Integrated printing system, service linking device and print management device

Abstract

To provide an integrated printing system with increased user convenience.SOLUTION: An integrated printing system 1 includes a first print management server 100A, a second print management server 100B, and a service linking server 200. When receiving a print instruction designating job identification information, the second print management server 100B transmits the job identification information to the service linking server 200. The service linking server 200 includes a transfer control unit 255 configured to acquire issuance source information included in the job identification information received from the second print management server 100B and transfer, to the second print management server 100B, print data corresponding to the job identification information stored by the first print management server 100A indicated by the issuance source information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated printing system, a service cooperation device, and a print management device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system has been known in which a user registers print data to be printed in advance in a cloud, goes to a store, downloads the print data to a printing device installed in the store, and prints the data.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that includes a photographing device and downloads document data associated with biometric information that matches biometric information obtained from a facial image captured by the photographing device from a server. The image forming apparatus, which is installed in a store such as a convenience store, then executes printing based on the downloaded document data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-19208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if a user goes to a store to print the print data, if the device installed in the store and the server on which the print data is registered are operating as different systems, the user will not be able to download and print the print data registered on the server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a first print management device including a first receiving unit that receives print data, a first storage unit that stores the print data, a first issuing unit that issues job identification information corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information that indicates a print management device that has issued the job, a first sending unit that sends the job identification information to a user that has sent the print data and a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information, the service collaboration device including an information acquiring unit that acquires the job identification information from the first print management device and a management unit that manages the job identification information, and and a second print management device having a second acquisition unit that transmits the job identification information to a service collaboration device and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information, and a second print control unit that executes print processing based on the acquired print data, wherein the service collaboration device acquires the issuer information included in the job identification information received from the second print management device and has a transfer control unit that transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the first print management device indicated by the acquired issuer information to the second print management device.

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a service collaboration device that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a printing management device that stores printing data, job identification information that is identification information of a job corresponding to the printing data, the job identification information including issuer information that indicates the printing management device that is the issuer of the job; a third memory unit that stores the job identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit and identification information of the printing management device indicated by the issuer information; and a transfer control unit that acquires the issuer information included in the job identification information received from another printing management device, and transfers the printing data corresponding to the job identification information that is stored in the printing management device indicated by the acquired issuer information to the other printing management device.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a printing management device that includes a first receiving unit that receives printing data, a first storage unit that stores the printing data, a first issuing unit that issues job identification information that is identification information of a job corresponding to the printing data and includes issuer information that indicates the printing management device that issued the job, and that transmits the job identification information to a user that sent the printing data and a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information, and that, upon receiving the job identification information and a transfer request for printing data, transmits the printing data corresponding to the job identification information to another printing management device specified by the transfer request.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a printing management device that includes a second acquisition unit that, upon receiving a print instruction specifying job identification information that is identification information of a job corresponding to print data and includes issuer information indicating a printing management device that issued the job, queries a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information for the job identification information, and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the printing management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information, and a second print control unit that executes a print process based on the acquired print data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an integrated printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first print management server. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second print management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user management DB. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a service collaboration server. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server registration table. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a job setting DB. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first print management server. [Figure 9]10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the service collaboration server. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second print management server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [1. Integrated printing system configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an integrated printing system 1. As shown in FIG. The integrated printing system 1 includes multiple operation terminals 50, in-store devices 15 installed in multiple stores 10, 20, a first print management server 100A, a second print management server 100B, and a service collaboration server 200. The first print management server 100A corresponds to a first print management device and a print management device. The second print management server 100B corresponds to a second print management device and a print management device. The service collaboration server 200 corresponds to a service collaboration device.

[0012] The operation terminal 50 is a terminal device that accepts user operations. The operation terminal 50 is installed, for example, in the user's home or in a building where the user's company is located. The operation terminal 50 may be a personal computer such as a desktop, notebook, or tablet, or may be a smartphone owned by the user. A user is a user who is registered in the first print management server 100A or the second print management server 100B that belongs to the integrated printing system 1.

[0013] 1 shows two print management servers 100, a first print management server 100A and a second print management server 100B, but the number of print management servers 100 included in the integrated printing system 1 is not limited to two and may be three or more. Hereinafter, the first print management server 100A and the second print management server 100B will be collectively referred to as print management server 100.

[0014] The first print management server 100A, the second print management server 100B, and the service collaboration server 200 are connected to each other via a communication network NW so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The communication network NW may be a LAN (Local Area Network), or a global network including a dedicated line, a public line network, the Internet, etc. The communication network NW may be a wireless communication network such as Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark.

[0015] The first print management server 100A is a server that provides a first print service to registered users. The first print management server 100A is connected to in-store devices 15A, 15B, 15C, etc. installed in registered stores 10A, 10B, 10C, etc. so that data communication is possible. The in-store devices 15A, 15B, 15C, etc. are collectively referred to as in-store devices 15. The in-store devices 15 include an operation unit that accepts user operations, a display device such as an LCD panel, and a printing unit that prints print data on a print medium according to print setting information. The operation unit, display device, and printing unit are not shown in the figures.

[0016] The first print management server 100A stores print jobs uploaded from the operation terminal 50. The print jobs include print data and print setting information. The print setting information is setting information for printing the print data, and includes, for example, information such as the size and type of paper on which the print data is printed, print quality, black and white or color printing, double-sided printing, and the number of copies to be printed.

[0017] Based on a user's operation on the in-store device 15, the first print management server 100A downloads the corresponding print job to the in-store device 15 and causes the in-store device 15 to execute print processing based on the print setting information.

