Printing control device, control method and storage medium communicating with cloud printing service

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing control device, a control method and a storage medium for communicating with a cloud printing service. The printing control device includes: a sending unit configured to send a registration request for registering the printing control device in a predetermined cloud printing service to a sending destination corresponding to any one of a plurality of different areas providing the predetermined cloud printing service; and a setting unit configured to set the sending destination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing control device communicating with a cloud printing service. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a cloud printing mechanism for submitting a print job via the cloud and sending the print job to a printing device has become popular (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-133489). In such a printing system, an administrator registers a printing device in a cloud printing service (hereinafter also referred to as "CPS") to which the administrator belongs. Thereafter, users who are permitted to use the CPS each use their client terminal to select a printer registered in the CPS as an output printer, make desired print settings, and send the print job to the CPS. The CPS that receives the print job transmits the print job to the printing device. The printing device performs printing based on the transmitted print job.

[0003] As security awareness increases, there are more and more regulations and rules for handling information, including personal information. For example, the German Federal Office for Information Security provides cloud security audit standards that should apply to government and government-related organizations. The standard is called the Cloud Computing Compliance Controls Catalog (C5), and it defines the minimum cloud security for introducing public cloud solutions. Private companies are also increasingly introducing C5 and C5-like audit standards. Summary of the invention

[0004] An aspect of the present invention is directed to providing a mechanism for setting a registration destination area in a case where a print control apparatus is registered in a cloud print service.

[0005] As an aspect of the present invention for achieving at least one of the above-mentioned purposes, a printing control device includes: a sending unit, which is configured to send a registration request to register the printing control device in a predetermined cloud printing service to a sending destination corresponding to any one of a plurality of different areas where the predetermined cloud printing service is provided; and a setting unit, which is configured to set the sending destination.

[0006] 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

[0007] Figure 1 An example of a printing system is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 An example of the hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

[0009] Figure 3is an example of software construction for a multifunction peripheral.

[0010] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit.

[0011] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between destination information and areas of the cloud print service (CPS).

[0014] Figure 8 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the third exemplary embodiment.

[0016] Fig.10 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B is a flowchart showing a control example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Fig.12 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Fig.13 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the fifth exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Fig.14 is a flowchart showing a control example according to the sixth exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the appended claims, and not all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are essential to the solution to the problem in the present invention.

[0022] As described above, information security standards that differ by country or region are increasingly being developed. Meanwhile, cloud platforms that provide services such as cloud print services (CPS) are generally implemented through server resources installed in a data center in a specific region and provided to the world.

[0023] However, if the region where the data center is installed stops due to power outage or network failure, the service to other regions also stops. In addition, even if the standards and rules for information security vary from country to country or region to region, the way information is processed cannot be changed in each region where the cloud platform is provided. Specifically, in each region where the data center, which is the real resource in each region, is installed, the storage location of the data, the sovereignty of the data, and the compliance requirements cannot be changed. Therefore, it is impossible to provide appropriate cloud services to each region in a way that the data is processed according to the information security standards in each location of the data subject or each region where the service is consumed.

[0024] In particular, in the case of cloud printing services, the aggregation of print data including personal information may be prohibited even abroad according to information security standards established by individual countries or regions. In this case, if resources installed in a data center in a specific region provide a general cloud printing service, it may not be possible to meet the information security standards established by individual countries or regions where the print control device is installed.

[0025] In view of this, the following mechanism is described in the present exemplary embodiment, in which data centers in different regions provide cloud printing services. The present exemplary embodiment provides a mechanism for setting a registration destination area when a print control device is registered in a cloud printing service. A specific mechanism will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Will refer to Figure 1 The configuration of the printing system according to the present invention is described. The printing system according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101 and a cloud platform A that provides a cloud printing service and / or a groupware service. In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that a CPS is provided as a service such as Amazon Web Services. or Google Cloud Platform services on the cloud platform.

[0027] The provider of cloud platform A places data centers in multiple providing areas (also referred to as "regions") to appropriately provide services to the whole world, and develops cloud services using physically different instances in each region. "Region" can refer to a region based on a country, or can be a region including multiple countries grouped together geographically (such as "South America"), or can be a region including multiple countries grouped together politically (such as "European Union"). In addition, a single country can also be divided into multiple regions.

[0028] This exemplary embodiment shows the following situation as an example, in which a cloud service on a cloud platform A is developed for a global region 102a that does not provide special standards and special rules for information security in various regions. This exemplary embodiment also shows the following situation, in which a cloud service on a platform A provided using physically different resources is developed for regions 102b to 102d, respectively, so as to properly process data based on the standards and rules of various countries. DE region 102c is an instance provided for providing cloud services within Germany. In order to comply with the cloud computing compliance control catalog (C5) audit standards, the instance is implemented using resources installed in a data center in Germany, so that the data location is located in Germany. On the cloud platform provided for DE region 102c, access to and control of data is strictly managed by a unique data hosting model that complies with C5. Instances of CN region 102d and US region 102b also run in data centers different from instances of global region 102a, so that data can be properly accessed and properly controlled in accordance with the laws of various countries and the security standards of various countries.

