JP7232233B2 - System and terminal equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to systems and terminal devices .

Conventionally, a so-called network print service has been proposed, in which data such as image data is uploaded using a network such as the Internet, and the uploaded data is output from a multifunction machine installed in a store (for example, patent Reference 1).

Moreover, in recent years, the use of messaging services, which are services that allow messages to be sent and received between users, has become widespread, and techniques for providing predetermined services based on messages sent from users are also being used. In this case, the user can use various services using the messaging service.

JP 2005-267002

In general, membership registration is required to use a network print system, which requires extra work for the user. For example, in order to register as a member, it was necessary to set a login name (e.g., email address) and password.

On the other hand, a network print service that does not require membership registration is also conceivable. In recent years, there are many services that require membership registration, and management of each password for a plurality of services is troublesome, so there is a problem that the burden of membership registration is increasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an output method or the like that enables data to be output appropriately from an image forming apparatus simply by attaching data to be output from the image forming apparatus to a message posted to a messaging service. intended to

In order to solve the above-described problems, the output method of the present invention includes:
An output method for receiving output data corresponding to acquired identification information from a server and outputting an image based on the output data from an image forming apparatus,
receiving a message posted from the terminal device to the messaging service;
if the message contains attached data, sending the attached data to the server;
issuing the identification information corresponding to the output data based on the attached data if the attached data is in a format that can be accepted for registration;
characterized by comprising

The system of the present invention is
A system including a terminal device, an image forming device, a communication server, a print server, and a relay server connectable to the communication server and the print server,
The communication server is
a post receiving unit that receives message posts from the terminal device;
a notification unit for notifying the relay server that the attached data is received when the attached data is included in the message;
with
The relay server
an attached data receiving unit that receives attached data from the communication server when the notification is received;
an attached data transmission unit that transmits the attached data received by the attached data receiving unit to the print server;
with
The print server is
an output data storage unit that stores the attached data as output data;
an identification information issuing unit that issues identification information for identifying the output data;
with
The image forming apparatus is
an output data receiving unit that acquires the identification information and receives output data corresponding to the identification information from the print server;
an output unit that outputs an image based on the output data;
characterized by comprising

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately output data from an image forming apparatus simply by attaching data to a message posted to a messaging service. By using the messaging service, the user does not need to newly register for the service for printing from the image forming apparatus, and the service side can also easily grasp the source of the data.

1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a network print system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a communication server in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a relay server in the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a print server according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for explaining the flow of main processing of the terminal device in the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of main processing of the communication server in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of main processing of a relay server in the first embodiment; 4 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of main processing of the print server in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of main processing of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram in the second embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the flow of main processing of the terminal device in the second embodiment; FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of main processing of the communication server in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for explaining the flow of main processing of a relay server in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of main processing of a print server in the second embodiment; It is a figure which shows the operation example in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the flow of main processing of the terminal device in the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for explaining the flow of main processing of a print server in the third embodiment; It is a figure which shows the operation example in 3rd Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example, a network print system including a relay server to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1.1 Overall configuration]
First, the overall configuration of the network print system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the network print system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a communication server 20, a relay server 30, a print server 40, and an image forming device 50. FIG.

The terminal device 10 is connected to the communication server 20 via the network NW. In this embodiment, the network NW is described as an external network such as the Internet, but it may be connected by other communicable means (for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a serial interface such as RS-232C). good too.

Communication server 20 and relay server 30, relay server 30 and print server 40, and print server 40 and image forming apparatus 50 are connected, respectively. The connection method may be an external network such as the Internet, or a serial interface such as LAN or RS-232C.

The terminal device 10 is an information processing device operated by the user of the image forming device 50 . The terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC (Personal Computer).
It is configured by a device such as

In addition, the terminal device 10 can execute an application (hereinafter referred to as a "messenger application") for using a service (hereinafter referred to as a "messaging service") that allows messages to be sent and received between devices. A messaging service is a service that transmits messages posted by users using the service to other users using the messaging service. A messaging service may be provided as a single service or, like a social networking service, as one of multiple functions.

A user of the messaging service executes a messenger application and posts a message to the messaging service via the messenger application. The posted message is sent to the user designated as the destination via the messaging service. In this way, it becomes possible to transmit a message to an external device used by a user designated as a destination, or receive a message from an external device.

A message in this embodiment is content posted to a messaging service by a user using the messaging service. For example, a message consists of text data entered by a user.

Messages can also include attachments. Attached data is data such as image data, document data, moving image data, audio data, etc., which is displayed or the like by performing display/playback processing using a messenger application.

The attached data may be sent instead of the message or may be sent separately from the message. In this case, the content of the message may be a message indicating attached data. Note that document data includes data created using word processing software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and PDF (Portable Document Format) data. Also, the message indicating the attached data is a message indicating the storage location of the attached data. For example, it is a message that can identify the location of attached data, such as a file path or URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The message indicating the attached data may include attributes of the attached data (for example, data size, format, hash value, etc. of the attached data).

When the attached data is posted by the user, the messenger application posts a message indicating the attached data to the messaging service. Further, when the message is a message indicating attached data, the messenger application may acquire the attached data and display/reproduce the attached data.

In addition, the message in this embodiment may include not only the message input by the user but also information on the account (information on the account of the sender or the destination) and the date and time of transmission.

An account indicates a user who uses the messaging service. For example, an account name, e-mail address, or serial number that can uniquely identify the user. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the message includes an account name as information about the account, and that the destination user and the source user can be identified by the account name.

The communication server 20 is a server that provides messaging services and stores messages sent from devices connected to the communication server 20 . Further, when a device using the messaging service requests a message, the communication server 20 transmits the message to the device that requested the message. At this time, a message may be sent whose destination is the user of the device that requested the message.

Note that the communication server 20 may associate and store the device using the messaging service and the information about the account. For example, by storing address information such as an identification number or an IP address of a device using a messaging service in association with an account name, the device used by the user identified by the account name can be identified. make it By doing so, the communication server 20 can notify the device corresponding to the account name, which is the destination of the message, that the message has been received. With this notification, the user specified by the account name indicated as the destination of the message can know that the message addressed to him/herself has been sent.

The relay server 30 is a server that generates a message in response to the message obtained from the communication server 20 and transmits the message to the communication server 20 . By doing so, the user of the terminal device 10 and the relay server 30 can interact by sending and receiving messages. If the message indicates attached data, the attached data is obtained based on the message indicating the attached data, and it is determined whether the obtained attached data is data that can be registered in the network print system 1 . Data that can be registered is data that can be output by the image forming apparatus 50 in the network print system 1 . Whether or not the data can be registered is determined based on, for example, the format of the data, the size of the data, the contents of the data, the number of data, and the like. In the case of judging whether or not registration can be accepted based on the data format, when the acquired attached file is included in the format of the data to be relayed by the relay server 30, which is determined in advance by the attached data, the relay server 30 It is sufficient to determine that the attached data can be registered. In the case of judging by the data size, if the attached data is less than the predetermined upper limit of the data size that can be relayed (registration accepted), the relay server 30 judges that the attached data can be registered. good. When judging based on the contents of the data, the degree of similarity between the attached data and the predetermined image data that cannot be relayed, and whether or not the attached data contains a predetermined keyword that prohibits transfer It is sufficient to determine whether or not the data is data that can be registered. In the case of determination based on the number of data, when the number of attached data is equal to or less than the upper limit of the number of data that can be relayed in advance, relay server 30 may determine that the attached data can be registered. For example, when the number of attached data that cannot be output by the image forming apparatus 50 at once is obtained, registration of the attached data that cannot be output is not accepted. In this manner, relay server 30 relays (transmits) the acquired attached data to print server 40 if the acquired attached data is data that can be registered.

