JP6579013B2 - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  There is a printing method called pull printing. In pull print printing, print data relating to document data designated as a print target by a user at a client terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) is stored in the client terminal or a predetermined server. In response to a user operation on the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus acquires (pulls) print data stored in the client terminal or the predetermined server, and executes a print job. In pull print printing, a print job is executed when there is a user near the image forming apparatus. Therefore, paper on which confidential information or the like is printed is left unattended, or paper on which confidential information or the like is printed is referred to by others. Can be prevented. Further, according to pull print printing, a print job can be executed from any of a plurality of image forming apparatuses accessible to a client terminal or a predetermined server.

  Here, attention is paid to the form in which the print data is stored in the client terminal. When print data is stored in a client terminal, it is troublesome to register all the client terminals from which print data is acquired in the image forming apparatus. For example, in a company or the like, each employee may have a terminal that can be a client terminal, and the number of such terminals increases or decreases relatively easily.

  Therefore, in the form in which the print data is stored in the client terminal, for example, pull print printing is executed in the following procedure.

  The client terminal storing the print data transmits identification information of the print data to a predetermined server (hereinafter referred to as “print server”). The print server stores information including the identification information and the IP address of the client terminal in association with each other (hereinafter referred to as “job information”). The job information is stored for each print data saved in the client terminal. The image forming apparatus to be operated acquires a list of job information from the print server. The image forming apparatus acquires print data related to the identification information included in the job information from the client terminal related to the IP address included in the job information selected by the user from the list. According to such a procedure, it is not necessary to register the IP address of the client terminal in advance in the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, in a company including a plurality of offices or business offices (hereinafter referred to as “bases”), for example, a print server may be installed for each base. In addition, the IP address system may be different for each site. On the other hand, when the client terminal is a portable terminal such as a notebook PC or smart terminal, there is a possibility that one client terminal is used across a plurality of bases.

  Then, when a certain client terminal is used at the site A, the print data stored in the client terminal cannot be accessed from the image forming apparatus after the client terminal moves to the site B. Can occur.

  That is, in this case, job information including an IP address assigned at the site A for the client terminal is stored in the print server at the site A. Even if the image forming apparatus to be operated attempts to acquire print data from the client terminal based on the IP address included in the job information acquired from the print server at the base A, the client terminal Since another IP address is assigned in B, the client terminal cannot be accessed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable acquisition of data from a storage destination even when the destination information of the data storage destination device changes. .

  In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system including a plurality of first information processing devices and a second information processing device connected to the plurality of first information processing devices via a network. Each of the first information processing apparatuses associates the identification name of the terminal and the destination information of the terminal, which is transmitted from a terminal connected to the first information processing apparatus via a network, with the first information processing apparatus. A registration unit that registers in the information processing apparatus, a reception unit that receives information including identification information of data stored in the terminal, an identification name of the terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal from the terminal; , Stored in the storage unit of the first information processing device or another first information processing device in response to a request from the data acquisition device and a storage unit that stores information received by the receiving unit From the information An acquisition unit that acquires information including identification information of the user of the data acquisition device, and each acquired information is registered in the second information processing device in association with the identification name included in the information. And a transmission unit that transmits the data identification information included in the information to the data acquisition device, and the data acquisition device acquires the data based on the destination information.

  Even when the destination information of the data storage destination device changes, it is possible to acquire data from the storage destination.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the base server in 1st Embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence performed regarding a printing instruction | indication. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a server information setting screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a client information storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a job information storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a preservation | save information storage part. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by a client terminal in response to a print instruction in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the condition assumed in description of the process sequence performed at the time of printing. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence performed at the time of printing in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a base server list memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of a job list. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the printing system in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by a client terminal in response to a print instruction in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a transmission information storage part. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence performed when the base to which a client terminal belongs in 2nd Embodiment changes. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence performed at the time of printing in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment.

  In the printing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, each of the bases such as the base A, the base B, and the base C is, for example, an activity base such as a business office or office of a certain company. For example, the base A may be a base in the region A, the base B may be a base in the region B, and the base C may be a base in the region C. In areas A to C, prefectures may be different or countries may be different. In addition, four or more bases may exist. Note that “a” is added to the end of the code of the device belonging to the site A, “b” is added to the end of the code of the device belonging to the site B, and is added to the end of the code of the device belonging to the site C Is given "c". When the devices of the base A, the base B, and the base C are not distinguished, “a”, “b”, or “c” at the end of the code is omitted.

  Each base includes a base server 10, one or more client terminals 30, and one or more image forming apparatuses 20. The base server 10 is connected to each client terminal 30 and each image forming apparatus 20 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. That is, each base server 10 corresponds to a different image forming apparatus 20.

  The client terminal 30 is, for example, a terminal used by each user who performs business at a base. For example, a notebook PC or the like may be used as the client terminal 30. In the present embodiment, the client terminal 30 receives a document data print instruction from the user. The client terminal 30 generates print data for the document data that is the target of the print instruction, the identification information of the user of the client terminal 30 (hereinafter referred to as “user name”), the identification information of the print data, and The identification name of the client terminal 30 (hereinafter referred to as “terminal name”) or the like is transmitted to the base server 10 belonging to the same base as the client terminal 30. In the print instruction, when the base server 10 is designated as the print data storage destination, the client terminal 30 also transmits the print data to the base server 10. On the other hand, when the client terminal 30 is designated as the print data storage destination in the print instruction, the client terminal 30 stores the print data without transmitting it to the base server 10.

