JP2016162047A - Print server and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient print server with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A print server 7 communicable with a user-side communication terminal 5A and printer 9 via a network 3 includes: a mail receiving unit 33 that receives an electronic mail from the user-side communication terminal 5A via the network 3; a state recognition unit 41 that determines whether the state of the printer 9 is normal or abnormal on the basis of communication with the printer 9 via the network 3; a print processing unit 43 that generates, if the state is determined to be normal by the state recognition unit 41, print data of a format usable in the printer 9 on the basis of information included in the electronic mail and transmits the generated print data to the printer 9 via the network 3; and an abnormal-time processing unit 45 that transmits, if the state is determined to be abnormal by the state recognition unit 41, first abnormal information indicating that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal, to the user-side communication terminal 5A via the network 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a print server that receives a print request from a communication terminal via a network and instructs a printer to print via the network, and a print system including the print server.

  There is known a print server that receives an electronic mail and instructs a printer to print based on the received information via a network (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In Patent Document 1, when an electronic mail is transmitted from a communication terminal to a print server, the print server generates data based on the received electronic mail and transmits the data to a printer adapter via a network. The printer adapter converts the received data into data in a format corresponding to the printer and transmits the data to the printer.

  In Patent Document 2, when an e-mail is transmitted from a communication terminal to a print server, the print server converts image data attached to the received e-mail into data in a format corresponding to a printer, and via a network, It transmits to a portable terminal different from the communication terminal that transmitted the e-mail. This portable terminal transmits the received data to the printer.

JP 2000-339237 A JP 2009-232051

  The technique of Patent Document 1 requires a printer adapter that generates print data in a format corresponding to a printer between a network (print server) and a printer. That is, the user must purchase and install a printer adapter in addition to the printer, which is a heavy burden.

  The technique of Patent Document 2 instructs printing from a portable terminal interposed between a network (print server) and a printer. In a communication terminal that transmits an e-mail to a network (print server), the printing status Is unknown. That is, it is not convenient for a user who sends an e-mail.

  Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a print server and a print system that have a simple configuration and high convenience.

  A print server according to an aspect of the present invention is a print server capable of communicating with a first communication terminal and a printer via a network, and receives a mail from the first communication terminal via the network And a state recognition unit that determines whether the state of the printer is normal or abnormal based on communication with the printer via the network, and when the state recognition unit determines that the state is normal, A print processing unit that generates print data in a format that can be used by the printer based on information included in the e-mail, and sends the generated print data to the printer via the network; The first abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer is abnormal is determined via the network. It comprises a abnormality processing unit that transmits to the communication terminal.

  Preferably, the print server is configured to store a plurality of print e-mail addresses and information for specifying a plurality of first printers in association with each other, and the mail receiving unit receives the information by referring to the storage unit. A printer designating unit that identifies the first printer associated with the print mail address that matches the destination mail address of the received e-mail, and the status recognition unit, the print processing unit, and the abnormal time processing unit include: The first printer specified by the printer specifying unit operates as the printer, and the storage unit further associates information for specifying a plurality of second printers with the plurality of print mail addresses. And when the state recognizing unit determines that the first printer as the printer is abnormal, the abnormal time processing unit includes the first communication terminal. And determining whether printing by the second printer is necessary based on the communication of the second printer, and when the abnormality processing unit determines that printing by the second printer is necessary, the state recognition unit, the print processing unit, and the abnormality The time processing unit operates the second printer as the printer.

  Preferably, the state recognizing unit determines whether any of a plurality of colors of ink has run out in the printer based on communication with the printer, which is a color printer. When the state recognizing unit determines that any one of the plurality of colors of ink has run out, the abnormal time processing unit uses the ink that has not run out based on communication with the first communication terminal. When it is determined whether printing is necessary, and the abnormal time processing unit determines that printing with unbroken ink is necessary, the print processing unit determines that the ink has run out based on information included in the e-mail. Print data different from the print data when there is no print data is generated, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer via the network.

  Preferably, the print server includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of first communication terminal mail addresses, a plurality of print mail addresses, and information for specifying the plurality of second communication terminals in association with each other. The abnormal time processing unit refers to the storage unit and associates it with a combination of a mail address and a print mail address of the first communication terminal that matches a combination of a source mail address and a destination mail address of the electronic mail. The specified second communication terminal is specified, and second abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer is abnormal is transmitted to the specified second communication terminal.

  Preferably, the pudding and the server are based on communication between a storage unit that holds information indicating whether or not a predetermined operation performed by the abnormality processing unit is necessary, and at least one of the first communication terminal and the printer. A function setting unit that rewrites information indicating whether or not the predetermined operation is held in the storage unit, and the abnormality processing unit refers to the storage unit, and The predetermined operation is executed only when it is required for the operation.

  A printing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first communication terminal, a printer, and the first communication terminal and any one of the print servers that can communicate with the printer via a network.

  Preferably, the communication terminal includes a notification unit that performs notification by image display or sound output, and a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification operation when the first abnormality information is received. ing.

  Preferably, the abnormality processing unit of the print server transmits a predetermined notification instruction signal to the printer when the abnormality recognition unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, and the printer notifies the user by image display or sound output. And a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification operation when the notification instruction signal is received.

  According to said structure, the convenience can be improved with a simple structure.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of operation of the print system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print system in FIG. 1. The schematic diagram which shows the content of the data hold | maintained at a database. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of main processing executed by the print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printer status information acquisition process executed by the print server. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of print processing executed by a print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an abnormality process in FIG. 5 executed by the print server.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a main part of a print system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The print system 1 includes, for example, a user-side communication terminal 5A, a print server 7, a printer 9, and a printer-side communication terminal 5B, each connected to the network 3. Hereinafter, the user-side communication terminal 5A and the printer-side communication terminal 5B may be simply referred to as “communication terminal 5” without being distinguished from each other.

  The print system 1 can include a plurality of user side communication terminals 5A, a plurality of printers 9, and a plurality of printer side communication terminals 5B. In FIG. 1, only one is illustrated. Note that a plurality of print servers 7 may be provided and division of labor may be performed.

  The network 3 includes, for example, the Internet 11 that connects a plurality of computer networks to each other, and a telephone network 13 that connects a plurality of telephones to each other and is connected to the Internet 11 via a gateway (not shown). Note that part or all of the network 3 may be wired or wireless.

