JP2015130081A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system that can suppress increase in load of a server and network when changing a print setting in pull print and printing out.SOLUTION: A printing system 1 is configured to be communicatably connected to: a terminal device 2 that transmits a print job; an MPS server 3 that holds the print job; and a printer 4 that executes a print-out on the basis of the print job via network 5. When a setting change to a setting content in print setting information on the print job to be executed is instructed, a print control unit 37 of the printer 4 is configured to cause a print-out unit 33 to execute the print-out while applying a setting content undergoing the setting change to the print job transmitted from the MPS server 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that performs pull printing.

  Printing systems that perform so-called “pull printing” are known. Pull printing allows a server device to hold (hold) a print job transmitted from a terminal device, and perform printing based on the print job by making a print request to the print job held in the server device. This is the method.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a technique for changing a print setting of a print job held in a server device and performing printing in a printing system that performs pull printing.

  In the printing system of Patent Document 1, the client PC generates an intermediate format print job that does not depend on the printing apparatus, and transmits this to the server apparatus. The server device stores the intermediate format print job. Thereafter, when printing is performed, the server device converts the intermediate format print job into a PDL (Page Description Language) format print job corresponding to the printing device, and transmits this to the printing device.

  Here, when a setting change is instructed by the user for a print job to be printed, the printing apparatus notifies the server apparatus of the setting change. The server device converts the intermediate format print job into a PDL format print job using the changed settings. The server device transmits this print job to the printing device. When receiving the print job, the printing apparatus executes printing. Thereby, the printing with the changed setting is realized.

JP 2012-78999 A

  As described above, in the printing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when printing is performed with settings changed, the server device converts the intermediate format print job to the PDL format print job before and after the setting change. Do it twice. For this reason, the load of a server apparatus becomes large.

  In the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when printing is performed with settings changed, a print job is transmitted from the server apparatus to the printing apparatus twice before and after the settings are changed. This increases the load on the network.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a server system and a printing system that can suppress an increase in the load on the network when printing is performed by changing settings in pull printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of a printing system according to the present invention is that a terminal device that transmits a print job, a server device that holds the print job, and a printing device that executes printing based on the print job. A printing system connected to be communicable via a network, wherein the terminal device includes a print job generation unit that generates a print job including print setting information and transmits the generated print job to the server device. The server device holds hold job information including a hold unit for holding a print job transmitted from the terminal device, a list of print jobs held in the hold unit, and print setting information from the printing device. A print job that is transmitted to the printing apparatus in response to a hold job information request signal and selected by the printing apparatus A print job management unit that transmits the requested print job to the printing apparatus when receiving the requested print job request signal, and the printing apparatus transmits the hold job information request signal to the server apparatus; After receiving the hold job information from the server device, the print job to be executed is selected from the print jobs held in the server device, and the print job request signal for requesting the selected print job is transmitted to the server device. A print job requesting unit that performs printing, a printing unit that executes printing, and a print control unit that causes the printing unit to execute printing based on a print job transmitted from the server device. Sent from the server device when an instruction to change the settings in the print settings information of a job is given Apply the settings after configuration changes to printing jobs is that to execute printing on the printing unit.

  A second feature of the printing system according to the present invention is that the terminal device transmits the hold job information request signal to the server device and receives the hold job information from the server device, and then sends the hold job information request signal to the server device. A print job selection unit that selects a print job to be executed from the held print jobs and transmits selection job information indicating the selected print job to the server device; and the print job selection unit includes the selected print job When the setting change for the setting contents in the print setting information is instructed, the print setting change information indicating the setting contents after the setting change is transmitted to the server apparatus together with the selected job information, and the print job management of the server apparatus is performed. When the hold job information request signal is received from the terminal device, the hold job When the selected job information is received from the terminal device, the selected print job is transmitted to the printing device, and the print setting change information is received together with the selected job information. If the print setting change information is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with the print job, and the print control unit of the printing apparatus receives the print setting change information together with the print job from the server apparatus, On the other hand, the setting content in the print setting change information is applied to cause the printing unit to execute printing.

