JP2016162446A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus and management server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system in which expansion of a function is facilitated and which can enhance the efficiency of the system.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 203 comprises: a detection part 204 which detects expansion of a function of the image forming apparatus; and a first transmission part 205 which transmits the function expansion notification expressing the function expanded in the image forming apparatus to a management server when the detection part detects expansion of the function. An information processing device 201 comprises: a reception part 208 which receives a designation instruction for designating image data and print setting; and a second transmission part 209 which transmits designation information expressing the designation instruction received by the reception part to the management server. The management server 202 comprises: a third transmission part 211 which transmits a print job including the image data and print setting generated on the basis of the designation information to the image forming apparatus; and a provision part 212 which provides candidates of the print setting to the reception part. The provision part increases candidates to be provided to the reception part on the basis of the function expansion notification transmitted from the first transmission part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to the information field, and more particularly to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a management server.

  Conventionally, there has been a technology for realizing a printing function by a server. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a client machine transmits image data to a server machine, and the server machine transmits a print job to an image forming apparatus. In such a printing system, the image forming apparatus is registered in advance in the server, and the functions of the image forming apparatus are registered in the server in the registration process.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a printing system (image forming system) having a conventional server. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes a user device 101, a server 102, and an image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 is registered in advance in the server 102, and at the same time, the functions of the image forming apparatus 103 are registered in the server 102. The user device 101 transmits image data and print settings to the server 102 based on a user operation. The server generates a print job based on the image data and print settings, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 performs printing based on the received print job.

  It should be noted that the introduction to the above technical background is intended only to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand while providing the convenience of providing a clearer and more complete description of the technical solution of the present invention. Absent. It should not be recognized that the above technical schemes are known by those skilled in the art only by those schemes described in the background section of the present invention.

JP 2001-56756 A

  In the conventional image forming system described above, the image forming apparatus is registered in the server, and at the same time, the functions of the image forming apparatus are registered in the server, thereby improving the convenience of the user regarding the use of the corresponding function in the client machine. . However, when the function of the image forming apparatus is expanded, since the expanded function is not registered in the server, an operation by the user to newly register the function of the image forming apparatus in the server is required. This is inconvenient for the user and reduces the performance and efficiency of the image forming system.

  The present invention provides an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a management server, and the image forming apparatus notifies the server of the extension function after detecting the extension of the function, whereby the server transmits the extension function to the user. Provide for the use of. As a result, the functions of the image forming system can be easily expanded, and the efficiency of the system can be increased.

  An image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an information processing apparatus, a management server, and an image forming apparatus, and the information processing apparatus and the management server are communicably connected to each other. An image forming system that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus detects a function expansion of the image forming apparatus, and the function expansion is detected by the detection unit. A first transmission unit that transmits a function expansion notification representing a function expanded by the image forming apparatus to the management server, a reception unit that receives a print job from the management server, and the print job, An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the information processing apparatus receives a designation instruction that designates image data and print settings; A second transmission unit that transmits the designation information representing the designated designation to the management server, the management server based on the designation information transmitted from the second transmission unit, A job generation unit that generates a print job including a print setting, a third transmission unit that transmits the print job generated by the job generation unit to the image forming apparatus, and the reception unit of the information processing apparatus. A provision unit that provides print setting candidates, and the provision unit increases the candidates to be provided to the reception unit based on the function expansion notification transmitted from the first transmission unit. And

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus to which a management server is communicably connected, and includes a detection unit that detects an extension of the function of the image forming apparatus, and the detection A first transmission unit configured to transmit a function expansion notification representing a function expanded in the image forming apparatus to the management server, and a receiving unit configured to receive a print job from the management server. And an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the print job.

  A management server according to another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is a management server in which an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected so as to be communicable, and image data and printing transmitted from the information processing apparatus A job generation unit that generates a print job that includes the image data and the print settings based on designation information that designates a setting, and a transmission unit that transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus; A provision unit for providing the print setting candidate to the information processing apparatus, and the provision unit transmits a function expansion notification transmitted from the image forming apparatus and representing a function expanded by the image forming apparatus. Based on this, the number of candidates to be provided to the information processing apparatus is increased.

  The beneficial effect of the present invention is that after the image forming apparatus detects the extension of the function, the image forming apparatus notifies the server of the extension function, whereby the server provides the extension function for use by the user. The function of the image forming system can be easily expanded, and the efficiency of the system can be increased.

