JP2005275811A - Printing system, print management device, print management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print guarantee mail service system guaranteeing that a transmitted mail is certainly printed in a printer of a recipient. <P>SOLUTION: This printing system has a print guarantee mail system 100 having a mail server 124 and an application server 127. When a client requests transmission of a print guarantee mail to the mail server 124, the application server 127 inquires of the printer of a destination whether it is in a printable state or not, and reserves printing when it is in the printable state. The printer restricts a print request from the other client so as to print the print guarantee mail. When the printing reservation is completed, the application server 127 transmits the print guarantee mail to the printer. The printer performs the printing when receiving the print guarantee mail, and sends a mail notifying that the print guarantee mail is normally printed to a print guarantee mail transmitter after the printing is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing management apparatus, a printing management method, and a program suitable for printing by transmitting an electronic mail (hereinafter abbreviated as mail) from an arbitrary terminal device to a printing apparatus via a communication network.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an apparatus that prints a received electronic mail by providing an electronic mail receiving unit in a printing apparatus (image forming apparatus) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-305518

  However, in the printing apparatus as described above, if the toner is insufficient or the paper is cut, the received mail may be printed in a state where it is blurred and difficult to read. .

  The present invention provides a print guarantee mail service system that guarantees that a transmitted mail is always printed by a printing apparatus owned by a recipient.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a printing system comprising a printing device, a terminal device that can use the printing device, and a print management device that manages transmission of e-mails to the printing device. The print management device analyzes the e-mail requested to be transmitted from the terminal device as a print-guaranteed e-mail, and if the e-mail requested to be transmitted is a print-guaranteed e-mail, Inquiry about whether or not the printing apparatus is in a printable state, and when the printing apparatus is in a printable state, the printing apparatus includes printing management means for reserving printing in the printing apparatus and transmitting the print guarantee email.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the print guarantee e-mail is an e-mail that guarantees that the e-mail is always printed by a destination printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the print management device calculates a consumable necessary for printing the print guarantee email, and adds a consumable information based on the calculation to a reserved email to be transmitted to the printing device. And determining whether or not the printing apparatus is in a printable state based on a comparison between the consumable information included in the reserved e-mail transmitted from the print management apparatus and the consumables in the printing apparatus. Means are provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the printing apparatus receives a print request from another terminal apparatus other than the terminal apparatus that has requested the transmission of the print guarantee e-mail, the limiting unit restricts the print request from the other terminal apparatus. It is characterized by providing.

  In the present invention, when the terminal device requests the print management device to send a print guarantee email to a plurality of printing devices, the terminal device sets transmission conditions associated with the states of the plurality of printing devices. The print management apparatus includes distribution means for distributing a print guarantee e-mail to the plurality of printing apparatuses when a transmission condition set in the terminal apparatus is satisfied. .

  In the invention, it is preferable that the transmission condition associated with the states of the plurality of printing apparatuses includes a transmission condition for delivering a print guarantee email when the plurality of printing apparatuses are in a printable state. And

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the print management apparatus includes an access management means for managing whether or not access to the distributed print guarantee email is possible.

  Furthermore, the present invention is a printing system comprising a printing device, a terminal device that can use the printing device, and a print management device that manages transmission of an e-mail to the printing device, the printing management device comprising: , When a plurality of printing device e-mail addresses are specified as the transmission destination of the print assurance email from the terminal device and the print assurance email is transmitted, the state of the plurality of printing devices is centrally managed, A configuration may be adopted in which the delivery of the print guarantee email to the printing device is controlled and the printing of the print guarantee email in the plurality of printing devices is controlled.

  Further, according to the present invention, the consumables necessary for printing the print guarantee e-mail may include paper, ink, and toner.

  Further, according to the present invention, the access management unit of the print management apparatus disables the access to the print guarantee email during a specific time period, and does not access the print guarantee email during a specific time period. It may be controlled so as to be in a possible state.

  According to the present invention, the print management apparatus inquires of the printing apparatus whether or not the print apparatus is in a printable state when the electronic mail requested to be transmitted from the terminal apparatus is a print guarantee electronic mail. In order to make a print reservation and send a print guarantee e-mail, when a new mail service called a print guarantee mail service is implemented, the print guarantee mail can be printed reliably and readable by the printing device. It becomes possible to construct a system, and for a service provider who has installed a printing apparatus, it is possible to arouse new printing demands and expand business opportunities.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the print guarantee email is an email that guarantees that the email is always printed by the destination printing apparatus, the print guarantee email can be reliably printed. .

