JP2006252321A - Electronic document management system, print setting device, print history device, image forming apparatus, print setting service device, temporary document keeping service device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic document management system capable of improving operability, a print setting device, a print history device, an image forming apparatus, a print setting service device, a temporary document keeping service device and a control program. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic document management system comprising a document management server 16, a compound machine 13 and a print setting server 12, the document management server 16 stores a document file (print object data) to be a print object, the print setting server 12 stores the information of print setting including the keeping destination information of the document file and login information and a print ID corresponding to it beforehand, and the information of the print setting is inquired using the print ID from the compound machine 13 to the print setting server 12. Print is performed on the basis of the information of the print setting acquired from the print setting server 12 by the inquiry. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic document management system, a print setting device, a print history device, an image forming device, a print setting service device, a temporary document storage service device, and a control program that can easily select print target data to be printed.

  Conventionally, the function of a copying machine is only a copying function. However, with the rapid development of computer and digital technology and the introduction of this technology into copiers, progress has been made not only in copying functions but also in multifunction devices. As a result, not only a simple copy function but also a printer function can be realized by digitizing internal processing.

  Conventionally, the printer device is usually directly attached to a personal PC, or the printer device is commonly used for sharing. However, a high-speed printer function can be realized by connecting the multifunction device to a network. It can be shared.

[Existence of document storage service]
On the other hand, consider a document storage method on a computer. Initially, document files were only stored on individual computers. Since then, the concept of a file sharing system has emerged due to advances in network communication technology and faster computer performance. In the past, there has been a file sharing system that uses the file sharing protocol NFS between workstations. (Trademark), a file sharing system based on the CIFS protocol has been developed.

  In addition, browsers that are clients to the WWW have been installed on most PCs due to the expansion of the general use of the World Wide Web (hereinafter “WWW”) technology, and many client / server systems using the WWW are provided. It has come to be.

  A file sharing / document storage service using the WWW has already been devised, and many are provided as ASP services including package software.

  As a method of downloading and printing a document from a document storage server using this document storage service, a method of accessing the document storage server from a client PC, downloading a desired document file, and executing printing by a printer is common. It is.

[PULL print function from MFP]
Here, the print function of the multifunction peripheral is linked to the document storage service, and the document file on the document storage server can be directly printed by the multifunction peripheral (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[Adding a print service to public copiers]
Publicly installed copiers that can be used by an unspecified large number of convenience stores, etc. provide only simple copy services as shown above. However, in the future, copiers will be replaced with multifunction devices, and It is conceivable to provide a service using the print function of a multifunction machine by connecting to the Internet through communication or using ADSL. Examples of the document to be printed include documents on the document storage service.
JP 2000-298869 A

  When performing PULL printing from the document storage service, it is necessary to input the following setting information using the control panel of the multifunction peripheral. These items are wide-ranging, and document selection means are complicated, such as long-term occupation of multifunction devices that are shared equipment in offices and public spaces.

  Examples of setting information include color / monochrome, single-sided / double-sided, format (PDF, TIFF), etc. for print settings. The login information on the document storage server includes an OU name, a user name, and a password. Finally, the document address setting on the document storage server includes a folder name, a file name, and an access right.

Further, when performing a PULL print of a document file on a document management server installed on an intranet from an MFP on the Internet using an ID on a print setting server installed on the intranet, there are the following problems.
(A) Since print address settings on the intranet and the Internet differ in document address information, the print settings on the intranet cannot be used as they are for the print settings on the Internet.
(B) When the print setting server is only the print setting server outside the intranet, the intranet document management server cannot be accessed from the outside, and the document management server information necessary for setting registration is not received from the print setting server outside the intranet. It cannot be acquired, and operability / function (document address information setting / setting access right setting) is limited.
(C) When only the setting server outside the intranet is used, a short setting ID limited to the intranet cannot be used in the intranet, and the operability is poor.
(D) It is not possible to directly access a document management server in the intranet from a multifunction device on the Internet or a multifunction device on an external intranet, and there are many polling methods from the document management server on the Internet, and documents on the document management server PULL printing of a file cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is made in view of the above problems, and an electronic document management system, a print setting device, a print history device, an image forming device, a print setting service device, and a temporary document storage capable of improving operability. It is to provide a service device and a control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic document management system according to claim 1 includes a document management apparatus having a storage unit for storing print target data to be printed, a print including storage destination information and login information of the print target data. Second storage means for storing setting information and corresponding identification information in advance, and when receiving an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information, the print setting information corresponding to the identification information is inquired A print setting apparatus having a first transmission means for transmitting to the input apparatus, an input means for inputting the identification information, and an inquiry means for inquiring the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the identification information input by the input means. Included in the print setting information acquired from the print setting device by the inquiry means. Download means for downloading the print target data from the document management apparatus using storage location information and login information, and print setting information obtained from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means for the print target data downloaded by the download means. And an image forming apparatus having a printing unit for printing based on the above.

