JP2012138072A - Mobile printing system, server apparatus, and program for mobile terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collectively and intensively perform printing-related processes individually different for respective mobile terminal devices, and when selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for printing using a short-range wireless communication system, allow an image forming apparatus existing near a user to be selected.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal device 1, when detecting plural set top boxes 6A and 6B existing around it, transmits current position information obtained by a GPS device 17 to a device management server apparatus 3, receives an identifier of a set top box nearest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 from the device management server apparatus 3, and establishes connection with the set top box with the identifier. The set top box with which connection is established acquires a device identifier of the mobile terminal device 1, makes a request to the device management server apparatus 3 for print data corresponding to the device identifier to acquire it, and supplies it to a connected multifunction peripheral to cause the multifunction peripheral to execute printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile printing system, a server device, and a program for a mobile terminal device.

  In recent years, mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones and smartphones are becoming widespread. A printing system using such a mobile phone has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, when a user (sending user) sends a document to another user (receiving user), the client PC (a) is based on the mobile phone number designated by the sending user. , Using the location detection service of the mobile phone network, identify the office or floor where the receiving user's mobile phone is located, and (b) Bluetooth communication connected to the printer located at the office or floor Use the device to search the receiving user's mobile phone (that is, the mobile phone with the specified number), and (c) print the document to the printer connected to the Bluetooth communication device that found the receiving user's mobile phone (D) an electronic message that asks the user whether to print with that printer. Le, sent to the mobile phone of the receiving user, from the mobile phone (e) the receiving user, based on the response to the effect that printing, to execute printing of the document to the selected printer.

  In the system described in Patent Document 2, a multifunction peripheral establishes a connection with a mobile phone via Bluetooth, receives image data from the mobile phone, and executes printing based on the image data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-21860 JP 2010-219680 A

  In the above-described system, since a machine identifier unique to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone is not managed, processing related to printing (billing processing, print setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone is performed. It is difficult to carry out centralized processing with a certain device.

  Also, for example, if there is a possibility that a plurality of printers may be used when trying to perform such printing processing with a printer, it is necessary to manage the body identifier of the portable terminal device in each of those printers. Yes, administrators and users must register the device identifier of the mobile terminal device and register or change the print setting information for all printers, which makes the work complicated and realistic. is not.

  In addition, when a short-distance wireless communication method such as Bluetooth of a portable terminal device is used and an image forming apparatus such as a printer used for printing is selected, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are present in the communication area of the short-distance wireless communication method. If it exists, it is difficult to select an image forming apparatus that exists near the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the processing related to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.), which differs individually for each mobile terminal device, is concentrated in a lump. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by a short-range wireless communication method, a mobile printing system in which an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected, and a server apparatus usable in the system and An object is to obtain a program for a portable terminal device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A mobile printing system according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device that specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device, a plurality of image forming devices, and the mobile terminal device transmitted from the mobile terminal device. Is connected to each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a server apparatus that receives a unique machine identifier and a document data file and transmits print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus upon request. When a mobile terminal device existing in the vicinity is detected, after establishing a connection with the mobile terminal device, the server device requests print data corresponding to the document data file received by the server device together with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device. A plurality of print control devices that acquire the image data and supply it to the connected image forming apparatus to execute printing. Obtain. The server device holds position data indicating current positions of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming devices, and print control closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control devices based on the position data. Identify the device. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of print control devices present in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information from the first position specifying device to the server device, and is closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device from the server device. The identifier of the print control device is received, and the connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the portable terminal device is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device, acquire a machine identifier, and transmit without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus.

  A mobile printing system according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device that specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device, a plurality of image forming devices, and the mobile terminal device transmitted from the mobile terminal device. And a server device that receives a unique machine identifier and a document data file, and transmits print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the image forming apparatus in response to a request. When each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses detects a mobile terminal device existing in the vicinity, the image forming apparatus corresponds to the document data file received in the server device together with the body identifier of the mobile terminal device after establishing a connection with the mobile terminal device. Print data to be requested is acquired from the server device, and printing is executed based on the print data. The server device also holds position data indicating the current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and identifies the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the position data. . When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of surrounding image forming apparatuses, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and is closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device from the server device. The identifier of the image forming apparatus is received, and the connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. Further, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus that is present near the user is selected.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus. The server device retains the operation status information, and based on the operation status information, excludes print control devices connected to image forming devices that cannot immediately execute printing based on print data from a plurality of print control devices. After that, the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device is specified.

  As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus. The server device holds the operation state information, and based on the operation state information, the server device excludes an image forming device from which printing based on print data is not immediately executable from a plurality of image forming devices. The image forming apparatus closest to the current position is specified.

  As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device are obtained. Send to server device. When the server apparatus receives the current position information and the identifier, the server apparatus registers it in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the server device is automatically performed.

In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus are used. Send to server device. When the server apparatus receives the current position information and the identifier, the server apparatus registers it in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the server device is automatically performed.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the current position information includes latitude, longitude, and altitude information.

  Accordingly, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are arranged on a plurality of floors in a building based on altitude information, the image forming apparatus on the floor where the user is present is selected as the image forming apparatus used for printing.

  A server device according to the present invention stores a machine identifier unique to a mobile terminal device registered in advance, and stores a plurality of image forming devices or current positions of a plurality of print control devices connected to the plurality of image forming devices. A storage device for storing position data to be indicated, a document data file receiving unit for receiving a document data file transmitted from a mobile terminal device in which the machine identifier is stored in the storage device, and a plurality of print controls based on the position data Among the devices, a print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device is identified, and a position management unit that transmits the identifier of the print control device to the mobile terminal device, and a document data file that can be processed by the image forming device A print data transmission unit that transmits corresponding print data in response to a request from the print control apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device. The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device together with the request from the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and receives the document data file reception unit from the mobile terminal device of the received machine identifier. The print data corresponding to the document data file thus transmitted is transmitted to the print control device closest to the current position of the portable terminal device.

  As a result, processing related to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each portable terminal device is collectively performed by this server device. Further, when the portable terminal device selects an image forming apparatus to be used for printing by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus that is present near the user is selected. Furthermore, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device, acquire a machine identifier, and transmit without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus.

  The server device according to the present invention stores a device identifier unique to a mobile terminal device registered in advance, a storage device that stores position data indicating a plurality of image forming devices, and a device identifier is stored in the storage device. A document data file receiving unit that receives a document data file transmitted from a mobile terminal device, and a position determination unit that identifies an image forming device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among a plurality of image forming devices The position management unit that transmits the identifier of the image forming apparatus to the portable terminal device, and the print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus and that corresponds to the document data file are the closest to the current position of the portable terminal device. A print data transmission unit that transmits the print data in response to a request from the user. The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device together with the request from the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and receives the document data file reception unit from the mobile terminal device of the received machine identifier. The print data corresponding to the document data file thus transmitted is transmitted to the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device.

  As a result, processing related to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each portable terminal device is collectively performed by this server device. Further, when the mobile terminal device selects an image forming apparatus to be used for printing by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus that is present near the user is selected.

  A program for a mobile terminal device according to the present invention includes a computer built in a mobile terminal device having a position specifying device for specifying a current position of the mobile terminal device, a file transmission processing unit for transmitting a document data file to a server device, and , A short-range communication processing unit for detecting a plurality of print control devices in the vicinity, and the current position information by the position specifying device is transmitted to the server device, and the identifier of the print control device closest to the current position is received and received. An apparatus for causing a short-range communication processing unit to establish a connection with a print control apparatus having an identifier and executing printing based on print data corresponding to a document data file on an image forming apparatus connected to the established print control apparatus It functions as a specification part.

  As a result, when an image forming apparatus to be used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected in cooperation with the server apparatus. In addition, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device and acquire and transmit a body identifier without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus.

  A program for a mobile terminal device according to the present invention includes a computer built in a mobile terminal device having a position specifying device for specifying a current position of the mobile terminal device, a file transmission processing unit for transmitting a document data file to a server device, and , A short-range communication processing unit for detecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses present in the surroundings, and the current position information by the position specifying apparatus is transmitted to the server apparatus, and the identifier of the image forming apparatus closest to the current position is received and received. A connection with the image forming apparatus having the identifier is established in the short-range communication processing unit, and printing based on the print data corresponding to the document data file is caused to function as a device designating unit that is executed by the image forming apparatus that has established the connection.

  As a result, when an image forming apparatus to be used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected in cooperation with the server apparatus.

  A mobile printing system according to the present invention includes a job management server device that stores a document data file associated with a machine identifier of a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device that specifies a current position of the mobile terminal device, and a mobile terminal A machine identifier and a document data file are received from the apparatus, the document data file is stored in the job management server apparatus in association with the machine identifier, and when the machine identifier is received, the document data file associated with the machine identifier is received by the job management server. When the device management server device that receives the device data and converts the received document data file into print data and the device identifier of the portable terminal device with which the connection has been established are transmitted to the device management server device, Print data associated with the machine identifier And a plurality of print control apparatus for receiving from the device management server device receives the print data from the plurality of print control apparatuses, and a plurality of image forming apparatus to perform printing based on the print data. The device management server apparatus holds position data indicating the current positions of the plurality of print control apparatuses or the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and based on the position data, the apparatus management server apparatus sets the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control apparatuses. Identify the closest print control device. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of print control devices existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information from the first position specifying device to the device management server device, and the device management server device transmits the current position of the mobile terminal device. The identifier of the print control device closest to the position is received, and the connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) relating to printing, which is individually different for each mobile terminal device, is collectively performed by the device management server device or the like. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device, acquire a machine identifier, and transmit without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus.

