Printing system

Abstract

This invention provides a printing system. The printing system includes a printing control server and a management server. The printing control server includes: a printing request acquisition unit that acquires image data representing an image of a printable object submitted to a chat room displayed on a first terminal device via a chat server and the management server; a printing request unit that sends the image data to a printer and requests printing; and a printing request unit that sends the image data to the printer and requests printing. The management server includes: an image data management unit that stores the acquired image data in a storage medium; and a display control unit that, upon receiving a display request from a second terminal device (different from the first terminal device) to display an image represented by the image data in the second terminal device, displays the image represented by the image data on the second terminal device by sending the image data stored in the storage medium to the second terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing system. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, chat services provided in SNS (Social Network Service) and similar services were known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a multifunction printer printing images through a conversation with a chatbot.

[0003] However, in the previous structure, other users who could not view the chat screen could not view the images submitted to the chat screen, thus hoping to improve convenience.

[0004] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-050519. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A printing system for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a printing control server and a management server. The printing control server includes: a printing request acquisition unit that acquires image data representing an image of a printable object submitted to a chat room displayed on a first terminal device via a chat server and the management server; and a printing request unit that sends the image data to a printer and requests printing. The management server includes: an image data management unit that stores the acquired image data in a storage medium; and a display control unit that, when a display request for displaying an image represented by the image data is received from a second terminal device different from the first terminal device, sends the image data stored in the storage medium to the second terminal device, thereby displaying the image represented by the image data on the second terminal device. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the printing system.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a chat room.

[0008] Figure 3 A diagram illustrating the structure of data stored in a management server.

[0009] Figure 4 A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the process of submitting, printing, and displaying an image.

[0010] Figure 5 This is an example of a display showing a list of images submitted for use with chatbots.

[0011] Figure 6A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the display process for representing the printing status.

[0012] Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of the printing status.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of how an error is handled.

[0014] Figure 9 A sequence diagram illustrating an example of image deletion processing. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.

[0016] (1-4) Structure of the printing system:

[0017] (1-1) Structure of the management server: (1-2) Structure of the printing control server: (2) Sequence: (3) Other implementation methods: (1-4) Structure of the printing system: Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system includes a management server 100 and a printing control server 200. The management server 100 and the printing control server 200 can communicate with each other via a network N. Furthermore, the management server 100 can communicate with a chat server 300 via the network N. The chat server 300 is a server that provides a chat service for exchanging messages with other parties in a conversational manner. Users of the chat service install an application (chat application) for utilizing the chat service on their own terminal devices and create a user account in the chat service. By executing the chat application, the terminal device communicates with the chat server 300.

[0018] The first terminal device 400, the second terminal device 500, and the third terminal device 600 are terminal devices with chat applications installed. The first terminal device 400, the second terminal device 500, and the third terminal device 600 are, for example, smartphones, tablets, PCs (Personal Computers), etc. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first terminal device 400 and the second terminal device 500 are portable terminals such as smartphones owned by guests invited to the engagement banquet at the wedding ceremony, and that the third terminal device 600 is a terminal operated by staff at the engagement banquet venue. The printer 700 is a printer installed at the engagement banquet venue.

[0019] In this embodiment, for example, the organizer of the engagement party pre-creates an account for a chatbot, which serves as a chat service account and is used to work in conjunction with the management server 100 and the printing control server 200. When guests arrive at the venue, they use their smartphones or other terminal devices to scan a QR code placed on their table or seat. This QR code contains information for launching a chat application on the terminal device, the aforementioned chatbot account, and seat information where the QR code scanned by the guest's smartphone is located. While this embodiment envisions the seat information as the table number corresponding to the guest's seat, in other embodiments, it could be the seat's identification information. When a guest scans the QR code with their smartphone, the chat application launches on the smartphone, prompting them to choose whether to accept the aforementioned chatbot account as a chat partner. When the guest chooses to accept, they can use the printing service utilizing the chatbot chat. The printing service utilizing the chatbot chat is as follows.