  The print setting device according to claim 3 is connectable to a document management device having storage means for storing print target data to be printed, and an image forming device for inquiring print setting information using identification information. The storage unit for storing the print target data storage location information and log-in information and the identification information corresponding to the print setting information, and the print forming information inquiry using the identification information. And a transmission unit configured to transmit print setting information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus when received from the apparatus.

  6. The print history apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the print history is connectable to a document management apparatus having storage means for storing print target data to be printed and an image forming apparatus for inquiring print setting information using a print history ID. In the apparatus, storage means for storing in advance print history information having print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and a print history ID corresponding to the print history information, and printing using the print history ID And a transmission unit configured to transmit print history information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus when an inquiry about the history information is received from the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 stores in advance a document management apparatus that stores print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and identification information corresponding thereto. In an image forming apparatus connectable to the print setting device, an input unit that inputs the identification information, an inquiry unit that inquires the print setting device for print setting information corresponding to the identification information input by the input unit, Download means for downloading the print target data from the document management apparatus using the storage location information and login information included in the print setting information acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means, and the print target downloaded by the download means The data The combined unit, characterized in that it comprises a printing means for printing based on the acquired print setting information from the print setting apparatus.

  The print setting service device according to claim 10 stores in advance a document management device that stores print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and identification information corresponding thereto. A print setting apparatus to store; an image forming apparatus that inputs the identification information; and queries the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information; and the image forming apparatus to the document management apparatus In a print setting service device connectable to a temporary document storage service device that relays download requests for print target data, the print setting information inquiry using the identification information from the image forming device to the print setting device is performed. From the print setting device. Print setting information receiving means for receiving print setting information corresponding to the information, and creating correspondence data between the final storage address and the temporary storage address of the print target data based on the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving means And a transmission means for transmitting the received print setting information and the temporary storage address to the image forming apparatus and transmitting the corresponding data to the temporary document storage service apparatus. .

  The temporary document storage service device according to claim 11 includes a document management device that stores print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and identification information corresponding thereto. A print setting device stored in advance, an image forming device that inputs the identification information, inquires the print setting device for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information, and the image forming device to the print setting device. Correspondence between final storage address and temporary storage address of the print target data from the print setting service device in the temporary document storage service device connectable with the print setting service device that performs the inquiry of the print setting information using the identification information Data and the print from the image forming apparatus Receiving means for receiving the print target data download request using the temporary storage address of the image data, conversion means for converting the temporary storage address of the print target data into the final storage address using the corresponding data, and the conversion Download request transmitting means for transmitting a download request for the print target data to the document management apparatus having the final storage address, and transmission means for transmitting the print target data received from the document management apparatus to the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, the operation on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus can be performed by inputting only a several digit print ID at the time of printing, so that the operation on the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Therefore, the operability can be improved and the time for occupying the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic document management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic document management system includes a print setting registration PC 11, a print setting server 12, a multifunction machine 13, a print setting service server 14, a temporary document storage service server 15, and a document management server 16, and these include LAN, optical communication They are connected to each other using communication or ADSL communication. In the same figure, devices are connected to each other via an intranet (not shown) on the left side and a device is connected to the right side via an internet (not shown) with a firewall at the approximate center of the figure as a boundary. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine 13.

