JP2016122468A - Information processing device, program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a unified operability for printing stored print data. An information processing apparatus transmits identification information of one or more image forming apparatuses that can be specified as an output destination of print data to a client apparatus, and the client apparatus specifies an image forming apparatus as an output destination. And receiving a print request for the image forming apparatus received as the output destination from the client apparatus, transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination in response to the print request, and The image forming apparatus receives the print completion notification related to the print request from the apparatus, and receives the print completion notification corresponding to the print request in the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus. Is controlled not to be specified as an output destination from other client devices. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing systems that do not immediately print print data transmitted from a host computer are known. In other words, the print data transmitted from the host computer is spooled (stored) in, for example, a server device. Thereafter, print data to be output is selected from the list of spooled print data at a timing convenient for the user. The selected print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and a print job is executed by the image forming apparatus.

  However, it has been difficult for the printing system as described above to provide a unified operability across different manufacturers and models of image forming apparatuses. This is because the specifications of the software for realizing the printing system as described above differ depending on the manufacturer, and the shape and performance of the operation panel differ depending on the model of the image forming apparatus. For example, there are models that have a relatively small operation panel and models that do not have an operation panel, and there are models that have difficulty in displaying a list of print data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system that can provide unified operability with respect to printing of accumulated print data. Objective.

  In order to solve the above problem, the information processing apparatus includes a determination information storage unit that stores identification information of one or more image forming apparatuses that can be specified as an output destination of print data, and the one or more stored image forming apparatuses. Based on the identification information, a transmission unit that transmits the list information of the image forming device to the client device, a reception unit that receives designation of an image forming device as an output destination from the client device, and a client device Print request receiving means for receiving a print request for the image forming apparatus received as an output destination by the receiving means; and print data for transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination in response to the print request A transmission means, a completion notification receiving means for receiving a print completion notification related to the print request from the image forming apparatus, In the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus, the exclusive control means for controlling the image forming apparatus not to be designated as the output destination from another client apparatus until the print completion notification corresponding to the print request is received. And having.

  It is possible to provide a unified operability for printing the accumulated print data.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the server apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the printing system in 1st embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of print data list information display processing. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the printing process in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination information storage part in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the mounting form of the determination information storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen in the client apparatus as a tablet-type terminal. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the printing process in 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a printing completion screen. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the printing process in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination information storage part in 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an output destination selection screen. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the printing process in 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the determination information storage part in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the output destination candidate determination process based on position information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment. In the printing system 1 of FIG. 1, the server device 10, the client device 20, the image forming device 30, and the like can communicate via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet (whether wired or wireless). It is connected to the.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is a multifunction machine that realizes two or more functions of printing, scanning, copying, FAX transmission / reception, and the like by a single casing. However, in the present embodiment, a printer having only a printing function among these functions may be used as the image forming apparatus 30.

  The client device 20 is a PC (Personal Computer) that accepts selection of print data to be output from print data stored in the server device 10. An information processing apparatus other than the PC may be used as the client apparatus 20.

  The server device 10 is a computer that stores print data. The transmission source of the print data may be the client device 20 or an information processing device (not shown) other than the client device 20. That is, in the present embodiment, print data such as an electronic document that is a target of a print instruction is not immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 but is once stored in the server apparatus 10. The server device 10 transmits the print data selected as an output instruction target from the accumulated print data to the image forming device 30. The image forming apparatus 30 executes a print job based on the print data.

  Such a printing mode is referred to as “on-demand printing” in the present embodiment. When an output instruction for the accumulated print data is issued on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 30, one of the advantages of on-demand printing is ensuring security for printed matter. This is because when printing results are output, the user can be at the side of the image forming apparatus 30 and immediately collect the output printing paper, thereby preventing information leakage due to leaving the printing results. .

