JP6072094B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that causes an image forming apparatus to execute a print job based on print data managed by a server.

  Conventionally, as a printing system for causing an image forming apparatus to execute a print job based on print data managed by a server, the position of a portable device acquired by a GPS (Global Positioning System) function of a portable device carried by a user The information is transmitted to the server, the distance between the portable device and the image forming apparatus is calculated by the server based on the position information of the portable device, and the print data managed by the server is determined according to the distance between the devices. A printing system that transmits to an image forming apparatus is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-118922 A

  However, in the conventional printing system, the position information of the portable device acquired by the GPS function is always transmitted from the portable device to the server, and the distance between the portable device and the image forming apparatus is always calculated by the server. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing load on the mobile device and the server and the communication load between the mobile device and the server are large.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing system capable of reducing a load related to execution by an image forming apparatus for a print job based on print data managed by a server.

  The printing system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus including identification information transmitting means for transmitting identification information by radio waves, a server including print data management means for managing print data in association with user information, and the identification information transmitting means. A plurality of portable devices provided with identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information transmitted by radio waves by the mobile device, the portable device based on the strength of the radio waves transmitted by the identification information transmitting means, and A distance detection unit that detects an inter-device distance between the image forming apparatuses, the user information transmitted to the server, the identification information received by the identification information reception unit, and the distance detection unit Information transmitting means for transmitting the detected inter-device distance to the server in association with the user information; The bar transmits job data that is managed by the print data management unit to the image forming apparatus, thereby causing the image forming apparatus to hold a print job based on the print data in a standby state. When the image forming apparatus has the print job already held by the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus holds the new print job by the job holding instruction unit, the image forming apparatus has an empty storage area. When the new print job cannot be held due to the capacity, execution of the print job already held by the image forming apparatus and the new print job by the image forming apparatus is performed. Associated with the print data that is the basis of the print data and managed by the print data management means Associated with the user information; and a job cancel means for stopping in order large distance between the device that is transmitted by the information transmitting means.

  With this configuration, the printing system of the present invention is based on the position information of the portable device acquired by the GPS function when the server stops execution of the print job based on the print data managed by the server. Operation based on the inter-device distance based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the identification information transmitting means provided in the image forming apparatus. It is possible to reduce the communication load between the device and the server. Therefore, the printing system of the present invention can reduce a load related to execution by the image forming apparatus for a print job based on print data managed by the server. In addition, since the printing system of the present invention cancels the execution of print jobs in the descending order of the inter-device distance, the image forming apparatus is given priority to the print job associated with the mobile device existing near the image forming apparatus. The convenience can be improved. In addition, the printing system of the present invention is provided in the image forming apparatus instead of indirectly detecting the inter-device distance by calculating the inter-device distance based on the position information of the portable device acquired by the GPS function. Since the distance between the devices is directly detected based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the identification information transmitting means, the accuracy of the detection of the distance between the devices can be improved.

  In the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, the job holding instruction unit may be configured such that the apparatus-to-device distance transmitted by the information transmitting unit in association with the user information is a job holding distance for holding the print job. In this case, the print data managed in association with the user information by the print data management unit corresponds to the identification information transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information. By transmitting to the image forming apparatus, the print job based on the print data is held in the image forming apparatus, and the job canceling unit is configured to hold the print job in the image forming apparatus. When this image forming apparatus holds a new print job by the job holding instruction means, Among the print jobs already held in the image forming apparatus and the new print jobs when the forming apparatus cannot hold the new print jobs due to the free space of the storage area. The inter-device distance transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information associated with the print data that is the basis of the new print job and managed by the print data management unit is the largest. When it is large, the print data need not be transmitted to the image forming apparatus by the job holding instruction unit.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus cannot hold a new print job due to the free space in the storage area, the printing system of the present invention is associated with the print data that is the basis of the new print job. Since the print data that is the basis of a new print job is not sent to the image forming apparatus when the mobile device is farthest from the image forming apparatus, the processing load on the server and the image forming apparatus and the server and the image forming apparatus Communication load can be reduced.

