JP7081102B2 - Information processing equipment, information processing systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

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

In recent years, an information processing system that provides a printing service linked with a cloud service has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When the information processing system described in Patent Document 1 receives a notification from the printing system indicating that a print job by the printing service has been created, the information processing system acquires the print job by the job acquisition means for acquiring the print job from the print system and the job acquisition means. A job management means for storing a printed job in a storage means, and a transmission means for transmitting a print job stored in the storage means in response to a request from an image forming apparatus connected to a service providing system via a network. And have.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-11799

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing system and a program capable of causing a processing device to execute processing without inputting processing identification information such as a reservation number issued from a cloud server into the processing device. To do.

[1] A transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing execution of processing to a processing device to one cloud server among a plurality of cloud servers, and to the other cloud server for the one cloud server. Sending instruction means to instruct to send, and
Receives the process identification information that identifies the process, which is issued from the one cloud server to which the process instruction information is transmitted and the other cloud server , and the process identification information is transmitted to the one cloud server and the cloud server. Receiving means to record as related information associated with the other cloud server ,
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the other cloud server, and the cloud The processing device corresponding to the device identification information is provided with an execution instruction means for instructing the processing device to execute the process via the server .
The transmission instruction means has the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means when instructing the one cloud server to transmit the processing instruction information to the other cloud server. And an information processing device that transmits the processing identification information issued from the one cloud server to the one cloud server .
[ 2 ] Multiple processing devices that instruct the execution of processing, and
A plurality of cloud servers associated with the plurality of processing devices, and
An information processing device provided with a transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing execution of processing to the plurality of processing devices to one of the plurality of cloud servers.
It is an information processing system that has
The plurality of cloud servers include a transfer means for transferring the processing instruction information transmitted to the one cloud server to another cloud server.
The information processing device is
Related information in which a plurality of process identification information for identifying the process, which are issued from the plurality of cloud servers to which the process instruction information is transmitted, are received and the plurality of process identification information is associated with the cloud server. Receiving means to record as, and
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the cloud server corresponding to the cloud server information. An information processing system including an execution instruction means for instructing a processing device corresponding to the device identification information to execute the processing via the cloud server.
[ 3 ] Computer
A transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing the processing device to execute processing to one cloud server among a plurality of cloud servers , and transmission to the other cloud server for the one cloud server. Sending instruction means to instruct and
Receives the process identification information that identifies the process, which is issued from the one cloud server to which the process instruction information is transmitted and the other cloud server , and the process identification information is transmitted to the one cloud server and the cloud server. Receiving means to record as related information associated with the other cloud server ,
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the other cloud server, and the cloud It is a program for functioning as an execution instruction means for instructing a processing device corresponding to the device identification information to execute the processing via a server.
The transmission instruction means has the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means when instructing the one cloud server to transmit the processing instruction information to the other cloud server. And a program that transmits the processing identification information issued from the one cloud server to the one cloud server .

According to the invention according to claim 1-3 , the processing apparatus can be made to execute the processing without inputting the reservation number issued from the cloud server into the processing apparatus, and the reservation numbers can be executed in different formats from a plurality of cloud servers. Is issued, the processing device can be made to execute the processing without inputting the reservation number into the processing device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of a terminal device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation number table. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the reservation number and the print instruction information. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of a cloud server. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction information table. 8A and 8B are views showing an example of an automatic transfer table, FIG. 8A shows an example stored in the storage unit of the first cloud server, and FIG. 8B shows an example stored in the storage unit of the second cloud server. An example stored is shown, and (c) shows an example stored in the storage unit of the third cloud server. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cloud server. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the modified example. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of a terminal device as an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cloud server according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, components having substantially the same function are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

[Summary of Embodiment]
The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment identifies a transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing execution of processing to the processing apparatus to a cloud server and a process issued by the cloud server to which the processing instruction information is transmitted. Device identification based on the receiving means for receiving the processing identification information, the reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device displayed on the processing device, and the received processing identification information and the read device identification information. It is provided with an execution instruction means for instructing the processing apparatus corresponding to the information to execute the processing.

"Processing" refers to, for example, functions such as copying, scanning, printing (also referred to as "printing"), facsimile, e-mail, and a combination of some of these.

"Processing identification information" refers to information that identifies processing instruction information, for example, a reservation number. The reservation number is, for example, information composed of characters, numbers, symbols, etc. having a predetermined number of characters (for example, 8 characters).

A cloud server is an external server device with which at least one processing device is associated. The cloud server has a function of issuing processing identification information. The cloud server may be singular or plural as long as it can issue a plurality of process identification information having different formats.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes a terminal device 2, a plurality of first image forming devices 3A, a second image forming device 3B, and a third image forming device 3C (collectively referred to as "image forming device 3"). (Also also referred to as), the first cloud server 4A, the second cloud server 4B, and the third cloud server 4C (these are simply referred to collectively) to which each of the plurality of image forming devices 3A, 3B, and 3C is associated. It also has a "cloud server 4"). The terminal device 2 is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming devices 3 and a plurality of cloud servers 4. The terminal device 2 is an example of an information processing device. The image forming apparatus 3 is an example of a processing apparatus.

Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which a plurality of image forming devices 3 are associated with one cloud server 4 for convenience of explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and for example, one cloud server 4 is shown. May be associated with one image forming apparatus 3. Further, FIG. 1 shows an example in which three cloud servers 4 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one, two, or four or more cloud servers 4 may be provided.

As the terminal device 2, for example, a portable information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a multifunctional mobile phone (smartphone) can be used. In FIG. 1, two terminal devices 2 are shown for convenience of explanation, but the number is not limited to this.

The image forming apparatus 3 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a scanning function, a printer function, a copying function, a facsimile function, and an e-mail function. The image forming apparatus 3 may have a printer function, and is not limited to the multifunction device.

The image forming apparatus 3 may be installed in an area such as a public institution such as a government office, a public facility such as a library or a hotel, a living room such as an office or a school, or a store for the masses such as a convenience store. Hereinafter, a case where a plurality of image forming devices 3 are installed in public facilities, offices, and convenience stores will be described as an example. For convenience of explanation, when it is necessary to distinguish and specify the image forming apparatus 3 for each installation location, the image forming apparatus 3 installed in a public facility is also referred to as a "first image forming apparatus 3A" and is used in an office. The installed image forming apparatus 3 is also referred to as a "second image forming apparatus 3B", and the image forming apparatus 3 installed in a convenience store is also referred to as a "third image forming apparatus 3C".

The cloud server 4 is an external server device to which at least one image forming device 3 is associated. The cloud server 4 is communicably connected to the associated image forming apparatus 3 via networks 5A, 5B, and 5C. Further, the cloud servers 4 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network 5D. In the following, it is assumed that the three cloud servers 4 are associated with the image forming apparatus 3 installed in a public facility, the image forming apparatus 3 installed in an office, and the image forming apparatus 3 installed in a convenience store. do. For convenience of explanation, when it is necessary to distinguish and specify the cloud server 4 for each installation location, the cloud server 4 installed corresponding to the public facility is also referred to as "first cloud server 4A" and is used in the office. The corresponding cloud server 4 is also referred to as a "second cloud server 4B", and the corresponding cloud server 4 is also referred to as a "third cloud server 4C". Further, the network 5 connected to the first cloud server 4A is also referred to as a "first network 5A", the network 5 connected to the second cloud server 4B is also referred to as a "second network 5B", and a third. The network 5 connected to the cloud server 4C of the above is also referred to as a "third network 5C", and the network 5 connected to the first cloud server 4A, the second cloud server 4B and the third cloud server 4C is the "third network 5C". Also called "Network 5D of 4".

In the present embodiment, the first cloud server 4A provides the user with a print service using the first image forming apparatus 3A installed in a public facility. The second cloud server 4B provides the user with a print service using the second image forming apparatus 3B installed in the office. The third cloud server 4C provides the user with a print service using the third image forming apparatus 3C installed in the convenience store. Public facilities, offices, and convenience stores are examples of areas and are not limited to these areas.

The network 5 is, for example, a local area network (LAN), the Internet, an intranet, or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

(Configuration of terminal device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit 20 that controls the terminal device 2, a storage unit 21 that stores various data, an operation display unit 22 that inputs and displays information, and an image of a camera or the like. It includes a reading unit 23 and a wireless communication unit 24 that performs wireless communication between the image forming apparatus 3 and the cloud server 4.

The control unit 20 of the terminal device 2 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an interface, and the like. The CPU operates according to the program 210 of the storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2, and functions as a generation means 200, a transmission means 201, a reception means 202, a display control means 203, a reading means 204, an execution instruction means 205, and the like. Details of each means 200 to 205 will be described later.

The storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like, and stores various data such as a program 210 and a reservation number table 211 (see FIG. 3).

The operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2 is, for example, a touch panel display, and has a configuration in which a touch panel is superposed on a display such as a liquid crystal display.

The image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 is, for example, a visible light camera, and captures a code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming device 3 described above. The image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 is adapted to take an image when it recognizes that the code image is reflected in a predetermined area of the field of view of the camera, for example.

The code image is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The code image is not limited to the QR code (registered trademark), and may be a two-dimensional code such as PDF417, Data Matrix, Maxi Code, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, an original code, or a dot pattern. Further, a plurality of types of codes may be combined according to the purpose.

The wireless communication unit 24 of the terminal device 2 transmits and receives signals to and from the image forming device 3 and the cloud server 4 described above by using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

(Structure of reservation number table)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the reservation number table 211. In the reservation number table 211, a "name" column, a "reservation number for the first image forming apparatus" column, a "reservation number for the second image forming apparatus" column, and a "third image forming apparatus" are displayed. There is a "reservation number for" field.

In the "name" column, the name of the print instruction information (also referred to as "print job") (for example, the name of the file to be printed) is recorded. Print instruction information is identified in the "reservation number for the first image forming apparatus" column, the "reservation number for the second image forming apparatus" column, and the "reservation number for the third image forming apparatus" column. The reservation numbers to be made are recorded for each of the image forming devices 3A, 3B, and 3C, respectively. In this way, the print instruction information and the reservation number are recorded in association with each other in the reservation number table 211. In the present specification, the record is used when writing information to the table, and the storage is used when writing information to the storage unit. Details of the print instruction information and the reservation number will be described later. The reservation number is an example of processing identification information.

