Printing system and printing method

Abstract

To provide a printing system and a printing method which can improve convenience in vicarious execution of a print job.SOLUTION: In a printing system 10, a print job designated by a terminal user and including identification information of an apparatus user of an image forming apparatus 14 is generated in a user terminal 12 and is transmitted to an information processing apparatus (print server) 16. The apparatus user of the image forming apparatus 14 requests a list of print jobs including his or her identification information to the information processing apparatus 16. When receiving print job data as an object together with the list of print jobs from the information processing apparatus 16, the image forming apparatus 14 executes the print job designated by the terminal user in response to operation of the apparatus user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print processing system and a printing method, and more particularly to a print system and a printing method that include a plurality of image forming apparatuses and can execute print processing of a print job generated by a user terminal in a desired image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of this type of background technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technology of Patent Document 1, a user permitted to print is set in association with a keyword included in the file name, and when it is determined that the user associated with the keyword included in the file name for which authentication printing is to be performed is the user who will perform printing, printing is performed by entering a password. Therefore, according to the technology of Patent Document 1, a user other than the user who sent the print job to the image forming device (multifunction device) can perform authentication printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-207456 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, the association between the keyword and the print-authorized user must be set in advance for the image forming device, and printing can only be performed from a specific image forming device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel printing system and printing method.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system and a printing method that can improve the convenience when a print job is executed on behalf of another user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. Note that the reference symbols and supplementary explanations in parentheses indicate the corresponding relationships with the embodiments described to aid in understanding the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0008] 1. Working Example A printing system in which a print job generated by a user terminal is executed by an image forming apparatus through information processing, the user terminal being a determination unit that determines whether identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device included in the print job is registered as a user of the image forming device, and when the determination unit determines that the identification information indicating the device user of the image forming device is registered as a user of the image forming device, A transmission unit is provided for transmitting a print job including the identification information to an information processing device, Based on the judgment result of the judgment department The printing system includes a storage unit that stores print jobs sent from a user terminal, and a transmission unit that transmits a job list of print jobs including corresponding identification information to the image forming device when requested by the image forming device, and the image forming device includes a receiving unit that receives print jobs included in the job list from the information processing device, and an execution unit that executes the received print jobs.

[0009] In the first aspect of the present invention, a printing system (10: corresponding parts in the embodiment are illustrated) , not intended to be limiting The system includes a user terminal (12), an image forming device (14) and an information processing device (16), and executes a print job generated by the user terminal (12) on the image forming device (14) via the information processing device (16). The user terminal (12) A determination unit (20, S15) is provided for determining whether identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device included in the print job is registered as a user of the image forming device, and a transmission unit (20, 22, S17) is provided for determining, when the determination unit determines that the identification information indicating the device user of the image forming device is registered as a user of the image forming device, A print job including identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device is transmitted to an information processing device (14). Information The information processing device (16) includes a storage unit (76). Based on the judgment result of the judgment section,The print job transmitted from the user terminal (12) is stored. Then, the transmission unit (64, 66, S39) transmits a job list of the print jobs including the corresponding identification information to the image forming device (14) when requested by the image forming device (14). The image forming device (14) includes a reception unit (46, 42, S57) that receives print jobs included in the job list (112) from the information processing device, and an execution unit (38, S61) that executes the received print jobs.

[0010] 1. Working Example According to When it is determined that the identification information indicating the device user of the image forming device, which is included in the print job, is registered as the user of the image forming device, the print job including the identification information indicating the device user of the image forming device is transmitted from the user terminal to the information processing device, so that the print job is reliably executed by the image forming device, This can improve the convenience when the image forming apparatus acts as a proxy.

[0011] Second Working Example The first Working Example Subordinate to A printing system , user terminal Is, and a cancel unit that cancels the print job when the determination unit determines that the corresponding device user is not registered in the target image forming device. do.

[0012] In the second invention, in the user terminal (12), And, Fragment (20, S15 ) is included in the print job, the device user having the identification information is registered in the target image forming device, and the cancel unit (20, S7) Judgment department The user of the image forming device As a user If it is determined that the printer is not registered, the print job is canceled.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is registered as a user of Print jobs that do not include identification information that designates a device user are canceled, thereby ensuring that the print job is delivered to the target image forming device.

