JP2019061339A - Image forming system, information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce time from the start instruction of a print job to its execution in the system in which the print job executed by an image forming device is transferred to the image forming device via an information processing device.SOLUTION: An information processor 100 comprises a server unit 20 and a printer unit 10. The server unit 20 acquires a job ID and a user ID from the job data received from a terminal 500 and transfers the job data to the printer unit 10 without spooling in the server 20. The server 20 instructs the job execution related to a certified user to the printer unit 10. The printer unit 10 reads out the spooled job data in response to the instruction of the job execution and outputs the image corresponding to the job data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to output of a print job requiring user authentication, and more particularly to an image forming system in which job data is transferred to an image forming apparatus via an information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, when an image forming apparatus outputs a print job, various techniques have been proposed for enhancing security regarding output using a password or the like.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-181219 (Patent Document 1) discloses a host output processing system. In this system, “the host computer 20 that has received the print instruction generates host print data. In this case, the banner page prints the host account ID specified by the predetermined character string and the print instruction at the predetermined coordinates. Next, the host print management means 31 of the print server 30 converts the data format.Next, the print setting means 33 associates the predetermined keyword in the banner page with the predetermined keyword. The extracted host account ID is extracted, and the acquired host account ID is added as a job user ID to the PJL command area provided in the header portion of the print data (see the summary of Patent Document 1).

  JP-A-2015-125478 (Patent Document 2) discloses an image forming system. The image forming system includes a client, a server, and an image forming apparatus. The client includes a user identification information designation unit that designates user identification information identifying a user to the server. The server includes a user identification information storage unit storing a plurality of user identification information identifying each of a plurality of users associated with the image forming apparatus, and the user designated by the client among the plurality of user identification information A user identification information transmission unit that transmits identification information and a print job to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus further comprises: a user information list storage unit storing in advance a user information list in which the user identification information and authentication information for authenticating the user identification information are associated; the print job and the user identification information When the user identification information receiving unit received from the server and the authentication information corresponding to the received user identification information are input, the user information list is referred to as to whether or not the input authentication information is normal. And an authentication unit that permits printing of the print job when it is determined that the authentication information is normal. (See claim 1 of Patent Document 2).

  JP 2008-269298 A (Patent Document 3) discloses a print control system. In the system, “the print server 1 is connected to a plurality of printers 2a, 2b, 2c having a hold printing function via a network. The print server 1 is a user position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the user. 116, a transmission destination printer extraction unit 112 for extracting two or more printers close to the acquired user position, and print data received from the PC 3 are transmitted to the respective printers extracted by the transmission destination printer extraction unit 112, and the print data is A print data transmission unit 114 to be held by the printer and a print data deletion instruction unit that instructs another printer other than the printer to delete the print data when receiving a print notification of the print data from any of the printers of each printer 115 (see the abstract of Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-181219 A JP, 2015-125478, A JP 2008-269298 A

  Here, in a system in which a print job to be executed in an image forming apparatus is stored in an information processing apparatus such as a server capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, the print job It is spooled once in the information processing apparatus. Thereafter, when the user authentication is completed, the information processing apparatus transfers the print job to the image forming apparatus. After spooling the print job, the image forming apparatus outputs the print job. That is, in the above system, the print job is spooled twice. Therefore, the above system requires a long time from the print job start instruction to the output, as compared with the image forming apparatus which receives the print job directly from the user's terminal.

  The present disclosure has been conceived in view of the actual situation, and its object is to start a print job in a system in which a print job executed by an image forming apparatus is transferred to an image forming apparatus via an information processing apparatus. It is to shorten the time from instruction to execution.

  According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus transmits the job data received by the first storage unit, the communication interface for communicating with an apparatus outside the image forming system, and the communication interface to the image forming apparatus without spooling the job data in the first storage unit. And a controller configured to transfer. The image forming apparatus includes a second storage unit configured to spool job data. The control unit further stores job identification information for identifying job data and user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to the job data in the first storage unit in association with each other based on the job data. The image forming apparatus is instructed to form an image of job data corresponding to job identification information associated with the user identification information of the selected user.

