JP5760908B2 - Document output system, print management apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document output system that prints out an electronic document stored on a cloud server.

  In recent years, document management services and the like for storing various electronic documents on a cloud server have begun to be provided.

  There is also a document output system that downloads an electronic document managed by the document management service on the cloud as described above and prints it out with an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral). Proposed.

  In addition, such a document output system includes not only a single MFP but also a plurality of MFPs.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique that uses cache data when reprinting WEB content, although it is not a technique that uses a document management service on the cloud. More specifically, in this patent document 1, data used when printing WEB content in a certain printing apparatus is cached (saved) in the printing apparatus, and the cache data is reprinted when the WEB content is reprinted. The technology that uses is described.

JP 2008-269159 A

  By the way, in the document output system as described above, an electronic document stored on the cloud server is accessed as necessary, and the electronic document is printed out. At this time, the electronic document is transmitted (downloaded) from the cloud server to the client computer in response to a request from the client computer.

  When downloading the electronic document from the cloud server via the Internet or the like, it may take a relatively long time to download depending on the network conditions. For this reason, a relatively long time may be required from the print instruction to the completion of the print output.

  With regard to such a problem, if the technology described in Patent Document 1 is applied, if the same content has been output in the past in a certain printing apparatus, it is possible to perform print output without requiring download. It is. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of the above problem.

  However, even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a document output system having a plurality of printing apparatuses (image forming apparatuses), the following problems exist.

  Specifically, after printing a certain content in a certain printing device (also referred to as a first printing device), the printing device (also referred to as a second printing device) different from the first printing device. Assume a situation in which the same electronic document is printed. In this situation, if the second printing apparatus has not output the same content in the past, the cache is not stored in the second printing apparatus. Downloading electronic document data from the server is required. As a result, a relatively long time may be required for download, and a relatively long time may be required from the print instruction to the completion of print output.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for efficiently printing out an electronic document stored on a cloud in a document output system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a document output system for printing out an electronic document stored in a cloud server, the print management apparatus capable of communicating with the cloud server, and the print management. A plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of communicating with the apparatus and printing out the electronic document, wherein the print management apparatus is a request source image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses In response to the output request from the cloud server, downloads the data of the electronic document from the cloud server, and transfers the data to the requesting image forming apparatus; and for specifying a print output destination for the electronic document Determining means for determining a cache destination of the electronic document from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices based on the information; In response to a new output request from an image forming apparatus that is a new request source among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, a storage control unit that stores the data downloaded from the cloud server in the cache destination as cache data, Print control means for causing the new request source image forming apparatus to print out the electronic document using the cache data stored in the cache destination.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to the first aspect of the invention, the determining means determines the cache destination based on access restriction information for each shared user of the electronic document. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines the cache destination based on a print rule relating to a print output destination according to the characteristics of the electronic document. It is characterized by determining.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the determining unit determines the cache destination of the electronic document for each shared user of the electronic document. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determining means includes a usage target device that is a device that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user of the electronic document. When the image forming apparatus can be narrowed down to one image forming apparatus from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the one image forming apparatus is determined as the cache destination for the specific shared user, and the use target apparatus is determined as one image forming apparatus. When it is not possible to narrow down to the above, the print management apparatus is determined as the cache destination for the specific shared user.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the deciding means is configured for each of a plurality of shared users of the electronic document based on an access history related to the electronic document. Determining whether or not the cache data of the electronic document is necessary.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the print control means responds to the new output request from the image forming apparatus as the new request source. When the new request source image forming apparatus is an apparatus having the cache data, a first instruction indicating that print output should be performed using the cache data is sent to the new request source. If the new request source image forming apparatus is an apparatus that does not have the cache data, the cache data stored in the print management apparatus is used as the new request source image. And transferring to the new requesting image forming apparatus a second instruction to print out using the transferred cache data. To.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the storage control means is the last use schedule among users scheduled to use the cache data at a specific cache destination. When the print output by the user is completed, the cache data is deleted from the specific cache destination.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the document output system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the print control means responds to the new output request from the image forming apparatus as the new request source. The new request source image forming apparatus executes the print output, and the communication control unit performs the electronic output from the cloud server after the print output based on the new output request or in parallel with the print output. The data of the document is downloaded.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a print management apparatus capable of communicating with a cloud server storing electronic documents and capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and is a request among the plurality of image forming apparatuses. In response to an output request from the original image forming apparatus, the electronic document data is downloaded from the cloud server and the data is transferred to the requesting image forming apparatus, and the electronic document A determination unit that determines a cache destination of the electronic document from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices based on the print output destination specifying information; and the downloaded from the cloud server A storage control unit for storing data as cache data in the cache destination; and a new request source image of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. In response to a new output request from the forming apparatus, print control means for causing the new requesting image forming apparatus to print out the electronic document using the cache data stored in the cache destination. It is characterized by having.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer built in a print management apparatus capable of communicating with a cloud server storing electronic documents and capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses. In response to an output request from the requesting image forming apparatus of the apparatus, downloading the data of the electronic document from the cloud server, and transferring the data to the requesting image forming apparatus; b ) Based on the print output destination specifying information related to the electronic document, a cache destination of the electronic document is determined from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices, and downloaded from the cloud server Storing the data as cache data in the cache destination; c) a new one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses In response to a new output request from the requesting image forming apparatus, using the cache data stored in the cache destination to cause the new requesting image forming apparatus to print out the electronic document. It is the program for performing these.

