Print system and method

Abstract

To register image forming apparatuses not compatible to each other, and manage information indicating a state of usage of the apparatuses.SOLUTION: A print system of the present invention manages data uploaded as an object to be printed, and when a user who has logged in the print system selects a device incapable of printing data downloaded directly from the print system as a device to perform printing, provides a screen for downloading a file of the object to be printed. The print system performs control so that the download of the file is permitted according to the user's confirmation related to print settings on the screen, and after the download of the file, stores user information on the user, information on the selected device, and the number of pages according to the print settings of the downloaded file, as printing results related to the file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system and method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exists a management system that collects device management information, such as the number of printed sheets, from an image forming apparatus, such as a multifunction machine capable of copying, printing, etc., via a network, and displays the information on a screen. The management system aims to present the device management information to an administrator of the image forming apparatus, for example, and can display a plurality of image forming apparatuses or a plurality of device management information in an aggregate on one screen. In such a management system, history information of jobs, such as copying and printing, executed by the image forming apparatus is displayed as device management information.

[0003] It is also being considered to automatically process expense settlement for users based on the number of pages printed on a device used for telecommuting, based on the history information in the management system. For example, in Patent Document 1, an image forming device collects usage data on the user's usage and sends it to a server, and when the user needs to confirm their consent to the collection of usage data, the device pauses printing and displays a consent confirmation screen. By sending usage data on the user's usage from the image forming device to the server, it is possible to reflect this in the number of pages printed and other data displayed on the server (management system). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-172042 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned management system, it is necessary to register an image forming device in the management system in order to manage it. Since the image forming device must be compatible with the registration method provided by the management system to register the image forming device, if the management system and the image forming device are not from the same vendor, the image forming device cannot be registered. Therefore, if printing is performed using an image forming device from a vendor other than the management system, information such as the number of printed pages cannot be obtained, and expense settlement cannot be performed automatically.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional examples, and has an object to provide a print system that can register incompatible image forming devices and manage information indicating their usage status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system, comprising: A management means for managing data uploaded as a print target; providing means for providing a screen for downloading a file to be printed when a device that cannot print data directly downloaded from the print system is selected as a device to perform printing by a user who has logged in to the print system; a control means for controlling the download of the file to be permitted in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding the print settings on the screen; and a storage unit for storing, after downloading the file, user information of the user, information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings as a print result related to the file. A printing system is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to register an incompatible image forming apparatus and manage information indicating its usage status. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Overall configuration diagram of the system according to the present invention [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] A block diagram showing an example of a software configuration according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for registering a new device in the present invention. [Diagram 5] An example of a UI for displaying a list of registered devices in the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a process for downloading a print file according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for setting recommended print settings in the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for downloading a print file according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for adding print settings according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for downloading a print file when there are multiple print settings in the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process for downloading a print file when there are multiple print settings according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI for displaying a list of unconfirmed jobs in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 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.

[0011] [First embodiment] First, a print system and a print management method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <System configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 101 has functions such as scanning, printing, copying, faxing, and transmission, and executes jobs in response to user operations. The image forming apparatus 101 may be a so-called digital multifunction peripheral. By setting the image forming apparatus 101 to register with a device management service 102, it becomes possible for the image forming apparatus 101 to periodically transmit its own device management information to the device management service 102. If the network is an intranet, the device management information may be transmitted in response to a request from the device management service 102.

[0012] In this embodiment, there are two types of image forming apparatuses 101. The first type is an image forming apparatus 101 that has a function (device registration function) of registering itself with the device management service 102. The first type of image forming apparatus not only has the device registration function, but is also compatible with the device management service 102 in terms of printing and its management. Therefore, the first type of image forming apparatus can directly communicate with the device management service 102 to obtain jobs, and can transmit job execution results to allow the device management service 102 to manage device information.

[0013] On the other hand, the second type of image forming apparatus is one in which the image forming apparatus 101 does not have a function of registering itself in the device management service 102. For example, the second type of image forming apparatus is not compatible with the device management service 102 at least in terms of job execution and management. More specifically, the second type of image forming apparatus does not support a common print protocol such as the format, messages, and procedures of print data. Therefore, even if a job can be downloaded from the device management service 102, it cannot be executed. Even if the execution result of the job is sent to the device management service 102, it is not reflected in the device information, and the device management service 102 cannot manage the device information. Therefore, for the second type of image forming apparatus, the device management service 102 passes data to be printed to a client terminal 103 that is compatible with the second type of image forming apparatus. Then, the client terminal 103 sends a print job based on the data to be printed to the second type of image forming apparatus 101 to execute the print job. The device information is also managed by a user from a terminal device or the like.

[0014] For example, when a vendor of an image forming device provides the device management service 102, it is considered that the device management service 102 is designed to be compatible with the image forming device of that vendor, even with regard to the parts unique to the vendor. This corresponds to a first type of image forming device. In contrast, for image forming devices of a different vendor, compatibility with the device management service 102 is not guaranteed, especially with regard to the parts (or protocols) unique to the vendor. Such a device corresponds to a second type of image forming device.

