JP2022090286A - Provision method of cloud print service and print device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a provision method of a cloud print service and a print device capable of realizing function related to printing using a cloud print service in a more preferred embodiment.SOLUTION: A CPS 501a stores, in a virtual spooler 502, a printing job with a virtual printer for a CPS 501b designated as a destination. The CPS 501a stores, in a physical spooler 503, a printing job including printing data according to a request by a CPS 501b. The CPS 501a provides the printing job stored in the physical spooler 503 to a print device 101 based on the request from the print device 101. When the request is a first request, the CPS 501a stores the printing job in the physical spooler 503 without deleting, from the virtual spooler 502, the printing job related to the request, meanwhile, when the request is a second request, the CPS 501a controls the printing job to move from the virtual spooler 502 into the physical spooler 503, so that the printing job becomes no longer stored in the virtual spooler 502.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present disclosure relates to a method of providing a cloud print service and a printing device.

In recent years, with the realization of so-called cloud computing technology that provides computer resources in the form of services via networks such as the Internet, it has become possible to provide various services via networks. As an example of such a so-called cloud service, cloud print that plays a role as a so-called spooler for receiving a request related to printing via a network and sending a print job corresponding to the request to a desired printing device. The service is known. Specific examples of the cloud print service include Google Cloud Print (registered trademark), Microsoft HybridPrint (registered trademark), uniFLOW Online (registered trademark), and the like.

For example, in Patent Document 1, as an example of a technique for realizing a printing system using the cloud print service described above, a request is transmitted to a printing device via a network so that the printing device can perform printing. The technology for this is disclosed.

Further, as the cloud print service, there may be a service corresponding to so-called push printing and a service corresponding to so-called pull printing individually. Push printing is a printing method in which when a print request is sent from a terminal device or the like operated by a user to a printing service such as a cloud print service, the service actively sends a print job to the printing device. .. On the other hand, in pull printing, when a service related to printing receives a print request, a print job is temporarily held in the service, and the print job is sent to the printing device in response to a request from the printing device. It is a printing method to be transmitted.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-133489

On the other hand, under the circumstances where the cloud print service is used, even if the available cloud print service supports push printing, the cloud print service may be required to execute pull printing. .. Such a situation is a function related to printing by linking multiple cloud print services, especially in a situation where a cloud print service that supports push printing and a cloud print service that supports pull printing coexist. Can be manifested when the above is realized. Against this background, there is a need to introduce a mechanism that enables more flexible utilization of cloud print services.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to realize a function related to printing using a cloud print service in a more preferable manner.

The method for providing a cloud print service according to the present invention is a first method in which a virtual printer for another cloud print service different from the cloud print service receives a print job designated as a destination and stores it in the first spool area. When a request related to a print job is received from the other cloud print service after the storage process and the storage in the first storage process are performed, printing is performed as a physical resource corresponding to the virtual printer. The print job including the print data is stored in the second spool area provided for providing the print data constituting the print job to the printing device provided with the means without going through the other cloud print service. A second storage step, a providing step of providing the printing device with a print job stored in the second spool area based on a request from the printing device, and a provision step of providing the printing device with the request, and when the request is the first request, The print job is stored in the second spool area without deleting the print job related to the request from the first spool area, and if the request is the second request, the print job is stored in the second spool area. It is characterized by having a job control step of moving from a spool area of 1 to a second spool area and controlling the print job so that the print job is not stored in the first spool area.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a function related to printing using a cloud print service in a more preferable manner.

It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the processing of a cloud print service. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the process which concerns on the event notification of a pull system. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the process which concerns on the event notification of a push system. It is a figure which showed an example of the hardware composition of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which showed an example of the cloud print service. It is a figure which showed an example of cooperation of a plurality of cloud print services. It is a figure which showed an example of the operation screen. It is a figure which showed the function which concerns the cooperation between cloud print services. It is a figure which showed the function which concerns the cooperation between cloud print services. It is a figure which showed the function which concerns the cooperation between cloud print services. It is a figure which showed the operation between cloud print services. It is a figure which showed the function which concerns the cooperation between cloud print services. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the processing of an information processing system. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the processing of an information processing system. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the processing of an information processing system. It is a sequence diagram which showed an example of the processing of an information processing system.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

<Comparison example>
In order to make the features of the information processing system according to the present embodiment easier to understand, as a comparative example, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an example of processing related to the realization of a function related to printing using a cloud print service. explain.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a process related to registration for using the cloud print service and a process related to transmission of a request (in other words, a print job) related to printing to a printing device using the cloud print service. An example of the above will be described. In FIG. 1, the CPS (Cloud Print Service) 102 shows a cloud print service capable of receiving instructions related to printing using the printing device 101 via a network. Further, the client terminal 100 shows an example of a terminal device as an interface for receiving an instruction related to registration of CPS 102 and an instruction related to transmission of a request (print job) related to printing to the CPS 102 from a user. .. The client terminal 100 has a UI function (hereinafter, also referred to as “Web UI”) for operating the printing device 101 via a network, and a function for accessing a cloud print service such as CPS 102. It is assumed that there is.

In S111, the client terminal 100 transmits a request for registration for the user to use the cloud print service to the printing device 101 in response to an instruction received from a user such as an administrator via the Web UI. ..
In S112, the printing device 101 transmits a request for registration for the target user to use the cloud print service to the CPS 102 in response to the request transmitted from the client terminal 100 in S111.
In S113, the CPS 102 responds to the request transmitted from the printing device 101 in the S 112 with access information (for example, a URL or the like) for accessing a screen related to registration of various information for using the CPS 102. Is transmitted to the printing device 101.
In S114, the printing device 101 transmits to the client terminal 100 screen information regarding a screen for receiving from the user various information related to registration for using CPS 102, including access information received from CPS 102 in S113. Based on the screen information transmitted from the printing device 101, the client terminal 100 presents the user with a registration screen for accepting designation of various information related to registration for using the CPS 102 from the user.

When the client terminal 100 receives an instruction related to registration for using the CPS 102 from the user via the registration screen presented to the user in S114, the client terminal 100 uses the access information acquired together with the screen information in S114 to the CPS 102. to access. Then, in S115, the client terminal 100 transmits a registration approval request to the CPS 102, including information about the user's account for using the CPS 102 (hereinafter, also referred to as cloud account information). This information is the account information of the administrator of the organization that uses the cloud print service. The unit of the organization that uses the cloud print service is called a tenant.
The CPS 102 is registered as an output destination printing device that can be used by the target tenant based on the registration approval request transmitted from the client terminal 100 in S115. Then, in S116, the CPS 102 transmits a registration approval response indicating that the registration of the cloud printer that can be used by the target tenant has been completed to the client terminal 100.

