Printing device, printing device control method, program, and cloud print system

Abstract

To provide a printing device and a cloud print system that support both local printing and cloud printing, and that can display toner information on a client terminal.SOLUTION: A printing device communicates with a cloud print server that provides cloud print services. The printing device includes: a cloud print service registration control unit configured to register the printing device with the cloud print server; and a cloud print device information management unit configured to transmit printer information for the registered printing device to the cloud print server. The cloud print service registration control unit transmits printer information including information about the remaining amount of recording material in the printing device defined in a first format, and information about the remaining amount of recording material defined in a second format.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a printing device control method, a program, and a cloud printing system in a cloud printing service. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional printing services, users can print by directly sending print jobs from client terminals such as PCs to multifunction devices. In recent years, however, cloud printing services (Patent Document 1) have been proposed that utilize cloud services provided over the Internet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-71252

[0004] Here, the operational sequence of cloud printing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of a cloud print registration of a printing device.

[0005] The printing device 101 is assumed to support a cloud print function and a WebUI function for operating the printing device 101. The client terminal 100 is assumed to support a cloud print client function and a WebUI client for operating the WebUI. The cloud device registration service 102 is assumed to be an internet service provided by a cloud print server.

[0006] First, the user uses the WebUI client of the client terminal 100 to send a cloud device registration request 110 to the printing device 101 via the WebUI. Upon receiving the request 110, the printing device 101 sends a device code generation request 111 to the cloud device registration service 102. Upon receiving the request 111, the cloud device registration service 102 sends a device code generation response 112 to the printing device 101. The device code generation response 112 includes a device code 130, a user code 131, and a verification URL 132 generated by the cloud device registration service 102. Upon receiving the device code generation response 112, the printing device 101 sends a cloud device registration response 113 to the client terminal 100. The cloud device registration response 113 includes the user code 131 and the verification URL 132 generated by the cloud device registration service 102.

[0007] When the client terminal 100 receives the cloud device registration response 113, it displays the user code 131 and verification URL 132 on the WebUI client. The user operates the WebUI client to access the displayed verification URL 132. Then, by entering the cloud account 133 and the user code 131, the cloud device registration service 102 transmits a cloud device registration approval request 114 to the cloud device registration service 102. When the cloud device registration service 102 receives the cloud device registration request 114, it associates the administrator of the printing device 101 being registered as the cloud account 133 and manages it as having been approved for registration. The cloud device registration service 102 then transmits a cloud device registration approval response 115 to the client terminal 100.

[0008] The printing device 101 sends an access token request 116 to the cloud device registration service 102. The access token request 116 includes a device code 130 generated by the cloud device registration service 102. Upon receiving the access token request 116, the cloud device registration service 102 generates an access token 134. This access token 134 is used in subsequent registration processes and serves as proof of authorization for the registration processes. The cloud device registration service 102 sends an access token response 117 to the printing device 101. The access token response 117 includes the access token 134 generated by the cloud device registration service 102.

[0009] The printing device 101 sends a registration request 118 to the cloud device registration service 102. The registration request 118 includes a device name 135 and a device type 136. An access token 134 is also added to the HTTP header of the registration request 118. The device name 135 is the device name set for the printing device 101. The device type 136 indicates the device type of the printing device 101, and is set to "printer" in the cloud print service 200. The cloud print service 200 is assumed to be an internet service provided by a cloud print server. Upon receiving the registration request 118, the cloud device registration service 102 determines whether the access token 134 is the token that it responded to with the access token response 117. This confirms whether the transmitted registration request 118 is authorized. If the cloud device registration service 102 determines that the registration request is authorized as a result of the above confirmation, it transmits a registration response 119 to the printing device 101 and starts the registration process for the printing device 101.

[0010] The printing device 101 sends a registration status request 120 to the cloud device registration service 102. An access token 134 is also added to the HTTP header of the registration status request 120. When the cloud device registration service 102 receives the registration status request 120, it checks the access token 134 in the same way as when it received the registration request 118. If it determines that the registration request is authorized, it continues the following processing. If registration is complete, the cloud device registration service 102 sends a registration status response 121 to the printing device 101. The access token response 117 includes a print service URL 137, a notification service URL 138, and a print service resource ID 139. The print service URL 137 is endpoint information indicating the endpoint of the cloud print service 200. The notification service URL 138 is endpoint information indicating the endpoint of the cloud print event notification service 201. The print service resource ID 139 is unique information issued by the cloud device registration service to obtain an access token for using the print service. It is assumed that the cloud print event notification service 201 is an internet service provided by a cloud print server.

[0011] Next, the printing device 101 obtains an access token for using the cloud print service 200. The printing device 101 sends a nonce request 122 to the cloud device registration service 102. A nonce is random data that is valid only once and is used for authentication. Upon receiving the nonce request 122, the cloud device registration service 102 generates a nonce 140 and sends a nonce response 123 to the printing device 101. The nonce response 123 includes the nonce 140.

