Printing system, print server, print control method, and program

Abstract

To facilitate printing a print job registered in a print server in various image forming apparatuses different in manufacturer, model, or option in a printing system that performs printing by using the print server.SOLUTION: A printing system includes a print server, and a relay device that can communicate with the print server and an image forming apparatus, and the print server has: a verification unit that verifies whether electronic data to be printed can be printed in the image forming apparatus according to a print condition for the electronic data; a display control unit that, when the electronic data cannot be printed in the image forming apparatus according to the print condition, causes the relay device to display a change screen for receiving a change in the print condition; a print data generation unit that, when the print condition is changed, converts the electronic data into print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus according to the print condition after the change; and a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the relay device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Printing systems are known in which electronic data to be printed is printed by an image forming apparatus from an information terminal using a print server or the like on a network.

[0003] There is also known a printing system in which an agent on a network detects a printer connected to the network, notifies a server, and transfers print data received from the server, which converts the data to be printed into print data, to the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of work style reforms and telecommuting, there has been a demand for printing electronic data to be printed in various locations, such as at home, a remote office, a library, or a cafe.

[0005] However, with conventional technology such as that shown in Patent Document 1, it was difficult to output a print job registered on a print server for printing in a library, for example, to an image forming device installed in another location, such as a cafe, that has a different manufacturer, model, or options.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and in a printing system in which printing is performed using a print server, makes it easy to print print jobs registered on the print server on various image forming devices with different manufacturers, models, options, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a print server and 、 a relay device, wherein the print server receives electronic data to be printed, And, Printing conditions for electronic data and a storage unit for storing the above information from the relay device. Image forming device and, based on the received device information, prints the electronic data on the image forming device in accordance with the printing conditions. a verification unit that verifies whether printing is possible; If the verification unit verifies that printing is not possible, a display control unit that causes the relay device to display a change screen that accepts changes to the printing conditions; Changed Printing conditions Received case, The electronic data and the change was Printing conditions Based on the above, Printing with the image forming device Possible Print data Generate a print data generating unit for generating the print data and a transmitting unit for transmitting the print data to the relay device; The relay device comprises a device information management unit that transmits the device information of the image forming device connected to the relay device to the print server, and a display input unit that displays the change screen that accepts changes to the printing conditions, and when a change to the printing conditions is accepted on the change screen, the relay device transmits the changed printing conditions to the print server, and when the relay device receives the printing data from the print server, transmits the received printing data to the image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a printing system that uses a print server for printing, it becomes easy to print print jobs registered on the print server on various image forming devices with different manufacturers, models, options, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a print server according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a print server according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a device setting process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a print job registration process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram (1) showing an example of a printing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (2) illustrating an example of printing processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a print job registration process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (1) showing an example of a printing process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (2) illustrating an example of a printing process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. The printing system 1 includes a print server 10, multiple relay devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and an information terminal 103, all connected to a communication network 11 such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN). In the following description, the term "relay device 100" will be used to refer to any of the multiple relay devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and so on. The number of relay devices 100 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the number of relay devices 100 may be one or more.

[0012] The relay device (relay) 100 is an electronic device having a computer configuration and equipped with communication functions, display functions, operation reception functions, etc., and is communicatively connected to the print server 10 via a communication network 11. In the example of FIG. 1, the relay device 100a is communicatively connected to the image forming device 101a via a local network 102a at a site A, for example. The relay device 100b is communicatively connected to the image forming device 101b via a local network 102b at a site B, for example. Similarly, the relay device 100c is communicatively connected to the image forming device 101c via a local network 102c at a site C, for example. In the following description, the term "image forming device 101" will be used to refer to any of the image forming devices 101a, 101b, 101c, etc.

[0013] The image forming device 101 is an image forming device such as a printer or MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that has a communication function and a printing function. In this embodiment, the image forming device 101 connected to the relay device 100 may be any image forming device that has a communication function and a printing function. For example, the image forming device 101 may include a printer that cannot print in color, a printer that cannot print on both sides, a printer that does not have a staple function, a printer that can only print on paper of A4 size or smaller, or a printer that does not have an operation panel. The image forming device 101 may also include printers or MFPs from different manufacturers.

[0014] The information terminal 103 is, for example, an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. A user can use the information terminal 103 to create, for example, document data (an example of electronic data) and register a print job for printing the created document data in the print server 10.

[0015] Here, a print job is a set of electronic files related to a print request sent by the information terminal 103 to the print server 10. For example, a print job includes document data (electronic data) to be printed and print setting information (hereinafter referred to as print conditions) indicating the print conditions of the document data. The print job may also include print data obtained by converting the document data into a PDL (Page Description Language) format printable by the image forming apparatus 101 in accordance with the print conditions. The print conditions include various setting information related to printing of the document data, such as paper size, color printing, double-sided printing, or stapling.

[0016] Here, the following description will be given assuming that the information terminal 103 is a PC, but the information terminal 103 may be, for example, a tablet terminal or another information processing device such as a smartphone.

[0017] The print server 10 is, for example, an information processing device having a computer configuration, or a system including multiple computers, and is communicably connected to an information terminal 103 and multiple relay devices 100 via a communication network 11. The print server 10 stores and manages the document data and printing conditions included in the print request received from the information terminal 103 as a print job, for example, for each user, in a storage unit.

