Information processing system and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and an information processing program, when a printing request is transmitted from a printing management system to an information processing device and the printing request is transmitted to an image formation device through the information processing device, which can execute printing without the mixing of the printed matter of the other user.SOLUTION: A printing job is received and printing is executed (300 to 304), when the presence of a subsequent printing job is received from a portable terminal, the reception of a printing job from the other user is refused (306, 308), and when the subsequent printing job is received and printing is executed, and when there are no subsequent jobs, the reception of the printing job from the other user is allowed (310 to 316).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming system and an image forming program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 proposes a printing device that has a communication function and is capable of exclusively switching between a wired connection and a Wi-Fi Direct connection, and that sends a temporary disconnection notification to a device connected to the wired LAN before switching the connection from a wired LAN to Wi-Fi Direct, and sends a return notification from temporary disconnection to a device connected to the wired LAN after switching the connection from Wi-Fi Direct to the wired LAN. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-106798 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is conceivable that a print request is registered in a print management system, the print management system transmits the print request to an information processing device, and the print request is transmitted to an image forming device via the information processing device. In this case, if the free space of the information processing device is insufficient compared to the size of the print request, the information processing device needs to repeatedly perform an operation of receiving from the print management system and an operation of transmitting to the image forming device. If another user instructs printing while performing a receiving operation, the image forming device may print, and the printouts of other users may be mixed in the output tray.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an information processing system and an information processing program that enable printing without other users' printed materials being mixed in when a print request is sent from a printing management system to an information processing device and then sent to an image forming device via the information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an information processing system according to a first aspect includes a processor, which receives a print request from an information processing device that has obtained a print request including printing information to be printed from a print management system, and when the processor receives a notification from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system, performs processing to refuse to accept the print request from another user.

[0007] In an information processing system according to a second aspect, in the information processing system according to the first aspect, the processor receives a print request including printing information of the object to be printed from an information processing device that has acquired the print request from a print management system using a predetermined first communication, the print request being received using a second communication different from the first communication.

[0008] An information processing system according to a third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, wherein the second communication uses wireless communication for direct communication with the information processing device.

[0009] An information processing system according to a fourth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor continues to refuse to accept print requests from other users until printing of the subsequent print information is completed or canceled.

[0010] In an information processing system according to a fifth aspect, in the information processing system according to the fourth aspect, when the processor receives the notification, it continues to send a rejection signal to printing requests from other users, and after printing of the subsequent printing information is completed or canceled, it sends an acceptance acceptance signal to the other users.

[0011] An information processing system according to a sixth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor accepts a print request from another user if the subsequent print information has not been received even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0012] An information processing program according to a seventh aspect causes a computer to receive a print request from an information processing device that has acquired a print request including printing information to be printed from a print management system, and when a notification is received from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system, to execute a process of refusing to accept the print request from another user. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the first aspect, when a print request is sent from a print management system to an information processing device and then sent to an image forming device via the information processing device, an information processing system can be provided that enables printing without being mixed with printed materials of other users.

[0014] According to the second aspect, it is possible to use more appropriate communication than when the same communication is used for the first communication and the second communication.

[0015] According to the third aspect, the print request can be received directly from the information processing device without going through another communication line.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent printed matter of other users from being mixed in.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to continue refusing to accept print requests from other users until printing of the subsequent print information is completed or canceled.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to ensure convenience for other users.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, when a print request is sent from a print management system to an information processing device and then sent to an image forming device via the information processing device, an information processing program can be provided that enables printing without being mixed with printed materials of other users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an electrical system of an image forming apparatus in the information processing system according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main electrical systems of a cloud server, a client computer, and a mobile terminal in the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of processing performed in the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of processing performed in the information processing system according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by a cloud server of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed in a mobile terminal of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by an image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed in an image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment when a print job is being printed by one user and another user requests printing of the print job. [Figure 10]A flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed on a mobile terminal or client computer of another user when a user is printing a print job in an image forming device of an information processing system according to this embodiment and requests printing from the image forming device. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed when a subsequent print job is canceled while a preceding print job is being received and printed in an image forming apparatus of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] An example of the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an information processing system in which a cloud server 11, an image forming device, a client computer, a mobile terminal, and the like are connected to each other via communication lines such as various networks will be described as an example. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, an information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a cloud server 11, an image forming apparatus 12, a client computer 14, and a mobile terminal 16 as an example of an information processing apparatus. The cloud server 11, the image forming apparatus 12, and the client computer 14 are connected to each other via a communication line 18 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or an intranet. The cloud server 11, the image forming apparatus 12, the client computer 14, and the mobile terminal 16 are each capable of transmitting and receiving various data to and from each other via the communication line 18. In this embodiment, the client computer 14 or the mobile terminal 16 issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 12 via the cloud server 11, whereby the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image in accordance with the print instruction.

