JP2016091197A - Image forming apparatus, terminal device, processing method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of enhancing user's convenience.SOLUTION: In an image processing system including a plurality of MFPs 300A, 300B, a terminal device 100 receives a connection request to the MFP 300B from a user (S1). In the case that the MFP 300B cannot be remotely controlled by the terminal device 100 (S4), the terminal device 100 requests connection to the MFP 300A different from the MFP 300B (S5), and receives transfer of display information for displaying an operation screen from the MFP 300A (S7, S13). The terminal device 100 transfers operation information representing a user operation to the operation screen to the MFP 300A (S10, S16). In the case that processing based on the operation information is processing of a printing job of the user in the MFP 300B, the MFP 300A transfers the printing job to the MFP 300B (S18).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a terminal apparatus, a processing method, and a control program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus that executes job processing in cooperation with another image forming apparatus, a terminal apparatus, a processing method for the job, and the image The present invention relates to a control program for a forming apparatus and a terminal apparatus.

  An image processing system may be configured with a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral). In the system, a job is stored in any image forming apparatus or a server included in the system. After a user issues a job to the system from a processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer), the user can log in to any of the image forming apparatuses and instruct processing of the job. Such a job processing method is also called ubiquitous printing.

  In order to realize ubiquitous printing, a user performs a login operation to an image forming apparatus included in the system. When the login is successful in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus acquires job information from an apparatus storing a job issued by the user in the system. Upon receiving the login, the image forming apparatus acquires a specified job from among the jobs issued by the user from the stored apparatus and processes the job.

JP2013-191000A JP 2003-209659 A

  However, the system may include an image forming apparatus that does not have a function of executing login processing. Further, the system may include an image forming apparatus that has a high processing load and cannot perform further job processing. In such a case, there is a problem that the user cannot log in to the image forming apparatus and instruct job processing.

  In response to this problem, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-191000 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique in which a printer that does not have an authentication function substitutes a function for another device. However, this technique cannot be used in the case of a system that does not have an authentication server.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-209659 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technique that enables remote operation from another device. However, in the technique of Patent Document 2, the system information of its own device is transferred to another device, and the system information is used by the other device. Therefore, in the case of an image forming apparatus that cannot perform login processing and job processing as described above, the image forming apparatus cannot be remotely operated by another apparatus even if the technique of Patent Document 2 is used.

  It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an image forming apparatus, a terminal device, a processing method, and a control program that can improve user convenience.

  According to an embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a transfer means for transferring display information for displaying an operation screen of the image forming apparatus to the display device, and an operation displayed on the display device based on the display information. An input means for accepting input of operation information representing a user's operation on the screen, an access means for accessing one or more print jobs associated with the user, and a print job associated with the user An acquisition unit for acquiring information for specifying from the print job, a display control unit for displaying the information for specifying on the display device, and one associated with the user based on the operation information From the above print jobs, designation means for accepting the designation of the print job to be processed, and the print job designated as the process target Specifying means for specifying a processing apparatus to be processed, and issuing means for issuing a print job to another image forming apparatus when the processing apparatus is another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus. Is provided.

  Preferably, the display device is mounted on the terminal device. The specifying unit specifies information representing a processing apparatus for a print job designated by the user based on the operation information.

  Preferably, the display device includes a display device mounted on the terminal device and a display device mounted on the image forming apparatus. The specifying unit specifies the processing device as the image forming device when the display device mounted on the image forming device displays the operation screen.

  Preferably, when the image forming apparatus receives designation of a print job to be processed from a plurality of display apparatuses, the image forming apparatus accepts designation of the print job having the image forming apparatus as a processing apparatus and executes the process. This is prioritized over receiving the designation of a print job having the image forming apparatus as a processing apparatus and transferring the print job having the other image forming apparatus as the processing apparatus to the other image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, when the image forming apparatus receives designation of a print job to be processed from a plurality of display apparatuses, the image forming apparatus accepts designation of the print job having the image forming apparatus as a processing apparatus and executes the process. This is performed in parallel with the designation of a print job having the image forming apparatus as the processing apparatus and transferring the print job having the other image forming apparatus as the processing apparatus to the other image forming apparatus.

