JP2015152937A - Output system, output method, service providing system, service providing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output system, output method, service providing system, service providing device and program that allow security to be ensured and do not need to change a setting due to a change in a use environment.SOLUTION: There is provided an output system having a terminal device, output device and information processing device connected via a network. The information processing device has: storage means that stores an output request of output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device and storage location information on the output data; and providing means that provides, to the output device, the output request of output data having the storage location information on the output data updated on the basis of terminal information including terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and connection information for connecting to the terminal device. The output device has: acquisition means that uses the storage location information on the output data included in an output request specified by a user to acquire the output data; and output means that outputs the acquired output data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an output system, an output method, a service providing system, a service providing apparatus, and a program.

  For example, even in a work environment where a requester of a print job frequently moves on a network, a print system that can efficiently perform a print job distribution service adapted to the work environment has been known (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  In a conventional printing system, a job server temporarily stores a print job from each data processing apparatus arranged at an arbitrary position on a network, and assigns print job identification information to store and manage the job on the network. If the print job identification information given by the intended print server matches the managed print job identification information, the print job identification information is read as needed and distributed to the print server.

  For example, there is a so-called pull printing system in which a print job registered by a user from a client terminal is temporarily stored and printing is executed by an image forming apparatus in accordance with a print instruction from a logged-in user.

  In a pull print system that requires security, a plurality of print server apparatuses that temporarily store print jobs are provided, and a different print server may be used for each private network such as a LAN. However, the pull print system has a problem that setting change is required when different print servers are used due to changes in the use environment such as location movement.

  Such a problem is not limited to a printing system such as a pull printing system, but also exists in an output system that outputs a job stored in a storage destination by a user from an output device such as a projector or a monitor.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above points. An output system, an output method, a service providing system, and a service providing that can ensure security and do not require a setting change due to a change in use environment. An object is to provide an apparatus and a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application is an output system in which a terminal device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network, and the information processing device is operated by a user. Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device and output data storage location information, terminal identification information registered from the terminal device, and connection to the terminal device Providing means for providing an output request for output data stored in the storage means in which output data storage location information has been updated based on terminal information including connection information, in response to a request from the output device. And the output device acquires the output data using the storage location information of the output data included in the output request of the output data specified by the user; And an outputting means for outputting the resulting the output data.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an output system, an output method, a service providing system, a service providing apparatus, and a program that can ensure security and do not require a setting change due to a change in usage environment.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of a printing system concerning this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the computer which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a process block diagram of an example of a client terminal concerning this embodiment. It is a process block diagram of an example of the index service provision apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a processing block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram of an example of index information. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system. It is an example sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the printing system. It is a process block diagram of an example of a client terminal concerning this embodiment. It is a process block diagram of an example of the index service provision apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram of an example of terminal information. It is a block diagram of an example of index information. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system. It is an example sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the printing system. It is a process block diagram of an example of a client terminal concerning this embodiment. It is a process block diagram of an example of the index service provision apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a processing block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system. It is an example sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the printing system. It is a lineblock diagram of an example of a printing system concerning this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a print data storage device according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system. It is an example sequence diagram showing the processing procedure of the printing system. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a print data storage device according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of an example showing the operation | movement outline | summary of the printing system.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a printing system as an example of an output system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the printing system. The output system may be any system that outputs jobs stored in the storage destination in addition to the projection system and the display system.
[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 in FIG. 1 includes a network N1 such as an intra-office network, a network N2 of a service providing system represented by a cloud service, and a network N3 such as the Internet.

  The network N1 is a private network inside the firewall FW. The firewall FW is installed at the contact point between the network N1 and the network N3, and detects and blocks unauthorized access. A client terminal 11 and an image forming apparatus 12 are connected to the network N1 in FIG.

  The client terminal 11 is an example of a terminal device. The client terminal 11 can be realized by an information processing apparatus (computer) equipped with a general OS or the like. The client terminal 11 has a wireless communication means or a wired communication means. The client terminal 11 is a terminal that can be operated by the user, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, or a notebook PC.

  The image forming apparatus 12 is an apparatus having an image forming function such as a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 12 includes a wireless communication unit or a wired communication unit. The image forming apparatus 12 is an apparatus that performs processing related to image formation, such as a multifunction peripheral, a copier, a scanner, a printer, and a laser printer. The image forming apparatus 12 is an example of an output device that outputs data. The output device may be a projection device or display device that performs display output, such as a projector or a monitor, or an audio output device that outputs audio data such as audio. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the client terminal 11 and the image forming apparatus 12 are each one as an example, a plurality of clients may be used.

  The network N2 is connected to a network N3 such as the Internet by an access control device 21. The network N2 is protected by the access control device 21. An index service providing device 22 is connected to the network N2. In the printing system 1 of FIG. 1, the access control device 21 and the index service providing device 22 realize a service providing system.

  The access control device 21 controls login to the index service provided by the index service providing device 22. The index service providing device 22 provides an index service for managing job indexes, which will be described later. Further, the index service providing apparatus 22 registers a job index, which will be described later, in response to a request from the client terminal 11. Further, the index service providing device 22 provides a job index to be described later in response to a request from the image forming device 12. Note that the index service providing apparatus 22 may cooperate with an authentication service or the like.

  The access control device 21 and the index service providing device 22 are realized by one or more information processing devices (computers). The index service providing apparatus 22 may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of computers. Further, a part of the service on the network N2 side may be other than the network N2.

  The client terminal 11 may be located on a network other than the network N1, such as an office network. The printing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the client terminal 11 is in a network N1 and a network N3 such as the Internet. The configuration of the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example, and other configurations may be used.

