JP2013175033A - Management device of printing device, printing device management system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management device of printing devices capable of, when a cloud print service is used, selecting a printing device suitable for a use on a terminal device.SOLUTION: A proxy server 80 comprises: a printing device information acquisition part 802 for acquiring information on a printing device that is set on a terminal device, from a predetermined terminal device; a conformity condition acquisition part 803 for acquiring information on a conformity condition showing whether a printing device is suitable for printing on the terminal device; a printing device selection part 805 for comparing the information on the printing device acquired from the printing device information acquisition part 802 with the conformity condition acquired from the conformity condition acquisition part 803 and selecting a printing device used by the terminal device; and a printing device information transmission part 806 for transmitting the information on an image formation device 30 to a cloud print server 50 for generating a printing job performed by the image formation device 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus management apparatus, a printing apparatus management system, and a program.

In Patent Literature 1, when network devices are grouped, the number of network devices that can be registered in one group, conditions for registering network devices, IP order, and subnet address order are read, and the information is read out. Then, network devices that match the conditions are registered as long as they are within the maximum number, and if the maximum number is exceeded, a group is created again and a network device management apparatus that registers in the group is disclosed. ing.
Patent Document 2 discloses a user management information database that stores user management information including at least a user ID and a password, and printer management information that stores printer management information including a printer name, IP address information, and a print driver of a base network printer. It has a database and a print information storage file for storing print information and managing the queue. The print information is input and stored for each network printer in accordance with an instruction from the user's information terminal, and managed in a queue. There has been disclosed a hosting / printer server system that performs printing on an arbitrary designated base network printer in accordance with an instruction from a user information terminal on a network.
Further, Patent Document 3 is a technique for registering a device without requesting information for identifying a user, and the user of the device gives an input not including information for identifying the user to the device and responds to the user input. A product registration system is disclosed in which a device sends a registration request message to a registration server, and the registration server receives and responds to the registration request message.

JP 2003-323364 A JP 2004-102959 A JP 2009-238239 A

  Here, it is desirable that the printing device displayed on the terminal device when using the cloud print service is suitable for use.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus information acquisition unit that acquires information on a printing apparatus set in the terminal apparatus from a predetermined terminal apparatus, and the printing apparatus performs printing on the terminal apparatus. A matching condition acquisition unit that acquires information on a matching condition as to whether the terminal is suitable, a printing device information acquired from the printing apparatus information acquisition unit and a matching condition acquired from the matching condition acquisition unit, and the terminal A printing apparatus selection unit that selects a printing apparatus to be used by the apparatus; and a printing apparatus information transmission unit that transmits information about the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process performed by the printing apparatus. Is a management apparatus of the printing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the printing device selection unit selects the printing devices to be used by the terminal device in an order suitable for use. Management device.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the print processing generation device has a function of registering information of a printing device selected by the printing device selection unit, and the printing device information acquisition unit is preset in the terminal device 3. The printing apparatus management according to claim 1, wherein information on the printing apparatus is acquired in response to a request from the terminal apparatus to register the printed printing apparatus in the print processing generation apparatus. Device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the adaptation condition acquired by the adaptation condition acquisition unit includes a condition as to whether or not the printing apparatus can execute a printing process generated by the printing process generation apparatus. The printing apparatus management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus management apparatus is a printing apparatus management apparatus according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 5 is a terminal device for setting a list of connected printing devices;
A printer information acquisition unit that acquires information on a printing device set in the terminal device from the terminal device, and information on a conforming condition as to whether the printing device is suitable for printing on the terminal device A matching condition acquisition unit that compares the information of the printing device acquired from the printing device information acquisition unit with the matching condition acquired from the matching condition acquisition unit, and selects a printing device to be used by the terminal device And a printing apparatus information transmission unit that transmits information about the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process performed by the printing apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer having a function of acquiring information about a printing device set in a terminal device from a predetermined terminal device, and the printing device performing printing on the terminal device. Performed by the printing device, a function for acquiring information about the suitability condition for suitability, a function for comparing the obtained printing device information with the obtained suitability condition, and selecting a printing device to be used by the terminal device And a function of transmitting information of the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when using the cloud print service, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus management apparatus that can select a printing apparatus suitable for use with a terminal apparatus.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the printing devices in an order more suitable for use with the terminal device than when the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 3, when using the cloud print service, when the terminal device makes a request to register a new printing device in the cloud print server, the new printing device performs printing on the terminal device. It can be determined whether or not it is suitable.
According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to select an appropriate printing apparatus more easily than in the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention of claim 5, for example, when using a cloud print service, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus management system capable of displaying on a terminal apparatus a printing apparatus suitable for use with the terminal apparatus.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when using the cloud print service, a function capable of selecting a printing apparatus suitable for use in the terminal apparatus can be realized by a computer.

