Information processing device, program, and image forming system

Abstract

To make it possible to easily issue a print execution instruction to an image forming apparatus from an external device which is difficult to issue the print execution instruction.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus capable of instructing an image forming apparatus to execute the printing of print data, includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a first e-mail address which can be transmitted and received by an external device and a second e-mail address which can be transmitted and received by the image forming apparatus; a generation unit that generates an e-mail in which the second e-mail address is described based on the second e-mail address acquired by the acquisition unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the e-mail generated by the generation unit to the first e-mail address.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. , P The present invention relates to a program and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, when an information processing device such as a PC (personal computer) instructs an image forming device to execute printing, a printing application and a printer driver are installed in advance on the information processing device. Meanwhile, a technology has been proposed that uses e-mail to enable a mobile terminal or the like on which a printer driver or the like is not installed to instruct an image forming device to execute printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this technology, an e-mail with print data attached is sent to the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-123718 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technology using e-mail, it is troublesome for the user to look up and manually input the e-mail address and printing conditions of the image forming apparatus.

[0005] Information processing apparatus that enables easy instruction to execute printing from an external device that has difficulty in issuing an instruction to execute printing to an image forming apparatus , P It is desirable to provide an imaging system and program for detecting a plurality of microbes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of instructing an image forming apparatus to execute printing of print data, a setting unit for setting printing conditions for the image forming apparatus based on an input from a user; an acquisition unit that acquires a first email address that can be sent and received by the external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming apparatus; The print setting information set by the setting unit is included, Based on the second email address acquired by the acquisition unit The second a generating unit that generates an e-mail containing the second e-mail address, and a sending unit that sends the e-mail generated by the generating unit to the first e-mail address.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: Setting printing conditions for the image forming device based on a user's input; Obtaining a first email address that can be sent and received by the external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming device; Including the set print setting information, Based on the second email address obtained The second The method causes a computer to execute a process including generating an email containing the second email address and sending the generated email to the first email address.

[0009] The image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus capable of instructing the image forming apparatus to print print data, and a printer that outputs the print data to the image forming apparatus. Contains one or more files The information processing device includes an external device having an input for inputting a print setting information for the image forming device, and the information processing device includes a setting unit that sets print conditions for the image forming device based on user input, an acquisition unit that acquires a first email address that can be sent and received by the external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming device, a generation unit that generates an email including the print setting information set by the setting unit and including the second email address based on the second email address acquired by the acquisition unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the email generated by the generation unit to the first email address. The external device attaches at least one file including the print data to be printed from among one or more files to an e-mail containing the print setting information received from the information processing device and sends the e-mail to the image forming device, and the image forming device prints the print data contained in the at least one file attached to the e-mail based on the print setting information contained in the e-mail received from the external device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention , P According to the program or image forming system, a first email address that can be sent and received by an external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by an image forming device are obtained, an email containing the second email address is generated, and the generated email is sent to the first email address. This makes it possible to easily issue a print execution instruction from an external device that would have difficulty in issuing a print execution instruction to an image forming device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an image forming system including an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of a printer driver. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print setting screen set on a PC. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print email template set in a PC. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print email sent from a mobile terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of a print email template set in a PC. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of a print email sent from a mobile terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the print email template set in the PC. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description will be given in the following order. 1. First embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 9) 1.0 Overview 1.1 Configuration 1.2 Operation 1.3 Effects 1.4 Variations 2. Other embodiments

[0013] <1. First embodiment> [1.0 Overview] Generally, there are several known methods for easily printing on an image forming device without installing a printing application or printer driver. For example, there is a technology called e-mail printing, which executes printing by sending an e-mail with print data attached to the image forming device. However, while printing without using a printing application or printer driver allows easy printing, there are few items for which detailed settings can be specified from the terminal (mobile terminal, etc.) that issues the print execution instruction. For example, with e-mail printing, unless there is a particular specification from the terminal, printing is performed according to the settings on the image forming device.

[0014] Therefore, e-mail print has a function that enables print settings to be made from the terminal that issues the print execution instruction. For example, when making print settings, it is possible to make print settings by inputting setting values ​​according to predetermined rules into the subject field of e-mail every time it is sent. However, with this function, the rules for inputting e-mail subject fields are complicated, and it is difficult for users to understand the configurable items without looking at the manual. In addition, the e-mail subject must be directly and manually input by the user, and if a setting value is input incorrectly, it is difficult to obtain the intended print result.