  According to the present invention, the print management apparatus calculates consumables necessary for printing the print guarantee e-mail, adds consumable information based on the calculation to the reservation e-mail, and the printing apparatus transmits the reserved e-mail sent Based on the comparison between the consumable information contained in the mail and the consumables in the printing apparatus, it is possible to reliably print the print guarantee mail because it is determined whether or not printing is possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, when there is a print request from another terminal device other than the terminal device that has requested transmission of the print guarantee e-mail, the terminal device guarantees the print request from the other terminal device. Mail can be printed reliably.

  Further, according to the present invention, when sending a print guarantee e-mail transmission request to a plurality of printing devices from the terminal device to the print management device, the transmission conditions associated with the states of the plurality of printing devices are set, When the transmission conditions set in the terminal device are satisfied, the print management apparatus manages and controls the electronic mail broadcast distribution and printing to the plurality of printing apparatuses in order to distribute the print guarantee e-mail to the plurality of printing apparatuses. As a result, it is possible for the service provider that has installed the printing apparatus to arouse new printing demand and to expand business opportunities.

  Further, according to the present invention, the transmission conditions associated with the states of the plurality of printing apparatuses include a transmission condition for delivering a print guarantee email when the plurality of printing apparatuses are in a printable state. It is possible to manage and control e-mail broadcast distribution and printing to this printing apparatus.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the security because the availability of access to the distributed print guarantee electronic mail is managed by time.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an e-mail guaranteed to be printed by the destination printing apparatus (an e-mail instructed to be always printed by the destination printing apparatus) is referred to as a print guarantee mail. I will call it.

  1, the printing system includes a print guarantee mail system 100, client apparatuses 101, 107, and 108, printing apparatuses 106 and 109, and a communication network 111. Further, the print guarantee mail system 100 includes an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) / POP (Post Office Protocol) program 124a, a mail server 124 storing a mail spool 124b, an SMTP program 127a, a mail analysis program 127b (analysis means, printing). Management means, calculation means), a status confirmation program 127c (print management means), and an application server 127 storing a mail delivery program 127d (print management means, distribution means).

  First, the print guarantee mail system 100 will be described. In the mail server 124, an SMTP / POP program (MTA (Message Transfer Agent) program) 124a performs mail transmission processing based on an instruction from the MUA program on the client device. The mail spool 124b stores mail data.

  When each user operates the MUA program on the client device and accesses the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 using POP, the SMTP / POP program 124a stores the mail data stored in the mail spool 124b. To the MUA program. In addition, when each user operates the MUA program and performs mail transmission processing, the MUA program requests the MTA program to distribute the mail, and the MTA program that receives the distribution request receives the mail created by each user. Delivered via SMTP.

  In the application server 127, the SMTP program 127a performs a print guarantee mail transmission process. The mail analysis program 127b performs various controls by analyzing mail information. The status confirmation program 127c makes a status inquiry and print reservation to the printing apparatuses 106 and 109. The mail delivery program 127d delivers the print guarantee mail transferred from the mail server 124 to the mail addresses of the printing apparatuses 106 and 109.

  A client device (hereinafter abbreviated as a client) 101 is an information processing device (user terminal) used by a user. Specifically, for example, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), It is configured as an image transmission device (for example, fax), a mobile phone (browser phone), or the like.

  The client 101 includes a mailer program (including a MUA program) for sending and receiving mails, and can send and receive mails via the Internet. The user can operate this mailer program to request the mail server 124 to send an e-mail, or obtain an e-mail from the mail server 124. In addition, the user can operate the mailer program to set the transmission condition regarding the mail transmission.

  The other clients 107 and 109 are also configured as information processing apparatuses (user terminals) used by the user.

  The printing apparatuses 106 and 109 are image forming apparatuses that form images on paper. Examples of the printing apparatuses 106 and 109 include a multifunctional multifunction machine having a copying function, an image transmission (fax) function, an image forming function, an image reading function, and the like. The present invention can be applied to any apparatus provided. Recently, products that are equipped with a Web browser and that can send and receive mail and access the Internet have been developed as printing apparatuses. The printing apparatuses 106 and 109 periodically access the mail server 124 to download and receive mail stored in a mail spool prepared for each printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus 106 is connected to clients 107 and 108 via a LAN (Local Area Network). When the clients 107 and 108 request the printing apparatus 106 to print the image data, the printing apparatus 106 prints the image data on a sheet in a format specified by the clients 107 and 108.

  The communication line network 111 is configured by a public telephone line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), a satellite communication network, or the like. In the present embodiment, for example, the Internet is assumed. The Internet includes a DNS (Domain Name System) server that analyzes an IP (Internet Protocol) address from a domain name according to a user request.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the print guarantee mail system 100.

  2, the print guarantee mail system 100 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a display unit 204, a communication interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) 205, a hard disk drive device (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) 206, and an operation unit 207. I have. The client 101 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG.