  The terminal name is identification information that does not change even if the base to which the client terminal 30 belongs is different. On the other hand, the IP address of the client terminal 30 can change according to the location to which the client terminal 30 belongs. For example, each site has a different IP address system, and the IP address of the client terminal 30 is assigned at each site.

  The print data is data used for drawing a print image in a print job, such as PDL (Page Description Language) format data.

  The base server 10 stores information (hereinafter referred to as “job information”) including user name and print data identification information transmitted from the client terminal 30 for each print data. In addition, when the print data is transmitted from the client terminal 30, the base server 10 also stores the print data. The job information also includes information indicating the print data storage destination. For example, when the storage destination of the print data is the base server 10, the value of the information is a value indicating the base server 10. On the other hand, when the print data storage destination is the client terminal 30, the value of the information is the terminal name of the client terminal 30. In the present embodiment, one base server 10 is installed at one base. However, a plurality of site servers 10 may be installed at one site.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a device having a printing function, such as a multifunction machine or a printer. In response to a user operation, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a job information acquisition request to the base server 10 belonging to the same base as the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 prints print data related to the job information based on information indicating a storage destination included in the job information selected by the user from the job information returned in response to the acquisition request. To get. In each image forming apparatus 20, destination information of a base server 10 belonging to the same base as the image forming apparatus 20 is set in advance as a job information acquisition destination.

  The management server 40 is a computer that is communicably connected to each base server 10 of a plurality of bases via a network such as the Internet or a LAN. The management server 40 executes processing for realizing distribution across the base servers 10 for job information and print data. For example, the management server 40 executes processing for enabling execution of a print job based on print data stored in the base server 10b or the client terminal 30b of the base B by the image forming apparatus 20a of the base A.

  Note that the management server 40 does not have to be unique. For example, the management server 40 may be installed for each set of a predetermined number of bases. Further, the management server 40 may belong to any of the bases. For example, any of the base servers 10 may function as the management server 40.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the base server according to the first embodiment. The base server 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program that realizes processing in the base server 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes functions related to the base server 10 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  Each base server 10 may be realized by a plurality of computers each having a configuration as shown in FIG. The management server 40 may also have the same hardware configuration as the base server 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the first embodiment. 3, the client terminal 30 includes a setting reception unit 31, a registration request unit 32, a print instruction reception unit 33, a print data generation unit 34, a job information transmission unit 35, a client data management unit 36, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the client terminal 30 cause the CPU of the client terminal 30 to execute. The client terminal 30 also includes a server information storage unit 37, a client data storage unit 38, and the like. Each of these storage units can be realized using an auxiliary storage device of the client terminal 30, for example.

  The setting receiving unit 31 receives an input of setting information for making the printing system 1 available from the user. Specifically, identification information (hereinafter referred to as “server information”) of the base server 10 at the base to which the client terminal 30 belongs is input as such setting information. The setting reception unit 31 stores the received server information in the server information storage unit 37. An example of the server information is the IP address of the base server 10.

  For example, the registration request unit 32 transmits a registration request for the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30 to the base server 10 related to the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37 in response to an operation by the user.

  The print instruction receiving unit 33 receives a print instruction from the user for document data stored in the client terminal 30 or document data being edited in the client terminal 30. In the print instruction, the storage destination of the print data generated for the document data is also specified.

  The print data generation unit 34 generates print data for the document data specified as a print target in the print instruction.

  The job information transmission unit 35 includes print data identification information (hereinafter referred to as “job name”) generated by the print data generation unit 34, a login user name of the client terminal 30, a terminal name of the client terminal 30, and the like. The job information is transmitted to the base server 10 related to the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37. In addition, when the base server 10 is specified as the print data storage destination, the job information transmission unit 35 transmits the print data to the base server 10 and the client terminal 30 is specified as the print data storage destination. In this case, the print data is stored in the client data storage unit 38.

  In response to the print data acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 20, the client data management unit 36 acquires the print data from the client data storage unit 38. The client data management unit 36 returns the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 that is the transmission source of the acquisition request.

  The base server 10 includes a registration request relay unit 121, a job information reception unit 122, a storage information transmission unit 123, a job list request reception unit 124, a storage destination inquiry unit 125, a job information collection unit 126, a job list reply unit 127, and a server. A data management unit 128 and the like are included. Each of these units is realized by processing executed by the CPU 104 by one or more programs installed in the base server 10. The base server 10 also includes a job information storage unit 131, a server data storage unit 132, and the like. Each of these storage units can be realized using the auxiliary storage device 102, for example. Alternatively, each of these storage units may be realized using a storage device connected to the base server 10 via a network.

  The registration request relay unit 121 receives the registration request for the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30 transmitted by the registration request unit 32 of the client terminal 30 and transfers the registration request to the management server 40.

  The job information receiving unit 122 receives job information transmitted from the client terminal 30. The job information receiving unit 122 stores the received job information in the job information storage unit 131. Further, when print data is received from the client terminal 30, the job information receiving unit 122 stores the print data in the server data storage unit 132 in association with the job information.

