Printing device, printing system, and program

Abstract

To facilitate the replacement work of a printing device for a cloud print service.SOLUTION: A printing device includes a processor. The processor accepts a replacement instruction for a printing device used in a cloud print service (S14) and searches for each of multiple printing devices used in the cloud print service as a replacement source candidate printing device (S16, S18). The processor presents a user with identification information of multiple replacement source candidate printing devices (S20), accepts a designation of a replacement source printing device from among the candidates (S22), and acquires, from the replacement source printing device, replacement source connection information required for connection to a cloud print server (S24, S26). The processor connects to the cloud print server using the replacement source connection information and sends, to the cloud print server, a request of replacement from the replacement source printing device to its own device (S28).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a printing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cloud print services have become popular. In these printing systems, an administrator first registers a printing device with the cloud print service. The administrator then sets which users are permitted to use the printing device.

[0003] A user who is permitted to use a printing device submits a print job to a cloud print service from a client terminal. The cloud print service stores the received print job in a storage device. The printing device acquires the print job stored in the cloud print service and prints it. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose processes related to cloud print services. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-194364 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-88838 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a cloud print service, if a printing device registered with the service breaks down or needs to be replaced with a new printing device, the original printing device must be deleted from the service and the new printing device must be registered with the service.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to make the replacement process easier when replacing a printing device in a cloud print service compared to when a user such as an administrator deletes the printing device to be replaced from the service and registers the replacement printing device in the service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention of claim 1 is a printing device that includes a processor that receives an instruction to replace a printing device used in a cloud print service, and upon receiving the replacement instruction, searches for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as a replacement candidate printing device, presents identification information of the plurality of replacement candidate printing devices to a user, and receives designation of a replacement candidate printing device from among the plurality of replacement candidate printing devices, obtains replacement candidate connection information from the replacement candidate printing device via the network, connects to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement candidate connection information, and transmits a replacement request from the replacement candidate printing device to the cloud print server.

[0008] The invention of claim 2 is the printing device described in claim 1, wherein the processor provides a selection screen that selectively accepts replacement instructions and addition instructions for printing devices used in the cloud print service, and when accepting a printing device replacement instruction on the selection screen, executes a series of processes from searching for the replacement candidate printing device to sending the replacement request.

[0009] The invention of claim 3 is a printing device as described in claim 1, wherein the processor receives a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that the replacement of the original printing device with the printing device itself has been completed, and upon receiving the completion notification, notifies the user that registration of the printing device itself has been completed.

[0010] The invention of claim 4 is a printing device as described in claim 1, wherein the processor sends a stop instruction to the original printing device to stop connecting to the cloud print server before sending a replacement request from the original printing device to the cloud print server.

[0011] The invention of claim 5 is the printing device described in claim 1, wherein the processor receives a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that replacement from the original printing device to the processor's own device has been completed, and upon receiving the completion notification, notifies the user that the registration of the original printing device has been deleted.

[0012] The invention of claim 6 is a printing system comprising a printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a replacement candidate printing device connected to the printing device via the network, and the cloud print server.

[0013] The invention of claim 7 is a program that causes a computer to execute a process of receiving an instruction to replace a printing device used in a cloud print service, searching for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as a replacement candidate printing device upon receiving the replacement instruction, presenting identification information of the plurality of replacement candidate printing devices to a user and receiving designation of a replacement candidate printing device from among the plurality of replacement candidate printing devices, obtaining replacement candidate connection information required for connecting to a cloud print server from the replacement candidate printing device via the network, connecting to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement candidate connection information, and transmitting a replacement request from the replacement candidate printing device to the cloud print server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the invention of claim 1, 6, or 7, the administrator can easily replace the printing device compared to when the administrator accesses a cloud print service to perform the replacement work.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to select replacement and addition of printing devices.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 3, the user can know that the replacement destination printing device has been registered.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 4, the replacement source printing device is prevented from connecting to the cloud print server.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 5, the user can know that the registration of the replacement source printing device has been deleted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of replacement processing of a printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of management information of a cloud server. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a completion screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments or variations are included below, it is assumed from the outset that their characteristic parts will be used in appropriate combination. In all drawings, identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0021] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system 10. The printing system 10 includes multiple printing devices 12 and 14P, multiple client terminals 20 and 22, and a cloud server 30. These components of the printing system are connected to each other via a network 50. Note that the numbers of the printing devices 12 and 14P, the client terminals 20 and 22, and the cloud server 30 are not limited.