  The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that executes the various programs shown in FIG. 1, and executes the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 based on the program. The RAM 202 is a storage device used as a program work area. The ROM 203 is a storage device that stores a boot program and the like. The display unit 204 includes a CRT display or a liquid crystal display for displaying the execution result of the program. A communication I / F 205 manages a communication interface for connecting to the Internet, a LAN, or the like. The HDD 206 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The operation unit 207 is an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, and a voice recognition device.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the printing apparatuses 106 and 109.

  In FIG. 3, printing apparatuses 106 and 109 include a controller unit 300, an operation unit 312, a scanner 360, and a printer 370, respectively. Further, the controller unit 300 includes a CPU 301 (determination unit), a RAM 302, a ROM 303, an HDD 304, an image bus I / F 305, an operation unit I / F 306, a network connection unit 310, a modem 350, a scheduler 380 (restriction unit), and a device I / F 320. A printer image processing unit 330, a scanner image processing unit 340, a system bus 307, and an image bus 308.

  The controller unit 300 is connected to a scanner 360, which is an image input device that reads an image from a document, and a printer 370, which is an image output device that forms an image on paper, and is connected to a LAN 311 or a WAN (public line) 351. In this way, image information and device information are input and output.

  The CPU 301 is a controller that controls the entire printing apparatus, and executes processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 based on a program. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and also functions as an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 303 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 304 is a hard disk drive device, and stores system software and image data.

  The operation unit I / F 306 serves as an interface with the operation unit 312 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 312 to the operation unit 312. The operation unit I / F 306 plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the printing apparatus through the operation unit 312 to the CPU 301. The network connection unit 310 is connected to the LAN 311 and inputs / outputs information via the LAN 311. The modem 350 is connected to a WAN (public line) 351 and inputs / outputs information via the WAN 351.

  The scheduler 380 is a program that controls a print reservation system in the printing apparatus, and stores print reservation information transferred via the network connection unit 310. The print reservation information includes information relating to the identification ID of the print guarantee mail, the number of sheets necessary for printing the print guarantee mail, and the amount of ink (toner) necessary. The scheduler 380 compares the number of sheets and the ink (toner) remaining amount in the printing apparatus with the print reservation information, and prints in order to secure the number of sheets and ink (toner) necessary for printing the print guarantee mail. Control processing.

  That is, the scheduler 380 receives a print request from a client other than the client that has requested the print guarantee mail to be transmitted, and when printing is performed according to the print request, the number of sheets and ink (toner) necessary for printing the print guarantee mail. When the print request is consumed, control is performed to hold or reject the print request (limit the print request).

  Further, the scheduler 380 periodically accesses the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100, acquires the mail data stored in the mail spool 124b, transfers the mail data to the printer image processing unit 330, The printer 370 is caused to execute image formation. The scheduler 380 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by the CPU 301 executing a program stored in the HDD 304. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 307.

  An image bus I / F 305 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 307 and the image bus 308 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 308 is configured by, for example, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 308.

  The device I / F unit 320 connects the scanner 360 as an image input device and the printer 370 as an image output device with the controller 300, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 340 corrects, processes, and edits input image data in the scanner 360. The printer image processing unit 330 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data in the printer 370.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that a specific service provider provides the print guarantee mail service. In addition, it is assumed that the user has previously contracted with the service provider and a mail account (mail address) and a mail spool area are allocated in the print guarantee mail system 100.

  Next, print guarantee mail printing processing, mail server processing, application server processing, and printing device processing in the printing system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of the client (transmission-side information processing apparatus) 101, the print guarantee mail system 100, and the printing apparatus 106.

<Print guarantee mail printing process>
In FIG. 4, first, in step S400, the user operates the mailer program (MUA) of the client 101 to create a print guarantee mail. At this time, the mailer program adds print guarantee mail information to the header of the mail so that the mail can be identified as the print guarantee mail.

  In step S <b> 402, when the user selects transmission of a print guarantee mail created by operating the mailer program (MUA) of the client 101, the mailer program (MUA) displays the SMTP of the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100. / POP program (MTA) 124a is requested to send a print guarantee mail.

  In this embodiment, a case where the user transmits a print guarantee mail from the client 101 will be described. However, for example, if the apparatus can transmit a mail such as the printing apparatus 109, the print guarantee mail is transmitted from any apparatus. May be.

<Processing in the mail server>
The SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a in the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 that has received the print guarantee mail transmission request from the client 101 sends the print guarantee mail created by the user to the mail address in its own server using SMTP. Send to.

  In FIG. 4, next, in step S410, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a receives the mail transmitted to the mail address in its own server, analyzes the mail transmission source, and the mail is the application. It is checked whether the mail is sent from the server 127. This check is performed by determining whether or not information indicating that it has been transmitted from the application server 127 is added to the received mail.