<Hardware configuration>
The client terminal 11, the access control device 21, and the index service providing device 22 in FIG. 1 are realized by a computer having a hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment.

  The computer 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes an input device 101, a display device 102, an external I / F 103, a RAM 104, a ROM 105, a CPU 106, a communication I / F 107, an HDD 108, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B. . The input device 101 and the display device 102 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The input device 101 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 102 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer 100.

  The communication I / F 107 is an interface that connects the computer 100 to the network N1. Thereby, the computer 100 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 107.

  The HDD 108 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data are, for example, an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer 100, and application software that provides various functions on the OS.

  The external I / F 103 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 103a. Accordingly, the computer 100 can read and / or write the recording medium 103a via the external I / F 103. Examples of the recording medium 103a include a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The ROM 105 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 105 stores programs and data such as BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 100 is started up. The RAM 104 is a volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 106 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 100 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 105 and the HDD 108 onto the RAM 104 and executing processing.

  The client terminal 11, the access control device 21, and the index service providing device 22 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by the hardware configuration of the computer 100 described above.

  The image forming apparatus 12 in FIG. 1 is realized by a computer having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 3, for example. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a controller 201, an operation panel 202, an external I / F 203, a communication I / F 204, a printer 205, a scanner 206, and the like.

  The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, an NVRAM 214, an HDD 215, and the like. The ROM 213 stores various programs and data. The RAM 212 temporarily stores programs and data. The NVRAM 214 stores setting information, for example. The HDD 215 stores various programs and data.

  The CPU 211 implements control and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 12 by reading programs, data, setting information, and the like from the ROM 213, the NVRAM 214, the HDD 215, and the like onto the RAM 212 and executing the processing.

  The operation panel 202 includes an input unit that receives input from the user and a display unit that performs display. The external I / F 203 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 203a. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 12 can read and / or write the recording medium 203a via the external I / F 203. Examples of the recording medium 203a include an IC card, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The communication I / F 204 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 12 to the network N1. As a result, the image forming apparatus 12 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 204. The printer 205 is a printing device for printing print data on paper. A scanner 206 is a reading device for reading image data (electronic data) from a document.

<Software configuration>
<Client terminal>
The client terminal 11 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The client terminal 11 implements a print data storage unit 31, a bibliographic information processing unit 32, and a communication unit 33 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 4, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The print data storage unit 31 stores print data. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 acquires bibliographic information such as a file (job) name, the number of pages, double-sided information, and the number of copies from print data output from a printer driver or the like. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information and print data storage location information as index information to the index service providing apparatus 22 via the communication unit 33. The communication unit 33 transmits index information to the index service providing apparatus 22. Further, the communication unit 33 transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 12 in response to a print data acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12.

《Index service providing device》
The index service providing apparatus 22 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the processing block illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is a processing block diagram of an example of the index service providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The index service providing apparatus 22 implements an index storage unit 41 and a communication unit 42 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 5, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The index storage unit 41 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11. Details of the index information stored in the index storage unit 41 will be described later. The communication unit 42 receives index information from the client terminal 11. In response to an index information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12, the communication unit 42 transmits index information to the image forming apparatus 12.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a processing block diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 12 implements a job processing unit 51, a printing unit 52, a communication unit 53, and an input / output unit 54 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 6, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 via the communication unit 53 and acquires index information. The job processing unit 51 displays a job list on the input / output unit 54 based on the acquired index information. Also, the job processing unit 51 sends a print data acquisition request for a job for which the user designates printing to the client terminal 11 via the communication unit 53 to acquire print data. The job processing unit 51 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. The job processing unit 51 may be realized as a function of the image forming apparatus 12 or an extended function (such as an SDK application).

  The printing unit 52 prints the print data requested for printing. The printing unit 52 may be realized by a printer application. The communication unit 53 receives the index information based on the index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22. The communication unit 53 receives print data based on a print data acquisition request to the client terminal 11.

  The input / output unit 54 displays information to the user and accepts input from the user. The input / output unit 54 may be realized by the operation panel 202 of the image forming apparatus 12. The input / output unit 54 displays a job list related to the user, and receives designation of a job to be printed from the user.

<Index information>
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an example of index information. The index information includes items such as an ID, a data URL, a user, a job name, a page, both sides, and the number of copies. The ID is an example of a management identifier. The URL of the data is an example of print data storage location information. The URL of the data may be in the form of a URL or URI, or may be in another form as long as it has uniqueness.

  The user, job name, page, double-sided, and number of copies are examples of bibliographic information. The user is an example of information indicating the owner of print data. The job name is an example of information indicating a print data file name. A page is an example of information indicating the number of pages of print data. Double-sided is an example of information indicating whether print data is designated for double-sided printing. The number of copies is an example of information indicating the number of copies of the print data.

  For example, when printing the print data, the image forming apparatus 12 can determine the storage location of the print data by referring to the URL of the data included in the index information. Further, the image forming apparatus 12 can acquire the print data from the determined print data storage location.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

<Operation overview of printing system>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation outline of the printing system. In step S1, the print data storage unit 31 of the client terminal 11 stores the print data. Thus, the client terminal 11 stores print data locally.

  In step S2, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 acquires bibliographic information from the print data, and registers the acquired bibliographic information and the storage location information of the print data in the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information.

  In step S <b> 3, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11 and the user who operates the client terminal 11 in association (corresponding to each other).

  During printing, the user operates the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct display of a job list. In step S <b> 4, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 to acquire index information related to the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S5, the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires print data storage location information of a job designated by the user from the index information, and acquires print data using the storage location information. In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 12 acquires print data from the client terminal 11.

  In step S <b> 6, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.

