Printing device, portable device, printing management server, and control method thereof

Abstract

To allow a printing device that has read a two-dimensional code to execute appropriate behavior.SOLUTION: A printing device includes: a reading unit configured to read a two-dimensional code in which completion conditions to be satisfied by the printing device in order to complete printing processing according to a printing job stored in a printing management server and an identifier of the printing job are encoded; a setting acquisition unit for acquiring behavior settings specifying behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion conditions; and an execution unit for executing the behavior specified in the behavior settings when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a mobile device, a print management server, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed that acquires data to be printed from a cloud service based on information embedded in a two-dimensional code read by a printing device (Patent Document 1). Such a two-dimensional code encodes URL information where the print data is stored. A user can make the printing device start the print process simply by having the printing device read the two-dimensional code. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-111365 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A printing device may not necessarily be able to complete the printing process of the acquired print data based on the information read from the two-dimensional code. For example, the printing device to which the two-dimensional code is presented may not have the functions required for the printing process of the print data, or may not have the required amount of consumables. Some aspects of the present invention aim to enable a printing device that reads a two-dimensional code to execute an appropriate action. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to some embodiments, a printing device is provided that includes a reading means for reading a two-dimensional code that encodes a completion condition that the printing device must satisfy in order to complete a printing process according to a print job stored in a print management server and an identifier of the print job, a setting acquisition means for acquiring a behavior setting that specifies the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition, and an execution means for executing the behavior specified in the behavior setting when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above embodiment, a printing device that reads a two-dimensional code can take appropriate action. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a screen of the portable device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a registration process of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation of a two-dimensional code issuing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation example of a print process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining information encoded in a two-dimensional code according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for determining a behavior in the event of shortage according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation dialog box according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation for determining a behavior setting according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation for determining a behavior setting according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation for determining a behavior setting according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation for displaying a screen according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a portable device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0009] First Embodiment An example of the configuration of a printing system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The printing system 100 may include a portable device 101, a printing apparatus 102, and a print management server 103. In the example of Fig. 1, the printing system 100 is shown to include one of each of these components, but the printing system 100 may include multiple of these components.

[0010] The portable device 101 is a device that uses a print service provided by the print management server 103. For example, the portable device 101 may be a smartphone or a tablet. The portable device 101 uses a web browser application or a dedicated print management application to transmit document data to be printed to the print management server 103. As a response, the portable device 101 acquires a two-dimensional code from the print management server 103. The two-dimensional code may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0011] The printing device 102 is a printing device having a function of connecting to the network 104 and a function of reading a two-dimensional code. The printing device 102 may be a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a printing function and other functions (e.g., a scanning function, a copying function) as its main functions. Alternatively, the printing device 102 may be a single-function device having only a printing function as its main function. The printing device 102 may be a printing device that prints on a sheet-like medium (i.e., a 2D printer), or a printing device that forms a three-dimensional structure (i.e., a 3D printer). An example in which the printing device 102 is an MFP will be described below.

[0012] The print management server 103 converts the print instruction received from the portable device 101 into a two-dimensional code, and responds with this two-dimensional code to the portable device 101. The print management server 103 also transmits print data to the device that transmitted the request including the two-dimensional code (for example, the printing device 102 that read the two-dimensional code).

[0013] The portable device 101, the printing device 102, and the print management server 103 can communicate with each other through a network 104. The network 104 may be configured, for example, by at least one of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM or frame relay line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, etc. For example, the network 104 may include the Internet.

[0014] 2(a) shows an example of the hardware configuration of the computer CMP. The computer CMP can be used as either the portable device 101 or the print management server 103. In the following description, components of the computer CMP used as the portable device 101 (e.g., the controller unit 200) are simply referred to as components of the portable device 101 (e.g., the controller unit 200 of the portable device 101). The same applies to the print management server 103.

[0015] The computer CMP may have the components shown in FIG. 2(a). The computer CMP may have components not shown in FIG. 2(a), or may not have some of the components shown in FIG. 2(a). At least some of the components shown in FIG. 2(a) may be realized as virtual hardware using virtualization technology. The computer CMP has a controller unit 200, an input unit 209, and a display unit 210. In FIG. 2(a), the computer CMP is shown to include the input unit 209 and the display unit 210, but the input unit 209 and the display unit 210 may be devices external to the computer CMP.

[0016] The central processing unit (CPU) 201 controls the overall operation of the computer CMP. For example, the CPU 201 starts up an operating system (OS) by executing a boot program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 202. The CPU 201 also executes various processes by running application programs stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 204 on the OS. The application programs illustrated in FIG. 3 may also be stored in the HDD 204.

[0017] The random access memory (RAM) 203 is used as a working area for the CPU 201. The HDD 204 stores the above-mentioned application programs and data (e.g., settings, history information, etc.) used in the processing of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 is connected to the ROM 202, the RAM 203, an input unit interface (I / F) 205, a display unit I / F 206, and a network I / F 207 via a system bus 208.

[0018] The input unit I / F 205 is an interface with the input unit 209. The input unit 209 is composed of a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. The input unit I / F 205 transmits information input by a user using the input unit 209 to the CPU 201. The display unit I / F 206 outputs image data to be displayed on the display unit 210 to the display unit 210. The display unit 210 is composed of, for example, a display. The input unit 209 and the display unit 210 may be integrated as a touch screen. The network I / F 207 is connected to the network 104 and communicates with other devices (for example, the printing device 102) via the network 104.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 2(b), an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 102 will be described. The printing device 102 may have the components shown in Fig. 2(b). The printing device 102 may have components not shown in Fig. 2(b), or may not have some of the components shown in Fig. 2(b).

[0020] The CPU 221 controls the overall operation of the printing device 102. For example, the CPU 221 starts up the OS by executing a boot program stored in the ROM 222. The CPU 221 also executes various processes by executing application programs stored in the HDD 224 on the OS.

[0021] The RAM 223 is used as a working area for the CPU 221. The HDD 224 stores the above-mentioned application programs and data (e.g., settings, history information, etc.) used in the processing of the CPU 221. The ROM 222, the RAM 223, a network I / F 225, an operation unit I / F 226, an image processing unit 227, a device controller I / F 228, and a power management unit 229 are connected to the CPU 221 via a system bus 230.

[0022] The network I / F 225 is connected to the network 104 and communicates with other devices (e.g., the portable device 101) via the network 104. The operation unit I / F 226 is an interface with the operation unit 231 and the reader 234. The operation unit 231 is composed of a touch screen or the like. The operation unit I / F 226 transmits information input by a user using the operation unit 231 to the CPU 221. The operation unit I / F 226 also outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 231 to the operation unit 231. The reader 234 executes a process of reading and decoding the two-dimensional code. The reader 234 extracts information by decoding the read two-dimensional code and transmits this information to the CPU 221.