[0015] In the following description, the first type of image forming device may be referred to as an image forming device having a device registration function. Alternatively, the first type of image forming device may be referred to as a supported image forming device because it supports a print protocol common (compatible) with the device management service 102. In contrast, the second type of image forming device may be referred to as an image forming device not having a device registration function. Alternatively, the second type of image forming device may be referred to as an incompletely supported image forming device because it does not support a print protocol common (compatible) with the device management service 102. Furthermore, the image forming device may be referred to as a device.

[0016] The device management service 102 has functions for managing the image forming apparatus 101, such as managing users, managing jobs, and managing devices. In device management, device management information is collected from the image forming apparatus 101, and a user interface is provided for an administrator who manages the image forming apparatus to manage one or more image forming apparatuses 101. The device management information includes job history information executed by the image forming apparatus 101. The device management service 102 is a service provided by an information processing apparatus called a server, but in this embodiment, the device management service 102 is considered to be a virtual server independent of the physical server configuration and is referred to as if it were a physical object. In other words, the device management service 102 in this embodiment encompasses not only the services provided, but also the hardware and software resources that provide the services.

[0017] The job history information includes, for example, device information such as the serial number of the image forming device that executed the job, and job information such as the name of the job that was executed and the date and time of execution.

[0018] The client terminal 103 is a terminal used when accessing the device management service 102 via a web browser. An administrator can refer to a user interface provided by the device management service 102 for managing the image forming apparatus 101 via the web browser.

[0019] The above components are communicatively connected via a network 100. The network is, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM, or a communication network realized by a combination of these. The network may be any network capable of transmitting and receiving data. The device management system 102 of this embodiment manages device information and the like of the devices to be managed. In addition, the device management system 102 has a reservation printing function that downloads a print job uploaded to the device management system 102 to the device upon request. For this reason, the device management system 102 is sometimes called a print system.

[0020] Although one device is described in this embodiment, a plurality of devices may be connected to the network 100 .

[0021] <Hardware configuration> Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101, the device management service 102, and the client terminal 103 shown in Fig. 1. The hardware configuration of a general information processing apparatus can be applied to the PC and the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

[0022] The CPU 201 performs overall control of each piece of hardware, controls each unit connected to the bus 200, and executes each function, such as printing and scanning. The ROM 202 is a memory dedicated to reading data, and stores, for example, a basic control program for the image forming apparatus. The RAM 203 is a memory from / to which data can be read / written, and is used as, for example, a working memory or program memory for the CPU 201. The storage device 204 is used as a storage area for temporary data during the execution of each program and for permanent data. For example, the storage device 204 is often a HDD, but it may also be a device that can read / write data by loading external media such as an SSD, CD, DVD, or memory card.

[0023] The communication device 205 connects the image forming apparatus 101, the device management service 102, and the client terminal 103 via a LAN or the Internet, enabling data communication between the apparatuses using TCP / IP. The CPU 201 of the device management service 102 receives device management information from the image forming apparatus 101 via the communication device 205.

[0024] The input device 206 is an operation unit for accepting input operations of characters and data by a user. For example, it is a keyboard, a mouse, a hard key, or a touch panel. The display device 207 is a device for displaying various screens, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. The user gives instructions via the input device 206 on a user interface screen displayed on the display device 207.

[0025] In addition, a scanner device 208 and a printer device 209 are connected to the bus 200 of the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0026] The device management service 102 is constructed using the hardware resources of one or more information processing devices, and is constructed using a virtual CPU, a virtual ROM, a virtual RAM, a virtual storage device, a virtual communication device, etc. The device management service 102 is realized by so-called cloud computing technology. Note that the device management service 102 may be realized on one server device.

[0027] <Device software configuration> Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the device management service 102 in embodiment 1. The software configuration shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 201 reading, for example, a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. The device management service 102 described here is a service provided to companies and groups that use this service, and the unit of provision is called a tenant.

[0028] The user management unit 301 manages users who use the device management service 102 on a tenant-by-tenant basis. The administrator registers users who wish to use the device management service 102 in the tenant. The registered users can use the functions provided by the device management service 102.

[0029] The device management unit 302 manages devices that use the device management service 102 on a tenant-by-tenant basis. A user or administrator registers devices that the user or administrator wishes to manage with the device management service 102 to a tenant. The user or administrator can use functions provided by the device management service 102 from the registered devices. The devices to be managed include, for example, a first type of image forming device that is compatible with the device management service 102. In addition, in this embodiment, a second type of image forming device that is not compatible with the device management service 102 can also be managed.

[0030] A job management unit 303 manages job history information acquired from the image forming apparatus 101. The job history information indicates the user who executed the job, the execution date and time, the job name, and in the case of a scan job or print job, the number of pages scanned or the number of pages to be printed. The administrator can check the history of jobs executed by users.