  However, in the present embodiment, selection of accumulated print data is performed by the client device 20. Therefore, when it is desired to ensure the advantage of preventing information leakage as described above, it is desirable that the client device 20 be installed beside the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the server device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server device 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the server device 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes functions related to the server device 10 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  Note that the client apparatus 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 may also have hardware similar to the hardware illustrated in FIG. However, the client device 20 includes an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard for receiving an operation instruction from the user, a display device that displays a request for inputting the operation instruction, a response to the operation instruction, and the like. desirable.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the first embodiment. 3, the server device 10 includes a list information providing unit 11, a print data acquisition unit 12, a print request reception unit 13, an output destination determination unit 14, a print data transmission unit 15, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing executed by the CPU 104 by a program installed in the server device 10. The server device 10 also includes a print data storage unit 16 and a determination information storage unit 17. Each of these storage units can be realized using the auxiliary storage device 102 or a storage device connected to the server device 10 via a network.

  The list information providing unit 11 provides the client device 20 with list information of print data stored in the print data storage unit 16. The print data acquisition unit 12 acquires print data list information stored in the print data storage unit 16 in response to a request from the list information providing unit 11.

  The print request receiving unit 13 receives a print request specifying print data to be printed from the client device 20. The output destination determination unit 14 determines an image forming apparatus 30 that is an output destination (transmission destination) of print data. The print data transmission unit 15 transmits the print data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 30 determined as the output destination (transmission destination). The transmission of print data by the print data transmission unit 15 conforms to a standard communication protocol. For example, when a printing destination image forming apparatus 30 is specified in a PC (Personal Computer) or the like and a printing instruction is input, a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus in the PC. The print data transmission unit 15 transmits the print data using the same communication protocol as that used when transmitting the print data to 30.

  The print data storage unit 16 stores print data. The print data stored in the print data storage unit 16 is data in PDL (Page Description Language) format in which the electronic data that is the target of the print instruction is converted by the printer driver in the client device 20 or another information processing device. It is.

  The determination information storage unit 17 stores information used by the output destination determination unit 14 when determining the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination of print data.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a print data receiving unit 31, an image forming unit 32, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the image forming apparatus 30 causes the CPU of the image forming apparatus 30 to execute. The print data receiving unit 31 receives print data transmitted from the server device 10. The print data receiving unit 31 opens a boat having a predetermined port number (for example, 9100) and waits for reception of print data. The image forming unit 32 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to execute print processing related to the print data received by the print data receiving unit 31.

  The client device 20 has a browser unit 21. The browser unit 21 is realized by processing that a general or general-purpose Web browser program causes the CPU of the client device 20 to execute. That is, the browser unit 21 interprets the definition content of a Web page including HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data, a script, and the like, and executes display processing and the like according to the definition content.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the printing system will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure for displaying print data list information.

  In the initial state of FIG. 4, for example, the browser unit 21 of the client device 20 displays a login screen for the server device 10 on the display device of the client device 20 based on the Web page downloaded from the server device 10.

  When a user name or the like is input to the login screen by the user, the browser unit 21 transmits an HTTP request indicating a print data list information acquisition request to the server device 10 (S102). In the acquisition request, the user name input on the login screen is specified. When the acquisition request is received, the list information providing unit 11 of the server device 10 specifies the user name specified in the acquisition request and requests the print data acquisition unit 12 to acquire print data list information. (S102). The print data acquisition unit 12 searches for print data associated with the designated user name from the print data stored in the print data storage unit 16 (S103, S104). That is, the print data storage unit 16 stores print data in association with the user name of the print request source. The print data acquisition unit 12 returns a list of bibliographic information of the searched print data to the list information providing unit 11 (S105). A list of bibliographic information of print data is print data list information. The bibliographic information for each print data includes a job name that is an example of identification information for each print data. Bibliographic information of each print data may be extracted from the print data.

  Subsequently, the list information providing unit 11 generates HTML data (print data list screen data) for displaying the list information (S106). Subsequently, the list information providing unit 11 returns a response including the print data list screen data (HTTP response) to the browser unit 21 (S107).