  The user-side communication terminal 5A is owned by a user who receives a service realized by the print system 1, for example. The user side communication terminal 5 </ b> A may be any device as long as it can transmit an electronic mail via the network 3. Normally, a device that can send an e-mail can receive the e-mail. The communication terminal 5 is, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, or a personal computer such as a desktop type or a notebook type. When the communication terminal 5 is a mobile phone (example shown in the figure), the communication terminal 5 is connected to the Internet 11 via, for example, a telephone network 13 and a gateway (not shown). Further, when the communication terminal 5 is a personal computer, the communication terminal 5 is connected to the Internet 11 via an appropriate interface such as a modem, although not particularly illustrated.

  The print server 7 is owned by, for example, an operator (service provider) that provides a service realized by the print system 1. The print server 7 is configured by a computer, for example, and is connected to the Internet 11. The computer constituting the print server 7 may be composed of a plurality of hardware connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The printer 9 is owned by, for example, the owner (user) of the user-side communication terminal 5A, the owner (service provider) of the print server 7, or a user or business operator different from these persons. The printer 9 may be in any format as long as communication via the network 3 is possible. For example, the printer 9 may be capable of color printing, or may not be capable of color printing such as monochrome printing. The printer 9 may be an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, or a laser printer. The printer 9 may be a so-called multi-function machine as well as a narrowly defined printer.

  The printer 9 is connected to the Internet 11 via an appropriate interface 15, for example. The interface 15 is, for example, a modem that connects the telephone line and the printer 9 or an optical line terminator that connects the optical line and the printer 9. A router (not shown) may be further interposed between the interface 15 and the printer 9, or the printer 9 may be incorporated in a LAN constructed on the printer 9 side from the router.

  The printer communication terminal 5B is owned by the owner of the printer 9, for example. As described above, the owner of the user side communication terminal 5A and the owner of the printer 9 may be the same. In this case, the user side communication terminal 5A may also be used as the printer side communication terminal 5B. The printer side communication terminal 5B may be any device as long as it can receive electronic mail via the network 3. Normally, a device that can receive an e-mail can send an e-mail. A specific example of the communication terminal 5 is as described in the description of the user-side communication terminal 5A.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the operation of the print system 1.

  First, the user-side communication terminal 5A transmits an e-mail including information to be printed to a predetermined print e-mail address (step ST1). Upon receiving this e-mail, the print server 7 transmits an inquiry signal for checking the status of the printer 9 registered in advance to the printer 9 (step ST2).

The state of the printer 9 here relates to whether printing is possible or quality, and is, for example, the state of the following items.
・ Turn the printer 9 on and off
-Presence of paper in printer 9-Presence of ink in printer 9

  The printer 9 that has received the inquiry signal returns status information indicating its own status to the print server 7 (step ST3). Upon receiving the reply, the print server 7 determines whether the state of the printer 9 is normal or abnormal (step ST4). For example, it is determined to be normal if the power is on, paper is present, and ink is present, and otherwise it is determined to be abnormal.

  If it is determined that the state of the printer 9 is normal, the print server 7 generates print data based on the electronic mail received in step ST1, and transmits the print data to the printer 9 (step ST5). Then, the printer 9 performs printing based on the received print data (step ST6).

  The content of the print data is, for example, at least one of the body of an email, the content of a file attached to the email, and the content of a web page specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) entered in the body of the email This is for printing an image showing one of them. Which is to be printed may be determined in advance in the print server 7, for example, or information specifying which is to be targeted is included in the title of the e-mail, etc. It may be possible to specify in the terminal 5A.

  The format of the print data is a format that can be used by the printer 9. For example, the format of the print data is the same as the format of print data transmitted from the personal computer (driver) to the printer when instructing printing from the personal computer to the printer, and is generally a raster format.

  Since printing is performed in this manner, the user of the user side communication terminal 5A can print information related to the e-mail only by transmitting the e-mail. That is, a personal computer in which a driver for the printer 9 is installed is prepared on the printer 9 side, an electronic mail is transmitted from the user-side communication terminal 5A to the personal computer, and information related to the electronic mail is transmitted from the personal computer to the printer 9. A troublesome procedure such as instructing printing is not necessary.

  When the user of the user side communication terminal 5A is near the printer 9, the user can use the printer 9 as a normal printer that does not require a driver. When the user of the user side communication terminal 5A is away from the printer 9, the user can use the printer 9 like a FAX.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST4 that there is an abnormality, the print server 7 transmits first abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal to the user side communication terminal 5A (step ST7). The user side communication terminal 5A that has received the first abnormality information performs a notification process for notifying the user that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal (step ST8). The notification process includes, for example, a process of displaying a predetermined image on the display unit of the user side communication terminal 5A, a process of vibrating the vibrator of the user side communication terminal 5A, and / or a predetermined sound from the speaker of the user side communication terminal 5A. Is output.

  The print server 7 also transmits second abnormality information indicating that the printer 9 is in an abnormal state to the printer communication terminal 5B (step ST9). The printer-side communication terminal 5B that has received the second abnormality information performs a notification process for notifying the owner of the printer 9 (the owner of the printer-side communication terminal 5B) that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal (step ST10). ). The notification process includes, for example, a process of displaying a predetermined image on the display unit of the printer-side communication terminal 5B, a process of vibrating the vibrator of the printer-side communication terminal 5B, and / or a predetermined sound from the speaker of the printer-side communication terminal 5B. Is output.

  In this way, when the user side communication terminal 5A and the printer side communication terminal 5B are notified of the abnormality, the user of the user side communication terminal 5A and the owner of the printer 9 turn on the printer 9, paper or ink. You can take appropriate measures such as supplementing.

  Note that the notification may be made by various means as described above, but in the following, description will be given mainly using the display unit as an example.

  As a premise of the operation of FIG. 2, the user and the printer owner (communication terminal 5 and printer 9) perform a predetermined registration procedure with respect to the service provider (print server 7). As a result, the communication terminal 5, the printer 9, and the print server 7 store necessary information such as their mail addresses. For example, the registration procedure may be mediated by a dedicated application installed in the communication terminal 5 and the printer 9, or may be mediated by a web browser of the communication terminal 5.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the print system 1 for realizing the operation of FIG.

  Each of the communication terminal 5, the print server 7, and the printer 9 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an external storage device, etc., for example, which are not shown, and the CPU is stored in the ROM and / or the external storage device. By reading and executing the program, each unit indicated by a block (rectangle) in FIG. 3 is configured.

  The user-side communication terminal 5A includes, for example, a mail client unit 21A for sending and receiving e-mails, a web client unit 23A for browsing web pages, a print client unit 25A for realizing the printing described above, and a display It has a portion 27A and an operation portion 29A.