  In the printing system of the present invention, the server may execute the print job based on the print data managed in association with the user information transmitted by the information transmission unit by the print data management unit. A specific operation executing unit that executes a specific operation to be executed by the image forming apparatus corresponding to the identification information transmitted by the information transmitting unit in association with the user information; Executes the specific operation stepwise according to the inter-device distance transmitted by the information transmitting unit, and the job holding instruction unit determines whether the inter-device distance transmitted by the information transmitting unit is The specific operation execution means for the job holding distance may be used.

  With this configuration, the printing system of the present invention executes a specific operation for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a print job based on the print data managed by the server in a stepwise manner according to the distance between the apparatuses. Therefore, it is possible to cause the server and the image forming apparatus to execute appropriate processing according to the distance between the apparatuses.

  The printing system of the present invention can reduce a load related to execution by an image forming apparatus for a print job based on print data managed by a server.

1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the portable apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the distance between apparatuses detected by the portable apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the server shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data management information illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of image forming apparatus management information illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the portable apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in the case of receiving the tag information transmitted by the electromagnetic wave by the transmitter. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the portable apparatus shown in FIG. 3 in the case of transmitting user information to a server. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the server shown in FIG. 5 when executing a job execution specific operation. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inter-device distance illustrated in FIG. 4 when there are a plurality of portable devices in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus.

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

  First, the configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 10 includes a computer 20 such as a PC (Personal Computer) that generates print data, a number of computers similar to the computer 20, and image formation that executes a print job based on the print data. The apparatus 30, a large number of image forming apparatuses similar to the image forming apparatus 30, a portable device 40 such as a smartphone or a tablet carried by a user, a large number of portable devices similar to the portable device 40, and the server 50 And.

  Hereinafter, the computer 20 will be described on behalf of all the computers included in the printing system 10. Similarly, the image forming apparatus 30 will be described below on behalf of all the image forming apparatuses included in the printing system 10. Similarly, the portable device 40 will be described below on behalf of all the portable devices included in the printing system 10.

  The computer 20 and the server 50 can be connected to each other through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Similarly, the image forming apparatus 30 and the server 50 can be connected to each other via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. Similarly, the portable device 40 and the server 50 can be connected to each other via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a printer dedicated machine.

  The server 50 is configured by one or more computers such as a PC.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an operation unit 31 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations by the user, and a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A display unit 32 serving as a device; a scanner 33 serving as a reading device that reads image data from a document; a printer 34 serving as a printing device that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper; and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and the public A fax communication unit 35 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via a communication line such as a telephone line, a network communication unit 36 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via a network, and various data are stored. EEPROM (Electrically Era able Programmable Read Only Memory), and includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) storage unit 37 is a storage device such as, a control unit 38 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 30.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a transmission device 39 that operates independently of the image forming apparatus 30 itself. The transmission device 39 is attached to the image forming apparatus 30 and constitutes identification information transmission means for transmitting identification information of the transmission device 39 itself (hereinafter referred to as “tag information”) by radio waves.

  The control unit 38 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. Yes. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 37.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile device 40 includes an operation unit 41 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, a display unit 42 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, and an external device. A communication unit 43 that is a communication device that communicates with the device, a storage unit 44 that is a storage device such as an EEPROM or HDD that stores various data, and a control unit 45 that controls the entire portable device 40. ing.

  The storage unit 44 stores an application 44a for causing the image forming apparatus 30 (see FIG. 1) to execute a print job based on the print data managed by the server 50 (see FIG. 1). The application 44a may be installed in the portable device 40 at the manufacturing stage of the portable device 40, or may be additionally installed in the portable device 40 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, it may be additionally installed on the mobile device 40 from the network.

  The storage unit 44 can store user information 44b of a user carrying the mobile device 40.

  The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 44.

  The control unit 45 executes the application 44 a stored in the storage unit 44, so that tag information transmitted by radio waves from the transmission device 39 (see FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 30 is transmitted via the communication unit 43. Identification information receiving means 45a for receiving, distance detecting means 45b for detecting the distance between the portable device 40 and the image forming apparatus 30 based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 39, and on the storage unit 44 It functions as information transmission means 45c for transmitting user information 44b to the server 50.