[0018] The second print management server 100B is also a server that provides a second print service to registered users. The second print management server 100B is connected to in-store devices 25A, 25B, 25C, etc., installed in the registered stores 20A, 20B, 20C, etc., so that data communication is possible. The in-store devices 25A, 25B, 25C, etc., are collectively referred to as in-store devices 25. Note that the first print service and the second print service are separate services operated by different companies, for example. The in-store device 25 includes an operation unit that accepts user operations, a display device such as an LCD panel, and a printing unit that prints print data on print media according to print setting information. The operation unit, display device, and printing unit are not shown in the figures.

[0019] Based on a user's operation on the in-store device 25, the second print management server 100B downloads the corresponding print job to the in-store device 25 and causes the in-store device 25 to execute printing processing based on the print setting information.

[0020] The service collaboration server 200 is a server that collaborates between a first print service provided by the first print management server 100A and a second print service provided by the second print management server 100B. The service collaboration server 200 is a server that provides a service of printing print data registered in the first print management server 100A on an in-store device 25 in a store 20 that is registered as a location where the second print service provided by the second print management server 100B is provided. The service collaboration server 200 is also a server that provides a service of printing print data registered in the second print management server 100B on an in-store device 15 in a store 10 that is registered as a location where the first print service provided by the first print management server 100A is provided.

[0021] [2. Configuring the first and second print management servers] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first print management server 100A, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second print management server 100B. The configurations of the first print management server 100A and the second print management server 100B are substantially the same. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of the first print management server 100A will be described, and an explanation of the configuration of the second print management server 100B will be omitted.

[0022] The first print management server 100A includes a first communication unit 110A and a first control unit 130A. The first communication unit 110A and the first control unit 130A are connected to each other via a communication bus 105A so as to be able to communicate data. The first communication unit 110A corresponds to a first receiving unit and a first transmitting unit.

[0023] The first communication unit 110A is a wired communication interface that includes a connection terminal, such as an Ethernet connector or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, and an interface circuit. The first communication unit 110A is connected to the communication network NW and performs data communication with the second print management server 100B and the service collaboration server 200, which are also connected to the communication network NW. Ethernet is a registered trademark.

[0024] The first control unit 130A is a computer including a first storage unit 140A and a first processor 150A.

[0025] The first storage unit 140A includes a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The first storage unit 140A also includes an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0026] The first storage unit 140A stores a control program 141A executed by the first processor 150A, a user management database 143A, publisher information 145A, and print jobs 147A. Hereinafter, the database will be abbreviated as DB.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user management DB 143A. User management DB 143A is a database that manages authentication information of registered users. One record in user management DB 143A includes the user's name, user ID, and password. In addition, one record can also include information to identify the user, such as address, age, and gender.

[0028] The issuer information 145A is information that indicates the print management server 100 that issued the print job. Specifically, the issuer information 145A indicates the first print management server 100A, and the issuer information 145B indicates the second print management server 100B. The issuer information 145A is information included in the job identification information issued by the first print management server 100A. The job identification information is information for identifying the print job received from the operation terminal 50.

[0029] Print job 147A is a print job received from operation terminal 50. Print job 147A is associated with job identification information and stored in first storage unit 140A.

[0030] The first processor 150A is an arithmetic processing device configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The first processor 150A executes the control program 141A to control each part of the first print management server 100A. The first processor 150A may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors.

[0031] The first control unit 130A includes, as functional blocks, a first issuing unit 151A, a first registration unit 153A, a first acquisition unit 155A, and a first print control unit 157A. These functional blocks are functions realized by the first processor 150A executing calculations in accordance with the control program 141A.

[0032] When the first issuing unit 151A receives a print job from the operation terminal 50, it issues job identification information, which is identification information that identifies the print job. The job identification information includes issuer information. The print job includes print data and print setting information. The issuer information is information that indicates that the issuer of the job identification information is the first print management server 100A.

[0033] The first registration unit 153A associates the print job received from the operation terminal 50 with the job identification information issued by the first issuing unit 151A and stores them in the first storage unit 140A. Furthermore, the first registration unit 153A transmits the job identification information issued by the first issuing unit 151A to the operation terminal 50.

[0034] Furthermore, first registration unit 153A transmits a print job registration request to service collaboration server 200. The print job registration request includes the job identification information and the print setting information included in the print job received from operation terminal 50. First registration unit 153A generates information indicating the data volume of the print data, and transmits the generated print setting information including the data volume to service collaboration server 200.

[0035] When the first acquisition unit 155A receives a print instruction specifying job identification information from the in-store device 15, it acquires print data and print setting information that are the print job corresponding to the specified job identification information.

[0036] First, the first acquisition unit 155A acquires the publisher information included in the job identification information specified by the print instruction. The first acquisition unit 155A compares the acquired publisher information with the publisher information 145A stored in the first storage unit 140, and determines whether the acquired publisher information indicates the first print management server 100A itself.

[0037] If the acquired issuer information indicates the first print management server 100A itself, the first acquisition unit 155A outputs a print instruction to the first print control unit 157A.

[0038] The first print control unit 157A acquires print data and print setting information corresponding to the job identification information specified by the print instruction input from the first acquisition unit 155A from the first storage unit 140. The first print control unit 157A transmits the acquired print data and print setting information to the store device 15 that received the print instruction. The store device 15 executes print processing based on the print data in accordance with the print setting information received from the first print management server 100A.