[0023] 1 shows one each of the cloud server 11, image forming device 12, client computer 14, and mobile terminal 16, but there may be a plurality of each, or there may be a plurality of any of them. In the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment, in addition to a print instruction via a communication line 18, the mobile terminal 16 is also capable of issuing a print instruction via short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Examples of the mobile terminal 16 include a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a notebook personal computer.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has multiple functions, such as an image forming function for performing image formation processing, a reading function for reading an original to obtain image information representing the original, a copying function for copying an image recorded on the original onto paper, a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving various data via a telephone line (not shown), a transfer function for transferring original information such as image information read by the reading function, etc., and a storage function for storing original information such as read image information, etc. The multiple functions may include all of these functions, or may include two or more of these functions.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of an electrical system of the image forming apparatus 12 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0026] 2, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 20 including a central processing unit (CPU) 20A, a read only memory (ROM) 20B, and a random access memory (RAM) 20C. The CPU 20A controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 12. The RAM 20C is used as a work area when the CPU 20A executes various programs. The ROM 20B stores various information processing programs such as application programs and various parameters in advance. In the image forming apparatus 12, each component of the control unit 20 is electrically connected to each other via a system bus 42.

[0027] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment includes a HDD (hard disk drive) 26 that stores various data, application programs, and the like. The image forming apparatus 12 is also provided with a display control unit 28 that is connected to the user interface 22 and controls the display of various operation screens, etc., on the display of the user interface 22. The image forming apparatus 12 is also provided with an operation input detection unit 30 that is connected to the user interface 22 and detects operation instructions input through the user interface 22. In the image forming apparatus 12, the HDD 26, the display control unit 28, and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. In the image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment, the HDD 26 is used as the storage unit, but this is not limited thereto, and a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory may be used. In the present embodiment, the user interface 22 is a touch panel that can display and input operations, but this is not limited thereto, and a user interface having a display and an operation unit separate from each other may be used.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment includes a reading control unit 32 that controls the optical image reading operation by the document reading unit 44 and the document feeding operation by the document transport unit, and an image forming control unit 34 that controls the image forming process by the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 to transport paper to the image forming unit 24. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a communication line I / F (interface) unit 36 ​​that is connected to the communication line 18 and transmits and receives communication data to and from other external devices such as the client computer 14 connected to the communication line 18. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a facsimile I / F (interface) unit 38 that is connected to a telephone line (not shown) and transmits and receives facsimile data to and from a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a transmission / reception control unit 40 that controls the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38. The image forming apparatus 12 also includes a human sensor 46 that detects people around the apparatus. In the image forming device 12, the transmission / reception control unit 40, the reading control unit 32, the image forming control unit 34, the communication line I / F unit 36, the facsimile I / F unit 38, and the human presence sensor 46 are electrically connected to the system bus 42.

[0029] With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 12 according to this embodiment executes access to the RAM 20C, the ROM 20B, and the HDD 26 by the CPU 20A. The image forming apparatus 12 also executes control of display of information such as an operation screen and various messages on the display of the user interface 22 via the display control unit 28 by the CPU 20A. The image forming apparatus 12 also executes control of operation of the document reading unit 44 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32 by the CPU 20A. The image forming apparatus 12 also executes control of operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the image formation control unit 34, and control of transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 36 ​​by the CPU 20A. The image forming apparatus 12 also executes control of transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38 by the transmission and reception control unit 40 by the CPU 20A. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 12, the CPU 20A grasps the operation content in the user interface 22 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 30, and executes various controls based on the operation content.