1 illustrates an example of the overall configuration of a cloud print system to which the exemplary embodiment is applied. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the terminal device. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is the figure shown about schematic operation | movement of the cloud print system of this Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the proxy server. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the terminal device in 1st Embodiment, a proxy server, and a cloud print server. It is the sequence diagram explaining the exchange of the information between a terminal device, a proxy server, and a cloud print server. (A)-(e) is a figure explaining an example of the information of the image forming apparatus compared. It is the figure explaining the adaptation conditions memorize | stored in the adaptation condition memory | storage part. It is a figure explaining the screen which sets a suitable condition. It is a figure explaining the screen which sets a suitable condition. It is a figure explaining the screen which sets a suitable condition. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a list of image forming apparatuses for each terminal device held in a proxy server. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the proxy server at the time of changing applicable conditions. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the terminal device in 2nd Embodiment, a proxy server, and a cloud print server. It is the sequence diagram explaining the exchange of the information between a terminal device, a proxy server, and a cloud print server. It is a figure explaining the example of the list registered into a cloud print service in this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of the list registered into a cloud print service in this Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a cloud print system to which the present embodiment is applied.
As illustrated, the cloud print system includes a terminal device 10, an image forming device 30a connected to the terminal device 10, image forming devices 30b, 30c, and 30d connected to a network 90, and a print server 30e. It is configured. The network 90 is connected to the network 70 via a proxy server 80, which is an example of a printing apparatus management apparatus. The cloud print server 50, which is an example of a print processing generation apparatus, is connected to the network 70. ing.

  In the figure, the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d and the print server 30e are shown, but they are referred to as an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) 30 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although the print server 30e is not strictly an image forming apparatus, it can be handled in the same manner as the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d in terms of functions described below. Shall be included in Although only five image forming apparatuses 30 are shown in the figure, six or more image forming apparatuses 30 may be provided.

  The terminal device 10 is a computer device that requests the cloud print server 50 to print a document. Here, as the terminal device 10, a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, or the like may be used.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and outputs the image as a printing medium. Here, as the image forming apparatus 30, an apparatus having only a printer function may be used, or an apparatus having other image processing functions such as a scanner function and a facsimile function may be used in addition to this.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 a is a local printer that is attached with the name “MyPrinter1” and connected to the terminal device 10. The image forming apparatus 30b is a network printer having “NetPrinter2” as a name. Further, the image forming apparatus 30c is a network printer having “NetPrinter3” as a name. Although details will be described later, the image forming apparatus 30b cannot be used in the cloud print service, and the image forming apparatus 30c can use the cloud print service. That is, the image forming apparatus 30b cannot perform printing using the cloud print service, and the image forming apparatus 30c can perform printing using the cloud print service.
The image forming apparatus 30d is a cloud print service compatible printer (cloud compatible printer) having “CPSPrinter4” as a name. Therefore, it has a more advanced function for using the cloud print service.
Furthermore, the print server 30e is a so-called confidential print server with “ApeosPM” as a name. That is, when a user who wants to print a document issues a print instruction to the print server 30e, the print data is temporarily stored in the print server 30e. When the user inputs a personal identification number or the like from the operation panel of the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, the print data is transferred from the print server 30e to the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. Printing is performed by 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. Therefore, when printing is performed using the print server 30e, it is possible to prevent the printed document from being taken away or peeped, and a printing system with higher security can be realized.

  The cloud print server 50 uses various devices as the terminal device 10 and can print a document on the image forming apparatus 30 installed at home, office, public place, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “cloud print service”). Is a server computer. Specifically, when the terminal device 10 requests generation of print instruction information (print job, print processing) for instructing printing of a document in the image forming apparatus 30, the print instruction information is generated, and the image forming apparatus 30. Until there is an inquiry about the presence of print instruction information, when there is an inquiry, print information (print data) in a format that can be processed in common by all the image forming apparatuses 30 is generated and the image forming apparatus 30 To provide.