  According to the first feature of the printing system of the present invention, when a setting change for a print job is instructed, the print control unit of the printing apparatus sets the setting after the setting change for the print job transmitted from the server apparatus. Apply the contents and cause the printing unit to print. For this reason, it is not necessary for the server apparatus to convert the print job according to the setting change. Thereby, increase of the load of a server apparatus can be suppressed. Even when the setting is changed, a print job having a large amount of data can be transmitted from the server device to the printing device only once. For this reason, an increase in the load on the network can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the printing system, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load on the server device and the network when the setting is changed in pull printing and printing is performed.

  According to the second feature of the printing system of the present invention, a print job selection that selects a print job to be executed from print jobs held in the server apparatus according to a user operation and transmits selected job information to the server apparatus. A part. The print job selection unit transmits the print setting change information to the server apparatus together with the selected job information when an instruction to change the setting contents in the print setting information of the selected print job is given. Thereby, a print request for a print job held in the server device can be made from the terminal device. At this time, a setting change instruction can also be given from the terminal device. Therefore, convenience for the user is improved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of processing for executing pull printing in the printing system shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart of processing for executing pull printing in the printing system shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows a hold job list screen. It is a figure which shows a hold job setting change screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 7 is a flowchart of processing for receiving a print job selection and executing printing in the terminal device in the printing system shown in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart of processing for receiving a print job selection and executing printing in the terminal device in the printing system shown in FIG. 6. 7 is a flowchart of processing for receiving a print job selection and executing printing in the terminal device in the printing system shown in FIG. 6.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes at least one terminal device 2, an MPS (Managed Print Service) server (corresponding to a server device in claims) 3, and a printing device 4. With. The terminal device 2, the MPS server 3, and the printing device 4 are connected to be communicable via a network 5. The network 5 is composed of, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The terminal device 2 transmits the print job to the MPS server 3. The terminal device 2 is composed of, for example, a personal computer. The terminal device 2 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication processing unit 15.

  The control unit 11 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 2. The control unit 11 has a CPU that executes a program. The print job generation unit 16 is configured by the CPU executing the printer driver program stored in the storage unit 12.

  The print job generation unit 16 generates a PDL format print job, and transmits the generated print job to the MPS server 3 via the communication processing unit 15.

  The print job includes image information. The print job includes print setting information. The print setting information includes setting contents such as color setting, single-sided / double-sided setting, and layout setting. Further, the print setting information includes setting contents for determining whether or not to delete a job from the MPS server 3 after release (transmission of a print job from the MPS server 3 to the printing apparatus 4). The print job includes job information. The job information includes information such as the job name, the name of the user who owns the print job, and the number of pages.

  The storage unit 12 stores various programs including a printer driver program corresponding to the printing apparatus 4. The storage unit 12 includes a hard disk or the like.

  The input unit 13 receives an input operation by a user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation. The input unit 13 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

  The display unit 14 displays an image. The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display device or the like.

  The communication processing unit 15 connects the terminal device 2 to the network 5. Thereby, the terminal device 2 can communicate with an external device such as the MPS server 3.

  The MPS server 3 is for realizing pull printing in the printing system 1. Specifically, the MPS server 3 holds (holds) the print job transmitted from the terminal device 2. Upon receiving a print request from the printing apparatus 4 for the held print job, the MPS server 3 transmits the requested print job to the printing apparatus 4.

  The MPS server 3 performs print management in the printing system 1. Specifically, the MPS server 3 mainly performs billing management.

  The MPS server 3 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit (corresponding to a hold unit in claims) 22, and a communication processing unit 23.

  The control unit 21 controls the operation of the entire MPS server 3. The control unit 21 has a CPU that executes a program. The print job management unit 26 is configured by the CPU executing a job management program stored in the storage unit 22.

  When the print job management unit 26 receives a print job transmitted from the terminal device 2, the print job management unit 26 holds the print job in the storage unit 22. The print job management unit 26 analyzes the print job, extracts print setting information and job information, and stores them in the storage unit 22.