  A mobile printing system according to the present invention includes a job management server device that stores a document data file associated with a machine identifier of a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device that specifies a current position of the mobile terminal device, and a mobile terminal A machine identifier and a document data file are received from the apparatus, the document data file is stored in the job management server apparatus in association with the machine identifier, and when the machine identifier is received, the document data file associated with the machine identifier is received by the job management server. When the device management server device that receives the device data and converts the received document data file into print data and the device identifier of the portable terminal device with which the connection has been established are transmitted to the device management server device, Print data associated with the machine identifier It received from the device management server device, and a plurality of image forming apparatus to perform printing based on the print data. The device management server apparatus holds position data indicating the current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and based on the position data, the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Is identified. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of surrounding image forming apparatuses, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information from the first position specifying device to the device management server device, and the device management server device transmits the current position of the mobile terminal device. The identifier of the image forming apparatus closest to the position is received, and the connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) relating to printing, which is individually different for each mobile terminal device, is collectively performed by the device management server device or the like. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. Each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the device management server stores the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device. Send to device. When receiving the current position information and the identifier, the device management server device registers the position information in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the device management server apparatus is automatically performed.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the device management server stores the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus. Send to device. When receiving the current position information and the identifier, the device management server device registers the position information in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the device management server apparatus is automatically performed.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. When receiving the machine identifier, the device management server apparatus performs an authentication process using the machine identifier.

  As a result, authentication processing relating to printing is centrally performed by the device management server apparatus.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. The device management server device converts the document data file into print data with print settings based on the print setting data stored in association with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device.

  Thereby, the print setting designated by the user who is the owner can be applied for every portable terminal device.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. The print setting data includes authorization information settings.

  Thereby, authorization information setting (setting of use restriction of various functions) can be applied for each portable terminal device.

  The mobile printing system according to the present invention is a cloud service cloud having a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device, a plurality of image forming devices, and a document data file storage function. Downloads the document data file associated with the machine identifier unique to a given mobile terminal device from the server device, and sends print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming device upon request. When a mobile terminal device that is connected to each of the server device and the plurality of image forming devices and is present in the vicinity is detected, the connection with the mobile terminal device is established, and then associated with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device Print data corresponding to the document data file is acquired from the server device and connected. And a plurality of print control apparatus for executing the supply and print the image forming apparatus. Then, the server device selects at least one print control device from the plurality of print control devices based on the position data indicating the current positions of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming apparatuses. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of print control devices existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information from the first position specifying device to the server device, and from the server device, the print control device selected by the server device. The identifier is received, and the connection with the print control apparatus selected by the server apparatus is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device, acquire a machine identifier, and transmit without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

  The mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to the above mobile printing system. In this case, the server device specifies the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control devices based on the position data. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of print control devices present in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information from the first position specifying device to the server device, and is closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device from the server device. The identifier of the print control device is received, and the connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the portable terminal device is established with the identifier.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the server device selects a plurality of print control devices existing within a predetermined range from the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control devices based on the position data, and selects the selected print control device from the mobile terminal device. Generate a list arranged in the closest order. The portable terminal device establishes a connection with any print control device in the list with any identifier in the list.

  The mobile printing system according to the present invention is a cloud service cloud having a mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device, a plurality of image forming devices, and a document data file storage function. Download the document data file associated with the machine identifier unique to a given mobile terminal device from the server device, and send print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming device upon request. Server device. When each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses detects a mobile terminal device existing in the vicinity, the image forming apparatus supports a document data file associated with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device after establishing a connection with the mobile terminal device. Print data to be requested is acquired from the server device, and printing is executed based on the print data. The server apparatus selects at least one image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of image forming devices existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits current position information from the first position specifying device to the server device, and the server device selects the image forming device selected by the server device. The identifier is received, and the connection with the image forming apparatus selected by the server apparatus is established with the identifier.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

  The mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows in addition to the above mobile printing system. In this case, the server device specifies the image forming device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of image forming devices based on the position data. When the mobile terminal device detects a plurality of surrounding image forming apparatuses, the mobile terminal device transmits the current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and is closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device from the server device. The identifier of the image forming apparatus is received, and the connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device is established with the identifier.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the server device selects a plurality of image forming devices existing within a predetermined range from the mobile terminal device among the plurality of image forming devices based on the position data, and selects the selected image forming device from the mobile terminal device. Generate a list arranged in the closest order. The portable terminal device establishes a connection with any image forming apparatus in the list with any identifier in the list.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit the operation state information to the server apparatus, the server apparatus holds the operation state information, and printing based on the print data is performed from the plurality of print control apparatuses based on the operation state information. A print control apparatus other than the print control apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus that cannot be executed immediately is selected.

  As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit the operation state information to the server apparatus, the server apparatus holds the operation state information, and printing based on the print data is performed from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the operation state information. An image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus that cannot be executed immediately is selected.

  As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device are obtained. When the server apparatus receives the current position information and its identifier, the server apparatus registers it in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the server device is automatically performed.

  In addition to the mobile printing system described above, the mobile printing system according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses has a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus are used. When the server apparatus receives the current position information and the identifier, the server apparatus registers it in the position data.

  Thereby, the registration of the position to the server device is automatically performed.

  A server device according to the present invention stores a machine identifier unique to a mobile terminal device registered in advance, and stores a plurality of image forming devices or current positions of a plurality of print control devices connected to the plurality of image forming devices. Document data file reception for downloading the document data file associated with the machine identifier stored in the storage device from the storage device for storing the position data indicated and the cloud server device of the cloud service having the storage function of the document data file And a position management unit that selects at least one print control device from a plurality of print control devices based on the position data and transmits an identifier of the selected print control device to the portable terminal device, and can be processed by the image forming device Print data corresponding to the document data file from the selected print control device. And a print data transmitting unit for transmitting in response to the determined. The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the portable terminal device from the selected print control device together with the request, and is associated with the received machine identifier among the document data files downloaded by the document data file reception unit. The print data corresponding to the document data file is transmitted to the selected print control apparatus.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, by providing a print control device separately from the image forming apparatus, it is possible to detect a mobile terminal device, acquire a machine identifier, and transmit without modifying or changing an existing image forming apparatus. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

  The server device according to the present invention has a storage device for storing position data indicating a plurality of image forming devices and a storage function for a document data file, as well as storing a machine identifier unique to a mobile terminal device registered in advance. A document data file receiving unit that downloads a document data file associated with the machine identifier stored in the storage device from the cloud server device of the cloud service, and at least one image from a plurality of image forming devices based on the position data A position management unit that selects a forming device and transmits an identifier of the selected image forming device to the portable terminal device, and print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming device is selected. A print data transmission unit that transmits the print data in response to a request from the user. The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the portable terminal device from the selected image forming apparatus together with the request, and is associated with the received machine identifier among the document data files downloaded by the document data file reception unit. The print data corresponding to the document data file is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus.

  As a result, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the server device. In addition, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

  According to the present invention, in the mobile printing system, processing relating to printing (billing processing, print setting, authorization information setting, etc.) that is individually different for each mobile terminal device is performed in a centralized manner, When an image forming apparatus to be used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus existing near the user is selected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile terminal device in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the device management server apparatus in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of registered device data stored in the storage device of the device management server device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the job management server apparatus in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the set top box in FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the device management server apparatus in FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a mobile terminal device 1 carried by a user connects to a network 2 via a base station 2a by wireless communication. The network 2 is connected to a device management server device 3 and a job management server device 4, and is further connected to one or a plurality of multi-function devices 5A and 5B arranged in public facilities such as schools and stores. The connected set top boxes 6A and 6B are connected to the network 2. In FIG. 1, only one portable terminal device 1 is depicted, but when there are a plurality of users, the plurality of users carry the portable terminal device 1 respectively. Further, the device management server device 3 and the job management server device 4 are arranged on the same LAN (Local Area Network) in the network 2, for example.

  The portable terminal device 1 is a small portable terminal device such as a smartphone, and has a wireless network function and a short-range communication function such as Bluetooth, and a position specifying device that specifies the current position of the portable terminal device 1 ( Here, a GPS (Global Positioning System) device is included. When the mobile terminal device 1 detects a plurality of set-top boxes 6A and 6B existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device 1 transmits the current location information by the location specifying device to the device management server device 3, and the device management server device 3 The identifier of the set top box (set top box 6A or set top box 6B) closest to the current position of the terminal device 1 is received, and the identifier is connected to the set top box closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 Establish.

  The network 2 is a wide area network such as the Internet. The network 2 may be a LAN or a network composed of a wide area network and a LAN connected thereto.

  The device management server device 3 receives the machine identifier and document data file specific to the mobile terminal device 1 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1 via the network 2, and sets the print data corresponding to the document data file. It is transmitted in response to a request from the top boxes 6A and 6B. This print data is in a data format that can be processed by the multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B. In addition, the device management server device 3 holds position data indicating the current positions of the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B, and based on the position data, the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B. Identify the set-top box closest to.

  In the first embodiment, the device management server device 3 temporarily stores print data in the job management server device 4 in association with the device identifier of the mobile terminal device 1, and there is a data transmission request accompanied by the device identifier. The print data associated with the machine identifier is transmitted to the requesting set top boxes 6A and 6B.

  In the first embodiment, the device management server device 3 converts the document data file into print data before receiving the request, but the document data file is temporarily stored in the job management server device 4 in association with the machine identifier. The document data file may be read from the job management server device 4 after receiving a data transmission request accompanied by the machine identifier, and converted to print data.

  The job management server device 4 stores print data (or document data file) in association with the machine identifier in response to a request from the device management server device 3. In the first embodiment, the job management server device 4 is provided as a device different from the device management server device 3, but instead, the configuration of the job management server device 4 is provided in the device management server device 3. An element may be provided to form one server device.

  The multi-function device 5A is an image forming apparatus that includes a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like, and executes various jobs with the above-described functions in accordance with instructions from the operation panel of the multi-function device 5A, the set top box 6A, and the like. . In particular, in the first embodiment, a set-top box 6A is connected to the multifunction machine 5A, print data is supplied from the set-top box 6A to the multifunction machine 5A, and printing is executed by the printer function of the multifunction machine 5A. The The multifunction machine 5B is a similar device.

  When the set-top box 6A detects the mobile terminal device 1 present in the vicinity, the document data received by the device management server device 3 together with the body identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 after establishing the connection with the mobile terminal device 1 is established. The print data corresponding to the file is requested and acquired from the device management server apparatus 3 via the network 2 and supplied to the multi function device 5A to execute printing. The set top box 6B is a similar device. That is, as described above, only the set-top box selected by the mobile terminal device 1 and establishing a connection with the mobile terminal device 1 receives the document data received by the device management server device 3 together with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device 1. Since the print data corresponding to the file is requested and acquired from the device management server device 3 and supplied to the multi-function peripheral 5A to execute printing, and the other set-top boxes do not establish a connection with the mobile terminal device 1, It does not cause the multifunction device to print.