  According to another embodiment, the terminal device can remotely control the image forming apparatus. The terminal device includes a designation unit for accepting designation of an image forming apparatus to be remotely operated, a request unit for requesting display information for displaying an operation screen to the image forming apparatus, a display A transfer means for transferring operation information representing a user operation on the operation screen displayed based on the information to the image forming apparatus which has passed the display information to the terminal device; and an image forming apparatus designated by the designation means. Determination means for determining whether or not the image forming apparatus is remotely operable. When the designated image forming apparatus is not a remotely operable image forming apparatus, the request unit requests display information from another image forming apparatus stored in advance, which is different from the designated image forming apparatus. . The transfer unit transfers the operation information to the other image forming apparatus together with information for specifying the designated image forming apparatus.

  Preferably, the determination unit determines whether or not the image forming apparatus can be operated remotely according to at least one of the function and processing status of the designated image forming apparatus.

  According to another embodiment, the processing method is a processing method for a print job in an image processing system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can communicate with the terminal device. In this processing method, the terminal device accepts a connection request from the user to the first image forming device among a plurality of image forming devices, and the first image forming device can be remotely operated from the terminal device. If not, a step in which the terminal device requests connection to a second image forming device different from the first image forming device, and an operation of the second image forming device in response to a request from the terminal device. Transferring display information for displaying a screen from the second image forming apparatus to the terminal apparatus, and operation information representing a user operation on the operation screen displayed on the terminal apparatus based on the display information from the terminal apparatus A step of transferring to the second image forming apparatus; and a step of executing processing based on the operation information by the second image forming apparatus. When the process based on the operation information is a process of a print job associated with a user in the first image forming apparatus, the step of executing the process in the second image forming apparatus includes: Transferring from the forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus.

  According to another embodiment, the control program is a control program for a computer installed in the image forming apparatus. This control program represents a step of transferring display information for displaying an operation screen of the image forming apparatus to the computer, and a user operation on the operation screen displayed on the display apparatus based on the display information. A step of accepting input of operation information, a step of accessing one or more print jobs associated with the user, and a step of acquiring information for identifying the print job associated with the user from the print job A step of displaying information for specifying on a display device, a step of receiving designation of a print job to be processed from one or more print jobs associated with the user based on the operation information, and a processing target Identifying a processing device to process a print job designated as If it is different from other image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and a step of issuing a print job to another image forming apparatus.

  According to another embodiment, the control program is a control program for a terminal device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus. The control program receives from the user a connection request to the first image forming apparatus from the user, and determines whether the first image forming apparatus can be remotely operated from the terminal apparatus. And requesting connection to a second image forming apparatus different from the first image forming apparatus when the first image forming apparatus cannot be remotely operated from the terminal apparatus; In response to a request, a step of receiving an input of display information for displaying an operation screen of the second image forming apparatus from the second image forming apparatus, and an operation screen displayed on the terminal device based on the display information A step of transferring operation information representing a user operation to the second image forming apparatus.

  According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the convenience of a user of a system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system (hereinafter simply referred to as a system) according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the apparatus structure of the terminal device contained in a system. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the apparatus structure of MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) contained in a system. It is a figure showing the operation | movement outline | summary of a system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operation | movement of a terminal device. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation flow of an MFP.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, these descriptions will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system (hereinafter simply referred to as a system) according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the system includes a terminal device 100 and MFPs (Multi-Functional Peripherals) 300A, 300B, and 300C, which are examples of image forming apparatuses. The plurality of MFPs 300A, 300B, and 300C are collectively referred to as MFP 300.

  The terminal device 100 and the MFP 300 are connected to be communicable. Communication between the terminal device 100 and the MFP 300 may be wireless communication such as infrared communication or communication via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The terminal device 100 may be any device having a communication function, a display function, and an operation input function. The terminal device 100 is a device called a tablet, for example. The terminal device 100 may be a general personal computer (PC).

