JP2021079667A - Information processing system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve such the problem that MFPs and printers have a holding function of once holding a printing job transmitted from a mobile terminal or the like, while it is more useful to execute printing processing directly instead of once holding a printing job when a mobile terminal is present in a location close to an MFP in printing.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal adds own location information to a printing job in transmitting a printing job to an MFP. The MFP decides whether to execute or hold the printing job on the basis of the location information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a collaborative technique in a plurality of information processing devices.

In offices and the like, there are cases where multiple users use the same printer. In such a use case, when the user sends a print job from a PC or the like, the printer does not perform the print process at the timing when the job is received, and the job is temporarily held in the printer (hereinafter, reserved print setting). ). The user can perform an authentication operation on the printer in the state of holding the job, and can start the printing process of the held print job by performing a predetermined operation. By doing this, the printed matter cannot be seen by other people, and security can be protected. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which the printer does not execute the print job when a person other than the user who sent the print job is near the printer. In today's office environment, portable information devices such as mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets are also being used. There are also use cases where print jobs are sent from those mobile terminals as well. Patent Document 2 discloses a method in which when a user sends a print job from a mobile terminal to a printer, the printer preferentially processes a job of a nearby user.

JP-A-2017-205904 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-227795

However, when the above-mentioned reserved printing setting is made, the printer does not immediately perform the printing process even if the user in front of the printer sends a print job from the mobile terminal. Authentication work on the operation panel is required to perform the printing process. This causes extra effort for the user. An object of the present invention is to cause a printer to execute a print job transmitted from a mobile terminal by a user without extra effort.

An information system including an image processing device and a terminal, wherein the terminal has a transmitting means for transmitting a print job to the image processing device and an acquisition means for acquiring information on the position of the terminal. The image processing apparatus has a receiving means for receiving the print job and an executing means for executing the print job received by the receiving means, and the position of the terminal is determined based on the information regarding the position of the terminal. The information processing system is characterized in that, when it is determined that the condition of the above condition is satisfied, the executing means executes the print job received by the receiving means.

Since the print job from the mobile terminal near the printer performs the print process at the timing when the job is received, the user can have the printer execute the print job sent from the mobile terminal without extra effort. ..

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the information processing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware structure of the MFP in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the software structure of the MFP in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the software structure of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow on the print job transmission side in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow on the print job receiving side in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the processing flow of the print job receiving side in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting performed on the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image processing device will be used as an example of the information processing device, but the present invention according to the claims is not limited. Moreover, not all combinations of features described in the present embodiment are essential for the means of solving the present invention.

(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the information processing system of this embodiment. This system is composed of an MFP 101 and a PC 102 connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 110, and a mobile terminal 103 connected via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 120. The device on the LAN 110 and the device on the WAN 120 can communicate with each other through each other's networks.

FIG. 1 is an example of a typical network configuration, and each device may be connected to either LAN110 or WAN120. Further, there is a wireless access point (not shown) on the LAN 110, and the mobile terminal 103 connects to the LAN 110 via the wireless access point.

The MFP 101 is an image processing device including a scanner and a printer. The MFP 101 has an application platform for adding and executing an application (hereinafter referred to as an MFP application) that runs on the device. The PC 102 indicates an information processing device, and the mobile terminal 103 indicates a portable information processing device. As a typical example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal is shown.

The mobile terminal 103 has an application platform that operates on the device. The MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 103 are capable of short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) as well as LAN (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 101. The control unit 210 including the CPU 211 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101. The CPU 211 reads a control program stored in the ROM 212 or the HDD 214 and executes various control processes such as read control and transmission control. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 211. HDD 214 stores various programs including image data and installed MFP applications. The short-range wireless communication I / F 215 is an interface for short-range wireless communication such as NFC and Bluetooth, and communicates with a mobile terminal 103 or the like to exchange data.

