JP2005100342A - Method, program and apparatus for providing service for sharing printing environment, recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly print a specified document at a specified printing position. <P>SOLUTION: A printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service of printing environment sharing has an application information acquisition step of acquiring application information about a document, at the printing environment sharing service providing means, in response to an acquisition request for document application information from the printing environment sharing service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, and a transfer step of transferring information about a printing reservation and/or data to the printing environment sharing service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus in response to a request form the printing environment sharing service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing environment sharing service providing method, a printing environment sharing service providing program, a recording medium, and a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus.

  In recent years, as the processing speed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) has been improved, the range of use of notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) mainly composed of CPUs has been expanded. Furthermore, printers that print documents created on a PC have become widespread with the expansion of the PC usage range.

  In general, in an office, a PC and a printer are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network), and a printer driver for the printer that is necessary when using the printer is installed in the PC.

  For example, when a user of the PC participates in a meeting held in an environment different from that in the office, for example, in another department or another office, the user brings his / her PC to the conference room, I was printing a document with a printer near the room.

  Also, a document created by the user using his / her PC is stored in a recording medium such as FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk), the recording medium is brought to the conference room, and other documents in the vicinity of the conference room A method of printing a document by using a user's PC is also conceivable.

  A method of using a printer of another department using a print server or the like is also conceivable. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration of an example of a conventional technique. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, each department includes a WWW (World Wide Web) server (hereinafter also simply referred to as a Web server) 1, a document storage / management server (hereinafter also referred to as a repository server) 2, and a print server 4. Each department is connected by, for example, a LAN, and devices across the departments are connected via the Internet with a firewall (FW) in between.

  In FIG. 1, a repository service 12 that performs services related to document storage and / or management is installed in the repository server 2, and a document print service 14 that performs services related to printing is installed in the print server 4. Has been.

  In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, for example, a person in the A department uses the print server 4 (PS-A) and uses the printer 6 in the B department (P-B1, P-B2) or the printer 6 in the C department (P -C1, P-C2).

  There is also a system related to a print service using a network (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a server obtains user information and information on a location to be printed from a terminal, searches for a printer close to the location information, returns a candidate to the terminal, and the user uses the terminal to identify the printer candidates. A system is described in which one is selected and the print data is sent to a server, and the server sends the sent print data to the selected printer.
JP 2003-15848 A

  However, in the above-described method of bringing the user's own PC to the place where the conference is held, there is annoyance to bring a heavy PC, and there is anxiety about the battery duration.

  There is also a problem that various settings must be made in order to connect the PC brought by the user to the LAN and / or the printer 6 itself near the place where the conference is held.

  There is also a problem that a printer driver for the printer 6 that is required when using the printer 6 must be installed.

  Since it is not possible to construct a printing environment that can be used on the spot without going through such various complicated work processes, printing cannot be easily performed.

  Further, in the above method of bringing a recording medium, in the case of a document created by a user using a specific application on his / her PC, the application is not necessarily installed on another user's PC to be used. There was a possibility that the document could not be printed.

  Further, in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, a person in department A uses a print server 4 (PS-A) and uses a printer 6 (P-B1, P-B2) in department B or a printer 6 in department C ( In order to use (P-C1, P-C2), the printer 6 (P-B1, P-B2) in the B department or the printer 6 (P-C1, P-C1, P in the B department) is connected to the print server 4 (PS-A). There is a problem that information for specifying P-C2), for example, an IP address, a printer name, and the like must be set.

  A person in department A uses printer 6 (P-B1, P-B2) in department B and printer 6 (P-C1, P-C2) in department C using print server 4 (PS-A). In order to do this, it is necessary to set the printer server 4 (PS-A) to the printer driver installation of the printer 6 of another department and information related to the printer driver.

  Therefore, in the conventional system as shown in FIG. 1, when a printer 6 is newly added to another department (for example, department B), it is newly added to the print server 4 of its own department (for example, department A). It is necessary to set information for specifying the printer 6 and information regarding the printer driver of the printer 6, and information (for example, IP address) for specifying the printer is changed due to a layout change or the like in another department. In this case, it is necessary to change the settings of the own department, and the information to be managed increases as the system expands. For example, it becomes necessary to exchange change information between departments. There was also a problem.

  Further, in the conventional system as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the print server 4 (PS-A) and the printers 6 of other departments that can be used are connected in a one-to-many manner. There are as many communication paths between the print server 4 (PS-A) and the printer 6 as there are printers 6 in other departments, and in order to protect the security of the communication path, it is necessary to deal with each communication path. There was also a problem in terms of surface.

  Also, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the system is expanded, the number of printers 6 to be managed increases, which affects the search speed, and changes in the location of the printer 6 such as layout changes and store relocations and new ones. With the installation of the printer 6, it is necessary to change or add data in the server (for example, information about the address of the printer 6, the name of the printer, and the printer driver, etc.), and there is a problem that is practically difficult to implement. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to quickly print a designated document at a designated printing location.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, the printing environment sharing method An application information acquisition stage in which the environment sharing service providing means acquires the application information related to the document in response to the acquisition request of the application information related to the document from the printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing device; In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing device, information and / or data related to the printing reservation is supplied to the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing device. And a transfer stage for transferring to.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, the printing environment sharing service providing means comprising: An application information acquisition stage for acquiring application information related to a document in response to a request for acquiring application information related to the document from a printing environment shared service providing unit of another printing environment shared service providing device, and another printing environment shared service In response to a request from the printing environment shared service providing means of the providing apparatus, a transfer step of transferring information and / or data related to the printing reservation to the printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment shared service providing apparatus; By having this, it is possible to print quickly at a designated printing location.

  The present invention also provides a printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, the printing environment sharing service providing means comprising: Print capability information acquisition for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device In response to the request from the printing environment sharing service providing means of the other printing environment sharing service providing device, information and / or data related to the printing reservation is transferred to the printing environment sharing service providing device of the other printing environment sharing service providing device. And a transfer step of transferring to the providing means.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, the printing environment sharing service providing means comprising: Print capability information acquisition for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device In response to the request from the printing environment sharing service providing means of the other printing environment sharing service providing device, information and / or data related to the printing reservation is transferred to the printing environment sharing service providing device of the other printing environment sharing service providing device. By having the transfer step of transferring to the providing means, it is possible to print quickly at the designated printing location.

  The present invention is also a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing means provides another printing environment sharing service. Application information acquisition means for acquiring application information related to a document in response to an acquisition request for application information related to the document from the printing environment shared service providing means of the apparatus, and printing environment shared service of another printing environment shared service providing apparatus And a transfer unit that transfers information and / or data related to printing reservation to a printing environment shared service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus in response to a request from the providing unit.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a printing environment sharing service providing device having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing means provides another printing environment sharing service. Application information acquisition means for acquiring application information related to a document in response to an acquisition request for application information related to the document from the printing environment shared service providing means of the apparatus, and printing environment shared service of another printing environment shared service providing apparatus Designated by having a transfer means for transferring information and / or data related to printing reservation to a printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment shared service providing apparatus in response to a request from the providing means Documents can be printed quickly at designated print locations.

  The present invention is also a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus having printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing means provides another printing environment sharing service. A printing capability information acquisition unit that acquires printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing from a printing environment shared service providing unit of the apparatus, and another printing environment Transfer means for transferring information and / or data relating to printing reservation to printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus in response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing means of the shared service providing apparatus It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a printing environment sharing service providing device having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing means provides another printing environment sharing service. A printing capability information acquisition unit that acquires printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing from a printing environment shared service providing unit of the apparatus, and another printing environment Transfer means for transferring information and / or data relating to printing reservation to printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus in response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing means of the shared service providing apparatus The specified document can be quickly printed at the specified print location.

  Further, as a means for solving the above problems, a printing environment sharing service providing program and a recording medium may be used.

  According to the present invention, a designated document can be quickly printed at a designated printing location.

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

  FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram (part 1) for implementing the present invention. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 2, each department includes a Web server 1, a repository server 2, an SPS server 3, a print server 4, and a printer 6. Here, in each department, it is assumed that each server, printer 6 and the like are managed, and are used as a printing environment.

  In FIG. 2, the repository service 12 is implemented in the repository server 2, the print environment sharing service 13 is implemented in the SPS server 3, and the document print service 14 is implemented in the print server 4. .

  Each service can exchange messages based on the SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) protocol as a Web service, and can use each function. The same applies to the following.

  Compared to the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, the system configuration shown in FIG. 2 introduces a SPS server 3 to be described later. Identification information for specifying the printing environment shared service 13, for example, service identification information of the printing environment sharing service 13, is set, and the SPS server 3 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13, the printing environment (print server 4, printer 6, etc.). ) And use the printing environment of other departments.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the SPS server 3 of each department sets the printer 6 of its own department that can use the SPS server 3 of other departments and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 in the printer list 72. By managing, it is possible to perform distributed management of the printing environment and the like in each department without being affected by changes in other departments, such as changes in the printer 6 and printer drivers in other departments.

  2 is connected to the SPS server 3 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 that can communicate with each other, compared to the system configuration shown in FIG. This reduces the number of attacked communication paths, thus ensuring security.

  FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram (part 2) for implementing the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 3 includes a Web server 1, a repository server 2, an SPS server 3, a print server 4, a printer 6, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 7.

  In FIG. 3, the repository service 12 is implemented in the repository server 2, the print environment sharing service 13 is implemented in the SPS server 3, and the document print service 14 is implemented in the print server 4. .

  The Web server 1, repository server 2, SPS server 3, print server 4, printer 6, and PDA 7 shown in FIG. 3 are connected via a LAN and / or the Internet.

