresponding to each network is stored.

[0163] In step S1403, the MFP 101 stores the job. More specifically, the job storage unit 411 stores the received job in the HDD 214.

[0164] In step S1404, the MFP 101 determines the transmission source network. More specifically, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 determines through which of the network I / Fs 1 and 2 the job reception unit 414 has received the job.

[0165] In step S1405, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information. More specifically, when the MFP 101 determines that the network I / F 1 has received the job (i.e., the job has been transmitted from the PC 102 on the LAN 110) (YES in step S1404), the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information server 103 on the LAN 110.

[0166] In step S1406, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information. More specifically, when the MFP 101 determines that the network I / F 2 has received the job (i.e., the job has been transmitted from the PC 106 on the LAN 120) (No in step S1404), the process proceeds to step S1406. In step S1406, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information server 107 on the LAN 120.

[0167] In step S1407, the MFP 101 determines whether the bibliographic information is to be sent to two bibliographic information management servers. More specifically, the input service 410 confirms the bibliographic information sending setting stored in the HDD 214. With the bibliographic information sending setting according to the present exemplary embodiment, the bibliographic information of the job sent from the LAN 120 will be sent to the bibliographic information management servers on the LAN 110 and the LAN 120 (WAN 130). Therefore, the MFP 101 determines that the bibliographic information will be sent to two bibliographic information management servers ("Yes" in step S1407), so the processing proceeds to step S1408. In step S1408, the MFP 101 updates the Job Holder information of the bibliographic information.

[0168] As another operation form, the bibliographic information transmission setting may be set to transmit the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server 107 on the LAN 120. In this case, the MFP 101 determines that the bibliographic information is not transmitted to both bibliographic information management servers (NO in step S1407). Then, the process exits this flowchart.

[0169] In step S1408, the MFP 101 updates the Job Holder information of the bibliographic information. More specifically, the bibliographic information generating unit 412 updates the bibliographic information generated in step S1402. In step S1402, the Job Holder stores information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 120. Therefore, in step S1408, the MFP 101 updates the Job Holder information to information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 110. For example, when the IP address of the MFP 101 corresponding to the network I / F 2 is stored in the Job Holder information in step S1402, the Job Holder information is updated to the IP address information of the network I / F 1 in step S1408.

[0170] Figure 5 Illustrated is the bibliographic information 1201 generated in step S1402, which stores information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 120. As a result of the update in step S1408, the information for identifying the MFP 101 on the LAN 110 is stored in the Job Holder, and the bibliographic information 1202 is generated.

[0171] In step S1409, the MFP 101 transmits the bibliographic information. More specifically, the bibliographic information transmission unit 413 transmits the bibliographic information to the bibliographic information management server 103 on the LAN 110. When the transmission of the bibliographic information is completed, the process exits this flowchart.

[0172] After step S1405, the input service 410 may confirm the bibliographic information transmission setting. According to the present exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the bibliographic information storage of the job transmitted from the LAN 110 is transmitted to the transmission setting of the bibliographic information management server 103 on the LAN 110. Therefore, the MFP 101 determines that the bibliographic information is not transmitted to the two bibliographic information management servers ("No" in step S1407). Then, the process exits this flowchart.

[0173] In the above flowchart, the MFP 101 confirms the setting as to whether the bibliographic information is to be sent to the two bibliographic information management servers. As a result of the confirmation, the bibliographic information is sent to the bibliographic information management servers on the two networks or to the bibliographic information management server on either network.

[0174] As a result, such as Fig.13 The information of the bibliographic information management tables 1300 and 1310 shown in FIG. 1 is managed by the bibliographic information management servers 103 and 107 .

[0175] Processing for registering bibliographic information in a bibliographic information management table in a bibliographic information management server, processing for displaying a job list on an MFP that performs job output, and processing for reserving print output are similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment. Figures 9 to 11 Similar to those shown in .

[0176] Although the contents of the job list are different, the authentication screen and the job list screen displayed on the operation unit 220 of the MFP have the same Figure 7 A configuration similar to the example shown in .

[0177] As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 connected to a plurality of networks transmits bibliographic information of print data received from the PC 102 connected to the LAN 110 to the bibliographic information management server 103 connected to the LAN 110. The MFP 101 also transmits bibliographic information of print data received from the PC 106 connected to the LAN 120 to the bibliographic information management server 103 and the bibliographic information management server 107 connected to the LAN 120. This enables printing of the print data received from the PC 106 connected to the LAN 120 on the image forming apparatus connected only to the LAN 110.