[0018] Preferably, when a user designates the image forming device 101a at site A and transmits a print request from the information terminal 103, the print server 10 converts the document data to be printed into print data that can be printed by the image forming device 101a in accordance with the printing conditions. In this case, the print server 10 stores and manages the document data to be printed, the printing conditions, and the print data as a print job for each user in a storage unit.

[0019] Furthermore, when a user who has registered a print job logs in to the relay device 100a, for example, the print server 10 causes the relay device 100a to display a print execution screen. Furthermore, when the print server 10 receives a print execution operation on the print execution screen, for example, the print server 10 transmits print data that can be printed by the image forming device 101a to the relay device 100a, and the relay device 100a transfers the print data received from the print server 10 to the image forming device 101a. This allows the user to safely print the document data registered in the print server 10 using the image forming device 101a.

[0020] (assignment) In recent years, with the spread of work style reforms and telecommuting, there has been a demand for printing electronic data to be printed in various locations, such as at home, a remote office, a library, or a cafe.

[0021] However, for example, suppose a user with a high degree of freedom in where they work registers a print job for double-sided color printing of document data on image forming apparatus 101a at base A (for example, a library). In such a case, even if the user wants to change the printing destination to image forming apparatus 101b at base B (for example, a cafe) due to reasons such as a closed day, a malfunction, or congestion, it is actually difficult to change the printing destination.

[0022] For example, if the image forming device 101b at site B does not support color printing or double-sided printing, document data may be printed in single-sided monochrome, contrary to the user's intention. Also, if the manufacturer or model of the image forming device 101b at site B is different from that of the image forming device 101a at site A, printing may not be possible at all.

[0023] In such a case, with conventional technology, the user would have to use, for example, information terminal 103 to cancel the print job registered for image forming device 101a at site A and then register a new print job for image forming device 101b at site B.

[0024] As described above, with conventional technology, it has been difficult to output a print job registered in a print server for printing on image forming device 101a at site A to image forming device 101b or the like installed at another site B that is made by a different manufacturer, has a different model, has different options, etc.

[0025] (Solution) Therefore, in the printing system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, when a user logs in to the relay device 100b at the base B, the printing system 1 verifies whether the print job registered in the print server 10 can be printed on the image forming device 101b according to the printing conditions. Note that the print job is an example of electronic data to be printed.

[0026] Furthermore, if the print job cannot be printed according to the printing conditions, the printing system 1 causes the relay device 100b to display a change screen that accepts changes to the printing conditions. Furthermore, if the printing conditions are changed, the printing system 1 converts the document data into print data that can be printed by the image forming device 101b according to the changed printing conditions, and transmits the converted print data to the image forming device 101b via the relay device 100b. As a result, according to this embodiment, for example, it becomes easy to output a print job registered in the print server to be printed by the image forming device 101a at site A to an image forming device 101b installed at another site B that is different in manufacturer, model, options, etc.

[0027] Similarly, a user can easily output a print job registered in the print server to be printed on image forming device 101a at location A to image forming device 101c or the like installed at another location C, which may be made by a different manufacturer, has a different model, or has different options.

[0028] 1 is an example. For example, at least some of the relay devices 100a, 100b, 100c, etc. and the image forming devices 101a, 101b, 101c, etc. may be located at the same base or connected to the same local network.

[0029] Furthermore, multiple image forming apparatuses 101 may be connected to one relay apparatus 100. In this case, the relay apparatus 100 may display a selection screen for selecting the image forming apparatus 101 as the print destination when a user logs in to the relay apparatus 100, for example.

[0030] <Hardware configuration> (Computer hardware configuration) The information terminal 103 has, as an example, the hardware configuration of a computer 200 as shown in Fig. 2. The print server 10 is realized by, for example, one or more computers 200.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, a computer 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a HD (Hard Disk) 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 207, a network I / F 208, a keyboard 209, a pointing device 210, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 212, a media I / F 214, and a bus line 215.

[0032] Of these, the CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the computer 200. The ROM 202 stores programs used to start up the computer 200, such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 203 is used, for example, as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores programs such as an OS (Operating System), applications, and device drivers, as well as various data. The HDD controller 205 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 204, for example, under the control of the CPU 201.

[0033] The display 206 displays various types of information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The display 206 may be provided outside the computer 200. The external device connection I / F 207 is an interface for connecting various external devices to the computer 200. The network I / F 208 is an interface for connecting the computer 200 to the communication network 11 and communicating with other devices.

[0034] The keyboard 209 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 210 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The keyboard 209 and pointing device 210 may be provided outside the computer 200.

[0035] The DVD-RW drive 212 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a DVD-RW 211, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The DVD-RW 211 is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be other recording media. The media I / F 214 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a medium 213, such as a flash memory. The bus line 215 includes an address bus, a data bus, various control signals, and the like, for electrically connecting the above-mentioned components.

[0036] (Hardware configuration of relay device) 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment. The relay device 100 includes, for example, a CPU 301, a memory 302, a storage device 303, a network I / F 304, a display input device 305, an authentication device 306, and a bus 307.

[0037] The CPU 301 is a processor that implements the functions of the relay device 100 by executing a predetermined program stored in, for example, the storage device 303. The memory 302 includes, for example, a RAM, which is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 301, and a ROM, which is a non-volatile memory that stores programs for starting up the CPU 301. The storage device 303 is a large-capacity storage device that stores the OS, programs for the relay device 100, various data, and the like, and is implemented by, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD.

[0038] The network I / F 304 is a communication interface that connects the relay device 100 to the communication network 11, a local network, etc. The display / input device 305 is a device having a display function and an input function, such as a touch panel display. The display / input device 305 may be divided into a display device having a display function and an input device having an input function.