The operation unit I / F 216 connects the operation unit 221 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 221 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The printer I / F 217 connects the printer 222 and the control unit 210. The image data printed by the printer 222 is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer 222 via the printer I / F 217, and is printed on the recording medium by the printer 222. The scanner I / F 218 connects the scanner 223 and the control unit 210. The scanner 223 reads an image on a document, generates image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 218. The sensor I / F 219 connects the proximity sensor 224, the contact sensor 225, and the control unit 210. The contact sensor 224 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the mobile terminal 103 has come into contact with a predetermined position of the MFP 101. In this embodiment, a mobile storage place (not shown) for placing the mobile terminal is prepared in the MFP 101, and the contact sensor 225 detects that the mobile terminal is placed there. The network I / F 220 connects the control unit 210 (MFP101) to the LAN 110 or the like. The network I / F 220 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the LAN 110 or WAN 120. Further, the MFP 101 may be provided with an interface for acquiring the position information of the main body by communicating with the global positioning system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 103. The control unit 310 including the CPU 311 controls the operation of the entire device. The CPU 311 reads the control program stored in the ROM 312 or the flash memory 314 and executes various control processes. The RAM 313 is used as a temporary storage area for the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 311. The flash memory 314 stores various programs and data.

The operation unit I / F 315 connects the operation unit 318 and the control unit 310. The operation unit 318 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function. The short-range wireless communication I / F 316 is an interface for short-range wireless communication such as NFC and Bluetooth, and communicates with the MFP 101 and the like to exchange data. The position information communication I / F317 communicates with the global positioning system and acquires the position information of the main body. The method of acquiring the position information of the main body is not limited to this. The network I / F 319 connects the control unit 310 to the WAN 120 or the LAN 101. The network I / F 319 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the WAN 120 or the LAN 110.

FIG. 4 is a software configuration diagram of the MFP 101 of this embodiment. When the CPU 211 reads the program stored in the HDD 214 of the MFP 101 into the RAM 213 and executes it, the processing described later is executed.

The login management unit 401 manages information related to user authentication in the MFP 101. The menu display unit 402 displays the menu screen on the operation unit 221. The menu display unit 402 displays an application button for calling an MFP application or a Web application on the menu screen. Further, the menu display unit 402 may acquire the information of the application button to be displayed from, for example, an external service.

The Web browser 403 accesses the Web server and displays the Web content.

The mobile terminal cooperation unit 404 performs a process for linking with the mobile terminal. For example, the contact sensor 224 is used to detect that the mobile terminal is placed in the mobile storage area, and the short-range wireless communication I / F 215 is used to communicate with the mobile terminal.

The scan function providing unit 405 provides an API (Application Programming Interface) for calling the scan function and the scan function to the MFP application or the Web application. The print function providing unit 406 provides an API for calling the print function and the print function to the MFP application or the Web application.

The MFP application management unit 407 is a software platform for operating the MFP application on the MFP 101. FIG. 4 shows a state in which two MFP applications, a transmission MFP application 408 and a print MFP application 409, are installed. The transmission MFP application 408 is an MFP application that transmits the scanned image data to the outside through the LAN 110. The printing MFP application 409 is an MFP application that prints print data received from the outside. 408 and 409 are examples of MFP applications, and another MFP application may be installed.

The system management unit 410 manages information on the main body (for example, location information).

FIG. 5 is an example of a software configuration diagram in the mobile terminal 103 of this embodiment. When the CPU 311 reads the program stored in the flash memory 314 of the mobile terminal 103 into the RAM 313 and executes it, the processing described later is executed.

The system management module 501 is a module that controls the mobile terminal 103 and manages user information and main body information (for example, location information).

The mobile application management unit 502 is a software platform for operating a mobile application on the mobile terminal 103.

The print processing module 503 is a module that manages processing for transmitting a print job to a printer.

The document management application 504 is an application that manages document data. It is also possible to operate document data of an external server or cloud storage from a mobile terminal not only inside the terminal but also through WAN120 or the like.

The document creation application 505 is an application for creating / editing document data managed by the document management application 504.

The address book application 506 is a mobile application for managing contacts, and manages names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses as contacts. 504 to 506 are examples of mobile applications, and another mobile application may be installed.

