JP2022087517A - Information processing device, information processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing system, and a program which more simply print a file submitted by another user other than himself or herself among files submitted to a display screen compared with a case for individually specifying the user.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, a chat server, a bot server, a printing device, and a plurality of terminal devices are connected with each other via a network. The bot server 3 includes a control unit 30 which acquires a file related to print information as printing object candidate information when instruct information is input for instructing printing of a file submitted by another user other than himself or herself among a plurality of files submitted to a chat screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system and a program.

In recent years, a printing assist system that enables printing of a file posted on a chat screen has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The printing assist system described in Patent Document 1 receives a file posted from a terminal device via a network and uploads the file to the chat system, and a file posting unit uploaded to the chat system, and a file uploaded to the chat system from the terminal device. A file transfer unit that transfers the selected file to the chatbot device via the network, and a parameter set for the printable items when the image forming device prints the file provided in the chatbot device. It includes a job execution unit that creates a print job and sends the print job to the image forming apparatus via the network.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-207513

An object of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of easily printing a file posted on a display screen by a user other than the user, as compared with a case where a user is individually specified. The purpose is to provide information processing systems and programs.

[1] When instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than yourself is input among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the file related to the instruction information is a candidate for printing. An information processing device equipped with a processor to acquire as.
[2] The processor according to the above [1], wherein the processor can select its own terminal device or a printing device as a display destination of an input screen of a filter condition for extracting a printing target from the printing target candidates. Information processing device.
[3] The processor can select the display destination of the input screen to the own terminal device or the printing device by displaying the selection screen of the display destination of the input screen on the own terminal device. The information processing device according to the above [2].
[4] When the processor can display the print target candidate on its own terminal device, the processor displays a selection screen for selecting a print target from the print target candidates on its own terminal device. The information processing device according to the above [1], which is controlled.
[5] When the printer cannot display the print target candidate on one screen of its own terminal device, the processor serves as a display destination of a filter condition input screen for extracting a print target from the print target candidates. The information processing device according to the above [4], which allows a user to select his / her own terminal device or printing device.
[6] When the printing device is selected as the display destination of the input screen, the processor controls the printing device so as to store the printing target candidate in a storage area provided for each other user. The information processing device according to the above [5].
[7] Any of the above [1] to [6], wherein the processor adds information indicating that to the candidates whose printing is completed by the printing device among the candidates to be printed and displays them on the display screen. The information processing device described in one.
[8] When it is input that the candidate whose printing is completed is not included in the printing target as a filter condition for extracting the printing target from the printing target candidates, the processor selects the printing completed candidate. The information processing device according to the above [7], which is excluded from the candidates for printing.
[9] An information processing device having a first processor and a printing device having a second processor are provided.
When the first processor inputs instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than himself / herself among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the first processor inputs the file related to the instruction information. When your terminal device is selected as the display destination of the input screen of the filter condition for acquiring as a print target candidate and extracting the print target from the print target candidate, the input screen is set to the own terminal device. Control to display,
The second processor is an information processing system that controls so that when a printing device is selected as a display destination of the input screen, the candidates for printing are stored in a storage area provided for each of the other users. ..
[10] When instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than himself / herself is input to the computer among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the file related to the instruction information is printed. A program to get as a target candidate.

According to the inventions according to claims 1, 9 and 10, among the files posted on the display screen, the files posted by other users other than the user can be easily printed as compared with the case where the user is individually specified. can do.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display destination of the filter condition input screen can be determined by the user's will.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display destination of the filter condition input screen can be determined by the own terminal device.
According to the invention of claim 4, the terminal device can be prioritized as the display destination of the input screen of the filter condition.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the candidate to be printed cannot be displayed on one screen on one's own terminal device, the display destination of the filter condition input screen can be determined by the user's will.
According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to save the trouble of selecting a file for each user.
According to the invention of claim 7, among the files posted on the display screen, which file has been printed can be known on the display screen.
According to the invention of claim 8, duplicate printing of the same file can be avoided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a user information table. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a chat management information table. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a chat information table. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the bot server. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print target candidate information table. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print target candidate screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a filter condition input screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display destination selection screen. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system when the filter condition input screen is displayed on the terminal device. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system when the filter condition input screen is displayed on the printing apparatus. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the bot server.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, components having substantially the same function are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[Summary of Embodiment]
The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment relates to print information when instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than itself is input among a plurality of files posted on the display screen. It is equipped with a processor that acquires a file as a candidate for printing.

