JP6237027B2 - Job execution system, job execution device, job execution method, and job execution program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a job execution system, a job execution device, a job execution method, and a job execution program.

  With regard to the hold print function (on-demand print function) for the purpose of preventing print jobs stored on a server or device from being left unattended after user authentication on the device, any print job stored on any server or device There is a request to output from any device (location free printing function). In order to satisfy this request, a method that realizes location-free printing by searching stored job information from multiple devices or devices from a device, or reading stored job information transmitted from a client PC to a mobile terminal on the device side It has been known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that print job authentication data is acquired from a client terminal by using an e-mail from a client terminal, and the authentication information is acquired from the mobile terminal in a contactless manner. There has been disclosed a security printing system that does not require exchange of stored storage media and installation work of storage media.

  However, there is a problem that an operation for transmitting / receiving job information between the client PC or device and the portable terminal is required, and immediacy and reliability are reduced due to transmission / reception of mail. In addition, it is necessary to introduce new facilities and applications for client PCs and devices.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a job execution system, a job execution device, a job execution method, and a job execution program capable of easily executing a job at an arbitrary place. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a job storage unit that stores a job, job storage destination information that specifies the job storage unit, and setting change information that changes a setting for the job And a second device that receives the job storage destination information and the setting change information from the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication. said first device and said second device, I executable der to receive the job from the job storing part, the second device, execute the job based on the setting change information It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily execute a job at an arbitrary place.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system that is an example of a job execution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of each unit constituting the printing system. FIG. 3 is a chart showing an overview of a print job information table, a print job storage destination information table, performance information, and status information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the print client stores a job in the print server. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the local device acquires job storage destination information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the local device acquires the status information and the storage destination information. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote device acquires a list of jobs. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote device performs printing.

  Exemplary embodiments of a job execution system will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 which is an example of a job execution system according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes, for example, a print server 2 that stores print jobs, a print client 3 that inputs print jobs, a local device 4, a remote device 5, and a mobile terminal 6. Hereinafter, a print job may be simply referred to as a job.

  The print server 2, the print client 3, and the local device 4 are arranged at a location (own site) where the user is at a certain point. The remote device 5 is arranged, for example, at a location (another site) away from its own site. The print server 2, the print client 3, the local device 4, and the remote device 5 are connected to each other via a network.

  The mobile terminal 6 can be carried by a user to an arbitrary place, and performs short-range wireless communication with an authentication function, for example, with respect to each of the local device 4 and the remote device 5. The near field communication is, for example, NFC (Near Field Communication). Here, the mobile terminal 6 operates in a card emulation mode, for example. The local device 4 and the remote device 5 operate in a reader / writer mode, for example. Further, the local device 4 and the remote device 5 and the mobile terminal 6 may be configured to operate in the P2P mode. Each function of the printing system 1 may be configured by hardware or software.

  Next, each part which comprises the printing system 1 is explained in full detail. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of each unit constituting the printing system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the print client 3 includes a print job transmission unit 30. The print job transmission unit 30 transmits a job to the print server 2.

  The print server 2 includes a job receiving unit 20, a job setting unit 21, a print job information storage unit 22, a job acquisition unit 23, a job editing unit 24, and a device communication unit 25. The job receiving unit 20 receives a job (including job information) transmitted by the print job transmitting unit 30. The job setting unit 21 sets the job in a print job information table (see FIG. 3A) described later. The print job information storage unit 22 has a function as a job storage unit that stores jobs as a print job information table. The job acquisition unit 23 acquires a job from the print job information table. The job editing unit 24 edits a job. The device communication unit 25 communicates with other devices (local device 4 or remote device 5).

  The arrangement of the print job information storage unit 22 is not limited to the print server 2. For example, the print job information storage unit 22 may be provided in the local device 4 or the remote device 5.

  The portable terminal 6 includes a storage destination information storage unit 60, a storage destination setting unit 62, a storage destination acquisition unit 64, and a device communication unit 66. The storage destination information storage unit 60 stores job storage destination information for specifying a job storage destination in a print job storage destination information table (see FIG. 3B) described later. The job storage destination information may include an address for specifying the print job information storage unit (job storage unit) 22 and a job ID for specifying each job individually. Further, the job storage destination information is set so as to further include all selection information indicating that all jobs are selected. The storage destination setting unit 62 sets job storage destination information in the print job storage destination information table. The storage destination acquisition unit 64 acquires job storage destination information from the print job storage destination information table. The device communication unit 66 communicates with other devices (local device 4 or remote device 5).

