JP7247678B2 - image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image forming systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming system capable of preventing deterioration of convenience.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), facsimile machines, copiers, printers, etc., which have scanner functions, facsimile functions, copying functions, functions as printers, data communication functions, and server functions. be.

When printing a document, the user instructs the printing of the document on his/her own terminal, and then goes to the image forming apparatus to pick up the printed material. When distributing the printed matter to other users, the user goes to the image forming apparatus to pick up the printed matter and then brings the printed matter to the location of the user to whom the printed matter is to be distributed.

When this printing method and printed matter distribution method are used, the printed matter may be spied on by a third party after the image forming apparatus outputs the printed matter until the user goes to the image forming apparatus to retrieve the printed matter. There is a risk of theft, which poses a security problem. In addition, actions such as going to the image forming device to retrieve the printed matter, waiting in front of the image forming device until the printed matter is output, or bringing the printed matter to the location of the user to whom the printed matter is distributed may interrupt the user's work. , reduce user productivity.

As a technology that can solve the above-mentioned security problems and suppress the decrease in user's productivity, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose printed matter using an autonomously traveling delivery device that delivers printed matter. and delivery techniques are disclosed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses an image forming apparatus that receives print data from a user's personal computer, prints it on paper, and outputs it, and a self-propelled finisher as a post-processing device that can be connected to and separated from the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus is disclosed. When instructed to print and deliver from the user's personal computer, the image forming apparatus body sends the printed paper to the self-propelled finisher side and also sends travel route information to the self-propelled finisher to instruct delivery. The self-propelled finisher autonomously travels based on the travel route information while holding the printed paper inside. When the self-propelled finisher arrives at the user's personal computer that instructed printing and delivery, the self-propelled finisher discharges the printed paper and delivers it to the user.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 describes a method for receiving a printed matter output from an image forming apparatus or a post-processing device that performs post-processing on printed matter on which an image has been formed by the image forming device, and receiving the printed matter output from the image forming device or the post-processing device. Disclosed is a printed matter delivery device that separates from a printed matter and delivers the received printed matter to a destination.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200002 discloses a technique for transferring a print job from a transfer source PC (Personal Computer) to a transfer destination PC. In this technique, the transfer source PC transmits the print job to the printing device together with the information of the transfer destination of the print job and the print settings. The printing device receives the print job, and transmits a notification to the destination PC to the effect that printing preparation is completed. The destination PC displays the notification before printing based on the content of the notification. The user of the delivery destination PC views the content of the notification and understands that the document addressed to him is about to be sent and printed. The destination PC accepts the change in print settings and starts printing.

JP 2006-321583 A JP 2016-179674 A JP 2007-268741 A

In conventional techniques for delivering printed matter to delivery destinations, printing and delivery are performed according to settings made by the user who requested printing and delivery of the printed matter. For this reason, there is a problem that the printed matter is delivered in a manner different from the request of the user at the delivery destination, and the convenience for the user at the delivery destination is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of preventing deterioration of convenience.

An image forming system according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously, the information processing device. includes a request means for requesting the print delivery of the document according to the request from the user who requests the print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is different from the user who requests the printing of the document according to the set printing conditions. It is printing that delivers a printed document of a document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination who is a person who is a person, and when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, Inquiry means for inquiring about a request regarding delivery of printed matter, request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter from a user at a delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means, and according to the request received by the request receiving means, and control means for controlling printing of a document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus, and the request related to the delivery of the printed material of the document is a request to deliver the printed material of the document at a specified date and time. .

