JP5815822B2 - Push notification system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a push notification system in which an event message received directly from an image forming apparatus or via a print server is converted by a provider and transmitted to a push notification server, and the push notification server further pushes an event message to a mobile terminal. .

  A specification for notifying a host of an event that has occurred in a network device such as an image forming apparatus via the network is defined as WS-Eventing. According to this specification, only the type of request ( Filter element) event may be notified, and there is no need to go through a special management device.

  On the other hand, the above specifications cannot be applied to iPhone (registered trademark), and a message is pushed from the provider to iPhone via APNS (Apple Push Notification Service).

JP 2008-233994 A

"Local Notification and Push Notification Programming Guide", https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/library/documentation/RemoteNotificationsPG.pdf

  Since the above-mentioned mechanism is used to push notifications of events that have occurred in the image forming apparatus to the iPhone, when the provider is incorporated into the image forming apparatus, both specifications differ greatly. The configuration becomes complicated and an existing image forming apparatus cannot be used.

  Therefore, when the provider is arranged outside the image forming apparatus and the provider tries to convert from one of the two specifications to the other, the notification message is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the provider for iPhone. Therefore, it is incompatible with the WS-Eventing specification in which the notification destination is different for each device, and the software configuration on the image forming apparatus side must be changed accordingly. This complicates the software configuration of the image forming apparatus. Further, if an event message corresponding to each iPhone registered for subscription is sent to a provider for one event occurrence, communication traffic increases.

  In view of such a problem, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to change the existing software on the image forming apparatus side as much as possible while suppressing an increase in communication traffic even for mobile terminals having different WS-Eventing and push notification specifications. It is an object of the present invention to provide a push notification system capable of performing push notification with a reduced number.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus coupled to a network, a mobile terminal coupled to the network via an access point, and transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus to perform printing, and the network coupled to the network A push notification system comprising a provider and a push notification server coupled to the network, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a status code including a status type code and related information corresponding to the status code. When the status type code indicates a print job status, a first event message further including a device token of the mobile terminal included in the print job is generated, and the generated first event message is transmitted to the provider. The provider sends a subscription registration sent from the mobile device. In response to the request, a record including a status type code and a device token included in the subscription registration request is registered in a subscription table, and the device token is included in the first event message transmitted from the image forming apparatus. If not, the device token of the record that matches the status type code of the status code of the first event message registered in the subscription table, the status code of the first event message, and the first A second event message including the related information of one event message is generated, and if the device token is included in the first event message transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the second event message is registered in the subscription table. , The state type of the state code of the first event message A second event message including a code and the device token of the record that matches the device token of the first event message, the status code of the first event message, and the related information of the first event message; Generating and transmitting the generated second event message to the push notification server, and the push notification server sends the mobile terminal corresponding to the device token included in the second event message transmitted from the provider to the mobile terminal. A second event message is transmitted.
The provider may transmit a subscription registration request including the status type code indicating all states and the provider's IP address to the image forming apparatus when the operating system is started or in response to an instruction input. .
In addition, when the status type code of the status code of the first event message does not indicate the print job status, the provider sets the first event message to an address corresponding to the status code of the first event message in a storage area. When the related information of the event message is written, and the status type code of the status code of the first event message indicates the print job status, the status corresponding to the job ID included in the first event message in the storage area The code may be updated with the status code of the first event message.
Further, when the status type code does not indicate the print job status, the status type code may indicate the remaining amount of toner and / or the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray.
When the status type code indicates the print job status, the status code may indicate printing waiting, printing in progress, printing stop, number of printed pages, and / or printing completion.
Further, when the status type code does not indicate the print job status, the status code may indicate the remaining amount of toner for each toner and / or the remaining amount of paper in each paper feed tray.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform push notification even for mobile terminals having different push notification specifications from WS-Eventing while suppressing an increase in communication traffic and minimizing changes in existing software on the image forming apparatus side. It is possible to provide a push notification system that can do this.