The network 70 is a communication unit used for information communication between the terminal device 10 and the cloud print server 50 and information communication between the image forming apparatus 30 and the cloud print server 50, and is, for example, the Internet.
The network 90 is a communication unit used for information communication between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 and is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10.
As shown in the figure, the terminal device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 which is a calculation means, a main memory 12 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13 which are storage means. Here, the CPU 11 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications. The main memory 12 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the HDD 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like.
Further, the terminal device 10 includes a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 14 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 15 including a video memory and a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. And an input device 16.

Note that FIG. 2 can also be understood as a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the cloud print server 50. In this case, the CPU 11, the main memory 12, the HDD 13, the communication I / F 14, the display mechanism 15, and the input device 16 are referred to as a CPU 51, main memory 52, HDD 53, communication I / F 54, display mechanism 55, and input device 56, respectively. Shall.
Further, FIG. 2 can also be understood as a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the proxy server 80. In this case, the CPU 11, the main memory 12, the HDD 13, the communication I / F 14, the display mechanism 15, and the input device 16 are expressed as a CPU 81, main memory 82, HDD 83, communication I / F 84, display mechanism 85, and input device 86, respectively. Shall.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 30.
As illustrated, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a CPU 31, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, an HDD 34, an operation panel 35, an image reading unit 36, and an image forming unit 37. And a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 38.

The CPU 31 implements various functions to be described later by loading various programs stored in the ROM 33 and the like into the RAM 32 and executing them.
The RAM 32 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 31.
The ROM 33 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 31.
The HDD 34 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores image data read by the image reading unit 36, image data used for image formation in the image forming unit 37, and the like.
The operation panel 35 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various types of information and receives operation inputs from the user.

  The image reading unit 36 reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image reading unit 36 is, for example, a scanner, and a CCD method in which reflected light with respect to light irradiated from a light source to a document is reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or an LED light source is sequentially irradiated to a document It is preferable to use a CIS system that receives reflected light with respect to the received light with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

The image forming unit 37 forms an image on a recording medium. Here, the image forming unit 37 is, for example, a printer, and forms an image by transferring the toner attached to the photosensitive member to a recording medium to form an image, or ejecting ink onto the recording medium. An ink jet type may be used.
The communication I / F 38 transmits / receives various information to / from other devices via the network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic operation of the cloud print system of the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, a case where a user who wants to perform printing issues a printing instruction using the terminal device 10 and performs printing using the image forming apparatus 30 will be described as an example.

First, in response to a user operation, the terminal apparatus 10 requests the cloud print server 50 to print a document on the image forming apparatus 30 (1A). At this time, the user selects the image forming apparatus 30 that wants to print the document from the list of image forming apparatuses 30 displayed by the browser executed on the terminal device 10 and requests the printing of the document. The list is created by the cloud print server 50, which will be described in detail later, and is displayed on the display mechanism 15 of the terminal device 10 when the browser executed on the terminal device 10 acquires information on the list.
Next, the cloud print server 50 generates print instruction information for the image forming apparatus 30 and waits for polling from the image forming apparatus 30 (1B).
At this time, the image forming apparatus 30 periodically polls the cloud print server 50 to check whether print instruction information is accumulated (1C).
When the image forming apparatus 30 detects that the print instruction information is stored in the cloud print server 50, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires a PDF document (hereinafter referred to as “PDF document”) as print data from the cloud print server 50. Then, printing is performed (1D).

As described above, in the cloud print system, when the user requests printing of a document, the image forming apparatus 30 that wants to print the document from the list of image forming apparatuses 30 displayed by the browser executed on the terminal device 10. Select.
The list of image forming apparatuses 30 is usually created by the cloud print server 50. The list is created by the following procedure, for example, and displayed by a browser.

When the user starts up a browser in the terminal device 10 and logs in, the browser searches the image forming apparatus 30 set in the terminal device 10 (2A). More specifically, for example, the browser searches for a printer driver installed in the terminal device 10.
Then, the browser transmits information of all the image forming apparatuses 30 set in the terminal device 10 to the cloud print server 50 (2B).
Receiving this information, the cloud print server 50 creates the above list of image forming apparatuses 30 that can be used in the terminal apparatus 10 (2C).
This list is sent to the browser, which displays this list (2D). This list is the order of information when the cloud print server 50 receives information about the image forming apparatus 30 from the browser. And this order cannot be changed.

However, some image forming apparatuses 30 have various functions, and those set in the terminal apparatus 10 are not always usable in the cloud print system.
For example, the image forming apparatus 30a, which is a local printer directly connected to the terminal device 10, is not always turned on, and cannot perform printing when the power is not turned on. Further, the image forming apparatus 30b that does not support the cloud print service cannot be used in the cloud print system in terms of function. Further, the terminal device 10 may be set not only with a physical printer that actually performs printing, but also with a logical printer that only changes print attributes or creates a file with a print format. None of these can be used to print documents with the cloud print system.

