JP2012245751A - Device, method and system for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print document data kept by a document edition server in the latest condition when performing print output by acquiring the document data from the document edition server allowing a plurality of users to edit a single document at the same time.SOLUTION: In this device 3 for forming an image, before starting execution of a print job generated based on document data DA acquired from a document edition server 2, the presence of update of the document data DA in the document edition server 2 is confirmed; when the document data DA are updated, a print job is generated by acquiring document data after the updating again; and a print job becoming an execution object is replaced with the print job generated based on the document data after the updating.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming system, and more particularly, to a technique for obtaining document data from a document editing server that allows a plurality of users to edit one document at the same time and performing print output.

  In a network system including a file server, files such as documents used by a plurality of users are centrally managed in the file server. Conventionally, in such a system, when an image forming apparatus that performs print output receives a print request from a computer, the file server is accessed based on the location information of the file that is the target of the print request and held in the file server. A technique has been proposed in which the contents edited in the computer are reflected in the file of the file server by updating the file that has been subjected to the print request (for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a conventional technique, when the image forming apparatus performs print output based on a print request from the computer, the file held in the file server can be updated to the latest one.

  On the other hand, in recent years, with the spread of cloud computing, a document management service using a document editing server having a Web server function and a document editing function is provided. By using such a service, the user can browse the document data held in the document editing server by starting the browser of the computer and accessing the document editing server, and also the document editing function of the document editing server. Thus, an editing operation can be performed while browsing the document data. Further, in such a service, a plurality of users can simultaneously access one document data held in the document editing server. In this case, the document editing server simultaneously receives editing operations from the plurality of users and reflects them in the document data, so that each user can grasp the contents edited by other users in real time. Yes.

  When the document editing server as described above is used, it is not necessary to store document data in a computer used by each user, so that it is possible to reduce risks such as information leakage. In addition, the user has an advantage that the document data can be edited by accessing the document editing server even when away from home.

JP 2007-226541 A

  By the way, when printing out document data held by the document editing server as described above, when a user issues a print instruction to the document editing server with a computer browser activated, the document editing server sends a PDF to the computer. Document data in a general file format such as (Portable Document Format) can be downloaded and imported. Then, the user can obtain the desired printed matter by outputting the document data taken into his / her computer as a print job to an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to the network.

  However, as described above, the document data held in the document editing server can be edited simultaneously by a plurality of users. On the other hand, when another print job is being executed when the image forming apparatus receives a print job, the image forming apparatus stores the received print job and enters a standby state. Therefore, even when the user wants to print the document data held in the document editing server in the latest state, if a standby job has already occurred when the print job based on the document data is input to the image forming apparatus, It takes time until the print job based on the document data is executed, and the document data held in the document editing server may be updated by another user during that time. In this case, there is a problem that, even though the user requests to print the latest document data, the document data that is not the latest is printed when the image forming apparatus performs print output.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image that can print document data held in a document editing server in the latest state. The purpose is to provide a forming system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of users acquire document data from a document editing server capable of simultaneously editing one document, and perform print output. A job storage unit that stores information, a job execution unit that sequentially reads and executes print jobs stored in the job storage unit, and an access information acquisition unit that acquires access information to document data to be printed from the document editing server Access to the document editing server based on the access information obtained by the access information obtaining means, obtain document data to be printed, generate a print job, and store the print job in the job storage means Print job registration means stored in the job storage, and job management means for managing the print jobs stored in the job storage means The job management unit updates the document data in the document editing server before a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is executed by the job execution unit. If the document data has been updated, the updated document data is acquired to generate a print job, and the print job executed by the job execution unit is updated to the updated document data. The print job generated on the basis of the above is replaced with a print job.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when the document data is updated in the document editing server, the job management unit notifies the user who issued a print instruction for the document data. In contrast, an inquiry is made as to whether or not to perform print output based on the updated document data, and the updated document data is acquired based on a response result to the inquiry.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the print job registration unit selects a print target from the document editing server based on the access information acquired by the access information acquisition unit. When the obtained document data is acquired, the time required for acquiring the document data is measured, and the job management unit manages the print jobs that are sequentially read and executed by the job execution unit. The print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is read by the job execution unit and executed at least at the timing before the data acquisition required time. The document editing server is configured to check whether or not the document data is updated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method in which a plurality of users acquire document data from a document editing server capable of simultaneously editing a single document, and perform print output. (A) Printing from the document editing server (B) acquiring access information to the target document data; and (b) accessing the document edit server based on the access information acquired from the document edit server to acquire and print the document data to be printed. Generating a job and storing the print job in a predetermined job storage unit; and (c) reading the print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server from the job storage unit. A step of confirming whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server before being issued and executed; and (d) in the document editing server. If the document data has been updated, the updated document data is acquired again to generate a print job, and the print job to be executed is replaced with a print job generated based on the updated document data. And a step.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the fourth aspect, in the step (d), when the document data is updated in the document editing server, the user who has issued an instruction to print the document data An inquiry is made as to whether or not to perform print output based on the updated document data, and the updated document data is reacquired based on the response to the inquiry.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, in the step (b), when acquiring the document data to be printed from the document editing server, the document data is acquired. In step (c), a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is read from the job storage unit and executed. Whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server is confirmed at least at the timing before the data acquisition time.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document editing server in which a plurality of users can edit one document at the same time, and a document held in the document editing server based on an operation from a user by accessing the document editing server. An image forming system comprising: an information processing apparatus that edits; and an image forming apparatus that obtains document data from the document editing server and performs printout. The information processing apparatus performs printing on the document editing server. The document editing server transmits a print instruction by designating the target document data, and the document editing server receives the print instruction from the information processing apparatus, and sends the document data to be printed to the image forming apparatus. The access information is transmitted, and the image forming apparatus accesses the document editing server based on the access information received from the document editing server. In this configuration, a print job based on the document data is acquired and stored in a predetermined job storage unit, and the print job stored in the job storage unit is sequentially read out and executed. The image forming apparatus confirms whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server before executing the print job based on the document data acquired from the document editing server, and the document data is updated. The updated document data is acquired again to generate a print job, and the print job to be executed is replaced with a print job generated based on the updated document data It is.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the seventh aspect, when the document data is updated in the document editing server, the image forming apparatus updates the information processing apparatus with the updated document. An inquiry is made as to whether or not to perform print output based on the data, and the updated document data is reacquired based on the response result obtained from the information processing apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the image forming apparatus is document data to be printed from the document editing server based on access information received from the document editing server. The time required for data acquisition required to complete the acquisition of the document data, and at least the timing to read out and execute the print job generated based on the document data from the job storage unit Whether the document data is updated in the document editing server is confirmed at a timing before the data acquisition required time.

