JP2017130124A - Image processing system, job management device, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that improves availability of jobs on a network while ensuring confidentiality of the jobs.SOLUTION: An image forming system 1 comprises: client terminals CLa and CLb that transmit, to a print service device PS, print jobs to which network identification information is added; the print service device that creates first job identification information uniquely identifying the print jobs, and second job identification information that is print job identification information including information processing network identification information and shorter than the first job identification information, and stores while adding the information to the print jobs; and an image forming apparatus Gk. When receiving, from the image forming apparatus, a print request to which the job identification information and network identification information on the image forming apparatus are added, the print service device selects a print job corresponding to the print request from the print jobs stored therein on the basis of the job identification information and network identification information, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, a job management apparatus, an image processing method, and a program, and more particularly to an image processing system, a job management apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for managing a job on a network.

  In an image forming system using a network, a print job is temporarily stored in a storage unit on the network, and the stored print job is provided in response to a job request from a print destination image forming apparatus. ing.

  For example, in an image forming system, a print document stored in a storage unit of an output destination image forming apparatus is printed by a location-free print in which another image forming apparatus prints, or a print document stored in a storage unit on a network is imaged. Pull printing is performed by drawing out from the apparatus and printing.

  In an image forming system that performs such printing, a mechanism for issuing identification information such as a PIN code, specifying a print job based on the input PIN code, and printing is used in order to protect the security of the print job. (See Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, the uniqueness of the identification information itself is required for location-free printing or the like in order to protect the security of the print job.

  Therefore, for example, as the number of print jobs to be managed increases, it is necessary to increase the number of digits of identification information or increase the types of characters constituting the identification information. As a result, it has become difficult for users to handle jobs on the network, and there has been a problem that usability is poor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the usability of a job on a network while ensuring confidentiality.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to claim 1 acquires an information processing apparatus that transmits a job, a job management apparatus that manages the job, and acquires and executes the job from the job management apparatus Each of the image processing apparatuses is an image processing system connected to an appropriate network, and the information processing apparatus identifies an information communication unit that communicates with the job management apparatus and a network to which the own apparatus is connected. Information processing network identification information acquisition means for acquiring information processing network identification information; storage request transmission means for causing the information communication means to transmit a storage request including the information processing network identification information and the job to the job management apparatus; The information output means for outputting information and the job transmitted from the information communication means to the job management apparatus. Information output control means for causing the information output means to output the job identification information when job identification information for identifying a job is received from the job management apparatus, the job management apparatus comprising: Management communication means for communicating with the image processing apparatus; data storage means for storing data; and storage control means for storing the job in the data storage means when the management communication means receives the job from the information processing apparatus; Identification information generating means for generating first job identification information for identifying the job and second job identification information for identifying the job in combination with the information processing network identification information, and the first information Identification information for transmitting the job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job to the management communication means. When the management means and the management communication means receive an execution request including image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected and job identification information for identifying the job, from the image processing apparatus, It is determined whether the job identification information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or the job identification information, the image processing network identification information, and the storage request Based on the information processing network identification information corresponding to the job, a job selection unit that selects the job specified by the execution request from the data storage unit, and the selected job is sent to the management communication unit. Job transmitting means for transmitting to the requested image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus comprising: Image processing communication means for communicating with the job management apparatus, image processing network identification information acquisition means for acquiring image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the own apparatus is connected, information input means for inputting information, When an execution request with job identification information for identifying a job to be executed is input from the information input unit, an execution request including the job identification information and the image processing network identification information is sent to the image processing communication unit. An execution request transmission unit that transmits to a management apparatus, and a job execution unit that executes the job when the image processing communication unit receives the job from the job management apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability of a job on a network while ensuring confidentiality.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The block diagram of a client terminal. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram of a print service apparatus. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming system. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of print job accumulation processing. The figure which shows an example of an upload screen. The figure which shows an example of a job management table. The figure which shows the other example of a job management table. The figure which shows an example of an upload result display screen. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of print processing with print job identification. The figure which shows an example of a job identification information input screen. 6 is a flowchart showing print job selection processing. The figure which shows an example of the job management table containing printing permission network identification information. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of another image forming system. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. 1 is a block diagram of a print data storage device. The functional block diagram of the image forming system of 2nd Example. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stored job management table stored in a print data storage device. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of print job accumulation processing. The figure which shows the other example of an upload screen. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of print job acquisition / print processing. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of print job acquisition / print processing when there is no print job in the print data storage device. The sequence diagram of the 2nd job identification information update process. The figure which shows an example of a job identification information change request screen. The figure which shows an example of a job identification information change input screen. The figure which shows an example of a job identification information change completion screen. The figure which shows an example of a mail address management table. The sequence diagram of the print job accumulation | storage process by an email. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of processing for acquiring a print job from a print service apparatus by a print data storage apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the printing condition table corresponding to identification information.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 15 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image processing system, a job management apparatus, an image processing method and a program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an image processing system, a job management apparatus and an image according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 to which a first embodiment of a processing method and a program are applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming system (image processing system) 1 includes an office network system OS and a service providing network system SS connected by a public network NWP. For example, the Internet is used as the public network NWP.

  Various communication terminals are connected to the public network NWP. In particular, a client terminal CLb is connected as an information processing terminal in the present invention. Each of the networks NW1, NW2, and NWP may be wired or wireless.

  In the office network system OS, a client terminal CLa and an image forming apparatus Gk as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention are connected to a network NW1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The numbers of client terminals CLa and image forming apparatuses Gk are not limited. In the office network system OS, a network NW1 is connected to a public network NWP via a firewall FW. In FIG. 1, only one office network system OS is shown, but usually a plurality of office network system OSs and other networks are connected, and the network format is not the same. Therefore, the network configuration of the present invention is not limited to the network configuration shown in FIG.

  The firewall FW is a device for connecting the network NW1 and the public network NWP. The firewall FW permits connection (communication) from the client terminal CLa connected to the network NW1 and the image forming apparatus Gk to the apparatus connected to the public network NWP and the apparatus of the service providing network system SS. On the other hand, the firewall FW is controlled so that a device connected to the public network NWP or a device of the service providing network system SS cannot directly connect to the client terminal CLa and the image forming apparatus Gk connected to the network NW1. To do.

  The client terminals CLa and CLb are computers, mobile terminals, portable terminals, etc. having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration. The client terminal CL is loaded with a program that is to be executed by the client terminals CLa and CLb in the image processing method of the present invention.

  The client terminals CLa and CLb use a print job (job) including print data and print settings in an arbitrary PDL (Page Description Language) based on data and print settings created by an installed application. ) Is generated. The client terminals CLa and CLb transmit the generated print job to the service providing network system SS via the public network PNW.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the client terminals CLa and CLb are a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, an input I / F 15, An output I / F 16, an external I / F 17, a communication I / F 18, and the like are provided, and each unit is connected by a bus 19.

  The ROM 12 stores basic programs as the client terminals CLa and CLb, programs for the parts to be executed by the client terminals CLa and CLb in the image processing method of the present invention, system data, and the like.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for the CPU 11 and stores image data and other data.

  Based on the program in the ROM 12, the CPU 11 uses the RAM 13 as a work memory, controls each part of the client terminals CLa and CLb, and executes basic processing as the client terminals CLa and CLb. The CPU 11 executes the image processing method of the present invention based on the image processing method program in the ROM 12.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is an NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk or the like, and is a memory that retains stored contents even when the client terminals CLa and CLb are powered off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores, for example, system setting values and various data used in the image processing method of the present invention as data that needs to be stored even when the power of the client terminals CLa and CLb is off. Stored under control.

  An input device 21 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus pen, and a touch panel is connected to the input I / F 15, and the input I / F 15 outputs various commands input from the input device 21 to the CPU 11. In particular, the input device 21 performs a print request operation described later, and the CPU 11 generates a print job using a printer driver in response to the print request operation operated from the input device 21.

  An output device 22 such as a display, a lamp, and a speaker is connected to the output I / F 16, and the output I / F 16 outputs output data such as display data, blinking data, and audio data to the output device 22 under the control of the CPU 11. Output. As this display, a display with a touch panel may be used.

  The external I / F 17 is detachably mounted with a portable storage medium Mk. The portable storage medium Mk is an IC (Integrated Circuit), an SD (Secure Digital) card, a flash memory card, or the like. Various data are written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 11. In particular, under the control of the CPU 11, the external I / F 17 is written and read with a main identifier, a sub-identifier, a user ID (user identification information), and the like used in the image processing method of the present invention.

  The communication I / F 18 is connected to the network NW1, and communicates with the print service apparatus PS via the network NW1 through the image forming apparatus Gk, the firewall FW, the public network PNW, the access control apparatus AS, and the network NW2.

  As the image forming apparatus Gk, a composite apparatus, a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus or the like is used. Based on a print job from the service providing network system SS, a predetermined printing method, for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, An image is printed out on a recording medium such as paper or film (hereinafter simply referred to as paper).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus Gk includes a controller 30, an engine unit 31, an operation display unit 32, and the like. The controller 30 includes a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, nonvolatile memory 44, network I / F 45, engine I / F 46, operation display I / F 47, external I / F 48, and the like. Each part of the controller 30 is connected by a bus 49.

  The engine unit 31 includes engines such as a printer engine and a scanner engine, and the engine is not limited to these contents. The engine unit 31 is a printer engine, for example, a tandem type electrophotographic printer engine. For example, a special color, black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow are arranged along the conveyance belt. Image forming units for each color (Y) are provided. Each image forming unit includes, for example, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit around the photoconductor. The engine unit 31 operates the optical writing unit in accordance with the drawing data (image data) of each color received from the controller 30 in the image forming unit of each color to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. In the image forming unit of each color, the engine unit 31 supplies toner of each color onto the photosensitive member from the developing unit and develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image of each color, and forms paper (covered paper) from the paper feeding unit. The recording medium) is fed between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, and the toner images on the photosensitive member are sequentially superimposed on the paper and transferred. The engine unit 31 conveys the paper on which the toner image is transferred to the fixing unit, and heats and presses the paper on the fixing unit to fix the toner image on the paper, thereby forming a color image and outputting a printed matter. The engine unit 31 is not limited to an image forming unit of each color disposed along the conveyance belt, and may be disposed along the intermediate transfer belt, for example. In the case of a printer engine, the engine unit 31 may include a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as sorting, punching, and stapling on the printed paper.

  In the case of a scanner engine, the engine unit 31 uses, for example, an image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), scans a document, reads a document image at a predetermined resolution, and reads the document image. Data is output to the controller 30.

  The operation display unit 32 is provided with various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a clear stop key, a start key, a reset key, and a program key, and a display. Instructions for causing the image forming apparatus Gk to perform various operations are input to the operation display unit 32 using operation keys. In particular, the operation display unit 32 is used for inputting a main identifier and a sub-identifier and a user ID for identifying a user in the image processing method of the present invention.

  As the display of the operation display unit 32, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with a touch panel in which a touch panel for detecting a touch operation is provided on an upper surface of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used. The display displays and outputs various information notified to the user from the image forming apparatus Gk and various information such as the operation contents of the operation keys.

  The controller 30 stores in the ROM 42 a program for processing and managing data in the controller 30 and controlling peripheral modules and various necessary data, in particular, the image forming apparatus Gk of the image processing method of the present invention executes. The program of the power part is stored. Specifically, the ROM 42 stores a basic processing program as the image forming apparatus Gk, various programs such as firmware, a program of the image processing method of the present invention, and various data necessary for executing them.

  Based on a program stored in the ROM 42, the CPU 41 controls each part of the image forming apparatus Gk and performs various types of image processing while using the RAM 43 as a work memory. In particular, the CPU 41 controls each part of the image forming apparatus Gk based on a program of a part to be executed by the image forming apparatus Gk in the image processing method of the present invention stored in the ROM 42, and performs image processing of the present invention. Execute the method.