[0039] Furthermore, when first acquisition unit 155A determines that the acquired issuer information indicates another print management server 100, first acquisition unit 155A transmits a print job acquisition request including the specified job identification information to service cooperation server 200. This job identification information is the job identification information specified by the print instruction.

[0040] Thereafter, when the first acquisition unit 155A receives a print job from the service collaboration server 200 or the print management server 100 corresponding to the issuer information, it outputs the received print job to the first print control unit 157A. The first print control unit 157A transmits the acquired print data and print setting information to the store device 15 that received the print instruction.

[0041] [3. Configuring the Service Integration Server] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of service collaboration server 200. As shown in FIG. The configuration of the service collaboration server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Service collaboration server 200 includes third communication unit 210 and third control unit 230. Third communication unit 210 and third control unit 230 are connected via communication bus 205 so as to enable data communication therebetween.

[0042] The third communication unit 210 is a wired communication interface having a connection terminal such as an Ethernet connector or a USB connector and an interface circuit. The third communication unit 210 is connected to the communication network NW and performs data communication with the first print management server 100A and the second print management server 100B, which are also connected to the communication network NW.

[0043] The third control unit 230 is a computer including a third storage unit 240 and a third processor 250 .

[0044] The third storage unit 240 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM, and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, etc. The third storage unit 240 also includes an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD or HDD.

[0045] The third storage unit 240 stores a control program 241 executed by the third processor 250, a server registration table 243, a job setting DB 245, and transfer fee information 247.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server registration table 243. As shown in FIG. One record in the server registration table 243 includes a server name, publisher information, and address information such as an IP address. The server name and address information correspond to identification information of the print management device indicated by the publisher information.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the job setting DB 245. As shown in FIG. One record in the job setting DB 245 includes job identification information, issuer information, and print setting information. The job identification information is information included in a print job registration request received from the first print management server 100A or the second print management server 100B. The publisher information is the publisher information included in the job identification information of the same record. The print setting information is information included in the print job registration request.

[0048] The transfer cost information 247 is information used to calculate the cost required to transfer a print job between print management servers 100. For example, the transfer cost information 247 is information that associates the data volume of a print job with the transfer cost required to transfer this data volume.

[0049] The third processor 250 is an arithmetic processing unit configured with a CPU and an MPU. The third processor 250 executes the control program 241 to control each unit of the service collaboration server 200. The third processor 250 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors.

[0050] The third control unit 230 includes, as functional blocks, an information acquisition unit 251, a management unit 253, and a transfer control unit 255. These functional blocks are functions realized by the third processor 250 executing processing in accordance with the control program 241.

[0051] The information acquisition unit 251 acquires job identification information from the first print management server 100A and the second print management server 100B. The information acquisition unit 251 acquires a print job registration request or a print job acquisition request that the third communication unit 210 receives from the first print management server 100A or the second print management server 100B.

[0052] When information acquisition unit 251 acquires a print job registration request, it extracts job identification information and print setting information included in the acquired print job registration request, and outputs the extracted job identification information and print setting information to management unit 253. Furthermore, when information acquisition unit 251 acquires a print job acquisition request, it extracts job identification information included in the acquired print job acquisition request, and outputs the extracted job identification information to transfer control unit 255.

[0053] The management unit 253 extracts the issuer information included in the job identification information input from the information acquisition unit 251, and registers the print setting information and the issuer information in the job setting DB 245 in association with the job identification information.

[0054] The transfer control unit 255 refers to the server registration table 243 based on the issuer information included in the job identification information input from the information acquisition unit 251, and identifies the print management server 100 that stores the print data. The transfer control unit 255 also acquires address information of the identified print management server 100 from the server registration table 243. Here, the description will be given assuming that the acquired identified print management server 100 is the first print management server 100A, and that the transfer control unit 255 acquires the address information of the first print management server 100A from the server registration table 243.

[0055] Next, the transfer control unit 255 acquires the transfer fee required to transfer the print data, etc. The information acquisition unit 251 may calculate the transfer fee based on the transfer fee information 247 and the amount of data included in the print setting information. The information acquisition unit 251 may also acquire a preset transfer fee from the third storage unit 240.

[0056] When the transfer control unit 255 acquires the transfer fee, it returns the acquired transfer fee and print setting information to the print management server 100 that sent the print job acquisition request. For example, the description will be given assuming that the sender of the print job acquisition request is the second print management server 100B. When the second print management server 100B receives the transfer fee and print setting information from the service collaboration server 200, it calculates the print fee, which is the cost required to print the print data, based on the print setting information. The second print management server 100B transmits the transfer fee and print fee to the store device 25.

[0057] The in-store device 25 displays the transfer fee and printing fee, or the total amount of the transfer fee and printing fee, on a display device provided in the in-store device 25, and asks the user whether or not to execute printing. When the in-store device 25 receives an instruction to execute printing from the user, it notifies the second print management server 100B that it has received the instruction to execute printing. The second print management server 100B then notifies the service collaboration server 200 that it has received the instruction to execute printing.

[0058] When the transfer control unit 255 receives a print execution instruction from the second print management server 100B and acquires the transfer fee, the transfer control unit 255 distributes the acquired transfer fee between the service collaboration server 200 and the first print management server 100A. The service collaboration server 200 distributes the portion of the transfer fee acquired from the second print management server 100B that is for the first print management server 100A to the first print management server 100A.

[0059] Next, the transfer control unit 255 sends a print job transfer request including the job identification information and address information to the first print management server 100 corresponding to the address information obtained from the server registration table 243. The address information included in the print job transfer request is the address of the print management server 100 to which the print job is to be transferred. In other words, in this case, it is the address of the second print management server 100B.