  Thus, conventionally, the list includes items that are not suitable for use in the cloud print system. All of them are displayed in the browser executed on the terminal device 10. For this reason, the user who operates the terminal device 10 is required to select from the list an image forming apparatus 30 suitable for printing with the cloud print system, based on his / her own judgment. However, in this case, the user must select from a large number of image forming apparatuses 30 displayed in random order in the list. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to make a selection, and it is necessary to know in advance the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 and the like to be displayed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the proxy server 80 disposed between the terminal device 10 and the cloud print server 50 selects a server suitable for use from the image forming apparatus 30 set in the terminal device 10. The cloud print server 50 creates the list based on the selection result. Thereby, in the terminal device 10, the image forming apparatus 30 suitable for printing in the cloud print system is displayed on the browser, the burden on the user is reduced, and convenience is improved.
Hereinafter, this matter will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment]
First, the detailed configuration and operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the proxy server 80.
The illustrated proxy server 80 includes a registration request determination unit 801 that determines whether there is a request for registration of the image forming apparatus 30 from the predetermined terminal apparatus 10 to the cloud print service, and a predetermined determination. A printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802 that acquires information of the image forming apparatus 30 set in the terminal apparatus 10 from the terminal apparatus 10 that is received, and whether the image forming apparatus 30 is suitable for printing on the terminal apparatus 10 A matching condition acquisition unit 803 that acquires information about the matching conditions, a matching condition storage unit 804 that stores the matching conditions, information on the image forming apparatus 30 acquired from the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802, and a matching condition acquisition unit 803. A printing apparatus selection unit 805 that selects the image forming apparatus 30 to be used by the terminal apparatus 10 and And a print device information transmission unit 806 transmits the selected information of the image forming apparatus 30 to the print server 50.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the terminal device 10, the proxy server 80, and the cloud print server 50 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the exchange of information among the terminal device 10, the proxy server 80, and the cloud print server 50.
Hereinafter, the operation of the proxy server 80 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a user who operates the terminal device 10 logs in to the cloud print service using a browser executed on the terminal device 10. When logging in, the browser compares the list of image forming apparatuses 30 set in the terminal apparatus 10 with the list of image forming apparatuses 30 already registered in the cloud print service (step 101). For example, the image forming apparatus 30 set in the terminal device 10 can determine whether or not a printer driver is installed in the terminal device 10. A list of image forming apparatuses 30 registered in the cloud print service is acquired from the cloud print server 50.
If there is an image forming apparatus 30 that is not yet registered in the cloud print service, the browser transmits information of the unregistered image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 in order to register in the cloud print service. (Step 102). The information of the image forming apparatus 30 is information related to the function of the image forming apparatus 30, for example, which will be described in detail later, and is sent in a PPD (PostScript Printer Description) file format.

  The browser tries to register the unregistered image forming apparatus 30 in the cloud print service via the proxy server 80. At this time, the proxy server 80 receives a proxy connection from the browser. In this case, the proxy server 80 receives a command such as “POST http: // xxx / resister? Printer = yyy” as a connection request from the browser. This is information including “http: // xxx / resister? Printer”, which is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the cloud print server 50, and the proxy server 80 from now on the image forming apparatus 30 that has not been registered in the cloud printer service. Can be determined to be a request for registering. The “yyy” portion is the name of the image forming apparatus 30 to be registered. Note that the PPD file is usually in the standard MIME / Multipart format, and in this case, it is easy to analyze the above contents.

  The registration request determination unit 801 of the proxy server 80 determines whether or not the browser intends to register the image forming apparatus 30 in the cloud print service by the method described above (step 103). If registration is to be performed (Yes in step 103), the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802 acquires the PPD file as information of the image forming apparatus 30 (step 104). As described above, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802 acquires information on the image forming apparatus 30 in response to a request from the terminal apparatus 10 to register the image forming apparatus 30 preset in the terminal apparatus 10 in the cloud print server 50. To do. If the browser does not attempt to register the image forming apparatus 30 in the cloud print service (No in step 103), the process ends.

  Next, the matching condition acquisition unit 803 acquires information about the matching conditions as to whether the image forming apparatus 30 is suitable for printing by the terminal device 10. This conforming condition is prepared in advance in the proxy server 80 and stored in the conforming condition storage unit 804. Therefore, the adaptation condition acquisition unit 803 can acquire the adaptation condition by reading the adaptation condition from the adaptation condition storage unit 804.

