Information processing device
The information processing apparatus addresses the issue of reserved paper feeders in multi-user environments by displaying tray reservations and enabling secure printing, preventing wasted printing efforts.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023096301
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-12
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-24
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
In multi-user environments like offices, users often unknowingly submit print jobs to image forming apparatuses with all paper feeders reserved for another user's paper type, leading to wasted printing efforts when they realize the feeders are unavailable.
An information processing apparatus that determines the reservation status of paper feed trays and displays warnings or enables secure printing to prevent such occurrences, allowing users to manage reservations and cancel them remotely.
Prevents unnecessary printing by informing users of tray reservations before they reach the device, saving time and resources by allowing remote management of print jobs.
Smart Images

Figure 2024177904000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a control method and program for an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]
[0002] Multi-function printers (MFPs) are known as image forming devices equipped with multiple paper feeders such as manual feed trays, paper feed cassettes, etc. Each paper feeder in the MFP holds paper of a different size, and when a print job is input, the MFP identifies a paper feeder that holds paper of the size set for the print job from among the multiple paper feeders, and performs printing using paper from the identified paper feeder.
[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus equipped with multiple paper feeders, the image forming apparatus including a print job execution unit that executes an input print job and a selection unit that allows a user to select a paper feeder to be used for the print job from among the multiple paper feeders. A control unit controls the selected paper feeder so that it cannot be used for print jobs other than the print job. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-93556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in an environment where multiple users use an image forming apparatus, such as an office, if one user sets a desired type of paper in all paper feeders and all are reserved, there is a problem that only print jobs for the desired type of paper will be accepted. Therefore, a general user who wants to use plain paper or the like cannot determine whether all the paper feeders of the image forming apparatus are reserved, and will only notice this after submitting a print job, resulting in a waste of printing work.
[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to enable an information processing device for transmitting a print job to display whether or not a paper feed tray is reserved. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The information processing device has a determination means for determining, when a print instruction is given, whether all of the multiple paper feed stages of the image forming device are reserved or whether the paper feed stage of the image forming device set in the print instruction is in a reserved state, a control means for controlling to display a warning when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed stages of the image forming device are reserved or the paper feed stage of the image forming device set in the print instruction is in a reserved state, and a transmission means for transmitting a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming device when it is determined that the paper feed stage of the image forming device set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to display whether or not a paper feed tray is reserved in an information processing device for transmitting a print job. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a client terminal and an MFP. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a client terminal; [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the printing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a warning method of a client terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a warning screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the printing system. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 100 according to the first embodiment. The printing system 100 includes a client terminal 101 and an MFP 102. The MFP 102 is a multifunction peripheral and is an example of an image forming apparatus. The client terminal 101 is an example of an information processing apparatus.
[0012] The client terminal 101 and the MFP 102 are connected to each other via a network 103. Although one client terminal 101 and one MFP 102 are illustrated in Fig. 1, there may be a plurality of client terminals 101 and a plurality of MFPs 102.
[0013] The MFP 102 has a copy function, a printer function, a scan function, and a communication function. When the client terminal 101 receives an instruction to submit a print job from a user, the client terminal 101 generates print data for communicating the print job and transmits the generated print data to the MFP 102. The print data is various page description language (hereinafter, PDL) code data, a job ticket, and a command that can be interpreted by the MFP 102, and includes image data and print setting information required for executing the print job. The print setting information is, for example, an input destination indicating either a print queue or a hold queue, and information indicating whether or not special printing is performed. A print job submitted to the print queue is immediately executed. A print job submitted to the hold queue is held and executed when the MFP 102 receives an instruction to start printing from the user.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 101 and the MFP 102 shown in FIG.
[0015] The client terminal 101 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a system bus 204, a keyboard I / F 205, a display I / F 206, an external memory I / F 207, and a printer I / F 208. The client terminal 101 further includes a keyboard 209, a display 210, and an external memory 211. The ROM 203 includes a font ROM, a program ROM, and a data ROM.