[0020] Guests will use their personal devices to take photos and videos of the wedding ceremony and engagement reception. They can then keep any photos they wish to print as souvenirs. Figure 2 As shown, guests can submit images in the chat room with the chatbot. Guests can also utilize the service that allows them to send images to the chatbot, which will then be printed by a printer 700 located at the engagement party venue, and the printed photos can be collected by the guests.

[0021] A chat room is a screen displayed through a chat application, where messages and files interacted in a conversational format are displayed in chronological order. The chatbot account and chat room for the engagement party organizer are created for each guest's user account. That is, the user of the second terminal device 500 cannot view, for example, the chat room between the user of the first terminal device 400 and the chatbot within the chat application of the second terminal device 500. Furthermore, conversely, the user of the first terminal device 400 cannot view the chat room between the user of the second terminal device 500 and the chatbot within the chat application of the first terminal device 400.

[0022] Printer 700 is a printing device capable of printing photographs. Printer 700 communicates with printing control server 200 and the like via network N. When printer 700 receives image data from printing control server 200, it performs printing on a printing medium such as photo paper based on the image data. Guests can collect their printed materials from venue staff after printing by printer 700.

[0023] (1-2) Structure of the management server: The management server 100 is a server with management functions that acquire and manage image data D1 sent from a guest's terminal device via the chat server 300. Details will be described later. The management server 100 includes a processor 110, a storage medium 120, and a communication unit 130. The processor 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and can execute various programs stored in the ROM and storage medium 120. The communication unit 130 is an interface for communicating with other devices. The management server 100 can communicate with other devices connected to the network N via the communication unit 130. The storage medium 120 accumulates image data D1 sent from the terminal device as a printing target. To implement the management functions, the processor 110 executes a management program (not shown). By executing the management program, the processor 110 requests printing from the printing control server 200 when it receives image data from the terminal device via the chat server 300. Furthermore, by executing the management program, the processor 110 functions as an image data management unit 111 and a display control unit 112.

[0024] The image data management unit 111 enables the processor 110 to perform the function of storing the image data D1 obtained from the terminal device via the chat server 300 in the storage medium 120. Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a structural example of storing image data D1 in correspondence with various pieces of information. When a user on a terminal device reads a QR code placed on a table at an engagement party and approves the chatbot's account as a chat partner, the management server 100 retrieves the user's account, table number (as seating information), and chatbot account from the chat server 300. The processor 110 of the management server 100 stores the user account, table information, and chatbot account in correspondence. When a user sends image data D1 to the chatbot, the processor 110 of the management server 100 stores the user's account, table number, and chatbot account corresponding to the ID of the image data D1.

[0025] Furthermore, when the image data management unit 111 obtains image data D1 from the terminal device via the chat server 300, it sends a printing request for image data D1 to the printing control server 200. In this embodiment, to facilitate tasks such as sorting printed materials, a printing request for image data D2, which is generated by attaching information such as table numbers to image data D1, is sent to the printing control server 200.

[0026] The display control unit 112 enables the processor 110 to perform the following function: according to a display request from the terminal device, it sends the image data D1 accumulated in the storage medium 120 to the terminal device and displays the image data D1 on the terminal device for the user of the terminal device to view. As described above, although the chat room with the chatbot cannot be viewed by other users who are chatting with the same chatbot, in this embodiment, it is configured to publish the images submitted by multiple users as guests of the banquet to the same chatbot as a photo album. That is, when the processor 110 receives a display request from a second terminal device 500 (different from the first terminal device 400 that sent the image data D1) to display the image represented by the image data D1 on the second terminal device 500, it sends the image data D1 stored in the storage medium 120 to the second terminal device 500, thereby displaying the image represented by the image data D1 on the second terminal device 500.