An image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously, the information processing device includes a request means for requesting the print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is the printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and the delivery of the printout of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination. , when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, the inquiry means for inquiring of the user at the delivery destination about the request for delivery of the printed matter of the document; request receiving means for receiving a request from a previous user regarding delivery of printed matter of a document; and control of printing of a document by an image forming device and delivery of a printed matter of a document by a delivery device in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means. and control means, further comprising presence information acquisition means for acquiring information as to whether or not the user at the delivery destination is present, wherein the control means determines whether or not the user at the delivery destination is present. first attendance delivery control for instructing the image forming device to print the document and instructing the delivery device to collect and deliver the printed document of the document when the request receiving means receives a request to deliver the document regardless of whether or not In the case where the request receiving means receives a request to deliver while the user at the delivery destination is present, when the information indicating that the user at the delivery destination is present is acquired, image formation a second attended delivery control means for directing the device to print the document and for directing the delivery device to collect and deliver the printout of the document.

In the above image forming system, the image forming apparatus preferably includes printing means for printing a document and outputting the printed matter of the document in page order when an instruction to print the document is received from the server, wherein the printing means The back surface of the last page of the printed matter is the top surface of the printed matter of the document, and the delivery device delivers the printed matter of the document with the back surface of the last page of the printed matter of the document being the top surface of the printed matter of the document including.

In the above image forming system, preferably, the request for print delivery of the document includes information as to whether or not confidential handling of the document is required, and the control means includes printing conditions for double-sided printing and information to the effect that confidential handling of the document is required. and a first print instructing means for instructing the image forming apparatus to print the back side of the last page as the unprinted side when a request for print delivery of a document including and is received from the information processing apparatus.

In the above image forming system, preferably, there are a plurality of documents, the request for print delivery of the document includes information on whether the plurality of documents need to be treated confidentially, and the control means selects at least one of the plurality of documents. Instruct the image forming device to print the back side of the final page when a request for print delivery of multiple documents containing information indicating that confidential treatment is necessary is received from the information processing device. A second print instruction means is included.

In the image forming system described above, preferably, the second print instruction means includes, among the plurality of documents, a document of the first type in which the back side of the last page of the printed matter output by printing is not printed. Order determination means for determining the first type of print order, if present, to be the last print order of the plurality of documents.

In the above image forming system, preferably, the second print instruction means, after printing the plurality of documents, when the first type of document does not exist among the plurality of documents, prints the back side of the document on the side where the back side is not printed. It includes additional print instruction means for instructing the image forming apparatus to output a certain printed matter.

Preferably, in the above image forming system, the additional print instruction means instructs the image forming apparatus to output a blank sheet of paper on which both the front side and the back side are not printed after printing the plurality of documents.

An image forming system according to still another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously. The device includes a request means for requesting print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and delivery of the printout of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination. Yes, when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, the inquiry means for inquiring the user of the delivery destination about the request for delivery of the printed matter of the document, and when inquiring by the inquiry means, Request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of the printed document from the user at the delivery destination, and control of document printing performed by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed document performed by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means. presence information acquisition means for acquiring information on whether or not the user at the delivery destination is present or not, and a request for print delivery of the document includes information on whether or not the document should be treated confidentially. and when receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of a document containing information indicating that the document needs to be treated confidentially, the control means provides information to the effect that the user at the delivery destination is not present. a first confidential delivery control means for withholding an instruction to print a document to the image forming apparatus and an instruction to collect and deliver printed materials of the document to the delivery apparatus when the information is obtained by the presence information obtaining means; , when a request for print delivery of a document containing information indicating that confidential handling of the document is not required is received from the information processing device, the image forming device receives the request regardless of whether the user at the delivery destination is present a second secure delivery control means for directing printing of the document and for directing the delivery device to collect and deliver printed copies of the document.

An image forming system according to still another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously. The device includes a request means for requesting print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and delivery of the printout of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination. Yes, when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, the inquiry means for inquiring the user of the delivery destination about the request for delivery of the printed matter of the document, and when inquiring by the inquiry means, Request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of the printed document from the user at the delivery destination, and control of document printing performed by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed document performed by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means. The control means does not instruct the image forming device to print the document and the delivery device does not instruct the document printing when the request receiving means receives a request to the effect that delivery of the printed matter of the document is unnecessary. Do not direct the collection and delivery of printed documents.

