JP6372181B2 - Output system, output control system, program, and output method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an output system, an output control system , a program, and an output method.

  A so-called pull printing system in which print target data is designated from the printing apparatus side, and print target data based on the designation or a print job based on the print target data is fetched to the printing apparatus side via a communication line and printed is output. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The pull print system stores a print job in a storage destination when a user selects a printer driver from an application program and requests printing. For example, the storage destination of the print job is determined by the storage setting of the printer driver. However, there is a problem that a print job once stored in the storage destination cannot be stored again in another storage destination.

  Such a problem is not limited to a printing system such as a pull printing system, but also exists in an output system that outputs a job stored in a storage destination by a user from an output device such as a projector or a monitor.

The embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above points. An output system, an output control system , a program, and an output that can re-store output data stored in one storage destination in another storage destination. It aims to provide a method.

In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application is an output system in which one or more terminal devices and output devices and an output control system composed of one or more information processing devices are connected via a network. Storage control means for storing output data in the terminal device or the output control system, output data related information holding means for holding output data related information relating to the stored output data in the output control system, and the terminal A change request for changing a storage destination of output data stored in a device or the output control system is received from a user, a storage destination of output data is changed according to the change request, and a change of the storage destination of the output data is changed In the output data moving means to be reflected in the output data related information held by the output data related information holding means, and the output device, Based on the output data related information received from the serial output control system, it has a, and output means for outputting the output data to obtain the output data stored in the terminal or the output control system, the output data movement The means receives a designation of a new storage destination of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, and then receives a new storage destination from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system. The output data list excluding the output data stored in is displayed to the user, and designation of output data for changing the storage destination is received from the user from the output data list .

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the output data stored in one storage destination can be stored again in another storage destination.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of a printing system concerning this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the computer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal before the software package concerning this embodiment is installed. It is a block diagram of an example of the software package which concerns on this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal after the software package concerning this embodiment is installed. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a rule-based printing control plug-in. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a job accumulation plug-in. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a proxy printing plug-in. It is a processing block diagram of an example of an account plug-in. It is a process block diagram of an example of the print server apparatus concerning this embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of print job information. FIG. It is a block diagram of an example of proxy user information. It is an image figure of an example of a basic setting screen. It is an image figure of the other example of a basic setting screen. It is an image figure of an example of a server setting screen. It is an image figure of an example of a job accumulation setting screen. It is an image figure of an example of a proxy printing setting screen. It is an image figure of an example of an account setting screen. It is an image figure of an example of a print setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job accumulation process. It is an image figure of an example of a function selection screen. It is a block diagram of an example of account information. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process for re-accumulating print data accumulated in a client terminal in a print server device. 6 is an image diagram of an example of a print job information list screen. FIG. It is an image figure of an example of a storage destination selection screen. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for re-accumulating print data accumulated in one client terminal in another client terminal. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process for re-accumulating print data accumulated in a print server device in a client terminal. FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a print data movement process selection screen. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a print job output process. 10 is a flowchart of another example of print job output processing. 6 is an image diagram of an example of a print job information list screen. FIG.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a printing system as an example of an output system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the printing system. The output system may be any system that outputs jobs stored in the storage destination in addition to the projection system and the display system.
[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. 1 includes an administrator terminal 11, an application server device 12, an authentication server device 13, a print server device 14, a client terminal 16, a shared output device 17, a portable terminal connected via a network N1 such as a LAN. 18 The printing system 1 has a local output device 15 connected to the client terminal 16.

  The administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, the local output device 15, the client terminal 16, the shared output device 17, and the portable terminal 18 have wireless or wired communication means. Yes.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which there is one administrator terminal 11, application server apparatus 12, authentication server apparatus 13, print server apparatus 14, local output apparatus 15, client terminal 16, shared output apparatus 17, and portable terminal 18. However, there may be more than one.

  The administrator terminal 11 is an information processing apparatus (computer) such as a PC used by the administrator. Based on a request from the administrator, the administrator terminal 11 performs settings and the like for each user's client terminal 16, and connects the set contents (setting data) via the network N1, such as the application server device 12 and the client terminal 16. Can be sent to the device.

  The application server device 12 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The application server device 12 has application software such as print application software distributed to the client terminal 16 and print setting data that is setting data related to the application software. The application server device 12 distributes the print application software and print setting data that it holds to the client terminal 16.

  The authentication server device 13 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The authentication server device 13 holds user information and performs authentication based on a request from the output device 17 or the like. The print server device 14 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The print server device 14 holds print data and print job information. The print server device 14 transmits print data and print job information to the output device 17 and the like based on a request from the output device 17 and the like.

  The print server device 14 holds output data related information (such as bibliographic information of print data) that is information related to output data such as print data and output data such as print job information, and transmits the data to the output device 17 and the like. It is an example.

  For example, if the output device 17 is a projector, the print server device 14 holds display data (output data) to be displayed and output (projected) using the projector. The print server device 14 can also hold settings (output data related information) such as a display method for display output. The print server device 14 can also hold both print data and display data. The print server device 14 transmits output data corresponding to the output device 17 to a plurality of output devices 17 that output different output data, such as a multifunction device that prints out print data and a projector that displays and outputs display data. Alternatively, output data related information can be transmitted. Therefore, the application range of the present invention is not limited to print data and print job information.

  The output device 15 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer that is directly connected to the client terminal 16 by wired or wireless communication. The output device 15 is an image forming device such as a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or a laser printer, a projection device or display device that performs display output from a projector or a monitor, a sound output device that outputs sound data such as audio, and the like It may be.

  The client terminal 16 is an information processing apparatus such as a PC used by a user. The portable terminal 18 is also an information processing device such as a PC used by the user. The client terminal 16 and the mobile terminal 18 are terminal devices such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, and a PC. In the printing system 1 of FIG. 1, the client terminal 16 on which the printing application software is installed and the mobile terminal 18 on which the printing application software is not installed are described separately, but it is not always necessary to distinguish them.

  The output device 17 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to the network N1 by wired or wireless communication. The output device 17 outputs sound data such as audio from image forming devices such as printers, copiers, multifunction devices, and laser printers, as well as projection devices and display devices that execute display output from projectors and monitors. It may be a device.

  Note that the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example, and may have a configuration without the application server device 12 or a configuration in which the functions of the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14 are realized by a single device. .

<Hardware configuration>
The administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, the client terminal 16, and the mobile terminal 18 in FIG. 1 are realized by a computer having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment.

  A computer 500 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, an HDD 508, and the like. . Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The input device 501 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 502 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer 500.

  A communication I / F 507 is an interface for connecting the computer 500 to the network N1. Thereby, the computer 500 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 507.

  The HDD 508 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer 500, application software that provides various functions on the OS, and the like.

  The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 503a. Accordingly, the computer 500 can read and / or write the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503. Examples of the recording medium 503a include a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The ROM 505 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 is started. The RAM 504 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 506 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 500 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 and the HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executing processing.

  The administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, the client terminal 16, and the portable terminal 18 according to the present embodiment implement various processes as described later by the hardware configuration of the computer 500. it can.

<Software configuration>
<Client terminal>
The client terminal 16 before the software package according to the present embodiment is installed is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal before the software package according to the present embodiment is installed.

  The client terminal 16 shown in FIG. 3 implements a document creation application 21, a virtual printer driver 22, a real printer driver 23, a plug-in 24, a platform API 25, a platform 26, and a storage unit 27 by executing a program.