[0060] When the first print management server 100A receives a transfer request for a print job, it acquires print data and print setting information, which are the print job corresponding to the job identification information included in the received transfer request, from the first storage unit 140A. The first print management server 100A sends the acquired print job to the address indicated by the address information included in the transfer request.

[0061] Alternatively, the transfer control unit 255 may send a request to the first print management server 100 to transfer the print job to the service collaboration server 200 as a print job transfer request. In this case, the print job transfer request does not include address information, i.e., the address of the print management server 100 to which the print job is to be transferred. In this case as well, when the first print management server 100A receives the print job transfer request, it acquires from the first storage unit 140A the print data and print setting information of the print job corresponding to the job identification information included in the received transfer request. The first print management server 100A then transmits the acquired print job to the service collaboration server 200.

[0062] When the service collaboration server 200 receives a print job from the first print management server 100A, the service collaboration server 200 transmits the received print job to the second print management server 100B, which is the source of the print job acquisition request.

[0063] [4. Operation of the print management server and service collaboration server] 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print management server 100 when a print job registration request is received. The flowchart shown in Fig. 8 explains the case where the print management server 100 that receives the print job registration request is the first print management server 100A.

[0064] First, the first control unit 130A determines whether or not a login request has been received from the operation terminal 50 (step SA1). If the login request has not been received (step SA1 / NO), the first control unit 130A waits until a login request is received.

[0065] When the first control unit 130A receives a login request from the operation terminal 50 (step SA1 / YES), it sends a request to obtain authentication information to the operation terminal 50 that sent the login request (step SA2), and determines whether the authentication information has been received (step SA3).

[0066] If the first control unit 130A has not received the authentication information (step SA3 / NO), it waits until it receives the authentication information. Upon receiving the authentication information (step SA3 / YES), the first control unit 130A determines whether the received authentication information matches the authentication information registered in the user management DB 143A, and determines whether the authentication is successful (step SA4).

[0067] If the first control unit 130A determines that the received authentication information does not match the authentication information registered in the user management DB 143A and that the authentication has failed (step SA4 / NO), it returns to step SA2 and requests that the authentication information be resent (step SA2).

[0068] Furthermore, if the received authentication information matches the authentication information registered in the user management DB 143A (step SA4 / YES), the first control unit 130A determines whether or not a print job has been received from the operation terminal 50 (step SA5). The print job includes print data and print setting information.

[0069] If the first control unit 130A has not received a print job (step SA5 / NO), it waits until it receives a print job. If the first control unit 130A receives a print job (step SA5 / YES), it generates job identification information (step SA6). The job identification information includes issuer information that indicates the issuer of this job identification information.

[0070] Next, first control unit 130A transmits the generated job identification information to operation terminal 50 that has made the request (step SA7). Next, first control unit 130A transmits a print job registration request to service cooperation server 200 (step SA8). The print job registration request includes job identification information and print setting information.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of service collaboration server 200. The operation of service collaboration server 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the third control unit 230 determines whether or not data has been received by the third communication unit 210 (step SB1). If data has not been received by the third communication unit 210 (step SB1 / NO), the third control unit 230 waits until data is received.

[0072] When the third control unit 230 receives data via the third communication unit 210 (step SB1 / YES), it determines whether the received data is a print job registration request (step SB2). If the received data is not a print job registration request (step SB2 / NO), the third control section 230 proceeds to the process of step SB4.

[0073] If the received data is a print job registration request (step SB2 / YES), the third control unit 230 extracts the issuer information from the job identification information included in the print job registration request. The third control unit 230 associates the extracted issuer information and the print setting information included in the print job with the job identification information and registers them in the job setting DB 245 (step SB3), and ends the process.

[0074] Furthermore, if the received data is not a request to register a print job (step SB2 / NO) but a request to acquire a print job (step SB4 / YES), the third control unit 230 acquires the issuer information from the job identification information included in the request to acquire the print job (step SB5).

[0075] Next, the third control unit 230 refers to the server registration table 243, identifies the print management server 100 indicated by the acquired issuer information (step SB6), and acquires the address information of the identified print management server 100.

[0076] Next, third control unit 230 refers to job setting DB 245 based on the job identification information and acquires print setting information associated with the job identification information. Third control unit 230 acquires the print setting information by calculating the data amount included in the print setting information and the transfer cost of the print job based on transfer cost information 247 (step SB7).

[0077] The third control unit 230 returns the acquired transfer fee and print setting information to the print management server 100 that sent the print job acquisition request. Upon receiving the transfer fee and print setting information from the service collaboration server 200, the print management server 100 calculates the print fee, which is the cost required to print the print data, based on the print setting information. The first print management server 100A sends the calculated transfer fee and print fee to the in-store device 15 or 25 (step SB8).

[0078] The in-store device 15 or 25 displays the received transfer fee and printing fee on a display device and accepts an instruction to print or cancel printing. When the in-store device 15 or 25 accepts the instruction to print or cancel printing, it sends the accepted instruction to print or cancel printing to the print management server 100. The print management server 100 transfers the instruction to print or cancel printing received from the in-store device 15 or 25 to the service collaboration server 200.