  Other objects, characteristic configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in connection with the appended claims and the drawings.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the push notification system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the provider of FIG. 1, and an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of the system of FIG. 2. (A) is a block diagram of the subscription table 621 in FIG. 3, (B) is a diagram showing a correspondence table between status type codes and names, and (C) is a diagram showing a correspondence table between status codes and names. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a relationship between a print job process in the image forming apparatus main body and a notification manager. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing processing of a notification manager 622 in FIG. 3. FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the process of the notification manager 84 in FIG. It is a block diagram of the subscription table 83 in FIG. It is a schematic sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the system shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a job status storage unit in the status storage unit in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a job ID and a document name. (A) is an explanatory diagram of a pop-up display when a push notification is sent to the mobile terminal, and (B) and (C) are explanatory diagrams of a status monitor display following this display.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a push notification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In this system, N PCs (personal computers) 10-1 to 10 -N and the image forming apparatus 20 used in these units are connected by a LAN (local area network) 30. Subscribing and registering according to WS-Eventing, specifying a file to be printed and the image forming apparatus 20 from any of the PCs 10-1 to 10-N, and causing the image forming apparatus 20 to print the contents of this file, If there is a change in the state (including the print job state) regarding the image forming apparatus 20, an event message is pushed and notified to the status monitor of the apparatus subscribed and registered according to WS-Eventing. Thereby, the state can be confirmed on the monitor window.

  A mobile terminal 32 is also coupled to the LAN 30 via an access point 31, and the image forming apparatus 20 can perform printing from the mobile terminal 32 in the same manner as described above. A provider 40 is coupled to the LAN 30 in order to enable the mobile terminal 32 to notify the mobile terminal 32 of a change in state related to the image forming apparatus 20, and by requesting a push notification from the image forming apparatus 20 to the push notification server 42 via the Internet 41. The push notification server 42 is configured to send a push notification to the mobile terminal 32.

  In the following, a case where the mobile terminal 32 is iPhone and the push notification server 42 is APNS will be described. However, the present invention may be applied to other similar systems.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the provider 40 and the image forming apparatus 20 in FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus 20, the CPU 201 is coupled to the PROM 203, DRAM 204, network interface 205, auxiliary storage device 206, operation panel 207, scanner 208, printer 209, and fax modem 210 via the interface 202. In FIG. 2, a plurality of types of interfaces are represented by one block 202 for the sake of simplicity.

  The PROM 203 stores a BIOS (basic input / output system), an OS (operating system), various drivers, and various applications for functioning as an image forming apparatus. The application includes a configuration related to push notification in the image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. The DRAM 204 is used as a main storage device. The auxiliary storage device 206 stores printing data, image data read by the scanner 208, an auxiliary file described later, and facsimile reception data. Network interface 205 is coupled to LAN 30. The operation panel 207 includes an input unit and a display unit. The scanner 208 is used for generating an image file, and this file is used for printing, facsimile transmission, or file transmission. The printer 209 includes a print engine, a paper feed unit, a transport unit, and a paper discharge unit.

  In the provider 40, the CPU 401 is coupled to the PROM 403, DRAM 404, network interface 405, and auxiliary storage device 406 via the interface 402. In FIG. 2, a plurality of types of interfaces are represented by one block 402 for simplification.

  The PROM 403 is a flash memory, for example, and stores the BIOS therein. The DRAM 404 is used as a main storage device. Network interface 405 is coupled to LAN 30. The auxiliary storage device 406 stores an OS, various drivers, applications, and data. The applications include those related to push notification in the provider 40 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of the system of FIG.

  In the provider 40, the subscription unit 50 is activated and predetermined when the OS is activated, that is, when the subscription unit 50 becomes operable after the OS is activated, or by an instruction input, for example, an administrator's operation. The subscription registration request information is serialized in XML via the SOAP processing unit 51 to be sent as a SOAP request message to the image forming apparatus 20 via the HTTP / TCP / IP protocol stack in the communication unit 52 and the LAN 30. This message is supplied to the SOAP processing unit 61 via the HTTP / TCP / IP protocol stack in the communication unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 20 and is XML deserialized, and the subscription manager subscription manager 620 of the event source 62 as a subscription registration request object. To be supplied. Based on this object, the subscription manager subscription manager 620 subscribes to the subscription table 621 in the same manner as the subscription registration request from the PCs 10-1 to 10-N.