  According to the present invention, when it takes time until a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is executed, the document editing server performs the processing before the execution of the print job is started. Whether or not the document data is updated is confirmed. When the document data is updated, the updated document data is obtained again, and the print job to be executed is replaced with a print job generated based on the updated document data. It has become. Therefore, even if the document data is updated in the document editing server after the document data is acquired from the document editing server and before the execution of the print job based on the document data is started, The document data can be re-acquired and printed out in the latest state.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data communication until a print instruction output from a computer is input to an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit in the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of job management information. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the timing which confirms the presence or absence of the update of document data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence performed in a control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence of an email reception process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of print job registration processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence of a job management process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process sequence of a job execution start process. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data communication in which the image forming apparatus acquires document data from a document editing server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data communication when a scheduled print start time of a print job in a standby state in the image forming apparatus is approaching. FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 1 has a configuration in which a document editing server 2, an image forming apparatus 3, and a plurality of computers 4 can perform data communication with each other via a network 5. In the example shown in the figure, as a plurality of computers 4, three computers 4 a used by user A, a computer 4 b used by user B, and a computer 4 c used by user C are connected to network 5. Yes. In the example shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 3 and the computers 4 a and 4 b are installed in a base 6 such as a specific office or office, and the document editing server 2 is installed in an environment different from the base 6. Is shown. The network 5 is a complex communication network including, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) laid at the base 6 and a WAN (Wide Area Network) connecting the base 6 and other bases. And the network including the Internet.

  The document editing server 2 is a server device having a Web server function, a document data management function, and an editing function. The document editing server 2 includes a storage device 2a such as a hard disk device, and stores and manages document data DA in the storage device 2a. The document editing server 2 receives user A, B, and C login requests from the computers 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c via the network 5. Then, when the users A, B, and C are logged in, the document editing server 2 accepts an instruction operation from the user, creates document data DA based on the instruction operation, and stores it in the storage device 2a. The document editing server 2 receives an editing instruction from the user, and edits and updates the document data DA stored in the storage device 2a based on the editing instruction.

  Such a document editing server 2 manages, for example, the email addresses of the users A, B, and C in association with the document data DA as an account, and a plurality of users A, B, and C for one document data DA. It is possible to associate C's account. In the document editing server 2, when a plurality of users A, B, and C accounts are associated with one document data DA, the document data DA is data shared by the plurality of users A, B, and C. Accordingly, the plurality of users A, B, and C can perform browsing and editing operations while sharing one document data DA. Further, the document editing server 2 simultaneously receives editing instructions from a plurality of users A, B, and C for one document data DA, and reflects them in real time on the document data DA. Therefore, each user A, B, C can grasp the contents edited by other users in real time.

  The computers 4a, 4b, and 4c are information processing apparatuses configured by a general personal computer (PC) or the like. A browser program for browsing a web page provided by the web server function of the document editing server 2 is installed in each of the computers 4a, 4b, and 4c. Each user A, B, and C is held in the document editing server 2 by starting a browser program in his / her computer 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, accessing the document editing server 2, and logging in to the document editing server 2. The document data DA can be browsed, and editing operations can be performed while browsing the document data DA by the editing function of the document editing server 2.

  For example, in FIG. 1, the computers 4 a and 4 b of the users A and B are installed at the base 6, whereas the computer 4 c of the user C is provided at a point different from the base 6. The user C operates the computer 4c from a different point to connect to the network 5 and further accesses the document editing server 2, so that the same document data as the user A and B is located at a different point from the users A and B. DA can be shared.

  The image forming apparatus 3 is configured by, for example, a multifunction machine or a printer. The image forming apparatus 3 has an image forming function of performing image output on a print sheet or the like by executing a print job and performing print output. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 has a function of transmitting / receiving electronic mail via the network 5. That is, an e-mail address is set in the image forming apparatus 3, and the image forming apparatus 3 monitors the presence / absence of an e-mail addressed to itself at a predetermined time interval, and automatically receives an e-mail addressed to itself. Is configured to do. Further, the image forming apparatus 3 has a browser function for accessing the Web server via the network 5. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 3 can acquire various data from the Web server via the network 5 by operating the browser function. In particular, the image forming apparatus 3 in the present embodiment can automatically acquire the document data DA from the document editing server 2 using the browser function.