<Device configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the device configuration of the terminal device 100. Referring to FIG. 2, terminal device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 for controlling the entire device. In addition, the terminal device 100 stores a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 for storing a program executed by the CPU 10 and other data, and stores a calculation value when the CPU 10 executes the program or becomes a work area. RAM (Random Access Memory) 12. The terminal device 100 includes a touch panel 13 and a network controller 14. The network controller 14 controls communication between the terminal device 100 and the MFP 300.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the apparatus configuration of the MFP 300. Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 300 includes a CPU 30 for controlling the entire apparatus. The MFP 300 includes a ROM 31 for storing a program executed by the CPU 30, a RAM 32 serving as a work area when the CPU 30 executes the program, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 33 for storing image data and the like. including. The MFP 300 includes a printer 34 and a scanner 35 as an example of an image forming mechanism. The MFP 300 includes an operation panel 36 and a network controller 37. The network controller 37 controls communication between the MFP 300 and the terminal device 100.

<Overview of operation>
The user issues a print job to the system using a processing device (not shown) such as a PC. The print job is stored in one of the MFPs associated with the user in advance, the MFP assigned at the time of issuance, or another device (not shown) such as a server. An MFP that stores a user-issued job is also referred to as a storage MFP.

  Thereafter, the user logs in to one of the MFPs. The MFP to which the user has logged in is also referred to as a login MFP. The login MFP inquires of each MFP in the system whether or not there is a job associated with the login user, and acquires job information. In other words, the login MFP accesses one or more jobs associated with the login user in the system and acquires job information from the jobs. The job information is information for specifying the job, such as a job name and a job creation date.

  The login MFP presents to the login user selectable job information about one or more jobs associated with the user stored in any MFP in the system. The user selects a job to be printed from the selection screen. The job may be selected by a method of selecting an option associated with the job information, or by a method of inputting job information such as a job name.

  The login MFP obtains the selected job from the MFP storing the job, and executes the printing process.

  As a result, in this system, the user can print the specified job regardless of which MFP in the system is logged in without being aware of which device stores the job issued by the user. Can do.

  The terminal device 100 is equipped with an application for realizing a function called a so-called remote panel. The terminal device 100 executes the application and receives a designation of a login MFP from the user. Then, the terminal apparatus 100 obtains information for accessing the designated MFP 300 to display the operation screen, and displays the designated operation screen of the MFP 300 on the touch panel 13. When the terminal device 100 receives a user operation (touch) on the operation screen, the terminal device 100 transmits information indicating the operation position to the designated MFP 300. When the MFP 300 receives the information from the terminal device 100, the MFP 300 specifies the operation content based on the information and executes a process according to the operation.

  Accordingly, the user of the terminal device 100 can remotely operate the MFP 300 designated using the terminal device 100.

  The user can request access to the MFP 300 to log in using the terminal device 100. By accessing the MFP 300 with the terminal device 100, the user can set the MFP 300 as a login MFP by remote operation.

  However, there are cases where the MFP 300 designated as the login MFP cannot be remotely operated by the terminal device 100. For example, if the designated MFP 300 is a low-functional model that does not have a user authentication function or does not have a function of reading a job from another device, the MFP 300 is connected to the terminal device 100. The login MFP cannot be set by remote operation. Further, even when the designated MFP 300 is performing a different image forming process and the load is high, there are cases where no further processing can be performed and the login MFP cannot be set.

  In this system, in such a case, the terminal device 100 requests connection to another MFP in place of the designated MFP 300 and causes the subsequent processing to be performed. In the following description, another MFP that replaces the designated MFP 300 is also referred to as an alternative MFP.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of this system. Referring to FIG. 4, terminal apparatus 100 activates a remote panel application in accordance with a user operation, and accepts designation of an MFP as a login MFP from the user (step S1). In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that terminal device 100 accepts designation of MFP 300B.

  The terminal device 100 requests connection to the designated MFP 300B (step S2). As an example, when the terminal device 100 requests connection to the MFP 300B, the terminal device 100 requests information regarding a function as a login MFP. The terminal device 100 acquires device information from the MFP 300B (step S3). The device information received from the MFP 300B is, for example, information related to the function as the login MFP in response to the request. Alternatively, the device information received from MFP 300B may be information representing the processing status of MFP 300B.