[0039] The authentication device 306 may include, for example, a device that reads biometric information for biometric authentication, a device that reads a card ID for card authentication, or a near-field wireless communication device. Note that the relay device 100 may not have the authentication device 306 when password authentication is performed using the display / input device 305. The bus 307 is commonly connected to the above components and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and various control signals.

[0040] <Functional configuration> Next, the functional configuration of the print server 10 and the print system 1 will be described.

[0041] (Print server functional configuration) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a print server according to an embodiment. The print server 10 realizes the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4 by one or more computers 200 included in the print server 10 executing a predetermined program. In the example of Fig. 4, the print server 10 has functional components such as a communication unit 401, a print job management unit 402, a verification unit 403, a print data generation unit 404, a transmission unit 405, a display control unit 406, an information management unit 407, an authentication unit 408, and a storage unit 410. Note that at least a portion of the above functional components may be realized by hardware.

[0042] The communication unit 401 connects the computer 200 to the communication network 11 using the network I / F 208, for example, and executes communication processing for communicating with the information terminal 103, the relay device 100, and the like.

[0043] The print job management unit 402 executes a print job management process for storing and managing, for example, for each user, the document data 414 and the printing conditions 415 of the document data 414 included in the print request received from the information terminal 103 in the storage unit 410. The print job management unit 402 also executes a process for storing and managing the print data 416 generated by the print data generation unit 404 in the storage unit 410 in association with the document data 414 and the printing conditions 415.

[0044] The verification unit 403 executes a verification process to verify whether document data (electronic data) 414 to be printed can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101 as the print destination in accordance with printing conditions 415 of the document data 414 .

[0045] For example, when a user logs in to relay device 100b, verification unit 403 acquires device information of image forming device 101b from relay device 100b. This device information includes, for example, PDL information, paper size information, color or monochrome printing information, single-sided or double-sided printing information, stapling information, and scan information that image forming device 101b can support. Note that PDL information includes information on the format of print data that image forming device 101b can print, such as PostScript (registered trademark), PCL (Page Control Language), or RPCS (registered trademark) (Refine Printing Command System).

[0046] Furthermore, based on the printing conditions 415 of the document data 414 and the device information of the image forming apparatus 101b, the verification unit 403 verifies whether the document data 414 can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101b in accordance with the printing conditions 415. As a specific example, the verification unit 403 may verify whether the document data 414 can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101b by checking whether a printer driver for the image forming apparatus 101b, which is stored in advance in the storage unit 410, can convert the document data 414 into a PDL in accordance with the printing conditions 415.

[0047] The print data generation unit 404 executes a print data generation process to convert document data 414 to be printed into print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101 at the print destination, according to the printing conditions 415. Furthermore, if the user changes the printing conditions 415 of the document data 414, the print data generation unit 404 converts the document data 414 into print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101 at the print destination, according to the changed printing conditions 415.

[0048] Transmitting unit 405 executes a transmission process to transmit the print data generated by print data generating unit 404 to relay device 100. For example, when a user changes printing conditions 415 of document data 414 on relay device 100b, transmitting unit 405 transmits the print data converted by print data generating unit 404 to image forming device 101b, which is the print destination, via relay device 100b.

[0049] The display control unit 406 executes a display control process to display various display screens, which will be described later, on the relay device 100 or the information terminal 103. For example, the display control unit 406 functions as a web server that provides the relay device 100 or the information terminal 103 with web pages that display various display screens.

[0050] The information management unit 407 performs information management processing to store and manage, for example, user information 411, which is information about users registered in the printing system 1, and contract information 412, which is information about devices to which the user has a contract, in the memory unit 410.

[0051] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of information managed by a print server according to an embodiment. Fig. 5A shows an example of user information 411. In the example of Fig. 5A, the user information 411 includes information such as a "user ID," a "password," and a "user name" as items.

[0052] A "user ID" is identification information that identifies a user. A "password" is an example of authentication information for authenticating a user. The authentication information for authenticating a user may be, for example, biometric information that represents the user's fingerprint, iris, or other characteristic features, or may be identification information held by an IC card or terminal held by the user. A "user name" is, for example, information such as the user's name.

[0053] FIG. 5B shows an example of contract information 412. In the example of FIG. 5B, contract information 412 includes information such as "user ID," "relay device ID," "device name," "destination information," "image forming device ID," "current device," and "device information" as items. "User ID" is identification information for identifying a user. "Relay device ID" is identification information for identifying one or more relay devices 100 that the user has subscribed to (and that are available for use by) the user. "Destination information" is destination information for communicating with relay device 100, such as the IP (Internet Protocol) address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of relay device 100, for example.

[0054] The "image forming device ID" is identification information for identifying the image forming device 101 connected to the relay device 100 corresponding to the "relay device ID." The "device name" is information indicating the display name of the relay device 100 or the image forming device 101. The "current device" is information indicating the default device used by the user that was selected by the user in the device setting process described below (e.g., device name, relay device ID, image forming device ID, etc.). The "device information" is device information of the image forming device 101 corresponding to the "current device" (e.g., manufacturer information, model information, capability information, option information, etc.).

[0055] 4 executes an authentication process to authenticate a user using, for example, user information 411. For example, the authentication unit 408 authenticates a user who logs in to the print server 10 from the information terminal 103 or a user who logs in to the relay device 100 using the user's authentication information. As an example, if the combination of a user ID and a password entered on a login screen displayed by the relay device 100 is stored in the user information 411, the authentication unit 408 permits the user to log in to the relay device 100.

