JP2007249946A - Output request device, output device, and output request program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient document printing system by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A position control server 20 detects a position, based on signals from RFIDs 1-1b carried by a user, a PC 10 displays a map image including the user and a layout drawing of a plurality of printers, on a monitor 11. The user drag-and-drop-operates a displayed document file icon to a printer icon for printing. A reservation part 111 generates reservation information when the reservation information is input. The PC 10 transmits the information to a printer control server 30, a driver selection part 32 selects thereafter a driver when a reservation condition is determined to be satisfied, by a reservation executing part 131, and a print information generating part 33 generates a printing data to be transmitted to a printer 40 together with notified side information. The printer 40 prints the printing data, and transmits print notification information to the user PC 10. The PC 10 displays the notification information on the monitor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an output request apparatus, an output apparatus, and an output request program that make an output request to an output apparatus that outputs data.

  In recent years, many printing devices such as printers are arranged in offices, and they exist on a network and can be accessed from various places. In order to use these printers and the like through a network, a file drag-and-drop operation is often used in initial settings and printing of the printers. For example, printing is started when a file is dragged and dropped onto a printer icon.

  In addition, by dragging a file icon on a display screen on which a print icon for which print conditions are set in advance and an icon of a file to be printed are displayed and dropping it on the print icon, the setting of the printer is set. A print control operation system in which a file print process is executed under the print conditions displayed and set in the print icon is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, setting confirmation can be performed from a print instruction by an intuitive operation of dragging and dropping a file.

JP 2001-337765 A

  However, in the above prior art, the location of the printer set by drag-and-drop depends only on the installed memory, and it is difficult to discriminate when there is a printer of the same model. Further, the position of the user PC, the position of another person's PC, and the position of the printer could not be grasped. In addition, when outputting from a printer that is not normally used, a new driver setting is required, and there is a problem that complicated work cannot be avoided.

  Further, in this prior art, when a file is dragged and dropped onto a printer icon, it is difficult to distinguish at which position the icon corresponds to the printer. In addition, there is a problem that it is not clear whether the printer that the user is trying to operate by operating the PC is the printer that is optimal for the user. In this case, especially when the user sends a fax to another person and outputs the document file from a printer near the other person, the positional relationship of the printer is not clear, so it can be selected appropriately. There is a problem that it is difficult and setting work is required even if a printer is selected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and displays the physical positional relationship between the user and the usable output device in an easy-to-see manner, does not require any special driver settings, and can be implemented with simple operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an output request apparatus, an output apparatus, and an output request program that can perform output operations in the world intuitively.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an output requesting device, a storage unit for storing a document file, user location information connected to a network and indicating a user location, and the network. Map information that is an image of an arrangement area in which the user position information, the output device position information, and the output device can be arranged from a position management server that manages output device position information indicating the position of the connected output device. A user symbol indicating the user, an output device symbol indicating the output device, and a document symbol indicating the document file to be output, the received user position information and the output device position information A display control unit for displaying on the display device at a position on the map image corresponding to each, and the displayed map information, the output An input receiving unit that accepts selection of a position symbol and the document symbol, an output command for the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the selected output device symbol, and reservation of output execution And a transmission unit that transmits reservation information indicating the fact to the output device.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the input receiving unit receives an input of a reservation time that is an output execution time, and the transmission unit transmits the reservation time to the output device as the reservation information.

  The present invention further includes a reservation unit that generates reservation information including the reservation time and the output device identification information of the output device of the designated output device symbol.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the input receiving unit receives an operation of dragging and dropping the document symbol displayed on the display device onto the output device symbol.

  The display control unit may display the user symbol and the output device symbol with icons.

  In the present invention, the output device includes: an output execution device that executes output processing; and an output management device that is connected to the output execution device via a network and issues an output processing command to the output execution device. The transmission unit transmits an output command of the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the selected output device symbol and the reservation information to the output management device. And

  Further, the present invention is an output device that receives reservation information indicating a reservation for execution of output and a document file output command from an output requesting device connected to a network, and based on the received reservation information. The output of the document file is controlled.

  The present invention further includes: an output execution device that executes output processing; and an output management device that is connected to the output execution device via a network and that instructs the output execution device to perform output processing. Corresponds to a driver storage unit that stores output driver software, a first reception unit that receives the reservation information and the output instruction of the document file from the output requesting device, and the output execution device from the driver storage unit A driver selection unit that selects output driver software to be output; an output data generation unit that generates output data from the document file by executing the selected driver software; and the generated output data is transmitted to the output execution device A first transmission unit that performs the driver selection unit or the output data generation unit based on the reservation information. A reservation execution unit that controls the first transmission unit, and the output execution device includes a second reception unit that receives the output data, and an output execution unit that executes output of the received output data. It is characterized by that.

  Further, according to the present invention, the reservation information includes a reservation time which is an output execution time, and the reservation execution unit outputs the output when the current time becomes the reservation time or when the reservation time has elapsed. The first transmission unit is controlled to transmit data.

  Further, according to the present invention, the reservation information includes a reservation time which is an output execution time, and the reservation execution unit is configured to output the driver when a current time becomes the reservation time or when the reservation time has elapsed. The driver selection unit is controlled to select software and generate the output data.

  The output execution device may further include an authentication reception unit that receives user identification information unique to a user, and the second transmission unit transmits the received user identification information to the output management device. The output management device further includes an authentication unit that authenticates a user based on the received user identification information, and the reservation execution unit further selects the driver software when the authentication is successful. The driver selection unit is controlled to generate the output data.

  The output execution apparatus may further include an authentication receiving unit that receives user identification information unique to a user, and an authentication unit that authenticates the user based on the user identification information, and the second transmission. The unit transmits an authentication result to the output management device, and the output management device further generates the output data by selecting the driver software when the reservation execution unit is successful. The driver selection unit is controlled as described above.

  Further, the present invention is connected to a network, from a position management server that manages user position information indicating the position of the user and output device position information indicating the position of the output device connected to the network, the user position information, A receiving step for receiving the output device position information and map information that is an image of an arrangement area where the output device can be placed, a user symbol indicating the user, an output device symbol indicating the output device, and the output target A display control step of displaying a document symbol indicating a document file on the display device at a position on the map image corresponding to each of the received user position information and output device position information; and the displayed map information An input receiving step for accepting selection of the output device symbol and the document symbol; A transmission step of transmitting, to the output device, an output command of the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the output device symbol and reservation information indicating reservation of output execution. An output request program that is executed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the input receiving step receives an input of a reservation time that is an output execution time, and the transmission step transmits the reservation time to the output device as the reservation information. To do.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the computer further executes a reservation step of generating reservation information including the reservation time and the output device identification information of the output device of the designated output device symbol.

  According to the present invention, from the location management server that is connected to the network and manages user location information indicating the location of the user and output device location information indicating the location of the output device connected to the network, the user location information; The output device position information and map information that is an image of an arrangement area where the output device can be arranged are received, and the user symbol indicating the user, the output device symbol indicating the output device, and the document file to be output A document symbol to be displayed on the display device at a position on the map image corresponding to each of the received user position information and output device position information, and in the displayed map information, the output device symbol and Accepting the selection of the document symbol and the selected previous to the output device of the selected output device symbol By sending an output command of the document file of the document symbol and reservation information indicating the reservation of output execution to the output device, a map image of a physical arrangement of the user and the usable output device is shown, There is an effect that it is possible to realize a highly convenient output process that makes it possible to make a reserved output while viewing the display in an easy-to-understand manner, without requiring special driver settings. In addition, in the case where an output product is handed over to another user, it is possible to prevent a person other than the user specified by making a reservation from browsing the printed material, thereby ensuring the security of the printed material.