It is the schematic of the structure of the image forming system which has the conventional server. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of a method for registering an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in advance in a cloud server. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of a method for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to notify a cloud server of a function expansion. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a parameter list in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention communicates with a cloud server. 4 is a flowchart of a method for extending an A3 sheet printing function by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of a method for printing using a cloud print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of a method for scanning while the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention expands a scanning function.

  The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following specification with reference to the drawings. From the specification and drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention are specifically disclosed, and some of the embodiments that can employ the principles of the present invention are shown, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. You should also be careful. On the contrary, the present invention includes all modifications, variations, and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

  With reference to the following description and drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail and shown to use the principles of the present invention. It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention are not so limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the invention include many changes, modifications and equivalents.

  Used in one or more other embodiments in a similar or similar manner to the description and / or shown features of one embodiment, combined with features of other embodiments, or The features of other embodiments can be switched.

  It should be emphasized that the term “comprise / include” is used in the text to indicate the presence of a feature, manipulative member, step or member, but one or more other features, manipulative member, The presence or addition of steps or members is not excluded.

  The accompanying drawings are provided to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and combine the principles of the present invention with the text description. Explain. Obviously, the above-mentioned accompanying drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention, and on the premise that those skilled in the art do not make creative efforts, other attached drawings based on those accompanying drawings. Can be obtained.

Example 1
The embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming system, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming system 200 includes an information processing apparatus 201, a management server 202, and an image forming apparatus 203. The information processing apparatus 201 and the management server 202 are connected to be communicable with each other. The image forming apparatus 203 is communicably connected. In FIG. 2, only one information processing apparatus 201, management server 202, and image forming apparatus 203 are shown, but the image forming system 200 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 201. Alternatively, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 203 may be included, and the management server 202 may be distributed and included as a plurality of apparatuses.

  The image forming apparatus 203 detects a function expansion of the image forming apparatus 203, and when the function expansion is detected by the detecting unit 204, the image forming apparatus 203 sends a function expansion notification indicating the function expanded by the image forming apparatus 203. A first transmission unit 205 that transmits to the management server 202, a reception unit (first reception unit) 206 that receives a print job from the management server 202, and an image formation unit 207 that forms an image on a sheet based on the print job. And comprising.

  The information processing apparatus 201 receives a designation instruction for designating image data and print settings, and designates designation information (information representing the designation instruction received) based on the designation instruction received by the reception unit 208. A second transmission unit 209 that transmits to the management server 202. Here, the image data designated by the designation instruction is image data to be printed by the image forming apparatus 203, and the print setting designated by the designation instruction is the print setting when the image forming apparatus 203 prints the image data. It is. When the image forming system 200 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 203 (when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 203 are registered as management targets in the management server 202), for example, a designation instruction received by the receiving unit 208 is used. May include an instruction for designating the image forming apparatus 203 to be printed.

  The management server 202 includes a job generation unit 210 that generates a print job including the specified image data and the specified print settings based on the specification information transmitted from the second transmission unit 209, and a job A third transmission unit 211 that transmits the print job generated by the generation unit 210 to the image forming apparatus 203; and a provision unit 212 that provides candidates for the print setting to the reception unit 208 of the information processing apparatus 201. The providing unit 212 increases the candidates to be provided to the accepting unit 208 based on the function expansion notification transmitted from the first transmitting unit 205.

  As can be seen from the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus detects the expansion of the function, and then notifies the server of the expansion function (that is, the function expanded by the image forming apparatus). For user use. As a result, the functions of the image forming system can be easily expanded, and the efficiency of the system can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the information processing apparatus 201 and the management server 202 are communicably connected, and the management server 202 and the image forming apparatus 203 are communicably connected. It may be connected by any of them. For example, WiFi (Wi-Fi), Internet (Internet), Universal Serial Bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB), printing terminal (Line Print Terminal, LPT) interface, local area network (Local Area Network, LAN), etc. It is possible to connect using a wireless communication method or a wired communication method. The specific communication method is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 203 may be registered in advance in the management server 202. Among them, it can be registered by a conventional method.

  In this embodiment, the detection unit 204 detects an extension of the function of the image forming apparatus 203. For example, the detection unit 204 can detect an expansion of the function of the image forming apparatus 203 based on detection of USB connection.