  The RAM 43 is used as a work memory for the CPU 41. The RAM 43 is used as a buffer for temporarily storing print data from the computer, a bitmap memory for converting the print data into rendering data suitable for actual printing, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 44 is, for example, an NVRAM (Nonvolatile Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, or the like, and is a memory that retains stored contents even when the image forming apparatus Gk is powered off. is there. The nonvolatile memory 44 stores various data such as system setting values under the control of the CPU 41 as data that needs to be retained even when the image forming apparatus Gk is powered off.

  The network I / F 45 is connected to the network NW1, and communicates with the service providing network system SS via the network NW1 and the public network NWP.

  The engine I / F 46 is connected to the engine unit 31. The engine I / F 46 outputs data such as control signals and drawing data from the controller 30 to the engine unit 31 and exchanges signals such as status signals from the engine unit 31 to the controller 30.

  The operation display I / F 47 is connected to the operation display unit 32 and exchanges signals between the CPU 41 and the operation display unit 32.

  The external I / F 48 is mounted so that a portable storage medium Mk can be contacted and separated. The portable storage medium Mk is the IC, the SD card, the flash memory card, or the like. Various data are written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 41.

  The service providing network system SS includes an access control device AS, a print service device PS, and the like, and the access control device AS and the print service device PS are connected by a network NW2.

  The access control device AS is connected to the public network NWP and the network NW2, and controls communication between the public network NWP and the network NW2.

  One or more print service apparatuses PS are connected to the network NW2, and ordinary hardware and software computers are used. The print service apparatus PS receives print jobs from the client terminals CLa and CLb, temporarily stores them, and transmits the stored print jobs to the print destination image forming apparatus Gk in response to an output request. . The print service apparatus PS outputs the stored print job to the image forming apparatus Gk in a state where the usability is improved while ensuring confidentiality.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the print service apparatus PS includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a nonvolatile memory 54, an input I / F 55, an output I / F 56, an external I / F 57, a communication I / F 58, and the like. Each part is connected by a bus 59.

  The ROM 52 stores a basic program as the print service apparatus PS, a program for a part to be executed by the print service apparatus PS in the image processing method of the present invention, system data, and the like.

  The RAM 53 is used as a work memory for the CPU 51 and stores image data and other data.

  Based on the program in the ROM 52, the CPU 51 uses the RAM 53 as a work memory to control each part of the print service apparatus PS, and executes basic processing as the print service apparatus PS. Further, the CPU 51 executes a portion to be executed by the print service apparatus PS in the image processing method of the present invention based on the program of the image processing method of the present invention stored in the ROM 52.

  The nonvolatile memory 54 is a memory that uses NVRAM, SSD, hard disk, or the like, and retains stored contents even when the power of the print service apparatus PS is off. The nonvolatile memory 54 controls the CPU 51 as, for example, system setting values and various data used in the image processing method of the present invention as data that needs to be stored even when the print service apparatus PS is turned off. Stored below.

  An input device 61 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus pen, and a touch panel is connected to the input I / F 55, and the input I / F 55 outputs various commands input from the input device 61 to the CPU 51.

  An output device 62 such as a display, a lamp, and a speaker is connected to the output I / F 56, and the output I / F 56 outputs output data such as display data, blinking data, and audio data to the output device 62 under the control of the CPU 51. Output. As this display, a display with a touch panel may be used.

  The external I / F 57 is detachably mounted with a portable storage medium Mk, and the portable storage medium Mk is an IC, an SD card, a flash memory card, or the like. Various data is written to and read from the portable storage medium Mk under the control of the CPU 51.

  In response to a request from the image forming apparatus Gk that is the output destination, the print service apparatus PS transmits a print job managed by the print service apparatus PS to the image forming apparatus Gk while ensuring security as will be described later.

  The communication I / F 58 is connected to the network NW2, and communicates with a device on the public network NWP and a device of the office network system OS through the network NW2 and the access control device AS.

  The image forming system 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. The image processing method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, SD (Secure Digital) card, MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is executed. By loading the program to be read into the ROM 52 of the print service apparatus PS, the ROM 42 of the image forming apparatus Gk, and the ROM 12 of the client terminals CLa and CLb, the print job on the network to be described later can be used while ensuring confidentiality. Processing that executes image processing methods that improve performance Location, the image forming apparatus is constructed as an information processing apparatus and an image forming system having these. A program for executing this image processing method is a computer-executable program described in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and the recording medium Can be stored and distributed.

  In the image forming system 1, a function block as shown in FIG. 5 is constructed by introducing a program for executing the image processing method.

  That is, the image forming system 1 introduces the above-described program, so that the information communication unit 71, the information processing network identification information acquisition unit 72, the information addition unit 73, the client terminals CLa and CLb, as shown in FIG. The transmission control unit 74, the input unit 75, the information output unit 76, and the information output control unit 77 are connected to the print service apparatus PS by the management communication unit 81, the data storage unit 82, the storage control unit 83, the identification information generation unit 84, and the identification information. The management unit 85, the job selection unit 86, the job transmission unit 87, and the input / output unit 88 include the image forming apparatus Gk, the image formation communication unit 91, the image formation network identification information acquisition unit 92, the information input unit 93, and the print request transmission unit. 94 and a job execution unit 95 are respectively constructed.

  The information communication units 71 of the client terminals CLa and CLb are constructed by the communication I / F 18 and communicate with the print service apparatus PS which is a job management apparatus. Therefore, the information communication unit 71 functions as information processing device communication means.

  The information processing network identification information acquisition unit 72 is constructed by the CPU 11 and the communication I / F 18, and is an information processing network identification for identifying the networks NW1 and NWP to which the own apparatus is connected via the networks NW1, NW2, and NWP. Get information. Therefore, the information processing network identification information acquisition unit 72 functions as information processing device network identification information acquisition means.

  The information adding unit 73 is constructed by the CPU 11 and adds the information processing network identification information acquired by the information processing network identification information acquiring unit 72 to the print job.

  The transmission control unit 74 is constructed by the CPU 11 and causes the information communication unit 71 to transmit the print job to which the information processing network identification information is added to the print service apparatus PS. The transmission control unit 74 may cause the information communication unit 71 to transmit the print job (job) and the information processing network identification information separately to the print service apparatus PS without adding the information processing network identification information. . Therefore, the information adding unit 73 and the transmission control unit 74 as a whole receive a storage request including information processing network identification information and a print job in the information communication unit 71 serving as an information communication unit and a print service device that is a job management device. It functions as a storage request transmission means for transmitting to the PS.

  The information output unit 76 is constructed by the output device 22, the external I / F 17, and the like, and displays and outputs information, in particular, job identification information (first job identification information, second job identification information), and portable storage. Output by a method such as recording output to the medium Mk. Therefore, the information output unit 76 functions as information output means.

  The information output control unit 77 is constructed by the CPU 11. When the information communication unit 71 receives job identification information for identifying a print job transmitted from the transmission control unit 74 from the print service apparatus PS, the information output control unit 77 receives the job identification information. The information is output to the information output unit 76. Therefore, the information output control unit 77 functions as information output control means.

  The management communication unit 81 of the print service apparatus PS as the job management apparatus is constructed by the communication I / F 58 and communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming apparatus Gk which are information processing apparatuses. Therefore, the management communication unit 81 functions as a management communication unit.

  The data storage unit 82 is constructed by the non-volatile memory 54, and prints data, in particular, a print job to which information processing network identification information is added, the first job identification information generated for the print job, and the second job identification information. Is stored. Therefore, the data storage unit 82 functions as data storage means. The data storage unit 82 can store print jobs in various data formats. The data storage unit 82 stores print jobs in various file formats such as NFS (Network File System) and RDBMS (Relational Data Base Management System) RDBMS.

  The accumulation control unit 83 is constructed by the CPU 51, and accumulates the print job in the data accumulation unit 82 when the management communication unit 81 receives the print job from the client terminals CLa and CLb. Therefore, the accumulation control unit 83 functions as an accumulation control unit.

  The identification information generation unit 84 is constructed in the CPU 51. The identification information generation unit 84 identifies the print job by combining the first job identification information that uniquely identifies the print job with the print job and the information processing network identification information that is shorter than the first identification information. Second job identification information is generated. Therefore, the identification information generation unit 84 functions as identification information generation means. In the generation of the second job identification information, the identification information generation unit 84 may control whether or not the second job identification information can be generated based on information processing network identification information set in advance. For example, if the information processing network identification information added to the print job is other than the information processing network identification information of the corporate network, the second job identification information is not generated.

  The identification information management unit 85 is constructed in the CPU 51, and the client terminal CLa that has transmitted the first job identification information and the second job identification information generated by the identification information generation unit 84 to the management communication unit 81. , To CLb. Therefore, the identification information management unit 85 functions as identification information management means. The identification information management unit 85 manages print jobs, network identification information, and job identification information in association with each other.

  The job selection unit 86 is constructed by the CPU 51. When the management communication unit 81 receives a print request including job identification information from the image forming apparatus Gk, the job selection unit 86 is the first job identification information or the second job identification information. Is determined. The job selection unit 86 selects a print job identified by the job identification information from the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information or the information processing network identification information added to the job identification information and the print job. To do. Therefore, the job selection unit 86 functions as job selection means.

  The job transmission unit 87 is constructed by the CPU 51 and causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk. Therefore, the job transmission unit 87 functions as a job transmission unit.

  The image forming communication unit 91 of the image forming apparatus Gk is constructed by the network I / F 45 and communicates with the print service apparatus PS as a job management apparatus. Therefore, the image forming communication unit 91 functions as an image processing communication unit.

  The image forming network identification information acquisition unit 92 is constructed by the CPU 41 and acquires image forming network identification information (image processing network identification information) for identifying the network to which the image forming network is connected. The image forming network identification information acquisition unit 92 functions as an image processing network identification information acquisition unit.

  The information input unit 93 is constructed by the operation display unit 32 and inputs information. Therefore, the information input unit 93 functions as an information input unit.

  The print request transmission unit 94 is constructed by the CPU 41. The print request transmission unit 94 receives job identification information for identifying a print job to be printed from the information input unit 93. When a print request is input, the print request transmission unit 94 adds the image forming network identification information to the job identification information. The print request is transmitted to the print service apparatus PS by the image forming communication unit 91. Therefore, the print request transmission unit 94 functions as an execution request transmission unit.

  The job execution unit 95 is constructed by the CPU 41 and the engine unit 31. When the image forming communication unit 91 receives the print job from the print service apparatus PS, the job execution unit 95 executes the print job. Therefore, the job execution unit 95 functions as a job execution unit.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming system 1 of this embodiment improves the usability of a print job on a network while ensuring confidentiality.

  The image forming system 1 transmits a print job from the client terminal CLa connected to the network NWa and the client terminal CLb connected to the public network NWP to the print service apparatus PS and stores them. At this time, the client terminals CLa and CLb add information processing network identification information for identifying the networks NW1 and NWP to which the client terminals CLa and CLb are connected to the print job and transmit the information.

  The print service apparatus PS generates and assigns the first job identification information and the second identification information to the sent print job based on the information processing network identification information, and stores the generated job as a set. The identification information is transmitted to the client terminals CLa and CLb.

  The client terminals CLa and CLb display and output the first job identification information and the second identification information, and the user records the job identification information on the portable storage medium Mk by memorizing it, writing it on paper or the like. Etc.

  The user moves to the installation location of the image forming apparatus Gk where the print job stored in the print service apparatus PS is to be output. Using the image forming apparatus Gk, the user inputs the first job identification information or the second job identification information and issues a print request designating the print job to the print service apparatus PS. In this case, when the image forming apparatus Gk that is the print output destination is connected to the same network as the client terminals CLa and CLb that stored the print job, the user inputs the second job identification information. In addition, if the image forming apparatus Gk that is the print output destination is not connected to the same network as the client terminals CLa and CLb, the user inputs the first job identification information. The image forming apparatus Gk adds image forming network identification information, which is identification information of the network to which the image forming apparatus is connected, to the print request, and print service together with the first job identification information or the second job identification information. Transmit to device PS.