  The stored information transmission unit 123 receives the user name of the user related to the job information received by the job information reception unit 122 and the identification information of the base server 10 (hereinafter referred to as “base server name”) as the management server 40. Send to. That is, the storage information transmission unit 123 notifies the management server 40 that the job information of the user related to the user name is stored in the base server 10. Hereinafter, the information notified by the storage information transmission unit 123 is referred to as “storage information”.

  The job list request receiving unit 124 receives from the image forming apparatus 20 an acquisition request for a list of job information related to the login user of the image forming apparatus 20 (hereinafter referred to as “job list”). The storage destination inquiry unit 125 inquires of the management server 40 about the base server 10 that stores the job information corresponding to the user related to the job list acquisition request. That is, the management server 40 can specify the base server 10 that stores job information corresponding to each user based on the storage information received from each base server 10. The job information collection unit 126 collects job information corresponding to the user related to the job list acquisition request from the base server 10 or another base server 10 based on the inquiry result by the storage destination inquiry unit 125. The job list reply unit 127 returns the job list collected by the job information collection unit 126 to the image forming apparatus 20 that is the transmission source of the job list acquisition request. The server data management unit 128 acquires the print data from the server data storage unit 132 in response to a print data acquisition request related to job information selected from the job list. The server data management unit 128 returns the acquired print data to the image forming apparatus 20 that has transmitted the acquisition request.

  The management server 40 includes a client registration unit 41, a storage information reception unit 42, a storage destination response unit 43, a client information response unit 44, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the management server 40 cause the CPU of the management server 40 to execute. The management server 40 also includes a client information storage unit 45, a saved information storage unit 46, a base server list storage unit 47, and the like. Each of these storage units can be realized using an auxiliary storage device included in the management server 40, for example. Alternatively, each of these storage units may be realized using a storage device connected to the management server 40 via a network.

  The client registration unit 41 receives the registration request of the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30 relayed by each base server 10, and stores the terminal name and the IP address in association with each other in the client information storage unit 45. . That is, the terminal name and the IP address of each client terminal 30 are managed centrally in the management server 40.

  The saved information receiving unit 42 receives the saved information transmitted from the saved information transmitting unit 123 of each base server 10. The saved information receiving unit 42 stores the received saved information in the saved information storage unit 46. Accordingly, the storage information storage unit 46 stores the base server name of the base server 10 that stores the job information corresponding to the user associated with the user name, in association with the user name.

  The storage destination response unit 43 is stored in the storage information storage unit 46 in association with the user name included in the inquiry request in response to the inquiry request from the storage destination inquiry unit 125 of each site server 10. Reply with a list of names.

  In response to the acquisition request for the IP address of the client terminal 30 transmitted from the job information collection unit 126 of each site server 10, the client information response unit 44 is associated with the terminal name included in the acquisition request. The IP address stored in the information storage unit 45 is returned.

  The base server list storage unit 47 stores a base server name and an IP address in association with each base server 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an input control unit 21, a display control unit 22, a login control unit 23, a job list acquisition unit 24, a data acquisition unit 25, a job execution unit 26, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus 20 cause the CPU of the image forming apparatus 20 to execute.

  For example, the input control unit 21 interprets a user instruction input via the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20. The display control unit 22 causes the operation panel to display information generated during the progress of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 20. The login control unit 23 controls user login processing for the image forming apparatus 20.

  The job list acquisition unit 24 acquires a job list related to the login user from the base server 10 set as a reference destination for the image forming apparatus 20.

  The data acquisition unit 25 acquires print data relating to job information selected by the user from the job list displayed on the operation panel. The job execution unit 26 controls printing of the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 25.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed with respect to the print instruction.

  First, before a print instruction is issued, a registration instruction for the client terminal 30 is input to the client terminal 30 by the user. The registration request unit 32 of the client terminal 30 transmits a registration request including the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30 to the base server 10 related to the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37 (S101).

  The server information is set in advance in the client terminal 30 via the server information setting screen shown in FIG. 5 and stored in the server information storage unit 37, for example.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the server information setting screen. In FIG. 5, the server information setting screen 510 includes an area 511, an area 512, an area 513, and the like.

  The area 511 includes a check box for setting a secondary server of the base server 10 that is enabled during the failover operation. When the check box for setting the secondary server to be enabled during the failover operation is checked, the setting column for the selected secondary server is enabled.

  In addition, the area 511 includes an edit box in which the client terminal 30 waits for a response from the base server 10 that is the primary server and sets the time for connection timeout. The area 512 includes an edit box for setting the IP address or host name of the primary server of the base server 10 and an edit box for setting the port number. The area 513 includes an edit box for setting the IP address or host name of the secondary server of the base server 10 and an edit box for setting the port number. The areas 512 and 513 also include a connection test button for confirming the connection to the base server 10 using the set IP address or host name and port number.

  In addition, although the example with a secondary server is shown about the base server 10 above, the secondary server does not need to be installed. In this case, settings relating to the secondary server are unnecessary.

  When receiving the registration request, the registration request relay unit 121 of the base server 10 transfers the registration request to the management server 40 (S102). In each base server 10, the IP address of the management server 40 is set in advance.