  According to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, in the document output system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the cache data is effectively used to efficiently print out the electronic document stored on the cloud. It is possible.

  In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, whether or not an apparatus that can be used as a print output apparatus by a specific shared user can be narrowed down to one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10. Accordingly, the storage destination of the cache data is determined to be either a specific image forming apparatus or a print management apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to determine the cache data storage destination very appropriately.

  In particular, according to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to suppress the required storage capacity by preparing the cache data only for the users who need the cache data.

  In particular, according to the invention described in claim 9, since the download history remains in the cloud server, the history information on the cloud server can be recorded more accurately.

It is a figure which shows a document output system. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP. FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in this system. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement in this system. It is a figure which shows the accompanying data of an electronic document. This is information indicating an access history related to an electronic document. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating user types related to management target users in the print management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the printing rule in a printing management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the access restriction for every user. It is a figure which shows the data table which manages the storage destination etc. of cache data. It is a figure which shows the data table which manages the storage destination etc. of cache data. It is a figure which shows the data table which manages the storage destination etc. of cache data. It is a figure which shows the data table which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Outline of configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a document output system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the document output system 11 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 (specifically, 10a, 10b, 10c,...), A plurality of client computers 30, a print management apparatus 50, a gateway computer 70, and a cloud. And a server computer 90.

  The local devices 10, 30, 50, and 70 are connected to a cloud server computer (also simply referred to as a cloud server) 90 via a network NW. The network NW is configured by a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like. Further, the connection mode to the network NW may be wired connection or wireless connection.

  The print management apparatus 50 (also referred to as an in-house server computer or simply as an in-house server), each image forming apparatus 10 and each client computer (also simply referred to as a client) 30 communicate with each other via an in-house network (local network). Is possible. Communication in the local network is faster than communication between the local device and the cloud server 90 via the Internet.

  The cloud server 90 is a computer that provides various services (here, a document storage service) via a network. The cloud server 90 is arranged in a company or the like on the cloud service providing side. In the cloud server 90, an electronic document (shared document) shared by a plurality of users is stored and managed.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus that can use a cloud service. The image forming apparatus 10 is arranged in a company or the like on the cloud service usage side. The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus capable of printing out an electronic document. The image forming apparatus 10 acquires data of a designated electronic document based on an operation instruction from an operation user, and performs a print output operation (and display output operation) based on the data. The image forming apparatus 10 is also referred to as a print output apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 10 transmits / receives electronic document data to / from the cloud server 90 via the print management apparatus 50.

  The print management device 50 is a print management server shared by a plurality of users. The print management apparatus 50 can communicate with the cloud server 90 via a gateway computer 70 (also simply referred to as a gateway). The print management apparatus 50 sends a transmission request for electronic document data to the cloud server 90 in response to a print output request (or display output request) from each image forming apparatus 10.

  In this embodiment, the print management apparatus 50 caches the electronic document data received from the cloud server 90 in the print management apparatus 50 and / or a specific image forming apparatus 10 among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 ( Store. Each image forming apparatus 10 acquires electronic document data from either the print management apparatus 50 or the self apparatus 10 (with the cloud server 90) and performs a print output operation based on the data.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 a performs printing related to a certain electronic document (shared document) Da in response to a printing instruction from a certain user UA, the print management apparatus 50 receives data of the electronic document Da from the cloud server 90. Download the data, transfer the data to the image forming apparatus 10a, and cause the image forming apparatus 10a to print out the electronic document Da. At this time, the print management apparatus 50 stores the data of the electronic document Da in a specific cache destination (local apparatus) determined based on information about the electronic document Da. After that, when another image forming apparatus 10b performs printing related to the electronic document (shared document) Da in response to a new print instruction from another user UB, the image forming apparatus 10b has a specific cache destination (self Print output is executed using the cache data stored in the apparatus 10b).

  Such an operation will be described in detail later.

<2. Configuration of image forming apparatus>
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  In this embodiment, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 10.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the MFP 10.