[0012] When the printing device 101 receives the nonce 140 in the nonce response 123, it generates a Jason Web Token (JWT) 141. The JWT is a signature added to a Base64 encoded copy of authentication information expressed in JSON format. The printing device 101 then sends an access token request 124 to the cloud device registration service 102. The access token request 124 includes the print service resource ID 139 received from the cloud device registration service 102 and the JWT 141 generated by the printing device 101.

[0013] When the cloud device registration service 102 receives the access token request 124, it verifies the generated nonce 140 and the JWT 141 received from the printing device 101 to authenticate the printing device 101. The cloud device registration service 102 generates an access token 142 based on the print service resource ID 139 included in the access token request 124 and transmits an access token response 125 to the printing device 101. The access token response 125 includes the access token 142. Up to this point, the cloud device registration process for the printing device 101 is complete.

[0014] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cloud print startup sequence diagram for the printing apparatus 101. The description will be given assuming that communication in this sequence uses the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), which is a printing protocol using HTTP.

[0015] The printing device 101 sends a printer information transmission request 210 to the cloud print service 200. The IPP operation is Update-Output-Device-Attributes. The printer information transmission request 210 includes printer information 220. The printer information 220 is information expressed by printer-description, which is an IPP attribute group. The printer information 220 also includes toner (recording material) information for the printing device 101.

[0016] The printing device 101 sends a job information send request 211 to the cloud print service 200. The IPP operation is Update-Active-Jobs. The job information send request 211 includes job information 221. The job information 221 includes IPP attributes job-ids and output-device-job-states. job-ids indicates the ID of the job, and output-device-job-states indicates the state of the job.

[0017] The printing device 101 sends an event notification registration request 212 to the cloud print event notification service 201. The IPP operation is Create-Printer-Subscription. The event notification registration request 212 includes a job reception event 222 that indicates the type of event to be notified. The job reception event 222 includes job-fetchable, which is an IPP attribute. job-fetchable is an event type that indicates that a receivable job exists in the cloud print service.

[0018] The printing device 101 sends an event acquisition request 213 to the cloud print event notification service 201. The IPP operation is Get-Notifications. The event acquisition request 213 includes a job reception event 222 as the type of event to be acquired. The job reception event 222 includes job-fetchable, which is an IPP attribute.

[0019] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram of cloud print by the printing device 101. The description will be given assuming that communication by the printing device 101 in this sequence uses IPP, which is a print protocol using HTTP.

[0020] The client terminal 100 sends a cloud printer information request 300 to the cloud print service 200. The cloud printer information request 300 includes a cloud account 133. When the cloud print service 200 receives the cloud printer information request 300, it sends a cloud printer information response 301 to the client terminal 100. The cloud printer information response 301 includes a cloud printer ID 320 that the cloud account 133 is permitted to use and printer information 321 that indicates information about that printer. The printer information 321 also includes toner (recording material) information for the printing device 101.

[0021] In response to a user's print operation, the client terminal 100 sends a print request 302 to the cloud print service 200. The print request 302 includes a cloud printer ID 320 that identifies the printer, print data 322, and a cloud account 133 that identifies the user.

[0022] When the cloud print event notification service 201 detects that a print job addressed to the printing device 101 has been generated in the cloud print service 200, it transmits an event response 303 to the printing device 101. The event response 303 includes a job reception event 323 as the event type. The IPP operation is Get-Notifications Response. The job reception event 323 includes job-fetchable, which is an IPP attribute.

[0023] Upon receiving the event response 303, the printing device 101 sends a print job request 304 to the cloud print service 200. The IPP operation is Get-Jobs. When the cloud print service 200 receives the print job request 304, it sends a print job response 305 to the printing device 101. The IPP operation is Get-Jobs Response. The print job response 305 includes a job ID 324 that indicates a downloadable job.

[0024] When the printing device 101 receives the print job response 305, it sends a print job attribute request 306 to the cloud print service 200. The IPP operation is Fetch-Job. The print job attribute request 306 includes a job ID 324 that specifies the target job.

[0025] When the cloud print service 200 receives the print job attribute request 306, it sends a print job attribute response 307 to the printing device 101. The IPP operation is Fetch-Job Response. The print job attribute response 307 includes job attributes 325 of the job ID 324. The job attributes 325 are information expressed in the Job-Template-attributes, which is an IPP attribute group.

[0026] When the printing device 101 receives the print job attribute response 307, it sends a print job data request 308 to the cloud print service 200. The IPP operation is Fetch-Document. The print job data request 308 includes a job ID 324 that specifies the target job.

[0027] When the cloud print service 200 receives the print job data request 308, it sends a print job data response 309 to the printing device 101. The IPP operation is Fetch-Document Response. The print job data response 309 includes job data 326 of the job ID 324.

