JP2013030044A - Print management system and print management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce waste of a communication load and resource consumption needed to store a job log in an information processing system comprising a print service, a job log monitoring service, and an MFP.SOLUTION: When an organization that a user who made a print request at an MFP 110 belongs to utilizes a job log monitoring service 600 (Yes at S806), a print service 400 includes instruction information representing that no job log generation is necessary in a response to the print request from the MFP 110 (S808). At this time, the print service generates a job log by itself and transmits the job log to the job log monitoring service 600 (S809, S810). Further, the instruction information representing that no job log is necessary is included in the response to the print request, the MFP 110 performs control not to generate a job log of a job based upon the print request.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management system and a print management method.

  In recent years, with the increase in functionality of digital devices such as printers, scanners, facsimiles, copiers, and multi-function peripherals (hereinafter referred to as MFPs) that integrate them, and the spread of services on the Internet, these A form of use that links the two has been proposed.

  As an example, there is a utilization form in which a document is submitted to a print service on the Internet, and the MFP acquires and prints the document data itself or print data of the document.

  Recently, for the purpose of suppressing information leakage and tracking information leakers, a log (hereinafter referred to as a job log) including image data of a job performed by the digital device as described above is generated and audited. A system that accumulates data on servers is being developed.

  Furthermore, when executing a job using a combination of a plurality of MFPs, there is a device that determines which device acquires a job log based on the type of job and avoids redundant acquisition of job logs (Patent Literature). 1).

JP 2009-048286 A

  When using the print service and job log audit service on the Internet, conventionally, a device such as an MFP that executes printing first receives print data from the print service on the Internet and performs printing. Then, a job log is generated when printing is performed, and the generated job log is sent back to the service on the Internet again. In such a data flow, since the data communication path becomes redundant, it is desired that the job log can be transmitted from the print service to the job log audit service without using a device.

  However, if the job log is generated by the print service, the job log is generated even in the device that executes printing, so the job log generation is duplicated, and device resources are wasted. Will end up.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can reduce the communication load and the waste of resource consumption required for storing a job log when printing using a print service is performed.

The present invention is a print management system including a printing system that provides a printing service on the Internet, a database system that accumulates job logs, and an image forming apparatus in an intranet, and the printing system includes the image forming apparatus Print data transmitting means for transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus based on a print request from the storage, storage means for storing information capable of specifying a user who should store a job log in the database system, and the print request When the user is identified as the user who should store the job log from the user information corresponding to the job data, a job log including image data processed by the job based on the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit is generated. Job log generation means for transmitting to the database system, and the data The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the job log received from the printing system, and the image forming apparatus transmits a print request to the printing system and receives print data transmitted from the printing system. A request receiving means;
When processing a job based on print data received from the printing system, the image processing apparatus includes job log control means for controlling not to store image data processed by the job as a job log.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce waste of communication load and resource consumption required for job log storage when printing using a print service is performed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system to which a print management system according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of each server forming a server group 101 and a server group 102. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an MFP 110. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the software structure of the print service provided by the server group 101 in this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of an MFP 110 according to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the software structural example of the job log audit service provided by the server group 102 in this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the MFP 110 receives an operation request. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the first exemplary embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the second embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the third embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system to which a print management system according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.
An information processing system 100 as a print management system of the present invention includes server groups 101 and 102 that provide services, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 110, a PC (personal computer) 120 that uses these services, and It has networks 150 and 160 to be connected.

  The server group 101 constitutes a printing system that provides a print service that is a print service on the Internet. The server group 102 constitutes a database system that provides a job log audit service for accumulating job logs. The network 150 is the Internet, and the network 160 is a LAN such as a corporate network (intranet). There may be a plurality of MFPs 110 and PCs 120.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of each server forming the server group 101 and the server group 102.
The control unit 210 including the CPU 211 controls the operation of each server in the server group 101. The CPU 211 reads out a control program recorded in a ROM 212 or HDD 214 so as to be readable by a computer, and executes various control processes of the server including processes shown in flowcharts described later.