  Among them, for example, when the USB connection is detected, the detection unit 204 detects the expansion of the function of the image forming apparatus 203 based on the detection of the function of the USB connection apparatus. That is, when the USB connection is detected, the detection unit 204 executes a detection process for detecting a function of a device connected to the image forming apparatus 203 through the USB connection, and the image formation is performed based on a result of the detection process. An extension of the function of the device 203 is detected. For example, when a device that performs USB connection with the image forming apparatus 203 has a function that the image forming apparatus 203 does not have, the detection unit 204 detects the expansion of the function of the image forming apparatus 203 by detecting the function.

  In this embodiment, the expansion function of the image forming apparatus 203 (that is, the function expanded by the image forming apparatus 203) may include any function that does not originally exist. For example, the image forming apparatus 203 may include at least one of a function that supports a paper size other than a paper size indicating a sheet size, a scanning function, a copy function, and a fax function.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 203 supports only A4 sheet printing, but after making a USB connection with an apparatus that supports A3 sheet printing, the detection unit 204 supports the A3 sheet printing by the USB connected apparatus. It is detected that the image forming apparatus 203 has a function, and further, the function of the image forming apparatus 203 has been expanded to support the printing of the A3 sheet.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 203 does not have a scanning or fax function, but after making a USB connection with a device that supports the scanning or fax function, the detection unit 204 detects that the USB connection apparatus has the scanning or fax function. In addition, it is detected that the function of the image forming apparatus 203 has been extended so that it can be scanned or faxed.

  In this embodiment, the detection unit 204 can detect the expansion of the function of the image forming apparatus 203 by detecting the function information of the image forming apparatus 203, for example. For example, the function information of the image forming apparatus 203 includes information that supports printing of A4 sheets and B5 sheets, information that supports single-sided printing and double-sided printing, information that supports color printing and monochrome printing, and fax function information. It is presence or absence.

  When the USB connection is detected by the detection unit 204, it is also detected that the function information of the image forming apparatus 203 is updated as follows. That is, before the USB connection is detected, the function information of the image forming apparatus 203 includes information that supports printing of A4 sheet and B5 sheet, information that supports single-sided printing and double-sided printing, color printing, and monochrome printing. After the USB connection is detected, the function information of the image forming apparatus 203 includes information that supports printing of A4 sheets, B5 sheets, and A3 sheets, single-sided printing and double-sided printing. Information indicating support, information supporting color printing and monochrome printing, and updated so as not to have a FAX function.

  In this embodiment, the first transmission unit 205 transmits a function expansion notification to the management server 202 when the function expansion is detected by the detection unit 204. Of these, the function expansion notification includes, for example, information on the expansion function of the image forming apparatus 203.

  In the present embodiment, the first transmission unit 205 is for transmitting a function expansion notification, and may have a communication function for the image forming apparatus 203 and the management server 202 to communicate with each other. Among them, the first transmission unit 205 can transmit or communicate a function expansion notification using any one of the conventional methods. For example, the function expansion notification is transmitted to the management server 202 via a parameter list communicating with the management server 202. In the embodiment of the present invention, the specific format for transmitting or communicating the function expansion notification is not limited.

  In this embodiment, the first receiving unit 206 receives a print job from the management server 202, and the image forming unit 207 forms an image on a sheet based on the print job. Among them, the image forming unit 207 can form an image on a sheet using a conventional method.

  In this embodiment, the accepting unit 208 accepts a designation instruction that designates image data and print settings. Among them, the user designates image data to be printed or to be subjected to other processing, and designates print settings according to actual needs. For example, the paper size, mass and quantity for printing are designated. In addition, the print setting may include setting of other functions, for example, setting of parameters such as scanning, copying, and faxing. The designation instruction received by the reception unit 208 is used to specify the image data and print settings.

  In the present embodiment, the second transmission unit 209 transmits designation information representing the designation instruction to the management server 202 based on the designation instruction received by the reception unit 208. Among them, the second transmission unit 209 is for transmitting the designation information, and may have a communication function for the information processing apparatus 201 and the management server 202 to communicate with each other. Among them, the second transmission unit 209 can transmit or communicate the designation information using any one of the conventional methods. For example, communication can be performed by a network method. In the embodiment of the present invention, the specific format for transmitting or communicating the designation information is not limited.