  Further, according to the present invention, the user is authenticated based on the user identification information, and when the authentication is successful, the driver selection unit is controlled to generate the output data by selecting the driver software. As a result, it is possible to authenticate the recipient after output, and to realize output processing with higher security and convenience.

  Further, according to the present invention, the output requesting device can select the user and the output device by a drag-and-drop operation, so that the user and the output can be selected and output by a simple operation that is easy to grasp intuitively. As a result, it is possible to realize a highly convenient output process.

  Further, according to the present invention, the output requesting device can display the user and the output device with icons, and can select and output the user and the output device with a simple operation that is easy to grasp visually. There is an effect that a highly convenient output process can be realized.

  Exemplary embodiments of an output request device, an output device, and an output request program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the first to fourth embodiments and modifications. In the embodiment described below, an output request device, an output device, and an output request program according to the present invention are transferred from a PC (Personal Computer) as an output request device to a printer management server (output management device) constituting the output device, and A document printing system that prints using a printer (output execution device) will be described as an example.

(Embodiment 1)
In the document printing system according to the first embodiment, the position management server detects the user position based on the RFID (wireless tag) detection signal possessed by the user, and the map information includes the user position information and the position information of a plurality of printers. Is transmitted to a personal computer (PC) to display a map image including a layout of user icons and printer icons on the monitor screen. When the user drags and drops the document file icon on the monitor to the icon of the printer to be printed out and selects the notification destination user to notify the print execution, the PC selects the selected document file, printer information, and The notification destination information is transmitted to the printer management server. The printer management server selects a driver according to the received printer information, generates print data of the document file, and transmits it to the selected printer together with the notification destination information. The printer prints the received print data and transmits information about the print notification to the user PC that is the notification destination. The PC receives the print output notification information and displays the print notification on the monitor.

  In this way, in the document printing system according to the first embodiment, the user displays a map image including the current position of the user or another user and the layout of the printer on the PC monitor, and visually confirms the positional relationship. By dragging and dropping the document file onto the printer icon and printing, and displaying a print notification on the PC monitor, the user does not need complicated printer settings on the PC, and the printer can be easily operated. Can be printed out and notified to the PC of the user to be notified, so that printing can be performed by a simple operation, after which the complexity of document management is reduced, and highly convenient document printing is achieved. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the document printing system according to the first embodiment. The document management system includes PCs (personal computers) 10, 10a and 10b, a position management server 20, a printer management server 30, printers 40, 40a and 40b, and sensors 2, 2a and 2b, which are connected via the network 3, respectively. . Each user who enters an area where the document printing system is installed has an RFID (wireless tag). Now, when there are three users, they possess RFIDs 1, 1a and 1b, respectively.

  Here, three PCs, three printers, three sensors are connected, and three RFIDs are described. However, these numbers can be increased or decreased. Here, since the main parts of the PCs 10, 10a, and 10b have been described as the same configuration, the internal block configuration of the PCs 10a and 10b is omitted in FIG.

  The network 3 can be configured by a telephone line, a wireless network, the Internet, or the like.

  An RFID (wireless tag) 1 is an active wireless tag that transmits an identification signal by radio waves every second. However, the present invention is not limited to the active type wireless tag, and may be a passive type passive RFID. Since RFID is for detecting the position of the holder, it is not limited to RFID, but Wi-Fi that actively emits radio waves using, for example, a mobile phone, PC, PDA, wireless LAN tag, IC card, etc. (Wireless LAN), Bluetooth, and ZigBee standards can be used for communication.

  In the area where the document printing system is installed, each user possesses RFIDs 1 to 1b. The sensors 2-2b receive the identification signals transmitted from the RFIDs 1-1b.

  Now, it is assumed that the RFID 1 is possessed by the user 1 who operates the PC 10. Here, it is assumed that the user owns the RFID, but the present invention can be applied to an object such as the printer 40 or the PC 10 in addition to a human user. In this case, for example, when the printer 40 or the PC 10 is a portable device, even when the printer 40 or the PC 10 is carried and moved, the moving position information is acquired and the state in which the device moves from moment to moment is displayed on the PC monitor. . However, here, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the PC and the printer are fixedly installed. In addition, since the RFID is a wireless tag that detects a position, it may be simply referred to as a tag as appropriate hereinafter.

  The sensors 2, 2a and 2b are installed in an area to which the system is applied and receive identification signals from the RFIDs 1, 1a and 1b. The sensors 2, 2 a, and 2 b transmit the received identification signal to the address and port indicating the location management server 20 via the network 3.

  The position management server 20 includes a tag position information generation unit 21, a printer information acquisition unit 22, a position management database 23, and a transmission / reception unit 24. The transmission / reception unit 24 receives the RFID identification signal transmitted from the sensors 2-2b. The tag position information generation unit 21 generates RFID position information based on the received identification signal. As will be described later, the location management database 23 stores information about printers, sensors, RFIDs, maps, and users. The location management database 23 is stored in a storage medium such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or a memory. The transmission / reception unit 24 transmits the position information of the generated RFID, the position information of the printers 40, 40a and 40b acquired from the position management database 23, and the map information to the PCs 10, 10a and 10b. Here, the position information of the printer and the position information of the PC installed in the area can be included in the map information.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of RFIDs may be represented by RFID 1, a sensor by sensor 2, a PC by PC 10, and a printer by printer 40. A plurality of RFIDs, sensors, PCs, and printers will be described as having the same configuration.

  The tag position information generation unit 21 associates the sensor ID of the sensor 2 that detects the RFID 1 with the position information where the sensor 2 is installed. This sensor ID can be identified from the correspondence between the sensor ID and the sensor address. The address of the source sensor 2 that transmits the detection signal can be specified by the source address included in the header of the packet used when sending the information.

  The tag position information generation unit 21 acquires RFID position information based on the identification signal detected by the sensor 2. Now, since the RFID is possessed by an operator who operates the PC, the tag position information generation unit 21 generates user position information.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the location management database 23. The position management database 23 includes a sensor position management table 23a, a tag signal management table 23b, a tag ID information management table 23c, a printer information management table 23d, a printer capability management table 23g, a map information management table 23e, and a user information management table 23f. Have.

  The sensor position management table 23a holds a sensor ID, sensor position information, a sensor address, and a floor where the sensor is installed in association with each other. Here, the sensor address is an IP address that identifies the sensor. The sensor position can be identified by associating the sensor ID with the sensor address.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the tag signal management table 23b. As shown in the figure, the tag signal management table 23b holds a tag ID, a sensor ID, and a detection time in association with each other. Accordingly, the tag, the sensor that detects the tag, and the detection time can be associated with each other. From the data of FIG. 3, it can be read that the RFID 1 is now in the vicinity of the sensor 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the tag ID position management table 23c. As shown in the figure, the tag ID position management table 23c holds a tag ID, a floor, position information, and a detection time in association with each other. Each record held by the tag ID position management table 23c is generated based on the records held by the sensor position management table 23a and the tag signal management table 23b. The tag ID position management table 23c provides position information and time information where the tag is detected.

  The transmission / reception unit 24 can identify the IP address of the sensor by referring to the header of the packet when receiving the tag detection signal from the sensors 2 to 2b. The tag ID, the detection signal, and the sensor IP address are information determined to be transmitted from the sensors 2-2b. The transmission / reception unit 24 requests the tag position information generation unit 21 to update the position management database 23 with information in which the received time is associated with the received information. The detection time is the time when the sensors 2-2 b detect the RFIDs 1-1 b, that is, the current time when the identification signals from the RFIDs are received from the sensors 2-2 b.