  Similarly, the printer-side communication terminal 5B includes, for example, a mail client unit 21B for sending and receiving e-mails, a web client unit 23B for browsing web pages, and a print client unit 25B for realizing the printing described above. And a display unit 27B and an operation unit 29B.

  In the following description, “A” and “B” may be omitted for each part of the user-side communication terminal 5A and the printer-side communication terminal 5B, and the communication terminal 5 may not be distinguished.

  The mail client unit 21 and the web client unit 23 may be the same as those generally used in communication terminals such as mobile phones (constructed by executing general mail client software and web client software). The mail client unit 21 performs creation, transmission, reception, browsing, and management of e-mails, for example. For example, the web client unit 23 accesses a web server (not shown) via the network 3 and displays a web page by a web browser.

  The print client unit 25 is constructed by, for example, downloading a dedicated application for receiving services from the print system 1 to the communication terminal 5 and causing the communication terminal 5 (CPU) to execute it. However, the application may be installed in the communication terminal 5 from the beginning, and as described later, such a dedicated application (print client unit 25) may be unnecessary.

  The print client unit 25A of the user-side communication terminal 5A and the print client unit 25B of the printer-side communication terminal 5B may have different configurations from each other or may have the same configuration, depending on the difference in input signals. Different actions may be taken.

  For example, the print client unit 25 establishes a connection with the print server 7 via the network 3, presents information in the communication terminal 5 based on a signal from the print server 7 (for example, control of the display unit 27), and A signal corresponding to an operation on the operation unit 29 is transmitted to the print server 7. For example, the print client unit 25 is activated when the communication terminal 5 is powered on.

  The IP address (Internet Protocol address) of the communication terminal 5 of the individual user is dynamically assigned by the provider's DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server, not shown), for example, when the communication terminal 5 is connected to the network 3. In many cases, this is a mode. That is, the IP address of the communication terminal 5 changes. Therefore, the print client unit 25 has an address notification unit 31 for notifying the print server 7 of the IP address and the like of the communication terminal 5 at an appropriate time. Thereby, for example, in step ST7 or ST9 in FIG. 2, the print server 7 can be connected to the communication terminal 5 via the network 3. Note that the IP address of the print server 7 is, for example, statically assigned (a fixed IP address).

  Specifically, for example, in a mode in which a global IP address is assigned to the communication terminal 5, the address notification unit 31 includes appropriate information (for example, account information for receiving the service of the print system 1) in the data unit. The packet may be transmitted to the print server 7. Since the IP packet includes the source IP address, the print server 7 can recognize the IP address of the communication terminal 5. Since the Ethernet frame including the IP packet includes the MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the transmission source, the print server 7 also determines the MAC address of the communication terminal 5 by the notification from the address notification unit 31. You can get it.

  For example, in a mode in which a local IP address (private IP address) is assigned to the communication terminal 5, the address notification unit 31 is a DHCP server (for example, a LAN router, provider server) that assigns the local IP address to the communication terminal 5. IP packet including the global IP address, protocol, and port number may be transmitted to the print server 7 (partial or all of the information may be assigned by the DHCP server). .) That is, the communication terminal 5 may perform so-called port opening. Thereby, the print server 7 can connect to the communication terminal 5 using static IP masquerading. In the description of the present embodiment, a combination of a global IP address, a protocol, and a port number may be referred to as an address or an IP address.

  The timing when the address notification unit 31 notifies the address is, for example, when the communication terminal 5 is connected to the Internet 11 and an IP address is assigned to the communication terminal 5. When a global IP address is assigned to the communication terminal 5, the print server 7 connects to the communication terminal 5 until the communication terminal 5 is disconnected and the assigned global IP address is recovered. it can. Further, for example, when a private IP address is assigned to the communication terminal 5 by a router of the LAN, the print server 7 remains in the communication terminal until the router is powered down and the global IP address assigned to the router is collected. 5 can be connected. Normally, the router is kept powered on, so that the print server 7 can be connected to the communication terminal 5 for a long time. In addition, for example, if it is certain that the assignment of the IP address is earlier than the activation of the print client unit 25, the timing for notifying the address may be the time when the print client unit 25 is activated.

  In this embodiment, since the print client unit 25 is basically started from the time when the communication terminal 5 is started, it monitors whether or not the mail client unit 21 has sent an e-mail addressed to a predetermined print mail address. When it is determined that the data has been transmitted, the communication terminal 5 may connect to the print server 7 and maintain the connection with the print server 7 until a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is, for example, that a predetermined time has elapsed since the connection was established, and / or that printing completion information has been received from the print server 7. In such an embodiment, although the burden of communication increases, there is no situation where the print server 7 tries to connect to the communication terminal 5 after collecting the IP address of the communication terminal 5, so that the communication with the print server 7 is reliably performed. Is called.

  Note that the address notification unit 31 may be omitted when the IP address of the communication terminal 5 is statically assigned. In this case, for example, in the initial registration procedure for receiving the service by the print system 1, the communication terminal 5 or the like may notify the print server 7 of an address such as a MAC address and an IP address.

  When the communication terminal 5 is a mobile phone, each communication carrier identifies the mobile phone according to a unique protocol, and the print server 7 provides a gateway (not shown) that mediates between the telephone network 13 and the Internet 11. Only the IP address can be grasped, and the gateway (IP address) for mediation changes. Therefore, when the user side communication terminal 5A is a mobile phone, for example, as described above, the print client unit 25A determines whether or not the mail client unit 21A has transmitted an e-mail addressed to a predetermined print e-mail address. When monitoring and determining that the data has been transmitted, the user side communication terminal 5A may connect to the print server 7 and maintain the connection with the print server 7 until a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the printer-side communication terminal 5B is a mobile phone, for example, the print client unit 25B may connect to the print server 7 at the same time as activation and maintain the connection with as little data as possible. Theoretically, as in the case where the communication terminal 5 is a computer, the address of the mobile phone as the communication terminal 5 can be stored in the print server 7 and connected from the print server 7 to the mobile phone. is there.

  The display unit 27 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. For example, the operation unit 29 may have a plurality of physical keys, or may be combined with a GUI (graphical user interface) of the display unit 27 like a touch panel.

  For example, the print server 7 receives an e-mail (see step ST1 in FIG. 2), a mail receiving unit 33 for acquiring e-mail information, a web client unit 35 for acquiring web page information, and printing based on the received e-mail. A main processing unit 37 for performing the main processing, and a database 39 for holding addresses of the communication terminal 5 and the printer 9.