  Further, when receiving the hold job information request signal from the printing apparatus 4, the print job management unit 26 returns the requested hold job information of the user to the printing apparatus 4 that is the transmission source of the hold job information request signal. The hold job information includes a list of print jobs of the corresponding user held in the storage unit 22 and print setting information of each print job. The print job list includes the job name of each print job, the number of pages, the reception date and time at the MPS server 3, and the charge amount (print fee). Since hold job information is metadata that does not include image information in a print job, the amount of data is small.

  In addition, when receiving a print job request signal from the printing apparatus 4, the print job management unit 26 transmits the requested print job to the printing apparatus 4.

  The print job management unit 26 calculates a charge amount for the print job using the print setting information and the job information. The charge amount is an amount corresponding to the color setting, the number of printed sheets, and the like. When the user is instructed to change the setting in the printing apparatus 4 and receives print setting change information indicating the setting contents after the setting change from the printing apparatus 4, the print job management unit 26 determines the setting according to the setting contents after the setting change. Recalculate the amount. The print job management unit 26 stores the charge amount of each print job in the storage unit 22. In addition, the print job management unit 26 calculates the balance for each user and stores it in the storage unit 22.

  The storage unit 22 holds the print job. The storage unit 22 stores print setting information and job information for each print job. In addition, the storage unit 22 stores a charge amount for each print job, a balance for each user, and the like. The storage unit 22 stores a job management program. The storage unit 22 includes a hard disk or the like.

  The communication processing unit 23 connects the MPS server 3 to the network 5. Thereby, the MPS server 3 can communicate with external devices such as the terminal device 2 and the printing device 4.

  The printing apparatus 4 executes printing based on the print job. The printing apparatus 4 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a printing unit 33, an operation panel unit 34, and a communication processing unit 35.

  The control unit 31 controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus 4. The control unit 31 has a CPU that executes a program. When the CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 32, a print job request unit 36 and a print control unit 37 are configured.

  The print job request unit 36 transmits a hold job information request signal for requesting hold job information to the MPS server 3 in response to a user operation. When the hold job information is received from the MPS server 3, the print job request unit 36 causes the display unit 39 to display a hold job list screen 40 of FIG. 4 to be described later based on the hold job information.

  The print job request unit 36 selects a print job to be executed from print jobs held in the MPS server 3 in response to a user operation on the hold job list screen 40, and outputs a print job request signal for requesting the selected print job. Transmit to the MPS server 3. Further, the print job request unit 36 transmits the print setting change information to the MPS server 3 together with the print job request signal when the setting change for the setting contents in the print setting information of the selected print job is instructed.

  The print control unit 37 causes the printing unit 33 to execute printing based on the print job transmitted from the MPS server 3. When there is a setting change, the print control unit 37 applies the setting contents after the setting change to the print job transmitted from the MPS server 3 and causes the printing unit 33 to execute printing.

  The storage unit 32 stores various programs and the like. The storage unit 32 includes a hard disk or the like.

  The printing unit 33 performs printing. The printing unit 33 has, for example, an inkjet printing mechanism.

  The operation panel unit 34 receives an input operation and displays various screens. The operation panel unit 34 includes an input unit 38 and a display unit 39.

  The input unit 38 receives an input operation by the user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation. The input unit 38 includes various operation keys, a touch panel, and the like.

  The display unit 39 displays various screens such as a hold job list screen 40 in FIG. The display unit 39 includes a liquid crystal display panel and the like.

  The communication processing unit 35 connects the printing apparatus 4 to the network 5. Thereby, the printing apparatus 4 can communicate with an external device such as the MPS server 3.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described.

  In the terminal device 2, when printing is instructed by a user operation on the input unit 13, the print job generation unit 16 generates a PDL format print job. Thereafter, the print job generation unit 16 transmits the generated print job to the MPS server 3 via the communication processing unit 15.