  In the figure, a reader unit 201 photoelectrically reads an image of a document by an image sensor such as a CCD, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to an image input / output control unit 203. The printer unit 202 is, for example, a laser beam printer, and records an image corresponding to the image data from the image input / output control unit 203 on a recording medium such as paper. The image input / output control unit 203 is connected to the reader unit 201 and the printer unit 202, and includes a facsimile unit 204, a storage unit 205 including a RAM and a ROM, a hard disk 206, a network interface unit 207 for connecting to the Internet, a RIP ( (RasterImageProcessor) unit 208, operation display unit 209, and core unit 210.

  The hard disk 206 stores a control program used for processing executed by the multifunction machine 13 to be described later. The core unit 210 executes the control program.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print setting server 12.

  The configurations of the print setting registration PC 11, the print setting service server 14, the provisional document storage service server 15, and the document management server 16 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The print setting server 12 includes a PC, and includes a communication control unit 301, an input unit 302, a CPU 303, a display unit 304, a ROM 305, a RAM 306, and a hard disk (HD) 307.

  The communication control unit 301 processes communication control for connecting to the Internet or an intranet (not shown), but various communication interfaces are applied depending on the environment of the user or administrator. When connecting directly to the access network, it is composed of various modems and terminal adapters, and when connecting to an ADSL modem or cable modem of an external device, it is composed of an Ethernet interface. The input unit 302 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a video camera, and the like. The keyboard includes the acquisition of message information input by the user or the administrator, and the video camera includes the situation of the user or the administrator and the vicinity thereof. Used to capture work situation images. The CPU 303 executes processing to be described later, which is instructed by the control program in addition to the control of the entire PC. The display unit 304 is configured by a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The ROM 305 stores instructions and data necessary for the CPU 303, and the RAM 306 is used as a work memory necessary for the operation of the CPU 303. The hard disk (HD) 307 stores a control program 309 and stores data necessary for the operation of the control program 309. Each component 301 to 307 is connected to the system bus 308.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the print setting registration PC 11 is a general PC on which a user performs registration work in order to have the print setting server 12 issue a print ID. Communication with the print setting server 12 is performed using the HTTP protocol. On the print setting registration PC 11, various settings are performed using a browser, and after the setting is completed, a print ID is received from the print setting server 12.

  The print setting server 12 determines print setting information based on a request from the print setting registration PC 11. In order for the print setting server 12 to determine the print setting information, it is necessary to determine the folder path in the document management server that is the final storage destination of the document. Therefore, in parallel with the communication with the print setting registration PC, the print setting server 12 links necessary information with the document management server 16 that stores the final document. The information determined by the cooperation is cooperation information including the user name, password, folder name, file name, and access right shown in FIG. 4, and corresponds to a part of the print setting information. This linkage information is registered in the HD or the like of the print setting server 12.

  If the print setting server 12 does not want to allow print settings from the Internet for the purpose of improving security, the print setting server 12 can select whether or not to allow print settings from the Internet before the print settings are confirmed. it can. If the print setting from the Internet is prohibited, even if the print setting service server 14 requests the corresponding print ID, the print setting information is not returned to the print setting service server 14.

  After the document storage destination of the document management server 16 is determined, the print setting server 12 issues a print ID corresponding to the print setting to the print setting registration PC 11. In addition, a server ID such as an area code indicating an individual print setting server necessary for print setting from the Internet is output at the same time.

  The print setting server 12 stores the print setting information shown in FIG. 5 in a database (DB) (not shown) in the print setting server 12 using the print ID as a key. When a print ID is sent as a request from the print setting registration PC 11, a search is performed for the DB storing the print setting information using the print ID as a key, and the print setting information corresponding to the print ID is obtained. A reply is sent to the print setting registration PC 11.

  The multifunction machine 13 is installed in an environment where an unspecified number such as public facilities can be used, and has a print function for downloading and printing a document registered on the document management server 16.

  The multifunction machine 13 is connected to the Internet via a broadband network line such as ADSL or an optical communication line, and can communicate with the print setting service server 14 or the like using this connection environment.