[0015] In addition, when you want to temporarily print from an image forming device that you do not normally use, it is troublesome to install a printing application or printer driver for that image forming device on the terminal.In addition, when you want to print e-mail without installing a printing application or printer driver, it is not easy to know the address of the image forming device.

[0016] Therefore, the information processing device of the first embodiment is an information processing device capable of instructing an image forming device to print print data, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires a first email address that can be sent and received by an external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming device, a generation unit that generates an email containing the second email address based on the second email address acquired by the acquisition unit, and a transmission unit that sends the email generated by the generation unit to the first email address. Here, the image forming device corresponds to, for example, a printer 120 described later. The information processing device corresponds to, for example, a PC 100 described later. The external device corresponds to, for example, a mobile terminal 130 described later. The acquisition unit corresponds to, for example, a print mail printing condition setting unit 114 and a print mail generating unit 115 described later. The generating unit corresponds to, for example, a print mail generating unit 115 described later. The sending unit corresponds to, for example, a print mail sending unit 116 described later.

[0017] The generating unit generates an e-mail containing the second e-mail address and the print setting information set by the setting unit. The print setting information corresponds to printing conditions described later, and is described, for example, in a subject field 413 in Fig. 5 and a body field 414 in Fig. 7, which are described later.

[0018] The generating unit generates an e-mail in which explanatory information corresponding to the print setting information is described in the body of the e-mail. The explanatory information is described in, for example, a body field 414 in FIG.

[0019] In the information processing device according to the first embodiment, the printer driver of the image forming device has a function of generating a print email to which is added an email subject for print settings of the email print according to the device specifications of the image forming device and an email address (second email address) of the image forming device that performs printing as a sender or reference address.Then, the print email with the print settings is sent to a specified destination (destination) email address (first email address).

[0020] This allows the user to attach the data to be printed to the received e-mail and reply from the terminal that received the print e-mail, and obtain the print results with the intended settings from the intended image forming device without having to install a printing application or printer driver, or look up the e-mail address of the image forming device.

[0021] [1.1 Configuration] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming system including an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The image forming system according to the first embodiment includes a PC (personal computer) 100, a printer 120, and a mobile terminal .

[0023] The PC 100 is connected via a network 140 to a printer 120 serving as an image forming apparatus, and to a mobile terminal 130 serving as an external apparatus.

[0024] The network 140 is capable of transmitting print data from the PC 100 and the mobile terminal 130 to the printer 120. The network 140 is a communication path for transmitting and receiving e-mail between the PC 100 and the mobile terminal 130, and between the mobile terminal 130 and the printer 120.

[0025] (PC100 configuration) The PC 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 , a RAM (Ramdom Access Memory) 102 , an operation input unit 103 , a network I / F (interface) unit 104 , and an application storage unit 105 .

[0026] The application storage unit 105 is a recording medium that stores a program that can be read and executed by the computer (CPU 101), and is configured, for example, with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The application storage unit 105 stores a printer driver 110 and other application programs that have been installed in advance. The application storage unit 105 may store, as the other application programs, for example, a mail application program such as a general-purpose mailer.

[0027] The CPU 101 performs various calculations and controls the execution of programs such as the printer driver 110. The RAM 102 is a volatile storage device having a work area used when the CPU 101 executes various programs.

[0028] The operation input unit 103 has input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse for accepting various operation inputs from a user and inputting information to the PC 100. The operation input unit 103 also has a display device for displaying various information such as a setting screen.

[0029] A network I / F (interface) unit 104 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device.

[0030] A printer driver 110 for a printer 120 is installed in the PC 100, and it is possible to set printing conditions and instruct the printer 120 to print the print data. The printer driver 110 is capable of providing a UI (user interface) via a display device of the operation input unit 103, which prompts the user to set printing conditions and instruct the user to print the print data.

[0031] The printer driver 110 includes a print condition setting unit 111, a print data generating unit 112, a print data sending unit 113, a print mail print condition setting unit 114, a print mail generating unit 115, and a print mail sending unit .

[0032] A printing condition setting unit 111 sets the printing conditions designated by the user on the UI of the printer driver 110 .

[0033] The print data generating unit 112 generates print data that can be processed by the printer 120 according to the print conditions set by the print condition setting unit 111 .

[0034] The print data transmission unit 113 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 112 to the printer 120 via the network I / F unit 104 and the network 140 .

[0035] The print email print condition setting unit 114 sets the print conditions (print setting information) for email printing designated by the user and the email address (first email address) of the terminal (mobile terminal 130) that will perform the email printing.

