JP2012150629A - Server device, printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology to perform printing with easier operation, without a registration procedure for each printing device on a portable terminal side.SOLUTION: A server device 100 managing a plurality of printing devices 300 comprises; a reception part receiving a print instruction from a portable terminal 200; a determination part determining a plurality of candidates as the printing devices 300 which perform printing based on the print instruction; and an information transmission part transmitting information about the candidates determined by the determination part to the portable terminal 200.

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, a printing system, and a printing method.

  In recent years, a printing apparatus has been developed that can receive a print instruction from a mobile terminal and execute printing.

  In a system that uses such a printing apparatus, it is necessary to register information about the printing apparatus in advance on the mobile terminal side that issues a printing instruction. For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, in order to issue a print instruction from a first information device with a built-in GPS receiver, the information on the printing apparatus is registered in advance on the first information device side. It is necessary to keep.

JP 2001-43173 A

  In particular, when there are a plurality of printing apparatuses in the system, it is necessary to register information about each printing apparatus on the mobile terminal side, and the registration procedure is troublesome for the user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for performing printing with a simpler operation without performing a registration procedure for each printing apparatus on the mobile terminal side.

  The present invention for solving the above-described problem is a server device that manages a plurality of printing apparatuses, a reception unit that receives data to be printed and a print instruction from a mobile terminal, and printing that performs printing based on the print instruction A determination unit that determines an apparatus; and a printing unit that generates print data based on the data to be printed and outputs the print data to the printing apparatus determined by the determination unit.

  Further, the print instruction includes position information and acceleration information of the mobile terminal, and the determination unit is configured to determine a print device designated by the user of the mobile terminal based on the position information and the acceleration information. A position is estimated, and a printing apparatus closest to the estimated position is determined as a printing apparatus that performs printing.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the printing system of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic data structure of printing apparatus information. It is a timing chart for explaining an example of accumulation processing. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an example of a printing process (printing process 1A) in the first embodiment. (A) It is a figure which shows an example (example 1) of the printing instruction | indication by a gesture. (B) It is a figure which shows another example (example 2) of the printing instruction | indication by a gesture. (A) It is a figure which shows another example (example 3) of the printing instruction | indication by a gesture. (B) It is a figure which shows another example (example 4) of the printing instruction | indication by a gesture. (A1) It is a figure which shows an example (example 1) of the printing instruction | indication by operation with respect to a captured image. (A2) It is a figure which shows another example (example 2) of the printing instruction | indication by operation with respect to a captured image. (B) It is a figure which shows an example of the printing instruction | indication which reads identification information. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a printing apparatus determination process. It is a timing chart for demonstrating another example (printing process 1B) of the printing process in 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart for demonstrating another example (printing process 1C) of the printing process in 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart for explaining an example (printing process 2A) of printing processing in a 2nd embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen of the printing apparatus 300. FIG. It is a timing chart for demonstrating another example (printing process 2B) of the printing process in 2nd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing system 10 to which the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied. As illustrated, the printing system 10 includes a portable terminal 200 that issues a printing instruction, a printing apparatus 300 that executes printing, and a server apparatus 100 that manages the printing apparatus 300. The portable terminal 200, the printing apparatus 300, and the server apparatus 100 are connected to each other via a computer network 50 (hereinafter referred to as “network”) 50 such as a LAN.

  Although only one printing apparatus 100 is shown in the figure, a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 are connected to the network 50. A plurality of portable terminals 200 and server device 100 may be connected to the network 50.

(Mobile terminal 200)
The portable terminal 200 is a portable terminal having a function of issuing a printing instruction to the printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50, and is, for example, a portable phone. The mobile terminal 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main storage device including a memory such as a mobile RAM, an external storage device including a memory in a memory card or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, A communication device for communicating with a station or an access point, a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, a triaxial acceleration sensor for measuring acceleration in three directions of the XYZ axes, A camera used for reading identification information (for example, barcode, QR code) of the imaging and printing apparatus 300, an input device including an input button, a touch panel, a microphone, and the like, and an output device including a liquid crystal display, a speaker, and the like Realized with a computer equipped.

  The mobile terminal 200 includes an imaging unit 210, a position acquisition unit 220, a direction detection unit 230, a print source data generation unit 240, and a print instruction unit 250, as illustrated. Each functional unit (210 to 250) can be realized by loading a predetermined program stored in the external storage device into the main storage device and executing it by the CPU.

  The imaging unit 210 is configured by a general camera, and images a subject via a lens or the like. For example, the imaging unit 210 uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor to convert the brightness of light input through a lens or the like into an electrical signal. In addition, the imaging unit 210 generates image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) based on the converted electric signal.

  The position acquisition unit 220 acquires the current position of the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the position acquisition unit 220 receives a signal from a GPS satellite via a GPS receiver, and determines the distance between the portable terminal 200 and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance for three or more satellites. By measuring, the current position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200 is acquired. Hereinafter, the information including the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit 220 may be referred to as the position information of the mobile terminal 200.

  The direction detection unit 230 uses a three-axis acceleration sensor or the like to point the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 (for example, the tip of the mobile terminal 200 or a camera). Direction (three-dimensional direction) is detected. In the following, information including the direction detected by the direction detection unit 230 may be referred to as direction information of the mobile terminal 200.

  The print source data generation unit 240 generates original data (also referred to as “data to be printed”) to be printed by the printing apparatus 300. For example, the print source data generation unit 240 includes a specific application, and generates image data such as character data, graphic data, and image data as original data. Further, the print source data generation unit 240 may use the image data generated by the imaging unit 210 as original data. Note that the original data generated by the print source data generation unit 240 includes a rasterized bitmap image, and includes monochrome data having a gradation value for each pixel, RGB data, CMYK data, and the like.

  The print instruction unit 250 instructs the printing apparatus 300 to print. For example, the print instruction unit 250 responds to an operation on an input device (not shown) from a user, a gesture by a user holding the mobile terminal 200, a user operation on image data captured by the imaging unit 210, and the like. , Print instructions. The print instruction may include the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit 220 and the direction information detected by the direction detection unit 230. The print instruction unit 250 can also output the original data generated by the print source data generation unit 240.

  The mobile terminal 200 is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be any device as long as it is a mobile terminal. For example, the mobile terminal 200 may be a PDA, a tablet computer, or the like.

(Server apparatus 100)
The server apparatus 100 is an information processing apparatus having a function of managing a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 connected to the network 50. The server device 100 includes a main storage device (not shown) such as a CPU and a RAM, an external storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a hard disk, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connection to the network 50. The present invention is realized by a general computer including a communication device and an input / output device such as a display, a keyboard, and a mouse.

  The server device 100 includes a printing device position estimation unit 110, a printing device determination unit 120, a printing control unit 130, a printing device information management unit 140, and a printing device information database (DB) 150, as illustrated. Have. Each functional unit (110 to 140) can be realized by loading a predetermined program stored in the external storage device into the main storage device and executing it by the CPU. The printing apparatus information DB 150 can be realized by an external storage device.

  The printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user of the portable terminal 200 based on a print instruction (for example, position information and direction information) output from the portable terminal 200.

  The printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines a printing apparatus 200 that performs printing based on a print instruction (for example, position information and direction information) output from the mobile terminal 200. Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 compares the position estimated by the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 with data stored in the printing apparatus information DB 150 (for example, position information of each printing apparatus 300). Then, the printing apparatus 300 closest to the position estimated by the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 is determined as the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing.

