Information processing system, terminal device, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing system capable of improving the accuracy of proportional printing costs.SOLUTION: The information processing system includes a terminal device and an information processing apparatus. The terminal device is provided with a print instruction unit that transmits a print instruction for a print job and an information transmission unit that transmits predetermined information regarding the printing of the print job to the information processing apparatus. The predetermined information includes cost-related information, which is information about the printing cost of the print job, and connection-related information, which is information based on one or both of VPN connection information and login destination information, or at least one of those information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a terminal device, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where a user working from home instructs a terminal device to print a document.

[0003] In the cost management system described in Patent Document 1, whether the printing is for personal use or for official use is input by the user via a print setting screen. And in the cost management system, it is possible to distinguish the bearer of the printing cost for working from home between personal use and official use (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, although the cost can be allocated between personal use and official use, since whether it is for personal use or official use is manually input by the user, the accuracy of cost allocation may deteriorate due to misinput or intentional mistake.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one embodiment is an information processing system comprising a terminal device and an information processing device, wherein the terminal device comprises a print instruction unit that transmits print instructions for a print job and an information transmission unit that transmits predetermined information relating to the printing of the print job to the information processing device, the predetermined information including cost-related information which is information relating to the cost of printing the print job, and connection-related information which is information based on either or both of VPN connection information and login destination information, or at least one of these pieces of information.

[0007] To solve the above problems, one embodiment is a terminal device comprising a print instruction unit that transmits a print instruction for a print job, and an information transmission unit that transmits predetermined information relating to the printing of the print job to an information processing device, wherein the predetermined information includes cost-related information which is information relating to the cost of printing the print job, and connection-related information which is information based on either or both of VPN connection information and login destination information, or at least one of these pieces of information.

[0008] To solve the above problems, one embodiment is an information processing device that includes a receiving information processing unit that processes predetermined information relating to printing of a print job received from a terminal device, wherein the predetermined information includes cost-related information which is information relating to the cost of printing the print job, and connection-related information which is information based on either or both of VPN connection information and login destination information, or at least one of these pieces of information.

[0009] To solve the above problem, one embodiment is an information processing method in which a terminal device transmits a print instruction for a print job, transmits predetermined information relating to the printing of the print job to an information processing device, the predetermined information including cost-related information which is information relating to the cost of printing the print job, and connection-related information which is information based on either or both of VPN connection information and login destination information, or at least one of these pieces of information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This figure shows an example of the status of the first information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows another example of the status of the first information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows a schematic configuration example of the first terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a schematic configuration example of the first log server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the first information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the first information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the status of the second information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows another example of the status of the second information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows a schematic configuration example of the first print and log server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the second information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the second information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the status of the third information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows another example of the status of the third information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows a schematic configuration example of the second terminal device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the third information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of the processing flow performed in the third information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of the situation of the fourth information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing another example of the situation of the fourth information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed in the fourth information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed in the fourth information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the first shared office according to a modified example of the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The first embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a company is shown as an example of the group to which the user belongs, but it may be applied to other groups.

[0013] [[ID=3〖〗 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the situation of the first information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the situation of the first information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, in the example of FIG. 1 and the example of FIG. 2, the presence or absence of VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection of the first terminal device 21 in the first information processing system 1 is different.

[0014] In the present embodiment, as examples of places, the first home 11 of the first user 23 and the first company 12 where the first user 23 works are shown. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the first user 23, the area of the first home 11, and the area of the first company 12 are shown respectively. The first information processing system 1 comprises a first terminal device 21 for a first user 23, a first printing device 22 installed in the first home 11, a first VPN router 31 installed in the first company 12, a first log server 32 installed in the first company 12, and a first expense management device 33 installed in a location other than the first home 11 and the first company 12.

[0015] Here, the first expense management device 33 may be located in any location, for example, as a cloud-based device. The first expense management device 33 may also be located at the first company 12. In this embodiment, the first information processing system 1 includes the first cost management device 33, but in other configuration examples, the first information processing system 1 may be considered as not including the first cost management device 33. Furthermore, while this embodiment shows the case where the first log server 32 is provided at the first company 12, as an example of other configurations, the first log server 32 may be provided at any location, for example, as a cloud device.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first user 23 uses the first terminal device 21 to perform the duties of the first company 12. In this embodiment, when the first user 23 works at a location other than the first company 12, the first terminal device 21 is connected to the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12 via VPN. On the other hand, when the first user 23 is performing personal work, the first terminal device 21 is not connected to the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12 via VPN. Furthermore, when the first user 23 has established a VPN connection between the first terminal device 21 and the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12, personal work may be prohibited.

[0017] In this embodiment, personal work means work other than the business of the first company 12. In this embodiment, the costs incurred for printing performed as part of the business of the first company 12 are paid by the first company 12, but the costs incurred for printing performed as part of personal work are not paid by the first company 12. The first information processing system 1 manages information regarding expenses paid by the first company 12. Furthermore, the first information processing system 1 may manage information regarding expenses that the first company 12 does not pay. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, anything that is not for personal use will be referred to as "official use."

[0018] In the printing scenario shown in Figure 1, the first user 23 and the first terminal device 21 are located at the first home 11. Furthermore, the first user 23 is working from home by connecting the first terminal device 21 to the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12 via VPN. The diagram then shows a situation in which the first user 23 operates the first terminal device 21 to print using the first printing device 22 at the first home 11. The first terminal device 21 and the first printing device 22 are connected by a first connection a1. The first connection a1 may be, for example, a connection using USB (Universal Serial Bus). The first terminal device 21 and the first VPN router 31 are connected by the second connection a2.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 21 sends print data directly to the first printing device 22 to perform printing. This type of printing may be called, for example, local printing.

[0020] The first VPN router 31 and the first log server 32 are connected by a third connection a3. This allows the first terminal device 21 and the first log server 32 to communicate. The first log server 32 and the first cost management device 33 are connected by the fourth connection a4. The first connection a1, the second connection a2, the third connection a3, and the fourth connection a4 may each be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.

[0021] The printing situation shown in Figure 2 differs from the printing situation shown in Figure 1 in that the first terminal device 21 is not connected to the first VPN router 31 via VPN. In other words, the first user 23 is using the first terminal device 21 to perform personal tasks. The diagram then shows a situation in which the first user 23 operates the first terminal device 21 to print using the first printing device 22 at the first home 11. The first terminal device 21 and the first log server 32 are connected by the 11th connection a11. The 11th connection a11 may be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.

[0022] The first terminal device 21 may be, for example, a desktop, notebook, or tablet computer. The first terminal device 21 may, for example, be owned by the first company 12 and leased to the first user 23, or it may be owned by the first user 23.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic configuration example of the first terminal device 21 according to the first embodiment. The first terminal device 21 includes a first terminal input unit 111, a first terminal output unit 112, a first terminal communication unit 113, a first terminal storage unit 114, and a first terminal control unit 115. The first terminal-side communication unit 113 includes a first terminal-side VPN communication unit 151. The first terminal-side control unit 115 comprises a first print instruction unit 121 and a first terminal-side information transmission unit 122. The first terminal-side information transmission unit 122 comprises a first cost-related information transmission unit 131 and a first connection-related information transmission unit 132.

[0024] The first terminal-side input unit 111 receives input from an external source. The first terminal-side input unit 111 has, for example, an operation unit operated by the first user 23, and inputs instructions and the like corresponding to the operation performed on the operation unit. The first terminal-side input unit 111 may, for example, receive information output from an external device.

[0025] The first terminal output unit 112, for example, has a display unit and outputs information to the screen of the display unit. The first terminal output unit 112 has, for example, an audio output unit, which outputs audio information. The audio may be, for example, speech. The first terminal output unit 112 may output information to an external device, for example. Here, the operation unit and the display unit may be configured in common, for example, by a touch panel screen.