  The browser unit 21 displays the print data list screen on the display device of the client device 20 based on the received print data list screen data (S108). On the print data list screen, job names and the like of each print data are displayed in a selectable state.

  Subsequently, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 is executed. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the processing procedure of the printing process according to the first embodiment.

  When one or more job names are selected and an output instruction is input by the user on the print data list screen, the browser unit 21 displays the selected job name (hereinafter referred to as “target job name”) and the client. A print request in which the identification information of the apparatus 20 (hereinafter referred to as “client identification information”) is designated is transmitted to the server apparatus 10 (S111). The client identification information may be information that can identify each client device 20, such as a host name or an IP address of the client device 20, for example. In this embodiment, the IP address is used as client identification information.

  When a print request is received, the print request receiving unit 13 of the server apparatus 10 specifies the client identification information specified in the print request, and determines the determination of the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination of the print data. The determination unit 14 is requested (S112). The output destination determination unit 14 determines the output destination image forming apparatus 30 based on the client identification information specified in the request and the determination information storage unit 17 (S113).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the determination information storage unit in the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the determination information storage unit 17 stores device identification information in association with client identification information. The device identification information is identification information of the image forming apparatus 30. In this embodiment, an example in which an IP address is adopted as the identification information of the image forming apparatus 30 is shown, but other identification information such as a host name may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the correspondence relationship between the client identification information and the device identification information (that is, the correspondence relationship between the client device 20 and the image forming device 30) stored in the determination information storage unit 17 is the same as that of the client device 20. It is desirable that the distance from the image forming apparatus 30 be close. In other words, it is desirable that the image forming apparatus 30 installed at the position closest to the client apparatus 20 is associated with the client apparatus 20.

  In FIG. 6, for convenience, the configuration of the determination information storage unit 17 is expressed in a table format. However, as an actual mounting form, for example, it may be mounted as a file as shown in FIG. It is done.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation of the determination information storage unit. 7A shows an example implemented as a property file. (B) shows an example implemented as a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file.

  Accordingly, in step S113, the output destination determination unit 14 determines the image forming apparatus 30 related to the device identification information associated with the client identification information specified in the output destination determination request as the output destination.

  Subsequently, the output destination determination unit 14 returns a response including the device identification information determined as the output destination (hereinafter referred to as “output destination identification information”) to the print request reception unit 13 (S114). Subsequently, the print request reception unit 13 inputs a print data transmission request in which the target job name and the output destination identification information are designated to the print data transmission unit 15 (S115). The print data transmission unit 15 acquires the print data identified by the target job name from the print data storage unit 16, and transmits the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 30 related to the output destination identification information (S116). At this time, the print data transmission unit 15 performs normal printing to a port (for example, port 9100) that the print data reception unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 has established for receiving normal print data. Print data is transmitted using the same communication protocol as the data transmission. This means that the transmission of print data from the print data transmission unit 15 is highly versatile. That is, it means that print data is transmitted to a plurality of models or image forming apparatuses of a plurality of manufacturers by a common or general communication protocol.

  When the print data receiving unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 detects the reception of the print data, it requests the image forming unit 32 to execute a print job based on the print data (S117). The image forming unit 32 forms an image based on the print data, and executes printing of the image.

  On the other hand, after transmitting the print data, the print data transmission unit 15 notifies the print request reception unit 13 of the completion of the transmission of the print data (S118). In response to the notification, the print request receiving unit 13 generates HTML data (print data transmission completion screen data) for displaying a print data transmission completion screen (S119). The print data transmission completion screen is a screen for notifying the completion of transmission of print data. Subsequently, the print request receiving unit 13 returns a response including the print data transmission completion screen data (HTTP response) to the browser unit 21 (S120).

  The browser unit 21 displays a print data transmission completion screen on the display device of the client device 20 based on the received print data transmission completion screen data (S121). The user can confirm that the print data has been transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 by referring to the print data transmission completion screen.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the operation relating to the print data stored in the server apparatus 10 is performed not on the individual image forming apparatuses 30 but on the client apparatus 20. Therefore, a unified user interface (GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like) can be provided regardless of the model of the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination.

