JP2023108682A - Image processing system, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing system, a control method, and a program that use QR Code(R) in a multi-tenant environment.SOLUTION: QR code release printing processing accepts printing from multiple tenants with a single QR code by associating device-specific information that can be read from the QR code with each tenant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing system, control method and program using QR codes (registered trademark) under a multi-tenant environment.

Conventionally, tenant-dependent information generated by the tenant with which the printer is registered is embedded in the QR code used in QR code release printing. The use of shared offices and co-working offices is increasing due to a review of work styles. Since the printers installed in such a space are shared by a plurality of organizations (companies), each user belonging to each organization uses them in common. Therefore, there is a growing demand for printers to be used in a multi-tenant environment.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses a mechanism of a printing device that issues a different printer ID for each tenant as a method of sharing and using one printer among tenants in a multi-tenant environment.

JP 2020-190953

However, in the method of Patent Document 1, one printer issues and registers a different printer ID for each tenant. Therefore, the QR code is generated in association with the ID issued for each tenant, and a problem arises that multiple QR codes for each tenant must be displayed on the printer.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method of generating a QR code made up of device-specific information of a printer and registering it as printer attribute information for each tenant. To provide a system capable of printing without preparing a different QR code for each tenant even under multi-tenancy by using device specific information.

In an image processing system comprising an image forming apparatus, a cooperative service, and a mobile terminal, an application having means for logging in to the cooperative service from the mobile terminal includes: means for reading a QR code displayed on a printer; device-specific information determining means for determining whether the information is device-specific information of a printer; printer identification means for uniquely identifying the corresponding printer information, means for displaying jobs registered in advance in the cooperative service as a job list on the application, means for selecting a job, and when the print button is pressed. has means for transmitting the selected job to the printer specified by the printer specifying means for printing.

According to the present invention, by using the device-specific information in the QR code and associating it with each tenant, it is possible to print without preparing a different QR code for each tenant even in a multi-tenant environment.

1 is an overall system diagram; FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP; FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP cooperation service; FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a mobile terminal; FIG. 3 is a software configuration diagram of the system; FIG. It is a QR code release print processing flowchart. It is a QR code release implementation determination flowchart. It is a QR code registration processing flowchart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of tenant registration processing for printer information; It is an example of displaying a QR code reading UI on a mobile application. This is an example of reading a QR code displayed on a printer. It is an example of displaying a MAC address registration UI on a mobile application. This is an example of displaying a QR code as device-specific information on the printer panel. It is an example of printer information registered with a tenant. It is an example of replication of printer attribute information in printer information. It is an example of displaying a job list and a print button on a mobile application. This is an example of registering device specific information in multiple tenants.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

<Example 1>
<Overall composition>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The image processing system is composed of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 110 and a plurality of MFP cooperation services 120 . Since each MFP cooperation service 120 is provided for each organization, the environment of each MFP cooperation service is called a tenant in this embodiment. An environment composed of multiple MFP cooperation services is called a multi-tenant. The MFP 110 is connected to a server that provides various services on the Internet via a LAN (Local Area Network). In order to simplify the explanation, one MFP is connected to the MFP cooperation service 120, but this proposal is also effective in a system operated by a plurality of MFPs.

The MFP 110 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as scanner and print, and is an example of an image processing apparatus. The MFP cooperation service 120 manages identification information (IP address) of the MFP, and receives print jobs via the network from a PC (not shown) or a mobile terminal 130 on the network. A cloud print service is provided for transferring the print job to the MFP 110 for printing.

<Hardware Configuration of MFP>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 110. As shown in FIG. The MFP 110 includes a control unit 210 , an operation unit 220 , a printer unit 221 , a scanner unit 222 and a modem 223 . The control unit 210 is composed of the following units 211 to 219 and controls the operation of the MFP 110 as a whole. The CPU 211 reads control programs stored in the ROM 212 and executes and controls various functions of the MFP 110 such as reading/printing/communication.