  The printing device selection unit 805 extracts information corresponding to the matching condition from the information of the image forming apparatus 30 and compares it with the acquired matching condition.

8A to 8E are diagrams illustrating an example of information of the image forming apparatus 30 to be compared at this time.
Here, FIG. 8A shows information about the image forming apparatus 30a which is a local printer. 8B to 8C show information about the image forming apparatus 30b and the image forming apparatus 30c, which are network printers. Further, FIGS. 8D to 8E show information about the image forming apparatus 30d that is a cloud-compatible printer and the print server 30e that is a confidential print server.

The information about the image forming apparatus 30 extracted from the PPD file in FIGS. 8A to 8E indicates whether the upper stage is a local printer, a network printer, or a confidential print server. When “* PrintSystem” is “LocalPrinter”, this means that the image forming apparatus 30 is a local printer. Further, when “* PrintSystem” is “NetworkPrinter”, this means that the image forming apparatus 30 is a network printer, and when “* PrintSystem” is “* CloudPirntServiceAware”, this image forming apparatus 30 is This means that the printer is compatible with the cloud print service. When “* PrintSystem” is “AnyLocationPrintServer”, this means that the image forming apparatus 30 is a confidential print server.
In the examples of FIGS. 8A to 8E, it can be determined that the image forming apparatus 30a is a local printer. The image forming apparatuses 30b and 30c can be determined to be network printers, and the image forming apparatus 30d can be determined to be a cloud print service printer. Furthermore, it can be determined that the print server 30e is a confidential print server.

On the other hand, “* CloudJobAvailable” in the lower row indicates whether the image forming apparatus 30 is compatible with the cloud print service. When “* CloudJobAvailable” is “True”, this means that the image forming apparatus 30 is compatible with the cloud print service. When it is “False”, this image forming apparatus 30 is It means that the cloud print service is not supported.
In the example of FIGS. 8A to 8E, the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30c, 30d, and 30e are compatible with the cloud print service, but the image forming apparatus 30b is not compatible with the cloud print service. Can be judged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the adaptation conditions stored in the adaptation condition storage unit 804.
As shown in the figure, the matching conditions are described in a table format. And in this Embodiment, it has shown that there are two applicable conditions.
Here, regarding “* PrintSystem NetworkPrinter CloudPirntServiceAware AnyLocationPrintServer” in the upper row, it is necessary that the printer is a network printer, a cloud print service compatible printer, or a confidential print server as a condition for conforming to the image forming apparatus 30. Means. And "* CloudJobAvailable True" at the bottom means that it is necessary to support the cloud print service as a conforming condition as well. As described above, the matching condition preferably includes a condition as to whether or not the image forming apparatus 30 can execute the print job generated by the cloud print server 50.

In the present embodiment, the matching conditions are read one by one (step 105) and compared with the information of the image forming apparatus 30. That is, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 30 satisfies, for example, the matching conditions of FIG. 9 (step 106).
Specifically, the matching condition acquisition unit 803 first reads the matching conditions of “* PrintSystem NetworkPrinter AnyLocationPrintServer” and “* CloudJobAvailable True”. Then, the PPD file is searched for whether or not “* PrintSystem NetworkPrinter”, “* PrintSystem * CloudPirntServiceAware”, or “* PrintSystem AnyLocationPrintServer” exists. Further, it is searched from the PPD file whether or not “* CloudJobAvailable True” exists. If both of these locations exist, the image forming apparatus 30 that the browser intends to register with the cloud print service determines that the matching conditions are met. If it is determined that the matching conditions are met (Yes in step 106), the image forming apparatus 30 that matches the matching conditions is selected (step 107).

  Then, after the selection processing in step 107 and in the case of No in step 106, it is next determined whether or not all the matching conditions have been compared (step 108). In the case of the present embodiment, since there is no further matching condition (Yes in step 108), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if more matching conditions are set (No in step 108), the process returns to step 105.

  The printing apparatus information transmission unit 806 transmits information on the selected image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 (step 109). The cloud print server 50 registers the selected image forming apparatus 30 as the image forming apparatus 30 to be used in the terminal device 10 and creates a list. As described above, the printing apparatus information transmission unit 806 transmits the information of the image forming apparatus 30 selected by the printing apparatus selection unit 805 to the cloud print server 50 that generates a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 30.