  In this embodiment, the job generation unit 210 generates a print job including the specified image data and the specified print settings based on the specification information transmitted from the second transmission unit 209. Among them, any one of the conventional methods can be used to generate a print job based on the designation information.

  In the present embodiment, the third transmission unit 211 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 203. Among them, the third transmission unit 211 is for transmitting the print job, and may have a communication function for communication between the management server 202 and the image forming apparatus 203. Among them, the third transmission unit 211 can transmit or communicate the print job using any one of the conventional methods. For example, communication can be performed by a network method. In the embodiment of the present invention, a specific format for transmitting or communicating the print job is not limited.

  In the present embodiment, the providing unit 212 provides the print setting candidate to the receiving unit 208 of the information processing apparatus 201. Among them, the provision unit 212 increases the candidates to be provided to the reception unit 208 based on the function expansion notification transmitted from the first transmission unit 205.

  For example, if the function expansion notification transmitted from the first transmission unit 205 includes information that the expansion function of the image forming apparatus 203 can support printing of A3 sheets, the providing unit 212 accepts the information processing apparatus 201. The number of A3 sheet printing candidates to be provided to the section 208 is increased.

  As can be seen from the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus detects the extension of the function and then notifies the server of the extension function, so that the server provides the extension function for use by the user. As a result, the functions of the image forming system can be easily expanded, and the efficiency of the system can be increased.

Example 2
Embodiment 2 of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus having the configuration and functions of the image forming apparatus 203 described above. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention may have all the configurations and functions of the image forming apparatus 203 described above. As described above, since the image forming apparatus 203 has already been described in detail, the contents are merged into this portion and are omitted here.

Example 3
The third embodiment of the present invention provides a management server having the configuration and functions of the management server 202 described above. The management server according to the third embodiment of the present invention may have all the configurations and functions of the management server 202 described above. As described above, since the management server 202 has already been described in detail, the contents are merged into this portion and are omitted here.

  In order to make this embodiment easier to understand, the image forming system, information processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, the “information processing apparatus” is an apparatus or device having an information processing function, for example, a device such as a computer, a personal computer (PC), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, or a digital camera. It may be a device that is a combination of any of these devices. The “image forming apparatus” is an apparatus or device having an image forming function, and may be, for example, a device such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying machine, an image setter, a scanner, or any one of these devices. It may be a multifunction machine installed. The “management server” is a device or device having a high-performance information processing function in a network environment, and may be a device such as a cloud server, an office server, a Web server, or a print server, or those servers The apparatus which combined any one of these may be sufficient. The embodiment according to the present invention does not limit the specific patterns of “information processing apparatus”, “management server”, and “image forming apparatus”.

  In the following embodiment, an “information processing apparatus”, “cloud server”, “image forming apparatus”, and “cloud print system” configured by an information processing apparatus, a cloud server, and an image forming apparatus are exemplified. Explained.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for previously registering the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention in the cloud server. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes the following steps.

Step 301: The image forming apparatus accepts a user operation to make a registration application. At this time, the user performs a registration application operation on the image forming apparatus.
Step 302: The image forming apparatus collects and organizes information on the image forming apparatus. Information collected may include information indicating the function of the image forming apparatus.
Step 303: The image forming apparatus registers information on the image forming apparatus in the cloud server via a registration interface (for example, register API [Application Programming Interface]).
Step 304: The cloud server records information on the image forming apparatus.

Step 305: The cloud server transmits a Web address for user authentication to the image forming apparatus.
Step 306: The image forming apparatus displays the authentication Web address on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. Thereby, the user can visually recognize this Web address.
Step 307: The information processing apparatus accesses the authentication page of the cloud server through the browser based on the authentication Web address. At this time, the user performs an operation of inputting the Web address displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus to the information processing apparatus. Thereby, the authentication page of the cloud server is displayed on the information processing apparatus.
Step 308: The cloud server transmits a message requesting input of registration information to the information processing apparatus.

  Step 309: The information processing apparatus transmits a user ID, a password, function information of the image forming apparatus, and the like. At this time, the user performs an operation of inputting registration information such as a user ID and a password to the information processing apparatus. The registration information input here may include the function information of the image forming apparatus. However, since the information itself of the image forming apparatus has already been recorded in step 304, the registration input here. The information may simply be information (for example, a device number) indicating the image forming apparatus.