[0030] Next, the main configuration of the electrical systems of the cloud server 11, the client computer 14, and the mobile terminal 16 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical systems of the cloud server 11, the client computer 14, and the mobile terminal 16 in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that since the cloud server 11, the client computer 14, and the mobile terminal 16 have general computer configurations, the cloud server 11 will be described below as a representative.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the cloud server 11 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 11A as an example of a processor, a ROM 11B, a RAM 11C, a storage 11D, an operation unit 11E, a display unit 11F, and a communication line I / F (interface) unit 11G. The CPU 11A controls the overall operation of the cloud server 11. The ROM 11B stores various control programs and various parameters in advance. The RAM 11C is used as a work area when the CPU 11A executes various programs. The storage 11D stores various data and application programs. The operation unit 11E is used to input various information. The display unit 11F is used to display various information. The communication line I / F unit 11G is connected to a communication line 18 and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the communication line 18. The communication line I / F unit 11G may be configured to be capable of directly communicating with each device using various well-known wireless communications. The above-mentioned components of cloud server 11 are electrically connected to each other via system bus 111. In cloud server 11 according to the present embodiment, storage 11D is used as a storage unit, and examples of storage include non-volatile storage units such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and flash memory.

[0032] With the above configuration, cloud server 11 according to this embodiment executes, by CPU 11A, access to ROM 11B, RAM 11C, and storage 11D, acquisition of various data via operation unit 11E, and display of various information on display unit 11F. Cloud server 11 also executes, by CPU 11A, control of transmission and reception of communication data via communication line I / F unit 11G.

[0033] Note that mobile terminal 16 includes components not present in cloud server 11, such as position detection unit 16H that detects the position of mobile terminal 16 using a global positioning system (GPS) or the like, and an imaging unit such as a camera (not shown).

[0034] In the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the cloud server 11 provides a print management system as a cloud service, in which the cloud server 11 performs a predetermined specific process on a print job and the image forming device 12 prints the print job. Examples of the specific process include a history management process for managing the history of print jobs, an approval process for approving the print job, and a confidential process for masking confidential parts of the print job. In the print management system, for example, the cloud server 11 accepts a print job from a client computer 14, performs an approval process on the accepted print job, and then transmits the approved print job to the image forming device 12. As a result, only the approved print job is printed by the image forming device 12. Note that a print job refers to a process or a set of processes that the image forming device 12 executes to execute printing.

[0035] However, when printing using an image forming device 12 that is not connected to the information processing system 10 or is not permitted to be connected, it becomes impossible to use certain processes provided by the information processing system 10.

[0036] Therefore, in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, a print job is accepted as a print request including print information to be printed, a predetermined specific process is performed on the print information included in the accepted print job, and the print job including the print information after the specific process is performed is sent to the image forming device 12, or to a pre-registered mobile terminal 16.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, a print job is sent from the client computer 14 to the print management system 50 on the cloud, with the mobile terminal 16 as the destination. Note that Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the process performed by the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0038] In the print management system 50, when a print job is accepted from a client computer 14, as a specific process, a job log is saved to manage the history, and approval processing for the printing is performed. Note that the approval processing is performed, for example, by requesting approval for the printing of the print job from a preregistered client computer 14, and receiving the approval result.

[0039] Next, the print management system 50 transmits the print job after the specific process to the mobile terminal 16, which is the destination specified by the client computer 14, and spools the print job on the mobile terminal 16. Note that "spooling" refers to temporarily storing the print information in another location, rather than directly transmitting it to the image forming device 12. The configuration of the spooled print job includes "print information" and "attribute information of the print information," which are collectively referred to as a "print job." The attribute information includes print setting information that is managed separately from the print information, and information including the expiration date of the print job.