  Further, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 may transmit the determined information of the printing apparatus 300 to the mobile terminal 200.

  The print control unit 130 controls the printing apparatus 300 determined by the printing apparatus determination unit 120. Specifically, the print control unit 130 reads a driver program for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing determined by the printing apparatus determination unit 120, and generates print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300. Then, the print control unit 130 transmits the generated print data to the printing apparatus 300 determined by the printing apparatus determination unit 120.

  The printing apparatus information management unit 140 manages information about the printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50.

  For example, the printing apparatus information management unit 140 acquires information about each printing apparatus 300 (that is, position information, printing speed, printing method, communication information, etc.) from the printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50. Here, the printing speed refers to the maximum printing speed guaranteed by each printing apparatus 300. Further, the printing method refers to a method (for example, color printing, monochrome printing, double-sided printing, or printing paper size) that can be printed by each printing apparatus 300. Communication information refers to address information (for example, IP address) of each printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus information management unit 140 also stores (accumulates) the information acquired from each printing apparatus 300 in the printing apparatus information DB 150 for each printing apparatus 300.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic data structure of the printing apparatus information 400 stored in the printing apparatus information DB 150.

  As illustrated, the printing apparatus information 400 includes a record 406 for each printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50. In each record 406, identification information 401, position information 402, printing speed 403, printing method 404, and communication information 405 are stored in association with each other.

  The identification information 401 is data for identifying the printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50. For example, each time the printing apparatus 300 is newly connected to the network 50, a random value (character string or number string) is stored. Is allocated.

  The position information 402 is data (longitude X, latitude Y) indicating the position of the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing speed 403 is data indicating the maximum printing speed [ppm] guaranteed by the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing method 404 is data indicating a method (for example, color printing, monochrome printing, double-sided printing, printing paper size) that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300.

  The communication information 405 is data indicating address information (for example, IP address) of the printing apparatus 300.

  Each record 406 of the printing apparatus information 400 is generated every time the printing apparatus 300 is newly connected to the network 50, and held until the printing apparatus 300 is removed from the network 50.

(Printer 300)
The printing apparatus 300 prints print data received via the network 50. The printing apparatus 300 includes a CPU, a main storage device such as a RAM, an external storage device such as a ROM and a flash memory, a communication device for connecting to the network 50, a print engine, an input button, and a touch panel (not shown). In general, the printer includes an input device including a liquid crystal display and the like.

  In addition to this, the printing apparatus 300 of the present embodiment includes a GPS receiver that receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

  The printing apparatus 300 includes a print data receiving unit 310, a print execution unit 320, a position acquisition unit 330, and an information providing unit 340, as illustrated. Each functional unit (310 to 340) can be realized by loading a predetermined program stored in the external storage device into the main storage device and executing it by the CPU.

  The print data receiving unit 310 receives the print data transmitted from the server device 100 and stores it in a memory such as a RAM. Further, the print data receiving unit 310 notifies the print execution unit 320 of the print command received together with the print data.

  In the present embodiment, the print data receiving unit 310 can also receive print data directly transmitted from the mobile terminal 200. Also in this case, the print data receiving unit 310 stores the received print data in a memory such as a RAM, and notifies the print execution unit 320 of the print command received together with the print data.

  The print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310. Specifically, the print execution unit 320 notifies the print engine of a control command corresponding to the print command received together with the print data. In this way, the print execution unit 320 controls a print engine and a print head (not shown), and executes print processing for print data received by the print data reception unit 310.

  The position acquisition unit 330 acquires the position where the printing apparatus 300 is installed. Specifically, the position acquisition unit 320 receives a signal from a GPS satellite via a GPS receiver, and determines the distance between the printing apparatus 300 and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance for three or more satellites. By measuring, the position (longitude, latitude) where the printing apparatus 300 is set is acquired. In the following, information including the position acquired by the position acquisition unit 330 may be referred to as position information of the printing apparatus 300.

  The information providing unit 340 provides information regarding the printing apparatus 300 to the server apparatus 100. For example, the information providing unit 340 may print the printing apparatus 300 when the printing apparatus 300 is connected to the network 50 for the first time, when some information (mainly position information and communication information) is updated, or periodically. The server apparatus 100 is provided with 300 position information, printing speed, printing method, and communication information. Here, the printing speed refers to the maximum printing speed guaranteed by the printing apparatus 300 as described above. The printing method refers to a method that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300 (for example, color printing, monochrome printing, double-sided printing, printing paper size). Communication information refers to address information (for example, an IP address) of the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus 300 is not limited to a printer, and may be any device having a printing function. For example, the printing apparatus 300 may be a multifunction machine, a copier, a scanner apparatus, a FAX apparatus, or the like.

  The printing system 10 to which this embodiment is applied has the above-described configuration. However, the configuration of the printing system 10 is not limited to this.

  In addition, each of the above-described components is classified according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the printing system 10. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configuration of the printing system 10 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  Next, a characteristic operation of the printing system 10 having the above configuration will be described.

(Accumulation processing)
FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining an example of the accumulation process executed in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment.

  The information providing unit 340 of each printing apparatus 300 (A, B) is connected to the network 50 for the first time, when some information (mainly position information and communication information) is updated, or periodically. In addition, the position information, the printing speed, the printing method, and the communication information of the printing apparatus 300 are read from the external storage device and transmitted to the server apparatus 100 (S1, S1 ′).

  The position information of the printing apparatus 300 is the position information (longitude and latitude) of the printing apparatus 300 acquired by the position acquisition unit 330 and is stored in the external storage device. The communication information is address information assigned from the network 50, and is overwritten in the external storage device every time it is updated. Further, the printing speed and the printing method are stored in advance in the external storage device.

  When receiving the information (position information, printing speed, printing method, communication information) transmitted from each printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus information management unit 140 of the server apparatus 100 collects the information for each printing apparatus 300 in the printing apparatus information DB 150. Store (accumulate) (S2, S2 '). Specifically, each time the printing apparatus information management unit 140 receives information (position information, printing speed, printing method, communication information) from the printing apparatus 300, the identification information 401 assigned to the printing apparatus 300 is received. And the information received from the printing apparatus 300 (position information 402, printing speed 403, printing method 404, communication information 404) are stored in the printing apparatus information 400 in association with the same record 406.

  By performing the accumulation process as described above, the server apparatus 100 can collect information regarding all the printing apparatuses 300 connected to the network 50.

(Printing process 1A)
FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an example of the printing process (printing process 1A) executed by the printing system 10 of the present embodiment.

  The print source data generation unit 240 of the portable terminal 200 generates original data (data to be printed) printed by the printing apparatus 300 (S11).

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 starts accepting a print instruction (S12). For example, the print instruction unit 250 starts accepting a print instruction when a predetermined operation is performed on the input device by the user.

  When the reception of the print instruction is started, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the current position of the mobile terminal 200 (S13). Then, the position acquisition unit 220 outputs the acquired position information of the mobile terminal 200 to the print instruction unit 250.

  At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 has a moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and a direction (three-dimensional) in which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 (for example, the tip of the mobile terminal 200 or a camera) is directed. Direction) is repeatedly detected (S14). Then, the direction detection unit 230 outputs the direction information including the detected direction information to the print instruction unit 250.

  The print instruction unit 250 waits until the printing apparatus 300 that prints the original data generated in step S11 is designated after the reception of the print instruction is started.