The display screen is a screen in which messages exchanged between a plurality of users are displayed on a terminal device used by each user, and corresponds to, for example, a chat screen displayed in a chat. The display screen is not limited to the chat screen, and may be a display screen such as a talk screen or a bulletin board as long as it is a display screen on which a plurality of users can exchange messages.

The file format may be a document file format such as Word (registered trademark), a spreadsheet file format such as Excel (registered trademark), an image file format such as PDF (Portable Document Format), or the like. The file may include attribute information such as a file name, the number of pages, a page size, a file creator or a user ID, and the like.

The instruction information includes, for example, the following information.
(A) Information to be input to the display screen For example, a specific command (for example, @file print command), one or more keywords (for example, another user + post + file), and a sentence indicating the instruction content (for example, oneself). (Print files posted by users other than), etc. are applicable.
(B) Operation of the operation means displayed on the screen For example, an operation button, an icon, a figure such as a stamp, or the like to which a specific command is associated is applicable. Here, the "icon" includes a process function of acquiring a file related to print information as a candidate for printing as a picture or a pictogram, and a symbol or a character. The "screen" includes a display screen and a screen different from the display screen (for example, a pop-up screen).

The "input of instruction information" includes posting the instruction information on the display screen and inputting the instruction information, and operating the operation means to input the instruction information.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The information processing system 1 has a chat server 2, a bot server 3, a printing device 4, a plurality of terminal devices 5A, 5B, ... (These are collectively referred to as "terminal device 5" below). .. The chat server 2, the bot server 3, the printing device 4, and the plurality of terminal devices 5 are connected to each other via the network 6. The bot server 3 is an example of an information processing device. The printing device 4 is an example of an image forming device.

In the figure, one printing device 4 is shown, but a plurality of printing devices 4 may be used. Further, the chat server 2 and the bot server 3 may be configured by the same server.

The chat server 2 provides a chat environment for the user who operates the terminal device 5. Chat includes "one-to-one chat" between two people and "group chat" within a group. Although the present embodiment will be described by taking a group chat as an example, a one-to-one chat may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the chat server 2 holds a user information table 212 (see FIG. 2), a chat management information table 213 (see FIG. 3), a chat information table 214 (see FIG. 5), and the like. The user information table 212 shows the members constituting the group. The chat management information table 213 shows groups and participants who have participated in (including participating in) the chat room. The chat information table 214 records the content of the chat as history information for each chat held (for example, for each chat ID that identifies the chat), and is displayed on the chat screen as a message displayed in chronological order on the chat screen. Includes attached files, etc. Posting a file is also referred to as pasting or attaching a file.

The bot server 3 participates in a chat as a chatbot, exchanges messages with the user, and acquires a file posted on the chat screen when the user requests it. Chatbots, also referred to simply as "bots", are automatic conversation programs that utilize artificial intelligence.

When a file print command indicating a print instruction for a file posted by a user other than yourself is entered, the chatbot is a user other than the user who entered the file print command among the files posted on the chat screen. Gets the file posted by as a candidate for printing. The file print command is an example of instruction information.

The printing device 4 is, for example, a multifunction device having a scanning function, a printing function, a copying function, an e-mail function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and the like. When the printing device 4 receives a printing instruction for the file from the bot server 3, the printing device 4 prints the file, and when the printing of the file is completed, the printing device 4 notifies the bot server 3 that the printing is completed. The printing device 4 may be a printer having only a printing function.

The terminal device 5 is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer (PC). The terminal device 5 may be a portable information processing terminal such as a notebook personal computer or a tablet terminal, or a mobile communication terminal such as a multifunctional mobile phone (smartphone).

The network 6 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, the Internet, or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the user information table 212 held by the chat server 2. The user information table 212 has each item of "group ID" and "member". The user information consisting of these items is recorded by the chat server 2 when the user is registered.

In the "group ID", a group ID such as G01 or G02 that identifies the group is recorded. In the "member", user IDs such as UserA and UserB of members belonging to the group are recorded. In the case shown in FIG. 2, UserA, UserB, UserC, UserD, UserE user A, user B, user C, user D, and user E belong to the group whose group ID is G01, and UserB belongs to the group whose group ID is G02. , UserF, UserG, UserH, User B, User F, User G, User H belong to. Further, FIG. 2 shows that the user B belongs to both the groups of G01 and G02 in the group ID.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the chat management information table 213 held by the chat server 2. The chat management information table 213 has a plurality of items such as "chat ID", "room ID", "use group ID", and "chat participant". The chat management information consisting of these items is recorded by the chat server 2 every time a chat is held. The chat management information table 213 may have an item of "chat date and time" in which the date, time, and end time of the chat are recorded.