  The mail receiving unit 33 receives, for example, an e-mail that is transmitted from an MTA (Mail Transfer Agent) of another mail server and whose domain name of the destination mail address corresponds to its own IP address, like a general mail server. To do. That is, the mail receiving unit 33 receives e-mails having various destination mail addresses composed of a predetermined (constant) domain name and various local parts. For example, an email whose domain name is “@f **. Ne.jp”, “eee@f**.ne.jp”, “ggg@f**.ne.jp”, etc. Receive. However, unlike the mail server, the mail receiving unit 33 does not require a function for transferring received mail (MTA) and a function for delivering received mail to a mail client (MDA: Mail Delivery Agent).

  The mail receiving unit 33 is configured in the same manner as the mail receiving unit of the mail client, and may receive various electronic mails including a predetermined domain name in the destination mail address from the MDA of the mail server. That is, it may operate like a mail server in a pseudo manner. However, in this case, the delivery of the email from the mail server to the email receiver 33 is a push type so that the email receiver 33 can immediately receive the email when the email is transmitted from the user side communication terminal 5A. Is preferred.

  For example, the web client unit 35 acquires information on a web page specified by the URL from the web server, as in the case of a general web client unit. However, the web client unit 35 may not have a browser for displaying the information on the display unit.

  The main processing unit 37 includes, for example, a registration management unit 40 that manages information recorded in the database 39, a state recognition unit 41 for recognizing the state of the printer 9 (see steps ST2 to ST4 in FIG. 2), a printer 9 is normal when the printer 9 is in a normal state (see step ST5) and when the printer 9 is in an abnormal state (steps ST7 and ST9). A processing unit 45 and a function setting unit 47 for selecting functions (services) provided by the print system 1 are provided.

  The state recognition unit 41, for example, determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on the state information acquisition unit 49 for acquiring state information indicating the state of the printer 9 (see steps ST2 and ST3) and the acquired state information ( And a state determination unit 51 (see step ST4).

  The print processing unit 43 includes, for example, a print data generation unit 53 that generates print data in a format that can be used by the printer 9 based on an email received by the mail reception unit 33, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 9. A print data transmission unit 55 for transmission to the printer.

  For example, the abnormality processing unit 45 includes an abnormality notification unit 57 that transmits information indicating that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal to the communication terminal 5.

  The printer 9 includes, for example, a print execution unit 59 that performs control for printing the received print data, a network processing unit 61 that performs processing for receiving services by the print system 1, a display unit 63, and an operation Part 65.

  The print execution unit 59 may be the same as that constructed in a general printer, for example. For example, the print execution unit 59 applies a voltage to the actuator of the print head and the actuator of the paper feed mechanism at an appropriate timing and an appropriate magnitude based on the print data.

  The network processing unit 61 is constructed, for example, by executing a dedicated application installed in the print system 1. This application may be installed before shipment of the printer 9 by the manufacturer of the printer 9 that is the same as or affiliated with the provider of the print server 7, or may be installed by the owner of the printer 9.

  The network processing unit 61 includes, for example, an address notification unit 67 for notifying the print server 7 of the IP address of the printer 9 and a status notification unit 69 for notifying the status of the printer 9 to the print server 7. ing.

  Similar to the address notification unit 31 of the communication terminal 5, the address notification unit 67 notifies the print server 7 of the IP address of the printer 9 when the IP address of the printer 9 is dynamically assigned. It is. The IP address assigned to the printer 9 may be either a global IP address or a local IP address, as is the case with the communication terminal 5, and the operation of the address notification unit 67 in the former or latter case is also the address notification. It may be the same as the part 31.

  However, in general, the printer 9 is not always connected to the Internet 11. Therefore, for example, a router (or access point) is preferably interposed between the printer 9 and the Internet 11. This is because the router is basically always connected to the Internet 11 as already described. Of course, if the IP address of the printer 9 is static, the address notification unit 67 may be omitted.

  The status notification unit 69 transmits status information indicating the status of the printer 9 to the print server 7 in response to an inquiry from the print server 7 (step ST2). The printer 9 generally has a state detection unit that detects the presence or absence of paper, the presence or absence of ink, and the like. Therefore, the status notification unit 69 only needs to mediate between the existing status detection unit and the print server 7, for example.

  The display unit 63 and the operation unit 65 are the same as the display unit 27 and the operation unit 29 of the communication terminal 5.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of data held in the database 39.

  The database 39 selects information related to the user-side communication terminal 5A, print mail address, information related to the first printer (printer 9), information related to the second printer (printer 9), and functions of the print system 1. Such information is held in association with each other. In the following description, each row of the illustrated data table may be referred to as data D1. The update (management) of the database 39 is performed by, for example, the registration management unit 40.

  Since the information associated with such association is held in the database 39, for example, when the print server 7 receives an e-mail, the print server 7 is based on the e-mail address of the transmission source and / or the transmission destination. The printer 9 to which the electronic mail is to be printed can be specified. Each information is specifically as follows, for example.

  The information related to the user side communication terminal 5A is, for example, a mail address and an address (for example, a MAC address and an IP address). In this example, for example, a global IP address is assigned to the user-side communication terminal 5A.

  The mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A is input from the user side communication terminal 5A to the print server 7 by a predetermined registration procedure using e-mail or a web browser, for example, before providing the service realized by the print system 1. And stored in the database 39.

  In the above registration procedure, the MAC address of the user side communication terminal 5A may be input from the user side communication terminal 5A to the print server 7 and held in the database 39, or as described above, from the user side communication terminal 5A. It may be acquired and updated together with the notification of the IP address to the print server 7. In the former case, for example, the MAC address can be used for authentication in communication from the user-side communication terminal 5A to the print server 7. In the latter case, for example, even when the user changes the hardware (user side communication terminal 5A) for sending an e-mail, the print server 7 can acquire the MAC address and provide the service to the user side communication terminal 5A. .

  As described above, the IP address of the user side communication terminal 5A is appropriately updated based on the notification from the address notification unit 31A.

  In the mode in which the local IP address is assigned to the user side communication terminal 5A, for example, the IP address, protocol, and port number of the router (DHCP server) are stored as the address of the user side communication terminal 5A. As described above, these pieces of information may be registered or updated by a predetermined registration procedure or based on a notification from the address notification unit 31A. Further, for example, in an aspect in which the user side communication terminal 5A is a mobile phone (an aspect in which the address notification unit 31 is not provided), the database 39 does not require the gateway IP address, and the user side communication terminal 5A is not connected. The gateway IP address may be stored in the RAM or the like as appropriate. The database 39 may be configured to be compatible with any of the above aspects.