[0040] Then, by transmitting a print job from the mobile terminal 16 to the image forming apparatus 12 using short-range wireless communication, the print job after specific processing is printed by the image forming apparatus 12. As a result, even in the image forming apparatus 12 that is not connected to the information processing system or is not permitted to be connected, printing is performed using the specific processing provided by the information processing system 10. Note that, in this embodiment, the print job is transmitted from the mobile terminal 16 to the image forming apparatus 12 using short-range wireless communication, but this is not limited to short-range wireless communication, and the print job may be transmitted via a connection to the communication line 18 or via a wired connection.

[0041] Incidentally, in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, a print job is spooled on the mobile terminal 16. Therefore, if the free space on the mobile terminal 16 is insufficient compared to the size of the print job, the mobile terminal 16 must repeatedly perform the operations of receiving data from the print management system 50 and transmitting data to the image forming device 12.

[0042] Here, if the image forming device 12 is set to print as soon as it receives a print request, if another user instructs the device to print while the mobile terminal 16 is receiving the print request, the image forming device 12 will print the printout, and the printouts of other users will end up in the output tray.

[0043] Therefore, in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, when a print job is received from a mobile terminal 16 that has obtained a print job including the printing information to be printed from the print management system 50, and a notification is received from the mobile terminal 16 indicating that there is a subsequent print job that has not been received from the print management system 50, a process is performed to refuse to accept print jobs from other users.

[0044] Specifically, when the transmission of print data from the mobile terminal 16 to the image forming device 12 is completed, if there is a subsequent print job that has not been received from the print management system 50, the mobile terminal 16 notifies the image forming device 12 that there is a subsequent print job. Then, the image forming device 12 stops accepting print jobs from other users. This prevents the output of other users from being mixed into the print results. In the following, the image forming device 12 will be described as being set to output the print request as is when it receives it.

[0045] More specifically, the mobile terminal 16 switches between a "connection to cloud service" mode and a "connection to image forming device 12" mode to receive a print job from the cloud server 11 and transfer the data to the image forming device 12. For example, in the "connection to cloud service" mode, the mobile terminal 16 acquires a print job from the print management system 50 using a first communication such as Wi-Fi or a mobile phone line. The mobile terminal 16 also transmits the print job to the image forming device 12 using a second communication different from the first communication. An example of the second communication is a short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi Direct or BLUETOOTH (registered trademark). The first communication and the second communication are mutually exclusive and are switched between for use.

[0046] When mobile terminal 16 does not have enough free space to receive all print jobs from cloud server 11, mobile terminal 16 repeatedly receives print jobs from cloud server 11 and transmits print jobs to image forming device 12.

[0047] When the mobile terminal 16 switches to a mode for connecting to a cloud service after sending data to the printer, the mobile terminal 16 notifies the image forming device 12 that there is a “next print job” to be received from the cloud server 11 and sent to the image forming device 12.

[0048] When the image forming apparatus 12 is notified by short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi Direct that there is a next print job, the image forming apparatus 12 rejects a print request from another client and does not accept printing until the next print job is processed.

[0049] Here, the above-mentioned processing performed in the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with a specific example. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the processing performed in the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0050] 1. The user operates the client computer 14 to send a print job to the print management system 50. For example, the print job is sent to the print management system 50 and registered with a pre-registered mobile terminal 16 as the spool destination. The example in FIG. 5 shows an example of sending print job ABC to the print management system 50.

[0051] 2. The print management system 50 receives the print job and notifies the specified spooling destination portable terminal 16 of the existence of the print job. The portable terminal 16 that has received the notification checks its own device capacity and determines whether it is capable of receiving all the print jobs. If it is capable of receiving all the print jobs, it makes a request to the print management system 50 to send all the print jobs. On the other hand, if it is not capable of receiving all the print jobs, it makes a request to the print management system 50 to send the print jobs that it is capable of receiving. The example in FIG. 5 shows an example in which a request to send print job AB is made to the print management system 50 and is received.

[0052] 3. When the portable terminal 16 receives the print job AB, it switches short-range wireless communication to connect to the image forming device 12, and the user operates the portable terminal 16 to send the print job to the image forming device 12 and instruct it to print. The example in Fig. 5 shows an example in which the print job AB is sent from the portable terminal 16 to the image forming device 12. Here, the portable terminal 16 notifies the image forming device 12 that there is a next subsequent print job C.