[0056] The storage unit 410 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the computer 200 and a storage device such as the HD 204 included in the computer 200. The storage unit 410 stores, for example, the above-mentioned user information 411, contract information 412, document data 414, printing conditions 415, and print data 416.

[0057] The storage unit 410 may also store a group of printer drivers 413 for multiple image forming devices 101a, 101b, 101c, etc. registered in the printing system 1. Alternatively, the print server 10 may acquire printer drivers for multiple image forming devices 101a, 101b, 101c, etc. from an external cloud service, storage server, etc. The printer driver is a program that controls printing by the image forming device 101, and has, for example, a function to display a print setting screen for setting print conditions, and a function to convert electronic data to be printed into print data according to the set print conditions.

[0058] The functional configuration of the print server 10 shown in Fig. 4 is an example. For example, the functional configurations of the print server 10 in Fig. 4 may be distributed among multiple server devices. Furthermore, at least some of the functional configurations of the print server 10 in Fig. 4 may be realized by a program executed by a virtual computer or the like on a cloud.

[0059] (Printing system functional configuration) 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment, in which the print server 10 has the functional configurations described in FIG.

[0060] It is also assumed here that the print server 10 and the information terminal 103 are connected to a communication network 11 such as the Internet. The relay device 100 and the image forming device 101 are connected to a local network 120 that is connected to the communication network 11 via a router or the like 620, and the relay device 100 is set to be able to communicate with the print server 10 via the router or the like 620. The relay device 100 is also able to communicate with the image forming device 101 via the local network 102. The router or the like 620 may include, for example, a firewall or a router.

[0061] (Functional configuration of relay device) In relay device 100, for example, CPU 301 executes a predetermined program to realize a communication unit 601, a display input unit 602, a relay unit 603, a device information management unit 604, a storage unit 605, etc. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0062] The communication unit 601 connects the relay device 100 to a network such as the local network 102 or the communication network 11 using the network I / F 304, for example, and executes communication processing for communicating with the print server 10 and the image forming device 101.

[0063] The display input unit 602 displays, for example, various display screens received from the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 on the display input device 305, and accepts user operations on the display screen. For example, the display input unit 602 has a web browser function and may display, on the display input device 305, web pages and the like provided by the display control unit 406 of the print server 10.

[0064] The relay unit 603 executes a relay process for transferring print data received from the print server 10 to the image forming apparatus 101 .

[0065] The device information management unit 604 stores and manages, for example, information (e.g., image forming device ID, IP address, etc.) of the image forming device 101 connected to or registered in the relay device 100 in the storage unit 605. Furthermore, in response to a request from the print server 10, the device information management unit 604 acquires, for example, device information of the image forming device 101 from the image forming device 101 and transmits the device information to the print server 10. Alternatively, in response to a request from the print server 10, the device information management unit 604 may transmit, to the print server 10, device information of the image forming device 101 that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 605.

[0066] The storage unit 605 is realized by, for example, the program executed by the CPU 301 and the storage device 303, and stores information about the image forming apparatus 101 managed by the device information management unit 604, device information, and the like.

[0067] (Functional configuration of image forming apparatus) The image forming apparatus 101 realizes a communication unit 611, an image forming unit 612, a device information storage unit 613, and the like by, for example, causing a computer included in the image forming apparatus 101 to execute a predetermined program.

[0068] The communication unit 611 connects the image forming apparatus 101 to a network such as the local network 102, and executes communication processing to communicate with the relay apparatus 100. The image forming unit 612 executes image formation processing to print print data received from the print server 10 via the relay apparatus 100 using a printer engine or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 101. The device information storage unit 613 stores device information of the image forming apparatus 101 in a storage device or the like provided in the image forming apparatus 101. As described above, this device information includes information on PDL, paper size, color or monochrome printing, single-sided or double-sided printing, staple information, scan information, and the like that are compatible with the image forming apparatus 101b.

[0069] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the above-mentioned functions of a general image forming apparatus 101 are used.

[0070] (Information terminal) The information terminal 103, for example, realizes a communication unit 631, a document creation unit 632, a print job transmission unit 633, a display control unit 634, an operation reception unit 635, a storage unit 636, etc. by executing a predetermined program in the CPU 201. Note that at least a part of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

[0071] The communication unit 631 connects the information terminal 103 to the communication network 11 using, for example, the network I / F 208 and executes communication processing for communicating with the print server 10.

[0072] The document creation unit 632 is realized by, for example, a document creation application program executed by the CPU 201, and executes a document creation process for creating document data (an example of electronic data) to be printed.

[0073] The print job sending unit 633 is realized by an application program (hereinafter referred to as an app) corresponding to the printing system 1 executed by the CPU 201, or a printer driver, etc., and sends a print job for printing the created document data to the print server 10.

[0074] The display control unit 634 is realized by, for example, an application corresponding to the printing system 1 executed by the CPU 201, a printer driver, or the like, and executes display processing for displaying various display screens related to the printing system 1 on the display 206.

[0075] The operation receiving unit 635 receives input operations from the user using an input device such as the keyboard 209 or the pointing device 210. The storage unit 636 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 201 and a storage device such as the HD 204 provided in the information terminal 103, and stores various information or data such as document data (electronic data) to be printed.

