Print server, print system, and program

Abstract

To provide a print server, a print system, and a program for reducing an operation burden for print output.SOLUTION: In a printing system, a print server includes a memory, a communication interface, and a processor. The processor transmits registration destination information of a print job to a client terminal by a communication interface in response to a registration request of the print job transmitted from the client terminal, registers the print job received from the client terminal in the registration destination indicated by the registration destination information, transmits a lock release code to the printer by the communication interface, specifies the printer based on the lock release code included in a first release request of the print job transmitted by the read client terminal, and causes the specified printer to print an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A print system consisting of a client terminal, a print server, and a printer is known. In this print system, the client terminal sends print data to the print server, and the printer acquires a print job list containing the file name and location information of the print data stored on the print server. The printer acquires the specified print data from the print server and prints it. For example, in an environment where multiple printers are connected to a network and registered as devices in the print server, a printer selected from the multiple registered printers prints the acquired print data.

[0003] Furthermore, various proposals have been made regarding such printing systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-030785 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the printing system described above, there is a demand for simplifying user operations. For example, when printing based on a target print file on the printer panel, a target print file selection operation may be required, but there is a demand for a mechanism that allows the target print file to be output without this selection operation.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a print server, a print system, and a program that reduce the operational burden for print output. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A print server according to an embodiment includes a memory, a communication interface, and a processor. The memory stores first management information associating printer identification information for identifying a printer with an unlock code for the printer. The communication interface communicates with a client terminal and the printer. The processor controls the transmission and reception of information via the communication interface. In response to a print job registration request sent from the client terminal, the processor causes the communication interface to transmit registration destination information for the print job to the client terminal, registers the print job sent from the client terminal at the registration destination indicated by the registration destination information, transmits the unlock code to the printer via the communication interface, identifies the printer from the first management information based on the unlock code included in a first release request for the print job sent from the client terminal that reads print specification information including the unlock code displayed on the printer, and causes the identified printer to print an image based on the print job registered at the registration destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of devices that configure a print system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of devices constituting the print system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device registration list and an account registration file according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the print system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the client terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A printing system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [composition] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration of devices that configure a print system according to an embodiment. 1, the print system includes a client terminal 1, a server 2 that functions as a print server, and a printer 3 that forms an image based on print data from the server 2. The client terminal 1, the server 2, and the printer 3 are connected via a communication network.

[0011] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, multiple printers 3 are connected to a communication network. Also, while Fig. 1 shows an example in which one client terminal 1 is connected to the communication network, two or more client terminals 1 can be connected to the print system network at the same time.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of devices constituting the print system according to the embodiment. The client terminal 1 can be realized by a computer including one or more processors, memories, storages, and interfaces. As shown in Fig. 2, the client terminal 1 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication interface 14, a user interface 15, and a scanner 16.

[0013] The processor 11 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The processor 11 executes various processes based on control programs and control data stored in the memory 12. For example, the processor 11 executes a print support application program stored in the memory 12, thereby causing the printer 3 to execute a print process via the server 2.

[0014] The memory 12 includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a non-volatile memory (NVM). The ROM and NVM store control programs, control data, etc. The RAM functions as a work memory and stores temporary data.

[0015] The storage 13 stores print data, etc. The storage 13 may also store a control program, control data, etc.

[0016] The communication interface 14 communicates wirelessly with the server 2 and transmits and receives data to and from the server 2.

[0017] The user interface 15 includes an input unit and an output unit. For example, the input unit and the output unit are a touch panel display that receives input from the user and displays the received information.

[0018] The scanner 16 is a scanner that reads one-dimensional or two-dimensional codes. A barcode can be used as the one-dimensional code, and a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) can be used as the two-dimensional code.

[0019] The server 2 can be realized by a computer including one or more processors, a memory, a storage, and an interface. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 2 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, and a communication interface 24.

[0020] The processor 21 is configured with a CPU, etc. The processor 21 executes various processes based on control programs and control data stored in the memory 22. For example, the processor 21 executes programs stored in the memory 22 to control the sending and receiving of information via the communication interface 24, and also causes the printer 3 to print an image based on a print job in response to a request from the client terminal 1.

[0021] The memory 22 includes a ROM, a RAM, and an NVM. The ROM and the NVM store control programs, control data, etc. The RAM functions as a work memory and stores temporary data.