[0031] The setting management unit 304 manages the setting values ​​of the functions provided by the device management service 102 .

[0032] The UI control unit 305 controls the screens displayed on the web browser for the UI and UI operations required for the functions provided by the device management service 102 .

[0033] A communication unit 306 controls the overall communication process for connecting to the device management service 102. Specifically, communication for collecting device management information from the image forming apparatus 101 registered in the device management unit 302 is performed via the communication unit 306.

[0034] <Device registration screen> A device (image forming apparatus) having a device registration function can register itself in the device management service 102 from its operation unit, or by remote operation using a web server provided in the image forming apparatus and a web browser on a terminal device. With the device registration function of the image forming apparatus, information related to the device, such as the device name, user, and place of use, is registered in the device management service 102.

[0035] On the other hand, when registering an image forming apparatus 101 that does not have a device registration function for the device management service 102, the device registration is performed using a device registration screen provided by the device management service 102 in a web browser of the client terminal 103. When registering a device, a user first logs in to the device management service 102, and the logged-in user operates the device to register the device. FIG. 4 shows an example of the UI of the device registration screen provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102.

[0036] The new device registration screen 400 is a screen for registering the image forming apparatus 101 that does not have a device registration function in the device management service 102. The device name 401 is a name for identifying the image forming apparatus 101 to be registered. The usage location 402 is a location where the image forming apparatus 101 to be registered is used, and can be selected from, for example, "office," "home," and "satellite." The serial number 403 is an identifier for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus 101. The registration button 404 can be pressed in a state where the required items (the device name and the usage location in the example of FIG. 4) have been entered. When the user presses the registration button 404, the image forming apparatus 101 can be made a device management target of the management system 102. The required items are, for example, the minimum required items such as the device name 401 and the usage location 402.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an example of a UI of a device management screen provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. As shown in FIG.

[0038] The device management screen 500 is a screen for displaying a list of image forming apparatuses 101 registered in the device management service 102. The device management screen 500 displays information about the registered image forming apparatuses 101. The information about the image forming apparatuses 101 includes, for example, a device name 501, a user 502, a place of use 503, a serial number 504, support 505, a total number of output pages 506, a number of color pages 507, a number of black and white pages 508, and a total amount 509. The device name 501 is a name (identification information) for identifying the image forming apparatus 101. The user 502 is a user name (user information) of a user who has used the registered image forming apparatus 101, and is added by using the image forming apparatus 101 to execute printing or the like. The place of use 503 is a place where the image forming apparatus 101 is used, and for example, "office," "home," or "satellite" is displayed. The serial number 504 is an identifier for uniquely identifying the image forming apparatus 101.

[0039] Support 505 indicates whether the device management service 102 supports the registered image forming device 101. When device registration is performed with an image forming device 101 having a device registration function, the device is supported. Therefore, the device management service 102 registers that the device is supported as support information for such an image forming device 101. On the device management screen, a symbol indicating that such a device is supported, for example, "◯", is displayed in Support 505. When a second type of image forming device 101 not having a device registration function is registered from the new device registration screen 400, the image forming device to be registered is not fully supported. Therefore, the device management service 102 registers that the device is not fully supported in Support 505 for such an image forming device 101. On the device management screen, a symbol indicating that such a device is not fully supported, for example, "△", is displayed. For the device name 501, the location of use 503, the serial number 504, and the support 505, the values ​​set at the time of device registration are displayed. When the registration is changed, the changed values ​​may be displayed. It can be said that the support 505 indicates whether the image forming apparatus is of a first type (corresponding to a circle) or a second type (corresponding to a triangle).

[0040] The total number of output pages 506 is the number of pages output by the image forming apparatus 101, and the total of the number of color pages 507 and the number of black-and-white pages 508 is displayed. The number of color pages 507 is the number of pages output by the image forming apparatus 101 that have been color-output, and the value is displayed. The number of black-and-white pages 508 is the number of pages output by the image forming apparatus 101 that have been black-and-white output, and the value is displayed. The total amount 509 is the total of expenses according to the output, and the value is displayed. For example, the amount (unit price) per page can be set uniformly or for each device depending on the settings at the time of printing, and the total amount is calculated from the set amount and the number of output pages, and is displayed as the total amount 509. Note that, when the number of pages and the total amount for each user displayed on this device management screen are used for settlement, it is necessary to initialize the number of pages and the total amount for the user at the timing of settlement. Alternatively, a value for settlement may be held separately from the accumulated cumulative value, and the value may be accumulated in the same way, and only the value for settlement may be initialized each time settlement is made.

[0041] The number of pages printed by the image forming apparatus 101, such as the number of black and white pages or the number of color pages, may be included in the job execution result sent to the device management service 102 after the job is completed, for example, if the image forming apparatus 101 is a supported first type. The device management service 102 adds the number of printed pages included in the received execution result to the number of printed pages of the sending device. In this way, the device information of supported image forming apparatuses can be updated and saved. The same may be done for the billing amount.