The user of the terminal device 10 can send a message to the relay server 30 by obtaining an account for the relay server 30 (for example, an account name for the network print service). For example, information indicating an account for a network print service is displayed as a two-dimensional code on the housing of the image forming apparatus 50 or on the display section 530 . The user of the terminal device 10 can obtain an account for the network print service by having the terminal device 10 read the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code may include the user name of relay server 30 and profile image data in addition to the account. Also, the terminal device 10 may acquire an account from the relay server 30 based on the acquired account. By displaying the user name and profile image of the relay server 30 on the display unit 120, the terminal device 10 can transmit a message to the relay server 30 to the user of the terminal device 10. can be recognized.

The print server 40 is a server that provides network print services. The image forming apparatus 50 is connected to the print server 40 and allows the user to use the network print service. The image forming apparatus 50 is, for example, a multifunction machine installed in a convenience store. Here, the network print service is a service in which the print server 40, which is a server that provides the network print service, receives image data and document data from an external device via the network, and outputs the received data at the image forming device 50. is.

When receiving image data or document data from an external device, the print server 40 temporarily stores the received data and issues a user number. The print server 40 then stores the received data as output data. At this time, the output data and the user number are associated. The output data is data that can be output by the image forming apparatus 50, and may be print data that can be output by printing by the image forming apparatus 50, or file data that can be output as a file by the image forming apparatus 50. . The print data is data that can be output by printing by the image forming apparatus 50 by being read by the image forming apparatus 50 . For example, image data, PDL (Page Description Language) data, image forming apparatus 5
0 is data in which an executable command for printing is stored. File data is data that can be handled as a file in the terminal device 10 or a PC (Personal Computer).
) file or a text file. Print server 40 can store the attached data as output data by relaying (transmitting) the attached data of the message posted to the messaging service from relay server 30 . The user number is identification information (print data identification information) for identifying output data. The user number may be a serial number as long as it can identify the print data, a code composed of a character string according to a predetermined rule, or a character string in which a plurality of characters are randomly arranged. may be The print server 40 then associates the user number with the output data.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the output data is print data. That is, the attached data included in the message posted by the user is stored as print data in the print server 40, and the print data and the user number are associated with each other.

The image forming apparatus 50 is an apparatus capable of copying a document brought in by a user, printing out data stored in a recording medium, and transmitting/receiving a facsimile (FAX). Also, if the user selects to use the network print service, the user is prompted to enter a user number. After the user has entered the user number, the entered user number is transmitted to the print server 40 . The print server 40 receives print data corresponding to the user number. The image forming apparatus 50 executes print processing based on the received print data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 may have a plurality of terminal devices (10a, 10b) connected to the network NW. When the terminal device 10a transmits a message to the terminal device 10b, the terminal device 10a transmits the message with the account of the user of the terminal device 10a as the source and the account of the user of the terminal device 10b as the destination. Send to communication server 20 . The terminal device 10b receives the message sent to the terminal device 10b by receiving the message addressed to the account of the user of the terminal device 10b from the communication server 20 . Then, the message is displayed by the messenger application in the terminal device 10b.

Also, the image forming apparatus 50 may have a plurality of image forming apparatuses ( 50 a and 50 b ) connected to the print server 40 . For example, the image forming apparatus 50a and the image forming apparatus 50b may be installed in different stores. At this time, the print data stored in the print server 40 can be received by either the image forming apparatus 50a or the image forming apparatus 50b. Therefore, the user can execute print processing based on the print data with any image forming apparatus 50 that is connected to the print server 40 . Therefore, by uploading image data and the like to the network print service, the user can print the image data using an image forming apparatus 50 near the user among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 . .

[1.2 Functional configuration]
[1.2.1 Terminal device]
A functional configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a control section 100, a communication section 110, a display section 120, an operation input section 130, and an image input section 140. FIG.

The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the terminal device 10 as a whole. The control unit 100 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (eg, CPU (Central Processing Unit)).

The communication unit 110 is a functional unit for the terminal device 10 to communicate with external devices. For example, NIC (Network Interface Card) used in wired / wireless LAN, LTE (Long Term Evolution) / LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) / LAA (License-Assisted Access using
It consists of a communication module that can be connected to LTE)/5G lines.

The display unit 120 is a functional unit for displaying various information to the user, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid crystal display). The operation input unit 130 is a functional unit for receiving operation instructions from the user, and includes various key switches, a device for detecting input by contact, and the like. The user inputs functions to be used and output conditions via the operation input unit 130 . In addition, the terminal device 10 may include a touch panel in which the display unit 120 and the operation input unit 130 are integrally formed. In this case, the method of detecting the touch panel input may be a general detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or an electrostatic capacitance method. Further, the operation input unit 130 may be composed of various operation devices such as a mouse and a keyboard.

The image input unit 140 is a functional unit that receives an image signal transmitted from an image input device such as a camera and outputs it as image data. The image input unit 140 is configured by, for example, a camera built into the terminal device 10 . Note that the image input unit 140 may be configured as a terminal for connecting to a camera, which is an external device, or may be configured to acquire image data from an external device from the communication unit 110 via a network. good too.

The storage unit 150 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 10 . The storage unit 150 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The storage unit 150 stores a message transmission/reception program 152 for causing the terminal device 10 to function as a messenger application, and further secures an account information storage area 154, a message storage area 156, and an image data storage area 158. .

The message transmission/reception program 152 is a program that realizes a function of transmitting and receiving messages with an external device. The message transmission/reception program 152 implements a function of inputting the content of a message to be transmitted to an external device and a function of displaying a message received from the external device. Also, the message transmission/reception program 152 may display messages received from an external device by arranging the messages in order of the date and time of transmission of the messages. Such a display is called a "timeline" in this embodiment. The user of the terminal device 10 can send (post) a message while viewing the timeline. Also, the timeline may be displayed according to the message. For example, if the message is text data, the text data may be displayed in a balloon. Also, if the message is a message indicating attached data and the attached data is image data that is too large to fit on the display unit 120, the image data may be reduced to the screen size and displayed.

The account information storage area 154 is an area for storing account information, which is information relating to accounts of users using the messaging service. Account information may include information such as account name, user name, and profile image data. The message transmission/reception program 152 displays a list of user names and profile image data based on the account information stored in the account information storage area 154, thereby allowing the user to select the user to whom the message is to be sent.

The message storage area 156 is an area for storing messages transmitted by the terminal device 10 and received by the terminal device 10 . The messages stored in the message storage area 156 are read by the message transmission/reception program 152 to display a timeline.

The image data storage area 158 is an area for storing image data output by the image input section 140 . The image data is stored as an image file in the image data storage area 158, for example. In addition, it is sufficient that the individual image data is stored in an identifiable format, for example, it may be stored in a database format.

[1.2.2 Communication Server]
A functional configuration of the communication server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication server 20 comprises a control section 200, a communication section 210, and a storage section 220. FIG.

The control unit 200 is a functional unit for controlling the communication server 20 as a whole. The control unit 200 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU).

The communication unit 210 is a functional unit for the communication server 20 to communicate with external devices. For example, it is composed of a NIC used in wired/wireless LAN and a communication module connectable to LTE/LTE-A/LAA/5G lines.

The storage unit 220 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the communication server 20 . The storage unit 220 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD, an HDD, or the like.

The storage unit 220 stores account/terminal management information 222 and a message reception notification program 224 . Furthermore, a message storage area 226 and an attached data storage area 228 are reserved.