[0014] Third Working Example A printing method for a printing system in which a print job generated by a user terminal is executed by an image forming apparatus through information processing, the method comprising: determines whether identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device included in the print job is registered as a user of the image forming device, and when the result of the determination indicates that the identification information indicating the device user of the image forming device is registered as a user of the image forming device,A print job including the identification information is transmitted to the information processing device, and the information processing device Based on the judgment This is a printing method in a printing system, in which a print job sent from a user terminal is saved, and a request is made from the image forming device to the information processing device to send a job list of print jobs including corresponding identification information, the image forming device receives the print jobs included in the job list from the information processing device, and the image forming device executes the received print jobs.

[0015] Third Working Example According to the first Working Example Similar effects can be expected. A fourth embodiment is a printing system dependent on the first or second embodiment, and the information processing device includes a generation unit that generates data of an identification information list by collecting identification information of a device user who executed a print job from a print job log of an image forming device. The fifth embodiment is a printing method in a printing system subordinate to the third embodiment, in which an information processing device generates data of an identification information list by collecting identification information of a device user who executed a print job from a print job log of an image forming device. In the fourth and fifth embodiments, a list of identification information can be provided in response to a request from a user terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to this invention, for example, a registered user who has been requested to perform a print job on behalf of another user can print using any image forming apparatus, thereby improving convenience when performing a print job on behalf of another user.

[0017] The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the user terminal in the embodiment shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus (multifunction peripheral) in the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the print server (information processing device) in the embodiment shown in FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing an example of a memory map of a RAM in the user terminal of the FIG. 1 embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing an example of print job data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the user terminal of the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing an example of a print setting screen in the user terminal of the embodiment in FIG. 1. In FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing one example of an identification information request screen in the user terminal of the FIG. 1 embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing an example of a memory map of the main storage unit of the information processing device in the FIG. 1 embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the computer of the information processing device in the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing one example of a print job list displayed by the image forming apparatus in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing an example of a memory map of the main storage unit of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a part of an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, the printing system 10 of this embodiment includes a user terminal 12, a plurality of image forming devices 14, and an information processing device (print server) 16. Each of the plurality of image forming devices 14 is communicatively connected to the user terminal 12, the other image forming devices 14, and the information processing device 16 via a network 18 such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0020] Although FIG. 1 shows a case where one information processing device 16 is connected to the network 18, two or more information processing devices 16 may be used.

[0021] 2, the user terminal 12 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a main control unit 20, a communication unit 22, and an auxiliary storage unit 24. The user terminal 12 also includes a display unit 26 and an operation unit 28. These are connected to each other via a common bus 30.

[0022] The main control unit 20 is a control means in the user terminal 12 that is responsible for the overall control of the user terminal 12. For this reason, the main control unit 20 includes a CPU, a processor, or a computer. Furthermore, the main control unit 20 includes a main memory unit 32 as a main memory means in the user terminal 12. This main memory unit 32 includes, for example, a RAM and a ROM.

[0023] The communication unit 22 is a communication means in the user terminal 12 that can perform two-way communication processing via the network 18 (FIG. 1).

[0024] The auxiliary storage unit 24 is an auxiliary storage means in the user terminal 12, including, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory.

[0025] The display unit 26 has a display 34 as a display means. The display 34 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited to this and may be an organic EL display or the like.

[0026] The operation unit 28 functions as an operation receiving means, and has, as one example, a touch panel (not shown) that cooperates with the display 34, and may further include appropriate hardware switches such as push button switches.

[0027] The image forming device 14 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a multifunction peripheral, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the image forming device 14. The image forming device 14 includes an image reading unit 36, an image forming unit 38, and a paper feeding unit 40. The image forming device 14 also includes a communication unit 42 and an input / output interface (I / O) unit 44. The image forming device 14 further includes a main control unit 46, an auxiliary storage unit 48, and an external storage medium connection unit 50. The image forming device 14 also includes a display unit 52 and an operation unit 54. These are connected to each other via a common bus 56.