A RAM 213 is used as a main memory of the CPU 211 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. Note that in this embodiment, one CPU 211 uses one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214) to execute each process shown in a flow chart described later, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple CPUs, multiple RAMs or HDDs may cooperate to execute each process. The HDD 214 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs.

An operation unit I/F 215 is an interface that connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210 . The operation unit 220 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like, and receives operations/inputs/instructions from the user. A printer I/F 216 is an interface that connects the printer unit 221 and the control unit 210 . Image data for printing is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer unit 221 via the printer I/F 216 and printed on a recording medium.

A scanner I/F 217 is an interface that connects the scanner unit 222 and the control unit 210 . The scanner unit 222 reads a document set on a document table (not shown) or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I/F 217 . The MFP 110 can print out (copy) the image data generated by the scanner unit 222 from the printer unit 221, and can also transmit the image data as a file or as an e-mail. A modem I/F 218 is an interface that connects the modem 223 and the control unit 210 .

A modem 223 facsimile-communicates image data with a facsimile machine on the PSTN. A network I/F 219 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 (MFP 110) to a LAN. The MFP 110 uses the network I/F 219 to transmit image data and information to each service on the Internet and receive various information. A MAC address consisting of 16-digit HEX information is registered in the network IF 219 . The MAC address is not described in detail because it is a known technique.

<Hardware Configuration of MFP Linkage Service>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computer that provides MFP cooperation service 120, which is a cloud service. The MFP cooperation service 120 is composed of a CPU 311 , ROM 312 , RAM 313 , HDD 314 and network I/F 315 . The CPU 311 reads control programs stored in the ROM 312 and executes various processes to control the overall operation.

A RAM 313 is used as a main memory of the CPU 311 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 314 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs. A network I/F 315 is an interface that connects the MFP cooperation service 120 to the Internet. The MFP cooperation service 120 receives a processing request from another device (such as the MFP 110) via the network I/F 315 and transmits/receives various kinds of information.

In this way, the hardware such as the CPU 311, ROM 312, RAM 313, HDD 314 constitutes a so-called computer. The computer that implements the cooperative service 102 may further include an ASIC for rendering print data. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, a case where one CPU 311 uses one memory (RAM 313) to execute each process shown in a flow chart to be described later will be exemplified, but other modes may also be used. For example, multiple processors, memories, and storages can cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowcharts described later. Also, each process can be executed using a plurality of server computers. A multi-tenant architecture can also be realized by using containerization and virtualization technology for computers as real resources that realize the collaboration service 120, which is a cloud service.

<Hardware configuration of mobile terminal>
FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 130. As shown in FIG. Note that the mobile terminal 130 of the present embodiment is assumed to be a device such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, but may be another device as long as it is an information processing device capable of communicating with the MFP. The CPU 401 reads control programs stored in the ROM 402 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 130 . The ROM 402 stores control programs. A RAM 403 is used as a main memory of the CPU 401 and a storage area such as a work area. 403 stores various data such as photographs and electronic documents. It also stores an OS (Operating System), applications, and the like. A position sensor (GPS) 404 can acquire the position information of the portable terminal as longitude and latitude information, for example.

An operation panel 405 has a touch panel function capable of detecting a user's touch operation, and displays various screens provided by applications on the mobile terminal. A user can input a desired operation instruction to the mobile terminal 130 by inputting a touch operation on the operation panel 405 . The camera 406 takes an image according to the user's imaging instruction. A photograph taken by camera 406 is stored in a predetermined area of 403 . A microphone/speaker 407 is used when the user calls other mobile terminals or landlines. A wireless communication unit 408 performs wireless communication such as a wireless communication LAN.