The account/terminal management information 222 is information on the account of the user using the messaging service and information on the device connected to the messaging service. The account/terminal management information 222 stores, as information related to the account, information such as the account name and profile image, for example. In addition, account/terminal management information 2
22 stores device identification information for identifying the device as information on the device connected to the messaging service.

Authentication information (for example, password) for authenticating the user may be stored as the information on the account. In this case, the message request should include the account name and password. The communication server 20 transmits the message when the account name and password included in the message request match the account name and password stored in the account/terminal management information 222 . By doing so, it is possible to increase the confidentiality of message transmission.

When a message is received, the message reception notification program 224 notifies the device corresponding to the device identification information associated with the account name indicated as the destination of the message that the message has been received. program. A device that has received the notification from the message reception notification program 224 can receive the message by sending a message request to the communication server 20 . Note that the message reception notification program 224 may also notify based on the received message. For example, if the message is text data, part of the text data (for example, a string of 20 characters from the beginning) may be included in the notification. Also, if the message is a message indicating attached data, the notification may include information on the format of the attached data (for example, that the attached data is image data).

The message storage area 226 is an area for storing messages sent from devices using the messaging service. Attached data storage area 228 is an area for storing attached data based on a message indicating attached data when the message is a message indicating attached data. The attached data is stored as a file (image file or document file) in the attached data storage area 228, for example. Note that it is sufficient that individual attached data is stored in an identifiable format, for example, it may be stored in a database format.

[1.2.3 Relay Server]
A functional configuration of the relay server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 , the relay server 30 includes a control section 300 , a communication section 310 and a storage section 320 .

The control unit 300 is a functional unit for controlling the relay server 30 as a whole. The control unit 300 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU).

The communication unit 310 is a functional unit for the relay server 30 to communicate with external devices. For example, it is composed of a NIC used in wired/wireless LAN and a communication module connectable to LTE/LTE-A/LAA/5G lines.

The storage unit 320 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the relay server 30 . The storage unit 320 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD, an HDD, or the like.

A response program 322, a relay program 324, and print server information 328 are stored in the storage unit 320, and an attached data storage area 326 is secured.

The response program 322 is a program that, when receiving a message from the communication server 20, generates a response message with the account of the sender of the received message as the destination, and posts (sends) it to the communication server 20. For example, when a message indicating attached data is received, a message including a user number and an output method is generated as a response and posted to the communication server 20 .

The relay program 324 is a program for receiving attached data from the communication server 20 and transmitting the received attached data to the print server 40 based on a message indicating the attached data. Attached data storage area 326 is an area for storing attached data received by relay program 324 . Print server information 328 is information about the print server 40 . For example, the print server information 328 is address information such as the IP address of the print server 40 .

[1.2.4 Print Server]
A functional configuration of the print server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the print server 40 comprises a control section 400, a communication section 410, and a storage section 420. FIG.

The control unit 400 is a functional unit for controlling the print server 40 as a whole. The control unit 400 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured by one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU).

The communication unit 410 is a functional unit for the print server 40 to communicate with external devices. For example, it is composed of a NIC used in wired/wireless LAN and a communication module connectable to LTE/LTE-A/LAA/5G lines.

The storage unit 420 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the print server 40 . The storage unit 420 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD, an HDD, or the like.

Storage unit 420 stores an attached data reception program 422, a print data conversion program 424, a user number issuing program 426, a print data transmission program 428, network print service account information 430, and individual management information 432. be. Also, an attached data storage area 434 for storing attached data and a print data storage area 436 for storing print data are secured.

The attached data reception program 422 is a program for receiving attached data transmitted from the relay server 30 . Attached data reception program 422 stores the received attached data in attached data storage area 434 .

The print data conversion program 424 is a program that converts attached data that cannot be read by the image forming apparatus 50 into data that can be read by the image forming apparatus 50 and outputs the data as print data. For example, when the attached data is document data, the data converted into a printable (outputtable) format in the image forming apparatus 50 is output as the print data. The printable format is, for example, image data for each page. Note that data obtained by compressing image data for each page into one piece of data, PDL data, or data in which a print command is stored may be used. For image data that the attached data is image data and cannot be read by the image forming apparatus 50, processing such as data compression, data format change, resolution change, image sharpening, and color mode change is performed. may output the image data as print data.

The user number issuing program 426 is a program for issuing a user number corresponding to print data. The user number issuing program 426 may issue one user number for each attached data, or may issue one user number for a plurality of attached data. That is, it is sufficient that the user number and the print data stored based on the attached data are associated with each other.

The print data transmission program 428 is a program for reading the print data corresponding to the received user number from the print data storage area 436 and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 50 when the user number is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 . be.

The network print service account information 430 is information relating to accounts of users who use the network print service. For example, it stores account names and passwords of users who use network print services. Note that the information about the account of the user using the network print service and the information about the account of the user using the communication service are different information.

The individual management information 432 is information regarding the image forming apparatus 50 for printing print data. For example, individual information such as the serial number and series name of the image forming apparatus 50 and information for specifying the image forming apparatus 50 such as the IP address are stored. Also, the address of the installation location and the name of the installation store may be stored.

[1.2.5 Image forming apparatus]
A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 50 includes a control unit 500, a communication unit 510, a FAX communication unit 520, a display unit 530, an operation input unit 540, a document reading unit 550, and a print output unit 560. , and a storage unit 570 .

The control unit 500 is a functional unit for controlling the image forming apparatus 50 as a whole. The control unit 500 implements various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is composed of one or a plurality of arithmetic units (for example, CPU).

A communication unit 510 is a functional unit for the image forming apparatus 50 to communicate with an external device. For example, it is composed of a NIC used in wired/wireless LAN and a communication module connectable to LTE/LTE-A/LAA/5G lines. Further, in this embodiment, the communication unit 510 is connected to the print server 40 and receives print data from the print server 40 .

A FAX communication unit 520 is a functional unit for communicating with an image transmission system that transmits and receives image data via a public switched telephone network or an IP (Internet Protocol) communication network. Note that in this embodiment, the image data received by the FAX communication unit 520 is referred to as received data.

The display unit 530 is a functional unit for displaying various information to the user, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid crystal display). The operation input unit 540 is a functional unit for receiving operation instructions from the user, and is composed of various key switches, a device for detecting input by contact, and the like. The user inputs functions to be used and output conditions via the operation input unit 540 . Further, the image forming apparatus 50 may include a touch panel in which the display section 530 and the operation input section 540 are integrally formed. In this case, the method of detecting the touch panel input may be a general detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or an electrostatic capacitance method.

Document reading unit 550 is a functional unit for reading image data input to image forming apparatus 50 . For example, a document reading device such as a scanner is connected, and image data output from the document reading device is input. Image data may also be input from a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card. Note that in the present embodiment, image data read by the document reading unit 550 is referred to as read data.

The print output unit 560 is a functional unit for forming (printing) print data, received data, and read data on a recording medium (for example, recording paper). For example, it is configured by a laser printer or the like using an electrophotographic method.

The storage unit 570 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 50 . The storage unit 570 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor memory such as an SSD, an HDD, or the like.

Storage unit 570 stores individual information 572 . The individual information 572 is information unique to the image forming apparatus 50, such as a serial number and a series name. Also, a read data storage area 574 for storing read data, a received data storage area 576 for storing received data, and a print data storage area 578 for storing print data are secured. .

[1.3 Flow of processing]
[1.3.1 Outline of processing]
An overview of the processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. It is assumed that the user of the terminal device 10 knows the account name of the relay server 30 in advance and is ready to send messages to the relay server 30 . In this embodiment, the attached data is image data, the attached data is transmitted separately from the message, and the content of the message when the attached data is transmitted is a message indicating the attached data.