  When a print request is sent from the image forming apparatus Gk, the print service device PS stores the first job identification information and the second job information stored as a set in the print job specified by the sent print request. Identification information and information processing network identification information are acquired. The print service apparatus PS uses the image forming network identification information, the first job identification information, or the second job identification information added to the print request, the information processing network identification information of the print job related to the print request, the first Compare with the job identification information and the second job identification information. The print service apparatus PS selects the print job specified by the print request from the comparison result, and transmits the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested printing.

  When a print job is transmitted from the print service apparatus PS, the image forming apparatus Gk executes the print job.

  That is, in the image forming system 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the user uploads (submits) a print job using, for example, the web browsers of the client terminals CLa and CLb (S1).

  In this case, the client terminals CLa and CLb display, for example, an upload screen G1 as shown in FIG. A user operates the input device 61 to input a file name (print job name) on the upload screen G1 or operates a reference button to store a file (print job) stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 or the like. ) Is specified. The upload screen G1 includes a file registration field, a reference button, and an upload button. The reference button is a button for referring to and selecting a file to be uploaded from the nonvolatile memory 14.

  In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the information processing network identification information acquisition unit 72 acquires the information processing network identification information for identifying the network to which the own device is connected, and the information addition unit 73 adds the information processing network identification information to the print job. Add (S2).

  In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the transmission control unit 74 transmits the print job with the information processing network identification information added thereto to the print service apparatus PS via the information communication unit 71 (S3).

  When the print service apparatus PS receives the transmitted print job, the print service apparatus PS passes the print job to the accumulation control unit 83 (S4). The accumulation control unit 83 accumulates the data in the data accumulation unit 82, and the identification information generation unit 84 uses the job identification information. Is stored in the data storage unit 82 (S5, S6). At this time, the identification information generation unit 84 identifies the print job by associating the first job identification information uniquely identifying the received print job with the information processing network identification information added to the print job. Second job identification information is generated. The accumulation control unit 83 associates the first job identification information and the second job identification information with the print job and the next information processing network identification information, for example, as a job management table shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. Store in the storage unit 82.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where the first job identification information is identification information including the second job identification information, and FIG. 9 shows that the first job identification information is the second job identification information. The case where the identification information does not include information is shown. In any case, the job management table is a table in which data is registered in each item of ID, data path, network identification information, first job identification information, and second job identification information. The ID is a management ID, and the data bus is a print job storage destination (holder, URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc.). The network identification information is information processing network identification information added to the print job, and the first job identification information and the second job identification information are jobs generated by the identification information generation unit 84 for the print job. Identification information. FIG. 8 shows a case where the first job identification information includes the second job identification information, and FIG. 9 shows that the first job identification information does not include the second job identification information. Is the case.

  The first job identification information is job identification information that has a long information length (a large number of digits) and uniquely identifies a print job. The second job identification information is more information than the first job identification information. This is job identification information that is short and identifies a print job in relation to information processing network identification information. In addition, various identification information can be used for identification information according to use environment, in order to improve identification property. For example, the identification information not only increases the number of digits, but also uses identification information including only numbers, identification information including alphanumeric characters, identification information distinguishing uppercase and lowercase letters, and identification information including a code, etc. it can.

  When the print service apparatus PS generates the job identification information, the identification information management unit 85 uses the first job identification information and the second job identification information as the job identification information, and the client terminal CLa that has transmitted the print job, Transmit to CLb (S7).

  In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the information output control unit 77 allows the user to know the transmitted job identification information by display output to the information output unit 76 or the like. Further, the client terminals CLa and CLb may store the transmitted job identification information in the portable storage medium Mk. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the client terminals CLa and CLb display and output an upload result display screen G2 on the output device 22 to thereby upload the print job, the first job identification information, and the second job. Notify the identification information. In the upload result display screen G2 of FIG. 10, first job identification information and second job identification information are displayed as job identification information.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the user who has successfully uploaded the print job moves to the image forming apparatus Gk to be printed and inputs job identification information (job identification information) from the information input unit 93. (S1). In inputting the job identification information, the image forming apparatus Gk displays a job identification information input screen G3 as shown in FIG. 12, for example, on the display of the operation display unit 32 that constructs the information input unit 93. The user inputs the first job identification information or the second job identification information in the job identification information input field of the job identification information input screen G3, and operates the print button.

  In the image forming apparatus Gk, when the job identification information is input and the print button is operated, the print request transmission unit 94 identifies the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected from the image forming network identification information acquisition unit 92. Image forming network identification information is acquired (S2).

  The print request transmission unit 94 transmits a job acquisition request (job collection), which is a print request to which image formation network identification information and job identification information are added, to the print service apparatus PS via the image formation communication unit 91 (S3, S4).

  In the print service apparatus PS, when the management communication unit 81 receives a job acquisition request (S5), the job selection unit 86 receives an acquisition request from the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information and the image forming network identification information. The selected print job is selected and acquired (S6, S7). That is, when the second job identification information is added to the job acquisition request, the job selection unit 86 prints the print job based on the second job identification information, the image forming network identification information, and the information processing network identification information. Select. Further, when the first job identification information is added to the job acquisition request, the job selection unit 86 selects a print job based on the first job identification information.

  When the job selection unit 86 selects a print job, the job transmission unit 87 causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the job acquisition (S8).

  When the image forming apparatus Gk receives a print job from the print service apparatus PS (S8), the job execution unit 95 executes the print job and prints out based on the print data and print settings (S9).

  The image forming apparatus Gk informs and outputs the print job acquisition and the print result, and ends the process.

  The image forming system 1 executes the print job selection process as shown in FIG.

  In the image forming system 1, when a job acquisition request is made by the image forming apparatus Gk, the image forming network identification information acquiring unit 92 acquires the image forming network identification information (step S101), and the user inputs the job identification information (step S101). Step S102). At this time, if the user is connected to the same network (for example, network NW1) as the client terminals CLa and CLb that uploaded the print job requested by the image forming apparatus Gk for job acquisition, the user inputs the second job identification information. . In addition, when the image forming apparatus Gk is connected to a different network from the client terminals CLa and CLb, the user inputs first job identification information. The user may input the job identification information using the portable storage medium Mk that stores the job identification information.

  The image forming apparatus Gk transmits a job acquisition request, to which the acquired image forming network identification information and the input job identification information are added, to the print service apparatus PS.

  In the print service apparatus PS, the job selection unit 86 checks whether the job identification information input by the user added to the job acquisition request is the second job identification information (step S103).

  As a method for determining whether or not the job identification information input by the user is the second job identification information, there are the following methods.

  First, as a first method, when the number of digits of the first job identification information and the second job identification information is a fixed value (for example, 13 digits and 8 digits), the number of digits of the input job identification information There is a method of determining based on whether the number is 13 digits or 8 digits.

  As a second method, there is a method for determining whether the input job identification information is a predetermined number of digits or more.

  In the first method and the second method, determination may be made based not only on the number of digits but also on the length of a character string, for example.

  As a third method, when the first job identification information includes "-(hyphen)" and the second job identification information does not include "-(hyphen)", the input job There is a method of determining based on whether or not the identification information includes “-(hyphen)”.

  As a fourth method, for example, there is a method of determining whether the identification information is only numbers or alphanumeric characters, that is, based on the number of types of characters constituting the identification information.

  In step S103, if the job identification information input by the user is the second job identification information (YES in step S103), the job selection unit 86 selects the second job identification information, the image forming network identification information, A print job is selected based on the information processing network identification information (step S104).

  The job selection unit 86 passes the selected print job to the job transmission unit 87, and the job transmission unit 87 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk via the management communication unit 81 (step S105).

  In step S103, if the job identification information input by the user is the first job identification information (NO in step S103), the job selection unit 86 selects a print job based on the first job identification information. (Step S106).

  The job selection unit 86 passes the selected print job to the job transmission unit 87, and the job transmission unit 87 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk via the management communication unit 81 (step S105).

  In the above process, the identification information generation unit 84 determines whether or not the second job identification information can be generated based on the information processing network identification information set in advance when generating the second job identification information. You may control. For example, the identification information generation unit 84 may not generate the second job identification information when the information processing network identification information added to the print job is other than the information processing network identification information of the corporate network. .

  In this way, a highly confidential document can be restricted to printing only within the company, and the confidentiality of the print job can be further improved.

  In addition, the image forming system 1 includes an input unit 75 configured by the input device 21 in which the client terminals CLa and CLb input information. In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the information adding unit (information adding unit) 73 adds the network identification information input from the input unit 75 to the print job as job execution permission information. In the print service apparatus PS, the identification information management unit 85 manages the network identification information in association with the second job identification information. When the management communication unit 81 receives a print request to which image forming network identification information and job identification information have been added from the image forming apparatus Gk, the job selecting unit 86 receives the image forming apparatus network identification information as job execution permission information. If it matches the added network identification information, the print job is selected. If the network identification information does not match, the job selection unit 86 does not select the print job.

  In this way, for example, it is possible to acquire and print a print job only from an image forming apparatus Gk on a network such as a designated corporate network, and to improve the confidentiality of the print job. it can.

  Furthermore, the client terminals CLa and CLb may add print permission network identification information for identifying a network that permits print output of a print job to be transmitted to the print service apparatus PS to the print job.

  In this case, the client terminals CLa and CLb cause the input device 21 to input network identification information that permits printing of the print job (print permission network identification information). In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the information adding unit 73 adds the input print permission network identification information to the print job and transmits it to the print service apparatus PS. In this case, the print permission network identification information and the network identification information to which the client terminals CLa and CLb are connected are added to the print job.

  When the print service apparatus PS receives the print job to which the print permission network identification information is added, as described above, the identification information generation unit 84 generates the first job identification information and the second identification information. As shown in FIG. 14, the print service apparatus PS associates the first job identification information, the second job identification information, the network identification information, and the print permission network identification information together with the print job accumulation path (data path). And stored in the data storage unit 82 as a job management table.

  When there is a print request to which network identification information connected to the image forming apparatus Gk is added from the image forming apparatus Gk, the print service apparatus PS controls whether or not printing is possible based on the network identification information. In other words, the print service apparatus PS determines whether the print selection network identification information of the print job for which the print request has been made matches the network identification information of the print request, and if the print request apparatus 86 matches, the print job Is selected as the print job to be printed. If they do not match, the job selection unit 86 rejects the selection of the print job.

  Accordingly, printing can be performed only by the image forming apparatus Gk connected to a specific network, and the confidentiality of the print job can be further improved.

  In the above description, FIG. 1 shows the case where the image forming system 1 is connected to the office network system OS and the service providing network system SS via the public network NWP. The image forming system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and can be similarly applied to an image forming system 1a as shown in FIG. In the image forming system 1a, a network NWa such as a LAN and a network NWb are connected to a corporate network NWc such as a LAN. An image forming apparatus Gk and a client terminal CLa are connected to the network NWa, and a client terminal CLb is connected to the network NWb. In the image forming system 1a, a print service apparatus PS is connected to a network NWc.

  The description from FIG. 1 to FIG. 13 can be similarly applied to the image forming system 1a of FIG.