  The user inputs a user name, a password, and the like using the PDA 7, logs into the Web server 1, uses a service provided by the printing environment sharing service 13, and prints (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1- 2)), a printer to be printed (for example, printer 6 (P-2-2)), a printing condition (for example, A4, color), a document to be reserved for printing, and the like are specified, and a printing reservation is requested. Here, when the user selects the print location, the user does not directly select the SPS server 3 or the print environment shared service 13, but is easy to understand for the user associated with the SPS server 3 or the print environment shared service 13, for example Alternatively, a city name, business office name, department name, etc. may be selected. The same applies to the following.

  As will be described later, when the user designates a printing location, the printing environment sharing service 13 communicates with the printing location designated by the user (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)). Information (hereinafter referred to as route information) is acquired.

  For example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) responds to a search request from the Web server 1 by (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R-0) → (B− 1) → (B-1-2) and the like, and the route information from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) which is the printing location designated by the user. Is obtained and provided to the Web server 1.

  Note that the route information can be acquired by using the service list 71. For example, when the user selects “A-1” using the PDA 7 or the like on the print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 7A described later, the Web server 1 acquires the FIG. 9 described later. From the service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) as shown in FIG. 5, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) is connected to the upper level of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). Information from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (for example, the name, latitude, longitude of the place where the printing environment sharing service 13 exists) Information such as altitude, address, and URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)) is obtained from the Web server 1 as a route information, and the print environment sharing service 13 ( A route information from the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) is added to the route information to A-1-1), and the route information is added to the service list. It is included in 71 acquisition requests. Similarly, in the following, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 can acquire the route information to the printing location selected by the user, for example, by acquiring the service list 71.

  When the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) receives a print reservation request from the user via the Web server 1, the document identifier (for example, document ID, document name, etc.) included in the print reservation request is received. The document acquisition permission request is sent to the repository service 12 implemented in the repository server 2 using the document service permission information and the document use permission information, and the repository server 12 is sent to the repository server 2 via the repository service 12. Acquires accumulated document data.

  The print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), based on the route information included in the print reservation request, identifies the route information and identification information for specifying the print location (for example, the print environment shared service 13 (B -1-2) service identification information), identification information for specifying the printer 6 to be printed (for example, printer name and / or printer ID), reservation information including the printing conditions, etc., and printing the acquired document data. Transfer to the environment sharing service 13 (A-1).

  When the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) receives the reservation information or the document data from the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), the reservation is made based on the route information included in the reservation information. The information and the document data are transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0).

  When the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) receives the reservation information and the document data from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), based on the route information included in the reservation information, The document data is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1).

  Similarly, when the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the reservation information or the document data from the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), based on the route information included in the reservation information, The reservation information and the document data are transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2).

  The printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has acquired the transferred reservation information and the document data will later describe the reservation information and the document data in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2). Store in the HDD 39.

  On the other hand, for example, the user goes to the printing place and requests the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) via the Web server 1 to start printing the document for which the printing reservation has been made. The print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print start request receives the print start request based on the route information to the print environment sharing service 13 at the print location included in the print start request. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1).

  When receiving the print start request from the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) starts the print based on the route information included in the print start request. The request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0).

  When the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) receives the printing start request from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) issues the printing start request based on the route information included in the printing start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1).

  Similarly, when the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the printing start request from the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) performs the printing based on the route information included in the printing start request. A start request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2).

  The print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the print start request transmits the stored reservation information and document data to the document print service 14 (PS-2) and is included in the reservation information. Requests printing of the document data under printing conditions.

  Upon receiving the document data print request, the conversion unit of the document print service 14 (PS-2) converts the document data into print data that can be printed by the printer 6 (P-2-2), and the reservation information. Is requested to print the print data under the printing conditions. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, when the document print service 14 converts print data from document data, the description will be made assuming that the document print service 14 itself performs the conversion, not the conversion unit.

  The printer 6 (P-2-2) that has received the print data print request prints based on the print request from the document print service 14 (PS-2).

  As described above, by making a print reservation, transferring reservation information and document data between the printing environment sharing services 13, and printing the document based on the print request, the user can, for example, have a different department or a different business. Therefore, it is possible to use a well-organized printing environment that is allowed to be shared, so that it is possible to quickly print a document in a different printing environment without the trouble of constructing a new printing environment.

  By using the service list 71, each printing environment shared service 13 can construct a tree-structured system as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

  The service list 71 may be configured to be stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment sharing service 13 is installed, or may be stored in another device or separately for each printing environment sharing service 13. It is good also as a structure which stores.

  In the following description, for simplification of description, the service list 71 is described as being stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment shared service 13 is mounted.

  Note that the user terminal used by the user may be a PC, or may be another mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, not limited to the PDA 7.

  FIG. 4 is a software configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the SPS server 3 includes an OS (Operating System) 21 and an application 29.

  The OS 21 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark) or Windows (registered trademark). For example, each software of the application 29 is executed in parallel as a process.

  The application 29 includes a printing environment sharing application 24 that is a printing reservation and / or printing application. The printing environment sharing service 13 illustrated in FIG. 3 is included in the printing environment sharing application 24.

  2 and 3, the SPS server 3 has been described as having only the print environment shared service 13 included in the print environment shared application 24. However, as shown in FIG. For example, a printer application 26 that is an application and a document management application 27 that is a document management application may be included.

  The document print service 14 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is included in the printer application 26. Further, the repository service 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like is included in the document management application 27.

  However, in the first embodiment, for simplification of description, the document print service 14 is mounted on the print server 4 and the repository service 12 is mounted on the repository server 2 as shown in FIG. I do. Note that this does not limit the implementation of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  The hardware configuration of the SPS server 3 shown in FIG. 5 includes an input device 31, a display device 32, a drive device 33, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 35, a RAM ( Random Access Memory (CPU) 36, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 37, interface device 38, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 39 are included.

  The input device 31 includes a keyboard and a mouse that are operated by a user of the SPS server 3, and is used to input various operation signals to the SPS server 3.

  The display device 32 includes a display or the like used by the user of the SPS server 3 and displays various information.

  The interface device 38 is an interface that connects the SPS server 3 to a network or the like.

  An application program corresponding to the printing environment sharing application 24 included in the application 29 of FIG. 4, a main program for controlling the entire processing of the SPS server 3, and the like are stored in the SPS server 3 by a recording medium 34 such as a CD-ROM, for example. Provided or downloaded over the network. The recording medium 34 is set in the drive device 33, and the application program, the main program, and the like are installed from the recording medium 34 to the HDD 39 via the drive device 33.

  The ROM 35 stores data and the like. The RAM 36 reads and stores the application program, the main program, and the like from the HDD 39 when the SPS server 3 is activated. The CPU 37 executes processing according to the application program, the main program, and the like read out and stored in the RAM 36.

  The HDD 39 stores, for example, a service list 71 and a printer list 72 in addition to the application program and the main program.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary functional configuration of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  6, the SPS server 3 includes an HTTP processing unit 63 that performs communication control in accordance with an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) protocol, an HDD 39 that stores a service list 71, a printer list 72, and the like, and a printing environment shared application 24. .

  An XML processing unit 61 that processes messages described in XML (extensible Markup Language) and a SOAP processing unit 62 that exchanges messages according to the SOAP protocol are other than the printing environment sharing application 24 and the printing environment sharing application 24. Shared with other apps.

  The printing environment sharing service 13 included in the printing environment sharing application 24 includes a service list acquisition unit 41, a printer list acquisition unit 42, a document data acquisition unit 43, a data transfer unit 44, a printer capability information acquisition unit 45, An application information acquisition unit 46, a conversion request transmission unit 91, a print data reception unit 92, a security policy information acquisition unit 93, a charge information acquisition unit 94, a service list management unit 49, a printer list management unit 50, A print reservation control unit 51 and a print start control unit 52 are included.

  The service list acquisition unit 41 acquires the service list 71 stored in the other SPS server 3 from the other SPS server 3 via the print environment sharing service 13 installed in the other SPS server 3. The service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 in which the printing environment sharing service 13 is mounted is acquired.

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 implements the printer list 72 stored in the other SPS server 3 or the print server 4 in the print environment sharing service 13 installed in the other SPS server 3 or the print server 4. Via the document print service 14, which is obtained from another SPS server 3 or the print server 4, or the printer list 72 is obtained from the SPS server 3 on which the printing environment sharing service 13 is mounted.

  The document data acquisition unit 43 acquires the document data of the designated document from the repository server 2 via the repository service 12 based on the request from the Web server 1 shown in FIG.

  The data transfer unit 44 acquires route information of the printing location to the printing environment sharing service 13, identification information for specifying the printing location, identification information for specifying the printer 6 that performs printing, reservation information such as printing conditions, and / or document data acquisition The document data acquired in the unit 43 or print data obtained by converting the document data into printable data as described later is transferred to another SPS server 3 via the other print environment sharing service 13.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 uses, for example, the capability information of the printer 6 such as whether printing is possible in color or double-sided printing, and the printing environment sharing service 13 and / or the print server 4 installed in the other SPS server 3. Is obtained via the document print service 14 implemented in FIG.

  The application information acquisition unit 46 displays application information necessary for converting the document data acquired by the document data acquisition unit 43 into print data, for example, whether there is an application such as Microsoft Word (registered trademark). get.

  The conversion request transmission unit 91 transmits a conversion request from the document data to the print data including the document data acquired by the document data acquisition unit 43 to the document print service 14 or the conversion server 9.

  The print data receiving unit 92 receives print data corresponding to the conversion request transmitted from the conversion request transmitting unit 91 from the document print service 14 or the conversion server 9.

  The security policy information acquisition unit 93 acquires the document data acquired by the document data acquisition unit 43 and / or the device and / or communication line and / or the security policy information related to the user from the security policy server 8 described later.

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 acquires fee information related to document printing.