[0027] Therefore, according to the printing system of this embodiment, in a system that can print images by submitting them in a chat room with a chatbot using a printer associated with the chatbot, users other than the submitter can also view the images submitted to the chat room. Thus, for example, it can create a sense of unity among event participants, allowing them to view and enjoy various scenes from angles they could not otherwise see.

[0028] (1-2) Structure of the printing control server: In this embodiment, the printing control server 200 is a server with printing control functions, namely, acquiring image data D2 sent from a guest's terminal device via the chat server 300 and the management server 100, and causing the printer 700 to perform printing based on the printing data. The printing control server 200 includes a processor 210, a storage medium 220, and a communication unit 230. The processor 210 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and is capable of executing various programs stored in the ROM and storage medium 220. The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for communicating with other devices. The printing control server 200 can communicate with other devices connected to the network N via the communication unit 230. The storage medium 220 stores image data D2 generated based on image data D1 of the printed object acquired from the terminal device via the chat server 300 and the management server 100.

[0029] The processor 210 functions as a print request acquisition unit 211, a print request unit 212, a print status notification unit 213, and an error notification unit 214 by executing a print control program (not shown) for implementing print control functions.

[0030] The print request acquisition unit 211 is a function that acquires image data representing an image of a printable object submitted to a chat room displayed on the first terminal device via the chat server 300 and the management server 100. The print request unit 212 is a function that sends image data D2 generated based on image data D1 to the printer 700 and requests printing.

[0031] The printing status notification unit 213 sends information indicating the printing status based on the image data to the first terminal device 400, which has sent the image data D1 of the printed object, and displays the printing status on the first terminal device. The error notification unit 214 receives error information from the printer 700 and notifies the third terminal device 600 of the error information via the chat server 300. The third terminal device 600 is a terminal device used by the meeting staff. The details of these units will be explained in sequence below.

[0032] (2) Sequence: Figure 4 A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the process from image submission to printing and the process of album display. Figure 4The sequence is based on the following premise: guests at the engagement party scan the QR code placed on their seats at the engagement party venue and complete the chatbot account verification. After the user on the terminal device has verified the chatbot account, the terminal device sends the user's chat application account, the table information contained in the scanned QR code, and the chatbot account to the management server 100 via the chat server 300. Upon receiving this information, the processor 110 of the management server 100 correspondingly stores the user's chat application account, the user's table information, and the chatbot account in the storage medium 120.

[0033] When a user of the first terminal device 400 launches the chat application and opens a chat room with the chatbot, such as Figure 2 The following content will be displayed: an area a1 for chatting with the chatbot, and at the bottom of the screen, buttons b1 for activating the camera, b2 for selecting images already taken on the terminal device, b3 for confirming the printing status, and b4 for browsing the photo album.

[0034] The system is in a state where only the chatbot's account and the user's own account are registered in the chat room. Although other guests attending weddings or engagement parties also recognize the same chatbot as potential chat partners, only the chatbot's account and the other guest's own account are registered in their chat applications within the chat room. Thus, only the chatbot and the user's own account are displayed as participants in the chat room; other users registered with the same chatbot are not displayed as participants in the chat room they are attending. There is a scenario where the chat server and chat application are configured such that, when a user account is accessible, the user's profile information, such as display name and cover photo, can be viewed. According to this embodiment, as described above, since the user's own account in their chat application is not displayed in other users' chat rooms with the chatbot, the possibility of other users knowing the user's profile information in their chat application is reduced.

[0035] Users can either upload images taken by the camera (activated by selecting button b1) of wedding ceremonies, banquets, or venues to the chat room, or select images to print and upload them to the chat room by selecting button b2 to view a list of images already taken and saved on their device.

[0036] When a user submits an image to be printed to the chat room using any of the methods described above, the first terminal device 400 sends image data D1 representing the image to the chat server 300 (step S100). Upon receiving image data D1, the chat server 300 notifies the management server 100 that the image has been submitted (step S105). Upon receiving the notification in step S105, the processor 110 of the management server 100 sends an image retrieval request to the chat server 300 (step S110). The chat server 300 sends image data D1 to the management server 100 according to the request in step S110 (step S115). Specifically, for example, the chat server 300 sends image data D1, the user account of the user who submitted the image, and the chatbot's account to the management server 100.

