JP6256563B2 - Information processing system and job execution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system and a job execution method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique for selecting a widget registered in a user terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) with an image forming apparatus and realizing functions such as scanning and printing processing. A widget is an application that can be executed via a network. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-157027 uses a widget that causes an image forming apparatus to execute a print job. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for allowing a user terminal to perform conversion processing to print data if a print request is received and the printer description language is not processable by the image forming apparatus.

By the way, there is a demand for jobs that can be used by other users different from the owner user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing system and a job execution method capable of making a job available to another user different from the owner user. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system in which one or more user terminals and an image forming apparatus that executes a job are connected via a network. Each of the one or more user terminals is a job designated by a user using the user terminal to be executed by the image forming apparatus and a user permitted to execute the job. A management information storage unit that stores management information in which a user set as an owner in the program for generating the job and another user different from the owner are stored, and stored in the user terminal A management unit that manages execution target data that is data to be executed in the job, and the image forming apparatus A display unit that displays a selection screen for selecting a user who can execute the job in order to execute the job set in the management information in response to an input operation by a user using the image forming apparatus; A selection unit that receives the job execution request generated by the program set by the user as a user selected from the displayed selection screen, and the selected selection among the one or more user terminals An acquisition unit that acquires the execution target data of the job that has received the execution request from the user terminal used by a user selected from the screen, and the execution target data of the job acquired by the acquisition unit And an execution unit that controls execution of processing based on the job.

The job execution method according to the present invention is a job execution method in an information processing system in which one or more user terminals and an image forming apparatus that executes a job are connected via a network. Each of the terminals is a job specified by a user who uses the user terminal and to be executed by the image forming apparatus, and a user who is permitted to execute the job, and is mounted on the user terminal and generates the job. A management information storage unit configured to store management information in which a user set as an owner in the program and another user different from the owner are set, and each of the one or more user terminals includes the user terminal A management step for managing execution target data that is stored in the job and that is execution target data in the job In order to execute the job set in the management information in response to an input operation by the user using the image forming apparatus, the selection screen for selecting a user who can execute the job is displayed. A display step for displaying, a reception step for accepting an execution request for the job generated by the program set as the owner by a user selected from the displayed selection screen, and the one or more user terminals An acquisition step of acquiring the execution target data of the job that has received the execution request from the user terminal used by the user selected from the displayed selection screen; and the job acquired by the acquisition step An execution step for controlling execution of processing based on the job for the execution target data.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that a job can be used even by another user different from the owner user .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the widget execution process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen.

  Embodiments of an information processing system and a job execution method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following examples.

Example 1
[System configuration]
The configuration of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the information processing system 1, an image forming apparatus 10, a user terminal 20, and a widget management server 30 are connected to a network 40 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10, user terminals 20, or widget management servers 30 may be connected to the network 40. The network 40 may be wired or wireless.

  The user terminal 20 is an information processing apparatus such as a PC assigned for each user, and a widget that is an application that provides a predetermined service by being executed via the network 40 in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 10. Have. For example, the user terminal 20 includes a print widget 21 that provides a printing service and a scan widget 22 that provides a scanner service.

  The print widget 21 is a widget that causes the image forming apparatus 10 that can communicate via the network 40 to execute a print job. The print widget 21 includes a UI (User Interface) control unit 211, a widget information transmission unit 212, a cooperation unit 213, a print data generation unit 214, and an attribute information management file 215.

  For example, the UI control unit 211 displays various display screens related to the print widget 21 on the display device of the user terminal 20. For example, the widget information transmission unit 212 transmits a widget information registration request of the print widget 21 to the widget management server 30 in response to an input of a print request. The widget information of the print widget 21 includes information used for executing the print widget 21, that is, a print request to the image forming apparatus 10 and the like. For example, the cooperation unit 213 controls exchange of various types of information for cooperation with the image forming apparatus 10.

  For example, the print data generation unit 214 generates print data of electronic data to be printed by the image forming apparatus 10 using a printer driver installed in the user terminal 20. Such print data may be referred to as PDL (Page Description Language) data. The attribute information management file 215 is a file that stores attribute information of the print widget 21, for example. For example, the attribute information management file 215 includes an identification ID (identifier) for identifying the print widget 21, a user ID of a user who is the owner of the print widget 21, or print setting information that is information indicating print conditions. The initial value of is included.