  Based on the information from MFP 300B, terminal device 100 determines whether or not designated MFP 300B can be remotely operated as a login MFP (step S4). If the terminal device 100 determines that the designated MFP 300B cannot be remotely operated as a login MFP, the terminal device 100 requests connection to another MFP different from the designated MFP 300B (step S5). In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that terminal device 100 requests MFP 300A to connect as another MFP different from MFP 300B. The other MFP may be an MFP stored in advance in terminal device 100. Alternatively, when it is determined that the designated MFP 300B cannot be remotely operated as a login MFP, the terminal device 100 may detect a device that can be remotely operated.

  When the terminal device 100 requests the MFP 300A which is another MFP to connect, the terminal device 100 passes information indicating the designated MFP 300B to the MFP 300A together with the request.

  Receiving the connection request, MFP 300A performs processing for remote connection, such as starting an application for a remote panel (step S6). Then, MFP 300A transfers display information for displaying a login screen to terminal device 100 (step S7). The terminal device 100 that has received the information from the MFP 300A displays a login screen on the touch panel 13 (step S8).

  When a login operation is received from the user on the displayed login screen (step S9), terminal apparatus 100 transfers operation information, which is information indicating an operation position, to MFP 300A (step S10). The operation information is, for example, coordinates representing the touch position on the operation screen.

  MFP 300 </ b> A identifies the operation content from the operation information from terminal device 100. That is, MFP 300A identifies login information that the user has entered on the login screen. Then, MFP 300A performs user authentication using the login information (step S11). If the authentication is successful, the MFP 300A accesses one or more jobs stored in association with the user on the system, and acquires job information of the job from the job (step S12). The MFP 300A displays a list of jobs associated with the login user, and generates a selection screen for presenting a job to be printed from among the jobs. Then, MFP 300A transfers display information for displaying the selection screen to terminal device 100 (step S13).

  The terminal device 100 that has received the display information displays a selection screen on the touch panel 13 based on the information (step S14). When receiving a user operation for selecting a job on the selection screen displayed on touch panel 13 (step S15), terminal device 100 transfers operation information representing the user operation to MFP 300A (step S16).

  MFP 300 </ b> A identifies the operation content from the operation information from terminal device 100. That is, MFP 300A identifies the selected job. Then, the MFP 300A acquires the selected job from the apparatus storing the job (step S17).

  As described above, the connection request from the terminal device 100 includes information indicating the MFP 300B in which the terminal device 100 is designated as a connection destination by the user. Therefore, the MFP 300A can determine that the subsequent operation is a substitute for the MFP 300B when the connection request is received. Alternatively, when the input source of the control signal is the terminal device 100, the MFP 300A determines that it is a substitute for another MFP, and when it is the operation panel 36, the MFP 300A determines that the designated MFP is the MFP 300A. Also good. Alternatively, the MFP 300A determines that the designated MFP is the MFP 300A if a document is set on the scanner 35 when the control signal is input. Otherwise, it is a substitute for another MFP. You may judge.

  When the MFP designated by the user is MFP 300B, MFP 300A transfers the job acquired in step S17 to MFP 300B (step S18). At this time, MFP 300A may transfer the job to MFP 300B after performing processing necessary for printing the job. Note that the job transfer may not be performed directly from the MFP 300A to the MFP 300B. That is, MFP 300A may transfer to terminal device 100 once, and terminal device 100 may transfer to MFP 300B.

The MFP 300B that received the job prints the job (step S19).
<Functional configuration>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of MFP 300 for performing the above operation. Each function of FIG. 5 is realized mainly by the CPU 30 when the CPU 30 of the MFP 300 reads a program stored in the ROM 31 onto the RAM 32 and executes it. However, some functions may be realized by the hardware shown in FIG. 3 or other hardware such as an electric circuit (not shown).

  Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 30 of MFP 300 includes an input unit 301 for accepting input of operation information from terminal device 100. In addition, when the operation information is login information, the CPU 30 includes an authentication unit 302 for performing user authentication using the information. In addition, when the user authentication is successful, the CPU 30 includes an acquisition unit 303 for acquiring job information and a job associated with the user, and a presentation unit 304 for presenting the job information. Including.

  In addition, the CPU 30 includes a display processing unit 305. The display processing unit 305 generates screen information that is information for displaying the operation screen, and performs processing for displaying the operation screen on the display device. When the display device is the operation panel 36 of the MFP 300, the display processing unit 305 controls the display of the operation panel 36. The display processing unit 305 includes a transfer unit 306. When the display device is the touch panel 13 of the terminal device 100, the transfer unit 306 transfers the screen information to the terminal device 100.

  Further, the CPU 30 includes a process specifying unit 307 for specifying the process instructed from the operation information, and a processing unit 308 for executing the instructed process. The processing unit 308 executes processing such as printing, transmission, and copying of the designated job as the instructed processing.

  As functions of the processing unit 308 when the processing executed by the processing unit 308 is job printing, the processing unit 308 includes a designation unit 309, an apparatus specifying unit 310, and a job processing unit 311. A designation unit 309 accepts designation of a job to be printed. The device specifying unit 310 specifies a device that executes job printing. When the connection request from the terminal device 100 includes information indicating another MFP as the MFP designated as a connection destination by the user, the device specifying unit 310 prints a job from the connection request. The device that executes is identified as the other MFP.

  A job processing unit 311 controls processing when the MFP 300 prints a job. The job processing unit 311 includes an issuing unit 312 for issuing a job. When the apparatus that executes job printing is another MFP, the issuing unit 312 issues a job to the other MFP.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 100 for performing the above operation. Each function of FIG. 6 is mainly realized by the CPU 10 when the CPU 10 of the terminal device 100 reads the program stored in the ROM 11 onto the RAM 12 and executes the program. However, some functions may be realized by the hardware shown in FIG. 2 or other hardware such as an electric circuit (not shown).

  Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 10 of terminal device 100 includes an instruction input unit 101 for receiving an instruction input representing a user operation on touch panel 13. The instruction input unit 101 includes a designation unit 102 for accepting designation of an MFP that is a target of remote operation using the terminal device 100.

  Further, the CPU 10 includes a request unit 103, a transfer unit 104, a determination unit 105, a screen input unit 106, and a display processing unit 107. The determination unit 105 determines whether or not the MFP designated as the MFP that requests connection can be remotely operated by the terminal device 100 based on at least one of the function of the designated MFP and the processing status. When the determination unit 105 determines that the MFP designated as the MFP that requests connection is remote-controllable, the request unit 103 requests the designated MFP 300 to connect. When determining unit 105 determines that the MFP designated as the MFP requesting connection is not remotely operable, requesting unit 103 requests connection to another MFP 300 stored in advance.

  Screen input unit 106 receives input of screen information from MFP 300 that has requested connection. The display processing unit 107 displays the operation screen of the MFP 300 that has requested connection on the touch panel 13 based on the screen information.

<Operation flow>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of the terminal device 100. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 10 of the terminal device 100 reading and executing the program stored in the ROM 11 on the RAM 12 and executing the processing for realizing each function of FIG. The

  Referring to FIG. 7, when CPU 10 receives designation of an MFP desired to be logged in from the user (YES in step S101), CPU 10 determines whether or not the designated MFP can be remotely operated. If the designated MFP 300 cannot be remotely operated (NO in step S103), the CPU 10 requests connection to another MFP stored in advance as an alternative MFP (step S105).

  When the CPU 10 receives screen information that is information for displaying an operation screen from the alternative MFP (YES in step S107), the CPU 10 displays the operation screen of the alternative MFP on the touch panel 13 based on the screen information (step S109). When a user operation on the operation screen displayed on touch panel 13 is accepted (YES in step S111), CPU 10 transfers operation information representing the user operation to the alternative MFP (step S113). The CPU 10 repeats the above operation until the process according to the user operation ends (YES in step S115).