[0022] The printing devices 12, 14P and the client terminals 20, 22 may be connected to each other via a network (e.g., a LAN) within an organization such as a company. The cloud server 30 may be connected to the printing devices 12, 14P and the client terminals 20, 22 via, for example, a LAN and the Internet.

[0023] In this embodiment, the currently registered printing device 14 (original printing device) in the cloud print service is replaced with a new printing device 12 (replacement destination printing device). The original printing device 14 is specified from among multiple original candidate printing devices 14P. In the following description and drawings, the printing device is also referred to as the printer.

[0024] The printing devices 12 and 14P are devices that print on paper based on print data. The printing devices 12 and 14P may have functions other than printing. For example, the printing devices 12 and 14P may be multifunction devices that have scanning, copying, faxing, and emailing functions in addition to printing. The printing devices 12 and 14P may also have a finisher that performs processes such as creasing, folding, stapling, and trimming.

[0025] The client terminal 20 is a computer such as a PC (personal computer) operated by an administrator. The client terminal 22 is a computer such as a PC used by a general user who performs printing. The user includes both the administrator and the general user.

[0026] The printing device 12, 14P has a WUI (Web User Interface). Therefore, the client terminals 20, 22 can view the display of the printing device 12, 14P and operate the printing device 12, 14P through a web browser running on the client terminals 20, 22. In this embodiment, the administrator uses the client terminal 20 to remotely operate the printing device 12 via the WUI. In addition, screens or notifications from the printing device 12 provided to the administrator are displayed on the display of the client terminal 20.

[0027] The administrator may operate the printing device 12 using a local user interface (LUI), such as a touch panel, provided on the printing device 12. In this case, the screen or notification provided to the administrator is displayed on a display (such as a touch panel) provided on the printing device 12.

[0028] The cloud server 30 is a server system including one or more computers. The cloud server 30 provides a cloud print service. The cloud server 30 is also referred to as a cloud print server. The cloud print service includes services such as registration of printing devices and users, user authentication, and print processing by registered users. One example of a cloud print service is Universal Print (registered trademark) provided by Microsoft (registered trademark).

[0029] 2 is a diagram showing the flow of the printing device replacement process. The administrator first performs the necessary settings on the replacement printing device 12, which is the new printing device, and connects it to the network 50. Then, in step S10, the administrator uses the client terminal 20 to issue a registration instruction to the printing device 12.

[0030] When the replacement destination printing device 12 accepts the registration instruction, it provides a selection screen to the administrator in step S12. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen 100. The selection screen 100 includes buttons 102-1 and 102-2 for alternatively selecting "additional printer registration" or "replacement printer registration." The administrator selects either "additional printer registration" or "replacement printer registration" on the selection screen 100.

[0031] When the administrator presses button 102-1 to select "Add Printer Registration," a printing device registration process for a conventionally known cloud print service is performed. On the other hand, when the administrator presses button 102-2 to select "Replace Printer Registration," a printing device replacement process, described below, is performed. When button 102-2 is pressed, the client terminal 20 sends a replacement instruction (replacement instruction) to the replacement printing device 12 in step S14.

[0032] Upon receiving the replacement instruction, the replacement destination printing device 12 searches for each of the multiple printing devices currently being used for the cloud print service via the network 50 as a replacement candidate printing device 14P in step S16. For example, the replacement destination printing device 12 detects printing devices that belong to the same subnet as itself using a program (such as Bonjour) that automatically detects devices on an IP network. For example, the replacement destination printing device 12 sends a search signal to the multiple printing devices that belong to the same subnet as itself and receives response signals from those printing devices (step S18). The response signal includes information indicating whether the cloud print service is enabled on the printing device that sent the response signal. If the response signal indicates that the cloud print service is enabled, the replacement destination printing device 12 identifies the printing device that sent the response signal as a replacement candidate printing device 14P.

[0033] In step S20, the replacement destination printing device 12 provides the administrator with a list screen of replacement source candidate printing devices 14P. FIG. 4 shows an example of the list screen 200. The list screen 200 includes the printer name, ID, IP address, model name, location, and capabilities of each of the multiple replacement source candidate printing devices 14P. The location indicates where the printing device is located. The capabilities indicate print settings that can be specified on the printing device, and are information about the functions and optional devices provided by the printing device. The printer name, ID, or IP address is identification information for the printing device. If the model names, locations, or capabilities of the multiple replacement source candidate printing devices 14 are different from one another, the model name, location, or capabilities can also be used as identification information for selecting a printing device.

