JP6417871B2 - Image forming system, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, control program for image processing apparatus, and control program for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a control program for the image processing apparatus, and a control program for the image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming system including a terminal that communicates with each other, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a control program for the image processing apparatus, and an image. The present invention relates to a control program for a forming apparatus.

  Ubiquitous printing is performed when a client PC (Personal Computer) sends a print job to a server device and is authenticated by a client device on the network in a network composed of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a server apparatus. This is a technology for executing a print job on a client machine. The client machine is an image forming apparatus that is freely selected by the user from the network. According to ubiquitous printing, data can be securely output from an image forming apparatus desired by the user at a timing desired by the user. In recent years, serverless ubiquitous printing has been proposed. Serverless ubiquitous printing is a technology in which an image forming apparatus on a network plays the role of a server device as a storage device.

  FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of ubiquitous printing using a conventional image forming system.

  With reference to FIG. 22, the image forming system includes image forming apparatuses 1100-1, 1100-2 and 1100-3, and a user terminal 1200. Each of image forming apparatuses 1100-1, 1100-2, 1100-3, and user terminal 1200 is connected to network 1300 and communicates with each other.

  The user UR logs in to the image forming apparatus 1100-1 that is the storage device through the user terminal 1200 that is the client PC, and transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 1100-1 (arrow AR101).

  The image forming apparatus 1100-1 performs a print job reception process. The print job reception process includes a process of authenticating the user terminal 200 and a process of storing information (print data or the like) related to the print job.

  The image forming apparatus 1100-1 stores the job information and print data of the received print job in its own apparatus.

  After transmitting the print job, the user UR moves to the image forming apparatus 1100-3 that is the client machine and requests the image forming apparatus 1100-3 to log in (arrow AR102). When the authentication of the user UR is completed, the image forming apparatus 1100-3 acquires information on the print job of the user UR from each of the image forming apparatuses 1100-1 and 1100-2 (arrow AR103). Then, the image forming apparatus 1100-3 executes the print job according to the execution instruction from the user UR and outputs the print data (arrow AR104).

  A technique related to ubiquitous printing is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a receiving unit, a matching unit, a job execution unit, and a password storage unit. The receiving unit receives an authentication print job transmitted by the user. The collation unit collates the identification information received by the user input with the identification information included in the image data. The job execution unit executes the authentication print job when the received identification information is successfully verified with the identification information included in the image data. When the authentication print job is being received, the password storage unit stores identification information in order to enable verification by the verification unit for the authentication print job being received.

Japanese Patent No. 4513902 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-3006)

  Conventionally, when a storage device fails to accept a print job from a client PC, the storage device discards the print job. For this reason, even when the user logs in to the client machine, the storage machine does not transmit information about the print job to the client machine, and the client machine does not execute the print job. Nevertheless, the user cannot know the reason why the client machine does not execute the print job, and the convenience is low.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a control program for the image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus capable of improving convenience. Is to provide a control program.

An image forming system according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including a terminal that communicates with each other, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, and the terminal images a print job of a user of the terminal. The image processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits to the processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus authenticating a user of the terminal, and a print job received from the transmission unit and executed by an image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus A reception unit that performs a reception process including a process for storing a job , an error storage unit that stores information indicating whether an error occurred during the reception process, and a print job of a user of the terminal according to a request from the image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus comprising: a job transmitting unit that transmits information specifying the image to the image forming apparatus; and an error transmitting unit that transmits information stored in the error storage unit to the image forming apparatus. Authentication means for authenticating the user of the terminal, job transmission request means for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information specifying the print job of the terminal user authenticated by the authentication means, and an error during the reception process Notification means for notifying the occurrence of an error when error information indicating that the error has occurred is received from the error transmitting means.

  Preferably, in the image forming system, the reception unit includes a job information generation unit that generates job information including information for specifying a print job, and the error storage unit stores information indicating whether an error has occurred during the reception process. Job history creation means for creating job history information is included.

  Preferably, in the image forming system, the job history information further includes information for specifying a user of the terminal.

  In the image forming system, the job information and the job history information are preferably stored in the same database.

  Preferably, in the above image forming system, the image forming apparatus stores the received date and time in the date and time storage unit when information is received from the error transmission unit, and the date and time storage unit in the case of receiving information from the error transmission unit. The error transmission means transmits information stored in the error storage means to the image forming apparatus after the date and time notified from the date and time notification means.

  Preferably, in the image forming system, the error transmitting unit transmits error information to the image forming apparatus without a request from the image forming apparatus when an error occurs during the reception process.

  In the image forming system, the notification unit preferably includes an error display unit that displays error information.

  Preferably, in the image forming system, the error display means displays error information other than the user of the terminal together with the error information of the user of the terminal.

  Preferably, in the above image forming system, the image forming apparatus displays the information received from the job transmitting unit when displaying on one of the job information display unit, the error display unit, and the job information display unit. A switch receiving unit that receives display switching, and the other of the error display unit and the job information display unit displays when switching is received by the switch receiving unit.