  The information transmitting unit 45c not only transmits the user information 44b on the storage unit 44 to the server 50, but also includes the tag information received by the identification information receiving unit 45a and the inter-device distance detected by the distance detecting unit 45b. Is transmitted to the server 50 in association with the user information 44b.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inter-device distance detected by the mobile device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the distance detecting means 45 b (see FIG. 3) of the portable device 40 is centered on the position of the transmitter 39 based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitter 39 of the image forming apparatus 30. For example, a distance L1 of 0 m or more and less than 10 m, a distance L2 of 10 m or more and less than 20 m, and a distance L3 of 20 m or more and less than 30 m can be detected. It should be noted that the radio wave transmitted by the transmission device 39 cannot be received by the communication unit 43 because the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmission device 39 is too weak at a location 30 m or more away from the transmission device 39.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the server 50.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the server 50 includes a communication unit 51 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device, a storage unit 52 that is a storage device such as an HDD that stores various data, and the entire server 50. And a control unit 53 for controlling the above.

  The storage unit 52 can store print data management information 52a for managing print data.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print data management information 52a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the print data management information 52a includes user information, print data associated with the user information, and an IP (Internet Protocol) address or host of the image forming apparatus to which the print data is transmitted. The name and the inter-device distance between the portable device that is the transmission source of the user information and the image forming device that is the transmission destination of the print data are included. For example, according to the print data management information 52a shown in FIG. 6, the server 50 manages the print data of a plurality of users such as the user of the user information “USER001” and the user of the user information “USER002”. ing. Further, the server 50 manages a plurality of print data such as “DATA239” and “DATA462” as print data of the user having the user information “USER001”, for example. The server 50 also manages a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as “MFP135” and “MFP587” as transmission destinations of the print data “DATA239”, for example. In addition, the server 50, for example, a mobile device that is the transmission source of the user information “USER001”, that is, a mobile device that is carried by the user of the user information “USER001”, and the transmission destination of the print data “DATA239” “L2” is managed as the inter-device distance with the image forming apparatus “MFP135”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the storage unit 52 can store image forming apparatus management information 52b for managing the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image forming apparatus management information 52b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus management information 52b includes tag information transmitted by radio waves from the transmitting apparatus of the image forming apparatus, and the IP address or host name of the image forming apparatus associated with the tag information. It is included.

  The control unit 53 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 52.

  The control unit 53 executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 52, thereby managing the print data in association with the user information, and the print data managed by the print data management unit 53a. Specific operation execution means 53b for executing a specific operation (hereinafter referred to as “job execution specific operation”) for causing the image forming apparatus 30 to execute a print job based on the data, and the image forming apparatus. It functions as a job cancellation unit 53c that cancels execution of the print job by the image forming apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the computer 20 when transmitting print data to the server 50 will be described.

  When the user instructs to send print data to the server 50, the computer 20 associates the user information of the user with the print data and sends it to the server 50.

  Therefore, the print data management means 53a of the server 50 includes the print data transmitted from the computer 20 in the print data management information 52a in association with the user information transmitted from the computer 20 in association with the print data. .

  Next, the operation of the mobile device 40 when transmitting user information to the server 50 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the portable device 40 when receiving tag information transmitted by radio waves by the transmitting device 39.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the identification information receiving unit 45a of the portable device 40 tries to receive the tag information transmitted by radio waves by the transmitting device 39 of the image forming apparatus 30 via the communication unit 43 (S101).

  Next, the identification information receiving unit 45a determines whether tag information other than the tag information that can be received in the previous processing of S101 has been received in the current processing of S101 (S102).

  If the identification information receiving means 45a determines in S102 that tag information other than the tag information that could be received in the previous processing of S101 could not be received in the current processing of S101, it executes the processing of S101.