  One or more plug-ins 31 can be mounted on the plug-in 24. The platform 26 includes a display control (UI control) unit 41, a setting unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The document creation application 21 is an example of an application that receives a print request from a user. The document creation application 21 is an example and may be any application that accepts an output request such as printing from the user.

  The virtual printer driver 22 is a printer driver that converts application data into intermediate print data independent of the model and outputs the intermediate print data. The intermediate print data is print data that does not depend on the model of the output device 17 or the like. Data in the XPS (XML Paper Specification) format is an example of intermediate print data. Application data is an example of output target data. The virtual printer driver 22 may include a virtual printer driver for the plug-in 31 for using the plug-in 31, for example.

  The actual printer driver 23 is a printer driver that converts intermediate print data into actual print data in a format that can be printed by the output device 15 or the output device 17 and outputs it. RAW format data is an example of actual print data.

  The plug-in 24 is software that operates on the platform 26. The plug-in 24 can use the functions of the platform 26 by using the platform API 25.

  The platform API 25 is an interface for the plug-in 24 to use the functions of the platform 26. The platform API 25 is a predefined interface provided for the platform 26 to receive a request from the plug-in 24, and is configured by, for example, a function or a class.

  The display control unit 41 of the platform 26 controls the display of the display device 502 based on a request from the document creation application 21 or the plug-in 24, for example. The setting unit 42 sets the plug-in 24. The communication unit 43 executes communication with the print server device 14 and the like. The storage unit 27 stores settings and the like.

  The client terminal 16 consolidates the processing by consolidating functions commonly used by the plug-ins 24 into the platform 26. Note that the classification form of the processing block diagram of FIG. 3 is an example, and it is not essential to be classified in the hierarchy as shown in FIG.

  Further, the plug-in 24 can be installed from the application server device 12 using the software package shown in FIG. 4, for example, and the setting data regarding each plug-in 24 can be installed in the same manner.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of a software package according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the software package 50 includes a function plug-in 51, a main body 52, and a virtual printer driver 22a.

  The main body 52 includes a rule-based print control plug-in 64. The function plug-in 51 includes an independent job storage plug-in 61, proxy printing plug-in 62, and account plug-in 63. The job storage plug-in 61, the proxy printing plug-in 62, and the account plug-in 63 can be added and used as appropriate. That is, it is not essential that all three are prepared, and only a desired plug-in can be selected and provided as a software package.

  The software package 50 in FIG. 4 shows an example in which the function plug-in 51 and the main body 52 are separated, but it is not essential to separate them as shown in FIG. The software package 50 may be provided by a single plug-in, or the plug-in may be configured by a method other than that shown in FIG. For example, the software package 50 may treat the main body 52 as a plug-in in parallel with the function plug-in 51. The virtual printer driver 22 a is not essential for the software package 50 and may be provided separately from the software package 50.

  Further, the client terminal 16 after the software package 50 according to the present embodiment is installed is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal after the software package according to the present embodiment is installed. The client terminal 16 shown in FIG. 5 represents an example in which the software package 50 of FIG. 4 is installed in the client terminal 16 shown in FIG.

  The client terminal 16 shown in FIG. 5 has a configuration in which a virtual printer driver 22a, a job storage plug-in 61, a proxy print plug-in 62, an account plug-in 63, and a rule-based print control plug-in 64 are added to the client terminal 16 shown in FIG. It is.

  The virtual printer driver 22a is an example of a virtual printer driver for using the job storage plug-in 61, proxy print plug-in 62, account plug-in 63, and rule-based print control plug-in 64 shown in FIG. The virtual printer driver 22a is a printer driver that converts application data into intermediate print data independent of the model and outputs the intermediate print data.

  The intermediate print data is print data that does not depend on the model of the output device 17 or the like. Data in the XPS (XML Paper Specification) format is an example of intermediate print data. Application data is an example of output target data.

  The rule-based print control plug-in 64 performs print flow control. The job storage plug-in 61 performs processing related to storage of print jobs. The proxy printing plug-in 62 performs processing related to proxy printing (proxy output). The account plug-in 63 performs processing related to the account. For example, the account plug-in 63 generates account information in an output process performed in the local output device 15 or an output process in which output to the output device 15 is performed without going through the print server device 14, and stores the account log. Process to send.

  Note that the plug-in 24 can be appropriately installed and used by the administrator or the user, and is not necessarily limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

<Rule-based printing control plug-in>
The rule base print control plug-in 64 of the client terminal 16 is realized by the processing block shown in FIG. 6, for example. FIG. 6 is a processing block diagram illustrating an example of a rule-based print control plug-in. The rule-based print control plug-in 64 in FIG. 6 includes a print flow control unit 71, a display unit 72, a print flow setting unit 73, a setting management unit 74, and a setting information holding unit 75.

  The print flow control unit 71 controls execution of a print flow (processing flow). The display unit 72 displays a function selection screen, which will be described later, on the display device 502 or the like. The print flow setting unit 73 receives a print flow setting.

  The setting management unit 74 manages various settings of each plug-in 24 mounted on the client terminal 16 using, for example, the software package 50 of FIG. For example, although the content that can be set varies depending on the status of the function plug-in 51 to be added, the setting management unit 74 manages the content that can be set. The setting information holding unit 75 holds setting information (information related to setting items) for the rule-based printing control plug-in 64 to perform setting for itself. Note that the actually set contents are stored in the storage unit 27 by the setting unit 42 of the platform 26 as described later.

《Job accumulation plug-in》
The job storage plug-in 61 of the client terminal 16 is realized by the processing block shown in FIG. 7, for example. FIG. 7 is a processing block diagram of an example of a job storage plug-in. 7 includes a print data storage unit 81, a print job management unit 82, a server connection unit 83, a print data movement unit 84, a print job information holding unit 85, and a setting information holding unit 86. doing.

  The print data storage unit 81 stores print data in the storage unit 27 and the like. The print job management unit 82 manages print jobs. The server connection unit 83 connects to the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14. The print data moving unit 84 performs processing for changing the print data storage location.

  For example, the print data moving unit 84 performs processing for moving print data from the client terminal 16 to the print server device 14 and processing for moving print data from the print server device 14 to the client terminal 16. Further, the print data moving unit 84 performs a process for moving the print data from one client terminal 16 to another client terminal 16.

  The print job information holding unit 85 holds print job information that is information related to the print job. The setting information holding unit 86 holds setting information (information related to setting items) for the job storage plug-in 61 to perform setting for itself.

《Proxy printing plug-in》
The proxy printing plug-in 62 of the client terminal 16 is realized by the processing block shown in FIG. 8, for example. FIG. 8 is a processing block diagram of an example of the proxy printing plug-in. The proxy printing plug-in 62 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a user information adding unit 91, a proxy user management unit 92, a server connection unit 93, a proxy user information holding unit 94, and a setting information holding unit 95.

  The user information adding unit 91 adds proxy user information such as a proxy user ID to the print job information. The proxy user management unit 92 manages proxy user information. The server connection unit 93 connects to the authentication server device 13 and the like. The proxy user information holding unit 94 holds proxy user information that is information related to the proxy user. The setting information holding unit 95 holds setting information (information on setting items) for the proxy printing plug-in 62 to perform setting for itself.