  The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 211. An HDD (hard disk) 214 stores image data and various programs. An SSD (solid state drive) or the like may be used instead of the HDD 214.

  A network I / F (network interface) 215 connects the control unit 210 to a network and transmits / receives information to / from another device on the network. The bus 216 is a bus that connects blocks in the control unit 210.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the MFP 110.
A control unit 310 including a CPU 311 controls the overall operation of the MFP 110. The CPU 311 reads out a control program recorded in the ROM 312 so as to be readable by the computer, and executes various control processes of the MFP including processes shown in flowcharts described later.

The RAM 313 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 311. The HDD 314 stores image data and various programs.
An operation unit I / F (operation unit interface) 315 connects the control unit 310 and the operation unit 320. The operation unit 320 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like.

  A printer I / F (printer interface) 316 connects the control unit 310 and the printer 321. Image data to be printed by the printer 321 is transferred from the control unit 310 to the printer 321 via the printer I / F 316 and printed on a recording sheet such as paper by the printer 321.

  A scanner I / F (scanner interface) 317 connects the control unit 310 and the scanner 322. The scanner 322 reads an image on an original set on the scanner 322 to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 310 via the scanner I / F 317.

  A network I / F (network interface) 318 connects the control unit 310 (MFP 110) to the network and transmits / receives information to / from another device on the network. The bus 319 is a bus that connects each block in the control unit 310.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a print service provided by the server group 101 according to the present invention.
Each function unit of the print service 400 shown in FIG. 4 uses a control program recorded in a ROM 212 or HDD 214 in a computer-readable manner by the CPU 211 of each server device constituting the server group 101, and the RAM 213 as a temporary storage area. It is realized by executing. The print service 400 uses the RAM 213 and the HDD 214 as a storage area.

  The request processing unit 401 receives a request from a web browser or application on the PC 120, the MFP 110, or the like. Further, when receiving an authentication request, the request processing unit 401 interprets a user ID and a password for identifying a user included in the request, collates with information in the customer information storage unit 411, and prints the print service 400. Confirm whether you are a regular user. Also, the request processing unit 401 passes the received processing request to the submission processing unit 402 or the print processing unit 403 as necessary.

  When the request processing unit 401 receives a request for acquiring a document of another service, the submission processing unit 402 makes a document acquisition request to the service and acquires the document as a submitted document. Process. Further, when the request processing unit 401 directly receives a document, the submission processing unit 402 performs processing to store the document as a submitted document. At this time, the submission processing unit 402 issues a submission ID for identifying the submission process, the submitted document, the user ID of the user who has requested the submission process, and the tenant to which the user belongs. Are stored in the submitted data storage unit 412 in association with the submitted ID. Note that a tenant is an organization / organization that has a print service usage contract, and the user of the print service belongs to one of the tenants.

  When the request processing unit 401 receives a print request from the MFP 110, the print processing unit 403 generates print data of the specified submitted document and transmits it to the MFP 110. In other words, the request processing unit 401 and the print processing unit 403 realize a print data transmission function that transmits print data to the MFP 110 based on a print request from the MFP 110.

  When the tenant to which the user who made the print request belongs uses the job log audit service 600 (FIG. 6), the job log generation unit 404 generates a print job log for the print request. The job log generated here includes image data corresponding to the print data generated by the print processing unit 403.

  The customer information storage unit 411 stores information on tenants who have a print service use contract and information on users belonging to each tenant. The tenant information includes information such as a tenant ID, a tenant name, and whether or not the job log audit service is used. The user information includes information such as a user ID, a password for authentication, and a tenant ID of the belonging tenant. In other words, the customer information storage unit 411 stores information that can specify the user who should store the job log in the job log audit service.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP 110 according to the present invention.
Each function unit of the MFP 110 illustrated in FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 311 executing a control program recorded in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 in a computer-readable manner while using the RAM 313 as a temporary storage area. Each functional unit of the MFP 110 uses the RAM 313 and the HDD 314 as a storage area as necessary.