  The SOAP request message includes a ReplyTo address (address of the subscription unit 50), a NotifyTo address (address of the event sink 53), a To address (address of the subscription manager subscription manager 620) including the requested IP address, Filter A state type code (state type ID) as an element is included. This state type code (a state type code included in the subscription registration request information) is a code indicating all states.

  Since an event occurs due to a change in state, the state type is also an event type.

  FIG. 4A shows a configuration example of the subscription table 621. The subscription manager 620 generates a unique subscription ID, the status type code included in the subscription registration request object, the IP address of NotifyTo, and a time limit obtained by adding a predetermined value to the current time (the notification is valid). Subscription registration is performed by adding a record including “limit” to the subscription table 621.

  4B and 4C show a state type table and a state table, respectively. In this example, the status code is four digits, and the upper two digits are the status type code. For example, the status codes 0100 to 0104 in FIG. 4C are the job status whose status type is FIG. 4B, and similarly, the status codes 0200 to 0203 indicate that the status type is the remaining toner amount. . All the above states are represented by *.

  When an event occurs in the image forming apparatus main body 63, the notification manager 622 is called with its argument (EventArgs). In response to this, the notification manager 622 searches the subscription table 621 and performs a notification process described later.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the relationship between the print job processing in the image forming apparatus main body 63 and the notification manager 622.

  The print job data received from the communication unit 60 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 404 in FIG. This data includes a job ID and a notification destination ID in the job data main body.

  The notification destination ID is the IP address when the notification destination is any of the PCs 10-1 to 10-N and is added by the printer driver. When the notification destination is the mobile terminal 32, the push notification server 42 is a set of the IP address of 42 and the device token of the mobile terminal 32, and is added to the file to be printed by the printing application in the mobile terminal 32.

  The print processing unit 71 changes the print job status when processing starts, when printing is stopped, when printing is paused, when printing is resumed, when printed paper is ejected (when the printed page changes), and when printing ends. The event generator 72 is called. In the case of such a change in job status, the event generator 72 corresponds to one of status codes 0100 to 0104 shown in FIG. 5C, the notification destination ID, the job ID, and necessary related information (printing). When the page changes, the notification manager 622 as an event handler is called with an argument (EventArgs) 73 including the value of the page / all pages.

  In the case of a change in another state (other than the job state), the event generator 72 includes an event code that indicates the change and related information (for example, the remaining amount of toner% or the remaining amount of paper in the paper cassette). The notification manager 622 is called with an argument 73.

  The notification manager 622 starts the process shown in FIG. 6 in response to each of these calls. In the following, the step identification codes in the figure are shown in parentheses.

  (ST0) If the status code of the argument 73 indicates other than the job status (if it does not belong to the job status), that is, if the upper two-digit status type code is other than “01”, the process proceeds to step ST1, and the job status If this is the case, the process proceeds to step ST2.

  (ST1) Using this status type code as a key, the subscription table 621 in FIG. 4A is searched, and for each hit line (the “all status” row is hit), if the current time is within the time limit of this row The event information (status code, related information) is notified with the IP address as the destination. In other words, an XML-format SOAP message including this event information is generated via the SOAP processing unit 61 and transmitted to the destination via the HTTP / TCP / IP protocol stack of the communication unit 60. Next, the process of FIG.

  (ST2) If a device token is included in the notification destination ID of the event argument 73, the process proceeds to step ST3, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST4.

  (ST3) This device token is included in the event notification content.

  (ST4) The subscription table 621 shown in FIG. 4A is searched using the combination of the upper two digits (state type code) of the status code of the event argument 73 and the IP address included in the notification destination ID of the event argument 73 as a key. If the current time is within the time limit of the hit row (the “all status” row is hit if the IP addresses match), the event information (status code, job ID, device token, related information) is sent to that IP address as the destination. Information) and the process of FIG.

  When the notification destination is the provider 40, the SOAP message is transmitted to the SOAP processing unit 51 via the HTTP / TCP / IP protocol stack of the communication unit 52, XML deserialized, and the event information object is supplied to the event sink 53. The

  In response to this, the event sink 53 updates the corresponding state in the state storage unit 54 with the event information.