  Here, there are various methods for specifying the printing apparatus 300.

"Method 1"
For example, the print instruction unit 250 displays the name (or identification number 401) of the printing device 300 connected to the network 50 on an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and selects one printing device 300 therefrom. The printing apparatus 300 may be designated by accepting the instruction. In this case, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including the identification number 401 of the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

"Method 2"
Further, the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing may be designated by a gesture by a user holding the mobile terminal 200.

(Method 2: Gesture Example 1)
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example (Example 1) of a print instruction by a gesture. As illustrated, the user can designate the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by pointing the front end of the mobile terminal 200 toward the printing apparatus 300.

  Specifically, while the gesture shown in the figure is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 obtains data that can specify the gesture of the user holding the mobile terminal 200, that is, a plurality of pieces of position information that changes in time series and a plurality of direction information that changes in time series. be able to.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including each position information and each direction information of the mobile terminal 200 to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server apparatus 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, the user's gesture as shown in FIG.

(Method 2: Gesture example 2)
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing another example (example 2) of the print instruction by the gesture. As shown in the figure, the user can designate the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by shaking the tip of the mobile terminal 200 toward the printing apparatus 300. The position of the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by changing the speed (or acceleration) of shaking the mobile terminal 200 according to the distance between the position of the mobile terminal 200 (that is, the position of the user) and the printing apparatus 300. Can be specified more accurately.

  Specifically, while the gesture shown in the figure is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 obtains data that can specify the gesture of the user holding the mobile terminal 200, that is, a plurality of pieces of position information that changes in time series and a plurality of direction information that changes in time series. be able to.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including each position information and each direction information of the mobile terminal 200 to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server apparatus 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, the user's gesture as shown in FIG. 5B can be specified.

(Method 2: Gesture Example 3)
FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating another example (example 3) of the print instruction by the gesture. As shown in the figure, the user can also specify the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by tilting the tip of the portable terminal 200 in the vicinity of the printing apparatus 300 toward the printing apparatus 300 (the ground direction).

  Specifically, while the gesture shown in the figure is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 obtains data that can specify the gesture of the user holding the mobile terminal 200, that is, a plurality of pieces of position information that changes in time series and a plurality of direction information that changes in time series. be able to.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including each position information and each direction information of the mobile terminal 200 to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server device 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, the user's gesture as shown in FIG. 6A can be specified.

(Method 2: Gesture example 4)
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another example (example 4) of the print instruction by the gesture. As illustrated, the user can designate the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by imaging the printing apparatus 300 using the imaging unit 210 provided in the mobile terminal 200. However, in the present example (example 4), it is not necessary to actually image the printing apparatus 300, and it is only necessary that the imaging unit (for example, camera) 210 is directed toward the printing apparatus 300.

  Specifically, while the gesture shown in the figure is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 obtains data that can specify the gesture of the user holding the mobile terminal 200, that is, a plurality of pieces of position information that changes in time series and a plurality of direction information that changes in time series. be able to.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including each position information and each direction information of the mobile terminal 200 to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server device 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, the user's gesture as shown in FIG. 6B can be specified.

"Method 3"
In addition, the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing may be designated by a user operation on an image captured by the imaging unit 210 (hereinafter referred to as “captured image”).

(Method 3: Screen operation example 1)
FIG. 7A1 is a diagram illustrating an example (Example 1) of a print instruction by an operation on a captured image. As illustrated, the user can designate a printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by dropping a predetermined icon on an image actually captured by the mobile terminal 200 (or a part of the image).

  When employing this designation method, first, the imaging unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 actually images the printing apparatus 300 based on an operation by the user. While this imaging is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 can identify the direction in which the camera is pointed when the imaging unit 210 images the printing apparatus 300, that is, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 when the shutter is released, Direction information.

  Then, as illustrated, the print instruction unit 250 displays the captured image and the printed material icon simulating the shape of the printed material (for example, printing paper) separately on an output device such as a liquid crystal display.

  Then, when the user performs a touch panel operation to move the printed product icon on the captured image (or the position of the printing apparatus 300 on the captured image), the print instruction unit 250 displays the portable terminal 200 when the shutter is released. A print instruction including the position information and the direction information is transmitted to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server apparatus 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the portable terminal 200, the printing apparatus 300 designated by the screen operation as shown in FIG.

(Method 3: Screen operation example 2)
FIG. 7A2 is a diagram illustrating another example (example 2) of a print instruction by an operation on a captured image. As illustrated, the user can designate a printing apparatus 300 that performs printing by dropping a predetermined icon on a specific portion on an image actually captured by the mobile terminal 200.

  When employing this designation method, first, the imaging unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 actually images the printing apparatus 300 based on an operation by the user. While this imaging is being performed, the position acquisition unit 220 repeatedly acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 200 and outputs it to the print instruction unit 250 as described above. At the same time, the direction detection unit 230 repeatedly detects the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction (three-dimensional direction) to which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed, and detects the detected direction. The direction information including the information is output to the print instruction unit 250. Therefore, the print instruction unit 250 can identify the direction in which the camera is pointed when the imaging unit 210 images the printing apparatus 300, that is, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 when the shutter is released, Direction information.

  Then, as illustrated, the print instruction unit 250 displays the captured image on an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a printed material icon that imitates the shape of the printed material (for example, printing paper) on the captured image.

  Then, when the user performs a touch panel operation to move the printed product icon to the position of the printing apparatus 300 on the captured image, the print instruction unit 250 displays the position information and direction information of the mobile terminal 200 when the shutter is released. The print instruction including the request is transmitted to the server apparatus 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server apparatus 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, the printing apparatus 300 designated by the screen operation as shown in FIG.

"Method 4"
Alternatively, the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing may be specified by reading identification information (for example, a barcode or a QR code) provided in the printing apparatus 300 with the mobile terminal 200.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a print instruction by reading identification information.

  When this specifying method is adopted, as shown in the figure, identification information (for example, a barcode) for identifying the printing apparatus 300 is attached to the printing apparatus 300 connected to the network 50. Then, based on an operation by the user, the imaging unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 reads identification information attached to the printing apparatus 300. Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction including the identification information read by the imaging unit 210 to the server device 100 (S15). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In this way, on the server device 100 side, based on the print instruction transmitted from the mobile terminal 200, it is possible to specify the printing device 300 whose identification information has been read by the mobile terminal 200.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing is designated by any of the above methods (methods 1 to 4) (that is, when a printing instruction is received from the mobile terminal 200), the server apparatus 100 Processing for determining the designated printing device 300 (printing device determination processing) is performed (S16).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the printing apparatus determination process.

  As shown in the drawing, when the process proceeds to the printing apparatus determination process, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 of the server apparatus 100 first identifies the position of the mobile terminal 200 (step S601).

  Specifically, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 extracts the position information of the mobile terminal 200 included in the print instruction received from the mobile terminal in step S15. If the print instruction includes a plurality of pieces of position information, each piece of position information is extracted.

  Then, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 specifies the position of the mobile terminal 200 based on the extracted position information. For example, when only one position information is included in the print instruction received in step S15, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 identifies the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200 from the position information.

  If the print instruction received in step S15 includes a plurality of pieces of position information, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 sets the average value of each piece of position information as the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200. Identify. However, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 selects the time among the plurality of position information included in the printing instruction received in step S15. The position information obtained first in the order of the series may be specified as the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200.