[0036] The print mail generating unit 115 generates a mail template (FIG. 5 described later) of an e-mail for e-mail printing. The print mail generating unit 115 adds the printing conditions set by the print mail printing condition setting unit 114 to the mail template. The print mail generating unit 115 also sets (writes) the e-mail address of the terminal set by the print mail printing condition setting unit 114 as the destination (destination) of the e-mail of the mail template. The print mail generating unit 115 also sets (writes) the printer address (second e-mail address) as the sender (sender) of the e-mail of the mail template. The printer address may be stored in advance in the application storage unit 105 by communicating with the printer 120, for example. Alternatively, the e-mail address of the printer 120 may be acquired by communicating with the printer 120 when generating an e-mail or periodically.

[0037] A print mail sending unit 116 uses the SMTP protocol to send the mail template for e-mail printing generated by the print mail generating unit 115 to a terminal that performs e-mail printing.

[0038] (Configuration of mobile terminal 130) The mobile terminal 130 is connected to the printer 120 and the PC 100 via a network 140. The printer driver 110 of the printer 120 is not installed in the mobile terminal 130. The mobile terminal 130 has a mail sending / receiving unit 131. The mail sending / receiving unit 131 receives a mail template for e-mail printing from the PC 100. The mail sending / receiving unit 131 also sends an e-mail to the printer 120 with a file 132 attached thereto.

[0039] (Configuration of printer 120) The printer 120 includes a print control unit 121 , a print mail analysis unit 122 , an image data generation unit 123 , an image data printing unit 124 , a network I / F (interface) unit 125 , a receiving unit 126 , and a storage unit 127 .

[0040] In printer 120, print data and e-mail for e-mail printing are received by receiving unit 126 via network I / F unit 125. If the received data is print data, image data for printing is generated by image data generating unit 123. Image data printing unit 124 prints the generated image data.

[0041] If the received data is an e-mail for e-mail printing, the print e-mail analysis unit 122 analyzes the print settings described in the e-mail for e-mail printing. The image data generation unit 123 generates image data for printing based on the analyzed print settings and the file 132 attached to the e-mail. The image data printing unit 124 prints the generated image data.

[0042] The print control unit 121 controls the overall operation of the printer 120 .

[0043] The storage unit 127 stores data received by the receiving unit 126. The storage unit 127 also analyzes the received data and temporarily stores data in the image data generation process. The storage unit 127 is also used to store generated image data.

[0044] [1.2 Operation] Fig. 2 shows an example of an operation sequence of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an example of a setting screen of the printer driver 110. Fig. 4 shows an example of a print setting screen set in the PC 100. Fig. 5 shows an example of a template of a print email set in the PC 100. Fig. 6 shows an example of a print email sent from the mobile terminal 130.

[0045] The operation of the image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described below in accordance with the operation sequence of FIG. 2, with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 1 and FIGS.

[0046] Note that we will not go into detail here about the operation of printing using a typical printer driver, in which PC 100 generates print data using printer driver 110, sends the print data to printer 120 via network 140, and printer 120 prints the received print data.

[0047] First, the user starts the printer driver 110 of the printer 120 as an image forming apparatus on the PC 100 (step S201). FIG. 3 is an example of a setting screen of the started printer driver 110. When the user selects a template creation item 301 for E-mail printing from the setting screen of FIG. 3, the printer driver 110 displays a print setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the display device of the operation input unit 103. The print setting screen is provided with setting fields for the user to input print conditions (print setting information), such as a color / monochrome setting field 303, a double-sided printing setting field 304, and a number of copies setting field 305. The print setting screen is also provided with a sending email address setting field 302 for the user to input the email address of the terminal (here, the mobile terminal 130) that will execute the E-mail printing. The print setting screen is also provided with an email sending button 306. The print email printing condition setting unit 114 sets the print conditions for E-mail printing input by the user and the email address of the terminal (the mobile terminal 130) that will execute the E-mail printing (step S202).

[0048] When the user presses the email send button 306 on the print setting screen of FIG. 4, the email for printing generation unit 115 generates an email template for printing, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (step S203). The email for printing generation unit 115 adds the printing conditions set by the email for printing condition setting unit 114 to the email template. The email for printing generation unit 115, for example, places the items related to the printing conditions input on the print setting screen of FIG. 4 between "%", converts them into a format that can be recognized by the printer 120, and sets (describes) them as "Subject" in the subject field 413 of the email template. In addition, the email for printing generation unit 115 sets (describes) the email address of the terminal (mobile terminal 130) that executes the email print, input on the print setting screen of FIG. 4, in the destination field 411 of the email template as "TO". Furthermore, the print email generation unit 115 sets (writes) the email address of the printer 120, which has already been acquired by the PC 100 or which has been acquired by communicating with the printer 120, as "FROM" in the sender field 412 of the email template. The print email generation unit 115 also writes explanatory information corresponding to the printing conditions written in the subject field 413 in the body of the email template (body field 414) so ​​that the print settings can be understood by the user of the terminal that executes the email print.