[0028] As is well known, the image reading unit 36 ​​is an image reading means that reads an image of an original document and outputs two-dimensional image data corresponding to the image of the original document. For this reason, the image reading unit 36 ​​includes an original document placement table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like, all of which are not shown.

[0029] The image forming section 38 is an image forming means that forms an image on a recording paper by an electrophotographic method. For this reason, the image forming section 38 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like, all of which are not shown. Image data provided for the image forming process by the image forming section 38 includes, for example, image data output from the image reading section 36. In addition, image data based on various files imported from an external storage medium, which will be described later, may also be provided for the image forming process by the image forming section 38. Note that the image forming section 38 can perform not only black and white image forming process but also color image forming process.

[0030] The paper feed section 40 is a paper feed means that includes a paper feed cassette (not shown) and feeds the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette one sheet at a time to the image forming section .

[0031] The communication unit 42 is a communication means capable of performing two-way communication processing via the network 18. The communication unit 42 is also capable of performing communication by a wireless method such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) method.

[0032] The input / output interface unit 44 is connected to various sensors and motors, and more precisely, to their drive circuits. The various sensors include a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the paper feed cassette, a toner sensor in the developing device, and a paper detection sensor appropriately provided in the paper transport path from the paper feed cassette to the paper discharge unit. The motors include a paper transport motor appropriately provided in the paper transport path and a motor for driving the photosensitive drum described above. Output signals from each sensor are sent to the main control unit 46 via the input / output interface unit 28, and control signals and the like are sent from the main control unit 46 to each motor.

[0033] The main control unit 46 is a control means that is responsible for the overall control of the image forming apparatus 14. For this reason, the main control unit 46 includes a CPU, a processor, or a computer, and also includes a main memory unit 58 as a main memory means that can be directly accessed by the CPU, the processor, or the computer. This main memory unit 58 includes, for example, a RAM and a ROM.

[0034] The auxiliary storage unit 48 is an auxiliary storage means including, for example, a hard disk, a flash memory, etc. In accordance with the control of the CPU, processor, or computer of the main control unit 46, various types of image data such as image data output from the image reading unit 36, and various types of data other than image data are appropriately stored in this auxiliary storage unit 48.

[0035] The external storage medium connector 50 has a connection port to which an external storage medium such as a USB memory can be connected, and transmits and receives data such as various files to and from the external storage medium. Therefore, for example, it is possible to import data such as various files recorded in the external storage medium to the image forming apparatus 14 side, or to send data such as various files from the image forming apparatus 14 side to the external storage medium and store it therein.

[0036] The display unit 52 has a display 60 as a display means. This display 60 cooperates with a touch panel 62 of the operation unit 54 to form a display with a touch panel (touch screen). This display 60 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited to this and may be an organic EL display or the like. Furthermore, in addition to the display 60, the display unit 52 may include an appropriate light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode.

[0037] The operation unit 54 has a touch panel 62 as an operation receiving means. This touch panel 62 cooperates with the display 60 as described above to configure a display with a touch panel. For this reason, as one example, the touch panel 62 is provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display 60. Furthermore, in addition to the touch panel 62, the operation unit 54 may include appropriate hardware switches such as push button switches.

[0038] 4, the information processing device (print server) 16 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a main control unit 64, a communication unit 66, and an auxiliary storage unit 68. The information processing device 16 also includes a display unit 70 and an operation unit 72. These are connected to each other via a common bus 74.

[0039] The main control unit 64 is a control means in the information processing device 16 that is responsible for the overall control of the information processing device 16. Therefore, the main control unit 64 includes a CPU, a processor, or a computer. Furthermore, the main control unit 64 includes a main memory unit 76 as a main memory means in the information processing device 16. This main memory unit 76 includes, for example, a RAM and a ROM.

[0040] The communication unit 66 is a communication means in the information processing device 16 that can perform two-way communication processing via the network 18.

[0041] The auxiliary storage unit 68 is an auxiliary storage means in the information processing device 16, which includes, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory.

