JP7047504B2 - Job system, job execution method, information processing device, program - Google Patents

Description

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

A printing system is known in which an image forming apparatus is registered in a cloud service in advance, and the terminal device transmits electronic data to the cloud service, so that the registered image forming apparatus downloads and prints the electronic data. An example of a job system that executes jobs such as printing is a service that uses e-mail.

In this job system, the cloud service receives an e-mail with the electronic data to be printed attached from the terminal device, saves the print data in association with the PIN (Personal Identification Number) code, and then sends the PIN code by e-mail. Reply to the user's terminal device. The user inputs a PIN code into the image forming apparatus that wants to perform printing. When the image forming apparatus transmits the PIN code to the cloud service, the cloud service transmits the electronic data to be printed, which is stored in association with the PIN code, to the image forming apparatus. Since the image forming apparatus prints the electronic data acquired from the cloud service, the user can print the electronic data by sending the electronic data by e-mail.

A more user-friendly system has been proposed for such a job system (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a job system in which the length of the PIN code is suppressed by managing the PIN code in association with a specific group such as each application installed in the image forming apparatus.

However, the conventional job system has a problem that it is difficult to execute a secure job. That is, in the conventional job system, all the image forming devices connected to the cloud service are treated equally, so that printing from any image forming device connected to the cloud service is accepted. In other words, the image forming apparatus capable of printing the electronic data is not limited, and the user can print the electronic data from any image forming apparatus, and the information of the electronic data may be leaked. Therefore, it is not suitable for applications that allow printing only with a specific image forming apparatus.

For example, some image forming apparatus may be prepared when some event is held. Printing is possible by a user using a Web application compatible with an image forming device from a smartphone or the like. However, even if the event organizer wants to allow printing only with this prepared image forming apparatus, it is not easy to set the range of which image forming apparatus allows printing.

To deal with this inconvenience, a method is considered in which a printing device such as a personal computer is prepared, the printing device temporarily receives electronic data from a smartphone or the like, and a printing request is transmitted to an image forming apparatus. However, in this method, it is necessary to temporarily store electronic data in the printing device, which may cause information leakage from the printing device.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a job system capable of executing a secure job.

The present invention is a job system including an information processing device that accepts job registration and an image forming device that executes a job acquired from the information processing device via a network.
The information processing device is
For each group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, the group designation information specifying the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the job data, and the job. The information in response to a request for acquisition of job data from the information storage unit that stores the temporary code generated at the time of data registration in association with each other, the identification information of the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus including the temporary code. Of the job data stored in the storage unit, the job management means for specifying the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the job data associated with the temporary code, and the job data specified by the job management means. The data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the generation means for generating the temporary code when the job registration request is acquired by designating the group by the group designation information from the second information processing apparatus. Then, the job management means has the temporary code generated by the generation means and the second. The job data transmitted from the information processing apparatus of the above is registered, and in the information storage unit, a plurality of the group designation information are associated with one group, and further, the image forming apparatus executes each of the group designation information. The setting information of the job to be performed is registered, and the transmission means has a job processing means for processing the job with the setting information of the job specified by the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus. Sends the job data processed by the job processing means to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus receives the input of the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus, and the temporary code received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus to acquire the job data. It has an acquisition means and a job execution means for executing a job acquired by the job acquisition means.

It is possible to provide a job system capable of executing secure jobs.

It is an example of the figure explaining the outline of the operation of a job system. This is an example of a configuration diagram of a job system for explaining an example of group registration. This is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of a job system. It is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a terminal device. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus. This is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device, the service providing system, and the image forming device of the job system in a block shape. This is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for a system administrator to register a group. This is an example of a sequence diagram showing the operation of the job system when submitting a job. It is an example of the figure explaining the content distribution from the service providing system to the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the screen example which the browser of the image forming apparatus displays on the operation panel. This is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for a user to execute a job registered in a service providing system using an image forming apparatus. This is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device, the service providing system, and the image forming device of the job system in a block shape (Example 2). This is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which an image forming apparatus displays a screen different for each group. This is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device, the service providing system, and the image forming device of the job system in a block shape (Example 3). This is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the service providing system counts the number of prints for each group (Example 4). It is an example of the figure schematically showing the print setting for each message ID or group ID (Example 4). This is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of the job system of this embodiment (Example 5).

Hereinafter, as an example of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, the job system and the job execution method performed by the job system will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of operation>
FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram illustrating an outline of the operation of the job system 100 of the present embodiment. The job system 100 of the present embodiment includes a service providing system 10, a terminal device 30 on which an external application operates, and an image forming device 50.

First, the terms described in this embodiment will be described.
A "group" refers to one or more email addresses and one or more image forming apparatus 50 associated with each other.
-The "email address" is identification information for determining which group the job belongs to, and is described by the term "message ID" in the present embodiment.

The group in which the job can be executed is determined by the e-mail address specified by the terminal device 30 as the e-mail destination, and the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group can print. This makes it possible to limit the image forming apparatus 50 that can be printed.

As an example, the operation flow of the job system 100 will be described.
(1) First, the system administrator M creates the above group in the service providing system 10. There may be multiple groups.
(2) The system administrator M registers one or more image forming devices 50 in the created group. As a result, the device ID, which is a unique value of the image forming apparatus 50, is associated with the group. The registration process of the image forming apparatus 50 may be performed by operating the image forming apparatus 50, or may be performed from the PC (Personal Computer) of the system administrator M.
(3) Further, the system administrator M requests the service providing system 10 to issue an e-mail address (e-mail address of this group) for the group to receive the job to the group created in (1). The service providing system 10 issues an e-mail address to the system administrator M.

The issued e-mail address is associated with the group ID and stored in the service providing system 10. Since the e-mail address is only the identification information that specifies the group, the ID of LINE (registered trademark; hereinafter omitted) may be used instead of the e-mail address. The service providing system 10 requests the LINE to issue a LINE ID, so that the message ID is provided to the system administrator M. Of course, if there is identification information that can identify the destination, a chat tool other than LINE such as Slack (registered trademark), SNS (Social Network Service), or the like may be used.

The system administrator M provides the issued e-mail address to the user who uses the job system 100. As for the method of provision, a paper with an e-mail address may be distributed, or the e-mail address may be described in the guidance e-mail to the user. Further, it may be provided by a mechanism in which the destination e-mail address is automatically set when the system administrator M creates a QR code (registered trademark) and the user reads it.

(4) Next, the user sends a message (e-mail) from the external application of the terminal device 30 to the service providing system 10 with the e-mail address as the destination. The message contains (attaches) the electronic data to be printed. The service providing system 10 generates a job for printing the electronic data included in the message, and assigns a PIN code to the job. PIN codes are numbered to be unique, at least within the group.

(5) When the allocation of the PIN code is completed, the service providing system 10 transmits the PIN code to the terminal device 30. If the message ID is an e-mail address, the PIN code will be notified by e-mail, and if the message ID is a LINE ID, the LINE talk will be notified.

(6) Next, the user inputs the PIN code notified in (5) to the image forming apparatus 50 in order to perform printing from the image forming apparatus 50. The image forming apparatus 50 sends the input PIN code and its own device ID to the service providing system 10.