  The control unit receives a selection of an image formation target from job data corresponding to job identification information associated with user identification information of an authenticated user, and forms an image of job data selected as an image formation target May be configured to instruct the image forming apparatus.

  The control unit may be configured to identify the header portion of the job data and acquire job identification information and user identification information from the header portion by analyzing the script of the job data.

  The control unit further generates job identification information for identifying job data received by the communication interface, adds the generated job identification information to the job data, and transfers the job data to the image forming apparatus. It may be configured.

  The communication interface may be further configured to be able to communicate with an image forming apparatus and another image forming apparatus. The control unit selects a transfer destination of job data from the image forming apparatus and another image forming apparatus based on the job data received by the communication interface, transfers the job data to the selected transfer destination, and May be configured to indicate formation of

  The control unit may be configured to select the transfer destination in accordance with at least one of user identification information and reception time of job data.

  The job data may include a file to be subjected to image formation. The control unit may be configured to select the transfer destination in accordance with the characteristics of the file in the job data.

The characteristics of the file may include the name of the file.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus without spooling job data received by the storage unit, a communication interface configured to communicate with an apparatus including the image forming apparatus, and the communication interface in the storage unit. Job identification information identifying the job data based on the job data, and user identification information identifying the user corresponding to the job data in association with each other and stored in the storage unit, and the authenticated user's user An information processing apparatus is provided, comprising: a control unit configured to instruct formation of an image of job data corresponding to job identification information associated with identification information.

  According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus including a storage unit and a communication interface configured to communicate with an apparatus including the image forming apparatus. The program transfers to the processor the job data received by the communication interface to the image forming apparatus without spooling in the storage unit, the job identification information for identifying the job data based on the job data, and the job data Instructs the storage unit to store user identification information identifying the corresponding user in association with each other, and instructs formation of an image of job data corresponding to job identification information associated with the user identification information of the authenticated user To do and to do.

  According to the present disclosure, job data is spooled in the image forming apparatus without being spooled in the information processing apparatus after being received by the information processing apparatus. When the user authenticates, the information processing apparatus instructs the image forming apparatus to form an image of job data spooled in the image forming apparatus. As a result, it is avoided that the time required to form an image is increased by spooling job data in the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system. FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the information processing device 100. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of control in an image forming system. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of job data. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the data structure of association information stored in the printer-side storage 120. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of secure job management information stored in a user database 240. 5 is a flowchart of an example of processing executed by the server unit 20 and the printer unit 10; It is a flowchart of a subroutine of association information generation processing. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of a user identification information registration process. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine of job identification information registration processing. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine of job management processing. It is a flowchart of a subroutine of job selection acceptance processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a job. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of a log specific process. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a network system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 15, and two MFP100A, 100B. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of transfer destination information. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a network system. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 18 and three MFPs 100A, 100B, 100C.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming system will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, these descriptions will not be repeated.

[1. Configuration Example of Image Forming System]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system. As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the network system 1000, an information processing apparatus 100, which is an example of an image forming system, communicates with a terminal 500 via a network N. The network N may be a LAN (local area network) or a global network. The terminal 500 is realized by, for example, a personal computer installed with a printer driver. The terminal 500 may be realized by an apparatus such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, as long as the apparatus can output a print instruction together with a print job.

  The information processing apparatus 100 is realized, for example, as an apparatus in which a server and an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral: image forming apparatus) are integrally connected by connecting respective housings. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a printer unit 10, a server unit 20, and an operation panel 30 used as a user interface of the printer unit 10 and the server unit 20.

[2. Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the information processing apparatus 100. The configurations of the printer unit 10 and the server unit 20 will be described below.

(Printer unit 10)
The printer unit 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 150 for controlling the entire printer unit 10, and a storage unit 160. Storage unit 160 is realized by, for example, a non-volatile memory. The information stored in the storage unit 160 may include a program executed by the CPU 150 and data used to execute the program.