[0042] On the other hand, for a second type of image forming device 101 that is not fully supported, the device management service 102 may not be able to acquire information such as the number of pages printed by the device. Therefore, for an image forming device 101 that is not fully supported, the device information is updated based on print data downloaded from the device management service 102.

[0043] <Reserved printing flow> When performing reservation printing, the file to be printed is uploaded from the client terminal 103 to the device management service 102. More specifically, a user accesses the device management service 102 from a web browser on the client terminal 103 and logs in. The logged-in user then operates the device management service 102 to upload the file, i.e., the data to be printed. Downloading is also performed by the logged-in user.

[0044] If the image forming apparatus 101 has a function for device registration in the device management service 102, it is possible to select a file uploaded to the device management service 102 from the image forming apparatus 101, and to execute reservation printing. If the image forming apparatus 101 does not have a function for device registration in the management service 102, it is not possible to check the file uploaded to the device management service 102 from the image forming apparatus 101. Therefore, the user needs to access the device management service 102 from the client terminal 103 and obtain the file to be printed. The document downloaded to the client terminal 103 can be sent to the image forming apparatus 101, particularly to a second type of image forming apparatus that cannot download files from the device management service 102, and printed. For example, if the client terminal 103 and the image forming apparatus 101 support a common printing protocol and are compatible, such printing can be performed. Note that by creating the document data (file) to be uploaded and printed in a device-independent format such as PDF, the image forming apparatus 101 can print the document downloaded from the device management service 102 to the client terminal 103.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows a flow of downloading a file (document data) to be printed to the client terminal 103 when reservation printing is performed on the image forming apparatus 101 that does not have a function for device registration in the device management service 102. The process in Fig. 6 may be executed, for example, when a user logs into the device management service 102 on the client terminal 103 and selects a download tab for displaying the download screen shown in Fig. 8 from a provided UI. The procedure in Fig. 6 is executed by the device management service 102 as software and by the CPU 201 as hardware.

[0046] In step S601, a list of devices (that is, device information of each device) managed by the device management unit 302 of the device management service 102 is acquired.

[0047] In step S602, the device management service 102 determines whether unconfirmed device information remains in the device list acquired in step S601. If unconfirmed device information remains, one of the unconfirmed devices is selected as the subject of confirmation, and the process proceeds to step S603. If there is no unconfirmed device information, the process proceeds to step S605.

[0048] In step S603, the device management service 102 checks the value of the support 505 in the device information acquired in step S602. If the support 505 is "◯", the process proceeds to step S602. If the support 505 is "Δ", the process proceeds to step S604.

[0049] In step S604, the device information acquired in step S602 is added to the unsupported device list stored in the RAM 203 by the device management service 102. If the unsupported device list does not exist in the RAM 203, an unsupported device list is created. The unsupported device list may be created in the storage device 204, and additions and deletions may be made when the device management service 102 registers or deletes a device.

[0050] Note that steps S601 to S604 may be executed in response to registration or deletion of a device in the device management service 102. In that case, the process may be executed from step S605 in response to selection of the download tab.

[0051] In step S605, the device management service 102 checks the unsupported device list stored in the RAM 203. If there is no unsupported device list or if device information is not stored in the unsupported device list, the process proceeds to step S612. If device information has been added to the unsupported device list, the download screen of FIG. 8 is displayed and the process proceeds to step S606. Note that "display" in the process of the device management service 102 means that the device management service 102 provides a UI screen on the web browser of the client terminal 103. The same applies to other screens provided by the device management service 102.

[0052] FIG. 8 is an example of a UI of a download screen provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. On the initial screen 800 of the download screen, a file to be downloaded and a device to be used to print the downloaded file are specified. A device selection field 801 is a control for selecting a device to be used to print the downloaded file. By expanding the drop-down of the device selection field 801, a list of device names of devices included in the unsupported device list stored in the RAM 203 is displayed. A file selection field 802 is a control for selecting a file to be downloaded. By expanding the drop-down of the file selection field 802, a list of files uploaded to the device management service 102 is displayed. By specifying the device selection field 801 and the file selection field 802 and pressing the next button 803, the screen transitions to the next download screen 810.

[0053] In step S606, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the device selection field 801 has been selected when the Next button 803 is pressed. If a selection has been made, the process proceeds to step S607. If a selection has not been made, the process proceeds to step S606, and no transition from the initial download screen 800 to the download screen 810 is made.

[0054] In step S607, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the file selection field 802 has been selected when the Next button 803 is pressed. If a file has been selected, the process proceeds to step S608, and a transition from the initial download screen 800 to the download screen 810 is performed. If a file has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S607, and a transition from the initial download screen 800 to the download screen 810 is not performed.