  The status storage unit 54 includes a table as shown in FIG. 10A regarding the job status. When the status code is a job status code, the event sink 53 is included in the event information on the table. The “status” of the line including the job ID to be updated (when the status code is not the number of printed pages) is updated with the status code, or the number of printed pages (when the status code is the number of printed pages) is included in the event information. Update with the number of printed pages. When the status code is a code other than the job status, the event sink 53 updates the status by writing the value of the related information to the address corresponding to the status code in the status storage unit 54.

  The event sink 53 also calls the notification manager 84 with the received content (event message) as an argument.

  In response to this, the notification manager 84 starts the processing shown in FIG.

  (ST10) If the status type code that is the upper 2 digits of the status code of the argument indicates that it is a job status, that is, if the upper 2 digits of the status type code is “01” (in other words, If a device token is included in the event message), the process proceeds to step ST11. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST13.

  (ST11) The subscription table 83 of FIG. 8 created as described later is searched using the set of the status type code and the device token of the argument as a key, and if the current time is within the deadline of the hit line A message object of a predetermined format including the device token, the status code of the argument, and related information is generated.

  (ST12) By calling a JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) processing unit 81 using the message object as an argument, this object is converted into the JSON format, and is converted into HTTP / SSL / TCP / in the communication unit 80. The information is transmitted to the push notification server 42 via the IP protocol stack, and the processing in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  (ST13) The subscription table 83 of FIG. 7 is searched using the status type code as a key, and for each hit line, if the current time is within the time limit of this row, the device token of this row and the status code of the argument And an object of a predetermined format including the related information, the process proceeds to step ST12.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic sequence diagram showing the operation of the system shown in FIG.

  (S0) The user 75 operates the mobile terminal 32 to install a status monitor (application).

  (S1) The user 75 touches the icon of the installed status monitor to activate it.

  (S2) This status monitor causes the user to display a setting screen, and the user performs selection and setting such as a status type code for push notification, a display method at the time of notification, and whether to sound a sound at the time of notification.

  (S3) When this setting is confirmed by the user's operation, the status monitor requests the push notification server 42 for notification registration.

  (S4) The push notification server 42 generates a device token that is a UUID (Universally Unique Identifier), and registers the device token in association with the address of the mobile terminal 32.

  (S5) The push notification server 42 returns this device token to the mobile terminal 32.

  (S6) The status monitor sends this device token together with the status type code in step S2 to the provider 40 to request subscription registration.

  (S7) This request is notified to the subscription manager 82 via the communication unit 80 and the JSON processing unit 81 in FIG. 3, and the subscription manager 82 stores the status type code, device token, and device token in the subscription table 83 as shown in FIG. Then, a record including a deadline obtained by adding a predetermined period to the current time is additionally registered. If there are a plurality of status type codes, a record corresponding to each is additionally registered.

  (S8) The subscription manager 82 further designates this device token, notifies the notification manager 84 based on the contents of the state storage unit 54 (the event message that changes each state stored in the state storage unit 54 to that state). Make an event notification request.

  In response to this, the notification manager 84 searches the subscription table 83 by using this device token as a key in response to the fact that the subscription manager 82 has performed the additional registration, and each hit hit For a row (except for a job status row at this stage), a set of each status code (address) and its value in the status storage unit 54 having the status type code is read as a key and a key value. A device object with a device token added thereto is converted into a message object of a predetermined format, and this object is converted into the JSON format by calling the JSON processing unit 81 as an argument, which is converted into HTTP / SSL / TCP in the communication unit 80. / Send to push notification server 42 via IP protocol stack. That is, each state stored in the state storage unit 54 is regarded as reception of an event message changed to that state, and a message corresponding to this is generated and transmitted to the push notification server 42.

  (S10) In response to this, the push notification server 42 pushes the received Jason format message to the mobile terminal 32 having the address corresponding to the device token.

  (S11) Upon receiving this message, the mobile terminal 32 activates the corresponding application (the status monitor), and pops up a notification according to the setting in step S2. The status monitor has a state storage unit similar to the state storage unit 54, and updates this content in the same manner as the event sink 53 based on the push notification message.

