JP2014067126A - Information processing apparatus and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus and a printing system capable of re-starting printing from an arbitrary part, when a print job in execution in an image forming apparatus is interrupted and deleted, and then the print job is acquired again from a server to re-start the printing in the same or different image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus stores a print job transmitted in response to a storage request of the print job in association with identification information of the print job (step 506), and updates to manage the progress of the print job (step 514). When the printing of the print job is interrupted, a user can read out the print job from the subsequent page to the printed page using the identification information of the print job as a key, so as to re-start the printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a printing system, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus and a printing system connected to a terminal device and an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, there have been increasing opportunities to print documents with printers installed in stores, public facilities, etc., instead of printers at home. The user transmits data desired to be printed in advance to a server from a terminal installed at home or work. If the data is read from the server and printed using a printer installed outside the office, the user can print the necessary documents even when the user is away from home. According to this printing system, a user can print data at an arbitrary place and timing, and does not need to carry a printed document.

  In the printing system described above, an unspecified number of users use one printer. For this reason, the information related to the printing process is stored in the server instead of the printer on which the printing process is executed. In relation to this printing system, Patent Document 1 listed later discloses a printing system that prevents a user from accidentally printing an image file of another user and can correctly print only the image file of the user. ing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-95938

  According to the printing system of Patent Document 1, when printing is interrupted for some reason, the print job stored in the server is temporarily stopped from being deleted, or the timing at which it is deleted is extended. be able to.

  When resuming interrupted printing by acquiring a print job from the server and resuming printing, the user can resume printing from the continuation of the already printed page if the user can arbitrarily set which page to resume printing from. Yes, you don't have to print the same page again. Alternatively, printing can be restarted from the first page when printing is resumed. However, in the printing system of Patent Document 1, it is possible to temporarily stop the deletion of a print job or to extend the deletion, but it is not possible to resume printing from an arbitrary page.

  As described above, according to the present invention, after a print job being executed on the image forming apparatus is interrupted and deleted, the print job is acquired again from the server, and the printing is resumed on the same or different image forming apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a printing system that can resume printing from an arbitrary location.

  An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention responds to a storage unit that stores a print job in association with its identification information, and a transmission request for a print job specifying the identification information from the image forming apparatus. The print job transmitting means for reading the print job from the storage means and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus, the print job identification information, and the print progress information indicating the progress of printing are received from the image forming apparatus and stored. Management means for managing the progress status of the print job associated with the identification information stored in the means.

  In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating identification information from the image forming apparatus, the print job transmission unit queries the management unit and prints the print job associated with the received identification information. In accordance with the determination means for determining whether or not the process has been completed halfway and the determination result by the determination means, the print job to be processed is read from the storage means and transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. Of the processing and the print job to be processed, the part specified by the reply obtained by inquiring the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request is read from the storage means and transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. Execution means for selectively executing the processing.

  The information processing apparatus stores the print job in association with the identification information. Therefore, even if printing of a print job is temporarily interrupted, the user can read the print job from the information processing apparatus and resume printing. Further, the progress of printing before interruption is managed by the information processing apparatus, and when printing is resumed, the print range is selected as the whole or a part of the print job. Therefore, the user can restart printing from the middle or start again from the beginning.

  Since the interrupted print job is held and managed by the information processing apparatus, the user can resume printing using an image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus that performed printing before the interruption. Therefore, even when the paper runs out during printing and it is difficult to replenish paper, or when the image forming apparatus fails, the user can resume printing using another image forming apparatus. When the interruption factor can be eliminated, or when printing is temporarily interrupted for the convenience of the user, the user can resume printing using the same image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, in accordance with the print progress information received from the image forming apparatus, the management unit changes the print progress status of the print job stored in the storage unit to any status of unprocessed, printing, and completed. And means for managing the print completion position when printing is in progress, and the execution means responds to the fact that the determination means determines that the print job to be processed is unprocessed. Responding to the determination that the print job to be processed is being printed by the first transmission means for reading the print job from the storage means and transmitting the transmission request to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. The first inquiry means for inquiring the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request for the print target portion of the print job, and the processing target according to the answer to the inquiry by the first inquiry means Of printing job, and a second transmission means for transmitting the given part in the image forming apparatus which has transmitted the transmission request reads from the storage means by the answer.