First, when the terminal device 10 is executing the messenger application and the user instructs the relay server 30 to transmit image data (S102), the terminal device 10 transmits a message with image data to the relay server 30 as a transmission destination. to the communication server 20 (S104) ((1) in FIG. 8). A message with image data is a message in which the content of the message indicates attached data, and the attached data based on the message indicating the attached data is image data. Further, when transmitting a message with image data to communication server 20 , terminal device 10 reads image data posted by the user from image data storage area 158 and transmits the image data to communication server 20 .

Upon receiving the message with image data from the terminal device 10 , the communication server 20 stores the message with image data in the message storage area 226 . Also, when image data is received from the terminal device 10 , it is stored in the attached data storage area 228 . At this time, the content of the message indicating the attached data may be rewritten to information indicating the location of the image data stored in the attached data storage area 228 . In this way, a device that receives a message with image data can acquire the image data stored in the attached data storage area 228 based on the location of the image data indicated as the content of the message indicating the attached data. Then, the communication server 20 transmits an image data reception notification indicating that the image data has been received to the relay server 30 (S106) ((2) in FIG. 8). The image data reception notification may include a message indicating attached data, the account name of the sender of the message with image data, and information specifying the message (for example, message ID, etc.).

Upon receiving the image data reception notification, relay server 30 transmits to communication server 20 an image data request requesting image data corresponding to the received image data reception notification (S108) (FIG. 8(3)). For example, the image data request may include a message indicating attached data and a message ID. Upon receiving the image data request, relay server 30 identifies and reads out the requested image data from the image data stored in attached data storage area 228 based on the information included in the image data request. Communication server 20 then transmits the read image data to relay server 30 (S110) ((4) in FIG. 8).

Upon receiving the image data, the relay server 30 transmits the image data to the print server 40 (S112) ((5) in FIG. 8). Print server 40 stores the received image data in attached data storage area 434 . At this time, the print server 40 issues a user number (S114) and transmits the issued user number to the relay server 30 (S116) ((6) in FIG. 8).

Relay server 30 that has received the user number transmits a user number notification message including the user number to communication server 20 with terminal device 10 as the destination (S118) ((7) in FIG. 8). A user number notification message is a message containing a user number.

Upon receiving the user number notification message, the communication server 20 transmits the user number notification message to the destination terminal device 10 (S120) ((8) in FIG. 8). The transmission of the user number notification message is performed after receiving the message request transmitted from the terminal device 10 . Also, the communication server 20 may notify the terminal device 10 that the message has been received before transmitting the user number notification message. After receiving the user number notification message, the terminal device 10 displays the received user number notification message on the display unit 120 using the messenger application (S122). This allows the user to know the user number.

The print server 40 also stores the image data relayed (transmitted) from the relay server 30 as print data in the print data storage area 436 (S124). The image data is stored as it is as print data. Note that when the data size of the image data is large, print data output by the function of the print data conversion program 424 may be stored.

The image forming apparatus 50 acquires the user number by an operation such as inputting the user number by the user (S126). For example, the image forming apparatus 50 displays a print service menu listing available services on the display unit 530 . When the user selects "network print" from the print service menu, the user can be prompted to enter the user number by displaying a screen for entering the user number. After acquiring the user number, the image forming apparatus 50 transmits a print data request for requesting print data to the print server 40, including the acquired user number (S128) ((9) in FIG. 8). ).

The print server 40 reads the print data specified by the user number included in the print data request from the print data storage area 436, and transmits the read print data to the image forming apparatus 50 (S130) ((10) in FIG. 8). ). The image forming apparatus 50 that has received the print data prints out the print data by executing printing based on the print data (S132) ((11) in FIG. 8).

[1.3.2 Terminal device processing]
Main processing of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the main processing of the terminal device 10 is executed by the control unit 100 reading out the message transmission/reception program 152 .

First, the control unit 100 reads account information stored in the account information storage area 154 and displays a list (step S1102). Then, when one piece of account information is selected by the user, control unit 100 displays on display unit 120 a screen for sending and receiving messages with the user corresponding to the selected account information. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the relay server 30 is selected as the message destination user.

Subsequently, when the user performs an operation to activate the camera or an operation to select an image to be sent, the control unit 100 performs processing for determining image data to be attached data to be included in the message (step S1104). For example, when a camera activation operation is performed, the control unit 100 activates a camera application executable by the terminal device 10, and uses image data captured by the camera application as image data as attached data. Further, when an operation to select an image to be transmitted is performed, the control unit 100 displays a list of the image data stored in the image data storage area 158, and uses the image data selected by the user as image data as attached data. . Note that there may be a plurality of image data as attached data.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an image data transmission operation, which is an operation for transmitting a message including image data as attached data, has been performed (step S1106). If the image data transmission operation has been performed, control unit 100 generates a message with image data, with the image data determined in step S1104 as attached data, and with the account name of relay server 30 as the destination. Then, the control unit 100 transmits the generated message with image data to the communication server 20 (step S1108). At this time, control unit 100 transmits the image data determined in step S1104 to communication server 20 . The message indicating the attached data includes the file name of the attached image data and the attribute of the image data. The communication server 20 compares the image data transmitted from the terminal device 10 with the message indicating the attached data, thereby determining whether or not the attached data has been sent normally.

Subsequently, when control unit 100 receives a user number notification message from communication server 20 whose transmission source is relay server 30 (step S1110), control unit 100 displays a message included in the user number notification message on display unit 120 (step S1110). S1112).

[1.3.3 Communication Server Processing]
Main processing of the communication server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a message with image data has been received from the terminal device 10 (step S1202). When a message with image data is received (step S1202; Yes), control unit 200 stores the received message with image data in message storage area 226. FIG. Also, image data transmitted from the terminal device 10 is stored in the attached data storage area 228 .

Subsequently, the processing of steps S1204 to S1208 is performed by the function of the message reception notification program 224. FIG. First, the control unit 200 acquires the account name of the destination of the message with image data (step S1204). Subsequently, the control unit 200 acquires device identification information corresponding to the account name from the account/terminal management information 222 (step S1206). Then, based on the obtained device identification information, control unit 200 transmits an image data reception notification to relay server 30 (step S1208). For example, if the device identification information includes an IP address, the control unit 200 transmits the image data reception notification to the IP address stored as the device identification information.

Subsequently, when receiving an image data request from relay server 30, control unit 200 transmits image data based on the image data request (step S1210; Yes → step S1212). Further, when receiving the user number notification message from the relay server 30, the control unit 200 transmits the user number notification message to the terminal device 10 corresponding to the account name specified as the destination (step S1214; Yes → step S1216). ).

[1.3.4 Processing of Relay Server]
Main processing of the relay server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. First, control unit 300 determines whether or not an image data reception notification has been received from communication server 20 (step S1302).

If the image data reception notification is received (step S1302; Yes), the relay program 324 functions to execute the processing of steps S1304 to S1308. First, control unit 300 transmits an image data request to communication server 20 (step S1304). Then, when image data is received from communication server 20 (step S<b>1306 ; Yes), control unit 300 stores the image data in attached data storage area 326 . Control unit 300 then transmits the image data stored in attached data storage area 326 to print server 40 based on print server information 328 (step S1308).

Subsequently, control unit 300 determines whether or not a user number has been received from print server 40 (step S1310). When the user number is received from the print server 40, the processing of steps S1312 to S1314 is executed by the function of the response program 322. FIG. First, control unit 300 generates a message including the user number (step S1312). For example, in addition to the user number, a message is generated that includes the print output method, network print service agreement, expiration date, and the like. Then, a user number notification message including a message including the user number is sent to the communication server 20 with the account name of the sender of the message with image data as the destination (step S1314).