[0023] A printer controller unit 232 and a scanner controller unit 233 are connected to the device controller I / F 228. The device controller I / F 228 may perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The printer controller unit 232 controls a printer device. The scanner controller unit 233 controls a scanner device.

[0024] The image processing unit 227 performs processes such as outputting an image to a printer device, inputting an image from a scanner device, image rotation, image compression, resolution conversion, color space conversion, and gradation conversion. The power management unit 229 controls the overall power supply of the printing device 102. For example, the power management unit 229 may turn the power on and off, transition to a power saving state, and return to a normal state.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 3, an example of the software configuration of each component of the printing system 100 will be described. The software components included in the portable device 101 may be realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in a storage device (for example, any one of the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the HDD 204) of the portable device 101. Alternatively, at least a part of the software components included in the portable device 101 may be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The same applies to the printing device 102 and the print management server 103. Each component of the printing system 100 may have a component not shown in FIG. 3, or may not have some of the components shown in FIG. 3. For example, the printing device 102 may further include software components for realizing a scan function and a print function.

[0026] The portable device 101 has a print management application 310. The print management application 310 is an application having a function for transmitting a code issuance request. The code issuance request may be a request for issuance of a two-dimensional code. The code issuance request may be expressed as a two-dimensional code issuance request. The communication unit 311 transmits the code issuance request to the print management server 103 via the network 104. The communication unit 311 also communicates with the printing device 102 via the network 104.

[0027] The connection application 312 connects to a connection application 322 of the printing device 102 via the network 104. The connection application 312 may be connectable to the connection application 322 only when the portable device 101 and the printing device 102 are connected to the same network (the same LAN). When the connection application 312 and the connection application 322 are connected, the portable device 101 may be able to obtain printer information from the printing device 102 and send a print request directly (i.e., without going through the print management server 103) to the print application 324 of the printing device 102.

[0028] The print application 313 transmits a code issuance request to the print management server 103 via the network 104. The code issuance request may include data to be printed, print settings for the data, and behavior settings, which will be described later. The data to be printed may be document data, image data, etc., managed by the data management unit 314. In response to receiving the code issuance request from the print application 313, the print management server 103 converts the data to be printed, which is included in the code issuance request, into print data in a format that can be printed by the printing device 102. Thereafter, the print management server 103 returns a two-dimensional code in which URL information indicating the storage location of the converted print data is embedded to the print application 313. Details of the print application 313 and the processing related to the two-dimensional code in this embodiment will be described later.

[0029] The data management unit 314 manages printable data stored in the HDD 204 of the portable device 101. Specifically, the data management unit 314 manages image data such as document data and photographs so that the image data can be referenced from the print application 313. The data management unit 314 may also store a two-dimensional code received from the print management server 103.

[0030] The printing device 102 includes a printing module 320. The printing module 320 is a software module having a function for transmitting a print request in the printing device 102. A communication unit 321 transmits the print request to the print management server 103 via the network 104. The communication unit 321 also communicates with the portable device 101 via the network 104.

[0031] The connection application 322 connects to the connection application 312 of the portable device 101 via the network 104. The connection application 322 may be connectable to the connection application 312 only when the portable device 101 and the printing device 102 are connected to the same network (the same LAN).

[0032] The reading application 323 is an application that decodes the two-dimensional code read by the reader 234. The printing application 324 issues a print request to the print management server 103 and performs print control and behavior control for the print data received as a response, according to the information decoded by the reading application 323. Details of this process will be described later. The setting management unit 325 manages various setting values ​​and remaining amount of consumables of the printing device 102. The printing application 324 performs print control processing by referring to the information managed by the setting management unit 325.

[0033] The print management server 103 includes a print management module 330. The print management module 330 is a software module having a function for executing a code issuing process and a print process in the print management server 103. The code issuing process may be a process of issuing a two-dimensional code. The code issuing process may be expressed as a two-dimensional code issuing process.

[0034] The communication unit 331 receives a code issuance request from the portable device 101 via the network 104. The communication unit 331 also receives a print request from the printing device 102 that has read the two-dimensional code. The print job generation unit 332 generates print job data based on the print request. The print job data is stored in a print job table managed by the data management unit 333. The data management unit 333 also stores the print settings and behavior settings included in the code issuance request in association with the print job data stored in the print job table.

[0035] The code issuing unit 334 issues a two-dimensional code based on data including an identifier that uniquely identifies the print job data managed by the data management unit 333. The print data determination unit 335 determines whether the print request can be normally processed in response to the print management server 103 receiving the print request. Details of this determination process will be described later.

[0036] 4, an example of a screen generated by the print management application 310 of the portable device 101 and displayed on the display unit 210 of the portable device 101 will be described. The input unit 209 of the portable device 101 can acquire a user's instruction for an image displayed on the display unit 210.

[0037] The initial screen 400 is a screen that is first displayed in response to starting up the print management application 310. The initial screen 400 may include a device registration menu button 401, a document print menu button 402, and an image print menu button 403. The print management application 310 switches the initial screen 400 to a device registration screen 410 in response to the device registration menu button 401 being pressed by the user.

[0038] The device registration screen 410 is a screen that shows the connection status with the printing device 102. The device registration screen 410 includes a device list 411 that shows one or more printing devices 102 with which the portable device 101 can communicate at the time when the device registration screen 410 is displayed. If the portable device 101 cannot communicate with any of the printing devices 102, a message to that effect may be displayed instead of the device list 411.

[0039] The device list 411 includes a device name label 412, a device status label 413, and a connection button 414. The device name label 412 is a label that displays a name for identifying the printing device 102 that can communicate with the portable device 101. The device status label 413 is a label that displays the communication status between the portable device 101 and the printing device 102.

[0040] The connect button 414 is a button for starting the process of registering a specific printing device 102 included in the device list 411. Hereinafter, the process of registering a specific printing device 102 will be referred to as the registration process. In response to the user pressing the connect button 414, the print management application 310 starts the registration process of the printing device 102 represented by the device name label 412 associated with the connect button 414.

[0041] The display content of the device status label 413 and whether the connect button 414 is displayed vary depending on the status of the registration process between the portable device 101 and the printing device 102. For a printing device 102 for which a registration process has been executed in the past, the device status label 413 displays "Connected" and the connect button 414 is not displayed. For a printing device 102 for which a registration process has not been executed in the past, the device status label 413 displays "Not connected" and the connect button 414 is displayed. If the portable device 101 and printing device 102 cannot communicate for some reason, regardless of the status of the past registration process, the device status label 413 displays "Cannot connect" and the connect button 414 is not displayed.

[0042] An example of the operation of the printing system 100 when the portable device 101 performs a registration process will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The operation of Fig. 5 may be started in response to a user pressing the device registration menu button 401 on the initial screen 400. In S501, the connection application 312 of the portable device 101 transmits (for example, broadcasts) a communication request for searching for the printing device 102 to the network 104 via the communication unit 311.