  When the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the print job transmitted from the terminal device 2, the print job management unit 26 holds the print job in the storage unit 22. At this time, the print job management unit 26 analyzes the print job, extracts print setting information and job information, and stores them in the storage unit 22. Further, the print job management unit 26 calculates the charge amount for the print job using the print setting information and the job information, and stores the result in the storage unit 22.

  Printing by the print job held in the MPS server 3 is executed by pull printing. That is, printing is executed in response to a print request from the printing apparatus 4 according to a user instruction for a print job held in the MPS server 3. Processing for executing pull printing in the printing system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In step S <b> 1 of FIG. 2, the print job request unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 determines whether or not an instruction to display a hold job list has been given by a user operation on the input unit 38.

  Here, when performing pull printing, the user performs an operation of logging in to the printing apparatus 4. When the login is permitted, the user performs an operation for displaying the hold job list on the display unit 39. In step S1, it is determined whether or not this operation has been performed.

  If it is determined that the hold job list display instruction has not been given (step S1: NO), the print job request unit 36 repeats step S1.

  If it is determined that the display of the hold job list has been instructed (step S1: YES), the print job request unit 36 transmits a hold job information request signal to the MPS server 3 in step S2. This hold job information request signal is used to request the MPS server 3 for a list of print jobs of the user who is logged in to the printing apparatus 4.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, when receiving the hold job information request signal, the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 transmits the requested user hold job information to the printing apparatus 4.

  In step S4, when the print job request unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 receives the hold job information, the print job request unit 36 displays the hold job list screen 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hold job list screen 40 displays a job list display unit 41, a setting change button 42, a release button 43, and a job delete button 44.

  The job list display unit 41 displays the job name, the number of pages, the reception date and time at the MPS server 3, and the charge amount of each logged-in user's print job held in the MPS server 3. The user selects a print job to be executed from the job list display unit 41. FIG. 4 shows a state where the uppermost print job in the job list display unit 41 is selected.

  The setting change button 42 is a button for receiving a setting change instruction for the print job selected in the job list display unit 41. When the setting change button 42 is pressed, the display on the display unit 39 is switched to a hold job setting change screen 50 shown in FIG.

  The release button 43 is a button for accepting an instruction for release (transmission of a print job from the MPS server 3 to the printing apparatus 4) for the print job selected in the job list display unit 41.

  The job deletion button 44 is a button for accepting an instruction to delete the print job selected in the job list display unit 41.

  Returning to FIG. 2, following step S <b> 4, in step S <b> 5, the print job request unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 determines whether a print job is selected from the job list display unit 41. When it is determined that no print job is selected (step S5: NO), the print job request unit 36 repeats step S5.

  If it is determined that a print job has been selected (step S5: YES), in step S6, the print job request unit 36 determines whether the setting change button 42 has been pressed.

  If it is determined that the setting change button 42 has not been pressed (step S6: NO), in step S7, the print job request unit 36 determines whether the release button 43 has been pressed. If it is determined that the release button 43 has been pressed (step S7: YES), the print job request unit 36 proceeds to step S13 in FIG.

  If it is determined that the release button 43 has not been pressed (step S7: NO), in step S8, the print job request unit 36 determines whether the job delete button 44 has been pressed. If it is determined that the job delete button 44 has not been pressed (step S8: NO), the print job request unit 36 returns to step S6.

  If it is determined that the job deletion button 44 has been pressed (step S8: YES), in step S9, the print job request unit 36 instructs the deletion of the print job selected in the job list display unit 41. Is transmitted to the MPS server 3.

  Next, in step S <b> 10, when the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the delete instruction signal, the print job management unit 26 deletes the instructed print job from the storage unit 22. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the setting change button 42 has been pressed (step S6: YES), in step S11, the print job request unit 36 causes the display unit 39 to display the hold job setting change screen 50 shown in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, a setting content display section 51, a change determination button 52, and a cancel button 53 are displayed on the hold job setting change screen 50.