  When the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 1 or the method 4, the position information of the mobile terminal 200 is not included in the print instruction received in step S15. Therefore, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 omits the process of step S601.

  Next, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 has a moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and a direction (for example, a tip of the mobile terminal 200 or a camera) in a specific part (for example, the tip of the mobile terminal 200). (Three-dimensional direction) is specified (step S602).

  Specifically, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 extracts the direction information of the mobile terminal 200 included in the print instruction received from the mobile terminal in step S15. If the print instruction includes a plurality of direction information, each direction information is extracted.

  Then, based on the extracted direction information, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 specifies the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 and the direction in which the specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed. For example, when only one direction information is included in the print instruction received in step S15, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines a moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 or a specific information on the mobile terminal 200 from the direction information. Identify the direction in which the part is directed.

  When a plurality of direction information is included in the print instruction received in step S15, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 identifies each direction information and identifies a time-series displacement. That is, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 uses a plurality of pieces of direction information extracted from the print instruction to indicate a time-series displacement in the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 or a direction in which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed. Specify serial displacement.

  For example, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 1 of the method 2, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 calculates the average value of each direction information included in the printing instruction received in step S15. The direction in which the tip of the mobile terminal 200 is pointed is specified. Similarly, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 4 of the method 2, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 calculates the average value of each direction information included in the printing instruction received in step S15. The direction in which the camera included in the mobile terminal 200 is pointed is specified.

  When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines the mobile terminal from the plurality of direction information included in the printing instruction received in step S15. Both the time-series displacement in the moving direction of 200 and the time-series displacement in the direction in which the specific part of the portable terminal 200 is directed are specified. When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 3 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines the mobile terminal from a plurality of direction information included in the printing instruction received in step S15. A time-series displacement in a direction in which a specific part in 200 is directed is specified.

  Further, when the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the above method 1 or method 4, the direction information of the portable terminal 200 is not included in the print instruction received in step S15. Therefore, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 omits the process of step S602.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the position of the printing apparatus 300 or the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user using the mobile terminal 200 (step S603).

  Hereinafter, a specific processing procedure in step S603 will be described.

(S603: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 1 or the method 4, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 omits the processes of the above steps S601 and S602. In this step S603, the printing instruction The printing apparatus 300 specified by the identification information included in is estimated as the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 2) Gesture example 1 of method 2 above
Further, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 1 of the method 2, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 includes the “position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601, The position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user is estimated using the “direction in which the tip of the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602. For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines “the direction in which the tip of the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602 from the “position of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601 (that is, a half line) The above is estimated as the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 3) Gesture example 2 of method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 of the method 2, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 includes the “position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601. Designated by the user using the “time-series displacement in the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200” and the “time-series displacement in the direction in which the tip of the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602. The position of the printing apparatus 300 is estimated. For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 starts from the “position of the mobile terminal 200” specified in step S601, and the direction (two-dimensional direction) in which the mobile terminal 200 is swung is specified as “mobile phone” specified in step S602. It is calculated from “time-series displacement in the direction in which the tip of the terminal 200 is directed”. Then, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 calculates an acceleration change when the mobile terminal 200 moves based on the “time-series displacement of the mobile terminal 200 in the moving direction” identified in step S602, and the mobile terminal Determine the strength with which 200 was swung. Further, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the distance from the portable terminal 200 (user) to the printing apparatus 300 according to the strength (strength) of the portable terminal 200 being shaken. Here, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates that the distance from the mobile terminal 200 (user) to the printing apparatus 300 is longer as the mobile terminal 200 is more strongly shaken. Then, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 is the direction (two-dimensional direction) in which the mobile terminal 200 is swung as viewed from the “position of the mobile terminal 200”, and is separated from the mobile terminal 200 (user) by the estimated distance. Is estimated as the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 4) Gesture example 3 of method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 3 of the method 2, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 includes the “position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601, The position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user is estimated using the “time-series displacement in the direction in which the tip of the portable terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602. For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 tilts the tip of the mobile terminal 200 downward (toward the ground) from the “time-series displacement in the direction in which the tip of the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602. If it is found that the information has been received, the “position of the portable terminal 200” specified in step S601 is estimated as the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 5) Gesture example 4 of method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 4 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 includes the “position of the mobile terminal 200 (longitude, latitude)” identified in step S601, The position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user is estimated using the “direction in which the camera included in the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602. For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines “the direction in which the camera of the mobile terminal 200 is directed” identified in step S602 from the “position of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601 (that is, a half line) The above is estimated as the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 6) Method 3 above
Further, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the method 3, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 identifies “the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200” identified in step S601 and the identification in step S602. The position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user is estimated using the “direction in which the camera included in the mobile terminal 200 is directed (at the time of shutter)”. For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines “the direction in which the camera of the mobile terminal 200 is directed (at the time of the shutter)” specified in step S602 from the “position of the mobile terminal 200” specified in step S601. That is, the position on the half line) is estimated as the position of the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

  As described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the printing apparatus 300 or the position of the printing apparatus 300 specified by the user using the mobile terminal 200.

  Next, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 acquires the printing apparatus information 400 stored in the accumulation process illustrated in FIG. 3 from the printing apparatus information DB 150 (step S604).

  Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 estimated by the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 from the printing apparatus information 400, and determines the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing (step S605).

  Hereinafter, a specific processing procedure in step S605 will be described.

(S604: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the method 1 or the method 4, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for the identification information 401 included in the printing instruction. When the corresponding identification information 401 exists, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the printing apparatus 300 specified by the identification information 401 as the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing.

(S604: Case 2) Gesture Example 1, Method Example 4 and Method 3 of Method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 1, the gesture example 4, and the method 3 in the method 2, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the position of the printing apparatus 300 estimated in step S603 (ie, half The printer 300 closest to the straight line) is searched from the printer information 400. Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for position information 402 that has the shortest distance from the position of the printing apparatus 300 (that is, a half line) estimated in step S603. Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the printing apparatus 300 installed at the position indicated by the searched position information 402 as the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing.

(S604: Case 3) Gesture example 2 and gesture example 3 of method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 and the gesture example 3 of the method 2, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 selects the printing apparatus 300 closest to the position of the printing apparatus 300 estimated in step S603. Search from the printing apparatus information 400. Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for position information 402 that minimizes the distance from the position of the printing apparatus 300 estimated in step S603. Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the printing apparatus 300 installed at the position indicated by the searched position information 402 as the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing.

  As described above, when the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing, the printing apparatus determination process S16 ends, and the process proceeds to step S17 illustrated in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to step S17, the print control unit 130 generates print data based on the original data (data to be printed) received in step S15 (S17). Specifically, the print control unit 130 reads out a driver program for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing determined in step S605 (S16) from a predetermined external storage device, and print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300. Generate.

  Then, the print control unit 130 transmits the print data generated in step S17 to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 (S16) (S18). Specifically, the print control apparatus 130 reads the record 406 corresponding to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 from the printing apparatus information 400, and sets the address destination specified by the communication information 405 included in the record 406 to the address destination. The print data generated in step S17 is transmitted.

  As described above, in the server apparatus 100, print data that can be printed by the designated printing apparatus 300 is selected from any of the printing apparatuses 300 connected to the network 50, regardless of which printing apparatus 300 is designated from the mobile terminal 200. Can be sent.

