Information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing system that can suppress the load on a network compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for the job information from respective software programs on the same terminal.SOLUTION: An information processing system 1 includes at least one processor, and when the processor receives requests to acquire job information from a plurality of software programs, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the processor notifies the earliest software program from which the request to acquire job information was received through the earliest communication, and does not notify software programs from which the requests to acquire job information are received through later communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing program, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that includes a display unit that displays an operation screen, an information storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of information expressed in a plurality of languages, each of which is pre-associated with an application program, a display control unit that controls the display on the operation screen of information expressed in a language designated as the display language of the operation screen from the plurality of pieces of information stored in the information storage unit, an acquisition unit that acquires update information for the information displayed on the operation screen from a server device, and an update unit that updates the display of the information displayed on the operation screen based on the update information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0003] The following Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device, which comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information from the external device, a determination means for determining the operation mode of the information processing device, and a notification means for issuing a notification based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, wherein if the mode determined by the determination means is a specific operation mode, the notification means issues a notification based on the information acquired by the acquisition means via a second notification screen that is smaller than a first notification screen, and if the mode determined by the determination means is other than the specific operation mode, the notification means issues a notification based on the information acquired by the acquisition means via the first notification screen.

[0004] Patent Document 3 listed below discloses a job processing system including an information processing device and an image forming device connected to the information processing device via a network, and in which a job transmitted from the information processing device is processed by the image forming device. The information processing device includes an operation unit operated by a user, a job registration receiving unit that receives job registrations indicating multiple jobs and an execution order of the multiple jobs in accordance with user operations on the operation unit, and a first transmission unit that transmits the job registrations received by the job registration receiving unit to the image forming device. The image forming device includes a second reception unit that receives the job registrations transmitted from the first transmission unit, a display unit, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the multiple jobs and the execution order of the multiple jobs indicated in the job registrations received by the second reception unit, a job execution control unit that sequentially controls the execution of the multiple jobs indicated in the job registrations in accordance with the execution order of the multiple jobs, and a second transmission unit that, when execution of a job is completed under control of the job execution control unit, transmits a completion notification indicating completion of execution of the job to the information processing device. When job execution is completed under the control of the job execution control unit, the display control unit erases the display of the job whose execution has been completed from the display unit; the information processing device has a first receiving unit that receives the completion notification, and the job registration accepting unit erases the job whose execution has been completed indicated by the completion notification received by the first receiving unit from the job registration; the first sending unit of the information processing device, after sending the job registration, and when the job registration accepting unit accepts a change to the content of the sent job registration in accordance with a user's operation on the operation unit, sends the changed job registration to the image forming device; the job execution control unit controls the sequential execution of multiple jobs indicated by the changed job registration in accordance with the execution order of the multiple jobs; and when the second receiving unit receives the changed job registration, the display control unit of the image forming device does not update the display of the changed job registration at the time of reception, but updates to the display of the changed job registration when a predetermined display update condition is met after the time of reception. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-111261 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-162293 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7147981 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system that can reduce the load on the network compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing system according to the first aspect includes at least one processor, and when the processor receives requests to acquire job information from a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the processor notifies the software that received the request to acquire the job information earliest through the earliest communication of the job information, and does not notify the software that received the request to acquire the job information later through a subsequent communication of the job information.

[0008] The information processing system described in the second aspect is the information processing system described in the first aspect, wherein the plurality of software programs include print server software that communicates with a printing press and causes the printing press to print in response to a print request, and machine management software that manages the printing press.

[0009] An information processing system according to a third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, wherein the processor constitutes a part of the printing press.

[0010] In the information processing system described in the fourth aspect, in the information processing system described in the first aspect, the processor identifies the terminal of each requester and identifies which of the multiple software programs the communication is from, and determines whether a request to obtain the job information has already been accepted from another software program on the same terminal.

[0011] In the information processing system described in the fifth aspect, in the information processing system described in the fourth aspect, if a request to obtain the job information has already been accepted from another software on the same terminal, the processor notifies the later software that there is no job.

[0012] In the information processing system described in a sixth aspect, in the information processing system described in the first aspect, when the processor is preset not to allow the earliest software to acquire the job information, the processor notifies the later software that is preset to acquire the job information and that has accepted a request to acquire the job information through a previous communication of the job information.

[0013] In the information processing system described in the seventh aspect, in the information processing system described in the first aspect, the processor accepts a request to obtain the job information on a communication protocol basis, and when a request to obtain the job information is accepted from the same terminal using a different communication protocol, the processor processes the request as a different software.

[0014] An information processing system according to an eighth aspect is the information processing system according to the seventh aspect, wherein, in the case of the software using the same communication protocol, the processor notifies the job information to the earliest communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through the earliest communication, and does not notify the job information to a subsequent communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through a later communication.

[0015] An information processing system according to a ninth aspect is the information processing system according to the third aspect, wherein the terminal has a display unit that displays the job information when the job information is notified from the printing press.

[0016] The information processing system described in the tenth aspect includes at least one processor, and when the processor receives a request to obtain job information from different software on the same terminal, it notifies only one of the two software of the job information.

