Information processing system, information processing method, document management server, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve convenience of a system in which a user uploads a document from a terminal, and the document is downloaded and printed by an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: When receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming apparatus, a download execution unit of the document management server reads the document associated with the document ID from a document storage unit and downloads the document to the image forming apparatus, and an association request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the settlement account ID, the document ID, and the association request to the document management server, when receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming apparatus, a download execution unit of the document management server reads the document associated with the document ID from a document storage unit, and an association request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the settlement account ID, the document ID, and the association request to the document management server, the user ID and the settlement account ID are recorded in a settlement account ID storage part in association with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus capable of printing downloaded documents, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a document management server. [Background technology]

[0002] There are systems in which a user uploads a document from a terminal device, and then downloads and prints the document on an image forming device. When a document is uploaded, a document number is issued, and the user can print the uploaded document by entering the document number on the device. In the case of image forming devices installed in convenience stores, etc., a fee must be paid at the image forming device when a print job is executed, and payment can be made in cash or electronic money. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-87270 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a system in which a user uploads a document from a terminal device and then downloads and prints the document on an image forming apparatus, it is desirable to improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with the document. a document management server; Equipped with the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records them in the payment account ID storage unit.

[0006] An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with the document. a document management server; An information processing method by an information processing system having the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records them in the payment account ID storage unit.

[0007] A document management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with the document. a document management server; and the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records them in a payment account ID storage unit. Included in information processing systems.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with the document. a document management server; and the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records them in a payment account ID storage unit. Included in information processing systems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, in a system in which a user uploads a document from a terminal device and an image forming apparatus downloads and prints the document, it is possible to further improve user convenience.

[0010] The effects described here are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and may be any of the effects described in this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 1 shows the functional configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 4] 1 shows an operation sequence of the information processing system. [Figure 5] 1 shows the operation flow of the document management server. [Figure 6] 3 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1. Information Processing System

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] The information processing system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a document management server 20. The image forming apparatus 10 and the document management server 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a network N such as the Internet.

[0016] The document management server 20 downloads document data uploaded via the network N from a terminal device 30 (personal computer, smartphone, tablet computer, etc.) of a user (end user; the same applies hereinafter) to the image forming device 10.

[0017] The image forming device 10 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and is installed in a convenience store, etc. The image forming device 10 executes a job (such as a print job) related to data downloaded to the document management server 20 in accordance with a user input, and settles the fee for the job.

[0018] 2. Image forming equipment

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control circuit 100 that constitutes a computer. The control circuit 100 is composed of a processor, such as a CPU 11a (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 11b (Random Access Memory), a ROM 11c (Read Only Memory), and dedicated hardware circuits, and is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11a loads an information processing program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executes it to perform the operations described in the operational flow below and control the display and operational input of the touch panel 17. The ROM 11c permanently stores the programs and data executed by the CPU 11a. The ROM 11c is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0021] The control circuit 100 is connected to the payment information reading device 11, image reading unit 12 (image scanner), image processing unit 14 (including a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), image memory 15, image forming unit 16 (printer), touch panel (front panel) 17, which is an operation unit equipped with a display unit 17a, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 18 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), facsimile communication unit 19, and network communication interface 13 (communication unit). The control circuit 100 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned connected units and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each unit. The operation unit of the touch panel 17 is a form of input device, and a voice input device including a microphone may be provided as an input device. The payment information reading device 11 reads information from credit cards, contactless IC cards, mobile terminals, etc.

[0022] 3. Functional configuration of information processing system

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the functional configuration of the information processing system.

[0024] In the control circuit 100 constituting the computer of the image forming device 10, the CPU 11a operates as a download request unit 101, a job execution unit 102, a payment execution unit 103, and a linking request unit 104 by loading an information processing program recorded in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executing it.

[0025] In the control circuit 200 constituting the computer of the document management server 20, the CPU loads an information processing program recorded in the ROM into the RAM and executes it, thereby operating as an upload execution unit 201, a download execution unit 202, and an association execution unit 203. The control circuit 200 can access a document storage unit 400 and a payment account ID storage unit 500. The document storage unit 400 stores a user ID 401, a document ID 402, and a document 403 (document data) in association with each other. The payment account ID storage unit 500 stores a user ID 501 and a payment account ID 502 in association with each other.

[0026] 4. Operation of the information processing system

[0027] Fig. 4 shows the operation sequence of the information processing system, and Fig. 5 shows the operation flow of the document management server.

[0028] A user uploads document data (hereinafter simply referred to as a "document") from a terminal device 30 (such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet computer) to the document management server 20 via the network N. Specifically, the terminal device 30 transmits a user ID 401, a document 403, and an upload request to the document management server 20.

[0029] The upload execution unit 201 of the document management server 20 receives a user ID 401, a document 403, and an upload request from the terminal device 30 (step S201). The upload execution unit 201 generates a document ID 402 (e.g., a serial number) that identifies the received document 403. The upload execution unit 201 can access the document storage unit 400. The upload execution unit 201 associates the received user ID 401 and document 403 with the generated document ID 402 and records them in the document storage unit 400 (step S202). The upload execution unit 201 transmits the generated document ID 402 to the terminal device 30 (step S203).