[0053] 4. Upon receiving print job AB, image forming device 12 performs printing. Here, image forming device 12 deletes or stores the data of print job AB when printing is completed. Note that when image forming device 12 is notified by mobile terminal 16 that there is a subsequent print job, it rejects print requests from other users.

[0054] 5. When the transmission of the print job to the image forming apparatus 12 is completed, the mobile terminal 16 disconnects the connection with the image forming apparatus 12 via short-range wireless communication and connects to the print management system 50 .

[0055] 6. The portable terminal 16 deletes the print job AB spooled therein, and becomes able to accept the print job C.

[0056] 7. When the print job spooled in the mobile terminal 16 is deleted and a notification of the start of spooling is received from the mobile terminal 16, the print management system 50 sends print job C to the mobile terminal 16 and spools print job C in the mobile terminal 16.

[0057] 8. When the portable terminal 16 receives the print job C, it switches the short-range wireless communication to connect to the image forming apparatus 12 and transmits the print job C to the image forming apparatus 12.

[0058] 9. When the image forming device 12 receives print job C, it prints it. Here, the image forming device 12 deletes the data of print job ABC when printing is completed. Note that if a print request from another user was rejected in 4 above, the print request will be permitted after printing of print job C is completed.

[0059] Furthermore, when the portable terminal 16 finishes transmitting the print job C to the image forming apparatus 12, it disconnects the connection with the image forming apparatus 12 via short-range wireless communication and connects to the print management system 50. Then, the portable terminal 16 deletes the job C spooled therein, making it possible to accept future print jobs.

[0060] If the print request of the other user is permitted, the other user connects to the image forming apparatus 12 and transmits job X to the image forming apparatus 12, where the job is printed.

[0061] Next, specific processing performed in the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0062] First, a process performed by the cloud server 11 that provides the print management system 50 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process performed by the cloud server 11 of the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment. The process in Fig. 6 starts when a print job is registered from the mobile terminal 16 or the client computer 14, for example.

[0063] In step 100, the CPU 11A notifies the portable terminal 16 that there is a print job to be printed, and the process proceeds to step 102. For example, in the example of Fig. 5, the portable terminal 16 is notified that there is a print job ABC.

[0064] In step 102, CPU 11A determines whether or not a request to send a print job has been accepted from mobile terminal 16. In the example of Fig. 5, for example, CPU 11A determines whether or not a request to send print job AB has been accepted from mobile terminal 16. The process waits until the judgment is positive, and then proceeds to step 104.

[0065] In step 104, CPU 11A transmits the requested print job to mobile terminal 16, and the process proceeds to step 106. For example, in the example of FIG.

[0066] In step 106, CPU 11A determines whether or not a transmission request for a subsequent print job has been accepted from mobile terminal 16. For example, in the example of Fig. 5, this determination is made by determining whether or not a transmission request for print job C has been accepted from mobile terminal 16. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative because there is no subsequent print job, the series of processes ends.

[0067] In step 108, CPU 11A transmits the subsequent print job to mobile terminal 16, and proceeds to step 110. For example, in the example of FIG.

[0068] In step 110, the CPU 11A determines whether or not all print jobs have been transmitted. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 106 and the above-described processing is repeated, and if the determination is positive, the process ends.

[0069] Next, a process performed by the mobile terminal 16 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process performed by the mobile terminal 16 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the process in Fig. 7 starts, for example, when a notification of the existence of a print job is received from the cloud server 11 in the above-mentioned step 100.

[0070] In step 200 , the CPU 16 A receives a notification from the print management system 50 and proceeds to step 202 .

[0071] In step 202, CPU 16A displays the print job, and the process proceeds to step 204. That is, the print job notified from print management system 50 is displayed on display unit 16F.

[0072] In step 204, CPU 16A judges whether a print job request has been issued. For example, CPU 16A judges whether operation unit 16E has been operated to issue a print job request. The process waits until the judgment is affirmative, and proceeds to step 206.