  A standard or general-purpose communication protocol is used for the exchange between the server apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 30. Accordingly, various types of image forming apparatuses 30 can be easily incorporated as output destination candidates.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the client device 20a is a tablet terminal. Therefore, the client device 20a is easy to carry and communicates with the server device 10 via wireless communication such as a wireless local area network (LAN). The client device 20a may be installed beside the image forming device 30 for each image forming device 30, for example. That is, the client device 20a may be installed instead of the operation panel of each image forming apparatus 30. Note that a mobile terminal other than the tablet terminal may be the client device 20a. For example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) may be used as the client device 20a.

  The processing procedure in the second embodiment may be the same as that in the first embodiment. For example, in step S101 and step S108 of FIG. 4, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display device of the client device 20a.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen in a client device as a tablet terminal. 9A shows a display example of a login screen displayed in step S101. (B) shows a display example of the print data list screen displayed in step S108. When one or more print data (print job) is selected in the list L1 on the print data list screen and the Print button b1 is touched, step S111 in FIG. 5 is executed.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the first embodiment. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the client device 20 may be a tablet terminal or a fixed information processing device such as a desktop PC.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the processing procedure of the printing process according to the third embodiment. 10, the same steps as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In response to the print data transmission completion notification (S118), the print request receiving unit 13 acquires information indicating the manufacturer, model, and the like from the output destination image forming apparatus 30 (S301, S302). The upper part indicating the manufacturer and model can be acquired from, for example, an MIB (Management Information Base) of the image forming apparatus 30.

  Subsequently, the print request receiving unit 13 acquires information indicating the status of the print job from the output image forming apparatus 30 (S303, S304). Information indicating the status of the print job can be acquired from the MIB of the image forming apparatus 30, for example. However, in which entry in the MIB the status of the print job is recorded differs depending on the manufacturer and model. Therefore, the print request receiving unit 13 changes the print job status acquisition method according to the manufacturer and model acquired in step S304. Specifically, the entry of the MIB from which the print job status is acquired is changed according to the manufacturer and model. When the print job is not completed, the acquisition of the print job status is repeatedly performed at regular intervals, for example (S305 and S306).

  When the completion of the print job is detected based on the acquired information indicating the status of the print job, the print request receiving unit 13 generates HTML data (print completion screen data) for displaying the print completion screen (S307). ). The print completion screen is a screen for notifying completion of printing. Subsequently, the print request receiving unit 13 returns a response including the print completion screen data (HTTP response) to the browser unit 21 (S308).

  Based on the received print completion screen data, the browser unit 21 displays a print completion screen on the display device of the client device 20 (S309).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print completion screen. The user can confirm that printing is completed by referring to the print completion screen.

  In the third embodiment, a response including the print data transmission completion screen data may be returned to the browser unit 21 immediately after step S118.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the client device 20 is notified of the completion of printing. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the user cannot immediately detect the completion of printing when the operation is not performed in the image forming apparatus 30.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the second embodiment. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of the processing procedure of the printing process according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same steps as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S113a, the output destination determination unit 14 is an image forming apparatus that is a candidate for the output destination based on the client identification information specified in the request in step S112 and the determination information storage unit 17 as shown in FIG. 30 is determined.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the determination information storage unit according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 13, the determination information storage unit 17 stores one or more pieces of device identification information in association with client identification information. That is, in the fourth embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 can be associated with one client apparatus 20a.

  This is because the client device 20a is a tablet terminal that is easy to carry. That is, regarding one tablet-type terminal, the fact that the output destination image forming apparatus 30 is limited to one unit impairs characteristics such as portability of the tablet-type terminal. Therefore, for each client device 20a, one or more imager forming devices that are permitted to be used by the user of the client device 20a are associated with the client device 20a. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30 permitted to be used by the user is the image forming apparatus 30 of the department to which the user belongs, the image forming apparatus 30 of the department is associated with the client apparatus 20a of the user. It is possible.