<Software configuration of image processing system>
FIG. 5 is a software configuration diagram of the image processing system according to this embodiment. First, the software configuration of the MFP 110 will be described. The MFP 110 has a cooperative service unit 501 , a display control unit 502 and a print control unit 503 . A display control unit 502 displays user operations and QR code information on a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function of the operation unit 220 of the MFP 110 . A cooperation service unit 501 receives processing requests from the MFP cooperation service 120 and the mobile terminal 130 . For example, it receives QR code information to be displayed on a panel printed by the MFP from the mobile terminal 130, receives job information from the MFP cooperation service 120, and the like.

Next, the software configuration of the MFP cooperation service 120 will be explained. The MFP cooperation service 120 has a request control section 521 , a data management section 522 and a display control section 524 . The request control unit 521 is on standby to receive a request from an external device. Upon receiving a processing request, it appropriately instructs the data management unit 522 to perform processing according to the request. A data management unit 522 holds user information, MFP information, various setting data, print data, and the like managed by the MFP cooperation service 120 . The display control unit 524 receives a request from a web browser running on another terminal (not shown) such as a PC or mobile device connected via the Internet, and receives screen configuration information (HTML, CSS, etc.) necessary for screen display. )return it. A user performs user registration in the MFP cooperation service 120, updates registration information, and confirms registration information via a screen displayed by a web browser.

Next, the software configuration of the mobile terminal 130 will be described. The mobile terminal 130 has a network connection unit 531 , a print application unit 532 , a QR code reading unit 533 and a QR code generation unit 534 .

The network connection unit 531 issues processing requests to the MFP cooperation service 120 and the MFP 110 . For example, the MFP cooperation service is requested to send a print job or a QR code from the print application 532, or to obtain a job list held on the MFP cooperation service. The print application unit 532 transmits a print document, displays a list of print jobs acquired by the network connection unit, selects a job, and reads a QR code using the QR code reading unit 533 . Also, the QR code generated by the QR code generation unit 534 is transmitted to the MFP 110 . These processing results are notified to the MFP cooperation service 120 via the network connection unit 531 .

<QR code print processing sequence>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of QR code release print processing performed by the mobile application 532. As shown in FIG. Unless otherwise specified, the CPU 401 of the portable terminal 130 executes the flowcharts, and the CPU 401 executes the programs stored in the ROM 402 to execute the flowcharts. When the mobile print application 532 is activated, a tenant login processing screen is displayed, and the user enters a tenant login ID and password to complete login to the tenant to which the user belongs.

When login is completed, the process proceeds to step 602 . Step 602 is processing for determining whether the QR code release print button displayed on the mobile application 532 has been pressed. The QR code release printing of this embodiment is to read the QR code on the printer from the mobile application, select the file from the job list, and press the print button of the mobile application to send the job to the printer that read the QR code. Refers to functions that are sent and printed. Although a general mobile print application has other functions, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that only the QR code release button is installed in this embodiment.

If it is determined in step 602 that the QR code release print button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 603 . Step 603 is a step of determining whether QR code release can be implemented. FIG. 7 shows details of step 603 . Step 701 is a step of reading the QR code on the printer and judging its validity. FIG. 10 is an example of UI display in this step. If the UI is displayed on the mobile application and the QR code is displayed on the printer, the user presses the "read QR code" button and proceeds to step 702 . If no QR code is displayed, press the "no QR code" button and proceed to step 706 .

Step 702 is a step of displaying the QR code reader 533 on the mobile application 532 and reading the QR code displayed on the printer. Step S706 is for the user to specify that the printer does not have a QR code, so that the mobile application can identify the lack of a QR code. FIG. 11 is an example showing the operation. When reading of the QR code is completed, the process proceeds to step 703 .

Step 703 is a step for determining whether the device-specific information read from the QR code read in the previous step is registered in the printer attribute information in the printer information registered in the DB in the HDD 314 within the tenant. In this embodiment, the MAC address is used as an example of the device unique information, but other information can be substituted as long as it uniquely identifies the printer. The printer attribute information of this embodiment includes a printer name, IP address, domain name, device unique information, and the like. If the device-specific information is registered in the printer information, the process proceeds to step 704 to set the QR code release determination flag to "printable". By executing the processing in step S704, the device-specific information is associated with the tenant to which the user belongs, so the user can print the tenant's print job.