Step 310: The cloud server transmits a registration page to the information processing apparatus after the verification is successful. Thereby, the user can visually recognize this registration page.
Step 311: The information processing apparatus accepts a user operation for permitting registration. At this time, the user performs an operation for permitting the information forming apparatus to register the image forming apparatus in the cloud server.
Step 312: The information processing apparatus transmits information indicating that registration is permitted to the cloud server.
Step 313: The cloud server transmits a message indicating that registration is successful.
Step 314: The image forming apparatus notifies the user of the end of registration and provides printable registration information data.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 400 detects, monitors, and manages the USB interface device of the image forming apparatus, and uses a USB control unit 401 (the USB control) used for analyzing, converting, and transmitting USB port information. Since the function of the detection unit 204 can be realized by the unit 401, the contents are merged into this part, and are omitted here.) And an operation method for opening / closing, reading / writing, and monitoring a USB-connected device. A USB drive unit 402 to be provided, a network management unit 403 that performs network transmission management based on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) coordination, authentication for local users and cloud print users, printing work, devices, network An authentication management unit 404 that performs authentication for work transmission and file encryption / decryption, an operation panel 405 that provides an operation panel to the user, displays various types of information, and monitors input by the user; A coordinate management unit 406 that coordinates various printing scenes of the image forming apparatus, controls data input / output, and manages file storage and image processing.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 400 may include the first transmitting unit 205, the first receiving unit 206, the image forming unit 207, and other members of the conventional image forming apparatus. The contents are merged into this part and are omitted here.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention to notify the cloud server of the function expansion. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes the following steps.

Step 501: The image forming apparatus detects an extension of the function.
Step 502: The image forming apparatus transmits a function expansion notification to the cloud server via a parameter list (for example, update API) communicating with the cloud server.
Step 503: The cloud server updates the print setting candidate in response to the notification of the function expansion.
Step 504: The cloud server transmits a message indicating the end of the update to the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a parameter list in which the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention communicates with the cloud server. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus itself can only support printing of A4 sheets. If the image forming apparatus detects that a printing apparatus that supports A3 sheet printing is connected to the image forming apparatus via a USB connection, the image forming apparatus detects a function that supports A3 sheet printing. In addition, the update is notified to the cloud server by the capabilities field in the update API parameter list, and the update is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for expanding the A3 sheet printing function by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the method includes the following steps.

Step 701: The USB control unit 401 detects that a USB device is connected to the image forming apparatus. Note that a USB device refers to a device that can be connected to another device (the image forming device or the like) via a USB connection.
Step 702: The USB control unit 401 detects that the USB device has a function to support A3 sheet printing.
Step 703: The image forming apparatus sets the function for supporting the printing of the A3 sheet as an extended function of the image forming apparatus, and notifies the coordination management unit 406.
Step 704: The image forming apparatus notifies the expansion function to the cloud server through the capabilities field in the update API parameter list.
Step 705: The image forming apparatus receives A3 format print data from the cloud server.
Step 706: The image forming apparatus starts printing.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for printing using the cloud print system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes the following steps.

Step 801: The information processing apparatus transmits an A3 print file to the cloud server based on a user operation. At this time, the user performs an operation of submitting the A3 print file to the cloud server with respect to the information processing apparatus.
Step 802: The cloud server stores the print file and records the print request.
Step 803: The cloud server transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus.
Step 804: The image forming apparatus transmits print setting information that can support A3 printing of the image forming apparatus to the cloud server.
Step 805: The cloud server transmits print permission to the image forming apparatus.
Step 806: The image forming apparatus transmits an application for data printing to the cloud server.

Step 807: The cloud server transmits print data to the image forming apparatus.
Step 808: The image forming apparatus performs printing based on the print data.
Step 809: The cloud server submits the updated printing state to the image forming apparatus as needed during the printing process.
Step 810: The image forming apparatus responds to the updated printing state.
Step 811: End of printing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for scanning with the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention extending the scanning function. As shown in FIG. 9, the method includes the following steps.

Step 901: The image forming apparatus receives a confirmation request as to whether or not to support the scanning function from the cloud server.
Step 902: The image forming apparatus transmits a response indicating that the scanning function is not supported to the cloud server.
Step 903: The USB control unit 401 detects that a USB device (for example, a camera or a scanner) is connected to the image forming apparatus.
Step 904: The USB control unit 401 detects a function that the USB device has a scanning function.