  If it is determined in step S410 that the mail has not been transmitted from the application server 127, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a transfers the mail to the application server 127 in step S411.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that a mail has been transmitted from the application server 127, in step S412, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a is associated with the transmission destination of the mail in the mail spool 124b. Save the email in the specified area.

<Processing in application server>
5, next, in step S420, the mail analysis program 127b in the application server 127 analyzes the header information of the mail transferred from the mail server 124, and in step S421, whether or not the mail is a print guarantee mail. To check. If it is determined in step S421 that the mail is a print guarantee mail, in step S422, the mail analysis program 127b calculates the number of sheets and the amount of ink (toner) necessary for printing the print guarantee mail.

  In this embodiment, the number of sheets and the amount of ink (toner) are calculated using a simulation program of the printing apparatus. However, the number of sheets and the amount of ink (toner) are calculated from statistical data of past printing results. Other methods such as may be used.

  Next, in step S423, the mail analysis program 127b requests the status confirmation program 127c to send a status acquisition and reservation mail to the printing apparatus 106, and inquires whether the printing apparatus 106 is currently in a printable state. If the printing apparatus 106 is in a printable state, print reservation is executed. Thereafter, the mail delivery program 127d transmits the print guarantee mail transferred from the mail server 124 to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106.

  The status acquisition / reservation mail includes information relating to the identification ID of the print guarantee mail, the number of sheets necessary for printing the print guarantee mail, and the amount of ink (toner) necessary. Further, in order to distinguish from other mails, information for identifying that the mail is status acquisition and reservation mail is added to the header of the status acquisition and reservation mail.

  In the present embodiment, mail is used for status inquiry and print reservation of the printing apparatus 106, but another method such as using a special command may be used. Further, the status acquisition / reservation mail is divided into a status acquisition mail for acquiring the status of the printing apparatus 106 and a reservation mail for reserving printing in the printing apparatus 106, and at the time of status acquisition and printing reservation Each may be transmitted separately.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S421 that the mail is not a print guarantee mail, in step S424, the mail analysis program 127b checks whether the mail is a status acquisition and reservation reply mail. This check is performed by determining whether or not information for identifying status acquisition and reservation reply mail is added to the header of the mail.

  If it is determined in step S424 that the email is a status acquisition and reservation reply email, in step S425, the email analysis program 127b analyzes the status acquisition and reservation reply email to determine whether the printing apparatus 106 is ready for printing. Determine whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S425 that the printing apparatus 106 is in a printable state, in step S426, the mail delivery program 127d prints the print guarantee mail that matches the print guarantee mail identification ID included in the status acquisition and reservation reply mail. Is sent to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106, the SMTP program 127a is requested to send. Upon receiving the transmission request, the SMTP program 127a transmits a print guarantee mail to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106 using the SMTP protocol.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S424 that the mail is not a status acquisition and reservation reply mail, in step S427, the mail delivery program 127d sends an SMTP program to send the mail to the mail address designated as the transmission destination. Request transfer to 127a. Upon receiving the transfer request, the SMTP program 127a transmits the mail to a mail address specified by the SMTP protocol. At this time, information indicating that the mail is transmitted from the application server 127 is added to the transmitted mail.

<Processing inside the printing device>
The printing apparatus 106 periodically accesses the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 to acquire mail data stored in the mail spool 124b in the mail server 124 corresponding to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106. Yes.

  In FIG. 6, first, in step S430, the scheduler 380 in the printing apparatus 106 accesses the mail spool 124b in the mail server 124 to download and receive mail data. In step S431, the printing apparatus 106 analyzes the received mail and checks whether the mail is a status acquisition / reservation mail. This check is performed by determining whether or not information for identifying status acquisition and reservation mail is added to the header of the mail.

  If it is determined in step S431 that the mail is a status acquisition / reservation mail, in step S432, the printing apparatus 106 prints the print guarantee mail identification ID and the print guarantee mail included in the status acquisition / reservation mail. Information on the number of sheets necessary for printing and the amount of ink (toner) required is read, and the read information is compared with the current number of sheets and remaining ink (toner) in the printing apparatus 106.

  When the number of sheets necessary for printing the print guarantee mail and the remaining amount of ink (toner) are present in the printing apparatus 106, the printing apparatus 106 determines that printing is possible, and identifies the identification ID of the print guarantee mail, Information relating to the number of sheets necessary for printing the print guarantee mail and the amount of ink (toner) required is stored in the scheduler 380 as print reservation information. The scheduler 380 reserves printing according to the print reservation information.