  The MFP 10 is a device (also referred to as a multi-function device) having a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box storage function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an input / output unit 6, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by operating these components in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 optically reads (that is, scans) a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data of the document (also referred to as a scanned image). It is. The image reading unit 2 is also referred to as a scanning unit.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Further, the communication unit 4 can perform network communication via the network NW. In this network communication, for example, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 10 can exchange various data with a desired destination.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 5 stores data relating to the print job. The storage unit 5 also stores the cache data of the electronic document Da sent from the print management apparatus 50.

  The input / output unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing a predetermined software program (hereinafter also simply referred to as a program) PG1 stored in a ROM (for example, EEPROM) in the CPU. The program PG1 may be installed in the MFP 10 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network NW.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 9 implements various processing units including a print instruction receiving unit 11, a communication control unit 12, and a print output control unit 15.

  The print instruction receiving unit 11 is a processing unit that receives a print instruction input by each operation user using the operation input unit 6a.

  The communication control unit 12 is a processing unit that controls the communication operation with the print management apparatus 50 and the like in cooperation with the communication unit 4 and the like.

  The print output control unit 15 is a processing unit that controls a print output operation using the print output unit 3. The print output control unit 15 executes a print output operation using the cache data when the cache data regarding the document to be printed exists in the apparatus.

<3. Configuration of Print Management Device 50>
Next, the configuration of the print management apparatus 50 will be described.

  The print management apparatus 50 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the print management apparatus 50 includes a communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, a CPU 59, and the like. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the print management apparatus 50.

  The communication unit 54 is a processing unit that performs communication with the MFP 10, the cloud server 90, and the like through network communication.

  The storage unit 55 is a processing unit that stores various types of information, and includes a hard disk or the like. The storage unit 55 stores cache data and the like of the electronic document Da as necessary.

  The CPU 59 implements various processing units by executing a predetermined software program (program) PG2. Specifically, the program PG2 is executed by the CPU 59 of the server 50, thereby including a communication control unit 61, a cache destination determination unit 63, a storage control unit 65, and a print control unit 67, as shown in FIG. Various processing units are realized. The program PG2 may be installed in the server 50 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network NW.

  The communication control unit 61 responds to an output request from a certain image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses (here, a plurality of MFPs) 10 (more specifically, the first print output request related to a certain electronic document Da). In response, the data of the electronic document Da is downloaded from the cloud server 90. The communication control unit 61 also executes processing for transferring the data to the requesting image forming apparatus 10. The requesting image forming apparatus 10 executes printout of the electronic document Da using the transferred data. The communication control unit 61 also executes processing for transferring cache data stored in the print management apparatus 50 to the new request source image forming apparatus 10 in response to a new print output instruction.

  Based on the print output destination specifying information regarding the electronic document Da, the cache destination determination unit 63 selects the electronic document Da from among a plurality of candidate devices (local devices) including the print management device 50 and a plurality of image forming devices. A cache destination (a cache destination device in detail) is determined. Specifically, the cache destination determination unit 63 narrows down devices (print output destination devices) that can print out the electronic document Da based on the print output destination specifying information, and determines the cache destination based on the narrowing result. To do. Note that the print output destination specifying information includes various pieces of information for specifying (narrowing down) the print output destination of the electronic document Da. As will be described later, the print output destination specifying information is constituted by, for example, access restriction information and a print rule.

  The storage control unit 65 controls the operation of storing the data of the electronic document Da downloaded from the cloud server 90 as cache data in the cache destination.

  The print control unit 67 controls print output operations of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10. For example, the print control unit 67 responds to a new print output instruction from a new request source image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses using the cache data stored in the cache destination. The electronic document Da is printed out on the new request source image forming apparatus.

<5. Overview of operation>
4 and 5 are diagrams showing operations in the present system. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4 and the like, the gateway 70 and the like are omitted for simplification.

  Hereinafter, a case where the users UA, UB, and UC print out the shared document Da in this order will be exemplified. In more detail, (1) First, a print output instruction is given to the image forming apparatus 10a by an operation of the user UA, and in response to the print output instruction, the electronic mail is sent from the cloud server 90 via the print management apparatus 50. The document Da is downloaded, and the electronic document Da is printed out by the image forming apparatus 10a. (2) Then, a cache destination of the downloaded electronic document Da (specifically, the data) is determined, and the downloaded data (data of the electronic document Da) is stored in the cache destination as cache data. The cache data is used when a user who has not yet printed out the electronic document Da (here, users UB and UC) prints out the electronic document Da later. (3) Thereafter, print output by the users UB and UC for the electronic document Da is sequentially executed using the cache data. Such an aspect will be described.

  (1) First, when the user UA logs in to the image forming apparatus 10a and operates the image forming apparatus 10a to give a print output instruction to the electronic document Da on the cloud server, a print output request based on the print output instruction Is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 a to the print management apparatus 50. The first print output request for each electronic document is also expressed as a download request for downloading the electronic document from the cloud server.