  When the print data is transmitted, the print data receiving unit 310 of the printing apparatus 300 receives the print data from the server apparatus 100. Then, the print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310 (S19).

  By performing the printing process as described above, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, printing can be performed by a desired printing apparatus 300 without registering information about each printing apparatus 300 on the mobile terminal 200 side. It becomes.

(Printing process 1B)
FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining another example (printing process 1B) of the printing process executed by the printing system 10 of the present embodiment. In the printing process 1B, prior to printing, information related to the printing apparatus 300 scheduled to be printed is displayed on the mobile terminal 200. In this respect, the printing process 1B is different from the printing process 1A.

  As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal 200 first performs the processes of S11 to S14 in the same manner as the print process 1A.

  Then, when the process of step S14 ends, the print instruction unit 250 moves the process to step S25. The print instruction unit 250 starts receiving the print instruction in step S12 and waits until the printing apparatus 300 that prints the original data generated in step S11 is designated.

  Here, the method for designating the printing apparatus 300 is the same as in the printing process 1A.

(S25: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the method 1 or the method 4, the print instruction unit 250 transmits the identification number 401 of the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user to the server apparatus 100. Accordingly, the print instruction unit 250 can request the server apparatus 100 for the printing apparatus information 400 related to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user (S25).

(S25: Case 2) Method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the above method 2, the print instruction unit 250 displays the print apparatus 300 as shown in FIGS. 5 (A), 5 (B), 6 (A), and 6 (B). Each position information and each direction information of the portable terminal 200 acquired during the gesture is transmitted to the server device 100. Accordingly, the print instruction unit 250 can request the server apparatus 100 for the printing apparatus information 400 related to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user (S25).

(S25: Case 3) Method 3 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the method 3, the print instruction unit 250 transmits the position information and direction information of the portable terminal 200 acquired when the shutter is released to the server apparatus 100. To do. Accordingly, the print instruction unit 250 can request the server apparatus 100 for the printing apparatus information 400 related to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user (S25).

  When the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing is designated by any of the above methods (methods 1 to 4) (that is, when a request for the printing apparatus information 400 is received from the mobile terminal 200), the server apparatus 100 A printing device determination process is performed in the same manner as the printing process 1A (S16).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the process proceeds to the printing apparatus determination process, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 of the server apparatus 100 first identifies the position of the mobile terminal 200 (step S601).

  For example, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 specifies the position of the mobile terminal 200 based on the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 200. Here, when only one piece of position information is transmitted in step S25, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 identifies the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200 from the position information.

  When a plurality of pieces of position information are transmitted in step S25, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 specifies the average value of each piece of position information as the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200. However, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 first obtains a plurality of position information transmitted in step S25 in time series order. The obtained position information may be specified as the position (longitude, latitude) of the mobile terminal 200.

  Note that when the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the above method 1 or method 4, the position information of the portable terminal 200 is not transmitted in step S25. Therefore, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 omits the process of step S601.

  Next, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 has a moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and a direction (for example, a tip of the mobile terminal 200 or a camera) in a specific part (for example, the tip of the mobile terminal 200). (Three-dimensional direction) is specified (step S602).

  Specifically, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110, based on the direction information transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 in step S25, the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 or the direction in which a specific part in the mobile terminal 200 is directed. , Specify. For example, when only one direction information is transmitted in step S25, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 indicates the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 or a specific part in the mobile terminal 200 from the direction information. Specify the direction.

  When a plurality of direction information is not transmitted in step S25, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 identifies each direction information and identifies a time-series displacement. In other words, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines the time-series displacement of the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 or the direction in which a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed from the plurality of direction information transmitted from the mobile terminal 200. The time-series displacement is specified.

  For example, when the printing apparatus 300 is designated in the gesture example 1 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines the tip of the mobile terminal 200 from the average value of each direction information transmitted in step S25. Identify the direction in which it is pointed. Similarly, when the printing apparatus 300 is designated in the gesture example 4 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 uses the average value of each direction information transmitted in step S25 to provide the camera provided in the mobile terminal 200. Specify the direction in which the is directed.

  When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 determines when the mobile terminal 200 is in the moving direction from the plurality of direction information transmitted in step S25. Both the series displacement and the time series displacement in the direction in which the specific part of the mobile terminal 200 is directed are specified. When the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the gesture example 3 of the method 2 described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 directs the specific part in the mobile terminal 200 from the plurality of direction information transmitted in step S25. Specify the time-series displacement in the specified direction.

  Further, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified in the above method 1 or method 4, the direction information of the mobile terminal 200 is not transmitted in step S25, so the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 performs the processing in step S602. Is omitted.

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the position of the printing apparatus 300 or the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user using the mobile terminal 200 (step S603).

  Hereinafter, a specific processing procedure in step S603 will be described.

(S603: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the method 1 or the method 4, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 omits the processes of the above steps S601 and S602, and in this step S603, the process proceeds to step S25. The printing apparatus 300 specified by the identification information of the printing apparatus 300 transmitted from the portable terminal 200 is estimated as the printing apparatus 300 designated by the user.

(S603: Case 2) Method 2 and method 3
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the method 2 or the method 3, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 performs the same process as step S603 in the printing process 1A.

  As described above, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 estimates the printing apparatus 300 or the position of the printing apparatus 300 specified by the user using the mobile terminal 200.

  Next, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 acquires the printing apparatus information 400 stored in the accumulation process illustrated in FIG. 3 from the printing apparatus information DB 150 (step S604).

  Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 estimated by the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 from the printing apparatus information 400, and determines the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing (step S605).

  Hereinafter, a specific processing procedure in step S605 will be described.

(S605: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 1 or the method 4, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for the identification information 401 transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 in step S25. When the corresponding identification information 401 exists, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the printing apparatus 300 specified by the identification information 401 as the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing.

(S605: Case 2) Method 2 and Method 3
Further, when the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 2 or the method 3, the printing apparatus position estimation unit 110 performs the same process as step S605 in the printing process 1A.

  And the printing apparatus determination part 120 transfers a process to step S27 shown in FIG. 9, after complete | finishing printing apparatus determination process S16.

  When the process proceeds to step S27, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 transmits information regarding the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 to the mobile terminal 200 (S27). Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 reads the record 406 corresponding to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S <b> 605 from the printing apparatus information 400 and transmits it to the mobile terminal 200.

  In this way, on the mobile terminal 200 side, the user can confirm the printing apparatus 300 determined by the server apparatus 100.

  Specifically, the print instruction unit 250 displays the information (for example, the printing speed 403 and the printing method 404) transmitted from the server device 100 in step S27 on an output device such as a liquid crystal display, and the printing device. It waits until an instruction to print on 300 is received from the user (S28).

  When receiving an instruction to perform printing from the user, the print instruction unit 250 transmits to the server apparatus 100 a print instruction for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing determined in step S605 (S29). At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  In step S28, when an instruction not to perform printing is received from the user, or when no operation is desired by the user for a predetermined time, the print instruction unit 250 disconnects communication with the server apparatus 100. Then, the printing process 1B is completed. Alternatively, the print instruction unit 250 may transmit an instruction to search for a printing apparatus 300 different from the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S <b> 605 to the server apparatus 100.

  When the print control unit 130 of the server apparatus 100 receives a print instruction for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing determined in step S605 from the portable terminal 200, the print control unit 130 is based on the original data (data to be printed) received together with the print instruction. Thus, print data is generated (S17). Specifically, the print control unit 130 reads out a driver program for causing the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing determined in step S605 (S16) from a predetermined external storage device, and print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300. Generate.

