JP2016186684A - Management device and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a relay device capable of reducing a load at a specific time for obtaining a content from an external device.SOLUTION: A relay device includes a determination unit, a first acquisition unit, a first transmission unit, and a second transmission unit. The determination unit determines whether the data amount of a content that is to be obtained at a first time is equal to or more than a threshold. The first acquisition unit obtains, if the determination unit determines that the data amount is less than the threshold, the content from an external device by using content information at the first time T97. The first transmission unit transmits, in response to the acquisition of the content by the first acquisition unit, content related data based on the content to an output device. The second transmission unit transmits, if the determination unit determines that the data amount is equal to or more than the threshold, acquisition request information for obtaining the content from the external device, to the output device at a second time T93 prior to the first time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus that transmits content specified by a user to a printing apparatus at a predetermined timing, and a communication system.

  Conventionally, there is a technology in which a server acquires content from an external server via the Internet, distributes the acquired content to a printer, and the printer prints the content. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a printer periodically requests content distribution to a distribution server, and the distribution server distributes content to the printer when the requested content is to be distributed. ing.

JP 2009-87237 A JP 2007-18199 A

  With the technology of Patent Document 1, the distribution server can distribute the content acquired from the content server to the printer at the content distribution time. However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not consider the case where there is a large amount of content data to be acquired from the content server during the distribution time, and there is a problem that the load on the distribution server increases during content distribution.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and is a technology that can reduce the load on a relay device when the load on the relay device is large at a specific time when content is acquired from an external device. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, a relay device according to the present invention is a relay device that can acquire content from an external device that stores content, and includes a determination unit, a first acquisition unit, and a first transmission unit. And a second transmission unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the data amount of content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The first acquisition unit acquires content from the external device using content information managed by the relay device at the first time when the determination unit determines that the data amount is less than the threshold, When the determination unit determines that the data amount is greater than or equal to the threshold, content is not acquired from the external device. The first transmission unit transmits content-related data based on the content to the output device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the content. When the determination unit determines that the data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, the second transmission unit is information based on the content information, and obtains acquisition request information for acquiring the content from the external device. Is sent to the output device at a second time before the time.

  According to the above configuration, the relay device of the present invention does not acquire content from the external device and stores content in the output device when the data amount of content to be acquired from the relay device at the first time is equal to or greater than the threshold. Send acquisition request information for acquisition. Thus, the content can be acquired by the output device, so that the data amount of the content acquired by the relay device is reduced and the load on the relay device is reduced. For example, when the amount of content-related data to be transmitted from the relay device at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is assumed that the load on the relay device is large. Therefore, the relay device of the present invention can reduce the load on the relay device when the load on the relay device is large at the first time when the content is acquired from the external device.

  In addition, the relay device may be connected to a plurality of output devices including a first output device and a second output device. Further, when the determination unit determines that the data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, the first acquisition unit uses the content information to store the first content related data to be transmitted to the first output device. For the second content related data to be transmitted to the second output device without acquiring the first content for the first time. Further, the first transmission unit may transmit the first content related data to the first output device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the first content. Further, the second transmission unit may transmit acquisition request information for acquiring the second content from the external device to the second output device at the second time.

  As a result, the relay device transmits the first content related data to the first output device when the data amount of the content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and acquires it to the second output device. Send request information. Therefore, when the load on the relay device is large, the load on the relay device can be reduced.

  In the above relay device, the plurality of output devices may be classified into a first output device group including a first output device and a second output device group including a second output device. . Furthermore, the output devices included in the first output device group include a plurality of output devices belonging to the first output device group and all output devices belonging to the second output device group from the relay device. Among the content related data based on all the contents to be acquired at the first time, an output device to which content related data having a data amount corresponding to a threshold value is to be transmitted may be used. Further, the output devices included in the second output device group include a plurality of output devices belonging to the first output device group and all output devices belonging to the second output device group from the relay device. Content-related data excluding content-related data having a data amount corresponding to a threshold among content-related data based on all contents to be acquired at the first time. There may be.

  As a result, when the data amount of the content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than the threshold, the relay device excludes the content related data excluding the content related data of the amount of data corresponding to the threshold from the content related data based on the content. The acquisition request information is transmitted to the output device to which data is to be transmitted. Therefore, when the load on the relay device is large, the load on the relay device can be reduced.

  Further, each of the plurality of output devices including the first output device and the second output device connected to the relay device may store capability information indicating a capability value unique to the output device in the storage unit. Good. Further, in the relay device, the second transmission unit may transmit the acquisition request information to a second output device having a capability value higher than that of the first output device.

  As a result, the acquisition request information is transmitted from the relay device to the output device having a high capability value. Accordingly, the content can be preferentially acquired by the output device having a high capability value.

  Further, in the relay device, the second transmission unit outputs the second output to which content-related data having a data amount smaller than the data amount of the content-related data to be transmitted to the first output device. Acquisition request information may be transmitted to the apparatus.

  As a result, the acquisition request information is transmitted from the relay device to an output device with a small amount of content-related data to be transmitted. Accordingly, the content can be preferentially acquired by an output device with a small amount of content-related data to be transmitted.

  In the relay device, the first acquisition unit may acquire content from the external device using authentication information for accessing the external device. Further, the second transmission unit may transmit acquisition request information including information indicating the first time and authentication information to the output device.