  Preferably, in the above image forming system, the image forming apparatus forms an image by receiving an operation indicating that the error information displayed by the error display unit has been confirmed, and information received by the operation receiving unit. Deletion means for deleting from the apparatus.

The image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that communicates with each of the terminal and the image forming apparatus, a process of authenticating the user of the terminal, the image processing a print job received from the terminal A receiving unit that performs a receiving process including a process of storing a print job executed by an image forming apparatus separate from the apparatus, an error storage unit that stores information indicating whether an error has occurred during the receiving process, In accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus, a job transmission unit that transmits information specifying a print job of a terminal user to the image forming apparatus, and an error transmission unit that transmits information stored in the error storage unit to the image forming apparatus. Prepare.

An image forming apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus authenticating a user of the terminal, and printing received from the terminal A reception process including a job and a process of storing a print job executed by an image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the terminal user authentication process and the terminal An image forming apparatus that communicates with each of the image processing apparatuses that perform the reception process including the process of storing the print job, the authentication unit authenticating the user of the terminal, and the user of the terminal authenticated by the authentication unit Job transmission requesting means for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information for specifying a print job, and error information, which is information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception process, is processed by image processing. When receiving from the device, and a notifying means for notifying the occurrence of the error.

A control program for an image processing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention is a control program for an image processing apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image forming apparatus, and receives a process for authenticating a user of the terminal and the terminal A reception step for performing a reception process including a print job and a process for storing a print job executed by an image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus, and error information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the reception step An error storage step for storing the information, a job transmission step for transmitting information specifying a print job of the user of the terminal to the image forming device in accordance with a request from the image forming device, and the information stored in the error storage step for the image forming device The error sending step to send to the computer is executed.

An image forming apparatus control program according to still another aspect of the present invention is a control program for an image forming apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus performs processing for authenticating a user of the terminal. , Receiving processing including a print job received from the terminal and stored in the image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus, and the control program authenticates the user of the terminal And a job transmission request step for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information for specifying the print job of the user of the terminal authenticated in the authentication step, and information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception processing. When certain error information is received from the image processing apparatus, the computer is caused to execute a notification step for notifying the occurrence of an error.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus control program, and an image forming apparatus control program that can improve convenience.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically each structure of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a user terminal 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of each of image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a data configuration of a print job. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows typically the data structure of the job information database which each of management terminal 100-1 and 100-2 memorize | stores. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows typically the data structure of the job history database which each of management terminal 100-1 and 100-2 memorize | stores. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of ubiquitous printing using the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a list of print jobs displayed on an operation panel 355 by the image forming apparatus 300-1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a list of error information displayed on an operation panel 355 by the image forming apparatus 300-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating job reception processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating job information transmission processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 300-1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically each structure of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows typically the data structure of the job information database which each of management terminal 100-1 and 100-2 memorize | stores. 14 is a flowchart illustrating job reception processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating job information transmission processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming system when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in different databases. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the image forming system when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in the same database. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 300-1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a job reception process performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the flow of the ubiquitous print using the conventional image forming system.

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

  In the following embodiment, a case where the image processing apparatus is a management terminal will be described. The image processing apparatus may be a server apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a portable terminal, a scanner apparatus, or the like in addition to a management terminal. The image forming apparatus may be an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a facsimile apparatus, or a copier having a scanner function, a copying function, a function as a printer, a facsimile function, a data communication function, and a server function.

  [First Embodiment]

    (Configuration of image forming system)

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system according to the present embodiment includes management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 (an example of an image processing apparatus), a user terminal 200 (an example of a terminal), and an image forming apparatus 300-. 1, 300-2, and 300-3. Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2, the user terminal 200, and each of the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 are connected to each other through the network 400, and are mutually connected. Communicate.

  This image forming system realizes ubiquitous printing. Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 manages information related to the print job. The user terminal 200 is a terminal used by a user who is a print job execution person. The user terminal 200 transmits a print job to the management terminal 100-1 or 100-2. Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 manages and stores information related to the print job. Each of the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 acquires information about a print job from the management terminal 100-1 or 100-2 in response to a user request, and executes the acquired print job To do.

  The network 400 uses a dedicated line such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The network 400 connects various devices using a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol. Devices connected to the network 400 can exchange various data with each other.

  Note that the image forming system may include other devices. The number of user terminals, the number of management terminals, and the number of image forming apparatuses included in the image forming system are arbitrary.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 2, each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the present embodiment is a PC, and includes system controller 110, authentication unit 120, memory 130, job management unit 140, and storage. A device 150, a history management unit 160, and a network I / F 170 are included. The system controller 110 is connected to each of the authentication unit 120, the memory 130, the job management unit 140, the storage device 150, the history management unit 160, and the network I / F 170. The storage device 150 is connected to each of the job management unit 140 and the history management unit 160.