An image forming system according to still another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously. The device includes a request means for requesting print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and delivery of the printout of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination. Yes, when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, the inquiry means for inquiring the user of the delivery destination about the request for delivery of the printed matter of the document, and when inquiring by the inquiry means, Request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of the printed document from the user at the delivery destination, and control of document printing performed by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed document performed by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means. the document print delivery includes information as to whether or not the user at the delivery destination is permitted to acquire the electronic data of the document ; When a request for print delivery of a document containing information that permits Notice.

In the above image forming system, preferably, the request for print delivery of the document includes information as to whether or not confidential handling of the document is required, and the request for print delivery of the document including information to the effect that the confidential handling of the document is required is processed. When received from the device, the inquiry means notifies the storage location of the electronic data of the encrypted document.

An image forming system according to still another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that includes an information processing device that can communicate with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device that can travel autonomously. The device includes a request means for requesting print delivery of the document, and the print delivery of the document is printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and delivery of the printout of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination. Yes, when the server receives a request for print delivery of the document from the information processing device, the inquiry means for inquiring the user of the delivery destination about the request for delivery of the printed matter of the document, and when inquiring by the inquiry means, Request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of the printed document from the user at the delivery destination, and control of document printing performed by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed document performed by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means. When the requesting user who requested the delivery of the printed document through the information processing device is included in the user of the delivery destination, the inquiry means provides the requesting user with a request regarding the delivery of the printed document. do not inquire.
In the above image forming system, preferably, when the request receiving means receives a request to deliver the printed document on the specified date and time, the control means determines the timing determined based on the date and time specified for the image forming apparatus. date and time delivery control means for instructing the delivery device to print the document at the specified date and time, and for instructing the delivery device to collect and deliver printed copies of the document at the timing determined based on the specified date and time.

Preferably, in the above image forming system, if the server does not receive a request for delivery of printed documents from the user at the delivery destination even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the inquiry was made by the inquiry means, Further includes a canceling means for canceling print delivery of the document for the delivery destination.

Preferably, in the above image forming system, the server is an image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming system that can prevent deterioration of convenience.

1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of each of server 100 and information processing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the state of printed matter of a document output from the image forming apparatus 200 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of delivery device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printed matter collection operation and a delivery operation of delivery device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a first part of a diagram conceptually showing a print delivery process performed by an image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a second portion of a diagram conceptually showing print delivery processing performed by the image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a first part of a sequence diagram showing print delivery processing performed by the image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a second part of a sequence diagram showing print delivery processing performed by the image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing processing performed by the information processing apparatus 400 in one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a print request list displayed on the display unit 402 by the information processing apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 13 is a subroutine of the process (S721) at the time of print request in FIG. 12. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a print setting screen displayed on display unit 402 by information processing apparatus 400 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is the first part of a flow chart showing processing performed by server 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a second portion of a flow chart showing processing performed by server 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is the third part of the flow chart showing the processing performed by the server 100 in one embodiment of the invention. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus management table stored in the storage device 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a delivery device management table stored in storage device 105 in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a print request management table stored in the storage device 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining state transition of a print request according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a response input screen to a delivery inquiry displayed by information processing apparatus 400 on display unit 402 in one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a delivery destination management table stored in storage device 105 in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. This is the first part of the subroutine of the process (S1035) at the time of print request in FIG. This is the second part of the subroutine of the process (S1035) at the time of print request in FIG. FIG. 18 shows the third part of the subroutine of the processing (S1035) at the time of print request in FIG. 17. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a device selection table stored in the storage device 105 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a method of determining the print order of a plurality of documents; FIG. 19 is a subroutine of the response reception process (S1051) to the delivery inquiry in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 is a subroutine of the next work instruction process (S1081) in FIG. 18; 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the image forming apparatus 200 in one embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a diagram schematically showing a print job management table stored in the storage device 209 according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transition of print job states according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 33 is a subroutine of print data reception processing (S1321) in FIG. 32. FIG. FIG. 33 is a subroutine of the print job execution process (S1331) in FIG. 32; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing state transitions of delivery device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flow chart showing processing performed by the delivery device 300 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 39 is a subroutine of the delivery request reception process (S1631) in FIG. 38. FIG. This is the first part of the subroutine of the pick-up and delivery process (S1641) in FIG. This is the second part of the subroutine of the pick-up and delivery process (S1641) in FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, the server and the information processing apparatus are PCs, and the image forming apparatus is an MFP. The server and information processing device may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like, in addition to the PC. Further, the image forming apparatus may be a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like, in addition to the MFP.