  As described above, the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present exemplary embodiment include the client terminals CLa and CLb that are information processing apparatuses that transmit print jobs (jobs), and the print service apparatus that is a job management apparatus that manages the print jobs. An image processing system in which a PS and an image forming apparatus Gk, which is an image processing apparatus that acquires and executes the print job from the print service apparatus PS, are connected to appropriate networks NW1, NW2, and NWP, respectively. The terminals CLa and CLb include an information communication unit (information communication unit) 71 that communicates with the print service apparatus PS, and an information network identification information acquisition unit that acquires information processing network identification information that identifies the network to which the own device is connected ( Information processing network identification information acquisition means) 72 and the information processing network Storage request transmission means comprising an information adding unit 73 and a transmission control unit 74 for causing the information communication unit 71 to transmit a storage request including network identification information and the print job to the print service apparatus PS, and information for outputting information When the output unit (information output unit) 76 and the information communication unit 71 receive from the print service apparatus PS job identification information for identifying the print job transmitted to the print service apparatus PS, the job identification information is received. An information output control unit (information output control unit) 77 to be output to the information output unit 76, and the print service apparatus PS communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming apparatus Gk. ) 81, a data storage unit (data storage unit) 82 that stores data, and the management communication unit 81 include the print job When received from the client terminals CLa and CLb, a storage control unit (storage control means) 83 for storing the print job in the data storage unit 82, first job identification information for identifying the print job, and the first identification An identification information generating unit (identification information generating means) 84 for generating second job identification information for identifying the print job in combination with the information processing network identification information shorter than the information, and the first job identification An identification information management unit (identification information management means) 85 for transmitting information and the second job identification information to the client terminals CLa and CLb that have transmitted the print job to the management communication unit 81; Image forming network identification information (image processing network) identifying the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected from the image forming apparatus Gk. Network identification information) and a print request (execution request) including job identification information for identifying the print job, the job identification information is either the first job identification information or the second job identification information. The print request from the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information or the job identification information and the image forming network identification information and the information processing network identification information corresponding to the print job in the print request. A job selection unit (job selection unit) 86 that selects the print job specified in step S3, and a job that causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the print job. An image forming apparatus Gk that communicates with the print service apparatus PS. A forming communication unit (image processing communication unit) 91; an image forming network identification information acquiring unit (image processing network identification information acquiring unit) 92 for acquiring image forming network identification information for identifying a network to which the own apparatus is connected; When an information input unit (information input unit) 93 for inputting information and a print request (execution request) with job identification information for identifying a print job to be printed (execution target) are input from the information input unit 93, A print request transmission unit (j one-line request transmission unit) 94 for causing the image formation communication unit 91 to transmit a print request (execution request) including the job identification information and the image formation network identification information to the print service apparatus PS; When the image forming communication unit 91 receives the print job from the print service apparatus PS, a job execution unit that executes the print job Job execution means) 95, and a.

  Therefore, the print job stored in the print service apparatus PS on the network is acquired based on the first job identification information, the second job identification information, the information processing network identification information, and the image forming network identification information. Can do. As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of a print job (job) on the network while ensuring confidentiality.

  Further, the print service apparatus PS of the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present embodiment is added with network identification information for identifying the network to which the client terminals CLa and CLb are connected, which is sent from the client terminals CLa and CLb. Is a job management apparatus that accumulates print jobs (jobs) that are being transmitted and transmits print jobs in response to print job acquisition requests from the image forming apparatus Gk, and communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming apparatus Gk When the management communication unit 81 receives the print job from the print service device PS, the management communication unit 81 (management communication unit) 81, the data storage unit (data storage unit) 82 that stores data, and the data communication unit 81 receive the print job. Identify the print job and the accumulation control unit (accumulation control means) 83 that accumulates in the accumulation unit An identification information generating unit that generates first job identification information and second job identification information that is shorter than the first identification information and combined with the information processing network identification information to identify the print job ( An identification information generation unit (84), and an identification information management unit for transmitting the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the client terminals CLa and CLb that have transmitted the print job to the management communication unit 81 ( (Identification information management means) 85 and the management communication unit 81 receive from the image forming apparatus Gk a print request including image forming network identification information for identifying the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected and job identification information. It is determined whether the job identification information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or Job selection for selecting the print job specified in the print request from the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information, the image forming network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the print job A job transmission unit (job transmission unit) 86 that causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the print job. ing.

  Therefore, the print service apparatus PS can provide the accumulated print job based on the first job identification information, the second job identification information, the information processing network identification information, and the image forming network identification information. . As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of a print job (job) on the network while ensuring confidentiality.

  Further, the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present exemplary embodiment include client terminals (information processing apparatuses) CLa and CLb that transmit print jobs (jobs), and a print service apparatus (job management apparatus) PS that manages the print jobs. An image processing method in an image forming system in which image forming apparatuses (image processing apparatuses) Gk that acquire and print (execute) the print job from the print service apparatus PS are connected to appropriate networks, respectively. An information communication processing step in which the client terminals CLa and CLb communicate with the print service apparatus PS; an information processing network identification information acquisition processing step for acquiring information processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the client terminal is connected; The information processing network identification information and the print job A print request (storage request) including a request to transmit to the print service apparatus PS in the information communication process step, an information output process step to output information, and a print service apparatus PS in the information communication process step. When job identification information for identifying the print job transmitted to is received from the print service apparatus PS, an information output control processing step for outputting the job identification information in the information output processing step is executed. The print service device PS communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming device Gk, a data storage processing step for storing data in the data storage unit 82, and the print communication job at the management communication processing step. Is received from the client terminals CLa and CLb, A storage control processing step for storing a print job in the data storage unit 82, a first job identification information for identifying the print job, and a second job for identifying the print job in combination with the information processing network identification information Identification information generation processing step for generating job identification information, and the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the client terminals CLa and CLb that have transmitted the print job in the management communication processing step. An identification information management processing step to be transmitted, and a print request including image forming network identification information for identifying a network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected and job identification information are received from the image forming apparatus Gk in the management communication processing step. Then, the job identification information is the first job identification information and the second job identification information. From the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information or the job identification information, the image forming network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the print job. A job selection processing step for selecting a print job specified in the print request, and a job transmission processing step for transmitting the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the print job in the management communication processing step. And the image processing communication processing step in which the image forming apparatus Gk communicates with the print service apparatus PS, and the image processing network identification for acquiring the image forming network identification information for identifying the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected. Information acquisition processing (image forming network identification information acquisition processing) step; When an information input processing step for inputting information and a print request with job identification information for identifying a print job to be printed (execution target) are input in the information input processing step, the image forming network is added to the job identification information. An execution request transmission process (print request transmission process) for causing the print request to which identification information is added to be transmitted to the print service apparatus PS at the image processing communication processing step; and the print service apparatus PS at the image processing communication processing step. The image processing method for executing the job execution processing step for executing the print job is executed.

  Therefore, the print job stored in the print service apparatus PS on the network is acquired based on the first job identification information, the second job identification information, the information processing network identification information, and the image forming network identification information. Can do. As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of a print job on the network while ensuring confidentiality.

  Further, the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present exemplary embodiment print jobs to which network identification information for identifying networks connected to the client terminals CLa and CLb sent from the client terminals CLa and CLb is added. A management communication process in which the print service apparatus PS that accumulates and transmits in response to the print job acquisition request from the image forming apparatus Gk communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming apparatus Gk to a control processor such as the CPU 51. A data storage process for storing data in the data storage unit 82; a storage control process for storing the print job in the data storage unit 82 when the print job is received from the client terminals CLa and CLb in the management communication process; First job identification information for identifying the print job; Identification information generation processing for generating second job identification information for identifying the print job in combination with network identification information, and the management communication processing for the first job identification information and the second job identification information. Identification information management process to be transmitted to the client terminals CLa and CLb that have transmitted the print job in step S3, and an image forming network identification for identifying the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected from the image forming apparatus Gk in the management communication process When a print request (execution request) including information and job identification information is received, it is determined whether the job identification information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job Identification information or the job identification information and the image forming network identification information and the information processing network added to the print job A job selection process for selecting the print job specified by the print request from the data storage unit 82 based on the job identification information, and the management communication process for requesting the print job for the selected print job. A program for executing job transmission processing to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus Gk.

  Therefore, the print service apparatus PS can provide the accumulated print job based on the first job identification information, the second job identification information, the information processing network identification information, and the image forming network identification information. . As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of a print job on the network while ensuring confidentiality.

  Furthermore, in the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present exemplary embodiment, the identification information generation unit 84 controls whether or not the second job identification information can be generated based on the information processing network identification information set in advance. To do.

  Therefore, a highly confidential document can be restricted to printing only within the company, and the confidentiality of the print job can be improved.

  The image forming systems 1 and 1a of the present embodiment further include an input unit (input unit) 75 for inputting information to the client terminals CLa and CLb, and the information adding unit 73 inputs from the input unit 75. The added network identification information is added as job execution permission information to the print job, and the print service apparatus PS manages the network identification information in association with the second job identification information by the identification information management unit 85. When the management communication unit 81 receives the print request to which the image forming network identification information (image processing network identification information) and the job identification information are added from the image forming apparatus Gk, the job selection unit 86 receives the print request. The network identification information corresponding to the second job identification information of the requested print job is the print job. Only when matching the network identification information of the job execution permission information added to, select the print job.

  Accordingly, it is possible to acquire and print a print job only from the designated image forming apparatus Gk of a network such as a corporate network, and to improve the confidentiality of the print job.

  Furthermore, in the image forming systems 1 and 1a according to the present embodiment, the identification information generation unit 84 determines that the information processing network identification information added to the print job is other than a predetermined type of identification information. Only one identification information is generated.

  Accordingly, printing can be performed only by the image forming apparatus Gk connected to a specific network, and the confidentiality of the print job can be further improved.

  FIGS. 16 to 31 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the image processing system, job management apparatus, image processing method and program of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows the image processing system, job management apparatus and image of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the image forming system 100 to which the 2nd Example of a processing method and a program are applied.

  This embodiment is applied to an image forming system 100 similar to the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are identical. The description is omitted or simplified.

  In FIG. 16, in an image forming system 100, an office network system OS2 and a service providing network system SS are connected by a public network PNW.

  The office network system OS has the same configuration as the office network system OS of the first embodiment, except that the print data storage device DS is connected to the network NW1 in addition to the client terminal CLa, the image forming apparatus Gk, and the firewall FW. Yes.

  The print data storage device (storage device) DS uses a computer having a normal hardware configuration and software configuration, and a portion to be executed by the print data storage device DS in the image processing method of the present invention as a program. The program is installed.

  The print data storage device DS stores and manages print jobs and job identification information transmitted from the print service device PS, and in response to job requests from the image forming device Gk, print data is stored based on the job identification information. provide.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the print data storage device DS includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a nonvolatile memory 104, an input I / F 105, an output I / F 106, a communication I / F 107, and the like. Connected by.

  The ROM 102 stores a basic program as the print data storage device DS, a program of a part to be executed by the print data storage device DS in the image processing method of the present invention, system data, and the like.

  The RAM 103 is used as a work memory for the CPU 101 and stores various data.

  Based on the program in the ROM 102, the CPU 101 uses the RAM 103 as a work memory to control each unit of the print data storage device DS, and executes basic processing as the print data storage device DS. Further, the CPU 101 executes a portion to be executed by the print data storage device DS in the image processing method of the present invention based on the program of the image processing method of the present invention in the ROM 102.

  A non-volatile memory 104 is a large-capacity non-volatile memory such as an SSD or a hard disk, and retains stored contents even when the print data storage device DS is turned off under the control of the CPU 101. The nonvolatile memory 104 stores, for example, a print job and job identification information transmitted from the print service apparatus PS as data that needs to be stored even when the print data storage apparatus DS is turned off. Accumulate under control. In addition, the nonvolatile memory 104 provides a print job specified by job identification information of a print request from the image forming apparatus Gk under the control of the CPU 101.

  An input device 111 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus pen, and a touch panel is connected to the input I / F 105, and the input I / F 105 outputs various commands input from the input device 111 to the CPU 101.

  An output device 112 such as a display, a lamp, and a speaker is connected to the output I / F 106, and the output I / F 106 outputs output data such as display data, blinking data, and audio data to the output device 112 under the control of the CPU 101. Output. As this display, a display with a touch panel may be used.