In the "chat ID", a chat ID that identifies the chat is recorded. A room ID that identifies a chat room is recorded in the "room ID". In the "use group ID", the group ID of the group using the corresponding chat room is recorded. In the "chat participant", for example, the user ID input when participating in the chat is recorded. In the "chat participant", the user ID is also recorded for the user who joined the chat room in the middle and the user who left the chat room in the middle.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a chat screen provided by the chat server 2. On the chat screen 20 shown in the figure, the user ID "UserA" inputs the message 21a of "sending the estimate request form from now on", the user ID "UserB" inputs the message 21b of "OK", and the user ID. "UserA" posts the file 22a, the user ID "UserA" inputs the message 21c of "send yesterday's purchase order", the user ID "UserB" posts the file 22b, and the user ID "UserA" It is shown that the user ID "UserC" has posted the file 22c by inputting the message 21d of "Someone send the shift table of this month". The figure shows the case where the chat ID is C001.

Messages 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d posted on the chat screen 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "message 21" when these are collectively referred to), and file names 23a, 23b, 23c (when these are collectively referred to, the following The files 22a, 22b, and 22c with "file name 23") (hereinafter also referred to as "file 22" when these are collectively referred to) are displayed on the chat screen 20 in chronological order. The file 22 is displayed on the chat screen 20 as an icon. Further, in the figure, reference numeral 24 is a printed display indicating that the file 22b has been printed. The printed 24 is an example of information to that effect when the printing of the file is completed. The information to that effect may be displayed in characters having a color different from the color of the message 21 (for example, red), or may be displayed in symbols, figures, or the like other than the characters.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the chat information table 214 held by the chat server 2. The chat information table 214 shown in the figure corresponds to the content of the chat screen 20 shown in FIG. The chat information table 214 has a plurality of items such as "date", "time", "user ID", "message", "file", and "printed". The chat information consisting of these items is recorded by the chat server 2 every time a chat is held. The figure shows the case where the chat ID is C001.

In the "date", the date on which the message or the like was posted on the chat screen 20 is recorded. In the "hour", the time when the message or the like is posted on the chat screen 20 is recorded in, for example, hours, minutes, and seconds. In the "user ID", the user ID of the posting user is recorded. A message is recorded in the "message" when the posted content is a message. In the "file", when the posted content is a file, the substance of the file (including the file name) is recorded. In "printed", when the printing completion notification is transmitted from the printing apparatus 4, information indicating that fact, for example, "◯" is recorded. In the "file", the path to the file stored in the storage unit of the chat server 2 or another storage may be recorded.

(Bot server configuration)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the bot server 3. The bot server 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, an input unit 32 realized by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, a display unit 33 realized by a liquid crystal display or the like, and a communication unit 34 connected to the network 6. To prepare for. The bot server 3 does not have to include the input unit 32 and the display unit 33.

The control unit 30 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an interface, and the like. The processor of the control unit 30 functions as a chatbot 300 or the like by executing the program 310 stored in the storage unit 31. The chatbot 300 participates in the chat and acquires candidates for printing. The details of the chatbot 300 will be described later. The processor of the control unit 30 is an example of the first processor.

The storage unit 31 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like, and includes a program 310, a printer driver 311, a user information table 312, a chat management information table 313, a chat information table 314, and a print target. Various information such as the candidate information table 315 (see FIG. 7) is stored.

The printer driver 311 includes a printer driver for causing the printing device 4 to print a file, and further includes an electronic driver for digitizing the file in a format such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or PS (Postscript: registered trademark). May be included. When the PDF driver is selected by the user, the file is converted into PDF (Portable Document Format) format data. When the PS driver is selected by the user, the file is converted into PS (Postscript: registered trademark) format data.

The user information table 312 acquires and records user information from the chat server 2 by the chatbot 300. Similar to the user information table 212 shown in FIG. 2, the user information table 312 has each item of "group ID" and "member".