  The service list management unit 49 is a management unit that manages the service list 71. For example, based on a connection request from another print environment sharing service 13, the service list management unit 49 stores the service list 71 in the service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3. For example, from the service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 based on a request for disconnection from another print environment shared service 13 or the data related to the print environment shared service 13 of the connection request source, For example, the data related to the print environment sharing service 13 of the disconnection request source is deleted.

  The printer list management unit 50 is a management unit that manages the printer list 72. For example, based on a request, the printer list management unit 50 adds data to the printer list 72 stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3, or from the printer list 72. Or delete data.

  The print reservation control unit 51 performs control related to a print reservation request. For example, a print reservation request is received from the Web server 1 or the like connected to the SPS server 3 via the Internet and / or network, and the document data acquisition unit 43 is requested to acquire document data, or document data acquisition Requests the data transfer unit 44 to transmit the document data acquired by the unit 43 and the reservation information included in the print reservation request to the other print environment sharing service 13, and stores the reservation information and / or document data in the HDD 39. To do.

  The print start control unit 52 performs control related to a print start request. For example, a print start request is received from the Web server 1 connected to the SPS server 3 via the Internet and / or the network and / or another print environment sharing service 13 or the like, and is included in the print start request. Based on the path information, the print start request is transmitted to another print environment sharing service 13 or the document print service 14.

  Note that the configuration of the printing environment sharing service 13 shown in FIG. For example, in a system configuration without the security policy server 8 described later as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the security policy information acquisition unit 93 may not be included in the configuration of the printing environment sharing service 13. Further, the fee information acquisition unit 94 is not necessarily included in the configuration of the printing environment sharing service 13.

  Hereinafter, an example of selection of the print location will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining selection of a print location.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining selection of a print location.

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 3, the Web server 1 makes a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to a print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. -1) transmits a request to obtain the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) including information related to the location of the other printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to (sequence S1 in FIG. 8). .) At this time, the acquisition request for the service list 71 includes route information to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) from the Web server 1 is the SPS server 3 The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of (A-1-1) is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S2 in FIG. 8). At this time, along with the service list 71, route information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) is also transmitted to the Web server 1.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 7A based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) and provides it to the user.

  In FIG. 7A, the printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) is displayed.

  For simplification of description, in FIG. 7, the print environment sharing service 13 that can be referred to is simply described as A-1-1-1, A-1-1-2, A-1, or the like. This is, for example, information for specifying a printing place such as a department name, business office name, or place name. The same applies to the following drawings.

  For example, when the user selects “A-1” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S3 in FIG. 8). Here, when the user selects “A-1”, the Web server 1 reads the print environment shared service 13 (A−) from the service list 71 of the acquired print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). 1) is an upper level connection of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), and the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1). Since the information is obtained, the route information from the Web server 1 to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) is used as the route information, and the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the print environment. Route information to the shared service 13 (A-1) is added, and the route information is included in the service list 71 acquisition request. Similarly, in the following, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 can acquire the route information to the printing location selected by the user, for example, by acquiring the service list 71.

  Here, the user selects a print location, taps a button, or the like on the screen displayed on the PDA 7. The same applies to the following.

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S4 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1), and The route information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the route information (sequence S5 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) and the path information to the Web server 1 ( Sequence S6 in FIG. 8).

  As described above, the print environment shared service 13 adds the route information every time the user selects the print location, and includes the route information in the acquisition request for the service list 71 and passes it to the print environment shared service 13. The acquisition request for the service list 71 can be transferred to another printing environment shared service 13 according to the route information. Further, the printing environment sharing service 13 can transfer the acquired service list 71 to the other printing environment sharing service 13 of the request source according to the route information. In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted below for the simplification of description, route information is contained in the acquisition request of the service list 71 and the response to the acquisition request, and the service list 71 and the like are acquired using the route information. It shall be.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 7B based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1) and provides it to the user.

  In FIG. 7B, the printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) is displayed.

  For example, when the user selects “R-0” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (R-R) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). -0) request for obtaining the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S7 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence of FIG. 8). S8.).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S9 in FIG. 8). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0), and the printing environment sharing service 13. (A-1) (sequence S10 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S11 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the Web server 1 (sequence S12 in FIG. 8). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 7C based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (B-B) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S13 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence of FIG. 8). S14.).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S15 in FIG. 8). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S16 in FIG. 8). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (B-1), and print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S17 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (FIG. 8 sequence S18).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S19 in FIG. 8).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) to the Web server 1 (sequence S20 in FIG. 8). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 7D based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1-2” and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 7E and provides it to the user. .

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 7E, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  By performing the processing shown in FIG. 7 and / or FIG. 8, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) becomes (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R-0) → (B-1) → (B-1-2) and the like, and the printing environment sharing service 13 (B) which is the printing location selected by the user from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). The route information up to -1-2) can be acquired.

  For example, when the user taps a “print reservation” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 7E, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. provide.

  For example, the user can set the print location without setting the printer or the print condition, and can make a print reservation by tapping a “reserve” button on the print reservation confirmation screen of FIG. In such a case, for example, after going to an actual printing place, the user checks the usage status and performance of a nearby printer, sets a printer and printing conditions to be described later, and performs printing.

  In this case, the print reservation request shown in FIG. 22 and / or FIG. 24, which will be described later, includes the document identifier of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target and the document use permission information that permits the use of the document. And identification information (for example, IP address and service identification information) for specifying the print location, and route information to the print location.

  Although not shown, the user can designate only a document to be printed and can make a print reservation without setting a printing location. In such a case, for example, after the location of the meeting is determined, the user sets a printing location, a printer 6 and a printing condition, which will be described later, and performs printing.

  In this case, the print reservation request shown in FIG. 22 and / or FIG. 24, which will be described later, includes the document identifier of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target and the document use permission information that permits the use of the document. And are included.

  Hereinafter, an example of the service list 71 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the service list. The service list 71 shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) in the system configuration as shown in FIG.

  The service list 71 includes identification information for specifying another print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the corresponding print environment shared service 13.

  For example, in the service list 71 shown in FIG. 9, the print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) in which the service list 71 is stored. Identification information for specifying the upper printing environment sharing service 13 with respect to the service 13 and identification information for specifying the lower printing environment sharing service 13 are included.

  However, in order to simplify the description, in FIG. 9, instead of the identification information for specifying the printing environment shared service 13, for example, A-1 or A-1- 1-1 etc. are included.

  In the diagram showing the service list 71, “none” is described when there is no higher, peer, or lower printing environment sharing service 13 with respect to the printing environment sharing service 13. In the example of FIG. 9, the peer is “none”.

  Although not shown in FIG. 9, the service list 71 includes other print environment shared services that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 in which the service list 71 is stored. Along with the identification information 13, the name, latitude, longitude, altitude, address, etc. of the place where the other printing environment sharing service 13 exists are included.

  Hereinafter, an example of the search for the print location will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram (part 1) for explaining the search for the print location.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 10A based on the service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 and provides it to the user.

  FIG. 10A shows an example of the print location selection screen when the user selects up to the print location (B-1) as described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D. ing.

  The print location selection screen in FIG. 10A has an option of “search by print condition” added to the print location selection screen in FIG. 7D.

  For example, when the user selects “Search by printing conditions” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location search screen shown in FIG. 10B and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user sets print conditions such as the paper size and paper direction on the print location search screen shown in FIG. 10B and taps the “Search” button, the Web server 1 displays the print environment sharing service 13. Based on the service list 71 of (B-1), the printer capability of the printer 6 that allows the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) to communicate with the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). An information acquisition request is transmitted (sequence S30).

  Here, the printer capability information refers to functions for each printer 6 such as whether the document print service 14 that manages the printer 6 has, for example, whether the printer 6 supports color printing or whether double-sided printing is possible. / Or information related to processing capacity.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the printer capability information acquisition request, as described with reference to FIG. 7 and / or FIG. -1), the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information acquired by the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence). S31.).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information. (Sequence S32).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S33).

  Upon receiving the acquisition request, the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1), based on the path information, sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). Is transmitted (sequence S34).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S35). .

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and shares the printing environment. It transmits to the service 13 (B-1-1) (sequence S36).

  Note that the capability information of the printer 6 may be stored in the print server 4, or may be stored in each of the printers 6 together in another server or the like. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, the capability information of the printer 6 is assumed to be stored in the print server 4.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) obtains the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) based on the route information, and the printing environment shared service 13 (B-). 1) (sequence S37).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) based on the path information as a printing environment shared service 13 (R-0). (Sequence S38).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) based on the route information as the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1). (Sequence S39).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) based on the route information, and the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-). 1) (sequence S40).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) to the Web server 1 (sequence S41).

  In addition, the Web server 1 transmits an acquisition request for the printer capability information of the printer 6 with which the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) can communicate to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S42).

  Upon receiving the printer capability information acquisition request, the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) sends the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1). The acquisition request is transmitted (sequence S43).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information. (Sequence S44).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S45).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request makes the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the path information. Is transmitted (sequence S46).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S47). .

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request receives the capability information of the printers 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S48).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) based on the route information. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S49).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) as a printing environment based on the route information. It transmits to the shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S50).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) as a printing environment based on the route information. It transmits to the shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence S51).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) as a printing environment based on the route information. It transmits to the shared service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S52).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) to the Web server 1 ( Sequence S53.).

  The Web server 1 compares the capability information of the printer 6 acquired in the sequence S41 and the sequence S53 with the print condition input by the user using the print location search screen shown in FIG. A print location search result screen as shown in C) is created and provided to the user.

  Note that the processing of the sequence S41 and the sequence S42 in FIG. 11 is not performed, and the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the sequence S30 performs the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1- 1) and the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) receive from the Web server 1 an acquisition request for printer capability information of the printer 6 with which communication is possible, acquire the printer capability information, and collectively in sequence S53 You may transmit to the Web server 1.