[0017] The information processing program described in an eleventh aspect causes a computer to execute a process in which, when receiving requests to obtain job information from multiple software programs, if the requests to obtain job information are from the same terminal, the computer notifies the software program that received the request to obtain job information earliest in the earliest communication of the job information, and does not notify subsequent software programs that receive the request to obtain job information in subsequent communications of the job information.

[0018] The information processing program according to a twelfth aspect causes a computer to execute a process of notifying only one of two pieces of software of the job information when a request to obtain job information is received from different pieces of software on the same terminal.

[0019] In the information processing method described in the thirteenth aspect, when a computer receives requests to obtain job information from multiple software programs, if the requests to obtain job information are from the same terminal, the computer notifies the software program that received the request to obtain job information earliest in the earliest communication of the job information, and does not notify the software program that receives the request to obtain job information later in a subsequent communication of the job information.

[0020] The information processing method according to the fourteenth aspect includes, when a computer receives a request to obtain job information from different software programs on the same terminal, performing a process of notifying only one of the two software programs of the job information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the information processing system of the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the load on the network compared to a case where job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0022] According to the information processing system described in the second aspect, when a request to obtain job information from the print server software and a request to obtain job information from the machine management software are made from the same terminal, notification of duplicate job information can be suppressed.

[0023] According to the information processing system described in the third aspect, in a configuration in which a job is sent from an external print server to a printing machine for printing, the load on the network can be reduced compared to a case in which job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each software on the same client's terminal.

[0024] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect, job information can be notified to the first software for each terminal.

[0025] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to eliminate the state of waiting for notification of job information on the subsequent software side.

[0026] According to the information processing system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to reduce the load on the network compared to a case where it is not possible to set in advance whether each piece of software is to acquire job information.

[0027] According to the information processing system of the seventh aspect, the request for acquiring job information is received in units of communication protocols used for communication, so that there is no need to identify the software.

[0028] According to the information processing system of the eighth aspect, processing is easier than when the communication protocol is not taken into consideration.

[0029] According to the information processing system of the ninth aspect, it is easier for the requester to check the job information compared to when the job information is not displayed on the terminal side.

[0030] According to the information processing system of the tenth aspect, the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0031] According to the information processing program of the eleventh aspect, the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0032] According to the information processing program of the twelfth aspect, the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0033] According to the information processing method of the thirteenth aspect, the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0034] According to the information processing method of the fourteenth aspect, the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a client terminal in the information processing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral in the information processing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for job management by a print server application. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed display screen for each job by a print server application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management display screen by a device management application. [Figure 8A] FIG. 3 is a first sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing between a client terminal and a multifunction peripheral in the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 2 is a second sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing between the client terminal and the multifunction peripheral in the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing that is handled by a multifunction peripheral of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components and parts in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0037] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment.

[0038] (Overall configuration of information processing system) 1, the information processing system 1 includes a client terminal 10 as an example of a terminal and a multifunction peripheral 40 as an example of a printer. The multifunction peripheral 40 has a printing function for printing image data on a recording medium.

[0039] As an example, the information processing system 1 is a system in which a client terminal 10 and a multifunction peripheral 40 installed in a location different from the client terminal 10 are connected via the Internet or a wired or wireless network. Although not shown in the figures, the information processing system 1 includes a print server as a relay unit for connecting the client terminal 10 and the multifunction peripheral 40.

[0040] In the information processing system 1, a print job is sent from an external print server (not shown) to the multifunction device 40, and printing is performed by the multifunction device 40. The print job is managed in the multifunction device 40. The client terminal 10 acquires job information for the multifunction device 40 from a device management application 22 and a print server application 24 (described later), and a user (e.g., a requester) checks the job information and performs operations such as stopping the job.

[0041] The client terminal 10 includes a control device 20 and a display unit 16. The control device 20 stores a device management application 22 and a print server application 24, which are examples of multiple software programs. The device management application 22 is device management software that manages the multifunction device 40. Device management is an example of machine management. The print server application 24 is print server software that communicates with the multifunction device 40 and causes the multifunction device 40 to print in response to a print request.

[0042] The control device 20 controls the screen displayed on the display unit 16. When the device management application 22 is started in the client terminal 10, a display screen 22A displayed by the device management application 22 is displayed on the display unit 16. When the print server application 24 is started in the client terminal 10, a display screen 24A displayed by the device management application 22 is displayed on the display unit 16. Although two display units 16 are shown in FIG. 1, one display unit 16 displayed by the device management application 22 and one display unit 16 displayed by the print server application 24 are shown to make the configuration easier to understand, and the actual display unit 16 is composed of only one display unit.

[0043] The multifunction device 40 has a printing function of printing image data received via a network onto a recording medium. The multifunction device 40 is a device that can execute processes related to the printing function. The multifunction device 40 can also execute processes related to one or more functions other than the printing function, such as a reading function for reading an original, a copying function for copying an image of an original, and a facsimile function for sending and receiving data.

[0044] The multifunction device 40 receives a request to obtain a job list from the device management application 22. The multifunction device 40 also receives a request to obtain a job list from the print server application 24. The job list is an example of job information, and includes the list itself (i.e., a job catalog) as well as information corresponding to each job in the list. When the multifunction device 40 receives a request to obtain a job list from different applications on the same client terminal 10, it notifies only one of the two applications of the job list.