  Printer unit 10 further includes an image processing unit 151, an image forming unit 152, an image reading unit 153, and an internal interface 180. The image processing unit 151 processes the input image data to execute, for example, processing such as enlargement / reduction of an image to be output. The image processing unit 151 is realized by, for example, a processor and a memory for image processing. The image forming unit 152 includes a toner cartridge, a paper tray for storing recording paper, and hardware resources for forming an image on the recording paper, such as a photoconductor, and hardware for transporting the recording paper. Realized by resources. The image reading unit 153 is realized by hardware resources, such as a scanner, configured to generate image data of a document. Since the functions of image processing unit 151, image forming unit 152, and image reading unit 153 are well known in the image forming apparatus, detailed description will not be repeated here.

  The internal interface 180 functions as an interface for communication with the server unit 20, and is realized by, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card.

(Server unit 20)
The server unit 20 includes a CPU 250 for controlling the entire server unit 20, a network communication unit 260, a storage unit 270, and an internal interface 280.

  The network communication unit 260 is realized by hardware resources configured to execute transmission and reception of data with an external device such as the terminal 500 via the global network. An example of the hardware resource is a network card. The CPU 250 communicates with an external device via the network communication unit 260.

  Storage unit 270 is implemented by, for example, a non-volatile memory. The information stored in the storage unit 270 may include a program executed by the CPU 250 and data used to execute the program.

  The CPU 250 is further configured to control the operation panel 30. The operation panel 30 includes a control circuit 350, a display unit 360 realized by an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display or the like, an operation unit 370 realized by a touch sensor or the like, and a card realized by a noncontact card reader or the like. And a leader 380.

  The control circuit 350 controls the display operation of the display unit 360 in accordance with a control signal from the CPU 250. The operation unit 370 outputs the input information to the control circuit 350. Control circuit 350 outputs a signal corresponding to the information input from operation unit 370 to CPU 250. The control circuit 350 transfers the data read by the card reader 380 to the server unit 20 in response to a control signal from the CPU 250.

[3. Flow of control in imaging system]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of control in the image forming system (the information processing apparatus 100). In FIG. 3, an arrow AR1 schematically represents the flow of print job data (hereinafter also referred to as "job data"). An arrow AR2 represents a flow of a job execution instruction.

  In FIG. 3, functional blocks of the information processing device 100 are shown. In the server unit 20, when the job reception control unit 210 receives job data from the terminal 500, the job reception control unit 210 transfers the job data to the job script processing unit 211. The job script processing unit 211 analyzes the header of the job data to generate association information (association information (FIG. 5) described later) for the print job and stores the association information in the server-side storage 220.

  More specifically, the job script processing unit 211 includes a job script reading unit 212, a job script analysis unit 213, and a job script writing unit 214. The job script reading unit 212 reads a script of job data. The job script analysis unit 213 analyzes the script read by the job script reading unit 212. In one embodiment, the job script analysis unit 213 identifies a header portion of job data by script analysis of job data, acquires a job ID and a user ID from the header portion, and uses them as association information on the server side. It is stored in the storage 220. Job data is described, for example, using a language such as PJL (Printer Job Language) or PGL (Printronix Graphics Language). The job script analysis unit 213 analyzes job data using protocol information for script analysis of PJL and / or PGL.

  When job data does not include a job ID, the job script writing unit 214 generates a job ID and writes the job ID in the job data. The job script writing unit 214 acquires the user ID from the user database 240 when the job data does not include the user ID. The job script analysis unit 213 may include the job ID generated by the job script writing unit 214 in the association information. The job script analysis unit 213 may include the user ID acquired by the job script writing unit 214 in the association information.

  In one embodiment, user database 240 stores secure job management information (see FIG. 6). The secure job management information associates the file name with the user ID. The job script writing unit 214 acquires the file name of the file included in the body 902 as a print target in the job data, and uses the user ID associated with the file name in the secure job management information as the user ID corresponding to the job data. get.

  The job script processing unit 211 transfers job data to the job transfer control unit 215. The job transfer control unit 215 transfers job data to the printer unit 10. The association information associates information for identifying a print job (for example, a job ID) with information for identifying a user (for example, a user ID).

  That is, when receiving the job data, the server unit 20 generates and accumulates association information based on the job data, and transfers the job data to the printer unit 10 without spooling. Spooling of job data is, for example, accumulating job data.