  In the image forming system 1 as described above, document data DA shared by a plurality of users A, B, and C is held in the document editing server 2. Then, when each user A, B, C performs an editing operation on the document data DA, a browser program is started in each computer 4a, 4b, 4c, while referring to an editing screen provided by the document editing server 2. The document data DA held in the document editing server 2 is directly edited. According to such a system configuration, since it is not necessary for each computer 4a, 4b, 4c to hold the document data DA, information recorded in the document data DA flows out from each computer 4a, 4b, 4c. There is an advantage that the possibility disappears.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a flow of data communication until a print instruction output from the computer 4 a is input to the image forming apparatus 3 when the user A performs print output of the document data DA held in the document editing server 2. FIG. The user A activates the browser program of the computer 4a, logs into the document editing server 2, and issues a print instruction to the document editing server 2 while browsing the document data DA. At this time, the user A inputs the e-mail address of the image forming apparatus 3 in order to designate the image forming apparatus 3 that prints out the document data DA. By such an operation of the user A, the computer 4a transmits a print instruction D2 to the document editing server 2 (arrow F1). The print instruction D2 includes the e-mail address D3 of the image forming apparatus 3 designated by the user A.

  When the document editing server 2 receives the print instruction D2 from the computer 4a, the document editing server 2 specifies that the user who transmitted the print instruction D2 by the user A account is the user A. Then, the document editing server 2 transmits an invitation mail D4 to the electronic mail address of the image forming apparatus 3 designated by the user A (arrow F2).

  The invitation mail D4 is an e-mail for permitting access to the same document data DA using an e-mail address other than the user A as an account. As shown in FIG. 2, the invitation mail D4 includes access information D5 for accessing the document data DA to be printed, user information D6 regarding the user who sent the print instruction D2, and document data DA to be printed. And document ancillary information D7. The access information D5 is information for accessing the print target document data DA held in the document editing server 2 via the network 5, and is information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The user information D6 is information for identifying the user who has transmitted the print instruction D2, and is information such as the email address, user name, user ID, etc. of the user A, for example. The document ancillary information D7 is information including the number of pages of the document data DA to be printed, an update date and time indicating the date and time when the document data DA is updated, a revision number that is rewritten each time the document data DA is updated.

  Therefore, as the user A operates the computer 4a and transmits the print instruction D2 to the document editing server 2, the image forming apparatus 3 receives the invitation mail D4 as shown in FIG. When receiving the invitation mail D4, the image forming apparatus 3 accesses the document editing server 2 and automatically acquires the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 3 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the image forming apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit 10, a storage device 11, an operation panel 12, a scanner unit 13, a printer unit 14, and a network interface 15, which are a data bus 16. In this configuration, data can be input / output mutually.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 10a and a memory 10b. The CPU 10a reads out and executes various programs stored in the storage device 11, and the memory 10b stores temporary data and the like generated accordingly. It is configured as follows.

  The storage device 11 is configured by, for example, a hard disk device. In the storage device 11, a processing program 17 and a browser program 18 are installed in advance as programs executed by the CPU 10a. Here, the processing program 17 is a basic program in the image forming apparatus 3 and is a program that is read and executed by the CPU 10 a when the image forming apparatus 3 is powered on. When the CPU 10 a executes the processing program 17, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit, and a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 3. The browser program 18 is a program executed by the CPU 10 a when operating the browser function in the image forming apparatus 3. The CPU 10a operates the browser function by executing the browser program 18, and acquires the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2.

  The storage device 11 is provided with a print job storage unit 19 as shown in FIG. The print job storage unit 19 is a storage area for storing the accepted print job when the image forming apparatus 3 accepts the print job. When a print job is stored in the print job storage unit 19, if the previous print job is not executed in the image forming apparatus 3, the print job is quickly read and executed. On the other hand, when a print job is stored in the print job storage unit 19, if a previous print job is being executed in the image forming apparatus 3, the print job waits until execution of the previous print job is completed. It becomes a waiting job. Such standby jobs are read out in the order stored in the print job storage unit 19 and are sequentially executed.

  The operation panel 12 serves as a user interface when the user uses the image forming apparatus 3, and includes a display unit 12 a for displaying various information to the user and an operation for receiving various operations from the user. Part 12b. The scanner unit 13 is for reading an image of a document and generating image data. The printer unit 14 performs image output on a print sheet or the like as a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 3, and is a processing unit that performs the main operation of the image forming function described above. is there. The network interface 15 is for connecting the image forming apparatus 3 to the network 5.

  Next, functions of the control unit 10 realized by the CPU 10a executing the processing program 17 described above in the image forming apparatus 3 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 mainly functions as an e-mail receiving unit 21, an e-mail analyzing unit 22, a print job registration unit 24, a job management unit 28, and a job execution unit 29.

  The e-mail receiving unit 21 is a processing unit that checks the presence / absence of an e-mail transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 via the network interface 15 at regular time intervals and automatically receives an e-mail if there is one. When receiving the electronic mail, the electronic mail receiving unit 21 outputs the received electronic mail to the electronic mail analyzing unit 22.

  The e-mail analyzing unit 22 is a processing unit that analyzes the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving unit 21. The e-mail analyzing unit 22 includes an access information extracting unit 23. When the e-mail is an invitation mail D4 transmitted from the document editing server 2 as a result of analyzing the e-mail, the access information extracting unit 23 To work. The access information extraction unit 23 is a processing unit that extracts access information D5 included in the invitation mail D4. Further, the access information extraction unit 23 extracts not only the access information D5 but also user information D6 and document attached information D7. When the access information extraction unit 23 extracts the access information D5, the user information D6, and the document attachment information D7 included in the invitation mail D4 by the access information extraction unit 23, the electronic mail analysis unit 22 sends the extracted information to the print job registration unit 24. Output.