[0079] When the third control unit 230 receives a print execution instruction from the print management server 100 (step SB9), it sends a print job transfer request to the print management server 100 identified in step SB6 (step SB10). At this time, the print management server 100 that receives the transfer request identifies the print job corresponding to the job identification information included in the transfer request and performs processing to transmit the print job to the print management server 100 whose address information is included in the transfer request. In this way, the print management server 100 that receives the print job performs processing to print the received print job. Furthermore, when the third control unit 230 receives an instruction to cancel printing (step SB11 / YES) rather than an instruction to execute printing from the print management server 100 (step SB9 / NO), it ends this processing flow. Furthermore, when the third control unit 230 has not received an instruction to cancel printing (step SB11 / NO), it returns to the determination of step SB9.

[0080] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print management server 100 that has received a print instruction. The operation of the print management server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the print management server 100 that receives the print instruction is the second print management server 100B.

[0081] First, the second control unit 130B determines whether or not a print instruction including job identification information has been received from the in-store device 25 (step SC1). If a print instruction has not been received (step SC1 / NO), the second control unit 130B waits until a print instruction is received.

[0082] When the second control unit 130B receives a print instruction (step SC1 / YES), it acquires issuer information from the job identification information included in the print instruction (step SC2).The second control unit 130B determines whether the acquired issuer information indicates the second print management server 100B (step SC3).

[0083] If the acquired publisher information indicates the second print management server 100B (step SC3 / YES), the second control unit 130B calculates the printing cost and transmits the calculated printing cost to the in-store device 25 (step SC4).

[0084] The in-store device 25 displays the received printing cost on a display device and accepts an instruction to print or cancel printing. The in-store device 25 then transmits the accepted instruction to print or cancel printing to the second print management server 100B.

[0085] When the second control unit 130B receives a print execution instruction from the in-store device 25 (step SC5 / YES), it transmits the print data and print setting information to the in-store device 25 (step SC7). The in-store device 25 executes print processing based on the print data in accordance with the received print setting information.

[0086] Furthermore, if the second control unit 130B receives an instruction to cancel printing (step SC6 / YES) instead of an instruction to execute printing (step SC5 / NO) from the in-store device 25, it ends this processing flow.

[0087] If the second control unit 130B has not received an instruction to cancel printing from the in-store device 25 (step SC6 / NO), the second control unit 130B returns to step SC5 and determines whether an instruction to execute printing has been received (step SC5).

[0088] Furthermore, if the acquired publisher information indicates another print management server 100 (step SC3 / NO), the second control unit 130B sends a print job acquisition request to the service cooperation server 200 (step SC8).

[0089] Next, the second control unit 130B determines whether or not the data transfer fee and print setting information have been received from the service collaboration server 200 (step SC9). If the transfer fee has not been received from the service collaboration server 200 (step SC9 / NO), the second control unit 130B waits until the transfer fee is received.

[0090] When the second control unit 130B receives the transfer fee (step SC9 / YES), it calculates the printing fee based on the print setting information (step SC10). The second control unit 130B transmits the calculated printing fee and the received transfer fee to the in-store device 25 (step SC11).

[0091] The in-store device 25 displays the received printing fee and transfer fee, or the total amount of the transfer fee and printing fee, on a display device, and accepts an instruction to print or cancel printing. The in-store device 25 then transmits the accepted instruction to print or cancel printing to the second print management server 100B.

[0092] If the second control unit 130B receives a print instruction from the in-store device 25 (step SC12 / YES), it sends the print instruction to the service cooperation server 200 (step SC14). Then, the second control unit 130B determines whether a print job has been received from the service cooperation server 200 or the print management server 100 that stores the print job (step SC15).

[0093] If the second control unit 130B has not received a print job (step SC15 / NO), it waits until it receives a print job. If the second control unit 130B receives a print job (step SC15 / YES), it transmits the received print job to the in-store device 25 (step SC16). The in-store device 25 executes printing processing based on the print data in accordance with the received print setting information.

[0094] Furthermore, if the second control unit 130B receives an instruction to cancel printing (step SC13 / YES) instead of an instruction to execute printing (step SC12 / NO) from the in-store device 25, it ends this processing flow. If the second control unit 130B has not received an instruction to cancel printing (NO in step SC13), the process returns to the determination in step SC12.

[0095] [5. Effects] As described above, the integrated printing system 1 of this embodiment includes the first print management server 100A, the service cooperation server 200, and the second print management server 100B. The first print management server 100A includes a first communication unit 110A, a first storage unit 140A, and a first issuing unit 151A. First communication unit 110A receives the print data and also transmits job identification information to the user who sent the print data and to service cooperation server 200, which manages the job identification information. The first storage unit 140A stores print data. The first issuing unit 151A issues job identification information that is identification information of a job corresponding to print data and includes issuer information that indicates the print management server 100 that has issued the job.

[0096] Service collaboration server 200 includes information acquisition unit 251 that acquires job identification information from first print management server 100A, and management unit 253 that manages the job identification information.

[0097] The second print management server 100B includes a second acquisition unit 155B and a second print control unit 157B. When the second acquisition unit 155B receives a print instruction specifying job identification information, it sends the job identification information to the service collaboration server 200 and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the print management server 100 indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information. The second print control unit 157B executes a print process based on the acquired print data.

[0098] The service collaboration server 200 also includes a transfer control unit 255 that identifies the issuer information based on the job identification information received from the second print management server 100B, and transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the first print management server 100A based on the issuer information to the second print management server 100B.

