Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing program

Abstract

To cause an image forming apparatus to receive an arbitrary job selected by a user from among jobs corresponding to authentication information transmitted from an information processing apparatus when the image forming apparatus receives jobs from a server by using the authentication information.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises a processor, and the processor transmits authentication information to an image forming apparatus, acquires, from the image forming apparatus, job information indicating jobs corresponding to the authentication information acquired by the image forming apparatus from a server storing the plurality of jobs by using the authentication information, displays the acquired job information on a screen, receives selection of the jobs corresponding to the authentication information that are acquired by the image forming apparatus from the server for printing, and transmits selection information indicating the jobs for which the selection is received to the image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming system that allows a user to easily and safely use an image forming device installed in a rental office or the like at a mobile location to print. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-025883 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, working styles in companies have become more diverse, and in addition to working in the office building where the employer is located, there has been an increase in working from telework locations such as rental offices and shared offices.

[0005] Here, as a printing method using an image forming apparatus installed at the telework location, a method using an information processing apparatus brought by the user to the telework location can be considered. In the above printing method, when a user issues a job, the user authenticates using the authentication function of the information processing device, and a unique ID of the information processing device is issued as authentication information. The issued unique ID is then linked to the job and sent to the server, where the job is stored.

[0006] In the above printing method, when a user authenticates with the image forming device using an authentication function of the information processing device at the time of printing, the unique ID is transmitted to the image forming device. The image forming device transmits the unique ID transmitted from the information processing device to a server. The server searches for a job whose unique ID matches the one transmitted from the image forming device and transmits the found job to the image forming device. The image forming device then prints the job transmitted from the server.

[0007] However, in the above printing method, all jobs with matching unique IDs are executed in the image forming apparatus, so if there are multiple jobs with matching unique IDs, all of them are sent from the server.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to allow an image forming device to receive any job selected by a user from among the jobs corresponding to the authentication information when the image forming device receives a job from a server using authentication information sent from an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An information processing device of a first aspect includes a processor, which transmits authentication information to an image forming device, which uses the authentication information to obtain job information from the image forming device indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information, which the image forming device has obtained from a server in which multiple jobs are stored, displays the obtained job information on a screen, accepts on the screen a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information that the image forming device will obtain from the server and print, and transmits selection information indicating the selected job to the image forming device.

[0010] The information processing device of the second aspect is the information processing device of the first aspect, wherein the processor displays on the screen the fee required to print the job corresponding to the authentication information, obtained from the image forming device that sent the authentication information, among the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server.

[0011] An information processing device of a third aspect is an information processing device of the second aspect, in which the processor obtains the fee calculated using the fee information held by the image forming device that sent the authentication information from the fee information required for printing at each of the image forming devices, which is held by each of the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server.

[0012] An information processing device of a fourth aspect is an information processing device of the second aspect, wherein the processor obtains the fee calculated using fee information held by the server and required for printing on multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server.

[0013] An information processing device of a fifth aspect is an information processing device of any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein, when the functions that can be provided differ depending on the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server, the processor displays on the screen an aspect that corresponds to the functions that can be provided by the image forming device that sent the authentication information.

[0014] An information processing device of a sixth aspect is the information processing device of the fifth aspect, wherein, when the image forming device that sent the authentication information cannot provide a color printing function and can only provide a monochrome printing function, the processor does not display on the screen the job information of the job that includes printing information indicating color printing among the job information obtained from the image forming device, and displays on the screen the job information of the job that includes printing information indicating monochrome printing.

[0015] An information processing device of a seventh aspect is the information processing device of the fifth aspect, in which, when the image forming device that sent the authentication information cannot provide a color printing function and can only provide a monochrome printing function, the processor changes the job information of the job obtained from the image forming device, including printing information indicating color printing, to the format when the job is printed in monochrome, and displays the changed information on the screen.

[0016] An information processing system of an eighth aspect includes an information processing device having a first processor, an image forming device having a second processor, and a server having a third processor and having multiple jobs stored therein, wherein the first processor transmits authentication information to the image forming device, the second processor transmits the authentication information transmitted by the information processing device to the server, the third processor transmits job information indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information transmitted by the image forming device to the image forming device, the second processor transmits the job information transmitted by the server to the information processing device, the first processor displays the job information transmitted by the image forming device on a screen, and receives on the screen a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information that the image forming device will obtain from the server and print, and transmits selection information indicating the selected job to the image forming device.

[0017] An information processing program of a ninth aspect causes a computer to execute the following process: send authentication information to an image forming device; use the authentication information to have the image forming device obtain job information indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information from a server in which multiple jobs are stored; display the obtained job information on a screen; accept, on the screen, a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information that the image forming device will obtain from the server and print; and send selection information indicating the selected job to the image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the first, eighth, and ninth aspects, when an image forming device receives a job from a server using authentication information sent from an information processing device, the image forming device can receive any job selected by the user from among the jobs corresponding to the authentication information.

[0019] According to the second aspect, the user can be made aware of the fee required to print the job corresponding to the authentication information.