  The operation control unit 501 displays a screen on a display panel provided in the operation unit 320, receives input information of an operation performed by the operation unit 320, and transmits information to other functional units as necessary.

The request receiving unit 502 receives a request transmitted via the network, and transmits information to other processing units as necessary.
The print request unit 503 accesses the print service 400 according to the operation of the operation unit 320 or the instruction received by the request reception unit 502 and acquires print data.

  The job management unit 504 generates a job based on the request received by the operation control unit 501 or the request reception unit 502 and the print data acquired by the print request unit 503, executes the generated job, and records the job log in the HDD 314. Perform job status management. In addition, the job management unit 504 instructs the unit control unit 505 according to the job processing content. Further, when processing a job based on print data, the job management unit 504 has a job log control function for controlling whether or not image data processed by the job is stored as a job log (details will be described later).

  The unit control unit 505 operates the printer 321 and the scanner 322 according to instructions from the job management unit 504. Further, the unit control unit 505 notifies the job management unit 504 of the status of the printer 321 and the scanner 322.

  The job log transmission unit 506 has authentication information for accessing the job log audit service 600 and a tenant ID for associating when storing the job log. Then, the job log transmission unit 506 issues an authentication request to the job log audit service 600 at a preset timing, reads the job log recorded in the HDD 314, and sends the job log together with the tenant ID to the job log audit service 600. Send.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of a job log audit service provided by the server group 102 according to the present invention.
Each function unit of the job log audit service 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a control program recorded in the ROM 212 or the HDD 214 in a computer-readable manner by the CPU 211 of each server device constituting the server group 102, and the RAM 213 as a temporary storage area. It is realized by executing while using. The job log audit service 600 uses the RAM 213 and the HDD 214 as a storage area.

The job log receiving unit 601 receives the job log and the tenant ID transmitted from the print service 400 or the MFP 110 and passes them to the job log image processing unit 602.
The job log image processing unit 602 performs OCR processing, resolution conversion, and the like on the image data included in the job log as necessary, extracts text information included in the image data, and the size of the image data to be stored Or reduce. Then, the job log image processing unit 602 associates the image or text data obtained by such processing with the attribute information of the job log with the tenant ID received together with the job log in the job log database 611. Record.

  The job log auditing unit 603 is a web application provided with a UI for auditing the job log, and searches for a job log in the job log database 611 according to an instruction from a web browser on the PC 120 and the web on the PC 120. Display in browser.

Next, an operation when the MFP 110 receives an operation request will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the MFP 110 receives an operation request. 7 is executed by the CPU 311 of the MFP 110 executing the control program recorded in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 so as to be readable by the computer, so that the processing units of the MFP 110 shown in FIG. It is realized by.

In step S <b> 701, the job management unit 504 determines whether the processing request passed from the operation control unit 501 or the request reception unit 502 is processing that uses the print service 400.
If it is determined that the process uses the print service 400 (Yes in S701), the job management unit 504 shifts the process to S702.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the processing is not processing using the print service 400 (No in S701), the job management unit 504 shifts the processing to S706.

  In step S <b> 702, the print request unit 503 transmits an authentication request to the print service 400 using the authentication information input from the operation control unit 501 or the request reception unit 502 and receives an authentication result.

In step S703, the print request unit 503 determines whether the authentication result received in step S702 is OK.
If it is determined that the authentication is NG (No in S703), the print request unit 503 ends the operation for the processing request accepted by the MFP 110.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication is OK (Yes in S703), the print request unit 503 shifts the process to S704. In the case of authentication OK, the authentication result includes session identification information corresponding to the processing request, and subsequent requests to the print service 400 include this session identification information. It is omitted in the description.