  The printing progress status is classified into one of the following statuses: unprocessed, printing, and completed. If not processed, the entire print job is specified. Is sent to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when printing is interrupted, the user can resume printing by designating an unprinted portion. If printing has not yet been executed, the entire range of the print job is printed without any special instruction from the user.

  More preferably, the managing means is further specified by the identification information stored in the storage means in response to receiving the print interruption notice together with the print job identification information from the image forming apparatus. The printing progress status of the print job is classified as suspended, and the first inquiry unit responds to the fact that the determination unit determines that the print job to be processed is being printed or is suspended. Second inquiry means for inquiring of the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request where to start printing.

  When printing is interrupted, the progress of printing is classified as interrupting, and the information processing apparatus inquires of the image forming apparatus where to restart printing. Therefore, when resuming printing of an interrupted print job, an inquiry for designating a print range is transmitted to the image forming apparatus without any special operation by the user, and the user can print only a necessary part when resuming printing.

  Preferably, in accordance with the print progress information received from the image forming apparatus, the management unit displays the print progress status of the print job stored in the storage unit as one of the statuses of unprocessed, printing suspended, and completed. And a means for managing the print completion position when printing is suspended, and the execution means is responsive to the determination means determining that the print job to be processed is unprocessed. The determination unit determines that the print job to be processed is interrupted by the first transmission unit for reading the print job from the storage unit and transmitting the transmission request to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. In response to this, inquiring means for inquiring the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request for the print target portion of the print job, and in response to the inquiry to the inquiry means, Of printing job, and a second transmission means for transmitting the given part in the image forming apparatus which has transmitted the transmission request reads from the storage means by the answer.

  The printing progress status is classified into one of the following statuses: unprocessed, printing suspended, and completed. If not processed, the entire print job is formed. If printing is suspended, the specified part of the print job is imaged. Sent to the device. Accordingly, the user can change the printing range according to the state of the print job.

  Preferably, the storage unit stores the received print job in association with the identification information of the print job and the user identification information of the user who has transmitted the print job, and the information processing apparatus further includes: In response to receiving the user identification information and the print job list transmission request, the print job stored in the storage unit is read out and associated with the user identification information. Means for transmitting the list to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the list transmission request.

  The information processing apparatus transmits a list of all print job identification information associated with the received user identification information to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, even when a certain user stores a plurality of print jobs in the information processing apparatus, the user can select a print job to be printed with reference to the list transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, in response to the fact that the data format of the print job to be processed is a data format that cannot be divided and transmitted, the execution means is a part designated by the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request together with the print job to be processed Further includes means for transmitting a print instruction for instructing printing to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request.

  When the print job has a data format that cannot be divided and transmitted, a print instruction for instructing to print the specified portion is transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the print job. The image forming apparatus once receives the entire image data of the print job from the information processing apparatus, and prints only the portion specified based on the print instruction. Therefore, regardless of the data format of the print job, the user can print only a desired portion of the print job stored in the server.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a deletion unit for deleting the print job stored in the storage unit in response to receiving a completion notification indicating that the print job is completed from the image forming apparatus. .

  When printing of the print job is completed, the print job is automatically deleted without any special operation by the user. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of information stored in the information processing apparatus from exceeding the storage capacity.

  A printing system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to each other, the information processing apparatus including a storage unit for storing a print job in association with the identification information, an identification In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating information and a print range from the image forming apparatus, a portion of the print job designated as the print range is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Print job transmission means, print job identification information, and print progress information indicating the progress status of the print job are received from the image forming apparatus and associated with the identification information stored in the storage means. And an image forming apparatus having received a user instruction for instructing printing of the print job specifying the identification information. In response to the determination means for inquiring the management means to determine whether printing of the print job associated with the received identification information has been completed halfway, and the determination result by the determination means Therefore, it includes a print range determining means for determining whether the print range is the entire print job or a portion excluding a portion where printing has been completed.

  The image forming apparatus determines whether printing of the print job instructed by the user has been completed halfway. According to this determination result, the determination of whether the print range is the entire print job or a portion excluding a portion where printing has been completed is selectively executed.