[0043] In S502, in response to receiving a communication request from the portable device 101, the connection application 322 of the printing device 102 transmits device information for connecting to the portable device 101 via the communication unit 321. The device information may include an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the printing device 102. The device information may include a device name indicating the name of the printing device 102. The print management application 310 of the portable device 101 generates a device list 411 based on the device information received from one or more printing devices 102, and displays a device registration screen 410 including the device list 411.

[0044] In S503, the data management unit 314 of the portable device 101 stores the device information of the printing device 102 specified by the user in a device table in response to the user pressing the connect button 414. Table 1 below shows an example of a device table managed by the data management unit 314.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] The "device name" column stores the name of the printing device 102 connected to the portable device 101. If the device information received in S502 includes a device name, the data management unit 314 stores the device name in the "device name" column. The "IP address" column stores the IP address of the printing device 102 connected to the portable device 101. The "communication status" column stores the latest communication status between the portable device 101 and the printing device 102. The data management unit 314 periodically communicates with each printing device 102 managed in the device table and updates the value of the "communication status" column.

[0047] 4 again, the description of the example of the screen displayed by the print management application 310 will be continued. In response to the user pressing the document print menu button 402 on the initial screen 400, the print management application 310 switches the initial screen 400 to a document selection screen 420. The document selection screen 420 includes a document list 421 and a select button 422. The document list 421 is a list showing the document names of one or more document data stored in the HDD 204 of the portable device 101. In response to the user pressing the select button 422 with one or more document names selected from the document list 421, the print management application 310 switches the document selection screen 420 to a print setting screen 440.

[0048] In response to the user pressing the image print menu button 403 on the initial screen 400, the print management application 310 switches the initial screen 400 to an image selection screen 430. The image selection screen 430 includes an image list 431 and a select button 432. The image list 431 is a list showing thumbnail images of one or more image data items stored in the HDD 204 of the portable device 101. In response to the user pressing the select button 432 with one or more thumbnail images selected from the image list 431, the print management application 310 switches the image selection screen 430 to a print setting screen 440.

[0049] The print setting screen 440 is a screen for acquiring print setting designations from the user. The print setting screen 440 includes a print setting section 441, a behavior setting section 442, a print preview section 443, a two-dimensional code issue button 444, and a print button 445. The print setting section 441 includes a graphic object for designating print settings for document data or image data selected on the document selection screen 420 or the image selection screen 430. Items of the print setting may include, for example, the number of copies to be printed, color / monochrome setting, double-sided / single-sided setting, paper orientation, and the like.

[0050] The behavior setting unit 442 includes a graphic object for specifying the behavior of the printing device 102 when it is determined that the printing process cannot be completed as set by the user due to a shortage of consumables in the printing device 102 or insufficient capacity of the printing device 102 during printing processing described below. In the following description, the behavior that the printing device 102 should perform when it is determined that the printing process cannot be completed as set by the user is referred to as insufficient capacity behavior.

[0051] The behavior when the ink supply is insufficient may be selectable from, for example, "interrupt printing", "continue printing", "display warning", and "acknowledge warning". For example, when "interrupt printing" is selected, the printing device 102 immediately interrupts the printing process when it is determined that the printing device 102 cannot complete the printing according to the user's settings. When "continue printing" is selected, the printing device 102 continues the printing process even if it is determined that the printing device 102 cannot complete the printing according to the user's settings. When "display warning" is selected, when it is determined that the printing device 102 cannot complete the printing according to the user's settings, the printing device 102 displays a message to that effect on the portable device 101 or the printing device 102 and interrupts the printing process. When "acknowledge warning" is selected, when it is determined that the printing device 102 cannot complete the printing according to the user's settings, the printing device 102 displays a message to that effect on the portable device 101 or the printing device 102. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 102 displays a dialog on the portable device 101 or the printing apparatus 102 to inquire of the user whether to continue the printing process, and continues or interrupts the printing process according to the user's instructions.

[0052] A print preview section 443 displays a preview image of the document data or image data selected on the document selection screen 420 or the image selection screen 430 when it is printed with the settings specified in the print setting section 441. In response to a two-dimensional code issue button 444 being pressed by the user, the print application 313 transmits a code issuance request to the print management server 103. In response to receiving the two-dimensional code from the print management server 103, the print management application 310 switches the print setting screen 440 to a two-dimensional code display screen 450.

[0053] The print button 445 may be pressable only if there is a printing device 102 that is already registered in the portable device 101 and with which the portable device 101 can communicate. In response to the user pressing the print button 445, the print management application 310 switches the print setting screen 440 to the device registration screen 410. In response to the user pressing the device name label 412 associated with any of the connected printing devices 102, the print application 313 transmits print data and print settings to the print application 324 of that printing device 102 and starts the print process.

[0054] The two-dimensional code display screen 450 includes a two-dimensional code display section 451 and an end button 452. The two-dimensional code display section 451 is an area for displaying a two-dimensional code received from the print management server 103. The print process may be started by having the reader 234 of the printing device 102 read the two-dimensional code displayed in the two-dimensional code display section 451. In response to the user pressing the end button 452, the print management application 310 switches the print setting screen 440 to the initial screen 400, and repeats the above-mentioned process.

[0055] An example of the operation of the portable device 101 to acquire a two-dimensional code from the print management server 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The operation of Fig. 6 may be started in response to the display of the initial screen 400. In S601, the print application 313 of the portable device 101 acquires print data from the data management unit 314. The print data may be document data or image data designated by the user on the document selection screen 420 or the image selection screen 430 as a print target.

[0056] In S602, the print application 313 acquires print settings for the print data from the user (performs setting acquisition). The print settings may be settings specified in the print setting section 441 of the print setting screen 440. In S603, the print application 313 acquires behavior settings for the print processing of the print data from the user. The behavior settings are settings that specify the behavior in the event of shortage (i.e., the behavior that the printing device 102 performs when it is determined that printing cannot be completed according to the user's settings). The behavior settings may be settings that are specified in the behavior setting section 442 of the print setting screen 440. In the example of FIG. 6, the print data, print settings, and behavior settings are acquired in this order, but these may be acquired in a different order, or at least some of these may be acquired simultaneously.

[0057] In S604, the print application 313 sends a code issuance request to the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103. This step may be executed in response to the user pressing the two-dimensional code issuance button 444 on the print setting screen 440. The code issuance request may include the data to be printed acquired in S601, the print settings acquired in S602, and the behavior settings acquired in S603. Table 2 below shows an example of the data structure of the code issuance request.