[0045] In the first embodiment, a job list acquisition request from different applications on the same client terminal 10 occurs when a job list acquisition request is received from both the device management application 22 and the print server application 24 on the same client terminal 10. In the first embodiment, the multifunction device 40 notifies the job list to the application that received the job list acquisition request in the earliest communication. Furthermore, the multifunction device 40 does not notify the job list to subsequent applications that receive the job list acquisition request in a later communication. The above information processing will be described later.

[0046] (Client terminal hardware configuration) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the client terminal 10. As shown in FIG.

[0047] 2, the client terminal 10 has components including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, and a communication interface 17. Each component is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus 19. Although not shown in the figure, the control device 20 (see FIG. 1) has the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, the storage 14, and the communication interface 17.

[0048] The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 11 reads a program from the ROM 12 or the storage 14 and executes the program using the RAM 13 as a work area. The CPU 11 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage 14. In the first embodiment, the ROM 12 or the storage 14 stores an information processing program.

[0049] The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 13 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 14 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. In the first embodiment, the device management application 22 and the print server application 24 are stored in the ROM 12 or the storage 14.

[0050] The input unit 15 is used for various inputs by a user (for example, a requester, etc.) The input unit 15 includes, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, and a keyboard.

[0051] The display unit 16 displays various types of information and is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0052] The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the multifunction peripheral 40 and a server (not shown), and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0053] (Hardware configuration of multifunction printer) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 40. As shown in FIG.

[0054] 3, the multifunction device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage 44, an operation panel 45, a printing unit 46, and a communication interface 47. These components are connected via a bus 49 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0055] The CPU 41 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. The CPU 41 is an example of a processor and constitutes a part of the multifunction peripheral. That is, the CPU 41 reads a program from the ROM 42 or storage 44 and executes the program using the RAM 43 as a work area. The CPU 41 controls each component and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the program stored in the ROM 42 or storage 44. In the first embodiment, an information processing program is stored in the ROM 42 or storage 44.

[0056] The ROM 42 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 43 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 44 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The storage 44 stores a printer driver program. The CPU 41 functions as a printer driver by reading the printer driver program from the storage 44 and executing the program.

[0057] The operation panel 45 has an input unit 45A and a display unit 45B. The display unit 45B is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. A touch panel system is adopted for the display unit 45B, and a part of the display unit 45B functions as the input unit 45A.

[0058] The printing unit 46 prints the image data on a recording medium. As an example, the printing unit 46 uses an electrophotographic method to print the image data on the recording medium using toner of multiple colors. However, the printing unit 46 may also use an inkjet method to print the image data on the recording medium.

[0059] The communication interface 47 is an interface for communicating with the client terminal 10 and other devices such as a server (not shown), and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0060] (Functional configuration of information processing system) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0061] 4, the control device 20 of the client terminal 10 stores the device management application 22 and the print server application 24 as described above. The control device 20 has, as functional components, a communication unit 31 for the device management application 22 and a communication unit 32 for the print server application 24. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 11 reading out an information processing program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage 14, expanding it in the RAM 13, and executing it.

[0062] The multifunction device 40 has, as its functional components, a device management transmitting / receiving unit 51, a print server transmitting / receiving unit 52, a reception determining unit 53, a job management unit 54, a received information storage unit 55, and a print control unit 56. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 41 reading out an information processing program stored in the ROM 42 or storage 44, expanding it in the RAM 43, and executing it.

[0063] In the client terminal 10, the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 communicates various information with the device management transmission / reception unit 51 of the multifunction peripheral 40 via the network. For example, the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 transmits a request to acquire a job list to the device management transmission / reception unit 51 of the multifunction peripheral 40.

[0064] In the client terminal 10, the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 communicates various information with the transmission / reception unit 52 for the print server of the multifunction device 40 via the network. For example, the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 requests the transmission / reception unit 52 for the print server of the multifunction device 40 to acquire a job list.

[0065] In the multifunction peripheral 40, the device management transmission / reception unit 51 has a function to identify each client terminal 10 of a requester connected via the network and a function to identify which application among multiple applications is sending the communication. The device management transmission / reception unit 51 receives a request to acquire a job list from the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22, for example.

[0066] In the multifunction peripheral 40, the print server transmission / reception unit 52 has a function to identify each client terminal 10 of a requester connected via the network and a function to identify which application among multiple applications is communicating. The print server transmission / reception unit 52 receives a request to acquire a job list from the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24, for example.

[0067] The reception determination unit 53 refers to the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 55 and determines (for example, judges) whether a request to obtain a job list has already been accepted from another application in the same client terminal 10. For example, it determines whether a request to obtain a job list has been accepted from both the device management application 22 and the print server application 24 in the same client terminal 10.

[0068] The job management unit 54 manages jobs. Jobs include, for example, jobs that perform printing processing. The job management unit 54 generates a job list in response to a request to acquire a job list. When there is a request to acquire a job list from the same client terminal 10, the job management unit 54 performs processing to notify the job list to the application that first received the request to acquire the job list in the earliest communication. Furthermore, when there is a request to acquire a job list from the same client terminal 10, the job management unit 54 performs processing to not notify the job list to subsequent applications that receive a request to acquire the job list in a later communication.