  The tag position information generation unit 21 specifies a sensor ID by referring to the sensor position management table 23a based on the sensor IP address input from the transmission / reception unit 24, the specified sensor ID, the input tag ID, and the detection In association with the time, the record in which the tag ID and the sensor ID of the tag signal management table 23b match is updated. Thereby, the tag signal management table 23b holds the latest information about the tag ID.

  For each predetermined period, the tag position information generation unit 21 includes a sensor ID associated with a tag ID held in the tag signal management table 23b, a detection time, a floor associated with the sensor ID, and a position. Information is acquired, position information associated with the tag ID is calculated based on the acquired information, and position information of the RFIDs 1 to 1b is acquired.

  The position management database 23 also displays icon image information of each of the printers 40, 40a and 40b, a printer ID which is unique identification information, actual position information indicating an actual arrangement position, an IP address, a SIP address, a model, and other displays. Printer apparatus information registered in association with related image information such as a method is stored.

  FIG. 5A is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of the printer information management table 23d. As shown in the figure, the printer information management table 23d includes a printer ID of a printer arranged in the system, an installed floor, a place name, a position coordinate, an address, a printer model, a file name of an icon as a symbol, and a printer. The ability IDs are registered in association with each other. The printer device information registered in the printer information management table 23d can be configured to store previously input information or to be downloaded by a service connected via the network 3. The printer capability ID is an ID for identifying a printing function that the printer with the printer ID has. The printing function corresponding to this printer capability ID is registered in the printer capability management table 23g.

  FIG. 5B is a data structure diagram of an example of the printer capability management table 23g. As shown in FIG. 5B, the printer capability management table 23g includes a printer capability ID with a print function as a printable document size, color / monochrome indicating whether color printing is possible or only monochrome printing, and a printable page layout. A finisher indicating the type of double-sided printing and whether stapling or punching is possible ("-") is associated.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the printer capability management table 23g in which capability information that is the printing function of the printer is classified for each printer capability ID is provided, and the printer capability ID is assigned to the printer ID in the printer information management table 23d. Correspondingly, capability information for each printer is defined, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer information management table 23d may be configured such that capability information such as document size, color / monochrome, page layout, double-sided printing, finisher, and the like is directly associated with the printer ID to determine capability information for each printer. Good.

  FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the map information management table 23e. As shown in the figure, the map information management table 23e registers a map ID, a floor indicated by the map, an X coordinate and a Y coordinate indicating a display range, and a map image file name in association with each other.

  FIG. 7 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the user information management table 23f. As shown in the figure, the user information management table 23f includes a tag ID possessed by the user, a transmission destination when a notification is transmitted, a telephone number, a name, a file name of an icon indicating the user, a PC address operated by the user, In addition, the IC cards possessed by the user are registered in association with each other. As will be described later, the IC card is used for authentication when acquiring a printed matter. The user PC address is the address of the PC operated by the user.

  The tag position information acquisition unit 21 refers to the user information management table 23 f and acquires the tag position information, the detection time information, and the file name of the icon indicating the RFID owner from the position management database 23.

  Further, the printer information acquisition unit 22 refers to the printer information management table 23d for the printer IDs of the printers 40, 40a and 40b, the installed floors, place names, position coordinates, addresses, printer models, and icon file names. And obtained from the position management database 23.

  Further, the printer information acquisition unit 22 acquires map information to be displayed by the printer and the user as an icon with reference to the map information management table 23e based on the detected RFID position and printer ID. These pieces of information are acquired corresponding to the position information of the RFID.

  The transmission / reception unit 24 acquires the acquired RFID position information, the ID of the user who owns the RFID, an icon indicating the user, printer information (information registered in the printer information management table 23d in FIG. 5A), and printer capability. Printer capability information corresponding to the ID (information registered in the printer capability management table 23g of FIG. 5-2), an icon indicating the printer, and a map image are transmitted to the PC 10.

  The PC 10 includes a monitor 11, an input device 12, a display control unit 13, an input reception unit 14, a search unit 15, a data storage unit 16, a notification destination setting unit 17, and a transmission / reception unit 18. Now, the user 1 operates the PC 10 to output the printed document file stored in his / her PC 10 to the user 1b on another floor, and outputs it with a printer near the user 1b. A case where a print output is notified will be described.

  The monitor 11 is a display device that displays characters and images.

  The display control unit 13 receives the positions and icons of the RFIDs 1 to 1 b, the positions and icons of the printers 40 to 40 b, the printer capability information and the map image transmitted from the position management server 20, and The printer layout is displayed as an icon as a symbol. The display on the screen of the monitor 11 uses a browser or dedicated software.

  In addition, the display control unit 13 displays the icon of the document data stored in the data storage unit 16 on the screen of the monitor 11. Further, the display control unit 13 uses text information such as “Ichiro XX”, “8F entrance side”, and the like as the text information indicating the user's name and the actual position information of the printer as characters. On the display screen.

  Here, the icon refers to an icon in which various data and processing functions are displayed as pictures or pictographs on the display screen of the monitor 11. In this embodiment, the printer icon and the user icon are displayed on the display screen of the monitor 11 to indicate the printer and the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Symbols including the data and processing functions displayed by symbols, character strings, and the like may be displayed.

  The input device 12 is a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball or a trackpad, a keyboard, or the like. The user performs an operation by drag and drop or an operation on a screen displayed on the monitor 11. Here, the drag and drop is an operation of continuously performing drag and drop by an operation method using a mouse or the like. In addition, moving the pointer while pressing a button such as a mouse is referred to as “drag”, and an operation of releasing the button such as a mouse at the dragging destination is referred to as “drop”.

  The input receiving unit 14 receives a drag and drop operated from the input device 12. The input receiving unit 14 also receives other inputs from the input device 12.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a map image including a layout of people, PCs, and printers displayed on the display screen of the monitor 11. As shown in the figure, an office layout diagram 960 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 11 in accordance with the information transmitted from the location management server 20. The office layout diagram 960 displayed on the monitor includes icons 910 and 920 and text information 911 and 921 of the printers 40a and 40b, icon 930 and text information 931 of the document file, and icons 940 and 950 of people. The text information 941 and 951 are arranged at relative positions. This floor is assumed to be the third floor. On the monitor 11, a pointer 970 operated by the input device 12 is displayed in the form of an arrow.

  In the figure, it is assumed that Jiro XX is the user 2 and has the RFID 1a and operates the PC 10a on the third floor. In addition, Saburo XX is a user 1b and possesses RFID 1b and operates the PC 10b on the third floor. In addition, XX Ichiro (not shown) is a user 1 and possesses RFID 1 and operates the PC 10 from the first floor.

  When the mouse pointer 970 is moved over the icons 910 of the printers 40 a and 40 b and designated on the layout diagram 960, the input receiving unit 14 receives an instruction input of the icon 910. Then, the display control unit 13 extracts capability information corresponding to the printers 40a and 40b of the instructed icon 910 from the received capability information (printing function), and superimposes the extracted capability information on the layout diagram 960. indicate. As a result, the user can print a document file by selecting an appropriate printer after grasping the printing functions of the printers 40a and 40b.

  FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a layout diagram in which printer capability information is displayed. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the mouse pointer 970 is designated on the icon 920 of the printer 40, the capability information of the printer 40 is superimposed on the layout diagram 960, and the mouse pointer 970 is displayed on the printer 40a. Is indicated on the icon 920, the capability information of the printer 40 is superimposed on the layout diagram 960.

  Here, the user 1 prints and delivers a document file stored in the PC 10 of the user 1 to the printer 40b installed in the vicinity of the user 1b, which is another user, and tries to notify the printing. The user 1 inputs the name of the user 1b who wants to pass the print result from the input device 12.