[0055] In the download screen 810 of FIG. 8, the file 802 selected in the initial screen 800 of the download screen can be downloaded. In the print method display section 811, the file name selected in the file selection section 802 of the initial screen 800 of the download screen and the device name selected in the device selection section 801 are displayed. In the print range 812, the pages to be printed can be selected from "Print all pages" or "Print user-defined range". In the print page 813, input is possible when "Print user-defined range" is specified in the print range 812, and the pages to be printed can be specified. Input can be specified as "1", "1-3", and "1,3", which are input examples for printing the first page, pages 1 to 3, and pages 1 and 3, respectively. In the print range 812, the pages can be specified by one or more page numbers, or a range of one or more pages, or a combination of these.

[0056] The confirmation item display area 814 displays items that require attention when printing. For example, it displays the contents of the recommended print settings (FIG. 7) described later and instructions on how to handle downloaded files, such as "Please delete the downloaded file after printing." After checking each item, the user can press the download button 815 by checking the checkbox. In other words, downloading is permitted. Pressing the download button 815 allows the file selected in the file selection field 802 to be downloaded to the client terminal 103.

[0057] 7 is an example of a UI for recommended print settings provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. The recommended print settings are print settings recommended when printing a file downloaded from the download screen 810. When the file is downloaded, the number of pages to be printed and the cost when the downloaded file is printed with the recommended print settings are added to the number of pages 506 to 508 and the total cost 509. On the recommended print settings screen 700, for example, an output paper size 701, a page layout 702, single-sided / double-sided / binding 703, and a color mode 704 can be specified. After setting the recommended print settings, pressing an OK button 705 updates the recommended print settings managed by the setting management unit 304 of the device management service 102.

[0058] In step S608, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the download button 815 has been pressed. If the download button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S608. If the download button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S609.

[0059] In step S609, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 checks the print range specified in the print range 812. If "Print all pages" is selected, the process proceeds to step S611. If "Print user-defined range" is selected, the process proceeds to step S610.

[0060] In step S610, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 checks the print pages specified in the print page 813, creates a file of only the specified pages from the file selected in the file selection field 802, and saves it in the storage device 204.

[0061] In step S611, the device management service 102 transmits a file to the client terminal 103 via the communication unit 306, and updates the device information managed by the device management unit 302. As a result, the device information, particularly the information related to the print result such as the number of pages and the amount, is updated by the information corresponding to the job history of the first type of image forming device. The file to be transmitted to the client terminal 103 is the file of only the selected pages stored in the storage device 204 in step S610 if the pages have been specified, and is the file selected in the file selection field 802 if all pages have been specified. After the file is transmitted, the file of only the selected pages is deleted. At this time, the file selected in the file selection field 802 may be deleted, or it may be possible to select whether to delete or leave it. After the file is transmitted, the total number of output pages 506, the number of color pages 507, the number of black and white pages 508, and the total amount 509 are calculated when the transmitted file is printed using the recommended print settings managed by the setting management unit 304. The device management service 102 reflects the calculated number of pages and amount in the device information of the device selected in the device selection field 801 managed by the device management unit 302, and ends the process. Also, if the logged-in user at the time of downloading is not registered as user 502 in the device information, the user ID is additionally registered as user 502.

[0062] In step S612, a message (not shown) to the effect that "There are no unsupported devices. Please print from a supported device" is displayed on the download screen, and the process ends.

[0063] 6, the device management service 102 provides the download screen 810, which enables the user to download a file stored in the device management service 102 to the client terminal 103. In addition, the device information managed by the device management unit 302 of the device management service 102 is also updated.

[0064] For example, a document downloaded from a client terminal 103 compatible with the print processing can be sent to the image forming device 101 selected on the download screen to be printed. In such a case, the above-described procedure and configuration allow the device management service 102 to manage the device information of the image forming device 101. In this way, it becomes possible for the device management service 102 to manage the device information of the image forming device 101 that does not have a device registration function and cannot print document data uploaded to the device management service 102.

[0065] The device information may be collected and reported, for example, by a report function provided by the device management service 102 or an application having a report function. With the report function, for example, reports on the number of printed pages and the amount of money by user, device, or location of use can be created and reported to the user via the client terminal 103 or the like.

[0066] Identification information of the selected device may be added to the document data downloaded from the device management service 102 to the client terminal 103. The client terminal 103 may specify an image forming apparatus having the added identification information as the image forming apparatus that will print the document data.