Further, as shown as S117, the printing apparatus 101 transmits a registration confirmation request to the CPS 102 at a desired timing in order to confirm whether or not the processing related to the registration request transmitted in S112 is completed.
When the CPS 102 receives the registration confirmation request transmitted from the printing apparatus 101 in S117, the CPS 102 transmits a registration confirmation response according to the processing status shown as S113 to S116 to the printing apparatus 101, as indicated by S118. At this time, when the series of processes from S113 to S116 is completed, the registration confirmation response including the cloud printer ID is transmitted to the printing device 101, and thereafter, the target user (user belonging to the tenant). ) Can use CPS102.

Next, an example of processing related to transmission of a request for printing to the printing apparatus 101 using CPS 102 will be described.
In S119, the client terminal 100 transmits a print request including a cloud printer ID, data to be printed (hereinafter, also referred to as “print data”), and a user's cloud account to the CPS 102.
Further, as shown as S120, the CPS 102 receives a request (hereinafter, also referred to as “print job request”) related to the transmission of the designated print job from the printing device 101 at a desired timing. Upon receiving this request, the CPS 102 transmits a print job including the print data and the cloud account to the target printing device 101 in response to the print request from the client terminal 100 in S119, as shown as S121. do.

The print job request shown as S120 is transmitted from the printing device 101 to the CPS 102 when the printing device 101 detects that the print job addressed to itself has been transmitted to the CPS 102. The detection that the print job addressed to itself by the printing device 101 is transmitted to the CPS 102 is performed based on a predetermined event notification. Further, as the method of the event notification, for example, a method called a so-called pull method and a method called a so-called push method can be mentioned.

(Event notification in pull method)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of a process based on the pull method will be described as a process related to an event notification for the printing device 101 to detect that a print job addressed to itself has been transmitted to the CPS 102.

In the case of the pull method, the printing device 101 transmits an event acquisition request including the cloud printer ID and the cloud account to the CPS 102 every period preset as the polling interval. For example, the process shown in S201 and S203 corresponds to the process related to the transmission of the event acquisition request from the printing apparatus 101 to the CPS 102.

When the CPS 102 receives the event acquisition request from the printing device 101, the CPS 102 transmits an event acquisition response according to the reception status of the print job addressed to the printing device 101 to the printing device 101. At this time, the CPS 102 may include information indicating the polling interval in the event acquisition response. In this case, the printing device 101 updates the setting of the period (that is, the polling interval) until the next event acquisition request is transmitted to the CPS 102 according to the information indicating the polling interval included in the event acquisition response. You may. For example, the process shown in S202 and S204 corresponds to the process related to the transmission of the event acquisition response from the CPS 102 to the printing apparatus 101 as the response to the event request transmitted to the CPS 102 by the process of S201 and S203.

As described above, the event acquisition request is sequentially transmitted from the printing device 101 to the CPS 102 after waiting for the elapse of the set polling interval, and the CPS 102 responds to the event acquisition request to the printing device 101. The event acquisition response is notified.

(Event notification in push method)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a process based on the push method will be described as a process related to an event notification for the printing device 101 to detect that a print job addressed to itself has been transmitted to the CPS 102.

In the case of the push method, when the printing device 101 is in a state where it can accept a print job, the printing device 101 acquires an event including a cloud printer ID and a cloud account for the CPS 102, as shown as S301. Send the request.
When the CPS 102 receives an event acquisition request from the printing device 101 in S301, the CPS 102 sends an event response including information indicating the type of the event occurring at that time and the content of the event to the printing device 101, as shown as S302. Send. Such an event includes, for example, an event (hereinafter, also referred to as a “job reception event”) indicating that the CPS 102 has received a print job (in other words, a print request) addressed to the printing device 101.

The printing device 101 maintains a network connection with the CPS 102 even after receiving an event response from the CPS 102 in S302. Thereby, for example, as shown as S303, when a desired event occurs, the CPS 102 can transmit an event response corresponding to the event to the printing apparatus 101.

<Hardware configuration>
An example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus for realizing the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403. Further, the information processing device 400 includes an auxiliary storage device 404 and a network I / F 407. Further, the information processing device 400 may include at least one of the input device 405 and the output device 406. The CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, auxiliary storage device 404, input device 405, output device 406, and network I / F 407 are each connected to each other via a bus 408.

The CPU 401 is a central processing unit that controls various operations of the information processing device 400. For example, the CPU 401 may control the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 400.
The RAM 403 is the main storage memory of the CPU 401, and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for developing various programs.
The ROM 402 stores a program (for example, BIOS) for the CPU 401 to control the operation of the information processing apparatus 400.

The auxiliary storage device 404 stores programs such as an OS (Operating System) which is basic software, various applications, and various data. The auxiliary storage device 404 can be realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a non-volatile memory represented by an SDD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

The network IF 407 is an interface for connecting to a predetermined network (for example, LAN, the Internet, etc.) and communicating with an external device via the network.

The input device 405 is a device for receiving an instruction from the user. The input device 405 can be realized by, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, an operation device such as a keyboard and a touch panel.
The output device 406 is a device for presenting various information to the user. The output device 406 can be realized by a display device that presents information to the user by displaying various display information, a screen, or the like, for example, a display or the like.

The above-mentioned configuration is merely an example, and does not necessarily limit the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 400. As a specific example, some of the components (for example, at least one of the input device 405 and the output device 406) in the series of components of the information processing device 400 described above are outside the information processing device 400. It may be attached.
Further, in the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, 12, 13A to 13C, and 14, the desired information processing device 400 expands the program stored in the ROM 402 or the auxiliary storage device 404 into the RAM 403. It is realized by executing it. In other words, the operation of cloud print services such as CPS 501a and 501b, which will be described later, is controlled by at least a part of the information processing apparatus 400 constituting the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

<Overview of functions related to printing using the cloud print service>
An outline of each of the cloud print service realized by the information processing system according to the present embodiment and the function related to printing using the cloud print service will be described below.