The chat management information table 313 acquires and records chat management information from the chat server 2 by the chatbot 300. Similar to the chat management information table 213 shown in FIG. 3, the chat management information table 313 has each item of "chat ID", "room ID", "use group ID", and "chat participant".

The chat information table 314 acquires and records chat information from the chat server 2 by the chatbot 300. Similar to the chat information table 214 shown in FIG. 5, the chat information table 314 has each item of "date", "time", "message", "file", and "printed".

The communication unit 34 communicates with the chat server 2, the printing device 4, and the terminal device 5 via the network 6.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the print target candidate information table 315 stored in the bot server 3. The print target candidate information table 315 has a plurality of items such as "date", "time", "user ID", and "file". The print target candidate information 315a composed of these items is extracted from the chat information table 314 for each chat ID by the chatbot 300 and recorded. The print target candidate information table 315 shown in the figure shows a case where the chat ID is C001. In the "file", the substance of the file (including the file name) is recorded as in FIG. 5, but the path to the file stored in the storage unit 31 of the bot server 3 or other storage is recorded. You may record it. In the figure, reference numeral 315b indicates print target candidate information regarding a file posted by a user other than himself / herself (for example, UserA).

(Configuration of printing equipment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing apparatus 4. The printing device 4 has a control unit 40 that controls each unit of the printing device 4, and the control unit 40 is connected to a storage unit 41, an operation display unit 42, an image reading unit 43, an image forming unit 44, and a network 6. The communication unit 45 is connected.

The control unit 40 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, an interface, and the like. The processor of the control unit 40 creates the confidential box 411, displays the filter condition input screen on the operation display unit 42, and the like by executing the program 410 stored in the storage unit 41. Further, when the printing of the file is completed, the control unit 40 sends a print completion notification to the bot server 3. The processor of the control unit 40 is an example of the second processor.

Further, the control unit 40 receives a job transmitted from the terminal device 5 or a job instructed by operating the operation display unit 42, and controls the image reading unit 43, the image forming unit 44, and the communication unit 45 to perform a job. To execute.

The storage unit 41 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and stores information such as a program 410 and a confidential box 411. The confidential box 411 is provided in the storage unit 41 for each user (for example, a user ID), and temporarily stores the image data read by the image reading unit 43 and the file transmitted from the external device (for example, the bot server 3). The area to store. The confidential box 411 is an example of a storage area.

The operation display unit 42 inputs and displays information. The operation display unit 42 is, for example, a touch panel display, and has a configuration in which a touch panel is superposed on a display such as a liquid crystal display. The screen size of the operation display unit 42 is assumed to be larger than the screen size of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5, but is not limited to this.

The image reading unit 43 includes an automatic paper feeding device provided on the platen and a scanner that optically reads a document image from a document placed on the platen or a document sent by the automatic paper feeding device.

The image forming unit 44 creates a printed matter by forming an image on the paper fed from the paper feed cassette by, for example, an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or the like.

The communication unit 45 communicates with the chat server 2, the bot server 3, and the terminal device 5 via the network 6.

(Configuration of terminal device)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 5. The terminal device 5 includes a control unit 50 that controls each part of the terminal device 5, a storage unit 51 that stores various information such as a program 510 and a file 511, an input unit 52 realized by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and a liquid crystal display. It includes a display unit 53 realized by a display or the like, and a communication unit 54 connected to the network 6. The screen size of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 is assumed to be smaller than the screen size of the operation display unit 42 of the printing device 4, but the screen size is not limited to this.

The control unit 50 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, an interface, and the like. The processor of the control unit 50 displays the chat screen 20 by the Web page provided by the chat server 2 on the display unit 53 by executing the program 510 stored in the storage unit 51, and is input by the operation of the input unit 52. The message is controlled to be displayed on the chat screen 20. Further, when the file 511 is selected as the file to be posted, the control unit 50 controls the file 511 to be attached to the chat screen 20.

The storage unit 51 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and stores various information such as a program 510 and a file 511. The program 510 includes a Web browser and the like for viewing a screen such as a chat screen 20 by a Web page provided by the chat server 2.

The communication unit 54 communicates with the chat server 2, the bot server 3, and the printing device 4 via the network 6.

Next, the details of the chatbot 300 will be described.

In the chat bot 300, a file print command indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than himself / herself among a plurality of files posted on the chat screen 20 in chronological order, for example, "@file print command" or the like is input. If so, the file related to the file print command is acquired from the chat screen 20 or the chat information table 214 as a candidate for printing.