《Account plug-in》
The account plug-in 63 of the client terminal 16 is realized by the processing block shown in FIG. 9, for example. FIG. 9 is a processing block diagram of an example of an account plug-in. The account plug-in 63 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes an authentication processing unit 101, a print control unit 102, an account control unit 103, and a setting information holding unit 104.

  The authentication processing unit 101 performs processing related to authentication. The print control unit 102 performs processing related to print control. The account control unit 103 performs processing related to account control. In addition, the setting information holding unit 104 holds setting information (information regarding setting items) for the account plug-in 63 to perform setting for itself.

<Print server device>
The print server device 14 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a processing block diagram of an example of the print server apparatus according to the present embodiment. The print server device 14 of FIG. 10 executes a program to realize a print control unit 111, an account control unit 112, a print data moving unit 113, a print data holding unit 114, and a print job information holding unit 115.

  The print data holding unit 114 holds print data. The print job information holding unit 115 holds print job information. The print control unit 111 receives a request for print job information from the output device 17 or the like, and provides the print job information to the output device 17 or the like. In addition, the print control unit 111 receives a request for print data from the output device 17 or the like, and provides the print data held by the print data holding unit 114 to the output device 17 or the like.

  The account control unit 112 receives the account information of the print data executed based on the print job information from the output device 17 and transmits the account information of the print data to the account storage unit of the authentication server device 13 for storage. Note that the account control unit 112 may store the account information of the print data other than the account storage unit of the authentication server device 13.

<Print Job Information>
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an example of print job information. The print job information in FIG. 11 has data items such as job ID, job name, storage destination, storage format, user ID, proxy user ID, date, color mode information, number of copies, duplex information, aggregation information, and file path. ing.

  The job ID is print job identification information. The job name is the name of the print job. The storage destination indicates a location (apparatus such as the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16) where intermediate print data or actual print data is stored. For example, when the storage destination is “Server01”, the actual print data is stored in the print server device 14.

  The print server device 14 may receive the intermediate print data and accumulate the intermediate print data. The print server device 14 may convert the intermediate print data into actual print data and provide the actual print data as necessary, for example, when the actual print data is requested from the output device 17 or the like.

  When the storage destination is “Client01” or “Client02”, the intermediate print data or the actual print data is stored in the client terminal 16 specified by “Client01” or “Client02”. For example, the output device 17 controls the request destination of print data according to the print job information shown in FIG.

  The storage format indicates the format of print data stored in the storage destination. In the print job information of FIG. 11, when the storage format is “XPS”, it indicates that intermediate print data is stored at the storage destination. When the storage format is “PCL”, actual print data is stored at the storage destination. Indicates that

  The intermediate print data is print data in a format in which common specifications regarding the format are publicly disclosed and re-editing is easy. The data format of the intermediate print data is not limited to XPS (XML Paper Specification). For example, the data format of the intermediate print data may be PDF (Portable Document Format).

  On the other hand, the actual print data is PDL (Page Description Language) print data depending on the output device 17 or the like. Note that the data format of actual print data is not limited to PCL (Printer Control Language). For example, the data format of the actual print data may be PS (Post Script).

  The user ID is user identification information indicating the owner of the print data. The proxy user ID is a user ID of a proxy user who can print a print job. For example, when a user with a user ID “11” logs in, a print job with a job ID “4” in which the user with the user ID “11” is the owner is set on the display device such as an operation panel of the output device 17 as a proxy user. The print job with the current job ID “2” is displayed.

  The date is the date when the print job was generated. The color mode, number of copies, duplex information, and aggregate information are examples of print settings. The file path indicates a location where intermediate print data or actual print data is stored (location of intermediate print data or actual print data in a device such as the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16).

《Proxy user information》
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an example of proxy user information. The proxy user information is information for associating the user ID and the proxy user ID. For example, in the proxy user information in FIG. 12, users with user IDs “11” and “12” are set as proxy users of the user with user ID “1”.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

"basic setting"
The client terminal 16 on which the software package 50 according to the present embodiment is installed receives basic settings for printing operation from the basic setting screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an image diagram of an example of a basic setting screen. In the basic setting screen 1000 of FIG. 13, the software package 50 according to the present embodiment is described as “print application”. Hereinafter, the software package 50 according to the present embodiment is referred to as a print application.

  The basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 shows an example when the number of function plug-ins 51 is three, that is, a job storage plug-in 61, a proxy printing plug-in 62, and an account plug-in 63. Therefore, in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13, the child nodes “job accumulation setting” and “proxy” corresponding to the job accumulation plug-in 61, the proxy printing plug-in 62, and the account plug-in 63 are displayed below the printing application. “Print Settings” and “Account Settings” are displayed. Further, since the number of function plug-ins 51 is one or more, a child node “common setting” is displayed under the print application in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows an example of the basic setting screen 1000 when the “print application” in the left column is selected.

  In addition, the right column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 includes a check box for setting whether to select a function during printing. A check box for setting whether or not to select a function at the time of printing is hidden when the number of function plug-ins 51 is 0 or 1.

  Further, the right column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 includes radio buttons for selecting functions to be executed at the time of printing. A radio button for selecting a function to be executed at the time of printing is hidden when the number of function plug-ins 51 is 0 or 1. In addition, the right column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 includes a check box for setting whether to execute a workflow using a rule file customized at the time of printing.

  When the number of function plug-ins 51 is two or more and the user uninstalls the function plug-in 51 selected as the “function to be executed at the time of printing”, the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. Operates as follows according to the number of remaining function plug-ins 51.

  When there are two or more remaining function plug-ins 51, “functions executed at the time of printing” are automatically selected as “functions executed at the time of printing” according to the priority order from the remaining function plug-ins 51. Is selected. For example, the priority order may be set in the order of the job storage plug-in 61, the proxy printing plug-in 62, and the account plug-in 63. When there is only one remaining function plug-in 51, the remaining function plug-ins 51 are automatically selected as “functions executed during printing” as “functions executed during printing”.

  When the number of function plug-ins 51 is one, the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 changes like a basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. FIG. 14 is an image diagram of another example of the basic setting screen. The basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. 14 shows an example when the function plug-in 51 is one of the job storage plug-ins 61.

  Accordingly, a child node “job accumulation setting” corresponding to the job accumulation plug-in 61 is displayed below the print application in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. Further, since the number of function plug-ins 51 is 1 or more, a child node “common setting” is displayed under the print application in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. In addition, the right column of the basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. 14 includes a check box for setting whether to execute a workflow using a rule file customized at the time of printing.

  The basic setting screen 1000a in FIG. 14 corresponds to the case where the number of function plug-ins 51 is 0 or 1. Therefore, a check box for setting whether to select a function at the time of printing, and a function to be executed at the time of printing. The radio button for selecting is hidden.

<Server settings>
When “common setting” in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 is selected, the client terminal 16 receives server settings for the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14 from the server setting screen 1010 shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an image diagram of an example of a server setting screen.

  In the server setting screen 1010 shown in FIG. 15, only a part for accepting server settings for the authentication server device 13 is displayed, but a part for accepting server settings for the print server device 14 can be displayed by operating the vertical scroll bar. .

  In the right column of the server setting screen 1010 in FIG. 15, items for performing server settings for the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14 are displayed. First, the right column of the server setting screen 1010 includes a check box for setting the secondary server of the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14 that are enabled during the failover operation. When the check box for setting a secondary server to be enabled at the time of failover operation is checked, the setting field of the selected secondary server is enabled.