[0020] According to the third aspect, the user can be made aware of the fee calculated using fee information managed individually in each image forming apparatus.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect, the user can be made aware of the fee calculated using fee information centrally managed by the server.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect, the user can be made aware of the functions that can be provided by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the authentication information.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect, when the image forming device that sent the authentication information cannot provide color printing function, the number of job information items displayed is reduced compared to a configuration in which job information for a job including printing information indicating color printing is displayed.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect, if the image forming device that sent the authentication information cannot provide color printing function, the number of job information items displayed is greater than in a configuration in which job information for jobs that include printing information indicating color printing is not displayed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing device, a user terminal, and a server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a storage process by a user terminal. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a storage process by a server. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process by an information processing apparatus. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process by a server. [Figure 9] 10 is a first display example displayed on a display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 10] 10 is a second display example displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 11] 10 is a third example of a display displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 12] 10 is a fourth example of a display displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 13] 10 is a fifth example of a display displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 14] 10 is a sixth display example displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 15] 10 is a seventh display example displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. [Figure 16] 13 is an eighth display example displayed on the display unit of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below. (First embodiment)

[0027] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 10. The information processing system 10 is a system for executing print processing using an image forming apparatus installed at a telework destination such as a rental office or a shared office.

[0028] 1, the information processing system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20, an information processing apparatus 50, a user terminal 70, and a server 90. The image forming apparatus 20, the user terminal 70, and the server 90 are connected via a network N and are capable of communicating with each other. Examples of the network N include the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network N is an example of a "communication line."

[0029] 1, one or more image forming apparatuses are installed at the telework destination. In addition, as an example, the image forming apparatus 20 has a short-range wireless communication function, and can communicate with the information processing apparatus 50 via the short-range wireless communication function.

[0030] The information processing device 50 is a portable terminal such as a notebook PC, smartphone, or tablet terminal as a portable personal computer (PC) that a user brings to a telework site. In the present embodiment, as an example, the information processing device 50 is a smartphone. In addition, as an example, the information processing device 50 has a short-range wireless communication function, and is capable of communicating with the image forming device 20 and the user terminal 70 by the short-range wireless communication function. In the present embodiment, as an example, NFC (=Near Field Communication) is used as a short-range wireless communication technology between the information processing device 50 and the image forming device 20, and between the information processing device 50 and the user terminal 70.

[0031] The user terminal 70 is a portable terminal such as a notebook PC, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal that the user brings to the telework location. In the present embodiment, as an example, the user terminal 70 is a notebook PC. In addition, as an example, the user terminal 70 has a short-range wireless communication function and is able to communicate with the information processing device 50 by the short-range wireless communication function.

[0032] The server 90 is a server computer in the information processing system 10 that can store a plurality of jobs that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 20.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 30 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31 (= Central Processing Unit), a ROM 32 (= Read Only Memory), a RAM 33 (= Random Access Memory), and an input / output interface (= I / O) 34, which are connected via a bus 35 so as to be able to communicate with one another.

[0034] The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. Specifically, the CPU 31 reads programs from the ROM 32 or the storage unit 36 ​​(described later) and executes the programs using the RAM 33 as a work area. The CPU 31 controls the above-described components and performs various arithmetic operations in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 32 or the storage unit 36. In this embodiment, the ROM 32 or the storage unit 36 ​​stores an information processing program for executing at least the printing process (described later). The information processing program may be pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 20, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium or distributed via a network and installed in the image forming apparatus 20 as needed. Examples of non-volatile storage media include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, and a memory card. The CPU 31 is an example of a "second processor."

[0035] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 33 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0036] The I / O 34 is connected to a storage unit 36, a display unit 37, an operation unit 38, a document reading unit 39, an image forming unit 40, and a communication unit 41. Each of these units can communicate with the CPU 31 via the I / O 34.

[0037] The storage unit 36 ​​is configured by a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and stores various programs and various data.

[0038] For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display is used for the display unit 37. The display unit 37 is integrally provided with a touch panel.

[0039] The operation unit 38 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key. The display unit 37 and the operation unit 38 receive various instructions from a user of the image forming apparatus 20. These various instructions include, for example, an instruction to start reading a document, an instruction to start copying a document, etc. The display unit 37 displays various information such as the results of processing executed in response to instructions received from the user and notifications regarding the processing.

[0040] The document reading unit 39 takes in documents one by one that are placed on a paper feed tray of an automatic document feeder (not shown) that is provided above the image forming apparatus 20, and optically reads the taken-in documents to obtain image information. Alternatively, the document reading unit 39 optically reads documents that are placed on a document tray such as a platen glass to obtain image information.

[0041] The image forming unit 40 forms an image based on image information obtained by reading by the document reading unit 39 or image information obtained from an external PC or the like connected via the network N onto a recording medium such as paper.

[0042] The communication unit 41 is an interface for communicating with other devices. For this communication, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0043] When executing the information processing program, the image forming apparatus 20 uses the hardware resources described above to execute processing based on the information processing program.

[0044] 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device 50, the user terminal 70, and the server 90. Since the information processing device 50, the user terminal 70, and the server 90 basically have a general computer configuration, the information processing device 50 will be described as a representative example.