[0067] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the number of pages and the total amount are updated on the assumption that printing will be performed using the print settings set on the recommended settings screen 700. However, if printing is desired using settings other than the recommended print settings, it is possible to print using different settings, but these settings will not be correctly reflected in the device information managed by the device management unit 302 of the device management service 102. As a result, the correct amount may not be received when automatic settlement is performed. In the second embodiment, an example of a method in which an administrator adds print settings for each user will be described. Note that configurations and processes that are not specifically stated are all the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0068] <Print setting addition screen> FIG. 9 is an example of a UI for adding print settings provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. In the print setting addition screen 900, a user or a group can be selected as the target for adding print settings with a radio button 901. A search button 902 can be pressed to search for the target selected with the radio button 901 (not shown). When a user is selected with the radio button 901, print settings can be added to a specified user from among users found by the search. When a group is selected with the radio button 901, print settings can be added to all users belonging to a specified group from among groups found by the search. In the print setting addition screen 900, for example, an output paper size 903, a page layout 904, single-sided / double-sided / bookbinding 905, and a color mode 906 can be specified. After setting the print settings to be added, an OK button 907 is pressed to add (or set) the print settings for each user to a specified user from among users managed by the setting management unit 304 of the device management service 102. The additional print settings are print settings that are added to the recommended print settings described in the first embodiment, and either one can be selected to be applied at the time of downloading.

[0069] FIG. 10 is an example of the UI of the download screen when print settings are added from the print setting addition screen 900 provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. The print method display unit 1001 displays the file name selected in the file selection field 802 of the initial screen 800 of the download screen and the device name selected in the device selection field 801. In the print range 1002, the pages to be printed can be selected from "print all pages" or "print the range of user settings". In the print page 1003, input is possible when "print the range of user settings" is specified in the print range 1002, and the pages to be printed can be specified. Input can be specified as "1", "1-3", and "1,3", which are input examples when printing the first page, pages 1 to 3, and pages 1 and 3, respectively. Page specification can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0070] In the print settings 1004, the recommended print settings and the print settings added in the print setting addition screen 900 are displayed, and by pressing a radio button, it is possible to specify which print settings to use for printing. The ON / OFF of the radio buttons may be, for example, stored in the storage device 204 as the designation at the time of the previous download, and the previous selection state may be maintained. In the confirmation item display section 1005, items to be noted when printing are displayed. For example, the contents of the selected print settings 1004 and the handling of downloaded files, such as "Please delete the downloaded file after printing," are described. At this time, the contents displayed in the print settings are updated every time the radio button of the print settings 1004 is operated. By checking each item and checking the check box, it is possible to press the download button 1006. By pressing the download button 1006, the file selected in the file selection field 802 can be downloaded to the client terminal 103. If a print setting added in the print setting 1004 is specified when the download button is pressed, the number of pages printed and the cost when printing with the added print setting are added to the device information of the selected device managed by the setting management unit 304.

[0071] 9 and 10, the device management service 102 provides a screen for selecting print settings when adding and downloading print settings. This allows users to select print settings other than the recommended printing settings and print. Furthermore, the user can correctly update device information even if they print using settings other than the recommended settings.

[0072] In this embodiment, one of two sets of print settings can be selected, but one of two or more sets of print settings may be selected.

[0073] [Third embodiment] In the second embodiment, the administrator adds print settings on the print setting addition screen 900, and the user can select the added print settings in the print settings 1004. However, if the added print settings cost more to print than the recommended print settings, and the user specifies the added print settings but actually prints with the recommended print settings, the user will end up paying more than the original amount at the time of settlement. In the third embodiment, an example of a method will be described in which the user executes printing with the correct print settings and then reflects them in the device information managed by the device management unit 302 of the device management service 102. Note that configurations and processes that are not specifically stated are all the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0074] FIG. 11 shows a flow for a user who can select multiple print settings to obtain a file to be printed in the case where the image forming apparatus 101 does not have a function for device registration in the management service 102 in reservation printing.

[0075] In step S1101, a list of devices managed by the device management unit 302 of the device management service 102 is acquired.

[0076] In step S1102, the device management service 102 determines whether unconfirmed device information remains in the device list acquired in step S1101. If unconfirmed device information remains, one of the unconfirmed devices is selected as the subject of confirmation, and the process proceeds to step S1103. If there is no unconfirmed device information, the process proceeds to step S1105.

[0077] In step S1103, the device management service 102 checks the value of the support 505 in the device information acquired in step S1102. If the support 505 is "◯", the process proceeds to step S1102. If the support 505 is "Δ", the process proceeds to step S1104.

[0078] In step S1104, the device information acquired in step S1102 is added to the unsupported device list stored in the RAM 203 by the device management service 102. If the unsupported device list does not exist in the RAM 203, a new unsupported device list is created. The unsupported device list may be created in the storage device 204, and added or deleted when the device management service 102 registers or deletes a device.

[0079] In step S1105, the device management service 102 checks the unsupported device list stored in the RAM 203. If the unsupported device list does not exist or if device information has not been added to the unsupported device list, the process proceeds to step S1114. If device information has been added to the unsupported device list, the process proceeds to step S1106.

[0080] In step S1106, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the device selection field 801 has been selected when the Next button 803 is pressed. If a selection has been made, the process proceeds to step S1107. If a selection has not been made, the process proceeds to step S1106, and no transition from the initial download screen 800 to the download screen 810 or the download screen 1000 is made.