[0076] 6 is an example. For example, the electronic data to be printed that the information terminal 103 registers in the print server 10 is not limited to document data created by the document creation unit 632, but may also be image data read by a scanner or image data captured by a digital camera.

[0077] <Processing flow> Next, the processing flow of the print control method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0078] [First embodiment] (Device setting process) 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of device setting processing according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of device setting processing in which a user registers a default device (relay device 100, image forming device 101, etc.) that is normally used by the user in the print server 10. It is assumed that the user has already logged in to the print server 10 using the information terminal 103 at the start of the processing shown in FIG.

[0079] In step S701, when the user performs a device setting operation on the information terminal 103, the printing system 1 executes the processes of steps S702 to S704.

[0080] In step S702, when the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 accepts the user's device setting operation, it requests the print server 10 for a list of devices that the user can use.

[0081] In step S703, upon receiving a request for a list of devices from the information terminal 103, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 creates a list screen of devices available to the user and transmits it to the requesting information terminal 103. As an example, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 acquires the device names of devices (relay devices 100 or image forming devices 101) available to the logged-in user from the contract information 412 as shown in Fig. 5(B), and creates a device list screen 1110 as shown in Fig. 11(A). In the example of Fig. 11(A), the device list screen 1110 displays a plurality of selection buttons 1111 that display devices available to the user so that the user can select one of them.

[0082] In step S704, the display control unit 634 of the information terminal 103 displays the device list screen 1110 received from the print server 10 on a display unit such as the display 206. From the displayed device list screen 1110, the user can set the default device (relay device 100 or image forming device 101) that the user normally uses.

[0083] In step S705, when the user performs a selection operation to select a default device on the device list screen 1110, the printing system 1 executes the processes from step S706 onwards.

[0084] In step S706, when the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 accepts the selection operation by the user, it transmits information about the selected device (device name, etc.) to the print server 10.

[0085] In step S707, the information management unit 407 of the print server 10 stores the device information received from the information terminal 103 as the "current device" in the contract information 412 as shown in FIG. 5B, for example.

[0086] In step S708, the information management unit 407 of the print server 10 requests the relay device 100 corresponding to the "current device" to acquire device information of the image forming device 101. For example, in the contract information 412 shown in FIG. 5B, the relay device ID "R0100A" corresponding to the device name "Device A" is the identification information of the relay device 100a, and the image forming device ID "P0101A" is the identification information of the image forming device 101a. In this case, the information management unit 407 transmits an acquisition request to the relay device 100a to request acquisition of the device information of the image forming device 101a.

[0087] In steps S709 to S711, the device information management unit 604 of the relay device 100a acquires device information from the image forming device 101a and transmits the acquired device information to the print server .

[0088] In step 712, the information management unit 407 of the print server 10 stores the device information of the image forming device 101a received from the relay device 100a in, for example, "device information" of the contract information 412 as shown in FIG. 5(B).

[0089] 7, the user can set (register) a default device (relay device 100, image forming device 101, etc.) that is normally used in the printing system 1 to the printing server 10.

[0090] (Print job registration process) 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a print job registration process according to the first embodiment. This process shows an example of a print job registration process in which a user registers a print job in the print server 10. At the start of the process shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user has already logged in to the print server 10 using the information terminal 103 and has already performed the device setting process described in FIG. 7 at least once.

[0091] In step S801, when the user operates the information terminal 103 to display a print request screen, the printing system 1 executes the processes of steps S802 to S805.

[0092] In step S802, when the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 accepts an operation to display a print request screen by the user, it requests the print server 10 to display the print request screen.

[0093] In step S803, when the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 receives a request for a print request screen from the information terminal 103, the display control unit 406 identifies the image forming device 101a corresponding to the current device "Device A," for example, by referring to the contract information 412 as shown in FIG. 5B. The display control unit 406 also creates a print request screen for the image forming device 101a, for example, based on the device information of the image forming device 101a stored in the contract information 412. This print request screen may be, for example, a display screen similar to the print setting screen for the image forming device 101a that is displayed when a print operation is performed in a general application. In this case, the display control unit 406 may create the print setting screen, for example, using the device information of the image forming device 101a and a printer driver for the image forming device 101a stored in the storage unit 410.

[0094] In step S804, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits the created print request screen for the image forming apparatus 101a to the information terminal 103. As a result, in step S805, the display control unit 634 of the information terminal 103 displays the print request screen for the image forming apparatus 101a received from the print server 10 on a display unit such as the display 206.

[0095] In steps S806 to S808, the user performs operations such as selecting document data to be printed, setting print conditions, and confirming the print request on the print request screen displayed by the information terminal 103. Note that if the user uses the print function of an application to display the print request screen, the operation of selecting document data to be printed may be omitted.

[0096] In step S809, the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 transmits to the print server 10 a print request including document data (an example of electronic data) to be printed and print conditions set by the user.

[0097] In step S810, the print job management unit 402 of the print server 10 stores the document data 414 and printing conditions 415 included in the print request received from the information terminal 103 in the storage unit 410, for example, in association with the user ID of the user.

[0098] In step S811, the print data generation unit 404 of the print server 10 selects a printer driver for the image forming apparatus 101a from the printer driver group 413 stored in the storage unit 410.

[0099] In step S812, the print data generation unit 404 of the print server 10 generates print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101a, using the document data 414, printing conditions 415, and a printer driver for the image forming apparatus 101a stored in the storage unit 410. The print data generation unit 404 also stores the generated print data 416 in the storage unit 410, in association with the document data 414 and the printing conditions 415.