  In addition, the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) displays the capability information acquisition request of the printer 6 in the sequence S30 of FIG. 11 and the print location search screen of FIG. The printing conditions input by the user may be acquired, the printer capability information may be acquired, and only the capability information of the printer 6 that matches the printing conditions may be transmitted to the Web server 1 in sequence S53.

  By performing the processing described above, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) can search for a printing location and the printer 6 that satisfy the printing conditions.

  10C, for example, when the user selects one of the search results and taps the “print reservation” button, the Web server 1 performs printing as shown in FIG. Create a reservation confirmation screen and provide it to the user.

  As shown in FIG. 10 and / or FIG. 11, when the printing condition is set and the printing place is searched, the printing place, the printer 6, and the printing condition are determined. Compared to (G), the printer 6 and printing conditions are included in the print reservation. In this case, the print reservation request shown in FIG. 22 and / or FIG. 24, which will be described later, includes a document identifier of the document selected by the user as a print reservation target, document use permission information permitting use of the document, Identification information for specifying the printing location, route information to the printing location, identification information for specifying the printer 6, and printing conditions are included.

  Hereinafter, a sequence of another example of searching for a printing place will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram (part 2) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, when the user sets print conditions such as the paper size and paper direction on the print location search screen shown in FIG. 10B and taps the “Search” button, the Web server 1 displays the print environment sharing service 13. Based on the service list 71 of (B-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) and the printing environment sharing service 13 (B- 1-2) transmits a request for acquiring printer capability information of the printer 6 that can communicate (sequence S60).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the printer capability information acquisition request, as described with reference to FIG. 7 and / or FIG. -1), the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information acquired by the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence). S61.).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information. (Sequence S62).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S63).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) to the printing environment based on the path information. The shared service 13 (B-1-1) transmits a request for acquiring printer capability information of the printer 6 with which communication is possible (sequence S64).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S65). .

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and shares the printing environment. It transmits to the service 13 (B-1-1) (sequence S66).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) obtains the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) based on the route information, and the printing environment shared service 13 (B-). 1) (sequence S67).

  In addition, the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) provides the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. B-1-2) transmits a request for acquiring printer capability information of the printer 6 with which communication is possible (sequence S68).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S69). .

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request receives the capability information of the printers 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S70).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) based on the route information. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S71).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the capability information of the printer 6 (P-1) received in sequence S67 and the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2) received in sequence S71. -2-2) is transmitted to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) based on the route information (sequence S72).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1, P-2-1, P-2-2) based on the route information. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S73).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1, P-2-1, P-2-2) based on the route information. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S74).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1, P-2-1, P-2-2) as the Web server 1. (Sequence S75).

  The Web server 1 compares the capability information of the printer 6 acquired in sequence S75 with the printing conditions input by the user using the printing location search screen shown in FIG. A print location search result screen as shown is created and provided to the user.

  It should be noted that the printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) includes a request for acquiring capability information of the printer 6 in the sequence S60 of FIG. 12 and the print location search screen of FIG. The printing conditions input by the user are acquired, the capability information of the printer 6 (P-1, P-2-1, P-2-2) acquired in sequence S74 is compared with the printing conditions, and the matching printers Only the capability information 6 may be transmitted to the Web server 1 in the sequence S75.

  The Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) can also search for a printing location and a printer 6 that satisfy the printing conditions by the processing shown in FIG.

  10, 11, and 12, the case where the user first selects the print location (B-1) has been described as an example, but the Web server 1 is illustrated in FIG. 7A, for example. An option of “search by print condition” may be added to the initial print location selection screen, and provided to the user so that the print location that meets the user's print condition may be searched from the beginning. The same applies to the search method described below.

  Hereinafter, another example of the search for the print location will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram (part 3) for explaining the search for the print location.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 13A based on the service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 and provides it to the user.

  FIG. 13A shows an example of a print location selection screen when the user selects up to the print location (B-1) as described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D. ing.

  The print location selection screen in FIG. 13A is added with an option of “search for a place where there is a printable application”, compared to the print location selection screen in FIG.

  For example, when the user selects “Search for a place with a printable application” and taps the “Search” button, the Web server 1 is based on the service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1). An application information acquisition request of the print server 4 that can communicate with the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) is transmitted to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S80). .

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the application information acquisition request, as described with reference to FIG. 7 and / or FIG. ) Is selected, the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information acquired by the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S81). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S82).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. (Sequence S83).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S84).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S85).

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). (Sequence S86). Here, the application information has been described as being stored in the print server 4. However, the application information may be stored in the SPS server 3, for example. In the case of such a configuration, the processes of sequence S85 and sequence S86 are omitted. However, in the following description, application information is assumed to be stored in the print server 4 for the sake of simplicity.

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S87). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information (sequence S88).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the route information (sequence S89).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the route information (sequence S90). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received application information to the Web server 1 (sequence S91).

  In addition, the Web server 1 transmits an acquisition request for application information included in the print server 4 that can communicate with the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S92).

  Upon receiving the application information acquisition request, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) sends the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1). An acquisition request is transmitted (sequence S93).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S94).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. (Sequence S95).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S96).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S97).

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2). (Sequence S98).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S99). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information (sequence S100).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the route information (sequence S101).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the route information (sequence S102). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received application information to the Web server 1 (sequence S103).

  The Web server 1 compares the application information acquired in sequence S91 and sequence S103 with the file information of the document selected by the user and creates a print location search result screen as shown in FIG. , Provide to users.

  Note that the processing of sequence S91 and sequence S92 in FIG. 14 is not performed, and in sequence S80, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) prints the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). ) Or the print server 4 with which the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) can communicate is received from the Web server 1, the application information is acquired, and the Web server 1 collects the application information together in sequence S103. You may transmit to the server 1.

  Further, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the file format information of the document selected by the user together with the application information acquisition request in the sequence S80 of FIG. Information may be acquired and only application information that can print the file format of the document may be transmitted to the Web server 1 in sequence S103.

  For example, when a user designates a document created with Microsoft Word (registered trademark) in a print reservation, the Web server 1 and / or the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) uses the acquired application information as a basis. In addition, the SPS server 3 that can communicate with the print server 4 in which the application of Microsoft Word (registered trademark) exists is displayed as a print location where a document designated by the user can be printed.

  By performing the processing shown in FIGS. 13 and / or 14, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) can print a document designated by the user. Can be searched.

  In FIG. 14, the print environment sharing service 13 has been described using an example of acquiring application information, but an inquiry as to whether there is an application capable of printing the file format of the document selected by the user is transmitted. The result of the inquiry may be received.

  In the print location search result screen of FIG. 13B, for example, when the user selects one of the search results and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 displays the print location as shown in FIG. Create a selection confirmation screen and provide it to the user.

  Hereinafter, a sequence diagram of another example of searching for a printing place will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram (part 4) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, when the user selects “Search for a place where a printable application is available” shown in FIG. 13A and taps the “Search” button, the Web server 1 displays the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1). On the basis of the service list 71, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) or the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) An application information acquisition request of the communicable print server 4 is transmitted (sequence S110).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the application information acquisition request, as described with reference to FIG. 7 and / or FIG. ) Is selected, the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information acquired by the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S111). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S112).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. (Sequence S113).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request shares the printing environment with the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) based on the route information. An application information acquisition request of the print server 4 that can communicate with the service 13 (B-1-1) is transmitted (sequence S114).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S115).

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). ) (Sequence S116).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S117). ).

  Also, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) makes the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-B) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. -1-2) A request for obtaining application information of the print server 4 that can communicate with the server is transmitted (sequence S118).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S119).

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2). (Sequence S120).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S121). ).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) received in sequence S117 and the application of the print server 4 (PS-2) received in sequence S121. Information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information (sequence S122).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) uses the received application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) as the route information. Based on this, it transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence S123).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) uses the received application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) as the route information. Based on this, it transmits to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S124).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) uses the received application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) as a Web server. 1 (sequence S125).

  The Web server 1 compares the application information acquired in sequence S125 with the file information of the document selected by the user, creates a print location search result screen as shown in FIG. 13B, and provides it to the user To do.

  Note that the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the file format information of the document selected by the user together with the application information acquisition request in sequence S110 of FIG. 15, and sequence S124. Based on the application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and the application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) acquired in step S2, only the application information capable of printing the file format of the document is obtained in the sequence S125. May be sent to.

  Also by the processing shown in FIG. 15, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) can search for a printing place where a document designated by the user can be printed.

  Hereinafter, an example of selection of the printer 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the printer list 72 is used in this system to limit the printers that are allowed to be used by people in other departments, the printer list 72 is provided for all people in other departments. The printer list 72 is not necessary when the use of the printer is permitted. However, in the following description, it is assumed that the printer list 72 exists. First, taking the case where the printer list 72 is stored in the SPS server 3 as described above, an example of obtaining the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of printer list acquisition.

  For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 13 and the like, the search for the printing location (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)) is completed, and for example, the user performs FIG. When the “printer selection” button is tapped on the print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 13C, the Web server 1 uses the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration as shown in FIG. ), A request for obtaining the printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S130).

  When searching for a print location, the Web server 1 searches for route information (for example, (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R-0) → (B-1) to the print service 13 at the print location. ) → (B-1-2)), the route information can be included in the acquisition request for the printer list 72 and transmitted.

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the printer list 72 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) performs printing based on the route information. The acquisition request is transmitted to the environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S131).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S132).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S133).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S134).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires the printer list 72 stored in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2), and Based on the route information, the information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (sequence S135).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) uses the received printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) as the printer list 72 based on the path information. (R-0) is transmitted (sequence S136).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) uses the received printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) printer list 72 based on the path information. (A-1) (sequence S137).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) uses the received printer list 72 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. (A-1-1) (sequence S138).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) to the Web server 1 (sequence S139). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. 19A described later based on the received printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) and provides it to the user.