  On the other hand, if the designated MFP 300 can be remotely operated (YES in step S103), the CPU 10 requests connection to the designated MFP (step S117).

  In this case, when the CPU 10 receives screen information that is information for displaying an operation screen from the designated MFP (YES in step S119), the CPU 10 displays the operation screen of the designated MFP on the touch panel 13 based on the screen information. It is displayed (step S121). When a user operation on the operation screen displayed on touch panel 13 is accepted (YES in step S123), CPU 10 transfers operation information representing the user operation to the designated MFP (step S125). The CPU 10 repeats the above operation until the process according to the user operation is completed (YES in step S127).

  In the operation shown in FIG. 7, there is a difference between the operation in steps S107 to S115 and the operation in steps S117 to S127 whether the connection destination MFP is a designated MFP or an alternative MFP. However, it is the same operation. However, in step S109 described above, the operation screen may be displayed in a mode different from the operation screen when the MFP 300 is the designated MFP so that the operation is performed by the alternative MFP.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation flow of MFP 300. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 30 of the MFP 300 reading the program stored in the ROM 31 onto the RAM 32 and executing it, and executing the processing for realizing each function of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when CPU 30 of MFP 300 receives a connection request from terminal device 100 (YES in step S201), CPU 30 transmits screen information for displaying a login screen to terminal device 100 (step S203). . When operating information representing login information is received from terminal device 100 (YES in step S205), CPU 30 performs user authentication using the login information (step S207).

  If the user authentication is successful (YES in step S209), the CPU 30 accesses a job stored in association with the login user in any device of the system or a storage device accessible from the system, and The job information of the job is acquired (step S211). Then, the CPU 30 presents the job information in a selectable manner, and transmits screen information of a selection screen for accepting selection of a job to be printed from the user to the terminal device 100 (step S213).

  When CPU 30 receives the operation information indicating the selection result from terminal apparatus 100 (YES in step S215), CPU 30 acquires the selected job from the apparatus storing the job (step S217).

  In processing a job, the CPU 30 branches the process depending on whether the print destination of the job is the MFP 300 or another MFP. Whether the job print destination is the own machine (MFP 300) or another MFP can be determined by referring to the information included in the connection request received from the terminal device 100 in step S201, for example. . That is, the request includes information specifying the MFP designated as the login destination by the user with respect to the terminal device 100, that is, the MFP as the printing destination.

  If the print destination is the MFP (MFP 300) (YES in step S219), CPU 30 prints the acquired job (step S221). If the print destination is another MFP (NO in step S219), the CPU 30 transfers the job to the MFP that is the print destination (step S223).

<Effect of Embodiment>
By performing the above operations in the system according to the first embodiment, the user who requested connection using the terminal device 100 in order to print a job has insufficient functions or excessive processing. Even if the terminal device 100 cannot be remotely operated, the specified job is printed on the specified MFP as if the MFP is remote using the terminal device 100. Can be made. Thereby, the convenience of the user of this system can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the user of terminal apparatus 100 first designates an MFP that performs remote operation. Thereby, first, the MFP to which the terminal device 100 requests connection is branched depending on whether or not the designated MFP can be remotely operated. The order of operations is not limited to the order described above. In the system according to the second embodiment, it is assumed that the user of the terminal device 100 first selects a job to be processed. Since each device included in the system according to the second embodiment is the same as each device included in the system according to the first embodiment, description of the device configuration will not be repeated.

  In the system according to the second embodiment, the operations shown in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 5 are not performed. That is, when the remote panel application is activated, the CPU 10 of the terminal device 100 obtains display information for requesting a connection to the MFP 300A stored in advance and displaying a login screen. The MFP 300A stored in advance is, for example, an MFP that the user uses most frequently, an MFP that is closest to the current position, or the like. Then, CPU 10 displays a login screen of MFP 300 </ b> A on touch panel 13.

  The user inputs login information using the displayed login screen, and selects a job to be printed from the selection screen displayed thereafter. Subsequently, the user selects an MFP for printing the job. For this reason, the MFP 300A can select each MFP included in the system in order to select the print destination of the job on the selection screen that presents the job information of the job associated with the login user in a selectable manner. Present.