[0178] (Other embodiments)

[0179] Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading out and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and by a computer of the system or device, for example, reading out and executing computer executable instructions from a storage medium to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute computer executable instructions. Computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a storage device of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), or a Blu-ray disk (BD)) TM ), one or more of flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0180] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0181] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device that performs communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network, the printing device comprising: a receiving means for receiving print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network; A storage component, used for storing the received printing data in a storage device; as well as a sending component that sends information of first print data received via a first network to a first server via the first network without sending it to the first server via the second network, wherein the first server performs communication via the first network; and transmitting information of second print data received via a second network to a second server via the second network, wherein the second server performs communication via the second network; upon receiving a request for transmitting first print data stored in the storage device from a second print device connected to the first network and different from the print device, the print device transmitting the first print data to the second print device via the first network but not transmitting the second print data to the second print device; and Based on receiving a request for sending second print data stored in the storage device from a third printing apparatus connected to the second network and different from the printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus, the printing apparatus sends the second print data to the third printing apparatus via the second network but does not send the first print data to the third printing apparatus.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where print data is received via the first network, bibliographic information of the print data is transmitted to the first server.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where print data is received via the second network, bibliographic information of the print data is transmitted to the second server.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a holding means for holding a setting indicating whether the bibliographic information of the print data is to be sent not only to the second server but also to the first server in a case where the print data is received via the second network, in, When print data is received via the second network and the holding section holds a setting indicating that bibliographic information of the print data is sent not only to the second server but also to the first server, the bibliographic information of the print data is sent to the first and second servers.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second server ignores bibliographic information of print data received by the printing apparatus via the first network.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: In response to a request from another image forming apparatus to transmit the print data stored in the storage device by the storage means, the printing apparatus transmits the print data to the another image forming apparatus.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is received by using two network interfaces.

8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the two network interfaces include an interface built into the printing device and an interface external to the printing device.

9. A printing system, comprising an image forming apparatus, a first server, and a second server, wherein the image forming apparatus performs communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network, the first server performs communication via the first network, and the second server performs communication via the second network: The image forming device comprises: a receiving means for receiving print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network; A storage component, used for storing the received printing data in a storage device; as well as a sending component that sends information of first print data received via a first network to the first server via the first network instead of to the first server via the second network, and sends information of second print data received via a second network to a second server via the second network; upon receiving a request for transmitting first print data stored in the storage device from a second image forming apparatus connected to the first network and different from the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmitting the first print data to the second image forming apparatus via the first network but not transmitting the second print data to the second image forming apparatus; and upon receiving a request for transmitting second print data stored in the storage device from a third image forming apparatus connected to the second network and different from the image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmitting the second print data to the third image forming apparatus via the second network but not transmitting the first print data to the third image forming apparatus; wherein the first server manages information of print data received by the image forming device via the first network; and The second server does not care about information of print data received by the image forming apparatus via the first network.

10. A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device performing communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network, the method comprising: a receiving step of receiving print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network; A storing step, storing the received printing data in a storage device; as well as a sending step of sending information of first print data received via a first network to a first server via the first network without sending it to the first server via the second network, wherein the first server performs communication via the first network; and transmitting information of second print data received via a second network to a second server via the second network, wherein the second server performs communication via the second network; upon receiving a request for transmitting first print data stored in the storage device from a second printing device connected to the first network and different from the printing device, the printing device transmitting the first print data to the second printing device via the first network but not transmitting the second print data to the second printing device; and Based on receiving a request for sending second print data stored in the storage device from a third printing apparatus connected to the second network and different from the printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus, the printing apparatus sends the second print data to the third printing apparatus via the second network but does not send the first print data to the third printing apparatus.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a control method of a printing device, the printing device performing communication via a secure first network and communication via a second network, the control method comprising: a receiving step of receiving print data from a first terminal device connected to the first network via the first network or from a second terminal device connected to the second network via the second network; A storing step, storing the received printing data in a storage device; as well as a sending step of sending information of first print data received via a first network to a first server via the first network without sending it to the first server via the second network, wherein the first server performs communication via the first network; and transmitting information of second print data received via a second network to a second server via the second network, wherein the second server performs communication via the second network; upon receiving a request for transmitting first print data stored in the storage device from a second printing device connected to the first network and different from the printing device, the printing device transmitting the first print data to the second printing device via the first network but not transmitting the second print data to the second printing device; and Based on receiving a request for sending second print data stored in the storage device from a third printing apparatus connected to the second network and different from the printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus, the printing apparatus sends the second print data to the third printing apparatus via the second network but does not send the first print data to the third printing apparatus.

Images