  Hereinafter, an example of obtaining the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 17, taking the case where the printer list 72 is stored in the print server 4 as an example. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of printer list acquisition.

  For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 13 and the like, the search for the printing location (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)) is completed, and for example, the user performs FIG. When the “printer selection” button is tapped on the print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 13C, the Web server 1 uses the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration as shown in FIG. ), A request for acquiring the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S300).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the printer list 72 of the document printing service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) Based on the path information, the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S301).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S302).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S303).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S304).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the document printing service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) An acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-2) is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S305).

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires the printer list 72 stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and print environment shared service 13 (B-1- 2) (sequence S306).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) uses the received printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-2) based on the path information. B-1) (sequence S307).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information (sequence S308). .

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information (sequence S309). .

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the path information (sequence S310). .)

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the Web server 1 (sequence S311).

  Based on the received printer list 72 of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2), the Web server 1 displays a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. And provide it to the user.

  In the following description, the printer list 72 is assumed to be stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment shared service 13 is mounted for the sake of simplicity.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printer list.

  The printer list 72 includes service identification information of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the corresponding printing environment sharing service 13, a printer identifier (for example, printer ID) of the printer 6 to be managed by the document print service 14, and Printer name.

  For example, the printer list 72 shown in FIG. 18 includes the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the print environment sharing service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2) in which the printer list 72 is stored. The service identification information, the printer ID of the printer 6 to be managed by the document print service 14, and the printer name are included.

  However, for simplification of description, FIG. 18 includes, for example, PS-1 and PS-2 for identifying the document print service 14 instead of the service identification information.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining selection of a printer.

  As described above, when the user taps the “printer selection” button on the print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 7E or 13C, the Web server 1 is selected as the print location. An acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 is made, and the printer list 72 is acquired.

  The Web server 1 creates a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. 19A based on the acquired printer list 72 and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “P-2-2” on the printer selection screen in FIG. 19A and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 confirms the printer selection as shown in FIG. Create a screen and provide it to the user.

  For example, when the user taps a “print reservation” button on the printer selection confirmation screen in FIG. 19B, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 19C and provides it to the user. To do.

  In the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 19C, the printer 6 is set compared to the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG.

  For example, the user selects and sets a document to be printed, a printing location, and the printer 6 without setting printing conditions, and taps a “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. Reservations can be made.

  In this case, in the print reservation request shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. 24 described later, the document identifier of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target, the document use permission information permitting the use of the document, and the print location Identification information for identifying the printer, route information to the printing location, and identification information for identifying the selected printer 6.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19, for example, when the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the printer list 72, the user selects the printer 6, Print reservations can be made.

  Hereinafter, an example of capability information acquisition of the printer 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of acquiring capability information of a printer.

  For example, when the selection of the printer 6 is completed as shown in FIG. 19 and the user taps the “print condition setting” button on the printer selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. In the system configuration as shown in FIG. 3, a capability information acquisition request of the printer 6 (P-2-2) is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S140). ).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the capability information acquisition request of the printer 6 (P-2-2), based on the path information, 13 (A-1) transmits the acquisition request (sequence S141).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information. (Sequence S142).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S143).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request makes the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the path information. Is transmitted (sequence S144).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S145). .

  Upon receiving the acquisition request, the document print service 14 (PS-2) acquires capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and prints it. It transmits to the environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S146).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) obtains the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) based on the route information. B-1) (sequence S147).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) based on the route information as a printing environment sharing service 13 (R-). 0) (sequence S148).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) based on the route information as the printing environment shared service 13 (A-). 1) (sequence S149).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) based on the route information as the printing environment shared service 13 (A-). 1-1) (sequence S150).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) to the Web server 1 (sequence S151).

  The Web server 1 creates a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 21A described later based on the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-2-2) and provides it to the user.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining setting of printing conditions.

  As described above, for example, when the user taps the “print condition setting” button on the printer selection confirmation screen in FIG. 19B, the Web server 1 makes a request for acquiring the capability information of the selected printer 6, Capability information of the printer 6 is acquired.

  The Web server 1 creates a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 21A based on the acquired capability information of the printer 6 and provides it to the user.

  Further, for example, when the user selects and sets a desired print condition on the print condition setting screen in FIG. 21A and taps a “print reservation” button, the Web server 1 is as shown in FIG. Create a print reservation confirmation screen and provide it to the user.

  The print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 21B has printing conditions set as compared to the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG.

  For example, the user can set a document to be printed, a printing location, a printer, and printing conditions, and tap a “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 21B to make a print reservation.

  In this case, in the print reservation request shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. 24 described later, the document identifier of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target, the document use permission information permitting the use of the document, and the print location Identification information for identifying the printer, route information to the printing location, identification information for identifying the printer, and printing conditions.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, for example, when the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the capability information of the printer, the user can specify the printing location and Following the printer, printing conditions can be set and printing reservations can be made.

  Hereinafter, an example of a print reservation request and a print start request will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a print reservation request and a print start request.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the start of printing.

  For example, when the user taps the “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 21B, the Web server 1 uses the print environment sharing service 13 (A -1-1), a print reservation request is transmitted (sequence S160 in FIG. 22).

  The print reservation control unit 51 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print reservation request receives the document identifier, the document use permission information, and the like included in the print reservation request as a document data acquisition unit 43. To obtain document data.

  The document data acquisition unit 43 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits a document data acquisition request including the document identifier and document use permission information to the repository service 12 (sequence in FIG. 22). S161.).

  Upon receiving the document data acquisition request, the repository service 12 determines the validity of the document usage permission information included in the document acquisition request, and determines that the document usage permission information is valid. Corresponding document data is acquired from the repository server 2 and transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S162 in FIG. 22).

  When the document data acquisition unit 43 acquires the document data, the print reservation control unit 51 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) stores reservation information (for example, the print reservation request received from the Web server 1 (for example, , Identification information for specifying the printing location, identification information for specifying the printer 6, printing conditions, route information to the printing location, and the like) and the acquired document data are instructed to the data transfer unit 44.

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) instructed to transfer prints the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. It transfers to the environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S163 of FIG. 22).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S164 in FIG. 22).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (sequence S165 in FIG. 22).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on route information to the printing location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S166 in FIG. 22).

  The print reservation control unit 51 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data sends the reservation information and the document data to the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2). To store.

  On the other hand, on the basis of a request from the user, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation selection screen as shown in FIG. 23A that displays a list of reservations that can be referred to by the user, and provides the screen to the user. .

  For example, when the user selects “reservation 1” on the print reservation selection screen in FIG. 23A and taps the “reservation content” button, the Web server 1 displays the print reservation content as shown in FIG. Create a screen and provide it to the user.

  For example, when the user confirms the reservation content on the print reservation content display screen as shown in FIG. 23B and taps the “print” button on the print reservation content display screen, the Web server 1 displays the reservation content as shown in FIG. In such a system configuration, a print start request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S167 in FIG. 22).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print start request starts the print based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. The request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S168 in FIG. 22).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S169 in FIG. 22).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S170 of FIG. 22).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the route information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S171 in FIG. 22).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the print start request receives the reservation information and document stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2). Data is acquired, and a print start request including the reservation information and the document data is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S172 in FIG. 22).

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the print start request including the reservation information and the document data prints the document data with the designated printer 6 (P-2-2). The print start request including the print data is transmitted to the printer 6 (P-2-2) included in the reservation information (sequence S173 in FIG. 22).

  The printer 6 (P-2-2) that has received the print start request prints the print data included in the print start request.

  As shown in FIG. 22 and / or FIG. 23, the printing environment sharing service 13 prints printing reservation information and document data based on the route information to the printing location acquired using the service list 71, for example, at the printing location. It can be transferred to the environment sharing service 13 to make a print reservation.

  The print environment sharing service 13 also issues a print start request based on the route information to the print location acquired using the service list 71, for example, and the print location SPS server 3 for storing print reservation information and document data. The document print service 14 that manages the designated printer 6 can be requested to start printing.

  Hereinafter, another example of a print reservation request and a print start request will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of a print reservation request and a print start request.

  For example, when the print location is searched by the method described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, there is an application that can always print the document selected by the user at the selected print location. Through this process, printing reservation and printing can be performed.

  However, when a printing location is selected by the method described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8 or the method described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, a print that can communicate with the printing environment sharing service 13 selected as the printing location. In some cases, the server 4 does not necessarily have an application capable of printing the document selected by the user.

  In the following, an example of processing for converting document data to print data at a location where an application capable of printing the document selected by the user exists and transferring the print data to the print location selected by the user will be described.

  For example, when the user taps the “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 21B, the Web server 1 uses the print environment sharing service 13 (A -1-1), a print reservation request is transmitted (sequence S180 in FIG. 24).

  The print reservation control unit 51 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print reservation request prints the print location (print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) included in the print reservation request. )), And communicates with the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) around the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2), which is the print location, to the application information acquisition unit 46. A request is made to obtain application information that the possible print server 4 has.

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the application information acquisition request to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) based on the route information (sequence). S181.).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the application information acquisition request sends the application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. The acquisition request is transmitted (sequence S182).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request for the application information sends the application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. The acquisition request is transmitted (sequence S183).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the application information acquisition request, with respect to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1), based on the path information. An application information acquisition request of the print server 4 that can communicate with the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) is transmitted (sequence S184).

  Upon receiving the application information acquisition request, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) transmits the application information acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1). (Sequence S185).

  Upon receiving the application information acquisition request, the document print service 14 (PS-1) acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B- 1-1) (sequence S186).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) transmits the received application information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S187). ).

  Also, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) makes the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-B) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. -1-2) A request for obtaining application information of the print server 4 that can communicate with the server is transmitted (sequence S188).