  The print job registration unit 24 is a processing unit that registers a print job to be executed in the image forming apparatus 3 in the print job storage unit 19. The print job registration unit 24 includes a document data acquisition unit 25, a print job generation unit 26, and a storage / storage unit 27. Among these, the document data acquisition unit 25 and the print job generation unit 26 are processing units that function particularly when the image forming apparatus 3 receives the invitation mail D4.

  The document data acquisition unit 25 is a processing unit that acquires the document data DA from the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5 input from the email analysis unit 22. The document data acquisition unit 25 activates the browser program 18 to operate the browser function. Then, the document data acquisition unit 25 accesses the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5, and automatically logs in to the document editing server 2 using the e-mail address of the image forming apparatus 3 to the document editing server 2. An acquisition request for document data DA to be printed is made. The document data acquisition unit 25 acquires document data DA in a general file format such as PDF transmitted from the document editing server 2.

  In addition, when the document data acquisition unit 25 acquires the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2 as described above, the document data acquisition unit 25 measures the data acquisition time required until the acquisition of the document data DA is completed. . Then, after the acquisition of the document data DA is completed, the measured data acquisition time is associated with the acquired document data DA. Further, when the acquisition of the document data DA is completed, the document data acquisition unit 25 automatically logs out from the document editing server 2 and ends the activation of the browser program 18.

  When the document data DA to be printed is automatically acquired by the document data acquisition unit 25 as described above, the print job generation unit 26 functions next. The print job generation unit 26 performs a RIP (Raster Image Processing) process on the document data DA acquired by the document data acquisition unit 25, thereby printing a general-purpose file format document data DA. A processing unit that converts the data into a print job and generates a print job. When the print job generation unit 26 generates a print job, the print job generation unit 26 outputs the print job to the storage / storage unit 27.

  The storage / save unit 27 performs a process of storing the print job output from the print job generation unit 26 in the print job storage unit 19 and storing it. The storage / storage unit 27 stores not only the print job output from the print job generation unit 26 but also other print jobs in the print job storage unit 19 and stores them. For example, the image forming apparatus 3 can receive a print job output from the computers 4 a and 4 b via the network 5. Therefore, when the print job registration unit 24 receives a print job output from the computers 4 a and 4 b via the network 5, the print job registration unit 24 causes the storage and storage unit 27 to function and stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 19. .

  The print job registration unit 24 is configured to cooperate with the job management unit 28. When a print job is registered in the print job storage unit 19 as described above, the registered print job is registered with the job management unit 28. Outputs information about jobs. The information related to the print job includes various information included in the invitation mail D4 and information related to the data acquisition required time measured by the document data acquisition unit 25.

  The job management unit 28 is a processing unit that manages print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 19. The job management unit 28 holds job management information 28a. When a new print job is registered in the print job storage unit 19 by the print job registration unit 24, the job management unit 28 updates the job management information 28 a accordingly, and the job execution unit 29 updates the print job storage unit 19. When the print job stored in is read and executed, the job management information 28a is updated accordingly.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the job management information 28a. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the job management information 28 a is table information including a job ID 31, user information 32, the number of pages 33, a scheduled execution start time 34, an acquisition source 35, and document information 36. When a new print job is registered in the print job storage unit 19 by the print job registration unit 24, the job management unit 28 issues a unique job ID for the new print job, and the job ID is managed by the job management. Register in the information 28a. The job management unit 28 manages the print job stored in the print job storage unit 19 with the job ID registered in the job management information 28a. When a new print job is registered in the print job storage unit 19 by the print job registration unit 24, the job management unit 28 executes a job ID 31 relating to the new print job, user information 32, page number 33, and execution. The job management information 28a is updated by writing the scheduled start time 34, the acquisition source 35, and the document information 36 at the end of the job management information 28a. In the example of FIG. 5, information about three print jobs is registered.

  The user information 32 included in the job management information 28a is information relating to the user who has issued a print instruction for the print job. For example, the user's e-mail address, user name, user ID, and the like are registered in the user information 32.

  The page number 33 is information indicating the number of pages included in the print job. For example, as the value of the number of pages 33 increases, the time required from the start of execution of the print job to the end thereof increases.

  The scheduled execution start time 34 is a time obtained by the job management unit 28 performing arithmetic processing, and is information indicating a time at which the execution of the print job is started. For example, when a new print job is registered in the print job storage unit 19 by the print job registration unit 24, the job management unit 28 predicts the execution end timing of the print job that is executed before the new print job. Then, the time at which execution of the new print job is started is calculated based on the execution end timing. Then, the job management unit 28 registers the calculated time in the scheduled execution start time 34 of the job management information 28a.

  The acquisition source 35 is information indicating the acquisition source of the print job. For example, when a print job is received from the computers 4a and 4b via the network 5, information indicating that the acquisition source of the print job is an external computer is registered in the acquisition source 35 column. On the other hand, when the document data DA is acquired from the document editing server 2 and a print job is registered, the acquisition source 35 field includes information indicating that the acquisition source of the print job is the document editing server 2. be registered. At this time, access information D5 for accessing the document editing server 2 may be registered in the acquisition source 35.

  The document information 36 is information registered when the print job registered in the print job storage unit 19 by the print job registration unit 24 is a job generated based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2. is there. Registered in the document information 36 is information such as document ancillary information D7 included in the invitation mail D4 and data acquisition time required for acquiring the document data DA from the document editing server 2.