[0016] The CPU 201 executes document processing including a mixture of graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc., based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 203 or in the external memory 211. Furthermore, the CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204.
[0017] Furthermore, the program ROM of ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program for CPU 201. The font ROM of ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores font data used in the above-mentioned document processing. The data ROM of ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores various data used in the above-mentioned document processing.
[0018] The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. for the CPU 201. The keyboard I / F 205 controls key input from a keyboard 209 or a pointing device (not shown).
[0019] A display I / F 206 controls the display on a display 210. An external memory I / F 207 controls access to an external memory 211 such as a hard disk (HDD) or a flexible disk (FD). The external memory 211 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer driver, and the like.
[0020] The printer I / F 208 is connected to the MFP 102 via the network 103. The CPU 201 executes, for example, a process of expanding (rasterizing) an outline font into a display information RAM set in the RAM 202, thereby enabling WYSIWYG on the display 210.
[0021] Furthermore, the CPU 201 opens various registered windows and executes various data processing based on commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) or the like on the display 210. When the client terminal 101 receives a print instruction from a user, it opens a window related to print settings, and allows the user to set the printer settings and the print processing method settings for the printer driver, including the selection of a print mode.
[0022] Next, the MFP 102 will be described. The MFP 102 has a scanner unit 221, a printer unit 222, an operation unit 223, a control unit 224 (print job execution unit), a paper feed unit 225, an external I / F 226, a ROM 227, a RAM 228, a HDD 229, a compression / decompression unit 230, and a system bus 231. The above components are connected to each other via the system bus 231.
[0023] The scanner unit 221 reads a placed document to obtain image information, converts the image information into image data, and transfers the image data to the printer unit 222, the HDD 229, or the like.
[0024] The printer unit 222 performs printing based on print data received from the client terminal 101 and image data transferred from the scanner unit 221 .
[0025] An operation unit 223 is a user interface of the MFP 102, and a user instructs to change settings of a paper feed device and the like from an operation screen.
[0026] The control unit 224 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the MFP 102. For example, the control unit 224 executes a program stored in the ROM 227 to realize the functional configuration units in FIG.
[0027] The paper feed unit 225 includes a plurality of paper feed devices, such as a paper feed cassette, a paper feed deck, and a manual feed tray. The paper feed device is an example of a paper feed stage. The paper feed unit 225 transports paper one sheet at a time from a paper feed device designated by the control unit 224 among the plurality of paper feed devices to the printer unit 222. The paper feed cassette and the paper feed deck of the paper feed unit 225 are provided with a non-electronic lock type open / close button and open / close sensor (not shown). When the user presses the open / close button in the MFP 102, the open / close sensor detects that the paper feed cassette has been opened and notifies the control unit 224. The paper feed unit 225 is also provided with a paper detection mechanism (not shown) in the manual feed tray. The control unit 224 detects that the user has removed the paper by the paper detection mechanism.
[0028] The external I / F 226 transmits and receives data to and from the client terminal 101 connected to the network 103. The control unit 224 notifies the client terminal 101 via the external I / F 226 of device configuration information including reservation information for the paper feeder of the MFP 102.
[0029] The ROM 227 stores programs executed by the control unit 224, setting information for the MFP 102, and the like.
[0030] The RAM 228 is used as a working area for the control unit 224 and as a temporary storage area for various data.
[0031] The HDD 229 is a large-capacity storage device, and is composed of a hard disk, a drive unit that reads and writes data from and to the hard disk, etc. The HDD 229 stores image data generated by the scanner unit 221. The HDD 229 is also used as a spooler, and stores print data received from the client terminal 101.
[0032] The compression / decompression unit 230 performs compression and decompression processes on image data stored in the RAM 228 or HDD 229 using a compression method such as JBIG or JPEG.