If the corresponding device-specific information is not registered, the process proceeds to step 705 to set the QR code release judgment flag to "not registered". Also, if "no QR code" is selected at step 701, at step 706, the QR code release determination flag is set to "no QR code". Step 604 is a step for branching the process depending on the determination result of step 603 .

If the QR code on the printer read in step S702 in FIG. 7 has already been registered in the tenant logged in by the user, the process proceeds to step S606. Otherwise, go to step 605 . Step 605 is registration processing when it is determined that the registration of the QR code on the printer is "not registered" with the tenant.

FIG. 8 details step 605 . Step 801 is a step for branching the process depending on the result of the QR code release determination flag in steps 705 and 706 . If the QR code release judgment flag is "no QR code", the process proceeds to step 802; Step 806 is a step of analyzing device-specific information in the QR code read in step 702 .

In this step, it is determined whether the information registered in the read QR code is device-specific information. In this embodiment, this is a step of determining whether the device unique information is a MAC address. Note that the method of determining the MAC address is a well-known general technique, and will not be described in detail here. Step 807 is a step for branching the processing depending on the result of step 806 . If determined to be a MAC address in this step, proceed to step 805. Otherwise, change the QR code release determination flag to "no QR code" and proceed to step 802.

Step 802 is a step of reading the MAC address as device unique information of the printer. Specifically, this step is a step of reading the MAC address of the printer from the printer setting screen and setting it in the UI of the mobile application. FIG. 12 is an example of the UI of this step, and 16-digit HEX information is input as a MAC address. Needless to say, as a method of reading the MAC address, it is effective in the present embodiment to automatically input the MAC address by activating the camera 406 from the mobile application and using the software OCR function.

Step 803 is a step of converting the read MAC address into a QR code. Since the method of converting a character string into a QR code is a generally known technique, it will not be described in detail here. Step 804 is a step of registering the QR code generated in step 804 in printer MFP 110 . In this step, the generated QR code image data is notified to the printer MFP 110 and stored in the HDD 214 . This is the step of displaying on the panel of the operation unit 220 . FIG. 13 is a panel display example of a QR code. Needless to say, printing the generated QR code and attaching it to the printer MFP 110 is also effective in this proposal.

Step 805 is a printer tenant registration process. FIG. 9 shows the details of step 805 . Step 901 is a step for judging whether a new QR code has been created by the mobile application 532 . If the QR code release determination flag is "no registration", the process proceeds to step 902 . Otherwise, go to step 908 . Step 902 is a step of reading the number of accessible registered tenants from among a plurality of MFP cooperation services 120 in the system. Accessible tenant refers to the case where access to information in the tenant is permitted in the dependent tenant such as parent tenant and child tenant.

Step 902 sets the number of accessible tenants to the variable N and sets the counter variable (CNT) to zero. Step 903 is a step of determining whether the variable CNT is smaller than N. If it is determined that CNT<N (CNT is smaller than the value of N), go to step 904 . Otherwise, go to step 907 . Step 904 is a step of determining whether the device-specific information in the QR code acquired in step 702 exists in the tenant.

FIG. 14 shows an example of registration of printer information within a tenant, which consists of the aforementioned printer attribute information (printer name, printer IP address, device specific information) of printers registered with the tenant. Step 904 is a step of reading the printer attribute information from the printer attribute information in the printer information. Step 905 is a step of determining whether the same device-specific information exists from the read printer attribute information. If it is determined that the same device-specific information exists here, the process proceeds to step 906 . Otherwise, proceed to immediately before step 903 . Step 906 is a step of registering the printer registration information detected in step 904 in the tenant's printer information.