[0058] [Table 2]

[0059] The "Mobile Identifier" column stores an identifier that uniquely identifies the mobile device 101 that sent the code issuance request. The identifier of the mobile device 101 may be the serial number of the mobile device 101 or may be another identifier. The identifier of the mobile device 101 may be any identifier that allows the print management server 103 to uniquely identify the mobile device 101. The "Print Data" column stores the print data in binary format.

[0060] The "print settings" column stores the print settings acquired in S602 (e.g., the setting values ​​of one or more setting items). The "behavior settings" column stores the behavior settings acquired in S603. In the example of Table 2, the print settings and behavior settings are represented in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. Alternatively, the print settings and behavior settings may be represented in other formats.

[0061] In S605 and S606, the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103 determines the conditions that the printing device 102 must satisfy to complete the print process. Such conditions are hereinafter referred to as completion conditions. The completion conditions may include, for example, at least one of a condition related to the amount of consumables required to complete the print process and a condition related to functions required to complete the print process. Alternatively or in addition, the completion conditions may include other conditions. Below, a case will be described in which the completion conditions include both a condition related to the amount of consumables required and a condition related to functions required.

[0062] In S605, the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103 calculates the amount of consumables required for the printing device 102 to print the print data, based on the print data and print settings stored in the code issuance request received from the print application 313. For example, the data management unit 333 may calculate the number of sheets of paper consumed by printing the print data, based on the number of pages of the print data, the number of copies to be printed, and the setting value for double-sided / single-sided. Alternatively or in addition to this, the data management unit 333 may calculate the amount of toner to be consumed for each color, based on the print data and the setting value for color printing.

[0063] In S606, the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103 identifies functions necessary for the printing device 102 to print the print data, based on the print data and print settings stored in the code issuance request received from the print application 313. For example, if double-sided printing is specified in the print settings, a double-sided printing function is identified as a required function. In the example of FIG. 6, S606 is executed after S605. These steps may be executed in the reverse order, or may be executed in parallel.

[0064] In S607, the data management unit 333 passes the print data and print settings stored in the code issuance request to the print job generation unit 332, and requests the creation of a print job. The print job generation unit 332 generates a print job in accordance with the request from the data management unit 333, and passes this print job to the data management unit 333.

[0065] In S608, the data management unit 333 stores the print job received from the print job generation unit 332 in a print job management table in association with completion conditions (e.g., the required consumable amount calculated in S605 and the required functions calculated in S606). The print job management table is stored, for example, in a storage device (e.g., either the RAM 223 or the HDD 224) of the print management server 103. The following Table 3 shows an example of the print job management table managed by the data management unit 314.

[0066] [Table 3]

[0067] The "job identifier" column stores an identifier issued by the print job generating unit 332 to uniquely identify the print job. This identifier is generated, for example, when the print job generating unit 332 receives a request in S607. The "print job data" column stores the print job generated by the print job generating unit 332 in a binary format. The "required consumable amount" column stores the amount of consumables required for the printing device 102 to print the print data, calculated in S605. The "required function" column stores information indicating the functions required for the printing device 102 to print the print data, identified in S606. The "mobile identifier" column stores an identifier included in the "mobile identifier" column of the code issuance request. In the example of Table 3, the required consumable amount and the required function are expressed in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. Alternatively, the required consumable amount and the required function may be expressed in other formats.

[0068] In S609, the data management unit 333 passes the print settings and behavior settings included in the code issuance request received in S604 and the completion conditions (for example, the required amount of consumables determined in S605 and information on the required functions identified in S606) to the code issuance unit 334, and requests the creation of a two-dimensional code. In S610, the code issuance unit 334 generates a two-dimensional code representing the information received from the data management unit 333 in S609, and passes this two-dimensional code to the data management unit 333.

[0069] In S611, the data management unit 333 associates the job identifier of the print job acquired in response to the request in S607 with the two-dimensional code acquired in response to the request in S609, and stores them in a two-dimensional code management table. The two-dimensional code management table is stored, for example, in a storage device (for example, either the RAM 223 or the HDD 224) of the print management server 103. The following Table 4 shows an example of a two-dimensional code management table managed by the data management unit 314.

[0070] [Table 4]

[0071] The "job identifier" column stores an identifier issued by the print job generation unit 332 to uniquely identify the print job obtained in response to the request of S607. The "two-dimensional code" column stores, in binary format, the two-dimensional code obtained in response to the request of S609.

[0072] In S612, the data management unit 333 transmits the two-dimensional code acquired as a response to the request in S609 to the print application 313. This two-dimensional code is transmitted as a response to the code issuance request received in S604.

[0073] 7, an example of an operation for causing the printing apparatus 102 to execute a print process using a two-dimensional code displayed on the portable device 101 will be described. The operation in FIG. 7 may be started in response to the portable device 101 receiving a two-dimensional code from the print management server 103 in S612 in FIG. 6. In S701, the print application 313 of the portable device 101 displays a two-dimensional code display screen 450 including the two-dimensional code received from the print management server 103.

[0074] In S702, the reading application 323 of the printing device 102 detects that a two-dimensional code has been presented to the reader 234 of the printing device 102. In S703, the reading application 323 determines whether an error has occurred in the printing device 102. The error may be a state in which the printing device 102 is unable to normally complete a print process. For example, the error may include a physical inability to use the printing device 102 due to a malfunction occurring in the printing device 102, or a low remaining amount of a consumable or an unusable consumable.

[0075] If it is determined in S703 that an error has occurred in the printing device 102, the process proceeds to S704. In S704, the reading application 323 interrupts the printing process and notifies the user that the printing process has been interrupted. This notification may be performed using the operation unit 231 of the printing device 102, or may be performed using the display unit 210 of the portable device 101. In this way, the reading application 323 interrupts the printing process if an error has occurred in the printing device 102 when reading the two-dimensional code.

[0076] If it is determined in S703 that no error has occurred, the process proceeds to S705. In S705, the reading application 323 reads the two-dimensional code detected in S702 and decodes the two-dimensional code to read information from the two-dimensional code.

[0077] An example of information 800 read from a two-dimensional code by the reading application 323 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The information 800 includes information used when the printing device 102 executes a print process. For example, the information 800 may include a job identifier 801, a required consumable amount 802, a required function 803, a print setting 804, and a behavior setting 805. In the example of Fig. 8, the information 800 is represented in JSON format. Alternatively, the information 800 may be represented in another format.

[0078] Job identifier 801 represents an identifier issued by print job generation unit 332 to uniquely identify a print job. Required consumable amount 802 represents the amount of consumables required for printing device 102 to print print data. Required functionality 803 represents functionality required for printing device 102 to print print data. In this manner, information 800 includes required consumable amount 802 and required functionality 803 as completion conditions. Print settings 804 represent settings related to print processing specified by the user in print setting unit 441. Behavior settings 805 represent settings for the behavior of printing device 102 when it is determined that printing cannot be completed according to the user's settings.