  The scheduler 380 receives a print request from a client other than the client 101 that has requested transmission of the print guarantee mail in order to secure the number of sheets and ink (toner) necessary for printing the print guarantee mail. When printing is executed according to the above, if the number of sheets and ink (toner) necessary for printing the print guarantee mail are consumed, a print request from another client is suspended or rejected.

  If the number of sheets necessary for printing the print guarantee mail and the necessary ink (toner) remaining amount do not exist in the printing apparatus 106, the printing apparatus 106 determines that printing is impossible.

  Next, in step S433, the printing apparatus 106 creates a reply mail for the status acquisition and reservation mail, and requests the SMTP / POP program 124a of the mail server 124 to send it. Upon receiving the transmission request, the SMTP / POP program 124a transmits the status acquisition and reservation reply mail to the mail address designated as the reply destination.

  The reply destination of the status acquisition and reservation reply mail is a mail address corresponding to the mail analysis program 127b of the application server 127. The status acquisition and reservation reply mail includes information regarding whether or not the printing apparatus 106 is in a printable state. In order to distinguish other mails, information for identifying that the mail is status acquisition and reservation reply mail is added to the header of the status acquisition and reservation reply mail.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S431 that the mail is not a status acquisition and reservation mail, in step S434, the printing apparatus 106 checks whether the mail is a print guarantee mail. This check is performed by determining whether or not information for identifying the print guarantee mail is added to the header of the mail.

  If it is determined in step S434 that the mail is a print guarantee mail, in step S435, the printing apparatus 106 reads the identification ID included in the print guarantee mail, and prints the read identification ID and the print stored in the scheduler. The identification ID included in the reservation information is compared, a print reservation to be executed is determined, and printing of the print guarantee mail is executed. When printing of the print guarantee mail is completed, the printing apparatus 106 deletes the print reservation information related to the printed print guarantee mail stored in the scheduler.

  Next, in step S436, the printing apparatus 106 creates a print end mail that notifies the sender of the print guarantee mail that the print guarantee mail has been printed, and sends it to the SMTP / POP program 124a of the mail server 124. Request transmission. Upon receiving the transmission request, the SMTP / POP program 124a transmits a print end mail to the mail address designated as the transmission destination.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S434 that the mail is not a print guarantee mail, in step S437, the printing apparatus 106 checks whether another mail has been received. If another mail is received in the check in step S437, the printing apparatus 106 prints the mail data. On the other hand, if no other mail has been received in the check in step S437, the processing of the printing apparatus 106 accesses the mail spool 124b in the mail server 124 after a certain period of time to download and receive mail data. The process returns to step S430.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the client requests the mail server 124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 to send the print guarantee mail, the application server 127 is designated as the print guarantee mail transmission destination. The printing apparatus is inquired about whether or not a print guarantee mail is ready for printing, and if printing is possible, printing is reserved. When the print reservation is completed, the printing apparatus restricts print requests from other clients so that consumables necessary for printing all data of the print guarantee mail are not consumed. When the printing apparatus is in a printable state and the print reservation is completed, the application server 127 transmits a print guarantee mail to the printing apparatus. When the printing device receives the printing guarantee mail, the printing is performed. After the printing is completed, the printing apparatus sends a mail notifying that the printing guarantee mail has been normally printed to the printing guarantee mail sender.

  As a result, when a new mail service called a print guarantee mail service is implemented, it is possible to construct a printing system that can print the print guarantee mail reliably and in a readable state by the printing apparatus. For service providers that have installed, new printing demands can be stimulated and business opportunities can be expanded.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the printing system includes a print guarantee mail system 100, clients 101, 107, and 108, printing apparatuses 106 and 109, and a communication line network 111. Further, the print guarantee mail system 100 includes a mail server 1124 storing an SMTP / POP program 124a, a mail spool 124b, and a mail schedule program 124c, an SMTP program 127a, a mail analysis program 127b, a status confirmation program 127c, and a mail delivery program 127d. And a stored application server 127.

  The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the mail server 1124 further stores a mail schedule program 124c (access management means). The other elements of the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding ones of the above-described first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3), and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The mail schedule program 124c manages and controls access restrictions for specific mail (print guarantee mail in this embodiment) stored in the mail spool 124b over time. In other words, the specific mail is controlled to be inaccessible during a specific time period so that the specific mail cannot be acquired even when the MUA program accesses the mail server 1124 using the POP. In addition, the specific mail can be acquired by controlling the specific mail to be accessible during a specific time period.

  Next, the print guarantee mail printing process, the mail server process, and the application server process in the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  8 and 9, the same step numbers are added to the same processes as those in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the description is simplified or omitted as appropriate. Further, since the processing in the printing apparatus is the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the processing flow of the client (transmission-side information processing apparatus) 101 and the print guarantee mail system 100. FIG. FIG. 10 is a transmission condition setting screen displayed on the display unit of the client 101 by the mailer program of the client 101.