The generation means 200 generates print instruction information including print data and print conditions based on the user's operation.

The transmission means 201 transmits the print instruction information generated by the generation means 200 to the cloud server 4.

The receiving means 202 receives the reservation number transmitted from each cloud server 4. Further, the receiving means 202 records the received reservation number in the reservation number table 211 of the storage unit 21 described above.

The display control means 203 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the reservation number and the print instruction information. As shown in FIG. 4, the display control means 203 controls to display the reservation number recorded in the reservation number table 211 of the storage unit 21 on the display screen 22a of the operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2. When the display control means 203 has a plurality of reservation numbers for one print instruction information, the display control means 203 may control to associate the plurality of reservation numbers and display them as a list. Further, when there are a plurality of print instruction information, the display control means 203 may control to collectively display the reservation numbers related to the plurality of print instruction information as a list. The "submission.pdf", "report.xdw", and "summer vacation trip.jpg" shown in FIG. 4 are examples of the names of the print instruction information (file names to be printed).

The reading means 204 reads information from a code image (registered trademark) displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 3 described later. Specifically, the reading means 204 controls the image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 when the image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 is held over the code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming device 3. The code image is imaged, and the image obtained by the image is analyzed to acquire the information contained in the code image.

The execution instruction means 205 instructs the image forming apparatus 3 to execute printing based on the reservation number received by the receiving means 202 and the information read from the code image by the reading means 204 by the user's operation. Printing is an example of processing.

(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 3 has a control unit 20 that controls each part of the image forming apparatus 3, a storage unit 31 that stores various data, an operation display unit 32 that inputs and displays information, and a manuscript image from a manuscript. A network between the image reading unit 33 for reading, the image output unit 34 for printing and outputting an image, the facsimile communication unit 35 for performing facsimile transmission / reception to and from the external facsimile device 6 via the public line network 7, and the cloud server 4. A network communication unit 36 that communicates via 5 and a wireless communication unit 37 that performs wireless communication with the terminal device 2 are provided.

The control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an interface, and the like. By operating according to the program 310 recorded in the storage unit 21, the CPU functions as a code image generation means 300, a display control means 301, a reception means 302, an execution means 303, and the like. Details of each means 300 to 303 will be described later.

The storage unit 21 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like, and stores various data such as a program 310, an image forming apparatus identification information 311 and a cloud information 312. The image forming apparatus identification information 311 is an example of the apparatus identification information.

The image forming apparatus identification information 311 is identification information for identifying the image forming apparatus 3, and corresponds to, for example, an ID, a name, an IP address, or the like of the image forming apparatus 3. The name of the image forming apparatus 3 is configured to include, for example, an "MFP" indicating that the image forming apparatus 3 is a multifunction device and a number indicating an ID for identifying the image forming apparatus 3 (for example, "01 to 03"). It may be a character string. The IP address is, for example, four numbers having a value of 0 to 255 separated by dots.

The cloud information 312 is identification information that identifies the cloud server 4 to which the image forming apparatus 3 is associated. For example, the ID, name, IP address, and the like of the cloud server 4 to which the image forming apparatus 3 is associated are included. Applicable.

The operation display unit 32 is, for example, a touch panel display, and has a configuration in which a touch panel is superposed on a display such as a liquid crystal display.

The image reading unit 33 reads a document image from a document, and includes an automatic document feeder provided on the document table and a scanner, and is fed by a document arranged on the document table or an automatic document feeder. The original image is optically read from the original.

The image output unit 34 prints out a color image or a black-and-white image on a recording medium such as paper by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

The facsimile communication unit 35 performs modulation / demodulation of data according to a facsimile protocol such as G3 or G4, and performs facsimile communication via the public line network 7.

The network communication unit 36 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and transmits / receives signals to / from the cloud server 4 via the network 5.

The wireless communication unit 37 transmits / receives information and signals to / from the terminal device 2 using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The code image generation means 300 generates a code image including the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and cloud information 312 stored in the storage unit 31, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The QR code (registered trademark) indicates information in a grid pattern of two kinds of colors (for example, white and black). The code image generated by the code image generating means 300 includes information about the ID and IP address of the image forming apparatus 3 and the ID and IP address of the cloud server 4 to which the image forming apparatus 3 is associated.

The display control means 301 controls to display the code image generated by the code image generation means 300 on the display screen of the operation display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 3.

The receiving means 302 receives the print instruction information transmitted from the cloud server 4 to which the image forming apparatus 3 is associated.

The executing means 303 controls the image reading unit 33, the image output unit 34, the facsimile communication unit 35, and the like to execute each process. For example, the executing means 303 controls the image output unit 34 to execute printing based on the print instruction information received by the receiving means 302.

If printing cannot be performed under the print conditions included in the print instruction information transmitted from the cloud server 4, the execution means 303 executes printing under specific print conditions set in advance.

(Cloud server configuration)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system of the cloud server 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the cloud server 4 has a control unit 40 that controls each unit of the cloud server 4, a storage unit 41 that stores various data, and an image forming device 3 via a network 5. A network communication unit 42 for communication and a wireless communication unit 43 for wireless communication with the terminal device 2 are provided.