[0069] If the first application is the device management application 22 of the client terminal 10, the job management unit 54 outputs (e.g., returns) the job list to the device management transmission / reception unit 51. As a result, the device management transmission / reception unit 51 notifies the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 of the client terminal 10 of the job list. If the job management unit 54 receives a request to acquire the job list from the print server application 24 through later communication, the job management unit 54 does not notify the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 of the job list, for example. For example, the job management unit 54 may notify the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 of empty information indicating that there are no jobs, or may not notify anything at all.

[0070] For example, when the client terminal 10 receives a job list from the device management transceiver 51 of the multifunction peripheral 40, the device management application 22 displays the job list on the display unit 16.

[0071] If the first application is the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10, the job management unit 54 outputs (e.g., returns) the job list to the print server transmission / reception unit 52. As a result, the print server transmission / reception unit 52 notifies the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10 of the job list. If the job management unit 54 receives a request to acquire the job list from the device management application 22 through later communication, the job management unit 54 does not notify the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 of the job list, for example. For example, the job management unit 54 may notify the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 of empty information indicating that there are no jobs, or may not notify anything at all.

[0072] For example, when the client terminal 10 receives a job list from the print server transmission / reception unit 52 of the multifunction device 40, the print server application 24 displays the job list on the display unit 16.

[0073] The received information storage unit 55 stores the received information. For example, the received information stored in the received information storage unit 55 includes the received content, the identification information of the client terminal 10, and the identification information of the application that identified the communicated application.

[0074] The print control unit 56 controls the operation of the print unit 46. The print control unit 56 generates a print job from the received image data and controls the operation of the print unit 46 to print the image data on a recording medium. The print control unit 56 also manages the generated print jobs. The print control unit 56 also executes job operation functions such as stopping or canceling a print job.

[0075] (Display screen from print server application) Next, an example of a display screen by the print server application will be described.

[0076] 5, as an example, a display screen 102 for job management by the print server application 24 is displayed on the display unit 16 of the client terminal 10. A job list 104 is displayed in an area 103 in the center of the display screen 102. In the job list 104, an ID and a job name are displayed as a list for each job 104A. An ID is a code assigned by an information device or service provider to distinguish each user or each job.

[0077] 6, by selecting one job 104A in the job list 104, a details display screen 112 for the one job 104A is displayed overlaid on the display screen 102. The details display screen 112 displays detailed information 113 for the one job 104A. The detailed information 113 for the one job 104A holds information for each page. The details display screen 112 displays the manuscript and output information for each page.

[0078] For example, the following contents are displayed as detailed information 113 for one job 104A: Note that only a part of the following contents is displayed in FIG. Job information: Job ID, Job type, User information: User ID, User name, ·Time information: creation date and time, start date and time, completion date and time, Transfer information: transmission protocol, host name, host address, file format, file name, Print instruction information: Color mode, resolution, double-sided / single-sided, N-up, Staple, Puch, Fold, Paper size, Paper type, Paper orientation, Progress information: total number of pages in the job, pages being printed, Input device (input tray): Tray number, paper size, paper type, Output device (finisher): Output type (OCT, Mail, D-Fin), Staple, Fold, Punch.

[0079] (Device management application display screen) Next, an example of a management display screen by the device management application will be described.

[0080] 7, as an example, a management display screen 132 by a device management application is displayed on the display unit 16 of the client terminal 10. The management display screen 132 displays information 133A about the multifunction device 40, a print execution status 133B, paper tray information 133C, and toner cartridge information 133D.

[0081] (Information Processing System for Comparative Example) Here, an information processing system as a comparative example will be described.

[0082] Fig. 10 shows a schematic configuration of an information processing system of a comparative example. As shown in Fig. 10, an information processing system 800 includes a client terminal 810 and a multifunction peripheral 840. In the information processing system 800, the client terminal 810 and the multifunction peripheral 840 are connected via a network via a print server (not shown).

[0083] In the information processing system 800, a job is transmitted from an external print server (not shown) to the multifunction peripheral 840, and printing is performed by the multifunction peripheral 840. The multifunction peripheral 840 centrally manages print jobs.

[0084] The client terminal 810 includes a control device 812 and a display unit 814. The control device 812 stores a print server application 822, and the display unit 814 displays a display screen 822A generated by the print server application 822.

[0085] The multifunction device 840 includes a multifunction device main body 842 and a display unit 844. A device management application 852 is stored in the multifunction device main body 842, and a display screen 852A based on the device management application 852 is displayed on the display unit 844.

[0086] The print server application 822 of the client terminal 810 requests the multifunction peripheral 840 to acquire a job list. The multifunction peripheral main body 842 generates a job list in response to the request to acquire the job list, and notifies the client terminal 810 of the job list. The job list is displayed on the display unit 814.

[0087] Furthermore, the device management application 852 of the multifunction peripheral 840 requests the multifunction peripheral main body 842 to acquire a job list, whereby the job list is displayed on the display unit 844 .

[0088] In the information processing system 800, a print server application 822 and a device management application 852 run on separate client terminals 810 and multifunction peripheral main unit 842, and the user operates the job list using each application depending on the usage scenario.