  Accordingly, in step S113a, a plurality of pieces of device identification information corresponding to the client identification information are determined as output destination candidate device identification information. Subsequently, the output destination determination unit 14 returns a response including one or more pieces of device identification information determined as output destination candidates (hereinafter referred to as “output destination candidate identification information”) to the print request reception unit 13 ( S114a).

  Subsequently, the print request receiving unit 13 generates HTML data (output destination selection screen data) for displaying the output destination selection screen (S401). The output destination selection screen is a screen for selecting an image forming apparatus 30 as an output destination from among output destination candidates, and includes, for example, a list of output destination candidate identification information. Subsequently, the print request receiving unit 13 returns a response including the output destination selection screen data (HTTP response) to the browser unit 21 (S402).

  The browser unit 21 displays the output destination selection screen on the display device of the client device 20 based on the received output destination selection screen data (S403).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the output destination selection screen. In the output destination selection screen 510 shown in FIG. 14, when a button (portion ▼) of the list box 511 is touched, a list of output destination candidate identification information is displayed in the list 512. Output destination candidate identification information related to the line touched (selected) in the list 512 is displayed in the list box 511.

  When any output destination candidate identification information is selected on the output destination selection screen 510 and the Print button 513 is touched, the browser unit 21 transmits the output destination candidate identification information to the server device 10 (S404).

  When receiving the output destination candidate identification information, the print request receiving unit 13 executes the processes after step S115 using the output destination candidate identification information as the output destination identification information. Since the processing procedure after step S115 is as described above, a description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the user of the client device 20a outputs the desired image forming device 30 from the plurality of image forming devices 30 by taking advantage of the portability of the tablet terminal. You can choose as a destination.

  In the fourth embodiment, the same processing procedure as steps S301 to S309 in FIG. 10 may be executed. In this case, the output destination determination unit 14 may exclude the image forming apparatus 30 from the output destination candidates until the print job in the output destination image forming apparatus 30 is completed.

  Specifically, the print request receiving unit 13 stores the output destination candidate identification information (output destination identification information) notified in step S404 in the memory device 103 as an exclusive control target. When the print job in the image forming apparatus 30 related to the output destination identification information is completed (S306), the print request reception unit 13 excludes the output destination identification information from the exclusive control target. On the other hand, the output destination determination unit 14 matches the output destination identification information stored in the memory device 103 as the exclusive control target in the device identification information determined as the output destination candidate in step S113a. If there is information, the device identification information is excluded from the output destination candidates. By doing so, the image forming apparatus 30 can be excluded from the output destination candidates until the print job in the output destination image forming apparatus 30 is completed.

  As a result, it is easy to ensure security for the printed matter. That is, when no operation is performed in the image forming apparatus 30, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 is not occupied by a single user. May be executed. Then, documents related to a plurality of users are mixedly printed on the output tray. As a result, there is a possibility that the feature of on-demand printing, which is to ensure the security of printed matter, is impaired.

  Therefore, as described above, by excluding the image forming apparatus 30 from the output destination candidates until the print job in the output destination image forming apparatus 30 is completed, documents regarding a plurality of users are mixed. It is possible to prevent this, and it is possible to facilitate the security of the printed matter.

  Note that the output destination determination unit 14 does not exclude the device identification information of the image forming apparatus 30 for which the print job has not been completed from the list of output destination candidate identification information responded in step S114a, but adds the device identification information to the device identification information. On the other hand, flag information indicating that it is excluded from output candidates may be given. In this case, the print request receiving unit 13 may generate output destination selection screen data so that the output destination candidate identification information to which the flag information is assigned is grayed out (cannot be selected). By doing so, the user who has browsed the output destination selection screen can clearly grasp the image forming apparatuses 30 that cannot be used at present among the image forming apparatuses 30 that can be used as output destinations.

  Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment will be described with respect to differences from the fourth embodiment. Accordingly, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as in the fourth embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure of printing processing according to the fifth embodiment. 15, the same steps as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S111b, the browser unit 21 transmits to the server device 10 a print request in which the target job name and the position information of the client device 20a are specified. The position information of the client device 20a may be measured by a GPS (Global Positioning System) function of the client device 20a. In the present embodiment, the position information includes sea level, latitude, and longitude. When the workplace floor does not extend over a plurality of floors, the sea level may not be included in the position information.

  When a print request is received, the print request receiving unit 13 of the server apparatus 10 specifies the position information specified in the print request, and determines the determination of the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination of the print data. Request to the unit 14 (S112b). The output destination determination unit 14 determines the image forming apparatus 30 that is an output destination candidate based on the position information specified in the request and the determination information storage unit 17 as shown in FIG. 16 (S113b). .

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the determination information storage unit in the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 16, the determination information storage unit 17 stores device position information for each device identification information (that is, for each image forming apparatus 30). In the example of the figure, the device position information is stored in the format of “altitude, latitude, longitude”.

  Therefore, the output destination determination unit 14 compares the position information of the client device 20a with the device position information of each image forming device 30 to thereby determine the image forming device 30 that is relatively close to the client device 20a. And determined as an output destination candidate.

  Since the processing procedure after step S114 may be the same as that of the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, details of step S113b will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of output destination candidate determination processing based on position information.

  In step S <b> 501, the output destination determination unit 14 extracts, from the determination information storage unit 17, a record that includes the sea level in the position information whose difference from the sea level of the client device 20 a is within a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be a value that can determine whether or not the floor is the same (for example, 5 meters). That is, the purpose of step S501 is to extract records relating to the image forming apparatus 30 that is likely to be installed on the same floor as the floor where the user is currently located.

  Subsequently, the output destination determination unit 14 determines whether one or more records have been extracted (S502). When no record is extracted (No in S502), the output destination determination unit 14 determines that there is no output destination candidate (S510).

  When one or more records are extracted (Yes in S502), the output destination determination unit 14 further extracts records of the image forming apparatus 30 whose distance from the client device 20a is within a radius of 50 meters (S503). That is, if the set of records extracted in step S501 is referred to as “record group A”, the record of the image forming apparatus 30 whose distance from the client apparatus 20a within the record group A is within a radius of 50 meters. Is extracted. The distance between the client apparatus 20a and the image forming apparatus 30 may be calculated based on the latitude and longitude of the client apparatus 20a and the latitude and longitude of each record extracted in step S501.

  If no record is extracted (No in S504), the output destination determination unit 14 selects a record of the image forming apparatus 30 from the record group A whose distance from the client apparatus 20a is within a radius of 100 meters. Extract (S505). When no record is extracted (No in S506), the output destination determination unit 14 selects a record of the image forming apparatus 30 whose distance from the client apparatus 20a is within a radius of 200 meters from the record group A. Extract (S507). If no record is extracted (No in S508), the output destination determination unit 14 determines that there is no output destination candidate (S510).

  On the other hand, when one or more records are extracted in step S503, S505, or S507 (Yes in S504, Yes in S506, or Yes in S508), the device identification information of the extracted record is determined as the output destination candidate determination result. (S509).

  In this way, the image forming apparatus 30 close to the client apparatus 20a on the same floor is preferentially selected as an output destination candidate. Note that the radii of 50 meters, 100 meters, and 200 meters are examples. For example, all the image forming apparatuses 30 on the same floor may be output destination candidates. In addition, when the allowable range of output destination candidates extends over a plurality of floors such as the second floor or the third floor, the predetermined value in step S501 may be a value corresponding to the plurality of floors.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 that is relatively close to the client apparatus 20a can be preferentially presented as an output destination candidate. Therefore, the user can execute on-demand printing by using the image forming apparatus 30 in the vicinity of the client apparatus 20a while moving with the client apparatus 20a.