  The user 75 confirms that printing is possible with the image forming apparatus 20 by looking at a display as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C described later corresponding to the contents of the state storage unit, and sets the print application. This application is used to designate a file to be printed and the image forming apparatus 20 and make a print request via the iOS. This application generates a UUID job ID before the print request, and adds this and the device token to the contents of the file to be printed.

  The image forming apparatus 20 spools the received file and prints it in order.

  (S13) When printing is started, the print processing unit 71 calls the event generator 72 in FIG. 5 to generate a print start event, and the notification manager 622 is called.

  (S14) In response to this, the notification manager 622 performs event notification processing as described above. Accordingly, this notification is transmitted to the event sink 53 via the SOAP processing unit 61, the communication unit 60, the communication unit 52, and the SOAP processing unit 51 in FIG.

  (S15) In response to this, the event sink 53 updates the corresponding state in the state storage unit 54 with the event information as described above, and calls the notification manager 84 with the received content as an argument.

  (S16) The notification manager 84 performs the above processing of FIG. 7, and notifies the push notification server 42 of a message in the JSON format.

  (S17) The push notification server 42 pushes this message to the mobile terminal 32 in the same manner as in step S10.

  (S18) A pop-up display as shown in FIG. In this display, a table as shown in FIG. 10B is used, and the job ID included in the push notification message is changed to the document name.

  When the “display” button in FIG. 10A is touched, details of all job states as shown in FIG. 10B are displayed. This display shows the current print page with respect to the job status of each document and the total number of print pages when a plurality of print requests are made from the mobile terminal 32. Document name doc1. doc to doc5. The icons on the left side of doc indicate that the job status is “stop printing”, “printing”, “printing waiting”, “printing waiting”, and “printing waiting”, respectively.

  In each print job, every time the number of printed pages changes, an event occurs and a push notification is sent. However, the status monitor does not perform pop-up display as shown in FIG.

  When the screen is slid to the left in the state of FIG. 10B, the remaining toner state shown in FIG. 10C is displayed. The remaining amount of toner of each color of CMYK is displayed in increments of 25%, and an event occurs in the image forming apparatus 20 when the value changes.

  Note that the update of the time limit of the subscription table 621, the cancellation of the subscription, and the like are performed in accordance with the WS-Eventing specification, and the same applies to the subscription table 83 in which APNS is not directly involved.

  According to the first embodiment, when the push notification is configured to be possible even for a mobile terminal having a different push notification specification from WS-Eventing, in the image forming apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. If the print job status is indicated (ST0), if the device token is included in the print job data (ST2), this is also included in the event message (ST3). There is an effect.

Further, in response to the reception of this event message, the provider 40, as shown in FIG.
If the device token is not included in the event message, that is, if it is determined that the event is not in the job state (ST10), the state type ID to which the state ID included in the event message belongs is registered in the subscription table of FIG. Each event message that includes a device token of each record that matches and a set of a state ID included in the event message and a value related thereto is generated (ST13) and transmitted to the push notification server 40. (ST12),
If the event message includes a device token, that is, it is determined as a job state (ST10) and a record including the state type code and the device token is registered in the subscription table of FIG. An event message including the set included in the event message is generated (ST11) and transmitted to the push notification server 40 (ST12). Therefore, one event occurs in the image forming apparatus 20, and one event message is generated. It is only necessary to transmit an event message to the provider 40, and it is not necessary to transmit an event message corresponding to each mobile terminal 32 to the provider 40, so that an increase in the amount of communication traffic can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the provider 40, when the operating system is started or in response to an instruction input, the image forming apparatus 20 is accompanied by the IP address of its own apparatus as a notification destination address and a code indicating all state types as a notification target. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 can notify the individual mobile terminals 32 only by notifying the provider 40 of the event message when there is a change in state.

  Further, the provider 40 stores the current state of the image forming apparatus 20 in the state storage unit 54 based on the received event message, and not only the subscription registration when the mobile terminal 32 requests subscription registration (step of FIG. 7). S7) Since each state stored in the state storage unit 54 is regarded as reception of an event message changed to that state, an event message is generated and transmitted to the push notification server 42 (S8, S9). There is an effect that the current state of the image forming apparatus 20 can be grasped immediately after the subscription registration.