  When receiving the registration request, the client registration unit 41 of the management server 40 stores the terminal name and the IP address included in the registration request in the client information storage unit 45 in association with each other.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the client information storage unit. As shown in FIG. 6, the client information storage unit 45 stores the terminal name and IP address of each client terminal 30 in association with each other.

  When the record related to the terminal name included in the registration request is already stored in the client information storage unit 45, the client registration unit 41 of the management server 40 uses the IP address included in the registration request. The IP address stored in the record is overwritten. Therefore, when the location to which a certain client terminal 30 belongs changes, the client information storage unit 45 stores the IP address assigned at the changed location in association with the terminal name of the client terminal 30. The

  Step S101 is executed before the client terminal 30 issues a print instruction for the first time at a certain site. That is, step S101 is executed every time the base server 10 to which the client terminal 30 is connected is switched. For example, step S101 may be automatically executed according to the server information setting. In addition, when the client terminal 30 receives a print instruction for the first time at a certain base, the registration request unit 32 may automatically execute step S101. Whether it is the first print instruction at a certain base may be determined based on, for example, whether it is the first print instruction after changing the IP address assigned to the client terminal 30.

  Subsequently, when the print instruction reception unit 33 of the client terminal 30 receives a print instruction for printing certain document data (S103), the print data generation unit 34 generates print data for the document data. Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35 transmits job information relating to the print data to the base server 10 related to the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37 (S104). When the job information receiving unit 122 of the base server 10 receives the job information, the job information receiving unit 122 stores the job information in the job information storage unit 131.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the job information storage unit. In FIG. 7, the job information storage unit 131 stores a job name, a user name, a storage destination, and the like for each print data. The job name is identification information of the print data. The user name is a user name of a user who has input a print instruction related to the print data. The storage destination is identification information of the storage destination of the print data. When the print data storage destination is the client terminal 30, the value of the storage destination is the terminal name of the client terminal 30. When the print data storage destination is the base server 10, the value of the storage destination is the base server name of the base server 10.

  If the storage destination of the print data is the base server 10, the job information transmission unit 35 transmits the print data together with the job information to the base server 10 in step S104. The job information receiving unit 122 of the base server 10 stores the print data in the server data storage unit 132 in association with the job name, for example.

  Subsequently, the storage information transmission unit 123 of the base server 10 transmits storage information including the user name related to the job information and the base server name of the base server 10 to the management server 40 (S105). When the storage information receiving unit 42 of the management server 40 receives the storage information, the storage information receiving unit 42 stores the storage information in the storage information storage unit 46.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the saved information storage unit. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the saved information storage unit 46 stores a user name related to job information and a base server name of the base server 10 in which the job information is stored in association with each other.

  Next, details of processing executed by the client terminal 30 with respect to steps S103 and S104 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the client terminal in response to the print instruction in the first embodiment.

  In step S201, the print instruction receiving unit 33 receives a print instruction from the user. In the print instruction, the document data to be printed, the storage destination of the print data, and the like are designated. The print data storage destination may be received, for example, via a screen or the like for receiving settings of print attributes (print conditions).

  Subsequently, the print data generation unit 34 generates print data for the document data designated as the print target (S202).

  Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35 determines whether or not the print data storage destination is the base server 10 (S203). When the storage destination of the print data is the base server 10 (Yes in S203), the job information transmission unit 35 sends the job information including the job name and the user name of the login user and the generated print data to the base server 10. Transmit (S204). The base server 10 that is the transmission destination of job information or the like is specified based on the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37. The job name is generated based on, for example, the file name of document data to be printed.

  On the other hand, when the print data storage destination is the client terminal 30 (No in S203), the job information transmission unit 35 displays job information including the job name, the user name of the login user, and the terminal name of the client terminal 30. It transmits to the base server 10 (S205). Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35 stores the print data in the client data storage unit 38 in association with the job name (S206).

  Subsequently, a processing procedure executed at the time of printing will be described. Here, a situation as shown in FIG. 10 is assumed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a situation assumed in the description of the processing procedure executed at the time of printing.

  In FIG. 10, the client terminal 30a is initially connected to the network of the base A. Therefore, the client terminal 30a executes the process described in FIG. In FIG. 10, r1 corresponds to a registration request including the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30a. Therefore, at this time, the IP address assigned to the client terminal 30a at the site A in association with the terminal name of the client terminal 30a is stored in the client information storage unit 45. J1 corresponds to job information. The job information is stored in the base server 10a. Here, it is assumed that the print data is stored in the client terminal 30a. Further, n1 is storage information transmitted in response to reception of job information. That is, it is registered in the management server 40 that the job information relating to the user A is stored in the base server 10a.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the user of the client terminal 30a (user A) carries the client terminal 30a and moves to the base B. At this time, the user A sets server information related to the base server 10b of the base B via the setting reception unit 31a of the client terminal 30a. Therefore, server information relating to the base server 10b is stored in the server information storage unit 37a. Subsequently, the client terminal 30a connects to the network of the base B and executes Step S101 in FIG. That is, in FIG. 10, r2 corresponds to a registration request including the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30a. Therefore, at this point, the IP address assigned to the client terminal 30a at the site B in association with the terminal name of the client terminal 30a is stored in the client information storage unit 45. That is, the record stored in the client information storage unit 45 based on the registration request r1 is updated based on the registration request r2.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the user A moves to the base C and inputs a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 20c at the base C with the client terminal 30a connected to the base B network.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed at the time of printing in the first embodiment. In the description of FIG. 11, “a”, “b”, or “c” given to the end of the reference numeral of the specific device including each part is given to the end of the reference numeral of each part shown in FIG. 3.