  On the other hand, the scan widget 22 is a widget that executes predetermined processing such as distribution and storage on image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 10. The scan widget 22 includes a UI control unit 221, a widget information transmission unit 222, a cooperation unit 223, a scan data processing unit 224, and an attribute information management file 225.

  For example, the UI control unit 221 displays various display screens related to the scan widget 22 on the display device of the user terminal 20. For example, when the scan widget 22 is activated, the widget information transmission unit 222 transmits a widget information registration request for the scan widget 22 to the widget management server 30. The widget information of the scan widget 22 includes information used to execute the scan widget 22, that is, a scan request to the image forming apparatus 10 and the like. For example, the cooperation unit 223 controls exchange of various information for cooperation with the image forming apparatus 10.

  For example, the scan data processing unit 224 performs predetermined processing such as distribution or storage on the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 10 and transferred to the user terminal 20. The attribute information management file 225 is a file that stores, for example, attribute information of the scan widget 22. For example, the attribute information management file 225 includes an identification ID for identifying the scan widget 22, a user ID of a user who is the owner of the scan widget 22, an initial value of scan setting information that is information indicating scan conditions, and the like. included.

  As can be understood from the fact that the attribute information management file 215 or the attribute information management file 225 includes the user ID of the owner of each widget, each widget belongs to a user. Therefore, even if the widgets are the same, if the users to which each widget belongs are different, they are distinguished as different widgets. For example, the use of a widget belonging to “user A” is permitted only to “user A”, and the use of a widget belonging to “user B” is permitted only to “user B”. However, the widget can be used by another user other than the user who is the owner by setting the use authority to other users. Note that when a plurality of user terminals 20 are installed, the widgets of the respective user terminals may be different. The widget is not limited to the print widget 21 or the scan widget 22.

  The widget management server 30 is an information processing apparatus that manages widgets. For example, the widget management server 30 includes a widget information registration unit 31, an advertisement unit 32, a widget information provision unit 33, a mediation unit 34, and a widget information management table 35 in order to manage widgets.

  For example, the widget information registration unit 31 receives a widget information registration request transmitted by the user terminal 20 and registers the received widget information in the widget information management table 35. For example, the widget information management table 35 is generated for each user in the storage device of the widget management server 30 and stores widget information of widgets belonging to the corresponding user.

  The advertising unit 32 advertises the user ID included in the widget information received by the widget information registration unit 31 on the network 40 by broadcast or multicast, for example. The advertisement by the advertisement unit 32 is performed for each user. Specifically, the advertising unit 32 does not perform the advertisement according to the new widget information even if new widget information belonging to the “user A” is received after the advertisement related to the “user A” is performed. . That is, the advertisement by the advertisement unit 32 is for notifying the image forming apparatus 10 that a user who has become able to use some widget has newly occurred. However, the advertisement by the advertisement unit 32 may be performed in units of widget information. In such a case, the same user is advertised in duplicate, and therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 may eliminate the overlap.

  For example, the widget information providing unit 33 transmits widget information stored in the widget information management table 35 to the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the mediation unit 34 mediates exchange of various information between the widget and the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the various functions in the widget management server 30 described above may be included in the user terminal 20.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (Multi Function Printer) having at least one of a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. When the execution request for the widget is received, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the widget can be executed by comparing the usage authority of the user who has made the execution request with the execution parameter of the widget. Execute a widget that is determined to be possible. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the widget according to the usage authority of the user who has requested the execution of the widget. Therefore, the execution of the widget without considering the restriction results in the intended scan result or print processing result. Compared with the conventional technique that may not be achieved, desired processing in the image forming apparatus can be realized. The detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described later.

[Function of Image Forming Apparatus According to First Embodiment]
Next, functions of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a user management table 120, a provider 130, a management system 140, and a device platform 150. The user management table 120 is a table for managing a list of users who can use the widget among users of user terminals connected to the network 40. For example, the user management table 120 stores user IDs of users who can use the widget.

  The provider 130 performs various processes related to the execution of the widget, and includes a user detection unit 131, a UI control unit 132, a widget cooperation unit 133, an execution unit 134, a data processing unit 135, a job execution right confirmation unit 136, Have

  For example, the user detection unit 131 detects the presence of a user who can use the widget based on the advertisement received from the widget management server 30 and registers the user ID and the like included in the advertisement in the user management table 120. For example, the UI control unit 132 receives an input of a widget operation instruction or the like by a user operation. In other words, the widget is included in the user terminal 20 but can also be operated from the operation panel or the like of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The widget cooperation unit 133 controls the exchange of various information with the widget. For example, the widget cooperation unit 133 acquires the widget information of the widget belonging to the user ID selected from the user IDs stored in the user management table 120 from the widget management server 30.