  The multifunction machine 13 has a function of setting information on a download destination and print settings, and further has a function of inquiring the print ID to the print setting server 12 via the print setting service server 14. These functions are included as part of the print function.

  Further, in order to classify individual print setting servers installed in the intranet, the print setting server ID is transmitted to the print setting service 14 together with the print ID, and necessary information is acquired.

  Further, the multifunction machine 13 displays the print setting information acquired from the print setting server 12 via the print setting service server 14 on the operation display unit 209.

  In the print setting information displayed on the operation display unit 209, the storage destination of the document to be printed is specified, the user confirms the various setting information displayed, and the start button displayed on the operation display unit 209 When (not shown) is pressed, actual printing is started.

  The print setting service server 14 is a service server that waits for an inquiry from the multifunction machine 13 that assumes the unspecified number of users and processes the received inquiry, and the print setting server 12 corresponding to the print setting server ID. The correspondence table is held. When there is an inquiry from the multifunction machine 13, a process for making an inquiry to an appropriate print setting server corresponding to the print setting server ID is performed using the correspondence table.

  The print setting service server 14 has a function of returning the print setting information returned from the print setting server to the inquiring multifunction device 13. When the print setting information is returned to the inquiring multifunction device 13, information on the correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted to the temporary document storage service server 15. On the other hand, the temporary storage destination address is transmitted to the multifunction machine 13.

  The temporary document storage service server 15 receives the information of the correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address shown in FIG. 6 from the print setting service server 14, holds the correspondence table in the hard disk (HD), and from the multifunction device 13. Waits for a download request for a document. When a document download request is received from the multifunction device 13, the user name and password are authenticated based on the correspondence table held in the HD.

  Therefore, only when the authentication of the user name and password is successful, the connection of the multifunction device 13 is permitted, and the download request is transferred to the document management server corresponding to the final storage address based on the correspondence table held in the HD. The document file received from the document management server is transferred to the multifunction machine 13 that has requested download.

  The document management server 16 cooperates with necessary print setting information based on a request from the print setting server 12. Here, processing for disabling connection with an inappropriate user name or password, processing for confirming access rights to a folder, and the like are performed based on a DB (not shown) in the document management server 16. In response to the download request from the temporary document storage server 16, the user name and password are confirmed, and then the document file is returned.

  Hereinafter, processing executed in the electronic document management system will be described with reference to FIG.

  The processing executed by the print setting registration PC 11, print setting server 12, print setting service server 14, temporary document storage service server 15, and document management server 16 is executed by the CPU 303 of each device in a control program stored in the HD 307. Run based on. The processing executed by the multifunction machine 13 is executed by the core unit 210 based on a control program stored in the HD 206.

[A] Processing for Registering Print Setting Information and Issuing Print ID First, the print setting registration PC 11 accesses the print setting server 12 with a browser and stores the print setting information in a DB (not shown) of the print setting server 12. (S101). The print setting information is specifically shown in FIG.

  Next, the print setting server 12 issues a unique print ID corresponding to the print setting information and a unique print setting server ID, and the print setting information and the unique print ID corresponding thereto are not shown. Register in DB etc. Then, the issued unique print ID and unique print setting server ID are returned to the print setting registration PC 11 (S102). The print setting information registered in the DB (not shown) is referred to when the next print setting information is registered.

  The reason why the print setting server 12 issues a unique print ID is that when there is a plurality of pieces of print setting information, the target print setting information can be specified by the unique print ID.

  The reason why the print setting server 12 issues a unique print setting server ID is that when there are a plurality of print setting servers in the intranet, the print setting server 12 can be identified by a unique print setting server ID. This is particularly effective when a unique print ID is transmitted to the print setting server 12 from outside the intranet via the print setting service server 14.

[B] Processing for Acquiring Print Setting Information from Print ID Next, execution of printing from the multifunction machine 13 assuming an actually unspecified number of users will be described. Here, the part from the input of the print ID to the actual print setting will be described.