Thereby, the output device acquires the first time at which the content is to be acquired and the authentication information for accessing the external device. Therefore, the output device can acquire the content from the external device using the authentication information at the first time. Further, the relay device further acquires the output device and the content based on a user instruction. You may provide the registration part which registers the content information linked | related with time. Further, the determination unit may determine whether the data amount is equal to or greater than a threshold based on the content information registered by the registration unit.

  As a result, the user can register the acquisition time of the content data and the output device that prints the content data in the relay device.

  The communication system of this invention contains said relay apparatus and an output device. The output device includes a second acquisition unit and an output control unit. When receiving content-related data from the relay device, the second acquisition unit does not acquire content from the external device and receives the acquisition request information from the relay device, and receives the acquisition request information at the first time. To acquire content from an external device. The output control unit controls output processing based on the received content-related data when content-related data is received from the relay device, and is acquired by the second acquisition unit when the acquisition request information is received from the relay device. The output process is controlled based on the content that has been output.

  Moreover, the communication system of this invention contains said relay apparatus, the management apparatus, and said output apparatus. The management apparatus and the output apparatus are connected by a specific protocol prior to the relay apparatus transmitting content to the output apparatus via the management apparatus. The management device includes a third transmission unit. When the third transmission unit receives content-related data from the relay device, the third transmission unit transmits the content-related data to the output device using the established connection according to a specific protocol, and receives the acquisition request information from the relay device. In this case, the acquisition request information is transmitted to the output device using the established connection according to a specific protocol.

  According to the above configuration, the communication system according to the present invention obtains the relay device for causing the output device to acquire the content when the data amount of the content to be acquired from the relay device at the first time is equal to or greater than the threshold. The request information is transmitted, and the output device acquires the content using the acquisition request information. As a result, the amount of content data acquired by the relay device is reduced, and the load on the relay device is reduced. For example, when the amount of content-related data to be transmitted from the relay device at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is assumed that the load on the relay device is large. Therefore, the communication system of the present invention can reduce the load on the relay device when the load on the relay device is large at the first time when the content is acquired from the external device.

  Furthermore, a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium for storing the computer program for realizing the functions of the relay device, the management device, and the output device of the present invention are also novel and useful. .

It is a block diagram of a communication system. It is a figure which shows the table stored in the memory of a relay server. It is a sequence diagram of a device registration process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of content data printing processing when the load on the relay server is small. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of content data printing processing when the load on the relay server is large. It is a flowchart of a content data printing process.

(Example)
Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system when a management server of the present invention transmits content data to a printer via a relay server. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a relay server 10, a printer 50, a printer 80, a device management server 90, a service server 110, a service server 120, a terminal device 210, and a terminal device 220. .

  The printer 50 and the terminal device 210 belong to the same local area network 5 (hereinafter referred to as LAN 5). Therefore, the printer 50 can communicate with the terminal device 210 via the LAN 5 without going through the Internet 4. The printer 80 and the terminal device 220 belong to a LAN 6 different from the LAN 5. Similarly, the printer 80 can communicate with the terminal device 220 via the LAN 6 without going through the Internet 4.

  The relay server 10, the device management server 90, the service server 110, and the service server 120 do not exist in the LAN 5 or LAN 6, are installed on the Internet 4, and can communicate with each other via the Internet 4. Accordingly, the relay server 10, the device management server 90, the service server 110, and the service server 120 can communicate with the printer 50 and the terminal device 210 via the Internet 4 and the LAN 5, and via the Internet 4 and the LAN 6. Communication with the printer 80 and the terminal device 220 is possible. Note that the number of printers, PCs, and service servers constituting the communication system 2 is not limited to two, and any number may be connected.

(Configuration of relay server 10)
The relay server 10 manages content data provided from the service servers 110 and 120, and transmits predetermined content data to the printers 50 and 80 at a predetermined time. The acquisition time for acquiring the content data from the service servers 110 and 120, the content data to be transmitted, and the printer for printing the content data are specified in advance by the user via the terminal devices 210 and 220.

  The relay server 10 includes a network interface (network I / F) 20 and a control unit 30. The network I / F 20 is an I / F for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes device registration processing and content data printing processing, which will be described later, according to a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 stores a program 36, a user information table 38, and a content information table 40. The memory 34 is, for example, a RAM or a ROM.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table stored in the memory 34. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the user information table 38, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the content information table 40.

  The user information table 38 stores a user ID for identifying a user and a content ID for identifying content data. The content information table 40 includes a content ID, an acquisition time of content data, a service name of a service server that provides content data, an account for using a service of the service server, a password, and a token that is authentication information. In addition, a device ID of a printer that prints content data and a printer-specific capability value obtained by quantifying the printer capability are stored.

(Configuration of service servers 110 and 120)
The service servers 100 and 120 transmit the created content data to the relay server 10 based on the content data acquisition request received from the relay server.

(Configuration of device management server 90)
The device management server 90 relays data when the relay server 10 transmits data to the printers 50 and 80.

(Configuration of printer 50)
The printer 50 prints the acquired content data. The printer 50 includes an operation unit 52, a display unit 54, a print execution unit 56, a control unit 70, and a network I / F 60.

  The operation unit 52 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the printer 50 by operating the operation unit 52. The display unit 54 is a display for displaying various information. The control unit 70 includes a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72 executes various processes according to a program 76 stored in the memory 74. The memory 74 is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The network I / F 60 is an I / F for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

(Configuration of terminal devices 210 and 220)
The terminal devices 210 and 220 set the content data to be acquired, the acquisition time of the content data, and the printer that prints the content data, and transmit them to the relay server 10. The terminal devices 210 and 220 are, for example, a PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal.