The control unit 40 of the cloud server 4 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an interface, and the like. By operating according to the program 410 recorded in the storage unit 41, the CPU functions as a reception means 400, a reservation number issuing means 401, a transfer means 402, a transmission means 403, and the like. Details of each means 400 to 403 will be described later.

The storage unit 41 of the cloud server 4 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, and the like, and includes a program 410, a print instruction information table 412 (see FIG. 7), and an automatic transfer table 413 (FIG. 8). Store various data such as (see each figure).

The network communication unit 42 of the cloud server 4 transmits / receives signals to / from the image forming apparatus 3 and another cloud server 4 via the network 5. The wireless communication unit 43 of the cloud server 4 transmits / receives a signal to / from the terminal device 2 described above by using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

(Structure of print instruction information table)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the print instruction information table 412. In the print instruction information table 412, print instruction information including print data and print conditions is recorded in association with a reservation number. The print instruction information table 412 is provided with a "print data" column, a "name" column, a "print condition" column, and a "reservation number" column. The print instruction information is an example of the processing instruction information.

In the "print data" column, information described in a page description language (PDF: Page Description Language) such as PDF (Portable Document Format) and PostScript (registered trademark) that can be interpreted by the printer is recorded. In the "name" column, the name of the print instruction information (for example, the name of the file to be printed) is recorded.

In the "printing condition" column, various conditions for printing the print target, such as the size of the printing paper and the color mode, are recorded. In the "reservation number" column, the reservation number corresponding to the print instruction information is recorded. The reservation number is a number composed of a predetermined number of digits (for example, 8 digits).

The reservation number is not limited to those composed only of numbers, and may be configured including characters and symbols (for example, #). Further, the reservation number may have a different format depending on the cloud server 4. "Reservation numbers with different formats" broadly refer to numbers assigned by different rules, such as reservation numbers that include numbers assigned by different algorithms and reservation numbers that differ in the number of digits in the number part and the type of symbol. include.

(Configuration of automatic transfer table)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the automatic transfer table 413, (a) shows an example stored in the storage unit 41 of the first cloud server 4A, and (b) shows an example stored in the second cloud server 4B. An example stored in the storage unit 41 of the third cloud server 4C is shown, and (c) shows an example stored in the storage unit 41 of the third cloud server 4C. Information about whether or not one cloud server 4 transfers print instruction information to another cloud server 4 is recorded in the automatic transfer table 413.

The automatic transfer table 413 is provided with a "cloud name" column and an "automatic transfer designation" column. In the "cloud name" column, the names of cloud servers 4 other than the own cloud server 4 are recorded. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the "cloud name" column of the automatic transfer table 413 stored in the storage unit 41 of the first cloud server 4A, "second cloud" and "third cloud" "Cloud" is recorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the "cloud name" column of the automatic transfer table 413 stored in the storage unit 41 of the second cloud server 4B, the "first cloud" and the "third cloud" are displayed. "Cloud" is recorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 8C, in the "cloud name" column of the automatic transfer table 413 stored in the storage unit 41 of the third cloud server 4C, "first cloud" and "second cloud" are displayed. "Cloud" is recorded.

In the "designation of automatic transfer" column, information on whether or not to transfer the print instruction information to another cloud server 4 is recorded. For example, in the "Specify automatic transfer" column, "Yes" indicates the specification to transfer the print instruction information to the other cloud server 4, "No" indicates the specification not to transfer the print instruction information to the other cloud server 4. Is recorded. It should be noted that these settings may be predetermined, or may be, for example, set according to an instruction from the terminal device 2.

The receiving means 400 receives various information transmitted from the terminal device 2 and the cloud server 4. Specifically, the receiving means 400 includes print instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 2, reservation number and image forming device identification information transmitted from the terminal device 2, print instruction information transferred from another cloud server 4, and the like. Accept.

The reservation number issuing means 401 issues a reservation number to be given to the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 according to a rule predetermined for each cloud server 4. Further, the reservation number issuing means 401 records the issued reservation number in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41 in association with the print instruction information.

The transfer means 402 refers to the automatic transfer table 413 stored in the storage unit 41, and transfers the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 to the cloud server 4 designated for automatic transfer among the other cloud servers 4. ..

The transmission means 403 transmits the reservation number issued by the reservation number issuing means 401 to the terminal device 2. The transmission means 403 may transmit to the terminal device 2 together with the reservation number, information other than the reservation number that can specify the print instruction information such as the name of the print instruction information corresponding to the reservation number. As shown in FIG. 4, the name of the print instruction information may be, for example, a file name (text data) to be printed.

Further, the transmission means 403 transmits the print instruction information indicated by the reservation number transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the image forming device 3 indicated by the image forming device identification information transmitted from the terminal device 2.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
(Operation of information processing system)
Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. In the following, as an example, the user transmits print instruction information from the terminal device 2 to the second cloud server 4B installed corresponding to the office, and the user corresponds to the convenience store from the terminal device 2. An example of instructing the third image forming apparatus 3C installed to execute printing will be described. It should be noted that the print instruction information is transmitted to the cloud server 4 installed corresponding to other than the office (convenience store or public facility), and other areas (office, convenience store or other areas) not associated with the cloud server 4 are transmitted. The same applies to the case where the image forming apparatus 3 installed in the public facility) is instructed to execute printing.