  In response to the print output request from the image forming apparatus 10a (first print output request for the electronic document Da), the print management apparatus 50 transmits a download request for the electronic document Da to the cloud server 90 (step S11). In response to the download request, the cloud server 90 transmits the electronic document Da (specifically, the data BD) to the print management device 50, and the print management device 50 transmits the electronic document Da (specifically, the data BD). BD) is received (that is, downloaded) (step S12).

  The print management apparatus 50 transfers the downloaded electronic document Da to the requesting image forming apparatus 10a (step S13). The image forming apparatus 10a prints out the electronic document Da based on the transferred data BD (data of the electronic document Da). In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10a deletes the data BD from the own apparatus 10a after print output in order to effectively use the storage area in the own apparatus 10a.

  (2) Furthermore, the print management device 50 is referred to as a plurality of candidate devices (referred to as local devices) including the print management server 50 and the plurality of image forming devices 10 based on the data shown in FIGS. ) Determines the cache destination of the electronic document Da, and stores the electronic document Da in the cache destination (steps S14 to S18).

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing data stored in the cloud server 90. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data BD of the electronic document Da and the accompanying data AD accompanying the data BD of the electronic document managed by the cloud server 90. In the accompanying data AD of FIG. 6, information on the “number of pages”, “color / monochrome”, “whether or not it is a shared document”, and “shared user” of the electronic document Da is stored. More specifically, the number of pages of the electronic document Da is “100 pages”, and information indicating that the electronic document Da should be printed out in “color (full color)” is stored. Further, the fact that the electronic document Da is a “shared document” and the shared user of the electronic document Da is “users UA, UB, UC, UD, UX” is also stored.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing access history data HD related to the electronic document Da. In the access history data HD of FIG. 7, an access history for each shared user is stored. Specifically, it is recorded that access from the users UA, UD, and UX has already been performed, but access from the users UB and UC has not been performed yet.

  8 to 10 are diagrams showing data stored in the print management apparatus 50. FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing user management data MD including a management target user and its user type in the print management apparatus 50. In the user management data MD of FIG. 8, it is stored that four users UA, UB, UC, and UD are “management target users” in the print management apparatus 50. Also, the user type of each user is managed. Specifically, it is also stored that the users UA and UC are “managers”, the user UB is a “group leader”, and the user UD is a “general user”.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating print rules RL in a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 managed by the print management apparatus 50. In FIG. 9, the printing rule RL1 is shown. The print rule RL1 is “a document of color and 50 pages or more is printed by the MFP 10a or MFP 10b”.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing access restriction information RD for each user. Specifically, the restriction information RD regarding the print output destination of each user is shown. In FIG. 10, it is defined that the user UB is “printable only by the MFP 10b”, and the user UD is defined by “printable only by the MFP 10a”. On the other hand, for the users UA and UC, it is defined that “there is no access restriction (printing can be performed by any MFP managed by the print management apparatus 50)”.

  Specifically, first, in step S14, whether or not the cache data related to the electronic document (shared document) Da shared by a plurality of users (shared users) is determined for each shared user.

  Specifically, it is confirmed by the accompanying data AD in FIG. 6 that the electronic document Da is a “shared document”. That is, a shared document check is performed.

  Further, it is determined by the user management data MD in FIG. 8 that only four users UA, UB, UC, and UD among the plurality of shared users of the electronic document Da are management target users in the print management apparatus 50. Since the user UX is not a management target user, the user UX is excluded from management targets in the print management apparatus 50. Therefore, it is determined that no cache data is required for the user UX.

  Further, whether or not the cache data is necessary is determined for each user based on the access history of each user. Specifically, access by the users UA, UD, and UX has already been performed based on the access history data HD in FIG. 7, and there is a low possibility that a new printing operation from the users UA, UD, and UX will be performed. It is determined that the cache data is not required for the users UA, UD, and UX. For this reason, it is determined that the cache data is not required for the users UA and UD in addition to the already excluded user UX.

  As a result of these determination processes, it is determined that the users requiring cache data are only the users UB and UC among the five shared users related to the electronic document Da.

  In this way, a user who has not yet accessed the electronic document Da among the plurality of shared users of the electronic document Da based on the access history data HD or the like related to the electronic document Da is cached data of the electronic document Da. Is determined as a user that requires a user (also referred to as a “user who needs a cache”).

  Next, based on the print output destination specifying information in steps S15 and S16, the cache destination of the electronic document Da is selected from among a plurality of candidate devices (local devices) including the print management device 50 and the plurality of image forming devices 10. Is determined. The cache destination of the electronic document Da is determined for each shared user of the electronic document Da, more specifically, for each user (cache required user) determined to require cache data in step S14. Further, here, as the print output destination specifying information, the access restriction information RD (see FIG. 10) and the print rule RL (see FIG. 9) are exemplified. Of the plurality of users, the cache destination is not determined for users other than the cache-required user (determined that the cache data is unnecessary).