  In step S <b> 704, the print request unit 503 requests the print service 400 by specifying a user ID and a submission ID of submission information to be printed, and acquires print data corresponding to the print request. When the user performs an operation using the operation unit 320, a list of input documents that can be printed is acquired from the print service 400 and displayed on the operation unit 320 so that the user can select a document to be printed. It may be. The print data acquired by the print request unit 503 is transferred to the job management unit 504, and the job management unit 504 generates a job based on the print data.

  In step S <b> 705, the job management unit 504 determines whether the job log generation flag included in the print data of the generated job is “false”. The job log generation flag is transmitted included in the print data by the print service. When the value of the job log generation flag is “false”, the job log generation flag is not required to generate a job log. It becomes instruction information.

If it is determined that the job log generation flag is “false” (Yes in S705), the job management unit 504 shifts the process to S707.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the job log generation flag is not “false” (“true” or the job log generation flag does not exist) (No in S705), the job management unit 504 shifts the process to S706.

  In step S <b> 706, the job management unit 504 generates a job log including image data to be processed by the job prior to job execution, records the job log in the HDD 314, and shifts the processing to step S <b> 707.

  In step S707, the job management unit 504 executes the job while instructing the unit control unit 505 as necessary, and ends the processing of this flowchart. In other words, when the print data includes a job log generation flag “false” (instruction information that does not require job log generation), the job management unit 504 controls not to store image data processed by the job as a job log.

  Note that the job log generated in S706 is read by the job log transmission unit 506 at a preset timing and transmitted to the job log audit service 600 together with the tenant ID. Upon receiving the job log and the tenant ID from the MFP, the job log audit service 600 receives the image and text data obtained from the job log and the attribute information of the job log together with the tenant ID received together with the job log. Correlate and record in the job log database 611.

Next, an operation when the print service 400 according to the first embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the first embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110. The steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are shown in FIG. 4 by the CPU 211 of each server device constituting the server group 101 executing a control program recorded in the ROM 212 or HDD 214 so as to be readable by a computer. This is realized by the operation of each processing unit of the print service 400.

In step S <b> 801, when the request processing unit 401 receives authentication information from the MFP 110, the process proceeds to step S <b> 802.
In step S802, the request processing unit 401 compares the user ID and password included in the authentication information received in step S801 with the information in the customer information storage unit 411, and determines whether there is a match (authentication OK). To do.

If it is determined that there is a match (authentication OK) (Yes in S802), the request processing unit 401 shifts the process to S804.
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no match (authentication NG) (No in S802), the request processing unit 401 shifts the process to S803.
In step S <b> 803, the request processing unit 401 returns the authentication NG result to the MFP 110 and ends the process.

  In step S <b> 804, the request processing unit 401 responds to the MFP 110 with the result of the authentication OK and session identification information used in subsequent communication. At this time, the request processing unit 401 temporarily stores the session identification information. Subsequent requests from the MFP 110 include this session identification information, and the request processing unit 401 compares it with the session identification information temporarily stored to verify whether or not the session is authenticated. However, it is omitted in the following description.

  In step S <b> 805, the request processing unit 401 receives a print request from the MFP 110. The request processing unit 401 passes the received print request information to the print processing unit 403.

  In step S806, the print processing unit 403 refers to the customer information storage unit 411 and determines whether the tenant to which the user authenticated in step S802 belongs is using the job log audit service 600. .

  If it is determined that the tenant to which the user belongs does not use the job log audit service 600 (No in S806), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S807.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the tenant to which the user belongs uses the job log audit service 600 (Yes in S806), the print processing unit 403 shifts the processing to S808.

  In step S <b> 807, the print processing unit 403 generates print data for the submission information having the submission ID specified in the print request, and transmits the print data to the MFP 110. Note that when generating print data, the print processing unit 403 sets a job log generation flag included in the print data to “true”. Then, when the process of S807 ends, the process of this flowchart ends.