[0030] The terminal device 30 receives the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 and presents it to the user by displaying it on a display or the like.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows the operation flow of the image forming apparatus.

[0032] Thereafter, the user inputs the document ID 402 to the image forming apparatus 10 by operating the touch panel 17, etc. The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 accepts the input of the document ID 402. The download request unit 101 transmits the input document ID 402 and the download request to the document management server 20 (step S101).

[0033] The download execution unit 202 of the document management server 20 receives the document ID 402 and the download request from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S211). The download execution unit 202 reads out the document 403 linked to the received document ID 402 from the document storage unit 400 and downloads it to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S212).

[0034] The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 downloads the document 403 linked to the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 (step S102). The job execution unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 notifies the user that the download of the document 403 has been completed, that preparation of a print job or the like for the document 403 has been completed, and the fee for the print job or the like by displaying such information on the touch panel 17 (step S103).

[0035] The user operates the touch panel 17 to select a job to be executed, such as a print job, and causes the payment information reading device 11 to read information such as a credit card, contactless IC card, or mobile terminal. The payment execution unit 103 of the image forming device 10 acquires from the payment information reading device 11 a payment account ID 502 that identifies the payment account used to settle the user's use of the document 403 (step S104). The payment account ID 502 is, for example, a credit card number, a contactless IC card number, or an account for a payment app on the mobile terminal. The payment execution unit 103 executes payment for the print job or the like by electronic payment (step S105). After the payment is completed, the job execution unit 102 executes the job, such as the print job (step S106).

[0036] The linking request unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 10 sends the payment account ID 502, the document ID 402, and the linking request to the document management server 20 (step S107). Note that the order of the electronic payment (step S105) and job execution (step S106) and the linking request transmission (step S107) may be reversed (see FIG. 4).

[0037] The linking execution unit 203 of the document management server 20 receives the payment account ID 502, the document ID 402, and the linking request from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S213). The linking execution unit 203 reads the user ID 401 linked to the document ID 402 from the document storage unit 400. The linking execution unit 203 links the user ID 501 and the payment account ID 502 that are the same as the user ID 401, and records them in the payment account ID storage unit 500 (step S214).

[0038] Next, a description will be given of what happens after the user ID 501 and payment account ID 502 are linked and recorded in the payment account ID storage unit 500. Uploading a document (steps S201 to S203) is the same as above.

[0039] The user does not need to input the document ID 402 into the image forming device 10, but simply has the payment information reading device 11 read information from a credit card, contactless IC card, mobile terminal, etc. The payment execution unit 103 of the image forming device 10 acquires the payment account ID 502 from the payment information reading device 11 (step S111).

[0040] The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the payment account ID 502 and the download request to the document management server 20 (step S112).

[0041] The download execution unit 202 of the document management server 20 receives the payment account ID 502 and a download request from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S221). The download execution unit 202 reads the user ID 501 linked to the payment account ID 502 from the payment account ID storage unit 500 (step S222). The download execution unit 202 reads all document IDs 402 linked to the same user ID 401 as the read user ID 501 from the document storage unit 400 (step S223). The download execution unit 202 transmits all read document IDs 402 to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S224).

[0042] The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 (step S113). The download request unit 101 displays a list of the document IDs 402 on the touch panel 17. The user selects the document ID 402 to be the target of the print job from the list by operating the touch panel 17, for example. The download request unit 101 accepts the user's selection of the document ID 402. The download request unit 101 transmits the selected document ID 402 to the document management server 20 (step S114).

[0043] The download execution unit 202 of the document management server 20 receives the document ID 402 selected by the user from the image forming device 10 (step S225). The download execution unit 202 reads out the document 403 linked to the selected document ID 402 from the document storage unit 400 and downloads it to the image forming device 10 (step S226).

[0044] The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 downloads the document 403 linked to the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 (step S115). The job execution unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 notifies the user that the download of the document 403 has been completed, that preparation of a print job or the like for the document 403 has been completed, and the fee for the print job or the like by displaying such information on the touch panel 17 (step S116).

[0045] The user operates touch panel 17 to select a job to be executed, such as a print job, and then operates touch panel 17 to command the start of the job. Payment execution unit 103 of image forming device 10 executes payment for the job related to downloaded document 403 based on the acquired payment account ID 502 (step S111) (step S117). After payment is completed, job execution unit 102 of image forming device 10 executes the job, such as a print job (step S118).

[0046] In particular, when there is only one document ID 402 linked to the user ID 401 (step S223), the download execution unit 202 of the document management server 20 may omit the process of sending the document ID 402 to the image forming device 10 (step S224) and the process of receiving the document ID 402 from the image forming device 10 (step S225), and may instead read the document 403 linked to the document ID 402 from the document storage unit 400 and download it to the image forming device 10 (step S226).

[0047] In this case, the download request unit 101 of the image forming device 10 downloads the document 403 linked to the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 (step S115) without receiving the document ID 402 from the document management server 20 (step S113) or sending the document ID 402 selected by the user (step S114).