  A printing system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to each other. The information processing apparatus includes a storage unit for storing a print job in association with the identification information, an identification In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating information from the image forming apparatus, the print job transmitting means for reading the print job from the storage means and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus, and print job identification information And a print progress information indicating the print job progress status from the image forming apparatus, and a management means for managing the print job progress status associated with the identification information stored in the storage means And the image forming apparatus associates the received identification information with the received identification information in response to receiving the user instruction to instruct printing of the print job specifying the identification information. The management unit is inquired whether printing of a print job has been completed halfway, a determination unit for acquiring and determining print progress information, and receiving from the information processing device according to the determination result by the determination unit A first printing unit that prints the entire print job, and a second printing unit that prints a portion of the print job received from the information processing apparatus excluding a portion where printing has been completed.

  According to the printing system of the present invention, the information processing apparatus stores the print job in association with the identification information, and manages the printing progress of the print job. Therefore, even if printing of a print job is interrupted, the user can read the job from the information processing apparatus and resume printing. Further, by querying the managed printing progress information, it is possible to clarify to what part the printing has been performed before the interruption, and it is possible to resume the printing by designating only the unfinished part.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the user terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the computer program performed with an information processing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine executed when a print job is stored. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine executed when transmitting print job identification information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine executed when a print job is transmitted. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine that is executed when a print job is deleted. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine performed when updating the page which completed printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine that is executed when the status of a print job is updated. FIG. 2 is a first sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a second sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a third sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed when a print job is selected. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed when a print range of a print job is designated. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed when confirming execution of a print job.

  In the following description and drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

<Schematic configuration of printing system>
With reference to FIG. 1, a printing system 50 according to the present embodiment includes a user terminal 100, an information processing apparatus 200, an image forming apparatus 300, and an image forming apparatus 400. These are connected to each other through a network line 500. Even if one of these devices becomes inaccessible due to some trouble, it does not affect the connection between other devices. That is, for example, even if a trouble occurs in the image forming apparatus 300 and the connection from the image forming apparatus 300 to the information processing apparatus 200 becomes impossible, this is the case between the user terminal 100, the information processing apparatus 200, and the image forming apparatus 400. Does not affect the connection.

  The user terminal 100 is installed at the user's home or work place and can create and transmit / receive image data in accordance with user operations. The user terminal 100 is installed with application software for performing image processing, application software for transmitting the created image data to an external device, and the like. The print data created by the user terminal 100 can be stored in the information processing apparatus 200 or printed by the image forming apparatus 300 or 400 via the network line 500.

  The information processing apparatus 200 is installed in a data management center that centrally manages various data transmitted from each terminal, and functions as a server in the printing system 50. The information processing apparatus 200 has a function of storing and managing received data. Data can be stored in the information processing apparatus 200 or data can be read out from the information processing apparatus 200 only by a user who has been authenticated in advance. Therefore, the user needs to register the authentication information of the user in the information processing apparatus 200 in advance.

  The image forming apparatuses 300 and 400 are installed in public facilities such as offices, schools, stores, and libraries, and are used by an unspecified number of users. The image forming apparatuses 300 and 400 have functions of general multifunction peripherals such as an input function to each functional unit constituting the apparatus and an image forming function for forming an image of image data on a recording medium.

<Hardware configuration>
Referring to FIG. 2, a user terminal 100 includes a display unit 110 that displays various types of information, an operation unit 120 that is operated when a user performs input to the apparatus, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) card issued for each user. IC card interface unit (hereinafter referred to as IC card I / F unit) 130 for acquiring user identification information used for reading and user authentication, controls the operation of each functional unit, and executes various application programs. A processing unit 140 that generates print data, a main storage device 150 that stores programs and image data executed in the processing unit 140, and an auxiliary storage device 160 that stores application programs and image data executed in the processing unit 140. And a network communication unit 17 for communicating with an external device. Contains zero.

  The operation unit 120 includes a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). The user can edit the image of the image data displayed on the display unit 110 using the operation unit 120.

  The IC card is issued to a user who has registered user identification information in the information processing apparatus 200 in advance. An IC chip on which different user identification information is recorded for each user is mounted on the IC card. The IC card I / F unit 130 reads user identification information recorded on the IC card from the touched IC card.