  Then, the print control unit 130 transmits the print data generated in step S17 to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 (S16) (S18). Specifically, the print control apparatus 130 reads the record 406 corresponding to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 from the printing apparatus information 400, and prints the print generated in step S17 to the address specified by the communication information 405. Send data.

  As described above, in the server apparatus 100, print data that can be printed by the designated printing apparatus 300 is selected from any of the printing apparatuses 300 connected to the network 50, regardless of which printing apparatus 300 is designated from the mobile terminal 200. Can be sent.

  When the print data is transmitted, the print data receiving unit 310 of the printing apparatus 300 receives the print data from the server apparatus 100. Then, the print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310 (S19).

  By performing the printing process as described above, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, printing can be performed by a desired printing apparatus 300 without registering information about each printing apparatus 300 on the mobile terminal 200 side. It becomes. In addition, before printing, the user confirms whether or not the printing apparatus 100 determined by the server apparatus 100 is to print, so that the unintended printing apparatus 300 is not printed.

(Printing process 1C)
FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining another example (printing process 1C) of the printing process executed by the printing system 10 of the present embodiment. In the printing process 1C, as in the printing process 1B, information related to the printing apparatus 300 that is scheduled to be printed is displayed on the portable terminal 200 prior to printing. However, in the printing process 1 </ b> C, print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300 is generated by the mobile terminal 200 and is directly printed by the printing apparatus 300 without using the server apparatus 100. In this respect, the printing process 1C is different from the printing process 1B.

  As illustrated, the mobile terminal 200 and the server apparatus 100 first perform the processes of S11 to S28 in the same manner as the print process 1B.

  When the process of step S28 ends, the print instruction unit 250 generates print data based on the original data (print target data) generated in step S11 (S39). Specifically, the print instructing unit 250 reads a driver program for causing the printing apparatus 300 to print determined in step S605 (S16) from a predetermined external storage device (or downloads it from the server apparatus 100), and Print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300 is generated.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits the print data generated in step S39 to the printing apparatus 300 determined in step S605 (S16) without using the server apparatus 100 (S40). Specifically, the print instruction unit 250 reads the communication information 405 included in the information transmitted from the server apparatus 100 in step S27, and prints the print generated in step S39 at the address specified by the read communication information 405. Send data.

  As described above, in the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, any printing device 300 connected to the network 50 can be printed by the designated printing device 300 regardless of which printing device 300 is designated by the mobile terminal 200. Print data can be transmitted from the portable terminal 200.

  When the print data is transmitted, the print data receiving unit 310 of the printing apparatus 300 receives the print data from the mobile terminal 200. Then, the print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310 (S19).

  By performing the printing process as described above, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, printing can be performed by a desired printing apparatus 300 without registering information about each printing apparatus 300 on the mobile terminal 200 side. It becomes. In addition, before printing, the user confirms whether or not the printing apparatus 100 determined by the server apparatus 100 is to print, so that the unintended printing apparatus 300 is not printed. Furthermore, since the print data generated by the portable terminal 200 can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 without going through the server 100 apparatus, the processing load on the server apparatus 100 can be reduced, and the processes from step S28 to S19 are performed as a printing process. It can be faster than 1B.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is a modification of the printing system 10 of the first embodiment described above.

  In the first embodiment described above, in step S605, the server device 100 determines one printing device 300 as the printing device 300 that performs printing. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the server apparatus 100 determines a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 as candidates for the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing, and causes the user to select one printing apparatus 300 from among the candidates.

  Thereby, in the printing system 10 of this embodiment, even if the printing apparatus 300 designated from the portable terminal 200 is erroneously specified on the server apparatus 100 side, it can be corrected. In addition, when the user cannot determine which printing apparatus 300 should print, information related to a plurality of candidate printing apparatuses 300 can be provided to the portable terminal 200, so that the user can easily make a decision.

  Note that the printing system 10 of the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration and functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the operation is different from the printing system 10 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description of the second embodiment will be made with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.

(Printing process 2A)
FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining an example of the printing process (printing process 2A) executed by the printing system 10 of this embodiment. In the printing process 2A, as with the printing process 1B, information related to the printing apparatus 300 that is scheduled to be printed is displayed on the portable terminal 200 prior to printing. However, in the printing process 2 </ b> A, information related to the plurality of printing apparatuses 300 is displayed on the mobile terminal 200. In this respect, the printing process 2A is different from the printing process 1B.

  As illustrated, the mobile terminal 200 and the server device 100 first perform the processes of S11 to S25 in the same manner as the print process 1B.

  When the printing apparatus 300 that performs printing is specified by any of the above methods (methods 1 to 4) (that is, when a request for the printing apparatus information 400 is received from the mobile terminal 200), the server apparatus 100 is specified. Then, a process of identifying candidates for the printing apparatus 300 is performed (S46).

  Specifically, the server apparatus 100 first performs the processes of S601 to S604 included in the printing apparatus determination process S16 described in the printing process 1B.

  Then, the printing device determination unit 120 searches the printing device information 400 for the printing device 300 estimated by the printing device position estimation unit 110, and identifies a plurality of printing devices 300 as candidates for the printing device 300 that performs printing.

  In the following, a specific processing procedure of processing for specifying candidates for the printing apparatus 300 will be described.

(S46: Case 1) Method 1 and Method 4
When the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 1 or the method 4, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for the identification information 401 transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 in step S25. Then, when the corresponding identification information 401 exists, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 selects the printing apparatus 300 located within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 10 m) from the printing apparatus 300 specified by the identification information 401. The printing apparatus 300 is identified as a candidate for printing.

(S46: Case 2) Gesture Example 1, Method Example 4 and Method 3 of Method 2 above
When the printing apparatus 300 is designated by the gesture example 1, the gesture example 4, and the method 3 of the method 2, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines the position of the printing apparatus 300 estimated in step S603 (ie, the printing apparatus 300). The printing apparatus 300 closest to the half line) is searched from the printing apparatus information 400. Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for position information 402 that has the shortest distance from the position of the printing apparatus 300 (that is, a half line) estimated in step S603. Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 performs printing on the printing apparatus 300 that is located within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 10 m) from the printing apparatus 300 installed at the position indicated by the searched position information 402. Identify as a candidate.

(S46: Case 3) Gesture example 2 and gesture example 3 of method 2 above
When the printing device 300 is specified in the gesture example 2 and the gesture example 2 of the method 2, the printing device determination unit 120 selects the printing device 300 closest to the position of the printing device 300 estimated in step S603. Search from the printing apparatus information 400. Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 searches the printing apparatus information 400 for position information 402 that minimizes the distance from the position of the printing apparatus 300 estimated in step S603. Then, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 performs printing on the printing apparatus 300 that is located within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 10 m) from the printing apparatus 300 installed at the position indicated by the searched position information 402. Identify as a candidate.

  As described above, when the printing apparatus determination unit 120 determines a candidate for the printing apparatus 300 to perform printing, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 ends step S46 and proceeds to step S47 illustrated in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to step S47, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 transmits information related to the candidates for the printing apparatus 300 specified in step S46 to the mobile terminal 200 (S47). Specifically, the printing apparatus determination unit 120 reads the record 406 corresponding to the candidate for the printing apparatus 300 identified in step S46 from the printing apparatus information 400, and transmits the record 406 to the portable terminal 200.