  By performing the processing as described above, in the present embodiment, three image forming apparatuses 30c, 30d, and 30e are selected and registered in the cloud print server 50. A list of the image forming apparatuses 30c, 30d, and 30e registered with the browser executed by the terminal device 10 is received, and the three image forming apparatuses 30 are displayed on the browser. A user operating the terminal device 10 selects one of the three image forming apparatuses 30 and issues an instruction to print the document. Any of the three image forming apparatuses 30 can be selected for use in the cloud print service, so that the burden on the user is further reduced.

Next, the setting of the matching conditions will be described.
10 to 12 are diagrams illustrating screens for setting the matching conditions.
The conforming condition is performed, for example, when an administrator who manages the network 70 sets management information existing in the proxy server 80.
FIG. 10 shows an initial screen for setting conditions in this case. Here, from the top in the figure, information on the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e and whether or not to be registered in the cloud print server 50 are displayed. That is, the image forming apparatus 30 that displays “Register” is registered in the cloud print server 50, and the image forming apparatus 30 that displays “Do not register” is registered in the cloud print server 50. Not. If “change” is selected on this screen, the state of “register” and the state of “not register” are alternately changed for each image forming apparatus 30.

  For example, when the administrator selects “condition setting” → “change” from a pull-down menu (not shown), a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In FIG. 11, it can be seen what is currently set as the matching condition. And the adaptation condition set in this screen can be changed. For example, a network printer is currently specified in the column of the print system, but this can be changed to a local printer.

  When the administrator selects “condition setting” → “keyword setting” from a pull-down menu (not shown), a screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. Here, it is possible to set a keyword used as a matching condition. Here, the one corresponding to FIG. 9 is shown. For example, when the administrator selects “add keyword”, a keyword column can be added. This corresponds to “* PrintSystem” and “* CloudJobAvailable” in the table described in FIG. When the administrator selects “add keyword value”, the keyword value column can be added. This corresponds to the parts “LocalPrinter”, NetworkPrinter ”,“ * CloudPirntServiceAware ”,“ AnyLocationPrintServer ”and“ True ”,“ False ”in the table described in FIG.

  When the matching conditions are changed on the screens described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, for example, the registered image forming apparatus 30 before the change may not be registered after the change. In that case, it is necessary to prevent such an image forming apparatus 30 from being displayed on the browser of the terminal device 10. In this case, for example, when acquiring a list of the image forming apparatuses 30 already registered in the cloud print service in step 101 of FIG. 6, first, information on whether or not the matching condition has been changed is acquired. If it has been changed, all the currently registered image forming apparatuses 30 are deleted, and then the image forming apparatuses 30 set in the terminal apparatus 10 by the browser are registered in the cloud print service by the method described above. Make a request. As a result, the list of terminal devices 10 registered in the cloud print server 50 is updated.

  More specifically, a list of image forming apparatuses 30 selected in the procedure of FIG. 6 is stored for each terminal apparatus 10 in the proxy server 80, and the terminal apparatus 10 registered in the cloud print server 50 based on this list. Update the list of

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a list of image forming apparatuses 30 for each terminal apparatus 10 held in the proxy server 80.
As shown in the figure, this list includes a browser identifier and a list of image forming apparatuses 30 registered in the cloud print server 50. This browser identifier is an identifier of a browser for using the above-described cloud print service executed for each terminal device 10. For example, it is described in a format such as “proxy = zzz”. This list will be deleted if the conformance conditions are changed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the proxy server 80 when the matching condition is changed. This corresponds to the operation before the operation described in step 101 in FIG. 6, and when the matching condition is changed, the following processing is performed before step 101.
As described in step 101 in FIG. 6, the browser of the terminal device 10 compares the list of image forming devices 30 set in the terminal device 10 with the list of image forming devices 30 already registered in the cloud print service. To do. A list of image forming apparatuses 30 registered in the cloud print service for use in comparison is acquired. For this purpose, the browser of the terminal device 10 makes an acquisition request for this list to the cloud print server 50 (step 201). At this time, the browser transmits the URL together with the URL of the cloud print server 50 together with the browser identifier.

  At this time, the proxy server 80 detects this URL, and checks whether or not the browser identifier transmitted together with this URL is in the list (step 202). If it is in the list (Yes in step 202), as will be described in detail later, since the cloud print service has been used one or more times after the adaptation condition is changed, the processing here ends. On the other hand, if it is not in the list (No in step 202), it means that the cloud print service is used for the first time after the adaptation condition is changed. That is, as will be described later, once the cloud print service is used, it is registered again in this list. On the other hand, when the cloud print service is used for the first time after the adaptation condition is changed, there is no item in the list that matches the browser identifier.