  The setting content display section 51 displays a plurality of selection buttons 56 for selecting one of the setting content options for each setting item. The option selection button 56 selected as the setting content is discolored and displayed (in FIG. 5, it is displayed in white characters on a black background). When the hold job list screen 40 is switched to the hold job setting change screen 50 for the first time after receiving the hold job information, the setting content display unit 51 displays the corresponding print job included in the hold job information transmitted from the MPS server 3. The display reflects the setting contents in the print setting information. When the user presses the selection button 56, it is possible to instruct the setting change for the setting contents in the print setting information of the print job.

  In FIG. 5, representative setting items are displayed on the setting content display unit 51, but setting items displayed on the setting content display unit 51 are not limited to these.

  The change decision button 52 is a button for accepting an instruction for setting change decision from the user. When the change decision button 52 is pressed, the option selected in each setting item of the setting content display unit 51 becomes the setting content after the setting change.

  The cancel button 53 is a button for accepting an instruction to cancel the setting change from the user.

  Returning to FIG. 2, following step S <b> 11, in step S <b> 12, the print job request unit 36 determines whether the change determination button 52 or the cancel button 53 has been pressed. If it is determined that neither the change decision button 52 nor the cancel button 53 is pressed (step S12: NO), the print job request unit 36 repeats step S12.

  If it is determined that the change determination button 52 or the cancel button 53 has been pressed (step S12: YES), the print job request unit 36 returns to step S4 and displays the display on the display unit 39 from the hold job setting change screen 50. Return to screen 40. Here, when the hold job setting change screen 50 returns to the hold job list screen 40, the print job selected at the time of switching from the hold job list screen 40 to the hold job setting change screen 50 is still selected. State. For this reason, even if the user does not perform an operation of selecting a print job again, it is determined that the print job is selected (YES) in step S5 following step S4. Note that the user can also change the selected print job.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the release button 43 has been pressed (step S7: YES), in step S13 in FIG. 3, the print job request unit 36 determines whether there is a setting change for the print job selected by the user operation. Determine whether. Here, the print job request unit 36 determines that there is a setting change when a setting change is instructed from the hold job setting change screen 50 for the print job.

  If it is determined that there is a setting change (step S13: YES), in step S14, the print job request unit 36 transmits a print job request signal and print setting change information to the MPS server 3. Here, the print job request unit 36 selects the print job selected by the user operation on the hold job list screen 40 as the print job to be executed. The print job request signal is used to request the MPS server 3 for the print job. The print setting change information is information indicating the setting contents after the setting change.

  Next, in step S15, when the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the print job request signal and the print setting change information, it recalculates the charge amount according to the setting contents after the change of the setting of the requested print job. To do. Thereafter, the print job management unit 26 proceeds to step S17.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that there is no setting change (step S13: NO), the print job request unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 transmits a print job request signal to the MPS server 3 in step S16. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S <b> 17, the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 transmits the requested print job to the printing apparatus 4.

  Next, in step S18, the print job management unit 26 updates the balance of the user of the print job transmitted in step S17. Specifically, the print job management unit 26 subtracts the charge amount of the transmitted print job from the balance of the user of the print job, and uses the obtained result as a new balance. If there is a setting change for the print job, the balance is updated using the charge amount recalculated in step S15.

  Next, in step S19, the print job management unit 26 determines whether the print job is set to delete the job after release based on the print setting information of the print job transmitted in step S17. If there is a setting change, the print job management unit 26 makes a determination based on the print setting change information.

  If it is determined that the setting is to delete the job after release (step S19: YES), in step S20, the print job management unit 26 deletes the print job transmitted in step S17 from the storage unit 22. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S21. If the print job management unit 26 determines that the setting is not to delete the job after release (step S19: NO), step S20 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, when the print job request unit 36 of the printing apparatus 4 receives the print job, the print job request unit 36 determines whether there is a setting change for the print job. The print job request unit 36 determines that there is a setting change when a setting change is instructed from the hold job setting change screen 50 when requesting the print job.