  In the printing system 1, the index information registration destination is the index service providing device 22, so that the index information can be registered from the client terminal 11 even if the usage environment changes, such as movement of location. In addition, the client terminal 11 can use the printing system 1 without changing the setting even if the usage environment changes, such as movement of location. Furthermore, since the print system 1 stores the print data in the client terminal 11 instead of the index service providing device 22, it is easy to ensure security.

<Processing procedure of the printing system>
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the printing system. For example, the user operates the client terminal 11, opens an application print setting screen, etc., selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1, and instructs printing, thereby performing the processing of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. You can start.

  In step S11, when the user selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1 and instructs printing, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 receives print data output from the printer driver.

  In step S12, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 analyzes the input print data and acquires bibliographic information. In step S13, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 causes the print data storage unit 31 to store the print data. In steps S14 and S15, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information and print data storage location information to the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information.

  In step S16, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 receives the index information. The index storage unit 41 stores an identifier added to the received index information. For example, the index storage unit 41 stores the received index information in association with the user who operates the client terminal 11. The index storage unit 41 may perform personal authentication or the like before storing the index information.

  At the time of printing, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 in step S17 to instruct display of a job list (job list acquisition). In step S <b> 18, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to acquire a job list.

  In steps S19 and S20, the job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22. In step S <b> 21, the index storage unit 41 returns index information to the image forming apparatus 12. The index storage unit 41 can also return index information related to the corresponding user when performing personal authentication. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S <b> 22, the user designates a job to be printed from the job list by operating the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12. The input / output unit 54 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. In step S23, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to print a job designated by the user.

  In steps S24 to S26, the job processing unit 51 acquires the print data storage location information of the job specified by the user from the index information, and uses the storage location information from the print data storage unit 31 of the client terminal 11. Get print data.

In step S27, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.
[Second Embodiment]
In the printing system 1 that assigns an IP address, which is an example of connection information, to the client terminal 11 using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or the like, the IP address of the client terminal 11 may change. Therefore, the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment can cope with a change in the IP address of the client terminal 11 as will be described later.

  Since the system configuration and hardware configuration are the same as those of the printing system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Software configuration>
Since the processing blocks of the image forming apparatus 12 are the same as those of the printing system according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Client terminal>
The client terminal 11 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The client terminal 11 implements a print data storage unit 31, a bibliographic information processing unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a terminal registration unit 34 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 10, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The client terminal 11 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by adding a terminal registration unit 34 to the configuration of the client terminal 11 of FIG. The terminal registration unit 34 registers connection information such as an IP address of the client terminal 11 and terminal identification information such as a serial ID and a MAC address in the index service providing apparatus 22.

《Index service providing device》
The index service providing apparatus 22 according to the present embodiment is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 11, for example. FIG. 11 is a processing block diagram of an example of the index service providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The index service providing apparatus 22 implements an index storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, and a terminal information storage unit 43 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 11, illustration of parts unnecessary for description is omitted.

  The index service providing apparatus 22 shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by adding a terminal information storage unit 43 to the configuration of the index service providing apparatus 22 of FIG. The terminal information storage unit 43 stores connection information such as an IP address of the client terminal 11 registered from the client terminal 11 and terminal identification information such as a serial ID and a MAC address as terminal information.

<Terminal information>
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an example of terminal information. The terminal information has items such as a terminal ID and an IP address. The terminal ID is an example of terminal identification information for uniquely identifying the client terminal 11. A serial ID or a MAC address can be used as the terminal ID. The IP address is an example of connection information of the client terminal 11.

  For example, since the terminal ID does not change even if the IP address of the client terminal 11 changes, the index service providing apparatus 22 can identify the client terminal 11 from the terminal ID. By referring to the terminal information, the index service providing apparatus 22 can acquire the changed IP address of the client terminal 11 specified by the terminal ID.

<Index information>
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an example of index information. The index information shown in FIG. 13 includes items such as ID, terminal ID, data URL, user, job name, page, both sides, and the number of copies. The index information shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by adding a terminal ID to the configuration of the index information shown in FIG. The terminal ID is an example of terminal identification information for uniquely identifying the client terminal 11 that stores the print data.

  For example, when the IP address of the terminal information changes, the index service providing apparatus 22 can acquire the latest IP address from the terminal information of FIG. The index service providing device 22 can rewrite the URL of the data included in the index information based on the latest IP address. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 12 can accurately acquire print data from the client terminal 11 whose IP address has changed.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

<Operation overview of printing system>
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation outline of the printing system. In step S31, the terminal registration unit 34 of the client terminal 11 registers the IP address and terminal ID of the client terminal 11 in the index service providing apparatus 22 as terminal information. In step S32, the print data storage unit 31 of the client terminal 11 stores the print data. Thus, the client terminal 11 stores print data locally.

  In step S33, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 acquires bibliographic information from the print data, and registers the acquired bibliographic information, print data storage location information, and terminal ID in the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information. To do.

  In step S34, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11 in association with the user operating the client terminal 11. In step S35, the client terminal 11 is moved from the base A to the base B, and the IP address is changed.

  In step S36, the terminal registration unit 34 of the client terminal 11 registers the IP address and terminal ID of the client terminal 11 in the index service providing apparatus 22 as terminal information. The IP address registered in the index service providing device 22 in step S36 is different from the IP address registered in step S31.

  The process of step S36 may be performed at the timing when the user activates the client terminal 11 at the site B, or may be performed at the timing when the printing application is activated or at the timing designated by the user. Through the processing in step S36, terminal information corresponding to the latest IP address of the client terminal 11 is stored in the terminal information storage unit 43.

  During printing, the user operates the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct display of a job list. In step S <b> 37, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22.