  The user identification information read from the IC card interface unit 130 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 200 via the network communication unit 170. The network communication unit 170 can also receive data from an external device, and the received data is stored in the main storage device 150 or the auxiliary storage device 160.

  Referring to FIG. 3, an information processing device 200 controls a display unit 210 that displays various types of information, an operation unit 220 that is operated when a user performs input to the device, controls each functional unit, and a server program , A main storage device 240 that loads the program and image data when the program executed by the processing unit 230 is started, a program executed by the processing unit 230, image data, and user management information And the like, and a network communication unit 260 that communicates with an external device.

  The auxiliary storage device 250 stores user identification information registered in advance for user authentication in association with image data created by the user. The user registers user identification information using the terminal device or the like before using the printing system according to the present embodiment. In the auxiliary storage device 250, image data created by a user who is not registered in advance is not registered.

  Referring to FIG. 4, an image forming apparatus 300 includes a display unit 310 that displays various types of information, an operation unit 320 that is operated when a user performs input to the apparatus, and an IC that acquires information used for user authentication. Card I / F unit 330, image processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 340 that performs decompression and image processing of compressed data, a processing unit 350 that controls the operation of each functional unit, and a program that is executed by the processing unit 350 is started The main storage device 360 for loading the program and image data, the auxiliary storage device 370 for storing the program and image data, the image processing ASIC 340 and the image data developed in the main storage device 360 by the processing unit 350 are recorded. Printer unit 380 for printing on the medium, and outside A network communication unit 390 that communicates with the device.

  The display unit 310 and the operation unit 320 are configured as an integrated touch panel (not shown), and the display unit 310 displays input keys for inputting instructions to the image data together with the image data.

  The user identification information read from the IC card I / F unit 330 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 200 via the network communication unit 390. The network communication unit 390 can also receive data from an external device. When the network communication unit 390 receives data for printing, the data is stored in the main storage device 360.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 400 is the same as the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 300, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here.

<Software configuration>
Referring to FIG. 6, a program 520 executed by information processing apparatus 200 to realize the printing system according to the present embodiment is transmitted from an external apparatus connected via network line 500 via network communication unit 260. Executed in response to receiving a request or notification. The program 520 includes a step 502 for receiving a request or notification from an external device, and a step 504 for determining what the request or notification received in step 502 is.

  The program 520 further saves the print job in response to receiving the print job save request, step 506, and print job identification information in response to receiving the print job identification information acquisition request. A step 508 for transmitting the print job, a step 510 for transmitting the print job in response to the reception of the print job acquisition request, a print completion notification or a print job deletion request for notifying that the print job has been printed. In response to the reception, step 512 for deleting the print job, in step 514 for updating the completed page in response to receiving the completion page notification for notifying the page number of the page for which printing has been completed, and for printing In response to receiving an interruption notification notifying that printing of the job has been interrupted, the status of the job is updated. Step 516, and includes a step 518 to execute a predetermined process in response to receiving the other request or notification.

  The program 520 has a structure in which control proceeds to step 502 again when the processing of steps 506 to 518 is completed.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the subroutine for realizing the process of step 506 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 522, user identification information for identifying the user is received from the user terminal 100. At step 524, it is determined whether the reception at step 522 was successful. In response to the determination result in step 524 being affirmative, in step 526, the received user identification information is collated with user identification information registered in the information processing apparatus 200 in advance.

  In step 528, it is determined whether the verification is successful, that is, whether user identification information that matches the received user identification information is registered. In response to the determination result in step 528 being affirmative, in step 530, the user terminal 100 is requested to transmit a print job to be stored. When a print job is received from the user terminal 100 in step 532, it is determined in step 534 whether the reception is successful. In response to the determination result being affirmative, in step 536, identification information is assigned to the received print job, and is stored together with the print job and user identification information. At this time, the print job identification information also stores information indicating how much the print job has been printed, that is, information indicating the execution state of the print job.

  In step 538, a normal end notification for notifying that the storage of the print job has been completed normally is transmitted to the user terminal 100. If the determination results in steps 524, 528, and 534 are negative, an error notification is transmitted to the user terminal 100 in step 540.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the subroutine for realizing the processing of step 508 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 552, user identification information is received from the image forming apparatus. In step 554, it is determined whether the reception is successful. In response to the determination result being affirmative, in step 556, the received user identification information and the user identification information registered in advance in the information processing apparatus 200 are determined. And match.