[0045] 3, the information processing device 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a storage unit 54, an input unit 55, a display unit 56, and a communication unit 57. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 58 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0046] The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. Specifically, the CPU 51 reads programs from the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54 and executes the programs using the RAM 53 as a work area. The CPU 51 controls the above-described components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54. In this embodiment, the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54 stores at least an information processing program for executing the printing process described below. The information processing program may be pre-installed in the information processing device 50, or may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium or distributed via a network and installed in the information processing device 50 as appropriate. Examples of non-volatile storage media include a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a HDD, a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, and a memory card. The CPU 51 is an example of a "processor" and a "first processor."

[0047] The ROM 52 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 53 serves as a working area for temporarily storing programs or data.

[0048] The storage unit 54 is configured by a storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory, and stores various programs including an operating system, and various data.

[0049] The input unit 55 includes, for example, various buttons, a microphone, a camera, and the like, and is used to perform various inputs.

[0050] The display unit 56 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display unit 56 employs a touch panel system, and also functions as the input unit 55. The display unit 56 is an example of a "screen."

[0051] The communication unit 57 is an interface for communicating with other devices. For this communication, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or FDDI, or a wireless communication standard such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is used.

[0052] When executing the information processing program, the information processing device 50 uses the hardware resources described above to execute processing based on the information processing program.

[0053] Next, the flow of a storage process in which a job transmitted from the user terminal 70 is stored in the server 90 in the information processing system 10 will be described.

[0054] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the storage process by the user terminal 70. The CPU 71 of the user terminal 70 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 72 or the storage unit 74, loads it into the RAM 73, and executes it to perform the storage process.

[0055] 4, the CPU 71 determines whether or not authentication information has been received from the information processing device 50, and if it is determined that the authentication information has been received (step S10: YES), the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the CPU 71 does not determine that the authentication information has been received (step S10: NO), the process waits until the authentication information is received. As an example, when short-range wireless communication is performed between the information processing device 50 and the user terminal 70 and the CPU 71 receives authentication information transmitted from the information processing device 50 via the short-range wireless communication, the CPU 71 determines that "authentication information has been received" in step S10. The authentication information is a unique ID (=identification) that can uniquely identify the information processing device 50, and is issued, for example, when the user is successfully authenticated by the information processing device 50.

[0056] In step S11, the CPU 71 generates a job to be printed by the image forming device 20 based on a user instruction. Then, the process proceeds to step S12. As an example, the job generated by the CPU 71 includes target data to be printed, a job ID that can uniquely identify the job, and printing information such as color settings, number of copies to be printed, and paper size settings.

[0057] In step S12, the CPU 71 transmits the job created in step S11 to the server 90. Then, the process proceeds to step S13. At this time, the CPU 71 transmits the job to the server 90, linking it to the authentication information received in step S10.

[0058] In step S13, the CPU 71 displays the transmission result of the job transmitted in step S12 on the display unit 76. Then, the process ends. Although not shown, if the transmission result of the job is successful, information indicating that the job transmission was successful is displayed on the display unit 76, and if the transmission result of the job is unsuccessful, information indicating that the job transmission failed is displayed on the display unit 76.

[0059] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the storage process by the server 90. The storage process is performed by the CPU 91 of the server 90 reading out an information processing program from the ROM 92 or the storage unit 94, expanding it into the RAM 93, and executing it. The CPU 91 is an example of a "third processor."

[0060] 5, the CPU 91 determines whether or not a job has been received from the user terminal 70, and if it determines that a job has been received (step S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if the CPU 91 does not determine that a job has been received (step S20: NO), the process waits until a job is received. As an example, if the CPU 91 receives a job transmitted from the user terminal 70 in step S12 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 91 determines that "a job has been received" in step S20. When the CPU 91 receives a job, it also receives authentication information associated with the job.

[0061] In step S21, the CPU 91 stores the job received in step S20 in the storage unit 94, with the job ID and authentication information associated with the job held as a list. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0062] In step S22, the CPU 91 transmits information indicating that the job has been successfully received as a reception result of the job received in step S20 to the user terminal 70. Then, the process ends.

[0063] Next, a flow of a printing process in which a job stored in the server 90 is printed by the image forming apparatus 20 in the information processing system 10 will be described.

[0064] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing by the information processing device 50. The CPU 51 of the information processing device 50 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54, loads it into the RAM 53, and executes it, thereby performing printing processing.

[0065] 6, the CPU 51 transmits authentication information to the image forming apparatus 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S31. Note that the authentication information transmitted here is the same as the authentication information transmitted to the user terminal 70 in step S10 shown in FIG.

[0066] In step S31, the CPU 51 determines whether job information corresponding to the authentication information transmitted in step S30, specifically, job information indicating a job for which the authentication information matches, has been received from the image forming apparatus 20. If it determines that job information has been received (step S31: YES), the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if the CPU 51 does not determine that job information has been received (step S31: NO), the process waits until job information is received. For example, if the CPU 51 receives job information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 in step S42 shown in FIG. 7 (to be described later), the CPU 51 determines that "job information has been received" in step S31. Furthermore, the job information includes at least information that can uniquely identify each job, and the amount of information is smaller than the job transmitted from the server 90 to the image forming apparatus 20 in step S54 shown in FIG. 8 (to be described later). In the present embodiment, for example, the job information includes a job ID corresponding to the job, the number of prints, and a printing fee. The printing fee is an example of a "fee required for printing."

