JP6459919B2 - Printing system printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus having a function of transferring a received print job to another printing apparatus for printing.

  In meetings and meetings, documents are often printed and used as materials. If meeting materials can be printed with a printing device near the conference room instead of a printing device near your seat, you can proceed with the printing process while moving to the conference room, so print with a printing device near your seat. Compared with the case where printing is performed, the time for waiting for completion of printing is shortened. Also, it is possible to save the trouble of taking the printed material.

  However, when there are a plurality of conference rooms and printing apparatuses, the user often does not grasp the correspondence between the conference room and a printing apparatus installed in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, it is difficult to select and print a printing device near the conference room.

  As a technique for solving this, for example, there is a technique in which a conference and materials used in the conference are registered in advance in a conference room reservation system. The material is printed by a printing device close to the conference room associated with the material.

  Further, in Patent Document 1 below, when a printing device acquires information on a conference room from a conference room reservation system and displays it on the operation panel of its own device, and the user who sees this display selects a conference room, the selected information is selected. A technique for transferring a print job to a printing apparatus near a conference room is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620 discloses a technique for designating a conference room in which a document is used when the print document is stored in a print server.

JP 2007-295245 A JP 2009-70102 A

  In the method of registering a conference and materials used in the conference in advance in the conference room reservation system, the registration takes time. In addition, when a document is ready just before the meeting, the user wants to immediately send a print job for the document to the printing device, but once the user associates the document with the conference room in the conference room reservation system. It has to be so annoying.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since all the conference rooms registered in the conference room reservation system are displayed on the operation panel of the printing apparatus, the target conference room is selected from a large number of conference rooms. Therefore, it takes time and may select another conference room by mistake. In addition, when this technology is used, a screen for selecting a conference room is always displayed even when the user wants to print directly on the printing apparatus that has thrown the job, and the user decides whether or not to use the conference room. Must be selected manually. It is troublesome for the user to make this selection every time when printing a document other than materials used in the conference.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing system and a printing apparatus capable of printing a print job at an appropriate output destination.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A printing system including a plurality of printing apparatuses,
A reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the conference room from the conference room reservation system;
An analysis unit for analyzing a print job received by one printing apparatus;
A selection unit for selecting a conference room related to the print job from the analysis result and the reservation information;
A specifying unit for specifying a printing device closest to the selected conference room;
A transfer control unit configured to transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the printing device specified by the specifying unit is different from the one printing device; and
A printing system characterized by comprising:

  In the above invention and the invention described in [11] below, when a print job received by one printing apparatus is a conference material or the like, a conference room related to the print job is selected from a plurality of conference rooms, and the selection is performed. The print job is transferred to a printing apparatus installed closest to the conference room.

[2] An informing unit for informing the conference room selected by the selecting unit;
A selection unit for receiving selection of a predetermined conference room from among the conference rooms notified by the notification unit;
Further comprising
The printing system according to [1], wherein the specifying unit specifies a printing device closest to the selected conference room.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [12] below, the selected conference room is displayed, and the print job is transferred to the printing apparatus installed closest to the conference room selected by the user. . Since the user only has to select from related conference rooms, the labor of selection is reduced as compared with the case of selecting from all the conference rooms.

[3] The printing system according to [1] or [2], wherein the print job is printed by the one printing device when the print job is not transferred to the specified printing device.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [13] below, when not transferring, printing is originally performed by the printing apparatus to which the print job is input. That is, in the case of a normal print job that is not a meeting material or the like, printing is performed by the printing apparatus to which the print job was originally input without being transferred.

[4] A behavior detection unit that detects a behavior of a user who has transmitted the print job to the one printing apparatus;
A determination unit that determines whether the user prints the print job with the one printing device based on the user's behavior;
Further comprising
If the determination unit determines that the user prints the print job on the one printing device, the print job is transferred to the one printing device without transferring the print job to the specified printing device. The printing system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein printing is performed.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [14] below, it is determined based on the user's behavior whether or not the input print job is to be printed by the original input destination printing apparatus.

[5] The behavior detection unit may determine whether the user is in a position away from the one printing apparatus by a certain distance or in a direction in which the user leaves the one printing apparatus as the user behavior. Detect if it ’s moving,
When the user is at a position away from the one printing apparatus by a certain distance or when the user is moving in a direction away from the one printing apparatus, the determination unit Determining that the job is not printed by the one printing device;
When this determination is made, the result of the selection is transmitted to the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, the portable terminal functions as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection result is transmitted from the portable terminal. The printing system according to [4], wherein [4] that cites [2] or [3] that cites [2] is received.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [15] below, when the user who has input the print job is more than a certain distance from the input destination printing apparatus or is moving away, the print job is input It is determined that printing is not performed by the printing apparatus. If this determination is made, the user is not near the printing apparatus, so that the conference room can be selected by the user's portable terminal.