  The system controller 110 controls the operation of the entire management terminal. The system controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111. The authentication unit 120 authenticates the user of the user terminal 200. The memory 130 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU 111. The RAM is a working memory for the CPU 111. The job management unit 140 manages a job information database (FIG. 6). The storage device 150 stores print data of a print job, a job information database, a job history database (FIG. 7), and the like. The history management unit 160 manages the job history database. The network I / F 170 transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices on the network 400 via the network 400.

  The management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information regarding a print job received by the management terminal 100-1 itself. The management terminal 100-2 stores job information and job history information regarding a print job received by the management terminal 100-2 itself.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the user terminal 200.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the user terminal 200 is a PC, and includes a system controller 210, a memory 220, a display unit 230, an operation unit 240, a storage device 250, and a job creation unit 260. The system controller 210 is connected to each of the memory 220, the display unit 230, the operation unit 240, the storage device 250, and the job creation unit 260.

  The system controller 210 controls the operation of the entire user terminal. The system controller 210 includes a CPU 211. The memory 220 includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU 211. The RAM is a working memory for the CPU 211. The display unit 230 displays various information. The operation unit 240 receives various operations. The storage device 250 stores print data related to the print job. The job creation unit 260 creates a print job. The network I / F 270 transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices on the network 400 via the network 400.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of each of the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3.

  Referring to FIG. 4, each of image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 is an MFP, and includes a system controller 310, a memory 320, an input image processing unit 330, and an imaging unit 340. A display unit 345, an operation unit 350, an operation panel 355, a storage device 360, an output image processing unit 370, a printer engine 380, a network I / F 390, and an authentication unit 395. The system controller 310 includes a memory 320, an input image processing unit 330, an imaging unit 340, a display unit 345, an operation unit 350, a storage device 360, an output image processing unit 370, a printer engine 380, a network I / F 390, and an authentication unit 395. Connected with each. The input image processing unit 330 is connected to each of the memory 320 and the imaging unit 340. The output image processing unit 370 is connected to each of the storage device 360 and the printer engine 380.

  The system controller 310 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus. The system controller 310 includes a CPU 311. The memory 320 includes a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU 311. The RAM is a working memory for the CPU 311.

  The input image processing unit 330 creates image data (input image) of the document imaged by the imaging unit 340 and stores it in the memory 320. The imaging unit 340 captures an image of a document. The display unit 345 displays various information on the operation panel 355. The operation unit 350 receives various operations through the operation panel 355. The storage device 360 stores print data and the like. The output image processing unit 370 processes the print data (output image) of the print job, and sends the raster image of the output image to the printer engine 380. The network I / F 390 transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices on the network 400 via the network 400.

  The printer engine 380 performs printing processing on paper or the like based on the raster image of the output image created by the output image processing unit 370. The printer engine 380 is roughly composed of a toner image forming unit, a fixing device, a paper transport unit, and the like. The printer engine 380 forms an image on a sheet by, for example, electrophotography. The toner image forming unit combines four color images by a so-called tandem method, and forms a color image on a sheet (recording medium). The toner image forming unit includes a photoconductor provided for each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and an intermediate in which a toner image is transferred (primary transfer) from the photoconductor. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt and a transfer unit that transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt to a sheet (secondary transfer). The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys the sheet on which the toner image is formed between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and heats and presses the sheet. As a result, the fixing device melts the toner adhering to the paper and fixes it on the paper to form an image on the paper. The paper transport unit includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a motor that drives them. The paper transport unit feeds paper from the paper feed cassette and transports the paper inside the housing of the image forming apparatus. Further, the paper transport unit discharges the paper on which the image is formed from the housing of the image forming apparatus to a paper discharge tray or the like.

    (Configuration of print job, job information database, and job history database)

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data configuration of a print job.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the print job instructs the image forming apparatus to perform drawing, and is described in a page description language (PDL). The print job is composed of a header part HP and a body part BP. In the header part HP, a PC login name, a document name (print data name) to be printed, and a print setting are described. The PC login name is information that identifies the user of the terminal that is the execution source of the print job. Print data is described in the body part BP.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the data configuration of the job information database stored in each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the job information database according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of job information and print data related to each of the plurality of job information. The job information is information for specifying a print job. The job information includes, for example, job owner information, print job reception date and time, and a document name that is the target of the print job. The job owner information is ID (Identification) information used by the user when logging in to the management terminal or the image forming apparatus.

  For example, it can be seen that a print job including a file with a document name “IARWE.doc” was received from a job owner “UEHARA” on “July 16, 2014 12:04”.

  Here, the job information is created when the management terminal succeeds in accepting a print job from the user terminal 200, and is added to the job information database of the management terminal that has received the print job.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the job history database stored in each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the job history database in the present embodiment includes a plurality of job history information that is information indicating the history of reception results of print jobs. The job history information includes information for specifying a print job, a print job reception result, and result details. The information for specifying the print job includes, for example, job owner information, a PC login name, a print job reception date and time, and a document name that is the target of the print job. The print job reception result is information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the print job reception process. The result details are information indicating the cause of an error that occurred during the print job reception process. The cause of the error includes, for example, a failure of user authentication (Auth Error), a lack of free space in the storage device (Storage Full), or an error in communication with the user terminal 200 (Net Error).