<Print guarantee mail printing process>
In FIG. 8, first, similarly to the first embodiment, in step S400, the user operates the mailer program (MUA) of the client 101 to create a print guarantee mail. At this time, the mailer program adds print guarantee mail information to the header of the mail so that the mail can be identified as the print guarantee mail.

  Next, in step S801, the user causes the mailer program (MUA) of the client 101 to display the transmission condition setting screen shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit (setting unit), and operates the mailer program (MUA) to set the transmission condition. Set. Next, as in the first embodiment, in step S402, a request is made to send a print guarantee mail.

  The transmission condition setting radio button 500 on the transmission condition setting screen is selected in the case of “Distribute when all printing apparatuses are ready for printing”. A radio button 501 for setting transmission conditions is selected in the case of “contact and distribute information relating to a printing apparatus in an unprintable state”. In a print reservation time setting text box group 502, a desired print reservation time is set. The OK button 504 is selected when setting is confirmed. A cancel button 505 is selected when canceling the setting.

  In the present embodiment, the user selects the radio button 500 “deliver when all printing apparatuses are ready for printing”, and sets a desired print reservation time in the print reservation time setting text box group 502. Assume that. At this time, the mailer program adds transmission condition information to the header part of the print guarantee mail.

  In this embodiment, the transmission condition and transmission condition screen as shown in FIG. 10 is used, but other transmission conditions associated with the state of the printing apparatus may be used, and other transmission condition setting methods may be used. It may be used. In this embodiment, a case where the user transmits a print guarantee mail from the client 101 will be described. For example, if the apparatus can transmit a mail such as the printing apparatus 109, the print guarantee mail is transmitted from any apparatus. May be.

  Examples of transmission conditions include: “If all printing devices are not in a printable state, the print guarantee email will not be delivered to any destination” or “If a specific printing device cannot be printed, It is conceivable that an e-mail notifying that the printing apparatus is in an unprintable state is sent to a print guarantee e-mail sender and then distributed to all destinations.

<Processing in the mail server>
The SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a in the mail server 1124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 that has received the transmission request sends the print guarantee mail created by the user to the mail address in its own server by SMTP.

  In FIG. 8, first, as in the first embodiment, in step S410, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a receives the mail transmitted to the mail address in its own server and transmits the mail. The original is analyzed, and it is checked whether or not the mail is a mail transmitted from the application server 127.

  If the mail is not sent from the application server 127 in the check in step S410, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a sends the mail to the application server in step S411 as in the first embodiment. 127.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S410 that a mail has been transmitted from the application server 127, in step S811, the mail schedule program 124c analyzes the mail and checks whether it is a reserved mail. This check is performed by determining whether or not the reservation mail information is added to the mail.

  If it is determined in step S811 that the e-mail is a reserved e-mail, in step S812, the e-mail schedule program 124c places an access restriction on the e-mail and stores it in an area associated with the e-mail destination in the e-mail spool 124b. In addition to saving the mail, the timer sets the time for canceling the access restriction of the saved reservation mail. The access restriction release time of the reservation mail is a time obtained by subtracting the time scheduled for mail delivery from the print reservation time set in the printing apparatus. By restricting access, security can be improved.

  Next, in step S813, the mail schedule program 124c determines whether or not the reservation mail access restriction release time has come. If the access limit time for the reserved mail is reached in step S813, in step S814, the mail schedule program 124c cancels the access limit for the mail. On the other hand, if it is not the reserved mail access time limit in step S813, the mail schedule program 124c returns the process to step S813 and waits for the reserved mail access time limit.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S811 that the e-mail is not a reserved e-mail, in step S412, the SMTP / POP program (MTA) 124a places the e-mail in the area associated with the e-mail destination in the e-mail spool 124b. Save.

<Processing in application server>
In FIG. 9, first, similarly to the first embodiment, in step S420, the mail analysis program 127b in the application server 127 analyzes the header information of the mail transferred from the mail server 1124, and in step S421. In step S5, it is checked whether the mail is a print guarantee mail. If it is determined in step S421 that the mail is a print guarantee mail, in step S422, the mail analysis program 127b calculates the number of sheets and the amount of ink (toner) necessary for print guarantee mail printing.

  In this embodiment, the number of sheets and the amount of ink (toner) are calculated using the simulation program of the printing apparatus. However, another method such as calculation from statistical data of past printing results may be used. Good.

  Next, in step S423, the mail analysis program 127b requests the status confirmation program 127c to transmit a status acquisition and reservation mail to the printing apparatus 106 designated as the transmission destination, so that the printing apparatus 106 can currently print. An inquiry is made as to whether or not the print job is in a proper state. If the print state is ready, a print reservation is executed. Thereafter, the mail delivery program 127d transmits the print guarantee mail transferred from the mail server 1124 to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106.