  Further, the provider 40 can be handled in the same manner as the PCs 10-1 to 10 -N, and there is no problem even if a plurality of providers 40 are coupled to the LAN 30.

  Furthermore, the provider 40 can be used in common by a plurality of LANs 30. In this case, in FIG. 3, the communication unit 80 is used instead of the communication unit 52, and the communication unit 60 is configured similarly to the communication unit 80.

  As described above, in the first aspect of the push notification system, the provider that converts the first event message received from the image forming apparatus directly or via the print server into the second event message and transmits the second event message to the push notification server, and the image forming apparatus Or a transmission source device that is the print server, and the push notification server pushes the event message to the mobile terminal corresponding to the device token included in the second event message based on the second event message. In the notification system, the transmission source device includes at least a set of a state ID and a value related thereto in the first event message, and indicates that the state type ID indicated by the state is a print job state. The device token is included in the print job data. If this is included in the first event message, the provider responds to a subscription registration request with a subscription table, a status type and a device token from the mobile terminal, and the status type and the device token. In response to receiving the first event message, if a device token is not included in the first event message, it is registered in the subscription table. , The device token of each record that matches the state type ID to which the state ID included in the first event message belongs (for example, a part of the state ID matches the state type ID), and is included in the first event message. Generating and sending each second event message including the set to the push notification server And a knowledge manager.

  In the second aspect of the push notification system, in the first aspect, the notification manager includes a device token included in the first event message, and a record including the state type ID and the device token is included in the subscription. If registered in the table, the second event message including the device token and the pair included in the event message is generated and transmitted to the push notification server.

  Further, in the third aspect of the push notification system, in the second aspect, the provider further provides the IP address of the own apparatus as a notification destination address to the transmission source apparatus when the operating system is started or in response to an instruction input. It has a subscription unit that requests subscription registration with an address and information indicating all status types as a notification target.

  Further, in the fourth aspect of the push notification system, in the third aspect, the provider further includes a state storage unit and the state ID included in the first event message in response to the reception of the first event message. If the change in the job status is not indicated, the status is updated by writing the value related to the status ID in an address corresponding to the status ID included in the first event message in the status storage unit, If the status ID indicates a change in job status, an event for updating the data corresponding to the job ID included in the first event message in the status storage unit based on the content of the first event message The notification manager, in response to the registration being performed by the subscription manager, each status stored in the state storage unit. The regarded as receiving the first event message and changed to its state generates a second event message transmitted to said push notification server.

  In the fifth aspect of the push notification system, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the transmission source device responds to a change in the state of the print job and the IP address included in the job data of the print job. If the source device side subscription table is searched using the key as a key and hits, the first event message including the state ID after the change in the state change and the job ID is transmitted with the IP address as the destination. If the device token is included in the job data, the device token is also included in the first event message.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, when the push notification is configured to be possible even for a mobile terminal having different WS-Eventing and push notification specifications, the provider responds to the reception of the first event message, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, if the device token is not included in the first event message, that is, if it is determined in step ST10 that it is not in the job state, the first event registered in the subscription table of FIG. Each record including a device token of each record that matches the state type ID to which the state ID included in the message belongs, and a set of the state ID included in the first event message and a value related thereto. 2 Event message is generated (ST13) and sent to the push notification server (ST12) In response to the occurrence of one event at the transmission source device, it is only necessary to transmit one first event message to the provider, and it is not necessary to transmit an event message corresponding to each mobile terminal to the provider. There is an effect that an increase in the amount can be suppressed.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, in the transmission source device, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the status type ID to which the status ID belongs indicates the print job status (ST0), the device token is included in the print job data. Is included (ST2), this is also included in the first event message (ST3), which is an effect that a simple change to the conventional configuration is sufficient.