First, with reference to FIG. 5, an outline of an example of the cloud print service realized by the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. CPS501a shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of the cloud print service according to the present embodiment, and is assumed to correspond to the push method. When the CPS501a receives, for example, a request for printing, the CPS501a inputs a print job corresponding to the request to a predetermined spooler (hereinafter, also referred to as "physical spooler 503").
The physical spooler 503 is configured to sequentially transfer jobs temporarily stored in a spool area managed by the physical spooler 503 to a printing device having a physical printing function (for example, a printing device 101). That is, the physical spooler 503 functions as a push printing type print spooler that transfers the input print job to a desired printing device as it is.
With such a configuration, the print job submitted to the physical spooler 503 by the CPS 501a is transferred to the printing device 101 at a desired trigger (for example, an event response trigger described with reference to FIG. 3).

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an outline of an example of a form in which a plurality of cloud print services are linked will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the printing device 101 is registered in advance as the printing device to be the output destination under the CPS 501a. Further, by the process of pre-registration of the printing device 101, the physical spooler 503 is generated, and a job (for example, a printing job) to be transmitted to the printing device 101 can be temporarily stored.

When the client corresponding to CPS501a (for example, the client terminal 100) receives a printing instruction from the user to the cloud printer corresponding to the physical spooler 503 as an output destination, the client (for example, the client terminal 100) transmits a printing request addressed to the physical spooler 503 to the CPS501a. do. When the CPS 501a receives a request related to printing (for example, the print job itself) from the client, the CPS 501a stores the print job corresponding to the request in the physical spooler 503. Then, the print job temporarily stored in the physical spooler 503 is transferred to the printing device 101, and the printing device 101 performs printing based on the printing job.
Through the series of processes as described above, the user can use the cloud print function using a route such as "PC client-CPS501a-printing apparatus 101" (hereinafter, also referred to as "first route"). ..

The physical spooler 503 is configured to sequentially transfer jobs temporarily stored in a spool area managed by the physical spooler 503 to a printing apparatus 101 having a physical printing function. That is, the physical spooler 503 functions as a push printing type print spooler that transfers the input print job to the printing apparatus 101 as it is.

Further, the printing device 101 is registered in advance in the CPS 501b as a printing device as an output destination as in the case of the CPS 501a. Therefore, the user can use the cloud print function using a route (hereinafter, also referred to as “second route”) such as “PC client-CPS501b-printing device 101”.

The CPS501b supports pull printing in which print data is stored in the CPS501b and printing is waited until a printing instruction is received from the printing apparatus side. In pull printing, it is possible to specify "print + save", "print + delete", and "delete" of the print job as the process related to printing by the operation from the user via the operation unit of the printing device. be.
"Print + save" means to send a print job to the printing device, have the printing device print, and then retain the print job without deleting it from the cloud print service even if the printing is completed. Corresponds to the processing to be performed.
"Print + delete" corresponds to a process of transmitting a print job to a printing device, causing the printing device to print, and then deleting the print job from the cloud print service when the printing is completed.
"Delete" corresponds to the process of deleting a print job previously accepted and held by the cloud print service.

In addition, according to the information processing system according to the present embodiment, a cloud print function using a route such as "PC client-CPS501a-CPS501b-printing apparatus 101" (hereinafter, also referred to as "third route") is used. It is possible to do. In this case, processing related to prior registration for linking CPS501a and CPS501b is performed. The virtual spooler 502 is a virtual printer spooler provided for transferring a print job from the CPS 501a to the CPS 501b generated by the process related to the pre-registration. In the present embodiment, the virtual spooler 502 is responsible for holding the job for the cloud print service to refer to the job information, and holding the job until printing starts.

On the other hand, when printing is simply performed using the third route, job transfer occurs between the cloud print services. Since cloud operating resources and communication resources are used for job transfer between the cloud print services, the cost for cooperation between services may increase depending on the frequency of job transfer.
On the other hand, the information processing system according to the present embodiment can be used for cooperation between services by utilizing the first route on condition that pre-registration for printing on the first route has been made. A mechanism is provided that can suppress the increase in the cost in a more preferable manner. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described more specifically.

When the CPS501a receives a printing instruction using the third path (client-CPS501a-CPS501b-printing apparatus 101), the CPS501 temporarily sends a print job to the spool area of the virtual spooler 502 in order to enable pull printing. Keep it in. Subsequently, the CPS501b inquires of the CPS501a what kind of print job has occurred in the CPS501a, and acquires the bibliographic information of the job. Bibliographic information includes various attribute data and logs of related processes. As a specific example, in the case of a print job, the bibliographic information includes attribute data such as the print job account, document name, storage location (link, etc.) of the target document, color, number of pages, etc. , Print processing logs, etc. may be included. In this way, the bibliographic information functions as management information for managing print jobs.

Further, in order to display a selection screen for receiving an instruction relating to the selection of a job on the CPS501b from the user in response to an instruction from the user via the operation panel, the printing device 101 requests the CPS501b to display a job. Request the transmission of bibliographic information. In response to this request, the CPS 501b transmits the bibliographic information of the job acquired from the CPS 501a and the bibliographic information of the job held by the CPS 501b itself to the printing apparatus 101. Based on the bibliographic information transmitted from CPS501b, the printing apparatus 101 displays a selection screen for receiving an instruction related to job selection from a user in a predetermined display area (for example, an operation panel or the like). For example, FIG. 7 shows an example of the selection screen for receiving an instruction related to job selection from the user. The details of the selection screen illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described later.

In the present embodiment, when the job held in the virtual spooler 502 of the CPS501a is selected via the selection screen described above, the route to which the print job is actually transferred is switched to the “CPS501a-printing device 101”. Specifically, the print job stored in the spool area of the virtual spooler 502 is moved to the spool area of the physical spooler 503. By this move process, the print job is deleted from the virtual spooler 502. The physical spooler 503 functions as a push printing type print spooler that transfers the input print job to the printing apparatus 101 as it is. Therefore, the print job moved to the spool area of the physical spooler 503 is transferred to the printing device 101, and printing is executed in the printing device 101 based on the printing job.
By applying the control related to the change of the route as described above, it is possible to expect the effect of reducing the cost related to the cooperation between services. That is, by changing to the first route, it is possible to directly transmit the actual print data (PDL data) having a large file size to the printing apparatus 101 without passing through the CPS 501b.
On the other hand, if the control related to the change of the route described above is simply applied, the job moved to the physical spooler 503 is at the timing when the reception of the print job is completed by the printing device or the timing when the printing is completed. It will be deleted. Therefore, in this case, it may be difficult to realize the process of "print + save" (Print + Keep). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control related to the change of the route described above can be applied, and even when the "print + save" process is executed, the job to be printed is retained for reprinting. We propose a mechanism that makes it possible.