  The right column of the server setting screen 1010 includes an edit box for setting a time for waiting for a response from the authentication server device 13 or the print server device 14 as the primary server as a connection timeout as a connection timeout.

  Further, the right column of the server setting screen 1010 includes setting columns for the primary server and the secondary server of the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14. The primary server and secondary server setting fields of the authentication server device 13 include an edit box for setting an IP address or a host name and an edit box for setting an HTTPS port number. Further, the primary server and secondary server setting fields of the authentication server device 13 include a connection test button for confirming the connection to the authentication server device 13 by the IP address or host name set in the edit box and the HTTPS port number. It is.

  The primary server and secondary server setting fields of the print server device 14 include an edit box for setting an IP address or a host name and an edit box for setting a port number.

  The setting column for the primary server and the secondary server of the print server device 14 includes a check box for setting whether or not to use SSL communication for accessing the print server device 14. The primary server and secondary server setting fields of the print server device 14 include a connection test button for confirming the connection to the print server device 14 using the IP address or host name and port number set in the edit box. .

<Job accumulation settings>
When “Job accumulation setting” in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 is selected, the client terminal 16 receives the job accumulation setting from the job accumulation setting screen 1020 shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an image diagram of an example of a job accumulation setting screen.

  The right column of the job accumulation setting screen 1020 includes a combo box for setting a printer driver used in the client terminal 16 for spooling the rendered print data. The right column of the job accumulation setting screen 1020 includes a text box for setting the storage period of the accumulated print job (document). Documents whose retention period has passed are deleted.

《Proxy print setting》
When “proxy print setting” in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 is selected, the client terminal 16 receives the proxy print setting from the proxy print setting screen 1030 as shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is an image diagram of an example of a proxy print setting screen.

  The right column of the proxy print setting screen 1030 includes a proxy user candidate list in which proxy user candidates are displayed in a list with check boxes. The right column of the proxy print setting screen 1030 includes a check box for setting display / non-display of the proxy user selection dialog displayed for each printing. The check box for setting the display / non-display of the proxy user selection dialog shown in FIG. 17 represents a setting in which a proxy user is not selected every time when printing is checked.

  If the check box for setting display / non-display of the proxy user selection dialog is checked, the proxy user selection dialog is not displayed on the client terminal 16, and the user checked in the proxy user candidate list is implicitly displayed. Become a proxy user.

  The right column of the proxy print setting screen 1030 includes a button for opening a dialog for selecting proxy user candidates from all users. Further, the right column of the proxy print setting screen 1030 includes a combo box for setting a printer driver used in the print server device 14.

"Account Setting"
When “Account setting” in the left column of the basic setting screen 1000 in FIG. 13 is selected, the client terminal 16 accepts account settings from the account setting screen 1040 as shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is an image diagram of an example of an account setting screen.

  The right column of the account setting screen 1040 includes a combo box for selecting an output device 15 or the like to be used when selecting the “print to a specified printer” function and printing with the account plug-in 63. A list of printers registered in the OS is displayed in a combo box for selecting the output device 15 or the like used when printing with the account plug-in 63.

  However, in order to prevent double accounts from the printer list displayed in the combo box, virtual printers, shared printers of the print server device 14, and printers of the direct print port are excluded.

  The shared printer of the print server device 14 is a printer in which the print server device 14 is set as a transmission destination of print data. The printer of the direct print port is a printer that transmits print data by push to the output device 17 or the like via the print server device 14. As described above, the printer of the printing process that relays the print server device 14 from the input to the output of the print data is excluded from the list of printers displayed in the combo box.

  This is because the print server device 14 has a function of transmitting account information to the authentication server device 13. When the account information of the printer of the printing process relaying the print server device 14 is transmitted from the client terminal 16, a double account is obtained. It is to become.

  The right column of the account setting screen 1040 includes a check box for setting whether to select a printer each time printing is performed. Further, the right column of the account setting screen 1040 includes a check box for setting whether to mask the user name displayed in the report. Privacy protection can be strengthened by mask setting.

<< Print job storage process >>
For example, the user can start the print job accumulation process by operating the document creation application 21 to open the print setting screen 2000 of FIG. 19 and selecting the virtual printer driver 22a of the print application to request printing.

  FIG. 19 is an image diagram of an example of a print setting screen. The user can select the virtual printer driver 22a from the printer selection field 2001 on the print setting screen 2000. Further, the user can also select the actual printer driver 23 that causes the local output device 15 to execute printing directly from the printer selection field 2001 of the print setting screen 2000.

  From the print setting screen 2000 shown in FIG. 19, in addition to the virtual printer driver 22a of the printing application according to the present embodiment, the virtual printer driver 22 for using other software such as the plug-in 31 can be selected. . By selecting the virtual printer driver 22 and requesting printing, the user can start processing (such as pull printing) according to the selected virtual printer driver 22.

  For example, when the virtual printer driver 22 of the plug-in 31 that performs pull printing is selected, the virtual printer driver 22 requests the actual printer driver 23 to convert the actual print data after converting the application data into intermediate print data. The virtual printer driver 22 implements pull printing by transmitting actual print data to the print server device 14 together with the print job information. When the real printer driver 23 that performs direct printing is selected, the intermediate print data converted by the virtual printer driver 22 is converted into real print data by the real printer driver 23 and then sent to the output device 15 or the like to perform direct printing. Is realized.

  Further, the user can designate the number of copies from the print setting screen 2000. Further, the user opens a screen for performing detailed print settings by pressing a “property” button 2002 on the print setting screen 2000 to set a print surface such as double-sided / single-sided or a color mode such as color / monochrome. It is possible to set aggregation. The user can request printing by pressing an “OK” button 2003 on the print setting screen 2000.

  When the user selects the virtual printer driver 22a and requests printing, the client terminal 16 starts a print job accumulation process as shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an example of the print job accumulation process.

  In step S1, the document creation application 21 receives a print request from the user. In step S <b> 2, the document creation application 21 determines whether the virtual printer driver 22 a of the print application is selected from the printer selection field 2001 on the print setting screen 2000. If a print application other than the virtual printer driver 22a is selected, the document creation application 21 proceeds to step S17, and notifies the print event to the printer driver such as the virtual printer driver 22 selected by the user. Therefore, the user can start print processing (pull print or the like) according to the selected printer driver.

  When the virtual printer driver 22a of the print application is selected, the document creation application 21 proceeds to step S3, and transmits a print event to the virtual printer driver 22a of the print application. The virtual printer driver 22a transmits a print event to the print flow control unit 71 of the rule-based print control plug-in 64. The virtual printer driver 22a converts application data into intermediate print data.

  The print flow control unit 71 ends the process of the flowchart of FIG. 20 when the setting for executing the workflow using the customized rule file at the time of printing is selected in the right column of the basic setting screen 1000 of FIG. Thereafter, the print flow control unit 71 does not display a function selection screen, which will be described later, and executes the workflow according to the rule file.

  The print flow control unit 71 ends the process of the flowchart of FIG. 20 when the setting for not performing the workflow based on the customized rule file at the time of printing is not selected and the number of function plug-ins 51 is zero.

  The print flow control unit 71 selects the function of the function plug-in 51 when the setting for executing the workflow based on the customized rule file at the time of printing is not selected and the number of the function plug-ins 51 is one.