[0026] The first terminal-side communication unit 113 communicates with an external device. The first terminal-side communication unit 113 is configured, for example, using a communication interface. The communication may be wired or wireless. This communication may be, for example, communication using USB, or communication using Wi-Fi. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first terminal-side communication unit 113 is shown as a separate functional unit from the first terminal-side input unit 111 and the first terminal-side output unit 112. However, for example, the receiving function of the first terminal-side communication unit 113 may be considered as being included in the functions of the first terminal-side input unit 111, and the transmitting function of the first terminal-side communication unit 113 may be considered as being included in the functions of the first terminal-side output unit 112.

[0027] The first terminal-side VPN communication unit 151 has the function of communicating with the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12 via a VPN connection. The first terminal-side communication unit 113 communicates with the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12 via a VPN connection using the first terminal-side VPN communication unit 151.

[0028] Here, the first terminal device 21 may, for example, use a dedicated source address for VPN connections. For example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address may be used as such an address.

[0029] The first terminal-side storage unit 114 stores information. The first terminal-side storage unit 114 may store, for example, information relating to printing history. This history information may be, for example, a history of official printing, or a history of private printing, or both.

[0030] The first terminal-side control unit 115 performs various processes and controls. The first terminal-side control unit 115 has a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs various processes and controls by executing a predetermined program using this processor. The program may be stored in the first terminal-side storage unit 114.

[0031] The first print instruction unit 121 transmits a print instruction for the print job. The first terminal-side information transmission unit 122 transmits log data, including information related to printing, to the first log server 32 via the first terminal-side communication unit 113. In this embodiment, the information relating to printing includes information relating to the cost of printing and information relating to communication connections during printing. In this embodiment, the information regarding the communication connection is information regarding the presence or absence of a VPN connection.

[0032] The first cost-related information transmission unit 131 transmits cost-related information, which is information regarding printing costs, to the first log server 32 by including the cost-related information in the log data. The first connection-related information transmission unit 132 transmits connection-related information, which is information related to communication connections, to the first log server 32 by including the connection-related information in the log data.

[0033] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the first print instruction unit 121 and the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122 may be configured as functions of the printer driver.

[0034] Here, the first information processing system 1 is an example of an information processing system. The first terminal device 21 is an example of a terminal device. The first log server 32 is an example of an information processing device. The first print instruction unit 121 is an example of a print instruction unit. The first terminal-side information transmission unit 122 is an example of an information transmission unit. This information transmission unit transmits predetermined information related to printing a print job to an information processing device. The specified information includes cost-related information, which is information regarding the printing costs of a print job, and connection-related information, which is information regarding the VPN connection. The connection-related information does not necessarily have to be the VPN connection information itself, but may be information based on the VPN connection information. For example, information based on the VPN connection information may be information obtained by processing the VPN connection information.

[0035] Cost-related information may include, for example, information identifying whether or not payment of expenses is required. Any information may be used to identify whether or not payment of expenses is required. In a configuration where expense-related information concerning expenses paid by the first company 12 is transmitted from the first terminal device 21 to the first log server 32, but expense-related information concerning other expenses is not transmitted from the first terminal device 21 to the first log server 32, the expense-related information does not need to include information identifying whether or not the expenses need to be paid.

[0036] Expense-related information may include information that identifies the source of the expense payment. Any information may be used to identify the source of payment for the expenses, such as information about the VPN connection destination or login destination. For example, there may be multiple potential sources for paying the expenses. In a configuration where there is only one source of payment for expenses, the expense-related information does not need to include information that identifies the source of payment. In this embodiment, the company is the source of payment for the printing costs for official purposes.

[0037] Expense-related information may include information identifying the recipient of the expense payment. Any information may be used to identify the recipient of the payment for the expenses. For example, there may be multiple potential recipients for payment of expenses. In a configuration where there is only one recipient of the expense payment, the expense-related information does not need to include information that identifies the recipient of the expense payment.

[0038] In this embodiment, the user is responsible for paying the costs of official printing. In this case, the information used to identify the recipient of the payment may include, for example, information identifying the user, information identifying the source address used by the user, information identifying the printing device used by the user, or information identifying the location, such as a house or shared house, to which the printing device belongs. Note that multiple different printing devices may be located in the same location.

[0039] Cost-related information may include information that identifies the amount of resources used to print the print job. The resources can be anything, such as paper, toner or ink, or electricity. Any information may be used to identify the amount of resources, such as the number of sheets of paper printed, the amount of toner or ink consumed, or the amount of electricity used. Here, a fixed fee based on the number of printed pages may be used as the cost. For example, consumable materials may be used as resources.

[0040] Furthermore, if the cost of printing is unrelated to the amount of resources used to print the print job, the cost-related information does not need to include information that identifies the amount of resources used to print the print job. For example, in such cases, the cost of printing may be a fixed amount regardless of the amount of resources used.

[0041] Connection-related information may include information that identifies whether the print job is for personal or public use. In this embodiment, payment is not made to the first company 12 if the printing of the print job is for personal use, but payment is made to the first company 12 if the printing of the print job is for official use.

[0042] Furthermore, the information used to identify whether something is for personal or official purposes may be the same as, for example, other information. Other information that may be used includes, for example, information that identifies whether or not a VPN connection is established. In this embodiment, if a VPN connection is established, it indicates public use, and if a VPN connection is not established, it indicates private use. Furthermore, for example, if the source address of a VPN connection is used, that source address may be used as the other information.

[0043] Here, either or both of the cost-related information and the connection-related information may include information about the user. User information may include, for example, username information.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a schematic configuration example of the first log server 32 according to the first embodiment. The first log server 32 includes a first server-side input unit 211, a first server-side output unit 212, a first server-side communication unit 213, a first server-side storage unit 214, and a first server-side control unit 215. The first server-side control unit 215 includes a first server-side received information processing unit 221.

[0045] The first server-side input unit 211 receives input from an external source. The first server-side input unit 211 has, for example, an operation unit operated by an operator, and inputs instructions corresponding to the operation performed on the operation unit. The first server-side input unit 211 may, for example, receive information output from an external device.

[0046] The first server-side output unit 212, for example, has a display unit, and outputs information to the screen of the display unit. The first server-side output unit 212 includes, for example, a sound output unit, which outputs sound information. The sound may be, for example, speech. The first server-side output unit 212 may output information to an external device, for example. Here, the operation unit and the display unit may be configured in common, for example, by a touch panel screen.

[0047] The first server-side communication unit 213 communicates with external devices. The first server-side communication unit 213 is configured, for example, using a communication interface. The communication may be wired or wireless. This communication may be, for example, communication using USB, or communication using Wi-Fi. In the example shown in Figure 4, the first server-side communication unit 213 is shown as a separate functional unit from the first server-side input unit 211 and the first server-side output unit 212. However, for example, the receiving function of the first server-side communication unit 213 may be considered as being included in the functions of the first server-side input unit 211, and the transmitting function of the first server-side communication unit 213 may be considered as being included in the functions of the first server-side output unit 212.

[0048] The first server-side storage unit 214 stores information. The first server-side control unit 215 performs various processes and controls. The first server-side control unit 215 has, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and performs various processes and controls by executing a predetermined program using this processor. The program may be stored in the first server-side storage unit 214.

[0049] The first server-side received information processing unit 221 stores some or all of the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 by the first log server 32 in the first server-side storage unit 214. The first server-side received information processing unit 221 processes the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 by the first log server 32.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first server-side received information processing unit 221 transmits some or all of the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 to the first cost management device 33 via the first server-side communication unit 213. Here, the first server-side received information processing unit 221 may transmit some or all of the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 to the first cost management device 33 as is, or it may process the information and transmit it to the first cost management device 33.