  In the job management information 28a shown in FIG. 5, a print job based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 is registered as the third job. Therefore, after the execution of the first and second print jobs is finished, the print job generated based on the document data DA is executed, and the state stored in the print job storage unit 19 until then is executed. This is a standby job that waits at

  Returning to FIG. 4, the job management unit 28 manages the print order of the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 19 based on the job management information 28a as described above. A target print job is instructed to the job execution unit 29.

  The job execution unit 29 is a processing unit that reads a print job instructed by the job management unit 28 from the print job storage unit 19 and outputs the print job to the printer unit 14 for execution. When the job execution unit 29 outputs a print job to the printer unit 14, the printer unit 14 starts an operation of transferring and fixing a toner image onto a print sheet or the like based on the print job. Is printed out. In this way, the job execution unit 29 sequentially executes the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 19 based on an instruction from the job management unit 28.

  When the job execution unit 29 finishes executing the print job, the job management unit 28 deletes information corresponding to the job from the job management information 28a. Therefore, in the job management information 28a, only the standby job stored in the print job storage unit 19 and in the standby state is managed. The job management unit 28 records and saves the information deleted from the job management information 28a in the job history information, which is not shown.

  When a print job based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 is registered as a standby job in the job management information 28a, the job management unit 28 as described above is executed by the job execution unit 29. The document editing server 2 confirms whether or not the document data DA has been updated at a predetermined timing before being performed. More specifically, the job management unit 28 activates the browser program 18 when it is time to confirm the update of the document data DA. Based on the access information D5, the document editing server 2 is automatically logged in to access the document data DA. Then, after the document data acquisition unit 25 acquires the document data DA, the job management unit 28 checks whether the document data DA held in the document editing server 2 has been updated. For example, the job management unit 28 obtains the document ancillary information D7 at that time from the document editing server 2, and if the update date / time or revision number of the document data DA is changed, the document data DA is updated. Judge that

  When the document data DA is updated, the job management unit 28 causes the document data acquisition unit 25 and the print job generation unit 26 described above to function again, and re-acquires the updated document data DA from the document editing server 2. At the same time, a print job is generated again based on the re-acquired document data DA. Then, the job management unit 28 acquires a print job generated based on the updated document data DA, and the print job generated based on the pre-updated document data DA already stored in the print job storage unit 19. Is replaced with a print job generated based on the updated document data DA. Thereby, when the print job generated based on the pre-update document data DA is executed by the job execution unit 29, the print job generated based on the post-update document data DA is read out. Will be executed.

  If the document data DA has been updated, the job management unit 28 updates the updated data for the user A who has instructed printing of the document data DA before starting reacquisition of the updated document data DA. An inquiry may be made as to whether or not the document data DA is reacquired. Various methods are conceivable as a method for making such an inquiry. For example, a method of sending an e-mail to the user A based on the user information 32 may be adopted, or the computer 4a of the user A may be used. Alternatively, a method of directly sending an inquiry notification may be employed.

  The job management unit 28 waits for a response from the user A to the inquiry until a predetermined time elapses. If there is a response from the user A until the predetermined time elapses, the job management unit 28 updates the document based on the response result. It is determined whether or not the data DA is reacquired. For example, if the response from the user A requests reacquisition, it is determined to reacquire the updated document data DA, and as described above, the document data acquisition unit 25 and the print job generation unit 26 Is made to function again to re-acquire the updated document data DA from the document editing server 2 and to generate a print job again based on the re-acquired document data DA. Then, the print job to be printed is replaced with a print job generated based on the updated document data DA. On the other hand, when the response from the user A does not request reacquisition, the re-acquisition of the updated document data DA is not performed.

  In this way, when the job management unit 28 makes an inquiry to the user A who has given the print instruction whether or not to re-acquire the updated document data DA, whether the document data DA is to be printed in the latest state. It is possible to confirm the intention of the user A about whether or not, and it is possible to perform a print output in accordance with the intention of the user A. However, after making an inquiry to the user A, the job management unit 28 determines to reacquire the updated document data DA when there is no response from the user A and a predetermined time has elapsed. It is preferable to replace the print job. As a result, the document data DA is printed out in the latest state.

  Note that, as a result of checking whether or not the document data DA held in the document editing server 2 has been updated, if the document data DA has not been updated, the document data DA needs to be reacquired. Therefore, the print job already stored in the print job storage unit 19 becomes an execution target as it is.

  The above-described replacement of the print job is preferably completed before the job execution unit 29 starts executing the print job generated based on the document data DA before update. For this reason, when a print job based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 is registered as a standby job, the job management unit 28 sets the scheduled execution start time of the print job and the required time for data acquisition to the job management information. It is configured to check whether or not the document data DA is updated in the document editing server 2 at a timing that is at least a time required for data acquisition from the scheduled execution start time.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the timing for confirming whether or not the document data DA is updated. In FIG. 6, for example, three print jobs “JOB1”, “JOB2”, and “JOB3” are sequentially executed in this order, and the document acquired from the document editing server 2 among these three print jobs. A case where the print job based on the data DA is “JOB3” is shown. In the example of FIG. 6, the scheduled execution start time of “JOB1” is T1, the scheduled execution start time of “JOB2” is T2, and the scheduled execution start time of “JOB3” is T3. Then, assuming that the required data acquisition time required to acquire the document data DA corresponding to “JOB3” is TG, the job management unit 28 has at least the required data acquisition time from the scheduled execution start time T3 of “JOB3”. The document editing server 2 is accessed at a timing Ta that is only TG before, and it is confirmed whether or not the document data DA has been updated.