  The status acquisition and reservation mail includes information related to the identification ID of the print guarantee mail, the number of sheets necessary to print the print guarantee mail, the amount of ink (toner) necessary, the print reservation date and time, and the transmission conditions. Further, in order to distinguish from other mails, information for identifying that the mail is status acquisition and reservation mail is added to the header of the status acquisition and reservation mail. On the other hand, the status acquisition and reservation reply mail in the printing apparatus 106 includes information on whether or not the printing apparatus 106 is in a printable state, an identification ID of a print guarantee mail, and information on a print reservation date and time.

  In the present embodiment, mail is used for status inquiry and print reservation of the printing apparatus, but another method such as using a special command may be used.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S421 that the mail is not a print guarantee mail, in step S424, the mail analysis program 127b checks whether the mail is a status acquisition and reservation reply mail. This check is performed by determining whether or not information for identifying status acquisition and reservation reply mail is added to the header of the mail.

  If it is determined in step S424 that the email is a status acquisition and reservation reply email, in step S425, the email analysis program 127b analyzes the status acquisition and reservation reply email to determine whether the printing apparatus 106 is ready for printing. Determine whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S425 that the printing apparatus 106 is in a printable state, in step S901, the mail analysis program 127b determines whether the transmission condition is satisfied. In this embodiment, it is determined whether all the printing apparatuses in the printing system are ready for printing.

  If the transmission condition is satisfied in the determination in step S901, in step S426, the mail delivery program 127d sends a print guarantee mail that matches the print guarantee mail identification ID included in the status acquisition and reservation reply mail to the printing device. In order to send to the mail address 106, the SMTP program 127a is requested to send. Upon receiving the transmission request, the SMTP program 127a transmits a print guarantee mail to the mail address of the printing apparatus 106 using the SMTP protocol. At this time, information for identifying that the mail is a reservation mail and information regarding the print reservation date and time included in the status acquisition and reservation reply mail are added to the transmission mail.

  On the other hand, when the transmission condition is not satisfied in the determination in step S901, the mail analysis program 127b waits for the transmission condition to be satisfied. Since the processing of step S426 and step S427 is the same as that of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print guarantee mail transmission condition is set from the client and the mail server 1124 of the print guarantee mail system 100 is requested to send the print guarantee mail, the application server 127 prints. Inquiries are made to all printing apparatuses designated as destinations of guarantee mails as to whether or not the print guarantee mails can be printed. When the print reservation is completed, the printing apparatus restricts print requests from other clients so that consumables necessary for printing all data of the print guarantee mail are not consumed. The application server 127 determines the transmission conditions that have been set, and when the transmission conditions are satisfied, transmits a print guarantee mail to the printing apparatus. When the printing device receives the printing guarantee mail, the printing is performed. After the printing is completed, the printing apparatus sends a mail notifying that the printing guarantee mail has been normally printed to the printing guarantee mail sender.

  As a result, when implementing a new mail service called a print guarantee mail service, by setting mail transmission conditions associated with the states of a plurality of printing devices, it is possible to manage mail broadcast distribution and printing to a plurality of printing devices. It becomes possible to control the service provider that has installed the printing apparatus, so that new printing demands can be generated, and business opportunities can be expanded.

  For example, “If all printing devices are not in a printable state, the print guarantee mail is not delivered to any destination” or “If a specific printing device cannot print, the printing device cannot print. It is possible to control the delivery and printing of print guarantee emails by setting the transmission conditions such as “Email to notify that it is possible to deliver to print senders and then deliver to all recipients” It becomes.

[Other embodiments]
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the printing of the printing guarantee mail is controlled by using one printing apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing guarantee is performed. The number of printing apparatuses that print mail is not limited. When the print guarantee mail is sent by specifying the mail address of multiple printing devices as the destination of the print guarantee mail, the status information of the multiple printing devices is managed centrally in the print guarantee mail system, and printing to the multiple printing devices is performed. It is possible to control the delivery of the guarantee mail and control the printing of the print guarantee mail in a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  In the first and second embodiments, the printing system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and installation of a printing apparatus and a client constituting the printing system is provided. The number of units and the installation form of a network such as a LAN can be arbitrary.

  In the first and second embodiments, the printing method of the printing apparatus is not particularly mentioned, but the present invention is not limited to a specific printing method, and is an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method. It can be applied to various printing methods such as an electrostatic method.

  The present invention supplies a software program (flowcharts in FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIGS. 8 to 9) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or CPU, and the computer or CPU is supplied with the program. This can be achieved by reading and executing the program.