  Here, the configuration of each device in the system will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal device 1 in FIG.

  The mobile terminal device 1 includes a wireless network interface 11, a short-range communication interface 12, an arithmetic processing device 13, a display device 14, an input device 15, a storage device 16, and a GPS device 17.

  The wireless network interface 11 is a circuit connected to the network 2 by a wireless LAN and / or a mobile phone line. The wireless network interface 11 has a MAC (Media Access Control) address 11 a unique to the wireless network interface 11.

  The short-range communication interface 12 is a circuit that wirelessly communicates with an interface of the same communication method that exists in a relatively short distance (for example, within about 10 meters). In the first embodiment, Bluetooth is used as the short-range communication interface 12.

  The near field communication interface 12 has a MAC address 12 a unique to the near field communication interface 12. Since the MAC address is assigned for each interface, the MAC address 11a and the MAC address 12a have different values.

  The arithmetic processing unit 13 is configured as a computer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. In the arithmetic processing unit 13, the CPU loads the program 16a stored in the ROM or the storage device 16 to the RAM and executes it, thereby realizing various processing units. In the arithmetic processing device 13, a network communication processing unit 21, a short-range communication processing unit 22, a file transmission processing unit 23, a device specifying unit 24, and the like are realized. In the first embodiment, the program 16a is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 16. The program 16a may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed in the storage device 16 from the recording medium, or downloaded from an application store server (not shown) on the network 2. And may be installed.

  The network communication processing unit 21 controls a wireless network interface 11 or a baseband circuit of a mobile phone (not shown) to perform data communication with a device (device management server device 3 or the like) connected to the network 2 according to a predetermined communication protocol. (Such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)).

  The short-range communication processing unit 22 controls the short-range communication interface 12 to detect a short-range communication interface of another device within the communicable range, establish a connection with the device, and data with the device Execute communication.

  The file transmission processing unit 23 reads the MAC address 12a of the short-range communication interface 12 by the short-range communication processing unit 22, and uses the MAC address 12a as a machine identifier of the portable terminal device 1 together with the document data file and the network communication processing unit. 21, the data is transmitted to the device management server apparatus 3. The document data file is, for example, a file generated by an office application manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, a text file, a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, an image file such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), or the like.

  The device designation unit 24 is a set used for printing when one or more near field communication interfaces (near field communication interfaces of the set top boxes 6A and 6B) existing in the vicinity are detected by the near field communication interface 12. A top box (set top box 6A or set top box 6B) is selected.

  In the first embodiment, the device designating unit 24 uses the network communication processing unit 21 to transmit the current position information from the GPS device 17 to the device management server device 3, and from the device management server device 3 to the current position most. A set that receives an identifier of a near set-top box, causes the short-range communication processing unit 22 to establish a connection with the set-top box having the received identifier, and establishes a connection based on print data corresponding to the document data file. Run on a multifunction device connected to the top box.

  The display device 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or various indicators. The input device 15 is, for example, a touch panel or a key switch. The storage device 16 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive that stores programs such as the program 16a and data. The GPS device 17 receives radio waves from a GPS satellite, measures the current position of the mobile terminal device 1, and outputs current position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) obtained by the measurement.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device management server apparatus 3 in FIG.

  The device management server device 3 includes a storage device 31, a network interface 32, and an arithmetic processing device 33.

  The storage device 31 is a device that stores programs and data. As the storage device 31, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. The storage device 31 stores registered device data 31a and position data 31b.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of registered device data 31a stored in the storage device 31 of the device management server device 3 shown in FIG.

  The registered device data 31a has a machine identifier (a MAC address in the first embodiment) unique to one or a plurality of portable terminal devices 1 registered in advance. The registered device data 31a includes print setting data associated with the machine identifier, billing data, a print data list, and the like.

  The print setting data is data specifying print settings to be applied to the document data file from the machine identifier. The print setting data includes settings such as the number of copies, paper settings (paper size, paper orientation, etc.), color settings (color or monochrome), consolidated print settings, single-sided / double-sided print settings, resolution settings, economy print settings, etc. Contains the value of the item. For example, the user operates the mobile terminal device 1 to register print setting data in the device management server device 3. At that time, the mobile terminal device 1 transmits the machine identifier and the print setting data to the device management server device 3, and the device management server device 3 stores the print setting data in association with the device identifier in the registered device data 31a. Remembered. The print setting data includes, for example, authorization information settings associated with the machine identifier registered using the administrator terminal device connected to the network 2 (for example, limit settings for the maximum number of prints, monochrome printing) Limit setting only), restriction setting only for economy printing, restriction setting only for aggregate printing, restriction setting only for double-sided printing, etc.) may be included.

  The billing data includes billing method information, billing destination information, total billing amount information (or information corresponding to the billing amount such as a page counter), and the like.

  The print data list is a list of print data for which print processing has not been completed (that is, print data spooled in the job management server apparatus 4).

  The position data 31b includes an identifier and current position information (for example, latitude, longitude, and altitude) associated with the identifier for each of the set top boxes 6A and 6B belonging to the system.

  The network interface 32 is connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with other devices (for example, the mobile terminal device 1, the job management server device 4, the set top boxes 6A and 6B, etc.) connected to the network 2.

  The arithmetic processing unit 33 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. In the arithmetic processing unit 33, the CPU loads various programs stored in the ROM or the storage device 31 to the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing various processing units. In the arithmetic processing device 33, a network communication processing unit 41, a job registration processing unit 42, a data conversion unit 43, a job transmission processing unit 44, a charging processing unit 45, a location management unit 46, and the like are realized.

  The network communication processing unit 41 uses the network interface 32 to execute data communication with other devices connected to the network 2 using a predetermined communication protocol.

  The job registration processing unit 42 is a network communication processing unit 41 that receives a document data file transmitted via the network 2 from the mobile terminal device 1 whose machine identifier is stored in the storage device 31 as registered device data 31a. . If the transmitted machine identifier is not registered in the registered device data 31a, the job registration processing unit 42 discards the document data file received together with the machine identifier. Thereby, printing from the unregistered mobile terminal device 1 is prohibited.

  The data conversion unit 43 converts the document data file into print data. When the print data that can be processed by the multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B is PDL (Page Description Language) data, the data conversion unit 43 converts the document data file into PDL data. The data converter 43 may convert, for example, PDF data in addition to PDL data. Further, the data conversion unit 43 extracts the print setting data associated with the machine identifier received together with the document data file from the registered device data 31a, and generates the print data with the print setting designated by the print setting data. To do.

  The job transmission processing unit 44 transmits print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the multifunction machines 5A and 5B, in response to a request. The job transmission processing unit 44 receives the body identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 together with the request from the print data request source (the set top boxes 6A and 6B in the first embodiment), and the mobile terminal device 1 of the received body identifier. The print data corresponding to the document data file received by the job registration processing unit 42 is transmitted to the request source. The print data is specified by, for example, a print data list in the registered device data 31a.

  The billing processing unit 45 generates billing data (billing amount, number of print pages, etc.) for printing based on the print data transmitted for a certain machine identifier, and based on the generated billing data, The billing data (that is, the accumulated value) for the machine identifier is updated.

  The position management unit 46 receives the identifier and current position information from the set top boxes 6A and 6B using the network communication processing unit 41, and registers the identifier and current position information in the position data 31b. Further, the position management unit 46 identifies the set top box closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 among the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B based on the position data 31b, and carries the identifier of the set top box. It transmits to the terminal device 1. Specifically, the position management unit 46 detects the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 indicated by the current position information from the mobile terminal device 1 and the current position of the set top boxes 6A and 6B registered in the position data 31b ( That is, the distance to the installation position) is calculated, the set top box having the shortest distance is specified, and the identifier of the set top box is read from the position data 31b and transmitted.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the job management server apparatus 4 in FIG.

  The job management server device 4 includes a storage device 51, a network interface 52, and an arithmetic processing device 53.

  The storage device 51 is a device that temporarily stores print data and the like from the device management server device 3, and stores programs, other data, and the like. As the storage device 51, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used.

  The network interface 52 is connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with other devices (for example, the device management server device 3, the set top boxes 6A, 6B, etc.) connected to the network 2.

  The arithmetic processing unit 53 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. In the arithmetic processing unit 53, the CPU loads various programs stored in the ROM or the storage device 51 into the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing various processing units. In the arithmetic processing unit 53, a network communication processing unit 61, a spool processing unit 62, and the like are realized.

  The network communication processing unit 61 uses the network interface 52 to execute data communication with other devices connected to the network 2 using a predetermined communication protocol.

  The spool processing unit 62 receives print data and stores it in the storage device 51 according to a command from the device management server device 3, or reads and transmits it from the storage device 51.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 5A in FIG. The multi-function device 5B has the same configuration.

  The multi-function device 5A includes an operation panel 81, a network interface 82, a peripheral device interface 83, a printer 84, and an arithmetic processing device 85.

  The operation panel 81 is installed in the housing of the multifunction machine 5A, and includes a display device 81a that displays various information to the user and an input device 81b that receives user operations. The display device 81a is, for example, a liquid crystal display or various indicators. The input device 81b is, for example, a touch panel or a key switch.

  The network interface 82 is a device that can be connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with other devices connected to the network 2.

  The peripheral device interface 83 is a communication circuit of a predetermined method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  The printer 84 is an internal device that prints on a sheet based on the print data and discharges the printed matter. In the case of the electrophotographic system, the printer 84 charges the photosensitive drum and then emits a light source based on the print data to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Development is performed with toner, the toner image is transferred and fixed on a sheet, and the sheet is discharged as a printed matter.

  The arithmetic processing device 85 is a device that controls each unit in the multifunction machine 5A and performs data processing. The arithmetic processing unit 85 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. In the arithmetic processing unit 85, the CPU implements various processing units by loading a program stored in the ROM or other storage device (flash memory or the like) into the RAM and executing it. In the arithmetic processing device 85, a network communication processing unit 91, a control unit 92, and the like are realized.