  The printing mail address is a mail address that should be the destination when the user of the user side communication terminal 5A transmits an electronic mail desired to be printed to the print server 7. The domain name of this print mail address corresponds to the IP address of the print server 7, for example, as described above. The local part of the print mail address is appropriately set by the print server 7 based on a signal from the user-side communication terminal 5A or the like in a predetermined registration procedure before providing the service of the print system 1, for example.

  In this embodiment, for example, a printer to be printed is determined based on a destination mail address of an e-mail. Therefore, for example, mail addresses of a plurality of user side communication terminals 5A and one print mail address are associated with each other (a plurality of users print from the same printer 9), or conversely, one user side The mail address of the communication terminal 5A can be associated with a plurality of print mail addresses (one user can select a printer 9 as a print destination from a plurality of printers 9). However, the registration procedure is performed so that the same combination of the mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A and the print mail address does not exist (so that the same combination is not registered again).

  The information relating to the first printer is information relating to the printer 9 to which printing of the e-mail is first attempted when an e-mail is transmitted from the user side communication terminal 5A to the e-mail address for printing. The information relating to the second printer is information relating to the printer 9 used as an alternative printer when printing cannot be performed in the printer 9 specified in the information relating to the first printer. Although not particularly illustrated, the database 39 may be capable of storing information related to a plurality of alternative printers such as a third printer that is used as an alternative printer when the second printer cannot perform printing.

  The information item related to the first printer and the information item related to the second printer are the same, for example. Hereinafter, “first” and “second” may be omitted.

  Information relating to the printer includes, for example, the address of the printer 9 (for example, MAC address and IP address), information indicating the data format of print data usable in the printer 9, and the printer-side communication terminal 5B owned by the owner of the printer 9. This information. In this example, a global IP address is assigned to the printer 9.

  The address of the printer 9 is input to the print server 7 by a predetermined registration procedure and / or the address notification unit 67 and registered and / or updated in the database 39, for example, similarly to the address of the user side communication terminal 5A. . It should be noted that the IP address, protocol, and port number of the router (DHCP server) may be stored as the address of the printer 9, and that the database 39 may be configured to be compatible with any aspect. The same as the terminal 5A.

  Information indicating the data format of the printer 9 is registered in the database 39 by information transmission from the appropriate communication terminal 5 or information transmission from the printer 9 in a predetermined registration procedure, for example. Note that the print server 7 acquires information on the model of the printer 9 from the communication terminal 5 or the printer 9, refers to its own appropriate database from the information, identifies the data format, and registers it in the database 39. Good.

  In the present embodiment, the information related to the printer side communication terminal 5B is the same as the information related to the user side communication terminal 5A.

  The information related to the selection of the function of the print system 1 is, for example, information on whether to use a function that uses an alternative printer, and information on whether to use a function that performs alternative monochrome printing.

  The function of using the alternative printer (for example, the second printer) is as described in the explanation of the information related to the first printer and the second printer.

  For example, when the printer is a color printer, when the color of one of a plurality of types of ink has run out, the function of performing alternative subtractive color printing is reduced color printing (for example, single color printing). ). When subtractive color printing is performed by this function, print data different from print data for color printing is transmitted from the print server 7 to the printer 9. That is, the print data for color printing is transmitted to the printer 9, and as a result, the color-reduced printing is not performed by the fact that the ink of a specific color has run out, but the print data for color-reduced printing is transmitted to the printer 9 from the beginning. Is done. As a result, an image with high visibility is formed even if the ink of a specific color is cut. Note that the subtractive color printing may be binary printing (for example, single-color printing in a narrow sense) with no shading, or printing with shading (for example, gray scale printing). In addition, when the printer performs color printing, printing for subtractive color printing that does not use light cyan for printing in the case of a printer that uses three color inks, for example, color inks other than yellow, magenta, and cyan, for example, light cyan. Data may be generated.

  Information on whether or not to use these printing functions is, for example, that a user performs a predetermined operation on the user side communication terminal 5A at an arbitrary time, and the information is transmitted from the user side communication terminal 5A to the print server 7. It is updated by doing. At this time, for example, the print client unit 25A may launch a predetermined GUI, or a predetermined web page may be opened by a web browser. Further, instead of or in addition to the user-side communication terminal 5A, the printer-side communication terminal 5B and / or the printer 9 are subjected to a predetermined operation, and updated by transmitting information from these devices to the print server 7. May be.

  The database shown in FIG. 4 is merely a conceptual diagram, and various appropriate data tables may be configured in the database 39. For example, in the data table shown in FIG. 4, information indicating the model of the printer 9 is registered in place of the information indicating the data format. Separately, information indicating the model of the printer 9 and information indicating the data format are associated with each other. An attached data table may be prepared. Even in this case, it can be said that the print mail address or the like is substantially associated with the information indicating the data format. Further, the storage device (hardware) constituting the database 39 may be one or a plurality connected via a network.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of main processing executed by the print server 7 to realize the operation of FIG.

  In step ST21, the print server 7 determines whether or not an e-mail has been received. If it is determined that the e-mail has not been received, the print server 7 stands by. If it is determined that the e-mail has been received, the print server 7 proceeds to step ST22.

  In step ST22, the print server 7 searches the mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A in the database 39 using the transmission source mail address of the received electronic mail as a key, and whether or not the transmission source mail address is stored in the database 39. To determine. That is, the print server 7 determines whether or not the user who transmitted the e-mail is a user registered in advance to receive the service of the print system 1.

  When the print server 7 determines that the source mail address is not stored in the database 39, the print server 7 transmits an e-mail to that effect to the source mail address (step ST23), and returns to step ST21. On the other hand, when the print server 7 determines that the source mail address is stored in the database 39, the process proceeds to step ST24.

  In step ST24, the print server 7 determines that the transmission source mail address of the received electronic mail obtained as a result of the search in step ST22 among the plurality of data D1 in the database 39 matches the mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A. Using one or more data D1 as a target, a print mail address is searched by using a destination mail address of the received electronic mail as a key, and one data D1 is specified. Then, the first printer (address) of the specified data D1 is designated as the printing destination.

  Although not shown in particular, if the corresponding print mail address is not found at this time, the print server 7 may notify the user side communication terminal 5A to that effect. This notification may be made by e-mail, or may be made by establishing a connection between the print server 7 and the user-side communication terminal 5A and displaying a predetermined image by the print client unit 25A.