(System operation)
The operation of the communication system 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation of the communication system 2 includes device registration processing and content data printing processing.

(Device registration process)
With reference to FIG. 3, a device registration process performed by the communication system 2 to register the printer 50 and the printer 80 in the device management server 90 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of device registration processing. In this embodiment, user IDs US1 and US2 for the terminal device 210 and the terminal device 220 to access the relay server 10 are registered in the relay server 10 in advance. First, processing for registering the printer 50 in the device management server 90 will be described.

  First, in T10, the terminal device 210 transmits a PIN code issuance request including the user ID US1 to the relay server 10 in response to an instruction from the user. The PIN code issue request is a command for requesting the relay server 10 to transmit a request for causing the device management server 90 to issue the PIN code PC1. The PIN code is information that the device management server 90 should receive from the printer 50 in order to connect to the printer 50.

  Next, in T12, the relay server 10 transmits a PIN code issue request including the user ID US1 to the device management server 90 in response to receiving the PIN code issue request from the terminal device 210. The PIN code issue request is a command for requesting the device management server 90 to issue the PIN code PC1.

  Next, in T13, the device management server 90 generates the PIN code PC1 in response to receiving the PIN code issue request. The device management server 90 registers the user ID US1 and the PIN code PC1 in a memory (not shown) in association with each other.

  Next, in T14, the device management server 90 transmits the PIN code PC1 generated in T13 to the relay server 10.

  Next, in T16, the relay server 10 transmits the PIN code PC1 to the terminal device 210 in response to receiving the PIN code PC1 from the device management server 90.

  Next, in T17, in response to receiving the PIN code PC1 from the relay server 10, the terminal device 210 displays the PIN code PC1 on a display (not shown). Thereby, the user can know the PIN code.

  Next, in T18, the printer 50 receives an input of the PIN code PC1 and the user ID US1 by the user.

  Next, in T20, the printer 50 corresponds to the user ID US1, PIN code PC1, and printer 50 to the device management server 90 in response to the user ID US1 and PIN code PC1 being input by the user. The device IDDV1 and the capability value of the printer 50 are transmitted. The device ID is a device name indicating the type of printer. The capability value is a virtual value that is determined for each printer type by the printer vendor according to the performance and memory capacity of the CPU installed in the printer, and is stored in the printer memory when the printer is shipped. .

  In response to receiving the user ID US1, the PIN code PC1, the device IDDV1, and the capability value, the device management server 90 stores the user ID US1, the device IDDV1, and the capability value in association with each other in the memory. The PIN code PC1 associated with the user ID US1 is discarded. As a result, an XMPP connection called always-on connection is established between the printer 50 and the device management server 90.

  The LAN 5 to which the printer 50 belongs usually includes a firewall or the like for restricting unauthorized access from the Internet 4. For this reason, the device management server 90 cannot transmit data to the printer 50 via the Internet 4 without a request from the printer 50 belonging to the LAN 5. Therefore, in order for the device management server 90 to transmit data to the printer 50 via the Internet 4 without a request from the printer 50, an XMPP connection is established in advance between the device management server 90 and the printer 50. There is a need.

  Further, the process for registering the printer 80 in the device management server 90 is executed in the same manner as the process for registering the printer 50 in the device management server 90 described above. The processing from T22 to T32 corresponds to the processing from T10 to T20.

(Content data printing process)
The content data printing process performed by the communication system 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, an account that can use the service of the service server 110 is registered in the service server 110 in advance.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of content data printing processing when the load on the relay server is small at a specific time. The content data printing process of FIG. 4 is executed after the device registration process of FIG.

  First, prior to the process of T50, the terminal device 210 transmits the user ID US1 to the relay server 10 in accordance with an instruction from the user, and authenticates the relay server 10. When the authentication is completed, the relay server 10 acquires the device ID DV1 corresponding to the user ID US1 from the device management server 90, and transmits the acquired device ID DV1 to the terminal device 210.

  In T50, the terminal device 210 transmits content information to the relay server 10 in response to an instruction from the user. The content information includes a user ID US1, an acquisition time TM1 for acquiring the content data CD1 from the service server 110, a service name SN1 of the service server 110 that provides the content data CD1, and an account for using the service of the service server 110. AC1, password PW1, and device IDDV1 of the printer that prints content data CD1 are included.

  The relay server 10 adds information to the user information table 38 and the content information table 40 based on the content information received from the terminal device 210. Specifically, first, the relay server 10 generates the content IDCT1 of the content data CD1 corresponding to the received content information. Next, the relay server 10 registers the generated content IDUS1 in association with the received user IDUS1 in the user information table 38. Next, the relay server 10 adds the generated content IDCT1 in the content information table 40. The relay server 10 registers the acquired time TM1, the service name SN1, the account AC1, the password PW1, and the device IDDV1 in association with the added content IDCT1.

  Next, in T52, the relay server 10 transmits a capability value acquisition request including the device ID DV1 to the device management server 90. The capability value acquisition request is a command for requesting the device management server 90 to acquire the capability value of the printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1.

  Next, in T53, the device management server 90 transmits the capability value of the printer 50 corresponding to the device ID DV1 to the relay server 10 in response to acquiring the capability value acquisition request from the relay server 10. The relay server 10 registers the device ID DV1 and the capability value in the content information table 40 in response to acquiring the capability value from the device management server 90. When the processing up to T53 is completed, the registration of the content information to the relay server 10 is completed.