[0029] That is, the data and services on the cloud platform provided for regions 102b to 102d are designed so that the storage location of the data, the sovereignty and compliance requirements of the data certainly comply with the standards and regulations of each region as a geographical boundary.

[0030] Providers that provide cloud platforms to users can provide cloud printing services to users. However, in known cloud printing services, regions are not considered. That is, known cloud printing services are usually implemented by resources in data centers in a specific region (e.g., a global region) and provided to the world.

[0031] According to information security standards established in various countries or regions, it may even be prohibited to aggregate print data including personal information abroad. In this case, if resources installed in a data center in a specific area provide a general cloud printing service, it may not be possible to meet the information security standards established in various countries or regions where the print control device is installed.

[0032] In view of at least one of the above problems, the present exemplary embodiment provides a mechanism for changing a registration destination area when a print control apparatus is registered in a cloud print service. This mechanism will now be described in detail.

[0033] The MFP 101 communicates with a client terminal and a cloud print service on the Internet via a network. If a registration process is performed, the MFP 101 is registered as an output destination printer for a cloud print service provided for a specific area. After registration, the MFP 101 can print via the cloud print service.

[0034] The network can be constructed by combining a communication network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), a cellular network (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G)), and a wireless network compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. That is, the network only needs to be constructed to be able to send and receive data, and any method can be adopted as a communication method between physical layers.

[0035] The MFP 101 has a scanning function for sending data based on an image obtained by reading an original using a scanner to the outside, a printing function for printing an image on a sheet such as paper based on a print job received from an external device, and a copying function. The MFP 101 can also receive a print job via a pre-registered CPS and print it. In this exemplary embodiment, an MFP with multiple functions is shown as an example of a print control device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single-function print control device with only a print function can be used. The print control device can be a print server that transmits received print data to a printing device under the control of the print server.

[0036] The cloud services provided to the client by the cloud platform A will now be described. The cloud platform A is a service platform that provides cloud printing services 1023, groupware services 1022, web email services, and services for creating and editing documents to organizations such as companies. The cloud platform A also includes an authentication service 1021 for authenticating and managing users or devices that use various services.

[0037] The authentication service 1021 authenticates and manages users or user groups for each tenant. The cloud platform A manages the rights to use the cloud service for each tenant and manages access to customer data. A "tenant" is a user unit of the cloud platform. Specifically, different tenants are assigned to each organization (e.g., each company or each organization) that has a contract to use the cloud service platform. The virtual printer object of the cloud printing service is also managed for each tenant. That is, user data 1024 including print data, data required to implement CPS, and a user database (DB) for user authentication is managed for each tenant.

[0038] The virtual printer object is a software module that provides the function of temporarily spooling print jobs received from the outside and the function of transferring the spooled print jobs to a print control device (such as an MFP in a subsequent stage).

[0039] The CPS receives a print job from a client terminal (not shown) and sends the print job to the corresponding virtual printer object. The virtual printer object stores the print job in a spool area managed by the virtual printer object itself. Then, the virtual printer object notifies the MFP registered in the CPS of the submission of the print job. The MFP that has received the notification acquires the print job from the spool area of the virtual printer object and performs printing based on the acquired print job.

[0040] <Configuration of MFP>

[0041] Reference will be made to Figure 2 describe the hardware configuration of the MFP 101 as an example of a print control device according to the present exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 101.

[0042] A control unit 110 including a central processing unit (CPU) 111 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101. The CPU 111 reads a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 112 or a memory 114 and performs various types of control, such as print control and read control. The ROM 112 stores a control program executable by the CPU 111. The random access memory (RAM) 113 is a main memory accessed by the CPU 111 and serves as a work area or a temporary storage area into which various types of control programs are loaded. The memory 114 stores print jobs, image data, various programs, and various setting information. Therefore, hardware such as the CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, and memory 114 constitutes a so-called computer.

[0043] In the MFP 101 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a single CPU 111 uses a single memory (RAM 113) to execute the processing shown in the flowchart described below. Alternatively, other forms may be used. For example, multiple processors, memories, and storage spaces may also cooperate to execute the processing shown in the flowchart described below. Alternatively, some processing may be executed using a hardware circuit.

[0044] A printer interface (I / F) 119 connects a printer 120 (printer engine) and the control unit 110. The MFP 101 generates a print image and a print control command to be transmitted to the printer 120 based on a print job. The printer 120 prints an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette (not shown) based on the print image and the print control command input to the printer 120 via the printer I / F 119. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method for transferring toner onto paper and fixing the toner, or may be an inkjet method for printing by discharging ink onto paper.

[0045] The scanner I / F 117 connects the scanner 118 and the control unit 110. The scanner 118 reads a document placed on a document table (not shown) and generates image data. The image data generated by the scanner 118 is printed by the printer 120, stored in the memory 114, or sent to an external device via the network I / F 121.

[0046] The operation unit I / F 115 connects the operation unit 116 and the control unit 110. The operation unit 116 includes a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel function and various hardware keys. The operation unit 116 functions as a display unit that displays information to the user and a receiving unit that receives instructions from the user. The CPU 111 cooperates with the operation unit 116 to control the display of information and control the reception of user operations.