[1.3.5 Print server processing]
Main processing of the print server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. First, control unit 400 determines whether image data has been received from relay server 30 (step S1402). If image data has been received (step S1402; Yes), control unit 400 stores the received image data in attached data storage area 434. FIG.

Subsequently, by the function of the user number issuing program 426, the control unit 400 issues a user number corresponding to the print data (step S1404). Then, control unit 400 transmits the issued user number to relay server 30 (step S1406). Further, the control unit 400 stores the image data as print data in the print data storage area 436 (step S1408). Note that the control unit 400 may store print data output by the function of the print data conversion program 424 in the print data storage area 436 .

Subsequently, control unit 400 determines whether or not a print data request including the user number has been received from image forming apparatus 50 (step S1410). A print data request is a request for print data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 50 to the print server 40 . A plurality of user numbers may be included in the print data request. If a print data request has been received (step S1410; Yes), the print data transmission program 428 functions to execute steps S1410 to S1412. First, the control unit 400 reads the print data corresponding to the user number included in the print data request from the print data storage area 436 (step S1412). Then, the control unit 400 transmits the read print data to the image forming apparatus 50, which is the transmission source of the print data request (step S1414).

[1.3.6 Processing of Image Forming Apparatus]
Main processing of the image forming apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the user has selected to use the network print service (step S1502). For example, when the user selects "network print" from the print service menu displayed on the display unit 530, the control unit 500 determines that the user has selected to use the network print service. After the network print service is selected as the service to be used by the user, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the user has input the user number (step S1502; Yes→step S1504).

When the user number is entered, control unit 500 acquires the entered user number and transmits a print data request including the acquired user number to print server 40 (step S1504; Yes→step S1506). Further, when the print data is received from the print server 40, the control unit 500 displays the received print data on the display unit 530 as a list (step S1508).

Subsequently, when the user performs a data selection operation to select one or a plurality of print data from the list of print data (step S1510; Yes), the selected print data is printed (step S1512). . Note that the control unit 500 can select the number of copies to be printed for each print data when displaying the print data as a list, or can select the size and type of paper for printing based on the print data. good.

[1.4 Operation example]
Next, an operation example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W100 displayed on the display unit 120 when the control unit 100 executes the message transmission/reception program 152. As shown in FIG. The display screen W100 includes an area E100 for displaying a timeline and an area E102 for inputting/transmitting messages.

In the area E100 for displaying the timeline, for each message stored in the message storage area 156, the content of the message and the transmission date and time are displayed. Note that in the example of FIG. 14, the message is displayed in a balloon, and an icon indicating the user who sent the message is displayed next to the balloon. By displaying in this way, the message may be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

The area E102 includes a button B100 for starting the camera application, a button B102 for selecting image data stored in the image data storage area 158, and an area E104 for entering text. The user can use the image data as a message by selecting the button B100 or B102.

FIG. 14 also shows a message sent from the relay server 30 when the user of the terminal device 10 adds the relay server 30 as a destination of the message (for example, "Thank you for registering as a friend", "Before sending the photo, Also check below.") is displayed. In this manner, relay server 30 may send a message to the user of terminal device 10 in advance, indicating that image data can be sent to the network print service.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W110 displayed on the display unit 120 when the button B102 is selected. An area E110 for displaying thumbnails of image data stored in the image data storage area 158 is included at the bottom of the display screen W110. Further, when the thumbnail displayed in the area E110 is selected by the user, an identification display indicating that the thumbnail is selected is displayed. For example, in the example of FIG. 15, displaying a check mark on the upper right of the thumbnail indicates that the image data corresponding to the thumbnail displaying the check mark is selected. Then, when the user selects the send button B110 for sending the selected image data, the terminal device 10 sends an image including the selected image data to the communication server 20 with the relay server 30 as the destination. Send a message with data.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W120 displayed on display unit 120 when image data is received by relay server 30. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the area for displaying the timeline includes an area E120 for displaying image data selected by the user and transmitted to relay server 30, and an area E122 for displaying a user number notification message. . The user can output the selected image data from image forming apparatus 50 by inputting the user number displayed in area E<b>122 into image forming apparatus 50 .

According to this embodiment, the user can use the network print service using the communication service. Therefore, the user can register the image data to the print server without taking the time and effort to newly register as a member in order to use the network print service. Also, image data can be printed out from an image forming apparatus installed in a convenience store or the like.

Further, by realizing a dialogue with the terminal device 10, the relay server 30 can confirm from which account the image data is transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to know the sender of the image data without registering as a member of the network print service. Being able to know the source of the image data leads to deterring illegal images from being registered and printed, thereby improving security.

In addition, since messages can be transmitted and received between the terminal device 10 and the relay server 30, various types of information can be PUSH-delivered to each user at a timing other than the timing of print output. For example, the relay server 30 can distribute notification information such as maintenance information to each user, and can notify the user when the storage period (e.g., 8 days) of an image registered in the print server is approaching. It becomes possible. In this way, it is possible to encourage users to use the network print system 1 .

[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment enables data other than image data to be output from the image forming apparatus 50, and asks the user whether or not to output data from the image forming apparatus 50. .

2 of the first embodiment to FIG. 17, FIG. 7 to FIG. 18, FIG. 9 to FIG. 19, FIG. 10 to FIG. 20, FIG. 11 to FIG. 21, and FIG. , respectively. Note that the same functional units and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[2.1 Functional Configuration of Terminal Device]
A functional configuration of the terminal device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal device 12 differs from the terminal device 10 in that a document data storage area 160 is further secured in the storage unit 150 . The document data storage area 160 is an area for storing document data. The document data stored in the document data storage area 160 may be created in the terminal device 12 , or document data created by an external device may be received via the communication unit 110 . Also, the document data is stored as a document file in the document data storage area 160, for example. Note that it is sufficient that individual document data is stored in an identifiable format, for example, it may be stored in a database format.

[2.2 Flow of processing]
[2.2.1 Outline of processing]
An overview of the flow of processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the terminal device 10 is running the messenger application and the user instructs the relay server 30 to transmit attached data (S202), the terminal device 10 transmits a message with attached data to the communication server 20 ( S204). A message with attached data is a message whose content indicates attached data. Here, the control unit 100 reads the data instructed to be transmitted by the user from the image data storage area 158 or the document data storage area 160 based on the data type, and transmits the read data to the communication server 20 .

Upon receiving the message with attached data from the terminal device 10 , the communication server 20 stores the message with attached data in the message storage area 226 . Also, when the attached data is transmitted from the terminal device 10 , it is stored in the attached data storage area 228 . At this time, the message indicating the attached data may be rewritten to information indicating the location of the attached data stored in the attached data storage area 228 . By doing so, a device that receives a message with attached data can acquire the attached data stored in the attached data storage area 228 based on the location of the attached data indicated as the content of the message indicating the attached data. Communication server 20 then transmits an attached data reception notification indicating that the attached data has been received to relay server 30 (S206). As in the first embodiment, the attached data reception notification may include a message indicating the attached data and information specifying the message.

Upon receiving the attached data reception notification, relay server 30 transmits an attached data request requesting attached data corresponding to the received attached data reception notification to communication server 20 (S208). As in the first embodiment, the attached data request may include a message indicating attached data and information specifying the message. The communication server 20 identifies and reads the attached data based on the information included in the attached data request. Then, the read attached data is transmitted to the relay server 30 (S210).