[0022] The memory 22 or the storage 23 stores a device registration list (first management information) and an account registration file (second management information). The device registration list includes printer identification information of the printer 3 registered in the print system. The account registration file includes account information required to use the print service provided by the print system. Furthermore, before shipping, server identification information is stored in the storage 23, and the server identification information is transmitted to the registered printer 3. Furthermore, the storage 23 may store a control program, control data, and the like. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the storage 23 stores the device registration list and the account registration file, but as described above, the NVM of the memory 22 may store these.

[0023] The communication interface 24 communicates wirelessly with the client terminal 1, transmitting and receiving data to and from the client terminal 1. The communication interface 24 also communicates wirelessly with the printer 3, transmitting and receiving data to and from the printer 3.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 3 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication interface , a user interface 35, and a print engine .

[0025] The processor 31 is configured with a CPU, etc. The processor 31 executes various processes based on the control program and control data stored in the memory 32. For example, the processor 31 executes a print application program stored in the memory 32 to obtain print data from the server 2 and cause the print engine 36 to form an image based on the print data.

[0026] The memory 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, and an NVM. The ROM and the NVM store control programs, control data, etc. The RAM functions as a work memory and stores temporary data.

[0027] The storage 33 stores print data, etc. The storage 33 may also store a control program, control data, etc.

[0028] The communication interface 34 communicates wirelessly with the server 2 and transmits and receives data to and from the server 2.

[0029] The user interface 35 includes an input unit and an output unit. For example, the input unit and the output unit are touch panel displays that accept input from the user and display the accepted information. For example, the user interface 35 displays a QR code, which is an example of print specification information for a print job.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device registration list and an account registration file according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage 23 of the server 2 stores a device registration list and an account registration file.

[0031] The device registration list registers printer identification information for printers 3 registered in the print system. Furthermore, this printer identification information is associated with an unlock code and print job registration destination information. The role of the device registration list will be explained in detail later.

[0032] The account registration file also stores account information for users registered in the print system. The account information includes user identification information and a password. Furthermore, the account information is associated with a print job list and a print token. The role of the account registration file will be explained in detail later.

[0033] [Operation] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the print system according to the embodiment. When the main power of the client terminal 1, server 2, and printer 3 that make up the printing system is turned on, the client terminal 1, server 2, and printer 3 transition to a standby state. In this standby state, the printer 3 is locked under the control of the processor 31. In the locked state, the user interface 35 does not accept any operation input, and the print engine 36 does not execute any print jobs.

[0034] First, a description will be given of the registration of the printer 3. The user interface 35 of the printer 3 accepts input of information about the server 2 from the administrator, and the storage 33 stores the information about the server 2. The information about the server 2 includes server identification information.

[0035] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 sends a device registration request to the server 2. The device registration request includes printer identification information of the printer 3, etc. The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives the device registration request. The processor 21 verifies the device registration request. The storage 23 of the server 2 stores a device registration list. If the processor 21 allows registration of the printer 3 based on the verification result, it generates an unlock code and print job registration destination information in association with the printer identification information included in the device registration request, registers the printer identification information in the device registration list of the storage 23, and registers the unlock code and print job registration destination information in association with the printer identification information, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0036] Next, account registration will be described. Account registration is required to use the print service provided by the print system. The user interface 15 of the client terminal 1 displays a new account registration menu and acquires user identification information and a password entered via the new account registration menu. The communication interface 14 of the client terminal 1 transmits account information including the user identification information and password to the server 2. The storage 23 of the server 2 stores an account registration file. The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives the account information, and the processor 21 registers the account information in the account registration file.

[0037] 3, a print job (or a print job list) and a print token are associated with the account information. In the account registration file in which the predetermined account information is registered, a predetermined print job (or a predetermined print job list) and a predetermined print token associated with the predetermined account information are registered.

[0038] After the account information has been registered, the user interface 15 of the client terminal 1 displays a login menu and acquires the user identification information and password entered via the login menu. The communication interface 14 transmits a login request including the user identification information and password to the server 2 (ACT101).

[0039] The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives a login request from the client terminal 1. The processor 21 of the server 2 compares the user identification information and password included in the login request with the user identification information and password registered in the account registration file, and verifies the account (ACT201).

[0040] The processor 21 permits the login if the combination of user identification information and password included in the login request matches the combination of user identification information and password registered in the account registration file. The processor 21 denies the login if the combination of user identification information and password included in the login request does not match the combination of user identification information and password registered in the account registration file.