  When the print job request unit 36 determines that there is a setting change (step S21: YES), in step S22, the print control unit 37 applies the setting contents after the setting change to the print job from the MPS server 3. Then, the printing unit 33 performs printing. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  If the print job request unit 36 determines that there is no setting change (step S21: NO), in step S23, the print control unit 37 causes the printing unit 33 to perform printing without changing the setting. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  As described above, in the printing system 1, when setting change is instructed in pull printing, the print control unit 37 of the printing apparatus 4 sets the setting contents after changing the setting for the print job transmitted from the MPS server 3. To cause the printing unit 33 to execute printing. For this reason, it is not necessary for the MPS server 3 to convert the print job according to the setting change. Thereby, increase of the load of MPS server 3 can be controlled. Even when the setting is changed, a print job with a large amount of data can be transmitted from the MPS server 3 to the printing apparatus 4 only once. For this reason, an increase in the load on the network 5 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the printing system 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load on the MPS server 3 and the network 5 when the setting is changed in pull printing and printing is performed.

  In the printing system 1, the storage unit 22 of the MPS server 3 can continuously hold a print job transmitted to the printing apparatus 4. Specifically, in the case of setting not to delete the job after release, the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 deletes the print job transmitted (released) to the printing apparatus 4 from the storage unit 22 (step S20). Omitted. That is, in this case, the released print job is continuously held in the storage unit 22. As a result, reprinting is possible even for a print job for which printing has been executed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a printing system 1A according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which the terminal device 2 of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above is replaced with a terminal device 2A.

  The terminal device 2A has a configuration in which a print job selection unit 17 is added to the control unit 11 with respect to the terminal device 2 of the printing system 1 in the first embodiment.

  The print job selection unit 17 transmits a hold job information request signal to the MPS server 3 in response to a user operation. When the hold job information is received from the MPS server 3, the print job selection unit 17 causes the display unit 14 to display a hold job list screen based on the hold job information. Here, the hold job list screen displayed on the display unit 14 is the same as the hold job list screen 40 shown in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, the hold job list screen shown in FIG. A description will be given using the hold job list screen 40.

  The print job selection unit 17 selects a print job to be executed from print jobs held in the MPS server 3 in response to a user operation on the hold job list screen 40, and selects selected job information indicating the selected print job from the MPS server. 3 to send. Further, when an instruction to change the setting contents in the print setting information of the selected print job is given, the print job selection unit 17 transmits the print setting change information to the MPS server 3 together with the selected job information.

  When the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the hold job information request signal from the terminal device 2A, the print job management unit 26 transmits the hold job information to the terminal device 2A. In addition, when receiving the selected job information from the terminal device 2A, the print job management unit 26 transmits the selected print job to the printing device 4. When the print setting change information is received together with the selected job information, the print job management unit 26 transmits the print setting change information to the printing apparatus 4 together with the print job.

  When the print control unit 37 of the printing apparatus 4 receives the print setting change information together with the print job from the MPS server 3, the print control unit 37 causes the print unit 33 to execute the print in which the setting content in the print setting change information is applied to the print job.

  In the printing system 1 </ b> A, the terminal device 2 </ b> A can accept selection of a print job for executing printing from print jobs held in the MPS server 3. In addition, the terminal device 2A can accept a setting change for a print job to be executed. In the printing system 1A as well, as in the printing system 1 of the first embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 4 can accept printing job selection and setting change and execute printing.

  Processing for receiving a print job selection and executing printing in the terminal system 2A in the printing system 1A will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In step S31 of FIG. 7, the print job selection unit 17 of the terminal device 2A determines whether or not an instruction to display the hold job list is given by an operation on the input unit 13 by the user. If it is determined that the instruction to display the hold job list has not been given (step S31: NO), the print job selection unit 17 repeats step S31.

  If it is determined that the display of the hold job list is instructed (step S31: YES), the print job selection unit 17 transmits a hold job information request signal to the MPS server 3 in step S32. This hold job information request signal is used to request the MPS server 3 for a list of print jobs of the user who is logged in to the terminal device 2A.

  In step S33, when the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the hold job information request signal from the terminal device 2A, the print job management unit 26 transmits the hold job information of the user who is logged in to the terminal device 2A to the terminal device 2A. .