[0037] When image data is received in step S115, the processor 110 of the management server 100 stores the received image data D1 in the storage medium 120 via the image data management unit 111 (step S120). That is, the processor 110 stores the user account and chatbot account in a manner corresponding to the ID of the received image data D1. Furthermore, the processor 110 stores table numbers, which are stored in correspondence with the user account and chatbot account, in a manner corresponding to the image data ID.

[0038] Next, the processor 110 of the management server 100 sends the image data D2 to the printing control server 200 and requests the printing of the image data D1 (step S125). Specifically, the processor 110 sends the image data D2, which is obtained by appending the corresponding table number and user account to the image data D1, and the chatbot account to the printing control server 200.

[0039] Here, appending a user account and table number to image data D1 means either overlapping the image represented by the image data or configuring strings representing the user account and table number outside the area of ​​the image represented by the image data. Image data D2 is image data obtained by configuring these strings in image data D1 in this way. Furthermore, the string representing the user account may be appended, for example, with at least a portion hidden by wildcard characters. Alternatively, the string representing the user account's display name on the user's chat application may be appended to image data D1 in place of the user account, or it may be appended with a portion of the display name hidden by wildcard characters.

[0040] When the processor 210 of the print control server 200 obtains the print request in step S125 through the function of the print request acquisition unit 211, it requests printing by sending the image data D2 to the printer 700 (step S130). The printer 700 performs printing based on the image data D2 received in step S130 (step S135).

[0041] In this way, by having printer 700 print image data with attached seating information, the printing system can reduce the hassle of sorting and collecting printed materials by venue staff based on seating information. Similarly, by having printer 700 print image data with the user account information of the user who submitted the image, the system can reduce the hassle of sorting and collecting materials based on the user account.

[0042] After sending image data D1 from the first terminal device 400 to the chat server 300 in step S100, and selecting button b4 for viewing the album on the first terminal device 400, the first terminal device 400 sends a display request to the management server 100 (step S140). Specifically, the first terminal device 400 sends the display request along with the user account of the chat application and the account of the chatbot. Upon receiving the display request in step S140, the processor 110 of the management server 100 sends the image data D1 represented by the image data ID stored in the storage medium 120 in a manner corresponding to the chatbot account (step S145). Specifically, the processor 110 sends thumbnail image data of the stored image data D1 adjusted to a low resolution. If there is only one image data D1 stored, that single thumbnail image data is sent. If there are multiple image data D1 stored, all multiple thumbnail image data are sent. The first terminal device 400 then causes the browser of the chat application to display a view of the sent image data. Figure 5 This example shows a display that appears when the album button b4 is selected, and a list of images stored corresponding to the chatbot account. The list includes images submitted by the user who requested the display, i.e., the user who selected the album button b4. Furthermore, the user account sent along with the display request in step S140, and step S150 (described next), is used to determine which image can be deleted by the user who requested the display. Details regarding deletion will be provided in the reference... Figure 9 This will be described later in the text.

[0043] Furthermore, when the user of the second terminal device 500 selects the album button b4, the second terminal device 500 sends a display request to the management server 100 (step S150). Specifically, the second terminal device 500 sends the display request along with the user account of the chat application and the chatbot account. Upon receiving the display request in step S150, the processor 110 of the management server 100 sends the image data represented by the image ID stored in the storage medium 120 corresponding to the chatbot account (step S155). As a result, a view of the image data is also displayed on the browser of the chat application in the second terminal device 500. If the user of the second terminal device 500 has not yet submitted images to the chat room with the chatbot, all the displayed images are images submitted by other users. Of course, this also includes the images sent from the first terminal device 400 in step S100. Thus, according to the printing system of this embodiment, images submitted to the chat room can also be viewed by users other than the submitter.