  The network communication unit 91 can perform data communication with a device connected to the network 2 using a network interface 82 using a predetermined communication protocol.

  When the control unit 92 receives print data via the network interface 82, the peripheral device interface 83, or the like, the control unit 92 performs necessary data processing (rasterization, halftoning, etc.) on the print data, and then performs the processed print. The printer 84 is controlled based on the data to execute printing.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the set top box 6A in FIG. The set top box 6B also has the same configuration.

  The set-top box 6A includes a network interface 101, a near field communication interface 102, a peripheral device interface 103, a display device 104, an input device 105, a storage device 106, an arithmetic processing device 107, and a GPS device 108.

  The network interface 101 is a circuit that is connected to the network 2 and executes data communication with other devices connected to the network 2.

  The near field communication interface 102 has the same communication method as the near field communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1 and can establish a connection with the near field communication interface 12.

  The peripheral device interface 103 is a peripheral device interface of the same type as the peripheral device interface 83 of the multi-function peripheral 5 </ b> A, and is connected to the peripheral device interface 83.

  The display device 104 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or various indicators. The input device 105 is, for example, a touch panel or a key switch. The storage device 106 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive that stores programs and data. The GPS device 108 receives radio waves from GPS satellites, measures the current position of the set top box 6A, and outputs current position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) obtained by the measurement.

  The arithmetic processing unit 107 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. In the arithmetic processing unit 107, the CPU implements various processing units by loading a program stored in the ROM or the storage device 106 into the RAM and executing the program. In the arithmetic processing unit 107, a network communication processing unit 111, a short-range communication processing unit 112, a print data acquisition unit 113, a position registration unit 114, and the like are realized.

  The network communication processing unit 111 controls the network interface 101 to execute data communication with a device (device management server device 3 or the like) connected to the network 2 using a predetermined communication protocol (HTTP or the like).

  The short-range communication processing unit 112 controls the short-range communication interface 102 to establish a connection with a short-range communication interface of another device within the communicable range, and executes data communication with the device.

  When the short-distance communication processing unit 112 establishes a connection with the mobile terminal device 1 through the short-range communication interface 102, the short-range communication processing unit 112 acquires the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 (in this embodiment 1, the MAC address 12a). .

  When the device identifier of the portable terminal device 1 is acquired by the short-range communication processing unit 112, the print data acquisition unit 113 uses the network communication processing unit 111 to attach the device identifier and manage the data transmission request as a device management. As a response to the request, the print data of the machine identifier is received, and the print data is sent to the multifunction machine 5A through the peripheral device interface 103.

  The position registration unit 114 acquires current position information from the GPS device 108 at the time of installation of the set top box 6A or periodically, and uses the current position information and the identifier of the set top box 6A as a network communication processing unit. 111 is transmitted to the device management server apparatus 3 and registered in the position data 31b. Here, the identifier of the set top box 6 </ b> A is an identifier of the short-range communication interface 102 that can be detected before the connection is established by the short-range communication interface 12.

  Next, the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG.

  When a user carrying the portable terminal device 1 wants to perform printing using this system, first, the user operates the portable terminal device 1 to obtain a document data file stored in the portable terminal device 1 as a device. Upload to the management server device 3. At this time, in the portable terminal device 1, when the input device 15 detects a predetermined operation by the user, the file transmission processing unit 23 is designated by the user operation using the wireless network interface 11 and the network communication processing unit 21. The document data file is transmitted to the device management server device 3 via the network 2 together with the machine identifier (here, the MAC address 12a) of the portable terminal device 1 (step S1).

  In the device management server apparatus 3, the job registration processing unit 42 receives the document data file and the machine identifier using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41.

  When the machine identifier and the document data file are received, the data conversion unit 43 extracts print setting data associated with the machine identifier from the registered device data 31a, and print settings specified by the print setting data. Print data is generated from the document data file (step S2).

  Then, the job registration processing unit 42 stores the print data in the job management server device 4 using the network communication unit 41 and the network interface 32 (step S3). If the document data file has a data format that can be processed by the multi-function peripherals 5A and 5B, the data conversion unit 43 does not perform data conversion and uses the document data file as print data as a job management server. Store in device 4. At this time, in the job management server device 4, when the spool processing unit 62 receives the print data using the network communication processing unit 61 and the network interface 52, the spool processing unit 62 stores the print data in the storage device 51.

  Next, a user carrying the portable terminal device 1 uploads a document data file to the device management server device 3, and then installs a multifunction device and a set-top box that he wants to use for printing while carrying the portable terminal device 1. Go to the place.

  When the multi-function device 5A and the set-top box 6A, and the multi-function device 5B and the set-top box 6B are installed relatively close to each other, the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1 can Enter the communication area of the short-range communication interface 102 of 6A and the set top box 6B.

  At this time, the short-range communication processing unit 22 of the mobile terminal device 1 detects the set top box 6A and the set top box 6B (step S101).

  When the short-range communication processing unit 22 detects a plurality of set-top boxes 6A and 6B, the device specifying unit 24 manages the current position information from the GPS device 17 together with the machine identifier in the network communication processing unit 21. It transmits to the server device 3 (step S102).

  In the device management server device 3, when the location management unit 46 receives the current location information and the device identifier from the mobile terminal device 1, if the device identifier is present in the registered device data 31a, the location management unit 46 refers to the location data 31b, The set top box that is closest to the position indicated by the current position information is specified (step S103). The location management unit 46 reads the identified set-top box identifier from the location data 31b, and transmits the identifier to the mobile terminal device 1 using the network communication processing unit 41 (step S104).

  In the mobile terminal device 1, the device specifying unit 24 receives the identifier using the network communication processing unit 21, and selects the set top box of the identifier from the detected plurality of set top boxes 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B. Then, the short-range communication processing unit 22 establishes a connection with the set top box (step S105). When the connection is established, the short-range communication interface 102 of the set-top box 6A or the set-top box 6B receives the body identifier (here, the MAC address 12a) of the mobile terminal device 1 from the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1. Receive (step S11).

  Then, the print data acquisition unit 113 of the set top box uses the network communication processing unit 111 and the network interface 101 to transmit a print data transmission request together with the machine identifier to the device management server apparatus 3 (step S12). If the transmitted machine identifier is not registered in the registered device data 31a, the device management server apparatus 3 discards the print data transmission request received together with the machine identifier. Thereby, printing from the unregistered mobile terminal device 1 is prohibited.

  In the device management server device 3, the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data transmission request and the machine identifier using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41.

  The job transmission processing unit 44 transmits a print data transmission request for the received machine identifier to the job management server apparatus 4 (step S13). In the job management server device 4, when the spool processing unit 62 receives the transmission request using the network communication processing unit 61 and the network interface 52, the print data designated by the request is read from the storage device 51, and the device This is transmitted to the management server device 3 (step S14).

  In the device management server apparatus 3, when the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, the print data is transmitted to the set top box that is the request source of the print data. (Step S15).

  In the set top box, the print data acquisition unit 113 receives the print data using the network communication processing unit 111 and the network interface 101, and the peripheral device interface 103 transfers the print data to the set top box. The data is transmitted to the connected multifunction device (step S16).

  In the MFP, the control unit 92 receives the print data at the peripheral device interface 83, and executes printing based on the print data at the printer 84 (step S17). Thereby, the user can obtain a printed matter printed based on the document data file of the portable terminal device 1 carried by the user.

  When printing is completed, the control unit 92 transmits a print completion notification for the print data to the device management server apparatus 3 via the set top box or directly via the network 2 without going through the set top box ( Step S18).

  In the device management server apparatus 3, when the accounting processing unit 45 receives the print completion notification using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, the accounting processing unit 45 executes accounting processing for print data corresponding to the print completion notification. (Step S19).

  When a coin vendor (not shown) is connected to the set top boxes 6A and 6B, the charging processing unit 45 performs charging processing by controlling the coin vendor. In the case of a charging method using an external server such as a credit card, the charging processing unit 45 accesses the external server and performs a charging process.

  When the data conversion from the document data file to the print data in the device management server apparatus 3 is executed after receiving the print data transmission request, the device management is performed without performing the data conversion when the document data file is received. The job registration processing unit 42 of the server device 3 stores the document data file in the job management server device 4 as it is, and when receiving a print data transmission request, the data conversion unit 43 executes the data conversion described above. Then, the print data generated by the data conversion is transmitted to the set top box as described above.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 1 detects a plurality of set-top boxes 6A and 6B existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device 1 uses the device management server device to obtain the current position information from the GPS device 17. 3 and receives the identifier of the set top box closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 from the device management server device 3, and the set top box closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 with the identifier Establish a connection with. At this time, the device management server device 3 identifies the set top box closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 among the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B based on the position data 31b. Then, the set-top boxes 6A and 6B are connected to the plurality of multi-function devices 5A and 5B, respectively, and when the mobile terminal device 1 existing in the periphery is detected, the mobile terminal device 1 is established after establishing the connection with the mobile terminal device 1 The print data corresponding to the document data file received by the device management server apparatus 3 together with the one machine identifier is requested and acquired from the device management server apparatus 3 and supplied to the connected multi-function peripheral to execute printing. At this time, the device management server device 3 receives the device identifier and document data file specific to the mobile terminal device 1 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1, and can be processed by the multifunction devices 5A and 5B according to the request. The print data corresponding to the document data file is transmitted.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, etc.) related to printing from the mobile terminal device 1 that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the device management server device 3. Further, by using the machine identifier instead of the user ID, it is not necessary for the user to input the identifier, and impersonation due to the leakage of the identifier is prevented. Further, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus (here, the multifunction machine 5A or the multifunction machine 5B) that is present near the user is selected.

Embodiment 2. FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the mobile printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the multifunction machines 5C and 5D have the functions of the set top boxes 6A and 6B of the first embodiment in addition to the functions of the multifunction machines 5A and 5B.

  In the second embodiment, the device management server device 3 receives the machine identifier and document data file specific to the mobile terminal device 1 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1 via the network 2, and receives the multifunction devices 5C and 5D. Print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed in response to the request from the MFPs 5C and 5D. In the second embodiment, the current position information of the multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D is registered in the position data 31b of the device management server apparatus 3.