<Operation screen>
With reference to FIG. 7, as an example of the operation screen of the printing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment, a selection screen for receiving an instruction related to the above-mentioned job selection from the user will be described.

The selection screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, for example, when a user logs in to the printing device 101, and presents a list of print jobs held in the cloud print service or the printing device 101 in response to a printing request from the user. do. The means of logging in to the printing device 101 is not particularly limited, and for example, authentication based on the input of an ID and password, authentication using an IC card, biometric authentication using a fingerprint, an iris, or the like shall be applied. Is possible.

The selection screen 700 includes a display area 701 and buttons 702 to 705.
The display area 701 is a display area for displaying a list of print jobs held in the cloud print service or the printing device 101. Further, the display area 701 can receive an instruction from the user regarding the selection of at least a part of the series of print jobs displayed as a list. When any of the buttons 702 to 704 described later accepts an operation, the print job selected via the display area 701 is applied as the target of the process associated with the button.

The button 702 is a user interface for receiving an instruction related to execution of the "print + save" process from the user. When the button 702 is pressed, the "print + save" process is executed for the print job selected via the display area 701.
The button 703 is a user interface for receiving an instruction related to execution of the "print + delete" process from the user. When the button 703 is pressed, the "print + delete" process is executed for the print job selected via the display area 701.
The button 704 is a user interface for receiving an instruction related to execution of the "deletion" process from the user. When the button 704 is pressed, the process related to the deletion of the selected print job via the display area 701 is executed.
The button 705 is a user interface for receiving an instruction for updating the list of print jobs displayed in the display area 701 from the user. When the button 705 is pressed, the confirmation of the print job held in the cloud print service or the printing device 101 is executed again, and the list of print jobs displayed in the display area 701 is updated based on the confirmation result. Will be done.

<Overview of functions related to cooperation between cloud print services>
With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the outline of the function related to the cooperation between the cloud print services according to the present embodiment will be described below. In the following, an example of the function related to the cooperation will be described by focusing on the case where the CPS 501a and the CPS 501b described with reference to FIG. 6 are linked. Further, CPS501a corresponds to an example of the "first cloud print service", and CPS501b corresponds to an example of the "second cloud print service".

First, FIG. 8 will be described. In the information processing system according to the present embodiment, when pull printing is realized by linking a plurality of cloud print services, the original print job based on the print request is held in the virtual spooler, and the copy of the print job is physically duplicated. Move to the spooler. At this time, the print job generated as a copy is generated so that it can be cross-referenced with the print job that is the source of the copy. By applying such control, the information processing system according to the present embodiment realizes "print + save" processing associated with the cooperation of a plurality of cloud print services. The following two means are mainly mentioned as means for linking the plurality of cloud print services.
First cooperation means: A print job corresponding to a print request is stored in each spool area of the virtual spooler 502 and the physical spooler 503. As a result, each of the virtual spooler 502 and the physical spooler 503 is made to hold the print job. At this time, the virtual spooler 502 holds the original print job 815 corresponding to the print request, and the physical spooler 503 holds the print job 816 duplicated from the print job 815.
Second cooperation means: A print job corresponding to a print request is stored in a spooler (hereinafter, also referred to as “device spooler 504”) of the printing device 101. This keeps the print job on the device spooler 504. In this case, the device spooler 504 is controlled so that the setting related to the spool is "save", which is the setting for holding the print job 816. Also, the save destination of the print job will be moved to the spooler on the printing device. Therefore, the bibliographic information stored in CPS501b is updated. By this process, the information indicating the storage location of the print job can be updated.
In the following description and the drawings referred to in the description, the original print job 815 is also referred to as "Job" in order to make the technical features easier to understand, and the print job 816 duplicated from the print job 815. May also be written as "Job'".

(First means of cooperation)
Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the first cooperation means will be described in more detail. As described above, in the first cooperation means, when the pull printing is realized, the virtual spooler 502 holds the original print job 815, and the physical spooler 503 holds the print job 816 which is a duplicate of the print job 815. .. By applying such control, for example, even if the print job 816 held in the physical spooler 503 is deleted due to the execution of printing, the print job 815 held in the virtual spooler 502 is used again. It becomes possible to print. That is, even if the physical spooler 503 of the CPS 501a is a push printing type print spooler, pull printing can be realized by using the CPS 501a.

Here, the flow of processing in the first cooperation means will be described.
First, when the printing device 101 is connected to the CPS 501a, the physical spooler 503 is generated in the CPS 501a. Further, when the CPS501b requests the CPS501a to register the virtual spooler 502, the CPS501a generates the virtual spooler 502. As described above, the physical spooler 503 and the virtual spooler 502 are registered with respect to the CPS 501a.

As shown as F901, the CPS501a receives a printing request from the client terminal 100.
In response to this request, the CPS 501a submits the print job 815 corresponding to the request to the virtual spooler 502 as shown as F902.
Further, the CPS 501a attaches bibliographic information to the print job 815. That is, the print job 815 includes the document to be printed, the information regarding the print setting, and the bibliographic information. As described above, the bibliographic information may include attribute data such as a print job account, a document name, a storage location of a target document, a color, a number of pages, and a log of a print process.

Next, the printing device 101 receives an instruction related to execution of the "print + save" process as an instruction related to printing from the user. When the instruction of "print + save" is received, the CPS501b is requested to execute the process of "print + save" as shown as F904. When the CPS501b that has received the execution request is a request to "print + save" the print job stored in the virtual printer queue of the CPS501a, the CPS501b sends an instruction to perform the processing of the linkage 1 to the CPS501a (F906). .. Upon receiving the instruction for performing the linkage 1 from the CPS501b, the CPS501a cross-references the print job 816, which is a duplicate of the print job 815, with the print job 815 while holding the original print job 815 in the virtual spooler 502. Generate as possible. Subsequently, the generated print job 816 is input to the physical spooler 503. The print job 816 input to the physical spooler 503 is such that the information converted into the job language format (RAW) and print settings that can be interpreted by the target printing device 101, the bibliographic information, and the print job 815 are mutual. It shall include a link for reference. However, if the printing apparatus 101 can interpret the print job 815, the conversion of the job language format (RAW) and the print settings does not necessarily have to be performed.