[0089] However, in recent years, due to a reduction in the cumulative number of installed machines (MIF: Machines in the Field), more efficient system configurations, and higher performance control units, print servers and device management services that were previously operated by the same client are now being consolidated into one. As a result, jobs may be managed by a single client terminal using both a print server application and a device management application.

[0090] As a result, the job management functions provided by the print server application and the device management application end up being duplicated. Because users generally only use one or the other for job management, having both applications running means that the job list managed by the MFP is obtained twice, which creates a problem of increased load on the MFP processing and the network. For example, if job information is notified in response to requests for job information from different applications on the same client terminal, the load on the network is likely to increase.

[0091] On the other hand, there are cases where general applications such as print server applications are provided by other companies as a set with terminals, and it is therefore not possible to stop the device management application from obtaining the job list.

[0092] For this reason, it is difficult to simply eliminate overlapping job management functions in device management applications, for example. Also, because changes to existing device management applications are possible, there is a demand for overlapping display of job lists and other functions between the two applications.

[0093] (Operation of the first embodiment) Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0094] Fig. 8A is a first sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing between the client terminal 10 and the multifunction peripheral 40 by the information processing system 1. Fig. 8B is a second sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing between the client terminal 10 and the multifunction peripheral 40 by the information processing system 1.

[0095] In the client terminal 10, information processing is performed by the CPU 11 reading out an information processing program from the ROM 12 or storage 14, expanding it in the RAM 13, and executing it. In the multifunction peripheral 40, information processing is performed by the CPU 41 reading out an information processing program from the ROM 42 or storage 44, expanding it in the RAM 43, and executing it. In Figures 8A and 8B, the CPU 11 and CPU 42 are not shown.

[0096] 8A, the client terminal 10 starts the device management application 22. (501) The device management application 22 starts a connection to the transceiver unit 51 for device management of the multifunction peripheral 40.

[0097] (502) In the multifunction peripheral 40, the device management transmission / reception unit 51 stores the information about the client terminal 10 and the information about the device management application 22 sent at the time of connection in the received information storage unit 55. The information about the client terminal 10 includes, for example, an IP address and a MAC address (Media Access Control address). (503) The device management transmission / reception unit 51 replies to the device management application 22 of the client terminal 10 that the connection was successful.

[0098] In addition, the client terminal 10 starts the print server application 24. (504) The print server application 24 starts a connection to the transmission / reception unit 52 for the print server of the multifunction peripheral 40.

[0099] (505) In the multifunction device 40, the transmission / reception unit 52 for the print server stores the information of the client terminal 10 and the information of the print server application 24 sent at the time of connection in the received information storage unit 55. The information of the client terminal 10 includes, for example, an IP address and a MAC address. (506) The transmission / reception unit 52 for the print server replies to the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10 that the connection was successful.

[0100] 8B, the first access to the job list will be described. (507) In the client terminal 10, the device management application 22 requests the device management transceiver 51 of the multifunction peripheral 40 to acquire the job list. At this time, information about the client terminal 10 is also transmitted.

[0101] (508) The device management transmission / reception unit 51 connects to the reception judgment unit 53 to start accessing the job management unit 54. (509) The reception judgment unit 53 checks whether there has been a request to obtain a job list from the same client terminal 10 in the past, based on the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 55. (510) The reception judgment unit 53 checks the client terminal information (e.g., IP address, MAC address, etc.) stored in the reception information storage unit 55 and the communication unit from which the access was made, and confirms that it does not match the past client terminal information. In other words, the reception judgment unit 53 confirms that there has not been a request to obtain a job list from the same client terminal 10 in the past.

[0102] (511) The reception determining unit 53 stores in the reception information storage unit 55 the information of the client terminal 10, the information of the communication unit that identifies the application (that is, the information of the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22), and the request for the job list.

[0103] (512) The reception determination unit 53 requests a job list from the job management unit 54. (513) The job management unit 54 creates a job list in response to the job list request. (514) The job management unit 54 returns the job list to the device management transmission / reception unit 51.

[0104] (515) The device management transmission / reception unit 51 notifies the device management application 22 of the client terminal 10 of the job list. This completes the process for the first access to the job list.

[0105] Next, we will explain access to the job list from another application on the same client terminal 10. (516) In the client terminal 10, the print server application 24 requests the print server transmission / reception unit 52 of the multifunction device 40 to acquire the job list. At this time, information about the client terminal 10 is also sent.

[0106] (517) The print server transmission / reception unit 52 connects to the reception judgment unit 53 to start accessing the job management unit 54. (518) The reception judgment unit 53 checks whether there has been a request to obtain a job list from the same client terminal 10 in the past, based on the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 55. (519) The reception judgment unit 53 checks the client terminal information (e.g., IP address, MAC address, etc.) stored in the reception information storage unit 55 and the communication unit from which the access was made, to confirm that it matches the past information of the client terminal 10. In other words, the reception judgment unit 53 checks whether there has been a request to obtain a job list from the same client terminal 10 in the past.

[0107] (520) The reception determination unit 53 checks whether the access to the job list is from the same application based on the reception information stored in the reception information storage unit 55. (521) The reception determination unit 53 checks whether the request to obtain the job list is not from the same print server application 24.