[0073] In step 206, CPU 16A determines whether all requested print jobs can be received. This is to determine whether there is capacity to receive all print jobs. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 208, and if not, the process proceeds to step 210.

[0074] In step 208, the CPU 16A requests the print management system 50 to transmit all requested print jobs, and then the process proceeds to step 212.

[0075] On the other hand, in step 210, the CPU 16A requests the print management system 50 to transmit a print job that can be received, and the process proceeds to step 212.

[0076] In step 212, the CPU 16A determines whether or not a print job has been received. The process waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 214.

[0077] In step 214, CPU 16A notifies that the print job has been received, and the process proceeds to step 216. For example, the fact that the print job has been received is notified by displaying on display unit 16F that the print job has been received. Alternatively, the fact that the print job has been received may be notified by sound, voice, or the like.

[0078] In step 216, the CPU 16A searches for an image forming apparatus 12 capable of printing, and proceeds to step 218. For example, the image forming apparatus 12 capable of communicating via short-distance wireless communication such as Wi-Fi Direct is searched for. Note that, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed here that a user approaches an image forming apparatus 12 capable of printing, and that an image forming apparatus 12 capable of short-distance wireless communication is present nearby.

[0079] In step 218, the CPU 16A transmits the received print job to the image forming device 12, and the process proceeds to step 220. That is, the print job received from the print management system 50 and spooled is transmitted to the searched image forming device 12.

[0080] In step 220, CPU 16A determines whether there is a subsequent print job. This is to determine whether there is a print job that could not be received at one time. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 222. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 234.

[0081] In step 222, the CPU 16A notifies the image forming device 12 of the existence of a subsequent print job, and the process proceeds to step 224.

[0082] In step 224 , the CPU 16 A requests the print management system 50 to transmit the subsequent print job, and then the process proceeds to step 226 .

[0083] In step 226, the CPU 16A determines whether or not a subsequent print job has been received, and waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 228.

[0084] In step 228, CPU 16A notifies that a print job has been received, and the process proceeds to step 230. For example, the notification of the reception of a print job is given by displaying on display unit 16F that a subsequent print job has been received. Alternatively, the notification may be given by sound, voice, or the like.

[0085] In step 230 , CPU 16 A transmits the subsequent print job to image forming device 12 and proceeds to step 232 .

[0086] In step 232, the CPU 16A determines whether or not there is a subsequent print job. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 222 and repeats the above-mentioned processing. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 234.

[0087] In step 234, CPU 16A notifies image forming apparatus 12 that there is no subsequent print job, and ends the series of processes.

[0088] Next, a process performed in the image forming apparatus 12 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process performed in the image forming apparatus 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the process in Fig. 8 starts, for example, when a user carrying a mobile terminal 16 approaches the image forming apparatus 12 and short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 16 is established.

[0089] In step 300, CPU 20A responds to mobile terminal 16 as to whether short-distance wireless communication printing is possible, and proceeds to step 302. For example, the response may be whether Wi-Fi Direct printing, which requests printing directly via Wi-Fi Direct, is possible.

[0090] In step 302, CPU 20A determines whether or not a print job has been received. This determination is made by determining whether or not a print job transmitted from mobile terminal 16 in the above-mentioned step 218 has been received. The process waits until the determination is affirmative, and proceeds to step 304.

[0091] In step 304, CPU 20A prints the print job, and the process proceeds to step 306. That is, image forming device 12 performs printing by forming an image on paper based on the print job.

[0092] In step 306, CPU 20A determines whether or not a subsequent print job has been received. This is done by determining whether or not the presence of a subsequent print job has been notified from mobile terminal 16 in the above-mentioned step 222. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 308, but if the above-mentioned step 234 notifies that there is no subsequent print job, the determination is negative and the series of processes ends.

[0093] In step 308, CPU 20A rejects the acceptance of print jobs from other users, and the process proceeds to step 310. In other words, print requests from other users are rejected and image forming device 12 is occupied until printing of the subsequent print job is completed.