  In step 558, it is determined whether or not the collation is successful. In response to the determination result being affirmative, in step 560, a print job corresponding to the user identification information is searched. In step 562, the obtained print job identification information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. If the determination results in steps 554 and 558 are negative, an error notification is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in step 564.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the subroutine for realizing the processing of step 510 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 572, the designated print job is searched based on the print job identification request received from the image forming apparatus together with the print job acquisition request. In step 574, it is determined whether the search is successful, that is, whether the print job is successfully read. In response to the determination result being affirmative, in step 576, the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The progress status of the print job transmitted in step 578 is changed to a status during printing. If the determination result in step 574 is negative, an error notification is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in step 580.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the subroutine for realizing the processing of step 512 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 592, the designated print job is searched based on the print job identification information received from the image forming apparatus. In step 594, it is determined whether or not the search is successful. If successful, the print job is deleted in step 596. If the determination result of step 594 is negative, the control returns to the original routine.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the subroutine for realizing the process of step 514 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 602, the designated print job is searched based on the received print job identification information. In step 604, it is determined whether or not the search is successful. If the search is successful, in step 606, information on a print completion page indicating to which page printing of the print job has been completed is updated. If the determination result of step 604 is negative, control returns to the original routine.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the subroutine for realizing the process of step 516 in FIG. 6 has the following control structure. In step 612, the designated print job is searched. In step 614, it is determined whether or not the search is successful. If the search is successful, in step 616, the progress status of the print job is changed to a suspended status. If the determination result of step 614 is negative, control returns to the original routine.

<Operation>
A printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-18, particularly FIGS. 6 and 13-14. A user who uses this printing system registers user identification information in the information processing apparatus 200 in advance.

  Referring to FIG. 13, the user terminal 100 creates print data in response to a user operation (step 632). When the user identification information of the user is acquired (step 634), the user terminal 100 transmits the user identification information to the information processing apparatus 200.

  The information processing device 200 collates the user identification information received from the user terminal 100 with the user identification information stored in the auxiliary storage device 250 (step 526). If this collation is successful, that is, user identification information that matches the received user identification information is stored in the auxiliary storage device 250 (YES in step 528), the information processing device 200 transmits a print job to be saved. A request is made to the user terminal 100 (step 530). The information processing apparatus 200 associates the received print job with the user identification information, assigns the print job identification information, and saves it in the auxiliary storage device 250 (step 536). At this time, since the print job has not been printed yet, the execution state of the print job is classified into an unprocessed status.

  When the storage of the print job ends normally, the information processing apparatus 200 transmits a normal end notification to the user terminal 100 (step 538). In response to receiving the normal end notification, the user terminal 100 displays a notification screen (not shown) on the display unit 110 for notifying that the storage of the print job has been completed. By referring to this notification screen, the user can know that the print job for the created print data has been saved in the information processing apparatus 200 as a server.

  When transmission / reception of user identification information or a print job has failed (NO in step 524 or NO in step 534), or when collation of user identification information has failed (NO in step 528), the information processing apparatus 200 to the user terminal 100 An error notification is transmitted (step 540), and an error notification screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 110.

  In response to the user operation, the image forming apparatus 300 acquires user identification information (step 636). At this time, an input screen of user identification information (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 300, and the user inputs the user identification information based on an instruction displayed on the input screen. The image forming apparatus 300 transmits the user identification information to the information processing apparatus 200. The information processing apparatus 200 collates the user identification information with the stored user identification information (step 556). If the collation is successful, the information processing apparatus 200 searches for a print job stored in association with the user identification information (step 560), and transmits the print job identification information to the image forming apparatus 300. The transmitted identification information includes information indicating the execution state of the print job.

  When the print job identification information is received, a list of print jobs shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 300. In this list, all print jobs stored in the information processing apparatus by the user are displayed, and the file name of the print job, the registration date and time registered in the information processing apparatus, and the execution status of the print job are displayed. . When the user selects a print job to be printed from the displayed print jobs, identification information of the print job is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300 to the information processing apparatus 200.