(7) The service providing system 10 identifies the group to which the image forming apparatus 50 belongs from the device ID, and the PIN code assigned to the job generated for the group matches the PIN code transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50. Judge whether or not. In other words, get the job with the same PIN code. If they match, the job associated with the PIN code assigned to the job is returned to the image forming apparatus 50. The image forming apparatus 50 can execute a job by receiving the job.

In this way, the image forming apparatus 50 that can be used by the user to execute the job can be limited to the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group registered by the system administrator M. Therefore, secure printing becomes possible. In addition, the system administrator M can arbitrarily create a relatively small group and print it securely.

In the example of FIG. 1, the user is not specified at all, and all users who know the e-mail address (message ID) can use it, but it is predetermined for the group created in (1). By registering the user's e-mail address by the system administrator M, it is possible to limit the users who accept the job registration in response to the job registration request from the external application.

<Example of group>
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a job system 100 for explaining a group registration example. FIG. 2 mainly describes the differences from FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, groups A and B are illustrated as an example.

In the group creation described in (1) of FIG. 1, the system administrator M created the group A and the group B. Further, in the device registration described in FIG. 1 (2), the system administrator M registered the image forming apparatus 50A in the group A and the image forming apparatus 50B and 50C in the group B. Further, in the e-mail address issuance described in FIG. 1 (3), the e-mail address A was issued to the group A, the e-mail address B was issued to the group B, and the e-mail address C was issued to the groups A and B in common. Email addresses may be duplicated in different groups.

The determination of the group is performed by the destination (email address) of the e-mail transmitted from the terminal device 30, and the service providing system 10 determines the image forming apparatus 50 that can be used by the e-mail address. When the e-mail is sent to the e-mail address A, the user can use only the image forming apparatus 50A belonging to the group A.

When an e-mail is sent to the e-mail address B, only the image forming devices 50B and 50C belonging to the group B can be used. When the e-mail is sent to the e-mail address C, the user can use any of the image forming devices 50A to C belonging to the groups A and B.

<Terminology>
A job is a processing work performed by an information processing apparatus. The specific content of the processing work may differ depending on the image forming apparatus 50 or the like. In this embodiment, printing, scanning, and the like can be mentioned.

Temporary codes are one or more numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. These may be combined. The number of digits may be one or more. Temporary means that it is created each time (temporarily). Temporary codes are used, for example, to identify jobs. In this embodiment, it is described by the term PIN code.

The group designation information is information for designating the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs. It can also be information that identifies a group. Further, it may be regarded as information for identifying the image forming apparatus. By identifying the image forming apparatus, the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs is also identified. In this embodiment, it is described by the term message ID.

The event may be, for example, an exhibition, a spot sale, a presentation, an academic conference, or the like, but the event is not limited to these and may be any event in which the image forming apparatus 50 is used.

<Configuration example>
FIG. 3 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of the job system 100. The job system 100 has, for example, a network N1 such as an office network and a network N2 such as the Internet.

Network N1 is a private network inside the firewall FW. The firewall FW is installed at the contact point between the network N1 and the network N2 to detect and block unauthorized access. An image forming device 50 such as a client terminal 1011, a mobile terminal 1012, and a multifunction device is connected to the network N1.

The client terminal 1011 is an example of the terminal device 30. The client terminal 1011 can be realized by an information processing device equipped with a general OS or the like. The client terminal 1011 has a means of wireless communication or a means of wired communication. The client terminal 1011 is a terminal that can be operated by a user, such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC.

The mobile terminal 1012 is an example of the terminal device 30. The mobile terminal 1012 has a means of wireless communication or a means of wired communication. The mobile terminal 1012 is a terminal that can be carried and operated by a user, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet PC.

The image forming apparatus 50 is an apparatus having an image forming function such as a multifunction device. The image forming apparatus 50 has a means of wireless communication or a means of wired communication. The image forming apparatus 50 is an apparatus that performs processing related to image forming, such as a multifunction device, a copier, a scanner, a printer, a laser printer, a projector, and an electronic blackboard. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the client terminal 1011, the mobile terminal 1012, and the image forming apparatus 50 each have one unit, but a plurality of units may be used.

Further, the mobile terminal 1012 and the service providing system 10 are connected to the network N2. The mobile terminal 1012 may be other than the network N1 such as an office network, and an example of being connected to the network N1 and the network N2 is shown in FIG.

The service providing system 10 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The service providing system 10 is an example of a system that provides some service to the client terminal 1011, the mobile terminal 1012, and the image forming apparatus 50. The details of the service providing system 10 will be described later.

<Hardware configuration example>
<< Terminal device >>
The client terminal 1011 and the mobile terminal 1012 of FIG. 3 are realized by, for example, an information processing device (computer) having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. Further, one or more information processing devices that realize the service providing system 10 are also realized by the information processing devices (computers) having the hardware configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the terminal device 30 or the service providing system 10. The terminal device 30 of FIG. 4 includes an input device 101, a display device 102, an external I / F 103, a RAM 104, a ROM 105, a CPU 106, a communication I / F 107, an HDD 108, and the like, and each of them is connected to each other by a bus B.

The input device 101 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and is used for the user to input each operation signal. The display device 102 includes a display and the like, and displays the processing result by the terminal device 30. The input device 101 and the display device 102 may be connected and used when necessary.

The communication I / F 107 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 30 to the networks N1 to N2. As a result, the terminal device 30 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 107.

The HDD 108 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include, for example, an OS which is basic software for controlling the entire terminal device 30, application software which provides various functions on the OS, and the like. The terminal device 30 may use a drive device (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) that uses a flash memory as a storage medium instead of the HDD 108.

The external I / F 103 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 103a and the like. As a result, the terminal device 30 can read and / or write to the recording medium 103a via the external I / F 103. The recording medium 103a includes a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

The ROM 105 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) capable of holding programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 105 stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the terminal device 30 is started. The RAM 104 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data.

The CPU 106 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire terminal device 30 by reading programs and data from a storage device such as the ROM 105 and the HDD 108 onto the RAM 104 and executing processing.

The terminal device 30 can realize various processes as described later by the hardware configuration of FIG. Further, one or more information processing devices that realize the service providing system 10 can also realize various processes as described later by the hardware configuration of FIG. It is assumed that the hardware configuration of the firewall FW is not different from the hardware configuration of FIG.

The service providing system 10 may be compatible with cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to a usage mode in which resources on a network are used without being aware of specific hardware resources.

<< Image forming device >>
FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus 50. The image forming apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a control unit 201, an operation panel 202, an external I / F 203, a communication I / F 204, a printer 205, a scanner 206, and the like.

The control unit 201 includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, an NVRAM 214, an HDD 215, and the like. The ROM 213 stores various programs and data. The RAM 212 temporarily holds programs and data. NVRAM 214 stores, for example, setting information and the like. Further, the HDD 215 stores various programs and data.

The CPU 211 realizes control and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 50 by reading programs, data, setting information, etc. from the ROM 213, NVRAM 214, HDD 215, etc. onto the RAM 212 and executing processing.