  The communication I / F 107 is connected to the network NW1, and communicates with the print service apparatus PS through the image forming apparatus Gk, the firewall FW, the public network PNW, the access control apparatus AS, and the network NW2 through the network NW1.

  The client terminals CLa and CLb and the image forming apparatus Gk have the same configuration as in the first embodiment. However, if the print data storage device DS is connected to the networks NW1 and NWP to which the client terminals CLa and CLb are connected, the client terminals CLa and CLb transmit a print job to the print data storage device DS.

  Then, when a print job is transmitted from the client terminals CLa and CLb, the print data storage device DS transfers the print job to the print service device PS.

  When a print job is transferred from the print data storage device DS, the print service apparatus PS generates the first job identification information and the second job identification information for the print job, and the job identification information To the client terminals CLa and CLb. The print service apparatus PS adds the generated job identification information to the print job, and transmits the print job with the job identification information added to the print data storage apparatus DS.

  The print data storage device DS stores and manages a print job to which job identification information transmitted from the print service device PS is added in the nonvolatile memory 104.

  When the print data storage device DS is connected to the networks NW1 and NWP to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected, the image forming apparatus Gk stores the print request with the job identification information and the network identification information added thereto. To device DS.

  When there is a print request from the image forming apparatus Gk, the print data storage device DS selects a print job related to the print request based on the job identification information or based on the job identification information and the network identification information. The print data storage device DS transmits the selected print job to the image forming device Gk.

  The image forming system 100 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as the ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, USB memory, SD card, and MO. Are loaded into the ROM 52 of the print service apparatus PS, the ROM 42 of the image forming apparatus Gk, the ROM 12 of the client terminals CLa and CLb, and the ROM 102 of the print data storage apparatus DS, As an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a storage apparatus, and an image forming system including these, which execute an image processing method for improving the usability of a print job on a network, which will be described later, while ensuring confidentiality Has been built. A program for executing this image processing method is a computer-executable program described in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and the recording medium Can be stored and distributed.

  In the image forming system 100, a function block as shown in FIG. 18 is constructed by introducing a program for executing the image processing method. The image forming system 100 in FIG. 18 is a block obtained by adding a print data storage device DS to the image forming system 1 of the first embodiment in FIG. 5 as a functional block. , Are given the same reference numerals.

  That is, in the image forming system 100, as shown in FIG. 18, the client terminals CLa, CLb, the print service apparatus PS, and the image forming apparatus Gk are constructed as shown in FIG. In the image forming system 100, a storage communication unit 121, a transfer unit 122, a job storage unit 123, a job storage control unit 124, a stored job selection unit 125, and a stored job transmission unit 126 are constructed in the print data storage device DS. . An input / output unit 88 is constructed in the print service apparatus PS.

  The input / output unit 88 of the print service apparatus PS is constructed by an input I / F 55, an output I / F 56, an input device 61, an output device 62, and a communication I / F 58. The input / output unit 88 performs functions of an information receiving unit that receives input of information and an information output unit that outputs information.

  The storage communication unit 121 is constructed by the communication I / F 107 and communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb, the print service apparatus PS, and the image forming apparatus Gk. Therefore, the storage communication unit 121 functions as a storage communication unit.

  The transfer unit 122 is constructed by the CPU 101. When the storage communication unit 121 receives a print job to which network identification information is added from the client terminals CLa and CLb, the transfer unit 122 transmits the print job to the print service apparatus PS via the storage communication unit 121. Therefore, the transfer unit 122 functions as a job transfer unit.

  The job storage unit 123 is constructed by the nonvolatile memory 104 and stores a print job in association with the network identification information and the job identification information. Therefore, the job storage unit 123 functions as a job storage unit.

  The job accumulation unit 123 accumulates an ID, a data path, and second job identification information as an accumulated job management table, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 19 in association with the print job. The job accumulating unit 123 accumulates the print job to which the ID is assigned in the storage location indicated by the data path in FIG. Although not shown, the job storage unit 123 includes, together with the print job, network identification information (information processing network identification information) that identifies the network to which the client terminals CLa and CLb that transmitted the print job are connected. Accumulated.

  When the storage communication unit 121 receives a print job to which job identification information is given from the print service apparatus PS, the job storage control unit 124 stores the print job job in the job storage unit 123. Therefore, the job accumulation control unit 124 functions as an accumulation control unit.

  When the storage communication unit 121 receives a print request including image forming network identification information for identifying a network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected and job identification information from the image forming apparatus Gk, the stored job selection unit 125 receives the job. It is determined whether the identification information is first job identification information or second job identification information. The stored job selection unit 125 is designated by the print request from the job storage unit 123 based on the job identification information or the job identification information, the image forming network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the print job. Selected print job. Therefore, the stored job selection unit 125 functions as a stored job selection unit.

  The stored job transmission unit 126 causes the storage communication unit 121 to transmit the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has made a print request (job acquisition request). Therefore, the stored job transmission unit 126 functions as a stored job transmission unit.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the print data storage device DS is connected to the network of the client terminals CLa and CLb, the image forming system 100 of this embodiment improves the usability of the print job on the network while ensuring confidentiality. Let

  That is, in the image forming system 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the user uploads (submits) a print job using, for example, the web browsers of the client terminals CLa and CLb (S1).

  At this time, the client terminals CLa and CLb acquire the information processing network identification information for identifying the network to which the information processing network identification information acquisition unit 72 is connected, and the information addition unit 73 adds the information processing network to the print job. Identification information is added (S2).

  When the client terminals CLa and CLb transmit a print job, the information communication unit 71 determines whether the print data storage device DS is connected to the networks NW1 and NWP to which the client terminals CLa and CLb are connected. Determine the destination of the print job.

  That is, when the print data storage device DS is connected to the same networks NW1 and NWP, the information communication unit 71 transmits a print job to which the information processing network identification information is added to the print data storage device DS (S3). -1).

  When the storage communication unit 121 of the print data storage device DS receives the print job from the client terminals CLa and CLb, it transfers the print job to the print service device PS as it is (S3-2).

  When the print service apparatus PS receives the transmitted print job, the print service apparatus PS passes the print job to the accumulation control unit 83 (S3-3). In the print service apparatus PS, the accumulation control unit 83 accumulates data in the data accumulation unit 82, and the identification information generation unit 84 generates job identification information and stores it in the data accumulation unit 82 (S3-4, S3-5). . At this time, the identification information generation unit 84 identifies the print job by associating the first job identification information uniquely identifying the received print job with the information processing network identification information added to the print job. Second job identification information is generated. The accumulation control unit 83 associates the first job identification information and the second job identification information with the print job and the next information processing network identification information, for example, job management as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. The data is stored in the data storage unit 82 as a table.

  When the print service apparatus PS generates job identification information, the identification information management unit 85 uses the first job identification information and the second job identification information as job identification information, and the print data storage apparatus that has transmitted the print job. Transmit to the DS (S3-6).

  When the print data storage device DS receives the print job and job identification information from the print service device PS, the job storage control unit 124 displays the print job and job identification information in the form of the stored job management table shown in FIG. The job is accumulated in the job accumulation unit 123 (S3-7). When the print data storage device DS receives the print job and the job identification information from the print service device PS, the transfer unit 122 stores the job identification information in the storage communication unit 121 to the client terminals CLa and CLb that have transmitted the print job. (S-8).

  On the other hand, if the print data storage device DS is not connected to the same networks NW1 and NWP, the information communication unit 71 of the client terminals CLa and CLb sends the print job with the information processing network identification information to the print service device PS. Transmit (S4-1).

  As in the case of the first embodiment, the print service apparatus PS generates and assigns job identification information to a print job (S4-2, S4-3), accumulation in the data accumulation unit 82, and job identification. Information is transmitted to the client terminals CLa and CLb (S4-5).

  Note that the image forming system 100 may allow the user to select whether or not to store the print job in the print data storage device DS as shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows an upload file input field, a reference button, a local cache YES / NO selection button, and an upload button. This local cache selects whether or not a print job is stored in the print data storage device DS. To do.

  In this way, when the user prints within the same network, the print data storage device DS can be used properly and when the user prints outside, the print service device PS can be used properly. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the useless accumulation of the print job in the print data storage device DS, and it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the nonvolatile memory 104 of the print data storage device DS, and to improve the usability. Can be improved.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the user who has successfully uploaded the print job moves to the image forming apparatus Gk to be printed and inputs job identification information (job identification information) from the information input unit 93. (S1). In inputting the job identification information, the image forming apparatus Gk displays a job identification information input screen G3 as shown in FIG. 12, for example, on the display of the operation display unit 32 that constructs the information input unit 93. The user inputs the first job identification information or the second job identification information in the job identification information input field of the job identification information input screen G3, and operates the print button.

  In the image forming apparatus Gk, when the job identification information is input and the print button is operated, the print request transmission unit 94 identifies the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected from the image forming network identification information acquisition unit 92. Image forming network identification information is acquired (S2).

  The print request transmitting unit 94 requests the image forming communication unit 91 for a job acquisition request (job collection) to which image forming network identification information and job identification information are added (S3).

  When the print data storage device DS is connected to the network NW1 to which the image forming communication unit 91 is connected, the image forming communication unit 91 transmits a job acquisition request (print request) to the print data storage device DS (S4-1). .

  When the storage communication unit 121 receives the job acquisition request, the print data storage device DS selects the print job requested from the job storage unit 123 and transmits it to the image forming device Gk (S4-2). In the print data storage device DS, the print job selection is performed by the storage job selection unit 125, and the storage job loading unit 106 requests the job acquisition request to the storage communication unit 121 for the selected print job. To send to.

  If the print data storage device DS is not connected to the network NW1 to which the image forming communication unit 91 is connected, the image forming communication unit 91 transmits a job acquisition request (print request) to the print service device PS (S5-1). ).

  In the print service apparatus PS, as in the first embodiment, when the management communication unit 81 receives a job acquisition request (S5-2), the job selection unit 86 displays the job identification information and the image forming network identification information. Based on this, the print job requested to be acquired from the data storage unit 82 is selected and acquired (S5-3, S5-4).

  When the job selection unit 86 selects a print job, the job transmission unit 87 causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the job acquisition (S5-5).

  When the image forming apparatus Gk receives a print job from the print data storage apparatus DS or the print service apparatus PS, the job execution unit 95 executes the print job and prints out based on the print data and print settings (S6). ).

  The image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment limits the accumulation period for the print data accumulated in the print data accumulation apparatus DS, and sets a predetermined time set in advance or a predetermined time specified in the print job. You may make it delete, if it passes.

  That is, basically, a print job to be printed in the same network is often printed immediately after being uploaded to the print data storage device DS. However, a print job that has not been printed for a predetermined time or longer after being uploaded is often printed by the image forming apparatus Gk of a different network.

  Therefore, the print data storage device DS manages the storage time of the print job stored in the job storage unit 123 by the job storage control unit 124, and print jobs that have not been printed even if the storage time has exceeded a predetermined time. You may make it delete from the job storage part 123. FIG.

  In this way, the capacity of the non-volatile memory 104 of the print data storage device DS can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the security risk due to storing the print job for a long time can be reduced.

  In FIG. 22, the print data storage device DS is connected to the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected, and the print job to be printed by the user is stored in the print data storage device DS. The case is shown.

  However, it is assumed that the print data storage device DS does not exist on the same network as the image forming apparatus.

  In this case, in the image forming system 100, as shown in FIG. 23, the image forming apparatus Gk accesses the print service apparatus PS and acquires a print job to be printed from the print service apparatus PS.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the user moves to the image forming apparatus Gk to be printed and inputs job identification information (job identification information) from the information input unit 93 (S1). In the image forming apparatus Gk, when the job identification information is input and the print button is operated, the print request transmission unit 94 identifies the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk is connected from the image forming network identification information acquisition unit 92. Image forming network identification information is acquired (S2).