  Upon receiving the application information acquisition request, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) transmits the application information acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-2). (Sequence S189).

  Upon receiving the application information acquisition request, the document print service 14 (PS-2) acquires application information stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and print environment sharing service 13 (B- 1-2) (sequence S190).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) transmits the received application information to the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S191). ).

  Here, the order relationship between the processing from sequence S184 to sequence S187 and the processing from sequence S188 to sequence S191 may be first. Further, the application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) may issue the application information acquisition request of sequence S184 and the application information acquisition request of sequence S188 at the same time.

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) received in sequence S187 and the application of the print server 4 (PS-2) received in sequence S191. Information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information (sequence S192).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) uses the received application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) as the route information. Based on this, it transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence S193).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) uses the received application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and application information of the print server 4 (PS-2) as the route information. Based on this, it transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S194).

  The application information acquisition unit 46 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) is, for example, that there is an application of Microsoft Word (registered trademark) in the print server 4 (PS-1), but the print server 4 (PS- In 2), the application information of the print server 4 (PS-1) and the application information of the print server 4 (PS-2), such as the absence of a Microsoft Word (registered trademark) application, are acquired.

  On the other hand, the print reservation control unit 51 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print reservation request obtains document data such as a document identifier and document use permission information included in the print reservation request. Passed to the section 43 and requests acquisition of document data.

  The document data acquisition unit 43 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits a document data acquisition request including the document identifier and document use permission information to the repository service 12 (sequence in FIG. 24). S195.).

  Upon receiving the document data acquisition request, the repository service 12 determines the validity of the document usage permission information included in the document acquisition request, and determines that the document usage permission information is valid. Corresponding document data is acquired from the repository server 2 and transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S196 in FIG. 24).

  When the document data acquisition unit 43 acquires the document data, the print reservation control unit 51 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) determines the file format of the document data. For example, the printing environment sharing service 13 ( When the file format of the acquired document data is Microsoft Word (registered trademark), the print reservation control unit 51 of A-1-1) converts the document data to the print data based on the acquired application information. The print server 4 to be converted is determined as the print server 4 (PS-1), and reservation information (for example, identification information for specifying a print location, printer 6) included in the print reservation request received from the Web server 1 Identification information to be identified, printing conditions, route information to the printing location, etc.), the acquired document data, and the acquired application. Document conversion information related to conversion of document data based on the information (for example, identification information of the document print service 14 that converts the document data, identification information of the print environment sharing service 13 that can communicate with the document print service 14, and the print The data transfer unit 44 is instructed to transfer route information to the environment sharing service 13, printing condition information, and the like.

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) instructed to transfer the route to the print location included in the reservation information, the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information. Based on the information and the route information to the print environment shared service 13 included in the document conversion information, the information is transferred to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence S197 in FIG. 24).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has acquired the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information receives the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information. Based on the path information to the printing place included in the information and the path information to the printing environment sharing service 13 included in the document conversion information, the information is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S198 in FIG. 24). .)

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has acquired the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information receives the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information as the reservation information. Based on the path information to the print location included in the information and the path information to the print environment shared service 13 included in the document conversion information, the information is transferred to the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S199 in FIG. 24). .)

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has acquired the reservation information, the document data, and the document conversion information includes the document data and the document conversion information in the document conversion information. Based on the route information to the print environment shared service 13 to be transferred, it is transferred to the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) (sequence S200 in FIG. 24).

  The conversion request transmission unit 91 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has acquired the document data and the document conversion information includes the document print service 14 that converts the document data included in the document conversion information. Based on the identification information, a request for conversion from document data including the document data to print data is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S201 in FIG. 24).

  Upon receiving the conversion request, the document print service 14 (PS-1) converts the document data into print data based on the request, and transmits the print data to the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). (Sequence S202 in FIG. 24).

  For example, the document print service 14 converts document data into print data such as PDF (Portable Document Format), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and PS (PostScript).

  The print data receiving unit 92 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the print data passes the print data to the data transfer unit 44, and the data transfer unit 44 transfers the print data to the route. Based on the information, the information is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (sequence S203 in FIG. 24).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that acquired the print data prints the reservation information and the print data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. It transfers to the environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S204 of FIG. 24).

  The printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has acquired the reservation information and the print data stores the reservation information and the print data in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2).

  As described above, for example, when the user confirms the reservation content on the print reservation content display screen as shown in FIG. 23B and taps the “print” button on the print reservation content display screen, the Web server 1 Transmits a print start request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 3 (sequence S205 in FIG. 24).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print start request starts the print based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. The request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S206 in FIG. 24).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S207 in FIG. 24).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S208 of FIG. 24).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the route information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S209 in FIG. 24).

  The print start control unit 52 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the print start request receives the reservation information stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2) and the Print data is acquired, and a print start request including the print data is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S210 in FIG. 24).

  Upon receiving the print start request including the print data, the document print service 14 (PS-2) sends the print start request including the print data to the printer 6 (P-2-2) included in the reservation information. Then, the data is transmitted (sequence S211 in FIG. 24).

  The printer 6 (P-2-2) that has received the print start request prints the print data included in the print start request.

  By performing the processing shown in FIG. 24, even when there is no application that can print the document selected by the user at the print location selected by the user, the document selected by the user at the print location selected by the user is displayed. You can print quickly.

  Hereinafter, another example of the system configuration for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a system configuration diagram (part 3) for implementing the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the document print service 14 of the print server 4 converts document data into print data. However, as shown in FIG. A server 9 may be added, and the conversion server 9 may perform conversion from document data to print data.

  In FIG. 25, each department has one conversion server 9. However, the conversion server 9 may be located anywhere, and may be one for the entire system. When the conversion server 9 receives a conversion request from the printing environment sharing service 13, the conversion server 9 converts document data into printing data based on the request, and transmits the printing data to the requesting printing environment sharing service 13. The conversion server 9 converts, for example, document data into print data such as PDF, TIFF, and PS. The conversion server 9 holds the document data before conversion and the converted print data in association with each other.

  Hereinafter, another example of the system configuration for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 26 is a system configuration diagram (part 4) for carrying out the present invention.

  The system configuration in FIG. 26 is newly added with a security policy server 8 for managing the security policy of the document, compared to the system configuration in FIG.

  The security policy information managed by the security policy server 8 is permitted to print a document identifier for identifying a document, a security level of the document set for each document identifier, and a document corresponding to the security level. Information on the printing location.

  Hereinafter, an example of the search for the print location in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 26 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram (part 5) for explaining the search for the print location.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 27A, for example, based on the service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13, and provides it to the user.

  FIG. 27A shows an example of a print location selection screen when the user selects up to the print location (B-1) as described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D. ing.

  The print location selection screen in FIG. 27A has an option of “search for a print location where security is maintained” as compared to the print location selection screen in FIG. 7D.

  For example, when the user selects “Search for a print location where security is maintained” and taps the “Search” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) to the user. A security policy information acquisition request including a document identifier for identifying a document designated at the time of print reservation is transmitted (sequence S210 in FIG. 28).

  Upon receiving the security policy information acquisition request, the security policy information acquisition unit 93 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the acquisition request to the security policy server 8 (sequence S211 in FIG. 28). .)

  The security policy server 8 that has received the acquisition request acquires the security policy information of the document from the HDD or the like of the security policy server 8 based on the document identifier included in the acquisition request, and print environment sharing service 13 (A -1-1) (sequence S212 in FIG. 28).

  The security policy information acquisition unit 93 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received security policy information to the Web server 1 (sequence S213 in FIG. 28).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location search result screen as shown in FIG. 27B based on the received security policy information and provides it to the user.

  In the print location search result screen of FIG. 27B, for example, when the user selects one of the search results and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 displays the print location as shown in FIG. Create a selection confirmation screen and provide it to the user.

  By performing the processing shown in FIGS. 27 and / or 28, the user can search for a print location where the security of the selected document is maintained.

  Hereinafter, another example of searching for a print location will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram (No. 6) for explaining the search for the print location.

  In the system configuration as shown in FIG. 3, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 29A, for example, based on the service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13, and provides it to the user. .

  Note that FIG. 29A illustrates an example of a print location selection screen when the user selects up to the print location (B-1), as described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D. ing.

  In the printing location selection screen in FIG. 29A, an option “in order of low charge” is added compared to the printing location selection screen in FIG. 7D.

  For example, when the user selects “in order of low charge” and taps the “search” button, the Web server 1 makes the print environment shared service 13 (B-B) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) -1) A request for acquiring fee information related to the printing fee of the printer 6 that can be used by the surrounding printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1, B-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S220 in FIG. 30). .

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the fee information acquisition request, as described in FIG. 7 and / or FIG. ) Is sent to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) based on the path information acquired by the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) (see FIG. 30). Sequence S221.).

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S222 in FIG. 30).

  The charge information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information. (Sequence S223 in FIG. 30).

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S224 in FIG. 30).

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1) that has received the acquisition request receives the printer 6 (P-1) that can use the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-1). The fee information related to the printing fee is acquired from the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-1) and transmitted to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S225 in FIG. 30).

  In addition, the charge information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request performs the acquisition to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. The request is transmitted (sequence S226 in FIG. 30).

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request receives the printer 6 (P-2-2) that can use the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2). 1, P-2-2) is obtained from the fee information related to the printing fee from the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2) and transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (FIG. 30). Sequence S227.).

  The charge information acquisition unit 94 of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) receives the print charge of the printer 6 (P-1) that can be used by the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-1) received in sequence S225. The fee information related to the printing fee of the printer 6 (P-2-1, P-2-2) that can be used by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) received in the sequence S227, Based on the route information, the information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S228 in FIG. 30).