  In step ST25, the print server 7 acquires status information indicating the status of the printer 9 specified in step ST24 (including a case where it is generated by itself as will be described later).

  In step ST26, the print server 7 determines whether or not the state of the printer 9 is normal based on the status information acquired in step ST25, and proceeds to step ST27 if determined to be normal, and if determined to be abnormal, Proceed to step ST28.

  In step ST27, the print server 7 performs a printing process for causing the printer 9 specified in step ST24 to execute printing based on the email received in step ST21. Then, when the printing process is completed, the print server 7 returns to step ST21.

  On the other hand, in step ST28, the print server 7 performs an abnormality process such as notifying the user who sent the e-mail that the printer 9 is in an abnormal state.

  In steps ST29 and ST30 following step ST28, the print server 7 proceeds (returns) to a step at an appropriate position in accordance with the result of the abnormal time process in step ST28. In a broad sense, steps ST29 and ST30 and the steps proceeding from these steps are also abnormal processing.

  Specifically, in step ST29, the print server 7 determines whether or not a predetermined abnormal end flag is set by the abnormal time processing in step ST28. If it is determined that the flag is set, the process proceeds to step ST21. When it returns and it determines with not standing, it progresses to step ST30.

  In step ST30, the print server 7 determines whether or not a predetermined alternative printer flag is set by the abnormality process in step ST28. If it is determined that the flag is set, the process returns to step ST24 and is set. When it determines with there being, it progresses to step ST27.

  Returning to step ST24, the print server 7 specifies the address of the second printer from the data D1 obtained in step ST24, and performs the processing after step ST25 on the second printer instead of the first printer.

  Further, as can be understood from the explanation of the abnormal time processing described later, in this embodiment, when neither the abnormal end flag nor the alternative printer flag is set, any color of the printer 9 as the color printer is set. In a situation where the ink has run out, the user desires monochrome printing. When the print server 7 proceeds to step ST27 via steps ST28 to ST30, the print server 7 performs monochromatic printing instead of color printing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the printer status information acquisition process executed by the print server 7 in step ST25 of FIG.

  In step ST41, the print server 7 transmits a signal requesting information indicating the status of the printer 9 to the printer 9 based on the address of the first printer specified in step ST24 of FIG.

  In step ST42, the print server 7 determines whether or not the printer 9 is turned on based on whether or not the printer 9 responds to the request in step ST41. For example, the print server 7 determines that the power is turned off when a reply is not obtained even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal transmission in step ST1. If the print server 7 determines that the power is off, it sets a power off flag (step ST43), ends the processing of FIG. 6, and if it determines that the power is on, Proceed to ST44.

  In step ST43, the print server 7 determines whether or not there is a sheet in the printer 9 based on the status information returned from the printer 9 in response to the request in step ST41. (Step ST45), the process proceeds to step ST46, and if it is determined that there is, the process skips step ST45 and proceeds to step ST46.

  In step ST46, the print server 7 determines whether or not there is ink in the printer 9 based on the status information returned from the printer 9 in response to the request in step ST41. (Step ST47), the process of FIG. 6 is terminated, and if it is determined that there is, step ST47 is skipped and the process of FIG. 6 is terminated. Although not particularly illustrated, when the printer 9 is a color printer, for example, a flag is set for each ink color.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the processing of FIG. 6 ends, it is determined whether or not the state of the printer 9 is normal in step ST26. At this time, for example, the print server 7 determines that it is normal when none of the power OFF flag (step ST43), the no paper flag (step ST45), and the ink out flag (step ST47) are set. It is determined that there is an abnormality when the flag is set.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the printing process executed by the print server 7 in step ST27 of FIG.

  In step ST51, the print server 7 refers to the database 39 and specifies the data format of print data that can be used by the printer designated in step ST24 of FIG.

  In step ST52, when the printer 9 specified as the printing destination is a color printer, the print server 7 sets which print data for color printing or monochrome printing is to be formed. This setting is set based on whether or not a monochrome printing flag, which will be described later, is set. Although not particularly illustrated, this step may be skipped when, for example, information registered in the database 39 specifies that the printer 9 is dedicated to monochrome printing.

  In step ST53, the print server 7 generates print data based on the data format specified in step ST51 and the printing method (color or single color) set in step ST52 (if necessary).

  In step ST54, the print server 7 transmits the print data generated in step ST53 to the printer 9 designated in step ST24 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the abnormal time process executed by the print server 7 in step ST28 of FIG.

  In step ST61, the print server 7 determines whether or not the power OFF flag (step ST43 in FIG. 6) is set. If so, the process proceeds to step ST68.

  In step ST62, the print server 7 refers to the data D1 obtained in step ST24 of FIG. 5 and whether or not the address of the alternative printer is registered and whether or not the function of using the alternative printer is turned on. Determine whether or not. If the print server 7 determines that it is registered and ON, the process proceeds to step ST63. If it is determined that any of the conditions is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST66.

  In step ST63, the print server 7 notifies the user side communication terminal 5A that the state of the printer 9 (for example, the first printer) designated in step ST24 of FIG. An inquiry is made as to whether or not to perform printing by the second printer).

  At this time, for example, the print server 7 establishes a connection with the user side communication terminal 5A with reference to the address of the user side communication terminal 5A of the data D1 specified in step ST24 of FIG. Further, as described above, when the electronic mail is transmitted to the printing mail address, the user side communication terminal 5A may connect to the print server 7.

  The user side communication terminal 5A (print client unit 25A) that has received the inquiry signal, for example, starts up a dedicated GUI and waits for a user operation. In addition, for example, the print client unit 25A or the print server 7 starts up the web browser of the web client unit 23A, displays the web page of the print server 7 functioning as the web server, and waits for the user's operation. Also good.

  As will be described later, step ST63 can be executed even when the power is on and there is no paper and / or no ink. The print server 7 and / or the communication terminal 5 can notify the user of what kind of abnormality has occurred with reference to the power OFF flag, the no paper flag, and the single color print flag.

  In step ST64, the print server 7 determines whether or not the reply from the user-side communication terminal 5A is an instruction for printing on the alternative printer, and when it is determined that the instruction is an instruction, the process proceeds to step ST65. If it is determined that the instruction is not instructed, the process proceeds to step ST67. Although not particularly illustrated, the process may proceed to step ST67 even when a reply from the user side communication terminal 5A is not obtained within a predetermined time.

  In step ST65, the print server 7 sets an alternative printer flag. This alternative printer flag is referred to in, for example, step ST30 in FIG. 5. If this flag is set, the print server 7 designates the alternative printer as described above, and performs the procedure after step ST24. Will try again. After step ST65, the print server 7 proceeds to step ST73.