[0028] So far, the operational sequence of Cloud Print has been explained. Meanwhile, the printing device 101 has also conventionally supported a local print function, which will be described below. 4 is a sequence diagram of a local print process in which a print job is sent directly from a conventional client terminal to a printing device. The protocol used between the client terminal and the printing device is IPP.

[0029] The client terminal 100 transmits a printer search request 401 to search for a printer on the network. Upon receiving the printer search request 401, the printing device 101 transmits a printer search response 402 to the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 discovers the printing device 101 by receiving the printer search response 402 .

[0030] Next, the client terminal 100 sends a printer information request 403 to the discovered printing device 101. When the printing device 101 receives the printer information request 403, it sends a printer information response 404 to the client terminal 100. The printer information response 404 includes printer information 412. The printer information 412 also includes toner (recording material) information of the printing device 101. The printer information 412 also includes capability information that indicates the capabilities of the printing device 101.

[0031] This allows the client terminal 100 to acquire capability information of the printing device 101. This capability information also includes information indicating whether the printing device 101 supports printing from the client terminal 100. If the client terminal 100 determines that the capability information of the printing device 101 supports printing from the client terminal 100, it performs control such as displaying the printing device 101 in a printer selection list. This allows the user to perform an operation to send a print job from the client terminal 100 to the printing device 101.

[0032] Then, when the user performs an operation to send a print job to the printing device 101, the client terminal 100 sends a print request 405 to the printing device 101. The print request 405 also includes print data 413. When the printing device 101 receives the print request 405, it sends a print response 406 to the client terminal 100. The printing device 101 also prints the print data 413 received in the print request 405.

[0033] The client terminal 100 uses the printer information 412 of the local printer acquired by the sequence of Fig. 4 to display information about the printing device 101 on the display panel of the client terminal 100. Fig. 5 shows an example of a display screen of the printer information of the local printer displayed on the client terminal 100.

[0034] The name area 501 displays the name of the printing device 101. The location area 502 displays the location of the printing device 101. The model area 503 displays the model of the printing device 101.

[0035] Supply information display area 504 displays toner (recording material) information for the printing device 101. 505 displays the name and remaining amount of black toner for the printing device 101. 506 displays the name and remaining amount of cyan toner for the printing device 101. 507 displays the name and remaining amount of magenta toner for the printing device 101. 508 displays the name and remaining amount of yellow toner for the printing device 101. All of this information is included in the printer information 412.

[0036] Meanwhile, the client terminal 100 uses the printer information 321 of the cloud printer acquired by the sequence of Fig. 3 to display information about the printing device 101 on the display panel of the client terminal 100. Fig. 6 is an example of a cloud printer information display screen displayed on the client terminal 100.

[0037] Areas 501 to 503 are the same as those described in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the supply information display area 504 displays toner information for the printing device 101. In FIG. 6, the supply information display area 504 cannot display toner information and displays "No information available." This is because the printer information 321 sent via the cloud may not include toner information supported by the client terminal 100. This can occur even if both the local print system and the cloud print system are IPP-based, because the IPP attributes used by the two systems are different. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0038] The printing device 101, which supports local printing, sends a printer information response 404 to the client terminal 100. The printer information response 404 contains toner information set in attribute values ​​that can be interpreted by the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 interprets the toner information and displays the toner information of the printing device 101.

[0039] On the other hand, the printing device 101 that supports cloud printing transmits printer information 321 to the cloud print service 200. Toner information is set in the printer information 321 using attribute values ​​that can be interpreted by the cloud print service 200. The attribute values ​​that can be interpreted by the cloud print service 200 may differ from the attribute values ​​that can be interpreted by the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 receives the printer information 321 that includes toner information from the cloud print service 200. However, if the client terminal 100 cannot interpret the toner information from the cloud print service 200, there is a problem in that it cannot display the toner information of the printing device 101.

[0040] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a printing device that can display toner information on a client terminal, even if the printing device supports local printing and cloud printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0041] A printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, the printing device having a registration means for registering the printing device with the cloud print server and a transmission means for transmitting printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server, wherein the transmission means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. [Effects of the Invention]

[0042] According to the present invention, it is possible to display on the client terminal 100 toner information for cloud printing of the printing device 101 that supports local printing and cloud printing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of cloud print registration of a printing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of starting up cloud printing on a printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of cloud print printing by a printing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a local print process. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a local printer information display screen displayed on a client terminal. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a cloud printer information display screen displayed on a client terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the printing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the printing device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel of the printing apparatus. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating standard toner attributes of a printing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating extended toner attributes of a printing device. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an AirPrint setting screen of the printing apparatus. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a process when the printing device starts up. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart when a printing device receives a printer information request for local printing. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing how the client terminal displays information about a local printer. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a client terminal displays information about a cloud printer. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a screen displaying information about a local printer and a cloud printer displayed on a client terminal. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a client terminal displays information about a local printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a client terminal displays information about a cloud printer according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0045] In the embodiment, the cloud device registration service 102, the cloud print service 200, and the cloud print event notification service 201 may be services implemented by different servers. Also, one service may be implemented by multiple servers. The cloud print server may consist of one or multiple servers, and the term "server system" refers to a device that provides each service and is configured of one or multiple servers.