Since the file posted on the chat screen 20 is recorded in the chat information table 214 as chat information together with the date and time indicating the time of posting, the posted user ID, and the posted message, the chat bot 300 is a chat server. Acquire chat information from 2 and record it in its own chat information table 314, acquire the file related to the file print command from the chat information table 314 as print target candidate information 315a together with the date, time, and user ID, and obtain it. Is recorded in the print target candidate information table 315.

In addition to the file print command, a sentence indicating a print instruction for a file posted by another user other than yourself, such as "Print a file posted by another user other than yourself", may be used to print the file. It may be a stamp-like file with which the command is associated. By the automatic conversation function utilizing the artificial intelligence of the chatbot 300, the sentence indicating the above print instruction is understood, and the file related to the file print command is acquired as a candidate for printing in the same way as the file print command is input. can do.

Further, when the chat bot 300 receives the print completion notification from the printing device 4 for the file, the chat bot 300 instructs the chat server 2 to display the printed image on the chat screen 20 together with the information for identifying the file (for example, the file name). do.

(Operation of information processing system)
Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 when the filter condition input screen is displayed on the terminal device 5. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 when the filter condition input screen is displayed on the printing device 4. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the bot server 3. In the following operation description, unless otherwise specified, the chatbot 300 shall execute the operation.

(1) Operation until the display destination of the filter condition input screen is determined First, for an example of the operation until the display destination of the filter condition input screen is determined, refer to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14, and follow the flowchart of FIG. explain.

The user operates the input unit 52 of the terminal device 5 to input the user ID and participates in the chat provided by the chat server 2.

The user operates the input unit 52 of the terminal device 5 to input the message 21, or selects the file 511 to be posted from the storage unit 51, and posts the file 22 to the chat screen 20. The chat server 2 displays the posted message 21 and the file 22 on the chat screen 20, and records the posted message 21 and the file 22 in the chat information table 214 as chat information including the posting date, time, and user ID.

A user (for example, user A) inputs a file print command for instructing printing of a file posted by a user other than himself (for example, users B, C, D), for example, "@file print command" on the chat screen 20. do.

When the chatbot 300 receives the input of the file print command (S1), it acquires chat information from the chat server 2 and records it in the chat information table 314 stored in the storage unit 31, and print target candidate information from the chat information table 314. 315a is acquired (S2), and print target candidate information 315a and 315b are recorded in the print target candidate information table 315.

The print target candidate information 315a includes information about files posted by all users (here, users A, B, C, D) including a user (here, user A) who has input a file print command. The print target candidate information 315b includes information about a file posted by a user (here, users A, B, C, D) other than the user (here, user A) who has input the file print command. By simply inputting instruction information such as a file print command to the chat screen 20, a user can acquire a file posted by a user other than the user who input the instruction information as a candidate for printing. By selecting a print target (including all selections or partial selections) from the print target candidates, the print target can be printed. Therefore, it is possible to easily print a file posted by a user other than yourself, as compared with the case where the user is individually identified.

The chatbot 300 determines whether or not the print target candidate information 315b excluding the user (here, user A) who has input the file print command can be displayed on one screen of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 (S3). As a means for determining whether or not the information can be displayed on one screen, for example, it may be determined whether or not the print target candidate information 315b can be displayed on the display unit 53 without scrolling the screen. The screen size of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 may be acquired by the chatbot 300 accessing the terminal device 5. Instead of step S3, the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 may display a confirmation screen as to whether or not to display the print target candidate screen, and allow the user to select the screen.

(2) Operation when the display destination of the filter condition input screen is the terminal device For an example of the operation when the display destination of the filter condition input screen is the terminal device 5, refer to the sequence diagram of FIG. 13 and follow the flowchart of FIG. explain.

When it is determined that the information can be displayed on one screen of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 (S3: Yes), the chatbot 300 uses the information of the print target candidate screen by the Web page as the user who has input the file print command (here, the user). It is transmitted to the terminal device 5A of A). The control unit 50 of the terminal device 5A displays the print target candidate screen on the display unit 53 (S4).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print target candidate screen. On the print target candidate screen 100, select the message 101 of "Please check and select the file to be printed", the file list 102, and the item 103 of "Select the file to be printed by the filter condition". It has a check box 103a for confirming the selected contents, an "OK" button 104 for confirming the selected contents, and a "Cancel" button 105 for canceling the selected contents.