[0033] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of MFP 102 in Fig. 1. MFP 102 has a print job detection unit 301, a print processing unit 302, an input reception unit 303, a display unit 304, a reservation processing unit 305, a lock processing unit 306, and an open detection unit 307. The functional configuration units in Fig. 3 are realized by the control unit 224 executing a program stored in ROM 227 or the like.
[0034] When print data is received from the client terminal 101, the print job detection unit 301 stores the print data in the RAM 228. In addition, the print job detection unit 301 submits a print job corresponding to the print data to either a print queue or a hold queue, based on the submission destination set in the print data.
[0035] The print processing unit 302 controls the printer unit 222 and the paper feed unit 225 to print on paper.
[0036] The input receiving unit 303 outputs user input information received by the operation unit 223 to the control unit 224 .
[0037] The display unit 304 controls the display on the operation unit 223 .
[0038] The reservation processing unit 305 controls reservation and cancellation of reservation of the paper feed devices of the paper feed unit 225. In this embodiment, before executing a print job, it is possible to reserve a paper feed device of the paper feed unit 225 by a user operation of the operation unit 223, and the reserved paper feed device can be used if special paper printing is enabled in the print settings of the above-mentioned print job. On the other hand, if special paper printing of the print job is disabled, the control unit 224 uses a non-reserved paper feed device of the paper feed unit 225 and prevents paper from being fed from a reserved paper feed device, thereby preventing printing on special paper.
[0039] The lock processing unit 306 locks an electronic lock type open button in each paper feed device of the paper feed unit 225 so as not to accept operation of the open button, or controls the release of the locked state.
[0040] When the open detection unit 307 detects an opening operation of each paper feed device of the paper feed unit 225, it notifies the control unit 224 to that effect.
[0041] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a file configuration of the client terminal 101. An application 401, a graphic engine 402, a printer driver 403, a spooler 404, and a language monitor 410 exist as files stored in the external memory 211. These are program modules that are loaded into the RAM 202 and executed by the OS or a module that uses the module when executed. The application 401 and the printer driver 403 can be added to the FD or CD-ROM of the external memory 211, or to the HDD of the external memory 211 via the network 103.
[0042] An application 401 stored in the external memory 211 is loaded into the RAM 202 and executed. When the CPU 201 performs printing on the MFP 102 using this application 401, the CPU 201 similarly performs output (drawing) using a graphic engine 402 that is loaded into the RAM 202 and ready for execution.
[0043] A printer driver 403 is prepared for each image forming apparatus such as MFP 102. Graphic engine 402 is a module for loading printer driver 403 from external memory 211 to RAM 202 and converting the output of application 401 into a control command for the image forming apparatus using printer driver 403. The converted control command is output by the OS to MFP 102 via network 103 through language monitor 410 of spooler 404.
[0044] The language monitor 410 is a module for controlling whether to send a print job to the MFP 102. The language monitor 410 also stores device configuration information acquired from the MFP 102 via the network 103 in the RAM 202 or the external memory 211. In this embodiment, the language monitor 410 stores the reservation status of the paper feed device in the device configuration information in the RAM 202 or the external memory 211 before sending a print job from the client terminal 101 to the MFP 102.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the printing system 100 according to this embodiment, and shows a sequence diagram when the client terminal 101 executes normal printing by a general user when all the paper feed devices of the MFP 102 have been reserved.
[0046] In step S501, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 starts the application 401 stored in the external memory 211 in response to an instruction from the user, and displays the application screen on the display 210.
[0047] In step S502, the CPU 201 starts the printer driver 403 stored in the external memory 211 in response to an instruction from the user, and displays the driver screen on the display 210.
[0048] In step S 503 , the CPU 201 causes the printer driver 403 to request device configuration information from the MFP 102 via the language monitor 410 of the spooler 404 .
[0049] In step S504, the control unit 224 of the MFP 102 transmits the device configuration information acquired from the RAM 228 or the HDD 229 to the client terminal 101. At this time, the paper feed unit 225 is in a state in which all paper feed devices are reserved.