[0042] The display unit 70 has a display 78 as a display means. The display 78 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited to this and may be an organic EL display or the like.

[0043] The operation unit 72 functions as an operation receiving means, and may have, for example, a touch panel (not shown) that cooperates with the display 78.

[0044] 1, a user of a user terminal 12 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "terminal user") generates a print job (print document file) at the user terminal 12. This print job is added with identification information of a user (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "device user") who is using an image forming device 14 and is desired by the terminal user.

[0045] Then, the print job is transmitted from the user terminal 12 to an information processing device (print server) 16. The information processing device 16 stores the print job received from the user terminal 12.

[0046] After logging in to the image forming apparatus 14, the apparatus user requests the information processing apparatus 16 on an operation screen (described later) for a list of print jobs (print job list) stored in the information processing apparatus 16, including the apparatus user's identification information.

[0047] When the target print job data is received from the information processing device 16 together with the corresponding print job list, the print job list is displayed on the display unit of the image forming device 14, and the print job data is stored in the main storage unit.

[0048] The device user selects one or more print jobs from the displayed print job list, for example, by a touch operation. When a print job is selected, the selected print job is read from the main storage unit, and the image forming device 14 executes (prints) the print job according to the device user's operation designated by the terminal user.

[0049] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing an example of a memory map of the main storage unit (RAM) 32 of the user terminal 12 of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0050] 5, the main storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 80 and a data storage area 82. In the program storage area 80, a control program for the user terminal 12 is stored.

[0051] The control programs of the user terminal 12 include a display control program 84a, an operation detection program 84b, a communication program 84c, a printing system program 84d, and an identification information acquisition program 84e.

[0052] The display control program 84a is a program that generates display screen data necessary to display various screens on the screen of the display 34 based on the display image generation data 86a described below, and causes the display unit 26 to display images on the display 34 using the display screen data.

[0053] The operation detection program 84b is a program for detecting operation data (described later) 86b corresponding to an operation on the operation unit 28 of the user terminal 12. For example, when a touch panel (not shown) is touched, the main control unit (computer) 20 acquires touch coordinate data output from the touch panel as operation data 86b in accordance with the operation detection program 84b, and stores the operation data in the data storage area 82 of the main storage unit 32. When a hardware button or key (not shown) provided in the user terminal 12 is pressed or operated, the main control unit 20 acquires operation data 86b resulting from the pressing or operation of the button or key in accordance with the operation detection program 84b, and stores the operation data in the data storage area 82 of the main storage unit 32.

[0054] The communication program 84c is a program for controlling the communication unit 22 to communicate with the image forming apparatus 14, the information processing apparatus (print server) 16, and the like through the network 18 (FIG. 1).

[0055] The printing system program 84d is an application program used when requesting printing from the image forming device 14 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, and is a program that generates a print job with various printing conditions (parameters) set and transmits the print job to the information processing device 16.

[0056] The identification information acquisition program 84e is a program for acquiring identification information, such as a user ID, of a device user registered as available for use by the image forming device 14, which is required when the user terminal 12 requests the image forming device 14 to perform a print service. Specifically, a request for sending the identification information is sent to the information processing device 16, and the identification information is received (acquired) from the information processing device 16 and stored in the data storage area 82 as identification information data 86c described below.

[0057] Although not shown, the program storage area 80 also stores other programs necessary for controlling the user terminal 12.

[0058] In the data storage area 82, display image generating data 86a, operation data 86b, identification information 86c, print job data 86d, and the like are stored.

[0059] The display image generating data 86a includes polygon data and texture data for generating a display image, etc. The display image generating data 86a also includes image data corresponding to software keys, image generating data for displaying each screen described below, etc.

[0060] The operation data 86b is operation data detected according to the operation detection program 84b, and is stored in chronological order. The operation data 86b is deleted after being used in the processing of the main control unit 20.

[0061] The identification information data 86c is identification information of a device user who is registered as being available for use by the image forming device 14 and obtained from the information processing device 16, as described above.