  First, in step S15, based on the access restriction information (see FIG. 10) for each shared user of the electronic document Da, each print output destination for each user UB, UC is narrowed down, and each cache destination for each user UB, UC. Are each narrowed down.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since “user UB can only be printed by MFP 10b”, “MFP 10b” is determined by being narrowed down from a plurality of MFPs as a cache destination for user UB (cache data). The

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, since there is no access restriction regarding the user UC, the cache destination regarding the user UC (for cache data) is not narrowed down from a plurality of MFPs.

  In step S16, the print output destinations related to the users UB and UC are narrowed down based on the print rule RL1 related to the print output destination corresponding to the characteristics of the electronic document, and the cache destinations related to the users UB and UC are determined. It is narrowed down.

  As shown in FIG. 9, “print a color and a document of 50 pages or more with the MFP 10a or the MFP 10b” is defined as the print rule RL1. As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic document Da is a “color and 100 pages” document. Therefore, the print output destination of the electronic document Da is “MFP 10a or MFP 10b”. As described above, by the narrowing-down process based on the print rule RL1, the cache destinations related to the users UB and UC are narrowed down to “MFP 10a or MFP 10b” among a plurality of MFPs.

  In step S17, each cache destination regarding each user UB and UC is narrowed down based on both the narrowing condition in step S15 and the narrowing condition in step S16. That is, each cache destination regarding each user UB and UC is narrowed down by “AND search” using the narrowing-down condition in step S15 and the narrowing-down condition in step S16.

  In step S17, devices that can be used as print output devices by specific sharing users of the electronic document Da (also referred to as use target devices) can be narrowed down to one image forming device (single image forming device). Sometimes, the one image forming apparatus is determined as a cache destination related to the specific shared user. On the other hand, when a device (usage target device) that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user of the electronic document Da cannot be narrowed down to one image forming device, the print management device 50 caches the specific shared user. Determined as the destination.

  Specifically, “MFP 10b” is determined as the cache destination for the user UB (for cache data).

  Specifically, for user UB, “MFP 10b” is selected as the cache destination by narrowing down the AND result of the narrowing result (“MFP 10b”) in step S15 and the narrowing result in step S16 (“MFP 10a or MFP 10b”). It is determined.

  In this way, a device (usage target device) that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user UB of the electronic document Da is narrowed down to a single image forming device 10b from the plurality of image forming devices 10. When possible, the cache destination determination unit 63 determines the one image forming apparatus 10b as a cache destination related to a specific shared user UB.

  On the other hand, since the cache destination related to the user UC cannot be narrowed down to one MFP, the cache destination related to the user UC is indefinite.

  Specifically, regarding the user UC, two devices (“MFP10a or MFP10a or MFP 10b ") can only be narrowed down. At this time, “print management apparatus 50” is determined as the cache destination. In other words, the print management apparatus 50 is determined as a cache destination common to the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10a and 10b.

  As described above, a device (usage target device) that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user UC of the electronic document Da cannot be narrowed down to a single image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices 10. Sometimes, the cache destination determining unit 63 determines the print management apparatus 50 as a cache destination related to a specific shared user UC.

  When the cache destination for each user UB, UC is determined (step S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the data BD downloaded in step S12 is stored as cache data in the cache destination determined in step S17. Specifically, the cache data BD (for the user UB) is stored in the MFP 10b (specifically, the cache data storage unit 5c (FIG. 2) in the storage unit 5), and the print management apparatus 50 (specifically, the storage unit 55). The cache data BD (for the user UC) is stored in the cache data storage unit 55c (FIG. 3) (see FIG. 11). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data table (also referred to as a cache destination management table) TL1 in which the storage destination of the cache data BD is recorded. The data table TL1 is stored in the print management apparatus 50 and managed by the print management apparatus 50.

  (3) Thereafter, print output by the users UB and UC for the electronic document Da is executed using the cache data BD.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user UB logs in to the MFP 10b and performs a print output operation on the electronic document Da using the MFP 10b, the MFP 10b outputs a print output by the user UB to the print management apparatus 50. The fact that the instruction has been given (print output request) is notified (step S21).

  When the print management apparatus 50 receives the notification (print output request), the print management apparatus 50 prints using the data (cache data) BD cached in the MFP 10b to the MFP 10b based on the data table TL1 of FIG. An instruction to execute the output is given (step S22).

  As described above, when the MFP 10b of the new request source (specifically, the request source of the new output request) is a device having the cache data BD, the print management apparatus 50 receives the request from the MFP 10b of the new request source. In response to a new output request (print output request), an instruction to print out using the cache data BD (in-device cache use print instruction) is sent to the MFP 10b.