[0099] According to this configuration, when the second print management server 100B receives a print instruction specifying job identification information, it queries the service collaboration server 200 for the job identification information. The service collaboration server 200 identifies the print issuer information based on the job identification information and transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information stored by the first print management server 100A based on the print issuer information to the second print management server 100B. The second print management server 100B then executes print processing based on the acquired print data. Therefore, even if a print instruction specifying job identification information is issued to a print management device other than the print management device that stores the print data, it is possible to acquire the print data corresponding to the job identification information and execute print processing based on the acquired print data. This improves user convenience.

[0100] The transfer control unit 255 identifies the first print management server 100A that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information inquired by the second print management server 100B. The transfer control unit 255 transmits the job identification information and a transfer request to the second print management server 100B to the identified first print management server 100A. The first print management server 100A receives the job identification information and the transfer request from the service collaboration server 200, and transmits the print data corresponding to the job identification information to the second print management server 100B based on the transfer request. This allows the second print management server 100B to perform print processing on the print data corresponding to the job identification information.

[0101] The transfer control unit 255 identifies the first print management server 100A that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information. The transfer control unit 255 receives the print data from the identified first print management server 100A and transmits the received print data to the second print management server 100B. This allows the second print management server 100B to perform print processing on the print data corresponding to the job identification information.

[0102] If the issuer information included in the job identification information is not the second print management server 100B itself, the second print management server 100B queries the service cooperation server 200 for the job identification information. Therefore, only when the second print management server 100B does not store the print data, the second print management server 100B queries the service cooperation server 200 for the job identification information, and can acquire the print data stored by another print management server 100.

[0103] The first print management server 100A includes a first print control unit 157A. The first print management server 100A determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the first print management server 100A, and if the issuer information is the first print management server 100A, it obtains print data corresponding to the job identification information from the first storage unit 140A and causes the first print control unit 157A to execute print processing based on the obtained print data. Therefore, if the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the first print management server 100A itself, it can obtain the print data from the first storage unit 140A and cause the first print control unit 157A to execute print processing.

[0104] The second print management server 100B also includes a second communication unit 110B that receives print data, a second storage unit 140B that stores the print data, and a second issuing unit 151B that issues job identification information to the print data. The second print management server 100B determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the second print management server 100B, and if the issuer information is the second print management server 100B, it obtains print data corresponding to the job identification information from the second storage unit and causes the second print control unit 157B to execute print processing based on the obtained print data. Therefore, if the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the second print management server 100B itself, it can obtain print data from the second storage unit 140B and cause the second print control unit 157B to execute print processing.

[0105] If the issuer information indicates the second print management server 100B, the second print management server 100B displays the printing cost required for printing on the display device of the in-store device 25. If the issuer information does not indicate the second print management server 100B, the second print management server 100B displays the printing cost and the transfer cost required for transferring the data, or the total cost of the printing cost and the transfer cost, on the display device provided in the in-store device 25. This allows the user to understand the cost required for printing.

[0106] Service collaboration server 200 calculates the transfer fee and transmits the calculated transfer fee to second print management server 100B. Service collaboration server 200 also acquires the transfer fee from second print management server 100B and distributes the acquired transfer fee, which is the fee for first print management server 100A, to first print management server 100A. Therefore, the fee for first print management server 100A is distributed to first print management server 100A, and the data transfer fee can be distributed between service collaboration server 200 and first print management server 100A.

[0107] [6. Other Configurations] 8 and 10 are divided according to the main processing content to make the processing of the print management server 100 easier to understand. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 10. Furthermore, the processing of the print management server 100 can be divided into more processing units depending on the processing content, or one processing unit can be divided so that it includes more processes. Furthermore, the processing order of the above flowcharts is not limited to the example shown in the drawings. The same applies to the processing units of service collaboration server 200 shown in FIG.

[0108] Furthermore, the functional units of the print management server 100 shown in Figures 2 and 3 and the service collaboration server 200 shown in Figure 5 represent functional configurations realized by the cooperation of hardware and software, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. Therefore, it is not necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each functional unit individually, and it is of course possible to configure the system so that a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of multiple functional units. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above embodiments may be realized by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0109] Furthermore, when the present disclosure is realized using a computer, the program executed by the computer can be configured in the form of a recording medium. Furthermore, the program executed by the computer can also be configured in the form of a transmission medium for transmitting the program. The recording medium can be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Specific examples include portable or fixed recording media such as flexible disks, HDDs, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), Blu-ray Discs, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, and card-type recording media. Furthermore, the recording medium can be a non-volatile storage device such as RAM, ROM, or HDD, which is an internal storage device provided in a server device. Blu-ray is a registered trademark.

[0110] The second communication unit 110B of the second print management server 100B corresponds to a second receiving unit, the second storage unit 140B of the second print management server 100B corresponds to a second storage unit, and the second issuing unit 151B of the second print management server 100B corresponds to a second issuing unit.

[0111] 7. Summary of the Disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0112] (Appendix 1) a first printing management device including a first receiving unit that receives print data, a first storage unit that stores the print data, a first issuing unit that issues job identification information corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information that indicates a printing management device that has issued the job, and a first sending unit that sends the job identification information to a user that has sent the print data and a service cooperation device that manages the job identification information; the service cooperation device including an information acquiring unit that acquires the job identification information from the first printing management device and a management unit that manages the job identification information; and a second print management device comprising: a second acquisition unit that transmits the job identification information to a service collaboration device and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information; and a second print control unit that executes print processing based on the acquired print data, wherein the service collaboration device acquires the issuer information included in the job identification information received from the second print management device, and comprises a transfer control unit that transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information that is stored in the first print management device indicated by the acquired issuer information to the second print management device.