  In this way, on the mobile terminal 200 side, the user can select the printing device 300 to be printed from among the printing device 300 candidates specified by the server device 100.

  Specifically, for each candidate (printing apparatus 300) identified in step S46, the print instruction unit 250 uses the information (for example, the printing speed 403 and the printing method 404) transmitted from the server apparatus 100 in step S47. The image is displayed on an output device such as a liquid crystal display.

  For example, the print instruction unit 250 displays a list of information (for example, the printing speed 403 and the printing method 404) transmitted from the server apparatus 100 in Step S47 (Display Example 1).

  If the printing apparatus 300 is specified by the method 3 in step S12, the print instruction unit 250 adds the image (captured image) captured in step S12 from the server apparatus 100 in step S47. The transmitted information (for example, printing speed 403, printing method 404) may be displayed (display example 2).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the display example 2 described above. As illustrated, the print instruction unit 250 displays the image (captured image) captured in step S12 on the output device, and the information (illustrated) transmitted from the server device 100 in step S47 to the position of each printing device 300 is displayed. In this example, printing methods 404) such as “monochrome” and “color” are displayed.

  Thus, the user can select the printing apparatus 300 to be printed by dropping the printed material icon at the position of the printing apparatus 300 to be printed.

  In the above display example 1, the user can select the printing apparatus 300 to be printed by a touch panel operation for selecting one printing apparatus 300 from the list-displayed candidates (printing apparatus 300).

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 waits until one printing apparatus 300 is selected by the user (S48).

  When one printing apparatus 300 is selected, the print instruction unit 250 transmits a print instruction for causing the selected printing apparatus 300 to perform printing to the server apparatus 100 (S49).

  At the same time, the print instruction unit 250 also transmits the original data generated in step S11 to the server apparatus 100.

  When receiving the print instruction from the portable terminal 200, the print control unit 130 of the server apparatus 100 generates print data based on the original data (data to be printed) received together with the print instruction (S17). Specifically, the print control unit 130 reads out a driver program for causing the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user to print in step S48 from a predetermined external storage device, and generates print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300. To do.

  Then, the print control unit 130 transmits the print data generated in step S17 to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user in step S48 (S18). Specifically, the print control apparatus 130 reads the record 406 corresponding to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user in step S48 from the printing apparatus information 400, and generates it in step S17 at the address specified by the communication information 405. Send the print data.

  As described above, in the server apparatus 100, print data that can be printed by the designated printing apparatus 300 is selected from any of the printing apparatuses 300 connected to the network 50, regardless of which printing apparatus 300 is designated from the mobile terminal 200. Can be sent.

  When the print data is transmitted, the print data receiving unit 310 of the printing apparatus 300 receives the print data from the server apparatus 100. Then, the print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310 (S19).

  By performing the printing process as described above, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, printing can be performed by a desired printing apparatus 300 without registering information about each printing apparatus 300 on the mobile terminal 200 side. It becomes. In addition, even if the printing apparatus 300 designated from the portable terminal 200 is erroneously specified on the server apparatus 100 side, it can be corrected before printing. In addition, when the user cannot determine which printing apparatus 300 should print, information regarding a plurality of candidate printing apparatuses 300 can be provided to the portable terminal 200, so that the user can easily determine the printing apparatus 300 to be printed.

(Printing process 2B)
FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining another example (printing process 2B) of the printing process executed by the printing system 10 of the second embodiment. In the printing process 2B, similarly to the printing process 2A described above, information related to a plurality of candidate printing apparatuses 300 is displayed on the portable terminal 200 prior to printing. However, in the printing process 2 </ b> B, print data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 300 is generated by the mobile terminal 200 and is directly printed by the printing apparatus 300 without using the server apparatus 100. In this respect, the printing process 2B is different from the printing process 2A.

  As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal 200 and the server apparatus 100 first perform the processes of S11 to S48 in the same manner as the print process 2A.

  When the process of step S48 is completed, the print instruction unit 250 generates print data based on the original data (print target data) generated in step S11 (S49). Specifically, the print instruction unit 250 reads a driver program for printing on the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user in step S48 from a predetermined external storage device (or downloads it from the server apparatus 100), and prints the driver program. Print data that can be printed by the apparatus 300 is generated.

  Then, the print instruction unit 250 transmits the print data generated in step S49 to the printing apparatus 300 selected by the user in step S48 without using the server apparatus 100 (S50). Specifically, the print instruction unit 250 reads the communication information 405 included in the information transmitted from the server apparatus 100 in step S47, and prints the print generated in step S49 at the address specified by the read communication information 405. Send data.

  As described above, in the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, any printing device 300 connected to the network 50 can be printed by the designated printing device 300 regardless of which printing device 300 is designated by the mobile terminal 200. Print data can be transmitted from the portable terminal 200.

  When the print data is transmitted, the print data receiving unit 310 of the printing apparatus 300 receives the print data from the mobile terminal 200. Then, the print execution unit 320 prints the print data received by the print data receiving unit 310 (S19).

  By performing the printing process as described above, in the printing system 10 of this embodiment, the print data generated by the mobile terminal 200 can be transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 without going through the server 100 apparatus. Such processing load can be reduced, and the processing from step S48 to S19 can be made faster than the printing processing 2A.

  Note that each processing unit of each timing chart and flow described above is divided according to main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the printing system 10. The invention of the present application is not limited by the method of classification of the processing steps and the names thereof. The processing performed by the printing system 10 can be divided into more processing steps. One processing step may execute more processes.

  Moreover, each said embodiment intends to illustrate the summary of this invention, and does not limit this invention. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the printing process 1B and the printing process 1C are described separately. However, in the present invention, the print instruction unit 250 of the mobile terminal 200 may selectively employ either the print process 1B or the print process 1C according to the type of original data to be printed. That is, for example, when the original data to be printed is document data or the like, the print instruction unit 250 adopts the print process 1B and causes the printing apparatus 300 to print the document data via the server apparatus 100. On the other hand, for example, when the original data to be printed is JPEG or the like, the print instruction unit 250 adopts the printing process 1C and causes the printing apparatus 300 to print JPEG without going through the server apparatus 100.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, the printing process 2A and the printing process 2B are described separately. However, in the present invention, the print instruction unit 250 of the mobile terminal 200 may selectively employ either the print process 2A or the print process 2B according to the type of original data to be printed. That is, for example, when the original data to be printed is document data or the like, the print instruction unit 250 employs the print processing 2A and causes the printing apparatus 300 to print the document data via the server apparatus 100. On the other hand, for example, when the original data to be printed is JPEG or the like, the print instruction unit 250 adopts the print process 2B and causes the printing apparatus 300 to print JPEG without going through the server apparatus 100.

  In each of the above embodiments, the direction detection unit 230 of the mobile terminal 200 acquires direction information using a triaxial acceleration sensor or the like. However, the direction detection unit 230 of the present invention may acquire the value of the triaxial acceleration sensor (that is, acceleration information) instead of the direction information.