  The MFP 10b executes a print output operation using the cache data BD based on the in-device cache use print instruction (step S23). Since this print output operation can use the cache data BD in the own apparatus 10b, the MFP 10b does not need to download the electronic document data from the cloud server 90 again. Therefore, it is possible to start print output relatively early, and it is possible to realize an efficient print output operation.

  Here, the user UB is the last scheduled user among users scheduled to use the data (cache data) of the electronic document Da stored (cached) in the MFP 10b. Therefore, after the end of the print output, the print management apparatus 50 deletes the cache data BD from the MFP 10b in response to access from the user UB (specifically, print output). Specifically, when the print management apparatus 50 receives a print completion notification from the MFP 10b (step S24), the print management apparatus 50 transmits a cache deletion instruction to the MFP 10b (step S25), and stores the cache data BD in the MFP 10b in the MFP 10b. It deletes (step S26). In this way, by deleting the cache data BD that is no longer needed, the required storage capacity can be suppressed and the storage area can be used efficiently. In the data table TL1, when the fact that the print output has been completed is recorded (“print output” = “Yes (print output completed)”), the registered contents of the user UB regarding the electronic document Da are also deleted (FIG. 12).

  Further, after that, the user UC performs a print output operation on the electronic document Da using any one of the MFPs 10a and 10b (here, the MFP 10a).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user UC logs in to the MFP 10a and performs a print output operation on the electronic document Da using the MFP 10a, the MFP 10a gives a print output instruction by the user UC to the print management apparatus 50. It is notified (print output request) (step S31).

  When the print management apparatus 50 receives the instruction (print output request), the print management apparatus 50 prints the MFP 10a using the data (cache data) BD cached in the print management apparatus 50 based on the data table TL1 of FIG. An instruction to execute the output is given, and the cache data is transmitted to the MFP 10a (step S32).

  As described above, when the new request source MFP 10a is an apparatus that does not have the cache data BD, the print management apparatus 50 uses the cache data BD stored in the print management apparatus 50 as the new request source. In addition to the transfer to the MFP 10a, an instruction to the effect that print output should be performed using the transferred cache data BD (transfer cache use print instruction) is sent to the MFP 10a.

  The MFP 10a executes a print output operation using the cache data BD received from the print management apparatus 50 based on the transfer cache use print instruction (step S33). In this print output operation, cache data transmitted from the print management device 50 which is a local device is used. Therefore, the MFP 10a does not need to download electronic document data from the cloud server 90 again. Therefore, it is possible to start print output relatively early, and it is possible to realize an efficient print output operation.

  Here, this user UC is the last user scheduled to be used among the users scheduled to use the cache data of the electronic document Da stored (cached) in the print management apparatus 50. Therefore, the print management apparatus 50 deletes the cache data from the print management apparatus 50 in response to the access from the user UC (specifically, the print output) after the completion of the print output. Specifically, when receiving a print completion notification from the MFP 10a (step S34), the print management apparatus 50 deletes the cache data BD in the print management apparatus 50 (step S36). In this way, by deleting cache data that is no longer needed, the required storage capacity can be suppressed and the storage area can be used efficiently. If it is recorded in the data table TL1 that printing has been completed (“printing output” = “Yes (printed output)”), the registered contents of the user UC regarding the electronic document Da are also deleted (FIG. 13). reference).

  As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to efficiently print out an electronic document stored on the cloud by effectively using cache data.

  More specifically, once downloaded electronic document data (cache data) is stored in a local apparatus (at least one of a plurality of candidate apparatuses including the print management apparatus 50 and the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10). . By storing the cache data in the local device in this way, it is possible to increase the processing speed.

  Usually, the network communication speed between the print management apparatus 50 and the image forming apparatus 10 (so-called network communication speed between local apparatuses) is the network communication speed between the cloud server 90 and the image forming apparatus 10 ( Network communication speed via the Internet). Accordingly, the transmission time of electronic document data (specifically, cache data) from the print management apparatus 50 to the image forming apparatus 10 is shorter than the transmission time of electronic document data from the cloud server 90 to the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, it is possible to increase the processing speed by storing the cache data in the local device.

  In particular, when a device that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user UB of the electronic document Da can be narrowed down to one image forming device 10b, the one image forming device 10b can cache the specific shared user UB. Determined as the destination. Then, the cache data BD for the specific shared user UB is stored in the one image forming apparatus 10b. Thereafter, when a new print output instruction is given by a specific shared user UB in the image forming apparatus 10b that is determined as the cache destination of the electronic document Da and stores the cache data BD of the electronic document Da, The image forming apparatus 10b can print using the cache data BD stored in the apparatus 10b. That is, in response to a print output request from the specific shared user UB, the one image forming apparatus 10b acquires the data of the electronic document Da without downloading from the cloud server 90, and relatively stores the electronic document Da. It is possible to print out early. In particular, since it is not necessary to acquire electronic document data through new communication with another apparatus, it is possible to print out very quickly.