[0041] When the processor 21 authorizes a login request based on account information from the client terminal 1, it issues a print token (PT) registered in association with the account information. For example, the print token includes an authentication code. The communication interface 24 transmits the print token to the client terminal 1 (ACT202). The storage 23 also stores a token issuance file, and the processor 21 registers the issued print token or data corresponding to the issued print token in the token issuance file to prepare for verification of the print token.

[0042] The communication interface 14 receives the print token. The storage 13 stores the received print token. The user interface 15 displays a selection menu for files to be printed and accepts one or more files to be printed input via the selection menu for files to be printed (ACT102). The user interface 15 also displays a print setting menu and accepts print settings set via the print setting menu (ACT102). The one or more files to be printed may be files stored in the storage 13, or may be files downloaded from an external server via the network. The print settings accept one printer 3 selected from multiple printers 3 registered as devices in the print server 2.

[0043] Storage 13 stores print job files, and processor 11 stores print jobs including print target files and print settings in the print job files. Processor 11 generates one print job in response to the selection of one print target file (ACT103). For example, if two print target files are selected, processor 11 generates a first print job including the first print target file and print settings, and a second print job including the second print target file and print settings. Processor 11 also assigns job identification codes to the print jobs and manages the print jobs using the job identification codes.

[0044] The communication interface 14 transmits a print job registration request to the server 2 (ACT 104). The print job registration request includes a print token and print settings.

[0045] The communication interface 24 receives the print job registration request. The processor 21 compares the print token included in the print job registration request with the print token registered in the token issuance file or data corresponding to the print token, and verifies the print job registration request (ACT203).

[0046] The processor 21 permits print job registration when the print token included in the print job registration request matches the print token registered in the token issuance file, or when authentication is obtained using the print token included in the print job registration request and the data corresponding to the print token. The processor 21 rejects print job registration when the print token included in the print job registration request does not match the print token registered in the token issuance file, or when authentication is not obtained using the print token included in the print job registration request and the data corresponding to the print token.

[0047] If print job registration is permitted, the processor 21 determines the registration destination of the print job based on the device registration list. As described above, the print job registration request includes the print settings set via the print setting menu, and the print settings include the printer identification information of the selected printer 3. The processor 21 selects print job registration destination information registered in the device registration list that includes this printer identification information. For example, the print job registration destination information indicates a predetermined area of ​​the storage 23. In response to the print job registration request received in ACT103, the processor 21 causes the client terminal 1 to transmit print job registration destination information that identifies the predetermined area of ​​the storage 23. In response to this, the communication interface 24 transmits the print job registration destination information to the client terminal 1 (ACT204).

[0048] For example, the print job registration destination information is a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The processor 21 determines one registration destination for one print job, and determines multiple registration destinations for multiple print jobs.

[0049] The communication interface 14 receives the print job registration destination information, and the storage 13 stores the print job registration destination information. The storage 13 also stores the print token sent from the server 2. The communication interface 14 also sends the print job to the server 2 (ACT105).

[0050] The communication interface 24 receives the print job, and the processor 21 registers the received print job (print data) in a predetermined area indicated by the print job registration destination information, and registers the job identification information of the received print job in the print job list of the account registration file (ACT205). Note that the print token sent in ACT202 is registered in the account registration file, and at this point, the print job list in which the job identification information is registered and the print token sent in ACT202 are registered in the account registration file.

[0051] After registering the print job in the predetermined area, the processor 21 selects a device registration list based on the printer identification information of the printer 3 selected in the print settings, and obtains the unlock code associated with the printer identification information from the device registration list (ACT206).

[0052] The processor 21 identifies the printer 3 based on the printer identification information associated with the unlock code. The processor 21 causes the unlock code to be transmitted to the identified printer 3. In response to this, the communication interface 24 transmits the unlock code to the identified printer 3 (ACT207).

[0053] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 receives the unlock code, and the storage 33 stores the unlock code. The processor 31 generates print instruction information based on the server identification information and the unlock code. The print instruction information generated in this manner includes the server identification information and the unlock code. For example, the print instruction information is a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code. The display of the user interface 35 displays the print instruction information including the server identification information and the unlock code (ACT301). For example, the display displays a QR code corresponding to the print instruction information.