  The input receiving unit 14 receives a name of the user 1b from the input device 12. The data storage unit 16 has a user information management table similar to that shown in FIG. Here, the user information management table has a tag ID possessed by the user, a transmission destination when a notification is transmitted, a telephone number, a name, a file name of an icon indicating the user, a PC address operated by the user, and a user possessed. IC cards are registered in association with each other.

  The search unit 15 refers to the user information management table according to the input user name, and acquires the ID of the RFID 1b possessed by the user 1b corresponding to the name. First, the transmission / reception unit 18 transmits the identification information of the RFID 1b of the user 1b to the location management server 20.

  In the location management server 20, the tag location information generation unit 21 acquires the location information of the RFID 1b based on the received identification information of the RFID 1b. The printer information acquisition unit 22 selects the printer 40b located in the vicinity based on the acquired position information of the RFID 1b. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 24 returns the position information of the RFID 1b, the file name of the icon, the position information of the printer 40b, the file name of the icon, and the map image of the third floor to the PC 10.

  Based on the received information, the PC 10 displays a map of the third floor on which the user 1b is present on the screen of the monitor 11, and the RFID 1b is detected on the map at the position where the RFID 1b is detected. The icon 950 and the icon 910 of the printer 40b are displayed at the position of the nearby printer 40b as shown in FIG.

  However, here, when the user 1 inputs “Saburo XX”, which is the name of the user 1b, from the input device 12, this information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 18 to the location management server 20, and the location management server 20 With reference to the management database 23, the tag position information generation unit 21 may generate the position information of the user 1b, and the printer information acquisition unit 22 may transmit the corresponding printer icon and map information to the PC. .

  The user 1 performs a drag-and-drop operation on the document file 930 stored in his / her PC 10 to the printer icon 910 located near the user 1b. This printer icon is that of the printer 40b. The input reception unit 14 acquires the dropped printer ID by the received drag and drop operation input, and receives a print command. Further, the input receiving unit 14 receives an input of a reservation time that is a time for executing printing from the user 1.

  The notification destination setting unit 17 generates notification destination information for notifying the PC 10b of the selected other user 1b and the PC 10 of the user 1 who is the person himself / herself to the printing by the dropped printer 40b. The notification destination information includes the searched PC 10b and the address of the PC 10 that is the transmission source of the print command. Note that the mail address of another user 1b may be included in the notification destination information. Further, it is possible to include the addresses of all PCs that are to be notified of this printing. In this way, the notification destination setting unit 17 can set a notification destination for notifying the printing state by the printer. The print state to be notified is, for example, print reservation or end.

  The transmission / reception unit 18 transmits the ID of the printer 40 b specified by the drop, the document file specified by the drag, and the notification destination information generated by the notification destination setting unit 17 to the address of the printer management server 30. The transmission / reception unit 18 also transmits the reserved time specified by the user 1 to the address of the printer management server 30. The transmission / reception unit 18 transmits a pre-print start notification message to the address of the PC 10b of the user 1b (or the address of the user 1b) that is the notification destination of the notification destination information.

  The printer management server 30 includes a printer information storage unit 31, a driver selection unit 32, a print data generation unit 33, a reservation execution unit 35, and a transmission / reception unit 34.

  The transmission / reception unit 34 receives printer ID information, a document file, and notification destination information transmitted from the PC. Further, the transmission / reception unit 34 transmits a pre-print start notification message to the address of the PC 10b of the user 1b (or the address of the user 1b) that is the notification destination of the notification destination information.

  The printer information storage unit 31 stores printer driver software corresponding to each printer connected through the network 3 in association with the printer ID.

  The driver selection unit 32 selects printer driver software from the printer information storage unit 31 based on the printer ID received by the transmission / reception unit 34. Here, the driver selection unit 32 selects driver software corresponding to the printer 40b that has been dropped by the PC, but suitable driver software is determined by determining the extension and properties of the received document file 930. It can be set as the structure to select.

  The print data generation unit 33 is a processing unit obtained by executing the printer driver software selected by the driver selection unit 32, and converts the received document file into print data to be printed by the designated printer 40b.

  The transmission / reception unit 34 transmits the received print command, converted print data, and notification destination information to the address of the designated printer 40b.

  The reservation execution unit 35 receives the reservation time set in the PC 10, determines whether or not the current time is the reservation time, and if the reservation time is reached or if the reservation time has passed, The transmission / reception unit 34 is controlled to start transmission processing of the print data and notification destination information generated by the print data generation unit 33 to the designated printer 40b.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 34 is controlled to start transmission of print data and notification destination information when the reservation time is reached or the reservation time has passed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reservation execution unit 35 is configured to start the print data generation process by controlling the print data generation unit 33 when the reservation time is reached or the reservation time has passed, or the driver selection unit 32. The reservation execution unit 35 may be configured to start the driver selection process by controlling the above.

  The printer 40 includes an image output unit 41, a notification information generation unit 42, and a transmission / reception unit 43. The transmission / reception unit 43 receives a print command, print data, and notification destination information transmitted from the printer management server 30. The transmission / reception unit 43 also sends the address of the PC 10 of the user 1 who is the person who made the print request (or the address of the user 1) and the address of the PC 10b of the user 1b who is the notification destination of the notification destination information (or the partner). A print status notification message is transmitted to the address of the user 1b.

  The image output unit 41 prints the print data on a recording sheet or the like according to the received print command. The notification information generation unit 42 generates notification information that notifies the PC of execution of printing. The transmission / reception unit 43 transmits notification information in accordance with the received notification destination information.

  Here, the PC 10 that instructs printing of the document file 930 and the PC 10b used by the user 1b are designated as notification destinations. The notification information can include status information such as printing schedule, printing end, and printing. Here, an example of notifying the end of printing will be described. The notification information generation unit 42 generates print end notification information when the image output unit 41 has finished printing.

  The notification information for the PC 10 is that the document file has been output from the PC 10b and the recipient is the user 1b. The notification information for the PC 10b is that the document file has been output from the PC 10b, the print commander is the user 1, and the recipient is the user 1b. The transmission / reception unit 43 transmits these print end notifications to the PC 10 of the user 1 and the PC 10b of the user 1b, respectively.

  Here, a printer is applied as the output execution device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a multi-function device having a printing function.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the first embodiment. The sensor 2 detects an RFID (wireless tag) possessed by the user and transmits a detection signal to the position management server 20.

  In the position management server 20, the tag position information generation unit 21 generates tag position information from time to time in accordance with the tag signals transmitted from the sensors 2 to 2b. The printer information acquisition unit 22 acquires a map image including a plurality of printer information and a layout of the installation location from the position management database. Then, a map image including tag position information, printer information, their icons, and a printer layout is transmitted to the PC 10 (step S101).

  The PC 10 receives the position information of the user corresponding to the detected RFID, the position information of the plurality of printers, the map image, and the like, and the user icon and the printer corresponding to the current user position on the screen of the monitor 11. A map image including an icon layout is displayed (step S102). Here, since the PC 10 is a PC operated by the user 1, the position management server 20 first transmits image information and the like based on the detected position of the RFID 1 possessed by the user 1.

  Here, the input receiving unit 14 receives the notification destination of the end notification information after the end of printing (step S103). When the user 1 inputs the name of the transfer destination user 1b from the input device 12, the input receiving unit 14 receives the input (Yes in step S103). The search unit 15 refers to the user information management table in the data storage unit 16, acquires the ID information of the RFID 1b possessed by the user 1b, and transmits it to the location management server 20 (step S104).

  The position management server 20 specifies the position information of the RFID 1b and the printer 40b in the vicinity based on the received ID of the RFID 1b. Then, the position information and icon of the user 1b, the position information and icon of the printer 40b, and the map image Map3 are transmitted to the PC 10 (step S105).