  In the second embodiment, the multifunction devices 5C and 5D are connected to the network 2, and when the connection with the mobile terminal device 1 is established, the device management server device is used in the same manner as the set top boxes 6A and 6B. Print data is acquired from 3 and printing is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine 5C in FIG. The multifunction machine 5D has the same configuration.

  The multi-function device 5C includes a short-range communication interface 121 and a GPS device 122 in addition to the same components as the multi-function device 5A, and further includes a short-range communication processing unit 131 and a print data acquisition unit realized in the arithmetic processing unit 85. 132 and a location registration unit 133. The short-range communication interface 121, the GPS device 122, the short-range communication processing unit 131, and the print data acquisition unit 132 are the above-described short-range communication interface 102, GPS device 108, short-range communication processing unit 112, print data acquisition unit 113, The position registration unit 114 is the same.

  Note that the configurations of the mobile terminal device 1, the device management server device 3, and the job management server device 4 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device 1 in the system shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the user carrying the portable terminal device 1 uploads the document data file to the device management server device 3, and then installs the multifunction device to be used for printing while carrying the portable terminal device 1. go to.

  When the multifunction machine 5C and the multifunction machine 5D are installed relatively close to each other, the user's operation causes the short-range communication interface 12 of the portable terminal device 1 to change the short-range communication interface 121 of the multifunction machine 5C and the multi-function machine 5D. Enter the communication area.

  At this time, the short-range communication processing unit 22 of the mobile terminal device 1 detects the multifunction machine 5C and the multifunction machine 5D (step S101).

  When the short distance communication processing unit 22 detects a plurality of multi-function devices 5C and 5D, the device specifying unit 24 uses the network communication processing unit 21 to store the current position information from the GPS device 17 together with the machine identifier. It transmits to the apparatus 3 (step S102).

  In the device management server device 3, when the location management unit 46 receives the current location information and the device identifier from the mobile terminal device 1, if the device identifier is present in the registered device data 31a, the location management unit 46 refers to the location data 31b, The multifunction peripheral located closest to the position indicated by the current position information is identified (step S103). The location management unit 46 reads the identified identifier of the multifunction device from the location data 31b, and transmits the identifier to the mobile terminal device 1 using the network communication processing unit 41 (step S104).

  In the mobile terminal device 1, the device specifying unit 24 receives the identifier using the network communication processing unit 21, selects a multifunction device with the identifier from the detected multifunction devices 5 </ b> C and 5 </ b> D, The distance communication processing unit 22 is made to establish a connection with the multifunction device (step S105). When the connection is established, the short-range communication interface 121 of the multi-function device 5C or the multi-function device 5D receives the device identifier (here, the MAC address 12a) of the mobile terminal device 1 from the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1. (Step S21).

  Then, the print data acquisition unit 131 of the MFP uses the network communication processing unit 91 and the network interface 82 to transmit a print data transmission request together with the machine identifier to the device management server apparatus 3 (step S22).

  In the device management server device 3, the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data transmission request and the machine identifier using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41.

  The job transmission processing unit 44 transmits a print data transmission request for the received machine identifier to the job management server apparatus 4 (step S13). In the job management server device 4, when the spool processing unit 62 receives the transmission request using the network communication processing unit 61 and the network interface 52, the print data designated by the request is read from the storage device 51, and the device This is transmitted to the management server device 3 (step S14).

  In the device management server apparatus 3, when the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, the print data is transmitted to the MFP that is the request source of the print data. (Step S23).

  In the multifunction device, when the print data acquisition unit 132 receives the print data using the network communication processing unit 91 and the network interface 82, the control unit 92 executes printing based on the print data with the printer 84 ( Step S24).

  Since other operations of each device are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 1 detects a plurality of multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device 1 uses the device management server device 3 to obtain the current position information from the GPS device 17. To the multifunction device closest to the current location of the mobile terminal device 1 from the device management server device 3 and connect to the multifunction device closest to the current location of the mobile terminal device 1 using the identifier. Establish. At this time, the device management server device 3 identifies the multifunction device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 among the plurality of multifunction devices 5C and 5D based on the position data 31b. When the multifunction devices 5C and 5D detect the mobile terminal device 1 existing in the vicinity, the multifunction device 5C and 5D are received by the device management server device 3 together with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 after establishing the connection with the mobile terminal device 1. The print data corresponding to the document data file is requested and acquired from the device management server apparatus 3, and printing is executed based on the print data. At this time, the device management server device 3 receives the device identifier and document data file specific to the mobile terminal device 1 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1, and can be processed by the multifunction devices 5C and 5D according to the request. The print data corresponding to the document data file is transmitted.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, etc.) related to printing from the mobile terminal device 1 that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the device management server device 3. Further, by using the machine identifier instead of the user ID, it is not necessary for the user to input the identifier, and impersonation due to the leakage of the identifier is prevented. Further, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus (here, the multifunction machine 5C or the multifunction machine 5D) existing near the user is selected.

Embodiment 3 FIG.

  In the image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the document data file is transmitted from the mobile terminal device to the device management server device via the cloud service. The user uploads the document data file to the cloud service, and the device management server device downloads the document data file from the cloud service.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 12, the mobile terminal device 1 carried by the user is connected to the network 2 via the base station 2a by wireless communication. The network 2 is connected to a device management server device 201 and a cloud server device 202, and further connected to one or a plurality of multi-function devices 5A and 5B arranged in public facilities such as schools and stores. The set top boxes 6A and 6B are connected to the network 2. In FIG. 12, only one portable terminal device 1 is depicted. However, when there are a plurality of users, the plurality of users carry the portable terminal device 1 respectively.

  The portable terminal device 1, the multifunction devices 5A and 5B, and the set top boxes 6A and 6B are the same as those in the first embodiment. The network 2 is a wide area network such as the Internet. Note that a part of the network 2 may be a LAN.

  The device management server apparatus 201 downloads a document data file associated with a machine identifier unique to a predetermined mobile terminal apparatus 1 from the cloud server apparatus 202, and print data corresponding to the document data file is set top box 6A. , 6B are transmitted in response to the request from 6B. This print data is in a data format that can be processed by the multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B.

  In the third embodiment, the device management server apparatus 201 saves print data in an internal storage device, an external database server, or the like in association with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal apparatus 1 and sends a data transmission request with the machine identifier. If there is, the print data associated with the machine identifier is transmitted to the requesting set top boxes 6A and 6B.

  In the third embodiment, the device management server apparatus 201 converts the document data file into print data before receiving a request from the set top boxes 6A and 6B.

  The cloud server device 202 is a cloud service server having a storage function such as Evernote, Dropbox, Google Docs, Picasa Web Album, and the like. In this cloud service, an account is set for each user, and when the user operates the mobile terminal device 1 or the like to upload a document data file to the cloud server device 202, the document data file is associated with the account and the cloud service Saved with. In this cloud service, an account for the device management server device 201 is set so that the device management server device 201 can access the document data file in the cloud service. With the user authority of the account, the document data file of the user of the mobile terminal device 1 can be read from the cloud server device 202. The cloud server device 202 stores the document data file designated by the user among the document data files stored in the cloud service in association with the device identifier of the user's mobile terminal device 1 (hereinafter, this processing is performed). "Print reservation"). The user designates the document file on the mobile terminal device 1 or the like. For example, the mobile terminal device 1 acquires and displays a list of document data files stored in the cloud service from the cloud server device 202 and displays the document data file selected from the list by the user on the cloud server device 202. The notification is made and stored in association with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 of the user.

  Here, the configuration of the device management server apparatus 201 in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the device management server apparatus 201 in FIG.

  The device management server device 201 includes a storage device 31, a network interface 32, and an arithmetic processing device 211.

  The storage device 31 and the network interface 32 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the print setting data in the registered device data 31a is default print setting data. If the print setting data is registered in the cloud server device 202, the print setting data is used. Is done. For example, the user operates the mobile terminal device 1 to edit and / or register print setting data for the cloud server device 202.

  The arithmetic processing unit 211 is configured as a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, for example. In the arithmetic processing unit 211, the CPU loads various programs stored in the ROM or the storage device 31 to the RAM and executes them, thereby realizing various processing units. In this arithmetic processing unit 211, a network communication processing unit 41, a job registration processing unit 221, a data conversion unit 43, a job transmission processing unit 44, a charging processing unit 45, a location management unit 46, a spool processing unit 222, and the like are realized.

  The network communication processing unit 41, the data conversion unit 43, the job transmission processing unit 44, the charging processing unit 45, and the location management unit 46 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The job registration processing unit 221 repeatedly (for example, periodically) at a predetermined timing, logs in to the cloud server device 202 via the network 2 using the network communication processing unit 41, and stores the registered device data 31a in the storage device 31. It is confirmed whether or not the document data file associated with the stored machine identifier is stored by the cloud server device 202. When such a document data file is stored by the cloud server device 202, Download the document data file. In addition, the job registration processing unit 221 registers print data corresponding to the downloaded document data file in the spool processing unit 222.

  The spool processing unit 222 is the same as the spool processing unit 62 described above, and stores print data in the storage device 31 and reads out the print data from the storage device 31.

  Next, the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system will be described. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system shown in FIG.

  A user carrying the mobile terminal device 1 first operates the mobile terminal device 1 to upload a document data file stored in the mobile terminal device 1 to the cloud server device 202. At this time, in the portable terminal device 1, when the input device 15 detects a predetermined operation by the user, the file transmission processing unit 23 is designated by the user operation using the wireless network interface 11 and the network communication processing unit 21. The obtained document data file is transmitted to the cloud server device 202 via the network 2 (step S201).

  When receiving the document data file, the cloud server device 202 stores the document data file in association with the user account (step S202). Thereafter, when the user wants to perform printing using this system, the user operates the mobile terminal device 1 to “print” the document data file that the user wants to print among the document data files stored in the cloud service. "Reservation" is performed (step S203).

  On the other hand, the job registration processing unit 221 of the device management server apparatus 201 monitors whether or not the document data file associated with the registered machine identifier is stored in the cloud server apparatus 202 and is registered. If the document data file associated with the machine identifier is stored, the document data file is downloaded from the cloud server device 202 (step S204). At this time, if the print setting data associated with the document data file, the user, or the machine identifier is stored by the cloud server device 202, the job registration processing unit 221 uses the print setting data as the print data. Download with document data file.