  The information processing apparatus 200 transmits the print job specified by the received identification information to the image forming apparatus 300 (step 576), and updates the execution state of the print job during printing (step 578). The execution state of the print job transmitted at this time is unprocessed, and the image data is transmitted from the first page.

  The image forming apparatus 300 creates output image data from the received image data of the print job, and performs printing by the printer unit 380 (step 638). When the printing of the first page of image data is completed (step 640), the image forming apparatus 300 transmits a completed page notification notifying that the printing of the first page is completed to the information processing apparatus 200. In response to receiving the completion page notification, the information processing apparatus 200 updates the information related to the progress status of the print job to a status indicating that one page has been completed. Information regarding the progress status is stored in the auxiliary storage device 250 together with the image data of the print job.

  When the printing of the second page is completed (step 642), the image forming apparatus 300 transmits a completion page notification to the information processing apparatus in the same manner as described above, and the information regarding the progress status of the print job is also updated in the information processing apparatus. Since the same processing is repeated every time one page is printed, the description is not repeated here.

  Referring to FIG. 14, when some trouble such as running out of paper occurs in image forming apparatus 300 and printing is interrupted (step 662), an interruption notification is transmitted from image forming apparatus 300 to information processing apparatus 200. At this time, printing is completed up to the eighth page, and the print job temporarily stored in the image forming apparatus 300 is erased by interruption. In response to receiving the suspension notification, the information processing apparatus 200 updates the execution state of the print job to suspended (step 616).

  When printing a print job stored in the information processing apparatus 200 with the image forming apparatus 400, the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 400 and performs an operation for acquiring a list of print jobs stored in the information processing apparatus 200. In response to an input by the user, the image forming apparatus 400 acquires user identification information (step 664), and transmits a list display acquisition request to the information processing apparatus 200. At this time, similarly to the processing in step 636, an input screen of user identification information (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 410 of the image forming apparatus 400, and the user displays the user identification information based on an instruction displayed on the input screen. input. The information processing apparatus 200 collates the received user identification information with the stored user identification information (step 556), and when the collation is successful, searches for a print job stored in association with the user identification information (step 556). Step 560). The information processing apparatus 200 transmits a list (FIG. 16) displaying all the searched print jobs to the image forming apparatus 400. The user refers to the list and selects a print job for restarting printing.

  When the print job selected by the user has been printed halfway, a selection screen (FIG. 17) for selecting from which part to resume printing is displayed on display unit 410. When the user touches the selection key displayed as “print from the continuation of the printed page”, the information processing apparatus 200 resumes printing from the continuation of the page that has already been printed, together with the identification information of the selected print job. Information regarding the print range is transmitted. Based on these pieces of information, the information processing apparatus 200 transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 400 (step 576). Since printing has been completed up to the eighth page before the interruption, the image data transmitted at this time is transmitted from the ninth page. The information processing apparatus 200 updates the execution state of the print job during printing (step 578).

  The image forming apparatus 400 creates output image data based on the received image data of the print job and performs a printing process (step 666). Similar to the processing in the image forming apparatus 300, when printing for one page is completed (step 668), the information processing apparatus updates information related to the progress status information of the print job (step 606).

  When the printing of the 10th page, which is the final page, is completed, the image forming apparatus 400 transmits a completion notification notifying that the printing of the print job is completed to the information processing apparatus 200. When receiving the completion notification, the information processing apparatus 200 deletes the print job and its identification information stored in the auxiliary storage device 250 (step 596).

  In the above operation, printing performed by the image forming apparatus 300 is resumed by the image forming apparatus 400. However, if the interruption factor is removed, printing can be resumed by the image forming apparatus 300. Further, it is possible to resume a job that is not in a suspended state but in a printing state. Referring to FIG. 15, image forming apparatus 300 prints up to the ninth page of image data, and after the progress information of the print job is updated (step 606), an abnormality has occurred in image forming apparatus 300 ( Step 690) Consider the case. If the interruption notification cannot be transmitted here, the progress information of the print job managed by the information processing apparatus 200 remains classified during printing.