As shown as F908, the print job 816 stored in the physical spooler 503 is transmitted to the printing device 101 in response to a request from the printing device 101. In this case, the printing apparatus 101 executes a process related to printing based on the received print job 816.
Further, the CPS 501a may update the bibliographic information attached to the print job 815 held in the virtual spooler 502 as necessary when the process related to printing based on the print job 816 is executed. In this case, as shown by F909, the updated content of the bibliographic information in CPS501a may be notified to CPS501b, so that the bibliographic information attached to the print job 815 held in the CPS501b may also be updated. ..

By applying the above control, it is possible to realize pull printing by using CPS501a configured as a push printing type print spooler. Further, at this time, even if the print job 816 stored in the physical spooler 503 is deleted due to the execution of printing, the print job 815 held in the virtual spooler 502 can be used for reprinting. It is possible to realize the process of "print + save".

(Second means of cooperation)
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the second cooperation means will be described in more detail. As described above, in the second cooperation means, when the pull printing is realized, the original print job 815 is deleted from the virtual spooler 502 of the CPS501a, and the print job 815 can be reprinted on the storage of the printing device 101. Hold in a good state. In the following description, the spooler of the printing apparatus 101 will also be referred to as "device spooler 504" for convenience. By applying such control, even if the print job is deleted from the CPS 501a, it is possible to perform printing again by using the print job 815 moved to the storage area of the printing apparatus 101. That is, it is possible to realize pull printing by using the CPS501b and the printing device.

Here, the flow of processing in the second cooperation means will be described.
First, as shown as F1001, when the printing apparatus 101 receives the instruction of "printing + saving", the printing apparatus 101 requests the CPS501b to execute the processing of "printing + saving". When the CPS501b that has received the execution request is a request to "print + save" the print job stored in the virtual printer queue of the CPS501a, the CPS501b sends an instruction for performing the linkage 2 process to the CPS501a (F1002). ..

Upon receiving the instruction for performing the linkage 2 from the CPS501b, the CPS501a moves the original print job 815 to the physical spooler 503, as shown as F1003. In this case, unlike the process of linkage 1 described in the first embodiment, the corresponding print job is deleted from the virtual spooler 502. The print job 815 input to the physical spooler 503 by the movement process includes information converted into a job language format (RAW) and print settings that can be interpreted by the target printing apparatus 101, and bibliographic information. However, if the printing apparatus 101 can interpret the print job 815, the conversion of the job language format (RAW) and the print settings does not necessarily have to be performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the print job for reprinting is stored on the printing device. Therefore, in consideration of changing the print settings such as page aggregation at the time of reprinting, the document or the print settings may be moved to the physical spooler 503 for the printing apparatus 101 without being converted. For example, when changing settings such as page aggregation at the time of printing, it may be difficult to reprocess the print data that has been appropriately converted for printing. On the other hand, it is easy to generate a print image based on the original document and the modified print settings. By configuring the print job to move without conversion in this way, it becomes possible to provide the printing device 101 with a print job in a format in which settings can be easily changed at the time of printing.

As shown as F1004, the print job 815 stored in the physical spooler 503 is transmitted to the printing device 101 and held in the device spooler 504 of the printing device 101.
Then, as shown as F1005, the printing apparatus 101 executes a process related to printing based on the print job 815 held in the device spooler 504.

Further, the printing apparatus holds the print job 815 in the storage so that the print job 815 can be reprinted when the process related to printing based on the print job 815 is executed. Further, the bibliographic information of the print job 815 managed by CPS501b is rewritten into the bibliographic information for printing the print data included in the print job 815 (F1006).

By applying the above control, the print job held by the CPS 501a configured as the push print type print spooler is moved to the device spooler 504 of the printing device 101 and moved to the storage of the printing device 101. be able to. Further, by updating the bibliographic information, it is possible to link the printing device 101 and the CPS501b to realize pull printing. Further, at this time, even if the print job 815 held in the CPS 501a is deleted, reprinting can be performed using the print job 815 held in the printing apparatus 101, so that the process of "print + save" is performed. Can be realized. In the second cooperation means, the virtual spooler 502 corresponds to an example of the "first printer spooler", and the device spooler 504 corresponds to an example of the "second printer spooler".

<Collaboration operation between cloud print services>
An example of a cooperative operation between cloud print services in the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

Operation 1101 shows an example of an operation related to the movement of a job between cloud print services and print spoolers. In operation 1101, as attribute information, a job ID, information indicating a move source spooler, and information indicating a move destination spooler can be set. The operation 1101 functions as a move request that causes a job move between spoolers.

Operation 1102 shows another example of an operation related to the movement of a job between cloud print services and print spoolers, and corresponds to an operation of generating a duplicate from an original print job. The operation 1102 is different from the above-mentioned operation 1101 in that the same attribute values are set for the cloud print service of the movement source and the cloud print service of the movement destination. This operation 1102 functions as a duplication request that causes duplication of the print job. An operation such as Copy-Job dedicated to duplication may be separately provided.

Operation 1103 shows an example of an operation relating to the attachment of bibliographic information to a print job. In the operation 1103, information related to the job ID, index value, data, etc. can be set as the attribute information. Operation 1103 attaches the information used by the cloud print service to control or manage the jobs held by other cloud print services to the target job, or updates the information attached to the job. This is the operation used when doing so.

Operation 1104 shows an example of an operation relating to a setting change relating to the spool. The operation 1104 includes the setting related to the retention of the print job received by the spool and the condition of the print job to be retained as the attribute information. Information regarding the printer ID, the URI of the cloud print service of the transmission source, the IP address of the cloud print service, and the like can be set as the conditions. For example, by using the operation 1104, it is possible to configure the printing apparatus 101 to hold a print job satisfying a predetermined condition. The printing device 101 that has received the operation has the transmission source CPS501a, and is set to hold the print job transmitted to the designated printer ID. When this operation setting is made, the printing device 101 is in an operation mode for holding a print job satisfying the conditions in the storage area of the printing device 101.

Operation 1105 shows an example of an operation relating to the deletion of a print job. The operation 1105 may include information such as a job ID (for example, an ID of a print job to be deleted) as attribute information. Operation 1105 functions as a delete request to delete a job from the spooler.

<Supplement of functions related to cooperation between cloud print services>
With reference to FIG. 12, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the functions related to the cooperation between the cloud print services.