[0047] A network cable is connected to the network I / F 121, and the MFP 101 can communicate with an external device on a network or the Internet. In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the network I / F 121 is an Ethernet compliant The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the network I / F 121 may be a wireless communication interface compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series. Alternatively, the network I / F 121 may be a communication interface for mobile communication using a third generation (3G) circuit based on code division multiple access (CDMA), a fourth generation (4G) circuit based on LTE, or a 5G new radio (NR).

[0048] The global positioning system (GPS) module 122 is a module including an antenna for GPS and a calculator for measuring a position. The GPS module 122 receives signals from GPS satellites and performs calculations for measuring a position and calculating time information. The calculation results are notified to the control unit 110.

[0049] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the MFP 101 . Figure 3 The functional units shown are realized by the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 executing a control program loaded into the RAM 113 .

[0050] The operation control unit 300 generates screen information about the setting screen, and provides a function of displaying the operation screen based on the screen information on the operation unit 116. The operation control unit 300 also detects user operations performed through the touch panel and hardware keys included in the operation unit 116, notifies other functional units of the received operations, and updates the display of the screen based on the operations.

[0051] The cloud printing registration control unit 301 controls the process of registering the MFP 101 in the CPS. If the MFP 101 is registered in the CPS of any area through the registration process, printing can be performed via the CPS in the area. If the registration process is successful, the access token for accessing resources in the user tenant on the cloud platform A and the uniform resource locator (URL) information for communicating with the CPS are stored in the setting DB 305.

[0052] The setting DB 305 stores information indicating the setting of the registered destination specifying the destination area, and the destination URL about each area. The setting DB 305 also stores the device identification (ID) used in the registration process. The information stored in the setting DB 305 is appropriately referred to or changed in the flowchart described below.

[0053] The cloud printing print control unit 302 provides the following function: receiving a print job from a cloud printing service using an access token and URL information stored in the setting DB 305. The print control unit 302, which receives a notification from the CPS that a print job has been submitted, receives the print job from the CPS. Then, the print control unit 302 transmits the page description language (PDL) data and rendering instructions included in the print job to the image processing unit 306. The image processing unit 306, which receives the PDL data and the rendering instructions, generates image data for printing based on the instructions. The generated image data is transmitted to the print processing unit 307. The print processing unit 307 sends the print image data rendered by the image processing unit 306 and the control command to control the printer 120 to the printer 120 via the print unit I / F 119, and causes the printer 120 to perform the print process.

[0054] The web user interface (UI) control unit 303 functions as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) server. The control unit 303 provides a web page for setting the MFP 101 to a web browser on a client terminal. A user such as an administrator inputs the host name and Internet Protocol (IP) address of the MFP 101 to the web browser, thereby accessing the web page provided by the control unit 303.

[0055] The position information estimation unit 304 estimates longitude / latitude information in cooperation with the GPS module 122. The position information estimation unit 304 also provides a function of estimating the country where the MFP 101 is installed using the longitude / latitude information. The estimation result is used to identify the region.

[0056] <How to change the area>

[0057] Now refer to Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 5 Describes a specific method for switching the region for using the cloud print service when registering the cloud print service. Figure 4A and Figure 4B An example of a web UI provided by the web UI control unit 303 to a web browser on a client terminal and an example of a setting change screen for a cloud printing function are shown. This exemplary embodiment shows a case where a web page is provided to a web browser on a client terminal and an instruction to change settings is received through the web browser. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A configuration may also be adopted in which the operation control unit 300 displays a setting screen equivalent to the screen 401 on the operation unit 116, and the settings are changed through the operation unit 116 included in the MFP 101.

[0058] Screen 401 is an example of a screen for making settings and registrations related to a predetermined cloud print function included in MFP 101. Hereinafter, the predetermined cloud print function will also be referred to as a “first cloud print function” or a “first type of cloud print function”. Screen 401 is provided to a user having administrator authority of MFP 101.

[0059] Item 402 is a display item indicating whether the first type of cloud printing function is enabled or disabled. In screen 401, a case where the first type of cloud printing function is enabled is shown as an example. Item 403 indicates the printer name used to identify the printer on the cloud printing service. Item 404 indicates the registration destination used when registering for cloud printing. Here, a case where a URL corresponding to the global area 102a is set as a default value for the registration destination is shown as an example. Item 407 indicates the registration status of the first type of cloud printing function. As an example, screen 401 shows a state where the first type of cloud printing function is not registered. Display item 406 is a key for registering the first type of cloud printing function included in MFP 101 in the cloud printing service.

[0060] Display item 405 is a key for changing the setting of the cloud print function. The web browser on the client terminal, which has detected the selection of display item 405, sends information corresponding to the selection event of display item 405 to MFP 101. MFP 101, which has received the information, controls to switch the screen displayed on the web browser to Figure 4B The screen 411 shown. The user can switch the enable / disable state of the first type of cloud printing function through the check box corresponding to the item 412 on the screen 411. The user can also change the printer name through the text box corresponding to the item 413.