  The user restarts and initializes the image forming apparatus 300 (step 692). When the restarted image forming apparatus 300 acquires user identification information from the user again (step 694), the image forming apparatus 300 transmits the user identification information to the information processing apparatus 200. The information processing apparatus 200 collates the user identification information (step 556) and searches for the print job (step 560), and transmits the print job identification information to the image forming apparatus 300. A list of print jobs (FIG. 16) is displayed on the display unit 310 of the image forming apparatus 300. When the user selects a print job that has been interrupted, a confirmation screen shown in FIG. When the user selects the item “Print”, a screen (FIG. 17) for designating a print range is displayed on the display unit 310.

  The information regarding the print range is transmitted to the information processing apparatus together with the identification information of the selected print job (print job acquisition request). The information processing apparatus 200 transmits a print job in response to receiving the identification information (step 576). Since the execution state of the job is being printed when the acquisition request is received, the state is not changed in step 578 and stored as it is being printed. The image forming apparatus 300 creates output image data based on the received image data of the print job, and performs printing (step 696). When printing of the 10th page, which is the last page, is completed (step 698), the image forming apparatus 300 transmits a completion notification, and the information processing apparatus deletes the print job and its identification information in response to receiving the completion notification. (Step 596).

<Action and effect>
According to the printing system according to the present embodiment, a print job is stored in the information processing apparatus 200 in association with user identification information. Therefore, even when printing is interrupted, the user can read the print job from the information processing apparatus and resume printing of the print job.

  Information regarding the progress status is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 200 every time one page of the print job is printed. If the status of the print job selected by the user is suspended or printing, the user can reprint the print range of the print job to resume printing from the first page, or from the pages following the printed page. You can choose whether to print. When printing is selected from subsequent pages, the same page is not printed twice, and it is possible to prevent paper from being wasted.

  In the above embodiment, the user terminal is fixed at home or work. However, the user terminal is not limited to such a fixed one. For example, the user may create a print job using a portable terminal device such as a tablet terminal. In this case, operations relating to data creation and printing can be performed in various places, and user convenience is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus is composed of one or two units. However, the number of image forming apparatuses is not particularly limited. For example, three image forming apparatuses may be installed, and one print job may be divided by these three image forming apparatuses and printed in order.

  In the above embodiment, when a print job is stored in the information processing apparatus, user identification information for identifying the user is transmitted to the information processing apparatus before the print job is transmitted. However, the timing for transmitting the user identification information is not limited to this. For example, it may be transmitted to the information processing apparatus together with the print job to be saved. In this case, if the collation of the user identification information is successful, the job is immediately stored in the information processing apparatus, and if it is not successful, an error notification screen is displayed on the image forming apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, user identification information is input using an IC card, but the input method is not limited to this. For example, authentication information that has been manually input in advance may be stored in the user terminal as an application, and the authentication information may be input by activating this application at the time of input. Or you may authenticate a user using vein authentication.

  The print job selection screen is not limited to the display form shown in the figure. For example, the first page image of the print data may be displayed as a preview, or function key icons for registering and changing print settings may be displayed together with the job list. Alternatively, when the job is interrupted, the interruption date and time regarding when the job was interrupted may be displayed together with the registration date and time.

  In the above embodiment, the instruction signal for displaying the list shown in FIG. 16 is created by the information processing apparatus 200. However, the instruction signal may be created on the image forming apparatus side. In this case, for example, the image forming apparatus may be configured as follows. The image forming apparatus determines whether there is a print job that has been printed halfway among the print jobs shown in the list received from the information processing apparatus 200. If the determination result is affirmative and the user selects the job, the control unit of the image forming apparatus transmits an instruction signal for instructing to display the selection screen of FIG. 17 to the display unit of the image forming apparatus. . In response to receiving the instruction signal, the display unit displays a selection screen.

  In the above embodiment, three types of items for specifying the print range shown in FIG. 17 are displayed: “print from the beginning”, “print from the continuation of the printed page”, and “delete the job”. ing. However, the items for specifying the print range are not limited to these three types. For example, when the image data of a print job is divided for each chapter, an item recommended to be printed from the first page of each chapter may be set. Or you may make it the structure which designates the page which starts printing manually.