  In step S38, the index service providing apparatus 22 acquires the latest IP address of the client terminal 11 from the terminal information, and updates the URL of the data included in the index information based on the latest IP address. For example, the index service providing device 22 updates the domain portion of the URL of the data included in the index information based on the latest IP address of the client terminal 11. The communication unit 42 of the index service providing apparatus 22 provides index information related to the user to the image forming apparatus 12. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S39, the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 receives a designation of a job to be printed from the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires print data storage location information of a job designated by the user from the index information, and acquires print data using the storage location information. In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 12 acquires print data from the client terminal 11 that has moved to the base B.

  In step S <b> 40, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.

  In the printing system 1, the terminal information shown in FIG. 12 and the index information shown in FIG. 13 are registered in the index service providing apparatus 22, so that even if there is a change in the usage environment such as a location change, the client terminal 11 Print data can be acquired accurately. In addition, the client terminal 11 can use the printing system 1 without changing the setting even if the usage environment changes, such as movement of location. Furthermore, since the print system 1 stores the print data in the client terminal 11 instead of the index service providing device 22, it is easy to ensure security.

<Processing procedure of the printing system>
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the printing system. FIG. 15 shows an example in which terminal information registration processing is performed when the client terminal 11 is activated. In step S51, the user activates the client terminal 11.

  In steps S52 and S53, the terminal registration unit 34 of the client terminal 11 transmits the IP address and terminal ID of the client terminal 11 as terminal information to the index service providing apparatus 22 to request registration. In step S54, the terminal information storage unit 43 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the received terminal information.

  In step S <b> 55, the user operates the client terminal 11 to open a print setting screen of the application, selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1, and instructs printing. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 receives print data output from the printer driver.

  In step S56, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 analyzes the input print data and acquires bibliographic information. In step S57, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 causes the print data storage unit 31 to store the print data. In steps S58 and S59, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information, print data storage location information, and the terminal ID of the client terminal 11 to the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information.

  In step S60, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 receives the index information. The index storage unit 41 stores an identifier added to the received index information. For example, the index storage unit 41 stores the received index information in association with the user who operates the client terminal 11. The index storage unit 41 may perform personal authentication or the like before storing the index information.

  After step S60, it is assumed that the client terminal 11 has moved from place to place and the IP address has changed. The user activates the client terminal 11 at the moved new location. The client terminal 11 performs processing similar to steps S51 to S54, and registers terminal information corresponding to the latest IP address in the index service providing apparatus 22.

  At the time of printing, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 in step S61 to instruct display of a job list (job list acquisition). In step S62, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to acquire a job list.

  In steps S63 and S64, the job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22. In step S65, the index service providing apparatus 22 acquires index information from the index storage unit 41. In step S <b> 66, the index service providing apparatus 22 acquires terminal information of the client terminal 11 from the terminal information storage unit 43.

  In step S67, the index service providing apparatus 22 acquires the latest IP address of the client terminal 11 from the terminal information, and updates the URL of the data included in the index information based on the latest IP address. Then, the communication unit 42 of the index service providing apparatus 22 returns index information to the image forming apparatus 12. The index storage unit 41 can also return index information related to the corresponding user when performing personal authentication. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S68, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 to specify a job to be printed from the job list. The input / output unit 54 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. In step S69, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to print a job designated by the user.

  In steps S <b> 70 to S <b> 72, the job processing unit 51 acquires the print data storage location information of the job designated by the user from the index information, and uses the storage location information from the print data storage unit 31 of the client terminal 11. Get print data.

In step S <b> 73, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.
[Third Embodiment]
The printing system 1 according to the first and second embodiments stores print data locally. The print system 1 according to the third embodiment encrypts print data and stores it in the index service providing apparatus 22 as described later. The printing system 1 according to the third embodiment may be adapted to the change of the IP address of the client terminal 11 by applying the contents shown in the second embodiment.

  Since the system configuration and hardware configuration are the same as those of the printing system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Software configuration>
<Client terminal>
The client terminal 11 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 16 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The client terminal 11 implements a bibliographic information processing unit 32, a communication unit 33, an encryption processing unit 35, and an encryption key storage unit 36 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 16, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The client terminal 11 shown in FIG. 16 is obtained by deleting the print data storage unit 31 from the configuration of the client terminal 11 of FIG. 4 and further adding an encryption processing unit 35 and an encryption key storage unit 36.

  The bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information and encryption key storage location information as index information to the index service providing device 22 via the communication unit 33. The communication unit 33 transmits the index information and the encrypted print data to the index service providing apparatus 22.

  Further, the communication unit 33 transmits an encryption key to the image forming apparatus 12 in response to an encryption key acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12. The encryption processing unit 35 encrypts the print data using an encryption key. The encryption key storage unit 36 stores the encryption key.

《Index service providing device》
The index service providing apparatus 22 according to the present embodiment is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a processing block diagram of an example of the index service providing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The index service providing apparatus 22 implements an index storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, and a print data storage unit 44 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 17, illustrations of parts unnecessary for description are omitted.

  The index service providing apparatus 22 shown in FIG. 17 is obtained by adding a print data storage unit 44 to the configuration of the index service providing apparatus 22 of FIG. The index storage unit 41 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11.

  The communication unit 42 receives index information and encrypted print data from the client terminal 11. In response to an index information acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12, the communication unit 42 transmits index information to the image forming apparatus 12. In response to the print data acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12, the communication unit 42 transmits the encrypted print data to the image forming apparatus 12. The print data storage unit 44 stores the encrypted print data received from the client terminal 11.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, processing blocks illustrated in FIG. FIG. 18 is a processing block diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 12 implements a job processing unit 51, a printing unit 52, a communication unit 53, an input / output unit 54, and a decoding processing unit 55 by executing a program. In the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 18, illustration of parts unnecessary for description is omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 18 is obtained by adding a decoding processing unit 55 to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 12 shown in FIG. The job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 via the communication unit 53, and acquires index information. The job processing unit 51 displays a job list on the input / output unit 54 based on the acquired index information. Further, the job processing unit 51 sends a print data acquisition request for a job for which printing has been designated by the user to the index service providing apparatus 22 via the communication unit 53, and acquires encrypted print data.