[0079] 7 again, the description of the operation of the printing system 100 will continue. In S706, the reading application 323 acquires function information of its own device from a function information table managed by the setting management unit 325. The function information may be part of the device information of the printing device 102. The function information table is stored in a storage device (e.g., either the ROM 202 or the HDD 204) of the printing device 102, for example, when the printing device 102 is manufactured or when the configuration is changed. Table 5 below shows an example of a function information table managed by the setting management unit 325.

[0080] [Table 5]

[0081] The function information table includes a "device name" column and one or more function columns corresponding to one or more functions. The number of function columns may vary for each printing device 102. The function information table shown in Table 5 includes, as one or more function columns, a "color / monochrome" column, a "double-sided / single-sided" column, and a "paper size" column.

[0082] The "Device Name" column stores the name set for the printing device 102. The "Color / Monochrome" column stores color information supported by the printing device 102. For example, if the printing device 102 supports both full-color printing and monochrome printing, "Color" is stored, and if the printing device 102 supports only monochrome printing, "Monochrome" is stored. The "Double-Sided / Single-Sided" column stores information on the paper side supported by the printing device 102. For example, if the printing device 102 supports both double-sided printing and single-sided printing, "Double-Sided" is stored, and if the printing device 102 supports only single-sided printing, "Single-Sided" is stored. The "Paper Size" column stores the paper size supported by the printing device 102.

[0083] Referring again to FIG. 7, the operation of the printing system 100 will be described further. In S707, the reading application 323 acquires consumable information of its own device from a consumable information table managed by the setting management unit 325. The consumable information may be part of the device information of the printing device 102. The consumable information table is stored in a storage device of the printing device 102 (e.g., either the RAM 203 or the HDD 204). The setting management unit 325 may calculate the remaining amount of the consumables each time printing is performed and update the information in the consumable information table. Table 6 below shows an example of a consumable information table managed by the setting management unit 325.

[0084] [Table 6]

[0085] The consumable information table includes one or more consumable columns corresponding to one or more consumables. The number of consumable columns may vary for each printing device 102. The "toner" column stores the remaining amount of toner of each color loaded in the printing device 102. The "paper" column stores the remaining amount of paper of each size loaded in the printing device 102.

[0086] In S708, the reading application 323 determines the behavior that the printing device 102 should perform based on the information of the two-dimensional code read in S705. The details of the processing of S708 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In S901, the reading application 323 compares the required consumable amount 802 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code with the consumable information acquired in S707 to determine whether the printing device 102 has a required amount of consumables remaining for printing according to the print job. If it is determined that the required amount of consumables remains ("YES" in S901), the processing proceeds to S902, and otherwise ("NO" in S901), the processing proceeds to S903.

[0087] In S902, the reading application 323 compares the required functions 803 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code with the function information acquired in S706 to determine whether the printing device 102 has the functions required to print according to the print job. If it is determined that the printing device 102 has the required functions ("YES" in S902), the process proceeds to S904, and otherwise ("NO" in S902), the process proceeds to S903. In the example of FIG. 9, S902 is executed after S901, but these steps may be executed in the reverse order.

[0088] If it is determined that the printing device 102 has the necessary amount of consumables remaining and has the necessary functions (i.e., if it is determined that the printing device 102 satisfies the completion condition), the reading application 323 determines to continue the print process in S904. If it is determined that the printing device 102 does not have the necessary amount of consumables remaining or does not have the necessary functions (i.e., if it is determined that the printing device 102 does not satisfy the completion condition), the reading application 323 determines the behavior according to the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code.

[0089] In S903, the reading application 323 determines whether "continue printing" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code. If it is determined that "continue printing" is specified ("YES" in S903), the process proceeds to S904, and otherwise ("NO" in S903), the process proceeds to S905. If it is determined that "continue printing" is specified, the reading application 323 determines in S904 to continue the print process, even if it is determined that the printing device 102 does not have the required amount of consumables remaining or that the printing device 102 does not have the required functions.

[0090] In S905, the reading application 323 determines whether "interrupt printing" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code. If it is determined that "interrupt printing" is specified ("YES" in S905), the process proceeds to S907, and otherwise ("NO" in S905), the process proceeds to S906. In S907, the reading application 323 determines to interrupt the print process.

[0091] In S906, the reading application 323 determines whether or not "warning display" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code. If it is determined that "warning display" is specified ("YES" in S906), the process proceeds to S907, and otherwise ("NO" in S906), the process proceeds to S908. In S907, the reading application 323 determines to interrupt the print process.

[0092] If it is not determined in S907 that "warning display" is specified, then "warning confirmation" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code. Therefore, in S908, the reading application 323 determines to confirm with the user whether or not to continue the print process. The determinations of S903, S905, and S906 may be performed in any order. If these steps are performed in an order different from that shown in FIG. 9, instead of any of S903, S905, and S906, it may be determined whether "warning confirmation" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code.

[0093] 7 again, the operation of the printing system 100 will be described. If it is determined in S708 that the printing process is to be continued, in S709 the reading application 323 requests a print job from the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103. This request includes the job identifier 801 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code. In S710, the data management unit 333 reads out the print job data associated with the job identifier included in the request from the printing device 102 from the print job management table, and responds with this print job data to the printing device 102. In this way, the printing device 102 obtains the print job from the print management server 103 (performs job acquisition).

[0094] In S711, the reading application 323 passes the print job data received from the print management server 103 to the printing application 324, and requests that printing be performed according to the print job data. In S712, the printing application 313 prints according to the print job data, and transmits the printing results to the reading application 323. The reading application 323 may transmit the printing results to the portable device 101.

[0095] If it is determined in S708 that the print process is to be interrupted, then in S713 the reading application 323 interrupts the print process. If it is determined that "warning display" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code, then the reading application 323 notifies the user that the print process has been interrupted. This notification may be performed using the operation unit 231 of the printing apparatus 102, or may be performed using the display unit 210 of the portable device 101. If it is determined that "print interruption" is specified in the behavior setting 805 included in the information 800 represented by the two-dimensional code, then the reading application 323 does not have to notify the user that the print process has been interrupted.

[0096] When it is determined in S708 that the user should be asked whether to continue the print process, the reading application 323 asks the user whether to continue the print process. The user may be asked by displaying a confirmation dialog on the operation unit 231 of the printing apparatus 102. Alternatively, the user may be asked by displaying a confirmation dialog on the display unit 210 of the portable device 101.

[0097] An example of a confirmation dialog 1000 for inquiring of a user as to whether or not to continue printing processing will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The confirmation dialog 1000 may include a warning message 1001, a warning reason 1002, a continue printing button 1003, and a stop printing button 1004.