[0044] Furthermore, for example, it is displayed in the second terminal device 500. Figure 5 In the overview shown, when a user of the second terminal device 500 long-presses any image, the second terminal device 500 determines the image selected by the long press and sends a download request for the determined image to the management server 100 (step S160). When a download request is received, the processor 110 of the management server 100 sends image data representing the requested image to the second terminal device 500, which is the source of the download request (step S165). Furthermore, the download request can be an image submitted by the user of the terminal device that sent the download request, or an image submitted by another user. Thus, according to the printing system of this embodiment, the terminal device can download image data accumulated in the management server 100 based on a download request from the terminal device. Additionally, it can be configured to select and download multiple images simultaneously. For example, this can be achieved if the bride and groom want to download the images accumulated in the management server 100 as a memento after their engagement party and save them on their own terminals.

[0045] Next, in reference Figure 6 At the same time, the confirmation sequence for the printing status is explained. After implementation... Figure 4 After the processing of steps S100 to S135 shown, the user of the first terminal device 400 selects... Figure 2In the case of button b3 shown, the first terminal device 400 sends a printing status request to the printing control server 200 (step S200). Specifically, the first terminal device 400 sends the printing status request along with the user account of the user's chat application. Upon receiving the request in step S200, the processor 210 of the printing control server 200 generates display data for displaying the printing status through the function of the printing status notification unit 213 (step S205), and sends the display data to the first terminal device 400 (step S210). That is, the processor 210 sends information indicating the printing status based on the image data to the first terminal device 400, which has sent the image data of the printed object, and displays the printing status on the first terminal device 400.

[0046] Specifically, the processor 210 of the print control server 200 checks the waiting print queue, which is accumulated according to the order of acceptance of image data awaiting output to the printer 700. Independent of the waiting print queue, the processor 210 of the print control server 200 establishes a correspondence between the acceptance date and time received by the print control server 200 and the user account of the print request source, and stores this as a log in the storage medium 220. The processor 210 refers to the log to determine the image data corresponding to the user account that made the print status request. If the determined image data does not exist in the waiting print queue, the processor 210 determines that the image data has been printed. Furthermore, if the determined image data is at the beginning of the waiting print queue, the processor 210 determines that the image data is being printed. Furthermore, if the image data corresponding to the user account exists at the second or subsequent position in the waiting print queue, the processor 210 determines that the image data is waiting to be printed. Then, the processor 210 generates display data indicating the printing status of the image data corresponding to the requesting user account and sends it to the first terminal device 400.

[0047] Figure 7 An example of a printing status display shown by the first terminal device 400 based on the display data received in step S210 is illustrated. When the user selects the display update button b5, the process is repeated from... Figure 6 The processing begins at step S200. Thus, according to the printing system of this embodiment, the user can monitor the printing status of the image they submitted.

[0048] Figure 8This section illustrates a sequence example of an error occurring during printing in printer 700. Printing control server 200 periodically queries printer 700 regarding its status. When printer 700 detects an error (step S300), it sends an error message indicating the error to printing control server 200 (step S305). Errors may include, for example, paper jams, insufficient ink, or insufficient printing media, preventing further printing. The error message includes identification information of the printer that caused the error and information indicating the type of error.

[0049] When an error message is received from printer 700, print control server 200 sends the error message to management server 100 (step S310). Management server 100 sends the error message to chat server 300 (step S315). Management server 100 stores user accounts of the chat application for the venue staff who have printer 700 set up. When management server 100 receives an error message related to printer 700, it identifies the corresponding user account of the venue staff based on the printer identification information contained in the error message. For example, in step S315, the error message is sent to the user account via chat application. Chat server 300 sends the error message to the third terminal device 600 of the venue staff (step S320). When the third terminal device 600 receives the error message, it notifies the user of the chat application's chat reception (step S325) and displays the error message on the third terminal device based on the user's confirmation of the notification details. Thus, the printing system according to this embodiment can notify the user of the third terminal device 600 of error information in the event of an error. As a result, it can assist venue staff in quickly implementing error-eliminating measures on the printer 700.