  Further, when a device that can be used as a print output device by a specific shared user UC of the electronic document Da cannot be narrowed down to one image forming device, the print management device is determined as a cache destination for the specific shared user UC. The Then, the cache data BD for the specific shared user UC is stored in the print management apparatus 50. Therefore, an increase in required storage capacity in at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses can be suppressed as compared with the case where the cache data BD is individually stored in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. In other words, an increase in the total required storage capacity in the system can be suppressed.

  As described above, the storage destination of the cache data is determined depending on whether or not a device that can be used as a print output device by each shared user can be narrowed down to one of the plurality of image forming devices 10. The specific image forming apparatus 10 or the print management apparatus 50 is determined. Therefore, it is possible to determine the storage destination of the cache data BD very appropriately.

  Further, by storing (cache) the cache data BD in the print management apparatus 50, the first request source image formation is performed as compared with the case where the cache data BD is stored only in the first request source image forming apparatus 10a. The cache data BD can be used more easily from an image forming apparatus (for example, 10b) other than the apparatus 10a. In other words, the cache data can be effectively used also in an image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus that first printed out.

  Further, whether or not the cache data BD of the electronic document Da is necessary is determined for each of a plurality of shared users of the electronic document Da based on the access history data HD related to the electronic document Da. A cache destination is determined for each cache-required user only for a cache-required user who is determined to require the cache data of the electronic document Da among the plurality of shared users. That is, the cache destination is not determined for a user other than the cache-required user. In other words, for a user who is unlikely to print the electronic document Da, a cache destination is not determined, and cache data for the user is not stored in the system (particularly the image forming apparatus 10). This prevents extra cache data from being stored in the system (particularly in the image forming apparatus 10). Thus, the required storage capacity can be suppressed by preparing the cache data only for users who need the cache data.

<6. Other>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mode in which the cache destination is determined based on both the access restriction information RD and the print rule RL in steps S15 to S17 (FIG. 4) is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the cache destination may be determined based on only the access restriction information RD or only the print rule RL. Alternatively, the cache destination may be determined based on other types of print output destination specifying information. For example, the cache destination may be determined based on the information on the user type in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the necessity of cache data by each user is determined based on an access history (specifically, a print output history) by each user is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the necessity of cache data by each user may be determined in consideration of the display output history by each user as the access history. More specifically, when the electronic document Da has already been displayed and output by a certain user, it may be determined that the cache data of the electronic document Da is unnecessary for the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cache data downloaded at the time of print output by the first user UA is exemplified (for subsequent users), but is not limited thereto. For example, data downloaded to display the electronic document Da on the display unit 6b of the image forming apparatus 10a according to the operation of the first user UA is stored in the cache destination determined in the same manner as described above (from the next time onward). It may be stored as cache data (for the user).

  In the above embodiment, the case where each user UA, UB, and UC prints out the electronic document Da using the image forming apparatuses 10a, 10b, and 10a is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the user UC may print out the electronic document Da using another image forming apparatus 10b.

  Alternatively, the user UC may download and display the electronic document Da from the cloud server 90 using a device other than the image forming device 10 (client 30 or the like). In such a case, it is preferable that the print management apparatus 50 periodically accesses the cloud server 90 to acquire the access history of the electronic document Da. When the print management apparatus 50 detects that the user UC has accessed the electronic document Da (specifically, “download” or “display output”), a cache destination for the user UC (for example, the print management apparatus 50). ) May be deleted from the cache data. Further, the print management apparatus 50 may delete the usage information of the user UC regarding the electronic document Da from the data table TL1 (see FIG. 14).

  In the above-described embodiment, in response to the print output instruction from the user UC, the MFP 10a executes the print output operation in the MFP 10a using the data (cache data) BD cached in the print management apparatus 50. The case where the data of the electronic document Da is not retransmitted from the cloud server 90 to the local device (print management device 50 or the like) is illustrated.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the MFP 10a prints out the electronic document Da using the data (cache data) cached in the print management apparatus 50 in response to the print output instruction of the user UC, FIG. Instead of the operation of 5, the operation of FIG. 15 may be performed.

  Specifically, after the print output using the cache data BD (step S33) (or in parallel with the print output), the data of the electronic document Da is downloaded from the cloud server 90 as depending on the request of the user UC. Thus, a download history (access history) by the user UC may be left in the cloud server 90. That is, data that is not used for printout may be downloaded (dummy download).

  Specifically, the print management apparatus 50 gives a request for downloading data of the electronic document Da to the cloud server 90 after the printing instruction in step S32 (step S37), and the electronic document Da is sent from the cloud server 90 to the data. Download again (step S38). As a result, the download history by the user UC remains in the cloud server 90. Since the downloaded data is unnecessary, it is immediately deleted (step S39).