  First, the user changes the mode of the MFP 103 to a print mode based on the print ID. Since the multifunction machine 103 is a copying machine having a plurality of functions such as copying, FAX, and printing, the mode is changed in order to perform print processing using the print ID. This is realized by displaying and selecting a menu or the like on the operation display unit 209 of the multifunction peripheral.

  Next, the user inputs a print ID. Here, the print setting server ID and print ID registered in the process [A] are input.

  Finally, press search (confirm button). By this operation, the MFP 13 shifts to an inquiry process for the print setting service server 14.

  That is, the multi-function peripheral 103 receives the input of the print setting server ID and the print ID from the operation display unit 209 and detects whether the search (confirmation button) is pressed (S103).

  The multifunction machine 13 inquires of the print setting service server 14 about the print ID input from the operation display unit 209 (S104). At this time, the multifunction machine 13 also transmits a print setting server ID to the print setting service server 14.

  The print setting service server 14 uses the correspondence table of the print setting server 12 corresponding to the print setting server ID to specify the print setting server corresponding to the print setting server ID received from the multifunction machine 13, and The print ID is sent to the print setting server (here, the print setting server 12), and an inquiry process is performed (S105).

  The print setting server 12 searches the DB in which the print setting information is registered using the print ID received from the print setting service server 14 as a key, takes out the print setting information corresponding to the print ID, and prints the print setting information. The setting information is returned to the print setting service server 14 (S106).

  The print setting service server 14 transmits the print setting information returned from the print setting server 12 to the multifunction machine 13.

  Here, the print setting information indicates the final document management server 16 in the intranet. However, the MFP 13 cannot directly connect to the document management server 16 in the intranet due to firewall restrictions. Therefore, a correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address shown in FIG. 6 is created. Then, the print setting information is transmitted to the multi-function device 13 together with the created temporary storage address information (S107).

  The print setting service server 14 transmits the correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address created in S107 to the temporary document storage service server 15 (S108). The temporary document storage server 15 waits for a download request from the multifunction machine 13 based on the correspondence table.

  The multifunction device 13 executes print settings based on the print setting information received from the print setting service server 14 (S109), and displays the set contents on the operation display unit 209 (S110).

[C] Processing from Download Execution to Printing Processing from obtaining a document file from the document management server 16 in the intranet to printing will be described below.

  The multifunction machine 13 transmits a download request (temporary storage address information) to the temporary document storage service server 15 (S111).

  The temporary document storage service server 15 determines a document management server (here, the document management server 16) based on the temporary storage address received from the multifunction machine 13 and the correspondence table acquired in S108. That is, the temporary document storage service server 15 converts the temporary storage address information received from the multifunction machine 13 into the final storage address information based on the correspondence table.

  Then, a download request (last storage address information) is transmitted to the document management server 16 which is the final storage destination (S112).

  The document management server 16 receives a download request (final storage address information) from the temporary document storage service server 15, obtains a document file from the storage source specified in the download request (final storage address information), and provisional document storage service It returns to the server (S113). At this time, the document management server 16 confirms a general access right to the temporary document storage service server 15.

  The temporary document storage service server 15 transfers the document file received from the document management server 16 to the multifunction machine 13 (S114).

  The multifunction machine 13 displays the document file transferred from the temporary document storage service server 15 on the operation display unit 209, and prints the document file after receiving an input of a print instruction (S115).

  As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the document management server 16 stores the document file (print target data) to be printed, and the print setting server 12 stores the document file storage location information and login information. The print setting information including the print ID and the corresponding print ID are stored in advance, and when the inquiry about the print setting information using the print ID is received, the print setting information corresponding to the print ID is referred to The MFP 13 inputs the print ID, inquires the print setting server 12 about the print setting information corresponding to the input print ID, and stores it in the print setting information acquired from the print setting server 12 by the inquiry. Using the destination information and login information, the document file is stored in the document management server 16. Since the downloaded document file is printed based on the print setting information acquired from the print setting server 12 by inquiry, the operation on the operation display unit 209 of the multi-function device 13 at the time of printing is printed by several digits. It is sufficient to input only the ID, and the operation on the multifunction machine 13 can be reduced. Therefore, the operability can be improved, and the time for occupying the multifunction device 13 can be reduced.