[0067] In step S32, CPU 51 displays the job information received in step S31 on display unit 56, and accepts on display unit 56 the selection of a job that matches the authentication information transmitted in step S30 and that image forming apparatus 20 has acquired from server 90 and is to print. Then, the process proceeds to step S33. An example of the display on display unit 56 in step S32 will be described later.

[0068] In step S33, CPU 51 transmits selection information indicating the job selected in step S32 to image forming apparatus 20. Then, the process ends. The selection information includes at least information that can uniquely identify the job selected by the user, and in this embodiment, for example, includes a job ID corresponding to the job and the order in which the jobs were selected by the user.

[0069] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing by the image forming apparatus 20. The CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 32 or the storage unit 36, loads it into the RAM 33, and executes it, thereby performing printing processing.

[0070] 7, the CPU 31 determines whether or not authentication information has been received from the information processing device 50, and if it determines that authentication information has been received (step S40: YES), the process proceeds to step S41. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 does not determine that authentication information has been received (step S40: NO), the process waits until authentication information is received. As an example, if short-range wireless communication is performed between the image forming device 20 and the information processing device 50 and the CPU 31 receives authentication information transmitted from the information processing device 50 via the short-range wireless communication, the CPU 31 determines in step S40 that "authentication information has been received."

[0071] In step S41, CPU 31 acquires job information indicating a job whose authentication information received in step S40 matches from among jobs stored in server 90. Then, the process proceeds to step S42. Specifically, CPU 31 transmits the authentication information received in step S40 to server 90, and acquires job information indicating a job whose authentication information matches that transmitted from server 90 in step S52 shown in FIG. 8 (to be described later) as a response to the transmission.

[0072] In step S42, the CPU 31 transmits the job information acquired in step S41 to the information processing device 50. Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0073] In step S43, the CPU 31 determines whether or not selection information has been received from the information processing device 50, and if it is determined that selection information has been received (step S43: YES), the process proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 does not determine that selection information has been received (step S43: NO), the process waits until selection information is received. As an example, if the CPU 31 receives selection information transmitted from the information processing device 50 in step S33 shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 determines that "selection information has been received" in step S43.

[0074] In step S44, CPU 31 retrieves, from the jobs stored in server 90, a job that corresponds to the selection information received in step S43, specifically, a job whose job ID included in the selection information matches. Then, the process proceeds to step S45. Specifically, CPU 31 transmits the selection information received in step S43 to server 90, and retrieves a job whose job ID matches the selection information transmitted from server 90 in step S54 shown in FIG. 8 (to be described later) in response to the transmission.

[0075] In step S45, CPU 31 prints the jobs acquired in step S44. Then, the process ends. Specifically, CPU 31 starts printing the jobs in the order according to the order of job selection by the user, which is included in the selection information transmitted in step S44.

[0076] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of print processing by the server 90. The CPU 91 of the server 90 reads out an information processing program from the ROM 92 or the storage unit 94, loads it into the RAM 93, and executes it to perform print processing.

[0077] 8, the CPU 91 determines whether or not authentication information has been received from the image forming apparatus 20, and if it determines that authentication information has been received (step S50: YES), the process proceeds to step S51. On the other hand, if the CPU 91 does not determine that authentication information has been received (step S50: NO), the process waits until authentication information is received. As an example, if the CPU 91 receives authentication information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 in step S41 shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 91 determines that "authentication information has been received" in step S50.

[0078] In step S51, the CPU 91 searches the storage unit 94 for a job whose authentication information matches the authentication information received in step S50. Then, the process proceeds to step S52. Specifically, the CPU 91 compares the authentication information received in step S50 with the authentication information associated with the job stored in the storage unit 94, and searches the storage unit 94 for a job whose authentication information matches.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the fee structure of image forming apparatuses 20, including image forming apparatus 20A and image forming apparatus 20B connected to network N, is unified, and fee information necessary for printing at image forming apparatus 20 is stored in storage unit 94 of server 90. The fee information in the first embodiment includes information indicating that one color print costs "50 yen" and one monochrome print costs "10 yen." Then, in step S51, CPU 91 calculates the printing fee for each job based on the printing information included in the jobs searched above, and generates job information including the printing fee, job ID, and number of prints.

[0080] In step S52, the CPU 91 transmits the job information generated in step S51 to the image forming apparatus 20. Then, the process proceeds to step S53.

[0081] In step S53, the CPU 91 determines whether or not selection information has been received from the image forming apparatus 20, and if it determines that selection information has been received (step S53: YES), the process proceeds to step S54. On the other hand, if the CPU 91 does not determine that selection information has been received (step S53: NO), the process waits until selection information is received. As an example, if the CPU 91 receives selection information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 in step S44 shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 91 determines in step S53 that "selection information has been received."