  According to this, the electronic document Da is used by the user UC in the download history on the cloud server 90 even when the print output is actually performed using the cache data according to the print output operation by the user UC. Is recorded as history information. Therefore, it is possible to record the history information on the cloud server 90 more accurately, and there is no adverse effect on the use of the history information.

  The same applies to the case where the MFP 10b executes the print output operation in the MFP 10b using the data (cache data) of the electronic document Da cached in the own apparatus in response to the print output instruction of the user UB. Specifically, after the print output by using the cache data in the MFP 10b (or in parallel with the print output), the data of the electronic document Da is downloaded from the cloud server 90 as depending on the request of the user UB, and the cloud server The download history by the user UB may be left in 90.

1 Document output system 10, 10a, 10b, 10a MFP (image forming apparatus)
30 Client Computer 50 Print Management Device 70 Gateway Computer 90 Cloud Server Computer AD Associated Data BD Cache Data Da Electronic Document (Shared Document)
HD access history data MD user management data RD access restriction information RL, RL1 Print rule TL1 data table (cache destination management table)

Claims (11)

A document output system for printing out an electronic document stored in a cloud server,
A print management apparatus capable of communicating with the cloud server;
A plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of communicating with the print management apparatus and capable of printing out the electronic document;
With
The print management apparatus includes:
In response to an output request from the requesting image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the electronic document data is downloaded from the cloud server and the data is transferred to the requesting image forming apparatus. Communication control means for
Determining means for determining a cache destination of the electronic document from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices, based on print output destination specifying information regarding the electronic document;
Storage control means for storing the data downloaded from the cloud server as cache data in the cache destination;
In response to a new output request from a new request source image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the new request source image is used using the cache data stored in the cache destination. Print control means for causing the forming apparatus to print out the electronic document;
A document output system comprising: The document output system according to claim 1,
The document output system, wherein the determination unit determines the cache destination based on access restriction information for each shared user of the electronic document. The document output system according to claim 1 or 2,
The document output system, wherein the determination unit determines the cache destination based on a print rule relating to a print output destination according to the characteristics of the electronic document. The document output system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The document output system, wherein the determination unit determines the cache destination of the electronic document for each shared user of the electronic document. The document output system according to claim 4,
The determining means includes
When the use target device, which is a device that can be used as a print output device by a specific sharing user of the electronic document, can be narrowed down to one image forming device from the plurality of image forming devices, the one image Determining a forming device as the cache destination for the particular shared user;
A document output system characterized in that when the use target device cannot be narrowed down to one image forming device, the print management device is determined as the cache destination for the specific shared user. The document output system according to claim 4 or 5,
The document output system, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not cache data of the electronic document is necessary for each of a plurality of shared users of the electronic document based on an access history related to the electronic document. The document output system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The print control unit responds to the new output request from the new request source image forming apparatus,
If the new request source image forming apparatus is an apparatus having the cache data, the new request source image forming apparatus gives a first instruction to print out using the cache data. To
When the new request source image forming apparatus is an apparatus that does not have the cache data, the cache data stored in the print management apparatus is transferred to the new request source image forming apparatus, and A document output system, characterized in that a second instruction to print out using the transferred cache data is sent to the new requesting image forming apparatus. The document output system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage control unit causes the cache data to be deleted from the specific cache destination when the print output by the last user scheduled to use the cache data at the specific cache destination is completed. Output system. The document output system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The print control unit causes the new request source image forming apparatus to execute print output in response to the new output request from the new request source image forming apparatus, and
The document output system, wherein the communication control unit downloads the data of the electronic document from the cloud server after print output based on the new output request or in parallel with the print output. A print management apparatus capable of communicating with a cloud server storing electronic documents and capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
In response to an output request from the requesting image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the electronic document data is downloaded from the cloud server and the data is transferred to the requesting image forming apparatus. Communication control means for
Determining means for determining a cache destination of the electronic document from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices, based on print output destination specifying information regarding the electronic document;
Storage control means for storing the data downloaded from the cloud server as cache data in the cache destination;
In response to a new output request from a new request source image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the new request source image is used using the cache data stored in the cache destination. Print control means for causing the forming apparatus to print out the electronic document;
A print management apparatus comprising: A computer built in a print management apparatus capable of communicating with a cloud server storing electronic documents and capable of communicating with a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
a) In response to an output request from the requesting image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the electronic document data is downloaded from the cloud server, and the data is transferred to the requesting image forming apparatus. A step of transferring
b) determining a cache destination of the electronic document from a plurality of candidate devices including the print management device and a plurality of image forming devices based on the print output destination specifying information regarding the electronic document, and from the cloud server Storing the downloaded data as cache data in the cache destination;
c) In response to a new output request from a new request source image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the new request source using the cache data stored in the cache destination Causing the image forming apparatus to print out the electronic document;
A program for running

Images