  In the printer unit 10, the job spool control unit 110 receives job data transferred from the server unit 20 and stores (spools) the job data in the server side storage 220.

  In server unit 20, user authentication processing unit 233 authenticates the user, for example, according to the information read by card reader 380. The user database 240 stores information (for example, a combination of a user ID and a password) used for user authentication. The user authentication processing unit 233 may authenticate the user using the information stored in the user database 240.

  When the user authentication processing unit 233 succeeds in the user authentication, the user authentication processing unit 233 instructs the secure job information display unit 231 to display information of the job associated with the user in the server-side storage 220. In response to this, the secure job information display unit 231 displays a list of jobs associated with the authenticated user. The secure job information display unit 231 receives the selection of a job from the list, and notifies the print processing command control unit 232 of the selected job.

  The print processing command control unit 232 instructs the printer unit 10 to execute the job notified from the secure job information display unit 231. The instruction is realized, for example, by transmission of a command. The command sent identifies the job.

  In the server unit 20, the secure job information display unit 231 may be omitted. That is, the print processing command control unit 232 may instruct the printer unit 10 to execute all the jobs associated with the authenticated user.

  When the command of the instruction from the print processing command control unit 232 is received, the command information control unit 132 analyzes the command and inputs the analysis result to the job data control unit 131. The analysis result identifies the job that has received the execution instruction.

  The job data control unit 131 reads job data of a job specified by the analysis result from the command information control unit 132 from the printer storage 120, and instructs the print processing unit 133 to execute the job. In response to this, the print processing unit 133 outputs the image of the job.

  The job reception control unit 210 is realized by, for example, the CPU 250 that executes a given program and the network communication unit 260. The job script processing unit 211 and the user authentication processing unit 233 are implemented by, for example, the CPU 250 that executes a given program. The job transfer control unit 215 and the print processing command control unit 232 are realized by, for example, a CPU 250 that executes a given program and an internal interface 280. The print processing command control unit 232 is realized by, for example, the CPU 250 that executes a given program, the control circuit 350, the display unit 360, and the operation unit 370. The server side storage 220 and the user database 240 are realized by the storage unit 270, for example.

  Job spool control unit 110 and job data control unit 131 are realized, for example, by CPU 150 that executes a given program and internal interface 180. The job data control unit 131 is realized by the CPU 150 that executes a given program. The printer-side storage 120 is realized by the storage unit 160, for example. The print processing unit 133 is realized by, for example, the image forming unit 152.

[4. Example of data structure (job data)]
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the data structure of job data. Referring to FIG. 4, job data 900 includes a header 901 and a body 902. The body 902 includes, for example, data of a file to be printed by the job. The body 902 may include the name of the file.

  The header 901 has, for example, a job ID (“J1234” in the example of FIG. 4), a security print setting (“ON” in the example of FIG. 4), and a user ID (“U0001” in the example of FIG. 4). And. The job ID identifies a job. The security print setting has a value of ON or OFF. If the value is ON, job execution (image output) requires user authentication. If the value is OFF, job execution does not require user authentication. The user ID identifies the user to which the job corresponds. In one embodiment, job data is generated by executing a printer driver installed on the terminal 500. The printer driver sets, as the user ID in the job data, the ID of the user who instructed to execute the job, that is, the user ID of the login user at the terminal 500 when the job data is generated. If the value of the security print setting is ON, the job execution requires authentication of the user specified by the user ID.

[5. Example of data structure (association information)]
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the data structure of association information stored in the printer-side storage 120. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the association information associates the job ID with the user ID.

[6. Example of data structure (secure job management information)]
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the data structure of secure job management information stored in the user database 240. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the secure job management information associates the file name with the user ID. In the example of FIG. 6, the file name "document X" is associated with the user ID "U0001".

[7. Processing flow]
7 to 14 are flowcharts of an example of processing executed in the server unit 20 and the printer unit 10 when the secure job is executed in the information processing apparatus 100. In the server unit 20, for example, the CPU 250 executes a given program to realize the processing. In the printer unit 10, for example, the CPU 150 implements a given program to realize the processing.

  Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 250 of server unit 20 receives job data from terminal 500 in step S10. At step S20, CPU 250 analyzes the header of the job data.

  In step S30, CPU 250 determines whether the value of the security print setting of the job data received in step S10 is ON. If CPU 250 determines that the value is ON (YES in step S30), control proceeds to step S40, otherwise (NO in step S30), control proceeds to step S70.

  At step S40, CPU 250 executes association information generation processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a subroutine of association information generation processing. The contents of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S402, the CPU 250 extracts the user ID and the job ID from the job data received in step S10. At step S404, CPU 250 executes user identification information registration processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a subroutine of user identification information registration processing. The contents of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S4040, CPU 250 determines whether or not the user ID has been acquired in step S402. In one embodiment, the CPU 250 can acquire the user ID from the job data when the job data includes the user ID, and can not acquire the user ID from the job data when the job data does not include the user ID. If CPU 250 determines that the user ID has been acquired (YES in step S4040), control proceeds to step S4042; otherwise (NO in step S4040), control proceeds to step S4044.

  In step S4042, the CPU 250 registers the user ID acquired in step S402 as the user ID of the job data received in step S10 in the association information 121 (FIG. 5), and returns control to FIG.

  In step S4044, CPU 250 extracts the file name of a file included as a print target in the job data received in step S10, and the file name is registered in secure job management information 122 (FIG. 6). To judge. If CPU 250 determines that the file name is registered in secure job management information 122 (YES in step S4044), control proceeds to step S4046, otherwise (NO in step S4044), to step S4048 Advance control.

  In step S4046, CPU 250 adds the user ID associated with the file name in secure job management information 122 to the job data received in step S10, and further registers the user ID in association information 121. Then, control is returned to FIG.

  At step S4048, CPU 250 reports an error and terminates the process. The error indicates that the user ID of the job data can not be specified despite the security print setting value being ON in the job data (YES in step S30 of FIG. 7).

  Referring back to FIG. 8, after step S404, in step S406, the CPU 250 executes job identification information registration processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a subroutine of job identification information registration processing. The contents of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S4060, CPU 250 determines whether or not the job ID has been acquired in step S402 (FIG. 8). In one embodiment, the CPU 250 can acquire the job ID from the job data when the job data includes the job ID, and can not acquire the job ID from the job data when the job data does not include the job ID. If CPU 250 determines that the job ID has been acquired (YES at step S4060), control proceeds to step S4062, otherwise (NO at step S4060), control proceeds to step S4064.

  In step S4062, the CPU 250 generates a job ID. The CPU 250, for example, generates a job ID as a character string representing a combination of date and time. In step S4064, the CPU 250 registers the job ID acquired in step S402 or the job ID generated in step S4062 in the association information 121 as the job ID of the job data received in step S10. Accordingly, the job ID is associated with the user ID registered in step S4042 or step S4046. Thereafter, control returns to FIG. 8 and further returns to FIG.

  At step S70, CPU 250 transfers the job data received at step S10 to printer unit 10. In response to this, in step SA10, the CPU 150 of the printer unit 10 spools the job data transferred from the server unit 20 in the storage unit 160.

  In step S80, the CPU 250 executes job management processing for instructing output of job data spooled in the printer unit 10. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a subroutine of job management processing. Note that FIG. 11 further shows a flowchart of processing executed in the printer unit 10 according to the job management processing.

  In step S800, CPU 250 determines whether or not the user is authenticated in server unit 20. For authentication, in one embodiment, the user inputs a combination of a user ID and a password to the operation unit 370. In another embodiment, the user passes an IC (Integrated Circuit) card storing data for user authentication such as a combination of a user ID and a password to the card reader 380. The card reader 380 reads the data stored in the IC card, and transfers the data to the CPU 250 of the server unit 20. If the combination of the entered user ID and password matches the combination stored in the user database 240, the CPU 250 authenticates the user corresponding to the stored combination, otherwise does not authenticate the user.