[0094] In step 310, CPU 20A judges whether or not a subsequent print job has been received. The process waits until the judgment is affirmative, and proceeds to step 312. Note that if a subsequent print job has not been received even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a timeout occurs, and the process proceeds to step 316, where a print request from another user may be accepted.

[0095] In step 312, the CPU 20A performs printing of the subsequent print job, and the process proceeds to step 314. That is, the image forming device 12 performs printing by forming an image on paper based on the subsequent print job.

[0096] In step 314, CPU 20A determines whether there is no subsequent print job. This is determined by determining whether or not the absence of a subsequent print job has been notified from mobile terminal 16 in the above-mentioned step 234. If the presence of a subsequent print job has been notified in the above-mentioned step 222, the determination is negative and the process returns to step 310 to repeat the above-mentioned process, whereas if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 316.

[0097] In step 316, CPU 20A permits the acceptance of print jobs from other users, and ends the series of processes.

[0098] Next, a process performed by the image forming apparatus 12 when a print job is being printed by one user and a print job is requested by another user will be described. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a process flow performed by the image forming apparatus 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment when a print job is being printed by one user and a print job is requested by another user. Note that the process in Fig. 9 starts, for example, when a print job is being printed by one user and a print request for the print job of the other user is received.

[0099] In step 400, the CPU 20A checks the sender of the print request and proceeds to step 402. For example, the CPU 20A checks the hardware identification information and the like to determine whether the request is from the mobile terminal 16 that issued the print instruction via short-distance wireless communication such as Wi-Fi Direct, or from another client.

[0100] In step 402, the CPU 20A transmits a refusal to the print request, and the process proceeds to step 404. For example, the CPU 20A transmits a NACK signal as a refusal signal to the print request.

[0101] In step 404, the CPU 20A judges whether the print job of the preceding user has been completed. If the judgment is negative, the CPU 20A returns to step 400 and repeats the above-mentioned processing. If the judgment is positive, the CPU 20A proceeds to step 406.

[0102] In step 406, the CPU 20A transmits a permission for the print request, and the process proceeds to step 408. For example, an ACK signal is transmitted as a permission signal for the print request.

[0103] In step 408, CPU 20A determines whether or not a print job has been received, and waits until the determination is affirmative, and then proceeds to step 410.

[0104] In step 410, CPU 20A prints the print job and ends the series of processes. That is, printing of other jobs is performed after printing of the print job of the preceding user is completed, and it is possible to prevent the mixture of printed materials of the preceding user and printed materials.

[0105] Next, a process performed on the portable terminal 16 or client computer 14 of a user when a print job is being printed by a certain user and a print request is made to the image forming device 12 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of a process performed on the portable terminal 16 or client computer 14 of a certain user when a print job is being printed by a certain user and a print request is made to the image forming device 12 in the image forming device 12 of the information processing system according to this embodiment. Note that the process of FIG. 10 starts when a print job is being printed by a certain user and another user issues a print instruction by operating the portable terminal 16 or client computer 14. In addition, the process performed on the portable terminal 16 will be described below as an example.

[0106] In step 500 , the CPU 16 A requests the image forming apparatus 12 to print the print job, and the process proceeds to step 502 .

[0107] In step 502, the CPU 16A determines whether or not the print request has been rejected. This is done by determining whether or not a rejection to the print request has been received in step 402 described above. If the determination is positive, the process returns to step 500 and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, if permission to the print request has been received and the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 504.

[0108] In step 504, CPU 16A transmits the print job to image forming apparatus 12, and ends the series of processes. As a result, the user's print job is printed by image forming apparatus 12.

[0109] Next, a process performed by the image forming apparatus 12 when a subsequent print job is canceled while a preceding print job is being received and printed will be described. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of a process performed by the image forming apparatus 12 of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment when a subsequent print job is canceled while a preceding print job is being received and printed. The process of Fig. 11 starts when an instruction to cancel the subsequent print job transmitted from the mobile terminal 16 is detected while a preceding print job is being received and printed.

[0110] In step 600, CPU 20A receives an instruction to cancel the subsequent print job, and the process proceeds to step 602.

[0111] In step 602, CPU 20A deletes the subsequent print job and ends the series of processes, thereby making it possible to respond to print requests from other users.