[0048] It is assumed that after the user ID 501 and payment account ID 502 are linked and recorded (step S214), the user inputs document ID 402 to image forming apparatus 10. In this case, download request unit 101 of image forming apparatus 10 transmits the input document ID 402 and a download request to document management server 20 (step S101). Upon receiving document ID 402 and the download request from image forming apparatus 10 (step S211), download execution unit 202 of document management server 20 downloads document 403 linked to document ID 402 to image forming apparatus 10 (step S212). Furthermore, download execution unit 202 of document management server 20 may notify image forming apparatus 10 of payment account ID 502 linked to user ID 501 that is the same as user ID 401 linked to document ID 402. The download request unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 may receive the payment account ID 502 from the document management server 20, and the payment execution unit 103 may display the payment account ID 502 on the touch panel 17 on a payment method selection screen or the like.

[0049] 5. Conclusion

[0050] In this embodiment, the user ID and the payment account ID are linked in the background while the document is downloaded, printed, and paid for, without the user having to register their own payment account ID, thereby improving user convenience. The payment account ID read by the image forming device 10 for payment can be linked without the user having to register their own payment account ID.

[0051] Specifically, when the image forming device 10 reads a payment account ID to perform electronic payment, the image forming device 10 links the payment account ID and document ID and transmits them to the document management server 20. The document management server 20 links the document ID and user ID in advance. Therefore, the document management server 20 can link the user ID and payment account ID using the document ID as a key.

[0052] As a result, when printing the same document for the second or subsequent times or uploading a different document, it becomes possible to specify the document to be printed and perform payment by simply reading the payment account ID (for example, by waving a contactless credit card) without having to enter anything on the image forming device 10. In this embodiment, the user is saved the trouble of having to enter the document ID every time, and the user ID and payment account ID are linked, so that the linking can be performed simultaneously with payment without requiring a separate registration process.

[0053] Although the embodiments and modified examples of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present technology. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Image forming device 100 control circuit 101 Download request section 102 Job Execution Unit 103 Payment Execution Department 104 Linking request section 11 Payment information reader 17 Touch Panel 20 Document Management Server 200 Control circuit 201 Upload execution unit 202 Download execution unit 203 Linking Execution Unit 30 Terminal Equipment 400 Document Storage 401 User ID 402 Document ID 403 Document 500 Payment account ID storage section 501 User ID 502 Payment Account ID

Claims

1. an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with each other. a document management server; Equipped with the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records the linked user ID and the payment account ID in the payment account ID storage unit. Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires the payment account ID, the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID and the download request to the document management server; The download execution unit of the document management server When the payment account ID and the download request are received from the image forming device, reading out a user ID linked to the payment account ID from the payment account ID storage unit; A document ID associated with the user ID is read from the document storage unit; reading out the document linked to the read document ID from the document storage unit and downloading it to the image forming device; The payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus executes payment for the job related to the downloaded document based on the payment account ID. Information processing system.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires the payment account ID, the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID and the download request to the document management server; The download execution unit of the document management server When the payment account ID and the download request are received from the image forming device, reading out a user ID linked to the payment account ID from the payment account ID storage unit; Read out all document IDs associated with the user ID from the document storage unit; Sending all of the read document IDs to the image forming device; The download request unit of the image forming apparatus Accepting a user's selection for the document ID received from the document management server; Sending the selected document ID to the document management server; The download execution unit of the document management server reading out the document associated with the selected document ID from the document storage unit and downloading it to the image forming device; The payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus executes payment for the job related to the downloaded document based on the payment account ID. Information processing system.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The document management server further receiving a user ID, a document, and an upload request from a terminal device; generating a document ID for identifying the received document; linking the received user ID and document with the document ID, and recording the document ID in the document storage unit; and transmitting the document ID to the terminal device. Further includes an upload execution unit. Information processing system.

5. an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with each other. a document management server; An information processing method by an information processing system having the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records the linked user ID and the payment account ID in the payment account ID storage unit. Information processing methods.

6. an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with each other. a document management server; and the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records the linked user ID and the payment account ID in the payment account ID storage unit. Included in information processing systems Document management server.

7. an image forming apparatus having a download request unit, a payment execution unit, and a linking request unit; a download execution unit capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus and including a linking execution unit; A document storage unit is accessible that stores a document, a document ID that identifies the document, and a user ID that identifies a user who uses the document in association with each other. a document management server; and the download request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a document ID and a download request to the document management server; the download execution unit of the document management server, upon receiving the document ID and the download request from the image forming device, reads out the document associated with the document ID from the document storage unit and downloads it to the image forming device; the payment execution unit of the image forming apparatus acquires a payment account ID that identifies a payment account used for payment for using the document by the user; the linking request unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the payment account ID, the document ID, and a linking request to the document management server; When the linking execution unit of the document management server receives the payment account ID, the document ID, and the linking request from the image forming device, it reads the user ID linked to the document ID from the document storage unit, links the user ID and the payment account ID, and records the linked user ID and the payment account ID in the payment account ID storage unit. Included in information processing systems Image forming device.

Images