[0054] Meanwhile, the user interface 15 of the client terminal 1 that sent the print job displays a menu for confirming whether or not to automatically release the print job. For example, when the user interface 15 receives a request for automatic release of the print job via the confirmation menu (ACT 106), the processor 11 enables the print job release and executes a read mode for reading print specification information such as a QR code (ACT 107). In response to the execution of the read mode, the scanner 16 is activated.

[0055] When a user carrying the client terminal 1 holds the reading unit of the scanner 16 of the client terminal 1 over the display of the printer 3, the scanner 16 reads the print specification information displayed on the display (ACT108).

[0056] Based on the enablement setting of print job automatic release, the processor 11 specifies a print job release request R1 in response to the reading of the print specification information by the scanner 16. The communication interface 14 of the client terminal 1 sends the print job release request R1 to the server 2 to which the client is currently logged in (ACT109). The print job release request R1 includes the read result of the print specification information, the stored print token, and the stored print job registration destination information. In other words, the print job release request R1 includes the server identification information and lock release code included in the print specification information. Note that it is optional for the print job release request R1 to include the print job registration destination information. By including this information in the print job release request R1, automatic release, which will be described later, is realized. Note that if the print specification information is a QR code, the read result of the print specification information includes a value obtained from the QR code.

[0057] The storage 33 continues to store the print job release request R1 for a certain period of time after transmitting the print job release request R1 to the server 2. For example, the print job release request R1 may be deleted according to the timing of transmitting the next print job.

[0058] The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives the print job release request R1 from the client terminal 1. The processor 21 verifies the unlock code based on the device registration list, the account registration file, and the print job release request R1 (ACT208), and identifies the print job list and one printer 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the device registration list includes the unlock code associated with the printer identification information. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the account registration file includes the print job list and print token associated with the account information. The print job release request R1 includes the server identification information, the unlock code, the print token, and print job registration destination information. Note that it is optional for the print job release request R1 to include the print job registration destination information.

[0059] The processor 21 permits the release of a print job if the unlock code included in the print job release request R1 matches the unlock code associated with the printer identification information in the device registration list. The processor 21 also searches the account registration file for a print token that matches the print token included in the print job release request R1, and identifies a print job list from the account information associated with the searched print token. The processor 21 also searches the device registration list for an unlock code that matches the unlock code included in the print job release request R1, identifies the printer identification information associated with the searched unlock code, and identifies one printer 3 from the identified printer identification information. The processor 21 also causes the identified printer 3 to print an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination based on the print job registration destination information associated with the identified printer identification information. If the print job release request R1 includes print job registration destination information, the identified printer 3 may be configured to print an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination based on the print job registration destination information included in the print job release request R1. The process by the processor 21 to print an image based on the print job in the identified printer 3 is implemented as follows.

[0060] First, the processor 21 causes the communication interface 24 to send a print job release request R2 to the identified printer 3. In response, the communication interface 24 sends the print job release request R2 to the identified printer 3 (ACT209). The print job release request R2 sent in ACT209 includes a print job list identified from the account information. The print job release request R2 may also include print job registration destination information.

[0061] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 receives the print job release request R2 sent in ACT 209. The processor 31 releases the locked state based on the print job release request R2 (ACT 302). By releasing the lock, the user interface 35 becomes able to accept operation input, and the print engine 36 becomes able to execute the print job.

[0062] The user interface 35 displays the print job list included in the print job release request R2 (ACT303). The user interface 35 may also display automatic release or automatic printout together with the print job list. This allows the user to recognize automatic release or automatic printout.

[0063] The processor 31 detects the print job list or print job registration destination information included in the print job release request R2. The processor 31 transmits the print job request according to the print job list or print job registration destination information. In response, the communication interface 34 transmits the print job request to the server 2 (ACT 304).

[0064] The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives a print job request from the printer 3. The processor 21 causes the communication interface 24 to transmit the print job registered in the registration destination to the specified printer 3. In response to this, the communication interface 24 transmits the print job registered in the registration destination to the printer 3 (ACT210).

[0065] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 acquires the print job. The print engine 36 executes printing based on the acquired print job (ACT 305). After printing is completed, the processor 31 updates the print job list (ACT 306). When the processor 31 detects a predetermined user operation or no operation for a certain period of time, it displays a lock screen and returns to the locked state (ACT 307). The processor 31 also requests the server 2 to issue a new unlock code and generates a QR code corresponding to the print specification information.

[0066] Furthermore, the processor 21 of the server 2 deletes the transmitted print job (ACT211).