  When the acceleration information is acquired by the direction detection unit 230, the print instruction unit 250 of each embodiment transmits the acceleration information to the server device 100 instead of the direction information. In the server device 100, based on the acceleration information received from the mobile terminal 200, the moving direction (three-dimensional direction) of the mobile terminal 200 and a specific part of the mobile terminal 200 (for example, the tip of the mobile terminal 200 or the camera) ) Is specified (three-dimensional direction). Thus, the server device 100 can obtain the direction information described in the above embodiments, and can specify the moving direction of the mobile terminal 200 using the direction information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing system, 100 ... Server apparatus, 110 ... Printing apparatus position estimation part, 120 ... Printing apparatus determination part, 130 ... Print control part, 140 ... Printing apparatus information management part , 150 ... printing apparatus information DB, 200 ... mobile terminal, 210 ... imaging unit, 220 ... position acquisition unit (mobile terminal), 230 ... direction detection unit, 240 ... printing source Data generation unit, 250... Print instruction unit, 300... Printing device, 310... Print data reception unit, 320... Print execution unit, 330. ..Information providing unit, 400 ... printing device information

Claims (22)

A server device that manages a plurality of printing devices,
A reception unit for receiving a print instruction from a mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
A server apparatus comprising: The server device according to claim 1,
The print instruction includes position information and acceleration information of the mobile terminal,
The determination unit is
Based on the position information and the acceleration information, the position of the printing device designated by the user of the mobile terminal is estimated,
Determining a plurality of printing devices close to the estimated position as printing device candidates for printing;
A server device characterized by that. The server device according to claim 2,
The determination unit is
Obtaining information about a plurality of printing devices installed within a predetermined range from the estimated position, and using the information to determine printing device candidates for printing;
A server device characterized by that. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The determination unit is
When an instruction to select one of the candidates is received from the mobile terminal, the printing apparatus instructed from the mobile terminal is determined as a printing apparatus that performs printing.
A server device characterized by that. The server device according to claim 4,
A printing unit that controls printing in each printing apparatus;
The reception unit
Accept more data to print,
The printing unit
Generating print data based on the data to be printed, and outputting the print data to the printing apparatus determined by the determination unit;
A server device characterized by that. A printing system comprising a portable terminal that issues a print instruction, a plurality of printing devices, and a server device that manages the plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
An output unit that outputs print instructions in response to user operations,
The server device is
A reception unit that receives the print instruction from the mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of printing devices identified by the information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
The printing device selected by the selection unit is
A printing execution unit that performs printing based on the printing instruction;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein
The portable terminal is
A notification unit for notifying the server device of the printing device selected by the selection unit;
The determination unit of the server device includes:
When receiving a notification from the notification unit, the printing device selected by the selection unit is determined as a printing device that performs printing,
The printing apparatus determined by the determination unit is
A printing execution unit that performs printing based on the printing instruction;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 7, comprising:
The output unit of the mobile terminal is
Output further data to be printed,
The reception unit of the server device includes:
Further accepting the data to be printed,
The server device is
A print unit that generates print data based on the print target data and outputs the print data to the printing apparatus determined by the determination unit;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein
The portable terminal is
A print unit that generates print data based on data to be printed and outputs the print data to the printing apparatus selected by the selection unit;
A printing system characterized by that. A printing system comprising a portable terminal that issues a print instruction, a plurality of printing devices, and a server device that manages the plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
In response to a gesture by a user holding the mobile terminal in hand, an output unit that outputs a print instruction is provided.
The server device is
A reception unit that receives the print instruction from the mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of printing devices identified by the information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
The printing device selected by the selection unit is
A printing execution unit that performs printing based on the printing instruction;
A printing system characterized by that. A printing system comprising a portable terminal that issues a print instruction, a plurality of printing devices, and a server device that manages the plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
An imaging unit that images a printing apparatus that performs printing;
An output unit that outputs data to be printed and a print instruction in response to a user operation on an image captured by the imaging unit;
The server device is
A reception unit that receives the print instruction from the mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of printing devices identified by the information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
The printing device selected by the selection unit is
A printing execution unit that performs printing based on the printing instruction;
A printing system characterized by that. A printing system comprising a portable terminal that issues a print instruction, a plurality of printing devices, and a server device that manages the plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
A reading unit that reads barcode information provided in a printing apparatus that performs printing;
An output unit that outputs data to be printed and a print instruction according to the barcode information;
The server device is
A reception unit that receives the print instruction from the mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of printing devices identified by the information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
The printing device selected by the selection unit is
A printing execution unit that performs printing based on the printing instruction;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to any one of claims 6 to 12,
The selection unit of the mobile terminal includes:
Displaying information about the candidate determined by the determination unit, and accepting an instruction to select any one printing device from a user;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 13, comprising:
The selection unit of the mobile terminal includes:
For the candidate determined by the determination unit, an image representing the appearance of the printing apparatus and characteristic information characterizing the printing apparatus are displayed in association with each other, and an instruction to select any one of the printing apparatuses is received from the user. ,
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 14, wherein
The image representing the appearance of the printing apparatus is changed in size according to the distance from the mobile terminal to the printing apparatus,
The information characterizing the printing device includes a printing speed and a printing method.
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 14, wherein
The selection unit of the mobile terminal includes:
An instruction for selecting any one printing device is received from a user by moving an icon representing data to be printed on an image representing the appearance of the printing device.
A printing system characterized by that. A printing system comprising a portable terminal that issues a print instruction and a server device that manages a plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
An output unit that outputs print instructions in response to user operations,
The server device is
A reception unit that receives the print instruction from the mobile terminal;
A determination unit that determines a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission unit that transmits information about the candidate determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
A selection unit that selects one of the plurality of printing devices identified by the information transmitted from the information transmission unit;
The server device is
A print unit that generates print data based on the data to be printed and outputs the print data to the printing apparatus selected by the selection unit;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to any one of claims 6 to 17,
The print instruction includes position information and acceleration information of the mobile terminal,
The determination unit is
Based on the position information and the acceleration information, the position of the printing device designated by the user of the mobile terminal is estimated,
Determining a plurality of printing devices close to the estimated position as printing device candidates for printing;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 18, comprising:
The server device is
It further includes an information management unit that acquires and stores information about printing apparatuses to be managed from each printing apparatus,
The determination unit is
Information about a plurality of printing devices installed within a predetermined range from the estimated position is acquired from the information management unit, and a candidate for a printing device that performs printing is determined using the information.
A printing system characterized by that. A printing method in a printing system comprising: a portable terminal that issues a printing instruction; a plurality of printing devices; and a server device that manages the plurality of printing devices,
The portable terminal is
In response to user operations, an output step is performed to output a print instruction.
The server device is
Accepting the print instruction from the portable terminal;
A determination step of determining a plurality of candidates as a printing apparatus for performing printing based on the print instruction;
An information transmission step of transmitting information about the candidate determined in the determination step to the mobile terminal;
The portable terminal is
Further performing a selection step of selecting one printing device among a plurality of printing devices specified by the information transmitted from the server device;
The printing device selected in the selection step is
Performing a print execution step of performing printing based on the print instruction;
A printing method characterized by the above. The printing method according to claim 20, wherein
The print instruction includes position information and acceleration information of the mobile terminal,
In the determination step,
Based on the position information and the acceleration information, the position of the printing device designated by the user of the mobile terminal is estimated,
Determining a plurality of printing devices close to the estimated position as printing device candidates for printing;
A printing method characterized by the above. The printing method according to claim 21, wherein
The server device is
It has an information storage unit that acquires information about printing devices to be managed from each printing device and stores them.
In the determination step,
Information about a plurality of printing devices installed within a predetermined range from the estimated position is acquired from the information management unit, and a candidate for a printing device that performs printing is determined using the information.
A printing method characterized by the above.

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