  If the identification information receiving unit 45a determines in S102 that tag information other than the tag information that has been received in the previous processing of S101 has been received in the processing of this S101, the tag information that has been received in the previous processing of S101. In addition, the user information transmission operation shown in FIG. 9 is started for each of all the tag information that can be received in the current processing of S101 (S103), and the processing of S101 is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the mobile device 40 when transmitting user information to the server 50.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the distance detection unit 45b of the portable device 40 performs the processing of S101 in the operation shown in FIG. 8 with respect to tag information targeted in the operation shown in FIG. 9 (hereinafter referred to as “target tag information”). One of the distances L1 to L3 is detected as the inter-device distance based on the intensity of the radio wave received in (S111).

  Next, the information transmitting unit 45c associates the user information 44b on the storage unit 44, the target tag information, and the inter-device distance detected in S111 and transmits them to the server 50 (S112).

  Note that when the user information, tag information, and the distance between devices are transmitted from the portable device 40, the print data management unit 53a of the server 50 determines the combination of the transmitted user information, tag information, and the distance between the devices. The print data management information 52a is stored. Here, the print data management means 53a is associated with the user information from the portable device 40 out of the print data associated with the user information transmitted from the portable device 40 in the print data management information 52a. If there is print data in which the IP address or host name of the image forming apparatus associated in the image forming apparatus management information 52b is not associated in the print data management information 52a in the transmitted tag information, this IP The address or host name is associated with this print data in the print data management information 52a. Further, the print data management unit 53a transmits the print data associated with the user information transmitted from the mobile device 40 in the print data management information 52a and the mobile device 40 associated with the user information. If there is already a device-to-device distance associated with both the IP address or host name of the image forming device associated with the received tag information in the image forming device management information 52b, the user information Overwriting is performed with the new device-to-device distance transmitted from the portable device 40 in association therewith.

  The distance detecting unit 45b determines whether or not the target tag information has been received in the process of S101 newly executed in the operation shown in FIG. 8 after the process of S112 (S113).

  If the distance detection unit 45b determines in S113 that the target tag information has been received, the distance L1 to distance L1 as the inter-device distance based on the strength of the radio wave received in the process of S101 in the operation illustrated in FIG. Any of L3 is detected (S114).

  Next, the distance detection unit 45b determines whether or not the inter-device distance detected in the current process of S114 has changed from the previously detected inter-device distance (S115). Here, the device-to-device distance detected last time is the device-to-device distance detected in the processing in S111 when the current processing in S114 is the first processing in S114 after the start of the operation shown in FIG. In addition, when the current processing of S114 is the processing of S114 after the second time after the start of the operation shown in FIG. 9, it is the inter-device distance detected in the previous processing of S114.

  For example, the distance detection unit 45b performs the process in S114 as a result of the user carrying the portable device 40 and approaching the image forming apparatus 30 when the previously detected distance between the apparatuses is the distances L3 and L2. When the distances L2 and L1 are detected as the inter-device distances in FIG. 5, it is determined that the inter-device distance has changed. In addition, the distance detection unit 45b performs the process in S114 as a result of the user carrying the portable device 40 away from the image forming apparatus 30 when the previously detected distance between the apparatuses is the distances L1 and L2. When the distances L2 and L3 are respectively detected as the inter-device distances, it is determined that the inter-device distance has changed.

  If the distance detection unit 45b determines in S115 that the inter-device distance has not changed, the process of S113 is executed.

  If it is determined in S115 that the inter-device distance has changed, the information transmission unit 45c executes the process of S112.

  If it is determined in S113 that the target tag information has not been received, the distance detection unit 45b detects the inter-device distance as “unknown” (S116).

  Next, the information transmission unit 45c associates the user information 44b on the storage unit 44, the target tag information, and the inter-device distance detected in S116, and transmits them to the server 50 (S117).

  Note that the print data management unit 53a of the server 50, when the user information, the tag information, and the inter-device distance are transmitted from the portable device 40, as described above, the transmitted user information, the tag information, and the device. The combination of the distances is stored in the print data management information 52a.

  When the process of S117 ends, the information transmission unit 45c ends the operation illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the server 50 when executing the job execution specific operation will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the server 50 when executing the job execution specific operation.