  In step ST66, the print server 7 notifies the user side communication terminal 5A that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal. The connection method (address specifying method, etc.) between the print server 7 and the user side communication terminal 5A, the screen display method (whether it is a dedicated GUI), and the display content setting method (flag reference, etc.) are as follows. This is the same as step ST63.

  In step ST67, the print server 7 sets an abnormal end flag. This abnormal end flag is referred to, for example, in step ST29 of FIG. 5, and as described above, if this flag is set, the print server 7 returns to step ST21 and enters a standby state. After step ST67, the print server 7 proceeds to step ST73.

  In step ST68, the print server 7 determines whether or not the no-paper flag (step ST45 in FIG. 6) is set. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step ST69. By proceeding to step ST62, printing by an alternative printer is attempted even when there is no paper.

  In the present embodiment, since only three of the power OFF flag, the no-paper flag, and the out-of-ink flag are described as examples, it is determined that there is an abnormality in step ST26 in FIG. 5, and the process proceeds to FIG. Further, the process proceeds to step ST69 when the ink out flag is set. In addition, when there is a flag indicating another abnormality, or in a confirming sense, the ink out flag may be checked before step ST69.

  In step ST69, the print server 7 refers to the data D1 obtained in step ST24 of FIG. 5 to determine whether or not the alternative single color printing function is ON. The process proceeds to step ST70, and if it is determined that it is not ON, the process proceeds to step ST62. By proceeding to step ST62, printing by the alternative printer is attempted even when the ink is out. Although not particularly illustrated, when it is specified from the information registered in the database 39 that the printer 9 is dedicated to monochrome printing, the process may advance to step ST62 before step ST69.

  In step ST70, the print server 7 notifies the user side communication terminal 5A that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal, and replaces color printing, in the same manner as the printing inquiry by the alternative printer in step ST63. To inquire whether or not to perform monochrome printing.

  In step ST71, the print server 7 determines whether or not the reply from the user-side communication terminal 5A is an instruction for monochrome printing. If the print server 7 determines that the instruction is an instruction, the process proceeds to step ST72 to instruct. If it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step ST62. By proceeding to step ST62, printing by an alternative printer is attempted. Although not particularly illustrated, when a reply from the user side communication terminal 5A is not obtained within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to, for example, step ST67.

  In step ST72, the print server 7 sets a single color printing flag. This single color print flag is referred to, for example, in step ST52 of FIG. 7, and as described above, if the single color print flag is set, the print server 7 generates print data for single color printing. After step ST72, the print server 7 proceeds to step ST73.

  In step ST73, the print server 7 notifies the printer communication terminal 5B that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal. The connection method (address specifying method, etc.) between the print server 7 and the printer communication terminal 5B, the screen display method (whether it is a dedicated GUI), and the display content setting method (flag reference, etc.) are as follows. Except that the specific address of the communication terminal 5 is different, it may be the same as step ST66.

  In step ST74, the print server 7 transmits an instruction signal for notifying the printer 9 that an abnormality has occurred in the printer 9. The printer 9 that has received this signal displays a predetermined image on the display unit 63 or outputs a predetermined sound from a speaker (not shown), for example.

  In the present embodiment, when neither the abnormal end flag nor the alternative printer flag is set when the processing of FIG. 8 is completed, it is the time when the monochrome printing flag is set. Then, the print server 7 returns to step ST27 without checking the presence or absence of the monochrome printing flag. However, if there are other flags, or in a confirming sense, the monochrome printing flag may be checked after step ST30.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the print server 7 capable of communicating with the user side communication terminal 5A and the printer 9 via the network 3 receives the e-mail from the user side communication terminal 5A via the network 3. 33 and a state recognition unit 41 (steps ST25 and ST26) for determining whether the state of the printer 9 is normal or abnormal based on communication with the printer 9 via the network 3, and the state recognition unit 41 The print processing unit 43 (for generating print data in a format usable by the printer 9 based on the information included in the e-mail and transmitting the generated print data to the printer 9 via the network 3). Step ST27) indicates that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal when the state recognition unit 41 determines that the state is abnormal. Abnormal to send one abnormality information through the network 3 to the user communication terminal 5A processor 45 (step ST28, or step in step ST28) includes a, a.

  Therefore, a dedicated device for generating print data is not required between the print server 7 (network 3) and the printer 9, and the configuration is simple. Further, since the state (abnormality) of the printer 9 is notified to the user-side communication terminal 5A, it is highly convenient for the user.

  In the present embodiment, the print server 7 refers to the database 39 and the database 39 that stores a plurality of print mail addresses and information (addresses) that specify a plurality of first printers in association with each other. Then, a printer designation unit (in the main processing unit 37, step ST24) for specifying the first printer associated with the print mail address that matches the destination mail address of the email received by the mail reception unit 33, Have. The state recognition unit 41, the print processing unit 43, and the abnormality processing unit 45 operate on the first printer specified by the printer designation unit. Further, the database 39 can hold information (addresses) specifying a plurality of second printers in association with a plurality of printing mail addresses. When the state recognition unit 41 determines that the first printer is abnormal, the abnormality processing unit 45 determines whether printing by the second printer is necessary based on communication with the user communication terminal 5A (steps ST64 and ST64). ST64). When the abnormality processing unit 45 determines that printing by the second printer is necessary, the state recognition unit 41, the print processing unit 43, and the abnormality processing unit 45 operate on the second printer (after step ST30). Steps ST25 to ST28).

  Therefore, the user can not only know the state (abnormality) of the first printer, but can also respond to the abnormality by printing with an alternative printer. That is, it is highly convenient for the user.

  In the present embodiment, the state recognition unit 41 determines whether any of the plurality of colors of ink has run out in the printer 9 based on communication with the printer 9 that is a color printer (step ST46). If it is, it is determined as abnormal (step ST26). When the state recognizing unit 41 determines that any one of the plurality of colors of ink has run out, the abnormal time processing unit 45 requires printing with ink that has not run out based on communication with the user side communication terminal 5A. NO is determined (steps ST70 and ST71). When the abnormal time processing unit 45 determines that printing with unbroken ink is necessary, the print processing unit 43 prints different from the print data when the ink has not run out based on information included in the e-mail. Data is generated (step ST53), and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer 9 via the network 3 (step ST54).