[0061] The user can also change the registration destination (endpoint) used as the sending destination of the printer registration request to the CPS through the text box corresponding to item 414. In view of the country or region where the MFP 101 is installed, a user such as an administrator can enter a URL indicating a destination corresponding to any one of the areas 102a to 102d and other areas. As other areas, for example, a private cloud area provided separately for a government organization is assumed. The endpoint is an endpoint for newly registering an application or device (such as a print control device) in the cloud platform A.

[0062] Display item 415 is a key for changing in application settings. If it is detected that display item 415 is selected, the client terminal sends information indicating settings made through screen 411 to MFP 101. The web UI control unit 303 of MFP 101 having received the information stores setting values ​​based on the information in setting DB 305.

[0063] Based on this processing, the area as the transmission destination of the registration request can be changed by the operation of the user such as the administrator.

[0064] Will refer to Figure 5 The flowchart shown describes the control of the MFP 101 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The control is implemented by the CPU 111 executing a control program stored in the ROM 112 or the memory 114. Figure 5 In the case where it should be clear what is being processed, the description will be given so that the software module executed by the CPU 111 is the main body. Similarly, the control program stored in the ROM 112 or the memory 114 is also executed by the CPU 111. Figure 6 , Fig. 9 , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B , Fig.13 and Fig.14 Flowchart shown.

[0065] The CPU 111 cooperates with the network I / F 121 to realize control of data transmission and reception. The CPU 111 cooperates with a processor and a display unit on a client terminal (not shown) to realize control of display of a setting screen and reception of user operations.

[0066] exist Figure 5 In the description of the control related to the registration and use of the cloud print service, the control includes the change of the registration destination as the transmission destination of the registration request, the registration process, and the printing process after the registration.

[0067] In step S500, the CPU 111 provides web data corresponding to the setting screen to the client terminal according to a request from the client terminal, and displays the setting screen on the web browser on the client terminal. The user who owns the client terminal performs an operation for changing settings through the setting screen.

[0068] In step S501, the CPU 111 determines whether information indicating a change in the setting of the registration destination is received from the web browser on the client terminal. If information indicating a change in the setting of the registration destination is included in the information received from the web browser ("Yes" in step S501), the process proceeds to step S502. If information indicating a change in the setting of the registration destination is not included ("No" in step S501), the process proceeds to step S503.

[0069] In step S502, the web UI control unit 303 saves the registration destination based on the character string information indicating the registration destination received from the web browser in the setting DB 305. For example, if a user operation for selecting the display item 415 is received in the reception state shown as an example in the screen 411, the registration destination is changed to "https: / / login.abccloudprint.example.de". Based on this processing, the registration destination as the sending destination of the registration request can be changed to the DE area 102c. Then, the web UI control unit 303 generates web data corresponding to the setting screen, thereby updating the setting screen. If the update is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0070] In step S503 , the CPU 111 performs other change processing (eg, processing to change the printer name, or processing to change the setting as to whether to enable or disable the first type of cloud print function) as necessary, and the process proceeds to step S504 .

[0071] In step S504, the CPU 111 determines whether a user operation for starting registration is received. If information that occurs due to the selection of the display item 406 and corresponds to the selection of the display item 406 is received from the web browser on the client terminal, the control unit 303 determines that a user operation for starting registration is received ("Yes" in step S504), and the processing proceeds to step S505. If the information is not received, the control unit 303 determines that a user operation for starting registration is not received ("No" in step S504), and the processing returns to step S500. In step S500, the control unit 303 waits for an operation for changing the settings of the first type of cloud printing function or an operation for starting registration.

[0072] In step S505, the registration control unit 301 refers to the setting DB 305 and obtains the registration destination. Then, the registration control unit 301 sends a registration request including a device ID capable of identifying the MFP 101 to the registration destination. In step S506, the registration control unit 301 cooperates with a web browser on a client terminal (not shown) and a cloud platform provided in an area corresponding to the registration destination to perform a process of registering the MFP 101 in the cloud printing service. Specifically, the response to the registration request includes a temporary URL for registration and a user code used as a one-time password for registration. A user such as an administrator enters the URL into the web browser and accesses a web page provided by the cloud printing service. A user such as an administrator enters an administrator account and a user code of a tenant to which the user belongs (a tenant to which the user wants to use the MFP 101 as a cloud printer) via a web page. The CPS allows the user to log in to the CPS based on the administrator account. The CPS also identifies the MFP as a registration object (e.g., MFP101) based on the user code, and generates a virtual printer object for sending a print job to the MFP. Based on this process, a cloud printer corresponding to the MFP 101 is registered in the tenant of the CPS. Through this registration sequence, the MFP 101 obtains information for communicating with the CPS, such as an access token for accessing the user tenant and URL information for receiving a notification indicating an event or job submission from the CPS.

[0073] Description Back to Figure 5 In step S507, the registration control unit 301 determines whether the process of registering the MFP 101 in the CPS in the area corresponding to the registration destination is successful. If the registration process is successful (YES in step S507), the process proceeds to step S509. If the registration process fails (NO in step S507), the process proceeds to step S508.