  The local device 4 includes an operation unit 40, a print server communication unit 41, a printing unit 42, a capability information storage unit 43, a job status information storage unit 44, a storage location acquisition setting unit 45, and mobile terminal communication. Part 46. The operation unit 40 includes, for example, a touch panel having a function as an input unit that receives an operation from a user and a function as a display unit that displays an operation result.

  The print server communication unit 41 communicates with the print server 2. The printing unit 42 has a function as a job execution unit that performs printing according to a job by executing a program. The capability information storage unit (performance information storage unit) 43 stores performance information (see FIG. 3C) indicating the performance of the local device 4. When the job is interrupted, the job status information storage unit 44 stores status information (see FIG. 3D) indicating the status of job interruption. The storage destination acquisition setting unit 45 acquires and sets job storage destination information. The mobile terminal communication unit 46 communicates with the mobile terminal 6.

  The local device 4 and the remote device 5 have substantially the same function, for example. Further, the local device 4 and the remote device 5 may have different functions. In addition, the local device 4 and the remote device 5 can transmit setting change information for changing settings for a job together with job storage destination information, and can receive setting change information together with job storage destination information. It is configured to execute a job based on the information. In addition, the local device 4 and the remote device 5 transmit display condition information for displaying the job list on the mobile terminal 6 under predetermined conditions to the mobile terminal 6 together with the job storage destination information. The display condition information includes, for example, displaying in a selectable manner whether to transmit or receive the storage destination information. Similarly, the portable terminal 6 may display whether to transmit or receive the storage destination information in a selectable manner, and may transmit or receive the storage destination information.

  FIG. 3 is a chart showing an outline of the print job information table (a), the print job storage destination information table (b), the performance information (c), and the status information (d). The print job information table is associated with job ID, user ID, job name, number of pages, printing status, number of printed pages, printing surface information, printing color (color) information, and the like. The print job information table is stored in the print job information storage unit 22 as described above, and is used for managing information relating to accumulated jobs.

  In the print job storage destination information table, an address indicating a job storage destination, a user ID, and a job ID are associated with each other. The print job storage destination information table is stored in the storage destination information storage unit 60 as described above, and is used for managing information relating to the job storage destination.

  The performance information includes the function of the device (local device 4 or remote device 5) and whether the function can be executed. Further, the performance information is stored in the capability information storage unit 43 as described above, and is used for managing information on the performance of the device.

  The status information is associated with a track ID, a print status, and the number of output pages. The status information is stored in the job status information storage unit 44 as described above, and is used for managing the status of the job.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the print client 3 stores a job in the print server 2. The print client 3 transmits a job to the print server 2 using the print job transmission unit 30 (S1).

  The print server 2 receives the job transmitted in S1 using the job receiving unit 20 (S2). Further, the print server 2 uses the job setting unit 21 to set information (job ID, user ID, number of pages, etc.) related to the job received in S2 in the print job information storage unit 22 (S3). .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the local device 4 acquires job storage destination information. Using the print server communication unit 41, the local device 4 transmits user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) to the print server 2 and requests a print job list (S4).

  The print server 2 acquires job information from the print job information table using the job acquisition unit 23 using the user ID acquired from the print job list request in S4 as a key using the device communication unit 25, and sets the device communication unit 25 to The response is made to the local device 4 (S5).

  The local device 4 accepts an instruction to send job storage destination information (such as the address of the print server 2 and the job ID of the selected job) to the mobile terminal 6 according to the user's operation (S6).

  The local device 4 searches for the portable terminal 6 using the portable terminal communication unit 46. In response to the search request from the local device 4, the device communication unit 66 of the portable terminal 6 connects to the local device 4 (S7).

  The local device 4 confirms whether the mobile terminal 6 is found and connected in S7 (S8). If the connection is successful, the local device 4 proceeds to S9. If the local device 4 cannot find the mobile terminal 6 or if the connection fails, the process proceeds to S7.

  The storage destination acquisition setting unit 45 of the local device 4 transmits the job storage destination information to the mobile terminal 6 connected in S8 using the mobile terminal communication unit 46 (S9).