  CPU 250 keeps control at step S800 until it is determined that the user is authenticated (NO at step S800), and when it is determined that the user is authenticated (YES at step S800), control proceeds to step S802.

  In step S802, the CPU 250 executes job selection acceptance processing. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a subroutine of job selection acceptance processing. The contents of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S8020, the CPU 250 searches the association information for the job of the login user (authenticated user). For example, the CPU 250 searches for a job ID associated with the user ID of the user authenticated in step S800 (FIG. 11).

  In step S8022, CPU 250 determines whether there is a job of the login user in association information as a result of the search in step S8020, and if there is (YES in step S8022), control proceeds to step S8024 and there is no If (NO at step S8022), control proceeds to step S8026.

  When step S8026 is executed, the job corresponding to the login user is not registered. Therefore, in step S8026, CPU 250 executes processing (processing other than the output of the secure job) in accordance with the user operation.

  In step S8024, the CPU 250 displays a screen for selecting a job instructing printing from among jobs associated with the login user in the association information 121 (FIG. 5). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a job. In one embodiment, job IDs of three jobs are associated with the user ID of the login user. The screen 1300 of FIG. 13 in accordance with this embodiment includes links 1301, 1302, 1303 for selecting each of the three jobs. The user selects one or more jobs in the screen 1300 by operating one or more of the links 1301, 1302, and 1303. After step S8024, the CPU 250 returns the control to FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 11, in step S804, the CPU 250 selects a job for issuing a print instruction from one or more jobs associated with the login user by receiving an operation on the screen 1300 of FIG.

  In step S806, the CPU 250 executes job specification processing. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the log identification process. The contents of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S8060, CPU 250 searches job data of the job selected in step S804 from among the jobs spooled in printer unit 10. In step S8062, the CPU 250 determines whether job data of the selected job is spooled in the printer unit 10. If CPU 250 determines that the job is spooled in printer unit 10 (YES in step S8062), control returns to FIG. If CPU 250 determines that the job has not been spooled in printer unit 10 (NO in step S8062), control proceeds to step S8064.

  In step S8064, the CPU 250 notifies of an error, and ends the processing of FIG. As a result, when the job data of the selected selected job is not spooled in the printer unit 10 because the job data is erroneously deleted or the like, an error is notified and the process is ended. The user can cause the information processing device 100 to output the job data by transmitting the job data to the information processing device 100 again.

  Returning to FIG. 11, in step S808, the CPU 250 instructs the printer unit 10 to execute the job selected in step S804. In response to this, in step SA20, the CPU 150 of the printer unit 10 reads out job data of the selected job, and causes the image forming unit 152 to output an image corresponding to the job data.

  In the embodiment described above, when the information processing device 100 receives job data, the server unit 20 generates association information of the job data and then spools the job data to the server unit 20. Transfer to the printer unit 10. The printer unit 10 spools the job data. After authenticating the user, the server unit 20 instructs the printer unit 10 to execute the job associated with the user. The printer unit 10 reads job data of the instructed job and forms an image of the job data.

[8. Other Configuration Example of Network System]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the network system. In the network system 1001 of FIG. 15, the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the MFPs 100A and 100B. In the information processing apparatus 100, the CPU 250 of the server unit 20 selects a transfer destination of job data from the printer unit 10, the MFP 100A, and the MFP 100B.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 15 and the two MFPs 100A and 100B. Although the operation panel 30 is simplified in FIG. 16 to simplify the description, the operation panel 30 in FIG. 16 may have the same configuration as the operation panel 30 in FIG.

  MFPs 100A and 100B respectively include CPUs 150A and 150B, image processing units 151A and 151B, image forming units 152A and 152B, image reading units 153A and 153B, storage units 160A and 160B, and network communication units 170A and 170B. including. In one embodiment, the image processing units 151A and 151B are an image processing unit 151, the image forming units 152A and 152B are an image forming unit 152, the image reading units 153A and 153B are an image reading unit 153, and storage units 160A and 160B. And the network communication units 170A and 170B have functions corresponding to the network communication unit 260, respectively.