[0113] According to this configuration, when the second printing management device receives a print instruction specifying job identification information, it queries the service collaboration device for the job identification information. The service collaboration device identifies issuer information based on the job identification information and transfers print data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the first printing management device based on the issuer information to the second printing management device. The second printing management device then executes print processing based on the acquired print data. Therefore, even if a print instruction specifying job identification information is issued to a print management device other than the print management device that stores the print data, it is possible to acquire the print data corresponding to the job identification information and execute print processing based on the acquired print data. This improves user convenience.

[0114] (Appendix 2) The integrated printing system of claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit of the service collaboration device identifies the first printing management device that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information inquired from the second printing management device, and sends the job identification information and a transfer request to the identified first printing management device, and the first printing management device receives the job identification information and the transfer request from the service collaboration device and sends the print data corresponding to the job identification information to the second printing management device based on the transfer request.

[0115] According to this configuration, the first printing management device that stores the print data is identified based on the issuer information included in the job identification information, and the job identification information and a transfer request to the second printing management device are sent to the identified first printing management device, thereby allowing the second printing management device to print the print data corresponding to the job identification information.

[0116] (Appendix 3) The integrated printing system described in Appendix 1, wherein the transfer control unit of the service collaboration device identifies the first printing management device that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information queried from the second printing management device, receives the print data from the first printing management device, and transmits the received print data to the second printing management device.

[0117] According to this configuration, the first printing management device that stores the print data is identified based on the issuer information included in the job identification information, and the identified first printing management device transmits the print data to the second printing management device, thereby allowing the second printing management device to print the print data corresponding to the job identification information.

[0118] (Appendix 4) The integrated printing system described in Appendix 1, wherein the second printing management device determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received printing instruction is the second printing management device, and if the issuer information is not the second printing management device, queries the service collaboration device for the job identification information.

[0119] According to this configuration, the second printing management device queries the service collaboration device for job identification information if the issuer information included in the job identification information is not the second printing management device itself. Therefore, only when the second printing management device does not store print data, the second printing management device queries the service collaboration device for job identification information and can acquire print data stored in other printing management devices.

[0120] (Appendix 5) the first printing management device comprises a first printing control unit that determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the first printing management device, and if the issuer information is the first printing management device, acquires print data corresponding to the job identification information from the first storage unit and executes print processing based on the acquired print data; the second printing management device comprises a second receiving unit that receives the print data, a second storage unit that stores the print data, and a second issuing unit that issues the job identification information to the print data; the second printing control unit determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the second printing management device, and if the issuer information is the second printing management device, acquires print data corresponding to the job identification information from the second storage unit and executes print processing based on the acquired print data.

[0121] According to this configuration, when the issuer information included in the job identification information indicates the first and second printing management devices, the first and second printing management devices acquire the print data from the first storage unit or the second storage unit and execute the print processing based on the acquired print data. Therefore, when the issuer information indicates the first and second printing management devices, the first and second printing management devices can acquire the print data from the first storage unit or the second storage unit and execute the print processing.

[0122] (Appendix 6) The integrated printing system described in Appendix 5, wherein the second printing management device, when the publisher information indicates the second printing management device, displays the printing costs required for printing on a display device, and when the publisher information does not indicate the second printing management device, displays the printing costs and the transfer costs required for transferring data, or the total cost of the printing costs and the transfer costs, on the display device.

[0123] With this configuration, if the second print management device stores the print data, the display device displays the printing cost, and if the second print management device does not store the print data, the display device displays the printing cost and the transfer cost required to transfer the data, or the total cost of the printing cost and the transfer cost. This allows the user to understand the cost required for printing.

[0124] (Appendix 7) The integrated printing system described in Appendix 6, wherein the service collaboration device calculates the transfer fee, sends the calculated transfer fee to the second printing management device, obtains the transfer fee from the second printing management device, and distributes the portion of the obtained transfer fee that is the cost of the first printing management device to the first printing management device.

[0125] According to this configuration, the cost of the first printing management device is distributed to the first printing management device out of the transfer cost, and therefore the data transfer cost can be distributed between the service collaboration device and the first printing management device.

[0126] (Appendix 8) a third storage unit that stores the job identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit and identification information of the printing management device indicated by the issuer information; and a transfer control unit that acquires the issuer information included in the job identification information received from another printing management device, and transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the printing management device indicated by the acquired issuer information to the other printing management device.

[0127] According to this configuration, when the service collaboration device receives an inquiry specifying job identification information, it identifies a print management device that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information, and sends the job identification information and a transfer request for the print data to the identified print management device. Therefore, even a print management device that does not store the print data can obtain the print data corresponding to the job identification information and execute a print process based on the obtained print data. This improves user convenience.

[0128] (Appendix 9) a first issuing unit that issues job identification information, which is identification information of a job corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information that indicates a print management device that issued the job; a print management device that transmits the job identification information to a user that sent the print data and a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information, and that, upon receiving the job identification information and a transfer request for print data, transmits the print data corresponding to the job identification information to another print management device specified by the transfer request.

[0129] According to this configuration, when a printing management device receives job identification information and a transfer request for print data, the print data corresponding to the job identification information is transmitted to another printing management device specified in the transfer request. Therefore, even if a print instruction specifying job identification information is issued to a printing management device that does not store the print data, the print data corresponding to the job identification information can be obtained and printing processing can be performed based on the obtained print data. This improves user convenience.

[0130] (Appendix 10) a second acquisition unit that, upon receiving a print instruction specifying job identification information that is identification information of a job corresponding to print data and that includes issuer information indicating a print management device that has issued the job, queries a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information for the job identification information, and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information; and a second print control unit that executes a print process based on the acquired print data.