[0067] As a result, the operation of selecting a print job for print output is omitted, thereby reducing the operational burden.

[0068] Here, as shown in ACT 106, a case will be described in which the user interface 15 does not accept a request for automatic release of a print job via the necessity confirmation menu, but accepts a request for manual release of a print job.

[0069] In this case, the processor 11 disables the print job release and executes a read mode for reading print specification information such as a QR code. In response to the execution of the read mode, the scanner 16 is activated. The scanner 16 reads the print specification information displayed on the user interface 35 of the printer 3. That is, the scanner 16 reads the lock release code and the like included in the print specification information. Based on the disable setting of the print job automatic release, the processor 11 specifies a print job manual selection request in response to the scanner 16 reading the print specification information. The communication interface 14 of the client terminal 1 transmits the specified print job manual selection request to the server 2 to which the client terminal 1 is currently logged in. The print job manual selection request includes the result of reading the print specification information.

[0070] The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives a print job manual selection request from the client terminal 1. The processor 21 causes the communication interface 24 to send the print job manual selection request to the identified printer 3. In response, the communication interface 24 sends the print job manual selection request to the identified printer 3. The sent print job manual selection request includes an unlock code and a print job list. The print job list includes a job identification code.

[0071] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 receives the print job manual selection request. The user interface 35 displays the print job list included in the print job manual selection request and accepts a print job selected by the user from the print job list.

[0072] The processor 31 causes the communication interface 34 to transmit a print job request requesting a print job selected from the print job list. In response to this, the communication interface 34 transmits the print job request to the server 2. The print job request transmitted here may include a job identification code that identifies the print job selected from the print job list.

[0073] The communication interface 24 of the server 2 receives a print job request from the printer 3. The processor 21 causes the communication interface 24 to transmit the print job selected by the user from the print job list to the specified printer 3. In response to this, the communication interface 24 transmits to the printer 3 the print job selected by the user from the print job list, among the print jobs registered in the registration destination.

[0074] The communication interface 34 of the printer 3 acquires the print job. The print engine 36 executes printing based on the acquired print job. After printing is completed, the processor 31 returns the printer to the locked state.

[0075] Furthermore, the processor 21 of the server 2 deletes the transmitted print job.

[0076] As described above, a desired print job can be output by selecting the print job for print output.

[0077] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the client terminal according to the embodiment. The operation shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to the operation of the client terminal 1 shown in Fig. 4, but the explanation will be partially simplified. The operation of the client terminal 1 will be explained in detail below with reference to Fig. 5.

[0078] 5, the user interface 15 of the client terminal 1 displays a login menu. The communication interface 14 transmits a login request including the user identification information and password input via the login menu to the server 2 (ACT121).

[0079] After login is permitted by the server 2, the user interface 15 displays a selection menu for files to be printed, and accepts one or more files to be printed input via the selection menu for files to be printed (ACT 122).

[0080] Furthermore, the user interface 15 displays a print setting menu and accepts print settings set via the print setting menu (ACT 123).

[0081] The processor 11 generates one print job in response to the selection of one file to be printed (ACT 124).

[0082] The communication interface 14 transmits a print job registration request to the server 2 (ACT 125), and receives print job registration destination information transmitted from the server 2 (ACT 126).

[0083] The communication interface 14 transmits the print job to the server 2 based on the print job registration destination information (ACT 127).

[0084] The user interface 15 of the client terminal 1 that sent the print job displays a menu for confirming whether or not to automatically release the print job. When the user interface 15 receives a request for automatic release of the print job via the menu for confirming whether or not to automatically release the print job (ACT128, YES), the processor 11 sets the print job release to be valid and executes a read mode for reading print specification information such as a QR code (ACT129). In response to the execution of the read mode, the scanner 16 is activated.

[0085] When a user carrying the client terminal 1 holds the reading unit of the scanner 16 of the client terminal 1 over the QR code displayed on the display of the printer 3, the scanner 16 reads the QR code displayed on the display (ACT130).

[0086] Based on the print job automatic release enable setting, the processor 11 specifies a print job release request R1 in response to the scanner 16 reading print specification information including an unlock code, etc. The communication interface 14 sends the specified print job release request R1 to the logged-in server 2 (ACT131). The print job release request R1 includes the unlock code, etc. Automatic release is realized by the print job release request R1 including the unlock code, etc.