[0062] The print job data 86d is data that includes the above-mentioned identification information (the ID of the device user registered in the image forming device 14) between delimiters (for example, "@" or "@!") and the file name and identifier of the document (file) to be printed, as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0063] Although not shown, the data storage area 82 stores other data necessary for the execution of the control program of the user terminal 12, and also includes flags and counters (timers) necessary for the execution of the control program.

[0064] 7, in a first step S1, the main control unit 20 of the user terminal 12 determines whether or not the user has operated the print button 92 on the print setting screen 88 shown in FIG.

[0065] Here, the print setting screen 88 will be briefly described. This print setting screen 88 is a GUI screen displayed on the display 34 (FIG. 2) according to the print system program 84d shown in FIG. 5, and displays a detailed setting section 90, a print button 92, and the like. In the detailed setting section 90, items (print parameters) that can be set during normal printing, such as the number of copies to be printed and whether to print on both sides (single side), can be set, and finishing methods can also be set. The print button 92 is operated when the setting of the print parameters in the detailed setting section 90 is completed, at which time print job data as shown in FIG. 6 is generated and stored in the data storage area 82 of the main storage unit 32 as print job data 86d shown in FIG. 5.

[0066] When determining "YES" in step S1, the main control unit 20 acquires print job data in the following step S3. The print job data here refers to the print job data shown in FIG.

[0067] In the next step S5, the main control unit 20 determines whether or not the acquired print job data includes identification information of the device user.

[0068] If "NO" is determined in step S5, the main control unit 20 cancels the print job by erasing the previously registered print job data 86d in step S7, and ends the process.

[0069] If the determination in step S5 is "YES", that is, if the determination is that the print job data includes device user identification information, then in the next step S9, the main control unit 20 acquires device user identification information registered as a user in the destination image forming device 14. That is, in step S9, the main control unit 20 requests the information processing device 16 to transmit a list of device user identification information.

[0070] In step S9, the main control unit 20 controls the display unit 26 according to the printing system program 84d to display an identification information list request screen 94 shown in FIG. 9 on the display 34. This identification information list request screen 94 includes a list request button 96, and when the user operates this list request button 96, the main control unit 20 transmits a list request to the information processing device 16 via the network 18. Since the information processing device 16 centrally manages the device users of all the image forming devices 14 included in this printing system 10, when there is a request to transmit an identification information list from the user terminal 12, the information processing device 16 transmits an identification information list 98 as shown in FIG. 9 to the user terminal 12 via the network 18. Specifically, the information processing device 16 generates data of the identification information list by collecting the identification information of the device users who executed the print job from the print job log of each image forming device 14.

[0071] However, an OK button 100 provided on this identification information list request screen 94 is operated when the identification information list 98 is received from the information processing device 16, thereby notifying the information processing device 16 of the receipt of the identification information list.

[0072] In the example shown in FIG. 9, as shown in the identification information list 98, it can be seen that an image forming device is installed in each department, and a plurality of users are registered for each image forming device.

[0073] Such an identification information list 98 is acquired in step S9. Therefore, the main control unit 20 can determine whether or not the identification information included in the print job data shown in Fig. 6 exists in this identification information list 98. For example, looking at the first print job data of the print job data in Fig. 6, it contains the identification information "S1100001", which is included in the print job data, and since this identification information is included in the identification information list 98 in Fig. 9, it can be seen that the device user of the image forming device 14, which is included in the print job and specified by the terminal user of the user terminal 12, has already been registered.

[0074] If the identification information included in the print job data does not exist in the identification information list 98, it is understood that the device user of the image forming device designated at that time by the terminal user of the user terminal 12 is a new user.

[0075] In this case, in step S11, the main control unit 12 controls the display unit 26 (FIG. 2) in accordance with the printing system program 84d to display on the display 34 a GUI (not shown) that asks the terminal user of the user terminal 12 whether or not to register the new device user.

[0076] If the terminal user inputs to this GUI to register, "YES" is determined in step S11. If the user input indicates "YES", the identification information is registered as identification information data 86c in the data storage area 82 of the main storage unit 32 in step S13. At the same time, in this step S13 or in another appropriate step, the identification information of the new device user is transmitted to the information processing device 16 via the network 18. Although not shown, the information processing device 16 registers the identification information of the device user of the image forming device registered in the user terminal 12 in the main storage unit 76 (FIG. 4) as identification information data 108c (described later).