  The CPU 30 of the MFP 300A transfers the specified job to the specified MFP when an MFP different from the MFP 300A is specified as the job printing destination.

  Note that an MFP as a print destination may be associated with a designated job in advance. Alternatively, an MFP as a print destination may be associated with each job type instead of each job. Upon receiving the job designation, the MFP 300A can specify the MFP as the printing destination from the job. If the print destination is not MFP 300A, the job is transferred to another MFP.

  By performing the above operation in the system according to the second embodiment, the user can print a job designated by any MFP in the system without being aware of the MFP that logs in. Thereby, the convenience of the user of this system can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
A plurality of terminal devices may be included in the image processing system. Alternatively, remote operation of the terminal device 100 and operation by the operation panel 36 of the MFP 300 may be mixed. Therefore, a case where a plurality of connection requests are made in one MFP 300 will be described as a third embodiment. The third embodiment will be described using the system according to the first embodiment and the system according to the second embodiment.

  As described above, when MFP 300B designated by the user is an apparatus that cannot be remotely operated by terminal apparatus 100, terminal apparatus 100 requests connection to MFP 300A. On the other hand, the MFP 300 </ b> A may be requested to connect from another terminal device 100. Further, in MFP 300A, operation panel 36 may be operated by a user.

  In this case, MFP 300A preferably executes a process according to the operation on operation panel 36 in parallel with the process according to the remote operation of terminal device 100. That is, MFP 300 </ b> A executes processing according to the operation on operation panel 36 even when remote operation is performed from terminal device 100. In order to realize such processing, the MFP 300A includes a CPU (not shown) or a memory for executing processing according to the operation of the operation panel 36 in addition to the CPU 30 for executing processing according to the remote operation of the terminal device 100. May be installed, and processing may be performed independently of each other.

  As another example, preferably, MFP 300A gives priority to a plurality of connection requests, and performs processing in descending order of priority. As an example, the MFP 300A sets the highest priority for processing according to the operation on the operation panel 36. Next, the MFP 300A increases the priority of processing according to the remote operation of the terminal device 100 that designates the MFP 300A. Then, MFP 300A sets the priority of the processing according to the remote operation of terminal device 100 designating another MFP to the lowest.

  The CPU 30 stores in advance the number that can be executed at the same time for each of the process in which the print destination is its own machine and the alternative process in which the print destination is another MFP, up to the number that can be executed in accordance with the above priority order. Execute the process.

  By performing the above-described operation in the system according to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent the processing from being concentrated on any of the MFPs 300 included in the present system and excessive processing.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Furthermore, a program for causing the CPU 10 of the terminal device 100 or the CPU 30 of the MFP 300 to execute the above-described processing can be provided. By providing such a program, a general-purpose terminal device called a tablet can function as the terminal device 100. In addition, the present system can be easily constructed using an existing MFP.

  Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. You can also. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present disclosure is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. Such a program that does not include a module may also be included in the program according to the present disclosure.