[0074] In step S508, the registration control unit 301 notifies the web browser on the client terminal of an error, and a series of processes ends. In contrast, in step S509, the registration control unit 301 stores the information for communicating with the CPS obtained in the registration process in the setting DB 305. From this point on, the print control unit 302 can access information related to the user tenant on the CPS using the information for communicating with the CPS stored in the setting DB 305. That is, the print control unit 302 can confirm or acquire a print job submitted to the CPS in the area registered in the registration process.

[0075] In step S510, the print control unit 302 determines whether a notification of submission of a print job is received from the CPS. If a notification of submission of a print job is received ("Yes" in step S510), the process proceeds to step S511. If a notification of submission of a print job is not received ("No" in step S510), the print control unit 302 waits for submission of a print job.

[0076] In step S511, the print control unit 302 acquires a print job. Then, the print control unit 302 cooperates with the image processing unit 306 and the print processing unit 307 to print a print image based on the acquired print job on a sheet. The sheet printed with the print image is discharged to a sheet discharge tray (not shown). When printing is completed, a series of control processing ends.

[0077] Based on the above-described series of control processing, in a case where the MFP 101 is registered in the cloud print service, the registration destination area can be changed.

[0078] In the second exemplary embodiment, in addition to the processing described in the first exemplary embodiment, a method for changing the default value of the registered destination based on the destination information stored in the MFP 101 before shipping will be described. In the first exemplary embodiment, as an example, the case where the URL of the global area 102a is set as the default value of the registered destination is shown. In the second exemplary embodiment, a mechanism is described in which the initial value (default value) of the registered destination is not set, and in the case where the MFP 101 is initially started or a user operation for displaying the screen 411 is received, the setting value of the registered destination is changed based on the destination information.

[0079] The hardware configuration and software module configuration of the second exemplary embodiment are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment and thus will not be described again.

[0080] Now refer to Figure 6 , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B To describe the specific control. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the MFP 101 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between destination information and areas of the CPS.

[0081] Will refer to Fig. 7A Describe the destination information. The destination information is pre-registered in the MFP 101 at the time of shipment or at the previous stage of finalizing the purchase or lease contract and delivering the MFP 101 to the customer. The destination information is provided to specify the consumption area (sales area) or the shipping area. The destination information is also provided to perform function customization processing in each shipping area according to the trend and culture of each country.

[0082] Fig. 7A An example of candidates for destination information stored in the MFP 101 is shown. Fig. 7A Some destination information is selectively shown. In the setting DB 305 of the MFP 101, any one of a plurality of destination information on US, DE, IT, CN, JP, and KR is set.

[0083] Figure 7B 305 is a diagram showing the correspondence relationship between the destination information and the destination used in the registration process for registering the MFP 101 in the cloud print service. The correspondence relationship is stored in the setting DB 305. Figure 6 The flowchart shown will describe the following method: using Figure 7B The setting value of the registered destination is changed by using the information in the display screen 411 and the destination information pre-stored in the MFP 101. Figure 6 Flowchart in .

[0084] In step S601, the web UI control unit 303 refers to the setting DB 305 and determines whether the setting value indicating the registration destination is not set (in an empty state or a blank state). If it is determined that the setting value is not set ("Yes" in step S601), the process proceeds to step S602. If it is determined that the setting value is set ("No" in step S601), the process proceeds to step S500 in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0085] In step S602, the web UI control unit 303 refers to the setting DB 305 and acquires the destination information. In step S603, the web UI control unit 303 identifies the destination URL used in the registration request to the cloud platform based on the destination information.

[0086] Will refer to Figure 7BDescribe the specific processing. Using the destination information as the search keyword, the web UI control unit 303 searches by determining whether the destination URL corresponding to the destination information is registered in the setting DB 305. If the destination URL corresponding to the destination information is registered as a search result, the destination URL is selected. If the destination information indicates, for example, "DE", the destination URL corresponding to the DE area 102c is selected. If the destination information indicates "US", the destination URL corresponding to the US area 102b is selected. If the destination information indicates "CN", the destination URL corresponding to the CN area 102d is selected. In contrast, if the destination URL corresponding to the destination information does not exist, the destination URL corresponding to "Other" is selected. Based on the determination processing shown in step S602, the destination URL can be determined.

[0087] In step S604, the control unit 303 sets the destination URL identified in the process of step S603 as the registration destination, thereby updating the setting DB 305. After the update process is completed, the process proceeds to step S500.

[0088] In the second exemplary embodiment, a case where the display screen 401 is displayed at the timing of receiving the instruction to display the screen 401 is shown as an example. Figure 6 However, the timing of the change is not limited thereto. For example, the change may be performed at the timing of starting the MFP 101 for the first time after shipment (for example, at the timing when the MFP 101 arrives at the customer's installation location and is powered on). Figure 6 processing shown. In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where information about the destination is based on a country is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the following construction may be adopted: a destination URL is identified based on destination information roughly classified such as Europe, Asia, Oceania, China, and North America. In this case, if the destination information indicates "Europe", a destination URL corresponding to the DE region 102c is selected. If the destination information indicates "North America", a destination URL corresponding to the US region 102b is selected. If the destination information indicates "China", a destination URL corresponding to the CN region 102d is selected. If the destination information indicates other classifications, a destination URL corresponding to the global region 102a is selected.