[0108] (522) The reception determination unit 53 determines that the job list request is from a different application of the same client terminal 10, and notifies the print server transmission / reception unit 52 that no access will be made. (523) The print server transmission / reception unit 52 returns null information indicating that there are no jobs to the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10. This ends the process related to access to the job list by another application from the same client terminal 10. If the reception determination unit 53 determines that the job list request is from the same application of the same client terminal 10, the reception determination unit 53 may notify the application of the client terminal 10 of the job list. This is to accommodate, for example, a case where the job list needs to be updated.

[0109] In the above-described information processing system 1, when the CPU 41 receives requests to obtain a job list from different applications on the same client terminal 10, it notifies only one of the two applications of the job list. Therefore, according to the information processing system 1, it is possible to reduce the load on the network compared to a case where job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each application on the same terminal.

[0110] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, when the CPU 41 receives requests to obtain a job list from multiple applications, if the requests are from the same client terminal 10, it notifies the application that received the job list request earliest in communication of the job list. Furthermore, the CPU 41 does not notify subsequent applications that receive requests to obtain a job list later in communication of the job list. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, it is possible to reduce the load on the network compared to a case where job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from applications on the same terminal.

[0111] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, the multiple applications include a print server application 24 that communicates with the multifunction device 40 and causes the multifunction device 40 to execute printing in response to a print request, and a device management application 22 that manages the multifunction device 40. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, when a request to obtain a job list from the print server application 24 and a request to obtain a job list from the device management application 22 are made from the same client terminal 10, it is possible to suppress duplicate notifications of job lists.

[0112] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, the CPU 41 constitutes a part of the multifunction device 40. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, in a configuration in which a job is sent from an external print server to the multifunction device 40 for printing, the load on the network can be reduced compared to a case in which job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each application on the same client terminal (i.e., client terminal).

[0113] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, the CPU 41 identifies each client terminal 10, identifies which application among multiple applications the communication is from, and determines whether a job list acquisition request from another application has already been accepted in the same client terminal 10. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, the job list can be notified to the earliest application for each client terminal 10.

[0114] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, if a request to obtain a job list has already been accepted from another application in the same client terminal 10, the CPU 41 notifies the later application that there are no jobs. This allows the information processing system 1 to eliminate the state of waiting for notification of the job list on the later application side.

[0115] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, the client terminal 10 has a display unit 16 that displays the job list when the job list is notified from the multifunction device 40. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, it is easier for the client to check the job list compared to when job information is not displayed on the terminal side.

[0116] Second Embodiment Next, an information processing system according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0117] In the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the CPU 41 of the multifunction peripheral 40 can set in advance (i.e., in advance) whether or not to cause an application of the client terminal 10 to acquire a job list. That is, the CPU 41 can set in advance whether or not to cause a specific application of the client terminal 10 to acquire a job list. For example, whether or not to cause a specific application to acquire a job list may be determined by an input operation using the input unit 15 of the client terminal 10. As an example, the CPU 41 can set in advance whether or not to cause the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10 to acquire a job list and not to cause the device management application 22 to acquire a job list.

[0118] When it is preset that the application that first made a request to acquire the job list will not acquire the job list, the CPU 41 notifies the application that is preset to acquire the job list and that subsequently received the request to acquire the job list through previous communication of the job list. For example, when it is preset that the device management application 22 that first made a request to acquire the job list will not acquire the job list, the CPU 41 notifies the print server application 24 that subsequently made a request to acquire the job list through communication of the job list.

[0119] 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing handled by the multifunction peripheral 40 of the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment. In the multifunction peripheral 40, the CPU 41 reads an information processing program for update determination from the ROM 42 or the storage 44, expands it in the RAM 43, and executes it to perform information processing.

[0120] The CPU 41 determines whether or not a request to obtain a job list has been made by an application of the client terminal 10 (step S601).

[0121] If the application of the client terminal 10 does not request acquisition of a job list (step S601: NO), the CPU 41 waits until the application of the client terminal 10 requests acquisition of a job list.

[0122] When a request to acquire a job list is made by an application of the client terminal 10 (step S601: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether or not the application is preset to acquire a job list (step S602). For example, in the case of the print server application 24, the CPU 41 determines that the application is preset to acquire a job list. Furthermore, for example, in the case of the device management application 22, the CPU 41 determines that the application is not preset to acquire a job list.

[0123] If the acquisition of the job list of the application is not set in advance (step S602: NO), the CPU 41 transmits null information indicating that there are no jobs to the corresponding application of the client terminal 10 (step S603). For example, in the case of the device management application 22, the CPU 41 returns null information indicating that there are no jobs to the communication unit 31 of the device management application 22 of the client terminal 10.

[0124] If the acquisition of the job list of the application is set in advance (step S602: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether or not there is a request to acquire the job list from a different application of the same client terminal 10 (step S604).

[0125] If there is no request to acquire a job list from a different application of the same client terminal 10 (step S604: NO), the CPU 41 generates a job list (step S605).

[0126] If there is a request to acquire a job list from a different application of the same client terminal 10 (step S604: YES), the CPU 41 determines whether or not the job list has already been transmitted to the different application (step S606).