The operation panel 202 includes an input unit for receiving input from the user and a display unit for displaying. The external I / F 203 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 203a and the like. As a result, the image forming apparatus 50 can read and / or write to the recording medium 203a via the external I / F 203. The recording medium 203a includes an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, a USB memory, and the like.

Further, the communication I / F 204 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 50 to the network N1. As a result, the image forming apparatus 50 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 204. The printer 205 is a printing device for printing print data on an object to be delivered. For example, the object to be transported is not limited to paper such as paper, coated paper, cardboard, OHP, plastic film, prepreg, and copper foil. Further, the scanner 206 is a reading device for reading image data from a document. The image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by the above hardware configuration.

<Software configuration example>
FIG. 6 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device 30, the service providing system 10, and the image forming device 50 included in the job system 100 in a block shape.

<< Terminal device >>
An external application is running on the terminal device 30. The external application is an application that prints electronic data using the job system 100 of the present embodiment. The electronic data is document data, image data, or the like created by a general-purpose application. The external application sends a message such as an image or a processing content to the service providing system 10 by using the message ID acquired from the system administrator M. The "external" of an external application is merely a term for distinguishing it from the management application described later, and the name of the application does not have to be "external".

The terminal device 30 has an operation reception unit 31, a PIN code acquisition unit 32, a display control unit 33, a message transmission unit 34, and a message ID acquisition unit 35. Each of these functions possessed by the terminal device 30 is a function or means realized by the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 4 executing an external application expanded from the HDD 108 to the RAM 104.

The message ID acquisition unit 35 acquires the message ID from the system administrator M or the like. Acquisition means input by a user, capture of a message ID sent by e-mail, decryption of a QR code, or the like. This "acquisition" may be referred to as acquisition or acceptance.

The message transmission unit 34 transmits a message including electronic data to be printed and processing contents to the message ID as a destination. The destination is the service providing system 10. The processing content includes printing conditions (printing settings) such as the number of copies and color / monochrome.

The PIN code acquisition unit 32 acquires a PIN code for specifying a job from the service providing system 10. The display control unit 33 generates a user interface (screen) in obtaining a message ID, transmitting a message, and displaying a PIN code, and displays the user interface (screen) on the display device 102. The operation receiving unit 31 receives various operations of the user with respect to the terminal device 30.

<< Administrator terminal >>
The management application is running on the administrator terminal 70. The management application is an application that manages the service providing system 10, and is mainly used by the system administrator M. According to the operation of the system administrator M, for example, the group setting and the screen definition setting are transmitted to the service providing system 10. In addition, a message ID is issued from the service providing system 10.

The administrator terminal 70 has a message ID receiving unit 71, a display control unit 72, a group setting unit 73, an operation reception unit 74, and a screen definition setting unit 75. Each of these functions possessed by the terminal device 30 is a function or means realized by the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 4 executing a management application expanded from the HDD 108 to the RAM 104.

The group setting unit 73 sets a group for the service providing system 10 according to the operation of the system administrator M. As described above, the message ID and the image forming apparatus 50 are registered in the group in association with each other.

The message ID receiving unit 71 receives one or more message IDs associated with the group set by the group setting unit 73 from the service providing system 10. The screen definition setting unit 75 sets the screen definition in the service providing system 10 according to the designation of the system administrator M. The screen definition is, for example, information that defines a screen displayed by the browser 51 operating in the image forming apparatus 50, and is described by, for example, HTML, JavaScript (registered trademark), and CSS (Cascade Style Sheet).

The display control unit 72 generates a user interface for group setting and screen definition and displays it on the display device 102. The operation reception unit 74 receives various user operations on the administrator terminal 70.

<< Service provision system >>
The service providing system 10 includes a print conversion unit 11, a print data management unit 12, a message receiving unit 13, a job management unit 14, a PIN code generation unit 15, an authentication management unit 16, and a device service unit 19. Each of these functions possessed by the service providing system 10 is a function or means realized by the CPU 106 shown in FIG. 4 executing a program expanded from the HDD 108 to the RAM 104.

The message receiving unit 13 receives a message sent from an external application. The message includes electronic data to be printed and processing contents.

The job management unit 14 manages the execution of the job. If necessary, the authentication management unit 16, the print conversion unit 11, the print data management unit 12, and the PIN code generation unit 15 are called.

First, the authentication management unit 16 authenticates the user. In addition to authenticating the authority to the service providing system 10, when using an external service, proxy authentication of the external service is also performed. The authentication management unit 16 has a message ID generation unit 17 and a group management unit 18. The message ID generation unit 17 generates a message ID in response to a request from the system administrator M. The group management unit 18 generates and records group information in response to a request from the system administrator M. That is, a group is created by associating the message ID with the group ID and stored in the group information storage unit 25. Further, the group management unit 18 inquires about the group information after the group is created.

At the request of the job management unit 14, the print conversion unit 11 converts the electronic data received from the terminal device 30 into a data format (print data) that can be interpreted by the image forming device 50. The print data management unit 12 receives the print data generated by the print conversion unit 11 from the job management unit 14 and stores it in the print data storage unit 22.

Further, the job management unit 14 causes the PIN code generation unit 15 to generate a PIN code for identifying the job. The job management unit 14 outputs a PIN code, a group ID specified by a message ID (for example, an email address) received by the message receiving unit 13, print settings received by the message receiving unit 13, and print data by the print data management unit 12. The saved print data file path is associated and stored in the job information storage unit 23.

The device service unit 19 has an instruction distribution unit 20 and an application distribution unit 21. The command distribution unit 20 requests the job management unit 14 to specify the job in order to distribute the job in response to the request from the image forming apparatus 50. The application distribution unit 21 distributes device application information regarding Web contents displayed / executed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 50. The device application information is a program executed by the image forming apparatus 50. An application realized by such a program is called a Web application. The Web application refers to software or its mechanism that operates by coordinating a program in a script language (for example, JavaScript (registered trademark)) that operates on the browser 51 and a program on the Web server side, and is used on the browser 51. ..

Further, the service providing system 10 includes a print data storage unit 22, a job information storage unit 23, a group information storage unit 25, and a device application information storage unit 24 constructed in at least one of the HDD 108 and the RAM 104 shown in FIG. Have. The print data storage unit 22 stores print data as job data to be executed. The print data is a file in a data format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 50. The job information storage unit 23 stores job information related to the job in association with the print data. Information about the group is stored in the group information storage unit 25 for each group. An example of job information is shown in Table 1, and an example of the group information storage unit 25 is shown in Table 2.

The screen definition 24a and the Web application 24b are stored in the device application information storage unit 24. The screen definition is a web content (web application) displayed and executed on the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 50. The screen definition is a definition of a screen layout described in HTML, JavaScript (registered trademark), CSS, and the like.

Further, the Web application 24b has a print job processing unit 26. The print job processing unit 26 has a function of processing a print job by downloading and executing the image forming apparatus 50. The print job processing unit 26 is, for example, a program described by HTML, JavaScript (registered trademark), and CSS. Actually, it operates in the image forming apparatus 50. That is, the application distribution unit 21 acquires from the device application information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 50, and executes a print job based on a print command from the user.