  When the document data file is downloaded, the data conversion unit 43 generates print data from the document data file with the print settings specified by the downloaded print setting data (or the print setting data in the registered device data 31a). (Step S205).

  Then, the job registration processing unit 221 stores the print data in the spool processing unit 222 (step S206). When the document data file has a data format that can be processed by the multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B, the spool conversion unit 222 uses the document data file as print data without performing data conversion by the data conversion unit 43. To save.

  Next, the user carrying the mobile terminal device 1 uploads the document data file to the cloud server device 202, performs “print reservation”, and then uses the composite that he / she wants to use for printing with the mobile terminal device 1 being carried. Go to the installation location of the machine and set top box (multifunction machine 5A and set top box 6A, or multifunction machine 5B and set top box 6B).

  When the multi-function device 5A and the set-top box 6A, and the multi-function device 5B and the set-top box 6B are installed relatively close to each other, the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1 can Enter the communication area of the short-range communication interface 102 of 6A and the set top box 6B.

  At this time, the short-range communication processing unit 22 of the mobile terminal device 1 detects the set top box 6A and the set top box 6B (step S101).

  When the short-range communication processing unit 22 detects a plurality of set-top boxes 6A and 6B, the device specifying unit 24 manages the current position information from the GPS device 17 together with the machine identifier in the network communication processing unit 21. It transmits to the server device 3 (step S102).

  In the device management server device 201, when the location management unit 46 receives the current location information and the device identifier from the mobile terminal device 1, if the device identifier is present in the registered device data 31a, the location management unit 46 refers to the location data 31b, The set top box that is closest to the position indicated by the current position information is specified (step S103). The location management unit 46 reads the identified set-top box identifier from the location data 31b, and transmits the identifier to the mobile terminal device 1 using the network communication processing unit 41 (step S104).

  In the mobile terminal device 1, the device specifying unit 24 receives the identifier using the network communication processing unit 21, and selects the set top box of the identifier from the detected plurality of set top boxes 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B. Then, the short-range communication processing unit 22 establishes a connection with the set top box (step S105). When the connection is established, the short-range communication interface 102 of the set-top box 6A or the set-top box 6B receives the body identifier (here, the MAC address 12a) of the mobile terminal device 1 from the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1. Receive (step S11).

  Then, the print data acquisition unit 113 of the set top box uses the network communication processing unit 111 and the network interface 101 to transmit a print data transmission request together with the machine identifier to the device management server apparatus 201 (step S12). If the transmitted machine identifier is not registered in the registered device data 31a, the device management server apparatus 201 discards the print data transmission request received together with the machine identifier. Thereby, printing from the unregistered mobile terminal device 1 is prohibited.

  In the device management server apparatus 201, the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data transmission request and the machine identifier using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, and spools the print data for the received machine identifier. The data is read from the unit 222 and transmitted to the set top box that is the request source of the print data using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41 (step S207).

  In the set top box, the print data acquisition unit 113 receives the print data using the network communication processing unit 111 and the network interface 101, and the peripheral device interface 103 transfers the print data to the set top box. The data is transmitted to the connected multifunction device (step S16).

  In the MFP, the control unit 92 receives the print data at the peripheral device interface 83, and executes printing based on the print data at the printer 84 (step S17). Thereby, the user can obtain a printed matter printed based on the document data file of the portable terminal device 1 carried by the user.

  When printing is completed, the control unit 92 transmits a print completion notification for the print data to the device management server apparatus 201 via the set top box or directly via the network 2 without going through the set top box ( Step S18).

  In the device management server apparatus 3, when the accounting processing unit 45 receives the print completion notification using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, the accounting processing unit 45 executes accounting processing for print data corresponding to the print completion notification. (Step S19).

  When a coin vendor (not shown) is connected to the set top boxes 6A and 6B, the charging processing unit 45 performs charging processing by controlling the coin vendor. In the case of a charging method using an external server such as a credit card, the charging processing unit 45 accesses the external server and performs a charging process.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the device management server apparatus 201 downloads the document data file associated with the machine identifier unique to the predetermined mobile terminal apparatus from the cloud server apparatus 202, and the image Print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the forming apparatus is transmitted upon request.

  Further, when the mobile terminal device 1 detects a plurality of set-top boxes 6A and 6B existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device 1 transmits current position information by the GPS device 17 to the device management server device 201, and from the device management server device 201, The identifier of the set top box close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 is received, and the connection with the set top box close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 is established using the identifier. At this time, the device management server device 3 selects a set top box close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 from the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B based on the position data 31b. Then, the set-top boxes 6A and 6B are connected to the plurality of multi-function devices 5A and 5B, respectively, and when the mobile terminal device 1 existing in the periphery is detected, the mobile terminal device 1 is established after establishing the connection with the mobile terminal device 1 Print data corresponding to the document data file associated with one machine identifier is requested and acquired from the device management server apparatus 201 and supplied to the connected multifunction machine to execute printing.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, etc.) related to printing from the mobile terminal device 1 that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the device management server device 3. Further, by using the machine identifier instead of the user ID, it is not necessary for the user to input the identifier, and impersonation due to the leakage of the identifier is prevented. Further, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus (here, the multifunction machine 5A or the multifunction machine 5B) that is present near the user is selected. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

Embodiment 4 FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the multifunction machines 5C and 5D have the functions of the set top boxes 6A and 6B of the third embodiment in addition to the functions of the multifunction machines 5A and 5B.

  In the fourth embodiment, the device management server apparatus 201 has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, downloads a document data file associated with a machine identifier unique to the mobile terminal apparatus 1, and then combines the multifunction machine. Print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by 5C and 5D, is transmitted in response to a request from the multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D.

  In the fourth embodiment, the multifunction devices 5C and 5D are connected to the network 2, and when the connection with the mobile terminal device 1 is established, the device management server device is used in the same manner as the set top boxes 6A and 6B. Print data is acquired from 201 and printing is executed.

  The configurations of the multifunction machines 5C and 5D are the same as those in the second embodiment. Moreover, since the portable terminal device 1, the device management server device 201, and the cloud server device 202 in the fourth embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device in the system will be described. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of each device when executing printing based on the document data file of the mobile terminal device 1 in the system shown in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, a user carrying the mobile terminal device 1 uploads a document data file to the cloud server device 202, performs “print reservation”, and then performs printing while carrying the mobile terminal device 1 with him / her. Go to the place where you want to use the multifunction device (multifunction device 5C or multifunction device 5D).

  When the multifunction machine 5C and the multifunction machine 5D are installed relatively close to each other, the user's operation causes the short-range communication interface 12 of the portable terminal device 1 to change the short-range communication interface 121 of the multi-function machine 5C and the multi-function machine 5D. Enter the communication area.

  At this time, the short-range communication processing unit 22 of the mobile terminal device 1 detects the multifunction machine 5C and the multifunction machine 5D (step S101).

  When the short distance communication processing unit 22 detects a plurality of multi-function devices 5C and 5D, the device specifying unit 24 uses the network communication processing unit 21 to store the current position information from the GPS device 17 together with the machine identifier. It transmits to the apparatus 201 (step S102).

  In the device management server device 201, when the location management unit 46 receives the current location information and the device identifier from the mobile terminal device 1, if the device identifier is present in the registered device data 31a, the location management unit 46 refers to the location data 31b, The multifunction peripheral located closest to the position indicated by the current position information is identified (step S103). The location management unit 46 reads the identified identifier of the multifunction device from the location data 31b, and transmits the identifier to the mobile terminal device 1 using the network communication processing unit 41 (step S104).

  In the mobile terminal device 1, the device specifying unit 24 receives the identifier using the network communication processing unit 21, selects a multifunction device with the identifier from the detected multifunction devices 5 </ b> C and 5 </ b> D, The distance communication processing unit 22 is made to establish a connection with the multifunction device (step S105). When the connection is established, the short-range communication interface 121 of the multi-function device 5C or the multi-function device 5D receives the device identifier (here, the MAC address 12a) of the mobile terminal device 1 from the short-range communication interface 12 of the mobile terminal device 1. (Step S21).

  Then, the print data acquisition unit 131 of the MFP uses the network communication processing unit 91 and the network interface 82 to transmit a print data transmission request together with the machine identifier to the device management server apparatus 201 (step S22).

  In the device management server apparatus 201, the job transmission processing unit 44 receives the print data transmission request and the machine identifier using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41, and spools the print data for the received machine identifier. The data is read from the unit 222 and transmitted to the multifunction peripheral that is the request source of the print data using the network interface 32 and the network communication unit 41 (step S207).

  In the multifunction device, when the print data acquisition unit 132 receives the print data using the network communication processing unit 91 and the network interface 82, the control unit 92 executes printing based on the print data with the printer 84 ( Step S24).

  Since other operations of each device are the same as those in the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the device management server apparatus 201 downloads the document data file associated with the machine identifier unique to the predetermined mobile terminal apparatus from the cloud server apparatus 202, and displays the image. Print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the forming apparatus is transmitted upon request.

  Further, when the mobile terminal device 1 detects a plurality of multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device 1 transmits the current position information by the GPS device 17 to the device management server device 3, and from the device management server device 201, The identifier of the multifunction device close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 is received, and the connection with the multifunction device close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 is established using the identifier. At this time, the device management server apparatus 201 selects a multifunction peripheral close to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 from the plurality of multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D based on the position data 31b. When the multifunction devices 5C and 5D detect the mobile terminal device 1 existing in the vicinity, the multifunction devices 5C and 5D establish a connection with the mobile terminal device 1 and then store the document data file associated with the device identifier of the mobile terminal device 1. The corresponding print data is requested and acquired from the device management server apparatus 201, and printing is executed based on the print data. At this time, the device management server device 201 receives the machine identifier and document data file specific to the mobile terminal device 1 transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1, and can be processed by the multifunction devices 5C and 5D according to the request. The print data corresponding to the document data file is transmitted.