[0046] Furthermore, "send to cloud print service 200" is synonymous with "send to cloud print server," and "receive from cloud print service 200" is synonymous with "receive from cloud print server." Similarly, the cloud device registration service 102 and the cloud print event notification service 201 are synonymous with "cloud print server." Furthermore, a system including the client terminal 100, the printing device 101, and the cloud print server is called a cloud print system. [Example]

[0047] First, the hardware configuration of the printing device 101 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The printing device 101 includes a control unit 701, a printer 707, a scanner 709, and an operation panel 711. The control unit 701 includes a CPU 702, a RAM 703, a ROM 704, an HDD 714, a printer I / F 706, a scanner I / F 708, an operation panel I / F 710, and a network I / F 712. The blocks within the control unit 701 are connected via a system bus 705.

[0048] A control unit 701 including a CPU 702 controls the overall operation of the printing device 101. The CPU 702 reads a control program stored in a ROM 704 and performs various controls such as communication control. A RAM 703 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 701. A HDD 714 stores data, various programs, and various information tables.

[0049] The printer I / F 706 serves as an interface for outputting an image signal to a printer 707 (printer engine). The scanner I / F 708 serves as an interface for inputting a read image signal from a scanner 709 (scanner engine). The CPU 702 processes the image signal input from the scanner I / F 708 and outputs it to the printer I / F 706 as a print image signal.

[0050] The operation panel I / F 710 connects the operation panel 711 to the control unit 701. The operation panel 711 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The network I / F 712 transmits information to external terminals such as the client terminal 100 and the cloud print service 200, or receives various types of information from these external devices. The blocks in the control unit 701 are connected to each other via a system bus 705 .

[0051] The software configuration of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 302 of the printing device 101 reading a control program stored in the ROM 704 into the RAM 703 and executing it. The software of the printing device 101 includes an operation control unit 800, a cloud print service registration control unit 801, a cloud print print control unit 802, a cloud print job information management unit 803, a cloud print event control unit 804, a cloud print device information management unit 805, a storage unit 806, an image processing unit 807, a print processing unit 808, a local print search control unit 809, a local print print control unit 810, a local print device information management unit 812, and a toner information management unit 813.

[0052] The operation control unit 800 controls the operation panel 711. It displays an operation menu on the operation panel 711, waits for an instruction input from the user, notifies other functional units of the received instruction, and displays the instruction result on the operation panel 711. The cloud print service registration control unit 801 controls the process of registering the printing device 101 with the cloud device registration service 102 in response to a cloud device registration request 111 received from the client terminal 100 .

[0053] The cloud print print control unit 802 transfers the print data 134 received from the cloud print service 200 to the image processing unit 807 . An image processing unit 807 performs processing to render a print job into image data for printing.

[0054] The print processing unit 808 performs processing to print the image data rendered by the image processing unit 807 . A cloud print job information management unit 803 manages job information of the printing device 101 and notifies the cloud print service 200 of the information.

[0055] The cloud print event control unit 804 controls the event transmission and event reception processing between the printing device 101 and the cloud print event notification service 201 . A cloud print device information management unit 805 manages device information of the printing device 101 and notifies the cloud print service 200 of the information.

[0056] In response to instructions from other functional units, the storage unit 806 stores designated data in the ROM 704 or the HDD 714, or reads out stored data. Examples of data managed by the storage unit 806 include ID information that identifies a device and QR Code (registered trademark) image information.

[0057] The local print search control unit 809 receives the printer search request 401 from the client terminal 100 and controls the process of transmitting the printer search response 402 . The local print control unit 810 transfers the print data 413 sent from the client terminal 100 in the print request 405 to the image processing unit 807 .

[0058] The local print job information management unit 811 manages job information received by the printing device 101 via local printing, and notifies the client terminal 100 of the job information. A local print device information management unit 812 manages device information of the printing device 101 and notifies the client terminal 100 of the device information.

[0059] The operation panel 711 of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to Figure 9. The operation panel 711 is provided with a display panel 905, directional keys 906, an OK key 907, a numeric keypad 908, a black and white button 909, a color button 910, a stop button 911, a menu button 912, and a status check / cancel button 913. The display panel 905 is a display panel that uses an LCD or the like. A copy button 901, a fax button 902, and a scan button 903 are displayed on the display panel 905.

[0060] The copy button 901 is a button that is operated when making a copy using the printing device 101, and operating the copy button 901 displays a copy operation screen on the display panel 905. The fax button 902 is a button that is operated when making a fax using the printing device 101, and operating the fax button 902 displays a fax operation screen on the display panel 905. The scan button 903 is a button that is operated when making a scan using the printing device 101, and operating the scan button 903 displays a scan operation screen on the display panel 905. The display panel 905 also displays a dialog box for interacting with the user. The display panel 905 also displays QR code images and the like.