  The portable terminal 6 receives the job storage destination information (such as the address of the print server 2, the user ID, the job ID) transmitted in S 9 using the device communication unit 66, and stores the storage destination using the storage destination setting unit 62. The job storage destination information table of the information storage unit 60 is set (S10).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the local device 4 acquires the status information and the storage destination information. The local device 4 uses the print server communication unit 41 to transmit a data acquisition request for a job to be printed and a track ID necessary for monitoring the status of the job to the print server 2 (S11).

  The print server 2 receives the request of S11 using the device communication unit 25, and acquires job data from the print job information table using the job acquisition unit 23 using the job ID of the job to be printed as a search key (S12). ).

  The print server 2 embeds the track ID requested in S11 using the job editing unit 24 in the job data acquired in S12, and returns the edited job data to the local device 4 using the device communication unit 25. (S13).

  The local device 4 receives the job data returned in S13 using the print server communication unit 41, and executes printing (output) using the printing unit 42 (S14).

  The local device 4 monitors the job output status using the track ID specified in S11 as a search key, and when output is interrupted, the status information (number of printed pages, information on the job interrupted using the print server communication unit 41). The completion status or the like is transmitted to the print server 2 (S15).

  The print server 2 receives the job status information transmitted in S15 using the device communication unit 25, and updates the print job information table using the job setting unit 21 using the job ID of the job as a search key (S16). . For example, when the output is interrupted due to an error such as out of paper, the print server 2 sets the status of the print job information table to “print interrupt”. The print server 2 sets “printing complete” when printing is completed.

  The portable terminal 6 accepts a transmission instruction for the storage destination information of the interrupted job (S17).

  The local device 4 searches for the portable terminal 6 using the portable terminal communication unit 46. In response to the search request from the local device 4, the device communication unit 66 of the portable terminal 6 connects to the local device 4 (S18).

  The local device 4 checks whether the discovery and connection of the mobile terminal 6 has been established in S18 (S19). If the connection is successful, the local device 4 proceeds to S20. If the local device 4 cannot find the mobile terminal 6 or if the connection fails, the local device 4 proceeds to S18.

  The storage destination acquisition setting unit 45 of the local device 4 transmits the storage destination information to the mobile terminal 6 connected in S19 using the mobile terminal communication unit 46 (S20).

  The portable terminal 6 receives the job storage destination information (such as the print server 2 address, user ID, job ID, etc.) transmitted in S 20 using the device communication unit 66, and uses the storage destination setting unit 62 to store the storage destination The job storage destination information table of the information storage unit 60 is set (S21).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote device 5 acquires a list of jobs. The remote device 5 searches for the mobile terminal 6 using the mobile terminal communication unit 46. In response to the search request from the remote device 5, the device communication unit 66 of the portable terminal 6 connects to the remote device 5 (S22).

  The remote device 5 confirms whether the discovery and connection of the mobile terminal 6 has been established in S22 (S23). If the connection is successful, the remote device 5 proceeds to S24. If the remote device 5 cannot find the mobile terminal 6 or if the connection fails, the process proceeds to S22.

  The storage destination acquisition setting unit 45 of the remote device 5 requests job storage destination information from the mobile terminal 6 connected in S23 using the mobile terminal communication unit 46 (S24).

  The portable terminal 6 receives the request of S24 using the device communication unit 66, and uses the storage destination acquisition unit 64 to store job storage destination information (address of the print server 2, user ID, job ID) from the print job storage destination information table. And the like are returned to the remote device 5 using the device communication unit 66 (S25).

  The mobile terminal 6 uses the storage destination setting unit 62 to delete the job storage destination information returned in S25 from the print job storage destination information table (S26). It should be noted that whether or not to delete the job storage destination information from the print job storage destination information table may be implemented after inquiring the user via the operation unit 40, or from the mobile terminal 6. You may comprise so that it can delete manually.

  The remote device 5 acquires performance information from the capability information storage unit 43 (S27).

  Using the print server communication unit 41, the remote device 5 uses the device performance information, user authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) acquired in S27, and job storage destination information (job ID, etc.) returned in S25 in S25. Is sent to the print server 2 that has been replied to and a print job list is requested (S28).

  The print server 2 acquires job information from the print job information table using the job acquisition unit 23 using the user ID, job ID, and performance information acquired from the print job list request in S28 using the device communication unit 25 as keys. (S29).

  The print server 2 checks whether there is a job that matches the condition in S29 (S30). If there is a matching job, the print server 2 proceeds to S31. The print server 2 ends the process when there is no matching job.