[0050] In step S505, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 101 instructs the MFP 102 to start printing in a state in which the setting for special paper printing, which is part of the control command for the MFP 102, is turned off in response to an instruction from the user.
[0051] In step S506, the CPU 201 transmits the print data generated by the printer driver 403 to the language monitor 410 of the spooler 404. The CPU 201 transmits the print job as a print queue by the language monitor 410 to the MFP 102 via the network 103.
[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 224 of the MFP 102 temporarily stores the print job transmitted from the client terminal 101 in the RAM 228 or the HDD 229. The print job detection unit 301 immediately starts printing since the received print job is in the print queue.
[0053] The control unit 224 refers to the printer control command of the print job and determines whether the special paper print setting is on. If the special paper print setting of the print job is on, the control unit 224 advances the process to step S507, and if the special paper print setting of the print job is off, the control unit 224 advances the process to step S509.
[0054] In step S507, the control unit 224 instructs the print processing unit 302 to start printing. In step S508, the control unit 224 instructs the paper feed unit 225 to feed paper from a reserved paper feed device. The control unit 224 causes the print processing unit 302 to start the print process.
[0055] In step S509, the control unit 224 determines that paper feeding is not possible because all of the paper feeding devices of the MFP 102 are in a reserved state, cancels the printing, and saves the printing history in the RAM 228 or the HDD 229.
[0056] In step S510, control unit 224 receives an instruction to display the print history on operation unit 223 from the user who has moved in front of MFP .
[0057] In step S511, the control unit 224 acquires the print history from the RAM 228 or the HDD 229, and displays a print error on the operation unit 223.
[0058] As described above, if all of paper feed units 225 of MFP 102 have been reserved, control unit 224 cancels the print job sent by the general user, and the print error from step S510 to step S511 is discovered after the user moves away.
[0059] A method in this embodiment in which the client terminal 101 notifies the user in advance of a print error that is discovered after transfer to the MFP 102 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 6 and the warning screen in FIG.
[0060] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a control method of the client terminal 101 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 6, when the client terminal 101 receives a print instruction from a user, it determines whether or not to transmit a print job based on a control command for the MFP 102 and device configuration information of the MFP 102. The flowchart in Fig. 6 is executed by the CPU 201 in the language monitor 410 when a print instruction from the application 401 is received in step S505 in Fig. 5.
[0061] In step S601, the CPU 201 accepts a print instruction from the printer driver 403 through a user operation. The print instruction includes a control command for the MFP 102. The control command includes setting information for printing on special paper.
[0062] In step S602, CPU 201 determines in language monitor 410 whether the special paper print setting in the control command of the print instruction in step S601 is off. The on setting of special paper print means that a reservation mode is enabled for printing using the reserved paper feeder by a user who has reserved the paper feeder of MFP 102. The off setting of special paper print means that the reservation mode is disabled. If the special paper print setting is off, CPU 201 proceeds to step S603, and if the special paper print setting is on, CPU 201 proceeds to step S604.
[0063] In step S603, CPU 201 acquires device configuration information of MFP 102 in language monitor 410, saves it in RAM 202, and refers to the device configuration information to determine whether all of the multiple paper feeders of MFP 102 are reserved. At this time, CPU 201 functions as a determination unit. The device configuration information includes information on the reservation status of each paper feeder of MFP 102. If all of the multiple paper feeders of MFP 102 are reserved, CPU 201 advances the process to step S605, and if any of the multiple paper feeders of MFP 102 is not reserved, CPU 201 advances the process to step S606.
[0064] In step S606, CPU 201 acquires the paper feed settings for each page in the control command of the print instruction in language monitor 410, and stores them in RAM 202. Here, examples of paper feed settings acquired by CPU 201 include the paper feed device of MFP 102, such as "automatic," "paper feed cassette 1," and "manual feed tray."