[0089] The third exemplary embodiment provides a mechanism in which, in addition to the control described in each of the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, a connection test is performed to verify whether the endpoint of the registration request can be properly accessed using the registration destination after the change. The hardware configuration and software module configuration of the third exemplary embodiment are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0090] Figure 8 The screen 801 shown is an example of a screen provided by the web UI control unit 303, and the screen 801 shows an example of a screen displayed instead of the screen 401 in the first exemplary embodiment. Components similar to those of the screen 401 are not described. The screen 801 is different from the screen 401 in that a display item 802 and a notification area 803 are present. The display item 802 is a key for performing a communication test with the currently set registration destination. The notification area 803 is an area where a notification indicating the result of the connection test is displayed.

[0091] Will refer to Fig. 9 The flowchart shown in describes the connection test. In the case where the MFP 101 receives information that appears due to the selection of the display item 802 on the web browser, the execution Fig. 9 The process is shown in the flowchart in .

[0092] In step S901, the web UI control unit 303 requests the registration control unit 301 to attempt a registration process. The registration control unit 301 acquires the device ID and the set registration destination from the setting DB 305. In step S902, the registration control unit 301 generates data of a registration request including the device ID acquired in step S901. In step S903, the registration control unit 301 sends the generated data of the registration request to the registration destination acquired in step S901.

[0093] In step S904, the web UI control unit 303 cooperates with the registration control unit 301 to determine whether to obtain a successful response (a response including a one-time URL and a one-time key for registration). This processing will be described in detail. The registration control unit 301 notifies the web UI control unit 303 of the result in response to the registration request made by the web UI control unit 303 requesting the registration control unit 301. If a specific response is received, the web UI control unit 303 is notified of the response (a successful response including a one-time URL for performing registration processing and a user code as a one-time key, or a failure response). If the destination is not reached, the web UI control unit 303 is notified of the failure response. If the web UI control unit 303 that has received the notification obtains a one-time URL for registering a printer and a user code as a one-time key ("Yes" in step S904), the processing proceeds to step S905. If the web UI control unit 303 does not obtain a one-time URL and a user code as a one-time key ("No" in step S904), the processing proceeds to step S906.

[0094] In step S905, the web UI control unit 303 instructs the client terminal to display a success notification. The client terminal that has received the instruction uses a script (such as ) to update the screen. The script is executed by a script engine provided by the web browser. The script operates a document object model (DOM) interface corresponding to the screen and updates the notification displayed in the notification area 803 to a notification indicating successful verification.

[0095] In step S906, the web UI control unit 303 cooperates with the client terminal to display a failure notification in the notification area 803 of the screen 801. The specific display control is similar to that performed in step S905, so it is not described again. After the notification is completed, a series of processes for the connection test ends.

[0096] According to the above processing, the changed registration URL is used so that it is possible to appropriately verify whether the processing can proceed to the steps after the registration processing.

[0097] In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where a connection test is performed according to a selection of display item 802 for performing verification is shown as an example. However, the timing of performing the connection test is not limited thereto. For example, alternatively, the connection test may be performed according to a selection of display item 802 for performing verification. Figure 4B In this case, control can be performed so that the connection test is performed at the timing of the display item 415 described in Fig. 9 In the process of , if the connection test succeeds, overwriting of the registration destination is permitted, and if the connection test fails, overwriting of the registration destination is prohibited. Alternatively, the connection test may be performed at the timing when the input operation of item 414 is completed and the character string to be set as a candidate for the registration destination is finally determined.

[0098] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, reference will be made to Fig.10 , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B A mechanism is described in which, in addition to the processing according to the first to third exemplary embodiments, a function of initializing the setting value of the registration destination is provided.

[0099] Fig.10 The illustrated screen 1001 is an example of a screen displayed in place of the screen 801. Components similar to those of the screen 801 will not be described. The screen 1001 is different from the screen 801 in that a display item 1002 exists. The display item 1002 is a key for initializing a registration destination.

[0100] Now refer to Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The flowchart shown in the figure describes the process of initializing the registration destination. Fig.11A or Fig. 11B The processing is shown in the flowchart in .

[0101] Fig.11A The initialization process applied in the case where the control according to the first exemplary embodiment is performed and in the case where the confirmation control according to the third exemplary embodiment is performed in addition to the control according to the first exemplary embodiment is shown. Fig.11A , the destination URL corresponding to the global area 102a is set as the registered destination.

[0102] In contrast, Fig. 11B The initialization process applied in the case where the process according to the second exemplary embodiment is performed, or in the case where the confirmation process according to the third exemplary embodiment is performed in addition to the process according to the second exemplary embodiment is performed. Fig. 11B In the process of , the destination URL corresponding to the destination information is set as the registered destination.

[0103] We will now describe Fig.11A In step S1101, the web UI control unit 303 determines whether information indicating that a reset operation has been performed, which appears due to selection of the display item 1002 on the client terminal, has been received. If information indicating that a reset operation has been performed has not been received ("No" in step S1101), the process proceeds to step S500. If information indicating that a reset operation has been performed has been received ("Yes" in step S1101), the process proceeds to step S1102.