  Next, in step S34, when the print job selection unit 17 of the terminal device 2A receives the hold job information, the display unit 14 displays the hold job list screen 40 shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 35, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether a print job has been selected from the job list display unit 41 of the hold job list screen 40. If it is determined that no print job has been selected (step S35: NO), the print job selection unit 17 repeats step S35.

  If it is determined that a print job has been selected (step S35: YES), in step S36, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether or not the setting change button 42 has been pressed.

  If it is determined that the setting change button 42 has not been pressed (step S36: NO), in step S37, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether or not the release button 43 has been pressed. If it is determined that the release button 43 has been pressed (step S37: YES), the print job selection unit 17 proceeds to step S43 in FIG.

  If it is determined that the release button 43 has not been pressed (step S37: NO), in step S38, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether or not the job delete button 44 has been pressed. If it is determined that the job delete button 44 has not been pressed (step S38: NO), the print job selection unit 17 returns to step S36.

  If it is determined that the job deletion button 44 has been pressed (step S38: YES), in step S39, the print job selection unit 17 outputs a deletion instruction signal for instructing deletion of the print job selected in the job list display unit 41 to MPS. Send to server 3.

  Next, in step S <b> 40, when the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the delete instruction signal from the terminal device 2 </ b> A, it deletes the instructed print job from the storage unit 22. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  If it is determined in step S36 that the setting change button 42 has been pressed (step S36: YES), in step S41, the print job selection unit 17 causes the display unit 14 to display a hold job setting change screen. Here, the hold job setting change screen displayed on the display unit 14 is the same as the hold job setting change screen 50 of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment. The hold job setting change screen 50 of FIG.

  Next, in step S42, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether or not the change determination button 52 or the cancel button 53 is pressed. When it is determined that neither the change determination button 52 nor the cancel button 53 is pressed (step S42: NO), the print job selection unit 17 repeats step S42.

  If it is determined that the change decision button 52 or the cancel button 53 has been pressed (step S42: YES), the print job selection unit 17 returns to step S34 and displays the display of the display unit 14 from the hold job setting change screen 50 in the hold job list. Return to screen 40. Here, when the hold job setting change screen 50 returns to the hold job list screen 40, the print job selected at the time of switching from the hold job list screen 40 to the hold job setting change screen 50 is still selected. State. For this reason, even if the user does not perform an operation of selecting a print job again, it is determined in step S35 following step S34 that the print job is selected (YES). Note that the user can also change the selected print job.

  If it is determined in step S37 that the release button 43 has been pressed (step S37: YES), in step S43 in FIG. 8, the print job selection unit 17 determines whether there is a setting change.

  If it is determined that there is a setting change (step S43: YES), in step S44, the print job selection unit 17 transmits the selected job information and the print setting change information to the MPS server 3. Here, the print job selection unit 17 selects a print job selected by a user operation on the hold job list screen 40 as a print job to be executed. The selected job information is information indicating the print job.

  Next, in step S45 of FIG. 9, when the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 receives the selected job information and the print setting change information, the charge amount corresponding to the setting content after the setting change of the selected print job is made. Recalculate.

  In step S46, the print job management unit 26 transmits the selected print job to the printing apparatus 4 together with the print setting change information.

  Next, in step S47, the print job management unit 26 updates the balance of the user of the print job transmitted in step S46 using the charge amount recalculated in step S45.

  Next, in step S48, the print job management unit 26 determines whether the print job is set to delete the job after release based on the print setting change information of the print job transmitted in step S46.

  If it is determined that the setting is to delete the job after release (step S48: YES), in step S49, the print job management unit 26 deletes the print job transmitted in step S46 from the storage unit 22. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50. If the print job management unit 26 determines that the setting is not to delete the job after the release (step S48: NO), step S49 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, when receiving the print job and the print setting change information, the print control unit 37 of the printing apparatus 4 applies the setting contents after the setting change to the print job and causes the printing unit 33 to execute printing. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S43 in FIG. 8 that there is no setting change (step S43: NO), the print job selection unit 17 of the terminal device 2A transmits the selected job information to the MPS server 3 in step S51.