  Based on the received information, the PC 10 arranges the icon of the recipient user 1b and the icon of the nearby printer 40b on the map image Map3 as shown in FIG. Is displayed (step S106).

  Here, the user performs a drag-and-drop operation of the document file icon 930 on the icon 910 of the printer 40b in order to print the document file with the printer 40b. The input receiving unit 14 detects whether or not this drag and drop operation has been received (step S107). In addition, the user inputs the time desired to be printed as the reservation time, and receives the input reservation time from the input reception unit 14. When it is detected that the drag and drop has been accepted (Yes in step S107), the transmission / reception unit 18 of the PC 10 receives the document file, the ID of the transmission source PC 10, the address of the notification information transmission destination PC 10b, and the selected printer 40b. The ID and the reservation time are transmitted to the printer management server 30 (step S108). Then, the transmission / reception unit 18 transmits a pre-print start notification message to the PC 10b of the user 1b (or the address of the user 1b) that is the notification destination of the notification destination information (step S121). Then, the transmission / reception unit 18 determines whether or not status information to be displayed on the screen of the monitor 11 has been received (step S109).

  When the printer management server 30 receives the ID information, the notification destination information, and the document file of the printer 40b transmitted from the PC 10, the transmission / reception unit 34 receives the PC 10b of the user 1b (or the partner) that is the notification destination of the notification destination information (or the other party). A notification message before starting printing is transmitted to (address of user 1b) (step S131). Note that the transmission process of the pre-print start notification message is performed by the PC 10 in step S121, and therefore may not be performed by the printer management server 30.

  Then, the driver selection unit 32 selects a corresponding driver from among the drivers stored in the printer information storage unit 31 (step S110). The print data generation unit 33 generates print data from the document file by the selected driver (step S111). Then, the reservation execution unit 35 determines whether the current time is the reservation time or whether the reservation time has passed (step S132). If the reservation time has not yet reached (step S132: No), the process waits. It becomes a state. On the other hand, when the current time becomes the reserved time (step S132: Yes), the information is transmitted to the printer 40b together with the ID information of the PC 10 and PC 10b that are the end notification destination (step S112).

  In the printer 40b, the image output unit 41 performs print output according to the received print data, and the transmission / reception unit 43 receives a print status notification message (for example, printing error when printing error occurs during printing). To the address of the PC 10 of the user 1 who made the print request (or the address of the user 1) and the address of the PC 10b of the user 1b who is the notification destination of the notification destination information (or the address of the user 1b). Transmit (step S113). The print status may be transmitted to the printer management server 30 and the print status notification message may be transmitted from the printer management server 30.

  Then, the notification information generation unit 42 determines whether or not the print output has been completed (step S114). If the print information has been completed (Yes in step S114), the notification information for which the print output has been completed is addressed to the PC 10 and the PC 10b. Respectively. Then, the transmission / reception unit 43 transmits the respective notification information to the PC 10 and the PC 10b (step S115).

  The PC 10 determines whether or not the transmission / reception unit 18 has received the end notification information transmitted from the printer 40b (step S109). If the PC 10 determines that it has been received (Yes in step S109), the display control unit 13 The fact that printing has been completed is displayed on the screen of the monitor 11 (step S116).

  Similarly, the PC 10b specified as the notification destination also determines whether or not the transmission / reception unit (not shown) has received the end notification information transmitted from the printer 40b (step S117), and determines that it has been received. In the case (Yes in step S117), the display control unit 13 displays on the screen of the monitor 11 that the printing has been completed (step S118).

  In this way, in the document printing system according to the first embodiment, the user 1 intuitively grasps the current position of the other user 1b and the position of the printer on the PC monitor, and creates a document file by a drag-and-drop operation. By selecting a suitable printer of another user, for example, a nearby printer 40b and printing it, and displaying the end notification on the monitor of the PC 10b of the other user 1b after the printing is completed, the user can make troublesome to the PC. The printer can be selected and printed out by simple operation without the need for printer settings, and can be notified to the receiving user after completion. This reduces the complexity of document management after output by simple operation. Document printing with high performance is possible.

  In the document printing system according to the first embodiment, printing time can be specified as the reserved time and printing can be executed. Therefore, when the printed material is handed over to another user, a person other than the designated user views the printed material. Can be prevented, and the security of the printed matter can be ensured.

  Here, the apparatus for executing printing has been described as a PC, but in practice, any apparatus can be applied as long as it is an apparatus that commands printing processing.

  For example, the printer and the notification destination are displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone, and a mail attached with a file is transmitted to the printer management server 30, so that printing similar to that described in the first embodiment can be performed.

  In addition, the printer and the notification destination are displayed on the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) display screen, and the file is transmitted to the printer management server 30 via the wireless LAN, thereby performing the same printing as described in the first embodiment. be able to.

  Here, as the notification information, the end notification information that notifies the end notification is configured to be notified after the end, but information that displays the status of the printer during printing, online, other than that, for example, out of paper, It can be configured to notify status information such as out of ink and set paper type.

  Here, if the delivery destination of the print output is set to the user 1 who operates the PC 10, the user 1 can print it out and receive it as it is, not the other person.

  In the first embodiment, the wireless tag is applied to the position identification method. However, even if the wireless tag is not used, for example, the location of the desktop PC is registered in the same manner as the image forming apparatus, and the IP address or A configuration in which a wired LAN that performs communication using a MAC address as a unique ID is also applicable. This is because the user can know the position of the PC he is using, and thus the printer in the vicinity can be identified.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the document printing system according to the second embodiment. The PC 110 further includes a reservation unit 111. The printer management server 130 further includes a reservation execution unit 131.

  The document printing system according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the PC, the reservation unit 111 reserves reservation information for making a reservation and instructing execution of printing when a user who is notified of the end of printing is selected. Generate.

  In the printer management server 130, the reservation execution unit 131 receives the reservation information, generates print data by the specified printer based on the received reservation information, and transmits the print data to the specified PC. When the reservation execution unit 131 receives the reservation information, the reservation execution unit 131 transmits reservation notification information that is a print command reservation notification to the PC that is the reservation source of the print command and the PC that is the notification destination user of the print end. To do.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reserve a print output time / printer, notification destination, etc., and execute printing, so it is possible to specify the time and place and output the print product from the printer at that time and location. it can. In addition, since the notification that the reservation is made to the print command source and the receiving PC is performed, the complexity of management after document printing can be reduced.

  For example, the user may want to output printed matter from a printer connected to the LAN and receive it on time before the meeting starts at another branch, for example, the next morning. Such a case will be described.

  Now, FIG. 7 shows that the user 1 inputs another branch from the input device 12 and the search unit 15 searches and includes the person, printer, and map information of the floor of the corresponding branch from the location management server 20. It is assumed that the arrangement information is transmitted and displayed on the monitor 11. In the other branch shown in FIG. 7, when the user 1 goes out, the document file 930 is dragged and dropped with respect to the icon 910 in order to open the door and cause the nearest printer 40b to output. Here, it is assumed that the input device 12 can input in the reservation mode, and the reservation mode is now set. As an input in the reservation mode, the operator inputs information about 7:50 on the next day, which is a printing time, and notification destination PC information. The input receiving unit 14 receives this reservation input.

  The reservation unit 111 generates reservation information for instructing execution of printing in accordance with the reservation input and the document file and the printer information obtained by dragging and dropping the icon. The transmission / reception unit 18 transmits the generated reservation information and document file to the printer management server 130.

  The printer management server 130 reads the reservation information received by the reservation execution unit 131, generates reservation acceptance information that is information indicating that print execution has been reserved for the notification destination, and each of the transmission / reception units 34 uses the reservation reception information. It transmits to PC10 and PC10b.