[0112] In the above embodiment, when a print job is spooled in the mobile terminal 16, the print job is received using short-distance wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the print job may be received via a mobile phone network.

[0113] In addition, in the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPUs, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic devices, etc.).

[0114] In addition, the operations of the processor in the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0115] In addition, although the "system" in this embodiment has been described as being composed of multiple devices as an example, it may also be composed of a single device having some of the functions of the multiple devices.

[0116] The processes performed in the information processing system 10 according to the above embodiment may be processes performed by software, may be processes performed by hardware, or may be a combination of both. The processes performed in each part of the information processing system 10 may be stored as a program in a storage medium and distributed.

[0117] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0118] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment. (((1))) a processor, the processor comprising: receiving a print request from an information processing device that has acquired a print request including print information to be printed from a print management system; When a notification is received from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system, the information processing system performs processing to refuse to accept the print request from another user.

[0119] (((2))) The processor receives a print request including printing information of the item to be printed from an information processing device that has acquired the print request from a print management system using a predetermined first communication, the print request being received using a second communication different from the first communication (((1))).

[0120] (((3))) The information processing system according to (((2))), wherein the second communication uses short-range wireless communication for direct communication with the information processing device.

[0121] (((4))) The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the processor continues to refuse to accept the print request from another user until printing of the subsequent print information is completed or canceled.

[0122] (((5))) The information processing system described in (((4))) wherein, when the processor receives the notification, the processor continues to send a rejection signal to printing requests from other users, and after printing of the subsequent printing information is completed or canceled, the processor sends an acceptance acceptance signal to the other users.

[0123] (((6))) The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein the processor accepts a print request from another user if the subsequent print information has not been received even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0124] (((7))) On the computer, receiving a print request from an information processing device that has acquired a print request including print information to be printed from a print management system; An information processing program for executing a process to refuse to accept the print request from another user when a notification is received from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system.

[0125] According to (((1))), when a print request is sent from a print management system to an information processing device, and then the print request is sent to an image forming device via the information processing device, an information processing system can be provided that allows printing without printing materials of other users being mixed in.

[0126] According to (((2))), it is possible to use more appropriate communication than when the same communication is used for the first communication and the second communication.

[0127] According to (((3))), a print request can be received directly from an information processing device without going through another communication line.

[0128] According to (((4))), it is possible to prevent printed materials of other users from being mixed in.

[0129] According to (((5))), it is possible to continue refusing to accept print requests from other users until printing of the subsequent print information is completed or canceled.

[0130] According to (((6))), it is possible to ensure convenience for other users.

[0131] According to (((7))), when a print request is sent from a print management system to an information processing device, and then the print request is sent to an image forming device via the information processing device, an information processing program can be provided that enables printing without printing materials of other users being mixed in. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10. Information Processing Systems 11 Cloud Server 12 Image forming device 14 Client Computers 16 Mobile Devices 20A CPU 50 Printing Management System

Claims

1. a processor, the processor comprising: receiving a print request from an information processing device that has acquired a print request including print information to be printed from a print management system; When a notification is received from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system, the information processing system performs processing to refuse to accept the print request from another user.

2. An information processing system as described in claim 1, wherein the processor receives a print request including printing information to be printed from an information processing device that has acquired the print request from a print management system using a predetermined first communication, the print request being received using a second communication different from the first communication.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the second communication uses wireless communication for direct communication with the information processing device.

4. 2 . The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor continues to refuse to accept the print request from another user until printing of the subsequent print information is completed or canceled.

5. An information processing system as described in claim 4, wherein when the processor receives the notification, the processor continues to send a rejection signal to printing requests from other users, and sends an acceptance acceptance signal to the other users after printing of the subsequent printing information is completed or canceled.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor accepts a print request from another user if the subsequent print information has not been received even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

7. On the computer, receiving a print request from an information processing device that has acquired a print request including print information to be printed from a print management system; An information processing program for executing a process to refuse to accept the print request from another user when a notification is received from the information processing device indicating that there is a subsequent print request that has not been received from the print management system.

Images