[0077] In the next step S15, the main control unit 20 judges whether or not the identification information of the print job to be sent (FIG. 6) is registered as the user of the destination image forming apparatus by referring to the identification information data 86c in FIG. 5. If "NO" is judged in this step S15, the print job is deleted in the previous step S7, and the process ends.

[0078] If "YES" is determined in step S15, the main control unit 20 transmits the print job to the information processing device 16 (FIG. 1) in the next step S17.

[0079] The main storage unit 76 of the information processing device 16 that receives this print job includes a program storage area 102 and a data storage area 104, as shown in Fig. 10. In the program storage area 102, a control program for the information processing device (print server) 16 is stored.

[0080] The control programs of the information processing device 16 include a display control program 106a, an operation detection program 106b, a communication program 106c, and a printing system program 106d.

[0081] The display control program 106a is a program that generates display screen data required to display various screens on the screen of the display 78 (FIG. 4) based on the display image generation data 108a described below, and causes the display unit 70 to display images on the display 78 using the display screen data.

[0082] The operation detection program 106b is a program for detecting operation data 108b (described later) corresponding to an operation on the operation unit 72 of the information processing device 16.

[0083] The communication program 106c is a program for controlling the communication unit 66 to communicate with the user terminal 12, the image forming apparatus 14, and the like through the network 18 (FIG. 1).

[0084] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the printing system program 106d is an application program used when the user terminal 12 requests the image forming device 14 to perform printing on its behalf, and is a program for receiving print jobs from the user terminal 12, transmitting a list of identification information of device users registered in each image forming device 14 (Figure 9) in response to a request from the user terminal 12, and transmitting the received print job to the image forming device 14 in which the identification information contained in the print job is registered.

[0085] Although not shown, the program storage area 102 also stores other programs necessary for controlling the information processing device 16.

[0086] The data storage area 104 stores display image generation data 108a, operation data 108b, identification information 108c, print job data 108d, and the like.

[0087] The display image generating data 108a includes polygon data, texture data, etc. for generating a display image. The display image generating data 108a also includes image generating data such as an image corresponding to a software key.

[0088] The operation data 108b is operation data detected according to the operation detection program 106b, and is stored in chronological order.

[0089] The identification information data 108c is the identification information of the device user who executed the print job in each image forming device 14, obtained by collecting from print job log data 120d (FIG. 12) described below of each image forming device 14, that is, the identification information of the device user who is registered as an available user in each image forming device 14. However, as described above, when the user terminal 12 registers the identification information of a new device user, the user terminal 12 receives a registration notification of the identification information and registers it as this identification information data 108c.

[0090] The print job data 108d is the print job data received from the user terminal 12 as described above in accordance with the print system program 106d, and is sent to the corresponding image forming device 14 in accordance with the print system program 106d.

[0091] Although not shown, the data storage area 104 stores other data necessary for the execution of the control program of the information processing device 16, and also includes flags and counters (timers) necessary for the execution of the control program.

[0092] 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 16. In the first step S21, the main storage unit 64 (FIG. 4) determines whether or not there has been a request to transmit an identification information list from the user terminal 12. When "NO" is determined in step S21, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0093] If the determination in step S21 is "YES", in the next step S23, the main control unit 64 collects identification information of the device users who executed the print jobs from the print job logs of the image forming devices 14. Then, in step S25, the main control unit 64 uses the communication unit 66 to transmit a list of the collected identification information to the user terminal 12 via the network 18.

[0094] After that, in step S27, the main control unit 64, in accordance with the print system program 106d, determines whether or not a print job list has been requested from any of the image forming devices 14. If "NO" is determined in this step S27, the process ends.

[0095] If the determination in step S27 is "YES", the main control unit 64 extracts the identification information of the device user who requested the print job list from the request data in step S29. That is, when requesting a print job list, the user adds his / her own identification information to the request, so in step S29, the identification information is extracted to identify the device user.