[0098] A warning message 1001 notifies a user who has started print processing using a two-dimensional code that the print processing cannot be completed normally. A warning reason 1002 describes to a user who has started print processing using a two-dimensional code a detailed reason why the print processing cannot be completed normally (i.e., the reason why the printing device 102 does not satisfy the completion conditions). A continue printing button 1003 is a button that a user uses to instruct the reading application 323 of the printing device 102 to continue printing. A stop printing button 1004 is a button that a user uses to instruct the reading application 323 of the printing device 102 to stop printing. The confirmation dialog 1000 can obtain instructions from the user using the continue printing button 1003 and the stop printing button 1004.

[0099] 7, a case will be described where the confirmation dialog is displayed on the display unit 210 of the portable device 101. This operation may differ depending on whether the portable device 101 and the printing device 102 are connectable.

[0100] In S714, the reading application 323 determines whether the printing device 102 can be connected to the portable device 101. The printing device 102 may be able to be connected to the portable device 101 if the registration process described in Fig. 5 has already been executed. If it is determined in S714 that the printing device 102 can be connected to the portable device 101, the process proceeds to S715.

[0101] In S715, the reading application 323 requests the printing application 313 of the portable device 101 to display a confirmation dialog 1000. This request may include a detailed reason why the printing process cannot be completed successfully. The printing application 313 generates a confirmation dialog 1000 including the warning reason included in the request from the reading application 323, and displays the confirmation dialog 1000 on the display unit 210. Instead of the printing application 313 generating the confirmation dialog 1000, the reading application 323 may generate the confirmation dialog 1000 and send the confirmation dialog 1000 to the printing application 313.

[0102] In S716, the print application 313 transmits the user's selection result regarding whether to continue the print process to the read application 323. In response to the user pressing the Continue Printing button 1003, the print application 313 notifies the read application 323 that the user has selected to continue the print process. In this case, the print system 100 continues the print process and executes the same processes as S709 to S712. In response to the user pressing the Cancel Printing button 1004, the print application 313 notifies the read application 323 that the user has selected to cancel the print process. In this case, the read application 323 cancels the print process.

[0103] If it is determined in S714 that the printing device 102 cannot be connected to the portable device 101, the process proceeds to S717. In S717, the reading application 323 transmits a request to the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103 to display a confirmation dialog 1000 on the portable device 101. This request includes information to be included in the warning reason 1002 of the confirmation dialog 1000 and the job identifier 801.

[0104] In S718, the data management unit 333 refers to the print job management table (Table 3) to identify the portable device 101 associated with the job identifier acquired from the printing device 102. In S719, the data management unit 333 requests the print application 313 of the portable device 101 identified in S718 to display a confirmation dialog 1000. This request may include a detailed reason why the print process cannot be completed normally. The print application 313 generates the confirmation dialog 1000 including the warning reason included in the request from the reading application 323, and displays the confirmation dialog 1000 on the display unit 210. Instead of the print application 313 generating the confirmation dialog 1000, the reading application 323 or the data management unit 333 may generate the confirmation dialog 1000.

[0105] In S720, the printing application 313 transmits the user's selection result regarding whether to continue the printing process to the data management unit 333. The data management unit 333 transfers this user's selection result to the reading application 323. If the user selects to continue the printing process, the printing system 100 continues the printing process and executes the same processes as S709 to S712. If the user selects to stop the printing process, the reading application 323 stops the printing process.

[0106] As described above, according to the first embodiment, because the completion condition is encoded in the two-dimensional code, it is possible for the printing device 102 that reads the two-dimensional code to immediately determine (for example, before receiving a print job from the print management server 103) whether or not it can complete the print process. Also, according to the first embodiment, because the behavior setting is also encoded in the two-dimensional barcode, the printing device 102 can immediately execute the behavior specified by the user (for example, before receiving a print job from the print management server 103).

[0107] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, the behavior in the event of shortage is determined based on the behavior setting specified by the user. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the behavior in the event of shortage is determined based on the behavior setting specified by the user and the behavior setting stored in the printing device 102. In the following description, duplicated description of content that may be similar to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0108] In the second embodiment, in S708 of FIG. 7, the reading application 323 executes the operation of FIG. 11 before executing the operation of FIG. 9. In S1101, the reading application 323 determines whether the behavior information table managed by the setting management unit 325 includes the behavior information. If it is determined that the behavior information table includes the behavior information ("YES" in S1101), the process proceeds to S1102, and otherwise ("NO" in S1101), the process proceeds to S1103. The behavior information table is stored in the storage device of the printing device 102 (for example, either the RAM 203 or the HDD 204). The behavior information table may be created by an administrator of the printing device 102 and stored in the storage device of the printing device 102. Table 7 below shows an example of a behavior information table managed by the setting management unit 325.

[0109] [Table 7]

[0110] The "Behavior Setting" column stores the behavior when there is a shortage. The "Behavior Setting" column may be selectable from, for example, "Abort Printing", "Continue Printing", "Display Warning", and "Confirm Warning", similar to the designation in the behavior setting unit 442. The "Priority Setting" column stores whether to use the behavior setting stored in the storage device of the printing device 102 (i.e., the behavior setting stored in the "Behavior Setting" column) or the behavior setting encoded in the two-dimensional code.

[0111] In S1102, the reading application 323 determines whether the value of the "priority setting" column is "printing device." If it is determined that the value of the "priority setting" column is "printing device" ("YES" in S1102), the process proceeds to S1104, and otherwise ("NO" in S1102), the process proceeds to S1103. For example, if the value of the "priority setting" column is "two-dimensional code," the process may proceed to S1103.

[0112] In S1103, the reading application 323 determines to use the behavior setting encoded in the two-dimensional code read in S705. In this case, the behavior setting encoded in the two-dimensional code read in S705 is used in the subsequent processing. In S1104, the reading application 323 determines to use the behavior setting stored in the storage device of the printing device 102. In this case, the behavior setting read from the storage device of the printing device 102 is used in the subsequent processing.

[0113] According to the second embodiment, one of the behavior setting encoded in the two-dimensional code and the behavior setting stored in the storage device of the printing device 102 is acquired according to the setting in the "priority setting" column. The printing device 102 executes the shortage behavior according to this behavior setting. This allows the administrator of the printing device 102 to specify the shortage behavior regardless of the behavior setting encoded in the two-dimensional code.

[0114] In the second embodiment, the behavior settings may not be encoded in the two-dimensional code, in which case printing device 102 may always use the behavior settings stored in printing device 102's storage device.

[0115] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment, the behavior when there is a shortage is determined based on the behavior setting specified by the user. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the behavior when there is a shortage is determined based on the behavior setting specified by the user and the behavior setting stored in the print management server 103. In the following description, duplicated description of contents that may be the same as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0116] In the third embodiment, steps S1201 to S1204 in Fig. 12 are executed instead of step S708 in Fig. 7. In step S1201, the reading application 323 of the printing device 102 queries the print management server 103 about the behavior in the event of shortage that the printing device 102 should execute. This query may include information used to determine whether the printing device 102 satisfies the completion condition, for example, the function information acquired in step S706 and the consumables information acquired in step S707.