  The control unit 53 of the server 50 executes the operation shown in FIG. 10 for each combination of user information and image forming apparatus (IP address or host name) in the print data management information 52a.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the specific operation execution unit 53 b of the server 50 determines the target in the print data management information 52 a until it determines that the inter-device distance associated with the target combination has been changed in the print data management information 52 a. It is determined whether the inter-device distance associated with the combination has been changed (S131).

  If it is determined in S131 that the inter-device distance associated with the target combination has been changed in the print data management information 52a, the job cancellation unit 53c specifies the job execution specification set for the new inter-device distance. It is determined whether or not the operation is transmission of print data (S132).

  For example, as the job execution specific operation for the distance L3, an operation for returning the target image forming apparatus from the sleep state is set. Further, as the job execution specific operation for the distance L2, for example, the print data associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a and the target user information are transmitted to the target image forming apparatus. Accordingly, an operation for associating the print job based on the print data with the user information and holding the image forming apparatus in a standby state is set. As the job execution specific operation for the distance L1, for example, the print data management information 52a is associated with the target combination and is already stored in the target image forming apparatus in association with the target user information as a print job. By setting the image forming apparatus to render the print data that has been printed, an operation for setting the image forming apparatus to hold the rendered print job based on the print data in a standby state in association with the user information is set. .

  Therefore, the fact that the specific operation for job execution set for the new inter-device distance is the transmission of print data means that the new inter-device distance is the distance L2.

  If the job cancellation unit 53c determines in S132 that the specific operation for job execution set for the new inter-device distance is transmission of print data, the job cancellation unit 53c is associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a. It is determined whether the print data needs to be transmitted to the target image forming apparatus (S133). Here, when the print job based on the print data is already held in the image forming apparatus, the job canceling unit 53c determines that it is not necessary to transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus. .

  When the job cancellation unit 53c determines in S133 that the print data associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a needs to be transmitted to the target image forming apparatus, the job stop unit 53c sends the print data to the target image forming apparatus. When it is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the RAM capacity of the target image forming apparatus is insufficient (S134). Here, if the server 50 is configured to constantly monitor the free space of the RAM of the image forming apparatus, the job cancellation unit 53c has insufficient free space of the RAM of the target image forming apparatus based on the monitoring result. It can be determined whether or not. Further, the job canceling unit 53c causes the specific operation executing unit 53b to actually transmit the print data associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a to the target image forming apparatus, and when the transmission fails. Alternatively, it may be determined that the RAM capacity of the target image forming apparatus is insufficient.

  If the job canceling unit 53c determines in S134 that the RAM capacity of the target image forming apparatus is insufficient, the job canceling unit 53c is based on the print data associated with the user information other than the target user information in the target image forming apparatus. It is determined whether the print job is already held (S135). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a portable device (for example, portable device 40a) that stores target user information in a range of distances L1 to L3 with respect to the target image forming device (for example, image forming device 30). ), There is a mobile device (for example, mobile devices 40b and 40c) that stores user information other than the target user information, and is associated with user information other than the target user information. There is a possibility that a print job based on the print data is already held in the target image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the job canceling unit 53c determines that the print job based on the print data associated with the user information other than the target user information is already held in the target image forming apparatus in S135. When the determination is made, the inter-device distance associated in the print data management information 52a with the print data of the print job already held in the target image forming apparatus, and the print data management information in the print data associated with the target combination It is determined whether the print data associated with the target combination is at least one of the largest inter-device distances associated with the print data management information 52a with respect to the inter-device distance associated with 52a. (S136).

  If the job canceling unit 53c determines that it is not at least one of the largest device distances in S136, the print data management information is included in the print data of the print job among the print jobs already held in the target image forming device. The execution by the target image forming apparatus with respect to any one of the largest inter-apparatus distances in 52a is stopped (S137). That is, the job cancellation unit 53c deletes this print job from the target image forming apparatus together with the print data that is the basis of this print job. Further, the job cancellation unit 53c causes the print data management unit 53a to delete the IP address or host name of the target image forming apparatus among the data corresponding to the print data in the print data management information 52a.

  The job cancellation unit 53c executes the process of S134 after the process of S137.