[0065] Next, in step S607, CPU 201 acquires information on the reserved paper feed device of MFP 102 from the device configuration information of MFP 102 in RAM 202 in language monitor 410. CPU 201 then determines whether the paper feed device set in the paper feed setting of the print instruction acquired in step S606 is in a reserved state. If the paper feed device is in a reserved state, CPU 201 proceeds to step S605, and if the paper feed device is not in a reserved state, CPU 201 proceeds to step S604.
[0066] In step S604, the CPU 201 functions as a transmission unit, and transmits a print job based on the above print instruction in the language monitor 410 to the MFP 102 via the network 103. This step S604 is similar to step S506 in Fig. 5. After that, the processing in Fig. 6 ends. The MFP 102 performs printing based on the print job received from the client terminal 101.
[0067] In step S605, the CPU 201 controls the display 210 to display the warning screen of Fig. 7, which indicates that normal printing is not possible because the paper feed device of the MFP (printer) 102 has been reserved, and stops the print process without transmitting the print job to the MFP 102. At this time, the CPU 201 functions as a control unit. After that, the process of Fig. 6 ends.
[0068] As described above, according to this embodiment, in step S605, CPU 201 displays the warning screen of Fig. 7. CPU 201 can notify the user of the warning screen of Fig. 7, which indicates the reservation status of the paper feed device of MFP 102, before the user moves to MFP 102 after issuing a print instruction. This can save the user the trouble of moving to MFP 102 in steps S510 and S511 in Fig. 5.
[0069] Second embodiment In the second embodiment, a method will be described in which the client terminal 101 presents not only a warning screen but also print jobs in the spooler queue for reserved printing to the user using the language monitor 410. The configuration of the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the printing system 100 in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals will be used for the same parts of the second embodiment as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The points in which the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment will be described below.
[0070] In the second embodiment, a secure print function is used as an example of reserved printing. In secure printing, a print job to which a PIN or password is added is sent to the MFP 102 by the language monitor 410 as a print job in a spooler queue. The MFP 102 temporarily reserves the received secure print job in a large-capacity storage device such as the HDD 229. After that, the MFP 102 executes printing when the reserved secure print job is designated by the user from the operation unit 223 and the PIN or password corresponding to the print job is input. As described above, the secure print function has higher confidentiality than the print queue because only a user who has set a PIN or password from the client terminal 101 can issue a print instruction. In addition, since the MFP 102 temporarily reserves a print job, the user can also replace paper in the paper feed unit 225 before starting printing.
[0071] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a control method of the printing system 100 according to the second embodiment, and is a sequence diagram when the client terminal 101 presents not only a warning screen but also secure printing to the user.
[0072] 8 starts from step S605 in the flowchart of Fig. 6, where CPU 201 displays a warning screen on display 210. That is, in Fig. 6, if Yes is determined in step S603 or Yes is determined in step S607, the process proceeds to step S801, where the processes of steps S801 to S813 are performed.
[0073] In step S801, the CPU 201 controls the display 210 to display the warning screen of FIG. 9A, which notifies the user that normal printing is not possible because the paper feed device of the MFP (printer) 102 has been reserved, and suggests secure printing.
[0074] In step S802, if CPU 201 accepts an instruction to continue the print instruction by pressing secure print button 901 on the warning screen of Fig. 9A by the user, the process proceeds to step S803. If CPU 201 accepts an instruction to continue the print instruction by pressing cancel button 902 on the warning screen of Fig. 9A by the user, CPU 201 cancels the print process without sending the print job, as in step S605 of Fig. 6.
[0075] In step S803, the CPU 201 controls the display 210 to display the secure print setting screen of FIG. 9B, and accepts input of a user name 903 and a password 904 based on a user operation.
[0076] In step S804, the CPU 201 sets the secure print information, which is the user name 903 and the password 904 in Fig. 9B, entered by the user, in the print control command of the print job. The password 904 may be a password.