  In the above embodiment, the completion page number information of the server is updated by notifying the server of the completion page from the printer every time one page is printed. However, the completion page may not be notified for each page. For example, notification may be made every time several pages are printed. In this case, since the number of completion page notifications sent from the printer to the server is smaller than that in the above embodiment, the printing time in the printer can be shortened compared to the above embodiment.

  When the print job search is not successful in the deletion of the print job (FIG. 10), the update of the completed page (FIG. 11), and the update of the state (FIG. 12), a notification that the corresponding print job was not found is notified. An error notification screen may be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  When a print job is transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus (step 576), if the data format of the print job to be transmitted is a data format that cannot be divided and transmitted, the image is displayed regardless of whether the print range is specified or not. All pages of data may be sent. At this time, a print instruction for designating a print page is transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the print job. The image forming apparatus once receives the image data for all pages and then only prints the page specified by the print instruction. Therefore, even if the data format of the print job cannot be divided and transmitted, the user can resume printing only the designated page.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Printing system 100 User terminal 200 Information processing apparatus 300, 400 Image forming apparatus 500 Network line

Claims (5)

Storage means for storing the print job in association with the identification information;
In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating identification information from the image forming apparatus, a print job transmission unit for reading the print job from the storage unit and transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus;
Receives print job identification information and print progress information indicating the progress of printing from the image forming apparatus, and manages the progress of the print job associated with the identification information stored in the storage unit Management means for
The print job transmission means includes:
In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating identification information from the image forming apparatus, the management unit is inquired and printing of the print job associated with the received identification information is completed halfway. Determining means for determining whether or not
In accordance with a determination result by the determination unit, the processing target print job is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. Execution for selectively executing a process of reading a part specified by an answer obtained by inquiring the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the request from the storage unit and transmitting the portion to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. And an information processing apparatus. The management unit classifies the print progress status of the print job stored in the storage unit as one of unprocessed, printing, and completed statuses according to the print progress information received from the image forming apparatus. And means for managing the print completion position when printing is in progress,
The execution means includes
In response to determining that the print job to be processed is unprocessed by the determination unit, the print job is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. First transmission means of
In response to determining that the print job to be processed is being printed by the determination unit, a first inquiry for inquiring the print target portion of the print job to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request Means,
In accordance with an answer to the inquiry by the first inquiry means, a portion specified by the answer in the print job to be processed is read from the storage means and transmitted to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the transmission request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second transmission unit. The means for managing is further responsive to receiving a print interruption notice together with print job identification information from the image forming apparatus, and the print job specified by the identification information stored in the storage means Categorize printing progress as suspended,
In response to determining that the print job to be processed is being printed or being interrupted by the determination unit, the first inquiry unit transmits the transmission location of the print job to be started from The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising second inquiry means for making an inquiry to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the request. A printing system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to each other,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing the print job in association with the identification information;
In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating identification information and a print range from the image forming apparatus, a portion of the print job designated as the print range is read from the storage unit to form the image. A print job transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus;
The print job identification information and the print progress information indicating the progress of the print job are received from the image forming apparatus, and the progress of the print job associated with the identification information stored in the storage unit is displayed. Management means for managing,
The image forming apparatus includes:
In response to receiving a user instruction for instructing printing of a print job specifying identification information, whether or not printing of a print job associated with the received identification information has been completed halfway A determination means for referring to the means for determination;
Printing range determining means for determining whether the printing range is the whole of the print job or a portion excluding a portion where printing has been completed in accordance with a determination result by the determining unit. system. A printing system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to each other,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing the print job in association with the identification information;
In response to receiving a print job transmission request designating identification information from the image forming apparatus, a print job transmission unit for reading the print job from the storage unit and transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus;
The print job identification information and the print progress information indicating the progress of the print job are received from the image forming apparatus, and the progress of the print job associated with the identification information stored in the storage unit is displayed. Management means for managing,
The image forming apparatus includes:
In response to receiving a user instruction for instructing printing of a print job specifying identification information, whether or not printing of a print job associated with the received identification information has been completed halfway A determination unit for querying the unit and acquiring and determining the print progress information;
First printing means for printing the entire print job received from the information processing apparatus according to the determination result by the determination means;
And a second printing unit that prints a portion of the print job received from the information processing apparatus, excluding a portion where printing has been completed.

Images