[0082] In step S54, the CPU 91 transmits to the image forming apparatus 20 a job whose job ID matches the job ID included in the selection information received in step S53. Then, the process ends. Specifically, the CPU 91 compares the job ID included in the selection information received in step S53 with the job IDs of jobs stored in the storage unit 94, and searches the storage unit 94 for a job whose job ID matches. Then, the CPU 91 transmits to the image forming apparatus 20 the job whose job ID matches.

[0083] Next, a display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50 in step S32 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0084] Fig. 9 is a first example of a display displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. In the example of the display shown in Fig. 9, a job display area 60, a cancel button 64, and a send button 65 are displayed.

[0085] The job display section 60 displays a list of jobs with matching authentication information. As an example, the job display section 60 shown in Fig. 9 includes a job information display section 61, a reception section 62 disposed to the left of each job information display section 61, and a total amount display section 63.

[0086] The job information display section 61 is a section that displays job information including the job ID, number of prints, and printing fee corresponding to each job. The CPU 51 displays the job information received in step S31 shown in Fig. 6 on the job information display section 61. As an example, the topmost job information display section 61 shown in Fig. 9 displays the job ID as "Job 1," the number of prints as "10 sheets," and the printing fee as "100 yen."

[0087] The reception unit 62 is a part that receives a user's selection of a job that matches the authentication information that the image forming apparatus 20 obtains from the server 90 and prints. The reception unit 62 displays a rectangular mark when it has not received a user selection, and displays a number indicating the order in which the user selected the job when it has received a user selection. Therefore, the display example shown in FIG. 9, in which all reception units 62 are displayed with rectangular marks, indicates a state in which none of the reception units 62 has received a user selection.

[0088] The total amount display section 63 is a section that displays the total amount obtained by adding up the printing fees of jobs that the image forming apparatus 20 obtains from the server 90 and prints and that have matching authentication information. The CPU 51 adds up the printing fees displayed in the job information display section 61 that corresponds to the reception section 62 that has accepted the user's selection, and displays the total amount on the total amount display section 63. Note that in the display example shown in FIG. 9, since none of the reception sections 62 has accepted a user's selection, the total amount display section 63 displays "Total amount ---- yen," as an example.

[0089] The cancel button 64 is a button for canceling a user operation on the job display section 60. As an example, when the cancel button 64 is operated, the CPU 51 changes the display content of the job display section 60 to the initial state shown in FIG. 9 in which none of the reception sections 62 has received a selection by the user.

[0090] The send button 65 is a button for transmitting the selected information to the image forming apparatus 20. The send button 65 is configured so as to be inoperable if none of the reception units 62 has received a selection by the user. Furthermore, when the send button 65 cannot be operated, for example, the text of the send button 65 may be displayed in gray to indicate that the button cannot be operated.

[0091] Fig. 10 is a second display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. The display example shown in Fig. 10 shows the state after the bottom three accepting units 62 have accepted the selections made by the user in the display example shown in Fig. 9.

[0092] 10, the bottom three receiving sections 62 display numbers "1," "2," and "3" from the bottom as numbers indicating the order in which the user selected the jobs. The job information displayed in the job information display section 61 corresponding to the receiving section 62 that has received the user's selection is underlined. Instead of or in addition to underlining the job information, the color of the characters indicating the job information may be changed.

[0093] 10 displays "Total Amount 750 yen" as the total amount obtained by adding up the printing amounts displayed in the bottom three job information display areas 61.

[0094] 10, when the send button 65 is operated, the selection information is sent to the image forming apparatus 20, and the transmission result of the selection information is displayed on the display unit 56. Although not shown in the figure, when the transmission of the selection information to the image forming apparatus 20 is completed, for example, the display unit 56 displays "Transmission completed" or the like.

[0095] On the other hand, if the transmission of the selection information to the image forming apparatus 20 is not completed, the display example shown in FIG. 11 is displayed as an example.

[0096] 11 is a third display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. The display example shown in Fig. 11 shows a state after the send button 65 is operated in the display example shown in Fig. 10.

[0097] In the example display shown in FIG. 11, a total amount display section 63, a balance display section 66, a message display section 67, a check box 68, and an OK button 69 are displayed.

[0098] The total amount display section 63 shown in FIG. 11 displays that the total amount of printing fees for the jobs desired to be printed by the image forming apparatus 20 is "750 yen."

[0099] The balance display section 66 is a section that displays the balance of electronic money that is stored in the information processing device 50 and can be used to pay for printing at the image forming device 20. As an example, the balance display section 66 shown in Fig. 11 displays information indicating that the balance of the electronic money is "500 yen" and that there is a deficit of "250 yen."

[0100] The message display section 67 is a section that displays a message to the user. For example, the upper message display section 67 shown in Fig. 11 displays "Charge," and the lower message display section 67 displays "Print only printable jobs."

[0101] The check boxes 68 are arranged to the left of each message display section 67, and either one of the two check boxes 68, one above the other, can be selected.