  In this case, the program is directly supplied from a storage medium storing the program, or downloaded from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Supplied.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

  The present invention also supplies a computer or CPU with a storage medium storing a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the program stored in the storage medium. Can also be achieved.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, ROM, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD -RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, etc.

  The function of the above-described embodiment is not only by executing the program code read from the computer, but the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Can also be realized.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be achieved by downloading a software program for realizing the above-described embodiment from a database on a network or a homepage by a communication program, and reading and executing this program.

  The above program can also be supplied by connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer and downloading the computer program itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the homepage to a storage medium such as a hard disk. .

  The above program distributes a storage medium such as a CD-ROM stored after encrypting the program code to the user, and provides a key for decrypting the encryption from the homepage via the Internet to the user who has cleared a predetermined condition. It can also be provided by downloading the information and using the key information to execute the encrypted program code and install it on the computer.

  The functions of the embodiments described above can also be realized by dividing the program code into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different home page. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer also constitutes the present invention.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are obtained by writing a program read from a storage medium into a function expansion board inserted in a computer or a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and It can also be realized by the CPU or MPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit executing part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a printing guarantee mail system. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a printing apparatus. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a client, a print guarantee mail system, and a printing apparatus. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a client and a print guarantee mail system. It is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for transmission condition setting.

Explanation of symbols

100 Print Assurance Mail System 101, 107, 108 Client 106, 109 Printing Device 111 Communication Network 124, 1124 Mail Server 124a SMTP / POP Program 124b Mail Spool 124c Mail Schedule Program 127 Application Server 127a SMTP Program 127b Mail Analysis Program 127c Status Check Program 127d Mail delivery program

Claims (10)

A printing system comprising: a printing device; a terminal device that can use the printing device; and a print management device that manages transmission of an e-mail to the printing device,
The print management device includes an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not the email requested to be transmitted from the terminal device is a print guarantee email, and to the printing device if the requested email is a print guarantee email. A printing system comprising: a printing management unit that inquires about whether or not printing is possible and reserves printing to the printing device and transmits the print guarantee email when the printing device is in a printing ready state.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print guarantee e-mail is an e-mail that guarantees that the e-mail is always printed by a destination printing apparatus. The print management device includes a calculation unit that calculates consumables necessary for printing the print assurance email and adds consumable information based on the calculation to a reservation email to be transmitted to the printing device,
The printing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not printing is possible based on a comparison between the consumable information included in the reservation e-mail transmitted from the print management apparatus and the consumables in the printing apparatus. The printing system according to claim 1.   The printing apparatus includes a restriction unit that restricts a print request from the other terminal device when a print request is received from another terminal device other than the terminal device that has requested transmission of the print guarantee email. The printing system according to claim 1. The terminal device includes a setting unit that sets transmission conditions associated with the states of the plurality of printing devices when requesting the print management device to send print guarantee emails to the plurality of printing devices.
2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the print management apparatus includes a distribution unit that distributes a print guarantee email to the plurality of printing apparatuses when a transmission condition set in the terminal apparatus is satisfied. system.   6. The transmission condition associated with the states of the plurality of printing apparatuses includes a transmission condition for delivering a print guarantee email when the plurality of printing apparatuses are in a printable state. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print management apparatus includes an access management unit that manages whether or not access to the distributed print guarantee e-mail is possible. A print management device that manages transmission of e-mail to a printing device,
Analyzing means for analyzing whether or not the email requested to be transmitted from the terminal device is a print guarantee email, and if the requested email is a print guarantee email, whether or not the printing device is ready for printing. A print management apparatus comprising: an inquiry, and a print management unit that reserves printing in the printing apparatus and transmits the print guarantee e-mail when the printing apparatus is in a printable state. A printing management method for a printing system, comprising: a printing device; a terminal device that can use the printing device; and a printing management device that manages transmission of an e-mail to the printing device,
The print management device analyzes whether the email requested to be transmitted from the terminal device is a print-guaranteed email, and if the requested email is a print-guaranteed email, the print device is ready for printing. A printing management method, wherein if the printing apparatus is in a printable state, printing is reserved in the printing apparatus and the print guarantee e-mail is transmitted. A program for causing a computer to execute a print management method of a printing system comprising a printing device, a terminal device that can use the printing device, and a print management device that manages transmission of an e-mail to the printing device,
An analysis module for analyzing whether or not the electronic mail requested to be transmitted from the terminal device to the print management apparatus is a print guarantee electronic mail, and if the electronic mail requested to be transmitted is a print guarantee electronic mail, the printing apparatus A program comprising: a print management module that inquires whether or not printing is possible, and reserves printing to the printing device and transmits the print guarantee email when the printing device is in a printing ready state.

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