To explain this step with a specific example, if the tenant for which printer information is registered is tenant B, and tenant A has printer attribute information with the same device-specific information, the printer attribute information for tenant A is the printer IP and This is the step of duplicating the device-specific information to tenant B's printer information. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example thereof.

S907 is a step for manually registering model-dependent information, an IP address, and the like in the printer information within the tenant. By entering the IP address of the printer and pressing a printer registration button (not shown) from the mobile application 532, the above information is sent to the tenant, and the printer attribute information in FIG. 15 is registered in the printer information within the tenant. After completing the above processing, the process proceeds to step 606 for job selection.

Step 606 is a step of selecting a desired job from a list of job data registered in advance in the tenant on the mobile application. FIG. 16 is an example of a job selection screen. When job selection is completed, the process proceeds to step 607 for print processing. This step is a step of pressing the print button displayed on the job selection screen after job selection is completed. When the print button is pressed in this step, the job information selected in step 606 and the device-specific information in the QR code are sent to the tenant. When the device unique information is sent to the tenant, the IP address is specified by reverse lookup of the printer attribute information of the printer information in the tenant. This is a step of using IP information to send a job in the tenant to a printer using a known technique such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) printing. That is, a job is transmitted from mobile terminal 130 to MFP cooperation service 120 , or a print job already saved in the tenant is transmitted from MFP cooperation service 120 to MFP 110 . When the job is sent to the printer through the above steps, the printer prints the job.

As described above, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, printer model-specific information is registered with a plurality of tenants, and the QR code is displayed on the printer. This makes it possible to uniquely identify a printer within a tenant from the model-specific information even if the tenant is a different tenant. As a result, even in a multi-tenant environment, only one QR code can be read in QR code release printing, which improves operability.

Claims (10)

A mobile terminal of an image processing system including a printer, a cooperative service that provides a print job to the printer, and a mobile terminal operated by a user,
means for reading the QR code of the printer;
confirmation means for confirming with the cooperation service whether the device-specific information of the printer specified from the QR code is associated with the tenant to which the user belongs;
a print processing unit that instructs the cooperative service to print a print job managed by the tenant in response to confirmation of the association by the confirmation unit. An image processing system including a printer, a cooperative service that provides a print job to the printer, and a mobile terminal operated by a user,
means for reading the QR code of the printer;
confirmation means for confirming whether the device-specific information of the printer specified from the QR code is associated with the tenant to which the user belongs;
and a providing means for providing the print job managed by the tenant when the confirming means confirms that the print job is associated with the tenant. If it is confirmed by the confirmation means that the QR code is not associated, and if the QR code is not newly generated, the device-specific information registered in another tenant is registered in the tenant to which the user belongs, and the user 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein a print job managed by a tenant to which the tenant belongs can be provided. A claim characterized in that, when it is confirmed by the confirmation means that the QR code is not associated, and when the QR code is newly generated, the device-specific information input by the user is managed by a tenant to which the user belongs. 4. The image processing system according to Item 2 or 3. 5. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein if there is no QR code for said printer, it is determined to newly generate said QR code. 6. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the device-specific information is a MAC address of the printer. 7. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein in response to a user specifying that there is no QR code for the printer, a setting screen for device-specific information for the printer is displayed. . A control method for a mobile terminal of an image processing system including a printer, a cooperative service for providing a print job to the printer, and a mobile terminal operated by a user,
reading a QR code on a printer;
confirming with the cooperation service whether the device-specific information of the printer specified from the QR code is associated with the tenant to which the user belongs;
and a step of instructing the cooperative service to print a print job managed by the tenant in response to confirmation of the association. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 8. A control method for an image processing system including a printer, a cooperative service that provides a print job to the printer, and a mobile terminal operated by a user,
reading a QR code on a printer;
a confirmation step of confirming whether the device-specific information of the printer specified from the QR code is associated with the tenant to which the user belongs;
and a providing step of providing the print job managed by the tenant if the association is confirmed in the confirming step.

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