  Next, in step S <b> 52 of FIG. 9, the print job management unit 26 of the MPS server 3 transmits the selected print job to the printing apparatus 4.

  Next, in step S53, the print job management unit 26 updates the balance by subtracting the charge amount of the print job transmitted in step S52 from the balance of the user of the print job.

  Next, in step S54, the print job management unit 26 determines based on the print setting information of the print job transmitted in step S52 whether or not the print job is set to delete the released job.

  If it is determined that the setting is to delete the job after release (step S54: YES), in step S55, the print job management unit 26 deletes the print job transmitted in step S52 from the storage unit 22. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S56. If the print job management unit 26 determines that the setting is not to delete the job after the release (step S54: NO), step S55 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, when the print control unit 37 of the printing apparatus 4 receives the print job, the print control unit 37 causes the printing unit 33 to perform printing without changing the setting. As a result, a series of processing ends.

  Note that after the printing apparatus 4 receives the print job, printing by the print job may be started according to an instruction of a user who has logged into the printing apparatus 4.

  As described above, in the printing system 1A, the terminal device 2A selects a print job to be executed from print jobs held in the MPS server 3 in accordance with a user operation, and transmits selected job information to the MPS server 3. A print job selection unit 17 is provided. When the setting change for the selected print job is instructed, the print job selection unit 17 transmits the print setting change information indicating the setting content after the setting change to the MPS server 3 together with the selected job information. Thereby, in the printing system 1A, a print request for a print job held in the MPS server 3 can be made from the terminal device 2A. At this time, the setting can be changed by the terminal device 2A. Therefore, convenience for the user is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1, 1A printing system 2, 2A terminal device 3 MPS server 4 printing device 5 network 16 print job generation unit 17 print job selection unit 22 storage unit 26 print job management unit 33 printing unit 36 print job request unit 37 print control unit

Claims (2)

A printing system in which a terminal device that transmits a print job, a server device that holds the print job, and a printing device that executes printing based on the print job are communicably connected via a network,
The terminal device
A print job generation unit that generates a print job including print setting information and transmits the generated print job to the server device;
The server device
A hold unit for holding a print job transmitted from the terminal device;
Hold job information including a list of print jobs held in the hold unit and print setting information is transmitted to the printing apparatus in response to a hold job information request signal from the printing apparatus, and is selected by the printing apparatus. A print job management unit that transmits a requested print job to the printing apparatus upon receiving a print job request signal for requesting a print job;
The printing apparatus includes:
The hold job information request signal is transmitted to the server device, and after receiving the hold job information from the server device, a print job to be executed is selected from print jobs held in the server device, and the selected print A print job request unit for transmitting the print job request signal for requesting a job to the server device;
A printing section that executes printing;
A printing control unit that causes the printing unit to execute printing based on a print job transmitted from the server device,
When the print control unit is instructed to change the setting content in the print setting information of the print job to be executed, the print control unit applies the setting content after the setting change to the print job transmitted from the server device. A printing system that causes a printing unit to execute printing. The terminal device
The hold job information request signal is transmitted to the server device, and after receiving the hold job information from the server device, a print job to be executed is selected from print jobs held in the server device, and the selected print A print job selection unit that transmits selected job information indicating a job to the server device;
The print job selection unit, when instructed to change the setting contents in the print setting information of the selected print job, print setting change information indicating the setting contents after the setting change to the server apparatus together with the selected job information. Send
The print job management unit of the server device
When the hold job information request signal is received from the terminal device, the hold job information is transmitted to the terminal device, and when the selected job information is received from the terminal device, the selected print job is transmitted to the printing device. At this time, when the print setting change information is received together with the selected job information, the print setting change information is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with the print job,
When the print control unit of the printing apparatus receives the print setting change information together with a print job from the server apparatus, the print control unit applies the setting content in the print setting change information to the print job and prints the print unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is executed.