  The specific operation execution unit 53b determines in S132 that the job execution specific operation set for the new inter-device distance is not transmission of print data, or the RAM of the target image forming apparatus has a free space. If it is determined in S134 that there is no shortage, the job execution specific operation set for the new inter-device distance is executed for the target image forming apparatus (S138), and the process of S131 is executed.

  For example, when the inter-device distance associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a is changed from “unknown” to the distance L3, the specific operation execution unit 53b returns the target image forming apparatus from the sleep state. The operation is executed as a job execution specific operation. However, if the image forming apparatus is not already in the sleep state before executing the specific operation for job execution, the specific operation execution unit 53b omits the execution of the specific operation for job execution.

  For example, when the inter-device distance associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a is changed from the distance L3 to the distance L2, the specific operation executing unit 53b sets the target combination in the print data management information 52a. By transmitting the associated print data and the target user information to the target image forming apparatus, a print job based on the print data is associated with the user information and is in a standby state in the image forming apparatus. The operation to be held in is executed as a job execution specific operation. However, the specific operation executing unit 53b associates the print job based on the print data with the user information and holds it in the image forming apparatus before executing the job execution specific operation. The execution of the specific operation for job execution is omitted.

  For example, when the inter-device distance associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a is changed from the distance L2 to the distance L1, the specific operation executing unit 53b sets the target combination in the print data management information 52a. Rendered printing based on this print data by causing the image forming apparatus to render the print data that is associated with the target user information and is already held in association with the target user information as a print job The operation of associating the job with the user information and causing the image forming apparatus to hold the job in a standby state is executed as a job execution specific operation. However, the specific operation executing unit 53b associates the rendered print job based on the print data with the user information and holds it in the image forming apparatus before executing the job execution specific operation. In this case, the execution of the specific job execution operation is omitted.

  Therefore, a user carrying the portable device 40 logs in to the image forming apparatus 30 with the user information of the user himself / herself through the operation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 and is associated with the user information. By instructing the image forming apparatus 30 to execute the print job held in the standby state via the operation unit 31, the print job held in the standby state in association with the user information is displayed in the image forming apparatus 30. Can be executed. When the execution of the print job is completed, the image forming apparatus 30 notifies the server 50 which print job has been executed. Accordingly, the print data management unit 53a of the server 50 uses the IP address or host name of the image forming apparatus among the data in the print data management information 52a for the print data of the print job notified of completion of execution from the image forming apparatus. delete.

  The specific operation execution unit 53b determines in step S133 that the print data associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a does not need to be transmitted to the target image forming apparatus or the target image forming apparatus In S135, it is determined that the print job based on the print data associated with the user information other than the user information is not held, or the print data management information 52a is added to the print data associated with the target combination. If it is determined in S136 that the device-to-device distance associated in step S136 is at least one of the largest device-to-device distances, the processing in step S131 is executed without executing the job execution specific operation (S138).

  As described above, when the print system 10 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to suspend execution of the print job based on the print data managed by the server 50 by the server 50 (S137), the print system 10 acquires the print job. The mobile device 40 does not operate based on the position information of the mobile device 40 but operates based on the inter-device distance based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmission device 39 provided in the image forming apparatus 30. In addition, the processing load on the server 50 and the communication load between the portable device 40 and the server 50 can be reduced. Therefore, the printing system 10 can reduce a load related to execution by the image forming apparatus 30 for a print job based on print data managed by the server 50.

  The printing system 10 also executes a specific job execution operation by the server 50, such as causing the image forming apparatus 30 to hold a print job based on the print data managed by the server 50 (S138). , Not based on the position information of the portable device 40 acquired by the GPS function, but based on the inter-device distance based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 39 provided in the image forming apparatus 30 Therefore, the processing load on the mobile device 40 and the server 50 and the communication load between the mobile device 40 and the server 50 can be reduced. Therefore, the printing system 10 can reduce the load when the image forming apparatus 30 executes a print job based on the print data managed by the server 50.

  Since the printing system 10 stops the execution of the print jobs in the descending order of the inter-device distance (S134 to S137), the print job associated with the portable device existing near the image forming apparatus is prioritized and this image formation is performed. It can be left in the apparatus, and convenience can be improved.