[0051] For example, the first server-side received information processing unit 221 may extract information that has common attributes from the information contained in multiple received log data, and transmit the extracted information to the first cost management device 33. Common attributes may include, for example, one or more of the following: whether or not payment of expenses is required, the source of the expense payment, or the recipient of the expense payment. Furthermore, for example, if the received log data contains information that identifies the amount of resources used to print a print job, the first server-side received information processing unit 221 may calculate the cost based on the amount of resources used and transmit the calculated cost information to the first cost management device 33.

[0052] The first cost management device 33 will now be described. The first cost management device 33 receives information transmitted from the first log server 32 and manages the received information. The first cost management device 33 stores the received information or information processed from said information in its storage unit.

[0053] The first cost management device 33 may, for example, extract information having common attributes based on information received from the first log server 32 and manage the collection of extracted information. Common attributes may include, for example, one or more of the following: whether or not payment of expenses is required, the source of the expense payment, or the recipient of the expense payment. Furthermore, if such extraction processing is performed by the first log server 32, the first cost management device 33 does not need to perform the processing.

[0054] Furthermore, the first cost management device 33 may, for example, calculate costs based on information that identifies the amount of resources used to print a print job, and manage the information of the calculated costs. Furthermore, if such calculations are performed by the first log server 32, the first cost management device 33 does not need to perform the calculations.

[0055] In this embodiment, the calculation of costs may be performed by any one or more of the following devices: the first terminal device 21, the first log server 32, and the first cost management device 33, or it may be performed in a distributed manner across two or more devices.

[0056] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, an example of the processing flow performed in the first information processing system 1 will be explained. Figures 5 and 6 show the first user 23, the first terminal device 21, the first printing device 22, and the first log server 32.

[0057] Figure 5 shows an example of the processing flow performed in the first information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 1, and is relevant when official printing is performed.

[0058] In process T1, the first user 23 operates the control panel of the first terminal device 21 to input a print command to the first terminal device 21. As a result, the first terminal device 21 accepts the print command. In process T2, the first terminal device 21 transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first printing device 22 based on the print instruction received by the first print instruction unit 121. The first printing device 22 then receives the print data from the first terminal device 21 and prints the print job.

[0059] In process T3, the first terminal device 21, via the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122, transmits log data containing information regarding the printing of the print job to the first log server 32 through the first VPN router 31. As a result, the first log server 32 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the first cost management device 33.

[0060] In process T4, the first user 23 obtains the printed material generated by the first printing device 22. Note that process T4 is performed at any time after process T2.

[0061] Figure 6 shows another example of the processing flow performed in the first information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 2, and is relevant when personal printing is performed.

[0062] In process T11, the first user 23 operates the control panel of the first terminal device 21 to input a print command to the first terminal device 21. As a result, the first terminal device 21 accepts the print command. In process T12, the first terminal device 21 transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first printing device 22 based on the print instruction received by the first print instruction unit 121. The first printing device 22 then receives the print data from the first terminal device 21 and prints the print job.

[0063] In process T13, the first terminal device 21, via the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122, transmits log data containing information regarding the printing of the print job to the first log server 32, not via the VPN. As a result, the first log server 32 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the first cost management device 33.

[0064] In process T14, the first user 23 obtains the printed material generated by the first printing device 22. Note that process T14 is performed at any time after process T12.

[0065] In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first terminal device 21 sends log data containing information about the printing of a print job to the first log server 32 each time a print job is printed. As another example of configuration, the first terminal device 21 may store information regarding the printing of a print job in the first terminal-side storage unit 114, and at a predetermined timing, transmit log data containing this information to the first log server 32. This timing may be, for example, a predetermined timing or a timing at a fixed period. Thus, in the first terminal device 21, the timing of printing and the timing of outputting log data containing information about the printing may be simultaneous, or they may be at any other arbitrary timing. Specifically, the timing of outputting log data related to printing may be after, during, or before the execution of the printing. Log data may be generated based on the printing history.

[0066] As described above, the first information processing system 1 according to this embodiment can improve the accuracy of the allocation of printing costs. In the first information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to distinguish between official and private printing and appropriately allocate the costs incurred for printing. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible to correctly calculate the costs of printing for official purposes when working from home. In the first information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the costs related to printing are calculated and settled for official printing, but the costs related to printing are not calculated and settled for private printing.

[0067] In the first information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the first expense management device 33 can automatically perform expense settlement and the like. In this embodiment, one or more pieces of information related to costs can be used, such as whether payment is required, the source of payment, the recipient of payment, the amount of resources used, and the distinction between private and public use.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 21 may, for example, send only the log data related to official printing to the first log server 32 from the log data related to private printing, or it may send both types of log data to the first log server 32 via the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122.

[0069] As another example of a configuration, the first terminal device 21 may be configured in such a way that it cannot connect to the first log server 32 unless it establishes a VPN connection with the first VPN router 31. In such a configuration, for example, the communication situation shown in Figure 2 does not occur, and the first terminal device 21 does not notify log data related to personal printing.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide an information processing method for executing information processing performed in the first information processing system 1.

[0071] A second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a company is shown as an example of an organization to which the user belongs, but this may be applied to other organizations as well.

[0072] Figure 7 shows an example of the status of the second information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 shows another example of the status of the second information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment. Here, the difference between the example in Figure 7 and the example in Figure 8 is whether or not the first terminal device 21 is connected to a VPN in the second information processing system 2.

[0073] In this embodiment, the main difference from the first embodiment is that a first print / log server 311, which has both print server and log server functions, is used. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, components similar to those in the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described accordingly, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0074] In this embodiment, a first print / log server 311 having both print server and log server functions is shown; however, as an example of other configurations, a configuration in which the print server and log server are provided separately may also be used.

[0075] In this embodiment, examples of locations include the first home 11 of the first user 23 and the first company 12a where the first user 23 works. Figures 7 and 8 show the domain of the first user 23, the domain of the first home 11, and the domain of the first company 12a, respectively. The second information processing system 2 comprises a first terminal device 21 for the first user 23, a first printing device 22 installed in the first home 11, a first VPN router 31 installed in the first company a 12a, a first printing and log server 311 installed in the first company a 12a, and a first expense management device 33 installed in a location other than the first home 11 and the first company a 12a.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first print and log server 311 is shown to be provided at company 12a, but as an example of other configurations, the first print and log server 311 may be provided at any location, for example, as a cloud device.

[0077] In this embodiment, the first user 23 uses the first terminal device 21 to perform the duties of the first company 12a. In this embodiment, when the first user 23 works at a location other than company 12a, the first terminal device 21 is connected to company 12a's first VPN router 31 via VPN. On the other hand, when the first user 23 is performing personal work, the first terminal device 21 is not connected to company 12a's first VPN router 31 via VPN. Furthermore, when the first user 23 has established a VPN connection between the first terminal device 21 and the first VPN router 31 of the first company 12, personal work may be prohibited.

[0078] In the printing scenario shown in Figure 7, the first user 23 and the first terminal device 21 are located at the first home 11. Furthermore, the first user 23 is working from home by connecting the first terminal device 21 to the first VPN router 31 of company 1a 12a via VPN. The diagram then shows a situation in which the first user 23 operates the first terminal device 21 and causes printing to be performed by the first printing device 22 at the first home 11 via the first printing and log server 311.

[0079] Here, the first VPN router 31 and the first print / log server 311 are connected by the 21st connection a21. This allows the first terminal device 21 and the first print / log server 311 to communicate. The first printing / log server 311 and the first printing device 22 are connected by the 22nd connection a22. The first printing and log server 311 and the first cost management device 33 are connected by the 23rd connection a23. Furthermore, the 21st connection a21, the 22nd connection a22, and the 23rd connection a23 may each be wired connections, wireless connections, or both.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 21 sends print data to the first printing device 22 via an external first print / log server 311, thereby causing printing to be performed. This type of printing could be called, for example, cloud printing.