[0034] The list screen 200 includes buttons 202-1 to 202-3 for alternatively selecting the replacement source printing device 14. On the list screen 200, the administrator presses the button (one of the buttons 202-1 to 202-3) corresponding to the replacement source printing device 14 to specify the replacement source printing device 14 (step S22).

[0035] When the replacement destination printing device 12 accepts the designation of the replacement source printing device 14, in step S24 it sends a stop instruction to the replacement source printing device 14 to stop the connection to the cloud server 30. In the cloud print service, printing devices periodically access the cloud server 30 to check whether there are any print jobs stored on the cloud server 30. When the replacement source printing device 14 receives the stop instruction from the replacement destination printing device 12, it stops accessing this cloud server 30.

[0036] Furthermore, in step S24, the replacement destination printing device 12 requests the original printing device 14 for original connection information required to connect to the cloud server 30. The original connection information includes, for example, a uniform resource locator (URL) assigned as an access destination by the cloud print service, and authentication information such as an ID for logging in to the cloud print service and an access token. Upon receiving the request for the original connection information, the original printing device 14 transmits the original connection information to the replacement destination printing device 12 in step S26. The replacement destination printing device 12 receives the original connection information.

[0037] In step S28, the replacement printing device 12 connects to the cloud server 30 via the network 50 using the replacement source connection information, and sends a replacement request (replacement request) from the replacement source printing device 14 to its own device (replacement destination printing device 12) to the cloud server 30.

[0038] The replacement request to the cloud server 30 may include authentication information of the administrator. In this case, the replacement printing device 12 may obtain the authentication information of the administrator from the client terminal 20 before transmitting the replacement request. The replacement request to the cloud server 30 may also include information about the replacement printing device 12 and information about the replacement printing device 14.

[0039] When the cloud server 30 receives the replacement request, in step S30, the cloud server 30 executes a replacement process in which the registration of the replacement source printing device 14 is deleted and the replacement destination printing device 12 is registered.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of management information 32 of the cloud server 30. In a cloud print service, for example, information about printing devices is managed for each group called a tenant. FIG. 5 shows management information 32 for a tenant named "Company A." In the diagram, "Printer 1" is the original printing device 14, and "Printer 2" is the replacement printing device 12. The diagram shows management information 32 before Printer 2 (replacement printing device 12) is registered and Printer 1 (replacement printing device 14) is deleted through the replacement process.

[0041] Management information 32 includes, for example, the printer name, printer ID, capabilities, initial settings, and user information for each printing device. The printer ID indicates an ID that uniquely identifies the printing device. The capabilities indicate the print settings that can be specified for the printing device. The initial settings indicate the print settings in the default state when printing on the printing device. The print settings may include, for example, color mode (color printing, monochrome printing), printing paper (A4, A3, ...), whether or not to use double-sided printing, the number of pages printed on one side of the paper (no N-up (1 page), 2-up (2 pages), ...), supported PDL (Page Description Language), whether or not to use stapling using an optional stapler, and the staple position. The user information indicates a user who can use the printing device.

[0042] During the replacement process, the cloud server 30 updates the management information 32. The cloud server 30 may set the information set in the original printing device 14 in the management information 32 to the replacement printing device 12. In other words, the information set in the original printing device 14 may be carried over to the replacement printing device 12.

[0043] For example, the cloud server 30 may set the "initial settings" information of the printing device 14 that is the source of replacement as the "initial settings" of the printing device 12 that is the destination of replacement. Figure 5 shows an example in which the "initial settings" information of printer 1, "color printing, no N-up printing," is set as the "initial settings" of printer 2.

[0044] Also, for example, the cloud server 30 may set the "user" information of the original printing device 14 as the "user" of the replacement printing device 12. Fig. 5 shows an example in which "User_A, User_B, User_C," which is the "user" information of printer 1, is set as the "user" of printer 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the printer name is different between the original printing device 14 and the replacement printing device 12. Similarly, the printer ID is also different. However, the printer name set in the original printing device 14 may be carried over to the replacement printing device 14. Similarly, the printer ID set in the original printing device 14 may be carried over to the replacement printing device 12.

[0046] Although not shown, the cloud server 30 also manages authentication information for each printing device. Therefore, the authentication information of the original printing device 14 may be passed on to the replacement printing device 12. The cloud server 30 may also manage an administrator for each printing device. In this case, the administrator of the original printing device 14 may be passed on to the replacement printing device 12.