  The job processing unit 51 requests the client terminal 11 to acquire the encryption key of the job for which printing is designated by the user via the communication unit 53, and acquires the encryption key. The job processing unit 51 requests the decryption processing unit 55 to decrypt the encrypted print data. The decryption processing unit 55 uses the encryption key to decrypt the encrypted print data.

  The job processing unit 51 requests the printing unit 52 to print the decrypted print data. The printing unit 52 prints the print data requested for printing. The input / output unit 54 displays information to the user and accepts input from the user. The input / output unit 54 displays a job list related to the user, and receives designation of a job to be printed from the user.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

<Operation overview of printing system>
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation outline of the printing system. In step S91, the encryption key storage unit 36 of the client terminal 11 stores the encryption key. The encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit 36 may be designated in advance, or may be designated by the user for each job. Thus, the client terminal 11 stores the encryption key locally.

  In step S92, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 acquires bibliographic information from the print data. Further, the encryption processing unit 35 of the client terminal 11 encrypts the print data using the encryption key. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 registers the bibliographic information acquired from the print data and the storage location information of the encryption key in the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 registers the encrypted print data in the index service providing device 22.

  In step S93, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11 in association with the user operating the client terminal 11.

  Further, the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing device 22 stores the encrypted print data received from the client terminal 11 in association with the index information received from the client terminal 11.

  During printing, the user operates the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct display of a job list. In step S <b> 94, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 to acquire index information related to the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S95, the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 receives a designation of a job to be printed from the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires the encrypted print data of the job designated by the user from the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing apparatus 22.

  In step S <b> 96, the job processing unit 51 requests the client terminal 11 to acquire the encryption key of the job specified by the user via the communication unit 53, and acquires the encryption key from the client terminal 11. In FIG. 19, the encryption key is acquired after acquiring the encrypted print data. However, the encryption key may be acquired before acquiring the encrypted print data. In step S97, the job processing unit 51 requests the decryption processing unit 55 to decrypt the encrypted print data.

  The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the decrypted print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.

  In the printing system 1, the storage location information of the encryption key used for encrypting the print data is registered in the index service providing device 22 as a part of the index information, so that the image forming device 12 is stored in the client terminal 11. Can obtain the encryption key. In the printing system 1, the encrypted print data is stored in the index service providing apparatus 22 instead of the client terminal 11, so that the storage area of the client terminal 11 can be saved while ensuring security.

<Processing procedure of the printing system>
FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the printing system. For example, the user operates the client terminal 11 to open a print setting screen of an application, selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1 and instructs printing, thereby performing the processing of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. You can start.

  In step S101, when the user selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1 and instructs printing, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 receives print data output from the printer driver.

  In step S102, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 analyzes the input print data and acquires bibliographic information. In step S103, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 requests the encryption processing unit 35 to encrypt the print data. The encryption processing unit 35 encrypts the print data using the encryption key read from the encryption key storage unit 36.

  In steps S <b> 104 and S <b> 105, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information and encryption key storage location information as index information to the index service providing apparatus 22 via the communication unit 33. In addition, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the encrypted print data to the index service providing apparatus 22.

  In step S <b> 106, the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the encrypted print data received from the client terminal 11. In step S107, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the received index information with an identifier added thereto. For example, the index storage unit 41 stores the received index information in association with the user who operates the client terminal 11. The index storage unit 41 may perform personal authentication or the like before storing the index information.

  At the time of printing, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 in step S108 to instruct display of a job list (job list acquisition). In step S109, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to acquire a job list.

  In steps S110 and S111, the job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22. In step S <b> 112, the index storage unit 41 returns index information to the image forming apparatus 12. The index storage unit 41 can also return index information related to the corresponding user when performing personal authentication. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S113, the user designates a job to be printed from the job list by operating the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12. The input / output unit 54 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. In step S114, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to print a job designated by the user.

  In steps S <b> 115 to S <b> 116, the job processing unit 51 acquires the encryption key storage location information of the job designated by the user from the index information, and uses the storage location information from the encryption key storage unit 36 of the client terminal 11. Get the encryption key.

  In steps S <b> 117 to S <b> 119, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires encrypted print data of a job designated by the user from the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing apparatus 22. In step S120, the decryption processing unit 55 of the image forming apparatus 12 decrypts the encrypted print data using the encryption key.

In step S121, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the decrypted print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.
[Fourth Embodiment]
The printing system 1 according to the first and second embodiments stores print data in the client terminal 11. In the fourth embodiment, when the print data storage device 13 is provided in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11 and the print data is stored in the print data storage device 13, the client terminal 11 is disconnected from the network N1. Is also available.

  Since the hardware configuration is the same as that of the printing system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<System configuration>
FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system 2 in FIG. 21 is obtained by adding a print data storage device 13 to the network N1 of the printing system 1 in FIG.

  The print data storage device 13 is realized by one or more information processing devices (computers). The print data storage device 13 may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of computers. The configuration of the printing system 1 in FIG. 21 is an example, and other configurations may be used.