[0081] The printing situation shown in Figure 8 differs from the printing situation shown in Figure 7 in that the first terminal device 21 is not connected to the first VPN router 31 via VPN. In other words, the first user 23 is using the first terminal device 21 to perform personal tasks. The diagram then shows a situation in which the first user 23 operates the first terminal device 21 and causes printing to be performed by the first printing device 22 at the first home 11 via the first printing and log server 311. The first terminal device 21 and the first print / log server 311 are connected by the 24th connection a24. The 24th connection a24 may be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.

[0082] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of the first terminal device 21 are similar in general to those of the first embodiment, except that the first print instruction unit 121 transmits a print instruction for a print job to the first print / log server 311.

[0083] Figure 9 shows a schematic configuration example of the first print / log server 311 according to the second embodiment. The first printing / logging server 311 includes a second server-side input unit 411, a second server-side output unit 412, a second server-side communication unit 413, a second server-side storage unit 414, and a second server-side control unit 415. The second server-side control unit 415 comprises a second server-side received information processing unit 421 and a first print control unit 422.

[0084] Here, the functions of the second server-side input unit 411, the second server-side output unit 412, the second server-side communication unit 413, and the second server-side storage unit 414 are the same as those of the first server-side input unit 211, the first server-side output unit 212, the first server-side communication unit 213, and the first server-side storage unit 214 shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the second server-side communication unit 413 communicates with the first VPN router 31, the first printing device 22, and the first cost management device 33, respectively.

[0085] The second server-side control unit 415 performs various processes and controls. The second server-side control unit 415 has, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and performs various processes and controls by executing a predetermined program using this processor. The program may be stored in the second server-side storage unit 414.

[0086] Here, the function of the second server-side received information processing unit 421 is the same as the function of the first server-side received information processing unit 221 shown in Figure 4. The second server-side received information processing unit 421 stores some or all of the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 by the first print / log server 311 in the second server-side storage unit 414. The second server-side received information processing unit 421 processes the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 by the first printing / log server 311.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second server-side received information processing unit 421 transmits some or all of the information contained in the log data received from the first terminal device 21 to the first cost management device 33 via the second server-side communication unit 413. The first cost management device 33 receives the information transmitted from the first print / log server 311 and manages the received information.

[0088] In this embodiment, the calculation of costs may be performed by any one or more of the following devices: the first terminal device 21, the first print / log server 311, and the first cost management device 33, or it may be performed in a distributed manner across two or more devices.

[0089] The first print control unit 422 performs control related to printing. The first print control unit 422, for example, based on a print instruction for a print job received from the first terminal device 21, transmits a print instruction for the print job to the first printing device 22 via the second server-side communication unit 413. Furthermore, the first print control unit 422 may have a function, for example, to store print jobs in the second server-side storage unit 414 and to cause the first printing device 22 to print the print jobs stored in the second server-side storage unit 414. Note that the second server-side storage unit 414 is an example of a storage unit.

[0090] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, an example of the processing flow performed in the second information processing system 2 will be explained. Figures 10 and 11 show the first user 23, the first terminal device 21, the first printing device 22, and the first printing / log server 311.

[0091] Figure 10 shows an example of the processing flow performed in the second information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 7, and is relevant when official printing is performed.

[0092] In process T21, the first user 23 operates the control panel of the first terminal device 21 to input a print command to the first terminal device 21. As a result, the first terminal device 21 accepts the print command.

[0093] In process T22, the first terminal device 21, based on the print instruction received by the first print instruction unit 121, transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first print / log server 311 via the first VPN router 31. Furthermore, the first terminal device 21 transmits log data containing information regarding the printing of the print job to the first print / log server 311 via the first VPN router 31 using the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122. As a result, the first print / log server 311 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the first cost management device 33. Here, the print data and the log data may be, for example, a single entity or separate entities.

[0094] In process T23, the first print / log server 311, in response to a print instruction for a print job received from the first terminal device 21, transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first printing device 22 via the first print control unit 422. The first printing device 22 then retrieves the print data from the first print / log server 311 and prints the print job.

[0095] In process T24, the first user 23 obtains the printed material generated by the first printing device 22. Note that process T24 is performed at any time after process T23.

[0096] Figure 11 shows another example of the processing flow performed in the second information processing system 2 according to the second embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 8, and is relevant when personal printing is performed.

[0097] In process T31, the first user 23 operates the control panel of the first terminal device 21 to input a print command to the first terminal device 21. As a result, the first terminal device 21 accepts the print command.

[0098] In process T32, the first terminal device 21, based on the print instruction received by the first print instruction unit 121, sends print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first print / log server 311, not via VPN. Furthermore, the first terminal device 21, via the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122, transmits log data containing information regarding the printing of the print job to the first print / log server 311, not via the VPN. As a result, the first print / log server 311 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the first cost management device 33. Here, the print data and the log data may be, for example, a single entity or separate entities.

[0099] In process T33, the first print / log server 311, in response to a print instruction for a print job received from the first terminal device 21, transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the first printing device 22 via the first print control unit 422. The first printing device 22 then retrieves the print data from the first print / log server 311 and prints the print job.

[0100] In process T34, the first user 23 obtains the printed material generated by the first printing device 22. Note that process T34 is performed at any time after process T33.

[0101] In the examples shown in Figures 10 and 11, the first terminal device 21 sends log data containing information about the printing of a print job to the first print log server 311 each time a print job is printed. As another example of configuration, the first terminal device 21 may store information regarding the printing of a print job in the first terminal-side storage unit 114, and at a predetermined timing, transmit log data containing this information to the first print / log server 311. This timing may be, for example, a predetermined timing or a timing at a fixed period. Thus, in the first terminal device 21, the timing of printing and the timing of outputting log data containing information about the printing may be simultaneous, or they may be at any other arbitrary timing. Specifically, the timing of outputting log data related to printing may be after, during, or before the execution of the printing. Log data may be generated based on the printing history.

[0102] As described above, the second information processing system 2 according to this embodiment can improve the accuracy of the allocation of printing costs. In the second information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to distinguish between official and private printing and appropriately allocate the costs incurred for printing. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible to correctly calculate the costs of printing for official purposes when working from home. In the second information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, for example, the costs related to printing are calculated and settled for official printing, but the costs related to printing are not calculated and settled for private printing.

[0103] In the second information processing system 2 according to this embodiment, for example, the first expense management device 33 can automatically perform expense settlement and the like. In this embodiment, one or more pieces of information related to costs can be used, such as whether payment is required, the source of payment, the recipient of payment, the amount of resources used, and the distinction between private and public use.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 21 may, for example, send only the log data related to official printing from the log data related to private printing to the first printing / log server 311 via the first terminal-side information transmission unit 122, or it may send both types of log data to the first printing / log server 311.

[0105] As another example of a configuration, the first terminal device 21 may be configured in such a way that it cannot connect to the first print / log server 311 unless it establishes a VPN connection with the first VPN router 31. In such a configuration, for example, the communication situation shown in Figure 8 does not occur, and the first terminal device 21 does not notify log data related to private printing.

[0106] In this embodiment, when log data and print data are transmitted from the first terminal device 21 to the first print / log server 311, the log data and print data do not necessarily have to be clearly distinguished. In this case, various types of information may be distributed between the log data and the print data.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide an information processing method for executing information processing performed in the second information processing system 2.

[0108] A third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a company is shown as an example of an organization to which the user belongs, but this may be applied to other organizations as well.

[0109] Figure 12 shows an example of the status of the third information processing system 3 according to the third embodiment. Figure 13 shows another example of the status of the third information processing system 3 according to the third embodiment. Here, the login destination information for the second terminal device 521 in the third information processing system 3 is different between the example in Figure 12 and the example in Figure 13.

[0110] In this embodiment, for the same user, the user account used by the user during work hours and the user account used by the user for personal purposes are different. Various types of information may be used as login information. For example, domain information may be used to represent affiliation with a company, or the source address information for a VPN connection may be used. The login destination information may include, for example, information about the user currently logged into the second terminal device 521.