[0047] The replacement process can be performed in the following three ways. (1) In the management information 32, after the information of the printing device 14 as the replacement source is deleted, the information of the printing device 12 as the replacement destination is recorded. (2) In the management information 32, after the information of the replacement printing device 12 is recorded, the information of the replacement printing device 14 is deleted. (3) In the management information 32, the information of the printing device 12 as the replacement destination is overwritten on the information of the printing device 14 as the replacement source.

[0048] When the replacement process is completed, the cloud server 30 transmits a completion notification to the replacement destination printing device 12 in step S32 of Fig. 2. The completion notification indicates that the replacement from the replacement source printing device 14 to the replacement destination printing device 12 has been completed.

[0049] When the replacement destination printing device 12 receives the completion notification, it provides a completion screen to the administrator in step S34. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the completion screen 300. The completion screen 300 includes deletion information indicating that the registration of the replacement source printing device 14 has been deleted, and registration information indicating that the registration of the replacement destination printing device 12 has been completed.

[0050] 6, the deletion information may include the printer name, ID, IP address, model name, location, and capabilities of the original printing device 14. Similarly, the registration information may include the printer name, ID, IP address, model name, location, and capabilities of the replacement printing device 12.

[0051] The completion screen 300 may be provided to the client terminal 22 of a general user other than the administrator.

[0052] Furthermore, when the replacement printing device 12 receives the completion notification from the cloud server 30, it may transmit a printing device replacement request to the user's client terminal 20, 22. The client terminal 20, 22 may then receive the replacement request and update the information it holds so that the information of the replacement printing device 14 is replaced with the information of the replacement printing device 12.

[0053] Furthermore, the replacement destination printing device 12 may notify the replacement source printing device 14 of the completion of the replacement when it receives a completion notification from the cloud server 30. When the replacement source printing device 14 receives the notification of the completion of the replacement, it may change its own settings or notify the user's client terminals 20 and 22.

[0054] According to the embodiment described above, the administrator can easily replace a printing device by deregistering the printing device from the cloud print service and registering a new printing device at the same time, which makes the replacement easier than if the administrator had to access the cloud print service to replace the printing device.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, if only printing devices that belong to the same subnet as the replacement target printing device 12 and are used for the cloud print service are set as replacement source candidate printing devices 14P, the number of printing devices presented to the administrator on the list screen 200 (see FIG. 4) will be reduced, making it easier for the administrator to specify the replacement source printing device 14.

[0056] Furthermore, in the cloud server 30, when the information set on the original printing device 14 is transferred to the replacement printing device 12, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the effort required to set the information on the replacement printing device 12.

[0057] The printing device, client terminal, or cloud server of the above-described embodiments may be configured, for example, using a single computer or a system consisting of multiple computers working together. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the printing device, client terminal, or cloud server computer may include, for example, a processor 1002, a memory (main storage device) 1004, an auxiliary storage device 1006, an input / output device 1008, and a network interface 1010. The memory (main storage device) 1004 may include, for example, random access memory (RAM). The auxiliary storage device 1006 may include, for example, flash memory, an SSD (solid state drive), or an HDD (hard disk drive). The network interface 1010 controls connection to a network. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the components of the computer may be connected to each other via a data transmission path such as a bus 1012. A program describing processing content is installed on the computer via a network or the like and stored in the auxiliary storage device 1006. The program stored in the auxiliary storage device 1006 is executed by the processor 1002 using the memory 1004, thereby configuring the printing device, client terminal, or cloud server of the above-described embodiments.