  Thereafter, at T54, the relay server 10 periodically checks the load on the relay server 10 at the acquisition time when the content data is acquired from the service server 110. The relay server 10 checks the load every predetermined period (for example, every hour). At this time, in the content data information table 40, the content data acquisition time set between the time when the load is confirmed and after a predetermined period is extracted. The relay server 10 specifies the load for each extracted acquisition time according to the data amount of the content data for each extracted acquisition time. The load at each acquisition time within the predetermined period is checked together at the time when the load is checked.

  It is assumed that the load on the relay server 10 at the acquisition time increases as the content data to be acquired increases. Therefore, the relay server 10 confirms the load of the relay server 10 at the acquisition time based on the number of content IDs stored in the content information table 40.

  Specifically, the relay server 10 calculates the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 in the content information table 40. Next, the relay server 10 determines whether or not the calculated number of content IDs is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The threshold value is a value set in advance from the number of content IDs that the administrator of the relay server 10 estimates that the relay server 10 can acquire at the acquisition time. Therefore, for example, when the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is assumed that the load on the relay server 10 at the acquisition time TM1 is large. It is assumed to be small. FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 is less than the threshold value and the load is assumed to be small.

  Next, at T56, the relay server 10 transmits a token issue request including the account AC1 and the password PW1 to the service server 110 corresponding to the service name SN1. The process of T56 is executed at the acquisition time TM1. The token issue request is a command for requesting the service server 110 to issue a token.

  Next, in T57, the service server 110 generates a token TK1 in response to receiving the token issue request from the relay server 10.

  Next, at T58, the service server 110 transmits the token TK1 generated at T57 to the relay server 10. In response to receiving the token TK1 from the service server 110, the relay server 10 registers the token TK1 in the content information table 40 in association with the account AC1.

  Next, at T60, the relay server 10 transmits a content data acquisition request including the token TK1 to the service server 110. The content data acquisition request is a command for requesting acquisition of content data CD1 provided by the service server 110.

  Next, in T62, the service server 110 transmits the content data CD1 to the relay server 10 in response to receiving the content data acquisition request. The content data CD1 is a drawing command described by PDL.

  Next, in T64, the relay server 10 responds to the content data CD1 and the printer 50 that prints the content data CD1 to the device management server 90 in response to receiving the content data CD1 from the service server 110. Device IDDV1.

  Next, at T66, the device management server 90 transmits the content data CD1 to the printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1 in response to receiving the content data CD1 and the device IDDV1 from the relay server 10.

  Next, in T68, the printer 50 prints the content data CD1 in response to receiving the content data CD1. Specifically, the CPU 32 executes a color conversion process for converting RGB values into CMYK values for each pixel included in the content data CD1. As a result, CMYK output data in which CMYK values of 0 to 255 are assigned to each pixel is generated. Next, the CPU 22 executes binarization processing on the CMYK output data. For the binarization processing, for example, a dither method or an error diffusion method is used. As a result, each pixel generates print data having a two-tone pixel value of 1 or 0. Here, 1 indicates that dots are formed on the print medium, and 0 indicates that dots are not formed on the print medium. The printer 50 prints the generated print data.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of content data printing processing when the load on the relay server is large at a specific time. The content data printing process of FIG. 5 is executed after the device registration process of FIG.

  First, at T80, the terminal device 210 transmits content information to the relay server 10 in response to an instruction from the user. The specific process is the same as T50.

  Next, at T81 and T82, the relay server 10 acquires the capability value of the printer 50 from the device management server 90 and registers it in the content information table 40. Specific processing of T81 and T82 is the same as that of T52 and T53.

  Next, in T83, the terminal device 220 transmits content information to the relay server 10 in response to an instruction from the user. The content information includes a user ID US2, an acquisition time TM1 for acquiring the content data CD2 from the service server 110, a service name SN1 of the service server 110 that provides the content data CD2, and an account for using the service of the service server 110. AC2 and password PW2 and device IDDV2 corresponding to the printer that prints content data CD2 are included. These pieces of information are registered in the user information table 38 and the content information table 40 in the same manner as T50.

  Next, at T84 and T85, the relay server 10 acquires the capability value of the printer 80 from the device management server 90 and registers it in the content information table 40. Specific processing of T84 and T85 is the same as that of T52 and T53.

  In the content information table 40, information corresponding to the content IDCT3 and CT4 is also registered in the same manner as described above. Content data CD3 corresponding to content IDCT3 is registered by the user of user ID US1 who registered content data CD1. The content data CD4 corresponding to the content IDCT4 is registered by the user with the user ID US3.

  Next, at T86, the relay server 10 confirms the printing load of the content server at a specific time. The specific process is the same as T54. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the load on the relay server 10 is assumed to be large.

  Next, in T87 and T88, the relay server 10 determines a printer that transmits a content data acquisition request in T92 and T93 described later in response to determining that the load on the relay server 10 is large. The printer that has received the content data acquisition request acquires content data from the service server itself instead of the relay server 10. Accordingly, since the content data to be acquired by the relay server 10 at the acquisition time TM1 is reduced, the load on the relay server 10 can be reduced.