When it is determined that the cloud print service is used for the first time, the proxy server 80 acquires a list of the image forming apparatuses 30 corresponding to the browser identifier from the cloud print server 50 (step 203). Then, the proxy server 80 deletes all the image forming apparatuses 30 listed in this list (step 204).
Next, the proxy server 80 newly adds this browser identifier to the list (step 205). As a response to step 202, the browser returns a list in which all the image forming apparatuses 30 have been deleted in step 204 (step 206). Then, the browser compares the list in step 101 in FIG. 6 and issues a request to the cloud print server 50 to register all the image forming apparatuses 30 registered in the terminal apparatus 10 as unregistered image forming apparatuses 30. . Thereafter, the same processing as step 102 in FIG. 6 is performed. As a result, even if the matching condition is changed, the image forming apparatus 30 that matches the matching condition is displayed on the browser screen.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the detailed configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described.
In the above-described first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 that matches the matching condition is displayed on the browser screen executed by the terminal device 10 first in step 101 in FIG. They are displayed in the order of 30.
However, if the images are displayed in the order of the image forming apparatuses 30 that are more suitable for use in the terminal device 10 on the browser screen, the convenience for the user is further improved.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the terminal device 10, the proxy server 80, and the cloud print server 50 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining exchange of information among the terminal device 10, the proxy server 80, and the cloud print server 50. An example of the functional configuration of the proxy server 80 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the operation of the proxy server 80 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 15 to 16.

The flowchart in the second embodiment is the same as the flowchart in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 up to step 108. Accordingly, FIG. 15 illustrates the processing after step 108 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, when there is an image forming apparatus 30 that matches the matching conditions, the printing apparatus selection unit 805 of the proxy server 80 acquires the registration priority order for the image forming apparatus 30 (step 301). This registration priority order is included when information of the unregistered image forming apparatus 30 is transmitted in step 102 of FIG.
As the registration priority order, for example, from the viewpoint of improving security, the print server 30e is set to “1” having the highest registration priority order. Also, the image forming apparatus 30d that is a printer compatible with the cloud print service is set to “2” with the second highest registration priority, and the image forming apparatus 30c that is the network printer is set to “3” with the second highest priority for registration. It is not necessary to set the registration priority order for the image forming apparatuses 30a and 30b.

Then, the printing apparatus selection unit 805 of the proxy server 80 acquires a list of the image forming apparatuses 30 registered in the cloud print service (step 302). Next, it is determined whether there is a registration priority lower than the image forming apparatus 30 to be registered in the list (step 303). If not (No in Step 303), the printing apparatus information transmission unit 806 transmits information of the selected image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 (Step 304) as processing similar to Step 109.
On the other hand, if there is a registration priority lower than the image forming apparatus 30 to be registered in the list (Yes in step 303), the image forming apparatus 30 is deleted (step 305). Then, in order to register the image forming apparatus 30 to be registered in a higher registration priority order, the printing apparatus information transmitting unit 806 transmits information on the image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 (step 306), and further step 305. In order to re-register the image forming apparatus 30 deleted in step S3, the printing apparatus information transmission unit 806 transmits information on the deleted image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 (step 307).

  The list registered in the cloud print service by the processing as described above reflects the above registration priority order.

17 and 18 are diagrams illustrating examples of lists registered in the cloud print service in the present embodiment.
Here, FIG. 17 shows a list before a registration request for a new image forming apparatus 30 is issued by the browser executed in the terminal apparatus 10. FIG. 18 shows a list after a new image forming apparatus 30 is registered.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 to 18, this list describes printer identifiers and printer information from the left column. The name of the image forming apparatus 30 is described as a printer identifier, and information indicating whether the printer system is compatible with the print system and the cloud print service is described. The printer identifier “ApeosPM” corresponds to the print server 30e, and the printer identifier “NetPrinter3” corresponds to the image forming apparatus 30c.

Here, a case where the image forming apparatus 30d is registered from the state of the list of FIG. Here, as described above, the print server 30e is “1” having the highest registration priority order. Further, the image forming apparatus 30d has the second highest registration priority order “2”, and the image forming apparatus 30c has the second highest registration priority order “3”. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 30d enters between the print server 30e having the printer identifier “ApeosPM” and the image forming apparatus 30c having the printer identifier “NetPrinter3”.
In this case, the line having the printer identifier “NetPrinter3” is deleted in step 305 described above. In step 306, after the printer identifier corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30d is registered as “CPSPrinter4”, in step 307, the printer identifier corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30c deleted in step 305 is “ApeosPM”. Register something again.