[0104] In step S1102, the web UI control unit 303 refers to the setting DB 305 and acquires the destination URL corresponding to the global area 102a. Then, the web UI control unit 303 overwrites the registered destination in the setting DB 305 with the acquired destination URL corresponding to the global area 102a. Finally, the web UI control unit 303 gives an instruction to update the screen provided to the client terminal. The client terminal updates the screen based on the instruction, and a series of processing ends.

[0105] Now refer to Fig. 11BThe initialization processing applied when performing the processing according to the second exemplary embodiment or performing the confirmation processing according to the third exemplary embodiment in addition to the processing according to the second exemplary embodiment is specifically described. In step S1111, the control unit 303 cooperates with the client terminal to determine whether a reset operation is received. The specific content of this determination is similar to that shown in step S1101, so it is not described again. If it is determined that a reset operation is received ("Yes" in step S1111), the processing enters step S602 described in the second exemplary embodiment. If it is determined that a reset operation is not received ("No" in step S1111), the processing proceeds to step S500.

[0106] Based on the above processing, in the case where an input error occurs when inputting a registration destination, the registration destination can be easily reset appropriately to a default value. Fig.10 In addition to the initialization method described in , a configuration in which the registration destination is reset by the following method may be adopted. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which, in the case where an operation for initializing the settings of the main body of the MFP 101 to the values ​​before shipment is received, other setting values ​​are initialized, and also the same as Fig.11A and Fig. 11B The process shown is equivalent to the reset process.

[0107] In the fifth exemplary embodiment, in addition to the processing according to the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, a mechanism for providing a user interface for more easily selecting a registration destination is described.

[0108] Fig.12 The screen 1201 shown is a replacement for Figure 4B 1201 is an example of a screen displayed by referring to screen 411 in FIG. Screen 1201 is different from screen 411 in that tab 1202 is displayed and a plurality of display items are displayed in area 1203. In tab 1202, a message urging the user to select an area (endpoint) is displayed. A text box corresponding to item 1204 is used to change the URL of the transmission destination by directly inputting the URL. This function is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0109] In area 1203, the Figure 7B Specifically, a plurality of display items indicating respective regions (endpoints) such as “United States”, “Germany”, “China”, and “Global” are displayed in region 1203 .

[0110] The user can select one of a plurality of display items displayed in the area 1203. In a screen 1201, a screen after a display item corresponding to a CN area is selected is shown as an example.

[0111] Will refer to Fig.13 The flowchart shown describes a specific control method. In step S1300, the web UI control unit 303 cooperates with the client terminal to display a screen 1201 including a display item for selecting an area used in CPS on a web browser. The client terminal can receive a user operation for selecting an area through the screen 1201.

[0112] In step S1301, the web UI control unit 303 determines whether information that appears due to receiving an operation for selecting an area on the screen 1201 displayed on the client terminal and identifies a selection operation for selecting an area is received. If information identifying a selection operation for selecting an area is received ("Yes" in step S1301), the process proceeds to step S1302. If information identifying a selection operation for selecting an area is not received ("No" in step S1301), the process proceeds to step S504.

[0113] In step S1302, the web UI control unit 303 changes the registered destination in the setting DB 305 based on the information identifying the selection operation for selecting the region. For example, if the display item "China" is selected and information indicating that the display item "China" is selected is received, the web UI control unit 303 overwrites the registered destination with the destination URL corresponding to the CN region 102d. The web UI control unit 303 also cooperates with the client terminal to update the display of the screen 1201. After the update is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0114] As described above, when the print control apparatus is registered in the cloud print service, the display control process makes it possible to provide a mechanism for more easily switching the registration destination area.

[0115] exist Fig.13 101 and the MFP 101 communicate based on HTTP and update the screen according to the selection operation on the notification area 1203. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the correspondence between information identifying a country and a URL corresponding to a region and a script for operating web contents (such as ) is sent to the client terminal in advance, and the screen is dynamically updated on the client terminal side. In this case, the web browser on the client terminal submits the information input to each item to the MFP 101 in a web form according to the selection of the OK button on the screen 1201. In this case, the MFP 101 can switch whether to update the registered destination according to the submitted information.

[0116] The fifth exemplary embodiment can also be combined with the control of the connection test described in the third exemplary embodiment or the operation of the reset control described in the fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0117] In the sixth exemplary embodiment, the following operation will be described: instead of the first exemplary embodiment, the location where the MFP 101 is installed is estimated, and the default value of the registration destination is set based on the estimated location information. The hardware configuration and software configuration of the sixth exemplary embodiment are similar to those of the second exemplary embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0118] Will refer to Fig.14 The specific control is described in the flowchart shown in FIG. Fig.14 The flowchart in FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of replacing the flow chart according to the second exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 In step S1401, the web UI control unit 303 determines whether the registration destination is not set. If it is determined that the registration destination is not set ("Yes" in step S1401), the process proceeds to step S1402. If it is determined that the registration destination is set ("No" in step S1401), the process proceeds to step S500.