[0100] 8, a user can use the relay device 100a in FIG. 1 to register a print job for printing document data on the print server 10 using the image forming device 101a.

[0101] (printing process) 9 and 10 are sequence diagrams showing an example of print processing according to the first embodiment. This processing shows an example of print processing in which a print job registered in the print server 10 by a user to be printed by an image forming apparatus 101a is printed by another image forming apparatus 101b. It is assumed that the print job registration processing described in FIG. 8 has already been executed at the start of the processing shown in FIG. 9.

[0102] In step S901, the user logs in to the relay device 100b. As an example, the user enters a user ID and a password into a login screen of the relay device 100b. However, the login operation is not limited to this, and may be performed using, for example, an IC card, a smartphone, or a fingerprint.

[0103] In step S902, upon receiving a login operation by the user, the operation receiving unit 635 of the information terminal 103 transmits to the print server 10 an authentication request including the user's authentication information (for example, a user ID and a password).

[0104] In step S903, the authentication unit 408 of the print server 10 authenticates the user in response to the authentication request received from the information terminal 103. For example, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the authentication request is stored in the user information 411 as shown in Fig. 5(A), the authentication unit 408 determines the authentication result as OK (success). However, this is not limiting, and the authentication unit 408 may request user authentication from an external authentication server or the like.

[0105] If the user authentication result is "OK" in step S904, authentication unit 408 proceeds to step S906. On the other hand, if the user authentication result is not "OK", authentication unit 408 notifies relay device 100b of the authentication result indicating that authentication has failed in step S905, and ends the process.

[0106] In step S906, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits a print execution screen 1120 to the information terminal 103. In response to this, in step S907, the display control unit 634 of the information terminal 103 displays, for example, a print execution screen 1120 as shown in Fig. 11(B) on the display input device 305 or the like. In the example of Fig. 11(B), the print execution screen 1120 displays, for example, a "print execution" button 1121, a "cancel printing" button 1122, and the like, together with information about the file (electronic data) to be printed.

[0107] The user can perform a print operation to request the start of print processing by selecting the "Print" button 1121 on the print execution screen 1120. In this way, the print system 1 controls the print processing not to start until the user selects the "Print" button 1121 on the print execution screen 1120. This allows the user to print, for example, a print job registered in the print server 10 to be printed on the image forming device 101a on other image forming devices 101b, 101c, ...

[0108] In step S908, when the user performs a print operation on the print execution screen 1120, the printing system 1 executes the processes from step S909 onwards.

[0109] In steps S909 to S911, the device information management unit 604 of the relay device 100b acquires device information from the image forming device 101b and transmits a print process start request including the acquired device information of the image forming device 101b to the print server 10. As described above, this device information of the image forming device 101b includes information on PDL, paper size, color or monochrome printing, single-sided or double-sided printing, stapling, and scanning that the image forming device 101b can support. Note that the device information management unit 604 may transmit a print process start request including the device information of the image forming device 101b that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 605 to the print server 10.

[0110] In step S912, the verification unit 403 of the print server 10 verifies whether the document data 414 registered by the user on the print server 10 can be printed on the image forming device 101b in accordance with the printing conditions 415 of the document data 414. For example, if "color printing" and "staple" are set in the printing conditions 415 of the document data 414 registered by the user on the print server 10, the verification unit 403 verifies whether the image forming device 101b has the functions of "color printing" and "staple."

[0111] In step S913, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is "OK", the print server 10 shifts the process to step S925 in Fig. 10. On the other hand, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is not "OK", the print server 10 shifts the process to S914.

[0112] In step S914, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits the printing conditions change screen 1130 to the relay device 100b. As a result, in step S915, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100 displays the printing conditions change screen 1130 on the display input device 305, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(C).

[0113] 11(C), a message is displayed on the print condition change screen 1130 indicating that the image forming apparatus 101b to print from does not support "color printing" and "staple" among the print conditions 415 set by the user. Also displayed on the print condition change screen 1130 are a "change" button 1131 for accepting an operation to change the print conditions, and a "cancel print" button 1132 for accepting an operation to cancel printing.

[0114] In step S916 of FIG. 10, when the user performs a selection operation on the printing condition change screen 1130, the printing system 1 executes the processes of steps S917 to S920.

[0115] In step S917, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100b determines whether the user's selection operation is a change operation. If the user's selection operation is a change operation, the display input unit 602 proceeds to step S918. On the other hand, if the user's selection operation is not a change operation, the display input unit 602 cancels the print process.

[0116] In step S918, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100b requests the print server 10 for a screen for changing the printing conditions.

[0117] In step S919, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits the printing condition change screen 1140 to the relay device 100b. As a result, in step S920, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100b displays the printing condition change screen 1140, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(D), on the display input device 305 or the like.

[0118] 10(D), a plurality of print conditions, such as "color / black and white," "original size," "double-sided / combined," and "staple," are displayed in a changeable manner on print condition change screen 1140. The user can change the print conditions by changing the print conditions and selecting "change" button 1141.

[0119] 10(C) indicates that the image forming device 101b does not support "color printing" and "staple," the user should set "color / black and white" to black and white and "staple" to none. This allows the user to print the document data 414 registered in the print server 10 using the image forming device 101b.

[0120] 11(D) is an example. For example, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 may cause the relay device 100b to display the print condition change screen 1140 that displays only the print conditions that are not supported by the image forming device 101b as changeable. Alternatively, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 may automatically change the print conditions that are not supported by the image forming device 101b to printable print conditions, and only accept a change operation (or a confirmation operation) by the user.