  For example, a print job of a file “82538.IMG” received from a job owner “OUCHI” (PC login name “USER12”) on “July 16, 2014 13:01” It can be seen that the acceptance process failed due to lack.

  In the job history information, when an error occurs during the print job reception process due to a user authentication failure, the management terminal discards the received job owner information and password. For this reason, the job owner information in the job history information is blank. On the other hand, since the PC login name is included in the received print job, the PC login name can be entered in the job history information. Therefore, since the job history information includes the PC login name, it is possible to specify the reception result of the print job using the PC login name as a clue even when the user authentication fails.

  Also, in the job history information, when an error occurs in communication with the user terminal 200 during the print job reception process, the management terminal displays a part of the received information (such as job owner information and document name). It may not be received normally. For this reason, job owner information and document names in the job history information may be blank.

  The job history information is created when the management terminal performs processing for accepting a print job from the user terminal 200, and is added to the job history database of the management terminal that has received the print job.

  Hereinafter, of the job history information, job history information indicating that an error has occurred during reception processing (job history information whose reception result is “Error”) may be referred to as error information.

    (Ubiquitous print flow)

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of ubiquitous printing using the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the embodiments, the user UR transmits a print job to the management terminal 100-1 (the management terminal 100-1 functions as a storage device), and executes the print job in the image forming apparatus 300-1. A case where the image forming apparatus 300-1 functions as a client machine will be described. The user UR may transmit a print job at any of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2. The user UR may execute a print job on any of the image forming apparatuses 300-1 to 300-3.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the user UR performs an operation necessary for authentication at the management terminal 100-1 through the user terminal 200. The user UR transmits his print job to the management terminal 100-1 through the user terminal 200 (arrow AR1). The operation necessary for authentication at the management terminal 100-1 is, for example, input of a job owner name and a password.

  When communication with the user terminal 200 starts, the management terminal 100-1 starts a print job reception process. The print job reception process includes a process of authenticating the user UR and a process of storing information related to the received print job.

  The management terminal 100-1 creates job information based on the received print job when the print job reception process from the user terminal 200 is successful (when no error occurs during the print job reception process). , It accumulates in its own job information database. In addition, the management terminal 100-1 creates job history information based on the received print job, reception result, and the like, and accumulates it in the job history database of its own device.

  On the other hand, the management terminal 100-1 discards the print data of the received print job when the print job reception process from the user terminal 200 fails (when an error occurs during the print job reception process). In addition, the management terminal 100-1 stores job history information of the received print job in its own job history database.

  After transmitting the print job, the user UR moves to the image forming apparatus 300-1 and performs an operation necessary for authentication in the image forming apparatus 300-1 (arrow AR2). The image forming apparatus 300-1 authenticates the user UR. When the user UR authentication is completed, the image forming apparatus 300-1 requests each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 to transmit the job information of the print job of the user UR and the job history information. (Arrow AR3). The user UR print job is a print job in which the user UR is registered as a job owner.

  Upon receiving a request from the image forming apparatus 300-1, each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 extracts the job information of the print job of the user UR from the job information database stored in the own device.

  In addition, upon receiving a request from the image forming apparatus 300-1, each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 receives all the job history information (users) stored in the job history database stored in the own device. A user other than the UR extracts job history information including job history information of the print job of the job owner.

  Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 merges the extracted job information and job history information and transmits them to the image forming apparatus 300-1 (arrow AR4). Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 may transmit the extracted job information and job history information to the image forming apparatus 300-1 at different timings.

  When the image forming apparatus 300-1 receives the job information and the job history information, the image forming apparatus 300-1 displays a list of print jobs of the user UR based on the received job information. When the image forming apparatus 300-1 receives a print job execution instruction in the print job list, the image forming apparatus 300-1 executes the print job. The image forming apparatus 300-1 receives the print data of the print job for which the execution instruction has been received from the management terminal 100-1, and outputs the print data (arrow AR5).

  Further, when the error information is received from the management terminal 100-1, the image forming apparatus 300-1 notifies the occurrence of an error in accordance with a request from the user UR. For example, the image forming apparatus 300-1 displays a list of error information created based on the received job history information. As a result, the user UR can know the fact when the management terminal 100-1 fails to accept the print job of the management terminal 100-1.