[0087] On the other hand, if the user interface 15 does not request automatic print job release via the necessity confirmation menu (ACT128, NO), it becomes possible to accept files to be printed again. Furthermore, if the user interface 15 accepts a request for manual print job release via the necessity confirmation menu, the processor 11 disables the print job release and executes a read mode for reading print specification information such as a QR code. Based on the disable setting for automatic print job release, the processor 11 specifies a print job manual selection request in response to the scanner 16 reading print specification information including an unlock code, etc. The communication interface 14 transmits the specified print job manual selection request to the server 2 currently logged in.

[0088] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server according to the embodiment. The operation shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the operation of the server 2 shown in Fig. 4, but the explanation will be partially simplified. The operation of the server 2 will be explained in detail below with reference to Fig. 6.

[0089] The communication interface 24 receives a login request from the client terminal 1. The processor 21 compares the user identification information and password included in the login request with the user identification information and password registered in the account registration file, and verifies the account (ACT221).

[0090] When the processor 21 permits the login, the communication interface 24 transmits a print token to the client terminal 1 (ACT222) and receives a print job registration request.

[0091] The processor 21 verifies the print job registration request based on the print token included in the received print job registration request (ACT 223).

[0092] If print job registration is permitted according to the verification result of the print job registration request, the processor 21 determines the registration destination of the print job. The communication interface 24 transmits print job registration destination information indicating the registration destination of the print job to the client terminal 1 (ACT224), and receives the print job from the client terminal 1.

[0093] The processor 21 registers the received print job in a predetermined area indicated by the print job registration destination information (ACT 225).

[0094] After registering the print job in the predetermined area, the processor 21 acquires print specification information of the print job (ACT 226).

[0095] The communication interface 24 transmits the print specification information to the printer 3 specified based on the printer identification information associated with the unlock code (ACT 227). Note that the print specification information may include a print job list.

[0096] The identified printer 3 displays the print specification information. For example, the printer 3 displays a print job list included in the print specification information. The client terminal 1 reads the displayed print specification information and transmits a print job release request R1. Note that a client terminal 1 for which print job release is set to be enabled transmits a print job release request R1. A client terminal 1 for which print job release is set to be disabled transmits a print job manual selection request.

[0097] The communication interface 24 receives the print job release request R1 or the print job manual selection request. When the print job release request R1 is received, the processor 21 verifies the unlock code based on the device registration list, the account registration file, and the print job release request R1 (ACT228). The communication interface 24 sends the print job release request R2 or the print job manual selection request to the identified printer 3 (ACT229).

[0098] When the communication interface 24 transmits the print job release request R2, it receives a print job request for the print job registered in the registration destination from the printer 3, and transmits the print job registered in the registration destination to the printer (ACT 230). The processor 21 deletes the print job in the registration destination (ACT 231).

[0099] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer according to the embodiment. The operation shown in Fig. 7 corresponds to the operation of the printer 3 shown in Fig. 4, but the explanation is partially simplified. The operation of the printer 3 will be explained in detail below with reference to Fig. 7.

[0100] The printer 3 is locked after startup (ACT 321). The communication interface 34 receives the print instruction information sent from the server 2, and the display of the user interface 35 displays the print instruction information (ACT 322). The displayed print instruction information is, for example, a QR code, and is read by the scanner 16 of the client terminal 1.

[0101] The communication interface 34 receives the print job release request R2 or the print job manual selection request sent from the server 2 (ACT 323).

[0102] The processor 31 releases the locked state based on the print job release request R2 or the print job manual selection request (ACT324).

[0103] When the print job release request R2 is received, the print job release request R2 includes a print job list and registration destination information for the print jobs (ACT325, YES). The user interface 35 displays the print job list included in the print job release request R2 (ACT326).

[0104] The processor 31 detects the print job list or print job registration destination information included in the print job release request R2, and in response to the detection of the print job list or print job registration destination information, the communication interface 34 sends a print job request to the server 2 requesting the print job registered in the print job list or registration destination (ACT327).

[0105] The server 2 receives a print job request from the printer 3 and sends the print job registered in the print job list or registration destination to the printer 3. The communication interface 34 acquires the print job. The print engine 36 executes printing based on the acquired print job (ACT 328). The processor 31 updates the print job list after printing is completed (ACT 329). When the processor 31 detects a predetermined user operation or a certain period of inactivity, it displays a lock screen and returns the printer to the locked state (ACT 330).