[0127] If the job list has not been sent to the different application (step S606: NO), the CPU 41 generates a job list (step S605). For example, if the different application is the device management application 22, the job list has not been sent, so the CPU 41 generates a job list.

[0128] If the job list has already been sent to a different application (step S606: YES), the CPU 41 returns null information indicating that there are no jobs to the corresponding application of the client terminal 10 (step S603).

[0129] After the process of step S605, the CPU 41 notifies the corresponding application of the client terminal 10 of the job list (step S607). For example, in the case of the print server application 24, the CPU 41 notifies the communication unit 32 of the print server application 24 of the client terminal 10 of the job list. This ends the process based on the information processing program handled by the multifunction peripheral 40 of the information processing system 1.

[0130] In the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, in addition to the actions and advantages resulting from the same configuration as the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, the following actions and advantages can be obtained.

[0131] In the information processing system 1, when it is preset not to allow the first application to acquire the job list, the CPU 41 notifies the job list to a subsequent application that is preset to acquire the job list and that has received a request to acquire the job list through previous communication. Therefore, in the information processing system 1, it is possible to reduce the load on the network compared to a case where it is not possible to preset whether or not each application is to acquire job information.

[0132] Third Embodiment Next, an information processing system according to a third embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first and second embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0133] In the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, the CPU 41 of the multifunction peripheral 40 accepts a request to acquire a job list for each communication protocol used for communication. A communication protocol refers to a procedure or rule established for different devices, computer systems, software, etc. to communicate with each other. If the CPU 41 accepts a request to acquire a job list from the same client terminal 10 using a different communication protocol, it processes the request as a different application.

[0134] Furthermore, in the case of applications using the same communication protocol, the CPU 41 of the multifunction peripheral 40 notifies the earliest communication protocol that received a job list acquisition request in the earliest communication of the job list. The CPU 41 does not notify subsequent communication protocols that received a job list acquisition request in subsequent communication of the job list. Note that other configurations of the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the information processing system 1 of the first or second embodiment.

[0135] In the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, in addition to the actions and effects of the same configuration as those of the information processing systems 1 of the first and second embodiments, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0136] In the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment, a request to acquire a job list is received for each communication protocol used for communication, so there is no need to identify the application.

[0137] Furthermore, in the case of applications using the same communication protocol, the CPU 41 notifies the job list to the communication protocol that received the earliest request to acquire the job list in the earliest communication, but does not notify the job list to any communication protocol that received the request to acquire the job list in a later communication. Therefore, the information processing system 1 of the third embodiment is easier to process than when the communication protocol is not taken into consideration.

[0138] 〔others〕 The processing system of the present disclosure is not limited to the information processing system 1 described in the first to third embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In the first and second embodiments, when the multifunction peripheral 40 does not notify a job list, it returns empty information indicating that there are no jobs, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured not to send anything.

[0139] In addition, in the information processing system 1 described in the first to third embodiments, the print server application 24 and the device management application 22 are used in the client terminal 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the information processing system, two other applications or three or more applications may be used in the client terminal.

[0140] The above-described processing of the information processing system 1 can also be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, the processing may be executed by a single piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0141] The program that operates the information processing system 1 may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is typically transferred and stored in a memory or storage. The program may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of each device of the information processing system 1 as a function thereof.

[0142] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0143] [Note] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments. (((1))) at least one processor; The processor: When receiving requests to acquire job information from a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the information processing system notifies the software that received the request to acquire job information earliest through the earliest communication of the job information, and does not notify the software that received the request to acquire job information later through a later communication of the job information.

[0144] (((2))) The information processing system described in (((1))), wherein the plurality of software programs include print server software that communicates with a printing machine and causes the printing machine to print in response to a print request, and machine management software that manages the printing machine.

[0145] (((3))) The information processing system according to (((2))), wherein the processor constitutes part of the printing press.

[0146] (((4))) The processor: An information processing system described in any one of (((1))) to (((3))), which identifies the terminal of each requester, identifies which of the plurality of software programs the communication is from, and determines whether a request to obtain the job information from another software program has already been accepted on the same terminal.

[0147] (((5))) The processor: The information processing system according to (((4))), wherein, if a request to acquire the job information from another software has already been accepted at the same terminal, the subsequent software is notified that there is no job.

[0148] (((6))) The processor: An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein, when the earliest software is preset not to acquire the job information, the software is preset to acquire the job information and notifies the later software that has received a request to acquire the job information through a previous communication of the job information.

[0149] (((7))) The processor: Accepting a request to acquire the job information for each communication protocol used for communication; The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))), wherein when a request to obtain the job information is received from the same terminal using a different communication protocol, the request is processed as different software.

[0150] (((8))) The processor: In the case of the software using the same communication protocol, the job information is notified to the earliest communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through the earliest communication, and the job information is not notified to a subsequent communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through a later communication.

[0151] (((9))) The information processing system according to (((3))), wherein the terminal has a display unit that displays the job information when the job information is notified from the printing machine.

[0152] (((10))) at least one processor; The processor: An information processing system that, when receiving requests to acquire job information from different software programs on the same terminal, notifies only one of the two software programs of the job information.