表１は、ジョブ情報記憶部２３に記憶されるジョブ情報を模式的に示す。ジョブ情報は例えば、ＰＩＮコード、グループＩＤ、印刷設定、及び、印刷データファイルパスの各項目を有する。

Table 1 schematically shows the job information stored in the job information storage unit 23. The job information includes, for example, a PIN code, a group ID, a print setting, and a print data file path.

The PIN code is identification information that uniquely identifies or identifies the job. At least, the information is unique for each group ID. The group ID is identification information that identifies or identifies the group holding the job. ID is an abbreviation for Identification and means an identifier or identification information. An ID refers to a name, a code, a character string, a numerical value, or a combination thereof used to uniquely distinguish a specific object from a plurality of objects. The same applies to the following IDs.

The print settings of the job are registered in the print settings. The print data file path is a path (storage location) to print data that can be printed when the image forming apparatus 50 downloads the image via the browser 51. That is, it is a storage location for print data in the print data storage unit 22.

Table 2 schematically shows the group information stored in the group information storage unit 25. Group information is information about a group. The group information has each item of group ID, group name, message ID, and device ID. The group ID is the same as in Table 1. The group name is the name of the group given by the system administrator M. The message ID is information that associates the external application (terminal device) with the group information. In addition to the e-mail address, a unique value such as a LINE ID or a unique value supported by the service providing system 10 may be used. In addition, a plurality of message IDs may be used. A plurality of service IDs, for example, a LINE ID and an e-mail address may be included in a plurality of message IDs associated with the same group ID.

The device ID is identification information that uniquely identifies or identifies the image forming apparatus 50 registered by the system administrator M. It is used to identify the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group.

<< Image forming device >>
The image forming apparatus 50 has a browser 51 and a controller 52. Each of these functions possessed by the image forming apparatus 50 is a function or means realized by the CPU 211 shown in FIG. 5 executing a program expanded from the HDD 215 to the RAM 212.

The browser 51 has a function of communicating with the service providing system 10 and the like via the network, and displays the Web content acquired from the application distribution unit 21 on the operation panel 202. The browser 51 has an operation reception unit 53 and a display control unit 54. The display control unit 54 displays a screen serving as a user interface on the operation panel 202, and the operation reception unit 53 accepts operations for the user interface.

The controller 52 provides an image processing function including a printing function. Further, the controller 52 may have a function of requesting the authentication management unit 16 to belong to the group according to the operation from the system administrator M.

Further, the image forming apparatus 50 has a device ID 55 in the controller 52, for example. The device ID 55 is assigned by the service providing system 10 when the image forming apparatus 50 is registered in the service providing system 10.

<Operation procedure>
Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the job system 100 will be described by dividing it into several phases.

<< Group registration >>
FIG. 7 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the system administrator M registers a group. In order to create a group, the system administrator M uses a management application running on the administrator terminal 70. The management application cooperates with the authentication management unit 16 of the service providing system 10 to set the group. The display control unit 72 of the management application displays a screen for registering a group.

S1: The system administrator M inputs the group name to the screen for registering the group displayed by the display control unit 72. The operation reception unit 74 receives the group name.

S2: The group setting unit 73 of the management application sends a group creation request including the group name to the service providing system 10.

S3: The authentication management unit 16 of the service providing system 10 receives the group creation request, and the authentication management unit 16 sends the group creation request to the group management unit 18. The group management unit 18 assigns a group ID and registers the group in the group information storage unit 25. The group ID is notified to the management application. The display control unit 72 of the management application displays on the display device 102 that the registration of the group is completed.

S4: Next, the system administrator M assigns the device to the group (registers the device). The system administrator M confirms the device ID of the image forming apparatus 50 from the settings and the like, and inputs the device ID to the registration screen displayed by the display control unit 72. The operation reception unit 74 receives the device ID.

S5: The group setting unit 73 of the management application transmits a device registration request including the device ID and the group ID to the authentication management unit 16. This requires the group and device to be tied together.

S6: The authentication management unit 16 of the service providing system 10 receives the device registration request and sends it to the group management unit 18. The group management unit 18 registers the device in association with the group of the group information storage unit 25. Since the fact that the registration is completed is transmitted to the management application, the display control unit 72 of the management application displays on the display device 102 that the registration of the device is completed.

The authentication management unit 16 may be accessed from the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 50 instead of the management application, and the device may be assigned to the group.

S7: In order to associate the registered group with the external application, the system administrator M further inputs an operation of issuing a message ID as information associated with the external application to the administrator terminal 70. The operation reception unit 74 of the management application accepts this operation.

S8: The group setting unit 73 of the management application transmits a message ID issuance request including the group ID to the authentication management unit 16.

S9: The authentication management unit 16 receives the message ID issuance request and sends the message ID issuance request to the group management unit 18.

S10: The group management unit 18 further sends a message ID issuance request to the message ID generation unit 17. As a result, the message ID generation unit 17 generates a message ID and returns it to the group management unit 18.

S11: When the group management unit 18 receives the message ID, the group information storage unit 25 records the message ID, the group ID, and the device ID in association with each other. The message ID is notified to the management application. Since the fact that the registration is completed is transmitted to the management application, the display control unit 72 of the management application displays the message ID and the fact that the generation is completed on the display device 102.

By the above processing, the group information storage unit 25 is in a state in which the group name, the group ID, the message ID, and the device ID are associated with each other.

The message ID may be, for example, the e-mail address of the destination to which the job is sent in the case of e-mail. The message ID is an arbitrary character string, but the character string can include print settings. For example, the character string "color" may indicate printing in "color".

When limiting the users who can print, the system administrator M can further register the user identification information. Table 3 shows an example of group information having user identification information.

表３のグループ情報では、グループごとに一人以上のユーザＩＤ（ユーザ識別情報の一例）が登録されている。すなわち、システム管理者Ｍによりグループに所属する一人以上のユーザが登録されており、このユーザ以外のユーザはメッセージＩＤを使ってもジョブを登録できない。ユーザＩＤとしては、例えばユーザのメールアドレスを使用できる。

In the group information in Table 3, one or more user IDs (an example of user identification information) are registered for each group. That is, one or more users belonging to the group are registered by the system administrator M, and users other than this user cannot register the job even if the message ID is used. As the user ID, for example, a user's e-mail address can be used.

<< When submitting a job >>
FIG. 8 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the operation of the job system 100 when submitting a job. The message ID generated in FIG. 7 is already known to one or more users by the system administrator M. To print, the user sends a message including electronic data from an external application to the service providing system 10, and stores the message in the service providing system 10 as job information. At this time, the external application acquires the PIN code. After that, the user inputs a PIN code from the image forming apparatus 50, and the image forming apparatus 50 acquires a job on the service providing system 10 and executes printing.

S21: First, the message transmission unit 34 of the external application transmits a message including the electronic data set by the user, the processing content (print setting), and the message ID to the service providing system 10. These three are the information necessary for generating job information.