The generation means 200 of the terminal device 2 generates print instruction information (print job) including print data and print conditions based on the user's operation (S1). The transmission means 201 of the terminal device 2 transmits the print instruction information generated by the generation means 200 to the second cloud server 4B (S2). The reception means 400 of the second cloud server 4B receives the print instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 2.

The transfer means 402 of the second cloud server 4B refers to the automatic transfer table 413 for the second cloud server 4B shown in FIG. 8B stored in the storage unit 41, and the print instruction received by the reception means 400. The information is transferred to the first cloud server 4A and the third cloud server 4C to which automatic transfer is designated (S3).

The reception means 400 of the first cloud server 4A and the reception means 400 of the third cloud server 4C receive the print instruction information transferred from the second cloud server 4B, respectively.

The reservation number issuing means 401 of each cloud server 4 issues a reservation number to be given to the print instruction information received by each reception means 400 according to a rule predetermined for each cloud server 4 (S4), and the issued reservation is issued. The numbers are associated with the print instruction information and recorded in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41, respectively.

The transmission means 403 of each cloud server 4 transmits the reservation number issued by each reservation number issuing means 401 to the terminal device 2 together with the name of the print instruction information (S5).

The receiving means 202 of the terminal device 2 receives the reservation number and the name of the print instruction information transmitted from each cloud server 4, associates the received reservation number with the name of the print instruction information, and associates the received reservation number with the name of the print instruction information, and the reservation number table 211 of the storage unit 21. Record in.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display control means 203 of the terminal device 2 associates the reservation number recorded in the reservation number table 211 with the name of the print instruction information on the display screen 22a of the operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2. It is controlled to be displayed (S6). The user selects the print instruction information to be printed from the names of the print instruction information whose names are displayed.

Here, the code image generation means 300 of the third image forming apparatus 3C is an image forming apparatus based on the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 stored in the storage unit 31 of the third image forming apparatus 3C. A code image including the identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 is generated. Specifically, the code image generation means 300 includes an ID and IP address of the third image forming apparatus 3C, and an ID and IP address of the third cloud server 4C to which the third image forming apparatus 3C is associated. Generate a code image containing information about (S7).

The display control means 301 controls to display the code image generated by the code image generation means 300 on the display screen of the operation display unit 32 of the third image forming apparatus 3C (S8).

Next, when the user holds the image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 over the code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the third image forming device 3C, the reading means 204 of the terminal device 2 is the third from the code image. The information regarding the ID and IP address of the image forming apparatus 3C and the ID and IP address of the third cloud server 4C to which the third image forming apparatus 3C is associated is read (S9).

Further, the execution instruction means 205 of the terminal device 2 instructs the execution of printing by the user's operation (S10). Specifically, the execution instruction means 205 of the terminal device 2 prints the ID and IP address of the third image forming apparatus 3C selected by the user based on the above information read by the reading means 204 from the code image. By transmitting to the third cloud server 4C (S11) together with the reservation number associated with the name of the instruction information, the third image forming apparatus 3C is instructed to execute printing via the third cloud server 4C. do.

The receiving means 400 of the third cloud server 4C receives the reservation number transmitted from the terminal device 2 and the ID and IP address of the third image forming device 3C.

The transmission means 403 of the third cloud server 4C transmits the print instruction information indicated by the reservation number transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the third image forming device 3C (S12).

The receiving means 302 of the third image forming apparatus 3C receives the print instruction information transmitted from the third cloud server 4C.

The execution means 303 of the third image forming apparatus 3C controls the image output unit 34 to execute printing based on the print instruction information received by the reception means 302 (S13).

For convenience of explanation, the generation of the code image of step S7 and the display of the code image of S8 are inserted after step S6, but the two steps of S7 and S8 read the information from the code image of step S9. You can put it anywhere in front of.

Next, the operation of each device constituting the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

(Operation of terminal device)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 2. The generation means 200 generates print instruction information based on the user's operation (S20). Next, the transmission means 201 transmits the print instruction information generated by the generation means 200 to the cloud server 4 specified by the user's operation (S21).

Next, the receiving means 202 receives the names of the reservation numbers and print instruction information transmitted from each cloud server 4 (S22), and records them in the reservation number table 211 of the storage unit 21. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the display control means 203 displays the reservation number recorded in the reservation number table 211 on the display screen 22a of the operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2 in association with the name of the print instruction information. (S23). The user selects the print instruction information to be printed from the names of the print instruction information whose names are displayed.

Next, when the user holds the image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 over the code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming device 3, the reading means 204 is displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming device 3. The image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 are read from the code image (S24).

Next, the execution instruction means 205 names the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the printing instruction information selected by the user based on the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 read by the reading means 204 from the code image. By transmitting the reservation number associated with the image to the cloud server 4 indicated by the cloud information 312, the image forming apparatus 3 indicated by the image forming apparatus identification information is instructed to execute printing via the cloud server 4 (). S25).