  MFP 100A spools the transferred job data in storage unit 160A, and upon receiving a job execution instruction, forms an image corresponding to the job data in image forming unit 152A. MFP 100B spools the transferred job data in storage unit 160B, and upon receiving a job execution instruction, forms an image corresponding to the job data in image forming unit 152B.

  In one embodiment, CPU 250 selects a transfer destination based on the characteristics of the job data. An example of the characteristic is a user ID in job data. FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of the data structure of transfer destination information. As shown in FIG. 17, the transfer destination information associates the user ID with the transfer destination. In one embodiment, the CPU 250 transfers job data to a transfer destination associated with a user ID included in each job data.

  The user ID and the transfer destination may be indirectly associated. For example, one or more groups may be assigned to each user ID, and the storage unit 270 may store information that associates each group with a transfer destination. The CPU 250 may identify a group assigned to the user ID included in the job data, and transfer the job data to a transfer destination associated with the group.

  Another example of the characteristics of job data is the file name of a file included as a print target in job data. For example, CPU 250 transfers job data including a character string having a specific file name (such as “secrecy information” or “personnel information”) to printer unit 10, and transfers other job data to MFP 100A or MFP 100B. The CPU 250 may transfer job data whose file name does not include a specific character string to a transfer destination (such as FIG. 17) associated with the user ID in the job data.

  Yet another example of the characteristics of job data is the format of a file included as a print target in job data. In one embodiment, the CPU 250 transfers job data in which the file to be printed is a text file to the printer unit 10, and transfers the other job data to the MFP 100A or MFP 100B. The CPU 250 may transfer job data including a file other than the text file as a print target to a transfer destination (such as FIG. 17) associated with the user ID in the job data.

  Yet another example of the job data characteristic is the reception time of the job data. In one embodiment, the CPU 250 transfers job data received during office opening hours to the MFP 100A or MFP 100B, and transfers job data received outside office hours to the printer unit 10. The CPU 250 may transfer the job data received during business hours to a transfer destination (such as FIG. 17) associated with the user ID in the job data.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing yet another configuration example of the network system. In the network system 1002 of FIG. 18, the information processing device 100 does not include the printer unit 10, and the information processing device 100 is further connected to the MFP 100C. In the information processing apparatus 100, the CPU 250 of the server unit 20 selects a transfer destination of job data from the MFP 100A, the MFP 100B, and the MFP 100C.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 of FIG. 18 and the three MFPs 100A, 100B, 100C. MFP 100C includes a CPU 150C, an image processing unit 151C, an image forming unit 152C, an image reading unit 153C, a storage unit 160C, and a network communication unit 170C. In an embodiment, the image processing unit 151C is an image processing unit 151, the image forming unit 152C is an image forming unit 152, the image reading unit 153C is an image reading unit 153, the storage unit 160C is a storage unit 160, and network communication. The unit 170C includes the network communication unit 260 and corresponding functions. MFP 100C spools the transferred job data in storage unit 160C, and upon receiving a job execution instruction, forms an image corresponding to the job data in image forming unit 152C.

[9. Summary of disclosure]
(1) According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming system (information processing apparatus 100) including an information processing apparatus (server unit 20) and an image forming apparatus (printer unit 10) capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus Provided. The information processing apparatus includes a first storage unit (storage unit 270), a communication interface (network communication unit 260) for communicating with an apparatus outside the image forming system, and a control unit (CPU 250). The control unit is configured to transfer the job data received by the communication interface to the image forming apparatus without spooling in the first storage unit. The image forming apparatus includes a second storage unit (storage unit 160) configured to spool job data. The control unit associates job identification information (job ID) for identifying job data and user identification information (user ID) for identifying a user corresponding to the job data, based on the job data, and stores the first storage. Job identification information stored in the storage unit and associated with the user identification information of the authenticated user, and instructing formation of an image of job data corresponding to the job identification information (step S808). ing.

  The authentication of the user may be performed by the control unit or may be performed by another device.

  (2) The control unit receives the selection of the image formation target from the job data corresponding to the job identification information associated with the user identification information of the authenticated user (step S6024 in FIG. 12), and the image formation target It may be configured to instruct the image forming apparatus to form an image of the job data selected as (step S608 in FIG. 11).