Example: When the external application is mail software Electronic data: Attached JPEG image Print setting: Mail body Message ID: Destination mail address When the system administrator M has registered user information in the group information, the message receiving unit 13 It is also possible to send a message ID to the authentication management unit 16 to inquire about the group information, check whether it is registered as a user of an external application, and if it is not registered, do not register the job and limit the user. .. For example, when the external application is mail software, it is confirmed whether the sender's mail address is registered in the group information storage unit 25, and if it is not registered, an error notification is returned.

S22: Next, the message receiving unit 13 of the service providing system 10 requests the job management unit 14 to make a job accumulation request including electronic data, print settings, and a message ID.

S23: The job management unit 14 inquires of the authentication management unit 16 for the group information having the message ID acquired from the external application.

S24: The authentication management unit 16 causes the group management unit 18 to search for group information including the received message ID, and returns the corresponding group ID to the job management unit 14.

S25: The job management unit 14 requests the print conversion unit 11 to convert the electronic data into print data.

S26: The print conversion unit 11 converts electronic data into print data and returns the print data to the job management unit 14.

S27: The job management unit 14 requests the print data management unit 12 to save the print data. The print data management unit 12 stores the print data in the print data storage unit 22.

S28: The print data management unit 12 returns the print data file path of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 22 to the job management unit 14.

S29: When the processing up to this point is normally completed, the job management unit 14 requests the PIN code generation unit 15 to generate a PIN code. The PIN code generation unit 15 generates a unique PIN code within the group.

S30: After the PIN code is generated, the job management unit 14 generates job information based on the information (PIN code, group ID, print setting, print data file path) acquired so far, and stores it in the job information storage unit 23. ..

S31: When the saving is completed, the job management unit 14 sends the PIN code to the message receiving unit 13.

S32: The message receiving unit 13 transmits the PIN code to the external application.

S33: For example, the display control unit 33 of the external application presents this PIN code to the user by displaying it on the display device 102.

Example: When the external application is mail software Reply the following contents to the sender's mail address.

Subject: Print [MailPrint] sample.jpg Body: "Enter the following PIN code for printing: 1234567"
If the external application is LINE (registered trademark), the PIN code is displayed as a talk.

As described above, the external application and the user acquire the PIN code for the job registration.

<Content distribution from the service provision system to the image forming device>
FIG. 9 is an example of a diagram illustrating content distribution from the service providing system 10 to the image forming apparatus 50.

The URL of the application distribution unit 21 of the service providing system 10 is preset in the browser 51 installed in the image forming apparatus 50, and when this URL is used as the default URL and activated, the device application is applied to the application distribution unit 21. Make a request to get information.

The device application information includes, for example, a screen definition described in HTML and CSS, and Web contents such as a print job processing unit 26 described in JavaScript (registered trademark). The downloaded Web content is executed on the browser 51, displayed by the display control unit 54 of the browser 51, and a process corresponding to the user's operation is executed.

Further, the application distribution unit 21 corresponds to the application cache, and the content once downloaded is not downloaded again by the browser 51 until the content is updated. The application cache is a technique for locally caching (or storing) HTML, scripts, style sheets, etc. transmitted as Web pages.

In this embodiment, the browser 51 downloads and executes the content of the Web application arranged in the service providing system 10, but the image forming apparatus 50 executes a local application, and this application executes each service providing system 10. A configuration that uses the API (Application Interface) of is also available.

<< Execution of job by entering PIN code >>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 202 by the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 50. FIG. 10A shows a PIN code input screen 501. The PIN code input screen 501 is a screen for the user to input the PIN code. The PIN code input screen 501 has a PIN code input field 502 and an OK button 503. When the user inputs the correct PIN code and presses the OK button 503, the browser 51 downloads the print data from the service providing system 10 and prints the print. During the execution of download and printing, the printing screen 511 of FIG. 10B is displayed. Details will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

The printing screen 511 has a "printing" message 512 and a job cancel button 513. The user can cancel the job (cancel the execution of the job) by pressing the job cancel button 513.
The display control unit 54 of the browser 51 analyzes the screen definition of the device application information transmitted from the service providing system 10 and displays the screen of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which a user executes a job registered in the service providing system 10 by using the image forming apparatus 50.

S41: The user operates the image forming apparatus 50 to activate the browser 51.

S42: The browser 51 requests the controller 52 to acquire the device ID.

S43: The controller 52 reads the device ID 55 from the NVRAM 214 or the like and sends it to the browser 51.

S44: The browser 51 notifies the application distribution unit 21 of the service providing system 10 of the activation.

S45: The application distribution unit 21 acquires a screen definition from the device application information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the browser 51.

S46: The browser 51 receives the screen definition, and the display control unit 54 of the browser 51 analyzes the screen definition and displays the screen on the operation panel 202. The PIN code input screen 501 of FIG. 10A is displayed as the initial screen or by the user's operation.

S47: The user inputs the PIN code on the PIN code input screen 501 and presses the OK button 503. The operation reception unit 31 accepts these operations. As a result, the execution flow of the print job is started.

S48: The browser 51 transmits a job information acquisition request to the instruction distribution unit 20 of the service providing system 10 together with its own device ID and the input PIN code.

S49: The command distribution unit 20 of the service providing system 10 receives the device ID and the PIN code, and uses these to inquire the job management unit 14 for the job.

S50: The job management unit 14 first inquires of the authentication management unit 16 about the group ID of the group having the device ID transmitted by the image forming apparatus 50.

S51: The authentication management unit 16 sends the device ID to the group management unit 18 to acquire the group ID. The group management unit 18 reads the group ID associated with the device ID from the group information storage unit 25. When the user uses the image forming apparatus 50 that does not belong to the group, the PIN code input by the user is not registered in the group of this group ID.

S52: The group management unit 18 sends the read group ID to the authentication management unit 16.

S53: The authentication management unit 16 sends the group ID to the job management unit 14.

S54: The job management unit 14 reads out the job information having the group ID and the PIN code transmitted by the image forming apparatus 50 from the job information storage unit 23. As described in step S50, if the user uses the wrong image forming apparatus 50, an error occurs because the job information cannot be specified by the PIN code. In this case, an error message is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 50. An error message is also returned when the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group is used but the user inputs an incorrect PIN code. Therefore, if the PIN code is not associated with the device ID, the service providing system 10 does not transmit the job information to the image forming apparatus 50. This can prevent the user from executing a job that has not been registered.

In the present embodiment, after the corresponding group ID is specified from the device ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50, the PIN code associated with the specified group ID and the received PIN code are collated to obtain job information. Job information is specified in the flow of specifying. However, for example, if the PIN code is set as a unique code among all groups,
The service providing system 10 does not determine the group ID corresponding to the device ID first, but first determines whether the received PIN code (or the job corresponding to the pin code) is included in all the PIN codes. ..
b. If it is determined that the PIN code is included, it is determined whether the device ID received from the image forming apparatus and the corresponding group ID are associated with the PIN code.
c. Acquire the job information corresponding to the PIN code when it is associated.
It is also possible for the service providing system 10 to specify job information and determine whether or not a request is received from the usable image forming apparatus 50 in the flow of a to c. Therefore, the determination method in steps S49 to S54 may be a determination method such as confirmation of PIN code → confirmation of group ID and device ID.