[0061] The numeric keypad 908 is used to input numbers, etc. The OK key 907 is used when deciding what is displayed on the display panel 905, etc. The directional keys 906 are used when selecting a menu, etc., displayed on the display panel 905. The black and white button 909 and color button 910 are used when performing black and white copying and color copying, respectively. The stop button 911 is used to stop processing. The menu button 912 is used to display a menu screen for configuring the printing device 101. The status check / cancel button 913 is used when checking the status of the printing device 101, such as a list of print jobs received by the printing device 101.

[0062] The standard toner attributes of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows the standard toner attributes of the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Toner is one form of recording material. The recording material may also be ink. The IETF Printer MIB v2 [RFC3805] defines the MIB objects prtMarkerSuppliesTable and prtMarkerColorantTable. The printer-supply attribute 1001 in FIG. 10 is the same as that set in these MIB objects prtMarkerSuppliesTable and prtMarkerColorantTable.

[0063] The same number of pieces of information as the number of toners are set as a list in the value of the printer-supply attribute 1001. Each piece of information has type, maxcapacity, level, class, unit, and colorantname set.

[0064] "type" indicates the type of colorant (recording material), and in this embodiment, "toner" is set to indicate toner. "maxcapacity" indicates the maximum capacity of the colorant, and in this embodiment, "100" is set to indicate 100%. "level" indicates the current capacity of the colorant, and in this embodiment, "100" is set to indicate 100% for black toner and cyan toner. "50" is set to indicate 50% for magenta toner and yellow toner.

[0065] "class" indicates whether the colorant is consumed or filled, and in this embodiment, "supplyThatIsConsumed" is set, indicating that it is consumed. Examples of colorants that are filled include waste toner. "unit" indicates the unit of the values ​​set in "maxcapacity" and "level", and in this embodiment, "percent" is set, indicating a percentage. "colorantname" indicates the color of the colorant, and in this embodiment, "black", "cyan", "magenta", and "yellow" are set.

[0066] The IETF Printer MIB v2 [RFC3805] defines the MIB object prtMarkerSuppliesTable. The printer-supply-description attribute 1002 is the same as that set in this MIB object prtMarkerSuppliesTable.

[0067] The printer-supply-description attribute 1002 also sets the same number of pieces of information as the number of toners in a list. The name of the toner is set for each piece of information. In this embodiment, the toner name set for black toner is "Canon Toner T04 Black Toner," and for cyan toner is "Canon Toner T04 Cyan Toner." Furthermore, the toner name set for magenta toner is "Canon Toner T04 Magenta Toner," and the toner name set for yellow toner is "Canon Toner T04 Yellow Toner."

[0068] The extended toner attributes of the printing device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows the extended toner attributes of the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). The extended toner attributes are used, for example, when an AirPrint client obtains toner information. The toner-colors attribute 1101 is set with a list of the same number of pieces of information as the number of toners. Each piece of information represents the toner color in RGB. In this embodiment, "#000000" is set to indicate black, "#00FFFF" to indicate cyan, "#FF00FF" to indicate magenta, and "#FFFF00" to indicate yellow.

[0069] The toner-levels attribute 1102 is set as a list with the same number of pieces of information as the number of toners. Each piece of information represents the current capacity of the toner as a percentage. In this embodiment, 100 is set for black toner and cyan toner, indicating 100%. Also, 50 is set for magenta toner and yellow toner, indicating 50%.

[0070] The toner-names attribute 1103 is set with a list of information equal to the number of toners. The name of the toner is set for each piece of information. In this embodiment, the toner name set for black toner is "Canon Toner T04 Black Toner," and for cyan toner is "Canon Toner T04 Cyan Toner." Furthermore, the toner name set for magenta toner is "Canon Toner T04 Magenta Toner," and the toner name set for yellow toner is "Canon Toner T04 Yellow Toner."

[0071] The standard toner attributes in Fig. 10 and the extended toner attributes in Fig. 11 are one form of format for information related to the remaining amount of recording material. The standard toner attributes are written in the format defined in Fig. 10, and the extended toner attributes are written in the format defined in Fig. 11. Information related to toner in accordance with the two formats is then sent using the method shown in Fig. 13, which will be described later.

[0072] 12 shows the AirPrint print setting screen of the printing apparatus 101. AirPrint is a standard printing method for the OS of Apple products. The AirPrint print setting menu shown on the print setting screen 1201 is displayed on the operation panel 905 of the printing apparatus 101.

[0073] The AirPrint setting is a setting for enabling or disabling AirPrint, which is a printing system supported by the printing device 101. When this setting is turned ON, the printing device 101 operates as an AirPrint-supported printing device.

[0074] The operation when the printing device 101 starts up will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 corresponds to the cloud print startup sequence in Fig. 2 and shows a flow when the printing device 101, which supports cloud print, sends printer information 220 to the cloud print service 200.