[0111] Login information entered by the user into the terminal device may include, for example, a username representing the user's name, a domain, and a password. Some or all of this information may be stored in the terminal device. Furthermore, the login information may include the login destination information used when the user logs on to a terminal device. If there are multiple login destinations, for example, the access permissions may differ for each login destination. The username and domain may be arranged in the following order, for example: username, the @ symbol, and the domain name.

[0112] In this embodiment, examples of locations include the second home 511 of the second user 523 and the second company 512 where the second user 523 works. Figures 12 and 13 show the domain of the second user 523, the domain of the second home 511, and the domain of the second company 512, respectively. The third information processing system 3 comprises a second terminal device 521 for the second user 523, a second printing device 522 installed at the second home 511, a first authentication server 531 installed at the second company 512, a second log server 532 installed at the second company 512, and a second expense management device 533 installed at a location other than the second home 511 and the second company 512.

[0113] Here, the function of the second printing device 522 is similar to that of the first printing device 22 shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example. Furthermore, the functions of the second log server 532 are similar to those of the first log server 32, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, the functions of the second cost management device 533 are similar to those of the first cost management device 33 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0114] Here, the second expense management device 533 may be located in any location, for example, as a cloud device. The second expense management device 533 may also be located in the second company 512. In this embodiment, the third information processing system 3 includes the second cost management device 533, but in other configuration examples, the third information processing system 3 may be considered as not including the second cost management device 533.

[0115] Furthermore, while this embodiment shows the case where the first authentication server 531 is provided at the second company 512, as an example of other configurations, the first authentication server 531 may be provided at any location, for example, as a cloud device. Furthermore, while this embodiment shows a case where the second log server 532 is provided at the second company 512, as an example of other configurations, the second log server 532 may be provided at any location, for example, as a cloud device.

[0116] In this embodiment, the second user 523 uses the second terminal device 521 to perform the duties of the second company 512. In this embodiment, if the second user 523 works at a location other than the second company 512, the second terminal device 521 uses the domain of the second company 512 as the login destination and is authenticated by the first authentication server 531. On the other hand, when performing personal tasks, second user 523 does not use the domain of second company 512 as the login destination.

[0117] In this embodiment, personal work means work other than the business of the second company 512. In this embodiment, the costs incurred for printing performed as part of the business of the second company 512 are paid by the second company 512, but the costs incurred for printing performed as part of personal work are not paid by the second company 512. The third information processing system 3 manages information regarding the expenses paid by the second company 512. Furthermore, the third information processing system 3 may manage information regarding expenses that the second company 512 does not pay. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, anything that is not for personal use will be referred to as "official use."

[0118] In the printing scenario shown in Figure 12, the second user 523 and the second terminal device 521 are located in the second home 511. Furthermore, the second user 523 uses the domain of the second company 512 as the login destination via the second terminal device 521 and is authenticated by the first authentication server 531. The diagram then shows a situation in which the second user 523 operates the second terminal device 521 to print using the second printing device 522 at the second home 511. The second terminal device 521 and the second printing device 522 are connected by the 31st connection a31. The 31st connection a31 may be, for example, a USB connection. The second terminal device 521 and the first authentication server 531 are connected by the 32nd connection a32.

[0119] In this embodiment, the second terminal device 521 sends print data directly to the second printing device 522 to perform printing. This type of printing may be called, for example, local printing.

[0120] The second terminal device 521 and the second log server 532 are connected by the 33rd connection a33. This allows the second terminal device 521 and the second log server 532 to communicate with each other. The second log server 532 and the second cost management device 533 are connected by the 34th connection a34. Furthermore, the 31st connection a31, the 32nd connection a32, the 33rd connection a33, and the 34th connection a34 may each be wired connections, wireless connections, or both.

[0121] The printing scenario shown in Figure 13 differs from the printing scenario shown in Figure 12 in that the second terminal device 521 does not use the domain of the second company 512 as the login destination. In this case, the second terminal device 521 does not need to be authenticated by the first authentication server 531. In other words, the second user 523 is using the second terminal device 521 to perform personal tasks. The diagram then shows a situation in which the second user 523 operates the second terminal device 521 to print using the second printing device 522 at the second home 511.

[0122] The second terminal device 521 may be, for example, a desktop or notebook computer. The second terminal device 521 may, for example, be owned by the second company 512 and leased to the second user 523, or it may be owned by the second user 523.

[0123] The first authentication server, 531, will be described below. The first authentication server 531 receives an authentication request from the second terminal device 521, and if it determines through authentication processing that the received authentication request is a valid one, it grants the second terminal device 521 communication authority to use the domain of the second company 512 as the login destination. On the other hand, if the first authentication server 531 determines that the authentication request is invalid, it will not grant such communication authority to the second terminal device 521.

[0124] Here, any information may be used as the authentication request information; for example, the username and password of the second user 523 may be used. Furthermore, in a configuration where, for example, the second user 523 can select multiple access privileges in the second terminal device 521, the information of the selected access privileges may be used as the information for the authentication request.

[0125] The functions of the first authentication server 531 may, for example, be included in the second log server 532. Furthermore, the authentication server functionality may be provided for each organization, such as a company. In this case, the organization corresponding to the authentication server may be identified by the authentication server used. Another configuration example is when login names or domains differ for each organization; in such cases, an authentication server may not be required, and the organization can be identified based on that information.

[0126] Figure 14 shows a schematic configuration example of the second terminal device 521 according to the third embodiment. The first terminal device 21 includes a second terminal side input unit 611, a second terminal side output unit 612, a second terminal side communication unit 613, a second terminal side storage unit 614, and a second terminal side control unit 615. The second terminal-side communication unit 613 includes a second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651. The second terminal-side control unit 615 comprises a second print instruction unit 621 and a second terminal-side information transmission unit 622. The second terminal-side information transmission unit 622 includes a second cost-related information transmission unit 631 and a second connection-related information transmission unit 632.

[0127] Here, the functions of the second terminal input unit 611, the second terminal output unit 612, and the second terminal storage unit 614 are the same as those of the first terminal input unit 111, the first terminal output unit 112, and the first terminal storage unit 114 shown in Figure 3.

[0128] The second terminal-side communication unit 613 communicates with an external device. The second terminal-side communication unit 613 is configured, for example, using a communication interface. The communication may be wired or wireless. This communication may be, for example, communication using USB, or communication using Wi-Fi. In the example shown in Figure 14, the second terminal-side communication unit 613 is shown as a separate functional unit from the second terminal-side input unit 611 and the second terminal-side output unit 612. However, for example, the receiving function of the second terminal-side communication unit 613 may be considered as being included in the functions of the second terminal-side input unit 611, and the transmitting function of the second terminal-side communication unit 613 may be considered as being included in the functions of the second terminal-side output unit 612.

[0129] The second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651 has the function of communicating with the first authentication server 531 of the second company 512. The second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651 sends an authentication request to the second company 512's first authentication server 531 requesting communication authority when using the second company 512's domain as the login destination. If the authentication request is properly authenticated by the first authentication server 531, the second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651 connects to and communicates with the second log server 532 using the second company 512's domain as the login destination. The second terminal-side communication unit 613 communicates with the first authentication server 531 of the second company 512 via the second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651.

[0130] The second terminal control unit 615 performs various processes and controls. The second terminal-side control unit 615 has, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and performs various processes and controls by executing a predetermined program using this processor. The program may be stored in the second terminal-side storage unit 614.

[0131] The second print instruction unit 621 transmits a print instruction for the print job. The second terminal-side information transmission unit 622 transmits log data, including information related to printing, to the second log server 532 via the second terminal-side communication unit 613. In this embodiment, the information relating to printing includes information relating to the cost of printing and information relating to communication connections during printing. In this embodiment, the information relating to the communication connection is information relating to the login destination. The information relating to the login destination includes information indicating whether or not the domain of the second company 512 is being used as the login destination.