[0096] In the next step S31, the print job data stored in the main memory unit 76 is extracted, and in step S33, the main control unit 64 judges whether the extracted print job is a print job that includes the identification information of the device user who has requested the print job list. In other words, it is judged whether there is a print job related to the device user who has requested the print job list.

[0097] If "YES" in step S33, the main control unit 64 adds, in step S35, the print job determined to be the corresponding print job in step S33 to the print job list to be displayed.

[0098] Then, steps S31-S37 are repeated, and if "NO" is determined in step S37, in step S39, a print job list, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, is transmitted together with the print job data indicated in the print job list to the image forming device 14 in which the device user who requested the information processing device 16 to transmit the print job list is registered. The print job list is displayed on the display 60 (Fig. 3) of the image forming device 14, and the print job data is stored as print job data 120e (described later).

[0099] 12 is displayed on the display 78 by the display unit 70 under the control of the main control unit 64 of the image forming device 14. That is, a list of print jobs (print job list) 112 including the identification information of the device user who has requested the print job list, extracted from the print job data in the main memory unit 76, is displayed.

[0100] In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the print job list 120 includes the transmission date and time 112a of the print job from the user terminal 12 to the information processing device 16 (in the upper example, 16:32 on Feb. 5, 2021) and a file name 112b including an identifier (in the upper example, "Quote"). However, this print job list does not include the user identification information included in the example of FIG. 6. This is because this print job list 112 is not transmitted to any image forming device other than the image forming device 14 in which a device user having identification information matching the device user identification information specified by the user terminal 12 is registered.

[0101] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the main memory unit 58 of the image forming apparatus 14 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 13, the main memory unit 58 includes a program memory area 114 and a data memory area 116. The program memory area 114 stores a control program for the image forming apparatus 14.

[0102] The control programs of the image forming apparatus 14 include a display control program 118a, an operation detection program 118b, an image reading program 118c, an image generating program 118d, a communication program 118e, and a printing system program 118f.

[0103] The display control program 118a is a program that generates display screen data necessary for displaying various screens on the screen of the display 60 (FIG. 3) based on the display image generation data 120a described below, and causes the display unit 52 to display images on the display 60 using the display screen data.

[0104] The operation detection program 118b is a program for detecting operation detection data corresponding to operations on each operation unit of the image forming apparatus 14. For example, when the touch panel 62 is touched, the main control unit 46 acquires touch coordinate data output from the touch panel 62 as operation data 120b (described later) in accordance with the operation detection program 118b, and stores the data in the data storage area 116 of the main storage unit 58. When a hardware button or key (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 14 is pressed or operated, the main control unit 46 acquires operation data 120b resulting from the pressing or operation of the button or key in accordance with the operation detection program 118b, and stores the data in the data storage area 116 of the main storage unit 58. The image reading program 118c is a program for controlling the image reading unit 36 ​​(FIG. 3) to read the document on the document table (not shown).

[0105] The image forming program 118d is a program for printing an original image generated by the image reading unit 36 ​​based on the original image.

[0106] The communication program 118d is a program for controlling the communication unit 34 and the facsimile communication unit 36 ​​to communicate with external computers and facsimile machines via the network 104 (FIG. 1).

[0107] 1 embodiment, the printing system program 118f is a program for printing a print job generated by the user terminal 12 in response to an instruction (request) from the terminal user of the user terminal 12. For example, the printing system program 118f requests the information processing device (print server) 16 to transmit a print job list specifying the device user of the image forming device 14, and executes a print job selected from the print job list.

[0108] Although not shown, the program storage area 114 also stores other programs necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus 14.

[0109] In the data storage area 116, display image generating data 120a, operation data 120b, document image data 120c, job log data 120d, print job data 120e, and the like are stored.

[0110] Display image generating data 120a includes polygon data and texture data for generating a display image. Display image generating data 120a also includes image generating data for displaying an image corresponding to a software key and print job list 110 (FIG. 12).

[0111] The operation data 120b is operation data detected according to the operation detection program 118b, and is stored in chronological order.

[0112] The document image data 120c is image data of a document read by the image reading unit 36 ​​(FIG. 3).