[6] The operation panel of the one printing device is caused to function as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection result is displayed.
The behavior detection unit detects, as the user behavior, whether or not the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time after starting the display,
The determination unit determines that the user prints the print job with the one printing apparatus when the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started. The printing system according to [4] or [5], in which [4] or [2] is cited.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [16] below, a conference room related to an operation panel of a printing apparatus to which a print job is input is displayed, and the user waits for a user to select a conference room within a predetermined time. If no meeting room selection operation is received, it is determined that the user desires printing on the input destination printing apparatus, and printing is performed on the printing apparatus.

[7] The operation panel of the one printing apparatus is caused to function as the notification unit and the selection unit to display the selection result,
The behavior detection unit is configured to determine whether the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time from the start of the display as the user behavior, and whether the user performs a predetermined operation of the one printing apparatus. Detect if you are within distance,
The determination unit is a case where the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and the user is not within a predetermined distance of the one printing apparatus when the predetermined time elapses. Is a case where the user determines not to print the print job with the one printing apparatus, and the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and when the predetermined time elapses. If the user is within a predetermined distance of the one printing device, the user determines to print the print job on the one printing device;
If the determination unit determines not to print, the selection result is transmitted to the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, the portable terminal functions as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection is performed. The printing system according to [4] or [5], wherein [4] or [2] is cited. [4] or [2] is cited.

  In the above invention and the invention described in [17] below, the conference room related to the operation panel of the printing apparatus to which the print job is input is displayed, and the user waits for the user to receive a selection of the conference room within a predetermined time. On the other hand, if the selection operation is not received from the user, it is determined whether or not the user is near the printing apparatus as the input destination when the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is near, it is determined that the user desires printing with the printing apparatus of the input destination, and printing is performed with the printing apparatus. If the user is not in the vicinity, the user is not in the vicinity of the printing apparatus, so that the conference room can be selected on the user's portable terminal.

[8] The transfer control unit does not transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the specified printing device is a printing device installed within a predetermined distance from the one printing device. The printing system according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein:

  In the above invention and the invention described in [18] below, if the original input destination printing apparatus and the transfer destination printing apparatus are close to each other, it is determined that there is no need to transfer.

[9] The selection unit compares the user who submitted the print job with a conference participant, compares the time when the print job is submitted and the meeting opening time, and compares the contents of the print job and the content of the meeting. The meeting system related to the print job is selected based on at least one of the comparisons. The printing system according to any one of [1] to [8],

[10] The specifying unit includes:
Information stored in association with the conference room and the printing device in advance,
A comparison between the location information of each conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system and the installation location information acquired from each printing device;
Information about the printing device installed in the vicinity of the conference room, obtained from the conference room reservation system,
The printing system according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the closest printing device is specified based on

[11] A receiving unit that receives a print job;
A reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the conference room from the conference room reservation system;
An analysis unit for analyzing the received print job;
A selection unit for selecting a conference room related to the print job from the analysis result and the reservation information;
A specifying unit for specifying a printing device closest to the selected conference room;
A transfer control unit for transferring the print job to the specified printing device and printing when the printing device specified by the specifying unit is not its own device;
A printing apparatus comprising:

[12] An informing unit for informing the conference room selected by the selecting unit;
A selection unit for receiving selection of a predetermined conference room from among the conference rooms notified by the notification unit;
Further comprising
The printing device according to [11], wherein the specifying unit specifies a printing device closest to the selected conference room.

[13] The printing apparatus according to [11] or [12], wherein the print job is printed by the own apparatus when the transfer is not performed.

[14] a behavior detection unit for detecting the behavior of the user who transmitted the print job;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the user prints the print job on its own device based on the behavior of the user;
Further comprising
When the determination unit determines that the user prints the print job on the own device, the print job is printed on the own device without transferring the print job to the specified printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of [11] to [13].

[15] The behavior detection unit determines, as the user behavior, whether the user is at a position away from the device by a certain distance or whether the user is moving in a direction away from the device. Detect
The determination unit prints the print job on the own device when the user is at a certain distance from the own device or when the user moves in a direction away from the own device. And decide not to
When this determination is made, the notification unit transmits and displays the selection result on the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, and the selection unit causes the portable terminal to receive a meeting room selection. [12] quoting [14] or [12] quoting [12], wherein the selection result transmitted to the device is received and the selection result transmitted from the portable terminal is received [13] ] The printing apparatus according to [14].

[16] The notification unit displays the result of the selection on the operation panel of its own device,
The selection unit accepts the selection on the operation panel,
The behavior detection unit detects, as the user behavior, whether or not the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time after starting the display,
The determination unit determines that the user prints the print job on the own device when the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started [12] The printing apparatus according to [14] or [15], in which [13] is cited that cites [14] or [12] that is cited.