[0132] The function of the second cost-related information transmission unit 631 is similar to that of the first cost-related information transmission unit 131 shown in Figure 3. The second connection-related information transmission unit 632 transmits connection-related information, which is information related to communication connections, to the second log server 532 by including the connection-related information in the log data.

[0133] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the second print instruction unit 621 and the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622 may be configured as functions of the printer driver.

[0134] Here, the third information processing system 3 is an example of an information processing system. The second terminal device 521 is an example of a terminal device. The second log server 532 is an example of an information processing device. The second print instruction unit 621 is an example of a print instruction unit. The second terminal-side information transmission unit 622 is an example of an information transmission unit. This information transmission unit transmits predetermined information related to printing a print job to an information processing device. The specified information includes cost-related information, which is information regarding the printing costs of a print job, and connection-related information, which is information regarding the domain to which the user is logged in. The connection-related information does not necessarily have to be the domain information itself, but may be information based on the domain information. For example, information based on the domain information may be information that has been processed from the domain information.

[0135] The cost-related information may be, for example, the same information as in the first embodiment. Connection-related information may include information that identifies whether the print job is for personal or public use. In this embodiment, if the printing of a print job is for personal use, payment is not made to the second company 512, but if the printing of a print job is for public use, payment is made to the second company 512. Furthermore, the information used to identify whether something is for personal or official purposes may be the same as, for example, other information. Other information that may be used includes, for example, information that identifies whether or not the domain of the second company 512 is used as the login destination. In this embodiment, if the domain of the second company 512 is used as the login destination, it is indicated as public use, and if the domain of the second company 512 is not used as the login destination, it is indicated as private use.

[0136] In this embodiment, the calculation of costs may be performed by any one or more of the following devices: the second terminal device 521, the second log server 532, and the second cost management device 533, or it may be performed in a distributed manner across two or more devices.

[0137] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, an example of the processing flow in the third information processing system 3 will be explained. Figures 15 and 16 show the second user 523, the second terminal device 521, the second printing device 522, the first authentication server 531, and the second log server 532.

[0138] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed in the third information processing system 3 according to the third embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 12, and is relevant when official printing is performed.

[0139] In process T41, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to log in. This example shows a case where the domain of the second company, 512, is used as the login destination.

[0140] In process T42, the second terminal device 521, via the second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651, requests authentication from the first authentication server 531 to use the domain of the second company 512 as the login destination. In process T43, if the first authentication server 531 has successfully authenticated the authentication request, it sends information to the second terminal device 521 indicating that it has done so. The second terminal device 521 then receives this information.

[0141] In process T44, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to input a print command to the second terminal device 521. As a result, the second terminal device 521 accepts the print command. In process T45, the second terminal device 521 transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the second printing device 522 based on the print instruction received by the second print instruction unit 621. The second printing device 522 then receives the print data from the second terminal device 521 and prints the print job.

[0142] In process T46, the second terminal device 521, via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622, transmits log data containing information related to the printing of the print job to the second log server 532 using authentication information. As a result, the second log server 532 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the second cost management device 533.

[0143] In process T47, the second user 523 obtains the printed material generated by the second printing device 522. Note that process T47 is performed at any time after process T45.

[0144] Figure 16 shows another example of the processing flow performed in the third information processing system 3 according to the third embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 13, and is relevant when personal printing is performed.

[0145] In process T51, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to log in. This example shows a case where the domain of the second company, 512, is not being used as the login destination. This example shows a case where a personal domain is used as the login destination.

[0146] In process T52, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to input a print command to the second terminal device 521. As a result, the second terminal device 521 accepts the print command. In process T53, the second terminal device 521 transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the second printing device 522 based on the print instruction received by the second print instruction unit 621. The second printing device 522 then receives the print data from the second terminal device 521 and prints the print job.

[0147] In process T54, the second terminal device 521 transmits log data containing information regarding the printing of the print job to the second log server 532 via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622. As a result, the second log server 532 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the second cost management device 533.

[0148] In process T55, the second user 523 obtains the printed material generated by the second printing device 522. Note that process T55 is performed at any time after process T53.

[0149] In the examples shown in Figures 15 and 16, the second terminal device 521 sends log data containing information about the printing of a print job to the second log server 532 each time a print job is printed. As another example of configuration, the second terminal device 521 may store information regarding the printing of a print job in the second terminal-side storage unit 614, and at a predetermined timing, send log data containing this information to the second log server 532. This timing may be, for example, a predetermined timing or a timing at a fixed period. Thus, in the second terminal device 521, the timing of printing and the timing of outputting log data containing information about the printing may be simultaneous, or they may be at any other arbitrary timing. Specifically, the timing of outputting log data related to printing may be after, during, or before the execution of the printing. Log data may be generated based on the printing history.

[0150] As described above, the third information processing system 3 according to this embodiment can improve the accuracy of the allocation of printing costs. In the third information processing system 3 according to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to distinguish between official and private printing and appropriately allocate the costs incurred for printing. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible to correctly calculate the costs of printing for official purposes when working from home. In the third information processing system 3 according to this embodiment, for example, the costs related to printing are calculated and settled for official printing, but the costs related to printing are not calculated and settled for private printing.

[0151] In the third information processing system 3 according to this embodiment, for example, the second expense management device 533 can automatically perform expense settlement and the like. In this embodiment, one or more pieces of information related to costs can be used, such as whether payment is required, the source of payment, the recipient of payment, the amount of resources used, and the distinction between private and public use.

[0152] In this embodiment, the second terminal device 521 may, for example, send only the log data related to official printing from the log data related to private printing to the second log server 532 via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622, or it may send both types of log data to the second log server 532.

[0153] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide an information processing method for executing information processing performed in the third information processing system 3.

[0154] A fourth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a company is shown as an example of an organization to which the user belongs, but this may be applied to other organizations as well.

[0155] Figure 17 shows an example of the status of the fourth information processing system 4 according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 18 shows another example of the status of the fourth information processing system 4 according to the fourth embodiment. Here, the login destination information for the second terminal device 521 in the fourth information processing system 4 differs between the example in Figure 17 and the example in Figure 18.

[0156] This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that it uses a second print / log server 711 which has both print server and log server functions. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, components similar to those in the examples shown in Figures 12 and 13 of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described accordingly, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0157] In this embodiment, a second print / log server 711 having both print server and log server functions is shown; however, as an example of other configurations, a configuration in which the print server and log server are provided separately may also be used. Furthermore, the functions of the first authentication server 531 may be included, for example, in the second print / log server 711.

[0158] In this embodiment, examples of locations include the second home 511 of the second user 523 and the second company 512a where the second user 523 works. Figures 17 and 18 show the domain of the second user 523, the domain of the second home 511, and the domain of the second company 512a, respectively. The fourth information processing system 4 comprises a second terminal device 521 for the second user 523, a second printing device 522 installed at the second home 511, a first authentication server 531 installed at the second company a 512a, a second printing and log server 711 installed at the second company a 512a, and a second expense management device 533 installed at a location other than the second home 511 and the second company a 512a.

[0159] The functions of the second print and log server 711 are similar to those of the first print and log server 311, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. In this embodiment, the second printing and log server 711 is shown to be provided at the second company 512a, but as an example of other configurations, the second printing and log server 711 may be provided at any location, for example, as a cloud device.

[0160] In this embodiment, the second user 523 uses the second terminal device 521 to perform the duties of the second company 512a. In this embodiment, if the second user 523 works at a location other than the second company 512a, the second terminal device 521 uses the domain of the second company 512a as the login destination and is authenticated by the first authentication server 531. On the other hand, when performing personal tasks, second user 523 does not use the domain of seconda company 512a as the login destination.