[0117] In S1202, the data management unit 333 of the print management server 103 determines whether the printing device 102 should execute a behavior defined by a behavior setting included in the code issuance request or a behavior setting stored in the print management server 103. Details of the processing of S1202 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0118] In S1301, the data management unit 333 determines whether the behavior information is included in the behavior information table managed by the data management unit 333. If it is determined that the behavior information is included in the behavior information table ("YES" in S1301), the process proceeds to S1302, and otherwise ("NO" in S1301), the process proceeds to S1303. The behavior information table is stored in a storage device (e.g., either the RAM 223 or the HDD 224) of the print management server 103. The behavior information table may be created by an administrator of the print management server 103 and stored in the storage device of the print management server 103. Table 8 below shows an example of a behavior information table managed by the data management unit 333.

[0119] [Table 8]

[0120] The "Behavior Setting" column stores the behavior when there is a shortage. The "Behavior Setting" column may be selectable from, for example, "Abort Printing", "Continue Printing", "Display Warning", and "Confirm Warning", similar to the designation in the behavior setting unit 442. The "Priority Setting" column stores whether to use the behavior setting stored in the storage device of the print management server 103 (i.e., the behavior setting stored in the "Behavior Setting" column) or the behavior setting included in the code issuance request.

[0121] In S1302, the data management unit 333 determines whether the value of the "priority setting" column is "print management server." If it is determined that the value of the "priority setting" column is "print management server" ("YES" in S1302), the process proceeds to S1304, and otherwise ("NO" in S1302), the process proceeds to S1303. For example, if the value of the "priority setting" column is "two-dimensional code," the process may proceed to S1303.

[0122] In S1303, the data management unit 333 determines to use the behavior setting included in the code issuance request. In this case, the behavior setting included in the code issuance request is used in the subsequent processing. In S1304, the data management unit 333 determines to use the behavior setting stored in the storage device of the print management server 103. In this case, the behavior setting read from the storage device of the print management server 103 is used in the subsequent processing.

[0123] Returning to the description of Fig. 12, in S1203, the data management unit 333 determines the behavior to be executed by the printing device 102 in the same manner as in S708. In this determination, the behavior setting selected in S1202 is used. In S1204, the data management unit 333 notifies the printing device 102 of the determined behavior. The printing device 102 executes subsequent processing in accordance with this notified behavior.

[0124] According to the third embodiment, the administrator of the print management server 103 can specify the behavior to be performed when the resource is insufficient, regardless of the behavior setting included in the code issuance request.

[0125] In the third embodiment, the behavior setting may not be encoded in the two-dimensional code, in which case the printing device 102 may always execute the behavior determined by the print management server 103.

[0126] <Fourth embodiment> The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further displays whether the printing apparatus connectable to the portable device 101 satisfies the completion condition. In the following description, duplicated description of contents that may be similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted. The differences between the first and fourth embodiments may be applied to either the second or third embodiment.

[0127] In the fourth embodiment, steps S1401 to S1404 in Fig. 14 are executed instead of step S701 in Fig. 7. In step S1401, the print application 313 of the portable device 101 requests the connection application 312 to acquire device information of one or more printing devices 102 connectable to the portable device 101. In step S1402, the connection application 312 requests device information from one or more printing devices 102 connectable to the portable device 101 via the network 104. The one or more printing devices 102 connectable to the portable device 101 may be printing devices 102 whose "communication status" column is set to "OK" among the device information registered in the device table (Table 1) of the data management unit 314.

[0128] In S1403, each of the one or more printing devices 102 that received the request in S1402 responds with its own device information to the mobile device 101. The device information may include the above-mentioned function information and consumable information. The connection application 312 passes the device information received from the one or more printing devices 102 to the print application 313.

[0129] In S1404, the print application 313 determines whether each of the one or more printing devices 102 satisfies the completion condition based on the received device information in the same manner as in S901 and S902. In S1405, the print application 313 displays on the display unit 210 a two-dimensional code display screen 1500 including the two-dimensional code acquired from the print management server 103 and information indicating whether each of the one or more printing devices to which the portable device 101 can be connected satisfies the completion condition.

[0130] An example of a two-dimensional code display screen 1500 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. In the fourth embodiment, the two-dimensional code display screen 1500 is displayed instead of the two-dimensional code display screen 450. The two-dimensional code display section 1501 and the end button 1505 are similar to the two-dimensional code display section 451 and the end button 452 in Fig. 4.

[0131] A device list 1502 indicates one or more printing devices 102 with which the portable device 101 can communicate. A device name label 1503 displays the device name of the printing device 102. A status label 1504 displays the determination result of S1404. The status label 1504 is not displayed except for device information for which the value in the "communication status" column of the device table is "OK" at the time the sequence shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

[0132] In the fourth embodiment, which printing apparatuses 102 satisfy the completion condition are displayed on the portable device 101. This allows the user to appropriately select the printing apparatus to execute the print process using the two-dimensional barcode.