  The execution unit 134 controls the execution of the function requested from the widget. For example, the execution unit 134 sends a widget execution request for printing, scanning, and the like to the device platform 150. Here, when the widget is executed, the widget determined to be executable by the management system 140 is executed. Specifically, when the device platform 150 receives a widget execution request from the execution unit 134, the device platform 150 inquires of the management system 140 whether or not the widget can be executed, and executes the executable widget. Further, an executable ticket indicating that the widget can be executed in the management system 140 is given to the job data of the executable widget.

  For example, the data processing unit 135 converts electronic data such as a document file into print data and generates a print image based on the print data. For example, the job execution right confirmation unit 136 inquires of the management system 140 via the device platform 150 whether or not a job such as printing or scanning can be executed.

  When the management system 140 receives the widget execution request, the management system 140 determines whether or not the widget can be executed based on the user's usage authority. The management system 140 includes a usage authority storage unit 141, a reception unit 142, a determination unit 143, and an issue unit 144.

  The usage authority storage unit 141 stores the usage authority for each user. For example, for each user ID of the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10, the usage authority storage unit 141 determines whether the printer can be used, the maximum number of prints, whether double-sided printing is possible, whether color printing is possible, whether scanner is available, Various usage rights of the image forming apparatus 10 such as availability are stored. The use authority is not limited to the above.

  The accepting unit 142 accepts a widget execution request. For example, the reception unit 142 receives a widget execution request and a user ID via the UI control unit 132, the device platform 150, and the like. The determination unit 143 compares the execution parameter of the widget with the user's usage authority and determines whether or not the widget can be executed. For example, the determination unit 143 compares the execution parameter of the widget received by the reception unit 142 with the usage authority corresponding to the user ID of the user who made the execution request stored in the usage authority storage unit 141. Determine whether the widget can be executed.

  The issuing unit 144 issues an executable ticket indicating that the widget can be executed. For example, the issuing unit 144 generates an executable ticket for the widget that is determined to be executable by the determination unit 143, and assigns the executable ticket to job data such as a print job or a scan job.

  The device platform 150 is a platform that mediates cooperation between the provider 130 and the management system 140. For example, the device platform 150 notifies the reception unit 142 of a widget execution request received by the UI control unit 132, or notifies the determination unit 143 of a job execution permission inquiry by the job execution right confirmation unit 136. In addition, the device platform 150 manages an application different from the widget that operates in the image forming apparatus 10, and executes a job or the like according to a request from the application. The device platform 150 may be a platform for all applications of the image forming apparatus 10 such as a copy application, or may be a platform dedicated to an SDK (Software Development Kit) application.

[Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to First Embodiment]
Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and a memory card slot 17. The controller 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 114.

  The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112, for example. The RAM 112 is used as, for example, a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The ROM 113 stores, for example, various programs and data used by the programs. The HDD 114 stores, for example, programs and various data used by the programs. In the present embodiment, the HDD 114 includes a user management table 120, a usage authority storage unit 141, and the like.

  The scanner 12 is, for example, hardware that reads image data from a document or the like. The printer 13 is, for example, hardware that prints a print image generated by the data processing unit 135 on a print sheet or the like. The modem 14 is, for example, hardware connected to a telephone line, and executes transmission / reception of image data by FAX (Facsimile) communication. The operation panel 15 is, for example, hardware including input means such as buttons for receiving various inputs and display means such as a liquid crystal panel (touch panel), and outputs a processing status related to widget execution. That is, the operation panel 15 corresponds to an output unit.

  The network interface 16 is hardware connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The memory card slot 17 reads, for example, a program or data recorded on the memory card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program recorded in the ROM 113 but also the program recorded in the memory card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed.

[Widget execution processing according to embodiment 1]
Next, the flow of widget execution processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of the widget execution process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, a case where the print widget is executed will be described as an example.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the operation panel 15 receives a user operation, the operation panel 15 outputs a widget use request to the provider 130 (step S <b> 101). Also, the UI control unit 132 displays a user selection screen on the operation panel 15 based on the user ID of the user who can use the widget stored in the user management table 120 (step S102). The UI control unit 132 may acquire user information from the widget management server 30 and display a user selection screen on the operation panel 15 based on the acquired user information.