  First, in T87, the relay server 10 extracts a printer having the highest capability value from all printers that print content data acquired at the acquisition time TM1. As described above, the capability value is a virtual value determined by the printer vendor according to the performance and memory capacity of the CPU mounted on the printer. It is assumed that a printer with high CPU performance takes less time to acquire content data than a printer with low CPU performance. Further, it is assumed that a printer with a large memory capacity has a larger area for temporarily storing content data than a printer with a small memory capacity. Therefore, even when the amount of acquired content data is large, the acquired content data can be stored. Therefore, by transmitting a content data acquisition request to a printer with a high capability value, it is highly possible that all content data is acquired from the service server at the acquisition time and printed by the printer.

  In T87, specifically, the relay server 10 extracts the capability value of the printer that prints the content data scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 from the content information table 40. The relay server 10 extracts printers corresponding to the device IDs DV1 and DV2 having the highest capability value 8 among the extracted capability values.

  Next, in T88, the relay server 10 extracts the printer with the smallest content data to be printed out of the printers with the highest capability value in response to the extraction of the printer with the highest capability value. A printer with less content data to be printed is expected to take less time to acquire content data than a printer with more content data to be printed. Furthermore, it is assumed that the amount of content data to be temporarily stored is small. Therefore, by transmitting a content acquisition request to a printer with a small amount of content data to be printed, all content data is acquired from the service server at the acquisition time and is more likely to be printed by the printer. If there is one printer extracted at T87, the process at T88 is skipped.

  In T88, specifically, the relay server 10 extracts the corresponding content ID from the content information table 40 for each device ID extracted in T87, and calculates the number of extracted content IDs. Since the content IDs corresponding to the device IDDV1 are CT1 and CT3, the number of content IDs is two. Since the content ID corresponding to the device ID DV2 is CT2, the number of content IDs is 1. Next, the CPU 32 extracts a printer corresponding to the device ID having the smallest number of corresponding content IDs. Therefore, the printer 80 corresponding to the device ID DV2 having the corresponding content ID number 1 is extracted.

  Therefore, in the process described later, the relay server 10 transmits the content data CD1 and CD3 acquired by the relay server 10 from the service server 110 to the printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1. The relay server 10 also transmits the content data CD4 acquired from the service server 110 by the relay server 10 to a printer (not shown) corresponding to the device IDDV3. On the other hand, the relay server 10 transmits a content data acquisition request to the printer 80 corresponding to the device IDDV2. Here, the printer 80 that has received the content data acquisition request acquires the content data CD2 from the service server 110 itself. This eliminates the need for the relay server 10 to acquire the content data CD2, thereby reducing the load on the relay server 10.

  However, even if the content data acquisition request is transmitted to the printer 80, if it is determined that the load on the relay server 10 is large, the printer is extracted again by the processing of T87 and T88, and the newly extracted printer is checked. Also sends a content data acquisition request. For example, the printer to which a content data acquisition request is newly transmitted at this time is the printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1 having the highest capability value 8.

  Next, from T89 to T91, the relay server 10 acquires the token TK2 from the service server 110 and registers it in the content information table 40. Specific processing from T89 to T91 is the same as the processing from T56 to T58.

  Next, in T <b> 92, the relay server 10 transmits a content data acquisition request to the device management server 90. The content data acquisition request is a command for transmitting a content data acquisition request for acquiring content data from the printer to the service server. The content data acquisition request includes an acquisition time TM1 for acquiring the content data CD2 from the service server 110, a service name SN1 of the service server 110 that provides the content data CD2, a token TK2 for acquiring the content data CD2, and a content Device IDDV2 corresponding to the printer 80 to which the data acquisition request is to be transmitted.

  Next, in T93, the device management server 90 transmits a content data acquisition request to the printer 80 in response to receiving the content data acquisition request from the relay server 10. The content data acquisition request includes the acquisition time TM1, the service name SN1, and the token TK2 received from the relay server 10.

  Next, from T94 to T96, the relay server 10 acquires the token TK1 from the service server 110 and registers it in the content information table 40. Specific processing from T94 to T96 is the same as the processing from T56 to T58. The process of T94 is executed at the acquisition time TM1.

  Next, from T97 to T104, the relay server 10 acquires the content data CD1 from the service server 10 and transmits it to the printer 50. The printer 50 that has received the content data CD1 prints the content data CD1. Specific processing from T97 to T104 is the same as that from T60 to T68.

  In T106, the printer 80 transmits a content data acquisition request including the token TK2 to the service server 110 at the acquisition time TM1. The content data acquisition request is a command for requesting acquisition of content data CD2 provided by the service server 110.

  Next, in T108, the service server 110 transmits the content data CD2 to the printer 80 in response to receiving the content data acquisition request from the printer 80. The content data CD2 is a drawing command described by PDL.

  Next, in T110, the printer 80 prints the content data CD2 in response to receiving the content data CD2. The specific process is the same as T68.

(Relay server operation)
The content data printing process executed by the CPU 32 of the relay server 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and 5 described above show specific cases realized by the processing of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the content data printing process. The content data printing process is periodically executed.

  First, in S200, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at a specific time is equal to or greater than a threshold (T54, T86). Specifically, the CPU 32 first calculates the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 in the content information table 40. Next, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the calculated number of content IDs is equal to or greater than a threshold value. For example, when the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is assumed that the load on the CPU 32 at the acquisition time TM1 is large, and when the number is less than the threshold, the load may be small. is assumed.