The file list 102 has items of "check column", "date", "time", "user ID", and "file". The "check column" is provided with a check box 102a for selecting all the files displayed in the file list 102 and a check box 102b for selecting a file in the corresponding line. Each item of "date", "time", "user ID", and "file" has the same meaning as the print target candidate information table 315 described with reference to FIG. 7. In the file list 102, among the print target candidate information 315a shown in FIG. 7, the print target candidate information 315b relating to the files posted by the other users B, C, and D other than the user A is displayed.

It is determined whether or not the item 103 of "Select a file to be printed by the filter condition" is selected (S5).

When the item 103 of "Select a file to be printed by the filter condition" is not selected (S5: No), the check boxes 102a and 102b are checked, and the "OK" button 104 is operated, the chatbot 300 Extracts the checked file from the print target candidate information table 315 (S7).

The chatbot 300 sends the extracted file to the printing device 4 and gives a printing instruction (S8). The printing device 4 executes printing of the transmitted file, and when printing is completed, sends a print completion notification to the bot server 3 together with the file name of the file for which printing is completed. The file ID may be used instead of the file name.

When the printing device 4 sends a printing completion notification (S9: Yes), the chatbot 300 instructs the chat server 2 to display information indicating that printing is completed for the file name of the file for which printing has been completed. (S10). When the chat server 2 is instructed by the chat bot 300 to display information indicating that printing has been completed for, for example, the file names "mmm order form.docx" and "yyy delivery note.pdf", FIG. 5 shows. As shown, "○" indicating the completion of printing is recorded in the "printed" item of the chat information table 214, and the printed 24 is displayed in the file 22b displayed on the chat screen 20. In step S9, the chatbot 300 waits until a print completion notification is sent for the corresponding file.

When the item 103 of "Select a file to be printed by the filter condition" is selected in step S5 (S5: Yes), the chatbot 300 uses the information on the filter condition input screen by the Web page as a file print command. Is transmitted to the terminal device 5A of the user (user A in this case) who has input the above. The control unit 50 of the terminal device 5A displays the filter condition input screen on the display unit 53 (S6).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a filter condition input screen. On the filter condition input screen 110, the message 111 "Please select a filter condition item. Multiple selections are possible.", A plurality of items 112a to 112e, and these items 112a to 112e are selected. It has a check box 113, an "OK" button 114 for confirming the selected content, and a "Cancel" button 115 for canceling the selected content.

The plurality of items of the filter condition are, for example, item 112a of "user list", item 112b of "posting start time and posting end time", item 112c of "file format", and item of "keyword included in file name". 112d and item 112e of "excluding printed".

In addition, these items 112a to 112e may be divided into, for example, a large item (for example, a human item, a temporal item, a content item) and a small item included in the large item, and the large item and the large item. It may be divided into a medium item included in a large item and a small item included in a medium item.

The following are examples of division into major items and minor items.
-Human item (as a sub-item included in this, item 112a of "List of users")
-Time item (as a sub-item included in this, item 112b of "posting start time and posting end time")
-Content items (as sub-items included in this, item 112c of "file format", item 112d of "keyword included in file name", item 112e of "excluding printed")

When any of a plurality of items 112a to 112d other than the item 112e of "excluding printed" is selected and the "OK" button 114 is operated, the chatbot 300 displays the corresponding screen on the terminal device 5A. It is controlled to be displayed on the unit 53.

Specifically, when the item 112a of the "user list" is selected, a check box for selecting the user ID and the user ID recorded in the "user ID" of the file list 102 shown in FIG. 10 is included. The user selection screen is displayed on the display unit 53. The user can narrow down the print target by checking the check box corresponding to the user ID on the user selection screen.

When the item 112b of "posting start time and posting end time" is selected, a time input screen including an input field for the posting start time and an input field for the posting end time is displayed on the display unit 53. The "posting start time" means the date and time when the posting was started in the same chat, that is, the same chat ID. The "posting end time" means the date and time when the posting was completed in the same chat, that is, the chat ID. By entering the date and time when the user started posting in the posting start time input field of the time input screen and entering the date and time when the posting was finished in the posting end time input field, the entered posting start time and posting end time You can narrow down the print target to the files posted between. The posting date may differ between the posting start time and the posting end time.