  The print flow control unit 71 does not select a setting for executing a workflow based on a customized rule file at the time of printing, the number of function plug-ins 51 is two or more, and a setting for selecting a function at the time of printing is not selected. The function selection screen described later is not displayed. In this case, a function selected by a radio button for selecting a function executed at the time of printing is selected.

  The print flow control unit 71 does not select a setting for executing a workflow based on a customized rule file at the time of printing, the number of function plug-ins 51 is two or more, and a setting for selecting a function at the time of printing is selected. The function selection screen is displayed on the display unit 72. FIG. 21 is an image diagram of an example of a function selection screen.

  The function selection screen 2010 is an example in which the user selects one function from the “save job on this PC” function, the “print on proxy user” function, and the “print on designated printer” function. The “save job in this PC” function selects the function of the job storage plug-in 61. The function of “printing by proxy user” is to select the function of the proxy printing plug-in 62. The “print to designated printer” function selects the function of the account plug-in 63.

  In step S <b> 4, the user selects one function from the “save job on this PC” function, the “allow proxy user to print” function, and the “print to designated printer” function from the function selection screen 2010. The print flow control unit 71 of the rule-based print control plug-in 64 determines the function selected by the user from the function selection screen 2010.

  If the function selected by the user is a function that allows the proxy user to print, the print flow control unit 71 determines that proxy printing has been selected. If the function selected by the user is not the “function to print to proxy user” function, the print flow control unit 71 determines in step S9 whether the function selected by the user is the “print to designated printer” function. It is determined whether it is a function of “save job on PC”.

  If it is determined that proxy printing has been selected, the user information adding unit 91 of the proxy printing plug-in 62 performs the process of step S5. In step S5, the user information adding unit 91 does not display the proxy user selection dialog if the proxy user selection dialog displayed every time printing is set, and the proxy user checked in the proxy user candidate list. Select. The proxy user checked in the proxy user candidate list can be acquired from the proxy user information holding unit 94 as a proxy user ID associated with a user who has requested printing (hereinafter referred to as a print request user).

  On the other hand, in step S5, if the display of the proxy user selection dialog displayed for each printing is set, the user information adding unit 91 displays the proxy user selection dialog and causes the print requesting user to select the proxy user. The user information adding unit 91 adds the user ID and proxy user ID of the print requesting user to the print job information.

  The user ID of the print requesting user may be added with, for example, the user ID used when the user logs in to the client terminal 16, or the user ID used when the authentication server device 13 is separately authenticated. May be. Which user ID is used can be set in advance.

  In step S6, the print data storage unit 81 of the job storage plug-in 61 uses the actual printer driver 23 to generate actual print data from the intermediate print data. The print job management unit 82 manages actual print data as a management target.

  In step S <b> 7, the server connection unit 83 transmits print job information to the print server device 14. In step S <b> 8, the server connection unit 83 transmits the actual print data to the print server device 14.

  If it is determined that the “print to designated printer” function is selected, the authentication processing unit 101 of the account plug-in 63 proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the authentication processing unit 101 uses the authentication server device 13 to perform authentication confirmation of the print requesting user.

  If the authentication confirmation of the print request user fails, the print control unit 102 of the account plug-in 63 ends the processing of the flowchart of FIG. When the print requesting user is successfully authenticated, the print control unit 102 displays a screen for selecting a printer when the setting for selecting a printer for each printing is selected in the right column of the account setting screen 1040 in FIG. Let the user select a printer. The printers that can be selected here are the same as the printers that can be selected in “Account Settings”.

  When the setting for selecting a printer every time printing is not selected, the print control unit 102 selects the printer selected by the combo box for selecting the output device 15 or the like used when printing with the account plug-in 63. To do.

  In step S11, the print control unit 102 of the account plug-in 63 transmits the print job information and the intermediate print data to the actual printer driver 23, and instructs the actual printer driver 23 to execute the print job. The actual printer driver 23 generates actual print data from the intermediate print data.

  In step S12, the actual printer driver 23 transmits the print job information to the designated output device 15 or the like. In step S13, the actual printer driver 23 transmits actual print data to the designated output device 15 or the like. Upon receiving the print job information and the actual print data, the output device 15 or the like executes the print job and prints the actual print data. The transmission of the print job information in step S11 is not essential and can be omitted.

  In step S14, the account control unit 103 of the account plug-in 63 generates account information corresponding to the printing of the actual print data, and transmits it to the authentication server device 13 that stores the account log.

  FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram of an example of account information. The account information in FIG. 22 is an example of an item of account information of actual print data printed by the output device 15 or the like. As shown in FIG. 22, the account information includes black and white / color information of real print data, duplex / single side information, page number information, number of copies information, paper size information, and user code information.

  The user code included in the account information corresponds to the user ID in the print job information in FIG. Therefore, in the case of proxy printing, the owner user ID is set in the user code included in the account information instead of the proxy user ID. In the case of proxy printing, account information may include user information such as the user ID of the proxy user who executed printing in addition to the user code.

  If it is determined that the “save job in this PC” function has been selected, the print job management unit 82 of the job storage plug-in 61 proceeds to step S 15 and transmits print job information to the print server device 14.

  In step S16, the print data storage unit 81 of the job storage plug-in 61 stores and manages the intermediate print data in the storage unit 27. 20 shows an example in which the intermediate print data is stored in the client terminal 16, but actual print data may be stored in the client terminal 16.

  According to the print job accumulation process of FIG. 20, the user can accumulate actual print data in the print server device 14 by selecting proxy printing. Although the actual print data is limited in the contents of print settings that can be changed, it is considered that the print settings are rarely changed at the time of execution of a print job because of the characteristics of proxy printing.

  Further, by storing the actual print data in the print server device 14, even if the client terminal 16 is turned off, the proxy user can execute a print job.

  According to the print job accumulation process of FIG. 20, by causing the user to select a function, the user can easily change accumulation settings such as a print data accumulation destination and an accumulation format according to the function.

  Note that when the setting for executing a workflow using a customized rule file at the time of printing is selected, the print flow control unit 71 executes the workflow according to the rule file as follows.

  For example, the print flow control unit 71 can use an XML workflow definition file according to a predetermined format as a rule file, and can realize a workflow according to the rule file. The rule file is edited in advance and arranged at a predetermined position on the client terminal 16.

  In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the rule file placed in the shared folder can be distributed to the client terminal 16 by the remote setting function. Further, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured to prohibit the cancellation of the setting for executing the workflow using the rule file customized at the time of printing.

  For example, the rule file represents a workflow for distributing print jobs to a plurality of output devices 17 according to the number of pages, a workflow for forcibly changing a color to black and white, a workflow for distributing print jobs to a plurality of output devices 17 by a job name, etc. There is something to do. In addition, some rule files represent a workflow including any function of the job storage plug-in 61, the proxy printing plug-in 62, and the account plug-in 63.

  A rule file can be defined by combining conditions and actions. The conditions define print settings for print job information such as the number of pages, color settings, and job name. Decision processing such as printing, change of print settings, and distribution of processing is defined in the action. It is possible to define multiple conditions in the rule file and to define conditional branches.

<Print data movement processing>
Through the above-described print job storage process, print data such as intermediate print data and actual print data is stored in a storage destination such as the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16. The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of reaccumulating print data stored in a storage destination such as the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16 in another specified storage destination.

  For example, the user accesses and logs in to the print server device 14 from the client terminal 16, the output device 17, or the portable terminal 18. The client terminal 16, the output device 17, or the mobile terminal 18 that has logged into the print server device 14 receives the print job information of the login user from the print server device 14 and displays (presents) a list of print job information of the login user.