S55: The job identification unit sends job information to the instruction distribution unit 20.

S56: The command distribution unit 20 transmits job information to the browser 51 of the image forming apparatus 50.

S57: The browser 51 receives the job information, specifies the print data file path included in the job information, and downloads the print data file from the service providing system 10.

S58: The browser 51 sends job information and print data to the controller 52 and requests print execution.

S59: The controller 52 prints print data with the print settings included in the job information.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 50 cannot acquire the job information unless the group and the PIN code specified by the device ID of the image forming apparatus 50 used by the user to execute the job are stored in the job information storage unit 23. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 50 that the user uses to execute the job can be limited.

The processing of steps S49 to S58, that is, when the job corresponding to the PIN code transmitted by the image forming apparatus 50 is associated with the group to which the image forming apparatus 50 belongs, the job is assigned to the image forming apparatus 50. It is a process to send information about.

<Summary>
As described above, the job system 100 of the present embodiment can print by designating a job from the image forming apparatus 50 with a PIN code acquired when the user registers a job from an external application. Since the job information cannot be specified unless the group and PIN code specified by the device ID of the image forming apparatus 50 used by the user to execute the job are stored in the job information storage unit 23, the user cannot execute the job. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 50 that can be used by the user to execute the job can be limited to the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group registered by the system administrator M. Therefore, small-scale and secure printing becomes possible.

In this embodiment, a job system 100 capable of displaying a different screen for each group by the image forming apparatus 50 will be described.

FIG. 12 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device 30, the service providing system 10, and the image forming device 50 included in the job system 100 in a block shape. In the description of FIG. 12, since the components having the same reference numerals in FIG. 6 perform the same function, only the main components of the present embodiment may be mainly described.

First, the device application information storage unit 24 stores a plurality of screen definitions. For example, since the screen definition A is used for the group A and the screen definition B is used for the group B, different screens can be displayed for each group to which the image forming apparatus 50 belongs. In order to realize screen display for each group, the group information of this embodiment includes a screen definition ID.

表４は、グループ情報記憶部２５に記憶されているグループ情報を模式的に示す。本実施例のグループ情報は、グループＩＤ、グループ名、メッセージＩＤ、デバイスＩＤ、及び、画面定義ＩＤの各項目を有する。画面定義ＩＤは画面定義を識別又は特定するための識別情報である。

Table 4 schematically shows the group information stored in the group information storage unit 25. The group information of this embodiment has each item of group ID, group name, message ID, device ID, and screen definition ID. The screen definition ID is identification information for identifying or specifying the screen definition.

The service providing system 10 can change the screen to be displayed by the group by transmitting the screen definition of the screen definition ID stored in the group information to the image forming apparatus 50. For example, if a certain group is used for a specific event, the screen for the event can be changed by making the image forming apparatus 50 belong to the group. After the event ends, the original screen can be returned by deleting the device ID of the image forming apparatus 50 from the group information.

FIG. 13 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the image forming apparatus 50 displays a screen different for each group.

S61: The user operates the image forming apparatus 50 to activate the browser 51. Since the procedure for acquiring the device ID is the same as in FIG. 11, the procedure is omitted.

S62: The browser 51 transmits a screen definition ID acquisition request including the device ID to the command distribution unit 20 of the service providing system 10.

S63: The command distribution unit 20 sends a group information acquisition request including the device ID to the authentication management unit 16.

S64: The authentication management unit 16 sends a group information acquisition request including the device ID to the group management unit 18.

S65: The group management unit 18 reads the group information including the device ID transmitted by the image forming apparatus 50 from the group information storage unit 25 and sends it to the authentication management unit 16.

S66: The authentication management unit 16 sends group information to the instruction distribution unit 20.

S67: The command distribution unit 20 transmits the screen definition ID of the group information to the browser 51.

S68: The browser 51 receives the screen definition ID, and the browser 51 sends a start notification including the screen definition ID to the application distribution unit 21.

S69: The application distribution unit 21 reads the screen definition (screen definition A in the figure) associated with the screen definition ID transmitted by the image forming apparatus 50 from the device application information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the browser 51.

S70: The browser 51 receives the screen definition A, and the display control unit 54 analyzes this and displays the screen on the operation panel.

As described above, the job system 100 of the present embodiment can easily change or base the screen of the image forming apparatus 50 used in a small-scale event by using the screen definitions registered for each group. You can put it back.

In this embodiment, a job system 100 that counts the number of prints and the amount of money for each group will be described.

FIG. 14 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the terminal device 30, the service providing system 10, and the image forming device 50 included in the job system 100 in a block shape. In the description of FIG. 14, since the components having the same reference numerals in FIG. 6 perform the same function, only the main components of the present embodiment may be mainly described.

The service providing system 10 of this embodiment has a billing information management unit 27. The billing information management unit 27 returns the number of prints inquired from the external application to the external application. In order to manage the billing information, the group information storage unit 25 manages the number of prints.

表５は、グループ情報記憶部２５に記憶されている情報を模式的に示す。本実施例のグループ情報は、グループＩＤ、グループ名、メッセージＩＤ、デバイスＩＤ、及び、印刷枚数の各項目を有する。印刷枚数はグループに所属する画像形成装置５０が印刷したページ数である。仮に、印刷金額をグループに記憶させる場合は更に「印刷金額」の項目を追加すればよい。また、印刷枚数を記録せず、グループＩＤに対応付けられたジョブ情報がもつ印刷設定を取得して、各ジョブの情報から印刷金額を算出してもよい。

Table 5 schematically shows the information stored in the group information storage unit 25. The group information of this embodiment has each item of group ID, group name, message ID, device ID, and number of prints. The number of prints is the number of pages printed by the image forming apparatus 50 belonging to the group. If the print amount is to be stored in the group, an item of "print amount" may be added. Further, the print amount may be calculated from the information of each job by acquiring the print setting of the job information associated with the group ID without recording the number of prints.

The number of prints of the group information storage unit 25 can be displayed by an external application via the billing information management unit 27.

FIG. 15 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure in which the service providing system 10 counts the number of prints for each group. The processing of steps S71 to S83 of FIG. 15 may be the same as that of S47 to S59 of FIG.

S84: When printing is completed, the controller 52 notifies the browser 51 of the number of prints.

S85: The browser 51 transmits a job output completion notification including the number of prints and the device ID to the command distribution unit 20.

S86: The command distribution unit 20 sends a job output completion notification including the device ID and the number of prints to the job management unit 14.

S87: The job management unit 14 sends a print number update request including the device ID and the number of prints to the authentication management unit 16.

S88: The authentication management unit 16 sends a print number update request including the device ID and the number of prints to the group management unit 18.

S89: The group management unit 18 updates the number of prints in the group information storage unit 25 by adding the number of prints transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 to the number of prints associated with the device ID.