[0121] In step S921, when the user performs an operation to change the printing conditions on the printing condition change screen 1140, the printing system 1 executes the processing from step S922 onwards.

[0122] In step S921, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100b transmits to the print server 10 the printing conditions changed by the user.

[0123] In step S923, the verification unit 403 of the print server 10 verifies whether the document data 414 registered in the print server 10 by the user can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101b according to the printing conditions changed by the user.

[0124] In step S923, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is "OK", the print server 10 shifts the process to step S925. On the other hand, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is not "OK", the print server 10 returns the process to step S914 in FIG.

[0125] In step S925, the print data generating unit 404 of the print server 10 selects a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 101b from the printer driver group 413 stored in the storage unit 410.

[0126] In step S926, the print data generation unit 404 of the print server 10 uses the selected printer driver to convert the document data 414 registered by the user in accordance with the printing conditions, thereby generating print data that can be printed by the image forming device 101b.

[0127] In step S927, the transmitting unit 405 of the print server 10 transmits the generated print data to the relay device 100b. In step S928, the relay unit 603 of the relay device 100b transfers the print data received from the print server 10 to the image forming device 101b.

[0128] In step S928, the image forming unit 612 of the image forming device 101b prints the print data received from the relay device 100b.

[0129] Thus, according to the first embodiment, in a printing system 1 that uses a print server 10 for printing, it becomes easy to print print jobs registered on the print server 10 on various image forming devices with different manufacturers, models, options, etc.

[0130] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, when the print server 10 receives a print request including the document data 414 and the printing conditions 415 from the information terminal 103, the print server 10 converts the document data 414 into the print data 416.

[0131] In the second embodiment, an example of processing will be described in which the print server 10 does not specify printing conditions 415 when it receives document data 414 from the information terminal 103. The functional configuration of the print system 1 according to the second embodiment may be the same as the functional configuration of the print system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0132] <Processing flow> (Print job registration process) Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a print job registration process according to the second embodiment. This process shows another example of a print job registration process in which a user registers a print job in the print server 10. At the start of the process shown in Fig. 12, it is assumed that the user has already logged in to the print server 10 using the information terminal 103 and has already executed the device setting process described in Fig. 7 at least once. Further, detailed description of the process content similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted here.

[0133] In step S1201, when the user operates the information terminal 103 to display a print request screen, the printing system 1 executes the processes of steps S1202 to S1205.

[0134] In step S1202, when the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 accepts an operation to display a print request screen by the user, it requests the print server 10 to display the print request screen.

[0135] In step S1203, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 creates a print request screen upon receiving a request for a print request screen from the information terminal 103. In the second embodiment, the display control unit 406 creates a print request screen that is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 101, for example, that accepts the selection of document data to be printed.

[0136] In step S1204, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits the created print request screen to the information terminal 103. As a result, in step S1205, the display control unit 634 of the information terminal 103 displays the print request screen received from the print server 10 on a display unit such as the display 206.

[0137] In steps S1206 and S1207, the user performs, for example, an operation to select document data to be printed and an operation to confirm the print request on the print request screen displayed by the information terminal 103.

[0138] In step S1208, the operation accepting unit 635 of the information terminal 103 transmits to the print server 10 a print request including document data (an example of electronic data) to be printed.

[0139] In step S1209, the print job management unit 402 of the print server 10 stores the document data 414 included in the print request received from the information terminal 103 in the storage unit 410 in association with, for example, the user ID of the user.

[0140] 12, the user can register a print job that does not depend on the model of the image forming apparatus 101 in the print server 10.

[0141] (printing process) 13 and 14 are sequence diagrams showing an example of print processing according to the second embodiment. This processing shows an example of print processing when a print job that is registered by a user in the print server 10 and does not depend on the model of the image forming device 101 is printed on the image forming device 101b. Of the processing shown in FIG. 13, steps S901 to S911 are the same as the print processing according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 9, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0142] In step S1301, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 creates a printing condition setting screen for the image forming apparatus 101b. This printing condition setting screen may be the same as the printing setting screen displayed by the printer driver for the image forming apparatus 101a, for example. In this case, the display control unit 406 can create the printing setting screen using device information for the image forming apparatus 101b and the printer driver for the image forming apparatus 101b stored in the storage unit 410. Alternatively, the display control unit 406 may create a printing condition setting screen 1150, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(E).

[0143] In step S1302, the display control unit 406 of the print server 10 transmits the created setting screen for printing conditions for the image forming device 101b to the information terminal 103. As a result, in step S1303, the display control unit 634 of the information terminal 103 displays the setting screen for printing conditions for the image forming device 101b received from the print server 10 on a display unit such as the display 206.

[0144] Next, in step S1304 of FIG. 14, when the user performs an operation to change the printing conditions on the printing condition setting screen, the printing system 1 executes the processing from step S1305 onwards.

[0145] In step S1305, the display input unit 602 of the relay device 100b transmits the printing conditions changed by the user to the print server 10.

[0146] In step S1306, the verification unit 403 of the print server 10 verifies whether the document data 414 registered in the print server 10 by the user can be printed by the image forming apparatus 101b according to the printing conditions changed by the user.

[0147] In step S1307, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is "OK", the print server 10 shifts the process to step S1307. On the other hand, if the verification result by the verification unit 403 is not "OK", the print server 10 returns the process to step S1301 in FIG.