  The charge information acquisition unit 94 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) transmits the received charge information to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) based on the route information (sequence in FIG. 30). S229.).

  The charge information acquisition unit 94 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) transmits the received charge information to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on the route information (FIG. 30). Sequence S230.).

  The fee information acquisition unit 94 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received fee information to the Web server 1 (sequence S231 in FIG. 30).

  Based on the received fee information, the Web server 1 creates a print location search result screen as shown in FIG. 29B so as to arrange them in ascending order of the fee, and provides it to the user.

  In the print location search result screen of FIG. 29B, for example, when the user selects one of the search results and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 displays the print location as shown in FIG. 29C. -Create a printer selection confirmation screen and provide it to the user.

  By performing the processing shown in FIG. 29 and / or FIG. 30, the user can search for a printing place and a printer 6 with a low printing fee.

  The Web server 1 includes user identification information (for example, user ID, user name) for identifying the user in the charge information acquisition request in sequence S220, and transmits it to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). It may be. By including the user identification information in the fee information acquisition request, for example, when a different printing fee is set for each user in the SPS server 3, the fee information for each user can be acquired.

  Further, the SPS server 3 may set and hold the printing fee of the printer 6 for each department to which the user belongs, for example. With such a configuration, a charge can be set for each use department.

  Hereinafter, as another example of an apparatus in which the printing environment sharing service 13 is mounted, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function peripheral) that forms an image will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.

  FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the compound machine.

  In FIG. 31, the MFP 1200 includes a plotter 1201, a scanner 1202, a hardware resource 1203 such as a facsimile, and the like, a software group 1210 including a platform 1220 and an application 1230, and a MFP starter 1240. It has.

  The MFP starter 1240 is first executed when the MFP 1200 is turned on to start the platform 1220 and the application 1230.

  The platform 1220 interprets a processing request from the application 1230, generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources, and acquires from the control service 1250. It has a system resource manager (SRM (System Resource Manager) 1223) that arbitrates requests, and an OS 1221.

  The control service 1250 is formed by a plurality of service modules. Specifically, the system control service (SCS) 1222, the engine control service (ECS) 1224, the memory control service (MCS) 1225, and the OCS (Opera) There is a Control Service (2261), an FCS (FAX Control Service) 1227, an NCS (Network Control Service) 1228, and an IMH (Imaging Memory Handler) 1229. The platform 1220 has an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function.

  The OS 1221 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 1220 and the application 1230 in parallel as processes. By using open source UNIX (registered trademark), the safety of the program can be secured, the network can be supported, and the source code can be easily obtained. Furthermore, OS and TCP / IP royalties are unnecessary, and outsourcing is easy.

  The SRM1223 controls the system and manages resources together with the SCS1222, and includes an engine unit such as a scanner and a plotter, a memory, an HDD file, a host I / O (Centronics I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F, RS232CI / F, etc.) arbitration is performed according to a request from a higher layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 1223 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request). If it is available, the requested hardware resource is Tell the upper layer that it is available. Also, hardware resource usage scheduling may be performed in response to a request from an upper layer, and the requested contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) may be directly executed. .

  The SCS 1222 includes application management (function 1), operation unit control (function 2), system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.) (function 3), LED display (function 4), resource management (function 5), A plurality of functions such as interrupt application control (function 6) are performed. Specifically, in application management (function 1), processing for registering an application and notifying other applications of the information is performed. In the operation unit control (function 2), exclusive control of the operation unit use right of the application is performed. In the system screen display (function 3), a warning screen corresponding to the state of the engine unit is displayed according to the request content from the application having the operation unit usage right. In LED display (function 4), display control of system LEDs such as warning LEDs and application keys is performed. Resource management (function 5) provides a service for exclusive control of engine resources (scanners, staples, etc.) that must be excluded when an application (ECS) executes a job. In the interrupt application control (function 6), control and service for preferential operation of a specific application are performed.

  The ECS 1224 controls engine units such as the plotter 1201, the scanner 1202, and other hardware resources 1203, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like.

  The MCS 1225 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 1225 acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.

  The OCS 1226 is a module that controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control, and provides a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Processing, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed.

  FCS 1227 performs facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. API (Application Program Interface) 1205 is provided.

  The NCS 1228 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. The NCS 1228 distributes data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, and distributes data from the application. Mediating when sending to the network side.

  For example, NCS 1228 controls data communication with a network device connected via the Internet by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon) 20 among a plurality of protocols by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and uses an HTTP request header. A processing unit corresponding to a specified Web service may be activated by a function call, and a processing result by the Web service may be notified to the network device using an HTTP response. The web service is provided according to a message described in XML, for example.

  The IMH 1229 maps image data from a virtual memory area (user virtual space) to a physical memory. In response to process activation, a system call is performed to perform processing such as mapping a virtual memory area for a process, releasing the mapped virtual memory area at the end of the process, and the like.

  The application 1230 includes a printer application 1211 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 1212 that is a copy application, and a fax application 1213 that is a facsimile application. , A scanner application 1214 that is a scanner application, and a Web service processing application 1215 that is a Web service application. Since each application 1211 to 1215 can execute an operation by using each process on the platform 1220, a screen display control program for performing screen control, key operation control, job generation, and the like is the main component. Note that a new application can also be installed via the network via the network connected by the NCS 1228. Each application can be added or deleted for each application.

  The web service processing application 1215 receives an HTTP request for requesting a web service and transmits a HTTP response to perform a predetermined process using the web server 500 that provides the web service and the control service 1250 via the API 1205. And a Web service function (WSF) 1400 that provides the processing result as a Web service via a WS-API (Web Service Application Program Interface).

  In this embodiment, the print environment sharing service 13 and the repository service 12 are installed in the Web service function 1400.

  In addition, reservation information, document data, and the like transferred from the service list 71, the printer list 72, and other MFPs 1200 are stored in an HDD 1303, which will be described later.

  The multi-functional apparatus 1200 performs centralized processing on the platform 1220 for processing commonly required by each application.

  FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the MFP 1200 includes an operation panel 1310, a FAX control unit (FCU) 1530, an engine unit 1350 (to which a scanner 1202 and the like are connected), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) of the plotter 1201 and the controller 1300. ) 1301 is connected with a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 1309 or the like.

  The controller 1300 connects a MEM-C 1302, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1303, and the like to the ASIC 1301, and connects the ASIC 1301 and the CPU 1304 via the NB 1305 of the CPU chip set. Thus, the reason for connecting via the NB 1305 is that the interface of the CPU 1304 itself is not disclosed.

  Here, the ASIC 1301 and the NB 1305 are not connected via a PCI, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 1308. The reason for connecting through the AGP 1308 is that the MFP 1200 is connected to the platform 1220 and the application 1230 shown in FIG. 31 by executing and controlling a plurality of processes using a low-speed PCI. This is because performance decreases.

  The CPU 1304 performs overall control of the MFP 1200. Specifically, the SCS 1222, SRM 1223, ECS 1224, MCS 1225, OCS 1226, FCS 1227, NCS 1228, and IMH 1229 forming the platform 1220 on the OS 1221 are started as processes. At the same time, the printer application 1211, the copy application 1212, the fax application 1213, the scanner application 1214, and the Web service processing application 1215 forming the application 1230 are activated and executed.

  The NB 1305 connects the CPU 1304 to the MEM-P 1306, the SB 1307, the NIC (Network Interface Card) 1341, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1330, the IEEE 13941340, the Centronics 1342, the driver I / F 1343, and the ASIC 1301.

  The MEMP 1306 is a system memory used as a drawing memory for the multifunction peripheral, and the SB 1307 is a bridge for connecting the NB 1305 to the ROMPCI device and peripheral devices. The MEM-C 1302 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and the ASIC 1301 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing.

  The driver I / F 1343 is an I / F that is used to read a program or application from an inserted recording medium in which the program or application is stored and mount the program or application on the MFP 1200. Examples of the recording medium include an SD memory card, smart media, multimedia card, and compact flash (registered trademark).

  The HDD 1303 is a storage that stores image data, programs, font data, forms, and documents. In addition, the HDD 1303 stores the service list 71, the printer list 72, reservation information, document data, Stores charge information, etc. The operation panel 1310 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from an operator and performs display for the operator.

  Accordingly, the ASIC 1301 is provided with a RAM interface for connecting the MEM-C 1302 and a hard disk interface for connecting the HDD 1303. When inputting / outputting image data to / from these storage units, The destination is switched to the RAM interface or the hard disk interface.