[0058] The above program can be provided via a network such as the Internet, or can be provided by storing it on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk or a USB memory.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0060] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the operations of the processors are not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0061] (Addendum) (((1))) a processor; The processor: Accepts instructions to replace printing devices used in the cloud print service, When receiving the replacement instruction, searching for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as replacement source candidate printing devices; presenting the user with identification information of the plurality of replacement source candidate printing devices, and accepting designation of a replacement source printing device from among the plurality of candidate printing devices; acquiring, from the source printing device via the network, source connection information required for connecting to the cloud print server; connecting to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement source connection information, and transmitting a request to the cloud print server to replace the printing device from the replacement source printing device to the cloud print server; Printing device. (((2))) A printing device according to (((1))), The processor: providing a selection screen that selectively receives an instruction to replace or add a printing device used in the cloud print service; When an instruction to replace a printing device is received on the selection screen, a series of processes from searching for the replacement candidate printing device to transmitting the replacement request is executed. Printing device. (((3))) A printing device according to (((1))) or (((2))), The processor: receiving a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that replacement of the original printing device with the own device has been completed; Upon receiving the completion notification, notify the user that registration of the device has been completed. Printing device. (((4))) A printing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), The processor: Before transmitting a request to replace the printing device from the replacement source to the cloud print server, sending a stop instruction to the replacement source printing device to stop the connection to the cloud print server; Printing device. (((5))) A printing device according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), The processor: receiving a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that the replacement from the original printing device to the own device has been completed; When the completion notification is received, the user is notified that the registration of the replacement source printing device has been deleted. Printing device. (((6))) A printing system comprising a printing device described in any one of (((1))) to (((5))), and the replacement source candidate printing device and the cloud print server connected to the printing device via the network. (((7))) Accepts instructions to replace printing devices used in the cloud print service, When receiving the replacement instruction, searching for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as replacement source candidate printing devices; presenting the user with identification information of the plurality of replacement source candidate printing devices, and accepting designation of a replacement source printing device from among the plurality of candidate printing devices; acquiring, from the source printing device via the network, source connection information required for connecting to the cloud print server; connecting to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement source connection information, and transmitting a request to the cloud print server to replace the printing device from the replacement source printing device to the cloud print server; A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

[0062] According to the inventions (((1))), (((6))), or (((7))), the work of replacing a printing device is made easier than when an administrator accesses a cloud print service to perform the work. According to the invention (((2))), it is possible to select whether to replace or add a printing device. According to the invention related to (((3))), the user can know that the replacement destination printing device has been registered. According to the invention related to (((4))), the replacement source printing device is prevented from connecting to the cloud print server. According to the invention related to (((5))), the user can know that the registration of the replacement source printing device has been deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Printing system, 12 Replacement destination printing device, 14 Replacement source printing device, 14P Replacement source candidate printing device, 20, 22 Client terminal, 30 Cloud server (cloud print server), 32 Management information, 50 Network, 100 Selection screen, 102-1, 102-2 Buttons, 200 List screen, 202-1 to 202-3 Buttons, 300 Completion screen, 1002 Processor, 1004 Memory, 1006 Auxiliary storage device, 1008 Input / output device, 1010 Network interface, 1012 Bus.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: Accepts instructions to replace printing devices used in the cloud print service, When receiving the replacement instruction, searching for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as a replacement candidate printing device; presenting the user with identification information of the plurality of replacement source candidate printing devices, and accepting designation of a replacement source printing device from among the plurality of candidate printing devices; acquiring, from the source printing device via the network, source connection information required for connecting to the cloud print server; connecting to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement source connection information, and transmitting a request to the cloud print server to replace the printing device from the replacement source printing device to the cloud print server; Printing device.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The processor: providing a selection screen that selectively receives an instruction to replace or add a printing device used in the cloud print service; When an instruction to replace a printing device is received on the selection screen, a series of processes from searching for the replacement source candidate printing device to transmitting the replacement request is executed. Printing device.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The processor: receiving a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that replacement of the original printing device with the own device has been completed; Upon receiving the completion notification, notify the user that registration of the device has been completed. Printing device.

4. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The processor: Before transmitting a request to replace the printing device from the replacement source to the cloud print server, sending a stop instruction to the replacement source printing device to stop the connection to the cloud print server; Printing device.

5. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The processor: receiving a completion notification from the cloud print server indicating that the replacement from the original printing device to the own device has been completed; When the completion notification is received, the user is notified that the registration of the replacement source printing device has been deleted. Printing device.

6. A printing system comprising: the printing device according to claim 1 ; the replacement source candidate printing device and the cloud print server connected to the printing device via the network.

7. Accepts instructions to replace printing devices used in the cloud print service, When receiving the replacement instruction, searching for each of a plurality of printing devices used in the cloud print service via a network as replacement source candidate printing devices; presenting the user with identification information of the plurality of replacement source candidate printing devices, and accepting designation of a replacement source printing device from among the plurality of candidate printing devices; acquiring, from the source printing device via the network, source connection information required for connecting to the cloud print server; connecting to the cloud print server via the network using the replacement source connection information, and transmitting a replacement request from the replacement source printing device to the cloud print server; A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

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