[0161] In this embodiment, personal work means work other than the business of Company 2a 512a. In this embodiment, the costs incurred for printing performed as part of the business of Company 2a 512a are paid by Company 2a 512a, while the costs incurred for printing performed as part of personal work are not paid by Company 2a 512a. The fourth information processing system 4 manages information regarding the expenses to be paid by company 2a 512a. Furthermore, the fourth information processing system 4 may manage information regarding expenses that the second company 512a does not pay. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, anything that is not for personal use will be referred to as "official use."

[0162] In the printing scenario shown in Figure 17, the second user 523 and the second terminal device 521 are located in the second home 511. Furthermore, the second user 523 uses the second terminal device 521 to log in using the domain of the second company 512a and is authenticated by the first authentication server 531. The diagram then shows a situation in which the second user 523 operates the second terminal device 521 to have the second printing device 522 at the second home 511 perform printing via the second printing and log server 711. The second terminal device 521 and the second printing / log server 711 are connected by the 41st connection a41.

[0163] The second printing / log server 711 and the second printing device 522 are connected by the 42nd connection a42. The second printing and log server 711 and the second cost management device 533 are connected by the 43rd connection a43. Furthermore, the 41st connection a41, the 42nd connection a42, and the 43rd connection a43 may each be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both.

[0164] In this embodiment, the second terminal device 521 sends print data to the second printing device 522 via the external second print / log server 711, thereby causing printing to be performed. This type of printing could be called, for example, cloud printing.

[0165] The printing scenario shown in Figure 18 differs from the printing scenario shown in Figure 17 in that the second terminal device 521 does not use the domain of company 2a 512a as the login destination. In this case, the second terminal device 521 does not need to be authenticated by the first authentication server 531. In other words, the second user 523 is using the second terminal device 521 to perform personal tasks. The diagram then shows a situation in which the second user 523 operates the second terminal device 521 to have the second printing device 522 at the second home 511 perform printing via the second printing and log server 711.

[0166] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of the second terminal device 521 are similar in general to those of the third embodiment, except that the second print instruction unit 621 transmits a print instruction for a print job to the second print / log server 711.

[0167] In this embodiment, the cost calculation may be performed by any one or more of the following devices: the second terminal device 521, the second print / log server 711, and the second cost management device 533, or it may be performed in a distributed manner across two or more devices.

[0168] Referring to Figures 19 and 20, an example of the processing flow performed in the fourth information processing system 4 will be explained. Figures 19 and 20 show the second user 523, the second terminal device 521, the second printing device 522, the first authentication server 531, and the second printing / logging server 711.

[0169] Figure 19 shows an example of the processing flow performed in the fourth information processing system 4 according to the fourth embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 17, and is relevant when official printing is performed.

[0170] In process T61, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to log in. This example shows a case where the domain of company 2a, 512a is used as the login destination.

[0171] In process T62, the second terminal device 521, via the second terminal-side authentication communication unit 651, makes an authentication request to the first authentication server 531 to use the domain of the second company 512a as the login destination. In process T63, if the first authentication server 531 has successfully authenticated the authentication request, it sends information to the second terminal device 521 indicating that it has done so. The second terminal device 521 then receives this information.

[0172] In process T64, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to input a print command to the second terminal device 521. As a result, the second terminal device 521 accepts the print command.

[0173] In process T65, the second terminal device 521, based on the print instruction received by the second print instruction unit 621, transmits print data representing the print instruction for the print job to the second print / log server 711 using authentication information. Furthermore, the second terminal device 521 transmits log data containing information related to the printing of the print job to the second print / log server 711 using authentication information via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622. As a result, the second print / log server 711 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the second cost management device 533. Here, the print data and the log data may be, for example, a single entity or separate entities.

[0174] In process T66, the second print / log server 711 transmits print data representing the print instruction for a print job to the second printing device 522 in response to the print instruction for the print job received from the second terminal device 521. The second printing device 522 then retrieves the print data from the second print / log server 711 and prints the print job.

[0175] In process T67, the second user 523 obtains the printed material generated by the second printing device 522. Note that process T67 is performed at any time after process T66.

[0176] Figure 20 shows another example of the processing flow performed in the fourth information processing system 4 according to the fourth embodiment. This example corresponds to the communication situation shown in Figure 18, and is relevant when personal printing is performed.

[0177] In process T71, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to log in. This example shows a case where the domain of company 512a is not being used as the login destination. This example shows a case where a personal domain is used as the login destination.

[0178] In process T72, the second user 523 operates the control panel of the second terminal device 521 to input a print command to the second terminal device 521. As a result, the second terminal device 521 accepts the print command.

[0179] In process T73, the second terminal device 521 transmits print data representing the print instructions for the print job to the second print / log server 711 based on the print instructions received by the second print instruction unit 621. Furthermore, the second terminal device 521 transmits log data containing information related to the printing of the print job to the second print / log server 711 via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622. As a result, the second print / log server 711 performs processes such as storing the received log data and transmitting information based on the log data to the second cost management device 533. Here, the print data and the log data may be, for example, a single entity or separate entities.

[0180] In process T74, the second print / log server 711 transmits print data representing the print instruction for a print job to the second printing device 522 in response to the print instruction for the print job received from the second terminal device 521. The second printing device 522 then retrieves the print data from the second print / log server 711 and prints the print job.

[0181] In process T75, the second user 523 obtains the printed material generated by the second printing device 522. Note that process T75 is performed at any time after process T74.

[0182] In the examples shown in Figures 19 and 20, the second terminal device 521 sends log data containing information about the printing of a print job to the second print log server 711 each time a print job is printed. As another example of configuration, the second terminal device 521 may store information regarding the printing of a print job in the second terminal-side storage unit 614, and at a predetermined timing, send log data containing this information to the second print / log server 711. This timing may be, for example, a predetermined timing or a timing at a fixed interval. Thus, in the second terminal device 521, the timing of printing and the timing of outputting log data containing information about the printing may be simultaneous, or they may be at any other arbitrary timing. Specifically, the timing of outputting log data related to printing may be after, during, or before the execution of the printing. Log data may be generated based on the printing history.

[0183] As described above, the fourth information processing system 4 according to this embodiment can improve the accuracy of the allocation of printing costs. In the fourth information processing system 4 according to this embodiment, for example, it is possible to distinguish between official and private printing and appropriately allocate the costs incurred for printing. In this embodiment, for example, it is possible to correctly calculate the costs of printing for official purposes when working from home. In the fourth information processing system 4 according to this embodiment, for example, the costs related to printing are calculated and settled for official printing, but the costs related to printing are not calculated and settled for private printing.

[0184] In the fourth information processing system 4 according to this embodiment, for example, the second expense management device 533 can automatically perform expense settlement and the like. In this embodiment, one or more pieces of information related to costs can be used, such as whether payment is required, the source of payment, the recipient of payment, the amount of resources used, and the distinction between private and public use.

[0185] In this embodiment, the second terminal device 521 may, for example, send only the log data related to official printing from the log data related to private printing to the second printing / log server 711 via the second terminal-side information transmission unit 622, or it may send both types of log data to the second printing / log server 711.

[0186] In this embodiment, when log data and print data are transmitted from the second terminal device 521 to the second print / log server 711, the log data and print data do not necessarily have to be clearly distinguished. In this case, various types of information may be distributed between the log data and the print data.

[0187] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide an information processing method for executing information processing performed in the fourth information processing system 4.

[0188] Modifications of the first to fourth embodiments described above are shown below. Figure 21 shows an example of the configuration of the first shared office 811 according to a modified embodiment. The first shared office 811 is provided with a third a terminal device 821a, a third b terminal device 821b, a third c terminal device 821c, a third a printing device 822a, a third b printing device 822b, and a third c printing device 822c. Here, in the example of FIG. 21, the case where the first shared office 811 is provided with three terminal devices is shown, but the number of terminal devices may be one, two, or four or more. Also, in the example of FIG. 21, the case where the first shared office 811 is provided with three printing devices is shown, but the number of printing devices may be one, two, or four or more.