  If the CPU 32 determines in S200 that the number of content IDs is less than the threshold (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S600. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines in S200 that the number of content IDs is greater than or equal to the threshold (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S300.

  In S300, the CPU 32 extracts a printer having the highest capability value from all printers that print the content data acquired at the acquisition time TM1 (T87). Specifically, the CPU 32 extracts from the content information table 40 the capability value of the printer that prints the content data scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1. The CPU 32 extracts the corresponding printers 50 and 80 from the device IDs DV1 and DV2 corresponding to the highest capability value 8 among the extracted capability values.

  Next, in S350, the CPU 32 extracts a printer having the smallest number of content IDs to be printed from printers having the highest capability value (T88). Specifically, the CPU 32 extracts a corresponding content ID from the content information table 40 for each device ID extracted in S300, and calculates the number of extracted content IDs. Since the content IDs corresponding to the device IDDV1 are CT1 and CT3, the number of content IDs is two. Since the content ID corresponding to the device ID DV2 is CT2, the number of content IDs is 1. Next, the CPU 32 extracts a printer corresponding to the device ID having the smallest number of corresponding content IDs. Therefore, the printer 80 corresponding to the device ID DV2 having the corresponding content ID number 1 is extracted. However, if there is one printer extracted in S300, the process proceeds to S400 without performing the process in S350.

  Next, in S400, the CPU 32 transmits a content data acquisition request to the printer 80 extracted in S300 (T92). The content data acquisition request is transmitted to the printer 80 via the device management server 90 in which the connection with the printer 80 by XMPP is established.

  Specifically, the CPU 32 transmits a content data acquisition request to the device management server 90. The content data acquisition request includes acquisition time TM1, service name SN1, token TK2, and device IDDV2. However, the CPU 32 stores the token TK2 in the content information table 40 when acquiring the content data CT2 for the first time from the service server 110 and when transmitting the content data acquisition request for the content data CT2 for the first time to the device management server 90. It has not been. In this case, after acquiring the token TK2 from the service server 110 using the account AC2 and the password PW2 (T89), a content data acquisition request is transmitted.

  The device management server 90 that has received the content data acquisition request transmits a content data acquisition request excluding the device IDDV2 to the printer 80 corresponding to the device IDDV2 (T93). As a result, a content data acquisition request is transmitted from the CPU 32 to the printer 80.

  The printer 80 that has acquired the content data acquisition request can acquire the content data CD2 from the service server corresponding to the service name SN1 using the token TK2 at the acquisition time TM1. Therefore, the CPU 32 of the relay server 10 does not acquire the content data CD2 at the acquisition time TM1.

  Next, in S500, the CPU 32 determines again whether the number of content IDs scheduled to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Specifically, the CPU 32 calculates the number of content IDs excluding the number of content IDs not acquired by the CPU 32 from the number of content IDs calculated in S200.

  If the CPU 32 determines in S500 that the calculated number of content IDs is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in S500), the process proceeds to S300 and repeats S300 to S500 until the number of content IDs is less than the threshold.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines in S500 that the calculated number of content IDs is less than the threshold (NO in S500), the process proceeds to S600.

  In S600, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the current time is the acquisition time TM1. If the CPU 32 determines in S600 that the current time is not the acquisition time TM1 (NO in S600), the process proceeds to S700.

  In S700, the CPU 32 waits for a predetermined time. For example, the predetermined time is 5 minutes. After waiting for a predetermined time, the CPU 32 proceeds to S600.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines in S600 that the current time is the acquisition time TM1 (YES in S600), the process proceeds to S800.

  In S800, the CPU 32 acquires the content data CD1 from the service server 110. Specifically, the CPU 32 transmits a content data acquisition request including the token TK1 to the service server 110 (T60, T97), and acquires the content data CD1 corresponding to the token TK1 from the service server 110 (T62). , T98). Here, as in S400, if the token TK1 is not stored in the content information table 40, the token TK1 is acquired from the service server 110 using the account AC1 and the password PW1 (T56, T94), and then the content Send a data acquisition request.

  Next, in S900, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the acquisition of the content data CD1 is successful. If the CPU 32 determines that the acquisition of the content data CD1 has failed (NO in S900), the process proceeds to S1100. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines that the acquisition of the content data CD1 has failed when an error code is acquired from the service server 110 as a response to the content data acquisition request. The error code is transmitted, for example, when the URL of the service server 110 based on the service name SN1 and the account AC1 is changed by service update or the like.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines in S900 that the content data CD1 has been successfully acquired (YES in S900), the process proceeds to S1000.

  In S1000, the CPU 32 transmits the content data CD1 to the printer 50 via the device management server 90 that has established an XMPP connection with the printer 50. Specifically, the CPU 32 transmits the content data CD1 and the device ID DV1 corresponding to the printer 50 that is the transmission destination of the content data CD1 to the device management server 90 (T64, T100).

  The device management server 90 that has received the content data CD1 and the device IDDV1 transmits the content data CD1 to the printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1 (T66, T102). As a result, the content data CD1 is transmitted from the CPU 32 to the printer 50.

  Next, in S1100, the CPU 32 determines whether or not all content data to be acquired at the acquisition time TM1 has been acquired. If the CPU 32 determines in S1100 that all content data has not been acquired (NO in S1100), the process proceeds to S800. On the other hand, if the CPU 32 determines in S1100 that all content data has been acquired (YES in S1100), the content data printing process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the amount of content data to be acquired from the relay server at a specific time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the content data is not acquired from the service server and the content data is acquired by the printer. To obtain the request for acquisition. The printer that has received the acquisition request information acquires content data from the service server instead of the relay server.