  The print server 2 returns the print job list information obtained in S30 to the remote device 5 using the device communication unit 25 (S31).

  The remote device 5 acquires the print job list information returned in S31 using the print server communication unit 41, and displays it by the operation unit 40 (S32).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when the remote device 5 performs printing. Based on the print job list information acquired from the print server 2 in S32, the remote device 5 checks whether the print target job selected by the user via the operation unit 40 is an interrupted job (S33).

  The remote device 5 confirms whether or not a job whose status is “print interruption” is found in S33 (S34). If there is an interrupted job, the remote device 5 proceeds to S35. Further, when there is no interrupted job, the remote device 5 proceeds to S36.

  The remote device 5 receives an instruction about whether to resume the suspended job from the previous continuation and the number of resumed pages via the operation unit 40 (S35).

  Using the print server communication unit 41, the remote device 5 transmits to the print server 2 a data acquisition request for the job selected in S33, a track ID necessary for monitoring the job, and information related to print resumption acquired in S35. (S36).

  The print server 2 receives the request of S36 using the device communication unit 25, and acquires job data from the print job information table using the job acquisition unit 23 using the job ID of the job to be printed as a search key ( S37).

  The print server 2 confirms whether or not a request for resuming output from an intermediate page has been received for the interrupted job in S37 (S38). If there is a request to resume output, the print server 2 proceeds to S39. If there is no request to resume output, the print server 2 proceeds to S40.

  The print server 2 uses the job editing unit 24 to change the job data output start page to the resume page received in S37 (S39).

  The print server 2 uses the job editing unit 24 to embed the track ID received in S37 in the job data (S40).

  The print server 2 returns the job data edited in S40 to the remote device 5 using the device communication unit 25 (S41).

  The remote device 5 receives the job data returned in S41 using the print server communication unit 41, and starts printing (output) using the printing unit 42 (S42).

  As described above, in the printing system 1, the local device 4 transmits the job storage destination information to the mobile terminal 6 through the short-range wireless communication, and the remote device 5 receives the job storage destination information from the mobile terminal 6 through the short-range wireless communication. Therefore, the job can be easily executed at an arbitrary place.

  The job storage destination information is very lightweight because it includes only the information indicating the job storage destination, not the job data itself. Therefore, data transmission / reception can be completed only by short-range wireless communication, and there is no need for the mobile terminal 6 to participate in a business network or the like. That is, it is easy to apply to an operating environment in which the security policy for connection of the mobile terminal 6 to the business network is strict.

  Further, the portable terminal 6 that records the job storage destination information may be the same as an authentication device (such as an IC card) or may be a different device. In the case of the same device, job storage destination information can be acquired simultaneously with authentication, and added value can be improved without changing the operability of the existing operation. Further, the printing system 1 is configured so that when an IC card that cannot easily write arbitrary information such as an employee ID card is used for authentication, the authentication is performed using the employee ID card, and the job storage destination information is recorded on the portable terminal 6. Also good.

  Furthermore, the printing system 1 does not display jobs that do not correspond to the performance information in the list, so that it is possible to suppress misprints that are not intended and to save extra operation time when selecting jobs. Further, by including the job ID in the job storage destination information, it is possible to output not only all stored jobs but only selected jobs at other sites. This is effective when the output device is a device without an operation display unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 2 Print server 20 Job receiving part 21 Job setting part 22 Print job information storage part 23 Job acquisition part 24 Job edit part 25 Device communication part 3 Print client 30 Print job transmission part 4 Local apparatus 40 Operation part 41 Print server communication Unit 42 printing unit 43 capability information storage unit 44 job status information storage unit 45 storage destination acquisition setting unit 46 mobile terminal communication unit 5 remote device 6 mobile terminal 60 storage destination information storage unit 62 storage destination setting unit 64 storage destination acquisition unit 66 Equipment communication department

JP 2008-192051 A

Claims (18)