[0075] The processing described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 702 of the printing device 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 704 into the RAM 703 and executing it. In the following, the step numbers of each process included in the flowcharts are indicated by numbers beginning with "S." This also applies to the subsequent flowcharts.

[0076] In step S1301 , the toner information management unit 813 of the printing apparatus 101 acquires the toner information of the printing apparatus 101 . In S1302, the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 generates the standard toner attributes described with reference to Fig. 10. Then, the toner information acquired in S1301 is set to the generated standard toner attributes.

[0077] In step S1303, the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 generates Printer Description Attributes. The Printer Description Attributes is an IPP attribute group, and is information set in the printer information 220.

[0078] In step S1304 , the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 acquires the AirPrint settings from the storage unit 806 . In S1305, the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 determines the AirPrint setting acquired in S1304. If the AirPrint setting is ON (YES), the process proceeds to S1306, and if the AirPrint setting is OFF (NO), the process proceeds to S1308.

[0079] If the AirPrint setting is ON, in S1306, the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 generates the extended toner attributes described with reference to Fig. 11. Then, the toner information acquired in S1302 is set in the generated extended toner attributes.

[0080] In S1307, the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 sets the extended toner attributes generated in S1306 to the Printer Description Attributes generated in S1303.

[0081] In S1308 , the cloud print device information management unit 805 of the printing apparatus 101 transmits the generated Printer Description Attributes to the cloud print service 200 . 13 is a flow when registering the printing device 101 in the cloud print server, but after registering the printing device 101, the AirPrint setting of the printing device 101 may be changed between ON and OFF. If the AirPrint setting is changed from OFF to ON after registering the printing device 101, Printer Description Attributes including extended toner attributes may be sent to the cloud print server.

[0082] The operation when the printing device 101 receives a printer information request for local printing will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 shows the flow when the printing device 101, which supports the local print function in Fig. 4, receives a printer information request 403 from the client terminal 100 and transmits a printer information response 404. The printer information response 404 that the printing device 101 transmits to the client terminal 100 includes printer information 412.

[0083] The flow of FIG. 14 is realized, for example, by the CPU 702 of the printing apparatus 101 reading out a program stored in the ROM 704 into the RAM 703 and executing it. In step S1401 , the toner information management unit 813 of the printing apparatus 101 acquires the toner information of the printing apparatus 101 . In S1402, the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 generates the standard toner attributes described with reference to Fig. 10. Then, the toner information acquired in S1401 is set to the generated standard toner attributes.

[0084] In step S1403, the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 generates Printer Description Attributes. The Printer Description Attributes is an IPP attribute group, and is information set in the printer information 412. In step S1404 , the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 acquires the AirPrint settings from the storage unit 806 .

[0085] In S1405, the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 determines the AirPrint setting acquired in S1404. If the AirPrint setting is ON (YES), the process proceeds to S1406, and if the AirPrint setting is OFF (NO), the process proceeds to S1408.

[0086] If the AirPrint setting is ON, in S1406, the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 generates the extended toner attributes described with reference to Fig. 11. Then, the toner information acquired in S1402 is set in the generated extended toner attributes.

[0087] In S1407, the local print device information management unit 812 of the printing apparatus 101 sets the extended toner attributes generated in S1406 to the Printer Description Attributes generated in S1403. In S1408 , the local print device information manager 812 of the printing apparatus 101 transmits the generated Printer Description Attributes to the client terminal 100 .

[0088] In this embodiment, whether the printing device 101 supports the local print function or the cloud print function, the printing device 101 generates toner information based on both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes. The client terminal 100 can obtain toner information based on both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes from either the printing device 101 that supports the local print function or the printing device 101 that supports the cloud print function.

[0089] In the following embodiments, the description will be given on the assumption that the printing system of the client terminal 100 is AirPrint. The AirPrint client acquires toner information from the extended toner attributes.

[0090] The flow when the client terminal 100 displays information about a local printer will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 shows the flow of the client terminal 100 when the printing device 101, which supports the local print function in Fig. 4, receives a printer information request 403 from the client terminal 100 and transmits a printer information response 404. The printer information response 404 that the client terminal 100 receives from the printing device 101 includes printer information 412.

[0091] The flow of FIG. 15 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the client terminal 100 reading out a program stored in a storage device into RAM and executing it. In S1501, the client terminal 100 sends a printer information request 403 to the printing device 101.

[0092] In S1502, the client terminal 100 receives the printer information response 404 from the printing device 101. The printer information response 404 includes the printer information 412. In S1503, the client terminal 100 analyzes the received printer information 412 and acquires the name, location, and model information of the printer.

[0093] In S1504, the client terminal 100 determines whether the extended toner attribute is included in the received printer information 412. If the extended toner attribute is included in the printer information 412 (YES), the process proceeds to S1505, and if the extended toner attribute is not included (NO), the process proceeds to S1506. If the extended toner attribute is included, in S1505, the client terminal 100 acquires the toner name and toner level information from the extended toner attribute.