  In step S808, the print processing unit 403 generates print data and transmits the print data to the MFP 110 in the same manner as in step S807. However, the point that the print processing unit 403 sets the job log generation flag to “false” is different from S807 described above. When the value of the job log generation flag is “false”, the job log generation flag is instruction information for the MFP 110 that does not require job log generation.

  In step S809, the print processing unit 403 instructs the job log generation unit 404 to generate a job log. At this time, the print processing unit 403 also passes to the job log generation unit 404 the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user who made the print request belongs.

  In step S810, the job log generation unit 404 generates a job log (including image data corresponding to the print data generated by the print processing unit 403) generated based on the instruction in step S809, and the user who made the print request. Is associated with the tenant ID of the tenant to which the job belongs, and is transmitted to the job log audit service 600. And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished.

  That is, the print service 400 includes job data including image data to be processed by a job based on print data transmitted to the MFP 110 when the user is identified as a user who should accumulate a job log from the user information corresponding to the print request. A blog is generated and transmitted to the job log audit service 600.

  When the job log audit service 600 receives the job log and the tenant ID transmitted from the print service in step S810, the job log audit service 600 displays the image log and text data obtained from the job log and job log attribute information. And is recorded in the job log database 611 in association with the tenant ID received together.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the job log audit service 600 and the print service are used, and the user who uses the job log audit service 600 performs printing using the print service 400, the MFP uses the job log audit service 600 and the print service. Configure to not generate a blog. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the resource and communication load related to the job log generation of the MFP, and it is possible to store both the print service job log and the MFP job log in the job log audit service. At this time, it is also possible to save a job log when the print service is used with an MFP installed in a public place such as a convenience store. When the job log audit service is not used, even when the print service is used, the MFP can generate the job log in a centralized manner and store the job log in the local environment (for example, the HDD 314).

  In the description of the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the MFP 110 performs control so as not to generate a job log of a job when processing a job based on print data having a job log generation flag of “false”.

  However, when processing a job based on print data received from the print service, the MFP 110 does not generate a job log for the job, whereas when processing a job based on print data received from other than the print service. The configuration may be such that the job log of the job is generated. Note that print data received from other than the above print service may be print data originating from a device in the intranet to which the MFP 110 belongs.

  In this embodiment, the configuration in which the job log audit service 600 acquires attribute information from the job log received from the print service 400 or the MFP 110 and records it in the job log database 611 has been described. However, job log attribute information may be generated by the print service 400 or the MFP 110 and may be included in the job log and transmitted to the job log audit service 600.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, a job log for printing using the print service 400 is always stored in association with the tenant to which the user who has instructed printing belongs. For this reason, when the tenant that owns the MFP 110 that performs printing is different from the tenant to which the user who instructs printing belongs, the job log is not associated with the tenant that owns the MFP 110.

  In the second embodiment, even when the tenant that owns the MFP 110 on which printing is performed is different from the tenant to which the user who instructs printing belongs, the job log is sent to the tenant that owns the MFP 110. It is configured so that it can be associated. In the following, description of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the print request unit 503 of the MFP 110 has an MFP ID for identifying the MFP. This ID is acquired by connecting to the print service 400 at the time of pre-setting for using the print service 400. At the time of acquisition, the MFP ID is registered in the customer information storage unit 411 of the print service 400 in association with the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP. In other words, in addition to the information shown in the first embodiment, the customer information storage unit 411 includes information that can specify the image forming apparatus in which the job log is to be stored in the job log audit service 600, and the organization information of the organization to which the image forming apparatus belongs. Remember. Then, when making a print request to the print service 400 in step S704 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the print request unit 503 of the MFP 110 transmits its request including its own MFP ID.