[0077] In step S805, CPU 201 transmits the print job in the spooler queue including the print control command of step S804 to MFP 102 via network 103 in language monitor 410. This print job is a print job for MFP 102 to start print processing when user name 903 and PIN number 904 or password are input to MFP 102, and includes user name 903 and PIN number 904 or password.
[0078] In step S806, when the transmission of the print job is completed in the language monitor 410, the CPU 201 controls the display 210 to display the secure print completion screen of Fig. 9C. The CPU 201 controls the display 210 to display the screen of Fig. 9C and notifies the user, thereby prompting the user to start reservation printing after canceling the reservation setting of the paper feed device of the MFP 102.
[0079] In step S807, the control unit 224 of the MFP 102 temporarily stores the print job sent from the client terminal 101 in the RAM 228 or HDD 229. Because the received print job is in the spooler queue, the print job detection unit 301 does not start printing immediately and reserves the print data in the HDD 229. Because the control unit 224 does not execute printing immediately, it retains the normal printing job without canceling it even if all paper feed devices of the paper feed unit 225 are in a reserved state.
[0080] In step S808, control unit 224 accepts an instruction from operation unit 223 by an operation of the user who has moved in front of MFP .
[0081] In step S809, the control unit 224 performs control so that a reservation screen for the sheet feeding devices of the MFP 102 is displayed on the operation unit 223 in response to a user operation. Here, the display unit 304 displays the reservation screen on the operation unit 223 so that the reservation state of each sheet feeding device (not shown) can be switched between OFF and ON.
[0082] In step S810, control unit 224 receives an instruction from a user to turn off the reservation status of some of the sheet feeding devices of MFP 102.
[0083] In step S811, the control unit 224 causes the reservation processing unit 305 to release the reservation state of the paper feeding device designated by the user's operation, and notifies the lock processing unit 306 of the release of the electronic lock. The lock processing unit 306 releases the lock of the paper feeding device designated above, and accepts the user's replacement of paper in the paper feeding unit 225. Here, the control unit 224 updates the reservation setting of the paper feeding device in which the user has replaced paper in the paper feeding unit 225 to off, and saves the reservation state of each paper feeding device in the RAM 228 or HDD 229.
[0084] In step S812, the control unit 224 accepts a reservation printing instruction from the user through the operation unit 223. The control unit 224 controls the operation unit 223 to display the print job reserved in the HDD 229 in step S807, and accepts input of a user name and a password on the operation unit 223 by the user.
[0085] In step S813, if the password entered in step S812 matches the password in the printer control command of the print job stored in the HDD 229, the control unit 224 instructs the print processing unit 302 to start printing. The print processing unit 302 performs printing based on the print job received by the client terminal 101.
[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, client terminal 101 not only displays a warning screen to the user, but also presents printing of the spooler queue by secure printing. After moving to MFP 102, the user can cancel the reservation of the paper feed device and instruct execution of the reserved print job. After moving to MFP 102 and canceling the reservation of the paper feed device, the user does not need to return to client terminal 101 to resend the print job. By presenting reserved printing to the user, client terminal 101 can save the trouble of moving to MFP 102 and obtain the print results on the spot.
[0087] In this embodiment, the client terminal 101 presents secure printing as a means for a print job in the spooler queue, but the present invention is not limited to secure printing, and any print instruction may be used as long as the spooler queue allows reservation printing for the MFP 102. That is, in step S805, the CPU 201 may transmit to the MFP 102 a print job based on the print instruction for reservation printing.
[0088] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more functions.
[0089] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of specific examples of implementing the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.