An outline of this embodiment is shown before the explanation of the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for making print settings displayed on the mobile terminal 103. The print setting screen is displayed in response to a user giving a print instruction for data (document data or image data) in an application executed on the mobile terminal 103. When the setting completion button 901 is pressed by the user after the print setting is made on the print setting screen of FIG. 9 (a), the setting confirmation screen of FIG. 9 (b) is displayed. When the execution button 902 is pressed by the user on the setting confirmation screen of FIG. 9B, the mobile terminal 103 transmits a print job reflecting the settings to the MFP 101. When the mobile terminal sends a print job, it also sends its own location information to the MFP. The MFP that receives the print job compares the location information included in the print job with the location information of the MFP, and if it determines that the mobile terminal is sufficiently close, executes the print job. To do. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal is determined to be in a distant position by referring to the position information, the MFP holds the print job without executing it. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the MFP 101 is not set to forcibly hold the received print job without executing it (retention setting). That is, when the MFP 101 normally receives a print job, it is set to process the print job as a print processing target without temporarily holding the print job.

FIG. 6A is an example of a flowchart showing the processing on the mobile terminal 103 side of this embodiment, and the CPU 311 executes the processing.

As an example, this flowchart will be described from the point where the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 103 are in a state where they can communicate with each other and an instruction to print document data is issued using the document management application 504 on the mobile terminal 103. Here, the document management application 504 is an example, and printing may be performed from another printing application or the like installed on the mobile terminal 103.

The mobile terminal 103 calls the print processing module 503 in response to the user instructing the document management application 504 to start the print setting, and accepts the print setting from the user on the print setting screen (S601).

The print processing module 503 acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 103 together with the user information of the mobile terminal 103 from the system management module 501 of the mobile terminal 103 (step S602).

Then, the print processing module 503 determines whether or not the print processing execution instruction is given (for example, whether or not the execution button 902 of FIG. 9B is pressed) (S603), and the print execution instruction is not given. For example, the acquired position information is discarded (S604).

When a print instruction is given in S603, the document data is rendered and a print job is generated. Then, the position information acquired in S602 is added to the print job (S605). At this time, user information or the like of the mobile terminal 103 may be added.

Then, the print job is transmitted to the MFP 101 (S606).

Although the mobile terminal 103 is taken as an example of the side that transmits the print job, in the case of transmitting the print job from the PC 102, the location information can be acquired and the process of adding to the print job can be performed in the same manner. For example, in the case of a PC equipped with Windows OS, it is assumed that the print processing module 503 is processed by, for example, a printer driver.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal 103 acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 103 when the print setting is made (for example, when the setting completion button 901 is pressed on the print setting screen of FIG. 9A). doing. However, the timing of acquiring the position information is not limited to this. FIG. 6B shows an example of acquiring position information when a print job is transmitted to the MFP101 (for example, when the execution button 902 is pressed on the setting confirmation screen of FIG. 9B). The flowchart of FIG. 6B is different from that of FIG. 6A in the acquisition timing of the position information. That is, when the print execution instruction is given in S612, the mobile terminal 103 acquires its own position information in S613. It is conceivable that the user selects the document data to be printed on the mobile terminal at a position away from the MFP, starts the print setting, sets the setting while approaching the MFP, and gives a print execution instruction in front of the MFP. In that case, it is considered that the position information at the time of issuing the print execution instruction (job transmission instruction) indicates the current position of the user rather than the position information during the print setting, so printing is performed. It is suitable as a material for deciding whether to execute a job immediately or hold it once. Further, the mobile terminal 103 may acquire both the position information when the print setting is made and the position information when the print execution instruction is given, and transmit the position information to the MFP 103. The MFP 103 may perform a print process when it is determined from both position information that the user is approaching, and may temporarily hold the job without performing the print process when it is determined that the user is far away.

FIG. 7 is a process executed by the CPU 211 in a flowchart for explaining the operation on the MFP side of this embodiment.

This flowchart starts from the point where the MFP 101 receives a print job (print job transmitted in S606 of FIG. 6) from the PC 102 or the mobile terminal 103.

Upon receiving the print job, the MFP 101 determines whether or not the print job includes user information (S701).

If the user information is not included, the received print job performs PDL analysis and print processing (S703).

If the user information is included, it is determined whether or not the received print job has location information (S702).

If the print job does not include the position information, the print process is performed as it is (S703).

If the print job contains location information, the location information is referred to and it is determined whether or not the distance between the MFP 101 and the device that transmitted the print job is short (whether or not it is within a predetermined range) (whether or not it is within a predetermined range). S704).