[0050] Figure 9 This is a sequence of examples of cases where images submitted by the image contributor are deleted. Although Figure 9 Steps S400 to S405 and Figure 4 Steps S140 to S145 are the same, but to be more detailed, the management server 100 determines the user account of the display request source in step S400, and determines the image data stored corresponding to that user account. Then, the management server 100 generates display data (step S402) that displays the image data corresponding to the user account in a way that allows the user to delete the image data, and sends it to the first terminal device 400. Specifically, for example, as... Figure 5As shown, the image submitted by a user on the first terminal device 400 is configured with checkbox 'cb'. Checkbox 'cb' indicates that the image is deletable by the user of the first terminal device 400. When a user of the first terminal device 400 checks the checkbox of their own submitted image and selects the delete button (not shown), the first terminal device 400 sends a deletion request for the selected image to the management server 100 (step S410). Upon receiving the deletion request, the management server 100 deletes the requested image data from the storage medium 120 (step S415). Thus, according to the printing system of this embodiment, the user who submitted the image can delete the image from the management server 100. Therefore, the possibility that, for example, an image unrelated to the engagement party is mistakenly submitted can remain on the management server 100 and be viewed by other guests can be reduced.

[0051] Alternatively, it can be configured as follows: Figure 5 As shown in the example, a checkbox cb is displayed in an image that corresponds to the user's user account of the first terminal device 400 that is the source of the display request. If the image does not have a checkbox cb, the user cannot delete it. Alternatively, the checkbox cb may not be displayed in a corresponding image. The management server 100 obtains the identification information of the image for which the user has made a deletion request. If the image indicated by the identification information corresponds to the user's user account, the server deletes the image. If no correspondence is established, the server replies with information indicating that the image cannot be deleted because it is a submission from someone else.

[0052] (3) Other implementation methods: The above-described embodiments are examples for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can also be adopted. For example, the printing control server and the management server can be integrated. Furthermore, for example, the management server can be composed of multiple servers, and the printing control server can also be composed of multiple servers. In addition, in the above embodiments, a portion of the functions performed by the management server 100 can also be performed by the printing control server 200, and a portion of the functions performed by the printing control server 200 can also be performed by the management server 100. The distribution of processing content can be appropriately determined. For example, the processing of generating image data D2 based on image data D1 can also be implemented by the printing control server 200.

[0053] In addition to events such as weddings and engagement parties listed in the above embodiments, the printing system can be used in various other activities. For example, it can also be used in venues such as concerts, live performances, and exhibitions. Seating information can be information that identifies the seat a user is sitting in, information that identifies the table corresponding to the user's seat, or information that identifies the area including the user's seat. This allows for easy searching of photos submitted by event participants from a large number of printed and displayed photos. Furthermore, venue staff can categorize the large number of printed photos based on seating information, making it easier for submitters to find their submissions. Alternatively, the system can be structured such that the number of users registered in a chat room is less than the number of users who can send requests to display images submitted to the chat room. In other words, the system can be structured such that the number of users registered in a chat room is less than the number of users who can view images submitted to that chat room. Therefore, in this configuration, users other than those registered in the chat room can view images submitted to that chat room. Furthermore, the structure where the number of users registered in a chat room is less than the number of users capable of sending display requests for images submitted to the chat room is not limited to a structure with only one chatbot account and one user account. For example, it could also be a group chat participated in by one chatbot account and multiple user accounts. In this case, it can be configured such that users who have approved the chatbot account, even if they are not participating in the group chat, can view images submitted to the group chat.