  The user selects print job information for changing the print data storage destination from the list of print job information and designates a new print data storage destination. As described later, the print server device 14 stores the print data selected by the user in a new storage destination designated by the user in cooperation with the client terminal 16.

  Note that the printing system 1 of the present embodiment stores print data from the client terminal 16 to the print server device 14 as print data movement processing, and stores print data from one client terminal 16 to another client terminal 16. Processing to fix is possible. Further, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform processing for re-accumulating print data from the print server device 14 to the client terminal 16.

  FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for re-accumulating print data accumulated in the client terminal in the print server apparatus. In step S <b> 100, the user accesses and logs in to the print server device 14. Note that access and login to the print server device 14 can be performed using the Web UI from the mobile terminal 18, from the operation panel of the output device 17, or from the print application of the client terminal 16. Here, an example in which the print server apparatus 14 is accessed and logged in from the client terminal 16 will be described.

  In step S101, the print data moving unit 84 included in the job storage plug-in 61 of the client terminal 16 acquires the print job information of the login user from the print server device 14, and displays the print job information list screen 3000 as shown in FIG. To do.

  FIG. 24 is an image diagram of an example of a print job information list screen. The print job information list screen 3000 is an example of a screen that allows the user to select print data whose storage destination is to be changed from a list of print job information for the logged-in user. When the user presses the move button 3001 on the print job information list screen 3000 after selecting the print data, the print data moving unit 84 displays a storage destination selection screen 3010 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is an image diagram of an example of the storage destination selection screen. The storage destination selection screen 3010 is an example of a screen that allows the user to select a new storage destination of print data selected from the print job information list screen 3000 of FIG. The user selects a new storage destination from the storage destination selection screen 3010. Here, the print server device 14 is selected as a new storage destination.

  In step S102, the print data moving unit 84 stores the print data selected by the user from the print job information list screen 3000 in the new storage destination (print server device 14) selected by the user from the storage destination selection screen 3010. Is requested to the print server device 14.

  In step S <b> 103, the print data moving unit 113 of the print server device 14 requests the print data transmission to the client terminal 16 that stores the print data selected from the print job information list screen 3000 by the user. In step S <b> 104, the print data moving unit 84 included in the job storage plug-in 61 of the client terminal 16 that has received the print data transmission request transmits the print data corresponding to the print data transmission request to the print server device 14. In step S <b> 105, the print data moving unit 113 stores the received print data in the print data holding unit 114.

  After storing the received print data in the print data holding unit 114, the print server device 14 notifies the client terminal 16 that is the print data storage source that the process of reaccumulating the print data in the new storage destination is complete. . In step S102, the print server device 14 notifies the client terminal 16 that has requested the process of changing the print data storage destination of completion.

  Further, the print data transfer unit 113 of the print server device 14 changes the storage destination and file path of the print job information in FIG. 11 based on the transfer of the print data from the storage source to the new storage destination in step S104. In FIG. 23, the client terminal 16 that has requested the process of re-accumulating the print data in the new accumulation destination and the client terminal 16 that is the accumulation source of the print data are described as being different from each other. There may be.

  FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of an example of a process for re-storing print data stored in one client terminal in another client terminal. Steps S110 and S111 are the same as steps S100 and S101 described in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In step S <b> 112, the print data moving unit 84 performs processing for re-accumulating the print data selected by the user from the print job information list screen 3000 in the new storage destination selected by the user from the storage destination selection screen 3010. To request. Here, it is assumed that the client terminal 16B is selected as a new storage destination.

  In step S113, the print data moving unit 113 of the print server device 14 requests the print data transmission to the client terminal 16A that stores the print data selected from the print job information list screen 3000 by the user. In step S114, the print data moving unit 84 included in the job storage plug-in 61 of the client terminal 16A that has received the print data transmission request transmits the print data corresponding to the print data transmission request to the client terminal 16B. In step S115, the print data moving unit 84 of the client terminal 16B stores the received print data in the print data storage unit 81.

  After storing the received print data in the print data storage unit 81, the client terminal 16B notifies the client terminal 16A, which is the print data storage source, that the process of storing the print data in the new storage destination is complete. . Further, the client terminal 16A notifies the print server device 14 that the process of reaccumulating the print data in the new accumulation destination has been completed. In step S112, the print server device 14 notifies the client terminal 16 that has requested the process of changing the print data storage destination of completion.

  Further, the print data transfer unit 113 of the print server device 14 changes the storage destination and file path of the print job information in FIG. 11 based on the transfer of the print data from the storage source to the new storage destination in step S114. In FIG. 26, the client terminal 16 that has requested the process of re-storing print data in a new storage destination, the client terminal 16A that is the storage source of print data, and the client terminal 16B that is the storage destination of print data are separated. It may be the same.

  FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process of re-accumulating print data accumulated in the print server apparatus in the client terminal. Steps S120 and S121 are the same as steps S100 and S101 described in the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In step S122, the print data moving unit 84 performs processing for re-accumulating the print data selected by the user from the print job information list screen 3000 in the new accumulation destination selected by the user from the accumulation destination selection screen 3010. To request. Here, it is assumed that the client terminal 16 has been selected as a new storage destination.

  In step S123, the print data moving unit 113 of the print server apparatus 14 confirms that the print data storage source selected by the user from the print job information list screen 3000 is the print server apparatus 14. Therefore, the print data moving unit 113 of the print server device 14 requests the client terminal 16 to send print data to itself. In step S <b> 124, the print data moving unit 113 of the print server device 14 transmits print data corresponding to the print data transmission request to the client terminal 16. In step S125, the print data moving unit 84 of the client terminal 16 stores the received print data in the print data storage unit 81.

  After storing the received print data in the print data storage unit 81, the client terminal 16 notifies the print server device 14 that is the storage source of the print data that the process of storing the print data in the new storage destination is complete. To do. In step S122, the print server device 14 notifies the client terminal 16 that has requested processing for changing the print data storage destination of completion.

  Further, the print data transfer unit 113 of the print server device 14 changes the storage destination and file path of the print job information in FIG. 11 based on the transfer of the print data from the storage source to the new storage destination in step S124. In FIG. 27, the client terminal 16 that has requested the process of re-accumulating the print data in the new accumulation destination and the client terminal 16 that is the accumulation destination of the print data are described as different. It may be the same.

  In FIG. 23 to FIG. 27, after the user selects the print data whose storage destination is to be changed from the list of print job information of the login user, the user is allowed to select a new storage destination of the selected print data.

  In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the print data movement process selection screen 3020 shown in FIG. 28 is used to allow the login user to select a storage source or a new storage destination before selecting print data whose storage destination is to be changed. You may do it. FIG. 28 is an image diagram of an example of a print data movement process selection screen.

  The print data movement process selection screen 3020 in FIG. 28 changes the storage destination from “select print data first” “select print data storage source first” “select print data storage destination first”. This is an example in which the user selects a print data selection method.

  For example, when the login user selects “select print data first” from the print data movement process selection screen 3020, the login user selects print data from the list of print job information as shown in FIGS. A new storage destination of the print data can be selected.

  When the login user selects “select print data storage source first” from the print data movement process selection screen 3020, the login user selects the storage source selection screen as shown in FIG. 25, for example, before selecting the print data. From which print data can be stored.