  Further, when a user is selected by a user operation on the user selection screen on the operation panel 15 (step S103), the widget cooperation unit 133 sends a widget information acquisition request for the widget belonging to the user ID to the widget management server 30. This is performed (step S104). In response to this, the widget management server 30 acquires widget information corresponding to the user ID from the widget information management table 35, and transmits a list of acquired widget information to the widget cooperation unit 133 (step S105). Further, the UI control unit 132 displays a widget selection screen on the operation panel 15 based on the list of widget information received by the widget cooperation unit 133 (step S106).

  When a print widget is selected by a user operation on the widget selection screen on the operation panel 15 and a print widget execution request is received (step S107), the job execution right confirmation unit 136 determines whether or not to execute printing. An inquiry is made to the platform 150 (step S108). In response to this, the device platform 150 inquires of the management system 140 whether or not printing can be executed (step S109). Note that if the management system 140 is not installed in the image forming apparatus 10, the device platform 150 responds that printing can be executed, as in the related art in which there is no means for determining whether printing can be executed.

  Also, the determination unit 143 acquires the usage authority corresponding to the user ID from the usage authority storage unit 141 based on the login user information notified from the device platform 150, and executes the print widget execution parameter and the acquired usage authority. To determine whether or not printing can be executed (step S110). At this time, if the determination unit 143 determines that execution is possible, the determination unit 143 notifies the job execution right confirmation unit 136 that execution is possible via the device platform 150 (steps S111 and S112).

  On the other hand, if the determination unit 143 determines that execution is impossible, the determination unit 143 notifies the job execution right confirmation unit 136 that execution is not possible via the device platform 150. The job execution right confirmation unit 136 that has received the notification that execution is impossible requests the UI control unit 132 to display a screen indicating that execution is not possible. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the UI control unit 132 generates a screen indicating that printing cannot be performed because there is no usage authority, and displays the screen on the operation panel 15. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen.

  If printing is executable, the widget cooperation unit 133 requests the print data generation unit 214 of the user terminal 20 to acquire print data via the mediation unit 34 of the widget management server 30 (Step S1). S113, step S114). In response to this, the print data generation unit 214 generates print data using a printer driver installed in the user terminal 20, and transmits the generated print data to the widget cooperation unit 133 (step S115, Step S116).

  In addition, the provider 130 applies to the device platform 150 for printing execution authority for the acquired print data (step S117). The device platform 150 that has received the print execution authority application from the provider 130 delegates the print execution authority application to the management system 140 (step S118). Here, the issuing unit 144 generates an executable ticket indicating that the print widget can be executed, and assigns the executable ticket to the job data (step S119).

  In addition, the execution unit 134 requests the device platform 150 to print the print data for which the application has passed (step S120). The device platform 150 that has received the print data print request inquires of the management system 140 whether the print data can be printed (step S121). At this time, the determination unit 143 responds to the device platform 150 that the print data can be printed because the executable ticket is attached to the print data (steps S122 and S123). As a result, the device platform 150 prints the print data and notifies the provider 130 that the printing has been successful (step S124). Thereafter, the UI control unit 132 displays a screen indicating that printing has been completed on the operation panel 15 (step S125).

[Effects of Example 1]
As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the widget can be executed by comparing the execution parameter of the widget that has received the execution request with the usage authority of the user who has made the execution request. Therefore, the execution result intended by the administrator or user can be obtained.

(Example 2)
Although the embodiments of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention have been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments. Therefore, different embodiments of (1) execution parameter change, (2) configuration, and (3) program will be described.

(1) Changing execution parameters In the above embodiment, the case where the error screen shown in FIG. 5 is output when it is determined that the widget cannot be executed has been described. You can also change the parameters and run the widget. For example, when the determination unit 143 determines that the widget cannot be executed, the execution unit 134 makes the execution request such as a default value or a value set by the administrator for the execution parameter at this time. Change to an acceptable value for. Then, the execution unit 134 requests the device platform 150 to execute the widget based on the changed execution parameter. When the execution parameter is changed and the widget is executed, the UI control unit 132 displays on the operation panel 15 whether or not the execution parameter may be changed to execute the widget, and the user's permission is given. You may make it get. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can execute a widget having an execution parameter suitable for each user according to the usage authority of each user.