[0189] When using the first shared office 811, the third user 823 may be permitted to use one or more terminal devices and one or more printing devices provided in the first shared office 811. In this case, the terminal device may have the same functions as, for example, the first terminal device 21 and perform the same operations as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Also, the terminal device may have the same functions as, for example, the second terminal device 521 and perform the same operations as in the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment.

[0190] Here, when public printing is performed by the printing device of the first shared office 811 by the third user 823, for example, the owner of the printing device may be paid the cost required for the printing by a company or the like that is the public organization. The owner of the printing device to which the payment is made may be, for example, the owner of the first shared office 811. As information for identifying the payment destination of the cost, for example, one or both of information for identifying the printing device that performed the printing of the printing job and information regarding the affiliation of the printing device may be used. As information regarding the affiliation of the printing device, for example, information for identifying the first shared office 811 to which the printing device belongs or information for identifying the owner of the first shared office 811 may be used.

[0191] Also, when the third user 823 makes personal prints using the printing device of the first shared office 811, for example, the third user 823 pays the cost required for the printing to the owner of the first shared office 811. The cost may be included in, for example, the usage fee of the first shared office 811.

[0192] The case where one user belongs to a plurality of public organizations will be described. When the same user makes prints for the business of each organization, for example, the organization corresponding to each print may pay the cost required for the print to the user. The log data includes, for example, information for identifying the organization to which each print belongs.

[0193] As an example, when the addresses for the VPN connections of each organization are different, each organization may be identified by the address. For example, an IP address may be used as the address. As another example, when the domains for the connections of each organization are different, each organization may be identified by the domain.

[0194] Thus, when one user belongs to a plurality of different destinations, for each destination, the settlement of the cost related to printing may be performed. Thereby, the distribution of the cost may be performed for a plurality of destinations. In the present embodiment, for example, not only the identification of public printing and personal printing, but also when one user belongs to a plurality of organizations, it is possible to identify the public printing for each organization.

[0195] In the above embodiment, as the printing device, for example, a multifunction device having a printing function and other functions may be used. The other functions may be, for example, one or more of a scanner function, a copier function, a facsimile function, etc.

[0196] A program for realizing the function of any component in any of the devices described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes the operating system and hardware such as peripheral devices. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROM (Read Only Memory), CD (Compact Disc)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. "Computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Such volatile memory may be RAM. The recording medium may also be a non-temporary recording medium.

[0197] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores this program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line. The above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. The above program may also be a so-called differential file, capable of implementing the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system. A differential file may also be called a differential program.

[0198] The functions of any component in any device described above may be implemented by a processor. Each process in the embodiment may be implemented by a processor that operates based on information such as a program, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores information such as a program. The functions of each part of the processor may be implemented by separate hardware, or the functions of each part may be implemented by integrated hardware. The processor includes hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit that processes digital signals and a circuit that processes analog signals. The processor may be configured using one or more circuit devices or one or both of one or more circuit elements mounted on a circuit board. ICs (Integrated Circuits) may be used as circuit devices, and resistors or capacitors may be used as circuit elements.

[0199] The processor may be a CPU. However, the processor is not limited to a CPU; various types of processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be used. The processor may be a hardware circuit using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may consist of multiple CPUs, or it may consist of hardware circuits using multiple ASICs. The processor may consist of a combination of multiple CPUs and hardware circuits using multiple ASICs. The processor may include one or more amplifier circuits or filter circuits that process analog signals.

[0200] Although embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0201] 1...First Information Processing System, 2...Second Information Processing System, 3...Third Information Processing System, 4...Fourth Information Processing System, 11...First Home, 12...First Company, 12a...Firsta Company, 21...First Terminal Device, 22...First Printing Device, 23...First User, 31...First VPN Router, 32...First Log Server, 33...First Cost Management Device, 111...First Terminal Input Unit, 112...First Terminal Output Unit, 113...First Terminal Communication Unit, 114...First Terminal Storage Unit, 115...First Terminal Control Unit, 121...First Print Instruction Unit, 122...First Terminal Information Transmission Unit, 131...First Cost-Related Information Transmission Unit Signal Unit, 132...First Connection-Related Information Transmission Unit, 151...First Terminal-Side VPN Communication Unit, 211...First Server-Side Input Unit, 212...First Server-Side Output Unit, 213...First Server-Side Communication Unit, 214...First Server-Side Storage Unit, 215...First Server-Side Control Unit, 221...First Server-Side Received Information Processing Unit, 311...First Print / Log Server, 411...Second Server-Side Input Unit, 412...Second Server-Side Output Unit, 413...Second Server-Side Communication Unit, 414...Second Server-Side Storage Unit, 415...Second Server-Side Control Unit, 421...Second Server-Side Received Information Processing Unit, 422...First Print Control Unit 511...Second Home, 512...Second Company, 512a...Seconda Company, 521...Second Terminal Device, 522...Second Printing Device, 523...Second User, 531...First Authentication Server, 532...Second Log Server, 533...Second Cost Management Device, 611...Second Terminal Input Unit, 612...Second Terminal Output Unit, 613...Second Terminal Communication Unit, 614...Second Terminal Storage Unit, 615...Second Terminal Control Unit, 621...Second Print Instruction Unit, 622...Second Terminal Information Transmission Unit, 631...Second Cost-Related Information Transmission Unit, 632...Second Connection-Related Information Transmission Unit, 651...Second Terminal Authentication Communication Unit, 711...Second Printing Unit. Log server, 811...1st shared office, 821a...3rd a terminal device, 821b...3rd b terminal device, 821c...3rd c terminal device, 822a...3rd a printer, 822b...3rd b printer, 822c...3rd c printer, a1...1st connection, a2...2nd connection, a3...3rd connection, a4...4th connection, a11...11th connection, a21...21st connection, a22...22nd connection, a23...23rd connection, a24...24th connection, a31...31st connection, a32...32nd connection, a33...33rd connection, a34...34th connection, a41...41st connection, a42...42nd connection, a43...43rd connection.

Claims

1. It comprises a terminal device and an information processing device, The aforementioned terminal device is A print instruction unit that sends print instructions for a print job, An information transmission unit that transmits predetermined information relating to the printing of the print job to the information processing device, Equipped with, The aforementioned predetermined information is, Cost-related information, which is information that identifies the source of payment for the printing costs of the aforementioned print job, The login destination information is connection-related information, including, Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned cost-related information includes information identifying whether or not payment of the aforementioned costs is required. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned expense-related information includes information identifying the recipient of the expense payment, The information processing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned cost-related information includes the costs required to print the print job. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned connection-related information includes information that identifies whether the printing of the print job is for private or public use. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The system includes a print control unit that stores the print job in a storage unit and causes a printing device to execute the printing of the print job stored in the storage unit. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The printing apparatus is provided as described above. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. A print instruction unit that sends print instructions for a print job, An information transmission unit that transmits predetermined information relating to the printing of the print job to an information processing device, Equipped with, The aforementioned predetermined information is, Cost-related information, which is information that identifies the source of payment for the printing costs of the aforementioned print job, The login destination information is connection-related information, including, Terminal device.

9. It includes a receiving information processing unit that processes predetermined information related to printing of a print job received from a terminal device, The aforementioned predetermined information is, Cost-related information, which is information that identifies the source of payment for the printing costs of the aforementioned print job, The login destination information is connection-related information, including, Information processing device.

10. The terminal device is Send print instructions for the print job, The information processing device transmits predetermined information regarding the printing of the print job. The aforementioned predetermined information is, Cost-related information, which is information that identifies the source of payment for the printing costs of the aforementioned print job, The login destination information is connection-related information, including, Information processing methods.

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