In the above, as shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual spooler 502 and the physical spooler 503 are generated on the CPS501a side, and the job flow of the print job proceeds in the order of the virtual spooler 502, the physical spooler 503, and the printing apparatus 101. An example of the case has been described.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, the virtual spooler 502 and the physical spooler 503 may be generated on the CPS501b side. The virtual spooler 502'and the physical spooler 503'shown in the figure correspond to the virtual spooler 502 and the physical spooler 503 generated on the CPS501b side. In this case, the print job is transferred from the CPS 501a to the CPS 501b, and the job flow of the print job proceeds in the order of the virtual spooler 502', the physical spooler 503', and the printing device 101.

<Processing>
An example of the processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described below.

(First means of cooperation)
First, with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C, an example of the processing sequence when the first cooperation means is applied will be described with particular attention to the cooperation between the CPS 501a, the CPS 501b, and the printing apparatus 101.

First, FIG. 13A will be described.
In S1301, the printing apparatus 101 transmits a registration processing request to the CPS 501a so as to register itself as a printing apparatus to be an output destination under the CPS 501a.
The CPS 501a receives the registration processing request in S1301 and generates a physical spooler 503 used for transferring a print job to the printing apparatus 101.
Then, when the generation of the physical spooler 503 is completed, the CPS 501a indicates that the printing device 101 has been registered with the printing device 101 as the printing device of the output destination in S1302, which is a registration processing response (indicating that the physical spooler has been generated). Response) is sent. As described above, the physical spooler 503 corresponds to a print spooler used when the CPS 501a operates as a push-print type print spooler.

Further, in S1303, the CPS501b sends a registration processing request to the CPS501a so as to register the CPS501b as a transfer destination of the print job. In response to this registration processing request, the CPS501a generates a virtual spooler 502 used to transfer the print job to the CPS501b.
Then, when the generation of the virtual spooler 502 is completed, the CPS501a indicates that the registration of the CPS501b as the transfer destination of the print job to the CPS501b is completed in S1304 (a response indicating that the virtual spooler has been generated). To send.

In S1305, the client terminal 100 transmits a printer search request to the CPS 501a in response to an instruction from the user. The CPS501a receives the printer search request in S1305 and generates a list of printing devices registered as output destinations under its own control.
In S1306, the CPS 501a transmits a printer search response including information about the generated list of printing devices to the client terminal 100.
In S1307, the client terminal 100 presents a list of printing devices registered as output destinations under CPS501a to the user via a predetermined output device based on the information included in the printer search response transmitted from CPS501a in S1306. do. Then, the client terminal 100 receives from the user the designation of the printing device to be used for printing from the list of printing devices presented to the user.

In S1311, the client terminal 100 transmits a printer capability acquisition request to the CPS 501a in order to acquire information regarding the capability of the printing device specified by the user. The printer capacity acquisition request transmitted to the CPS 501a is also transferred from the CPS 501a to the CPS 501b.
In S1312, at least one of CPS501a and CPS501b transmits a printer capability acquisition response including information regarding the capability of the printing device specified by the user to the client terminal 100. When the printer capacity acquisition response is transmitted from the CPS 501b, the printer capacity acquisition response is transmitted from the CPS 501b to the client terminal 100 via the CPS 501a.
In S1313, the client terminal 100 presents to the user a setting designated by the user and configurable to the printing device based on the information included in the printer capability acquisition response transmitted from CPS501a or CPS501b in S1312.

When the client terminal 100 receives an instruction related to printing from the user, in S1321, the client terminal 100 transmits a request related to printing according to the instruction from the user to the CPS 501a. In the example shown in FIG. 13A, it is assumed that the print job itself is transmitted from the client terminal 100 to the CPS 501a as a request related to the printing.
In S1322, the CPS 501a inputs the print job transmitted from the client terminal 100 to the virtual printer in S1321 to the virtual spooler 502 corresponding to the virtual printer. The print job submitted to the virtual spooler 502 corresponds to the print job 815 which is the source data for duplication described above.

In S1323, CPS501a transmits an event indicating that a job has been submitted to CPS501b.
In S1324, the CPS501b updates the bibliographic information (particularly, the information related to job formation) regarding the CPS501a based on the event notified in the S1323.
In S1325, CPS501b requests the bibliographic information updated in S1324 to accompany the target job. In response to this request, the CPS 501a attaches bibliographic information according to the instruction from the CPS 501b to the target print job 815.

Next, it is assumed that the printing device 101 has received an instruction from the user regarding the search for the print job held in the cloud print service.
In S1326, the printing apparatus 101 transmits to the CPS 501a a job search request related to the search for the print job held in the CPS 501a. The CPS501a receives this job search request and generates a list of jobs held by the CPS501a.
In S1327, the CPS 501a transmits a job search response including information regarding the list of generated jobs to the printing apparatus 101.
In S1328, the printing device 101 presents a list of jobs held by the CPS 501a to the user via a predetermined output device based on the information included in the job search response transmitted from the CPS 501a in S1327. As a result, the user selects a desired job from the list of presented jobs and gives an instruction related to pull printing (for example, an instruction related to execution of "print + save" or "print + delete"). Is possible.

Next, FIG. 13B will be described. FIG. 13B shows an example of a series of processes executed immediately after the series of processes shown in FIG. 13A is completed. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, immediately after the series of processes shown in FIG. 13A is executed, the printing apparatus 101 receives an instruction related to execution of "print + save" as an instruction related to printing from the user. And.

In S1331, the printing apparatus 101 transmits a printing request to the CPS 501b in response to an instruction relating to printing (instruction relating to pull printing) received from the user. Here, for example, a case where information about a print job specified by the user is specified in the print request from a series of jobs held in CPS501a will be described as an example.
Upon receiving the print request, the CPS 501b requests the CPS 501b to generate a copy job in S1333 in response to the print request from the printing device 101 in the S1331. Specifically, CPS501b requests CPS501a to generate a print job 816 (Job') used for processing related to printing based on the original print job 815 (Job).
In S1334, CPS501a generates a print job 816 (Job') by duplicating the original print job 815 (Job).
In S1335, the CPS 501a sends a response to the CPS 501b indicating that the generation of the print job 816 (Job') is completed.
In S1336, CPS501b updates the bibliographic information based on the response from CPS501a in S1335. As a result, information regarding the generation of the print job 816 (Job'), which is a duplicate of the original print job 815 (Job) on the CPS501a side, is recorded in the bibliographic information.