[0094] In S1506, the client terminal 100 generates a printer information screen using the acquired printer name, location, model, toner name, and toner level information. If the toner name and toner level information cannot be acquired, the client terminal 100 displays a message in the supply information display area 504 saying that there is no information. In S1507, the client terminal 100 displays the printer information screen generated in S1506.

[0095] The flow when the client terminal 100 displays information about a cloud printer will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 shows the flow when the client terminal 100 of Fig. 3 uses a cloud printer service. The client terminal 100 sends a cloud printer information request 300 to the cloud printer service 200, and receives a cloud printer information response 301 from the cloud printer service 200. The cloud printer information response 301 includes printer information 321.

[0096] The flow of FIG. 16 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the client terminal 100 reading out a program stored in a storage device into RAM and executing it. In S1601, the client terminal 100 sends a cloud printer information request 300 to the cloud print service 200.

[0097] In S1602, the client terminal 100 receives a cloud printer information response 301 from the cloud print service 200. The printer information response 301 includes printer information 321. In S1603, the client terminal 100 analyzes the received printer information 321 and acquires the name, location, and model information of the printer.

[0098] In S1604, the client terminal 100 determines whether the extended toner attribute is included in the received printer information 321. If the extended toner attribute is included in the printer information 321 (YES), the process proceeds to S1605, and if the extended toner attribute is not included (NO), the process proceeds to S1606.

[0099] In S1605, the client terminal 100 acquires the toner name and toner level information from the extended toner attributes. In S1606, the client terminal 100 generates a printer information screen using the acquired printer name, location, model, toner name, and toner level information. If the toner name and toner level information cannot be acquired, the client terminal 100 displays a message in the supply information display area 504 saying that there is no information. In S1607, the client terminal 100 displays the printer information screen generated in S1606.

[0100] FIG. 17 is an example of a screen displaying information about a local printer and a cloud printer displayed on the client terminal 100. A name area 1701 displays the name of the printing device 101. A location area 1702 displays the location of the printing device 101. A model area 1703 displays the model of the printing device 101.

[0101] A supply information display area 1704 displays toner information for the printing device 101. 1705 displays the name and remaining amount of black toner for the printing device 101. 1706 displays the name and remaining amount of cyan toner for the printing device 101. 1707 displays the name and remaining amount of magenta toner for the printing device 1701. 1708 displays the name and remaining amount of yellow toner for the printing device 101.

[0102] This information is included in the printer information 412 in the case of a local printer, and in the printer information 321 in the case of a cloud printer. In this embodiment, the printing device 101 generates toner information using both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes. The client terminal 100 can obtain toner information using both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes from both the printing device 101 that supports the local print function and the printing device 101 that supports the cloud print function. In this way, if the printing system of the client terminal 100 is AirPrint, the client terminal can receive toner information as printer information and display it using extended toner attributes. In this embodiment, the description has been given on the assumption that the printing system of the client terminal 100 is AirPrint. [Example]

[0103] In the following second embodiment, it is assumed that the printing system of the client terminal 100 is Mopria. Mopria is the standard printing system for Android OS. The Mopria client obtains toner information from standard toner attributes.

[0104] The flow when the client terminal 100 in the second embodiment displays information about a local printer will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 shows the flow of the client terminal 100 when the printing device 101 compatible with the local print function in Fig. 4 receives a printer information request 403 from the client terminal 100 and transmits a printer information response 404. The printer information response 404 that the client terminal 100 receives from the printing device 101 includes printer information 412.

[0105] In S1801, the client terminal 100 sends a printer information request 403 to the printing device 101. In S1802, the client terminal 100 receives the printer information response 404 from the printing device 101. The printer information response 404 includes the printer information 412. In S1803, the client terminal 100 analyzes the received printer information 321 and acquires the name, location, and model information of the printer.

[0106] In S1804, the client terminal 100 determines whether the standard toner attribute is included in the received printer information 321. If the standard toner attribute is included in the received printer information 321 (YES), the process proceeds to S1805, and if the standard toner attribute is not included (NO), the process proceeds to S1806. In S1805, the client terminal 100 acquires the toner name and toner level information from the standard toner attributes.

[0107] In S1806, the client terminal 100 generates a printer information screen using the acquired printer name, location, model, toner name, and toner level information. If the toner name and toner level information cannot be acquired, the client terminal 100 displays a message in the supply information display area 504 saying that there is no information. In S1807, the client terminal 100 displays the printer information screen generated in S1806.

[0108] The flow when the client terminal 100 in the second embodiment displays information about a cloud printer will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 shows the flow when the client terminal 100 in Fig. 3 uses a cloud printer service. The client terminal 100 sends a cloud printer information request 300 to the cloud printer service 200, and receives a cloud printer information response 301 from the cloud printer service 200. The cloud printer information response 301 includes printer information 321.