  According to the received reservation information, the reservation execution unit 131 selects the driver when the reserved next morning is 7:50, and the print data generation unit 33 selects the print data with the driver of the selected printer. Generate. Then, the transmission / reception unit 34 transmits the print data and notification information to the designated printer. Then, as in the case of the first embodiment, the printer 40b performs printout and transmits print end notification information to the notification destination included in the reservation information.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the second embodiment. Since the steps up to step S107 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the subsequent steps will be mainly described. When the file and printer are subjected to a drag and drop operation (Yes in step S107), the input receiving unit 14 detects whether or not the reservation information is received (step S201), and if it is detected (step S201). In step S202, the reservation unit 111 generates reservation information, and the transmission / reception unit 18 transmits the document file and the reservation information to the printer management server 130.

  In the printer management server 130, when the reservation execution unit 131 receives reservation information and a document file (Yes in step S203), the reservation execution unit 131 reads the reservation information, generates information that accepts the reservation at the set transmission destination, Send it. That is, here, the transmission is made to the address of the transmission source PC 10 (or the address of the user 1) and the address of the PC 10b operated by the print receiving user 1b (or the address of the user 1b) (step S204).

  When receiving the reservation acceptance information (Yes in Step S205), the PC 10 that receives the reservation acceptance information displays the reservation information on the screen of the monitor 11 (Step S206). The subsequent steps are the same as those after step S109 for determining whether or not to receive the print end notification information, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, when receiving the reservation information (Yes in step S207), the PC 10b that receives the reservation acceptance information displays the reservation information on the monitor screen (step S208). Since it is the same as that after step S117 for determining whether or not, description is omitted.

  The reservation execution unit 131 of the printer management server 130 further determines whether or not the reserved condition is satisfied from the read reservation information (step S209). For example, if the print execution time is a reservation item, If it is determined that the time has come, it is determined that the reservation condition is satisfied (Yes in step S209), a driver is selected (step S110), and print data is generated (step S111). Since step S110 and subsequent steps are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the printer 40b, when print data or the like is transmitted from the printer management server 130 (step S112), the printer 40b receives the print data and starts print output (step S113). Since step S113 and subsequent steps are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In this way, printing time is output from the printer at the location where the user wants to receive it in the future by reserving the time / printer for printing the printed matter, the notification destination of the print reservation, and causing the printer to execute printing. Therefore, it becomes a convenient document printing method. In addition, when handing over the printed matter to another user, it is possible to prevent a person other than the designated user from browsing the printed matter, thereby ensuring the security of the printed matter. Furthermore, since a notification destination can be set and notified that a reservation has been made, the complexity of management after document printing can be reduced.

  Here, when a user other than the user 1 is designated from the PC 10b of the user 1, the reservation unit 111 displays that the reservation notification is transmitted to other users other than the user 1 on the screen of the monitor 11. It can be set as the structure displayed above. As a result, it is possible to avoid mistaken selection of the printer to output when handing over the printed matter to another user who is generally located at a different location from the user 1.

  In addition, the transmission destination of the reservation notification can be configured to always display a display requesting setting on the monitor. As a result, the notification destination for the print output can be confirmed, and the security management can be improved by confirming the output destination.

  As the reservation information, in addition to the time-based print reservation, for example, the printer management server may detect that the power of the reservation destination printer is turned on, and start printing when the power is turned on. .

(Embodiment 3)
The document printing system according to the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the reservation information is received by the PC, and when the print output from the printer is received, the authentication information from the user to be received by the printer is received. Only when the printer management server compares the received authentication information with the received authentication information and the verification is successful, printout is performed from the reserved printer.

  As a result, when a reservation is made by specifying a recipient, the recipient's authentication information is verified and printed only if it is correct. The complexity of document management after print output can be reduced.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the document printing system according to the third embodiment. The printer management server 230 further includes an authentication unit 231. The printer 240 further includes an authentication reception unit 241.

  The authentication reception unit 241 included in the printer 240 reads the authentication information of the IC card possessed by the user, and transmits it to the printer management server 230. The authentication unit 231 included in the printer management server 230 acquires user authentication information and collates authentication information received from the printer. If the collation is successful and the reservation execution unit 131 determines that other reservation conditions are satisfied, the reservation is executed and print data is generated from the document file that has already been received.

  For example, in the morning of the next day, the user 1 may surely want to output and receive the printed matter from the printer connected to the LAN before the meeting starts at another branch. Such a case will be described. Since the reservation and printing are the same as those described in the second embodiment, the different authentication part will be mainly described.

  When the user 1 makes a print reservation on the PC 110, the user 1 is designated as the receiving user. The reservation unit 111 generates reservation information including the designated recipient information, and this reservation information is transmitted to the printer management server 230. Here, the user 1b who is a user other than himself / herself can be designated as the recipient.

  The authentication unit 231 of the printer management server holds user authentication information (for example, user ID, password, etc.) in advance. It may be received from the location management server 20 and downloaded, or the user authentication information may be included in the reservation information received from the PC 1.

  The authentication unit 231 reads the reservation information and sets the authentication information of the user 1 as the authentication information of the recipient for the reserved print.

  The user 1 has an IC card in which authentication information is stored. In order to receive the reserved printed matter, the IC card is inserted into the insertion port of the authentication receiving unit 241 of the printer 240, and the authentication information is read. The read authentication information is transmitted to the printer management server 230 by the transmission / reception unit 43.

  The authentication unit 231 collates the authentication information of the user 1 set in advance with the authentication information received from the printer 240. If the collation is successful, the reservation execution unit 131 is notified of the collation success. The reservation execution unit 131 receives a notification that the collation has been successful. If there is other reservation information, the reservation execution unit 131 starts printing if it is satisfied.

  If the authentication is not successful, the authentication unit 231 causes the reservation execution unit 131 to stop the execution of the subsequent functions and terminates.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the third embodiment. Steps different from those in the first and second embodiments are mainly described.

  The authentication reception unit 241 of the printer 240 is in the detection state of the authentication information of the IC card (step S301), and when it is read (Yes in step S301), the read authentication information is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 43 to the printer management server 230. (Step S302).

  The printer management server 230 receives the reservation information and the document file from the PC 10 (Yes in step S203). Here, it is assumed that the reservation information includes recipient authentication information. The authentication unit 231 of the printer 240 is in a state where the authentication information is being read (step S303). When the authentication information is read (Yes in step S303), the authentication information of the user 1 included in the reservation information, the received authentication information, and Are collated (step S304).

  If the authentication unit 231 determines that the verification is successful (Yes in step S304), the authentication unit 231 notifies the reservation execution unit 131 of the verification success (step S305). If there is other reservation information, the reservation execution unit 131 notified of the verification success determines whether it is satisfied (step S209). If other reservation information is satisfied (Yes in step S209), a driver is selected (step S110), and print data is generated (step S111). Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if the authentication is not successful (No in step S304), the authentication unit 231 ends the printing process.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the third embodiment, when a recipient is designated and reserved, the person is authenticated by the IC card in the printer, and the authentication information of the recipient is collated, and the printout is performed only when it is correct. By doing so, only the designated recipient can print out, so that the security of information output can be enhanced and the complexity of document management after printing out can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4)
The document printing system according to the fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the reservation information is inputted in the PC, the personal authentication is performed in the printer, and the print information is received by the input from the PC. The personal authentication is performed by the printer, and if successful, the printer management server prints out the reserved printer.

  As a result, when a reservation is made by specifying a recipient, the recipient's authentication information is collated in the printer and printed only when it is correct, so that only the designated recipient can print out. And the complexity of document management after print output can be reduced.

  FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a document printing system according to the fourth embodiment. The printer 340 includes an authentication unit 341.

  The authentication unit 341 included in the printer 340 receives the reservation information authentication information transmitted from the PC 10. The authentication unit 341 includes an authentication receiving unit (not shown) that reads authentication information of an IC card held by the user, and compares the authentication information read by the authentication receiving unit with authentication information that has already been received. When the verification is successful, the authentication unit 341 causes the printer management server 330 to transmit a notification that the authentication verification is successful.

  The printer management server 330 receives the authentication verification notification, and the reservation execution unit 131 starts printing if there is any other reservation information, and if it is satisfied. If the authentication is not successful, the authentication unit 231 stops the subsequent execution and ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the fourth embodiment. Steps different from those of the first to third embodiments will be mainly described. When the printer management server 330 is in a detected state that a document file and reservation information are sent from the PC 10 (step S401), and determines that the document file and reservation information have been received (Yes in step S401), the printer management server 330 transmits the reservation information to the printer 340. (Step S402).

  The printer 340 detects whether or not the reservation information has been received (step S403), and if detected (Yes in step S403), transmits the reservation acceptance information to the PC (step S404). The sending PC 10 that receives this reservation acceptance information and the PC 10b of the receiving user each receive and display the booking acceptance (steps S205 and S207 described above).

  Then, the authentication unit 341 detects the authentication information of the IC card (step S405), and when it is read (Yes in step S405), the authentication unit 341 checks the authentication information from the PC 10 (step S406). If the authentication unit 341 succeeds in collation (Yes in step S406), the authentication unit 341 transmits an authentication success notification to the printer management server 330 (step S407).

  When the printer management server 330 receives an authentication success notification (Yes in step S408), the reservation execution unit 131 determines whether other reservation information is satisfied (step S209). (Yes in step S209) As described above, a driver is selected (step S110), and print data is generated (step S111). Since the subsequent steps are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if the authentication is not successful (No in step S406), the authentication unit 231 ends the printing process.

  As described above, according to the document printing system of the fourth embodiment, when a recipient is specified and reserved, the printer authenticates the identity with the IC card, and prints out only when the recipient's authentication information is verified and correct. By doing so, only the designated recipient can print out, so that the security of information output can be enhanced and the complexity of document management after printing out can be reduced.

  Here, as an authentication method, an information terminal can be used instead of an IC card, and authentication can be performed by exchanging with a printer according to the brute-tooth standard. This is because it is easy to obtain authentication information in the printer. In this case, since the printer includes the identification information received from the location management server when the reservation information is transmitted from the PC, the authentication of the information terminal by the Bluetooth function can be easily performed.

  This information terminal can be constituted by a mobile phone. In that case, the mobile phone number can be used as the authentication information. This is because a highly convenient authentication function can be achieved with a simple configuration by exchanging unique and high identification information called a mobile phone number with the printer by the Bluetooth function. In this case, the information terminal can be authenticated by including a mobile phone number as identification information received from the location management server when the reservation information is transmitted from the PC.

  If the Bluetooth function cannot be used, mail transmission from the mobile phone to the printer address can be used, and at that time, the mobile phone mail address can be used as authentication information. By using unique and highly discriminating information such as a mobile phone mail address as authentication information, the authentication operation can be surely performed automatically, and the complexity of manual authentication input can be omitted.

  When the information terminal has a communication function and a display function, a document file reservation acceptance notification can be transmitted from the PC and displayed. This information terminal is preferably constituted by a mobile phone.

  The reservation acceptance notification from the PC can be received by the mobile phone via the Internet and the mobile phone network, and the name of the document file whose reservation has been accepted can be displayed on the display screen. As a result, even a user who is remote from the PC can quickly receive a reservation acceptance notification by using an information terminal with high convenience and certainty as a mobile phone.

  Further, the document file thus reserved can be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone, the selection input can be accepted from the input means, and only the accepted document file can be printed out. This is because by printing only necessary document files, a document printing system with high adaptability and convenience can be obtained.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the mobile phone receives and displays the reservation acceptance information. For example, a document file name reserved for printing is transmitted from the PC 10 to the mobile phone 1600 and received and displayed. When the mobile phone 1600 wants to print out only the A document 1602 in the received reservation information list 1601, for example, it selects the A document 1602 from the input means and inputs the print output setting.

  When the input setting is transmitted to the printer by the Bluetooth function, the printer has already received the mobile phone number transmitted as the reservation information from the location management server 20 via the PC 10 as the authentication information, Verification is performed by the authentication function of the printer.

  If the printer does not have a Bluetooth function, authentication can be performed by sending mail to the printer via the mobile phone network and the Internet and using the mail address of the mobile phone as authentication information.

  By using the identification information of these telephone numbers and e-mail addresses from the mobile phone, the complexity of manually entering authentication information can be omitted, and the authentication method is highly reliable and convenient because it is unique information. .

  Also, here, by sending a mail with a document file attached from a mobile phone to the printer management server via the mobile phone network and the network, it is possible to improve the image quality with a printer from a convenient information terminal such as a mobile phone. High print output can be obtained.

(Embodiment 5)
The document printing system according to the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the display control unit 13 reduces the scale and display of the layout diagram on the monitor 11 based on the received user position information and printer position information. It is to change the position. As a result, the screen display is easier to see for the user.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the layout displayed on the monitor by the document printing system according to the fifth embodiment. The layout diagram 1710 displays the layout received first. The layout drawing 1720 is an enlarged display with a reduced scale.

  The display control unit 13 calculates a mutual distance on the screen based on the received user position information, printer position information, and map information, and the calculated distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance on the screen. Enlarges the image of the layout diagram 1710 and displays it on the monitor 11 as a layout diagram 1720. Thereby, the screen display is easier for the user to see.

  On the other hand, the display control unit 13 calculates a mutual distance on the screen based on the received user position information, printer position information, and map information, and the calculated distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance on the screen. In some cases, the image to be displayed is reduced and displayed on the monitor 11. As a result, the screen display allows the user to overlook the entire screen. For example, when only a part of the layout drawing 1720 is displayed, the scale is enlarged and reduced as shown in the layout drawing 1710.

  In addition, when the midpoint coordinates of the received user position information and the printer position information are separated from the center of the monitor 11 by a predetermined distance or more, the display control unit 113 causes the midpoint coordinates to be close to the center of the screen. Move to become. Thereby, for the user, the target to be viewed is arranged near the center, and the screen display is easier to see.

  Furthermore, when the printers displayed on the monitor 11 are displayed too close to each other, the display control unit 113 compares the positional information between the printers and determines that the printers are below a predetermined value. By setting the position information so that the positions of the printer icons are separated from each other, the icons can be displayed in a manner in which the icons are separated from each other while avoiding duplication.

  As described above, the document printing system according to the fifth embodiment can change the display form to a user-friendly display form by changing the display form when the arrangement including the user and the printer is difficult to see on the PC monitor. .

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the example in which the output request device is applied to the PC 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applicable to any device as long as it is a device that makes a predetermined output request. be able to. For example, the output request apparatus may be applied to a multifunction machine having at least one of a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function.

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the configuration including the printer management server that manages the printer has been described as an example. However, the configuration is such that the PC 10 directly transmits a print request to the printer 40 without providing the printer management server. Also good. In this case, the printer 40 may be configured to include the functions of the printer management server 30 described above (for example, functions such as a print data generation unit and a reservation execution unit).