(Operation of image forming device)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 3. The code image generation means 300 generates a code image including the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 stored in the storage unit 31 (S30).

The display control means 301 controls to display the code image generated by the code image generation means 300 on the display screen of the operation display unit 32 (S31).

Next, when the print instruction information is transmitted from the cloud server 4 to which the image forming apparatus 3 is associated (S32: Yes), the reception means 302 receives the transmitted print instruction information (S33).

When the receiving means 302 receives the print instruction information, the execution means 303 controls the image output unit 34 to execute printing based on the print instruction information (S34).

(Operation of cloud server)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cloud server 4. When the print instruction information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 by the user's operation (S40: Yes), the reception means 400 receives the print instruction information (S41).

When the reception means 400 receives the print instruction information, the transfer means 402 refers to the automatic transfer table 413 stored in the storage unit 41, and uses the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 among the other cloud servers 4. Transfer to the cloud server 4 designated for automatic transfer (S42).

Even if the print instruction information is not directly transmitted from the terminal device 2 by the user's operation (S40: No), even if the print instruction information is transferred from another cloud server 4 (S43: Yes), the reception means. 400 receives this print instruction information (S44).

The reservation number issuing means 401 issues a reservation number assigned to the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 according to a rule predetermined for each cloud server 4 (S45). Further, the reservation number issuing means 401 records the issued reservation number in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41 in association with the print instruction information (S46).

The transmission means 403 transmits the reservation number issued by the reservation number issuing means 401 to the terminal device 2 together with the name of the print instruction information (S47).

Next, when the terminal device 2 instructs to execute printing (S48: Yes), that is, when the reservation number and the image forming device identification information are transmitted from the terminal device 2, the transmission means 403 is transmitted from the terminal device 2. The print instruction information indicated by the reservation number transmitted from the terminal device 2 is transmitted to the image forming device 3 indicated by the transmitted image forming device identification information (S49).

<Modification 1>
In the above-described first embodiment described above, the code image generation means 300 is provided in the control unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 3, but the means can always recognize the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312. The above information is not limited to this, and the above information may be recognized by using, for example, near field communication (for example, NFC) or BlueTooth (registered trademark) having a communicable distance of about 10 cm or less.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the modified example. As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device 2 may transmit the reservation number and the image device identification information 311 to the first to third cloud servers 4A to 4C constituting the information processing system 1. In this case, the first and second cloud servers 4A and 4B that are not associated with the third image forming apparatus 3C indicated by the image apparatus identification information 311 are associated with each other based on the image apparatus identification information 311. The print instruction information may not be transmitted to the first and second image forming apparatus 3A and 3B.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of a terminal device 2 as an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the control unit 20 of the terminal device 2 has the function of the transmission instruction means 206. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described. The components having substantially the same functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 20 of the terminal device 2 further includes a transmission instruction means 206. The CPU operates according to the program 210 of the storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2, and further functions as the transmission instruction means 206. The details of the transmission instruction means 206 will be described later.

The storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2 further stores the data of the terminal device identification information 212. The terminal device identification information 212 is information that identifies the terminal device 2, and corresponds to, for example, an ID, a name, an IP address, or the like of the terminal device 2.

The transmission instruction means 206 instructs the first cloud server 4 of the plurality of cloud servers 4 to transmit the print instruction information to the second cloud server 4. At this time, the transmission instructing means 206 includes the reservation number received by the receiving means 202 from the first cloud server 4, the image forming device identification information including the ID and IP address of the image forming device 3 read by the reading means 204, and the image forming device identification information. The terminal device identification information 212 stored in the storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2 and the cloud information including the ID, IP address, etc. of the second cloud server 4 as the transmission destination are transmitted to the first cloud server 4. The second cloud server 4 serving as a transmission destination is a cloud server 4 associated with the image forming apparatus 3 from which the reading means 204 has read the information.

(Operation of the second embodiment)
(Operation of information processing system)
Next, an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment. In the following, as in the description of the first embodiment, as an example, the user transmits print instruction information from the terminal device 2 to the second cloud server 4B installed corresponding to the office. Further, an example in which the user instructs the third image forming apparatus 3C installed in the convenience store from the terminal apparatus 2 to execute printing will be described. In the third image forming apparatus 3C, the description of the steps of generating and displaying the code image will be omitted. The second cloud server 4B is an example of one cloud server. The third cloud server 4C is an example of another cloud server.

The generation means 200 of the terminal device 2 generates print instruction information (print job) including print data and print conditions based on the user's operation (S50). The transmission means 201 of the terminal device 2 transmits the print instruction information generated by the generation means 200 to the second cloud server 4B (S51). The reception means 400 of the second cloud server 4B receives the print instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 2.

The reservation number issuing means 401 of the second cloud server 4B issues a reservation number to be given to the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 according to a predetermined rule (S52), and prints the issued reservation number as print instruction information. It is recorded in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41 in association with.

The transmission means 403 of the second cloud server 4B transmits the reservation number issued by the reservation number issuing means 401 to the terminal device 2 together with the name of the print instruction information (S53).