  For example, the print data moving unit 113 displays a list of print data stored in the selected storage source on the print job information list screen 3000, and logs in the print data whose storage destination is to be changed from the print data narrowed down by the storage source. The user can select it.

  Further, when the login user selects “select print data storage destination first” from the print data movement process selection screen 3020, the login user prints from the storage destination selection screen 3010 in FIG. 25 before selecting print data. Data storage destination can be selected.

  For example, the print data moving unit 113 displays a list of print data excluding print data stored in the selected storage destination on the print job information list screen 3000, and causes the login user to select print data whose storage destination is to be changed. be able to.

  As described above, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment can once again store the print data stored in the storage destination in the new storage destination. For example, the printing system 1 of the present embodiment can prevent the storage area of the client terminal 16 from being exhausted by re-accumulating the print data stored in the client terminal 16 in the print server device 14. Further, the printing system 1 of the present embodiment distributes the load of the print server device 14 to the client terminals 16 by allowing the print data stored in the print server device 14 to be stored again in the client terminals 16. Can do.

<Print job output processing>
When the print data is accumulated in the print server device 14, the printing system 1 performs a print job output process shown in FIG. 29, for example. FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an example of a print job output process. Here, an example in which a print job is executed in the output device 17 will be described.

  In step S21, the user inputs authentication information from the operation panel of the output device 17 and requests login. The output device 17 requested to log in by the user transmits authentication information to the authentication server device 13 and requests authentication in step S22. The authentication server device 13 performs authentication using the received authentication information, and returns an authentication result to the output device 17. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the authentication result is authentication success. If the authentication result is an authentication failure, for example, the fact that the login has failed is displayed on a display device such as an operation panel, and the processing after step S23 is not performed.

  In step S <b> 23, the output device 17 requests the print server device 14 for print job information of the user who has been successfully authenticated. In step S24, the print server device 14 searches for print job information to which the user ID of the user who has succeeded in authentication is assigned. The print server device 14 transmits a list of searched print job information to the output device 17.

  The output device 17 displays a list of received print job information, and allows the user to select print job information from the list of print job information. When the user selects print job information from the list of print job information, the output device 17 can determine the print job storage location and file path of the print job from the storage location and file path of the print job information selected by the user. Here, the print server device 14 is determined as the print data storage destination. In step S25, the output device 17 requests the print server device 14 to acquire print data of the print job selected by the user (acquisition request).

  In the first embodiment, the print data stored in the print server device 14 is actual print data. In step S <b> 26, the print server device 14 transmits the actual print data of the print job requested from the output device 17 to the output device 17. In step S27, the output device 17 outputs the received actual print data.

  In step S <b> 28, the output device 17 transmits account information to the print server device 14 as an output result of the actual print data. In step S29, the account control unit 112 of the print server device 14 transmits and stores account information of actual print data in the account storage unit of the authentication server device 13.

  When the print data is stored in the client terminal 16, the printing system 1 performs a print job output process shown in FIG. 30, for example. FIG. 30 is a flowchart of another example of the print job output process. Here, an example in which a print job is executed in the output device 17 will be described.

  In step S31, the user inputs authentication information from the operation panel of the output device 17 and requests login. The output device 17 requested to log in by the user transmits authentication information to the authentication server device 13 and requests authentication in step S32. The authentication server device 13 performs authentication using the received authentication information, and returns an authentication result to the output device 17. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the authentication result is authentication success. If the authentication result is an authentication failure, for example, the fact that the login has failed is displayed on a display device such as an operation panel, and the processing after step S33 is not performed.

  In step S <b> 33, the output device 17 requests the print server device 14 for print job information of the user who has been successfully authenticated. In step S34, the print server device 14 searches for print job information to which the user ID of the user who has succeeded in authentication is assigned. The print server device 14 transmits a list of searched print job information to the output device 17.

  The output device 17 displays a list of received print job information and allows the user to select a print job from the list of print job information. When the user selects print job information from the list of print job information, the output device 17 can determine the print data storage destination and file path of the print job from the print job information storage destination and file path selected by the user. Here, the client terminal 16 is determined as the print data storage destination. In step S35, the output device 17 requests the print data of the print job selected by the user from the print server device 14.

  In the first embodiment, the print data stored in the print server device 14 is intermediate print data. In step S36, the print job management unit 82 of the job storage plug-in 61 of the client terminal 16 uses the actual printer driver 23 to convert the intermediate print data into the actual print data. Note that the client terminal 16 may store actual print data in the client terminal 16. In this case, the process of step S36 is omitted.

  In step S <b> 37, the client terminal 16 transmits the actual print data of the print job requested from the output device 17 to the output device 17. In step S38, the output device 17 outputs the received actual print data.

  In step S39, the output device 17 transmits account information to the print server device 14 as an output result of the actual print data. In step S <b> 40, the account control unit 112 of the print server device 14 transmits and stores account information of actual print data in the account storage unit of the authentication server device 13.

  The output device 17 displays a list of received print job information on a display device such as an operation panel as shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is an image diagram of an example of a print job information list screen.

  The print job information list screen 2020 in FIG. 31 includes a print job information list 2021 of users who have been successfully authenticated. The print job information list 2021 represents each print job information as selectable parts such as buttons. The parts representing the print job information in FIG. 31 display the print job name, date and time, number of pages, number of copies, print surface, color mode, and print data storage destination as an example.

  Further, the print job information list screen 2020 of FIG. 31 includes an all selection button 2022, a setting button 2023, a delete button 2024, a print button 2025, a proxy print button 2026, and an update button 2027.

  The all selection button 2022 is a button for selecting all print job information in the print job information list 2021. A setting button 2023 is a button for displaying a print setting change screen for the selected print job information. A delete button 2024 is a button for deleting the selected print job information. A print button 2025 is a button for requesting printing start of the selected print job information.

  The proxy print button 2026 is a button for displaying print job information that the login user can print as a proxy user. An update button 2027 is a button for updating the print job information list 2021. When the update button 2027 is pressed, the output device 17 reacquires print job information from the print server device 14.

《Software update and remote setting》
In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, the print application of the client terminal 16 confirms software update in the application server device 12 automatically or in accordance with an instruction from the user, and updates software that can be updated.

  When it is set to automatically update the print application, for example, when the print application of the client terminal 16 is activated, the application server device 12 is checked for software update, and if there is software that can be updated, it is updated.

  When the user instructs confirmation of software update by pressing a “confirm update” button, for example, the print application of the client terminal 16 confirms the software update to the application server device 12 and updates if there is software that can be updated. Do.

  Further, the printing system 1 of the present embodiment can change the operation and processing contents of various functions that operate on the printing application by changing the settings for the functions. Therefore, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, there is a case where it is desired to reflect the contents set by the administrator on the client terminal 16 instead of setting the individual settings for each user.

  Therefore, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to the function of performing various settings on the client terminal 16, a function of distributing various settings performed on the administrator terminal 11 from the application server device 12 to the client terminal 16 may be provided. Good.

<Summary>
The printing system 1 according to the first embodiment can easily change the accumulation setting for each output.

  Note that the output data in this embodiment is data to be output, and is output from the stage when the client terminal 16 receives an output request from the user until it is output by the output device 17 or the like. It is data. In the output process in the present embodiment, the data format of the output target data is variously converted from the stage when the output request is received until the output is output by the output device 17 or the like.