In S1337, CPS501b requests CPS501a to attach bibliographic information to the generated print job 816 (Job').
In S1338, CPS501a attaches bibliographic information to the print job 816 (Job') generated in S1334 in response to the request from CPS501a in S1337.

In S1341, CPS501b requests CPS501a to input a print job 816 (Job') to the spooler.
In S1342, CPS501a inputs the print job 816 (Job') generated in S1334 to the physical spooler 503 in response to the request from CPS501a in S1342. As described above, in the present embodiment, the printed job 816 duplicated in the physical spooler 503 is input by generating (duplicate) a new print job 816 while holding the original print job 815 on the virtual spooler 502. can do. The print job 816 submitted to the physical spooler 503 is acquired and printed in the subsequent processing.
In S1343, the CPS 501a transmits a response to the CPS 501b indicating that the print job 816 (Job') has been input to the physical spooler 503.
In S1344, CPS501b updates the bibliographic information of print job 815 (Job) based on the response from CPS501a in S1343. As a result, information regarding the input of the print job 816 (Job') to the physical spooler 503 on the CPS501a side is recorded with respect to the bibliographic information. By this update process, it becomes possible to manage on CPS501b that Job is printed by another route and that Job is in the status saved in CPS501a for reprinting.
In S1345, CPS501b requests CPS501a to update the bibliographic information.
In S1346, CPS501a updates the bibliographic information attached to the print job 816 (Job') in response to the request from CPS501b in S1345 according to the update status of the bibliographic information on the CPS501b side. If CPS501a does not manage the print status such as printed, the process of S1335-S1336 may be skipped.

In S1351, the printing apparatus 101 requests the CPS 501a to transmit the print job held in the CPS 501a. Requests related to the transmission of this print job are polled at intervals set in advance as polling intervals for pull printing. When the CPS501a notifies the job submission by the push method, the process of S1351 is executed according to the receipt of the push notification indicating that the job has been submitted. In S1352, the CPS 501a sends a print job 816 (Job') held in the physical spooler 503 as a response in response to a request from the printing apparatus 101 in S1351.
In S1353, the printing apparatus 101 executes a process related to printing based on the print job 816 (Job') transmitted from CPS501a in S1352.

Further, in S1354, the printing apparatus 101 notifies CPS501a of an event indicating that the transmission of the print job 816 (Job') in S1352 is completed.
In S1355, CPS501a deletes the print job 816 (Job') held in the physical spooler 503 in response to the notification of the event from the printing device 101 in S1354.

In S1361, CPS501a notifies CPS501b of an event indicating that the transmission of the print job 816 (Job') to the printing apparatus 101 is completed.
In S1362, CPS501b updates the bibliographic information in response to the notification of the event from CPS501a in S1361. As a result, information regarding the deletion of the print job 816 (Job') held in the physical spooler 503 on the CPS501a side is recorded with respect to the bibliographic information.

When the processing related to printing in S1353 is completed, in S1364, the printing apparatus 101 notifies CPS501a of an event indicating that printing is completed.
In S1365, CPS501a notifies CPS501b of an event indicating that printing is completed in response to the notification of the event from the printing apparatus 101 in S1364.
In S1366, the CPS501b updates the bibliographic information in response to the notification of the event from the CPS501a in S1365. As a result, it is possible to memorize that the processing related to printing is completed by another route for the bibliographic information.

Next, FIG. 13C will be described. FIG. 13C shows a method of deleting a print job held for reprinting in the virtual spooler of CPS501a.

In S1371, CPS501b refers to the print job held in CPS501a. As a result, the CPS501b can recognize that the print job 815 (Job) is held in the virtual spooler 502 of the CPS501a.
In S1375, CPS501b requests CPS501a to delete the print job 815 (Job). This request is reprinted even if a predetermined number of days have elapsed after the user explicitly deletes the print or the print process based on the print job 816, which is a duplicate of the print job 815, is completed. Is executed when is not done. The predetermined number of days is, for example, the predetermined number of days is the retention period of the job, and is preset by an administrator or the like.
In S1376, CPS501a deletes the print job 815 (Job) held in the virtual spooler 502 in response to the request from CPS501a in S1375.
In S1377, CPS501a sends a response to CPS501b indicating that the deletion of the print job 815 (Job) is completed.
In S1378, CPS501b updates the bibliographic information in response to the response from CPS501a in S1377. As a result, information regarding the deletion of the print job 815 (Job) held in the virtual spooler 502 of the CPS501a is recorded with respect to the bibliographic information.

As described above, with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C, an example of the processing sequence when the first cooperation means is applied has been described with particular attention to the cooperation between the CPS 501a, the CPS 501b, and the printing apparatus 101.

(Second means of cooperation)
With reference to FIG. 14, an example of the processing sequence when the second cooperation means is applied will be described with particular attention to the cooperation between the CPS 501a, the CPS 501b, and the printing apparatus 101.

First, preprocessing will be described. In S1401, the printing device 101 performs a setting change process so that the print job transmitted from the CPS 501a can be held in the storage of the printing device 101. In this setting change process, the operation setting of the printing device 101 is changed so that the print job received by the spool is set to hold the print job transmitted from the destination (CPS501a) satisfying the specified condition. The setting change may be made via the operation unit of the printing device 101, or may be remotely instructed to the printing device 101 from CPS501a or the like. In the case of remote instruction, for example, the setting is changed by using the operation 1104.

Subsequently, the actual printing process and storage process will be described with reference to FIG. In S1431, the printing apparatus 101 transmits a print request to the CPS 501b in response to the "print + save" instruction (instruction related to pull printing) received from the user. Here, a case where "print + save" of the print job 815 is specified by the user will be described as an example. The printing device 101 stores identification information that uniquely identifies the print job for which the printing + saving instruction is issued in S1431. The identification information is, for example, a job ID. If "print + delete" is specified, the storage process is not performed. The storage process is used in the process of determining whether or not the print job should be saved in the process of S1465.
Upon receiving the print request for printing the print job 815, the CPS 501b requests the CPS 501a to move the print job 815 (Job) to the physical spooler 503 in S1433. For the request to move, for example, the operation 1101 described with reference to FIG. 11 is used.
Upon receiving the move request, the CPS 501a moves the print job 815 held by the virtual spooler 502 to the physical spooler 503 in S1442. The difference from the first embodiment is that the movement process is performed instead of the duplication. That is, at this point, the print job 815 is deleted from the virtual spooler 502.