  The image forming apparatus 300-1 only needs to notify that an error has occurred during the reception process when error information is received from the management terminal 100-1. Any notification method may be used, and a warning sound or a warning light may be used. The image forming apparatus 300-1 may perform notification according to a user's request, or may automatically perform notification when error information is received.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a list of print jobs displayed on the operation panel 355 by the image forming apparatus 300-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the one corresponding to the management terminal 100-1 is indicated as “storage machine A”, and the one corresponding to the management terminal 100-2 is indicated as “storage machine B”.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the list of print jobs is a list of information for specifying print jobs transmitted (instructed to execute) by user UR. Here, the print job included in the print job list includes the name of the management terminal (management terminal that stored the print job) that is the transmission source of the print job, the document name of the file related to the print job, and the management terminal. Includes items such as the date and time the print job was received. The print job list may include a print job of the user UR stored in the own apparatus (here, the storage device 360 of the image forming apparatus 300-1).

  For example, it can be seen that a print job including a file with a document name “IARWE.doc” was received from the user UR by “Storage A” on “July 16, 2014 12:04”.

  The image forming apparatus 300-1 displays an “error job information” key KY1 together with a list of print jobs. When the key KY1 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 300-1 accepts a display switching request and switches the display to the error information list shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a list of error information displayed on the operation panel 355 by the image forming apparatus 300-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the error information list includes error information of print jobs other than user UR as well as error information of print jobs of user UR. The error information included in the error information list includes the job owner information of the print job, the PC login name of the print job, the management terminal that is the source of the print job (where the error occurred), and the document name of the file related to the print job , The cause of the error, and the date and time when the management terminal received (received) the print job. The error cause items include “Auth Error” indicating that user authentication has failed, “Storage Full” indicating that the storage device 150 has insufficient free space, or an error in communication with the user terminal 200 “Net Error” is displayed.

  For example, the error information of the print job of the file with the document name “XYZ.pdf” is that the job owner is unknown for the print job, the PC login name is the login name “USER34”, and “July 11, 2014 This indicates that although the print job was received at "17:22", the acceptance process at "Storage B" failed due to the failure of user authentication.

  The image forming apparatus 300-1 displays a “return” key KY2 together with the error information. When the key KY2 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 300-1 accepts a display switching request and switches the display to the list of print jobs shown in FIG.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 300-1 displays the “delete error information” key KY3 together with the error information. When the error information is pressed, the image forming apparatus 300-1 accepts selection of the pressed error information. When the image forming apparatus 300-1 accepts pressing of the key KY3 while the error information is selected, the image forming apparatus 300-1 regards that the error information has been confirmed. In this case, the image forming apparatus 300-1 deletes the selected error information from the error information list and the storage device of the image forming apparatus 300-1. Note that the image forming apparatus 300-1 may delete the error information after a predetermined time has elapsed from the list of error information and the storage device of the image forming apparatus 300-1.

    (Flowchart showing operation of image forming system)

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing job reception processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when communication with user terminal 200 starts, CPU of management terminal 100-1 starts print job reception processing (S <b> 1), job history information reception result (Result), and result details. Each of (Detail) and a flag (print data) indicating the presence / absence of print data is set to a default value (S3).

  The job history information reception result (Result) includes “Success” indicating that the print job reception process is successful (no error has occurred during the print job reception process), or the print job reception process. “Error” indicating that the job has failed (an error has occurred during print job reception processing) is input.

  In the result details (Detail) of the job history information, “None” indicating that there is no cause for failure in accepting the print job, “Auth Error” indicating that user authentication has failed, and the free space of the storage device 150 “Storage Full” indicating that the error is insufficient, or “Net Error” indicating an error in communication with the user terminal 200 is input.

  In “print data”, “AAA” indicating that the management terminal stores print data or “None” indicating that the management terminal does not store print data is input. The default values are “Error” in the “Result” item, “None” in the “Detail” item, and “AAA” in the “Print data” item.

  Subsequently, the CPU determines whether or not communication with the user terminal 200 is normal (S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the communication with the user terminal 200 is normal (no error has occurred) (YES in S5), the CPU determines the user terminal 200 based on the information received from the user terminal 200. Authenticate the user. Then, the CPU determines whether or not the user of the user terminal 200 has been successfully authenticated (S7).

  If it is determined in step S7 that the authentication has succeeded (YES in S7), the CPU determines whether or not the management terminal has free space necessary for storing the print data (S9).

  If it is determined in step S9 that the management terminal has a free space necessary for storing the print data (YES in S9), the CPU sets “Result” in the reception result included in the job history information to “ "Success" "(S11), job information and print data are saved (S13). Subsequently, the CPU saves job history information (S15) and ends the process.

  If it is determined in step S5 that an error has occurred in communication with the user terminal 200 (NO in S5), the CPU changes “Detail” in the reception result included in the job history information to “Net Error”. (S17), the process proceeds to step S19.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the authentication has failed (NO in S7), the CPU changes the item “Detail” in the reception result included in the job history information to “Auth Error” (S21). Proceed to processing.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the management terminal does not have the free space necessary for storing the print data (NO in S9), the CPU selects the item “Detail” in the reception result included in the job history information. Is changed to “Storage Full” (S23), and the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the CPU discards the received print data, changes “print data” to “None” (S19), and proceeds to the process of step S15.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating job information transmission processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the CPU of management terminal 100-1 determines whether a transmission request is received from image forming apparatus 300-1 (S101). This transmission request is for requesting transmission of job information and job history information. The CPU repeats the process of step S101 until it is determined that a transmission request has been accepted.