[0081] In step S1107, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the file selection field 802 has been selected when the next button 803 is pressed. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S1108, and a transition from the initial screen 800 of the download screen to the download screen 810 or the download screen 1000 is performed. At this time, if print settings other than the recommended print settings have been added to the setting management unit 304, a transition to the download screen 1000 is performed, and if not, a transition to the download screen 810 is performed. If the file selection field 802 has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S1107, and a transition from the initial screen 800 of the download screen to the download screen 810 or the download screen 1000 is not performed.

[0082] In step S1108, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 determines whether the download button 815 or the download button 1006 has been pressed. If the download button has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1108. If the download button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1109.

[0083] In step S1109, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 checks the print range specified in the print range 812 or the print range 1002. If "Print all pages" is selected, the process proceeds to step S1111. If "Print user-defined range" is selected, the process proceeds to step S1110.

[0084] In step S1110, the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102 checks the print page 813 or the print page specified in the print page 1003. Then, a file containing only the specified pages is created from the file selected in the file selection field 802, and saved in the storage device 204.

[0085] In step S1111, the device management service 102 determines whether any print settings other than the recommended print settings have been added to the setting management unit 304. If print settings have been added, the process proceeds to step S1113. If print settings have not been added, the process proceeds to step S1112.

[0086] In step S1112, the device management service 102 transmits a file to the client terminal 103 via the communication unit 306, and updates the device information managed by the device management unit 302. If a page is specified, the file to be transmitted to the client terminal 103 is the file of only the selected page stored in the storage device 204 in step S1110. If all pages are specified, the file is the file selected in the file selection field 802. After the file is transmitted, the file of only the selected page is deleted. At this time, the file selected in the file selection field 802 may be deleted, or the user may be allowed to select whether to delete or leave the file. After transmitting the file, the total number of output pages 506, the number of color pages 507, the number of black and white pages 508, and the total amount 509 are calculated when the transmitted file is printed using the recommended print settings managed by the setting management unit 304 or the print settings selected in the print settings 1004. The device management service 102 reflects the calculated number of pages and amount in the device information of the device selected in the device selection field 801 managed by the device management unit 302, and ends the process.

[0087] In step 1113, the device management service 102 transmits the file to the client terminal 103 via the communication unit 306, stores the file in the storage device 204 as an unconfirmed job, and ends the process. Unconfirmed jobs can be confirmed on an unconfirmed list screen (FIG. 12), which will be described later. An unconfirmed job includes, for example, the downloaded file and information such as the file name, download date and time, print settings 1004, and number of pages. At this time, the device information managed by the device management unit 302 is not updated, and is updated when the print execution is confirmed from the unconfirmed list screen.

[0088] In step S1114, a message (not shown) to the effect that "There are no unsupported devices. Please print from a supported device" is displayed on the download screen, and the process ends.

[0089] FIG. 12 is an example of a UI that displays a list of unconfirmed jobs added in step S1113, which is provided by the UI control unit 305 of the device management service 102. The unconfirmed list screen 1200 displays a list of unconfirmed jobs added in step S1113, and displays a file name 1201, download date and time 1202, print settings 1203, and number of pages 1204 of the unconfirmed jobs. The print settings 1203 display the contents of the print settings selected in the print settings 1004 of the download screen 1000. The number of pages 1204 displays the number of pages specified in the print pages 1003 of the download screen 1000. By selecting an unconfirmed job on the unconfirmed list screen 1200 and pressing an OK button 1205, a file upload screen (not shown) is displayed. In addition, the file selected when the OK button 1205 is pressed is compared with the file to be uploaded in response to the subsequent upload operation. If the device ID of the device on which each document should be printed is also saved for each document in S1113, the image forming device on which the document should be output can also be specified.

[0090] The user prints the image with the print settings specified at the time of downloading, scans the output printout with the image forming apparatus 101, and uploads the scanned file from the upload screen. For example, the image data file scanned with the image forming apparatus 101 may be once sent to the client terminal 103 and uploaded from the client terminal 103. The device management service 102 compares the page layout of the image included in the uploaded scanned image file with the layout when the downloaded file is printed with the print settings specified. The print settings to be compared may include color in addition to the layout (including size). In order to identify the page layout from the scanned file, the pixel density when scanning the image to be uploaded may be determined in advance. Even if the uploaded scanned image is a color image, it is not immediately determined that the print settings are color, and it may be determined whether the print settings of the printed material that was the source of the scanned image are black and white or color based on the colors included in the image. For example, if the maximum color difference from the luminance axis is within a predetermined value, it may be determined that the image was printed in black and white.

[0091] If it is determined that these are the same (i.e., match), it is determined that printing was performed with the settings specified in the device management system 102. In this case, the device information (total output page count 506, color page count 507, black and white page count 508, total amount 509) of the device selected in the device selection field 801 managed by the device management unit 302 is reflected. The device to which the device information is reflected can be specified based on the device ID saved in S1113.