[0054] Although only one printer is used in the above embodiment, multiple printers can be set up in the venue and registered in a manner that enables them to work collaboratively with the print control server and the print system. Furthermore, for example, it can be configured such that if the primary printer becomes unusable due to an error, the print control server switches the output destination to another backup printer for printing. Alternatively, it can be configured such that the print control server operates multiple printers simultaneously to improve printing efficiency.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied as a program or method executed by a computer. Moreover, the systems, programs, and methods described above can be implemented either as a single device or using components of multiple devices, encompassing a wide variety of approaches. Furthermore, modifications can be made appropriately, such as making some parts software and others hardware. Furthermore, the invention can also serve as a recording medium for a program that controls a system. Of course, the recording medium for this program can be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and this can be completely considered for any recording medium developed in the future.

[0056] Symbol Explanation 100…Management Server; 110…Processor; 111…Image Data Management Department; 112…Display Control Department; 120…Storage Medium; 130…Communication Department; 200…Print Control Server; 210…Processor; 211…Print Request Acquisition Department; 212…Print Request Department; 213…Print Status Notification Department; 214…Error Notification Department; 220…Storage Medium; 230…Communication Department; 300…Chat Server; 700…Printer; D1…Image Data; D2…Image Data; N…Network; a1…Area; b1…Button; b2…Button; b3…Button; b4…Album Button; b5…Display Update Button; cb…Checkbox.

Claims

1. A printing system, wherein, It has a printing control server and a management server. The printing control server has the following features: The print request acquisition unit acquires image data representing an image of a printable object displayed on a chat room on a first terminal device via a chat server and the management server. The printing request unit sends the image data to the printer and requests printing. The management server has the following features: An image data management unit that enables a storage medium to store the acquired image data; The display control unit, upon receiving a display request from a second terminal device different from the first terminal device to display an image represented by the image data on the second terminal device, sends the image data stored in the storage medium to the second terminal device, thereby displaying the image represented by the image data on the second terminal device.

2. The printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The number of users registered in one of the chat rooms is less than the number of users who can send display requests for images submitted to the chat room.

3. The printing system as described in claim 2, wherein, An account representing a chatbot and a user account are registered in one of the chat rooms.

4. The printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The printing control server has a printing status notification unit. The printing status notification unit sends information indicating the printing status based on the image data to the first terminal device that sent the image data of the printing object, and causes the printing status to be displayed on the first terminal device.

5. The printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The image data management unit in the management server performs the following processing: The image data is stored in the storage medium in a manner that corresponds to the user account of the user of the first terminal device that sent the image data of the printed object. When a deletion request for the image data is received from the first terminal device that sent the image data of the printed object, the image data corresponding to the user account of the user of the first terminal device that sent the deletion request is deleted from the storage medium.

6. The printing system of claim 1, wherein, The printing control server has an error notification unit. The error notification unit obtains the error information from the printer and notifies the third terminal device of the error information via the chat server.

7. The printing system of claim 1, wherein, The image data management department of the management server performs the following processing: The user account and the seat information of the user represented by that user account are stored in the storage medium to establish a correspondence. The image data is stored in the storage medium in a manner that corresponds to the user account of the user of the first terminal device that sent the image data of the printed object. The user account of the user of the first terminal device that sent the image data is associated with the seat information attached to the image data, and the printing control server is requested to print the image data with the seat information attached.

8. The printing system of claim 7, wherein, The image data management unit of the management server The user account of the chat service of the user of the first terminal device that sent the image data of the printed object is attached to the image data, and the printing control server is requested to print the image data with the attached user account.

9. The printing system of claim 1, wherein, In the management server, the display control unit performs the following processing, namely, Upon receiving the display request, a view of the images represented by the image data is displayed on the second terminal device by sending all the image data stored in the storage medium corresponding to the chatbot account of the chat room to the second terminal device.

10. The printing system of claim 1, wherein, In the management server, the image data management unit performs the following processing, namely, In response to a download request from the first terminal device or the second terminal device, the image data stored in the storage medium corresponding to the chatbot account of the chat room is sent to the terminal device that sent the download request.

11. The printing system of claim 1, wherein, The printing control server and the management server are integrated into one unit.

Images