[0109] In S1901, the client terminal 100 sends a cloud printer information request 300 to the cloud print service 200. In S1902, the client terminal 100 receives a cloud printer information response 301 from the cloud print service 200. The printer information response 301 includes printer information 321.

[0110] In S1903, the client terminal 100 analyzes the received printer information 321 and acquires the name, location, and model information of the printer. In S1904, the client terminal 100 determines whether the standard toner attribute is included in the received printer information 321. If the standard toner attribute is included in the printer information 321 (YES), the process proceeds to S1905, and if the standard toner attribute is not included (NO), the process proceeds to S1906. In S1905, the client terminal 100 acquires the toner name and toner level information from the standard toner attributes.

[0111] In S1906, the client terminal 100 generates a printer information screen using the acquired printer name, location, model, toner name, and toner level information. If the toner name and toner level information cannot be acquired, the client terminal 100 displays a message in the supply information display area 504 saying that there is no information.

[0112] In S1907, the client terminal 100 displays the printer information screen generated in S1906. The information display screen of the local printer and the cloud printer displayed on the client terminal 100 in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 17, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] In this embodiment, the printing device 101 generates toner information using both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes. The client terminal 100 can obtain toner information using both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes from both the printing device 101 that supports the local print function and the printing device 101 that supports the cloud print function. In this way, if the printing system of the client terminal 100 is Mopria, the client terminal can receive toner information as printer information and display it using the standard toner attributes.

[0114] In the present invention, the printing device 101 generates toner information based on both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes. The client terminal 100 can obtain toner information based on both standard toner attributes and extended toner attributes from both a printing device 101 that supports local print functionality and a printing device 101 that supports cloud print functionality. In the present invention, regardless of the printing system of the client terminal 100 and regardless of whether the printing device 101 is a local printer or has cloud print functionality, the client terminal 100 can receive and display toner information as printer information.

[0115] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0116] The disclosure of this specification includes the following printing device, printing device control method, program, and cloud print system. (Item 1) A printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server, the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. Printing device. (Item 2) the transmitting means includes the information defined in the first format and the information defined in the second format in the printer information according to the print settings of the printing device. Item 1. The printing device according to item 1. (Item 3) The print settings are the OS standard print settings. Item 2. The printing device according to item 2. (Item 4) Even if the print settings of the printing device are changed after the registration of the printing device by the registration means, the transmission means transmits the printer information including information on the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information on the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. Item 2 or 3. The printing device according to item 2 or 3. (Item 5) the first format is Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) standard toner attributes, and the second format is IPP extended toner attributes; 5. The printing device according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) A method for controlling a printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, comprising: The registration means registers the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server; the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. A method for controlling a printing device. (Item 7) A program for operating a computer of a printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, The computer a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; functioning as a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server; the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. program. (Item 8) A cloud print system including a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, a printing device, and a client terminal, The printing device a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server, the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format to the cloud print server; The cloud print server transmits the received printer information to the client terminal. Cloud printing system. (Item 9) the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on the printer information received from the cloud print server; Item 8. The cloud printing system according to item 8. (Item 10) the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on the printer information received from the cloud print server and a printing system supported by the client terminal; Item 8. The cloud print system according to item 9. (Item 11) the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on either the information defined in the first format or the information defined in the second format of the printer information received from the cloud print server. The cloud print system according to any one of items 8 to 10.

[0117] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 100: Client terminal, 101: Printing device, 200: Cloud print service, 201: Cloud print event notification service

Claims

1. A printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server, the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. Printing device.

2. the transmitting means includes the information defined in the first format and the information defined in the second format in the printer information according to the print setting of the printing device. The printing device of claim 1 .

3. The print settings are OS standard print settings. The printing device according to claim 2 .

4. Even if the print settings of the printing device are changed after the registration of the printing device by the registration means, the transmission means transmits the printer information including information on the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information on the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. The printing device according to claim 2 .

5. the first format is Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) standard toner attributes, and the second format is IPP extended toner attributes; The printing device of claim 1 .

6. A method for controlling a printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, comprising: The registration means registers the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server; the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. A method for controlling a printing device.

7. A program for operating a computer of a printing device that communicates with a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, The computer a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; functioning as a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server; the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format. program.

8. A cloud print system including a cloud print server that provides a cloud print service, a printing device, and a client terminal, The printing device a registration unit for registering the printing device in the cloud print server; a transmitting unit that transmits printer information of the registered printing device to the cloud print server, the transmitting means transmits the printer information including information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a first format and information regarding the remaining amount of recording material of the printing device defined in a second format to the cloud print server; The cloud print server transmits the received printer information to the client terminal. Cloud printing system.

9. the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on the printer information received from the cloud print server; The cloud printing system according to claim 8 .

10. the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on the printer information received from the cloud print server and a printing system supported by the client terminal; The cloud printing system according to claim 8 .

11. the client terminal displays information about the remaining amount of the recording material based on either the information defined in the first format or the information defined in the second format of the printer information received from the cloud print server; The cloud printing system according to claim 8 .

Images