  For example, the present invention can be used in a schedule printing service. Schedule printing is a service as follows. The relay server acquires schedule data (an example of the content data described above) from a service server that provides a schedule management service at a time specified by the user (an example of the specific time described above), and transmits the schedule data to the printer. . The printer formats the received schedule data into a calendar-type print format and prints it. The schedule data includes, for example, data indicating a schedule for one day.

  In the schedule printing service, it is usually assumed that the time specified by the user is more in the morning time zone (for example, 8:00 am) than in the afternoon time zone (for example, 1:00 pm). Therefore, it is assumed that the relay server has a large load for acquiring schedule data from the service server in the morning time zone. As described above, in the schedule printing service, since the amount of schedule data to be acquired differs from time to time, it is assumed that the load of the relay server changes from time to time.

  Here, it is assumed that whether or not the load on the relay server is excessive can be determined by whether or not the amount of schedule data to be acquired at a specified time is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Therefore, in the configuration of the present invention, when the load on the relay server is large at a specific time when the relay server acquires content data from the service server, the printer acquires the schedule from the service server instead of the relay server. The load on the relay server can be reduced.

(Correspondence)
The relay server 10 is an example of a “relay device”. The printer 50 is an example of a “first output device”, and the printer 80 is an example of a “second output device”. The device management server 90 is an example of “management device”. The service servers 110 and 120 are examples of “external devices”. The content information table 40 is an example of “content information”. The content data CD1 to CD4 are examples of “content” and “content related data”. The tokens TK1 to TK4 are an example of “authentication information”.

  T54 in FIG. 4, T86 in FIG. 5, and S200 and S500 in FIG. 6 are examples of processing executed by the “determination unit”. T60 in FIG. 4, T97 in FIG. 5, and 800 in FIG. 6 are examples of processing executed by the “first acquisition unit”. T64 in FIG. 4, T100 in FIG. 5, and S1000 in FIG. 6 are examples of processing executed by the “first transmission unit”. T92 in FIG. 5 and S400 in FIG. 6 are examples of processing executed by the “second transmission unit”. T50 in FIG. 4 and T80 and T83 in FIG. 5 are examples of processing executed by the “registration unit”.

  The time at which T56 to T62 in FIG. 4, T94 to 98 in FIG. 5, and S800 in FIG. 6 are executed is an example of “first time”. The time at which T89 to 93 in FIG. 4 and S400 in FIG. 6 are executed is an example of “second time”.

  A printer 50 corresponding to the device IDDV1 and a printer (not shown) corresponding to the device IDDV3 are examples of printers included in the “first output device group”. The printer 80 corresponding to the device IDDV2 is an example of a printer included in the “second output device group”.

  T106 in FIG. 5 is an example of processing executed by the “second acquisition unit”. T68 in FIG. 4 and T104 and T110 in FIG. 5 are examples of processing executed by the “output control unit”. T66 in FIG. 4 and T93 and T102 in FIG. 5 are examples of processing executed by the “third transmitting unit”.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, the capability value is a predetermined value unique to the printer, but instead, the relay server 10 or the device management server 90 is based on the CPU performance or memory capacity of the printer. It may be calculated.

(Modification 2)
In the above embodiment, at T68 in FIG. 4 and T104 in FIG. 5, the printer 50 generates print data from the content data CD1, but instead, the relay server 10 and the device management server 90 generate print data. Also good.

(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the relay server 10 transmits data to the printers 50 and 80 via the device management server 90, but instead, the relay server 10 does not pass through the device management server 90 and the printers 50 and 80. You may send data to.

(Modification 4)
In the above embodiment, the load on the relay server 10 is confirmed based on whether or not the number of content IDs is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Ten loads may be confirmed. It is assumed that the packet amount of content data differs depending on the content data format (for example, image, text, etc.). The format of content data may be determined in advance for each service server. Therefore, the estimated packet amount may be set in advance by the administrator of the relay server 10 for each service server that provides the content data. In this case, the relay server 10 may accumulate the estimated packet amount associated with the service server corresponding to the content ID, and specify whether or not the accumulated estimated packet amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

(Modification 5)
In the above embodiment, after the printer having the highest capability value is extracted in T87 and T88 of FIG. 5 and S300 and S350 of FIG. 6, the printer having the smallest content data to be printed is extracted. However, instead of extracting the printer with the smallest content data to be printed, the printer with the highest capability value may be extracted. Further, it is possible to extract only the printer with the highest capability value without extracting the printer with the smallest content data to be printed. Alternatively, the printer with the highest capability value may not be extracted, but only the printer with the smallest content data to be printed may be extracted.

(Modification 6)
In the above embodiment, at T20 and T32 in FIG. 3, the capability value stored in advance by the printer is transmitted to the device management server 90, and the device management server 90 stores the capability value in the memory. However, instead, the printer may not store the capability value in advance, and the administrator of the device management server 90 may store the capability value of the printer in the device management server 90 in advance.

  Further, the administrator of the relay server 10 may store the printer capability value in the relay server 10 in advance. In this case, since the capability value is not stored in the device management server 90, the processes of T52 in FIG. 4 and T81 and T84 in FIG. 5 are not executed.

(Modification 7)
Each process of the above embodiment is realized by the CPU 32 of the relay server 10 executing the process according to software (that is, the program 36). Instead, it is realized by hardware such as a logic circuit. Also good.