When finally calculating the print amount, the service providing system 10 performs the following processing.
When the image forming apparatus 50 holds the print unit price, the controller 52 calculates the print amount from the print settings (color / monochrome, paper size) and the number of prints (an example of the amount of job execution), and is the same as the number of prints. Is sent to the service providing system 10. The number of printed sheets and the print amount sent are sent to the group management unit 18 through the command distribution unit 20, the job management unit 14, and the authentication management unit 16, and are recorded in the group information. In this case, as a result, the print unit price is determined for each image forming apparatus 50.

When the service providing system 10 holds the print unit price, the job information is received from the browser 51 at the time of "job output completion notification", the amount is calculated from the job information, and the amount is recorded in the group information. The print unit price can be variously determined depending on the color / monochrome settings and the paper size. In this case, the printing unit price can also be determined for each group.

<Summary>
As described above, the service providing system 10 of this embodiment can record the number of prints and the print amount for each group, and can flexibly charge each group according to the scale and period of the event. Become.

In this embodiment, a service providing system 10 capable of collectively setting print settings for each group or each message ID will be described.

For the functional block diagram of this embodiment, FIG. 6 of Example 1 is incorporated. The job information of this embodiment has a print setting item.

表６は、グループ情報記憶部２５に記憶されているグループ情報を模式的に示す。本実施例のグループ情報は、グループＩＤ、グループ名、メッセージＩＤ、デバイスＩＤ、及び、印刷設定の各項目を有する。

Table 6 schematically shows the group information stored in the group information storage unit 25. The group information of this embodiment has each item of group ID, group name, message ID, device ID, and print setting.

Since the print settings are registered in advance, the user does not need to set the print settings or can easily set the print settings. There are cases where the print settings exist in a one-to-one relationship with the message ID (G001), and there are cases where one print setting exists for each group (G002, G003, G004). In the former example, when there are a plurality of message IDs, there may be as many print settings as there are message IDs.

The group information in Table 6 is supplemented. FIG. 16 is an example of a diagram schematically showing print settings for each message ID or group ID. FIG. 16A shows an example in which a plurality of message IDs exist in the group information. In this case, the terminal device 30 may submit a job to a different message ID even in the same group. Since the print setting is associated with the message ID, the user can use the print setting properly according to the message ID. Alternatively, the print setting can be changed for each user by adjusting the e-mail address notified to the user by the system administrator M. For example, it can be changed through the message ID, such as printing in full color or printing in black and white. Since the group information in FIG. 16B has only one message ID, an example showing an example in which there is only one print setting.

16 (c) and 16 (d) are group information in which print settings are associated with the group ID, not the message ID. In this case, the image forming apparatus 50 executes the job with the print settings associated with the group ID of the group to which the message ID belongs.

If the print setting is associated with both the group ID and the message ID, the service providing system 10 gives priority to the setting of the message ID. When a job is registered to a message ID to which the print settings are not associated, it is possible to apply the print settings of the group.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 50 does not need to transmit the print setting to the service providing system 10. Therefore, the arguments of "send message" in step S21 of FIG. 8 and "print setting" from "job accumulation request" in S22 are unnecessary. Since the print settings are taken out and used from the "job settings" recorded in the group information, printing is possible without the user having to make any obvious settings.

If the image forming apparatus 50 transmits the print settings, the user can print with the print settings of his / her preference by giving priority to the print settings of the user.

In addition, the print settings are reflected when the job is registered. In the "print conversion of image" in step S25 of FIG. 8, the job management unit 14 requests the print conversion unit 11 to perform print conversion using the print settings associated with the message ID or the group ID, so that the message ID or The print settings associated with the group ID can be applied.

<Summary>
As described above, the service providing system 10 of this embodiment can specify the print setting with the message ID designated by the terminal device 30 as the destination by the print setting associated with the message ID or the group ID. You can also use the print settings determined by the group.

The message ID and the print setting may be managed one-to-many, and a plurality of print settings may be used with one message ID.

In this embodiment, a service providing system 10 in which one image forming apparatus 50 can belong to a plurality of groups will be described.

FIG. 17 is an example of a schematic configuration diagram of the job system 100 of this embodiment. One image forming apparatus 50 can belong to a plurality of groups. In the example of the figure, it is shown that the image forming apparatus 50A belongs to the group A and the group B, and the image forming apparatus 50B belongs only to the group B.

E-mail address A belongs to group A, e-mail address B belongs to group B, and e-mail address C belongs to group A and group C. The job transmitted by the e-mail address A can be printed only by the image forming apparatus 50A, and the job transmitted by the e-mail addresses B and C can be printed by both the image forming apparatus 50A and B.

The information of each group at this time is as follows.
・ Group A
Group ID: Group A
Group name: Group A
Message ID: [email address A, email address C]
Device ID: Image forming apparatus 50A
・ Group B
Group ID: Group B
Group name: Group B
Message ID: [email address B, email address C]
Device ID: [Image forming apparatus 50A, Image forming apparatus 50B]
<Summary>
According to this embodiment, since one image forming apparatus 50 can belong to a plurality of groups, a user who uses two groups can print using one image forming apparatus 50. ..

<Other application examples>
Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. And substitutions can be made.

For example, in the present embodiment, the user inputs a PIN code to the operation panel 202 of the image forming apparatus, but the terminal device 30 transmits the PIN code wirelessly such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or NFC (Near Field Communication). May be good.

Further, although it has been explained that the external application operates in the terminal device 30, the browser may operate in the terminal device 30.

In addition, each of Examples 1 to 5 is executed individually, and two or more of them can be arbitrarily combined and applied.

Further, in the present embodiment, the execution of the print job has been described as an example, but the job may be a scan job. In this case, the terminal device 30 does not need to register the electronic data in the service providing system 10, and registers the reading setting. Since the PIN code is acquired by registering the scanning settings, the image forming apparatus 50 can download the scanning settings and scan the document. The image data generated by the scan is uploaded to the service providing system 10 and registered in the group, so that the user can download it on the terminal device.

The image forming apparatus 50 may be an inkjet printer or an electrophotographic printer. Further, the image forming apparatus 50 may be a 3D printer.

Further, in addition to the image forming apparatus 50, the present embodiment can be applied to any device that downloads data and executes a job. For example, there are a game machine that downloads and executes a scenario, a machine tool that downloads and works on a blueprint, and a navigation device that downloads a map and guides it to a destination.

Further, the configuration example shown in FIG. 6 is divided according to the main functions in order to facilitate the understanding of the processing of the terminal device 30, the service providing system 10, and the image forming device 50. The present invention is not limited by the method of dividing the processing unit or the name. Further, the processing of the terminal device 30, the service providing system 10, and the image forming device 50 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Further, one processing unit can be divided so as to include more processing.

The job information storage unit 23 and the group information storage unit 25 are examples of information storage units, the job management unit 14 is an example of job management means, the command distribution unit 20 is an example of transmission means, and an operation reception unit. 53 is an example of reception means, browser 51 is an example of job acquisition means, controller 52 is an example of job execution means, PIN code generation unit 15 is an example of generation means, and print conversion unit 11 is a job. The message receiving unit 13 is an example of a code transmitting means, and the terminal device 30 is an example of a second information processing device.