[0113] The job log data 120d is log data that records device users who have logged in to the image forming apparatus 14 and executed a print job. Basically, the terminal user of the user terminal 12 requests proxy printing by designating a device user recorded in the job log data 120d.

[0114] The print job data 120e is print job data that the device user has requested the information processing device 16 to transmit.

[0115] Although not shown, the data storage area 116 stores other data required for executing the control program of the image forming apparatus 14, and also includes flags and counters (timers) required for executing the control program.

[0116] 14, in a first step S51, the main control unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 14 determines whether or not the apparatus user has logged in. When the user has logged in, "YES" is determined in step S51, and in the next step S53, the main control unit 46 requests the information processing apparatus 16 to transmit a list of print jobs.

[0117] In step S55, when a print job list (and the corresponding print job data) is received from the information processing device 16, in step S57, the print job list screen 110 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display 60, and the print job data is stored in the data memory area 116 of the main memory unit 58 as print job data 120e.

[0118] Then, in step S59, the main control unit 46 determines whether the device user has selected any print job from the displayed print job list. For example, when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel 62 of the operation unit 54, if the touch position indicates any of the print jobs shown in Fig. 12, the print job is considered to have been selected, and "YES" is determined in step S59.

[0119] In step S61, data of the print job determined to have been selected in step S59 is read from the print job data 120c, and the print job is executed in accordance with the print job data.

[0120] If there are no more print jobs in step S63, the process ends.

[0121] The registered user of image forming device 14 can know that a proxy printing request has been made by the terminal user of user terminal 12, for example, if the terminal user sends the device user a phone call or email saying something like "I've registered a print job, please take care of it!" In other words, the device user can know that a proxy printing request has been made by receiving a message from the terminal user.

[0122] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when an inquiry is received from the image forming device 14 (steps S27, S53), the information processing device 16 transmits the job list and the print job data contained therein to the image forming device in step S39. However, it is also possible for the information processing device 16 to transmit only the job list to the image forming device 14, keep the print job data in the information processing device 16, and transmit the print job data to the image forming device 14 each time a request is made by the image forming device 14. Since the information processing device 14 is considered to have better security than the image forming device 14, the print jobs can be protected more securely by transmitting the print jobs to the image forming device 14 each time they are needed by the image forming device 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 10. Printing system 12 …User terminal 14...Image forming device 16 ... Information processing device (print server) 18 … Network

Claims

1. A printing system in which a print job generated by a user terminal is executed by an image forming apparatus via an information processing apparatus, The user terminal, a determination unit that determines whether identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device included in the print job is registered as a user of the image forming device; and a transmission unit that transmits a print job including the identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device to the information processing device when the determination unit determines that the identification information indicates a device user of the image forming device and the device user is registered as a user of the image forming device; The information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores the print job transmitted from the user terminal based on a result of the determination by the determination unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a job list of print jobs including the corresponding identification information to the image forming device when a request is received from the image forming device; The image forming apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives the print job included in the job list from the information processing device; The printing system further comprises an execution unit that executes the received print job.

2. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal comprises a canceling unit that cancels the print job when the determining unit determines that the device user is not registered in the target image forming device.

3. A printing method for a printing system in which a print job generated by a user terminal is executed by an image forming apparatus via an information processing apparatus, comprising: The user terminal, determining whether or not identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device included in the print job is registered as a user of the image forming device; and When the result of the determination indicates that identification information indicating a device user of the image forming device is registered as a user of the image forming device, transmitting a print job including the identification information to the information processing device; the information processing device stores the print job transmitted from the user terminal based on the result of the determination; a request for transmission of a job list of print jobs including the corresponding identification information from the image forming apparatus to the information processing apparatus; the image forming device receives the print job included in the job list from the information processing device; The image forming apparatus executes the received print job.

4. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device includes a generating unit that generates data of an identification information list by collecting identification information of a device user who has executed a print job from a print job log of an image forming device.

5. 4. The printing method in the printing system according to claim 3, wherein the information processing device generates data of the identification information list by collecting identification information of device users who have executed the print job from a print job log of the image forming device.

Images