  In the present embodiment, the list information providing unit 11 is an example of a data list providing unit. The print request receiving unit 13 is an example of a print request receiving unit 13, an apparatus list providing unit, an output destination receiving unit, and a monitoring unit. The output destination determination unit 14 is an example of a transmission destination determination unit. The print data transmission unit 15 is an example of a transmission unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Server apparatus 11 List information provision part 12 Print data acquisition part 13 Print request reception part 14 Output destination determination part 15 Print data transmission part 16 Print data storage part 17 Determination information storage part 20 Client apparatus 21 Browser part 30 Image formation Device 31 Print Data Receiving Unit 32 Image Forming Unit 100 Drive Device 101 Recording Medium 102 Auxiliary Storage Device 103 Memory Device 104 CPU
105 Interface device B bus

JP 2008-129812 A

Claims (9)

Determination information storage means for storing identification information of one or more image forming apparatuses that can be specified as an output destination of print data;
Transmitting means for transmitting list information of the image forming apparatuses to a client apparatus based on the stored identification information of the one or more image forming apparatuses;
Receiving means for receiving designation of an image forming apparatus as an output destination from the client apparatus;
A print request receiving means for receiving a print request for the image forming apparatus received as an output destination by the receiving means from the client apparatus;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus designated as an output destination in response to the print request;
A completion notification receiving means for receiving a print completion notification related to the print request from the image forming apparatus;
In the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus, the exclusive control for controlling the image forming apparatus not to be designated as the output destination from another client apparatus until the print completion notification corresponding to the print request is received. Means,
An information processing apparatus. The exclusive control unit controls the transmission unit to transmit the list information of the image forming apparatuses not including the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus to the other client apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The exclusive control means transmits the list information of the image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus cannot be designated by the transmitting means to the other client apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Based on the identification information of the one or more image forming apparatuses stored in the determination information storage unit that stores the identification information of one or more image forming apparatuses that can be specified as an output destination of the print data, the image is sent to the client apparatus. A transmission procedure for transmitting the forming apparatus list information;
A reception procedure for receiving designation of an image forming apparatus as an output destination from the client apparatus;
A print request reception procedure for receiving a print request for the image forming apparatus received as an output destination by the reception procedure from the client apparatus;
A print data transmission procedure for transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus designated as an output destination in response to the print request;
A completion notification receiving procedure for receiving a print completion notification related to the print request from the image forming apparatus;
In the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus, the exclusive control for controlling the image forming apparatus not to be designated as the output destination from another client apparatus until the print completion notification corresponding to the print request is received. Procedure and
A program that causes a computer to execute. In the transmission procedure, the exclusive control procedure performs control so that the list information of the image forming apparatuses not including the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus is transmitted to the other client apparatuses. The program according to claim 4. In the exclusive control procedure, in the transmission procedure, the list information of the image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus cannot be designated is transmitted to the other client apparatus. The program according to claim 4 to control. An information processing system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a plurality of client apparatuses, and an information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A determination information storage unit that stores identification information of one or more of the image forming apparatuses that can be specified as an output destination of print data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the list information of the image forming apparatus to any one of the client apparatuses based on the stored identification information of the one or more image forming apparatuses;
Receiving means for receiving designation of an image forming apparatus as an output destination from the client apparatus;
A print request receiving means for receiving a print request for the image forming apparatus received as an output destination by the receiving means from the client apparatus;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus designated as an output destination in response to the print request;
A completion notification receiving means for receiving a print completion notification related to the print request from the image forming apparatus;
In the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus, the exclusive control for controlling the image forming apparatus not to be designated as the output destination from another client apparatus until the print completion notification corresponding to the print request is received. Means,
An information processing system. The exclusive control unit controls the transmission unit to transmit the list information of the image forming apparatuses not including the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus to the other client apparatus. The information processing system according to claim 7. The exclusive control means transmits the list information of the image forming apparatus in which the image forming apparatus designated as the output destination from the client apparatus cannot be designated by the transmitting means to the other client apparatus. The information processing system according to claim 7 to be controlled.

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