  Data to be output is converted into an application data format (Word (registered trademark) file or the like), an intermediate data format (XPS data or the like), a print data format (PDL data or the like), or the like. There are various timings for converting the data to be output in this embodiment.

  For example, the client terminal 16 may hold the output data in an intermediate data format or a print data format. The print server device 14 may hold the output data in an application data format or an intermediate data format, and it is sufficient that the output data is in the print data format when printing is performed in the output device 17 or the like.

  If the output device 17 can execute printing in the intermediate data format (for example, PDF data), the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16 may send the output data in the intermediate data format and execute the printing. Good. The output data in the intermediate data format may be used as output data in the print data format.

  Therefore, the data format of the output data in the present embodiment is not necessarily specified from the stage when the client terminal 16 receives the output request from the user to the time when it is output by the output device 17. Do not mean. As the output data in the present embodiment, data selected as a target for which output is requested by the user is handled.

  The output control system is one or more information processing devices connected to the client terminal 16 or the output device 17 via a network. For example, one or more print server devices 14 or the authentication server device 13 is used. And the print server device 14. The output control system has a function of controlling an output process (printing process) from when an output request is executed by the user from the client terminal 16 to when an output process is executed by the output device 17 or the like by the user. The output control system may include devices other than the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The printing system 1 in the embodiment described above is an example of an output system.

  The print data holding unit 114 is an example of an accumulation control unit that accumulates output data in a terminal device or an output control system. The print job information holding unit 115 is an example of an output data related information holding unit that holds output data related information related to accumulated output data. The print data moving units 84 and 113 receive a change request for changing the storage destination of the accumulated output data from the user, change the storage destination of the output data, and the output data related information holding unit holds the change. It is an example of the output data movement means reflected on information.

  The output device 17 is an example of an output unit that acquires output data accumulated in the terminal device or the output control system based on the output data related information received from the output control system and outputs the output data. The list of print job information is an example of an output data list.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 11 Administrator terminal 12 Application server apparatus 13 Authentication server apparatus 14 Print server apparatus 15, 17 Output apparatus 16 Client terminal 18 Portable terminal 21 Document creation application 22, 22a Virtual printer driver 23 Real printer driver 24 Plug-in 25 Platform API
26 Platform 27 Storage unit 31 Plug-in 41 Display control (UI control) unit 42 Setting unit 43 Communication unit 50 Software package 51 Function plug-in 52 Main body 61 Job storage plug-in 62 Proxy printing plug-in 63 Account plug-in 64 Rule-based printing control Plug-in 71 Print flow control unit 72 Display unit 73 Print flow setting unit 74 Setting management unit 75 Setting information holding unit 81 Print data storage unit 82 Print job management unit 83 Server connection unit 84 Print data moving unit 85 Print job information holding unit 86 Setting information holding unit 91 User information adding unit 92 Proxy user management unit 93 Server connection unit 94 Proxy user information holding unit 95 Setting information holding unit 101 Authentication processing unit 102 Print control unit 103 Account control unit 104 Setting information holding Part 111 print controller 112 Account Control unit 113 print data transfer portion 114 print data holding unit 115 the print job information storage unit 500 the computer 501 input device 502 display device 503 external I / F
503a Recording medium 504 RAM
505 ROM
506 CPU
507 Communication I / F
508 HDD
1000, 1000a Basic setting screen 1010 Server setting screen 1020 Job storage setting screen 1030 Proxy print setting screen 1040 Account setting screen 2000 Print setting screen 2010 Function selection screen 2020 Print job information list screen 3000 Print job information list screen 3010 Storage destination selection screen 3020 Print data movement processing selection screen B bus N1 network

JP 2007-200284 A

Claims (7)

An output system in which one or more terminal devices and output devices and an output control system composed of one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
Accumulation control means for accumulating output data in the terminal device or the output control system;
In the output control system, output data related information holding means for holding output data related information related to accumulated output data;
A change request for changing a storage destination of output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system is received from a user, a storage destination of output data is changed according to the change request, and a change of the storage destination of the output data is performed. Output data moving means for reflecting the output data related information held in the output data related information holding means,
In the output device, based on output data related information received from the output control system, output means for acquiring output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system and outputting the output data;
I have a,
The output data moving means receives from the user designation of a new storage destination of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, and then from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system. Present the output data list excluding the output data stored in the new storage destination to the user, and accept from the user the specification of the output data to change the storage destination from the output data list
Output system characterized by. The output data moving means, from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, from the user to specify the output data to change the storage destination, and to specify the new storage destination of the output data from the user The output system according to claim 1, wherein the output system is received. The output data moving means presents a list of output data stored in the storage source to the user after receiving from the user designation of the storage source of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, The output system according to claim 1, wherein designation of output data for changing a storage destination from the output data list is accepted from a user, and designation of a new accumulation destination of designated output data is accepted from the user. The output data moving means changes the storage destination of the output data from the terminal device to the output control system, changes from the output control system to the terminal device, or from one terminal device to another terminal changing the device, according to claim 1 to 3 output system set forth in any one, characterized in that. An output control system composed of one or more information processing devices connected to one or more terminal devices and output devices via a network,
Storage means for storing output data;
Output data related information holding means for holding output data related information related to output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system;
A change request for changing a storage destination of output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system is received from a user, a storage destination of output data is changed according to the change request, and a change of the storage destination of the output data is performed. Output data moving means for reflecting the output data related information held in the output data related information holding means,
When an output data acquisition request stored in the storage unit is received from the output device that provided the output data related information held by the output data related information holding unit, the output data corresponding to the acquisition request is Output data transmitting means for transmitting to the output device;
I have a,
The output data moving means receives from the user designation of a new storage destination of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, and then from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system. Present the output data list excluding the output data stored in the new storage destination to the user, and accept from the user the specification of the output data to change the storage destination from the output data list
Output control system characterized by. An output control system comprising one or more information processing devices connected to one or more terminal devices and output devices via a network;
Storage means for storing output data;
Output data related information holding means for holding output data related information related to output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system;
A change request for changing a storage destination of output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system is received from a user, a storage destination of output data is changed according to the change request, and a change of the storage destination of the output data is performed. Output data moving means for reflecting the output data related information held by the output data related information holding means,
When an output data acquisition request stored in the storage unit is received from the output device that provided the output data related information held by the output data related information holding unit, the output data corresponding to the acquisition request is Output data transmission means for transmitting to the output device;
To function as,
The output data moving means receives from the user designation of a new storage destination of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, and then from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system. Present the output data list excluding the output data stored in the new storage destination to the user, and accept from the user the specification of the output data to change the storage destination from the output data list
A program characterized by An output method executed in an output system in which one or more terminal devices and output devices and an output control system configured by one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
An accumulation control step of accumulating output data in the terminal device or the output control system;
In the output control system, an output data related information holding step for holding output data related information related to the accumulated output data in the output data related information holding means;
A change request for changing a storage destination of output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system is received from a user, a storage destination of output data is changed according to the change request, and a change of the storage destination of the output data is performed. Output data movement step of reflecting the output data related information held in the output data related information holding means,
In the output device, based on output data related information received from the output control system, an output step of acquiring output data accumulated in the terminal device or the output control system and outputting the output data;
I have a,
The output data movement step receives from the user designation of a new storage destination of the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system from the user, and then from the output data stored in the terminal device or the output control system. Present the output data list excluding the output data stored in the new storage destination to the user, and accept from the user the specification of the output data to change the storage destination from the output data list
An output method characterized by.

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