[17] The notification unit displays the selection result on the operation panel of the device itself.
The selection unit accepts the selection on the operation panel,
The behavior detection unit is configured to determine whether the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time from the start of the display as the user behavior, and whether the user is within a predetermined distance of the device. Detect if you are,
The determination unit is a case where the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after starting the display, and when the user is not within a predetermined distance of the own device when the predetermined time has elapsed, It is determined that the user does not print the print job on the own device, and the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and the user If the user is within a predetermined distance, it is determined that the user prints the print job on the own device,
If the determination unit determines not to print, the notification unit transmits and displays the selection result on the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, and the selection unit selects a meeting room. [14] or [12] quoting [12], wherein the portable terminal receives the selection result, transmits the selection result to the own device, and receives the selection result transmitted from the portable terminal. ] The printing apparatus according to [14] or [15], in which [13] is cited.

[18] The transfer control unit does not transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the specified printing device is a printing device installed within a predetermined distance from the own device. The printing apparatus according to any one of [11] to [17].

[19] The selection unit compares the user who submitted the print job with a conference participant, compares the time when the print job is submitted and the meeting opening time, and compares the contents of the print job and the content of the meeting. The meeting apparatus related to the print job is selected based on at least one of the comparisons. The printing apparatus according to any one of [11] to [18],

[20] The specifying unit includes:
Information stored in association with the conference room and the printing device in advance,
A comparison between the location information of each conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system and the installation location information acquired from each printing device;
Information about the printing device installed in the vicinity of the conference room, obtained from the conference room reservation system,
The printing apparatus according to [19], wherein the closest printing apparatus is specified based on the following.

  According to the printing system and the printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether printing is to be performed by the printing apparatus as the input destination or the printing apparatus corresponding to the conference room, and the print job is printed at an appropriate output destination. it can.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the installation condition of the several printing apparatus which belongs to a printing system. It is a ladder diagram showing an outline of processing when a print job is input and printing is performed in the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the document list screen displayed on the display part of a portable terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of files included in a print job and keywords extracted from the files. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information (print job analysis result) extracted by analyzing a print job. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation information of the conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a background of a portion that matches information included in a print job analysis result in the reservation information in FIG. 9 is grayed out. It is a figure which shows an example of the related meeting room list screen displayed on a portable terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a print job is transferred from MFP 4 to MFP 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the related meeting room list screen displayed on the operation panel of a printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job selection / transmission processing performed in a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the process which receives selection operation of a conference room performed with a portable terminal. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. It is a ladder figure showing an outline of processing in the case of judging a user's behavior by the 3rd judging method.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a printing system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 2 is a portable information processing terminal that is connected to a plurality of printing apparatuses 10 connected to a network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the network 3 via an access point 5 by wireless communication. A terminal 40, a conference room reservation system 50 connected to the network 3, a user location management server 60, and the like are included.

  The printing apparatus 10 has a copy function for optically reading a document and printing the duplicate image on a recording paper, a scan function for storing the read image data of the document as a file, and transmitting the file to an external terminal via the network 3; This is a so-called multi-function machine having a print function for printing a document or image on a recording sheet based on a print job received from the portable terminal 40 or the like. Hereinafter, the printing apparatus 10 is also referred to as an MFP.

  The printing system 2 has a transfer printing function. In the transfer printing function, when a print job is input from the portable terminal 40 to an arbitrary printing apparatus 10, the print job is analyzed, and the relationship between the analysis result and conference reservation information registered in the conference room reservation system 50 is analyzed. Or the behavior of the user who has submitted the print job, it is determined whether printing related to the print job should be performed by the printing apparatus 10 that is the input destination or the printing apparatus 10 near the relevant conference room. . In the latter case, the relevant conference room is selected and displayed, the selection of the conference room is received from the user, the print job is transferred to the printing apparatus 10 closest to the selected conference room, and printed. Operation is performed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10. The printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the printing apparatus 10. The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image reading unit 14, a printer unit 15, an image processing unit 16, a nonvolatile memory 17, a hard disk device 18, a facsimile communication unit 19, and a network communication through a bus. The unit 21 and the operation panel 22 are connected.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function as the printing apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The image reading unit 14 functions to optically read a document and acquire image data. The image reading unit 14 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light and reads the document for one line in the width direction, and sequentially reads the reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data And so on.

  The printer unit 15 functions to form an image corresponding to the image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The image processing unit 16 performs rasterization processing for converting a file (print data) included in a print job into image data, image data compression, expansion processing, and the like in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The nonvolatile memory 17 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The hard disk device 18 is a nonvolatile, large-capacity storage device that stores various programs, received print jobs, and the like.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 21 functions to communicate with the mobile terminal 40 and other printing apparatuses 10, the conference room reservation system 50, the user location management server 60, and other external devices via the network 3.

  The operation panel 22 includes a display unit 23 and an operation unit 24. The display unit 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 24 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a start button, and a touch panel provided on the physical screen of the display unit 23. The touch panel detects a coordinate position where the physical screen of the display unit 23 is touched with a touch pen or a finger.

  The CPU 11 of the printing apparatus 10 executes the program, so that the reservation information acquisition unit 31, the analysis unit 32, the behavior information acquisition unit 33, the specification unit 34, the selection unit 35, the selection unit 36, and the determination regarding the transfer printing function described above. Functions of the unit 37, the transfer control unit 38, and the like.