  According to the configuration of the third aspect, in the provider, when the operating system is started or in response to an instruction input, the IP address of the own device as the notification destination address and all the notification targets are sent to the transmission source device. Since the subscription registration request is made with the information indicating the status type, the transmission source device can send a push notification to each mobile terminal only by notifying the provider of the event message when there is a status change. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the provider stores the current state of the transmission source device in the state storage unit based on each first event message, and subscribes when a subscription registration request is made from the mobile terminal. Not only (S7 in FIG. 7), each state stored in the state storage unit is regarded as reception of the first event message changed to that state, and the second event message is generated and sent to the push notification server. Since transmission is performed (S8, S9), the mobile terminal user has an effect of being able to grasp the current state of the transmission source device immediately after subscription registration.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, in response to a change in the status of the print job, the transmission source device searches the transmission source device side subscription table using the IP address included in the job data of the print job as a key, If there is a hit, the first event message including the changed state ID and the job ID is transmitted with the IP address as the destination, so only the request source of the print job is pushed with a simple configuration. Since the job ID is included in the event message, the print job requester can distinguish between print jobs having the same document name.

  In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention includes various modifications, and other configurations that realize the functions of the respective components described in the above embodiments are used. However, other configurations that would be conceived by those skilled in the art from these configurations or functions are also included in the present invention.

  For example, the components 60 to 62 of FIG. 3 are provided in the print server, subscribed to the print server, and an event notification from an image forming apparatus connected to the print server is connected to the event via the print server notification manager. The structure which notifies may be sufficient.

  Further, the subscription table of FIG. 8 may be configured not to include a time limit.

10-1 to 10-N Client PC
20 Image forming apparatus 201, 401 CPU
202, 402 Interface 203, 403 PROM
204, 404 DRAM
205, 405 Network interface 206, 406 Auxiliary storage device 207 Operation panel 208 Scanner 209 Printer 210 Fax modem 30 LAN
31 Access point 32 Mobile terminal 40 Provider 41 Internet 42 Push notification server 50 Subscription unit 51, 61 SOAP processing unit 52, 60, 80 Communication unit 53 Event sink 54 State storage unit 62 Event source 620, 82 Subscription manager 621, 83 Subscription table 622, 84 Notification manager 63 Image forming apparatus main body section 70 Job data 71 Print processing section 72 Event generator 73 Event argument 81 JSON processing section

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus coupled to a network, a mobile terminal coupled to the network via an access point, sending a print job to the image forming apparatus to perform printing, a provider coupled to the network, and A push notification system comprising a push notification server coupled to a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A status code including a status type code and related information corresponding to the status code, and further including a device token of the mobile terminal included in the print job when the status type code indicates a print job status. Generate a first event message,
Sending the generated first event message to the provider;
The provider
In response to the subscription registration request transmitted from the mobile terminal, a record including a status type code and a device token included in the subscription registration request is registered in a subscription table.
If the device token is not included in the first event message transmitted from the image forming apparatus, it matches the state type code of the state code of the first event message registered in the subscription table. Generating a second event message including the device token of the record, the status code of the first event message, and the related information of the first event message;
If the device token is included in the first event message transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the status type code of the status code of the first event message registered in the subscription table and the first event message are registered. Generating a second event message including the device token of the record that matches the device token of an event message, the status code of the first event message, and the related information of the first event message;
Sending the generated second event message to the push notification server;
The push notification server
The push notification system, wherein the second event message is transmitted to the mobile terminal corresponding to the device token included in the second event message transmitted from the provider. The provider
The subscription registration request including the state type code indicating all states and the IP address of the provider is transmitted to the image forming apparatus when the operating system is started or in response to an instruction input. The described push notification system. The provider
When the status type code of the status code of the first event message does not indicate the print job status, the related information of the first event message is stored in an address corresponding to the status code of the first event message in a storage area. Write
When the status type code of the status code of the first event message indicates the print job status, the status code corresponding to the job ID included in the first event message in the storage area is set as the status code of the first event message. It updates with a status code. The push notification system according to claim 1 characterized by things. The push notification system according to claim 1, wherein when the status type code does not indicate the print job status, the status type code indicates a remaining amount of toner and / or a remaining amount of paper in a paper feed tray. 2. The push notification according to claim 1, wherein when the status type code indicates the print job status, the status code indicates print waiting, printing in progress, print stop, number of printed pages, and / or print completion. system. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the status type code does not indicate the print job status, the status code indicates a remaining amount of toner of each toner and / or a remaining amount of paper of each paper feed tray. Push notification system.

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