When the item 112c of the "file format" is selected, a file format selection screen including a check box for selecting a plurality of file formats and file formats is displayed on the display unit 53. The user can narrow down the print target according to the file format by checking the check box corresponding to the file format on the file format selection screen.

When the item 112d of the "keyword included in the file name" is selected, the keyword input screen including the keyword input field is displayed on the display unit 53. By inputting a keyword in the keyword input field of the keyword input screen, the user can narrow down the print target by the keyword.

When the item 112e of "Excludes printed" is selected, the print target can be narrowed down to files other than printed files.

Of the above items 112a to 112e, two or more items 112a to 112e may be combined. For example, when the item 112a of the "user list" and the item 112d of the "keyword included in the file name" are selected, the file is posted by a specific user and the file name is a specific type (for example, an invoice). File can be printed.

When any of the items 112a to 112e is selected for the filter condition input screen 110 displayed in step S6 and the filter condition is input, the chatbot 300 prints the file according to the filter condition in the candidate information table 315. Extract from (S7).

For example, when the filter condition is the item 112a of the "user list", the file corresponding to the user ID of the poster selected on the user selection screen is extracted from the print target candidate information table 315. When the filter condition is item 112b of "posting start time and posting end time", the files posted between the posting start time and the posting start time entered on the time input screen are extracted from the print target candidate information table 315. .. When the filter condition is the item 112c of the "file format", the file of the file format selected on the file format selection screen is extracted from the print target candidate information table 315. When the filter condition is the item 112d of the "keyword included in the file name", the file with the file name including the keyword input on the keyword input screen is extracted from the print target candidate information table 315. When the filter condition is the item 112e of "excluding printed", the files excluding printed are extracted from the print target candidate information table 315.

When a file is selected for the print target candidate screen 100 displayed in step S4, the selected file is extracted from the print target candidate information table 315 (S7). After that, as described above, the file printing instruction (S8), the confirmation of receipt of the print completion notification (S9), and the printed display instruction (S10) are executed.

If it cannot be determined in step S3 that the display can be displayed on one screen of the display unit 53 of the terminal device 5 (S3: No), the information on the display destination selection screen is transmitted to the terminal device 5. The control unit 50 of the terminal device 5 displays the display destination selection screen on the display unit 53 (S11).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display destination selection screen. The display destination selection screen 120 displays the message 121 of "Please select the display destination of the filter condition input screen", the display destination 122a of "your terminal device", and the display destination 122b of "printing device". It has a check box 123 for selecting the destinations 122a and 122b, an "OK" button 124 for confirming the selected content, and a "cancel" button 125 for canceling the selected content.

When the display destination 122a of "own terminal device" is selected as the display destination of the filter condition input screen and the "OK" button 124 is operated (S12: Yes), the filter condition is input to the terminal device 5 as described above. Display the screen (S6). After that, as described above, the file extraction (S7), the file printing instruction (S8), the confirmation of receipt of the print completion notification (S9), and the printed display instruction (S10) are executed.

(3) Operation when the display destination of the filter condition input screen is the printing device An example of the operation when the display destination of the filter condition input screen is the printing device 4 is shown with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 14 and according to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

In step S12, when the display destination 122b of the "printing device" is selected and the "OK" button 124 is operated (S12: No), the file posted by a user other than the user A is printed in the confidential box 411 of the printing device 4. (S13). At this time, the chatbot 300 transmits a file to the printing device 4 for each user ID.

The printing device 4 stores the file transmitted from the chatbot 300 in the confidential box 411 corresponding to the user ID. If the confidential box 411 corresponding to the user ID does not exist, the confidential box 411 is created and the file is stored.

The printing device 4 displays the filter condition input screen shown in FIG. 11 on the operation display unit 42, and accepts the input of the filter condition. Extract the file according to the input filter condition, and execute the print process of the extracted file. When the print process is completed, a print completion notification is sent to the bot server 3.

(Modification 1)
When the chatbot 300 transmits the print target candidate to the printing device 4, the chatbot 300 displays on its terminal device 4 a screen for selecting whether or not to delete the transmitted print target candidate from the print target candidate information 315a and 315b. You may. This makes it possible to avoid duplicate printing of the same file as compared to the case where the selection screen is not displayed.