As described above, the printing apparatus selection unit 805 selects the image forming apparatus 30 to be used by the terminal apparatus 10 in an order suitable for use. The list is the image forming apparatus 30 arranged in the priority order of registration.
As a result, image forming apparatuses 30 that are more suitable for use in the terminal device 10 are displayed in order from the top on the browser screen executed by the terminal device 10. The burden on the user is further reduced and the convenience is further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the system including the terminal device 10, the image forming device 30, the proxy server 80, and the network 90 includes the terminal device 10 that sets a list of connected image forming devices 30, and the terminal device 10 to the terminal device. A printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802 that acquires information of the image forming apparatus 30 that is set to 10 and a matching condition that acquires information about a matching condition that the image forming apparatus 30 is suitable for printing on the terminal device 10 Print that selects the image forming apparatus 30 to be used by the terminal device 10 by comparing the information of the image forming apparatus 30 acquired from the acquisition unit 803 and the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 802 with the matching condition acquired from the matching condition acquisition unit 803 The image forming apparatus includes the apparatus selecting unit 805 and the cloud print server 50 that generates a print job performed by the image forming apparatus 30. The printing apparatus information transmitting unit 806 that transmits information of 0, can be regarded as a printing device management system comprising: a.

  The processing performed by the proxy server 80 in the present embodiment is performed, for example, by the CPU 81 loading various programs stored in the ROM 83 or the like into the RAM 82 and executing them.

  Therefore, the processing performed by the proxy server 80 is a function for acquiring information on the image forming apparatus 30 set in the terminal apparatus 10 from a predetermined terminal apparatus 10 in the computer, and the image forming apparatus 30 prints with the terminal apparatus 10. A function of acquiring information about a matching condition that is suitable for performing, and a function of selecting the image forming apparatus 30 to be used by the terminal device 10 by comparing the acquired information of the image forming apparatus 30 with the acquired matching condition And a function of transmitting information of the image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50 that generates a print job to be performed by the image forming apparatus 30.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 30 ... Image forming apparatus, 50 ... Cloud print server, 80 ... Proxy server, 802 ... Printing device information acquisition part, 803 ... Compliance condition acquisition part, 805 ... Printing device selection part

Claims (6)

A printing device information acquisition unit that acquires information of a printing device set in the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device;
A matching condition acquisition unit that acquires information about a matching condition as to whether the printing apparatus is suitable for printing on the terminal device;
A printing device selection unit that compares information on the printing device acquired from the printing device information acquisition unit with the matching condition acquired from the matching condition acquisition unit, and selects a printing device to be used by the terminal device;
A printing apparatus information transmission unit that transmits information about the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process performed by the printing apparatus;
A management apparatus for a printing apparatus.   The printing apparatus management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus selection unit selects the printing apparatuses used by the terminal apparatus in an order suitable for use. The print processing generation device has a function of registering information of a printing device selected by the printing device selection unit;
The printing apparatus information acquisition unit acquires information of the printing apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus to register the printing apparatus preset in the terminal apparatus with the print processing generation apparatus. The management apparatus for a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The adaptation condition acquired by the adaptation condition acquisition unit includes a condition as to whether or not the printing apparatus can execute a printing process generated by the printing process generation apparatus. The management apparatus for a printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. A terminal device for setting a list of connected printing devices;
A printing device information acquisition unit that acquires information of a printing device set in the terminal device from the terminal device;
A matching condition acquisition unit that acquires information about a matching condition as to whether the printing apparatus is suitable for printing on the terminal device;
A printing device selection unit that compares information on the printing device acquired from the printing device information acquisition unit with the matching condition acquired from the matching condition acquisition unit, and selects a printing device to be used by the terminal device;
A printing apparatus information transmission unit that transmits information about the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process performed by the printing apparatus;
A printing apparatus management system comprising: On the computer,
A function of acquiring information about a printing device set in the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device;
A function of acquiring information about a conforming condition as to whether the printing apparatus is suitable for printing on the terminal device;
A function of comparing the acquired information of the printing device with the acquired matching condition and selecting a printing device to be used by the terminal device;
A function of transmitting information of the printing apparatus to a printing process generation apparatus that generates a printing process performed by the printing apparatus;
A program that realizes

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