  As mentioned above, although the specific example of this invention was demonstrated in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

10: Relay server, 50, 80: Printer, 90: Device management server, 110, 120: Service server, 210, 220: Terminal device, US1, US2, US3: User ID, CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4: Content data CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4: Content ID, TM1: Acquisition time, SN1, SN2: Service name, AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4: Account, PW1, PW2, PW3, PW4: Password, TK1, TK2, TK3 TK4: Token, DV1, DV2, DV3: Device ID

Claims (9)

A relay device capable of acquiring content from an external device that stores content via a network,
A determination unit for determining whether the data amount of content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is less than a threshold, the content is managed from the external device using content information managed by the relay device at the first time, and the determination unit When the data amount is determined to be greater than or equal to a threshold, a first acquisition unit that does not acquire content from the external device;
A first transmission unit that transmits content-related data based on the content to an output device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the content;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the acquisition request information for acquiring content from the external device is information based on the content information. A second transmitter for transmitting to the output device at a second time earlier;
A relay device comprising:
The relay device according to claim 1,
The relay device is connected to a plurality of output devices including a first output device and a second output device,
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value,
The first acquisition unit includes:
Using the content information to obtain first content for first content related data to be transmitted to the first output device at the first time;
Without acquiring second content for second content related data to be transmitted to the second output device;
The first transmission unit transmits the first content related data to the first output device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the first content,
The second transmitting unit transmits the acquisition request information for acquiring the second content from the external device to the second output device at the second time.
The relay device according to claim 2,
The plurality of output devices are classified into a first output device group including the first output device and a second output device group including the second output device,
The output devices included in the first output device group include all output devices belonging to the first output device group and all output devices belonging to the second output device group from the relay device. , Among the content related data based on all the contents to be acquired at the first time, the content related data having a data amount corresponding to a threshold is to be transmitted to the plurality of output devices,
The output devices included in the second output device group include all output devices belonging to the first output device group and all output devices belonging to the second output device group from the relay device. The content-related data excluding content-related data having a data amount corresponding to a threshold among content-related data based on all the contents to be acquired at the first time is transmitted to the plurality of output devices. A relay device that is an output device to be used.
The relay device according to claim 2 or 3,
The plurality of output devices including the first output device and the second output device each store capability information indicating a capability value unique to the output device in a storage unit,
The relay device, wherein the second transmission unit transmits the acquisition request information to the second output device having a capability value higher than the capability value of the first output device.
The relay device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The second transmission unit acquires the second output device to which content-related data having a smaller data amount than the content-related data to be transmitted to the first output device is transmitted to the second output device. A relay device that sends request information.
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The first acquisition unit acquires content from the external device using authentication information for accessing the external device,
The second transmission unit is a relay device that transmits the acquisition request information including information indicating the first time and the authentication information to the output device.
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
And a registration unit for registering the content information in which the output device and content acquisition time are associated with each other based on a user instruction.
The determination unit is a relay device that determines whether the data amount is equal to or greater than a threshold based on the content information registered by the registration unit.
A communication system including a relay device and an output device,
The relay device is
A determination unit for determining whether the data amount of content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is less than the threshold, the content is managed from the external device using the content information managed by the relay device at the first time, and the determination unit A first acquisition unit that does not acquire content from the external device when it is determined that the data amount is equal to or greater than a threshold;
A first transmission unit that transmits content-related data based on the content to the output device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the content;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the acquisition request information for acquiring content from the external device is information based on the content information. A second transmitter for transmitting to the output device at a second time earlier;
With
The output device is
When the content related data is received from the relay device, the content is not acquired from the external device, and the acquisition request information is received at the first time when the acquisition request information is received from the relay device. And a second acquisition unit that acquires content from the external device;
When the content related data is received from the relay device, output processing is controlled based on the received content related data, and when the acquisition request information is received from the relay device, the second acquisition unit An output control unit that controls output processing based on the acquired content;
A communication system comprising:
A communication system including a relay device, a management device, and an output device,
The relay device is
A determination unit for determining whether the data amount of content to be acquired at the first time is equal to or greater than a threshold;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is less than a threshold, the content is managed from the external device using content information managed by the relay device at the first time, and the determination unit When the data amount is determined to be greater than or equal to a threshold, a first acquisition unit that does not acquire content from the external device;
A first transmission unit configured to transmit content-related data based on the content to the management device in response to the first acquisition unit acquiring the content;
When the determination unit determines that the data amount is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the acquisition request information for acquiring content from the external device is information based on the content information. A second transmission unit for transmitting to the management device at a second time earlier;
With
The management device and the output device are connected with a specific protocol prior to the relay device transmitting content to the output device via the management device,
The management device
When the content-related data is received from the relay device, the content-related data is transmitted to the output device using a connection established according to the specific protocol, and the acquisition request information is received from the relay device A third transmitter that transmits the acquisition request information to the output device using a connection established according to the specific protocol,
The output device is
When the content related data is received from the management device, the acquisition request information is not acquired from the external device, and the acquisition request information is received at the first time when the acquisition request information is received from the management device. And a second acquisition unit that acquires content from the external device;
When the content-related data is received from the management device, the output processing is controlled based on the received content-related data, and when the acquisition request information is received from the management device, the second acquisition unit An output control unit that controls output processing based on the acquired content;
A communication system comprising:

Images