(Modification 2)
When the item 112e of "excluding printed" is selected on the filter condition input screen 110 of FIG. 11, the chatbot 300 deletes the file from the print target candidate information 315a and 315b (for example, the file is used as the printing device). It may be possible to select (when transferring, when printing is completed, when a file is deleted by the printing device after printing is completed, etc.). According to this, it is possible to select the timing for deleting the candidate to be printed according to the convenience of the user.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and implementations are possible.

Each means of the processor may be configured by a hardware circuit such as a partially or wholly reconfigurable circuit (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In the above embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, such as a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.), a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, etc.). ) Is included.

Further, the operation of the processor in the above embodiment is not limited to one processor, but may be performed by a plurality of processors existing at physically separated positions in cooperation with each other. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate.

Further, some of the components of the above embodiment may be omitted or changed. Further, in the flow of the above embodiment, steps may be added, deleted, changed, replaced, or the like. Further, the program used in the above embodiment can be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, stored in an external server such as a cloud server, and used via a network. You can also do it.

1 ... Information processing system, 2 ... Chat server, 3 ... Bot server, 4 ... Printing device,
5, 5A, 5B ... Terminal device, 6 ... Network, 20 ... Chat screen,
21, 21a-21d ... message, 22, 22a-22c ... file,
23, 23a-23c ... File name, 24 ... Printed, 30 ... Control unit,
31 ... storage unit, 32 ... input unit, 33 ... display unit, 34 ... communication unit, 40 ... control unit,
41 ... storage unit, 42 ... operation display unit, 43 ... image reading unit, 44 ... image forming unit,
45 ... communication unit, 50 ... control unit, 51 ... storage unit, 52 ... input unit, 53 ... display unit,
54 ... Communication unit, 100 ... Print target candidate screen, 101 ... Message,
102 ... File list, 102a, 102b ... Check box,
103 ... Item, 103a ... Check box, 104 ... "OK" button,
105 ... "Cancel" button, 110 ... Filter condition input screen,
111 ... message, 112a-112e ... item, 113 ... check box,
114 ... "OK" button, 115 ... "Cancel" button,
120 ... Display destination selection screen, 121 ... Message, 122a, 122b ... Display destination,
123 ... Checkbox, 124 ... "OK" button,
125 ... "Cancel" button, 212 ... User information table,
213 ... Chat management information table, 214 ... Chat information table,
300 ... chatbot, 310 ... program, 311 ... printer driver,
312 ... User information table, 313 ... Chat management information table,
314 ... Chat information table, 315 ... Print target candidate information table,
315a, 315b ... Print target candidate information, 410 ... Program,
411 ... Confidential Box, 510 ... Program, 511 ... File

Claims (10)

When instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than yourself is input among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the file related to the instruction information is acquired as a candidate for printing. An information processing device equipped with a processor. The processor can select its own terminal device or printing device as a display destination of a filter condition input screen for extracting a printing target from the printing target candidates.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. By displaying the selection screen of the display destination of the input screen on the terminal device, the processor makes it possible to select the display destination of the input screen on the terminal device or the printing device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The processor controls to display a selection screen for selecting a print target from the print target candidates on its own terminal device when the print target candidate can be displayed on its own terminal device on one screen.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. When the print target candidate cannot be displayed on one screen on the terminal device, the processor serves as a display destination of a filter condition input screen for extracting a print target from the print target candidates. Allows you to select a terminal device or a printing device,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. When the printing device is selected as the display destination of the input screen, the processor controls the printing device so as to store the printing target candidate in a storage area provided for each other user.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. The processor adds information indicating to that effect to the candidates for which printing has been completed by the printing device among the candidates to be printed, and displays them on the display screen.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. When it is input that the processor does not include the printing completed candidate in the printing target as a filter condition for extracting the printing target from the printing target candidates, the printing completed candidate is selected as the printing target. Exclude from
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7. An information processing device having a first processor and a printing device having a second processor are provided.
When the first processor inputs instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than himself / herself among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the first processor inputs the file related to the instruction information. When your terminal device is selected as the display destination of the input screen of the filter condition for acquiring as a print target candidate and extracting the print target from the print target candidate, the input screen is set to the own terminal device. Control to display,
When a printing device is selected as a display destination of the input screen, the second processor controls to store the candidates for printing in a storage area provided for each of the other users.
Information processing system. On the computer
When instruction information indicating a print instruction of a file posted by a user other than yourself is input among a plurality of files posted on the display screen, the file related to the instruction information is acquired as a candidate for printing. Program for.

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