  The analysis unit 32 analyzes the received print job. By the analysis, the file name, creation date, creator, keyword included in the file to be printed, and the like are extracted from the file to be printed included in the print job.

  The reservation information acquisition unit 31 acquires conference room reservation information from the conference room reservation system 50.

  The selection unit 35 selects a conference room related to the print job based on the result of the print job analysis and the reservation information acquired from the conference room reservation system 50. The related conference room is a conference room that may be a meeting place where a printed matter related to the print job is used.

  The selection unit 36 also functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of the result of selection by the selection unit 35 (related conference room). The notification method may be arbitrary, such as display or sound. The selection unit 36 notifies the result of selection by the selection unit 35 by display or the like, and further accepts selection of a conference room from the user. For receiving the display (notification) and selection operation, the operation panel 22 of the own apparatus or the portable terminal 40 that is the transmission source of the print job is used.

  The behavior information acquisition unit 33 detects the behavior of the user who submitted the print job. Of the user behavior, information related to the movement and position of the user is acquired from the user position management server 60. The behavior information acquisition unit 33 detects the behavior related to whether or not the user operates the operation panel 22 by monitoring the status of the operation panel 22 of the own device. For example, each portable terminal 40 detects the position of its own device by the GPS function, and the user position management server 60 acquires the position information from each portable terminal 40 and the user's position (the position of the portable terminal 40 owned by the user). To figure out. The method for detecting the user's behavior is not limited to this and may be arbitrary.

  Based on the user's behavior, the determination unit 37 determines whether or not the user prints the print job with the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input).

The specifying unit 34 specifies the printing apparatus 10 installed closest to the conference room selected by the selection unit 36. For example,
(A) Information stored in association with the conference room and the printing apparatus 10 in advance,
(B) a comparison between the location information of each conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system 50 and the installation location information acquired from each printing device 10;
(C) Information of the printing apparatus 10 installed in the vicinity of the conference room, acquired from the conference room reservation system 50,
The printing apparatus 10 is specified based on the above. Note that the printing apparatus 10 closest to the conference room may be installed in the conference room.

  The transfer control unit 38 has a function of transferring a print job to the specified printing device 10 to print when the printing device 10 specified by the specifying unit 34 is different from the own device.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 40. The mobile terminal 40 has a CPU 41 that controls the operation of the mobile terminal 40 in an integrated manner. The CPU 41 is connected to a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a nonvolatile memory 44, an operation unit 45, a display unit 46, a network communication unit 47, and the like through a bus.

  The CPU 41 is based on the OS program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. Various programs are stored in the ROM 42, and each function of the portable terminal 40 is realized by the CPU 41 executing various processes according to these programs.

  The RAM 43 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 41 executes processing based on a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 44 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and stores application programs, various fixed data, setting information, and the like. The nonvolatile memory 44 functions as a storage unit that stores various files (documents) created by the user.

  The display unit 46 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and fulfills a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 45 includes a small number of hard keys and a touch panel provided on the physical screen of the display unit 46.

  The network communication unit 47 functions to communicate with the printing apparatus 10 and other external devices via the network 3.

  Next, the operation of the transfer printing function performed in the printing system 2 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the installation status of a plurality of printing apparatuses 10 belonging to the printing system 2. The operation of the transfer printing function will be described taking the installation information printing system 2 as an example.

  The building shown in FIG. 4 has a second-floor A meeting room, a third-floor A meeting room, a third-floor B meeting room, and a fourth-floor A meeting room, and the printing apparatus 10 includes five MFPs 1 to 5. . An MFP 5 is installed near the second floor A meeting room, an MFP 1 is installed near the third floor A meeting room, an MFP 2 is installed near the third floor B meeting room, and an MFP 3 is installed near the fourth floor A meeting room. ing. Further, the MFP 4 is installed near the MFP 5. Each conference room is pre-associated with an MFP installed closest to the conference room.

  FIG. 5 is a ladder diagram showing an outline of processing when a print job is input and printed by the printing system 2. First, the user selects an arbitrary file from the portable terminal 40, and transmits a print job including the file to an arbitrary printing apparatus 10 (in the example of FIG. 4, the MFP 4 is close to his / her seat) (P1).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a document list screen 70 displayed on the display unit 46 of the mobile terminal 40. The document list screen 70 displays a list of files stored in the storage unit (nonvolatile memory 44) of the mobile terminal 40. A print button 72 is displayed on the right side of the file name of each file. When the user presses a print button 72 on the right side of a file to be printed (in this example, project book.doc), a print job including the file is transmitted from the portable terminal 40 to the printing apparatus 10. The destination printing apparatus 10 can be selected on a separate selection screen in advance or after operating the print button.

  The printing apparatus 10 that has received the print job analyzes the print job (FIG. 5, P2). By the analysis, the file name, creation date, creator, keyword included in the file to be printed, and the like of the file to be printed included in the print job are extracted. FIG. 7 shows an example of a file 80 included in the print job (in this example, a project document.doc) and a list 82 of keywords extracted from the file 80.