  The print request transmitting unit 94 requests the image forming communication unit 91 for a job acquisition request (job collection) to which image forming network identification information and job identification information are added (S3).

  When the print data storage device DS is connected to the network NW1 to which the image forming communication unit 91 is connected, the image forming communication unit 91 transmits a job acquisition request (print request) to the print data storage device DS (S4-1). .

  When the storage communication unit 121 receives the job acquisition request, the print data storage device DS searches for the print job requested from the job storage unit 123, and if it exists, selects the print job and selects the print job. Although it transmits to Gk, when it does not exist, the fact is returned (S4-2).

  If there is no print job to be printed in the print data storage device DS, the image forming apparatus Gk transmits a job acquisition request (print request) to the print service apparatus PS (S5-1).

  In the print service apparatus PS, as in the first embodiment, when the management communication unit 81 receives a job acquisition request (S5-2), the job selection unit 86 displays the job identification information and the image forming network identification information. Based on this, the print job requested to be acquired from the data storage unit 82 is selected and acquired (S5-3, S5-4).

  When the job selection unit 86 selects a print job, the job transmission unit 87 causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the job acquisition (S5-5).

  If the print data storage device DS is not connected to the network NW1 to which the image forming communication unit 91 is connected, the image forming communication unit 91 transmits a job acquisition request (print request) to the print service device PS (S6-1). ).

  In the print service apparatus PS, as in the first embodiment, when the management communication unit 81 receives a job acquisition request (S6-2), the job selection unit 86 displays the job identification information and the image forming network identification information. Based on this, the print job requested to be acquired from the data storage unit 82 is selected and acquired (S6-3, S6-4).

  When the job selection unit 86 selects a print job, the job transmission unit 87 causes the management communication unit 81 to transmit the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk that has requested the job acquisition (S6-5).

  When the image forming apparatus Gk receives a print job from the print service apparatus PS, the job execution unit 95 executes the print job and prints out based on the print data and print settings (S7).

  In this way, a print job can be acquired from the print service apparatus PS and printed from the image forming apparatus Gk in the network where the print data storage apparatus DS does not exist, and the usability can be improved.

  In the above description, the image forming system 100 stores the print job in the print data storage device DS in the same network as the client terminals CLa and CLb. It is not limited to cases. For example, the client terminals CLa and CLb receive the storage destination according to the user's specification when uploading the print job, transmit the print job to the print data storage device DS of the specified network, and perform the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above. You may go.

  In this way, when the image forming apparatus Gk that prints the print job is determined in advance, the client terminals CLa and CLb that created the print job and the image forming apparatus Gk that is the print destination are connected to different networks. Can also improve the usability.

  Further, the image forming system 100 may allow the second job identification information to be edited such as addition or change for the print job sent to the print service apparatus PS.

  In this case, the print service apparatus PS receives a job acquisition request specifying a print job based on the first job identification information from the outside, and a job presentation that presents the print job in response to the job acquisition request A function unit, a network identification information presentation function unit for presenting usable network identification information, a network identification information change instruction reception function unit for a print job, and a network identification information change function unit for a print job based on the change instruction.

  The print service apparatus PS includes the request reception function unit, for example, the management communication unit 81 constructed by the communication I / F 58, or the input device 61, the input I / F 55, the output device 62 of the input / output unit 88, It is executed by the input / output unit 88 newly constructed by the output I / F 56. When the management communication unit 81 performs a function as a request reception function unit, it receives a job acquisition request from the client terminals CLa, CLb, and the like. When the input / output unit 88 constructed by the input device 61 or the like executes a function as a request receiving function unit, the user receives an operation of the input device 61 while looking at the output device 62 of the print service apparatus PS. Become.

  In the print service apparatus PS, for example, the accumulation control unit 83 and the management communication unit 81 or the accumulation control unit 83, the output I / F 56, and the output device 62 execute the job presentation function unit. When the storage control unit 83 and the management communication unit 81 execute functions as job presentation function units, a print job is presented to the client terminals CLa and CLb using a web browser or the like. When the output device 62 or the like executes a function as a job presentation function unit, the print job is presented on the display or the like of the output device 62.

  In the print service apparatus PS, the network identification information presentation function unit is executed by, for example, the accumulation control unit 83 and the management communication unit 81 or the input / output unit 88 including the accumulation control unit 83 and the output I / F 56. When the identification information management unit 85 and the management communication unit 81 execute functions as the network identification information presentation function unit, the network identification information that can be used for the client terminals CLa, CLb, etc. using a web browser or the like is stored as data. It is read from the storage unit 82 and presented. When the input / output unit 88 including the output device 62 performs a function as a network identification information presentation function unit, the network identification information that can be used for the display of the output device 62 is read from the data storage unit 82 and presented. To do.

  The print service apparatus PS executes the network identification information change instruction reception function unit by, for example, the management communication unit 81 forming part of the input / output unit 88 or the input / output unit 88 including the input device 61 and the like. When the management communication unit 81 performs a function as a network identification information change instruction reception function unit, it receives a network identification information change instruction from the client terminals CLa, CLb, and the like. When the input / output unit 88 including the input device 61 and the like executes a function as a network identification information change instruction receiving function unit, the network from the input device 61 while the user is looking at the output device 62 of the print service apparatus PS. A change input operation of identification information is accepted.

  In the print service apparatus PS, for example, the identification information management unit 85 executes the network identification information change function unit. That is, the identification information management unit 85 updates the network identification information change content of the corresponding print job in the data storage unit 82 with the network identification information change content received by the network identification information change instruction receiving function unit.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the second job identification information update process is performed. 24 shows the case where the management communication unit 81, which is a part of the input / output unit 88, processes, but the same applies to the case where the input / output unit 88 including the input device 61 or the like processes. In FIG. 24, in the print service apparatus PS, the management communication unit 81 receives a job information acquisition request added with the first job identification information from the user using the client terminals CLa and CLb (S1).

  In this case, on the operation display unit 32 of the client terminals CLa and CLb, for example, a job identification information change request screen G4 for requesting input of first job identification information as shown in FIG. 25 is displayed. The user inputs the first job identification information for specifying the print job to be changed in the first job identification information input field of the job identification information change request screen G4, and operates the “OK” button. The client terminals CLa and CLb transmit a job information acquisition request to which the input first job identification information is added to the print service apparatus PS.

  The print service apparatus PS acquires a print job corresponding to the first job identification information added to the job information acquisition request from the data storage unit 82 (S2). The print service apparatus PS obtains a list of available network identification information from the data storage unit 82 (S3), and sends it to the client terminals CLa and CLb to display it to the user.

  The user designates the network identification information of the network intended as the output destination of the print job from the print job and network identification information list as the change destination network identification information. At this time, for example, a job information change input screen G5 for obtaining a network ID as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the client terminals CLa and CLb. On the job information change input screen G5, the words “Please select network ID”, the first job identification information input by the user, the current status of the second job identification information, and the selection column of the network ID And an “OK” button are displayed.

  The user selects the network ID of the intended network from the network IDs available in the image forming system 100 displayed in the list in the network ID selection field, and operates the “OK” button.

  The client terminals CLa and CLb pass the selected network ID (network identification information) to the print service apparatus PS.

  When the print service apparatus PS receives the designation of network identification information (S4), the identification information management unit 85 generates second job identification information for the print job based on the designated network identification information (S4). S5).

  The accumulation control unit 83 updates the second job identification information of the corresponding print job in the data accumulation unit 82 with the generated second job identification information (S6).

  When the update of the second job identification information is completed, the print service apparatus PS transmits a job identification information change completion notification to the client terminals CLa, CLb or the input / output unit, for example, job identification information as shown in FIG. The change completion screen G6 is displayed. In the job identification information change completion screen G6, the fact that the second job identification information has been changed, the second job identification information, the first job identification information, and an “OK” button are displayed.

  In this way, when a job submitted from an external network or printing is desired to be performed by the image forming apparatus Gk belonging to another network, the registration is changed to the network identification information to which the image forming apparatus Gk that is the printing destination belongs, thereby improving usability. Can be improved. That is, the network identification information is obtained by the client terminals CLa and CLb and the print service apparatus PS that can be easily input without performing the long first job identification information on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus Gk that is relatively difficult to input. It can respond by changing. As a result, usability can be improved.

  In addition, the image forming systems 1, 1a, and 100 may transmit print jobs from the client terminals CLa and CLb by e-mail. In the client terminals CLa and CLb, the transmission control unit 74 attaches a print job to an e-mail, designates the image forming apparatus Gk as a print output destination as a destination e-mail address, and notifies the information communication unit 71 of the print service apparatus PS or The data is transmitted to the print data storage device DS.

  In the print service apparatus PS, the data storage unit 82 stores, for example, a mail address management table as shown in FIG. In the mail address management table, a mail address and network identification information in which the domain of the mail address exists are registered in association with the ID.

  When a print job is sent by e-mail, the print service apparatus PS acquires network identification information corresponding to the destination e-mail address of the e-mail from the data storage unit 82 and passes it to the identification information generation unit 84.

  The identification information generation unit 84 generates first job identification information and second job identification information based on network identification information corresponding to the destination mail address.

  That is, in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, the user operates the client terminals CLa and CLb to attach a print job to the e-mail (S1), and the information communication unit 71 sends the e-mail to the print service apparatus PS. Is transmitted (S2). Then, the user sets the domain of the image forming apparatus Gk that prints the print job as the destination mail address of the electronic mail. In FIG. 29, the print job is transmitted directly from the client terminals CLa and CLb to the print service apparatus PS by e-mail, but may be transmitted to the print service apparatus PS via the print data storage apparatus DS.

  When the management communication unit 81 receives an e-mail attached with a print job, the print service apparatus PS passes the e-mail to the storage control unit 83 (S3). Next, the storage control unit 83 refers to the mail address management table of the data storage unit 82 based on the destination mail address, and acquires network identification information (S4).

  In the print service apparatus PS, the identification information generation unit 84 generates first job identification information and second job identification information based on the network identification information (S5).

  The accumulation control unit 83 associates the print job with the first job identification information and the second job identification information and accumulates them in the data accumulation unit 82 (S6).

  The identification information management unit 85 transmits the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the client terminals CLa and CLb via the management communication unit 81.

  In this way, when the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk to be printed belongs is determined (such as a rental office), a print job is attached to an e-mail with the rental office as the destination mail address in advance. It is transmitted to the service device PS or the like. Therefore, usability can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming system 100, the print data storage device DS may acquire and store print jobs that are not stored in the print data storage device DS from the print service device PS in a timely manner.

  In this case, in the print data storage device DS, the job storage control unit 124 compares the print job stored in the job storage unit 123 with the print job stored in the print service device PS at an appropriate timing. The job accumulation control unit 124 acquires print jobs that are accumulated in the print service apparatus PS but not accumulated in the job accumulation unit 123 and accumulates them in the job accumulation unit 123.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 30, the image forming system 100 stores the print job in the print service apparatus PS in the print job procedure by e-mail shown in FIG. 29 (S1 to S7).

  In the print data storage device DS, at an appropriate timing, the job storage control unit 124 issues a print job search request for inquiring of the stored print job to the print service device PS via the storage communication unit 121 (S11). The appropriate timing is, for example, every predetermined time, every time a notification that a predetermined number of print jobs are accumulated is received from the print service apparatus PS.

  When the print service apparatus PS receives the print job search request, the storage control unit 83 searches for a print job stored in the data storage unit 82, generates a list information of the stored print job, and sends it from the management communication unit 81. Transmit to the print data storage device DS.

  In the print data storage device DS, when the storage communication unit 121 receives the stored print job list, the job storage control unit 124 searches for a print job stored in the job storage unit 123. The job accumulation control unit 124 checks unstored print jobs that are listed in the accumulated print job list but not accumulated in the job accumulation unit 123 (S12).