With reference to the position information included in the print job, if the distance between the mobile terminal 103 that sent the print job and the MFP 101 is short, the print job is executed as it is (S703). Here, the positions are close to each other, for example, when the mobile terminal 103 is in front of the MFP 101. In addition, the user may be able to set the criteria and conditions for determining "close to each other".

On the other hand, when it is determined in S704 that the distance between the mobile terminal 103 that sent the print job and the MFP 101 is long, the received print job is temporarily suspended (S705). Here, the retention means that the print job is held in the storage area in the MFP 101 without performing the print process of the received print job at the timing when the job is received. When the user wants to print the temporarily suspended print job, he / she logs in to the MFP 101 using the panel UI of the MFP 101 or the like. When the login is successful and a predetermined operation is received from the user (S706), the print job corresponding to the user information acquired by the login operation is executed (S703). Here, the area for holding the print job is not limited to the inside of the MFP 101, and may be, for example, a server or a cloud.

In this embodiment, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) is used as the position information. The mobile terminal transmits the position information acquired by using its own GPS to the MFP 101. The MFP 101 determines whether or not the mobile terminal is in a close position by comparing with the GPS position information possessed by the MFP 101. When GPS is not mounted on the MFP 101, the administrator of the MFP may register its own position information in the MFP 101 in advance. For example, when a predetermined instruction is given while the mobile terminal is placed on the MFP, the position information is acquired using the GPS of the mobile terminal, and the acquired position information is transmitted to the MFP. , It is also possible to register as the position information of the MFP 101. In addition to this, it is also possible to use the location identification technology by wireless LAN. For example, the mobile terminal 103 and the MFP 101 may acquire their own position information by using the beacons transmitted from a plurality of fixed access points (APs). Further, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth may be used. The mobile terminal receives the Bluetooth beacon transmitted from the MFP 101, and transmits the received radio field intensity of the beacon to the MFP 101 as position information. If the received radio wave intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the MFP 101 determines that the mobile terminal is in a close position. As another approach, it is possible to grasp the position information by measuring three points from the network base station on the premise that there is map information about the position of the MFP. For stationary devices such as MFPs and PCs, location information may be set in advance and the location information may be added to the print job. However, a portable device such as a mobile terminal can more accurately grasp the position of the user when the print job is sent by adding the position information at the time of creating the print job or sending the print job to the print job. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 101 executes the print job transmitted from a close position as it is, but issues a warning such as "Do you want to execute immediately?" On the screen on the mobile terminal to which the print job is transmitted. , The print job may be executed only with the permission of the user. Further, when there are a plurality of print jobs transmitted from close positions, the MFP 101 performs print processing in order from jobs transmitted from mobile terminals at relatively close positions based on the position information included in each job. You may do it.

In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the MFP 101 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 103 is in a close position, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mobile terminal 103 may determine whether or not the MFP 101 is in a close position. At this time, the mobile terminal 103 includes the determination result in the print job and transmits it. The MFP 101 determines whether to execute or retain the print job based on the received determination result.

The effect of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is shown. The MFP can switch whether to execute or hold the print job depending on whether or not the position of the terminal that sends the print job satisfies a predetermined condition. In other words, the MFP does not execute the print job sent from a distant position, but keeps it to protect the security. On the other hand, the MFP executes the print job sent from a sufficiently close position as it is. By doing so, the print job sent from a sufficiently close position, that is, the secure print job, can be executed immediately, which saves the user extra trouble.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, when the MFP is not set to print the print job, an example is shown in which the MFP determines whether to execute or hold the print job according to the position of the mobile terminal that sent the print job. .. In the second embodiment, when the mobile terminal that has sent the print job is nearby when the MFP is set to print the print, the print job is not reserved and is executed at the timing when the job is received. .. Since the basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the difference is shown.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the MFP 101 after the MFP 101 of this embodiment receives a print job from the PC 102 or the mobile terminal 103.

Upon receiving the print job, the MFP 101 determines whether or not the user information is set in the print job (S801).

If the user information is not set, an error is issued as, for example, an invalid job (S803).

When the user information is set, it is determined whether or not the position information is added to the received print job (S802).

If the print job has no position information, the process proceeds to step S806, and the print job is temporarily held in the storage area in the MFP 101 (S806). That is, the print job is reserved.