<Software configuration>
Since the processing block of the index service providing apparatus 22 is the same as that of the printing system according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Client terminal>
The client terminal 11 according to the present embodiment is obtained by deleting the print data storage unit 31 from the configuration of the client terminal 11 of FIG. When the print data is stored in the client terminal 11 and the print data storage device 13 is allowed to coexist, the client terminal 11 may have the print data storage unit 31.

《Print data storage device》
The print data storage device 13 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, a processing block illustrated in FIG. FIG. 22 is a processing block diagram of an example of the print data storage device according to the present embodiment.

  The print data storage device 13 implements a print data storage unit 61 and a communication unit 62 by executing a program. Note that the processing block diagram shown in FIG. 22 omits illustrations of parts not necessary for the description.

  The print data storage unit 61 stores print data. The print data storage unit 61 generates print data storage location information that can uniquely specify the stored print data, and provides it to the client terminal 11. The communication unit 62 receives print data from the client terminal 11 and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus 12 in response to a print data acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 6, but the processing of the job processing unit 51 is partially different. The job processing unit 51 sends a print data acquisition request for a job designated by the user to the print data storage device 13 via the communication unit 53 to acquire the print data. The communication unit 53 receives print data based on a print data acquisition request to the print data storage device 13.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 2 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

<Operation overview of printing system>
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation outline of the printing system. In step S131, the client terminal 11 causes the print data storage device 13 to store the print data. As described above, the client terminal 11 saves the storage area while ensuring the security of the print data by storing the print data in the print data storage device 13 connected to the same network.

  In step S132, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 registers the bibliographic information acquired from the print data and the storage location information of the print data generated by the print data storage device 13 as index information in the index service providing device 22. .

  In step S <b> 133, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11 and the user operating the client terminal 11 in association (corresponding to each other).

  During printing, the user operates the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct display of a job list. In step S <b> 134, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 to acquire index information related to the user.

  The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information. In step S135, the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires the print data storage location information of the job specified by the user from the index information, and acquires the print data from the print data storage device 13 using the storage location information. To do. In step S136, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.

  The printing system 2 is used even when the client terminal 11 is disconnected from the network N1 by providing the print data storage device 13 in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11 and storing the print data in the print data storage device 13. it can. In the printing system 2, since the print data is stored in the print data storage device 13 provided in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11, it is easy to ensure security.

<Processing procedure of the printing system>
FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the printing system. For example, the user operates the client terminal 11 to open a print setting screen of an application, selects a printer driver for using the printing system 2, and instructs printing, thereby performing the processing of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. You can start.

  In step S141, when the user selects a printer driver for using the printing system 1 and instructs printing, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 receives print data output from the printer driver.

  In step S142, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 analyzes the input print data and acquires bibliographic information. In steps S143 and S144, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the print data to the print data storage device 13 via the communication unit 33.

  In step S145, the print data storage device 13 stores the received print data in the print data storage unit 61. The print data storage unit 61 generates print data storage location information that can uniquely specify the stored print data, and provides the generated data to the client terminal 11.

  In steps S146 and S147, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 transmits the acquired bibliographic information and print data storage location information to the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information.

  In step S148, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 receives the index information. The index storage unit 41 stores an identifier added to the received index information. For example, the index storage unit 41 stores the received index information in association with the user who operates the client terminal 11. The index storage unit 41 may perform personal authentication or the like before storing the index information.

  At the time of printing, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct to display the job list (job list acquisition) in step S149. In step S150, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to acquire a job list.

  In steps S151 and S152, the job processing unit 51 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22. In step S153, the index storage unit 41 returns the index information to the image forming apparatus 12. The index storage unit 41 can also return index information related to the corresponding user when performing personal authentication. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S154, the user operates the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 to designate a job to be printed from the job list. The input / output unit 54 receives designation of a job to be printed from the user. In step S155, the input / output unit 54 requests the job processing unit 51 to print the job specified by the user. In steps S156 to S158, the job processing unit 51 acquires the print data storage location information of the job designated by the user from the index information, and uses the storage location information to print the print data storage unit of the print data storage device 13. The print data is acquired from 61.

In step S159, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the acquired print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.
[Fifth Embodiment]
The printing system 1 according to the third embodiment stores an encryption key used for encrypting print data in the client terminal 11. In the fifth embodiment, when the print data storage device 13 is provided in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11 and the encryption key is stored in the print data storage device 13, the client terminal 11 is disconnected from the network N1. Is also available.

  Since the system configuration and hardware configuration are the same as those of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Software configuration>
Since the processing blocks of the index service providing apparatus 22 and the image forming apparatus 12 are the same as those of the printing system according to the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Client terminal>
The client terminal 11 according to the present embodiment is obtained by deleting the encryption key storage unit 36 from the configuration of the client terminal 11 of FIG. When the encryption key is stored in the client terminal 11 and the storage of the print data storage device 13 is allowed to coexist, the client terminal 11 may have the encryption key storage unit 36.

《Print data storage device》
The print data storage device 13 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, a processing block illustrated in FIG. FIG. 25 is a processing block diagram of an example of the print data storage device according to the present embodiment.

  The print data storage device 13 implements a communication unit 62 and an encryption key storage unit 63 by executing a program. Note that in the processing block diagram shown in FIG.

  The encryption key storage unit 63 stores the encryption key. The encryption key storage unit 63 generates encryption key storage location information that can uniquely specify the stored encryption key, and provides it to the client terminal 11. The communication unit 62 receives the encryption key from the client terminal 11 and transmits the encryption key to the image forming apparatus 12 in response to the encryption key acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 18, but the processing of the job processing unit 51 is partially different. The job processing unit 51 sends an encryption key acquisition request for the job specified by the user to the print data storage device 13 via the communication unit 53 to acquire the encryption key. The communication unit 53 receives the encryption key based on the encryption key acquisition request to the print data storage device 13.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 2 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

<Operation overview of printing system>
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation outline of the printing system. In step S161, the client terminal 11 stores the encryption key in the print data storage device 13. As described above, the client terminal 11 stores the encryption key in the print data storage device 13 connected to the same network so that the client terminal 11 can use the encryption key even when the client terminal 11 is disconnected from the network N1. Yes.