[0148] In step S1308, the print data generating unit 404 of the print server 10 selects a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 101b from the printer driver group 413 stored in the storage unit 410.

[0149] In step S1309, the print data generation unit 404 of the print server 10 uses the selected printer driver to convert the document data 414 registered by the user in accordance with the printing conditions, thereby generating print data that can be printed by the image forming device 101b.

[0150] In step S1310, the transmitting unit 405 of the print server 10 transmits the generated print data to the relay device 100b. In step S1311, the relay unit 603 of the relay device 100b transfers the print data received from the print server 10 to the image forming device 101b.

[0151] In step S1312, the image forming unit 612 of the image forming device 101b prints the print data received from the relay device 100b.

[0152] In this way, when the print server 10 receives the document data 414 from the information terminal 103, if the printing conditions 415 are not specified, the print server 10 may store the document data 414 in the memory unit 410 as a print job without converting the document data 414 into print data.

[0153] As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, in a printing system 1 that uses a print server 10 for printing, it becomes easy to print print jobs registered on the print server 10 on various image forming devices with different manufacturers, models, options, etc.

[0154] <Supplementary information> Each function of each embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform each of the functions described above.

[0155] Additionally, the devices described in the examples are merely illustrative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, print server 10 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other via any type of communications link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and to perform the processes disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1 Printing System 10 Print Server 11. Communications Networks 100, 100a, 100b, 100c Relay device 101, 101a, 101b, 101c Image forming device 103 Information terminal 403 Verification Department 404 Print data generation unit 405 Transmission Unit 406 Display control unit 602 Display and input unit 603 Relay Section 1120 Print execution screen 1140 Change Screen [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0157] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-146197

Claims

1. A printing system including a print server and a relay device, The print server a storage unit that stores electronic data to be printed and printing conditions for the electronic data; a verification unit that receives, from the relay device, device information of an image forming device connected to the relay device, and verifies, based on the received device information, whether the electronic data can be printed by the image forming device in accordance with the printing conditions; a display control unit that causes the relay device to display a change screen for accepting changes to the printing conditions when the verification unit verifies that printing is not possible; and a print data generating unit that, when receiving the changed print conditions, generates print data that can be printed by the image forming device based on the electronic data and the changed print conditions; a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the relay device; Equipped with The relay device a device information management unit that transmits the device information of the image forming device connected to the relay device to the print server; a display input unit that displays the change screen that accepts changes to the printing conditions; Equipped with The relay device When the change of the printing conditions is accepted on the change screen, the changed printing conditions are transmitted to the print server; When the print data is received from the print server, the received print data is transmitted to the image forming device. Printing system.

2. the print server has a printer driver corresponding to the image forming device; The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the verification unit performs the verification by determining whether the electronic data can be converted into PDL in the printer driver in accordance with the printing conditions.

3. the display control unit causes the relay device to display a print execution screen that accepts an operation to execute printing of the electronic data; the verification unit starts the verification when it receives the operation to execute printing.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the printing system includes an information terminal communicably connected to the print server, The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the print data generating unit converts the electronic data into print data when the electronic data and the printing conditions are received from the information terminal.

5. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein when the electronic data is received from the information terminal, if the printing conditions are not specified, the print data generation unit stores the electronic data in a storage unit without converting the electronic data into print data.

6. A printing system as described in claim 1, wherein the device information is manufacturer information, model information, capability information, or option information.

7. The device information management unit acquires the device information from the image forming device connected to the relay device, transmitting the acquired device information to the print server; The printing system of claim 1 .

8. A printing system as described in Claim 7, wherein the device information management unit acquires the device information from the image forming device in response to a request from the print server.

9. A printing system as described in Claim 7, wherein the device information management unit stores and manages the device information obtained from the image forming device in the memory unit, and transmits the device information stored in the memory unit to the print server in response to a request from the print server.

10. A print server connected to a relay device via a communication network, a storage unit that stores electronic data to be printed and printing conditions for the electronic data; a verification unit that receives, from the relay device, device information of an image forming device connected to the relay device, and verifies, based on the received device information, whether the electronic data can be printed by the image forming device in accordance with the printing conditions; a display control unit that causes the relay device to display a change screen for accepting changes to the printing conditions when the verification unit verifies that printing is not possible; and a print data generating unit that, when receiving the changed print conditions, generates print data that can be printed by the image forming device based on the electronic data and the changed print conditions; a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the relay device; A print server having:

11. A printing system including a print server and a relay device, The print server a process of storing electronic data to be printed and printing conditions of the electronic data in a storage unit; a verification process of receiving, from the relay device, device information of an image forming device connected to the relay device, and verifying whether the electronic data can be printed by the image forming device in accordance with the printing conditions based on the received device information; a process of displaying a change screen for accepting changes to the printing conditions on the relay device when it is verified that printing is not possible by the verification process; a process of generating print data that can be printed by the image forming device based on the electronic data and the changed print conditions when the changed print conditions are received; a process of transmitting the print data to the relay device; Run The relay device a process of transmitting the device information of the image forming device connected to the relay device to the print server; a process of displaying the change screen for accepting changes to the printing conditions; a process of transmitting the changed printing conditions to the print server when the change of the printing conditions is accepted on the change screen; When the print data is received from the print server, a process of transmitting the received print data to the image forming device; To execute Printing control method.

12. A program that causes the print server and the relay device to execute the print control method according to claim 11.

Images