  Since the print ID is registered in the print setting server 12, the print ID can be reused. In other words, it is not necessary to set again when the same operation is repeated.

  Furthermore, since the multifunction machine 13 only needs to transmit the temporary storage address of the document file to the temporary document storage service server 15 in order to acquire the document file, the operability can be improved.

  The print setting service server 14 receives the print setting information corresponding to the print ID from the print setting server 12, creates a correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address of the document file based on the print setting information, While the correspondence table is transmitted to the temporary document storage service server 15, the temporary document storage service server 15 receives the correspondence table from the print setting service server 14, and displays the temporary storage address of the document file received from the multifunction device 13 as the correspondence table. The document file download request is transmitted to the document management server 16 of the converted final storage address, and the document file received from the document management server 16 is transmitted to the multifunction device 13. , The multifunction device 13 fires the document management server 16 in the intranet. If you can not be directly connected by wall restriction can be performed reliably print. Further, even in the multifunction machine 13 that does not exist on the intranet, it is possible to download a document to the document management server 16 on the intranet simply by using the print ID. As a result, printing can be reliably executed without making the user aware of the difference between the Internet and the intranet.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the print setting service server 14 incorporates the temporary storage address information of the correspondence table created in S107 into the print setting information and transmits it to the multifunction machine 13 (S107) and creates it in S107. The correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address that has been sent is transmitted to the temporary document storage service server 15 (S108). In the second embodiment, the print setting service server 14 includes the print setting information. The created correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address is transmitted to the multifunction machine 13 and the information is not transmitted to the temporary document storage service server 15.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an electronic document management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 1 is different from the configuration diagram of the electronic document management system according to the first embodiment in FIG. 1 in that the process of S108 is deleted.

In S107 of FIG. 7, the print setting service server 14 transmits a correspondence table between the final storage address and the temporary storage address created together with the print setting information to the multifunction machine 13.
That is, the print setting service server 14 simultaneously transmits two addresses, the final storage destination and the temporary storage destination, to the multifunction machine 13.

  The multifunction machine 13 not only transmits a download request (temporary storage address information) to the temporary document storage service server 15, but also transmits information about the final storage address to the temporary document storage service server 15 (S111). Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Also according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an electronic document management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the print setting registration PC 11 is used as means for registering the print setting information in the print setting server 12. In the third embodiment, instead of the print setting registration PC 11. 1 in that the multifunction device 21 is used, the print history server 22 is used instead of the print setting server 12, and the print history service server 24 is used instead of the print setting service server 14. Furthermore, the processing method [A] is different from that of the first embodiment.

  In the process [A], first, the multifunction device 21 accesses the print history server 22 and registers print history information including print setting information in a DB (not shown) of the print history server 12 (S121). .

  Next, the print history server 22 issues a unique print history ID and a unique print history server ID and sends them back to the multifunction device 21 (S122). The print history information registered in the DB (not shown) is referred to when the next print history information is registered. The unique print history ID includes a unique print ID, and the unique print history server ID includes a unique print setting server ID.

  The description of the processes [B] and [C] will be made if the print setting service server 14 is changed to the print history service server 24, the print ID is changed to the print history ID, and the print setting server ID is changed to the print history server ID. Since it can be applied to the embodiment, its description is omitted.

  Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Also according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In particular, since the print history ID is registered in the print setting server 12, the print history ID can be reused. In other words, it is not necessary to set again when the same operation is repeated. Therefore, the operability can be improved, and the time for occupying the multifunction device 13 can be reduced.