  The encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit 63 of the print data storage device 13 may be designated in advance, or may be designated by the user for each job. Thus, the client terminal 11 stores the encryption key in the print data storage device 13.

  In step S162, the bibliographic information processing unit 32 of the client terminal 11 acquires bibliographic information from the print data. Further, the encryption processing unit 35 of the client terminal 11 encrypts the print data using the encryption key. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 registers the bibliographic information acquired from the print data and the storage location information of the encryption key in the index service providing apparatus 22 as index information. The bibliographic information processing unit 32 registers the encrypted print data in the index service providing device 22.

  In step S163, the index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 stores the index information received from the client terminal 11 in association with the user who operates the client terminal 11.

  Further, the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing device 22 stores the encrypted print data received from the client terminal 11 in association with the index information received from the client terminal 11.

  During printing, the user operates the image forming apparatus 12 to instruct display of a job list. In step S164, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes an index information acquisition request to the index service providing apparatus 22 to acquire index information related to the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 displays a job list related to the user on the input / output unit 54 by using the acquired index information.

  In step S165, the input / output unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 12 receives a designation of a job to be printed from the user. The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires the encrypted print data of the job designated by the user from the print data storage unit 44 of the index service providing apparatus 22.

  In step S <b> 166, the job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 acquires the encryption key storage location information of the job designated by the user from the index information, and uses the storage location information from the print data storage device 13. Get the encryption key. In FIG. 26, the encryption key is acquired after acquiring the encrypted print data. However, the encryption key may be acquired before acquiring the encrypted print data. In step S167, the job processing unit 51 requests the decryption processing unit 55 to decrypt the encrypted print data.

  The job processing unit 51 of the image forming apparatus 12 requests the printing unit 52 to print the decrypted print data. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.

  The printing system 2 is also used when the client terminal 11 is disconnected from the network N1 by providing the print data storage device 13 in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11 and storing the encryption key in the print data storage device 13. it can. In the printing system 2, since the encryption key is stored in the print data storage device 13 provided in the same network N1 as the client terminal 11, it is easy to ensure security.

<Processing procedure of the printing system>
The processing procedure of the printing system according to the present embodiment is based on the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 20, but the storage and acquisition of the print data shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. Is used.

  In the processing procedure of the printing system according to the present embodiment, the encryption key is stored in the print data storage device 13 from the client terminal 11 by the same procedure as steps S143 to S145 in the sequence diagram of FIG. Further, in the processing procedure of the printing system according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 12 acquires the encryption key from the print data storage device 13 by the same procedure as steps S156 to S158 in the sequence diagram of FIG.

Other processes are the same as those shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. Therefore, the printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 can print the print data of the job designated by the user for printing.
[Sixth Embodiment]
The printing system 2 according to the fourth and fifth embodiments may automatically change the storage location of the print data and the encryption key according to the conditions. For example, the printing system 2 according to the fourth and fifth embodiments may be able to specify a storage location for print data and an encryption key under various conditions such as a printer icon, a job name, an application, and a keyword.

  For example, in the printing system 2 according to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the job name is stored in the client terminal 11 when a specific word “for example, confidential” is included in the job name, and is stored in the index service providing apparatus 22 in other cases. It is possible to operate such as. As described above, since the printing system 2 according to the fourth and fifth embodiments can automatically change the storage location of the print data and the encryption key according to the job, the convenience for the user is improved.

<Summary>
In the printing systems 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment, the job index information is stored in the index service providing apparatus 22, thereby making it unnecessary to change the setting of the client terminal 11 due to a change in usage environment. In the printing systems 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment, the security of print data is ensured by encryption and storage location. At the time of printing, the image forming apparatus 12 can acquire index information from the index service providing apparatus 22, and can acquire print data storage location information and encryption key storage location information necessary for decryption from the index information.

  As described above, the printing systems 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment can ensure the security of the print data and do not need to change the setting of the client terminal 11 due to a change in the use environment.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the contents of the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment may be applied to the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment. By doing in this way, the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment can accurately acquire the encryption key from the client terminal 11 even if the usage environment changes such as movement of a place.

  The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to printing applications, and the printing systems 1 and 2 described above are examples of output systems. Therefore, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to an output system that handles print data. The client terminal 11 is an example of a terminal device that is a device used by a user in an output data output request or output processing instruction. A computer included in the service providing system is an example of one or more information processing apparatuses.

  The index storage unit 41 of the index service providing apparatus 22 is an example of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus. The communication unit 42 of the index service providing apparatus 22 is an example of an information processing apparatus providing unit. The communication unit 53 of the image forming apparatus 12 is an example of an acquisition unit. The printing unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 12 is an example of an output unit. The terminal information storage unit 43 of the index service providing apparatus 22 is an example of a terminal information storage unit of the information processing apparatus. The decoding processing unit 55 of the image forming apparatus 12 is an example of a decoding processing unit of the output device.