(2) Configuration In addition, information including processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data, parameters, and the like shown in the documents and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, regarding the system configuration of the information processing system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, the number of devices, the connection form, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and may be changed as appropriate.

  The constituent elements of the illustrated image forming apparatus 10 are functionally conceptual, and need not be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution or integration of each device is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or a part thereof is functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various burdens or usage conditions. Can be integrated. For example, although the user management table 120, the provider 130, the management system 140, and the device platform 150 have been described as configurations divided for each function for convenience of explanation, these can be arbitrarily distributed or integrated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 that mainly determines whether or not to execute a print widget has been described. However, similarly, whether or not to execute a scan widget, a FAX widget, and the like is determined. You can also. For example, in the case of execution of a scan widget, when the provider 130 receives a scan widget execution request, the provider 130 inquires the management system 140 about whether or not the scan widget can be executed via the device platform 150. In response to this, the management system 140 determines whether or not the scan widget can be executed by comparing the use authority corresponding to the user ID of the user who made the execution request with the execution parameter of the scan widget. Note that the issuer 144 generates and assigns the executable ticket to the scan job data. Similarly, with respect to the FAX widget, whether or not to execute FAX transmission / reception using the modem 14 is determined, and FAX transmission / reception is executed.

(3) Program The widget execution program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 has a module configuration including the above-described functional units. Then, as actual hardware, the CPU 111 shown in FIG. 3 is loaded into the RAM 112 using a widget execution program stored in the ROM 113 or the HDD 114, and the processes by the above-described functional units are executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 120 User management table 130 Provider 131 User detection part 132 UI control part 133 Widget cooperation part 134 Execution part 135 Data processing part 136 Job execution right confirmation part 140 Management system 141 Use right memory | storage part 142 Reception part 143 Determination part 144 Issuer 150 Equipment platform

JP 2010-157027 A

Claims (4)

An information processing system in which one or more user terminals and an image forming apparatus that executes a job are connected via a network,
Each of the one or more user terminals is
A job specified by a user using the user terminal to be executed by the image forming apparatus and a user who is permitted to execute the job, and is an owner of a program installed on the user terminal and generating the job A management information storage unit that stores management information set to the user set to the user and another user different from the owner,
A management unit that manages execution target data that is data stored in the user terminal and is execution target data in the job;
Have
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying a selection screen for selecting a user who can execute the job in order to execute the job set in the management information in response to an input operation by a user using the image forming apparatus;
A reception unit that receives an execution request for the job generated by the program set by the user as a user selected from the displayed selection screen;
An acquisition unit that acquires the execution target data of the job that has received the execution request from the user terminal used by the user selected from the displayed selection screen among the one or more user terminals;
An execution unit that controls execution of processing based on the job for the execution target data of the job acquired by the acquisition unit ;
An information processing system comprising: Before Symbol display unit,
The selection screen based on the list of users who can execute the job set in the one or more user terminals the management information stored in the management information storage unit of the respective claim 1, characterized in Rukoto shown Table The information processing system described. The acquisition unit
The execution target data of the job that has received the execution request is acquired from the user terminal in which the job is registered by a user selected from the displayed selection screen among the one or more user terminals. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. A job execution method in an information processing system in which one or more user terminals and an image forming apparatus that executes a job are connected via a network,
Each of the one or more user terminals is
A job specified by a user using the user terminal to be executed by the image forming apparatus and a user who is permitted to execute the job, and is an owner of a program installed on the user terminal and generating the job And a management information storage unit that stores management information set to the user set to the user and another user different from the owner,
Each of the one or more user terminals is
A management step of managing execution target data which is data stored in the user terminal and is execution target data in the job;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display step of displaying a selection screen for selecting a user who can execute the job in order to execute the job set in the management information in response to an input operation by a user using the image forming apparatus;
An accepting step of accepting an execution request of the job generated by the program set by the user as a user selected from the displayed selection screen;
An acquisition step of acquiring the execution target data of the job that has received the execution request from the user terminal used by the user selected from the displayed selection screen among the one or more user terminals;
An execution step of controlling execution of processing based on the job for the execution target data of the job acquired by the acquisition step ;
Including a job execution method.

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