  If there is an unstored print job, the job storage control unit 124 sends an acquisition request for the unstored print job to the print service apparatus PS via the storage communication unit 121 (S13).

  In the print service apparatus PS, when there is an unstored print job acquisition request, the storage control unit 83 acquires a print job related to the acquisition request from the data storage unit 82, and the print data storage apparatus DS via the management communication unit 81. Send to.

  In the print data storage device DS, when an unstored print job is transmitted from the print service device PS, the job storage control unit 124 stores the unstored print job in the job storage unit 123 (S14).

  In FIG. 30, print jobs are stored in the print service apparatus PS using e-mail, but the present invention is not limited to using e-mail.

  In this way, for example, a print job submitted from an external network or a print job deleted from the print data storage device DS can be obtained from the print data storage device DS and printed by a nearby image forming device Gk. It is possible to improve usability.

  In addition, the print service apparatus PS and the print data storage apparatus DS may manage the print job print conditions in association with the network identification information, the first job identification information, and the second job identification information.

  In this case, for example, the print service device PS stores the identification information corresponding print condition table as shown in FIG. 31 in the data storage unit 82 and the print data storage device DS in the job storage unit 123.

  In this identification information correspondence printing condition table, network identification information (information processing network identification information), first job identification information printing conditions, and second job identification information printing conditions are registered corresponding to the ID. In FIG. 31, for the ID “1”, “809090377” is used as the first job identification information printing condition as the network identification information, and “color, single side” is used as the second job identification information printing condition. “Monochrome, Duplex” is registered.

  When the job selection unit 86 and the accumulated job selection unit 125 receive the print request including the image forming network identification information and the job identification information, the job identification information is converted into the first job identification information and the second job identification. Is specified in the print request based on the job identification information or the job identification information, the image forming network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the print job. Select a print job. Further, the job selection unit 86 and the accumulated job selection unit 125 include the image forming network identification information added to the print request from the image forming apparatus Gk, the job identification information including the first job identification information and the second job identification information. The printing conditions are determined based on which of the job identification information.

  The job selection unit 86 and the accumulated job selection unit 125 add the determined print condition to the selected print job and transmit it to the image forming apparatus Gk.

  In this way, for example, in-house printing identified by the second job identification information is printed in color, and monochrome printing is performed if printing from the outside identified by the first job identification information is performed. The printing conditions can be divided as follows. As a result, it is possible to improve usability and cost management while improving the confidentiality of the print job.

  As described above, the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment further includes the print data storage device (storage device) DS that stores the print job. The client terminals CLa and CLb are configured so that the transmission control unit 74 has the own device. When the print data storage device DS is connected to the connected network, the print job is transmitted to the print data storage device DS, and the print request transmission unit 94 of the image forming apparatus Gk When the print data storage device DS is connected to the connected network, the print request is transmitted to the print data storage device DS. The print service device PS receives the print data storage device DS from the print data storage device DS. When the print job is received, the identification information generation unit 84 receives the first job identification information and the second job identification for the print job. The identification information management unit 85 adds the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the print job and transmits the print job to the management communication unit 81. The print data storage device DS adds the network identification information from the storage communication unit (storage communication means) 121 that communicates with the client terminals CLa and CLb, the print service device PS and the image forming device Gk, and the client terminals CLa and CLb. When the storage communication unit 121 receives the print job, the print job is transmitted to the print service device PS via the storage communication unit 121, and the job identification information is given from the print service device PS. When the storage communication unit 121 receives the print job, the job identification information is stored in the class that has transmitted the print job. A transfer unit (transfer unit) 122 that causes the storage communication unit 121 to transmit to the ant terminals CLa and CLb, a job storage unit (job storage unit) 123 that stores the print job, and the job identification information from the print service apparatus PS. When the storage communication unit 121 receives the assigned print job, the job storage control unit (job storage control unit) 124 that stores the print job in the job storage unit 123, and the storage communication unit 121 includes the image forming apparatus. When the print request to which the image forming network identification information (image processing network identification information) and the job identification information are added is received from Gk, the job identification information becomes the first job identification information and the second job identification information. The job identification information or the job identification information and the image forming network Storage job selection unit (storage job selection unit) that selects a print job specified by the print request from the job storage unit 123 based on the print identification information and the information processing network identification information added to the print job And a storage job transmission unit (storage job transmission unit) 126 that causes the storage communication unit 121 to transmit the selected print job to the image forming apparatus Gk.

  Therefore, by installing the print data storage device DS in a network that frequently performs printing, it is possible to improve printing performance and to suppress the load on the print service device PS. As a result, it is possible to further improve the usability of the print job on the network while further ensuring confidentiality.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 of this embodiment, the job storage control unit 124 of the print data storage device DS manages the storage time of the print job stored in the job storage unit 123, and the storage time is a predetermined storage time. When the time limit is reached, the print job is deleted from the job storage unit 123.

  Therefore, it is possible to avoid a state in which the print job is accumulated in the print data accumulation device DS for a long time, and it is possible to further improve the confidentiality of the print job, and the job accumulation unit 123 of the print data accumulation device DS. The capacity of can be reduced.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the print request transmitting unit 94 of the image forming apparatus Gk is connected to the image forming communication unit 91 and the print request is connected to the network to which the own apparatus is connected. The print request is transmitted to the data storage device DS, and when the print job related to the print request does not exist, the print data storage device DS transmits the print request to the print service device PS.

  Therefore, even when the print job of the print data storage device DS is deleted, the print job can be acquired from the print service device PS and printed, and the usability can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the client terminals CLa and CLb perform a non-accumulation operation for refusing accumulation of the print job in the print data accumulation apparatus DS by the input unit 75, the information addition is performed. The unit 73 adds non-storage information indicating non-storage of the print job to the storage device to the print job, and the print service device PS has the identification information management unit 85 added the non-storage information. For the print job, transmission of the print job to the print data storage device DS is stopped.

  Therefore, when the image forming apparatus Gk that prints a print job is determined in advance, the client terminals CLa and CLb that created the print job and the image forming apparatus Gk that is the print destination are used even when connected to different networks. Can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, when the client terminals CLa and CLb are designated by the input unit 75 as the image forming apparatus Gk for executing the print job, the information adding unit 73 is designated. The image forming network identification information of the network to which the execution destination image forming apparatus Gk is connected is added to the print job, and the print service apparatus PS adds the print job sent from the print data storage apparatus DS to the print job. When the image forming network identification information is added, the identification information management unit 85 displays the print job to which the first job identification information and the second job identification information are added as the print data storage device. The management communication is sent to the print data storage device DS connected to the network indicated by the DS and the image forming network identification information. It is transmitted to the section 81.

  Therefore, when the image forming apparatus Gk that prints a print job is determined in advance, the client terminals CLa and CLb that created the print job and the image forming apparatus Gk that is the print destination are used even when connected to different networks. Can be improved.

  The image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an input / output unit 88 in which the print service apparatus PS constructs an information receiving unit that receives information input and an information output unit that outputs information. The data storage unit 82 stores list information of network identification information of available networks in the image forming system 100, and the storage control unit 83 outputs the list information of the network identification information to the input / output unit 88. When the addition or change of the network identification information for the print job stored in the data storage unit 82 received by the input / output unit 88 is received based on the list information of the network identification information, Based on this, network identification information is added or changed for the print job.

  Therefore, when a job submitted from an external network or printing is desired to be performed by the image forming apparatus Gk belonging to another network, the registration is changed to the network identification information to which the image forming apparatus Gk that is the printing destination belongs, thereby improving the usability. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment, the transmission control unit 74 of the client terminals CLa and CLb causes the print job to be transmitted to the information communication unit 71 by e-mail, and the print service apparatus PS The information generation unit 84 generates the first job identification information and the second job identification information based on the domain of the email of the print job transmitted by the email.

  Accordingly, it is possible to accumulate print jobs using e-mail to further improve the confidentiality of the print jobs, and to reduce the capacity of the job accumulation unit 123 of the print data accumulation apparatus DS.

  In the image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the transmission control unit 74 of the client terminals CLa and CLb is configured to send the print job to the information communication unit by an electronic mail having the destination image forming apparatus Gk as a destination mail address. In the print service apparatus PS, the data storage unit 82 stores the network identification information and the mail address in association with each other, and the identification information generation unit 84 transmits the print job transmitted by the e-mail. The network identification information corresponding to the destination mail address of the electronic mail is acquired from the data storage unit 82, and the first job identification information and the second job identification information are generated based on the network identification information To do.

  Therefore, when the network to which the image forming apparatus Gk to be printed belongs is determined (rental office, etc.), the print service apparatus PS attaches a print job to an e-mail having the rental office as the destination mail address in advance. Send to etc. Therefore, usability can be improved.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, the job storage control unit 124 of the print data storage device DS causes the storage communication unit 121 to communicate with the print service device PS at a predetermined interval. Among the print jobs stored in the data storage unit 82 of the PS, a non-storage print job is acquired in the job storage unit 123 of the print data storage device DS.

  Therefore, for example, a print job submitted from an external network or a print job deleted from the print data storage device DS can be received by the print data storage device DS and printed by a nearby image forming device Gk. Can be improved.

  In the image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the data storage unit 82 and the job storage unit 123 store print conditions in association with the network identification information, and the job selection unit 86 and the stored job selection unit 125. Sets print conditions for the print job stored in the data storage 82 or the job storage unit 123 based on the network identification information added to the print job.

  Therefore, a print job can be printed for each network under preset printing conditions, and the usability and cost management can be improved while improving the confidentiality of the print job.

  Further, in the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, the data storage unit 82 and the job storage unit 123 correspond to the first job identification information and the second identification information for each network identification information. Each of the print conditions is stored, and the job selection unit 86 and the stored job selection unit 125 add the print job stored in the data storage unit 82 or the job storage unit 123 to the print job. Print conditions are set based on the network identification information, the first job identification information, and the second identification information.

  Therefore, for example, if printing from the company identified by the second job identification information is printed in color, printing from the outside identified by the first job identification information is printed as monochrome printing. The conditions can be divided. As a result, it is possible to improve usability and cost management while improving the confidentiality of the print job.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, in the description of the operation of the image processing system, the image forming apparatus Gk that is an image processing apparatus acquires a print job stored in the print service apparatus PS that is a job management apparatus, and the acquired print job As an example, the case of executing is described. The present invention is not limited to the examples given above. For example, an image processing system stores image data as a job in a job management apparatus, and an image processing apparatus such as a projection apparatus (projector) or a display apparatus (multimedia board) stores the image data stored in the job management apparatus. It may be a system that acquires and projects and displays the acquired image data.