In S1443, the CPS 501a transmits a response to the CPS 501b indicating that the input of the print job 815 to the physical spooler 503 is completed (movement is completed).
In S1444, CPS501b updates the bibliographic information of print job 815 (Job) based on the response from CPS501a in S1343. The CPS501a records information indicating that the print job 815 (Job) has been moved to the physical spooler 503 on the CPS501a side. By this update process, it becomes possible to manage on CPS501b that Job is printed by another route.
The acquisition and printing processes of S1451 to S1464 are the same printing processes as those of S1351 to S1364 described with reference to FIG. 13 (c). The difference from FIG. 13 (c) is that the processed print job is processed instead of the duplicated job.

Subsequently, the process of saving the print job in the printing apparatus 101 will be described. In S1465, when the printed job is a print job satisfying the holding condition, the printing device 101 holds the printing job on the printing device 101 for reprinting. Specifically, the printing apparatus 101 first determines whether or not the print job matches the condition for which the setting has been changed in S1401. If it is determined that the print job does not match the condition for which the setting has been changed, the process proceeds to S1466 without performing the save process.
If it is determined that the print job matches the condition for which the setting has been changed, the second determination process is performed. The printing apparatus 101 determines whether or not the identification information of the print job received from CPS501a and printed matches the identification information stored in S1431. If it is determined that they match, the print job is retained for reprinting.
On the other hand, if it is determined that they do not match, the printing apparatus 101 proceeds to S1466 without performing the storage process. Therefore, when a print job for which [Print + Delete] is instructed is received, the print job is discarded when printing is completed.

Subsequently, the bibliographic information of the retained print job is generated. The bibliographic information is based on the bibliographic information of the print job for which "print + save" is specified, and the save destination information is rewritten from CPS501a to the storage area of the printing apparatus 101. That is, the bibliographic information before accepting the print instruction is copied to the job ID and the print setting, and the information indicating the storage area of the actual data is changed. In addition, the bibliographic information includes a flag indicating that printing was successful and a flag indicating that the bibliographic information is held for reprinting.
Subsequently, in S1466, the printing apparatus 101 transmits a request for updating Job bibliographic information to CPS501b in S1465. Upon receiving the request, CPS501b specifies the bibliographic information to be updated based on the identification information in S1466, and updates the content of the specified bibliographic information. By this process, the save destination of the new print job is appropriately notified to the CPS501b, and the bibliographic information managed by the CPS501b is updated to the new storage destination. If the print job is not saved instead of the process of S1465, the CPS501b is notified of the completion of execution of the job ID corresponding to the print job 815.

By the process described above, the print job for which saving + printing is specified in the printing device 101 can be held for reprinting on the printing device 101 side. Further, the job acquisition destination information (for example, URL) included in the bibliographic information on CPS501b is also updated from CPS501a to the printing apparatus 101.
After that, when a user operation for reprinting the same print job is performed, a print request (job acquisition request) is transmitted to the printing device 101 based on the bibliographic information updated in S1466. Upon receiving the print request (job acquisition request), the printing device 101 transmits a print job to the other printing device of the request source. The other printing device performs the printing process based on the print job received from the printing device 101.

By the process of the second embodiment described above, it is possible to perform reprinting while suppressing the retention of a large amount of print data on the tenant of CPS501a for storage. Further, it is assumed that reprinting is often performed from the same printing device 101 or a nearby printing device. Therefore, a secondary effect such as being able to increase the possibility of speeding up the provision (delivery) of print data at the time of reprinting can be obtained. In addition, the print job will be saved in the local storage area of the printing device for which [Print + Save] is instructed. Therefore, print jobs can be distributed and stored in the local storage of each printer under the control of CPS501b. Therefore, in the entire printing system, it is possible to obtain an effect that the storage cost required for storing the print job can be reduced.

As described above, with reference to FIG. 14, an example of the processing sequence when the second cooperation means is applied has been described with particular attention to the cooperation between the CPS 501a, the CPS 501b, and the printing apparatus 101.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or recording medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 Printing equipment 501a, 501b CPS
502 Virtual Spooler 503 Physical Spooler 504 Device Spooler

Claims (8)

It ’s a method of providing cloud print services.
A first storage step in which a virtual printer for another cloud print service different from the cloud print service receives a print job designated as a destination and stores it in the first spool area.
A printing device provided with printing means as a physical resource corresponding to the virtual printer when a request related to a print job is received from the other cloud print service after the storage in the first storage step is performed. On the other hand, a second storage step of storing the print job including the print data in the second spool area provided for providing the print data constituting the print job without going through the other cloud print service. When,
A providing step of providing a print job stored in the second spool area to the printing device based on a request from the printing device, and a providing process.
When the request is the first request, the print job is stored in the second spool area without deleting the print job related to the request from the first spool area, and the request is the second request. In the case of the request, the job control step of moving the print job from the first spool area to the second spool area and controlling the print job so that the print job is not stored in the first spool area.
A providing method characterized by having. The provision method according to claim 1, wherein the first request is a duplication request for duplicating a designated print job, and the second request is a move request for moving a print job. Claim 1 is characterized by further comprising a first registration step of registering information indicating that movement has been performed as management information of the print job after storing the print job in the second spool area. Or the provision method according to 2. It is characterized by further having a second registration step of registering information indicating that printing has been performed by moving as management information after printing of the print job stored in the second spool area is completed. The provision method according to claim 1 or 2. Any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the print job stored in the first spool area corresponding to the virtual printer is deleted according to the cloud print service receiving the print job deletion request. The provision method described in item 1. The provision according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the print job stored in the second spool area is deleted according to the completion of the provision of the print job in the provision step. Method. A printing device that works with the first cloud print service and the second cloud print service.
A display means for displaying a selection screen for selecting a print job for which the second cloud print service manages information, and a display means.
The identification information that identifies the print job is stored when the user instructs to print the selected print job via the selection screen and keep it for reprinting even after the printing is completed. Memories and
A transmission means for transmitting a print request to the second cloud print service when the user instruction is given, and
When the print job corresponding to the print request is provided from the first cloud print service, the printing means for printing based on the print job and the printing means.
When a print job having the same identification information as the identification information is provided from the first cloud print service, a storage means for storing the print job in the storage area for reprinting, and a storage means.
And, a printing apparatus characterized by having. Further, the storage means further comprises a requesting means for requesting the second cloud print service to update the information when the print job is stored in the storage area for reprinting.
The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the request of the requesting means includes information for updating the information indicating the storage destination of the print job to the printing device.

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