Hereinafter, an operation when the print service 400 according to the second embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the second embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110. The steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are shown in FIG. 4 by the CPU 211 of each server device constituting the server group 101 executing a control program recorded in the ROM 212 or the HDD 214 in a computer-readable manner. This is realized by the operation of each processing unit of the print service 400. Note that steps S901 to S904 in FIG. 9 are the same as steps S801 to S804 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 905, the request processing unit 401 receives a print request from the MFP 110. This print request includes the submission ID of the submission information to be printed and the MFP ID of the MFP that made the request. The request processing unit 401 passes the received print request information to the print processing unit 403.

  In step S <b> 906, the print processing unit 403 generates print data for submission information having a submission ID specified by the print request. At this time, the print processing unit 403 initializes a job log generation flag included in the print data with “true”.

  In step S <b> 907, the print processing unit 403 refers to the customer information storage unit 411 and determines whether the tenant to which the user belongs uses the job log audit service 600.

  If it is determined that the tenant to which the user belongs does not use the job log audit service 600 (No in S907), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S910.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the tenant to which the user belongs uses the job log audit service 600 (Yes in S907), the print processing unit 403 shifts the processing to S908.

In step S908, the print processing unit 403 sets the value of the job log generation flag included in the print data to “false”.
In step S <b> 909, the print processing unit 403 sets the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs as the tenant information (job log storage tenant) associated with the job log generated by the print service 400 (RAM 213). Keep it on). Then, the process proceeds to S910.

  In step S910, the print processing unit 403 refers to the customer information storage unit 411 and acquires the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP from the MFP ID included in the print request. Further, the print processing unit 403 determines whether the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP is different from the tenant ID to which the user belongs.

  If it is determined that the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP is different from the tenant ID to which the user belongs (Yes in S910), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S911.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP is the same as the tenant ID to which the user belongs (No in S910), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S914.

  In step S911, the print processing unit 403 refers to the customer information storage unit 411 using the tenant that owns the MFP, and determines whether the tenant that owns the MFP uses the job log audit service 600. To do.

  If it is determined that the tenant who owns the MFP uses the job log audit service 600 (Yes in S911), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S912.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the tenant who owns the MFP does not use the job log audit service 600 (No in S911), the print processing unit 403 shifts the processing to S914.

In step S912, the print processing unit 403 sets the value of the job log generation flag included in the print data to “false”.
In step S <b> 913, the print processing unit 403 sets the tenant ID of the tenant that owns the MFP as the job log storage tenant described above (stored in the RAM 213). If the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs is already set as the job log storage tenant in S909, in addition to the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs, the tenant that further owns the MFP The tenant ID is additionally set as the job log storage tenant. Then, the process proceeds to S914.

In step S <b> 914, the print processing unit 403 transmits print data including a job log generation flag to the MFP 110.
In step S <b> 915, the print processing unit 403 determines whether the job log generation flag included in the print data transmitted in step S <b> 914 is “true”.
If it is determined that the job log generation flag included in the print data transmitted in S914 is “true” (Yes in S915), the print processing unit 403 ends the process of this flowchart.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the job log generation flag included in the print data transmitted in S914 is “false” (No in S915), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S916.

  In step S <b> 916, the print processing unit 403 instructs the job log generation unit 404 to generate a job log. At this time, the print processing unit 403 passes the job log storage tenant information to the job log generation unit 404. In response to the instruction, the job log generation unit 404 generates a job log.

  In step S917, the job log generation unit 404 displays the generated job log, the tenant ID specified by the set job log storage tenant (the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs, the tenant ID of the tenant that owns the MFP). Either or both) is transmitted to the job log audit service 600.

  When the job log audit service 600 receives the job log and the tenant ID transmitted from the print service in step S917, the job log audit service 600 displays the image log data and the attribute information of the job log obtained from the job log. Is recorded in the job log database 611 in association with the tenant ID (either the tenant ID of the tenant to which the user belongs, the tenant ID of the tenant who owns the MFP, or both).

According to the above flow, the job log storage operation when the print service is used is as follows.
First, when the tenant to which the user belongs does not use the job log audit service 600 and the tenant that owns the MFP uses the job log audit service 600, the job log is associated only with the tenant that owns the MFP. And save.