If the print job has position information, the process proceeds to step S804. In S804, the position information is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the position of the device that has transmitted the print job is close to the MFP 101.

If the distance from the device that sent the print job is long, the process proceeds to step S806 to temporarily hold the print job.

If the distance to the device that transmitted the print job in S804 is short, the process proceeds to step S805, printing of the print job is executed, and this flowchart is completed.

In step S807, it is determined whether or not the process for executing the print job reserved in step S806 has been performed. Specifically, user information and the like are input on the panel UI on the MFP 101 to perform user authentication. When the authentication is successful, when a predetermined operation (for example, pressing the print execution button) is accepted, the reserved print job corresponding to the authenticated user is executed (S805). If the user authentication is not successful, the process returns to step S806 and returns to the reserved state.

Even in the MFP for which the reserved print setting has been made according to the procedure described above, if the print job is transmitted from a position close to the MFP, the print process is executed as it is without performing an operation such as user authentication. In other words, it is possible to save the user's extra work.

(Other Examples)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

Claims (21)

An information processing system that includes an image processing device and a terminal.
The terminal
A transmission means for transmitting a print job to the image processing device, and
An acquisition means for acquiring information on the position of the terminal, and
Have,
The image processing device is
A receiving means for receiving the print job and
An execution means for executing the print job received by the receiving means, and
Have,
When it is determined that the position of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information regarding the position of the terminal acquired by the acquisition means, the execution means executes the print job received by the reception means. An information processing system that features it. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the terminal when the print job is transmitted by the transmission means. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the terminal when the terminal receives a transmission instruction of a print job. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the terminal when the terminal accepts a print job setting. The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein if it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the image processing apparatus does not execute the print job received by the receiving means. system. The information processing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein if it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the image processing apparatus holds the print job received by the receiving means. system. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the image processing device executes the held print job when a predetermined operation is received from the user. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the case where the predetermined condition is satisfied is that the terminal is within a predetermined range from the image processing device. The image processing apparatus further includes a first determining means for determining whether or not the position of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information regarding the position acquired by the acquiring means. The information processing system according to any one of 8 to 8. Claims 1 to 8 further include a second determination means for determining whether or not the position of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information regarding the position acquired by the acquisition means. The information processing system according to any one of the above. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the image processing device is set to hold a print job received by the receiving means. The acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the terminal when receiving a print job setting and when transmitting a print job by the transmission means, and based on the acquired information, predetermined conditions regarding the position of the terminal are obtained. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the executing means executes the print job received by the receiving means. When the image processing device receives a print job from a plurality of terminals located at positions satisfying the predetermined conditions, the print job transmitted from a terminal relatively close to the image processing device among the plurality of terminals The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the information processing system is executed in order. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the terminal transmits information about a position acquired by the acquisition means to the image processing apparatus by the transmission means together with a print job. .. The acquisition means acquires information on the position of the terminal by using GPS (Global Positioning System).
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the information processing system is characterized by the above. The acquisition means acquires information regarding the position of the terminal using Bluetooth.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the information processing system is characterized by the above. The acquisition means acquires information on the position of the terminal using a wireless LAN.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the information processing system is characterized by the above. An image processing device that communicates with a terminal
The image processing device is
A receiving means for receiving a print job transmitted from the terminal together with information about the position of the terminal, and
A determination means for determining whether or not the position of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information regarding the position of the terminal received by the receiving means.
An image processing apparatus, characterized in that, when the determination means determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the print job received by the reception means is executed. A terminal that communicates with an image processing device
The terminal
An acquisition means for acquiring information on the position of the terminal, and
A terminal characterized by having information on the position of the terminal acquired by the acquisition means and a transmission means for transmitting a print job to the image processing apparatus. A control method for an information processing system that includes an image processing device and a terminal.
An acquisition step in which the acquisition means of the terminal acquires information regarding the position of the terminal, and
A transmission step in which the transmission means of the terminal transmits a print job to the image processing device, and
A receiving process in which the receiving means of the image processing device receives the print job, and
The execution means of the image processing apparatus includes an execution step of executing a print job received in the reception step.
When it is determined that the position of the terminal satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information regarding the position of the terminal acquired in the acquisition step, the execution step executes the print job received in the reception step. Characteristic control method. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 20.

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