[0119] In step S1402, the web UI control unit 303 cooperates with the GPS module 122 and the position information estimation unit 304 to estimate the installation location (longitude and latitude) of the MFP 101 using the measurement result of the GPS module 122. After the estimation is completed, the process proceeds to step S1403. In step S1404, the web UI control unit 303 estimates the country where the MFP 101 is installed based on the longitude and latitude. Then, the web UI control unit 303 refers to the location information based on the information about the estimated country. Figure 7B , and identifies the destination URL. For example, if the estimated country is DE, the destination URL corresponding to the DE region 102c is selected. If the estimated country is CN, the destination URL corresponding to the CN region 102d is selected. If the estimated country is US, the destination URL corresponding to the US region 102b is selected. If the estimated country is another country, the destination URL corresponding to the global region 102a is selected. Finally, the web UI control unit 303 overwrites the registered destination in the setting DB 305 with the identified destination URL, thereby updating the settings. After the update is completed, the control unit 303 generates web data corresponding to the setting screen based on the updated information, and sends the web data to the client terminal.

[0120] Based on the above processing, the registration destination can be appropriately changed based on the installation location of the MFP. The timing of updating the registration destination is not limited to this. The following configuration can be adopted, in which Figure 4A and Figure 4B A display item "update current position" is further placed on the setting screen described in . In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which, in response to selection of a display item such as "update current position", Fig.14 The update process shown in .

[0121] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, a method using GPS is shown as an example of a method for estimating the installation location of the MFP 101. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the installation location of the MFP 101 is estimated using a method for identifying the location of the client terminal based on a global IP address such as GeoIP2.

[0122] Audit standards and regulations in various countries or regions may continue to increase in the future. Therefore, in the case of updating the firmware of MFP101, a firmware update for updating may be provided. Figure 7B The mechanism of the correspondence is shown.

[0123] According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the registration destination area can be appropriately set in a case where the print control apparatus is registered in the cloud print service.

[0124] Other embodiments

[0125] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading 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 functions in 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 functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in 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 and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM), flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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 control device, which is used to connect to a cloud printing service provided in multiple areas, the printing control device comprising: a determination unit configured to determine, based on the area information set in the print control device, a transmission destination of an area corresponding to the area information among the plurality of areas; a providing unit configured to provide, to the client terminal, a web page corresponding to a setting screen via which a change of a determined transmission destination is allowed; a sending unit configured to send a registration request for registering the print control device in a predetermined cloud print service to the cloud print service corresponding to the sending destination changed by the user via the setting screen; as well as A setting unit is configured to set the transmission destination.

2. The printing control device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first determination unit is configured to determine a default value of the transmission destination based on information indicating a destination of the print control device.

3. The printing control device according to claim 2, further comprising: an estimating unit configured to estimate a location where the printing control device is installed; The estimating unit estimates a location where the printing control device is installed by using a global positioning system.

4. The printing control device according to claim 3, wherein: The estimation unit estimates a location where the print control apparatus is installed by using an IP address used for communication of the print control apparatus.

5. The printing control device according to claim 2, further comprising: an initialization unit configured to reset the printing control device to a pre-shipment state, Here, when the initialization unit resets the printing control device to a pre-shipment state, a determination process for determining the default value is executed.

6. The printing control device according to claim 1, in, The sending destination includes a URL, and The setting unit receives a URL indicating the transmission destination input via the setting screen, and sets the received URL as the transmission destination.

7. The printing control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store information on a correspondence relationship between an area and a URL indicating the transmission destination of the registration request, The setting unit receives a user operation for identifying an area, identifies a URL corresponding to the area identified by the user operation based on the information about the corresponding relationship, and sets the identified URL as the sending destination.

8. The printing control device according to claim 1, further comprising: An acquisition control unit is configured to acquire a print job from the predetermined cloud print service after registration of the print control device in the predetermined cloud print service in an area corresponding to the transmission destination is triggered by the registration request transmitted to the transmission destination.

9. The printing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The print control device is a print server configured to receive a print job from outside the print server and send the received print job to a printing device under control of the print server.

10. The printing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The print control device is a printing device including a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet based on a print job.

11. A control method for controlling a printing control device, the printing control device being used to connect with a cloud printing service provided in multiple areas, the control method comprising: determining, based on the area information set in the print control device, a sending destination of an area corresponding to the area information among the plurality of areas; providing a web page corresponding to a setting screen to the client terminal, via which the determined transmission destination is allowed to be changed; Set the sending destination related to the scheduled cloud printing service; as well as A registration request for registering the print control apparatus in the predetermined cloud print service is transmitted to the cloud print service corresponding to the transmission destination changed by the user via the setting screen.

12. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling a printing control device for connecting to a cloud printing service provided in a plurality of regions, the method comprising: determining, based on the area information set in the print control device, a sending destination of an area corresponding to the area information among the plurality of areas; providing a web page corresponding to a setting screen to the client terminal, via which the determined transmission destination is allowed to be changed; Set the sending destination related to the scheduled cloud printing service; as well as A registration request for registering the print control apparatus in the predetermined cloud print service is transmitted to the cloud print service corresponding to the transmission destination changed by the user via the setting screen.

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