  FIG. 8 shows information (print job analysis result 84) extracted by analyzing the print job. Job submission time, job submission user, document name (file name), keywords detected from the document (file), and the like are extracted by analysis and registered.

  Next, the printing apparatus 10 acquires conference reservation information from the conference room reservation system 50 (FIG. 5, P3). FIG. 9 shows an example of the acquired reservation information 90. The conference reservation information includes, for each reservation, a reservation number, a conference room where the conference is held, a time (time), a conference name, a participant name, and the like.

  Next, the printing apparatus 10 selects a conference room related to the print job from the analysis result of the print job and the conference reservation information (P4 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the print job analysis result 84 and the reservation information 90 are compared, and a portion of the reservation information that matches the information included in the print job analysis result 84 is detected. Assess the relevance of

  More specifically, a comparison between the user who submitted the print job and the meeting participant, a comparison between the time when the print job was submitted and the meeting opening time, the contents of the print job (the extracted keywords and the contents of the meeting (conference name) Etc.)), and the conference room is selected based on at least one of the comparisons.

  FIG. 10 shows the reservation information 90 in FIG. 9 in which the background of the portion that matches the information included in the print job analysis result 84 is grayed out. Reservation 1 matches the information included in the print job analysis result 84 for the meeting time, part of the meeting name, and part of the participant, and reservation 2 includes part of the meeting name and is included in the print job analysis result 84 The reservation 3 has no matching point.

  As a result, the degree of relevance with the print job has the relationship of the size of the third floor A meeting room of the reservation 1> the third floor B meeting room of the reservation 2, and the fourth floor A meeting room of the reservation 3 and the reservation The 2nd floor A meeting room which is not done is irrelevant. In this example, the 3rd floor A meeting room and the 3rd floor B meeting room are selected as the meeting rooms related to the print job.

  Next, the printing apparatus 10 determines whether printing is performed on its own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job) based on the behavior of the user who has input the print job (FIG. 5, P5). . The determination methods include the following first determination method, second determination method, and third determination method combining these.

<First determination method>
The determination is made based on the position of the user (mobile terminal 40). Specifically, the user who has submitted the print job (the user's portable terminal 40) is away from the own device (the print device 10 to which the print job is submitted) or moves away from the device. If it is determined that printing is not performed by the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job), the selected related conference room is displayed. On the other hand, if it is stopped near the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input), it is determined that printing is to be performed by the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input).

<Second determination method>
After displaying a list of the selected related conference rooms, it is determined whether or not a conference room selection operation is received within a certain time (for example, several seconds). When the related conference room list screen (see FIGS. 11 and 13) is always displayed and the conference room is not selected within a certain period of time after the display is started, the own device (print job submission destination) The printing apparatus 10) determines that printing is to be performed.

<Third determination method>
Similar to the second determination method, a list screen of the selected related conference rooms is always displayed. If the conference room is not selected within a predetermined time after the display is started, the user is close to the user's own device (printing device 10 to which the print job is input) (within a predetermined distance) after the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is close to its own device (printing device 10 to which the print job is input), it is determined that printing is to be performed by its own device (printing device 10 to which the print job is input).

  If the user is not near the user's own device (printing device 10 to which the print job is input) after a predetermined time has elapsed, information on the conference room related to the user's portable terminal 40 is transmitted to the portable terminal. A list screen of related conference rooms is displayed at 40, a selection operation is received, the selection result is transmitted, and the selection result is received by the printing apparatus 10. That is, since the user is not near the printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input, the user's portable terminal 40 receives a conference room selection operation.

  If it is determined that printing is to be performed by the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input) based on the user's behavior (FIG. 5, P6; Yes), the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input) is determined. Printing is executed (P7).

  If it is determined from the user's behavior that printing is not performed by the user's own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job) (FIG. 5, P6; No), the selection result (related conference room information) is sent to the portable terminal 40. (P8), the related conference room list screen is displayed on the portable terminal 40, the selection operation is received (P9), the selection result is transmitted, and the selection result is transmitted by the printing apparatus 10. Receive (P10).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the related conference room list screen 100 displayed on the mobile terminal 40. On the related conference room list screen 100, names of related conference rooms and their selection buttons 101 are displayed in a list in descending order of relevance. In addition, a selection button 102 for selecting printing by the printing apparatus 10 as the job input destination is also displayed. When one of the selection buttons 101 and 102 is pressed and then the print button 103 is pressed, the selection result is transmitted.

  In FIG. 11, the 3rd floor A meeting room and the 3rd floor B meeting room are displayed as related meeting rooms, and among these, the 3rd floor A meeting room is selected.

  When a meeting room is selected, the printing apparatus 10 closest to the meeting room is specified, and a print job is transferred to the specified printing apparatus 10 to execute printing. On the other hand, when receiving a selection to print by the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job), printing is executed by the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job) (FIG. 5, P11). ).