(A) Configuration of image forming system

First, the configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of image forming system

FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a server (print server) 100 and m image forming apparatuses 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, . , these may be collectively referred to as image forming apparatuses 200), and n delivery apparatuses 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 . . . ) and p information processing devices 400-1, 400-2, 400-3, . ing. The server 100, each of the image forming apparatuses 200, each of the delivery apparatuses 300, and each of the information processing apparatuses 400 are interconnected through a network NT and communicate with each other. Each delivery device 300 wirelessly communicates with other devices on the network NT by wirelessly communicating with an access point AP connected to the network NT. Like the delivery device 300, the server 100, the image forming device 200, or the information processing device 400 also communicates with other devices on the network NT by performing wireless communication with the access point AP connected to the network NT. wireless communication with each other.

The network NT is a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. The network NT connects various devices using TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). Devices connected to the network NT can exchange various data with each other.

(A-2) Configuration of server and information processing device

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of each of server 100 and information processing device 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, server 100 includes a control unit 101, a display unit 102, an operation unit 103, a network interface 104, and a storage device 105. FIG. Control unit 101, display unit 102, operation unit 103, network interface 104, and storage device 105 are interconnected via a bus or the like.

The control section 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 101c, and a map data storage section 101d. The CPU 101a controls the server 100 as a whole. The CPU 101a also executes control programs stored in the ROM 101b.

ROM 101b is, for example, a flash ROM. Various programs executed by the CPU 101a and various fixed data are stored in the ROM 101b. The ROM 101b may be non-rewritable.

The RAM 101c is the main memory of the CPU 101a. The RAM 101c is used for temporarily storing data required when the CPU 101a executes the control program.

The map data storage unit 101d stores map data such as the position of the user who is the delivery destination and the guide line which is the moving route of the delivery device 300 .

The display unit 102 is composed of a monitor or the like, and displays various information.

An operation unit 103 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and receives various instructions from the user.

The network interface 104 communicates with other devices using a communication protocol such as TCP/IP according to instructions from the control unit 101 .

The storage device 105 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various data.

The server 100 receives a document print request or print delivery request from the information processing apparatus 400 . A document print request is a request to print a document according to set print conditions. The print delivery of a document is the printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination.

When the server 100 receives a print delivery request for a document from any of the information processing apparatuses 400, the server 100 selects an image forming apparatus 200 for printing the document from among the image forming apparatuses 200 constituting the image forming system, and performs image formation. A delivery device 300 that collects printed matter and delivers the printed matter to a delivery destination is selected from the delivery devices 300 that constitute the system. This selection is made based on the print conditions and delivery destination included in the print delivery request, and the information acquired from each of image forming apparatuses 200 and each of delivery apparatuses 300 . The server 100 creates and transmits print data of the document to be printed to the selected image forming apparatus 200, and instructs the selected image forming apparatus 200 to print the document. The server 100 notifies the selected delivery apparatus of the image forming apparatus from which the printed matter is to be collected and the delivery destination of the printed matter, and instructs the collection and delivery of the printed matter.

Information processing apparatus 400 includes control unit 401 , display unit 402 , operation unit 403 , network interface 404 , and storage device 405 . The control unit 401 includes a CPU 401a, a ROM 401b, and a RAM 401c. The configuration of information processing apparatus 400 is substantially the same as that of server 100, except that the information stored in the storage device is different and does not include a map data storage unit, so description thereof will not be repeated.