[0049] Next, the print mail sending unit 116 sends the print mail template generated in step S203 to the terminal that performs e-mail printing using the SMTP protocol (step S204).

[0050] The print email template sent in step S204 has the "TO" item (destination field 411) set to mobile terminal 130, so it is received by email sending / receiving unit 131 of mobile terminal 130 via the mail server (step S205). The email received by mobile terminal 130 has the format shown in FIG. 5 above.

[0051] Next, the mobile terminal 130 attaches the file 132 containing the print data to be printed to the e-mail in a form of replying to the received e-mail, and sends it by the e-mail sending / receiving unit 131 (step S206). If there are multiple files 132 containing print data, multiple files 132 may be attached. An example of the e-mail to be sent as the print e-mail is shown in FIG. 6. Since this is a reply to the e-mail of FIG. 5 received in step S205, "TO" (destination field 511) becomes the e-mail address of the printer 120. "RE:" is added to "Subject" (subject field 513), but the part between "%" is an item of the print settings, so it does not affect printing. "FROM" (sender field 512) becomes the e-mail address of the mobile terminal 130.

[0052] 6 shows an example in which a PDF (Portable Document Format) file is attached as file 132 including print data (body field 514). Since the "TO" field of the print mail sent in step S206 is set to printer 120, receiving unit 126 of printer 120 receives the e-mail as the print mail (step S207).

[0053] When the printer 120 determines that the data received by the receiving unit 126 via the network I / F unit 125 is a print mail, the print mail analyzing unit 122 analyzes the print settings of the print mail (step S208). Here, only the portion between "%" in the "Subject" item (subject field 513) of the received mail is analyzed, and the analysis results are used as the print settings of the printer 120.

[0054] Next, printer 120 analyzes the data of the attached file using image data generating unit 123 and generates image data for printing (step S209). Next, printer 120 prints the image data generated in step S209 using image data printing unit 124 (step S210).

[0055] [1.3 Effects] As described above, according to the image forming system of the first embodiment, the information processing device (PC 100) acquires the first email address of the external device (mobile terminal 130) and the second email address of the image forming device (printer 120), generates an email containing the second email address, and sends the generated email to the first email address. This makes it possible to easily instruct the image forming device to execute printing from an external device that would be difficult to instruct to execute printing. For example, a user having the information processing device (PC 100) can send an email containing the second email address to a user having the external device (mobile terminal 130), allowing the user having the external device to instruct the printer 120 to print.

[0056] According to the image forming system according to the first embodiment, in the terminal (mobile terminal 130) where e-mail printing is to be performed, the user does not need to check the setting items in the device manual or the like to input the e-mail subject for print settings. In addition, the e-mail subject for print settings is also automatically generated on the information processing device side, so that erroneous input of the e-mail subject can be prevented. In the terminal where e-mail printing is to be performed, the user can attach the print data to be printed to the generated e-mail template and reply, eliminating the need to manually input the e-mail address for the image forming device, and can obtain the intended print result from the intended image forming device. In addition, this makes it easy to print from a terminal that has print data that needs to be printed on an image forming device that is not normally used by receiving an e-mail template from the information processing device and attaching the print data in a form of replying to the e-mail without installing a print application or printer driver. In addition, since the print data is simply attached to an e-mail with the same print setting items entered in the subject, it is also possible to print multiple image files with the same settings.

[0057] [1.4 Modifications] Fig. 7 shows a modified example of a template for a print email set in the PC 100. Fig. 8 shows a modified example of a template for a print email sent from the mobile terminal 130.

[0058] In the above explanation, an example was shown in which the print conditions are set (described) in the subject of the email (subject field 413 in FIG. 5, subject field 513 in FIG. 6), but the print conditions may be set (described) in the body of the email (body field 414 in FIG. 7, body field 514 in FIG. 8).<Print Setting Start> >,<<Print Setting End> The area enclosed in > is where the printing conditions are set (described).

[0059] FIG. 9 shows another modified example of the print email template set in the PC 100. In FIG.