[0102] The OK button 69 is a button for deciding to execute the message content displayed in the message display unit 67 corresponding to the check box 68 selected by the user. The OK button 69 is configured to be inoperable if either the upper or lower check box 68 is not selected. Although not shown, when the OK button 69 is operated with the upper check box 68 selected, the CPU 51 causes the display unit 56 to display a charge screen for charging the balance of electronic money. After the shortfall is charged on the charge screen, the CPU 51 causes the display unit 56 to display the example display shown in FIG. 9 again.

[0103] On the other hand, when the confirm button 69 is operated with the lower check box 68 selected, the CPU 51 transmits selection information including only jobs that can be printed in the order of job selection by the user to the image forming apparatus 20. In this case, as an example, the CPU 51 transmits selection information including only jobs corresponding to the bottommost receiving unit 62 of the bottom three receiving units 62 selected in the display example shown in FIG.

[0104] As described above, CPU 51 in the present embodiment transmits authentication information to image forming apparatus 20. CPU 51 also acquires, from image forming apparatus 20, job information that image forming apparatus 20 has acquired from server 90 using the authentication information. CPU 51 also displays the job information acquired from image forming apparatus 20 on display unit 56, and accepts, on display unit 56, a selection of a job that matches the authentication information that image forming apparatus 20 will acquire from server 90 and print. CPU 51 also transmits selection information indicating the job for which selection has been accepted to image forming apparatus 20. As a result, according to the present embodiment, when image forming apparatus 20 receives a job from server 90 using authentication information transmitted from information processing apparatus 50, image forming apparatus 20 can receive any job selected by the user from among jobs whose authentication information matches.

[0105] Furthermore, the CPU 51 in this embodiment causes the display unit 56 to display the printing fee for a job whose authentication information matches the authentication information obtained from the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the authentication information, among the multiple image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the same network N as the server 90. As a result, according to this embodiment, the user can be made aware of the printing fee for the job whose authentication information matches. In the first embodiment, the CPU 51 obtains the printing fee calculated using fee information required for printing at the multiple image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the same network N as the server 90, which is held by the server 90. As a result, according to the first embodiment, the user can be made aware of the printing fee calculated using fee information centrally managed by the server 90. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the fee information is centrally managed by the server 90, so that the fee information for the multiple image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the network N can be changed collectively.

[0106] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0107] In the second embodiment, the fee structure of the image forming apparatuses 20, including image forming apparatus 20A and image forming apparatus 20B connected to network N, is not unified, and a fee structure is set according to each image forming apparatus 20. Therefore, in the second embodiment, each image forming apparatus 20 stores fee information required for printing at that image forming apparatus 20 in storage unit 36. As an example, the fee information for image forming apparatus 20A in the second embodiment is "50 yen" per color print and "10 yen" per monochrome print, and the fee information for image forming apparatus 20B is "100 yen" per color print and "20 yen" per monochrome print.

[0108] Here, in the first embodiment, in step S51 shown in Figure 8, the CPU 91 of the server 90 calculated the printing fee for each job, but in the second embodiment, the CPU 31 of the image forming device 20 calculates the printing fee.

[0109] Specifically, in the second embodiment, the CPU 91 of the server 90 does not calculate the printing amount in step S51 shown in FIG. 8, but generates job information including the job ID, number of prints, and color settings corresponding to the job whose authentication information matches the authentication information received in step S50.

[0110] 7, the CPU 31 of the image forming apparatus 20 calculates the printing fee for each job using the number of prints and color setting acquired from the server 90 and the fee information stored in the storage unit 36. Then, the CPU 31 transmits job information including the calculated printing fee, job ID, number of prints, and color setting to the information processing apparatus 50.

[0111] Next, a display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50 in step S32 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0112] Fig. 12 is a fourth display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. As an example, Fig. 12 shows a display example in the case where the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is "image forming device 20A." The display content of the display example shown in Fig. 12 is similar to the display example shown in Fig. 9 described in the first embodiment, but the job information display unit 61 displays the printing fee for each job in the image forming device 20A.

[0113] Fig. 13 is a fifth display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. As an example, Fig. 13 shows a display example in the case where the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is "image forming device 20B." The display content of the display example shown in Fig. 13 is similar to the display example shown in Fig. 9 described in the first embodiment, but the job information display unit 61 displays the printing fee for each job in image forming device 20B.

[0114] As described above, the CPU 51 in the second embodiment obtains the printing fee calculated using fee information held by the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the authentication information, among fee information required for printing at each of the image forming apparatuses 20, which is held by each of the multiple image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the same network N as the server 90. The CPU 51 then displays on the display unit 56 the printing fee for the job for which the authentication information matches, at the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the authentication information. This allows the user to recognize the printing fee calculated using fee information individually managed by each image forming apparatus 20. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, because fee information is individually managed by each image forming apparatus 20, the fee information for each image forming apparatus 20 can be individually changed.

[0115] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0116] In the third embodiment, when the functions that can be provided differ depending on the multiple image forming apparatuses 20 connected to the same network N as the server 90, the CPU 51 displays on the display unit 56 an aspect that corresponds to the functions that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the authentication information. As a result, according to the third embodiment, the user can recognize the functions that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 20 that transmitted the authentication information.