  If the tenant to which the user belongs uses the job log audit service 600 and the tenant that owns the MFP does not use the job log audit service 600, the job log is associated only with the tenant to which the user belongs. save.

  If the tenant to which the user belongs is different from the tenant that owns the MFP and both tenants use the job log audit service 600, the job log is stored in association with both tenants.

  That is, when the image forming apparatus is identified as the image forming apparatus that should store the job log from the information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print request, the print service 400 determines the organization information (tenant) of the organization to which the image forming apparatus belongs. ID) is transmitted to the job log audit service 600.

  As described above, in the second exemplary embodiment, when the tenant that owns the MFP 110 that performs printing is different from the tenant to which the user who instructs printing belongs, the job log is stored in association with both tenants. can do.

Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the job log of a print performed by a user belonging to another tenant is stored in the tenant that owns the MFP. For this reason, it may be inconvenient for a tenant who does not need a job log for printing performed by a user belonging to another tenant.

  In the third embodiment, a print job log performed by a user belonging to another tenant is not stored in a tenant (tenant that owns the MFP) that does not need a print job log performed by a user belonging to another tenant. To do. In addition, below, description of the part which is common in Example 1 and Example 2 is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different part is demonstrated.

  In the third embodiment, the customer information storage unit 411 of the print service 400 stores, for each tenant, setting information as to whether or not to save a job log of printing performed by a user belonging to another tenant. This setting information can be set by a user having management authority in the tenant. That is, the customer information storage unit 411 stores organization information of an organization that should accumulate job logs corresponding to users belonging to other organizations, in addition to the information shown in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an operation when the print service 400 according to the third embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the print service 400 according to the third embodiment receives a request from the MFP 110. The steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 are shown in FIG. 4 by the CPU 211 of each server device constituting the server group 101 executing a control program recorded in the ROM 212 or the HDD 214 so as to be readable by a computer. This is realized by the operation of each processing unit of the print service 400. In this flowchart, a new step (S1001) is inserted between S911 and S912 of the flowchart of FIG. 9 described in the second embodiment. Since the other steps are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted. That is, steps S901 to S911 and S912 to S917 in FIG. 10 are the same as S901 to S911 and S912 to S917 in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, if it is determined in S911 that the tenant who owns the MFP uses the job log audit service 600 (Yes), the print processing unit 403 refers to the customer information storage unit 411 in S1001, It is determined whether the tenant that owns the MFP is set to save a job log of printing performed by a user belonging to another tenant.

  If it is determined that the tenant that owns the MFP is configured to save a job log of a print performed by a user belonging to another tenant (Yes in S1001), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S912.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the tenant that owns the MFP is not set to save a job log of a print performed by a user belonging to another tenant (No in S1001), the print processing unit 403 shifts the process to S914.

  That is, the print service 400 is specified from the information of the user corresponding to the print request when the image forming apparatus is specified as the image forming apparatus that should store the job log from the information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print request. The organization that is different from the organization specified from the information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print request and the organization specified from the information of the image forming apparatus is to store job logs corresponding to users belonging to other organizations Is specified, the job log including the organization information (tenant ID) of the organization specified from the information of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the job log audit service 600.

  As described above, in the third exemplary embodiment, when the tenant that owns the MFP 110 that performs printing is different from the tenant to which the user who instructs printing belongs, the job log is stored in the tenant that owns the MFP 110. You can set whether or not to do. As a result, for each tenant, setting according to the job log storage policy of the own tenant becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the user performs printing using the print service, the job log generation location is controlled according to the use status of the user's job log audit service, and the job log is stored. It is possible to reduce unnecessary communication load and waste of resource consumption.

It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.
Moreover, all the structures which combined said each Example are also contained in this invention.

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

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not. That is, the present invention includes all the combinations of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof.