  By confirming whether or not the document data DA has been updated at the timing Ta, when the document data DA has been updated, the re-acquisition of the updated document data DA is performed until the scheduled execution start time T3 of “JOB3” arrives. Will be able to do. Therefore, if the scheduled execution start time T3 arrives without delaying the execution start of “JOB3”, the execution of “JOB3” can be started with the replaced print job.

  Note that the timing at which the job management unit 28 confirms whether or not the document data DA is updated is not limited to the timing Ta shown in FIG. 6, and may be a timing before the timing Ta shown in FIG. 6. For example, as described above, after confirming that the document data DA has been updated, when inquiring whether to re-acquire the updated document data DA to the user A who has given the print instruction. Waits for a predetermined time until there is a response from the user A, so it is preferable to check whether or not the document data DA is updated at a timing that is earlier than the timing Ta shown in FIG. By doing so, even if the user A is inquired, the execution of the print job corresponding to “JOB3” is started when the scheduled execution start time T3 arrives without delaying the execution start of “JOB3”. Will be able to.

  Next, a specific processing procedure of the control unit 10 configured as described above will be described. 7 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in the control unit 10. First, as shown in FIG. 7, when this process is started, the control unit 10 determines whether or not an e-mail has been received (step S1). As a result, when an electronic mail is received (YES in step S1), the control unit 10 executes an electronic mail reception process (step S2). On the other hand, when no e-mail is received (NO in step S1), the e-mail receiving process is not performed.

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a print job has been generated (step S3). If no print job has been generated (NO in step S3), it is further determined whether a print job has been received via the network 5 (step S4). When the control unit 10 generates a print job (YES in step S3) or receives a print job via the network 5 (YES in step S4), the control unit 10 executes a print job registration process (step S5). . On the other hand, if no print job is generated (NO in step S3) and no print job is received via the network 5 (NO in step S4), the print job registration process is not performed.

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether there is a waiting print job stored in the print job storage unit 19 (step S6). As a result, when there is a waiting print job (YES in step S6), the control unit 10 executes a job management process (step S7). Then, the control unit 10 determines whether or not it is the timing when the execution of the print job stored in the print job storage unit 19 can be started (step S8). Here, for example, it is confirmed whether or not the print job is being executed in the printer unit 14, and it is determined that the print job can be started when the print job is not executed in the printer unit 14. . If it is time to start execution of the print job (YES in step S8), the control unit 10 executes job execution start processing (step S9). On the other hand, if there is no waiting print job in step S6, the job management process (step S7) is not executed, and if it is not the timing at which execution of the print job can be started in step S8, Job execution start processing is not executed. And the control part 10 returns to step S1, and repeatedly performs the process mentioned above.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the e-mail receiving process (step S2). When starting this process, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the received electronic mail is an invitation mail D4 transmitted from the document editing server 2 (step S10). If the received electronic mail is not the invitation mail D4 (NO in step S10), this process ends. However, processing corresponding to the received electronic mail may be performed. On the other hand, when the received electronic mail is the invitation mail D4 (YES in step S10), the control unit 10 extracts the access information D5 from the invitation mail D4 (step S11). At this time, the control unit 10 extracts not only the access information D5 but also the user information D6 and the document attached information D7 included in the invitation mail D4.

  Then, the control unit 10 activates the browser program 18 (step S12), accesses the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5 extracted in step S11, and automatically logs in (step S13). As a result, the control unit 10 can access the document data DA to be printed held in the document editing server 2 using the browser function realized by the browser program 18. Then, the control unit 10 starts downloading the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2 (step S14), and starts measuring the time required for the download acquisition (step S15). Thereafter, when the acquisition of the document data DA from the document editing server 2 is completed (step S16), the control unit 10 ends the time measurement operation (step S17), and acquires the time required for acquiring the document data DA. Memorize as time required.

  Then, the control unit 10 ends the activation of the browser program 18 (step S18), and generates a print job based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 (step S19). Thus, the e-mail reception process (step S2) is completed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of the print job registration process (step S5). When the control unit 10 starts this process, the control unit 10 performs the print job generated by the above-described e-mail reception process (step S2) or the print job received from the other computers 4a and 4b via the network 5. A unique job ID is issued (step S20). The control unit 10 adds the job ID to the print job and saves it in the print job storage unit 19 (step S21). The control unit 10 registers information related to the print job in the job management information 28a (step S22). At this time, the control unit 10 calculates the scheduled execution start time of the print job, registers it in the job management information 28a, and the print job is a print job generated by the above-described e-mail reception process (step S2). In this case, information indicating the document editing server 2 is registered in the field of the acquisition source 35, and the document ancillary information D7 included in the invitation mail D4 and the document data DA are further registered in the field of the document information 36. Register information such as the data acquisition time required for acquisition. This completes the print job registration process (step S5).

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of the job management process (step S7). When starting this process, the control unit 10 reads the job management information 28a (step S30). Then, it is determined whether the print job acquired from the document editing server 2 is registered in the job management information 28a (step S31). As a result, if the print job acquired and generated from the document editing server 2 is not registered (NO in step S31), this process ends.