  When the image forming apparatus cannot hold a new print job due to the free space in the storage area (YES in S134), the printing system 10 is associated with the print data that is the basis of the new print job. When the portable device is farthest from the image forming apparatus (YES in S136), the print data that is the basis of the new print job is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S138). And the communication load between the server 50 and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Since the printing system 10 executes the job execution specific operation step by step according to the distance between the apparatuses, the server 50 and the image forming apparatus 30 can execute appropriate processing according to the distance between the apparatuses. .

  The server 50 does not have to execute the job execution specific operation step by step according to the distance between the apparatuses. For example, the server 50 returns the image forming apparatus 30 from the sleep state when tag information transmitted by radio waves from the transmitting apparatus 39 provided in the image forming apparatus 30 is received by the portable device 40. The print data managed in association with the user information transmitted from the portable device 40 together with the tag information in the print data management information 52a and the user information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30, and the print data May be executed by causing the image forming apparatus 30 to render the print job based on the print data in association with the user information and hold the image forming apparatus 30 in a standby state. .

  The printing system 10 returns the image forming apparatus 30 that executes the print job based on the print data managed by the server 50 from the sleep state according to the distance between the apparatuses. Can be started early.

  Since the printing system 10 transmits the print data managed by the server 50 to the image forming apparatus 30 according to the distance between the apparatuses, the printing system 10 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to start execution of the print job based on the print data at an early stage. be able to.

  The printing system 10 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to render the print data managed by the server 50 in accordance with the inter-device distance, and thus causes the image forming apparatus 30 to end the execution of the print job based on the print data at an early stage. be able to.

  Note that the server 50 may execute the above-described operation according to a distance between apparatuses different from the above-described example as the job execution specific operation. For example, in the above-described example, the distance L2 is a job holding distance for holding a print job, but the distance L1 or L3 may be a job holding distance.

  Further, the server 50 may employ an operation other than the above-described operation as the job execution specific operation.

  For example, when the inter-device distance associated with the target combination in the print data management information 52a is changed from the distance L2 to the distance L1, the specific operation execution unit 53b of the server 50 selects the target combination in the print data management information 52a. An operation for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a print job based on the print data associated with the print job that is already held in association with the target user information in the target image forming apparatus. It may be executed as a specific operation for execution. With this configuration, the printing system 10 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to execute a print job based on the print data managed by the server 50 in accordance with the inter-device distance, so that the image forming apparatus 30 executes this print job. It can be terminated early.

  Note that the printing system 10 may set in the server 50 which job execution specific operation is executed according to which device distance, or may be set in the application 44 a of the mobile device 40. good. When set in the application 44 a of the mobile device 40, the information transmission unit 45 c of the mobile device 40 performs job execution that is executed by the server 50 when transmitting the user information 44 b, tag information, and inter-device distance to the server 50. The content of the specific operation may be transmitted to the server 50.

  The server 50 holds the print job based on the print data in the image forming apparatus by transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus when the distance between the apparatuses becomes the job holding distance. . That is, the specific operation execution means 53b of the server 50 constitutes a job holding instruction means. However, the server 50 transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 41 of the portable device 40, for example, regardless of the distance between the apparatuses. A print job based on the image forming apparatus may be held in the image forming apparatus.

  The printing system 10 does not indirectly detect the inter-device distance by calculating the inter-device distance based on the position information of the portable device 40 acquired by the GPS function, but the transmission provided in the image forming apparatus 30. Since the inter-device distance is directly detected based on the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the device 39, the accuracy of detecting the inter-device distance can be improved.

  Since the printing system 10 includes a transmission device that operates independently of the image forming apparatus, the tag information is transmitted by radio waves even in an image forming apparatus that cannot transmit tag information by radio waves. By attaching a transmitter capable of transmitting the tag information, the image forming apparatus can transmit the tag information by radio waves at low cost.

  Note that the image forming apparatus need not include a transmitting device that operates independently of the image forming apparatus itself if the image forming apparatus itself can transmit the tag information by radio waves.