  If it is determined in step S101 that a transmission request has been accepted (YES in S101), the CPU extracts job information of the user UR that has accepted the transmission request from the job information database, and extracts job history information from the job history database ( S103). Subsequently, the CPU merges the extracted job information and job history information (S105), and transmits the merged job information and job history information to the image forming apparatus 300-1 that has received the job information transmission request (S107). ). Next, the CPU determines whether or not a print data transmission request has been received from the image forming apparatus 300-1 (S109).

  If it is determined in step S109 that a print data transmission request has been received from the image forming apparatus 300-1 (YES in S109), the CPU transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus 300-1 (S111). Proceed to processing.

  If it is determined in step S109 that a print data transmission request is not accepted from the image forming apparatus 300-1 (NO in S109), the CPU proceeds to the process of step S101.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 300-1 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 13, when the CPU of image forming apparatus 300-1 receives an operation necessary for authentication from user UR, it authenticates user UR (S201). Subsequently, the CPU requests each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 to transmit the job information and job history information of the authenticated user UR (S203). Next, the CPU receives job information and job history information from each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 (S205), and displays a list of print jobs of the user UR based on the received job information on the operation panel 355. (S207). Next, the CPU determines whether or not a display switching request has been received from the user UR (S209).

  If it is determined in step S209 that a display switching request is not accepted (NO in S209), the CPU determines whether a print request for the displayed print job has been accepted (S211).

  If it is determined in step S211 that a print request for the displayed print job has been received (YES in S211), the CPU prints the management terminal 100-1 that acquired the job information of the print job for which the print request has been received. Data transmission is requested (S213), and print data is acquired from the management terminal 100-1 (S215). Subsequently, the CPU executes a print job based on the acquired print data (S217), and ends the process.

  If it is determined in step S209 that a display switching request has been received (YES in S209), the CPU displays a list of error information on the operation panel 355 (S219). Next, the CPU determines whether or not there is error information confirmed by the user UR (S221).

  In step S221, when the user UR has confirmed error information (YES in S221), the CPU deletes the confirmed error information (S223), and proceeds to the process of step S225. On the other hand, if there is no error information that has been confirmed by the user UR in step S221 (NO in S221), the CPU proceeds to the process of step S225.

  In step S225, the CPU determines whether a display switching request has been received from the user UR (S225).

  If it is determined in step S225 that a display switching request has been received (YES in S225), the CPU proceeds to the process of step S207. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S225 that the display switching request is not accepted (NO in S225), the CPU proceeds to the process of step S221.

  According to the present embodiment, the client machine receives information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the print job reception process from the storage machine. Therefore, when the storage device fails to receive the print job, the client device can notify the user of the fact that the storage device has failed to receive the print job. The user can know the fact that the storage device has failed to receive the print job. As a result, user confusion can be prevented and convenience can be improved.

  Further, since the client machine further receives information on the cause of the error from the storage machine, the client machine can notify the user of the cause of the error. As a result, convenience can be further improved.

  In addition, since the client machine collects information specialized to whether or not an error has occurred during print job reception processing, it is possible to suppress a decrease in network load and a decrease in performance of the management terminal and the image forming apparatus.

  Furthermore, by deleting the error information that has been confirmed to have been confirmed from the client machine, the storage capacity of the client machine can be secured.

  [Second Embodiment]

  In the present embodiment, each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 stores job information and job history information in the same database.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 14, each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the present embodiment includes a system controller 110, an authentication unit 120, a memory 130, a job management unit 140, a storage device 150, Network I / F 170. Each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the present embodiment does not include a history management unit. The system controller 110 is connected to each of the authentication unit 120, the memory 130, the job management unit 140, the storage device 150, and the network I / F 170. The storage device 150 is connected to the job management unit 140.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing the data configuration of the job information database stored in each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the job information database in the present embodiment includes a plurality of job information. Each of the plurality of job information includes information for specifying a print job, a print job reception result, result details, and print data. Information for specifying a print job includes job owner information, a PC login name, a reception date and time, and a document name.

  It should be noted that these items are blank for job information for which the management terminal could not normally receive information on “job owner” and “document name”.

  Here, the job information is created when the management terminal performs processing for accepting a print job from the user terminal 200. The job information is added to the job information database of the management terminal that has received the print job.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing job reception processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the CPU of management terminal 100-1 first performs the same processing as steps S1 to S11 and S17 to S23 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S11, the CPU changes “Result” in the reception result included in the job history information to “Success” (S11). Next, the CPU stores job information including contents including the reception result and result details of the print job reception process (S31). Subsequently, the CPU saves the job information including the reception result of the print job reception process and the result details (S33), and ends the process.