[0092] If the print settings are not determined to be the same, the device information is not reflected and the process ends. In other words, if the layout of the output is not determined to be the same as the layout set in the job, the job is excluded from billing. If the layout is not determined to be the same, the user may be allowed to choose whether to upload the file again or to exclude the job from billing.

[0093] 11 and 12, when multiple print settings can be selected, the device management service 102 acquires a scanned image of the print image and confirms that it was printed with the specified print settings. This makes it possible to prevent paying more for printing than necessary.

[0094] Although it is not necessary to save the download date and time in order to identify the layout, it is easier to identify the file if the download date and time can be identified, so the download date and time is saved for the UI in step S1113. Therefore, other information may be saved as an unconfirmed list to help the user identify the file, in which case it is not necessary to save the download date and time.

[0095] [Other Examples] 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.

[0096] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) 1. A printing system comprising: A management means for managing data uploaded as a print target; providing means for providing a screen for downloading a file to be printed when a device that cannot print data directly downloaded from the print system is selected as a device to perform printing by a user who has logged in to the print system; a control means for controlling the download of the file to be permitted in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding the print settings on the screen; and a storage unit for storing, after downloading the file, user information of the user, information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings as a print result related to the file. A printing system comprising: (Item 2) Item 1, a printing system comprising: The accumulated print results are reflected in the compilation of the print result report. A printing system comprising: (Item 3) Item 1 or 2, a printing system according to the present invention, The storage means stores, for each device, user information of a user who was logged in when the file was downloaded and a location where the device was used, and stores the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings. A printing system comprising: (Item 4) Item 3. The printing system according to item 3, The storage means further stores a fee for printing the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings. A printing system comprising: (Item 5) A printing system according to any one of items 1 to 4, On this screen, you can select one of several print settings. the control means controls to permit downloading of the file in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding the selected print settings; After downloading the file, the storage means stores the user information of the user, the information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the selected print setting as a print result related to the file. A printing system comprising: (Item 6) Item 5. The printing system according to item 5, When one of the multiple print settings is selected, Upon downloading the file, save the downloaded file and the selected print settings; It is determined whether the layout of the uploaded scanned image matches the layout of the image printed using the print settings selected from the print settings of the saved file, and if it is determined that they match, the storage means stores the print result. A printing system comprising: (Item 7) 7. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The number of pages stored by the storage means includes the number of color pages, the number of black and white pages, and the total number of output pages. A printing system comprising: (Item 8) A print management method for a print system having a management means, a providing means, a control means, and a storage means, comprising: The management means manages data uploaded as a print target, the providing means provides a screen for downloading a file to be printed when a device that cannot print data directly downloaded from the print system is selected as a device to perform printing by a user who has logged in to the print system; the control means controls so that downloading of the file is permitted in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding print settings on the screen; After downloading the file, the storage means stores the user information of the user, the information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings as a print result related to the file. A print management method comprising:

[0097] The present 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. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 101 Image forming apparatus, 102 Device management service, 103 Client terminal

Claims

1. 1. A printing system comprising: A management means for managing data uploaded as a print target; providing means for providing a screen for downloading a file to be printed when a device that cannot print data directly downloaded from the print system is selected as a device to perform printing by a user who has logged in to the print system; a control means for controlling the download of the file to be permitted in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding the print settings on the screen; and a storage unit for storing, after downloading the file, user information of the user, information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings as a print result related to the file. A printing system comprising:

2. 2. The printing system of claim 1, The accumulated print results are reflected in the compilation of the print result report. A printing system comprising:

3. 2. The printing system of claim 1, The storage means stores, for each device, user information of a user who was logged in when the file was downloaded and a location where the device was used, and stores the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings. A printing system comprising:

4. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, The storage means further stores a fee for printing the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings. A printing system comprising:

5. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, On this screen, you can select one of several print settings. the control means controls to permit downloading of the file in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding the selected print settings; After downloading the file, the storage means stores the user information of the user, the information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the selected print setting as a print result related to the file. A printing system comprising:

6. 6. The printing system according to claim 5, When one of the multiple print settings is selected, Upon downloading the file, save the downloaded file and the selected print settings; It is determined whether the layout of the uploaded scanned image matches the layout of the image printed using the print settings selected from the print settings of the saved file, and if it is determined that they match, the storage means stores the print result. A printing system comprising:

7. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, The number of pages stored by the storage means includes the number of color pages, the number of black and white pages, and the total number of output pages. A printing system comprising:

8. A print management method for a print system having a management means, a providing means, a control means, and a storage means, comprising: The management means manages data uploaded as a print target, the providing means provides a screen for downloading a file to be printed when a device that cannot print data directly downloaded from the print system is selected as a device to perform printing by a user who has logged in to the print system; the control means controls so that downloading of the file is permitted in accordance with confirmation by the user regarding print settings on the screen; After downloading the file, the storage means stores the user information of the user, the information of the selected device, and the number of pages of the downloaded file according to the print settings as a print result related to the file. A print management method comprising:

Images