  In step S301, the user A inputs a login request via a login screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20c. In the login request, for example, a user name (userA) of user A, a password, and the like are input. When the input control unit 21c of the image forming apparatus 20c detects the login request, the login control unit 23c authenticates the user name or the like input with the login request. Note that the authentication may be performed based on a known method. If the authentication is successful, the login control unit 23c enables the user A to use the image forming apparatus 20c (S302). For example, the login screen is deleted, and a screen for waiting for an input of a function use instruction of the image forming apparatus 20c is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the input control unit 21c detects an input of a job list acquisition instruction (S303), the job list acquisition unit 24c transmits a job list acquisition request to the base server 10c (S304). The acquisition request includes the user name (“userA”) of the login user of the image forming apparatus 20c. The IP address of the base server 10c is set in advance in the image forming apparatus 20c.

  When the acquisition request is received by the job list request receiving unit 124c of the base server 10c, the storage destination inquiry unit 125c transmits to the management server 40 an inquiry request for the storage destination of the user's job information related to the acquisition request. (S305). The inquiry request includes the user name (“userA”) included in the acquisition request.

  When receiving the inquiry request, the storage destination response unit 43 of the management server 40 acquires the base server name associated with the user name included in the inquiry request from the storage information storage unit 46. Based on the example of FIG. 10, the base server name of the base server 10a is acquired. If the user A has also issued a print instruction at the site B, the name of the site server of the site server 10b is also acquired. The storage destination response unit 43 acquires the IP address corresponding to the acquired base server name from the base server list storage unit 47.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the base server list storage unit. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the base server list storage unit 47 stores, for each base server 10, the IP address of the base server 10 in association with the base server name of the base server 10.

  The storage destination response unit 43 returns the IP address acquired from the base server list storage unit 47 to the storage destination inquiry unit 125c (S306). In each base server 10, when the IP address of the other base server 10 is stored in association with the base server name of the other base server 10, in step S <b> 306, from the saved information storage unit 46. The acquired base server name may be returned.

  When the storage destination inquiry unit 125c receives the IP address, the job information collection unit 126c transmits a job list acquisition request to the base server 10a related to the IP address (S307). The acquisition request includes the user name included in the job list acquisition request received in step S304. When a plurality of IP addresses are returned from the storage destination response unit 43, a job list acquisition request is transmitted to each IP address.

  When the job list request receiving unit 124a of the base server 10a receives the acquisition request, the job list reply unit 127a sends job information including the user name included in the acquisition request from the job information storage unit 131a. get. Subsequently, the job list reply unit 127a returns a job list having the acquired job information as a component to the job information collection unit 126c (S308).

  When the job list is received from all the transmission destinations (here, the base server 10a) of the job list acquisition request, the job information collection unit 126c merges the received job lists (S309). That is, each job list is integrated into one job list. Subsequently, when the job list that includes the terminal name of any one of the client terminals 30 is included in the job list after integration, the job information collection unit 126c includes the terminal name of the job information. An address acquisition request is transmitted to the management server 40 (S310). The client information response unit 44 of the management server 40 acquires the IP address stored in the client information storage unit 45 in association with the terminal name included in the acquisition request. The client information response unit 44 returns the IP address to the job information collection unit 126c (S311). According to the example of FIG. 10, here, the IP address assigned at the site B is returned to the client terminal 30a.

  When the job information collection unit 126c receives the IP address for the terminal name, the job information collection unit 126c adds an IP address corresponding to the storage destination of the job information to each job information included in the job list. An IP address related to the base server name is added to the job information whose storage destination value is the base server name. The IP address has been acquired in step S306. Further, the IP address received in step S311 is added to the job information whose storage destination value is the terminal name of the client terminal 30a. Note that the IP address may be added to each job information by replacing the value of the storage destination of each job information with the IP address.

  Subsequently, the job list reply unit 127c returns a job list in which the IP address is added to each job information to the image forming apparatus 20c (S312).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list. FIG. 13 shows a job list including job information including “userA” as a user name among the job information shown in FIG. Further, each job information constituting the job list is added with an IP address corresponding to the storage destination of the job information.

  When the job list is received by the job list acquisition unit 24c of the image forming apparatus 20c, the display control unit 22c displays the job list on the operation panel (S313).

  The user A selects one or more job information from the displayed job list and inputs a print execution instruction (S314). When the execution instruction is detected by the input control unit 21c, the data acquisition unit 25c transmits a print data acquisition request to the IP address of the selected job information (S315). The acquisition request includes the job name of the job information. For example, when job information whose storage destination is the IP address of the client terminal 30a is selected, a print data acquisition request is transmitted to the client terminal 30a. Here, the IP address of the client terminal 30a included in the job information is an IP address assigned to the client terminal 30a at the site B. Therefore, the IP address is normally received by the client data management unit 36a of the client terminal 30a unless there are special circumstances such as communication failure.