  In the first to third embodiments, the print target data is a document file stored in the document management server 16. However, if the MFP 13 can print data such as an image file, the document file It is not limited to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, other ROM, or the like can be used. Alternatively, the program is supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

It is a block diagram of the electronic document management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 13. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print setting server 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of cooperation information. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print setting information. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the last storage address and the temporary storage address. It is a block diagram of the electronic document management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the electronic document management system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Print setting registration PC
12 Print Setting Server 13 MFP 14 Print Setting Service Server 15 Temporary Document Storage Service Server 16 Document Management Server 203 Image Input / Output Control Unit 205 Storage Unit 206 Hard Disk 209 Operation Display Unit 210 Core Unit 301 Communication Control Unit 302 Input Unit 303 CPU
307 Hard disk (HD)

Claims (16)

A document management apparatus having storage means for storing print target data to be printed;
When the second storage means for storing the print setting information including the storage location information and login information of the print target data and the identification information corresponding thereto, and the print setting information inquiry using the identification information are received. A print setting device having first transmission means for transmitting print setting information corresponding to the identification information to the inquiry destination;
Input means for inputting the identification information, inquiry means for inquiring the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the identification information input by the input means, and print setting information acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means Download means for downloading the print target data from the document management apparatus using the storage location information and the login information included in the file, and the print target data downloaded by the download means is acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means. An electronic document management system comprising: an image forming apparatus having printing means for printing based on print setting information. Furthermore, a print setting service device and a temporary document storage service device are provided.
The print setting service device includes a relay unit that relays an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information from the image forming device to the print setting device, and a print setting corresponding to the identification information from the print setting device. Print setting information receiving means for receiving information, and corresponding data creating means for creating correspondence data between the final storage address and temporary storage address of the print target data based on the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving means; A second transmission means for transmitting the received print setting information and the temporary storage address to the image forming apparatus and transmitting the corresponding data to the temporary document storage service apparatus;
The temporary document storage service device uses the data corresponding to the final storage address and the temporary storage address of the print target data from the print setting service device, and the print using the temporary storage address of the print target data from the image forming device. A receiving unit that receives a download request for the target data; a conversion unit that converts the temporary storage address of the print target data into a final storage address using corresponding data; and a document management device for the converted final storage address 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a download request transmission unit that transmits a download request for the print target data; and a third transmission unit that transmits the print target data received from the document management apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The electronic document management system described. In a print setting apparatus connectable to a document management apparatus having storage means for storing print target data to be printed and an image forming apparatus that inquires print setting information using identification information.
Storage means for storing in advance print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data and identification information corresponding thereto, and an inquiry for print setting information using the identification information from the image forming apparatus. A print setting apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that, when received, transmits print setting information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus.   Connection means connected to a print setting registration apparatus for registering the print setting information in the storage means, and issuing means for issuing unique identification information corresponding to the print setting information and a unique print setting apparatus ID. The print setting apparatus according to claim 3. In a print history apparatus connectable to a document management apparatus having a storage unit for storing print target data to be printed and an image forming apparatus that inquires print setting information using a print history ID.
Storage means for storing in advance print history information having print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and a print history ID corresponding thereto, and print history information using the print history ID A print history apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit print history information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus when an inquiry is received from the image forming apparatus.   Connection means connected to the image processing apparatus for registering the print history information in the storage means, and issuing means for issuing a unique print history ID and a unique print history apparatus ID corresponding to the print setting information. 6. The print history apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: An image connectable to a document management apparatus that stores print target data to be printed, print setting information that includes storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and identification information corresponding to the print setting information. In the forming device,
Input means for inputting the identification information, inquiry means for inquiring the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the identification information input by the input means, and print setting information acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means Download means for downloading the print target data from the document management apparatus using the storage location information and the login information included in the file, and the print target data downloaded by the download means is acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints based on print setting information.   A print setting service device that relays an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information to the print setting device, and a temporary document that relays a download request for the print target data from the image forming device to the document management device Connection means for connecting to a storage service device; acquisition means for acquiring the print setting information and the temporary storage address of the print target data from the print setting device via the print setting service device; and the temporary document storage service device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits a temporary storage address of the print target data.   The acquisition unit acquires the final storage address of the print target data from the print setting device via the print setting service device, and the transmission unit transmits the final storage address of the print target data to the temporary document storage service device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. Document management apparatus for storing print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information for the print target data and identification information corresponding thereto, and the identification information The image forming apparatus that inquires the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information, and the download request for the print target data from the image forming apparatus to the document management apparatus In the print setting service device that can be connected to the temporary document storage service device,