Step 905: The image forming apparatus sets the scanning function as an extended function of the image forming apparatus, and notifies the coordinate management unit 406.
Step 906: The image forming apparatus notifies the expansion function to the cloud server through the capabilities field in the update API parameter list.
Step 907: The image forming apparatus receives a scanning instruction from the cloud server.
Step 908: The image forming apparatus acquires a scanned image using the USB device.
Step 909: The image forming apparatus converts the image into an image recognizable by the image forming apparatus.
Step 910: The image forming apparatus transmits the converted image to the cloud server.

  As can be seen from the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus detects the extension of the function and then notifies the server of the extension function, so that the cloud server provides the extension function for use by the user. Thereby, it becomes easy to expand the function of the cloud print system, and the efficiency of the system can be increased.

  The above apparatus and method according to the present invention can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by linking hardware and software. The present invention relates to the following computer-readable program. When the program is executed by a logic unit, the logic unit can realize the above-described device or component, or the logic unit can realize the various methods or steps described above. The present invention relates to a storage medium for storing the above program, and relates to, for example, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a DVD (digital versatile disk), a flash memory, and the like.

  The present invention has been described above in connection with specific embodiments. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the descriptions are merely illustrative and are not a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention based on the spirit and principle of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

  200 image forming system, 201 information processing apparatus, 202 management server, 203 image forming apparatus, 204 detection unit, 205 first transmission unit, 206 first reception unit, 207 image formation unit, 208 reception unit, 209 second transmission unit, 210 Job generation unit, 211 Third transmission unit, 212 providing unit, 400 image forming apparatus, 401 USB control unit, 402 USB drive unit, 403 network management unit, 404 authentication management unit, 405 operation panel, 406 coordination management unit

Claims (10)

An image forming system including an information processing apparatus, a management server, and an image forming apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus and the management server are connected to be communicable, and the management server and the image forming apparatus are connected to be communicable Because
The image forming apparatus includes:
A detection unit for detecting an extension of the function of the image forming apparatus;
A first transmission unit configured to transmit a function expansion notification representing a function expanded by the image forming apparatus to the management server when a function expansion is detected by the detection unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a print job from the management server;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the print job,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A receiving unit for receiving a designation instruction for designating image data and print settings;
A second transmission unit for transmitting designation information representing a designation instruction received by the reception unit to the management server;
The management server
A job generation unit that generates a print job including the image data and the print settings based on the designation information transmitted from the second transmission unit;
A third transmission unit that transmits the print job generated by the job generation unit to the image forming apparatus;
A provision unit that provides the print setting candidates to the reception unit of the information processing apparatus;
The providing unit increases the candidates to be provided to the reception unit based on the function enhancement notification transmitted from the first transmission unit.
An image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects expansion of a function of the image forming apparatus based on detection of a USB connection.   When the USB connection is detected, the detection unit executes a detection process for detecting a function of a device connected to the image forming apparatus through the USB connection, and the image formation is performed based on a result of the detection process. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein expansion of the function of the apparatus is detected.   The function extended by the image forming apparatus is at least one of a function supporting a paper size other than a paper size indicating a sheet size supported by the image forming apparatus, a scanning function, a copy function, and a fax function. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The first transmission unit of the image forming apparatus transmits the function expansion notification to the management server via a parameter list communicating with the management server when the function expansion is detected by the detection unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the management server is a cloud print server, and the image forming apparatus is a printer registered in the cloud print server. An image forming apparatus to which a management server is communicably connected,
A detection unit for detecting an extension of the function of the image forming apparatus;
A first transmission unit configured to transmit a function expansion notification representing a function expanded by the image forming apparatus to the management server when a function expansion is detected by the detection unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a print job from the management server;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the print job;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the detection unit detects an expansion of a function of the image forming apparatus based on detection of a USB connection.   The function extended by the image forming apparatus is at least one of a function supporting a paper size other than a paper size indicating a sheet size supported by the image forming apparatus, a scanning function, a copy function, and a fax function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: A management server in which the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are communicably connected;
A job generation unit configured to generate a print job including the image data and the print settings based on designation information representing a designation instruction for designating image data and print settings transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
A transmission unit that transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus;
A provision unit that provides the print setting candidates to the information processing apparatus;
The providing unit increases the candidates to be provided to the information processing device based on a function expansion notification transmitted from the image forming device and representing a function extended by the image forming device.
A management server characterized by that.

Images