[0117] Here, a list of functions that can be provided by each of the multiple image forming devices 20 connected to the network N is stored in advance in the storage unit 94 of the server 90. In this embodiment, the list of functions includes at least the presence or absence of a color printing function and a monochrome printing function. As an example, the storage unit 94 stores information that image forming device 20A is a "monochrome machine" that cannot provide a color printing function and can only provide a monochrome printing function, and that image forming device 20B is a "color machine" that can provide both a color printing function and a monochrome printing function.

[0118] Next, a description will be given of an example of a display displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50 in step S32 shown in Fig. 6. In the following, it is assumed that the job information received by the information processing device 50 in step S31 includes jobs with job IDs "Job 2" and "Job 5" that include printing information indicating color printing, and jobs with job IDs "Job 1," "Job 3," and "Job 4" that include printing information indicating monochrome printing. Note that printing information indicating color printing indicates that the color setting included in the printing information is "color," and printing information indicating monochrome printing indicates that the color setting included in the printing information is "monochrome."

[0119] Fig. 14 is a sixth example of a display displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. As an example, Fig. 14 shows a display example in the case where the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome device, "image forming device 20A."

[0120] In the third embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome machine, the CPU 51 does not display, on the display unit 56, the job information of jobs that include printing information indicating monochrome printing among the job information acquired from the image forming apparatus 20, but displays, on the display unit 56, the job information of jobs that include printing information indicating monochrome printing. Therefore, in the display example shown in Fig. 14, only the job information of jobs with job IDs "Job 1," "Job 3," and "Job 4" that include printing information indicating monochrome printing are displayed on the job information display unit 61.

[0121] With the above configuration, according to the third embodiment, when the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome machine, the number of job information items displayed is reduced compared to a configuration in which job information for a job including printing information indicating color printing is displayed.

[0122] In the third embodiment, the job information received by the information processing device 50 in step S31 shown in Fig. 6 includes a job including printing information indicating color printing and a job including printing information indicating monochrome printing. However, this is not limiting, and if the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome machine, the information processing device 50 does not need to receive a job including printing information indicating color printing from the image forming device 20.

[0123] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described while omitting or simplifying parts that overlap with other embodiments.

[0124] In the fourth embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome machine, the CPU 51 changes the job information of the job acquired from the image forming apparatus 20, including print information indicating color printing, to the format for monochrome printing of the job, and displays the format on the display unit 56. In this embodiment, the format for monochrome printing is set to the printing fee for monochrome printing.

[0125] Next, a description will be given of an example of a display displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50 in step S32 shown in Fig. 6. In the following, it is assumed that the job information received by the information processing device 50 in step S31 includes jobs with job IDs "Job 2" and "Job 5" that include printing information indicating color printing, and jobs with job IDs "Job 1," "Job 3," and "Job 4" that include printing information indicating monochrome printing.

[0126] Fig. 15 is a seventh example of a display displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. As an example, Fig. 15 shows a display example in the case where the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome device, "image forming device 20A."

[0127] The CPU 51 changes the job information of the jobs with job IDs "Job 2" and "Job 5" that include printing information indicating color printing from among the received job information, to the printing price when the jobs are printed in monochrome. Specifically, the CPU 51 calculates the printing price for each job using the number of prints included in the job information for the jobs with job IDs "Job 2" and "Job 5" and the fee information of "10 yen" per monochrome print obtained from the image forming apparatus 20A. The CPU 51 then causes the job information display unit 61 to display the printing price when the jobs corresponding to the job information received in step S31 shown in FIG. 6 are all printed in monochrome.

[0128] With the above configuration, according to the fourth embodiment, when the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is a monochrome machine, the number of job information items displayed is greater than in a configuration in which job information for jobs that include printing information indicating color printing is not displayed.

[0129] (others) In the above embodiment, the CPU 51 causes the display unit 56 to display the printing fee when a job with matching authentication information is printed on the image forming apparatus 20 that sent the authentication information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The CPU 51 may also cause the display unit 56 to display the printing fee when a job with matching authentication information is printed on another image forming apparatus 20 that is connected to the same network N as the server 90 but has not sent the authentication information, in addition to the image forming apparatus 20 that sent the authentication information.

[0130] Fig. 16 is an eighth display example displayed on the display unit 56 of the information processing device 50. As an example, Fig. 16 shows a display example in the case where the image forming device 20 that sent the authentication information is "image forming device 20A."

[0131] 16, the printing fee for printing a job with matching authentication information on image forming apparatus 20A that sent the authentication information is displayed in job information display section 61A of job display section 60A. Also, in the display example shown in Fig. 16, the printing fee for printing a job with matching authentication information on image forming apparatus 20B that did not send the authentication information and is connected to the same network N as server 90 is displayed in job information display section 61B of job display section 60B located below job display section 60A.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the user terminal 70 is a portable terminal that the user brings to the telework location, but is not limited to this and may be a terminal such as a PC that is installed in advance at the telework location.