Relay server 30 then transmits a confirmation message addressed to terminal device 10 to communication server 20 (S212). The confirmation message is a message that asks the user whether or not to permit transmission of the attached data to the print server 40 . Note that the confirmation message may be a message that displays a choice of whether to give an affirmative response or to give a negative response. Upon receiving the confirmation message, the communication server 20 transmits the confirmation message to the destination terminal device 10 (S214).

When the user performs an operation to respond to the confirmation message, the terminal device 10 transmits a response message addressed to the relay server 30 to the communication server 20 (S216). A reply message is a message containing the content of a reply to a confirmation message. The answer message may be information indicating an option selected by the user, or may be text data such as "yes", "please", "yes", "no", and "no". That is, any data may be used as long as it is possible to determine whether or not to permit transmission of the attached data to the print server 40 . The communication server 20 that has received the reply message transmits the reply message to the destination relay server 30 (S218).

Relay server 30 determines whether or not the content of the reply message permits transmission of the attached data to print server 40 . If the content of the response message permits transmission of the attached data to the print server 40, the attached data is sent to the print server 40 (S220). The print server 40 then stores the received attached data in the attached data storage area 434 and issues a user number (S114). The processing from S116 to S122 is the same as in the first embodiment.

Also, the print server 40 stores print data according to the attached data relayed (transmitted) from the relay server 30 (S222). If the attached data is image data, the print server 40 stores it as print data. If the attached data is document data, the print server 40 stores the data converted into a format printable by the image forming apparatus 50 as print data. The processing from S126 to S132 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[2.2.2 Terminal device processing]
Processing of the terminal device 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the main processing of the terminal device 12 is executed by the control unit 100 reading out the message transmission/reception program 152 .

First, the control unit 100 reads the account information stored in the account information storage area 154 and displays a list of the account information, thereby allowing the destination of the message to be selected (step S1102). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the account information of the relay server 30 is selected as the destination of the message.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines attached data to be included in the message (step S2102). For example, the control unit 100 displays a list of the data stored in the image data storage area 158 and the document data storage area 160, and determines the data selected by the user as the attached data. do. Further, when an operation to start the camera application is performed, the image data captured by the started camera application is determined as the attached data.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an attached data transmission operation, which is an operation for transmitting a message including attached data, has been performed (step S2104). If the attached data transmission operation has been performed, a message indicating the attached data determined in step S2104 is generated. Then, control unit 100 uses the message indicating the generated attached data as a message, and transmits a message with attached data to relay server 30 as a transmission destination to communication server 20 (step S2106). At this time, control unit 100 transmits to communication server 20 the attached data determined in step S2104.

Subsequently, control unit 100 determines whether or not a resend message has been received, and if a resend message has been received, displays the received resend message (step S2108; Yes→step S2110). The resend message is a message that prompts resend of the attached data when the attached data is not supported for registration by the network print system 1, such as when the attached data is in an unsupported format. A case where the attached data is in an unsupported format is a case where the print data conversion program 424 cannot output the attached data as print data. For example, if the attached data is the print data conversion program 4
24 is not supported (cannot be read), the data size is too large, or the data is damaged.

Further, even when attached data that cannot be properly printed out by the image forming apparatus 50 is sent, a resend message may be displayed on the terminal device 10 as if attached data that cannot be registered by the network print system 1 is sent. . For example, if the image size of the image data sent as attached data is too small, or if the number of pages of the document data sent as attached data exceeds the predetermined number of pages that can be output, the attached data will be supported. Suppose it is outside. The resend message may also be displayed on the terminal device 10 when the network print system 1 is unable to register the attached data due to reasons such as maintenance of the network print service provided by the print server 40 . At this time, the resend message may include the date and time when the network print system 1 can accept registration of attached data.

If no retransmission message is received, then a confirmation message is received and displayed (step S2112). The control unit 100 determines whether or not the user has performed a reply operation, which is an operation of replying to the confirmation message (step S2114). A reply operation is an operation in which the user selects an option or responds with a text to the confirmation message. If the user does not operate to reply to the confirmation message, the control unit 100 subsequently determines whether or not the user has operated to transmit additional attached data (step S2114; No → step S2116). If the operation to transmit the additional attached data has not been performed, the control unit 100 determines whether or not timeout has occurred (step S2116; No → step S2118). In other words, the control unit 100 continues to determine whether or not the user has performed a reply operation or an operation to transmit additional attached data until the timeout expires. A time-out occurs, for example, when a registration cancel message, which will be described later, is received from the communication server 20 . Note that the control unit 100 may measure the elapsed time after displaying the confirmation message, and determine that the timeout has occurred when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time.

When the reply operation is performed, control unit 100 transmits a reply message with relay server 30 as the destination to communication server 20 (step S2114; Yes→step S2120). At this time, if the content of the reply message is content that permits transmission of the attached data to the print server 40 (for example, “request”) (step S2122; Yes), the control unit 100 receives the reply message from the communication server 20. display unit 120 to display a user number notification message (step S1112).

Further, when an operation to transmit additional attached data is performed, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an excess number message (excess number message) has been received from the relay server 30 (step S2116; Yes→step S2124). The number-of-sheets over message is a message indicating that the number of attached data items transmitted by the user exceeds the number of items that the network print system 1 can accept for registration at one time. The number of attachment data that can be registered may be determined in advance by the administrator of the network print system 1 or the like.

If the number-over message is not received, the process returns to step S2106 (step S2124; No→step S2106). Also, when the number-of-sheets-over message is received, the number-of-sheets-over message is displayed on the display unit 120, and the process returns to step S2112 (step S2124; Yes→step S2126→step S2112).

If time-out occurs (step S2118; Yes), or if the content of the reply message is content that does not allow sending the attached data to the print server 40 (for example, "stopped") (step S2122; No), a registration cancel message is transmitted from the relay server 30 to the terminal device 10 . The registration cancel message is a message indicating that the attached data is not transmitted to the print server 40 and the attached data and the print data are not stored (registered) in the print server 40 . When control unit 100 receives the registration cancellation message from communication server 20 whose transmission source is relay server 30, control unit 100 displays the message included in the registration cancellation message on display unit 120 (step S2128).

[2.2.3 Communication Server Processing]
Processing of the communication server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. First, control unit 200 determines whether or not a message with attached data has been received from terminal device 10 (step S2202). When a message with attached data is received, the function of the message reception notification program 224 acquires the account name of the destination of the message with attached data, acquires the device identification information of the relay server 30, and sends the message to the relay server 30. Attached data reception notification is transmitted through step S1204→step S1206→step S2204.

Subsequently, when the attached data request is received from the relay server 30, the control unit 200 transmits the attached data based on the attached data request (step S2206; Yes→step S2208). Further, when receiving a confirmation message with the terminal device 10 as the transmission destination from the relay server 30, the control unit 200 transmits the confirmation message to the terminal device 10 (step S2210; Yes→step S2212). As a result of sending the attached data to the relay server in step S2208, relay server 30 may send a resend message or page count over message to communication server 20 with terminal device 10 as the destination. . In such a case, the control unit 200 transmits to the terminal device 10 the resend message and the number-of-sheets-over message received from the relay server 30 in the same manner as the transmission of the confirmation message.

Subsequently, when a message with additional attached data is received from the terminal device 10, the control unit 200 returns to step S2204 (step S2214; Yes→step S2204). Further, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a reply message addressed to the relay server 30 has been received from the terminal device 10 (step S2214; No → step S2216). After receiving the reply message, control unit 200 transmits the reply message to relay server 30 (step S2216; Yes→step S2218). If no reply message is received, the process returns to step S2214 (step S2216; No→step S2214).