  In the installation situation of FIG. 4, when the 3rd floor A meeting room is selected, the MFP 1 is specified as the transfer destination printing apparatus 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the print job is transferred from the MFP 4 to which the job is first input to the MFP 1 and printed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the related conference room list screen 120 displayed on the operation panel 22 of the printing apparatus 10. On the related conference room list screen 120, the names of related conference rooms and their selection buttons 121 are listed in descending order of relevance. In addition, a selection button 122 for selecting printing by the own apparatus is also displayed. When the selection button 121 or 122 is pressed and then the start button 26 is pressed, the corresponding process is executed.

  That is, when any meeting room is selected and the start button 26 is pressed, the print job is transferred to the printing apparatus 10 closest to the selected meeting room to perform printing. On the other hand, when the selection button 122 to be printed by the own apparatus is selected and the start button 26 is pressed, printing is executed by the own apparatus.

  For example, after P4 in FIG. 5, the related conference room list screen 120 may be displayed on the operation panel 22 of the own apparatus.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a print job selection / transmission process performed by the portable terminal 40. The portable terminal 40 displays the document list screen 70 on the display unit 46 and accepts a document (file) selection operation (step S201). When a press operation of the print button 72 is received with the document selected (step S202; Yes), a print job including the selected document is created and transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 (step S203).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving a conference room selection operation performed on the mobile terminal 40. When the portable terminal 40 that has transmitted the print job to the printing apparatus 10 in the process of FIG. 14 receives information on the relevant conference room from the print apparatus 10 that is the destination of the print job (step S221; Yes), the relevant conference room The related conference room list screen 100 listed is displayed (step S222). When an operation for selecting a conference room or the like is received (step S223; Yes), the selection result is returned to the transmission source of the information on the related conference room (step S224).

  16 and 17 show processing performed by the printing apparatus 10. When receiving the print job from the mobile terminal 40 (step S301; Yes), the printing apparatus 10 analyzes the print job (step S302). Next, reservation information is acquired from the conference room reservation system 50 (step S303), and a conference room related to the print job is selected from the analysis result and reservation information (step S304).

  The printing apparatus 10 monitors the behavior of the user who has input the print job, and determines whether or not the print job is printed by the own apparatus based on the user behavior (step S305). If it is determined that printing is to be performed by the own device (step S306; Yes), the print job is printed by the own device (step S308), and this process is terminated.

  When it is determined from the user's behavior that printing is not performed by the own apparatus (step S306; No), it is checked whether or not a related conference room is found in step S304 (step S307). If there is no related conference room (step S307; No), the print job is printed by the own apparatus (step S308), and this process is terminated. For example, if the print job is a print job for a document that is not related to a meeting, the related conference room cannot be found, and printing is automatically executed by the own apparatus.

  When the related meeting room is found (step S307; Yes), it is determined whether there are a plurality of related meeting rooms (step S309). When there is only one related conference room (step S309; No), the one related conference room is regarded as the conference room selected by the user and corresponds to the conference room (closest to the conference room). The printing apparatus 10 is specified (step S310), and the process proceeds to step S315.

  When there are a plurality of related conference rooms (step S309; Yes), information on the related conference rooms is transmitted to the mobile terminal 40 that is the transmission source of the print job (step S311), and the selection result is sent. (Step S312; No).

  When the selection result is received from the portable terminal 40 (step S312; Yes), it is determined whether the own device is selected as the output destination or any conference room is selected (step S313). If the own apparatus is selected (step S313; Yes), the print job is printed by the own apparatus (step S316), and this process is terminated.

  When any one of the conference rooms is selected (step S313; No), the printing apparatus 10 corresponding to the selected conference room (closest to the conference room) is specified (step S314), and the process goes to step S315. Transition.

  In step S315, it is determined whether or not the specified printing apparatus 10 (transfer destination) and its own apparatus are installed within a certain distance. If the printing apparatus 10 identified as the own apparatus is close (step S315; Yes), the print job is printed by the own apparatus (step S316), and this process is terminated. It is not transferred to another nearby printing apparatus 10.

  If the identified printing apparatus 10 and the self apparatus are not installed within a certain distance (step S315; No), the print job is transferred to the identified printing apparatus 10 to execute printing (step S317). This process is terminated.

  FIG. 18 is a ladder diagram illustrating an outline of processing when the user's behavior is determined by the third determination method described above. The same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals (P1 and the like), and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  After selecting the related conference room, the related conference room list screen 120 of FIG. 13 is always displayed on the operation panel 22 of the own apparatus (printing apparatus 10 to which the print job is input) (P5a). If a selection to print by the own device (pressing the selection button 122 in FIG. 13) is received within a certain time after starting the display (P6a), printing is executed by the own device (P7a).

  When a conference room selection (pressing any one of the selection buttons 121 in FIG. 13) is received within a predetermined time after the display of the related conference room list screen 120 is started (P8a), the selected conference room The printing device 10 closest to is identified, and a print job is transferred to the printing device 10 to execute printing (P9a).