The information processing apparatus 400 accepts settings (inputs) of information such as documents to be printed, printing conditions, and delivery destinations of printed materials. When the information processing apparatus 400 receives the setting of the above information, the information processing apparatus 400 transmits a print delivery request including the set information to the server 100 .

In the information processing apparatus 400, a plurality of documents can be set as documents to be printed, and a plurality of delivery destinations can be set as delivery destinations. When multiple documents are set as documents to be printed, all the set documents are delivered to the delivery destination. When a plurality of delivery destinations are set as delivery destinations, the set document is delivered to each of the set delivery destinations.

In addition to the above information, the information processing apparatus 400 may receive setting of a message to be sent to the user at the delivery destination at the time of delivery. In this case, the input message is displayed on the display section 305a of the delivery device 300 when the printed matter is handed over to the user.

(A-3) Configuration of image forming apparatus

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of image forming apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

1, 3, and 4, each of image forming apparatus 200 includes control unit 201, document reading unit 202, printout unit 203, facsimile unit 204, operation panel 205, and a user interface. It includes an authentication unit 206 , a network interface 207 , a WiFi interface 208 and a storage device 209 . Control unit 201, document reading unit 202, printout unit 203, facsimile unit 204, operation panel 205, user authentication unit 206, network interface 207, WiFi interface 208, and storage device 209 are connected to each other via a bus or the like. interconnected.

The control unit 201 includes a CPU 201a, a ROM 201b, and a RAM 201c. The CPU 201a controls the image forming apparatus 200 as a whole. The CPU 201a also executes control programs stored in the ROM 201b.

The ROM 201b is, for example, a flash ROM. Various programs executed by the CPU 201a and various fixed data are stored in the ROM 201b. The ROM 201b may be non-rewritable.

The RAM 201c is the main memory of the CPU 201a. The RAM 201c is used for temporarily storing data required when the CPU 201a executes the control program.

A document reading unit 202 reads an image of a document and generates image data.

The print output unit 203 prints a document on paper and outputs a printed matter. The print output unit 203 is roughly composed of a toner image forming unit, a fixing device, a paper conveying unit, and the like. The print output unit 203 forms an image on paper, for example, by electrophotography. The toner image forming section forms an image on paper. The toner image forming section includes a developing device that develops a toner image, a photoreceptor on which the toner image is formed, a transfer section that transfers an image from the photoreceptor to a sheet, and the like. The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys a sheet on which a toner image is formed while sandwiching it between a heating roller and a pressure roller, and heats and presses the sheet. Thereby, the fixing device melts the toner adhering to the paper and fixes it to the paper, thereby forming an image on the paper. The paper conveying unit is composed of a paper feed roller, a conveying roller, a motor for driving them, and the like. The paper conveying unit feeds paper from a paper feed cassette and conveys the paper inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 200 . Further, the paper transport unit discharges the paper on which the image is formed from the housing of the image forming apparatus 200 to the paper discharge tray 203a.

A facsimile unit 204 performs facsimile transmission/reception with other devices.

The operation panel 205 includes a display section 205a and an operation section 205b. The display unit 205a is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information.

The operation unit 205b includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 205a and push button keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 205a, and receives operation inputs.

User authentication unit 206 authenticates the user based on the user ID and password entered through information processing apparatus 400 or operation panel 205 .

A network interface 207 is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 200 to the network NT. Control unit 201 performs data communication with each of other image forming apparatus 200 and information processing apparatus 400 via network interface 207 .

A WiFi interface 208 performs wireless communication with other devices such as the server 100 .

The storage device 209 is non-volatile storage means such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 209 stores various data. The storage device 209 includes a job storage section 209a. The job storage unit 209a is a part that stores a print job management table (FIG. 33) containing information on various jobs accepted by the own machine. For example, when receiving a print job transmitted from the information processing apparatus 400 via the network interface 207, the control unit 201 stores the print job in the print job management table.