  On the other hand, when the print job acquired and generated from the document editing server 2 is registered (YES in step S31), the control unit 10 reads the scheduled execution start time of the print job (step S32), and further The data acquisition time is read (step S33). Then, the control unit 10 performs an operation based on the scheduled execution start time and the required data acquisition time, and determines whether or not the current timing is a timing for confirming whether or not the document data DA is updated (step S34). As a result, if it is not time to confirm whether or not the document data DA has been updated (NO in step S34), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is time to check whether or not the document data DA is updated (YES in step S34), the control unit 10 checks in the document editing server 2 whether or not the document data DA is updated in step S35. Proceed with the process.

  Then, the control unit 10 activates the browser program 18 (step S35), accesses the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5, and automatically logs in (step S36). Then, the control unit 10 confirms the document data DA held in the document editing server 2 (step S37), and determines whether or not the document data DA has been updated (step S38).

  As a result, when the document data DA has been updated (YES in step S38), the control unit 10 issues a reacquisition confirmation notification for inquiring reacquisition to the user A who has instructed printing of the document data DA. It transmits to the user A (step S39). Note that this reacquisition confirmation notification may be transmitted to the email address of the user A or directly to the computer 4a of the user A. Then, the control unit 10 waits until a response from the user A is obtained or until a predetermined time elapses, and then determines whether or not to reacquire the document data DA (step S40).

  When the document data DA is reacquired (YES in step S40), the control unit 10 reacquires the document data DA updated from the document editing server 2 (step S41), and the reacquired document data is acquired. A print job is generated based on DA (step S42). Then, the control unit 10 replaces the print job generated based on the document data DA before update with the print job generated based on the document data DA after update (step S43). This print job replacement is performed so that the execution order with other print jobs is not changed. Further, the replacement of the print job is performed until the scheduled execution start time of the print job generated based on the document data DA comes.

  On the other hand, if the document data DA has not been updated (NO in step S38), the above steps S39 to S43 are not performed and the process skips. If the user A does not request reacquisition of the document data DA (NO in step S40), the above steps S41 to S43 are not performed and the process skips. And the control part 10 complete | finishes starting of the browser program 18 (step S44), and complete | finishes this process. This completes the job management process (step S7).

  Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the job execution start process (step S9). When starting this processing, the control unit 10 reads out a print job to be executed from the print job storage unit 19 (step S50), and outputs the read print job to the printer unit 14 (step S51). Then, the control unit 10 causes the printer unit 14 to start print output (step S52). Thereafter, the control unit 10 deletes information related to the print job output from the job management information 28a to the printer unit 14 and updates the job management information 28a (step S53). This completes the job execution start process (step S9).

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, after receiving the invitation mail D4 from the document editing server 2 according to the print instruction D2 of the user A, as shown in FIGS. Operate. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data communication in which the image forming apparatus 3 acquires the document data DA from the document editing server 2. After receiving the invitation mail D4 from the document editing server 2, the image forming apparatus 3 accesses the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5, and acquires the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2 (arrow) F3). Then, the image forming apparatus 3 generates a print job JD based on the document data DA and stores it in the print job storage unit 19.

  At this time, if other print jobs are stored in the print job storage unit 19 first, the image forming apparatus 3 waits until the execution of the other print jobs is completed. save. Even when another print job is already being executed at the timing when the print job JD is generated, the image forming apparatus 3 stores the print job JD as a standby job that waits until the print job being executed ends. To do. In such a case, it takes time until the print output of the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 is started.

  On the other hand, as described above, the document editing server 2 allows a plurality of users A, B, and C to simultaneously perform editing operations on the document data DA. For this reason, after the image forming apparatus 3 acquires the document data DA from the document editing server 2 and before the execution of the print job JD based on the document data DA is started, the other user B, for example, receives the document data DA. There is a possibility of updating to different contents (arrow F4).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a flow of data communication when the scheduled print start time of the print job JD in the standby state in the image forming apparatus 3 is approaching. When the scheduled print start time of the print job JD based on the document data DA approaches, the image forming apparatus 3 accesses the document editing server 2 to check whether the document editing server 2 has been updated or not. Whether or not the data DA is updated is confirmed (arrow F5). When the document data DA held in the document editing server 2 is updated to the document data DB, the image forming apparatus 3 acquires the updated document data DB from the document editing server 2 (arrow F6). Then, the image forming apparatus 3 generates a print job based on the document data DB, and replaces the print job JD whose execution start timing is approaching with a print job generated based on the document data DB.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment acquires and prints out the document data DA held in the document editing server 2, the print job generated based on the document data DA is executed. When the start timing approaches, data communication with the document editing server 2 is performed to check whether the document data DA has been updated. If the document data DA has been updated to the document data DB, The updated document data DB is acquired again to generate a print job, and the print job generated based on the document data DA is replaced with the print job generated based on the document data DB. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 3 can print the document data held in the document editing server 2 in the latest state.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, document data DA held in the document editing server 2 may be edited simultaneously by a plurality of users A, B, and C. In such a case, even if one user A gives a print instruction to print out based on the latest version of the document data DA, the image forming apparatus 3 starts executing the corresponding print job. It takes time until the editing operation is performed by other users B and C, and the document data DA may be updated. Even in such a case, the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment automatically re-acquires the latest version of the document data DB when the execution timing of the print job approaches, and based on the latest version of the document data DB. Therefore, the print output based on the latest version of the document data DB desired by the user A can be satisfactorily performed.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 3 of the present embodiment confirms that the document data DA has been updated in the document editing server 2, the updated document data is sent to the user who has instructed printing of the document data DA. An inquiry may be made as to whether or not to perform print output based on the DB, and the updated document data DB may be acquired based on a response result to the inquiry. With such a configuration, the intention of the user who issued the print instruction can be confirmed, and if the user intends to print out the latest version of the document data DB, the latest version of the document data DB Can be obtained and printed out. Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm the intention of the user who issued the print instruction and perform print output based on the latest version of the document data DB based on the intention of the user.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment acquires the document data DA to be printed from the document editing server 2 based on the access information D5, the data acquisition time required until the acquisition of the document data DA is completed. Measure. Then, the image forming apparatus 3 at the timing of the document editing server 2 at least at the timing before the time required for data acquisition before the timing at which the print job generated based on the document data DA acquired from the document editing server 2 is executed. It is configured to check whether or not the document data DA has been updated. According to such a configuration, when the document data DA held in the document editing server 2 has been updated, the image forming apparatus 3 causes the latest version of the document data DB before the execution of the print job is started. When the print job execution start timing comes, the print job can be executed by replacing the print job generated based on the document data DB. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently acquire the latest version of the document data DB and start execution of the print job without delay.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described contents, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be applied.