[0090] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) a determination unit that, when a print instruction is given, determines whether all of a plurality of paper feed trays of an image forming apparatus are reserved, or whether a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a control means for controlling to display a warning when it is determined that all of a plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a transmission means for transmitting a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state; 13. An information processing device comprising: (Configuration 2) The information processing device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means controls the information processing device so as not to display a warning when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state. (Configuration 3) The control means when it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and all of the plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved, a warning is displayed; When it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state, the display of a warning is not performed. 3. The information processing device according to configuration 2, wherein when the reservation mode is enabled, the information processing device controls so as not to display a warning. (Configuration 4) The information processing device described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, the sending means does not send a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming device. (Configuration 5) The transmitting means is When it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved, the print job based on the print instruction is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus, If it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state, a print job based on the print instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus; 4. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein if the reservation mode is enabled, a print job based on the print instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. (Configuration 6) The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, the sending means sends a print job based on the print instruction for reservation printing to the image forming device. (Configuration 7) The information processing device according to configuration 6, characterized in that the print job based on the print instruction for the reservation printing is a print job for the image forming device to start printing processing when a PIN or password is entered into the image forming device. (Configuration 8) The information processing device according to configuration 7, characterized in that the print job based on the print instruction for the reservation printing is a print job for the image forming device to start printing processing when a user name and a PIN or password are entered into the image forming device. (Configuration 9) The information processing device of configuration 7 or 8, characterized in that when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, the control means accepts input of a PIN or password based on user operation, and the transmission means transmits a print job including the PIN or password. (Configuration 10) The information processing device described in configuration 9, characterized in that when the control means determines that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, when an instruction to continue the print instruction is given, the control means accepts a PIN or password based on the user's operation. (Configuration 11) An information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, an image forming apparatus that performs printing based on a print job received from the information processing apparatus; A printing system comprising: (Method 1) a determination step of determining whether or not all of a plurality of paper feed trays of an image forming apparatus are reserved when a print instruction is given, or whether or not a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a control step of controlling to display a warning when it is determined that all of a plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a transmission step of transmitting a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state; 13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]
[0091] 101 client terminal, 102 MFP, 201 CPU, 224 control unit
Claims
1. a determination unit that, when a print instruction is given, determines whether all of a plurality of paper feed trays of an image forming apparatus are reserved, or whether a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a control means for controlling to display a warning when it is determined that all of a plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a transmission means for transmitting a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state; 13. An information processing device comprising:
2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls so as not to display a warning when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state.
3. The control means when it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and all of the plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved, a warning is displayed; When it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state, the display of a warning is not performed.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the reservation mode is enabled, the information processing apparatus controls so as not to display a warning.
4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sending means does not send a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming device when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved.
5. The transmitting means is When it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved, the print job based on the print instruction is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus, If it is determined that the reservation mode is invalid and the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state, a print job based on the print instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the reservation mode is enabled, the print job based on the print instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
6. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, the sending means sends a print job based on the print instruction for reservation printing to the image forming device.
7. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the print job based on the print instruction for the reservation printing is a print job for the image forming device to start a print process when a PIN or password is entered into the image forming device.
8. The information processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the print job based on the print instruction for the reservation printing is a print job for the image forming device to start printing processing when a user name and a PIN or password are entered into the image forming device.
9. The information processing device according to claim 7, characterized in that when it is determined that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, the control means accepts input of a PIN or password based on user operation, and the transmission means transmits a print job including the PIN or password.
10. The information processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that when the control means determines that all of the multiple paper feed trays of the image forming device are reserved, or that the paper feed tray of the image forming device set in the print instruction is reserved, when an instruction to continue the print instruction is given, the control means accepts a PIN or password based on the user's operation.
11. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an image forming apparatus that performs printing based on a print job received from the information processing apparatus; A printing system comprising:
12. a determination step of determining whether or not all of a plurality of paper feed trays of an image forming apparatus are reserved when a print instruction is given, or whether or not a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a control step of controlling to display a warning when it is determined that all of a plurality of paper feed trays of the image forming apparatus are reserved, or when it is determined that a paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is reserved; a transmission step of transmitting a print job based on the print instruction to the image forming apparatus when it is determined that the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus set in the print instruction is not in a reserved state; 13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of:
13. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
JP93556A