  Subsequently, the client data management unit 36a acquires the print data associated with the job name included in the acquisition request and stored in the client data storage unit 38a, and sends the print data to the data acquisition unit 25c. A reply is made (S316).

  When the print data is received by the data acquisition unit 25c, the job execution unit 26c executes a print job for the print data. As a result, a sheet on which the print data is printed is output.

  If, in step S314, job information whose storage destination is the base server 10a is selected, the data acquisition unit 25c transmits a print data acquisition request to the base server 10a. The acquisition request includes the job name of the job information. The server data management unit 128 of the base server 10a acquires the print data associated with the job name included in the acquisition request and stored in the server data storage unit 132a, and uses the print data as the data acquisition unit 25c. Reply to

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the latest IP address of each client terminal 30 is stored in the management server 40 in association with the terminal name of each client terminal 30. Further, the job information relating to the print data stored in each client terminal 30 includes the terminal name of the storage destination client terminal 30. Here, the terminal name is fixed identification information that does not depend on the network to which the client terminal 30 is connected. Accordingly, even when the base server 10 to which the client terminal 30 is connected changes and the IP address of the client terminal 30 changes, the latest IP of the client terminal 30 to which the print data related to each job information is stored The address (destination information) can be specified based on the terminal name included in the job information. Therefore, each image forming apparatus 20 can acquire print data from the client terminal 30 based on the IP address specified in this way. Therefore, even when the destination information of the print data storage destination device (client terminal 30) changes, it is possible to acquire data from the storage destination.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the IP address is an example of the destination information of the client terminal 30 is shown. However, destination information other than the IP address may be used according to the communication protocol used. .

  In the present embodiment, print data has been described as an example of data stored in the client terminal 30 or the base server 10, but can be stored in a storage device, and acquired and used from the storage device. The present exemplary embodiment may be applied to other types of data and devices other than the image forming apparatus 20 as long as the data can be used. For example, the present embodiment may be applied to a projector and image data to be projected on the projector.

  The data stored in the client terminal 30 or the base server 10 does not necessarily have to be data output in some form by the device. For example, it may be data that is used in some form by a device (to be processed in some function) or data that is referenced by the device.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printing system according to the second embodiment. 14, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 14, the client terminal 30 further includes a transmission information storage unit 39. The transmission information storage unit 39 can be realized using, for example, an auxiliary storage device of the client terminal 30.

  The transmission information storage unit 39 stores information for identifying the base server 10 that is the transmission destination of each job information. That is, after transmitting the job information, the job information transmission unit 35 stores the server information (IP address) of the base server 10 of the job information in the transmission information storage unit 39 in association with the job name of the job information. The job information transmission unit 35 also stores the print data in the client data storage unit 38 even when the print data storage destination is the base server 10. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, only the client terminal 30 may be selectable as a print data storage destination.

  On the other hand, the management server 40 does not have the client registration unit 41, the client information response unit 44, and the client information storage unit 45. This is because in the second embodiment, the association between the terminal name of the client terminal 30 and the IP address is managed in the base server 10.

  Therefore, the base server 10 includes a client registration unit 129 instead of the registration request relay unit 121 and further includes a client information storage unit 133.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by a client terminal in response to a print instruction in the second embodiment. 15, the same steps as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 15, even if the print data storage destination is the base server 10, step S <b> 206 is executed, and the job name is associated with the print data and stored in the client data storage unit 38.

  Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35 associates the job name with the server information of the base server 10 that is the transmission destination of the job information, and stores it in the transmission information storage unit 39 (S207). The server information of the base server 10 that is the job information transmission destination is stored in the server information storage unit 37.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission information storage unit. As shown in FIG. 16, the transmission information storage unit 39 stores a job name and a transmission destination address of the job information for each job information. The job name is the job name of the job information. The transmission destination address is server information of the base server 10 that is the transmission destination of the job information.

  Next, the processing procedure executed when the user A carries the client terminal 30a and moves to the site B after the client terminal 30a executes the processing procedure of FIG. Will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed when the location to which the client terminal belongs in the second embodiment changes.

  First, the user A sets server information related to the base server 10b of the base B via the setting reception unit 31a of the client terminal 30a. Therefore, server information relating to the base server 10b is stored in the server information storage unit 37a.

  Subsequently, the registration request unit 32a of the client terminal 30a is automatically updated in response to the update of the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37a or in response to an input of a registration instruction by the user A. The server information storage unit 37a A registration request including the terminal name and IP address of the client terminal 30a is transmitted to the base server 10b related to the server information stored in (S401). When receiving the registration request, the client registration unit 129b of the base server 10b associates the terminal name and the IP address included in the registration request with each other and stores them in the client information storage unit 133b (S402). A configuration example of the client information storage unit 133b is, for example, as illustrated in FIG.

  Note that steps S401 and S402 are also executed for the site server 10a even before the processing procedure of FIG. 15 is executed for the first time at the site A. That is, in the second embodiment, step S102 in FIG. 4 does not have to be executed.

  Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35b of the client terminal 30b transmits a record in which server information different from the updated server information is stored as a transmission destination address in response to the server information being updated. Search from. Here, a record in which the server information of the base server 10a is stored as a transmission destination address is searched. Therefore, the job information transmission unit 35b transmits a job information deletion request to the base server 10a based on the transmission destination address of the record (S403). The deletion request includes the job name of the record.