  In step S19, the CPU discards the received print data and changes “print data” to “None” (S19). Next, the CPU performs the process of step S33 and ends the process.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating job information transmission processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 17, the CPU of management terminal 100-1 determines whether a transmission request has been received from image forming apparatus 300-1 (S131). This transmission request is for requesting transmission of job information. The CPU repeats the process of step S131 until it is determined that a transmission request has been accepted.

  If it is determined in step S131 that a transmission request has been received (YES in S131), the CPU extracts job information of the user UR that has received the transmission request from the job information database (S133). Subsequently, the CPU transmits the extracted job information to the image forming apparatus 300-1 that has received the job information transmission request (S135). Thereafter, the CPU performs the processing after step S109 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Since the configuration and operation of the image forming system other than those described above are the same as the configuration and operation of the image forming system of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes and members, and the description thereof is omitted. Do not repeat.

  According to the present embodiment, management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 store job information and job history information in the same database. Thereby, the capacity of the database stored in the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 can be reduced, and the capacity of the storage devices of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 can be used effectively.

  In addition, communication between the management terminal 100-1 and the image forming apparatus 300-1 when transmitting job information can be simplified.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in different databases.

  Referring to FIG. 18, when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in different databases, the management terminal 100-1 and the image before the image forming apparatus 300-1 executes a print job. A total of three communications are required with the forming apparatus 300-1. That is, as the first communication, communication regarding the job information transmission request and the response is performed between the management terminal 100-1 and the image forming apparatus 300-1. As the second communication, communication related to a job history information transmission request and response is performed between the management terminal 100-1 and the image forming apparatus 300-1. As the third communication, communication regarding a transmission request and response of a job (print data) is performed.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in the same database.

  Referring to FIG. 19, when the management terminal 100-1 stores job information and job history information in the same database, before the image forming apparatus 300-1 executes a print job, the management terminal 100-1 A total of two communications are required with the image forming apparatus 300-1. That is, as the first communication, communication regarding the job information transmission request and the response is performed between the management terminal 100-1 and the image forming apparatus 300-1. This job information includes the reception result and result details of the print job reception process. As the second communication, communication related to a job (print data) transmission request and response is performed.

  [Third Embodiment]

  In the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 300-1 receives only error information from the last received date and time from each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 300-1 in the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 is obtained by replacing a part of the processing in the flowchart in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, only the part of the replaced process is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 20, when the CPU of image forming apparatus 300-1 receives an operation necessary for authentication by user UR, it authenticates user UR (S201). Subsequently, the CPU requests each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 to transmit the job information and job history information of the authenticated user UR (S203). Subsequently, the CPU notifies the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 of the date and time stored in the storage device 150 (S231). This date and time corresponds to the date and time when error information was received last time.

  Each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 receives job information and job history information stored after the date and time notified from the image forming apparatus 300-1 in accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus 300-1. 1 to send. The CPU receives job information and job history information from each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 (S233).

  Subsequently, the CPU stores the date and time when the job history information is received from each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 in the storage device 150 (S235). Thereafter, the CPU performs the processing after step S207.

  Since the configuration and operation of the image forming system other than those described above are the same as the configuration and operation of the image forming system of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes and members, and the description thereof is omitted. Do not repeat.

  According to the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 300-1 can collect only new job information and job history information, and each of management terminals 100-1 and 100-2, image forming apparatus 300-1, The amount of communication during the period can be reduced.

  [Fourth Embodiment]

  In the present embodiment, the management terminal 100-1 automatically (without automatic request) from the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 when an error occurs during print job reception processing. ), Error information is transmitted to each of the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing job reception processing performed by the management terminal 100-1 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is obtained by adding processing to the flowchart in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 21, only the added processing portion is shown.

  Referring to FIG. 21, in step S15, the CPU of management terminal 100-1 saves the job history information (S15), and then checks whether an error has occurred during the print job reception process (job history information). Whether or not the reception result (“Result”) is “Error” is determined (S51). This determination processing is performed based on the stored job history information.

  If it is determined in step S51 that an error has occurred during the print job reception process (YES in S51), the CPU stores the stored job history information in the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3. Each is transmitted (S53), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that no error occurs during the print job reception process (NO in S51), the CPU ends the process.

  Since the configuration and operation of the image forming system other than those described above are the same as the configuration and operation of the image forming system of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same processes and members, and the description thereof is omitted. Do not repeat.

  According to the present embodiment, since the image forming apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, and 300-3 hold the latest error information, the job history is stored in each of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2. There is no need to make an information transmission request.

  [Others]

  In the first embodiment, when extracting the job history information from the job history database, the management terminal 100-1 may extract only error information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception process. The management terminal 100-1 may extract only the error information of the print job of the user UR from the job history database, or the error information of the print job of the user UR and the print job of the user other than the user UR (job owner) Error information (including print jobs with unknown) may be extracted.

  At least one of the management terminals 100-1 and 100-2 may have an image forming function and operate as an image forming apparatus (client machine). As a result, the user does not need to be aware of whether the image forming apparatus to be used is a storage machine or a client machine, and when a trouble occurs, the user can know the cause through one of the image forming apparatuses.