Intermediary means for interrogating print setting information using the identification information from the image forming apparatus to the print setting apparatus; and print setting information for receiving print setting information corresponding to the identification information from the print setting apparatus Receiving means; corresponding data creating means for creating correspondence data between the final storage address and temporary storage address of the print target data based on the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving means; and the received print setting information And a temporary storage address, and a transmission means for transmitting the corresponding data to the temporary document storage service device. Document management apparatus for storing print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information for the print target data and identification information corresponding thereto, and the identification information An image forming apparatus that inquires the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information, and an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information from the image forming apparatus to the print setting apparatus In a temporary document storage service device that can be connected to a print setting service device that performs
The data corresponding to the final storage address and the temporary storage address of the print target data from the print setting service device, and the download request for the print target data using the temporary storage address of the print target data from the image forming device are received. Receiving means, conversion means for converting the temporary storage address of the print target data into a final storage address using corresponding data, and a download request for the print target data to the document management apparatus of the converted final storage address A temporary document storage service device, comprising: a download request transmission unit that transmits a print request data; and a transmission unit that transmits print target data received from the document management device to the image forming apparatus. In a control program executed by a document setting apparatus having a storage unit for storing print target data to be printed and an image forming apparatus for inquiring print setting information using identification information, and a print setting apparatus connectable to the image forming apparatus.
A storage module for storing print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data and identification information corresponding thereto in advance in a storage medium, and an inquiry for print setting information using the identification information A control program comprising: a transmission module that, when received from a forming apparatus, transmits print setting information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus. In a control program executed by a document management apparatus having a storage unit for storing print target data to be printed, and a print history apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus for inquiring print setting information using a print history ID.
Print history information having print setting information including storage destination information and login information of the print target data, a storage module for storing the print history ID corresponding to the print history information in a storage medium, and printing using the print history ID A control program comprising: a transmission module that transmits print history information corresponding to the identification information to the image forming apparatus when an inquiry about history information is received from the image forming apparatus. An image connectable to a document management apparatus that stores print target data to be printed, print setting information that includes storage destination information and login information of the print target data, and identification information corresponding to the print setting information. In a control program executed by the forming apparatus,
An input module for inputting the identification information, an inquiry module for inquiring the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the identification information input by the input module, and the print setting information acquired from the print setting apparatus by the inquiry module A download module that downloads the print target data from the document management device using the storage location information and login information included in the file, and the print target data downloaded by the download module is acquired from the print setting device by the inquiry module. A control program comprising: a print module that prints based on print setting information. Document management apparatus for storing print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and login information for the print target data and identification information corresponding thereto, and the identification information The image forming apparatus that inquires the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information, and the download request for the print target data from the image forming apparatus to the document management apparatus In a control program executed by a print setting service device connectable to a temporary document storage service device,
A relay module that relays an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information from the image forming apparatus to the print setting apparatus, and print setting information that receives print setting information corresponding to the identification information from the print setting apparatus A receiving module; a corresponding data creating module that creates corresponding data of a final storage address and a temporary storage address of the print target data based on the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving module; and the received print setting information And a temporary storage address to the image forming apparatus, and a transmission module for transmitting the corresponding data to the temporary document storage service apparatus. Document management apparatus for storing print target data to be printed, print setting information including storage destination information and log-in information for the print target data and identification information corresponding to the print setting apparatus, and the identification information An image forming apparatus that inquires the print setting apparatus for print setting information corresponding to the input identification information, and an inquiry about print setting information using the identification information from the image forming apparatus to the print setting apparatus In a control program executed by a temporary document storage service device that can be connected to a print setting service device that performs
The data corresponding to the final storage address and the temporary storage address of the print target data from the print setting service device, and the download request for the print target data using the temporary storage address of the print target data from the image forming device are received. Receiving module, a conversion module for converting a temporary storage address of the print target data into a final storage address using corresponding data, and a download request for the print target data to the document management apparatus of the converted final storage address A control program, comprising: a download request transmission module that transmits a print request; and a transmission module that transmits print target data received from the document management apparatus to the image forming apparatus.

Images