A job storage unit for storing jobs;
A first device that transmits job storage destination information for specifying the job storage unit and setting change information for changing settings for the job to the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication;
A second device that receives the job storage destination information and the setting change information from the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
The first device and the second device are:
What executable der to receive the job from the job storing part,
The second device is:
A job execution system for executing the job based on the setting change information . A job storage unit for storing jobs;
A first device that transmits job storage destination information for identifying the job storage unit to the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
A second device that receives the job storage destination information from the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
The first device and the second device are:
What executable der to receive the job from the job storing part,
The second device is:
A performance information storage unit that stores performance information indicating the performance of the second device;
A display unit for displaying only the job corresponding to the performance information;
Further comprising
A job execution system that executes only the job corresponding to the performance information . A job storage unit for storing jobs;
A first device that transmits job storage destination information for identifying the job storage unit to the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
A second device that receives the job storage destination information from the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
The first device and the second device are:
What executable der to receive the job from the job storing part,
The job storage unit
Provided in the server,
The second device is:
If the job is interrupted, send status information indicating the status of the job interruption to the server,
The server
A job execution system that transmits the job, which can resume the interrupted job, to the second device based on the status information . The first device and the second device are:
The job execution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein authentication is performed and short-range communication is performed. The job storage destination information is
Including address information for identifying the job storage unit, and a job ID for individually identifying the job,
The portable terminal is
Storing the job specified by the selected job ID according to the address information identifying the job storage unit to any one of claims 1-4, characterized by transmitting to the second device Job execution system. The job storage destination information is
It is set to further include all selection information indicating that all the jobs are selected,
The second device is:
If the received the job storage destination information is contained the entire selection information, claim the job storing part of the job storing destination information is identified and executes all the jobs that have accumulated 5 The job execution system described in 1. The first device is:
The display condition information for displaying a predetermined condition list of the jobs in the portable terminal, to any one of claims 1-6, characterized by transmitting with the job storage destination information to the mobile terminal The job execution system described. The job storage unit
The first device or the job execution system according to claim 2, characterized in that provided in said second device. The first device and the second device are:
The job execution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a job for printing can be executed as the job. Job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing a job and setting change information for changing settings for the job can be transmitted to the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication, and the job storage destination information and the setting A first communication unit capable of receiving change information from the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication;
A second communication unit that receives the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information when the first communication unit receives the job storage destination information and the setting change information ;
An execution unit that executes the job received by the second communication unit based on the setting change information . A job execution device,
Job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing jobs can be transmitted to the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication, and the job storage destination information can be received from the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication. 1 communication department,
A second communication unit that receives the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information when the first communication unit receives the job storage destination information;
A performance information storage unit that stores performance information indicating the performance of the job execution device;
A display unit for displaying only the job corresponding to the performance information;
An execution unit that executes only the job corresponding to the performance information received by the second communication unit. Job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing jobs provided in the server can be transmitted to the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication, and the job storage destination information is transmitted from the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication. A first communication unit capable of receiving;
A second communication unit that receives the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information when the first communication unit receives the job storage destination information;
Possess an execution unit for executing the job the second communication unit receives,
The second communication unit is
When the job is interrupted, status information indicating the status of interruption of the job is transmitted to the server, and the job that has been able to resume the interrupted job based on the status information is received from the server. A job execution device. Receiving job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing a job and setting change information for changing settings for the job from a portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
Executing the received job based on the setting change information ;
Including a job execution method. A job execution method executed by a job execution device,
The job execution device includes:
A performance information storage unit that stores performance information indicating the performance of the job execution device;
A display unit that displays only the job corresponding to the performance information,
A step of receiving by the near field communication job storage destination information specifying the job storage section for storing the job from the mobile terminal,
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
The received job , and executing only the job corresponding to the performance information ;
Including a job execution method. Receiving job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing jobs provided in the server from a portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
Executing the received job;
If the job is interrupted, sending status information indicating the status of the job interruption to the server;
Receiving the job from the server that allows the job suspended based on the status information to be resumed;
Executing the received job;
Including a job execution method. Receiving job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing a job, and setting change information for changing settings for the job from a portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
Executing the received job based on the setting change information ;
Execution program that causes a computer to execute The computer having a performance information storage unit that stores performance information indicating the performance of the computer, and a display unit that displays only a job corresponding to the performance information.
Receiving via near field communication a job storage destination information specifying the job storage section for storing the job from the mobile terminal,
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
Executing only the received job and the job corresponding to the performance information ;
The job execution program to execute. Receiving job storage destination information for specifying a job storage unit for storing jobs provided in the server from a portable terminal by short-range wireless communication;
Receiving the job from the job storage unit based on the job storage destination information;
Executing the received job;
If the job is interrupted, sending status information indicating the status of the job interruption to the server;
Receiving from the server the job that has made it possible to resume the job suspended based on the status information;
Executing the received job;
Execution program that causes a computer to execute

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