  In the first to fifth embodiments, the case where a document file is output as a printed material on a paper medium has been described as an example. However, the output medium is not limited to a paper medium, and may be, for example, an electronic paper. The present invention can also be applied when outputting. Here, the electronic paper is a display having a thickness of about several tenths of a millimeter and capable of displaying and erasing data by electrical means. In addition to the “easy-to-read, easy-to-carry” features of hard copies that are printed on paper media, electronic paper has the “combination / rewriteability with digital information” and paper-saving resources of soft copies that appear on the display screen It is a reflective display medium that is expected to be realized, and has the characteristics of ultrathinness and flexibility not found in conventional image display devices.

  Furthermore, as an output device, the present invention can be applied as long as the device is movable and performs a predetermined output process. For example, the present invention uses a mobile phone, a household appliance, a vending machine, etc. as an output device. May be applied.

  In this case, the position on the map of a mobile phone, a home appliance, a vending machine, etc. may be displayed on a PC and an output request may be made to each device. And when arrangement | positioning of a mobile telephone, a household appliance, a vending machine, etc. moves, what is necessary is just to comprise so that the position of each apparatus displayed on PC10 may be displayed on a map in the position after movement. In this case, there is an advantage that an appropriate output process can be executed while always accurately grasping the arrangement of each device.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each device of the document printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments. As shown in FIG. 18, each device of the document printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments includes a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1802, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1803. A storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a CD (Compact Disk) drive device, a display device 1805 such as a monitor, an input device 1806 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a communication I / F 1807 And a bus 1808 for connecting them, and has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  The document printing program executed in each apparatus of the document printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD ( And recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a digital versatile disk.

  The document printing program executed by each device of the document printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is provided by being downloaded via the network. You may do it. The document printing program executed by each device of the document printing system according to the first to fourth embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the document printing program according to the first to fourth embodiments may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The document printing program executed by each apparatus of the document printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments includes the above-described units (display control unit, input reception unit, search unit, data storage unit, notification destination setting unit, transmission / reception unit, It has a module configuration including a drawing tool position information generation unit, a printer information acquisition unit, a driver selection unit, a print data generation unit, an image output unit, and a notification information generation unit, and the actual hardware is a CPU (processor) Reads out the document printing program from the storage medium and executes it to load each of the above units onto the main storage device, and display control unit, input receiving unit, search unit, data storage unit, notification destination setting unit, transmission / reception unit, drawing tool A position information generation unit, a printer information acquisition unit, a driver selection unit, a print data generation unit, an image output unit, a notification information generation unit, etc. are generated on the main storage device. Going on.

1 is a functional block diagram of a document printing system according to a first embodiment. 3 is a functional block diagram of a location management database 23. FIG. It is the figure which showed the structure of the tag signal management table 23b. It is the figure which showed the structure of the tag ID position management table 23c. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the printer information management table 23d. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the printer capability management table 23g. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the map information management table 23e. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of the user information management table 23f. It is a figure which shows an example of the map image containing the layout of the person, PC, and printer which were displayed on the display screen of the monitor. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a layout diagram in which printer capability information is displayed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a document printing procedure according to the first embodiment. 6 is a functional block diagram of a document printing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a document printing procedure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a document printing system according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a document printing system according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a document printing procedure according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example which uses a mobile telephone for authentication. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement diagram displayed on a monitor by a document printing system according to a fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of each apparatus of the document printing system of Embodiment 1-5.

Explanation of symbols

10 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Monitor 12 Input device 13 Display control part 14 Input reception part 15 Search part 16 Data storage part 17 Notification destination setting part 18 Transmission / reception part

Claims (15)

An output requesting device,
A storage unit for storing document files;
From a location management server that is connected to the network and manages user location information indicating the location of the user and output device location information indicating the location of the output device connected to the network, the user location information, the output device location information, A receiving unit that receives map information that is an image of an arrangement area in which the output device can be arranged;
The user symbol indicating the user, the output device symbol indicating the output device, and the document symbol indicating the document file to be output on the map image corresponding to each of the received user position information and output device position information. A display control unit for displaying on the display device at a position of
In the displayed map information, an input receiving unit that receives selection of the output device symbol and the document symbol;
A transmission unit that transmits an output command of the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the selected output device symbol and reservation information indicating reservation of output execution to the output device;
An output request apparatus characterized by comprising: The input receiving unit receives an input of a reservation time which is a time for executing the output,
The output request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the reservation time as the reservation information to the output apparatus. The output request apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a reservation unit configured to generate reservation information including the reservation time and the output device identification information of the output device of the designated output device symbol.   The output requesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input receiving unit receives an operation of dragging and dropping the document symbol displayed on the display device onto the output device symbol.   The output request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the user symbol and the output device symbol as icons. The output device includes an output execution device that executes output processing, and an output management device that is connected to the output execution device via a network and issues an output processing command to the output execution device,
The transmission unit transmits an output command of the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the selected output device symbol and the reservation information to the output management device. The output request apparatus according to claim 1. An output device,
Receiving reservation information indicating an output execution reservation and a document file output command from an output requesting device connected to the network, and controlling the output of the document file based on the received reservation information;
An output device characterized by that. An output execution device that executes output processing; and an output management device that is connected to the output execution device via a network and that instructs the output execution device to perform output processing;
The output management device
A driver storage unit for storing output driver software;
A first receiving unit that receives the reservation information and an output command of the document file from the output requesting device;
A driver selection unit that selects output driver software corresponding to the output execution device from the driver storage unit;
An output data generation unit that generates output data from the document file by executing the selected driver software;
A first transmission unit for transmitting the generated output data to the output execution device;
A reservation execution unit that controls the driver selection unit, the output data generation unit, or the first transmission unit based on the reservation information;
The output execution device includes:
A second receiver for receiving the output data;
An output execution unit for executing output of the received output data;
An output device comprising: The reservation information includes a reservation time which is an output execution time,
9. The reservation execution unit controls the first transmission unit to transmit the output data when a current time reaches the reservation time or when the reservation time has elapsed. Output device according to. The reservation information includes a reservation time which is an output execution time,
The reservation execution unit controls the driver selection unit to select the driver software and generate the output data when the current time becomes the reservation time or when the reservation time has elapsed. The output device according to claim 10. The output execution device includes:
An authentication receiving unit for receiving user identification information unique to the user;
The second transmission unit transmits the received user identification information to the output management device,
The output management device
An authentication unit that authenticates the user based on the received user identification information;
11. The output device according to claim 10, wherein the reservation execution unit further controls the driver selection unit to select the driver software and generate the output data when authentication is successful. . The output execution device includes:
An authentication reception unit for receiving user identification information unique to the user;
An authentication unit for authenticating a user based on the user identification information,
The second transmission unit transmits an authentication result to the output management device,
The output management device
11. The reservation execution unit further controls the driver selection unit to select the driver software and generate the output data when an authentication result is successful. Output device. From a location management server that is connected to the network and manages user location information indicating the location of the user and output device location information indicating the location of the output device connected to the network, the user location information, the output device location information, Receiving a map information that is an image of an arrangement area where the output device can be arranged;
The user symbol indicating the user, the output device symbol indicating the output device, and the document symbol indicating the document file to be output on the map image corresponding to each of the received user position information and output device position information. A display control step of displaying on the display device at a position of
In the displayed map information, an input receiving step of receiving selection of the output device symbol and the document symbol;
A transmission step of transmitting, to the output device, an output command of the document file of the selected document symbol to the output device of the selected output device symbol, and reservation information indicating reservation of output execution;
An output request program for causing a computer to execute. The input receiving step includes a step of receiving an input of a reservation time that is a time for executing the output;
The output request program according to claim 13, wherein the transmission step transmits the reservation time as the reservation information to the output device. The output request according to claim 14, further causing a computer to execute a reservation step of generating reservation information including the reservation time and the output device identification information of the output device of the designated output device symbol. program.

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