10 Service provision system 11 Print conversion unit 12 Print data management unit 13 Message reception unit 14 Job management unit 15 PIN code generation unit 16 Authentication management unit 23 Job information storage unit 25 Group information storage unit 30 Terminal device 50 Image forming device 70 Administrator Terminal 100 job system

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-041221

Claims (10)

A job system including an information processing device that accepts job registration and an image forming device that executes a job acquired from the information processing device via a network.
The information processing device is
For each group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, the group designation information specifying the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the job data, and the job. An information storage unit that stores the temporary code generated when data is registered in association with it,
In response to a request to acquire job data from the image forming apparatus including the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the identification information of the image forming apparatus among the job data stored in the information storage unit are described. A job management means that identifies the job data associated with the temporary code,
A transmission means for transmitting the job data specified by the job management means to the image forming apparatus, and a transmission means.
It has a generation means for generating the temporary code when a job registration request is acquired by designating a group from the second information processing apparatus by the group designation information.
The job management means has the temporary code generated by the generation means and the second information in the group to which the image forming apparatus associated with the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus belongs. Register the job data sent from the processing device and register it .
In the information storage unit, a plurality of the group designation information are associated with one group, and further, setting information of a job executed by the image forming apparatus is registered for each group designation information.
It has a job processing means for processing a job with the setting information of the job specified by the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus .
The transmission means transmits the job data processed by the job processing means to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus is
The reception means that accepts the input of the temporary code and
A job acquisition means for transmitting the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code received by the reception means to the information processing apparatus to acquire the job data, and a job acquisition means.
A job execution means that executes a job acquired by the job acquisition means, and a job execution means.
Job system with. The information processing device is
The job system according to claim 1 , further comprising a code transmitting means for transmitting the temporary code generated by the generating means for displaying the temporary code on the second information processing apparatus. The information storage unit stores user identification information for identifying a user of the second information processing apparatus, group designation information, and identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group in association with each other.
When the user identification information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus is not registered in the group of the group designated information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus, the job management means has the second information processing apparatus. The job system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the job data transmitted from the information processing apparatus is not registered. In the information storage unit, the setting information of the job is registered in at least one of the group designated information or the group.
When the group designation information is associated with the setting information of the job, the job processing means processes the job with the setting information of the job associated with the group designation information.
The job system according to claim 3 , wherein when the group designation information is not associated with the setting information of the job, the job is processed by the setting information of the job associated with the group. The information storage unit stores the job data, the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, and the screen definition of the screen displayed by the image forming apparatus in association with each other.
The job management means identifies the screen definition associated with the identification information of the image forming apparatus received from the image forming apparatus from the information storage unit.
The job system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the transmission means transmits the screen definition specified by the job management means to the image forming apparatus. The job acquisition means transmits the execution amount of the job executed by the job execution means to the information processing apparatus together with the identification information of the image forming apparatus.
One of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the job management means registers the execution amount of the job in the information storage unit for each group to which the identification information of the image forming apparatus is associated. The job system described in. The job system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the transmission means does not transmit the job data when the temporary code is not associated with the identification information of the image forming apparatus. .. It is a job execution method performed by a job system having an information processing device that accepts job registration and an image forming device that executes a job acquired from the information processing device via a network.
The information processing device is
For each group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, the group designation information specifying the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the job data, and the job. The job management means refers to the information storage unit that stores the temporary code generated when the data is registered in association with it.
In response to a request to acquire job data from the image forming apparatus including the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the identification information of the image forming apparatus among the job data stored in the information storage unit are described. A step to identify the job data associated with the temporary code, and
A step in which the transmission means transmits the job data specified by the job management means to the image forming apparatus.
When the generation means acquires a job registration request by designating a group from the second information processing apparatus by the group designation information, it has a step of generating the temporary code.
The job management means has the temporary code generated by the generation means and the second information in the group to which the image forming apparatus associated with the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus belongs. Register the job data sent from the processing device and register it .
In the information storage unit, a plurality of the group designation information are associated with one group, and further, setting information of a job executed by the image forming apparatus is registered for each group designation information.
The job processing means has a step of processing a job with the setting information of the job specified by the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus .
The transmission means transmits the job data processed by the job processing means to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus is
The step in which the receiving means accepts the input of the temporary code,
A step in which the job acquisition means transmits the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code received by the reception means to the information processing apparatus to acquire the job data.
The step in which the job execution means executes the job acquired by the job acquisition means, and
Job execution method with. A reception means that accepts the input of temporary codes,
A job acquisition means for transmitting the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus to acquire job data executed by the image forming apparatus, and a job acquisition means.
An information processing device that provides a job to an image forming apparatus having a job execution means for executing a job acquired by the job acquisition means via a network.
For each group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, the group designation information specifying the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the job data, and the job. An information storage unit that stores the temporary code generated when data is registered in association with it,
In response to a request to acquire job data from the image forming apparatus including the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the identification information of the image forming apparatus among the job data stored in the information storage unit are described. A job management means for specifying the job data associated with the temporary code from the information storage unit, and
A transmission means for transmitting the job data specified by the job management means to the image forming apparatus, and a transmission means.
It has a generation means for generating the temporary code when a job registration request is acquired by designating a group from the second information processing apparatus by the group designation information.
The job management means has the temporary code generated by the generation means and the second information in the group to which the image forming apparatus associated with the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus belongs. Register the job data sent from the processing device and register it .
In the information storage unit, a plurality of the group designation information are associated with one group, and further, setting information of a job executed by the image forming apparatus is registered for each group designation information.
It has a job processing means for processing a job with the setting information of the job specified by the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus .
The transmission means is an information processing device that transmits job data processed by the job processing means to the image forming apparatus. A reception means that accepts the input of temporary codes,
A job acquisition means for transmitting the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code received by the receiving means to the information processing apparatus to acquire job data executed by the image forming apparatus, and a job acquisition means.
An information processing device that provides a job to an image forming apparatus having a job execution means for executing a job acquired by the job acquisition means via a network.
For each group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the identification information of the image forming apparatus belonging to the group, the group designation information specifying the group to which the image forming apparatus belongs, the job data, and the job. Refer to the information storage unit that stores the temporary code generated when the data is registered in association with it.
In response to a request to acquire job data from the image forming apparatus including the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the temporary code, the identification information of the image forming apparatus and the identification information of the image forming apparatus among the job data stored in the information storage unit are described. A job management means that identifies the job data associated with the temporary code,
A transmission means for transmitting the job data specified by the job management means to the image forming apparatus, and a transmission means.
When a job registration request is acquired by designating a group from the second information processing device by the group designation information, it is made to function as a generation means for generating the temporary code.
The job management means has the temporary code generated by the generation means and the second information in the group to which the image forming apparatus associated with the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus belongs. Register the job data sent from the processing device and register it .
In the information storage unit, a plurality of the group designation information are associated with one group, and further, setting information of a job executed by the image forming apparatus is registered for each group designation information.
It is made to function as a job processing means for processing a job with the setting information of the job specified by the group designation information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus .
The transmission means is a program that transmits job data processed by the job processing means to the image forming apparatus .

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