  If a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the display of the related conference room list screen 120 without receiving any of the above selections, the user who submitted the print job is close to his / her device (predetermined distance) after the certain period of time has elapsed. (P10a). If it is near the own apparatus (P10a; Yes), it is determined that printing is performed by the own apparatus, and the print job is printed by the own apparatus (P11a).

  If the user is not near the user's own device after a certain period of time (P10a; No), the related conference room information is transmitted to the user's portable terminal 40 (P8). The processing of P8 to P11 is the same as that in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the printing apparatus 10 that has received a print job determines whether the print job should be printed by the own apparatus or by the printing apparatus 10 near the conference room, and the conference room If it is determined that printing should be performed by the printing device 10 near the user, a conference room related to the print job is selected and presented to the user, and the print job is displayed on the printing device 10 closest to the conference room selected by the user. Transfer and print. Thus, the user can print the material with the printing device 10 near the desired conference room without taking the trouble of previously associating the conference with the conference material and registering it in the conference reservation system. it can.

  In addition, since only relevant conference rooms are displayed, the user only has to select the target conference room from among the relevant conference rooms, which is less time-consuming to select than all the conference rooms. It is reduced.

  Also, if the print job is not a conference material and does not have an associated conference room, printing will be executed by the destination printing device without performing a special selection operation. There is no need to select each time whether to print with another printing apparatus 10 near the conference room.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the printing apparatus 10 performs various determinations and processes related to the transfer printing function has been described, but each process for realizing the transfer printing function is shared by the printing apparatus 10 and various servers. It may be configured to be realized by the entire printing system. How to share can be determined appropriately. When the transfer printing function is realized in the entire printing system, the same processing may be performed with the “self apparatus” in the embodiment as the “printing apparatus to which the print job is input”.

  The document list screen 70, the related conference room list screens 100, 120, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not limited to these.

  In the embodiment, when there are a plurality of selected conference rooms, selection is received from the user, but any one of them may be automatically selected.

2 ... Printing system 3 ... Network 5 ... Access point 10 ... Printing device 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Image reading part 15 ... Printer part 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Non-volatile memory 18 ... Hard disk device 19 ... Facsimile communication part 21 ... Network communication part 22 ... Operation panel 23 ... Display part 24 ... Operation part 26 ... Start button 31 ... Reservation information acquisition unit 32 ... analysis unit 33 ... behavior information acquisition unit 34 ... identification unit 35 ... selection unit 36 ... selection unit 37 ... determination unit 38 ... transfer control unit 40 ... mobile terminal 41 ... CPU
42 ... ROM
43 ... RAM
44 ... Non-volatile memory 45 ... Operation unit 46 ... Display unit 47 ... Network communication unit 50 ... Conference room reservation system 60 ... User location management server 70 ... Document list screen 72 ... Print button 80 ... File 82 ... Keyword list 84 ... Print job Analysis result 90 ... reservation information 100 ... related conference room list screen (displayed on portable terminal)
101 ... Selection button 102 ... Selection button 103 ... Print button 120 ... Related conference room list screen (displayed on the operation panel of the printing apparatus)
121 ... Selection button 122 ... Selection button

Claims (20)