[0133] In each of the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0134] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10 Information Processing Systems 20 Image forming device 31 CPU (an example of a second processor) 50 Information processing equipment 51 CPU (an example of a processor and a first processor) 90 servers 91 CPU (an example of a third processor)

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: transmitting authentication information to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus uses the authentication information to acquire from the image forming apparatus job information indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information, the job information having been acquired from a server in which a plurality of jobs are accumulated; Based on the acquired job information, the server acquires a printing fee, which is the fee required to print the job corresponding to the authentication information, calculated using the fee information held by the image forming device that transmitted the authentication information, from among fee information required for printing at each of the image forming devices that is held by each of the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server, and a printing fee, which is calculated using the fee information held by another image forming device that did not transmit the authentication information, when the job with the matching authentication information is printed at the other image forming device; displaying the printing fee corresponding to the image forming device and the printing fee corresponding to the other image forming device on a screen; On the screen, the image forming apparatus receives a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information to be acquired from the server and printed; presenting a plurality of options when the total amount of the printing fees for the jobs selected exceeds the balance of a payment method that can be used to pay for printing at the image forming device; When a predetermined operation is performed with one option selected by the user, selection information including only the jobs that can be printed in the order selected by the user is transmitted to the image forming device from among the jobs whose selection has been accepted; When the predetermined operation is performed with another option selected by the user, a charge screen for charging the balance of the payment means is displayed; When the shortage amount is charged on the charge screen, the screen is displayed again and the job selection by the user is accepted. Information processing device.

2. The processor: An information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the functions that can be provided differ depending on the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server, a mode corresponding to the functions that can be provided by the image forming device that sent the authentication information is displayed on the screen.

3. The processor: If the image forming device that has transmitted the authentication information cannot provide a color printing function and can only provide a monochrome printing function, among the job information acquired from the image forming device, the job information of the job that includes printing information indicating color printing is not displayed on the screen, and the job information of the job that includes printing information indicating monochrome printing is displayed on the screen. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The processor: If the image forming device that has transmitted the authentication information cannot provide a color printing function and can only provide a monochrome printing function, the job information acquired from the image forming device, including print information indicating color printing, is changed to a format for monochrome printing of the job and displayed on the screen. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

5. an information processing device including a first processor; an image forming device including a second processor; a server including a third processor and having a plurality of jobs stored therein; Equipped with the first processor transmits authentication information to the image forming device; the second processor transmits the authentication information transmitted by the information processing device to the server; the third processor transmits, to the image forming apparatus, job information indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information transmitted by the image forming apparatus; the second processor transmits the job information transmitted by the server to the information processing device; The first processor acquires, based on the job information transmitted by the image forming apparatus, a printing amount that is the amount required to print the job corresponding to the authentication information, calculated using the fee information held by the image forming apparatus that transmitted the authentication information, from fee information required for printing at each of the image forming apparatuses that is held by each of the multiple image forming apparatuses connected to the same communication line as the server, and a printing amount for printing the job for which the authentication information matches, calculated using the fee information held by another image forming apparatus that has not transmitted the authentication information, and displays the printing amount corresponding to the image forming apparatus and the printing amount corresponding to the other image forming apparatus on a screen, and displays on the screen the printing amount corresponding to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the authentication information. accepts a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information to be acquired from a server and printed, and if the total amount of the printing fees for the accepted selections exceeds the balance of a payment means usable for payment for printing at the image forming device, presents a plurality of options, and if a predetermined operation is performed with one option selected by the user, transmits selection information to the image forming device including only the jobs that can be printed in the order selected by the user, of the accepted selections, when another option is selected by the user and the predetermined operation is performed, displays a charge screen for charging the balance of the payment means, and if the shortfall is charged on the charge screen, displays the screen again and accepts the selection of the job by the user; Information processing system.

6. On the computer, transmitting authentication information to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus uses the authentication information to acquire from the image forming apparatus job information indicating the job corresponding to the authentication information, the job information having been acquired from a server in which a plurality of jobs are accumulated; Based on the acquired job information, the server acquires a printing fee, which is the fee required to print the job corresponding to the authentication information, calculated using the fee information held by the image forming device that transmitted the authentication information, from among fee information required for printing at each of the image forming devices that is held by each of the multiple image forming devices connected to the same communication line as the server, and a printing fee, which is calculated using the fee information held by another image forming device that did not transmit the authentication information, when the job with the matching authentication information is printed at the other image forming device; displaying the printing fee corresponding to the image forming device and the printing fee corresponding to the other image forming device on a screen; On the screen, the image forming apparatus receives a selection of the job corresponding to the authentication information to be acquired from the server and printed; presenting a plurality of options when the total amount of the printing fees for the jobs selected exceeds the balance of a payment method that can be used to pay for printing at the image forming device; When a predetermined operation is performed with one option selected by the user, selection information including only the jobs that can be printed in the order selected by the user is transmitted to the image forming device from among the jobs whose selection has been accepted; When the predetermined operation is performed with another option selected by the user, a charge screen for charging the balance of the payment means is displayed; When the shortage amount is charged on the charge screen, the screen is displayed again and the job selection by the user is accepted. An information processing program for executing processing.

Images