  Further, the program according to the present disclosure may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. A program incorporated in such another program may also be included in the program according to the present disclosure.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10, 30 CPU, 11, 31 ROM, 12, 32 RAM, 13 touch panel, 14, 37 network controller, 34 printer, 35 scanner, 36 operation panel, 100 terminal device, 101 instruction input unit, 102, 309 designation unit, 103 Request unit, 104,306 transfer unit, 105 determination unit, 106 screen input unit, 107,305 display processing unit, 300, 300A, 300B, 300C MFP, 301 input unit, 302 authentication unit, 303 acquisition unit, 304 presentation unit, 307 Processing specifying unit, 308 processing unit, 310 device specifying unit, 311 job processing unit, 312 issuing unit.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus,
Transfer means for transferring display information for displaying an operation screen of the image forming apparatus to the display device;
Input means for accepting input of operation information representing a user operation on the operation screen displayed on the display device based on the display information;
Access means for accessing one or more print jobs associated with the user;
An acquisition means for acquiring from the print job information for specifying a print job associated with the user;
Display control means for displaying the information for specifying on the display device;
A designation unit for accepting designation of a print job to be processed from one or more print jobs associated with the user based on the operation information;
Specifying means for specifying a processing device for processing the print job designated as the processing target;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an issuing unit configured to issue the print job to the other image forming apparatus when the processing apparatus is another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus. The display device is mounted on a terminal device,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies information representing a processing apparatus for the print job designated by the user based on the operation information. The display device includes a display device mounted on a terminal device, and a display device mounted on the image forming device,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies the processing apparatus as the image forming apparatus when a display device mounted on the image forming apparatus displays the operation screen.   When the designation of the print job to be processed is received from a plurality of display devices, the designation of the print job with the image forming device as the processing device is accepted and the process is executed. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein priority is given to receiving designation of a print job as a processing apparatus and transferring a print job having the other image forming apparatus as a processing apparatus to the other image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus.   When the designation of the print job to be processed is received from a plurality of display devices, the designation of the print job with the image forming device as the processing device is accepted and the process is executed. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the print job is designated in parallel with transferring a print job having the other image forming apparatus as a processing apparatus to the other image forming apparatus by receiving designation of a print job as the processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus described. A terminal device capable of remotely operating an image forming apparatus,
Designation means for accepting designation of an image forming apparatus to be remotely operated;
Request means for requesting display information for displaying an operation screen to the image forming apparatus;
Transfer means for transferring operation information representing a user operation on the operation screen displayed based on the display information to an image forming apparatus that has passed the display information to the terminal device;
Determination means for determining whether the image forming apparatus designated by the designation means is an image forming apparatus that can be remotely operated;
When the designated image forming apparatus is not a remotely operable image forming apparatus, the request unit displays the display on another image forming apparatus stored in advance, which is different from the designated image forming apparatus. A terminal device that requests information, and the transfer means transfers the operation information to the other image forming apparatus together with information for specifying the designated image forming apparatus.   The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the image forming apparatus can be remotely operated according to at least one of a function and a processing status of the designated image forming apparatus. . A method for processing a print job in an image processing system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
Each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can communicate with a terminal device,
The terminal device accepting a connection request from a user to the first image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices;
The terminal device requests connection to a second image forming apparatus different from the first image forming apparatus when the first image forming apparatus cannot be remotely operated from the terminal apparatus. When,
Transferring display information for displaying an operation screen of the second image forming apparatus from the second image forming apparatus to the terminal apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus;
Transferring operation information representing a user operation on an operation screen displayed on the terminal device based on the display information from the terminal device to the second image forming device;
Executing a process based on the operation information in the second image forming apparatus,
When the process based on the operation information is a process of a print job associated with the user in the first image forming apparatus, the step of executing the process in the second image forming apparatus includes the print job Is transferred from the second image forming apparatus to the first image forming apparatus. A computer control program mounted on an image forming apparatus,
The control program is stored in the computer.
Transferring display information for displaying an operation screen of the image forming apparatus to a display device;
Accepting input of operation information representing a user operation on an operation screen displayed on the display device based on the display information;
Accessing one or more print jobs associated with the user;
Obtaining from the print job information for identifying a print job associated with the user;
Displaying the information for identification on the display device;
Receiving a designation of a print job to be processed from one or more print jobs associated with the user based on the operation information;
Identifying a processing device for processing the print job designated as the processing target;
A control program for executing the step of issuing the print job to the other image forming apparatus when the processing apparatus is another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus. A control program for a terminal device capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus,
The control program is stored in the terminal device.
Receiving a connection request for the first image forming apparatus from a user;
Determining whether the first image forming apparatus can be remotely operated from the terminal device;
Requesting a connection to a second image forming apparatus different from the first image forming apparatus when the first image forming apparatus is not remotely operable from the terminal device;
Receiving input of display information for displaying an operation screen of the second image forming apparatus from the second image forming apparatus in response to a request from the terminal device;
A control program for executing, on the basis of the display information, a step of transferring operation information representing a user operation on the operation screen displayed on the terminal device to the second image forming apparatus.

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