  For example, in the image forming system 1 described above, the case where the document editing server 2 is installed at a location different from the base 6 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. It doesn't matter.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Document editing server 3 Image forming apparatus 4 Computer (information processing apparatus)
10 Control Unit 19 Print Job Storage Unit (Job Storage Unit)
21 E-mail receiving unit 22 E-mail analyzing unit 23 Access information extracting unit (access information acquiring means)
24 Print Job Registration Unit (Print Job Registration Unit)
25 Job management section (job management means)
29 Job execution unit (job execution means)

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus that obtains document data from a document editing server capable of simultaneously editing a single document by a plurality of users and performs printout.
Job storage means for storing print jobs;
Job execution means for sequentially reading and executing print jobs stored in the job storage means;
Access information acquisition means for acquiring access information for document data to be printed from the document editing server;
Based on the access information acquired by the access information acquisition unit, the document editing server is accessed, the document data to be printed is acquired to generate a print job, and the print job is stored in the job storage unit. Print job registration means;
Job management means for managing print jobs stored in the job storage means;
With
The job management unit confirms whether or not the document editing server has been updated before a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is executed by the job execution unit. If the document data has been updated, the updated document data is acquired to generate a print job, and the print job to be executed by the job execution unit is generated based on the updated document data. The image forming apparatus is replaced with a print job.   When the document data is updated in the document editing server, the job management unit inquires whether or not to perform print output based on the updated document data to a user who has instructed printing of the document data 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the updated document data is acquired based on a response result to the inquiry. When the print job registration unit acquires document data to be printed from the document editing server based on the access information acquired by the access information acquisition unit, data acquisition required until the acquisition of the document data is completed Measure the time required,
The job management means manages print jobs that are sequentially read and executed by the job execution means, and print jobs generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server are read by the job execution means. The presence or absence of the update of the said document data in the said document edit server is confirmed at the timing at least before the said data acquisition required time before the timing to be issued and executed. Image forming apparatus. An image forming method in which a plurality of users acquire document data from a document editing server capable of simultaneously editing a single document and perform printout.
(a) obtaining access information for document data to be printed from the document editing server;
(b) Accessing the document editing server based on the access information acquired from the document editing server, acquiring document data to be printed, generating a print job, and storing the print job in a predetermined job storage Storing in the means;
(c) Before a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is read from the job storage unit and executed, whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server is checked. Steps to check,
(d) When the document data is updated in the document editing server, the updated document data is acquired again to generate a print job, and the print job to be executed is based on the updated document data. Replacing the generated print job with
An image forming method comprising:   In the step (d), when the document data is updated in the document editing server, whether or not to perform print output based on the updated document data for the user who has instructed printing of the document data 5. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein re-acquisition of the updated document data is performed based on a response result to the inquiry. In the step (b), when acquiring document data to be printed from the document editing server, the time required for data acquisition required until the document data acquisition is completed is measured.
The step (c) includes at least a time required for the data acquisition before a timing at which a print job generated based on the document data acquired from the document editing server is read from the job storage unit and executed. 6. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server is confirmed at the timing of A document editing server that allows multiple users to edit one document at the same time;
An information processing apparatus that accesses the document editing server and edits a document held in the document editing server based on an operation from a user;
An image forming apparatus that obtains document data from the document editing server and performs printout; and
An image forming system comprising:
The information processing apparatus transmits a print instruction specifying document data to be printed to the document editing server;
The document editing server transmits access information to document data to be printed to the image forming apparatus in response to receiving a print instruction from the information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus accesses the document editing server based on access information received from the document editing server, acquires document data to be printed, and stores a print job based on the document data in a predetermined job storage unit. And a print output by sequentially reading and executing the print jobs stored in the job storage means,
The image forming apparatus confirms whether or not the document data is updated in the document editing server before executing a print job based on the document data acquired from the document editing server, and the document data is updated. An image forming system characterized by re-acquiring the updated document data to generate a print job and replacing the print job to be executed with a print job generated based on the updated document data .   When the document data has been updated in the document editing server, the image forming apparatus inquires of the information processing apparatus whether to perform print output based on the updated document data, and the information processing The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the updated document data is reacquired based on a response result obtained from the apparatus.   When the image forming apparatus acquires document data to be printed from the document editing server based on the access information received from the document editing server, the image forming apparatus calculates a data acquisition time required until the document data acquisition is completed. Update the document data in the document editing server at a timing that is at least the time required for the data acquisition before the timing to read and execute the print job generated based on the document data from the job storage means The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the presence or absence of the image is confirmed.

Images