L1 to L3 distance (distance between devices)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing system 30 Image forming apparatus 39 Transmission apparatus (identification information transmission means)
40 Mobile device 44b User information 45a Identification information receiving means 45b Distance detecting means 45c Information transmitting means 50 Server 53a Print data managing means 53b Specific operation executing means (job holding instruction means)
53c Job cancellation means

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus comprising identification information transmitting means for transmitting identification information by radio wave;
A server comprising print data management means for managing print data in association with user information;
A plurality of portable devices comprising identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information transmitted by radio waves by the identification information transmitting means;
With
The identification information transmitting means is a transmitting device that is attached to the image forming apparatus and operates independently of the image forming apparatus,
The identification information transmitted by radio waves by the transmission device is the identification information of the transmission device itself,
The portable device is
A storage unit for storing the user information;
A distance detecting means for detecting an inter-device distance between the portable device and the image forming apparatus based on an intensity of a radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device ;
Transmits the user information on the storage unit in the server, the identification information received by said identification information reception unit, and, the inter-device distance detected by said distance detecting means, wherein the user information Information transmitting means for transmitting to the server in association with
With
The server
The IP address or host name of the image forming apparatus associated with the identification information is managed, and the user information transmitted by the information transmission unit is managed in association with the print data management unit. For causing the image forming apparatus having the IP address or the host name corresponding to the identification information transmitted by the information transmission unit to be associated with the user information and to execute the print job based on the print data. Specific action executing means for executing a specific action ;
In a state where the print job is already held in the image forming apparatus, and the new print job is held in the image forming apparatus by the specific operation execution unit , the image forming apparatus has a free space in a storage area. effected even if it is not possible to hold a new piece of the print job in relation with the print job already been held in the image forming apparatus, among a new the print job, based on the new piece of the print job When the device-to-device distance transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information associated with the print data and managed by the print data management unit is not one of the largest. Execution by the image forming apparatus for the print job already held in the image forming apparatus and the new print job. Stop in ascending order of the distance between the devices transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information associated with the print data that is the basis of the print job and managed by the print data management unit With job cancellation means
Equipped with a,
The distance between the devices includes
A distance L1;
A distance L2 longer than the distance L1,
A distance L3 longer than the distance L2,
“Unknown” when the identification information transmitted by radio waves from the transmitting device could not be received.
Exist at least,
The specific operation executing unit corresponds to the identification information transmitted by the information transmitting unit when the inter-device distance transmitted by the information transmitting unit is changed from the “unknown” to the distance L3. An operation of returning the image forming apparatus having the IP address or the host name from a sleep state is executed as the specific operation,
When the distance between the devices transmitted by the information transmitting unit is changed from the distance L3 to the distance L2, the specific operation executing unit adds the print to the user information transmitted by the information transmitting unit. The image formation having the IP address or the host name corresponding to the identification information transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information, the print data managed in association with the data management unit When the apparatus can hold the storage area in relation to the free space of the storage area, the print job based on the print data is sent to the image forming apparatus in a standby state by transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus. The operation to be held is executed as the specific operation,
When the distance between the devices transmitted by the information transmitting unit is changed from the distance L2 to the distance L1, the specific operation executing unit adds the print to the user information transmitted by the information transmitting unit. The image formation having the IP address or the host name corresponding to the identification information transmitted by the information transmission unit in association with the user information, the print data managed in association with the data management unit An operation for causing the image forming apparatus to hold the rendered print job based on the print data in a standby state by causing the apparatus to perform rendering as the specific operation . When the distance between the devices transmitted by the information transmitting unit is changed from the distance L2 to the distance L1, the specific operation executing unit adds the print to the user information transmitted by the information transmitting unit. the print job based on the print data managed in association with the data management unit, the IP address or the host name corresponding to the identification information transmitted by the information transmitting means associated with the user information The printing system according to claim 1, wherein an operation to be executed by the image forming apparatus having the function is executed as the specific operation. The job canceling unit causes the image forming apparatus to actually transmit the print data of the print job to the image forming apparatus by the specific operation executing unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the print job cannot be held because of the relationship .

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