[2.2.4 Processing of Relay Server]
Processing of the relay server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 21 . First, control unit 300 determines whether or not an attached data reception notification has been received from communication server 20 (step S2302). Upon receiving the attached data reception notification, control unit 300 transmits an attached data request to communication server 20 (step S2304). After receiving the attached data from the communication server 20, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the received attached data is unsupported (step S2306; Yes→step S2308). That is, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the received attached data can be registered by the network print system 1 based on the attached data format, data size, image size, and the like. If the attached data is not supported, the response program 322 functions to generate a resend message to prompt resending of the attached data (step S2308; Yes→step S2310).

If the attached data is not unsupported, then a confirmation message is generated by the function of the response program 322 and sent to the communication server 20 with the terminal device 10 as the destination (step S2312). Subsequently, the control unit 300 determines whether or not a response message has been received and whether or not a notification of additional attached data reception has been received from the communication server 20 until timeout occurs (step S2314→step S2316→step S2318).

If a reply message has been received (step S2314; Yes), control unit 300 determines the contents of the reply message (step S2320). If the content of the reply message permits the transmission of the attached data to the print server 40 (for example, "request"), the attached data is sent to the print server 40 (step S2320; Yes→step S2324).

When the additional attached data reception notification is received (step S2314; No → step S2316; Yes), the control unit 300 determines whether or not the number of received attached data exceeds a predetermined upper limit ( step S2326). If the number of received attached data exceeds the upper limit, control unit 300 excludes the last received attached data from the objects to be accepted by the network print service (step S2326; Yes→step S2328). In this manner, attached data is transmitted to the print server 40 within a range in which the number of received attached data does not exceed the upper limit. Also, the function of the relay program 324 is used to generate an excess number message, and the control unit 300 transmits the excess number message to the communication server 20 with the terminal device 10 as the destination (step S2330).

[2.3.5 Print server processing]
Processing of the print server 40 will be described with reference to FIG. First, control unit 400 determines whether attached data has been received from relay server 30 (step S2402). When attached data is received, control unit 400 determines whether the received attached data is document data (step S2404). If the attached data is document data, the control unit 400 stores the print data converted by the function of the print data conversion program 424 in the print data storage area 436 (step S2404; Yes→step S2406). If the attached data is image data, the control unit 400 stores the image data as print data in the print data storage area 436 as is (step S2404; No→step S2408). As in the first embodiment, the control unit 400 may store print data output by the function of the print data conversion program 424 in the print data storage area 436 .

[2.4 Operation example]
Next, an operation example will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W200 displayed on the display unit 120 when the control unit 100 executes the message transmission/reception program 152. As shown in FIG. Note that the display screen W200 is an operation example when a confirmation message is displayed after two pieces of image data are transmitted to the relay server 30 .

In an area E200 in which a confirmation message is displayed, in addition to a message indicating the number of received image data (for example, "2 files have been received"), it is possible to specify whether or not to transmit image data to the print server 40. Contains a choice button for The option buttons include a button B200 that permits transmission to the print server 40 and a button B202 that does not permit transmission to the print server 40 . The user can send a reply message by selecting either button B200 or button B202.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen W210 displayed on the display unit 120 when the button B200 is selected in FIG. When button B200 is selected, relay server 30 transmits a user number notification message to terminal device 10 as a transmission destination. Therefore, display unit 120 includes area E210 for displaying a message based on the user number notification message. The user can know the user number by checking the area E210.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen W220 displayed on the display unit 120 when the button B202 is selected in FIG. When the button B202 is selected, the relay server 30 transmits a registration cancel message addressed to the terminal device 10 . Therefore, the display unit 120 includes an area E220 for displaying a message based on the registration cancellation message. The user can confirm that the image data has not been sent to the print server 40 by confirming the area E220.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen W230 displayed on the display unit 120 when the number of attachment data transmitted to the relay server 30 is large and exceeds the upper limit of the number of data that can be registered. In such a case, the relay server 30 transmits an excess number message to the terminal device 10 as a transmission destination. Therefore, the display unit 120 includes an area E230 for displaying a message based on the number-of-sheets-over message. By checking the area E230, the user can confirm that too much attached data has been sent.

In this case, relay server 30 may transmit attached data to print server 40 within a range that does not exceed the upper limit of the number of data that can be registered, or may not transmit all attached data to print server 40. may Also, the number-of-sheets-over message may be a message that allows the user to confirm which of the attached data has been sent to the print server 40 .

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W240 displayed on display unit 120 when an image other than image data is transmitted to relay server 30. As shown in FIG. Images other than image data are images that can be used only with messenger applications, such as images called stamps and stickers. Such an image is not an image to be printed out by the image forming apparatus 50 . When such an image is transmitted as a message from the terminal device 10, the relay program 324 may generate a message prompting the user to transmit the image data. A message including the generated message is transmitted to the communication server 20 with the terminal device 10 as the destination. The user can confirm the transmission of the image data by confirming the message prompting the transmission of the image data. When the user sends a message such as a greeting sentence or a sentence such as "I don't understand", the relay program 324 may generate and send a message regarding usage. In this way, the relay program 324 generates and transmits a message according to the content of the message received from the user, thereby providing necessary information to the user and promoting necessary operations. It becomes possible.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to output not only image data but also document data. In addition, since it is possible to inquire whether or not to output the attached data, and to send a message when the number of data that can be registered exceeds the upper limit, it is possible to expect an improvement in user convenience.

[3. Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the third embodiment displays the positions of image forming apparatuses in the vicinity of the user. The present embodiment is an embodiment in which the processing of the terminal device 10 and the relay server 30 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is partially replaced.

In this embodiment, the individual management information 432 of the print server 40 stores information such as the address of the installation location of the image forming apparatus 50, the latitude and longitude, and the name of the store where the image forming apparatus 50 is installed. By doing so, the installation location of the image forming apparatus 50 can be identified. In the present embodiment, information regarding the installation location of the image forming apparatus 50 is referred to as image forming apparatus information.

Processing executed by the terminal device 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 28 . FIG. 28 is a flowchart obtained by adding processing to be additionally executed in this embodiment to the flowchart of the terminal device 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, when the user number message is received (step S1110; Yes), the control unit 100 transmits the location information to the relay server 30 (step S3102). The location information may be transmitted by a message, by sharing the location information with the relay server 30, or by a method other than the message. Also, the location information may be information indicating the location of the terminal device, such as information such as the latitude and longitude where the terminal device is located, an address, a base station with which the terminal device is communicating, and an IP address.

After receiving the user number message from relay server 30, control unit 100 displays the user number on display unit 120 (S1112). Further, when control unit 100 receives neighboring image forming apparatus information (for example, the address and the name of the store where the device is installed) from relay server 30, control unit 100 displays the information on display unit 120 (step S3104). This image forming device information is received as a message including the image forming device information from the relay server 30 to the terminal device 10, for example.

In the present embodiment, the controller 100 transmits the location information after receiving the user number notification message, but it may be transmitted at a different timing. For example, the timing of transmitting the position information may be the timing specified by the user, after the image data or attached data is transmitted, or may be transmitted periodically. Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that after displaying the user number message, the nearby image forming apparatus information is displayed, but the nearby image forming apparatus information may be included in the user number notification message and displayed. .