1, 1a image forming system OS office network system SS service providing network system NWP public network CLa, CLb client terminal NW1 network Gk image forming apparatus FW firewall 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Non-volatile memory 15 Input I / F
16 output I / F
17 External I / F
18 Communication I / F
19 Bus 21 Input Device 22 Output Device Mk Portable Storage Medium 30 Controller 31 Engine Unit 32 Operation Display Unit 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 Nonvolatile memory 45 Network I / F
46 Engine I / F
47 Operation display I / F
48 External I / F
49 Bus 51 CPU
52 ROM
53 RAM
54 Non-volatile memory 55 Input I / F
56 Output I / F
57 External I / F
58 Communication I / F
59 Bus 61 Input device 62 Output device 71 Information communication unit 72 Information processing network identification information acquisition unit 73 Information addition unit 74 Transmission control unit 75 Input unit 76 Information output unit 77 Information output control unit 81 Management communication unit 82 Data storage unit 83 Storage Control unit 84 Identification information generation unit 85 Identification information management unit 86 Job selection unit 87 Job transmission unit 88 Input / output unit 91 Image formation communication unit 92 Image formation network identification information acquisition unit 93 Information input unit 94 Print request transmission unit 95 Job execution unit G1 Upload screen G2 Upload result display screen G3 Job identification information input screen 100 Image forming system OS2 Office network system DS Print data storage device 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Nonvolatile memory 105 Input I / F
106 Output I / F
107 Communication I / F
108 Bus 111 Input Device 121 Output Device 121 Storage Communication Unit 122 Transfer Unit 123 Job Storage Unit 124 Job Storage Control Unit 125 Stored Job Selection Unit G3 Job Identification Information Input Screen G4 Job Identification Information Change Request Screen G5 Job Information Change Input Screen G6 Job Identification information change completion screen

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-056168

Claims (18)

An image processing system in which an information processing apparatus that transmits a job, a job management apparatus that manages the job, and an image processing apparatus that acquires and executes the job from the job management apparatus are connected to an appropriate network. There,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Information communication means for communicating with the job management device;
Information processing network identification information acquisition means for acquiring information processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the own device is connected;
A storage request transmission unit that causes the information communication unit to transmit a storage request including the information processing network identification information and the job to the job management device;
Information output means for outputting information;
When the information communication means receives job identification information for identifying the job transmitted to the job management apparatus from the job management apparatus, an information output control means for outputting the job identification information to the information output means;
With
The job management device includes:
Management communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus;
Data storage means for storing data;
When the management communication unit receives the job from the information processing apparatus, a storage control unit that stores the job in the data storage unit;
Identification information generating means for generating first job identification information for identifying the job and second job identification information for identifying the job in combination with the information processing network identification information;
Identification information management means for causing the management communication means to transmit the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job;
When the management communication unit receives an execution request including image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected and job identification information for identifying the job from the image processing apparatus, the job identification information is It is determined whether the job identification information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or the job identification information, the image processing network identification information, and the storage request correspond to the job Job selection means for selecting a job specified in the execution request from the data storage means based on the information processing network identification information;
Job transmission means for causing the management communication means to transmit the selected job to the image processing apparatus that has requested the job;
With
The image processing apparatus includes:
Image processing communication means for communicating with the job management device;
Image processing network identification information acquisition means for acquiring image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the own device is connected;
An information input means for inputting information;
When an execution request with job identification information for identifying a job to be executed is input from the information input unit, an execution request including the job identification information and the image processing network identification information is sent to the image processing communication unit. Execution request transmitting means for transmitting to the management device;
Job execution means for executing the job when the image processing communication means receives the job from the job management device;
An image processing system comprising: The identification information generating means
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the second job identification information can be generated is controlled based on the information processing network identification information set in advance. The information processing apparatus includes:
Input means to input information,
In addition,
The information adding means includes
Adding network identification information input from the input means to the job as job execution permission information;
The job management device includes:
The identification information management means is
Managing the network identification information in association with the second job identification information;
The job selection means is
When the management communication means receives the execution request to which the image processing network identification information and job identification information are added from the image processing apparatus, it corresponds to the second job identification information of the job requested by the execution request. 3. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the job is selected only when the network identification information to be matched matches the network identification information of the job execution permission information added to the job. system. The identification information generating means
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the first identification information is generated when the information processing network identification information added to the job is other than a predetermined type of identification information. 5. The image processing system described in 1. The image processing system includes:
A storage device for storing the job;
In addition,
The information processing apparatus includes:
The transmission control means is
When the storage device is connected to the network to which the device is connected, the job is transmitted to the storage device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
The execution request transmitting means
When the storage device is connected to the network to which the device is connected, the execution request is transmitted to the storage device,
The job management device includes:
When the management communication unit receives a job from the storage device, the identification information generation unit generates the first job identification information and the second job identification information for the job, and the identification information management unit Adding the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the job, causing the storage device to transmit to the management communication means,
The storage device
Storage communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus, the job management apparatus and the image processing apparatus;
When the storage communication unit receives the job with the network identification information added from the information processing device, the job is transmitted to the job management device via the storage communication unit, and the job management device transmits the job. When the storage communication unit receives the job to which identification information is added, a transfer unit that causes the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job to transmit the job identification information to the storage communication unit;
Job storage means for storing the job;
A job storage control unit that stores the job in the job storage unit when the storage communication unit receives the job with the job identification information from the job management apparatus;
When the storage communication unit receives the execution request to which the image processing network identification information and the job identification information are added from the image processing apparatus, the job identification information is converted into the first job identification information and the second job identification. The job storage means determines the job identification information or the job identification information based on the job identification information, the image processing network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the job. An accumulated job selection means for selecting the job specified in the request;
Accumulated job transmission means for causing the accumulated communication means to transmit the selected job to the image processing apparatus;
5. The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: The storage device
The job accumulation control unit
6. The image processing according to claim 5, wherein an accumulation time of the job accumulated in the job accumulation unit is managed, and the job is deleted from the job accumulation unit when the accumulation time reaches a predetermined accumulation limit time. system. The image processing apparatus includes:
The execution request transmitting means
If the image processing communication unit transmits the execution request to the storage device connected to the network to which the image processing communication unit is connected, and the job related to the execution request does not exist in the storage device, the execution request The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the request is transmitted to the job management apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes:
When a non-accumulation operation for refusing accumulation of the job in the accumulation apparatus is performed by the input means, the information addition means adds non-accumulation information indicating non-accumulation of the job to the accumulation apparatus to the job And
The job management device includes:
The identification information management means is
8. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein transmission of the job to the storage device is stopped for the job to which the non-storage information is added. The information processing apparatus includes:
When the image processing apparatus for executing the job is designated by the input means, the information adding means identifies the image processing network identification information of the network to which the designated image processing apparatus is connected. To the job,
The job management device includes:
When the image processing network identification information is added to the job sent from the storage device, the identification information management unit adds the first job identification information and the second job identification information. 9. The job according to claim 5, wherein the management communication unit transmits the job to the storage device connected to the storage device and the network indicated by the image processing network identification information. Image processing system. The job management device includes:
Information receiving means for receiving input of information;
Information output means for outputting information;
Further,
The data storage means
In the image processing system, store list information of network identification information of available networks,
The job accumulation control unit
List information of the network identification information is output to the information output means, and based on the list information of the network identification information, the network identification information for the job stored in the data storage means received by the information reception means 10. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein when an addition or a change is received, network identification information is added or changed for the job based on the received information. The information processing apparatus includes:
The transmission control means is
Sending the job to the information communication means by e-mail;
The job management device includes:
The identification information generating means
11. The first job identification information and the second job identification information are generated based on a domain of the e-mail of the job transmitted by the e-mail. An image processing system according to any one of the above. The information processing apparatus includes:
The transmission control means is
Sending the job to the information communication means by e-mail with the destination image processing device as the destination e-mail address,
The job management device includes:
The data storage means is
Store network identification information and email address in correspondence,
The identification information generating means
Obtaining network identification information corresponding to the destination mail address of the e-mail of the job sent by the e-mail from the data storage means, and based on the network identification information, the first job identification information and The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second job identification information is generated. The storage device
The job accumulation control means
The storage communication unit communicates with the job management device at a predetermined interval, and among the jobs stored in the data storage unit of the job management device, non-accumulated jobs are stored in the job storage unit of the storage device. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the image processing system is acquired. The data storage means and the job storage means are:
Storing execution conditions in association with the network identification information;
The job selection means and the stored job selection means are:
2. The execution condition is set for the job stored in the data storage unit or the job storage unit based on the network identification information added to the job. The image processing system according to claim 13. The data storage means and the job storage means are:
For each of the network identification information, the execution condition is stored in correspondence with the first job identification information and the second identification information,
The job selection means and the stored job selection means are:
Execute for the job stored in the data storage means or the job storage means based on the network identification information, the first job identification information, and the second identification information added to the job The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein a condition is set. Stores a job with network identification information added to identify the network connected to the information processing device sent from the information processing device, and sends the job in response to the job acquisition request from the image processing device A job management device that performs
Management communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus;
Data storage means for storing data;
When the management communication unit receives the job from the information processing apparatus, a storage control unit that stores the job in the data storage unit;
Identification information for generating first job identification information for identifying the job and second job identification information for identifying the job in combination with the information processing network identification information shorter than the first identification information Generating means;
Identification information management means for causing the management communication means to transmit the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job;
When the management communication means receives an execution request including image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected and job identification information from the image processing apparatus, the job identification information is stored in the first job. It is determined whether it is identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or the job identification information, the image processing network identification information, and the information processing network identification information added to the job Job selection means for selecting a job specified in the execution request from the data storage means based on
Job transmission means for causing the management communication means to transmit the selected job to the image processing apparatus that has requested the job;
A job management apparatus comprising: An image processing system in which an information processing apparatus that transmits a job, a job management apparatus that manages the job, and an image processing apparatus that acquires and executes the job from the job management apparatus are connected to an appropriate network. An image processing method comprising:
The information processing apparatus includes:
An information communication processing step for communicating with the job management device;
Information processing network identification information acquisition processing step for acquiring information processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the own device is connected;
A storage request transmission processing step for transmitting a storage request including the information processing network identification information and the job to the job management device in the information communication processing step;
An information output processing step for outputting information;
When job identification information for identifying the job transmitted to the job management device is received from the job management device in the information communication processing step, the information output for outputting the job identification information in the information output processing step Control processing steps;
Run
The job management device includes:
A management communication processing step for communicating with the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus;
A data storage processing step for storing data in the data storage means;
When the management communication processing step receives the job from the information processing apparatus, a storage control processing step of storing the job in the data storage unit;
An identification information generation processing step for generating first job identification information for identifying the job and second job identification information for identifying the job in combination with the information processing network identification information;
An identification information management processing step for transmitting the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job in the management communication processing step;
When an execution request including image processing network identification information for identifying a network connected to the image processing apparatus and job identification information for identifying the job is received from the image processing apparatus in the management communication processing step, the job It is determined whether the identification information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or the job identification information and the image processing network identification information and the job in the accumulation request A job selection processing step of selecting a job specified in the execution request from the data storage unit based on the information processing network identification information corresponding to
A job transmission processing step for transmitting the selected job to the image processing apparatus that has requested the job in the management communication processing step;
Run
The image processing apparatus includes:
Image processing communication processing step for communicating with the job management device;
An image processing network identification information acquisition processing step for acquiring image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the own device is connected;
An information input processing step for inputting information;
When an execution request with job identification information for identifying a job to be executed is input in the information input processing step, an execution request including the job identification information and the image processing network identification information is transmitted in the image processing communication processing step. Execution request transmission processing step to be transmitted to the job management device;
When the job is received from the job management device in the image processing communication processing step, a job execution processing step for executing the job;
The image processing method characterized by performing. A job for storing a job to which network identification information for identifying a network to which the information processing apparatus is connected sent from the information processing apparatus is accumulated, and transmitting the job in response to a job acquisition request from the image processing apparatus A program installed in the management device,
To the control processor,
Management communication processing for communicating with the information processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus;
A data storage process for storing data in the data storage means;
A storage control process for storing the job in the data storage means when the job is received from the information processing apparatus in the management communication process;
Identification information generation processing for generating first job identification information for identifying the job and second job identification information for identifying the job in combination with the information processing network identification information;
An identification information management process for transmitting the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job by the management communication means;
An identification information management processing step for transmitting the first job identification information and the second job identification information to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job in the management communication processing step;
When an execution request including image processing network identification information for identifying a network to which the image processing apparatus is connected and job identification information for identifying the job is received from the image processing apparatus in the management communication process, the job identification It is determined whether the information is the first job identification information or the second job identification information, and the job identification information or the job identification information and the image processing network identification information and the storage request are assigned to the job. A job selection process for selecting a job specified in the execution request from the data storage unit based on the corresponding information processing network identification information;
A job transmission process for transmitting the selected job to the image processing apparatus that has requested the job in the management communication process;
A program characterized by having executed.

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