  (3) The control unit (job script analysis unit 213) specifies the header portion of the job data by analyzing the script of the job data, and acquires job identification information and user identification information from the header portion. It may be configured.

  (4) The control unit further generates job identification information for identifying job data received by the communication interface, adds the generated job identification information to the job data, and transfers the job data to the image forming apparatus. (S4062 in FIG. 10, S70 in FIG. 7).

  (5) The communication interface may be configured to be communicable with another image forming apparatus with the image forming apparatus (FIGS. 15 and 18). The control unit selects a transfer destination of job data from the image forming apparatus and another image forming apparatus based on the job data received by the communication interface, transfers the job data to the selected transfer destination, and May be configured to indicate formation of

  (6) The control unit may be configured to select the transfer destination in accordance with at least one of user identification information and reception time of job data (FIG. 17 and the like).

  (7) The job data may include a file to be subjected to image formation. The control unit may be configured to select a transfer destination in accordance with file characteristics (file name, file format) in job data.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In addition, the invention described in the embodiment and each modification is intended to be implemented as much as possible, alone or in combination.

  Reference Signs List 10 printer unit, 20 server unit, 30 operation panel, 100 information processing apparatus, 150, 250 CPU, 151, 151A, 151B, 151C image processing unit, 152, 152A, 152B, 152C image forming unit, 153, 153A, 153B, 153C image reading unit, 160, 160A, 160B, 160C, 270 storage unit, 170A, 170B, 170C, 260 network communication unit, 180, 280 internal interface 900 job data, 901 header, 902 body.

Claims (10)

An image forming system comprising an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus, the image forming system comprising:
The information processing apparatus is
A first storage unit,
A communication interface for communicating with devices outside the imaging system;
A control unit configured to transfer job data received by the communication interface to the image forming apparatus without spooling the job data in the first storage unit;
Including
The image forming apparatus is
Including a second storage configured to spool the job data;
The control unit is further configured to:
Job identification information for identifying the job data and user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to the job data are stored in the first storage unit in association with each other based on the job data.
An image forming system configured to instruct the image forming apparatus to form an image of job data corresponding to the job identification information associated with the user identification information of an authenticated user. The control unit
Accepting a selection of an image formation target from job data corresponding to the job identification information associated with the user identification information of the authenticated user;
The image forming system according to claim 1, configured to instruct the image forming apparatus to form an image of job data selected as an image forming target. The control unit
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a header portion of the job data is specified by script analysis of the job data, and the job identification information and the user identification information are acquired from the header portion. The image forming system described in.   The control unit further generates job identification information for identifying job data received by the communication interface, adds the generated job identification information to the job data, and transfers the job data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is configured to: The communication interface is further configured to be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus with another image forming apparatus.
The control unit
The transfer destination of the job data is selected from the image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus based on the job data received by the communication interface,
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the job data is transferred to a selected transfer destination, and the formation of the image is instructed.   The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to select the transfer destination in accordance with at least one of the user identification information and the reception time of the job data. The job data includes a file to be subjected to image formation,
The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is configured to select the transfer destination in accordance with the characteristic of the file in the job data.   The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the property of the file includes a name of the file. A storage unit,
A communication interface configured to communicate with devices including the imaging device;
Job data received by the communication interface is transferred to the image forming apparatus without being spooled in the storage unit, and job identification information for identifying the job data corresponds to the job data based on the job data. User identification information for identifying a user is associated with each other and stored in the storage unit, and the formation of an image of job data corresponding to the job identification information associated with the user identification information of an authenticated user is instructed. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured as follows. A program executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus comprising a storage unit and a communication interface configured to communicate with an apparatus including the image forming apparatus,
The program causes the processor to
Transferring job data received by the communication interface to the image forming apparatus without spooling in the storage unit;
Job identification information for identifying the job data based on the job data, and user identification information for identifying a user to which the job data corresponds are stored in the storage unit in association with each other.
Instructing formation of an image of job data corresponding to the job identification information associated with the user identification information of the authenticated user;
To run the program.

Images