[0060] In the above explanation, an example was shown in which the email address of the printer 120 to be printed is set as the sender in the email template of the email to print generated on the PC 100 side (sender field 412 in Fig. 5), but it may be written in the email body as shown in body field 414 in Fig. 9. On the mobile terminal 130 side, the user may copy the email address of the printer 120 written in the body of the received email to print and set it in destination field 511 to send to the printer 120.

[0061] In the above description, color / monochrome designation, double-sided printing designation, and number of copies designation are given as examples of print setting items that are print conditions for e-mail printing, but these setting items are only examples, and other setting items can also be set as print conditions. For example, items such as paper feed tray, print resolution, and toner saving can also be set as print conditions. In the above description, an example was given in which an e-mail including print settings was generated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an e-mail may be sent to the mobile terminal 130 without selecting print setting items. In this case, the printer 120 may print image data based on the file 132 attached to the e-mail received from the mobile terminal 130 with print settings that are preset in the printer 120.

[0062] In the above description, an example has been shown in which printer driver 110 generates and transmits a template for an e-mail to be printed in PC 100, but some of the processing may be performed by other applications. For example, a mail application program may be stored in application storage unit 105 in addition to printer driver 110, and the mail application program may transmit the template for an e-mail to be printed generated by printer driver 110. In addition, in the present embodiment, PC 110 equipped with printer driver 110 has been used as an example, but other terminals (e.g., smartphones) having other applications capable of issuing print instructions to printer 120 may also be used.

[0063] <2. Other embodiments> The technology according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is the printer 120, but the image forming apparatus may be an MFP (multi-function peripheral) having a copy function, a scan function, a print function, a fax function, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 100...PC (personal computer, information processing device), 101...CPU (Central Processing Unit), 102...RAM, 103...operation input unit, 104...network I / F (interface) unit, 105...application storage unit, 110...printer driver, 111...printing condition setting unit, 112...print data generation unit, 113...print data transmission unit, 114...printing email printing condition setting unit (acquisition unit), 115...printing email generation unit, 116...printing email transmission unit (transmission unit), 120...printer (image forming device), 121...printing control unit, 122...printing email analysis unit, 123...image data generation unit, 124...image data printing unit, 125...network I / F (Interface) unit, 126...receiving unit, 127...memory unit, 130...mobile terminal (external device), 131...email sending / receiving unit, 132...file, 301...template creation item, 302...sending email address setting field, 303...color / monochrome setting field, 304...double-sided printing setting field, 305...number of copies setting field, 306...email send button, 411...destination (TO) field, 412...sender (FROM) field, 413...subject field, 414...body field, 511...destination (TO) field, 512...sender (FROM) field, 513...subject field, 514...body field.

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of instructing an image forming device to execute printing of print data, a setting unit for setting printing conditions for the image forming apparatus based on a user's input; an acquisition unit that acquires a first email address that can be sent and received by an external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming apparatus; a generating unit that generates an e-mail including the print setting information set by the setting unit and including the second e-mail address based on the second e-mail address acquired by the acquiring unit; a sending unit that sends the email generated by the generating unit to the first email address; Equipped Information processing device.

2. The setting unit sets the printing conditions based on an instruction from the user inputted via an operation input unit, The generating unit generates the e-mail when an instruction to send an e-mail is input by the user via the operation input unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The generating unit generates an e-mail in which explanatory information corresponding to the print setting information is described in the body of the e-mail.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The generating unit generates an e-mail with the second e-mail address as a sender.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1.

5. Setting printing conditions for the image forming device based on a user's input; Obtaining a first email address that can be sent and received by an external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming device; generating an e-mail including the set print setting information and including the second e-mail address based on the acquired second e-mail address; Sending the generated email to the first email address; to cause a computer to execute a process including program.

6. An image forming apparatus; an information processing device capable of instructing the image forming device to execute printing of print data; an external device having one or more files including the print data to be printed by the image forming device; Including, The information processing device includes: a setting unit for setting printing conditions for the image forming apparatus based on a user's input; an acquisition unit that acquires a first email address that can be sent and received by the external device and a second email address that can be sent and received by the image forming device; a generating unit that generates an e-mail including the print setting information set by the setting unit and including the second e-mail address based on the second e-mail address acquired by the acquiring unit; a sending unit that sends the email generated by the generating unit to the first email address; Equipped with the external device attaches at least one file including the print data to be printed from among the one or more files to the e-mail containing the print setting information received from the information processing device, and transmits the e-mail to the image forming device; The image forming apparatus prints the print data included in the at least one file attached to the e-mail based on the print setting information described in the e-mail received from the external device. Image forming system.

Images