The receiving means 202 of the terminal device 2 receives the reservation number and the name of the print instruction information transmitted from the second cloud server 4B, associates the received reservation number with the name of the print instruction information, and associates the reserved number of the storage unit 21 with the name of the print instruction information. Record in table 211.

The display control means 203 of the terminal device 2 controls the display screen 22a of the operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2 to display the reservation number recorded in the reservation number table 211 in association with the name of the print instruction information (S54). ). The user selects the print instruction information to be printed from the names of the print instruction information whose names are displayed.

Next, when the user holds the image reading unit 23 of the terminal device 2 over the code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the third image forming device 3C, the reading means 204 of the terminal device 2 is the third from the code image. Reads information about the ID and IP address of the image forming apparatus 3C, and the ID and IP address of the third cloud server 4C to which the third image forming apparatus 3C is associated (S55).

Next, the transmission instruction means 206 of the terminal device 2 instructs the second cloud server 4B to transmit the print instruction information to the third cloud server 4C (S56). At this time, the transmission instruction means 206 of the terminal device 2 includes the reservation number received by the reception means 202 from the second cloud server 4B, as well as the ID and IP address of the third image forming device 3C read by the reading means 204. The image forming device identification information, the terminal device identification information 212 stored in the storage unit 21 of the terminal device 2, and the cloud information including the ID, IP address, etc. of the third cloud server 4C are transferred to the second cloud server 4B. Send (S57).

The reception means 400 of the second cloud server 4B receives the above reservation number, the image forming device identification information of the third image forming device 3C, the terminal device identification information 212, and the identification information of the third cloud server 4C.

The transmission means 403 of the second cloud server 4B transmits print instruction information to the third cloud server 4C based on the information received by the reception means 400 of the second cloud server 4B (S58). The reception means 400 of the third cloud server 4C receives the print instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 2.

The reservation number issuing means 401 of the third cloud server 4C issues a reservation number given to the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 according to a predetermined rule (S59), and prints the issued reservation number as print instruction information. It is recorded in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41 in association with.

The transmission means 403 of the third cloud server 4C transmits the reservation number issued by the reservation number issuing means 401 to the terminal device 2 together with the name of the print instruction information (S60).

Hereinafter, steps S61 to S64 operate in the same manner as steps S10 to S13 described in the first embodiment. That is, the execution instruction means 205 of the terminal device 2 instructs the execution of printing by the user's operation (S61). Specifically, the print instruction selected by the user for the ID and IP address of the third image forming apparatus 3C based on the above information read by the execution instruction means 205 of the terminal device 2 from the code image by the reading means 204. It was transmitted to the third cloud server 4C (S62) together with the reservation number associated with the name of the information, and the transmission means 403 of the third cloud server 4C was transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the third image forming device 3C. The print instruction information indicated by the reservation number is transmitted (S63), and the execution means 303 of the third image forming apparatus 3C controls the image output unit 34 to execute printing based on the print instruction information received by the reception means 302. (S64).

Next, the operation of each device constituting the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. Since the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 is the same as the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Operation of terminal device)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 2 according to the second embodiment. Steps S70 to S74 operate in the same manner as S20 to S24s of the terminal device 2 according to the first embodiment. That is, the generation means 200 generates print instruction information based on the user's operation (S70), the transmission means 201 transmits the print instruction information to the cloud server 4 specified by the user's operation (S71), and the receiving means 202. Receives the name of the reservation number and the print instruction information transmitted from the specified cloud server 4 (S72), and the display control means 203 gives an instruction to print the reservation number on the display screen 22a of the operation display unit 22 of the terminal device 2. Controlled to display in association with the name of the information (S73), the reading means 204 reads the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 from the code image displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 3 (S74). ..

Next, the transmission instruction means 206 has a reservation number, an image forming device identification information 311 of the image forming apparatus 3 read by the reading means 204, a terminal device identification information 212, and cloud information for the specified cloud server 4. In addition to transmitting 312, an instruction is given to transmit print instruction information (S75).

Receiving means 202 Receives the name of the reservation number and print instruction information transmitted from the cloud server 4 associated with the image forming apparatus 3 (S76).

Next, the execution instruction means 205 names the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the printing instruction information selected by the user based on the image forming apparatus identification information 311 and the cloud information 312 read by the reading means 204 from the code image. By transmitting the reservation number associated with the image to the cloud server 4 indicated by the cloud information 312, the image forming apparatus 3 indicated by the image forming apparatus identification information is instructed to execute printing via the cloud server 4 (). S77).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the cloud server 4 according to the second embodiment. When the print instruction information is transmitted from the terminal device 2 (S80: print instruction information), steps S81 to S84 operate in the same manner as steps S41 and S45 to S47 according to the first embodiment. That is, the reception means 400 receives the print instruction information (S81), and the reservation number issuing means 401 issues the reservation number given to the print instruction information received by the reception means 400 according to the rules predetermined for each cloud server 4. (S82), the reservation number issuing means 401 associates the issued reservation number with the print instruction information and records it in the print instruction information table 412 of the storage unit 41 (S83), and the transmission means 403 prints the reservation number as the name of the print instruction information. (S84).

When instructed to transmit print instruction information from the terminal device 2 (S80: transmission instruction), the transmission means 403 of the cloud server 4 specified by the user's operation gives a print instruction to the cloud server 4 instructed as the transmission destination. Information is transmitted (S85).