[0133] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the 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. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0134] <Summary of the embodiment> [Item 1] 1. A printing device, comprising: a reading means for reading a two-dimensional code in which a completion condition to be satisfied by the printing device in order to complete a printing process according to a print job stored in a print management server and an identifier of the print job are encoded; a setting acquisition means for acquiring a behavior setting that defines the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition; and an execution unit that executes a behavior defined in the behavior setting when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition. [Item 2] 2. The printing device according to item 1, wherein the behavior setting specifies one of continuing the printing process, interrupting the printing process, and asking a user whether to continue the printing process. [Item 3] 3. The printing device according to item 1 or 2, further comprising a job acquisition unit that acquires the print job from the print management server when it is determined that the printing device satisfies the completion condition. [Item 4] The behavior setting is further encoded in the two-dimensional code, 4. The printing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the setting acquisition means acquires the behavior setting from the two-dimensional code. [Item 5] The printing device further includes a storage unit that stores the behavior setting. 5. The printing device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the setting acquisition means acquires the behavior setting from the storage means. [Item 6] A first behavior setting is further encoded in the two-dimensional code, The printing device further includes a storage unit that stores a second behavior setting. The setting acquisition means acquires one of the first behavior setting and the second behavior setting in accordance with the setting, A printing device described in any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the execution means executes the behavior specified in the first behavior setting or the second behavior setting acquired by the setting acquisition means when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition. [Item 7] The completion condition is: A condition regarding the amount of consumables required to complete the printing process; and and a condition related to a function necessary for completing the printing process. [Item 8] 8. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the execution means interrupts the printing process if an error occurs in the printing device when the reading means reads the two-dimensional code. [Item 9] A method for controlling a printing device, comprising: a reading step in which a reading means reads a two-dimensional code in which a completion condition to be satisfied by the printing device in order to complete a print process according to a print job stored in a print management server and an identifier of the print job are encoded; a setting acquisition step in which a setting acquisition means acquires a behavior setting that specifies a behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition; an execution step of executing a behavior defined in the behavior setting by an execution means when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition. [Item 10] 1. A mobile device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring from a user a designation of print data to be printed, a designation of print settings in the print processing, and a designation of behavior settings that stipulates the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a transmission means for transmitting a code issuing request including the print data, the print settings, and the behavior settings to a print management server; a receiving means for receiving, as a response to the code issuing request, from the print management server, a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the print processing are encoded; A portable device comprising: a display means for displaying the two-dimensional code. [Item 11] the display means further displays a dialogue in response to a request from the print management server or the printing device; Item 11. The portable device according to item 10, wherein the dialog is capable of obtaining from the user an instruction to continue the printing process and an instruction to cancel the printing process. [Item 12] Item 12. The portable device of item 11, wherein the dialog includes a reason why the printing device did not meet the completion condition. [Item 13] 13. The portable device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the display means displays a screen including information indicating whether a printing device to which the portable device can be connected satisfies the completion condition and the two-dimensional code. [Item 14] A method for controlling a mobile device, comprising: an acquisition step in which an acquisition means acquires from a user a designation of print data to be printed, a designation of print settings in the print processing, and a designation of behavior settings that stipulate a behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a sending step of sending a code issuing request including the print data, the print settings, and the behavior settings to a print management server by a sending means; a receiving step of receiving, from the print management server, a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the print processing are encoded, as a response to the code issuance request by a receiving means; A control method comprising: a display step in which a display means displays the two-dimensional code. [Item 15] A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the portable device described in any one of items 11 to 13. [Item 16] A print management server comprising: a receiving means for receiving from a portable device a code issuance request including print data to be printed, print settings for the print processing, and behavior settings that specify the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a generating means for generating a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the printing process are encoded; A printing management server comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting the two-dimensional code to the portable device. [Item 17] The behavior setting is a first behavior setting, The print management server includes: A storage means for storing a second behavior setting; Item 17. The print management server according to item 16, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the printing device should execute a behavior defined in the first behavior setting or the second behavior setting. [Item 18] A method for controlling a print management server, comprising: a receiving step in which a receiving means receives from a portable device a code issuance request including print data to be printed, print settings for the print processing, and behavior settings that specify the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a generating step of generating a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the printing process are encoded by a generating means; A control method comprising: a transmitting step in which a transmitting means transmits the two-dimensional code to the mobile device.

[0135] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 101 Portable device, 102 Printing device, 103 Print management server

Claims

1. 1. A printing device, comprising: a reading means for reading a two-dimensional code in which a completion condition to be satisfied by the printing device in order to complete a printing process according to a print job stored in a print management server and an identifier of the print job are encoded; a setting acquisition means for acquiring a behavior setting that specifies the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition; and an execution unit that executes a behavior defined in the behavior setting when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition.

2. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the behavior setting specifies any one of continuing the printing process, interrupting the printing process, and asking a user whether to continue the printing process.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a job acquisition unit configured to acquire the print job from the print management server when it is determined that the printing device satisfies the completion condition.

4. The behavior setting is further encoded in the two-dimensional code, The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting acquisition means acquires the behavior setting from the two-dimensional code.

5. The printing device further includes a storage unit that stores the behavior setting. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting acquisition means acquires the behavior setting from the storage means.

6. A first behavior setting is further encoded in the two-dimensional code, The printing device further includes a storage unit that stores a second behavior setting. The setting acquisition means acquires one of the first behavior setting and the second behavior setting in accordance with the setting, The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the execution means executes a behavior defined in the first behavior setting or the second behavior setting acquired by the setting acquisition means when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition.

7. The completion condition is: A condition regarding the amount of consumables required to complete the printing process; and and a condition related to a function required to complete the printing process.

8. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the execution means interrupts the printing process if an error occurs in the printing device when the reading means reads the two-dimensional code.

9. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising: a reading step in which a reading means reads a two-dimensional code in which a completion condition to be satisfied by the printing device in order to complete a print process according to a print job stored in a print management server and an identifier of the print job are encoded; a setting acquisition step in which a setting acquisition means acquires a behavior setting that specifies a behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition; an execution step of executing a behavior defined in the behavior setting by an execution means when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy the completion condition.

10. 1. A mobile device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring from a user a designation of print data to be printed, a designation of print settings in the print processing, and a designation of behavior settings that stipulates the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a transmission means for transmitting a code issuing request including the print data, the print settings, and the behavior settings to a print management server; a receiving means for receiving, as a response to the code issuing request, from the print management server, a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the print processing are encoded; A portable device comprising: a display means for displaying the two-dimensional code.

11. the display means further displays a dialogue in response to a request from the print management server or the printing device; The mobile device according to claim 10 , wherein the dialog is capable of obtaining from the user an instruction to continue the printing process and an instruction to cancel the printing process.

12. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein the dialog includes a reason why the printing device did not meet the completion condition.

13. The portable device according to claim 10 , wherein the display unit displays a screen including the two-dimensional code and information indicating whether a printing apparatus connectable to the portable device satisfies the completion condition.

14. A method for controlling a mobile device, comprising: an acquisition step in which an acquisition means acquires from a user a designation of print data to be printed, a designation of print settings in the print processing, and a designation of behavior settings that stipulate a behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a sending step of sending a code issuing request including the print data, the print settings, and the behavior settings to a print management server by a sending means; a receiving step of receiving, from the print management server, a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the print processing are encoded, as a response to the code issuance request by a receiving means; A control method comprising: a display step in which a display means displays the two-dimensional code.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the portable device according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

16. A print management server comprising: a receiving means for receiving from a portable device a code issuance request including print data to be printed, print settings for the print processing, and behavior settings that specify the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a generating means for generating a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the printing process are encoded; A printing management server comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting the two-dimensional code to the portable device.

17. The behavior setting is a first behavior setting, The print management server includes: A storage means for storing a second behavior setting; The print management server according to claim 16 , further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the printing device should execute a behavior defined in the first behavior setting or the second behavior setting.

18. A method for controlling a print management server, comprising: a receiving step in which a receiving means receives from a portable device a code issuance request including print data to be printed, print settings for the print processing, and behavior settings that specify the behavior of the printing device when it is determined that the printing device does not satisfy a completion condition that should be satisfied in order to complete the print processing; a generating step of generating a two-dimensional code in which the completion condition and an identifier of a print job related to the printing process are encoded by a generating means; A control method comprising: a transmitting step in which a transmitting means transmits the two-dimensional code to the mobile device.

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