  The AGP 1308 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing, and makes the graphics accelerator card faster by directly accessing the system memory with high throughput.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, when the printing environment sharing service 13 is installed in the multi-function peripheral 1200, for example, reservation information and document data are transferred between the multi-function peripherals 1200 as shown in the first embodiment. Then, when the reservation information and document data are stored in the MFP 1200 at the designated printing location and a print start request is received, for example, the MFP 1200 can perform printing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the repository server 2, the print server 4, the security policy server 8, and the like described in the first embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the SPS server 3 shown in FIG.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the system configuration | structure of an example of a prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the system block diagram (the 1) which implements this invention. It is a system configuration figure (the 2) which carries out the present invention. It is a software block diagram of an example of an SPS server. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of an SPS server. It is a function block diagram of an example of an SPS server. It is a figure for demonstrating selection of a printing place. It is a sequence diagram for explaining selection of a printing place. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a service list. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram (part 1) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram (part 2) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (No. 3) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram (part 4) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of printer list acquisition. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of printer list acquisition. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printer list. It is a figure for demonstrating selection of a printer. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of acquiring capability information of a printer. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of printing conditions. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a print reservation request and a print start request. It is a figure for demonstrating the start of printing. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of a print reservation request and a print start request. FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram (part 3) for implementing the present invention; It is a system configuration figure (the 4) which carries out the present invention. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating a search for a print location. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (part 5) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining a search for a printing place; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (No. 6) for explaining a search for a printing place. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a compound machine. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a compound machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Web server 2 Repository server 3 SPS server 4 Print server 6 Printer 7 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
8 Security Policy Server 9 Conversion Server 12 Repository Service (RS)
13 Print Environment Shared Service (SPS)
14 Document Print Service (PS)
20 httpd (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon)
21 OS (Operating System)
24 Print Environment Sharing Application 26 Printer Application 27 Document Management Application 29 Application 31 Input Device 32 Display Device 33 Drive Device 34 Recording Medium 35 ROM (Read Only Memory)
36 RAM (Random Access Memory)
37 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
38 Interface device 39 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 Service list acquisition part 42 Printer list acquisition part 43 Document data acquisition part 44 Data transfer part 45 Printer capability information acquisition part 46 Application information acquisition part 49 Service list management part 50 Printer list management part 51 Print reservation control part 52 Print start control part 61 XML processing unit 62 SOAP processing unit 63 HTTP processing unit 71 Service list 72 Printer list 91 Conversion request transmission unit 92 Print data reception unit 93 Security policy information acquisition unit 94 Fee information acquisition unit 500 Web server 1200 Multifunction device 1201 Plotter 1202 Scanner 1203 Other hardware resources 1205 API
1210 Software Group 1211 Printer Application 1212 Copy Application 1213 Fax Application 1214 Scanner Application 1215 Web Service Processing Application 1220 Platform 1221 OS (Operating System)
1222 SCS (System Control Service)
1223 SRM (System Resource Manager)
1224 ECS (Engine Control Service)
1225 MCS (Memory Control Service)
1226 OCS (Operation panel Control Service)
1227 FCS (FAX Control Service)
1228 NCS (Network Control Service)
1229 IMH (Imaging Memory Handler)
1230 Application 1240 Multi-function machine start-up unit 1250 Control service 1300 Controller 1301 ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)
1302 MEM-C
1303 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
1304 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
1305 NB (North Bridge)
1306 MEMP (system memory)
1307 SB (South Bridge)
1308 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
1309 PCI Bus (Peripheral ComPonent Interconnect Bus)
1310 Operation Panel 1330 USB (Universal Serial Bus)
1340 IEEE 1394
1341 NIC (Network Interface Card)
1342 Centronics 1343 Driver I / F
1350 Engine part 1400 WSF (Web service function)
1530 FCU (FAX control unit)

Claims (32)

A printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing device having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing,
The printing environment sharing service providing means includes:
An application information acquisition stage for acquiring application information related to a document in response to an acquisition request for application information related to the document from a printing environment shared service providing unit of another printing environment shared service providing device;
In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, information and / or data relating to the printing reservation is supplied to the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. A printing environment sharing service providing method comprising: a transfer step of transferring.   In the application information acquisition step, in response to the acquisition request for the application information related to the document from the printing environment shared service providing unit of the other printing environment shared service providing device, 2. The printing environment sharing service providing device of the printing environment sharing service providing device transmits the information to the printing environment sharing service providing device, and obtains application information related to the document from the printing environment sharing service providing device of the other printing environment sharing service providing device. The printing environment shared service provision method of description.   In the application information acquisition step, in response to an application information acquisition request related to a document from a printing environment shared service providing unit of another printing environment shared service providing device, an application information acquisition request related to the document is printed. 3. A printing environment sharing service providing method according to claim 1, wherein the printing service providing device of the printing service providing apparatus that provides the service transmits the information to the printing service providing unit, and acquires application information related to the document from the printing service providing unit. .   Print service of a print service providing apparatus in which the printing environment sharing service providing means provides a service related to printing that can use an application related to a document corresponding to a conversion request from the document data to the print data including the document data 4. The printing environment shared service providing method according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion request transmitting step for transmitting to the providing means.   5. The print environment shared service provision according to claim 4, further comprising: a print data receiving step for receiving the print data corresponding to the conversion request from the print service providing means. Method.   6. The print environment sharing service providing means further comprises a first print location search step of searching for a print location based on the application information acquired in the application information acquisition step. The printing environment sharing service providing method according to one item. A printing environment sharing service providing method in a printing environment sharing service providing device having a printing environment sharing service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing,
The printing environment sharing service providing means includes:
Print capability information acquisition for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device Stages,
In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, information and / or data relating to the printing reservation is supplied to the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. A printing environment sharing service providing method comprising: a transfer step of transferring.   In the printing capability information acquisition step, in response to a print capability information acquisition request of a printing unit that performs printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device, printing of the printing unit that performs printing Printing of printing means that transmits a request for acquiring capability information to the printing environment shared service providing means of the other printing environment shared service providing apparatus, and printing from the printing environment shared service providing means of the other printing environment shared service providing apparatus The printing environment sharing service providing method according to claim 7, wherein the capability information is acquired.   In the printing capability information acquisition step, in response to a print capability information acquisition request of a printing unit that performs printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device, printing of the printing unit that performs printing A capability information acquisition request is transmitted to a printing service providing unit of a printing service providing apparatus that provides a service related to printing, and printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing is acquired from the printing service providing unit. The printing environment sharing service providing method according to claim 7 or 8.   10. The print environment shared service providing means further includes a second print location search step of searching for a print location based on the print capability information acquired in the print capability information acquisition step. A printing environment sharing service providing method according to claim 1.   In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device, the printing environment sharing service providing unit provides other service data including data relating to a reference relationship between the printing environment sharing service providing units. 11. The printing environment sharing service providing method according to claim 1, further comprising a service data acquisition step of acquiring from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus.   12. The service environment management step for managing the service data including the data related to the reference relationship between the printing environment sharing service providing units. The printing environment shared service provision method of description.   13. The print environment sharing service provision according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the service data can be set to a higher level and / or a peer and / or a lower level in the relationship between the printing environment shared service providing means. Method.   A printing environment sharing service providing program for causing a computer to execute the printing environment sharing service providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing environment sharing service providing program according to claim 14 is recorded. A printing environment shared service providing apparatus having a printing environment shared service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing,
The printing environment sharing service providing means includes:
Application information acquisition means for acquiring application information related to a document in response to an acquisition request for application information related to the document from a printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment shared service providing device;
In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, information and / or data relating to the printing reservation is supplied to the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. A printing environment shared service providing apparatus comprising: a transfer means for transferring.   In response to the application information acquisition request relating to the document from the printing environment sharing service providing means of the other printing environment sharing service providing device, the application information acquisition means sends an application information acquisition request relating to the document to the other 17. The printing environment sharing service providing device of the printing environment sharing service providing device transmits the information to the printing environment sharing service providing device, and obtains application information related to the document from the printing environment sharing service providing device of the other printing environment sharing service providing device. The printing environment shared service providing apparatus as described.   In response to a request for acquiring application information related to a document from a printing environment shared service providing unit of another printing environment shared service providing device, the application information acquiring unit prints an application information acquisition request related to the document. 18. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the printing service providing apparatus of the printing service providing apparatus that provides the service transmits the application information related to the document from the printing service providing means. .   The print environment sharing service providing means includes a print service of a print service providing apparatus that provides a service related to printing that can use an application related to a document corresponding to a conversion request from the document data to the print data including the document data. 19. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising conversion request transmitting means for transmitting to the providing means.   The print environment sharing service provision unit according to claim 19, wherein the print environment sharing service provision unit further includes a print data reception unit that receives the print data corresponding to the conversion request from the print service provision unit. apparatus.   21. The printing environment sharing service provision according to claim 16, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing unit searches for a printing place based on the application information acquired by the application information acquisition unit. apparatus. A printing environment shared service providing apparatus having a printing environment shared service providing means for providing a service related to printing environment sharing,
The printing environment sharing service providing means includes:
Print capability information acquisition for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing in response to a request for acquiring printing capability information of printing means for printing from a printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device Means,
In response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing unit of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, information and / or data relating to the printing reservation is supplied to the printing environment sharing service providing unit of the other printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. A printing environment shared service providing apparatus comprising: a transfer means for transferring.   The printing capability information acquisition unit prints the printing unit that performs printing in response to a print capability information acquisition request of the printing unit that performs printing from the printing environment sharing service provision unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device. Printing of printing means that transmits a request for acquiring capability information to the printing environment shared service providing means of the other printing environment shared service providing apparatus, and printing from the printing environment shared service providing means of the other printing environment shared service providing apparatus 23. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the capability information is acquired.   The printing capability information acquisition unit prints the printing unit that performs printing in response to a print capability information acquisition request of the printing unit that performs printing from the printing environment sharing service provision unit of another printing environment sharing service providing device. A capability information acquisition request is transmitted to a printing service providing unit of a printing service providing apparatus that provides a service related to printing, and printing capability information of a printing unit that performs printing is acquired from the printing service providing unit. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 22 or 23.   25. The printing environment sharing service according to claim 22, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing unit searches for a printing place based on the printing capability information acquired by the printing capability information acquiring unit. Providing device.   The printing environment sharing service providing means may provide other service data including data relating to a reference relationship between the printing environment sharing service providing means in response to a request from the printing environment sharing service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing apparatus. 26. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising service data acquisition means for acquiring from printing environment sharing service providing means of the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus.   27. The print environment shared service providing means further comprises service data management means for managing service data including data relating to a reference relationship between the print environment shared service providing means. The printing environment shared service providing apparatus as described.   28. The printing environment sharing service provision according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the service data can be set to a higher level and / or a peer and / or a lower level in the relationship between the printing environment shared service providing means. apparatus.   29. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising document management service providing means for providing a service related to document management.   30. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising document data storage means for storing document data.   31. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising printing service providing means for providing a service related to printing.   32. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising printing means for performing printing.

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