[0106] When a print job manual selection request is received, the print job manual selection request does not include information on where the print job is to be registered (ACT325, NO). The user interface 35 displays the print job list included in the print job manual selection request (ACT331), and accepts a print job selected by the user from the print job list (ACT332).

[0107] The communication interface 34 transmits a print job request requesting the print job selected from the print job list to the server 2 (ACT 333).

[0108] The server 2 receives a print job request from the printer 3 and transmits to the printer 3 a print job selected by the user from a print job list among the print jobs registered in the registration destination.

[0109] The communication interface 34 acquires the print job. The print engine 36 executes printing based on the acquired print job (ACT 334). After printing is completed, the processor 31 updates the print job list (ACT 329).

[0110] According to this embodiment, the server 2 transmits print specification information to the printer 3, the printer 3 displays the print specification information, and the client terminal 1, for which print job release is enabled, can execute a print job registered in a registration destination managed by the server 2 simply by reading the print specification information from the printer 3. The user is freed from the operation of selecting a print job on the printer for print output, thereby reducing the operational burden for print output.

[0111] The program according to this embodiment may be transferred in a state stored in an electronic device such as the client terminal 1, the server 2, or the printer 3, or may be transferred in a state not stored in the electronic device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network or in a state stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium may be in any form, such as an optical disk or a memory card, as long as it is capable of storing a program and is computer-readable. The electronic device downloads the program transferred (provided) via a network and installs it in its memory, or reads the program from the storage medium and installs it in its memory.

[0112] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1...Client terminal 2...Server 3. Printer 11...Processor 12...Memory 13…Storage 14...Communication interface 15...User Interface 16...Scanner 21...Processor 22...Memory 23…Storage 24...Communication interface 31...Processor 32...Memory 33…Storage 34...Communication interface 35...User Interface 36...Print engine

Claims

1. a memory for storing first management information that associates printer identification information for identifying a printer with an unlock code for the printer; a communication interface for communicating with a client terminal and the printer; a processor that controls the transmission and reception of information through the communication interface; Equipped with The processor: In response to a print job registration request transmitted from the client terminal, the communication interface transmits registration destination information for the print job to the client terminal; registering the print job transmitted from the client terminal in a registration destination indicated by the registration destination information; transmitting the unlock code to the printer via the communication interface; A print server identifies the printer from the first management information based on the unlock code included in a first release request for the print job sent from the client terminal that reads the print specification information including the unlock code displayed on the printer, and causes the identified printer to print an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination.

2. the first management information is information that further associates the printer identification information with the registration destination information, The processor: causing the communication interface to transmit a second release request to the printer; 2. The print server of claim 1, wherein, in response to a request for the print job from the printer that detected the print job list included in the second release request, the print server transmits the print job registered in the registration destination to the printer via the communication interface.

3. the memory stores second management information that associates account information with a print token; The processor: permitting a login request from the client terminal based on the account information; Sending the print token to the client terminal; storing the second management information, which associates the account information with the print job, in the memory in response to the registration request including the print token from the client terminal; 2. The print server according to claim 1, wherein the print server identifies the print job from the second management information in response to the release request including the print token from the client terminal.

4. A printing system including a print server storing first management information that associates printer identification information for identifying a printer with an unlock code of the printer, and the printer identified by the printer identification information, The print server In response to a print job registration request transmitted from a client terminal, transmitting registration destination information for the print job to the client terminal; registering the print job transmitted from the client terminal in a registration destination indicated by the registration destination information; Sending the unlock code to the printer; identifying the printer from the first management information based on the unlock code included in the release request for the print job transmitted from the client terminal that reads the print specification information including the unlock code displayed on the printer, and having the print job registered in the registration destination printed by the identified printer; The printer printing an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination; Printing system.

5. the printing system includes the client terminal; The client terminal reading the print specification information displayed on the printer; sending the release request to the print server; The printing system of claim 4.

6. On the computer, storing first management information that associates printer identification information for identifying a printer with an unlock code for the printer; Responding to a print job registration request transmitted from a client terminal, transmitting registration destination information for the print job to the client terminal; registering the print job transmitted from the client terminal in a registration destination indicated by the registration destination information; transmitting the unlock code to the printer; identifying the printer from the first management information based on the unlock code included in the release request for the print job sent from the client terminal that reads the print specification information including the unlock code displayed on the printer, and having the identified printer print an image based on the print job registered in the registration destination; A program to execute.

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