When the terminal device 2 instructs to execute printing (S80: instruction to execute printing), that is, when the reservation number and the image forming apparatus identification information are transmitted from the terminal device 2, the step of the first embodiment. Similar to S49, the transmission means 403 transmits the print instruction information indicated by the reservation number transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the image forming device 3 indicated by the image forming device identification information transmitted from the terminal device 2 (S86). ..

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and implementations are possible without changing the gist of the present invention. be. For example, a part of each means of the terminal device 2 may be transferred to a cloud server, an image forming device, or another device. For example, the transmitting means may be transferred to another terminal device (for example, a stationary personal computer).

Each means of each control unit 20, 30, 40 is a hardware circuit such as a partially or completely reconfigurable circuit (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It may be configured by.

Further, it is possible to omit or change a part of the constituent elements of the above-described embodiment without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, within the range that does not change the gist of the present invention, steps can be added, deleted, changed, replaced, etc. in the flow of the above embodiment. Further, the program used in the above embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and provided, and can be stored in an external server and used via a network.

1 ... Information processing system, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Image forming device, 3A ... First image forming device, 3B ... Second image forming device, 3C ... Third image forming device, 4 ... Cloud server, 4A ... 1st cloud server, 4B ... 2nd cloud server, 4C ... 3rd cloud server, 5 ... network, 5A ... 1st network, 5B ... 2nd network, 5C ... 3rd network, 5D ... Fourth network, 6 ... External facsimile machine, 7 ... Public line network, 20, 30, 40 ... Control unit, 21 ... Storage unit, 22 ... Operation display unit, 22a ... Display screen, 23 ... Image reading unit, 24 ... Wireless communication unit, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... storage unit, 32 ... operation display unit, 33 ... image reading unit, 34 ... image output unit, 35 ... facsimile communication unit, 36 ... network communication unit, 37 ... wireless communication unit, 40 ... control unit, 41 ... storage unit, 42 ... network communication unit, 43 ... wireless communication unit, 200 ... generation means, 201 ... transmission means, 202 ... reception means, 203 ... display control means, 204 ... reading means, 205 ... Execution instruction means, 206 ... transmission instruction means, 210 ... program, 211 ... reservation number table, 212 ... terminal device identification information, 300 ... code image generation means, 301 ... display control means, 302 ... reception means, 303 ... execution means, 310 ... program, 311 ... image forming device identification information, 312 ... cloud information, 400 ... reception means, 401 ... reservation number issuing means, 402 ... transfer means, 403 ... transmission means, 410 ... program, 412 ... print instruction information table, 413 ... Automatic transfer table

Claims (3)

A transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing the processing device to execute processing to one cloud server among a plurality of cloud servers, and transmission to the other cloud server for the one cloud server. Sending instruction means to instruct and
Receives the process identification information that identifies the process, which is issued from the one cloud server to which the process instruction information is transmitted and the other cloud server , and the process identification information is transmitted to the one cloud server and the cloud server. Receiving means to record as related information associated with the other cloud server ,
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the other cloud server, and the cloud The processing device corresponding to the device identification information is provided with an execution instruction means for instructing the processing device to execute the process via the server .
The transmission instruction means has the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means when instructing the one cloud server to transmit the processing instruction information to the other cloud server. And an information processing device that transmits the processing identification information issued from the one cloud server to the one cloud server . Multiple processing devices that instruct the execution of processing, and
A plurality of cloud servers associated with the plurality of processing devices, and
An information processing device provided with a transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing execution of processing to the plurality of processing devices to one of the plurality of cloud servers.
It is an information processing system that has
The plurality of cloud servers include a transfer means for transferring the processing instruction information transmitted to the one cloud server to another cloud server.
The information processing device is
Related information in which a plurality of process identification information for identifying the process, which are issued from the plurality of cloud servers to which the process instruction information is transmitted, are received and the plurality of process identification information is associated with the cloud server. Receiving means to record as, and
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the cloud server corresponding to the cloud server information. An information processing system including an execution instruction means for instructing a processing device corresponding to the device identification information to execute the processing via the cloud server. Computer,
A transmission means for transmitting processing instruction information instructing the processing device to execute processing to one cloud server among a plurality of cloud servers , and transmission to the other cloud server for the one cloud server. Sending instruction means to instruct and
Receives the process identification information that identifies the process, which is issued from the one cloud server to which the process instruction information is transmitted and the other cloud server , and the process identification information is transmitted to the one cloud server and the cloud server. Receiving means to record as related information associated with the other cloud server ,
A reading means for reading the device identification information for identifying the processing device and the cloud server information associated with the processing device displayed on the processing device.
Based on the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means and the related information, the processing identification information corresponding to the cloud server information is transmitted to the other cloud server, and the cloud It is a program for functioning as an execution instruction means for instructing a processing device corresponding to the device identification information to execute the processing via a server.
The transmission instruction means has the device identification information and the cloud server information read by the reading means when instructing the one cloud server to transmit the processing instruction information to the other cloud server. And a program that transmits the processing identification information issued from the one cloud server to the one cloud server .

Images