  When receiving the deletion request, the job information receiving unit 122a of the base server 10a deletes the job information related to the job name included in the deletion request from the job information storage unit 131a (S404). At this time, when the storage destination of the print data related to the job information is the base server 10a, the job information receiving unit 122a deletes the print data from the server data storage unit 132a.

  Subsequently, the storage information transmission unit 123a of the base server 10a deletes the storage information including the user name (here, “userA”) included in the deleted job information and the base server name of the base server 10a. The request is transmitted to the management server 40 (S405). This is because the job information related to the user A is no longer stored in the base server 10a.

  When receiving the deletion request, the storage information receiving unit 42 of the management server 40 deletes the storage information including the user name and the base server name included in the deletion request from the storage information storage unit 46 (S406).

  Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35a of the client terminal 30a has a transmission destination address of a record whose transmission destination address is different from the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37a in the record of the transmission information storage unit 39a. Is overwritten with the server information (S407). Here, the transmission destination address of the corresponding record is updated from the server information of the base server 10a to the server information of the base server 10b.

  Subsequently, the job information transmission unit 35a obtains the job name of the record whose transmission destination address has been updated, the user name of the login user of the client terminal 30a (here, “userA”), and the terminal name of the client terminal 30a. The included job information is transmitted to the base server 10b (S408). The job information receiving unit 122b of the base server 10b stores the job information in the job information storage unit 131 (FIG. 7). As a result, the job information stored in the base server 10a has moved to the base server 10b. Here, the terminal name of the client terminal 30a is stored as a storage destination.

  Subsequently, the storage information transmission unit 123b of the base server 10b transmits storage information including the user name related to the job information and the base server name of the base server 10b to the management server 40 (S409). When the storage information receiving unit 42 of the management server 40 receives the storage information, the storage information receiving unit 42 stores the storage information in the storage information storage unit 46. Note that step S409 may be executed when job information having a user name different from any job information already stored in the job information storage unit 131 of the base server 10b is received.

  Further, step S407 and subsequent steps may be executed in accordance with an instruction from the user. For example, the job information transmission unit 35a of the client terminal 30a has a record in which the transmission destination address is different from the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37a in the record of the transmission information storage unit 39a. The job name of the record may be displayed, and the user may be inquired about whether or not it is necessary to transmit job information related to the job name. When the user inputs that transmission is to be performed, step S407 and subsequent steps may be executed.

  Further, the transmission of the job information deletion request to the base server 10a (S403) and the transmission of job information to the base server 10b (S408) are performed according to the update of the server information stored in the server information storage unit 37a. It may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. That is, according to one instruction (setting of server information) from the user, transmission of a job information deletion request to the base server 10a (S403) and transmission of job information to the base server 10b (S408) are executed simultaneously. May be.

  As is clear from the above processing procedure, in the second embodiment, the job information registered from any client terminal 30 to any of the base servers 10 moves as the base of the client terminal 30 moves. To do.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the user A moves to the base C and inputs a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 20c at the base C with the client terminal 30a connected to the base B network.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed at the time of printing in the second embodiment. In FIG. 18, the same steps as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 18, the storage destination response unit 43 of the management server 40 returns the IP address of the base server 10b in response to the inquiry request for the storage destination of the job information of the user A (S405). This is because the base server name in the stored information including the user A is updated to the base server name of the base server 10b in S409 of FIG.

  Accordingly, steps S307 and S308 are executed with respect to the base server 10b. At this time, the job list reply unit 127b of the base server 10b, for each job information included in the reply target job list, is associated with the terminal name of the job information and stored in the client information storage unit 133b. Add an address. Here, the IP address of the client terminal 30a at the site B is added to the job information related to the user A.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, steps S310 and S311 in FIG. 11 need not be executed. If the number of client terminals 30 used by each user is fixed to one, the job list merging (S309) may not be executed. In this case, in the second embodiment, job information of a certain user is collected in the base server 10 of the base to which the client terminal 30 of the user belongs.

  Step S312 and subsequent steps are as described in FIG.

  As described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained also by the second embodiment.

  In each of the above embodiments, the printing system 1 is an example of an information processing system. The base server 10 is an example of a first information processing apparatus. The management server 40 is an example of a second information processing apparatus. The client terminal 30 is an example of a terminal. The image forming apparatus 20 is an example of a data acquisition apparatus. The registration request relay unit 121 or the client registration unit 129 is an example of a first registration unit. The client information storage unit 45 or the client information storage unit 133 is an example of a first storage unit. The job information receiving unit 122 is an example of a receiving unit and a deleting unit. The job information storage unit 131 is an example of a second storage unit. The job information collection unit 126 is an example of an acquisition unit. The job list reply unit 127 is an example of a transmission unit. The stored information transmission unit 123 is an example of a second registration unit and a deletion request unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Base server 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Input control part 22 Display control part 23 Login control part 24 Job list acquisition part 25 Data acquisition part 26 Job execution part 30 Client terminal 31 Setting reception part 32 Registration request part 33 Print instruction reception Unit 34 print data generation unit 35 job information transmission unit 36 client data management unit 37 server information storage unit 38 client data storage unit 39 transmission information storage unit 40 management server 41 client registration unit 42 storage information reception unit 43 storage destination response unit 44 client Information response unit 45 Client information storage unit 46 Stored information storage unit 47 Base server list storage unit 100 Drive device 101 Recording medium 102 Auxiliary storage device 103 Memory device 104 CPU
105 interface device 121 registration request relay unit 122 job information reception unit 123 storage information transmission unit 124 job list request reception unit 125 storage destination inquiry unit 126 job information collection unit 127 job list return unit 128 server data management unit 129 client registration unit 131 job Information storage unit 132 Server data storage unit 133 Client information storage unit B bus