  As a result, processing (billing processing, print setting, etc.) related to printing from the mobile terminal device 1 that differs individually for each mobile terminal device is collectively performed by the device management server device 201. Further, by using the machine identifier instead of the user ID, it is not necessary for the user to input the identifier, and impersonation due to the leakage of the identifier is prevented. Further, when an image forming apparatus used for printing is selected by the short-range wireless communication method, an image forming apparatus (here, the multifunction machine 5C or the multifunction machine 5D) existing near the user is selected. Furthermore, since the server device acquires the document data file via the cloud service, if the mobile terminal device has software that can use the cloud service, such as a web browser, the user can use this system. You can enjoy printing services.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, after the document data file and / or the print data stored by the device management server device 3, 201 and / or the job management server device 4 are transmitted based on the transmission request, It may be erased immediately, or may be erased when a print completion notification is received, or it may be erased after it has been held for a certain period of time after data transmission or after notification of print completion so that it can be reprinted. Also good.

  In the first and third embodiments, the set-top boxes 6A and 6B send the data transmission request and the model information of the multifunction machines 5A and 5B connected to the set-top boxes 6A and 6B to the device management server apparatus 3. Then, the device management server apparatus 3 may generate and transmit print data corresponding to the model indicated by the model information from the document data file. Similarly, in the second and fourth embodiments, the multifunction peripherals 5C and 5D transmit their model information to the device management server device 3 together with the data transmission request, and the device management server device 3 is indicated by the model information. Print data corresponding to the model may be generated from the document data file and transmitted. Furthermore, the model information may include option information indicating whether or not an optional function such as a finisher is already installed.

  In the first and third embodiments, the set-top box 6A and the multifunction peripheral 5A are connected by the peripheral device interfaces 83 and 103. Instead, they are connected by the network interfaces 82 and 101, and the network 2 is connected. The print data may be transmitted / received via the network.

  In the first and second embodiments, another image forming apparatus having a printing function such as a printer may be used instead of the multifunction peripherals 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the GPS devices 108 and 122 are not provided in the set top boxes 6A and 6B and the multifunction devices 5C and 5D, and the current position information specified by the user is registered in the position data 31b. May be. The latitude and longitude of the current position can be easily obtained from a map information service such as Google Map.

  In the first and third embodiments, the current position information of the multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B may be registered in the position data 31b instead of the current position information of the set top boxes 6A and 6B.

  In the first and third embodiments, (a) in the position data 31b, the identifiers of the MFPs 5A and 5B connected to the set top boxes are registered in association with the identifiers of the set top boxes 6A and 6B. (B) A plurality of multifunction peripherals 5A and 5B can be automatically updated when a predetermined event occurs (when the apparatus is started, when an error occurs, when a job waiting for processing exceeds a predetermined amount) or periodically. (C) The device management server apparatus 3, 201 holds the operation state information together with the identifier, and a plurality of pieces of operation state information are transmitted based on the operation state information. The set-top boxes 6A and 6B of the mobile phone end are excluded from those connected to a multi-function peripheral that cannot be immediately printed based on the print data. Identifying the closest set-top box to the current position of the device 1. As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  Similarly, in the second and fourth embodiments, (a) a plurality of multi-function devices 5C and 5D are used when a predetermined event occurs (when the apparatus is activated, when an error occurs, when a job waiting for processing exceeds a predetermined amount, etc.) ) Or periodically, the device management server device 3, 201 is transmitted with its own operation state information together with its own identifier. (B) The device management server device 3, 201 holds the operation state information together with the identifier, Based on the operation state information, a multifunction device that is not immediately executable based on the print data is excluded from the plurality of multifunction devices 5C and 5D, and the multifunction device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 is specified. . As a result, an image forming apparatus that has not been activated, an image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred, an image forming apparatus that has many jobs waiting to be processed, and the like can be excluded, and printing can be performed immediately.

  Further, in the systems of the first and third embodiments, there are two sets of multifunction machines 5A and 5B and set top boxes 6A and 6B, but even if there are three or more sets of similar multifunction machines and set top boxes. Good. Further, in the systems of the second and fourth embodiments, there are two multifunction devices 5C and 5D, but there may be three or more similar multifunction devices. In the first and second embodiments, the multifunction device and the set top box according to the first embodiment and the multifunction device according to the second embodiment may be mixed.

  In the third embodiment, instead of the device management server device 201 selecting the set top box closest to the mobile terminal device 1, the mobile terminal out of the plurality of set top boxes 6A and 6B based on the position data 31b. A plurality of set top boxes existing within a predetermined range from the device 1 are selected, and a list in which the selected set top boxes are arranged in order from the mobile terminal device 1 is generated and transmitted to the mobile terminal device 1. Good. In that case, the mobile terminal device 1 receives the list and establishes a connection with any set-top box in the list with any identifier in the list. Note that the list includes identifiers of a plurality of set top boxes included in the list. For example, the mobile terminal device 1 displays the received list on the display device 14 and establishes a connection with the set top box with the identifier of the set top box selected by the user operation on the input device 15.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, instead of the device management server device 201 selecting the multifunction device closest to the portable terminal device 1, the portable terminal device 1 out of the plurality of multifunction devices 5C and 5D based on the position data 31b. A plurality of multi-function peripherals existing within a predetermined range may be selected, a list in which the selected multi-function peripherals are arranged in order from the mobile terminal device 1 may be generated and transmitted to the mobile terminal device 1. In that case, the mobile terminal device 1 receives the list, and establishes a connection with any multifunction device in the list with any identifier in the list. The list includes identifiers of a plurality of multifunction devices included in the list. For example, the mobile terminal device 1 displays the received list on the display device 14 and establishes a connection with the multifunction device with the identifier of the multifunction device selected by a user operation on the input device 15.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the position information obtained by the GPS device 17 of the portable terminal device 1 when the portable terminal device 1 is brought close to the multifunction devices 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. You may make it register into the apparatus management server apparatus 3,201 as the positional information on machine 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D. In this case, for example, when a predetermined user operation is detected by the portable terminal device 1 when the portable terminal device 1 is brought close to each multifunction device 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, the portable terminal device 1 is moved to the multifunction device. Is acquired from the MFP and transmitted to the device management server device 3, 201 together with the position information at that time. The device management server device 3, 201 receives the identifier and the position information, and combines the identifier. The position information associated with the machine is registered as position data 31b.

  In the third and fourth embodiments, the device management server device has the function of a job management server device. However, as in the first and second embodiments, the job management server device is separate from the device management server device. A server device may be provided.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the user inputs a code (for example, four-digit alphanumeric characters) to the mobile terminal device 1, and the mobile terminal device 1 sets the code together with the machine identifier to the set top boxes 6A and 6B or the composite. The code is transmitted to the machine 5C, 5D, and the user inputs the code into the set top box 6A, 6B or the multifunction machine 5C, 5D. The set top box 6A, 6B and the multifunction machine 5C, 5D receive the code received from the portable terminal device 1. The print data transmission request may be transmitted only when the code directly input by the user matches, and otherwise, the print data transmission request may not be transmitted.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the set-top boxes 6A and 6B and the multifunction devices 5C and 5D display a list of print data associated with the detected device identifier of the mobile terminal device 1 as the device management server device 3, 201, the list is transmitted to the mobile terminal device 1 through the short-range communication interface, and the print data selected from the list by the user is acquired from the device management server devices 3 and 201. Good.

  In the first and third embodiments, all the functions of the device management server devices 3 and 201 may be built in the set top box 6A or the set top box 6B, and the device management server devices 3 and 201 may be omitted. .

  The present invention is applicable, for example, to a printing service by an image forming apparatus disposed in a store or the like.

1 Mobile terminal device 3,201 Device management server device (an example of a server device)
5A, 5B, 5C, 5D MFP (an example of an image forming apparatus)
6A, 6B set-top box (an example of a printing control device)
12, 102, 121 Short-range communication interface 12a MAC address (an example of a machine identifier)
13 Arithmetic processing device (example of computer)
16a program (an example of a program for a portable terminal device)
17 GPS device (an example of a first position specifying device, an example of a position specifying device)
22 near field communication processing unit 23 file transmission processing unit 24 device designation unit 31 storage device 42 job registration processing unit (an example of document data file receiving unit)
43 Data conversion unit 44 Job transmission processing unit (an example of a print data transmission unit)
45 Charge processing unit 46 Location management unit 108, 122 GPS device (an example of a second location specifying device)
202 Cloud server device

Claims (30)

A mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus in response to a request is received from the portable terminal device, which is unique to the portable terminal device and transmitted from the portable terminal device. A server device for transmission;
When the mobile terminal device connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is detected and detected around the mobile terminal device, the connection with the mobile terminal device is established, and then received by the server device together with the body identifier of the mobile terminal device A plurality of print control devices for requesting and acquiring print data corresponding to the document data file from the server device, supplying the print data to the connected image forming device, and executing printing;
The server device holds position data indicating a current position of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming devices, and based on the position data, of the plurality of print control devices, the current of the mobile terminal device Identify the print controller closest to the location,
When the mobile terminal device detects the plurality of print control devices existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and the server device transmits the current position information of the mobile terminal device. Receiving an identifier of the print control device closest to the current position, and establishing a connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device with the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring A mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Print data corresponding to the document data file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus in response to a request is received from the portable terminal device, which is unique to the portable terminal device and transmitted from the portable terminal device. A server device for transmitting,
When each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses detects the mobile terminal device existing in the vicinity, the server device receives the mobile terminal device together with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device after establishing a connection with the mobile terminal device. Requesting and obtaining print data corresponding to a document data file from the server device, executing printing based on the print data,
The server device holds position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and based on the position data, of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device Identify
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of image forming devices present in the vicinity, the portable terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and the server device transmits the current position information of the portable terminal device. Receiving an identifier of the image forming apparatus closest to the current position, and establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device with the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring The plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus,
The server device retains the operation state information, and based on the operation state information, print control connected from the plurality of print control devices to an image forming device in which printing based on the print data is not immediately executable Specifying the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device after excluding the device;
The mobile printing system according to claim 1. The plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus,
The server device holds the operation state information, and excludes an image forming device that cannot immediately execute printing based on the print data from the plurality of image forming devices based on the operation state information. Identifying the image forming device closest to the current location of the mobile terminal device;
The mobile printing system according to claim 2. Each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device are To the server device,
When the server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the server device registers the location data.
The mobile printing system according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus are To the server device,
When the server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the server device registers the location data.
The mobile printing system according to claim 2.   The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the current position information includes latitude, longitude, and altitude information. A storage device that stores a machine identifier unique to a pre-registered mobile terminal device and stores position data indicating current positions of a plurality of image forming apparatuses or a plurality of print control apparatuses connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses When,
A document data file receiving unit for receiving a document data file transmitted from a mobile terminal device in which the machine identifier is stored in the storage device;
A position management unit that identifies a print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control devices based on the position data, and transmits an identifier of the print control device to the mobile terminal device; ,
A print data transmission unit that transmits print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the image forming apparatus, in response to a request from the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device;
The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device together with the request from the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and the document data from the mobile terminal device of the received machine identifier Transmitting print data corresponding to the document data file received by the file receiving unit to a print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device;
Server device characterized by. A storage device that stores a machine identifier unique to a pre-registered mobile terminal device, and stores position data indicating a plurality of image forming devices;
A document data file receiving unit for receiving a document data file transmitted from a mobile terminal device in which the machine identifier is stored in the storage device;
A position management unit that identifies an image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device among the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the position data, and transmits an identifier of the image forming apparatus to the portable terminal device; ,
A print data transmitting unit that transmits print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the image forming apparatus, in response to a request from the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device;
The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device together with the request from the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and the document data from the mobile terminal device of the received machine identifier Transmitting print data corresponding to the document data file received by the file receiving unit to the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the portable terminal device;
Server device characterized by. A computer built in a mobile terminal device having a position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A file transmission processing unit for transmitting the document data file to the server device;
A short-range communication processing unit for detecting a plurality of print control devices existing in the surroundings;
Sends the current position information from the position specifying device to the server device, receives the identifier of the print control device closest to the current position, and establishes a connection with the print control device having the received identifier in the short-range communication processing unit An apparatus designating unit that executes printing based on print data corresponding to the document data file in an image forming apparatus connected to the print control apparatus that has established the connection;
A program for a portable terminal device that causes the device to function. A computer built in a mobile terminal device having a position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A file transmission processing unit for transmitting the document data file to the server device;
A short-range communication processing unit for detecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses existing in the surroundings;
Sends the current position information by the position specifying device to the server device, receives the identifier of the image forming device closest to the current location, and establishes a connection with the image forming device having the received identifier in the short-range communication processing unit An apparatus designating unit that causes the image forming apparatus that has established the connection to perform printing based on print data corresponding to the document data file;
A program for a portable terminal device that causes the device to function. A job management server device for storing a document data file associated with a machine identifier of a mobile terminal device having a first location specifying device for specifying the current location of the mobile terminal device;
When receiving a machine identifier and a document data file from a portable terminal device, storing the document data file in the job management server device in association with the machine identifier, and receiving the machine identifier, the document associated with the machine identifier A device management server device that receives a data file from the job management server device and converts the received document data file into print data;
When acquiring the machine identifier of the portable terminal device with which the connection has been established, the apparatus transmits the acquired machine identifier to the device management server device, and receives print data associated with the device identifier from the device management server device. A print control device,
A plurality of image forming apparatuses that receive the print data from the plurality of print control apparatuses and execute printing based on the print data;
The device management server device holds position data indicating current positions of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming devices, and the portable terminal device among the plurality of print control devices based on the position data Identify the print controller closest to your current location,
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of print control devices existing in the vicinity, the portable terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the device management server device, and the device management server device Receiving an identifier of the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and establishing a connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device with the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring A job management server device for storing a document data file associated with a machine identifier of a mobile terminal device having a first location specifying device for specifying the current location of the mobile terminal device;
When receiving a machine identifier and a document data file from a portable terminal device, storing the document data file in the job management server device in association with the machine identifier, and receiving the machine identifier, the document associated with the machine identifier A device management server device that receives a data file from the job management server device and converts the received document data file into print data;
When acquiring the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device with which the connection has been established, the acquired machine identifier is transmitted to the device management server device, and print data associated with the device identifier is received from the device management server device, A plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute printing based on the print data;
The device management server device holds position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and based on the position data, an image closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Identify the forming equipment,
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of image forming devices present in the vicinity, the portable terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the device management server device, and from the device management server device, Receiving an identifier of the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device, and establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device using the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring Each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device are Sent to the device management server device,
When the device management server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the device management server device registers the location data.
The mobile printing system according to claim 12. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus are Sent to the device management server device,
When the device management server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the device management server device registers the location data.
The mobile printing system according to claim 13.   The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the device management server device performs an authentication process using the device identifier when the device identifier is received.   17. The device management server apparatus converts the document data file into the print data by print settings based on print setting data stored in association with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device. The mobile printing system according to claim 1.   The mobile printing system according to claim 17, wherein the print setting data includes an authorization information setting. A mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
The document data that can be processed by an image forming apparatus by downloading the document data file associated with a machine identifier unique to a predetermined mobile terminal device from a cloud server device of a cloud service having a document data file storage function A server device that transmits print data corresponding to the file upon request; and
The document data associated with the machine identifier of the mobile terminal device after establishing connection with the mobile terminal device upon detecting the mobile terminal device connected to each of the plurality of image forming devices and existing around A plurality of print control devices that acquire print data corresponding to a file from the server device and supply the print data to the connected image forming device to execute printing;
The server device selects at least one print control device from the plurality of print control devices based on position data indicating current positions of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming devices;
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of print control devices present in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and is selected from the server device by the server device. Receiving an identifier of the designated print control device and establishing a connection with the print control device selected by the server device with the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring The server apparatus is based on position data indicating a current position of the plurality of print control apparatuses or the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and is the print control apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device among the plurality of print control apparatuses. Identify
When the mobile terminal device detects the plurality of print control devices existing in the vicinity, the mobile terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and the server device transmits the current position information of the mobile terminal device. Receiving an identifier of the print control device closest to the current position, and establishing a connection with the print control device closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device with the identifier;
The mobile printing system according to claim 19. The server device includes a plurality of print control devices or a plurality of print control devices existing within a predetermined range from the portable terminal device based on position data indicating current positions of the plurality of print control devices or the plurality of image forming devices. To generate a list in which the selected print control devices are arranged in the order closer to the portable terminal device,
The portable terminal device establishes a connection with any print control device in the list with any identifier in the list;
The mobile printing system according to claim 19. A mobile terminal device having a first position specifying device for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal device;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Downloading the document data file associated with the machine identifier unique to a predetermined mobile terminal device from a cloud server device of a cloud service having a document data file storage function, and processing the image data processing device upon request And a server device that transmits print data corresponding to the document data file,
When each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses detects the portable terminal device existing in the vicinity, the document data file associated with the machine identifier of the portable terminal device is established after establishing a connection with the portable terminal device. Requesting and obtaining print data corresponding to the server device, executing printing based on the print data,
The server apparatus selects at least one image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of image forming devices present in the vicinity, the portable terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and is selected from the server device by the server device. Receiving an identifier of the selected image forming apparatus and establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus selected by the server apparatus using the identifier;
Mobile printing system featuring The server device holds position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and based on the position data, of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device Identify
When the portable terminal device detects the plurality of image forming devices present in the vicinity, the portable terminal device transmits current position information by the first position specifying device to the server device, and the server device transmits the current position information of the portable terminal device. Receiving an identifier of the image forming apparatus closest to the current position, and establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus closest to the current position of the mobile terminal device with the identifier;
The mobile printing system according to claim 22. The server device selects, from the plurality of image forming devices, a plurality of image forming devices existing within a predetermined range from the portable terminal device based on position data indicating current positions of the plurality of image forming devices. Generating a list in which the selected image forming apparatuses are arranged in order from the portable terminal device,
The portable terminal device establishes a connection with any image forming device in the list with any identifier in the list;
The mobile printing system according to claim 22. The plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus,
The server device retains the operation state information, and based on the operation state information, print control connected from the plurality of print control devices to an image forming device in which printing based on the print data is not immediately executable Excluding equipment,
The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: The plurality of image forming apparatuses transmit operation state information to the server apparatus,
The server device holds the operation state information, and excludes, based on the operation state information, image forming devices that cannot immediately execute printing based on the print data from the plurality of image forming devices;
25. The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein: Each of the plurality of print control devices has a second position specifying device for specifying the current position of the print control device, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the print control device are To the server device,
When the server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the server device registers the location data.
The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes a second position specifying device that specifies the current position of the image forming apparatus, and the current position information by the second position specifying device and the identifier of the image forming apparatus are To the server device,
When the server device receives the current location information and the identifier, the server device registers the location data.
25. The mobile printing system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein: A storage device that stores a machine identifier unique to a pre-registered mobile terminal device and stores position data indicating current positions of a plurality of image forming apparatuses or a plurality of print control apparatuses connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses When,
A document data file receiving unit for downloading the document data file associated with the machine identifier stored in the storage device from a cloud server device of a cloud service having a document data file storage function;
A position management unit that selects at least one print control device from the plurality of print control devices based on the position data, and transmits an identifier of the selected print control device to the mobile terminal device;
A print data transmission unit that transmits the print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the image forming apparatus, in response to a request from the selected print control apparatus;
The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the portable terminal device together with the request from the selected print control device, and the received document data file among the document data files downloaded by the document data file reception unit. Sending print data corresponding to the document data file associated with the machine identifier to the selected print control device;
Server device characterized by. A storage device that stores a machine identifier unique to a pre-registered mobile terminal device, and stores position data indicating a plurality of image forming devices;
A document data file receiving unit for downloading the document data file associated with the machine identifier stored in the storage device from a cloud server device of a cloud service having a document data file storage function;
A position management unit that selects at least one image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the position data, and transmits an identifier of the selected image forming apparatus to the portable terminal device;
A print data transmission unit that transmits print data corresponding to the document data file, which can be processed by the image forming apparatus, in response to a request from the selected image forming apparatus;
The print data transmission unit receives the machine identifier of the portable terminal device together with the request from the selected image forming apparatus, and the received document data file among the document data files downloaded by the document data file reception unit. Sending print data corresponding to the document data file associated with the machine identifier to the selected image forming apparatus;
Server device characterized by.

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