[0153] (((11))) An information processing program that causes a computer to execute a process in which, when a request to obtain job information is received from each of a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to obtain job information are from the same terminal, the job information is notified to the software that received the request to obtain job information earliest in communication, and the job information is not notified to subsequent software that receives the request to obtain job information in subsequent communication.

[0154] (((12))) An information processing program that causes a computer to execute a process of notifying only one of two pieces of software of job information when a request to obtain job information is received from different pieces of software on the same terminal.

[0155] (((13))) The computer An information processing method in which, when a request to acquire job information is received from each of a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the job information is notified to the software that first received the request to acquire job information through the earliest communication, and the job information is not notified to software that subsequently receives the request to acquire job information through a later communication.

[0156] (((14))) The computer An information processing method for, when receiving requests to obtain job information from different software programs on the same terminal, notifying only one of the two software programs of the job information.

[0157] According to the information processing system described in (((1))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0158] According to the information processing system described in (((2))), when a request to obtain job information from the print server software and a request to obtain job information from the machine management software are made from the same terminal, duplicate notifications of job information can be suppressed.

[0159] According to the information processing system described in (((3))), in a configuration in which a job is sent from an external print server to a printing machine for printing, the load on the network can be reduced compared to a case in which job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each software on the same client's terminal.

[0160] According to the information processing system described in (((4))), job information can be notified to the first software for each terminal.

[0161] According to the information processing system described in (((5))), it is possible to eliminate the waiting state for notification of job information on the subsequent software side.

[0162] According to the information processing system described in (((6))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to a case where it is not possible to set in advance whether each piece of software should acquire job information.

[0163] According to the information processing system described in (((7))), by accepting a request to acquire job information for each communication protocol used for communication, there is no need to identify the software.

[0164] According to the information processing system described in (((8))), processing is easier than when the communication protocol is not taken into consideration.

[0165] According to the information processing system described in (((9))), it is easier for the requester to check the job information compared to when the job information is not displayed on the terminal side.

[0166] According to the information processing system described in (((10))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0167] According to the information processing program described in (((11))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0168] According to the information processing program described in (((12))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0169] According to the information processing method described in (((13))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal.

[0170] According to the information processing method described in (((14))), the load on the network can be reduced compared to when job information is notified individually in response to requests for job information from each piece of software on the same terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Client terminal (example of terminal) 16 Display 22 Device management application (example of multiple software) 24 Print Server Application (Example of Multiple Software) 31 Communications Department 32 Communications Department 40 Multifunction machine (example of a printing machine) 41 CPU (an example of a processor) 51 Transmitter / Receiver 52 Transmitter / Receiver 53 Reception decision unit 54 Job Management Department 55 Received information storage unit 56 Print control unit 84 Multifunction device 102 Display screen 104 Job List (Example of job information) 112 Detail display screen 132 Management display screen

Claims

1. at least one processor; The processor: When receiving requests to acquire job information from a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the information processing system notifies the software that received the request to acquire job information earliest through the earliest communication of the job information, and does not notify the software that received the request to acquire job information later through a later communication of the job information.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of software programs include print server software that communicates with a printing machine and causes the printing machine to execute printing in response to a print request, and machine management software that manages the printing machine.

3. The information processing system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is part of the printing press.

4. The processor:

2. The information processing system of claim 1, further comprising: identifying each requester's terminal; identifying which of the plurality of software programs the communication is from; and determining whether a request to obtain the job information from another software program has already been accepted at the same terminal.

5. The processor:

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein, when a request to acquire the job information from another software has already been accepted at the same terminal, the subsequent software is notified that there is no job.

6. The processor:

2. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein when the earliest software is preset not to acquire the job information, the software is preset to acquire the job information and notifies the later software that has received a request to acquire the job information through a previous communication of the job information.

7. The processor: Accepting a request to acquire the job information for each communication protocol used for communication; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when a request to acquire the job information is received from the same terminal using a different communication protocol, the request is processed as a different software.

8. The processor:

8. The information processing system of claim 7, wherein, in the case of the software using the same communication protocol, the job information is notified to the earliest communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through the earliest communication, and the job information is not notified to a subsequent communication protocol that received a request to obtain the job information through a subsequent communication.

9. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal has a display unit that displays the job information when the job information is notified from the printing machine.

10. at least one processor; The processor: An information processing system that, when receiving requests to acquire job information from different software programs on the same terminal, notifies only one of the two software programs of the job information.

11. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute a process in which, when a request to obtain job information is received from each of a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to obtain job information are from the same terminal, the job information is notified to the software that received the request to obtain job information earliest in communication, and the job information is not notified to subsequent software that receives the request to obtain job information in subsequent communication.

12. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute a process of notifying only one of two pieces of software of job information when a request to obtain job information is received from different pieces of software on the same terminal.

13. The computer An information processing method in which, when a request to acquire job information is received from each of a plurality of pieces of software, if the requests to acquire job information are from the same terminal, the job information is notified to the software that first received the request to acquire job information through the earliest communication, and the job information is not notified to software that subsequently receives the request to acquire job information through a later communication.

14. The computer An information processing method for, when receiving requests to obtain job information from different software programs on the same terminal, notifying only one of the two software programs of the job information.

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