100 Information processing system 110 MFP
400 Print Service 403 Print Processing Unit 404 Job Log Generation Unit 411 Customer Information Storage Unit 503 Print Request Unit 504 Job Management Unit 600 Job Log Audit Service

Claims (10)

A print management system including a printing system that provides a printing service on the Internet, a database system that stores job logs, and an image forming apparatus in an intranet,
The printing system includes:
Print data transmitting means for transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus based on a print request from the image forming apparatus;
Storage means for storing information capable of specifying a user to accumulate job logs in the database system;
A job log including image data processed by a job based on the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit when the user is identified as a user who should accumulate the job log from the user information corresponding to the print request Job log generation means for generating and transmitting to the database system,
The database system includes:
Storing means for storing a job log received from the printing system;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Request receiving means for transmitting a print request to the printing system and receiving print data transmitted from the printing system;
Job log control means for controlling not to store image data processed in the job as a job log when processing a job based on print data received from the printing system;
A print management system characterized by that.   When processing a job based on print data transmitted from a transmission source different from the printing system, the job log control unit stores image data to be processed by the job as a job log, and stores the stored image data The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the job management log and the attribute information thereof are transmitted to the database system as a job log.   The print management system according to claim 2, wherein the print data transmitted from a transmission source different from the printing system is print data having a transmission source as a device in the intranet. The print data transmission unit receives print data including instruction information that does not require job log generation when the user is identified as a user who should accumulate the job log from the user information corresponding to the print request. To send to
The job log control means performs control so that image data to be processed by the job is not stored as a job log when the print data of the job to be processed includes instruction information that does not require job log generation. The print management system according to claim 1.   When the print data of the job to be processed does not include instruction information that does not require job log generation, the job log control unit stores the image data to be processed by the job as a job log, and the stored image data is stored in the job log. The print management system according to claim 4, wherein the print management system is transmitted to the database system as a blog. The storage means further stores organization information of an organization to which a user who should accumulate the job log belongs,
When the user is identified as a user who should accumulate the job log from the user information corresponding to the print request, the job log generation means stores a job log including organization information of an organization to which the user belongs in the database system. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the print management system transmits the print management system. The storage means further stores information capable of specifying an image forming apparatus in which a job log is to be accumulated in the database system, and organization information of an organization to which the image forming apparatus belongs,
When the image forming apparatus is identified as the image forming apparatus that should store the job log from the information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print request, the job log generating unit obtains the organization information of the organization to which the image forming apparatus belongs. The print management system according to claim 6, wherein a job log including the job log is transmitted to the database system. The storage means further stores organization information of an organization that should accumulate job logs corresponding to users belonging to other organizations,
The print data transmission unit may include a case where the organization specified from the information of the user corresponding to the print request is different from the organization specified from the information of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print request, and the image forming apparatus When the organization specified from the information is specified as the organization to store the job log corresponding to the user belonging to the other organization, the job log including the organization information of the organization specified from the information of the image forming apparatus The print management system according to claim 7, wherein the print management system transmits to the database system.   9. The print management system according to claim 1, wherein the user who should store the job log is a user who belongs to an organization that has a contract for using the print service. A print management method in a print management system including a printing system for providing a printing service on the Internet, a database system for storing job logs, and an image forming apparatus in an intranet,
A print data transmitting step in which the print data transmitting means of the printing system transmits print data to the image forming apparatus based on a print request from the image forming apparatus;
The job log generation means of the printing system uses the information of the user corresponding to the print request and the information that can specify the user who should store the job log in the database system managed by the management means. Log that generates image data to be processed by the job based on the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit and attribute information thereof and transmits the job log to the database system Generation step;
An accumulating step in which the accumulating means of the database system accumulates the job log received from the printing system;
A request receiving step in which a request receiving unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a print request to the printing system and receives print data transmitted from the printing system;
A job log control step for controlling the image data to be processed in the job not to be stored as a job log when the job log control unit of the image forming apparatus processes a job based on the print data received from the printing system;
A print management method characterized by comprising:

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