A printing system including a plurality of printing devices,
A reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the conference room from the conference room reservation system;
An analysis unit for analyzing a print job received by one printing apparatus;
A selection unit for selecting a conference room related to the print job from the analysis result and the reservation information;
A specifying unit for specifying a printing device closest to the selected conference room;
A transfer control unit configured to transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the printing device specified by the specifying unit is different from the one printing device; and
A printing system characterized by comprising: A notification unit for notifying the conference room selected by the selection unit;
A selection unit for receiving selection of a predetermined conference room from among the conference rooms notified by the notification unit;
Further comprising
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies a printing apparatus closest to the selected conference room. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein when the print job is not transferred to the specified printing apparatus, the one printing apparatus prints the print job. 4. A behavior detection unit that detects a behavior of a user who has transmitted the print job to the one printing apparatus;
A determination unit that determines whether the user prints the print job with the one printing device based on the user's behavior;
Further comprising
If the determination unit determines that the user prints the print job on the one printing device, the print job is transferred to the one printing device without transferring the print job to the specified printing device. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein printing is performed. The behavior detection unit may determine whether the user is in a position away from the one printing apparatus by a certain distance or the user moves away from the one printing apparatus as the user behavior. Detect whether or not
When the user is at a position away from the one printing apparatus by a certain distance or when the user is moving in a direction away from the one printing apparatus, the determination unit Determining that the job is not printed by the one printing device;
When this determination is made, the result of the selection is transmitted to the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, the portable terminal functions as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection result is transmitted from the portable terminal. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the system is received. Claim 4 that cites claim 2 or claim 3 that cites claim 2. The operation panel of the one printing apparatus is caused to function as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection result is displayed.
The behavior detection unit detects, as the user behavior, whether or not the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time after starting the display,
The determination unit determines that the user prints the print job with the one printing apparatus when the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started. The printing system according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein claim 4 is referred to claim 2, or claim 3 is referred to. The operation panel of the one printing apparatus is caused to function as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection result is displayed.
The behavior detection unit is configured to determine whether the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time from the start of the display as the user behavior, and whether the user performs a predetermined operation of the one printing apparatus. Detect if you are within distance,
The determination unit is a case where the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and the user is not within a predetermined distance of the one printing apparatus when the predetermined time elapses. Is a case where the user determines not to print the print job with the one printing apparatus, and the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and when the predetermined time elapses. If the user is within a predetermined distance of the one printing device, the user determines to print the print job on the one printing device;
If the determination unit determines not to print, the selection result is transmitted to the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, the portable terminal functions as the notification unit and the selection unit, and the selection is performed. The printing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the result of claim 4 is received from the portable terminal. Claim 4 or claim 2 that quotes claim 2 or claim 3. The transfer control unit does not transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the specified printing device is a printing device installed within a predetermined distance from the one printing device. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The selection unit compares a user who has submitted the print job with a conference participant, a comparison between a time when the print job is submitted and a conference opening time, and a comparison between the content of the print job and the content of the conference. 9. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein a meeting room related to the print job is selected based on at least one of them. The specific part is:
Information stored in association with the conference room and the printing device in advance,
A comparison between the location information of each conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system and the installation location information acquired from each printing device;
Information about the printing device installed in the vicinity of the conference room, obtained from the conference room reservation system,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the closest printing apparatus is specified based on the printing system. A receiving unit for receiving a print job;
A reservation information acquisition unit for acquiring reservation information of the conference room from the conference room reservation system;
An analysis unit for analyzing the received print job;
A selection unit for selecting a conference room related to the print job from the analysis result and the reservation information;
A specifying unit for specifying a printing device closest to the selected conference room;
A transfer control unit for transferring the print job to the specified printing device and printing when the printing device specified by the specifying unit is not its own device;
A printing apparatus comprising: A notification unit for notifying the conference room selected by the selection unit;
A selection unit for receiving selection of a predetermined conference room from among the conference rooms notified by the notification unit;
Further comprising
The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the specifying unit specifies a printing apparatus closest to the selected conference room. The printing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein when the print job is not transferred to the specified printing apparatus, the print job is printed by the own apparatus. A behavior detection unit for detecting the behavior of the user who transmitted the print job;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the user prints the print job on its own device based on the behavior of the user;
Further comprising
When the determination unit determines that the user prints the print job on the own device, the print job is printed on the own device without transferring the print job to the specified printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13. The behavior detection unit detects, as the user's behavior, whether the user is at a position away from the device by a certain distance or whether the user is moving in a direction away from the device. ,
The determination unit prints the print job on the own device when the user is at a certain distance from the own device or when the user moves in a direction away from the own device. And decide not to
When this determination is made, the notification unit transmits and displays the selection result on the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, and the selection unit causes the portable terminal to receive a meeting room selection. The result of the selection is transmitted to the own device, and the result of the selection transmitted from the portable terminal is received. The claim of citing claim 12 or claim 12 quoting claim 12 The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein 13 is cited. The notification unit displays the result of the selection on the operation panel of its own device,
The selection unit accepts the selection on the operation panel,
The behavior detection unit detects, as the user behavior, whether or not the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time after starting the display,
The determination unit, when the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, determines that the user prints the print job on the own apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the printer is cited. The notification unit displays the result of the selection on the operation panel of its own device,
The selection unit accepts the selection on the operation panel,
The behavior detection unit is configured to determine whether the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel within a predetermined time from the start of the display as the user behavior, and whether the user is within a predetermined distance of the device. Detect if you are,
The determination unit is a case where the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after starting the display, and when the user is not within a predetermined distance of the own device when the predetermined time has elapsed, It is determined that the user does not print the print job on the own device, and the selection operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the display is started, and the user If the user is within a predetermined distance, it is determined that the user prints the print job on the own device,
If the determination unit determines not to print, the notification unit transmits and displays the selection result on the portable terminal of the user who has submitted the print job, and the selection unit selects a meeting room. 14. The method according to claim 14, wherein the portable terminal receives the selection result, transmits the selection result to the own device, and receives the selection result transmitted from the portable terminal. The printing apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the printer is referred to as claim 13. The transfer control unit does not transfer the print job to the specified printing device when the specified printing device is a printing device installed within a predetermined distance from the own device. Item 18. The printing apparatus according to any one of Items 11 to 17. The selection unit compares a user who has submitted the print job with a conference participant, a comparison between a time when the print job is submitted and a conference opening time, and a comparison between the content of the print job and the content of the conference. The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a meeting room related to the print job is selected based on at least one of them. The specific part is:
Information stored in association with the conference room and the printing device in advance,
A comparison between the location information of each conference room acquired from the conference room reservation system and the installation location information acquired from each printing device;
Information about the printing device installed in the vicinity of the conference room, obtained from the conference room reservation system,
The printing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the closest printing apparatus is specified based on the information.

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