  Therefore, the user can not only simply know the state (abnormality) of the first printer, but also take a countermeasure of monochromatic printing for the abnormality, as in the case of printing by the alternative printer. That is, it is highly convenient for the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the print server 7 identifies the mail addresses of the plurality of user side communication terminals 5A, the plurality of print mail addresses, and the information specifying the plurality of printer side communication terminals 5B (for example, mail addresses and / or And a database 39 (storage unit) that holds the addresses in association with each other. The abnormal time processing unit 45 refers to the database 39 and associates it with the combination of the mail address and print mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A that matches the combination of the source mail address and the destination mail address of the received electronic mail. The specified printer side communication terminal 5B is specified, and second abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer 9 is abnormal is transmitted to the specified printer side communication terminal 5B.

  Therefore, for example, the owner of the printer 9 can know the state (abnormality) of the printer 9 even when it is not near the printer 9, and can take appropriate measures. That is, it is convenient for the user and the owner of the printer.

  In the present embodiment, the print server 7 includes a database 39 (storage unit) that holds information indicating whether or not a predetermined operation (for example, printing by an alternative printer) executed by the abnormality processing unit 45, and user-side communication. A function setting unit 47 that rewrites information indicating necessity of a plurality of operations held in the database 39 based on communication with at least one of the terminal 5A and the printer 9 is further provided. The abnormal time processing unit 45 refers to the database 39 and executes the predetermined operation only when it is required for the predetermined operation (step ST62 and the like).

  Therefore, the operation on the print server 7 can be set from the user side communication terminal 5A and the printer 9, which is highly convenient.

(Example that does not require a dedicated application)
The print client unit 25 of the communication terminal 5 shown in FIG. 3 can be omitted. For example, in steps ST63, ST66, ST70, and ST73, instead of establishing a connection between the communication terminal 5 and the print server 7, an e-mail for notifying the communication terminal 5 of an abnormality is transmitted from the print server 7 May be. Further, the inquiry and the response in steps ST63 and ST70 describe, for example, a URL for connecting to the print server 7 as a web server in an e-mail transmitted from the print server 7 to the user side communication terminal 5A. It may be performed by connecting to the print server 7 from the user side communication terminal 5A by the unit 23A.

  In the above embodiment, the user side communication terminal 5A is an example of the first communication terminal, the printer side communication terminal 5B is an example of the second communication terminal, and the database 39 (strictly, its hardware) is stored in the storage unit. As an example, the CPU of the print server 7 executing step ST24 is an example of a printer designation unit, the display unit 27 is an example of a notification unit of a communication terminal, and the print client unit 25 is a control of the communication terminal. The display unit 63 is an example of a printer notification unit, and the network processing unit 61 is an example of a printer control unit.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented in various aspects.

  For example, in the embodiment, various local parts are set in the print mail address, and information for specifying a printer is associated with each local part. However, the local part of the print mail address may be constant. Even in this case, for example, it is possible to provide a service by setting a printer as a printing destination for each e-mail transmission source address (mail address of the user side communication terminal 5A).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print system, 3 ... Network, 5A ... User side communication terminal (1st communication terminal), 5B ... Printer side communication terminal (2nd communication terminal), 7 ... Print server, 9 ... Printer, 33 ... Mail receiving part, 41... Status recognition unit, 43... Print processing unit, 45.

Claims (8)

A print server capable of communicating with a first communication terminal and a printer via a network,
A mail receiving unit that receives an e-mail from the first communication terminal via the network;
A state recognition unit that determines whether the state of the printer is normal or abnormal based on communication with the printer via the network;
When it is determined that the status recognition unit is normal, print data in a format usable by the printer is generated based on information included in the e-mail, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer via the network. A print processing unit to send to,
An abnormality processing unit that transmits first abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer is abnormal to the first communication terminal via the network when the state recognition unit determines that the abnormality is present;
A print server with A storage unit that stores a plurality of print e-mail addresses and information for specifying a plurality of first printers in association with each other;
Referring to the storage unit, a printer designating unit that identifies a first printer associated with a print mail address that matches a destination mail address of an email received by the mail receiving unit;
Have
The state recognition unit, the print processing unit, and the abnormality processing unit operate the first printer specified by the printer designating unit as the printer,
The storage unit can further hold information for specifying a plurality of second printers in association with the plurality of print mail addresses,
When the state recognition unit determines that the first printer as the printer is abnormal, the abnormality processing unit determines whether printing by the second printer is necessary based on communication with the first communication terminal. ,
The state recognition unit, the print processing unit, and the abnormal time processing unit operate the second printer as the printer when the abnormal time processing unit determines that printing by the second printer is necessary. The print server according to 1. The state recognition unit determines whether one of a plurality of colors of ink has run out in the printer based on communication with the printer, which is a color printer.
When the state recognizing unit determines that any one of the plurality of colors of ink has run out, the abnormality processing unit performs printing with the ink that has not run out based on communication with the first communication terminal. Judgment is necessary,
When the abnormal time processing unit determines that printing with unbroken ink is necessary, the print processing unit is different from print data when ink has not run out based on information included in the e-mail. The print server according to claim 1, wherein print data is generated, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printer via the network. A storage unit that holds the mail addresses of the plurality of first communication terminals, the plurality of print mail addresses, and the information specifying the plurality of second communication terminals in association with each other;
The abnormal-time processing unit refers to the storage unit and is associated with a combination of a mail address and a print mail address of the first communication terminal that matches a combination of a source mail address and a destination mail address of the electronic mail. The print server according to claim 1, wherein the second communication terminal is specified, and second abnormality information indicating that the state of the printer is abnormal is transmitted to the specified second communication terminal. A storage unit for storing information indicating whether or not a predetermined operation performed by the abnormality processing unit is necessary;
A function setting unit for rewriting information indicating necessity of the predetermined operation held in the storage unit based on communication with at least one of the first communication terminal and the printer;
Further comprising
5. The print server according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal time processing unit refers to the storage unit and executes the predetermined operation only when it is required for the predetermined operation. A first communication terminal;
A printer,
The print server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, capable of communicating with the first communication terminal and the printer via a network;
Printing system equipped with. The communication terminal is
A notification unit for performing notification by image display or sound output;
The print system according to claim 6, further comprising: a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification operation when the first abnormality information is received. The abnormality processing unit of the print server transmits a predetermined notification instruction signal to the printer when the abnormality recognition unit determines that an abnormality has occurred;
The printer is
A notification unit for performing notification by image display or sound output;
The print system according to claim 6, further comprising: a control unit that causes the notification unit to perform a predetermined notification operation when the notification instruction signal is received.

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