  The print data storage unit 61 of the print data storage device 13 is an example of output data storage means of the storage device. The encryption key storage unit 63 of the print data storage device 13 is an example of output data storage means of the storage device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Printing system 11 Client terminal 12 Image forming apparatus 13 Print data storage apparatus 21 Access control apparatus 22 Index service provision apparatus 31 Print data storage part 32 Bibliographic information processing part 33 Communication part 34 Terminal registration part 35 Encryption processing part 36 Encryption key Storage unit 41 Index storage unit 42 Communication unit 43 Terminal information storage unit 44 Print data storage unit 51 Job processing unit 52 Printing unit 53 Communication unit 54 Input / output unit 55 Decryption processing unit 61 Print data storage unit 62 Communication unit 63 Encryption key storage unit 100 Computer 101 Input Device 102 Display Device 103 External I / F
103a Recording medium 104 RAM
105 ROM
106 CPU
107 Communication I / F
108 HDD
201 Controller 202 Operation panel 203 External I / F
203a Recording medium 204 Communication I / F
205 Printer 206 Scanner 211 CPU
212 RAM
213 ROM
214 NVRAM
215 HDD
B bus FW firewall N1-N3 network

JP 2000-35869 A

Claims (12)

An output system in which a terminal device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and storage location information of the output data;
Based on the terminal information including the terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and the connection information for connecting to the terminal device, the output data stored in the storage means in which the storage location information of the output data is updated Providing means for providing an output request in response to a request from the output device;
Have
The output device is
An acquisition means for acquiring output data using storage location information of output data included in an output request for output data specified by a user;
An output system comprising output means for outputting the acquired output data. The providing means identifies connection information for connecting to the terminal device corresponding to the output request for output data based on the terminal identification information included in the output request for output data and the terminal identification information included in the terminal information. 2. The output system according to claim 1, wherein the storage location information of the output data included in the output request for the output data is updated based on the connection information for connecting to the specified terminal device. The information processing apparatus further includes terminal information storage means for storing terminal information including terminal identification information registered at a timing different from an output request for output data from the terminal apparatus and connection information for connecting to the terminal apparatus. Have
The providing means updates output data storage location information based on terminal information stored in the terminal information storage means when providing an output request for output data to the output apparatus in response to a request from the output device. The output system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The connection information for connecting to the terminal device is an IP address,
4. The output system according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit updates a domain portion of output data storage location information based on an IP address of the terminal device. 5. An output system in which a terminal device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including storage location information of information for decrypting encrypted output data received from the terminal device operated by a user;
Providing means for providing an output request for output data stored in the storage means in response to a request from the output device;
Have
The output device is
Obtaining information for decrypting encrypted output data by using storage location information of information for decrypting encrypted output data included in an output request for output data specified by the user Means,
Decryption processing means for decrypting the encrypted output data using information for decrypting the encrypted output data;
An output system comprising output means for outputting decoded output data. An output system in which a terminal device, a storage device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including storage location information of output data received from the terminal device operated by a user;
Providing means for providing an output request for output data stored in the storage means in response to a request from the output device;
Have
The storage device is
Output data storage means for storing output data received from the terminal device;
The output device is
Using the storage location information of the output data included in the output request for the output data specified by the user, obtaining means for obtaining the output data from the storage device;
An output system comprising output means for outputting the acquired output data. An output system in which a terminal device, a storage device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including storage location information of information for decrypting encrypted output data received from the terminal device operated by a user;
Providing means for providing an output request for output data stored in the storage means in response to a request from the output device;
Have
The storage device is
Output data storage means for storing information for decrypting the encrypted output data received from the terminal device;
The output device is
Information for decrypting the output data encrypted from the storage device by using the storage location information of the information for decrypting the encrypted output data included in the output request for the output data designated by the user Obtaining means for obtaining
Decryption processing means for decrypting the encrypted output data using information for decrypting the encrypted output data;
An output system comprising output means for outputting decoded output data. An output method executed in an output system in which a terminal device, an output device, and one or more information processing devices are connected via a network,
A storage step in which the information processing device stores an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and storage location information of the output data;
The information processing device is stored in the storage step in which the storage location information of the output data is updated based on terminal information including terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and connection information for connecting to the terminal device. Providing the output request for the output data as requested by the request from the output device;
The output device acquires the output data using the storage location information of the output data included in the output request of the output data specified by the user; and
An output method, wherein the output device includes an output step of outputting the acquired output data. A service providing system having one or more information processing devices capable of communicating with a terminal device and an output device,
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and storage location information of the output data;
Based on the terminal information including the terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and the connection information for connecting to the terminal device, the output data stored in the storage means in which the storage location information of the output data is updated Providing means for providing an output request in response to a request from the output device;
A service providing system comprising: A service providing device capable of communicating with a terminal device and an output device,
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and storage location information of the output data;
Based on the terminal information including the terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and the connection information for connecting to the terminal device, the output data stored in the storage means in which the storage location information of the output data is updated Providing means for providing an output request in response to a request from the output device;
A service providing apparatus comprising: A service providing apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal device and an output device;
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and output data storage location information;
Based on the terminal information including the terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and the connection information for connecting to the terminal device, the output data stored in the storage means in which the storage location information of the output data is updated Providing means for providing an output request in response to a request from the output device;
Program to function as. A terminal device capable of communicating with an output device and one or more information processing devices;
Storage means for storing an output request for output data including terminal identification information received from the terminal device operated by a user and storage location information of the output data;
Based on the terminal information including the terminal identification information registered from the terminal device and the connection information for connecting to the terminal device, the output data stored in the storage means in which the storage location information of the output data is updated Providing means for providing an output request in response to a request from the output device;
For information processing devices with
Registration means for registering terminal information including terminal identification information and connection information for connecting to the terminal device;
Request means for requesting output of output data including terminal identification information and output data storage location information;
Obtaining means for obtaining output data using storage location information of output data included in an output request for output data designated by the user,
For an output device having output means for outputting the acquired output data,
A program for causing an output data acquisition request from the output device using output data storage location information to function as a transmission unit that transmits the output data to the output device.

Images