[0131] According to this configuration, when a print instruction specifying job identification information is received, the service collaboration device that manages the job identification information is inquired about the job identification information, and print data corresponding to the specified job identification information can be obtained from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information. By executing print processing based on this obtained print data, even if a print instruction specifying job identification information is issued to a print management device other than the print management device that stores the print data, the print data corresponding to the job identification information can be obtained and print processing based on the obtained print data can be executed. This improves user convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1...integrated printing system, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C...store, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C...store device, 50...operation terminal, 100...print management server, 100A...first print management server, 100B...second print management server, 105A...communication bus, 110A...first communication unit, 130A...first control unit, 130B...second control unit, 140A...first memory unit, 140B...second memory unit, 141A...control program, 143A...user management database, 145A, 145B...issuer information, 147A...print job, 150A...first processor, 151A... First issuing unit, 151B...second issuing unit, 153A...first registration unit, 153B...second registration unit, 155A...first acquisition unit, 155B...second acquisition unit, 157A...first print control unit, 157B...second print control unit, 200...service collaboration server, 205...communication bus, 210...third communication unit, 210B...second communication unit, 230...third control unit, 240...third memory unit, 241...control program, 243...server registration table, 245...job setting database, 247...transfer cost information, 250...third processor, 251...information acquisition unit, 253...management unit, 255...transfer control unit, NW...communication network.

Claims

1. a first receiving unit that receives print data; a first storage unit that stores the print data; a first issuing unit that issues job identification information corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information indicating a print management device that has issued the job; a first transmission unit that transmits the job identification information to a user who is a sender of the print data and to a service cooperation device that manages the job identification information; a first print management device comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires the job identification information from the first print management device; a management unit that manages the job identification information; The service collaboration device includes: a second acquisition unit that, upon receiving a print instruction specifying the job identification information, transmits the job identification information to the service cooperation device and acquires print data corresponding to the specified job identification information from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information; a second print control unit that executes a print process based on the acquired print data; a second print management device comprising: Including, an integrated printing system, wherein the service collaboration device acquires the publisher information included in the job identification information received from the second printing management device, and includes a transfer control unit that transfers the printing data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the first printing management device indicated by the acquired publisher information to the second printing management device.

2. the transfer control unit of the service collaboration device identifies the first print management device that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information inquired from the second print management device, and transmits the job identification information and a transfer request to the second print management device to the identified first print management device; 2. The integrated printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first printing management device receives the job identification information and the transfer request from the service collaboration device, and transmits print data corresponding to the job identification information to the second printing management device based on the transfer request.

3. 2. The integrated printing system of claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit of the service collaboration device identifies the first printing management device that stores the print data based on the issuer information included in the job identification information queried from the second printing management device, receives the print data from the first printing management device, and transmits the received print data to the second printing management device.

4. the second print management device determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the second print management device; The integrated printing system according to claim 1 , wherein if the issuing source information is not the second print management device, the service cooperation device is inquired about the job identification information.

5. the first printing management device, a first print control unit that determines whether the issuer information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is the first print management device, and if the issuer information is the first print management device, acquires print data corresponding to the job identification information from the first storage unit, and executes a print process based on the acquired print data; the second printing management device, a second receiving unit that receives the print data; a second storage unit that stores the print data; a second issuing unit that issues the job identification information to the print data; Equipped with The second print control unit 2. An integrated printing system as described in claim 1, wherein the issuing source information included in the job identification information of the received print instruction is determined to be the second print management device, and if the issuing source information is the second print management device, the printing data corresponding to the job identification information is obtained from the second storage unit, and a printing process is executed based on the obtained printing data.

6. the second printing management device, If the publisher information indicates the second print management device, displaying the printing cost required for printing on a display device; If the publisher information does not indicate the second print management device, the printing cost and the transfer cost required for transferring the data, or the total cost of the printing cost and the transfer cost, is displayed on the display device. The integrated printing system of claim 5 .

7. the service collaboration device, calculating the transfer fee and transmitting the calculated transfer fee to the second print management device; acquiring the transfer fee from the second print management device; The integrated printing system according to claim 6 , wherein the acquired transfer fee is allocated to the first printing management device as an expense for the first printing management device.

8. an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a print management device that stores print data, job identification information corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information indicating the print management device that is the issuer of the job; a third storage unit that stores the job identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit and identification information of the printing management device indicated by the issuer information; a transfer control unit that acquires the issuer information included in the job identification information received from another print management device, and transfers the print data corresponding to the job identification information stored in the print management device indicated by the acquired issuer information to the other print management device; A service collaboration device comprising:

9. a first receiving unit that receives print data; a first storage unit that stores the print data; a first issuing unit that issues job identification information corresponding to the print data, the job identification information including issuer information indicating a print management device that has issued the job; transmitting the job identification information to a user who is a sender of the print data and to a service cooperation device that manages the job identification information; When the job identification information and the transfer request for the print data are received, the print management device transmits the print data corresponding to the job identification information to another print management device designated by the transfer request. Print management device.

10. When a print instruction specifying job identification information corresponding to print data, which includes issuer information indicating the print management device that issued the job, is received, a second acquisition unit that queries a service collaboration device that manages the job identification information for the job identification information, and acquires print data corresponding to the designated job identification information from the print management device indicated by the issuer information included in the job identification information; a second print control unit that executes a print process based on the acquired print data; A print management device comprising:

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