  The processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or may be performed using a hardware circuit. It is also possible to provide a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment, and record the program on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provide it to the user. You may decide to do it. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The above-described embodiment is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

100-1, 100-2 Management terminal 110, 210, 310 System controller 111, 211, 311 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
120 Authentication Unit 130, 220, 320 Memory 140 Job Management Unit 150, 250, 360 Storage Device 160 History Management Unit 170, 270, 390 Network I / F
200, 1200 User terminal 230, 345 Display unit 240, 350 Operation unit 260 Job creation unit 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 1100-1, 1100-2, 1100-3 Image forming apparatus 330 Input image processing unit 340 Imaging unit 355 Operation panel 370 Output image processing unit 380 Printer engine 395 Authentication unit 400, 1300 Network AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR5, AR101, AR102, AR103, AR104 Arrow BP Body unit HP Header unit KY1, KY2, KY3 Key UR user

Claims (14)

An image forming system comprising a terminal that communicates with each other, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus,
The terminal
Transmission means for transmitting a print job of the user of the terminal to the image processing apparatus,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A reception process including a process of authenticating a user of the terminal and a process of storing a print job received from the transmission unit and executed by the image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus Receiving means to perform;
Error storage means for storing information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the reception process;
In accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus, job transmission means for transmitting information specifying a print job of a user of the terminal to the image forming apparatus;
Error transmission means for transmitting information stored in the error storage means to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Authentication means for authenticating a user of the terminal;
Job transmission requesting means for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information for specifying a print job of a user of the terminal authenticated by the authentication means;
An image forming system comprising: notification means for notifying occurrence of an error when error information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception process is received from the error transmitting means. The accepting means includes job information creating means for creating job information including information for specifying the print job,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the error storage unit includes a job history creation unit that creates job history information including information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the reception process.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the job history information further includes information for specifying a user of the terminal.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the job information and the job history information are stored in the same database. The image forming apparatus includes:
A date and time storage means for storing the received date and time when information is received from the error transmission means;
A date and time notifying means for notifying the image processing apparatus of the date and time stored in the date and time storage means when receiving information from the error transmitting means;
5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the error transmission unit transmits information stored in the error storage unit to the image forming apparatus after the date and time notified from the date and time notification unit.   6. The error transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein, when an error occurs during the reception process, the error transmission unit transmits the error information to the image forming apparatus without a request from the image forming apparatus. Image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit includes an error display unit that displays the error information.   The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the error display unit displays the error information other than the user of the terminal together with the error information of the user of the terminal. The image forming apparatus includes:
Job information display means for displaying information received from the job transmission means;
A switching accepting means for accepting switching of the display when the error display means and the job information displaying means are used for display.
The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the other of the error display unit and the job information display unit performs display when switching is received by the switching receiving unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation to the effect that the error information displayed by the error display means has been confirmed;
The image forming system according to claim 7, further comprising a deleting unit that deletes information received by the operation receiving unit from the image forming apparatus. An image processing apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image forming apparatus,
A reception process including a process of authenticating a user of the terminal and a process of storing a print job received from the terminal and executed by the image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus is performed. Receiving means;
Error storage means for storing information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the reception process;
In accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus, job transmission means for transmitting information specifying a print job of a user of the terminal to the image forming apparatus;
An image processing apparatus comprising: error transmission means for transmitting information stored in the error storage means to the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus is a process for authenticating a user of the terminal, a print job received from the terminal, and the image processing apparatus A reception process including a process of storing a print job executed by the separate image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Authentication means for authenticating a user of the terminal;
Job transmission requesting means for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information for specifying a print job of a user of the terminal authenticated by the authentication means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying the occurrence of an error when error information, which is information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception process, is received from the image processing apparatus. A control program for an image processing apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image forming apparatus,
A reception process including a process of authenticating a user of the terminal and a process of storing the print job received from the terminal and executed by the image forming apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus A reception step to perform;
An error storage step for storing error information indicating whether or not an error has occurred during the reception step;
In accordance with a request from the image forming apparatus, a job transmission step of transmitting information specifying a print job of a user of the terminal to the image forming apparatus;
A control program for an image processing apparatus, which causes a computer to execute an error transmission step of transmitting information stored in the error storage step to the image forming apparatus. A control program for an image forming apparatus that communicates with each of a terminal and an image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus is a process for authenticating a user of the terminal and a print job received from the terminal. A receiving process including a process of storing a print job executed by the image forming apparatus separate from the apparatus,
The control program is
An authentication step of authenticating a user of the terminal;
A job transmission requesting step for requesting the image processing apparatus to transmit information specifying a print job of a user of the terminal authenticated in the authentication step;
A control program for an image forming apparatus that causes a computer to execute a notification step for notifying the occurrence of an error when error information, which is information indicating that an error has occurred during the reception process, is received from the image processing apparatus.