Next, processing executed by the relay server 30 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 29 . FIG. 29 is a flowchart obtained by adding processing to be additionally executed in this embodiment to the flowchart of the relay server 30 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Control unit 300 generates a message including the user number, and after transmitting the generated message, determines whether or not position information has been acquired from terminal device 10 (step S1312→step S1314→step S3302). If the location information has been acquired from the terminal device 10 (step S3302; Yes), information on the image forming apparatus 50 existing in the vicinity of the acquired location information is acquired from the print server 40 (step S3304). Specifically, when receiving the location information from relay server 30 , control unit 400 compares the received location information with the address, latitude, and longitude information stored in individual management information 432 . Then, as a result of the comparison, control unit 400 transmits to relay server 30 information about image forming apparatuses 50 that are close to the received position information. At this time, the control unit 400 may regard the image forming apparatus 50 existing within a predetermined distance (for example, within 500 m) from the received position information as the image forming apparatus 50 existing nearby. If there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses 50 in the vicinity, the control unit 400 rearranges the information of the image forming apparatuses 50 in descending order of the distance between the received position information and the installation location of the image forming apparatus 50, Information on the image forming apparatus 50 may be transmitted to the relay server 30 . Further, when there is no image forming apparatus 50 in the neighborhood, information indicating that there is no image forming apparatus 50 in the neighborhood may be transmitted to the relay server 30 .

Subsequently, based on the information about the image forming apparatus 50 received from the print server 40, the control unit 300 uses the function of the response program 322 to generate a message indicating nearby image forming apparatus information (step S3306). Then, the control unit 300 transmits the generated message to the communication server 20 with the terminal device 10 as the transmission destination (step S3308).

28 and 29 are flowcharts obtained by adding processing to be additionally executed in the present embodiment to the flowcharts of the terminal device 10 and the relay server 30 in the first embodiment. , the processing in this embodiment may be added. That is, in the flowchart of the terminal device 12 shown in FIG. 19, the processing of step S3102 is executed before processing step S1112, and the processing of step S3104 is executed after step S1112. Also, in FIG. 21, after step S1314, the processing of steps S3302 to S3308 is executed. By doing so, in addition to the processing of the second embodiment, it is possible to display on the terminal device 12 a message indicating the information of the nearby image forming device.

An operation example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen W300 displayed on display unit 120 when a user number notification message is received. In the example of FIG. 30, the user number notification message includes information E300 of the image forming apparatus 50 existing near the terminal apparatus 10 (for example, the name and address of the store where the image forming apparatus 50 is installed). ing. In addition to the user number notification message, a message including information on the image forming device 50 existing near the terminal device 10 may be displayed.

Note that in FIG. 30, the name and address of the store are displayed as the information of the image forming apparatus 50, but in addition to this, a link to a map showing the route to the installation location of the image forming apparatus 50, a required Information such as time, distance, and business hours may be included.

[4. Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. That is, the technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the contents described in the description of the processing of each embodiment are examples of processing for realizing the object of the present invention, and the order of steps may be changed or some steps may be omitted within a consistent range. It doesn't matter if you do.

In addition, although the above-described embodiments are described separately for convenience of explanation, it is of course possible to combine them within the technically possible range.

In addition, the program that operates in each device in the embodiment is a program that controls the CPU and the like (a program that causes the computer to function) so as to implement the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (for example, RAM) during processing, and then stored in storage devices such as various ROMs (Read Only Memory) and HDDs. It is read, corrected, and written by the CPU.

Here, as recording media for storing programs, semiconductor media (eg, ROM, non-volatile memory cards, etc.), optical recording media/magneto-optical recording media (eg, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray Disc) (registered trademark), etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape,
flexible disk, etc.). By executing the loaded program, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. In some cases, inventive features are realized.

When distributed to the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, of course, the storage device of the server computer is also included in the present invention.

1 network print system 10, 12 terminal device 100 control unit 110 communication unit 120 display unit 130 operation input unit 140 image input unit 150 storage unit 152 message transmission/reception program 154 account information storage area 156 message storage area 158 image data storage area 160 document data Storage area 20 Communication server 200 Control unit 210 Communication unit 220 Storage unit 222 Account/terminal management information 224 Message reception notification program 226 Message storage area 228 Attached data storage area 30 Relay server 300 Control unit 310 Communication unit 320 Storage unit 322 Response program 324 Relay program 326 Attached data storage area 328 Print server information 40 Print server 400 Control unit 410 Communication unit 420 Storage unit 422 Attached data reception program 424 Print data conversion program 426 User number issue program 428 Print data transmission program 430 Network print service account information 432 Individual management information 434 Attached data storage area 436 Print data storage area 50 Image forming apparatus 500 Control unit 510 Communication unit 520 FAX communication unit 530 Display unit 540 Operation input unit 550 Document reading unit 560 Print output unit 570 Storage unit 572 Individual information 574 Read Data storage area 576 Received data storage area 578 Print data storage area

Claims (9)

A system including a terminal device, a server, and an image forming device,
a retrieving means for retrieving a message including one or more attachments from a messaging service;
generating means for generating identification information used by the image forming apparatus to acquire the attached data;
control means for posting generated messages to the messaging service;
with
The control means is
When the attached data included in the acquired message satisfies a restriction regarding acceptance of registration as output data that can be output by the image forming apparatus, a message indicating that the attached data has been accepted and a message prompting confirmation. to the messaging service, and posting a message indicating an error to the messaging service if the restrictions on accepting registrations are not met;
when there is a response from the terminal device to the message prompting the confirmation, posting a message including the identification information generated by the generating means to the messaging service;
The terminal device is capable of posting additional attached data to the messaging service after obtaining the message prompting confirmation,
The generating means generates one piece of identification information so as to further include the additional attached data even when the additional attached data is posted.
A system characterized by: 2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the terminal obtains and displays a message containing the identification information from the messaging service. 3. The server stores the attached data of the message posted to the messaging service as print data so that the attached data can be acquired by the image forming apparatus by transmitting the attached data to the print server. 3. The system according to 1 or 2 . 4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein said image forming apparatus acquires said output data corresponding to said identification information from said print server, and outputs an image based on said output data. 5. The restriction on the acceptance of registration is at least one of the format of the attached data, the size of the data, the content of the data, the number of data, the image size, and the number of prints. or the system according to item 1. The case where the restrictions on registration acceptance are not satisfied is at least when the number of attached data exceeds a preset threshold, when the format of the attached data is a format that cannot be converted into the output data, and when the attached data 5. The data size exceeds a preset threshold value, or the content of the attached data includes a preset keyword indicating that transfer is prohibited. or the system according to item 1. Posting means for posting a message including one or more attached data to a messaging service;
display means for displaying messages obtained from the messaging service;
with
Said message is
When the attached data satisfies the restrictions on acceptance of registration as output data that can be output by the image forming apparatus, the content indicating that the attached data has been accepted and the content prompting confirmation are included,
Content indicating an error is included if the above restrictions regarding registration acceptance are not met,
the display means displays a message including identification information used when the attached data is acquired by the image forming apparatus when a response is made to the message prompting confirmation;
The posting means is capable of posting additional attached data to the messaging service after the message urging confirmation is displayed,
The display means displays a message including the identification information of the one further including the additional attached data even when the additional attached data is posted.
A terminal device characterized by: 8. The terminal according to claim 7 , wherein the restrictions on the acceptance of registration are at least one of the format of the attached data, the size of the data, the contents of the data, the number of data, the image size, and the number of prints. Device. The case where the restrictions on registration acceptance are not satisfied is at least when the number of attached data exceeds a preset threshold, when the format of the attached data is a format that cannot be converted into the output data, and when the attached data 8. The terminal according to claim 7 , wherein the data size exceeds a preset threshold value, or the content of the attached data includes a preset keyword prohibiting transfer. Device.

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