JP 2007-200284 A

Claims (6)

An information processing system including a plurality of first information processing devices and a second information processing device connected to the plurality of first information processing devices via a network,
Each of the first information processing apparatuses
A first registration unit that stores, in the first storage unit, the identification name of the terminal and the destination information of the terminal that are transmitted from the terminal connected to the first information processing apparatus via the network in association with each other. When,
A receiving unit that receives information including identification information of data stored in the terminal, an identification name of the terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal from the terminal;
A second storage unit for storing information received by the reception unit;
A second registration unit that stores the identification information of the user received by the reception unit and the identification information of the first information processing device in association with each other in the second information processing device;
In response to a request from the data acquisition device, the second of the first information processing device related to the identification information stored in the second information processing device in association with the identification information of the user of the data acquisition device. An acquisition unit that acquires information including the identification information of the user from the storage unit,
For each piece of acquired information, the destination information stored in the first storage unit in association with the identification name included in the information and the identification information of the data included in the information are A transmission unit for transmitting to the data acquisition device,
The data acquisition device acquires the data based on the destination information;
An information processing system characterized by this. The identification name of the terminal does not change according to the first information processing apparatus to which the terminal is connected, and the destination information of the terminal changes according to the first information processing apparatus to which the terminal is connected. ,
The information processing system according to claim 1. The first information processing apparatus includes:
Among the information stored in the second storage unit, a deletion unit that deletes information that the terminal transmits to another first information processing device;
Deletion request unit that transmits to the second information processing apparatus a request to delete the association between the user identification information included in the information deleted by the deletion unit and the identification information of the first information processing apparatus When,
The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: Each of a plurality of first information processing devices connected to a second information processing device via a network,
A first registration unit that stores, in the first storage unit, the identification name of the terminal and the destination information of the terminal that are transmitted from the terminal connected to the first information processing apparatus via the network in association with each other. When,
A receiving unit that receives information including identification information of data stored in the terminal, an identification name of the terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal from the terminal;
A second storage unit for storing information received by the reception unit;
A second registration unit that stores the identification information of the user received by the reception unit and the identification information of the first information processing device in association with each other in the second information processing device;
In response to a request from the data acquisition device, the second of the first information processing device related to the identification information stored in the second information processing device in association with the identification information of the user of the data acquisition device. An acquisition unit that acquires information including the identification information of the user from the storage unit,
For each piece of acquired information, the destination information stored in the first storage unit in association with the identification name included in the information and the identification information of the data included in the information are A transmission unit for transmitting to the data acquisition device,
The data acquisition device acquires the data based on the destination information;
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. Any of a plurality of first information processing devices connected to the second information processing device via a network
A first registration procedure in which the identification name of the terminal and the destination information of the terminal are transmitted from the terminal connected to the first information processing apparatus via the network and stored in the first storage unit When,
A receiving procedure for receiving information including identification information of data stored in the terminal, an identification name of the terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal from the terminal;
A storage procedure for storing the information received in the reception procedure in a second storage unit;
A second registration procedure for storing the identification information of the user received in the reception procedure and the identification information of the first information processing device in association with each other in the second information processing device;
In response to a request from the data acquisition device, the second of the first information processing device related to the identification information stored in the second information processing device in association with the identification information of the user of the data acquisition device. An acquisition procedure for acquiring information including the identification information of the user from the storage unit,
For each piece of acquired information, the destination information stored in the first storage unit in association with the identification name included in the information and the identification information of the data included in the information are Execute a transmission procedure to be transmitted to the data acquisition device;
The data acquisition device acquires the data based on the destination information;
An information processing method characterized by the above. One of a plurality of first information processing devices connected to the second information processing device via a network,
A first registration procedure in which the identification name of the terminal and the destination information of the terminal are transmitted from the terminal connected to the first information processing apparatus via the network and stored in the first storage unit When,
A receiving procedure for receiving information including identification information of data stored in the terminal, an identification name of the terminal, and identification information of a user of the terminal from the terminal;
A storage procedure for storing the information received in the reception procedure in a second storage unit;
A second registration procedure for storing the identification information of the user received in the reception procedure and the identification information of the first information processing device in association with each other in the second information processing device;
In response to a request from the data acquisition device, the second of the first information processing device related to the identification information stored in the second information processing device in association with the identification information of the user of the data acquisition device. An acquisition procedure for acquiring information including the identification information of the user from the storage unit,
For each piece of acquired information, the destination information stored in the first storage unit in association with the identification name included in the information and the identification information of the data included in the information are A transmission procedure for transmitting to the data acquisition device,
The data acquisition device acquires the data based on the destination information;
A program characterized by that.

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