The image forming apparatus 200 can switch its own state between a normal state in which printing can be executed and a power saving state in which power consumption is lower than in the normal state.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of a printed document output from the image forming apparatus 200 in one embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 5 shows a case where the printed matter of the document consists of a plurality of pages, but the printed matter of the document may consist of only one page.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the printing condition set in the document print request is single-sided printing, as shown in FIG. No printing on the back side.

When the print condition set in the document print request is double-sided printing, the document is printed on the front and back sides of the printed matter as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c). In this case, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is even, the back side of the last page is also printed as shown in FIG. 5(b). On the other hand, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is an odd number, the back side of the last page is not printed as shown in FIG. 5(c).

When the print output unit 203 (an example of a printing unit) outputs (discharges) the printed matter of the document to the paper output tray 203a, the print output unit 203 puts the back side of each page up as shown in FIG. 5(d). Print out the document in page order while facing the As a result, the printed document SH is stacked on the discharge tray 203a so that the next page faces upward, and the back side LS of the last page of the printed document SH becomes the uppermost surface of the printed document SH. .

(A-4) Configuration of delivery device

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of delivery device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the print collection operation and delivery operation of delivery device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, each of delivery devices 300 autonomously travels along a guide line (travels without human operation) to deliver printed matter from image forming device 200. Collect and deliver printed materials to the destination user. Each delivery device 300 includes a cassette section 301 , a vehicle section 302 , a power supply section 303 , a control section 304 , an operation panel 305 , a location information acquisition section 306 and a WiFi interface 307 . The control unit 304, the cassette unit 301, the vehicle unit 302, the power supply unit 303, the operation panel 305, the position information acquisition unit 306, and the WiFi interface 307 are connected to each other via a bus or the like.

The cassette unit 301 accommodates printed matter. The cassette section 301 includes a collection section 301a, a discharge section 301b, a recovery detection section 301c, an arm 301d, and a storage section 301e. The cassette unit 301 (an example of delivery means) delivers the printed document in a state in which the back surface of the last page of the printed document is the uppermost surface of the printed document.

Specifically, the collection unit 301 a collects printed materials from the paper discharge tray 203 a of the image forming apparatus 200 . The collection unit 301a extends the arm 301d to connect the storage unit 301e to the discharge tray 203a of the image forming apparatus 200 (the delivery apparatus 300 is docked to the image forming apparatus 200). ) (FIG. 7A), the printed matter SH stacked on the discharge tray 203a is stored in the storage unit 301e. After that, the collection unit 301a restores the arm 301d to its original length (FIG. 7(b)). At this time, the printed matter SH is accommodated in the accommodation portion 301e in a state in which the back surface LS of the last page of the printed matter SH is the uppermost surface of the printed matter SH.

The ejection unit 301b delivers the printed matter SH to the delivery destination by ejecting the printed matter SH accommodated in the accommodation unit 301e. Specifically, when the delivery unit 301b reaches the delivery destination, the arm 301d is extended toward the user or the user's seat, and the storage unit 301e is tilted by a predetermined angle (FIG. 7(c)). The printed matter SH accommodated in the accommodation unit 301e is handed over to the user or placed on the seat of the user at the delivery destination. At this time, the printed matter SH is delivered in a state in which the back side LS of the last page of the printed matter SH is the uppermost surface of the printed matter SH.

The collection detection unit 301c detects the completion of collection of the printed matter and the completion of collection of the printed matter by detecting the printed matter in the storage unit 301e in a predetermined case. The recovery detection unit 301c is composed of a sensor such as a photosensor.

The vehicle portion 302 moves while supporting the cassette portion 301 . The vehicle section 302 includes a drive mechanism 302a and a road surface sensor 302b. A drive mechanism 302 a moves the delivery device 300 . The drive mechanism 302a includes two independently drivable drive wheels and one auxiliary wheel. The drive mechanism 302a can control the rotation speed and rotation direction of the two drive wheels independently to move the delivery device 300 straight or change the traveling direction of the delivery device 300. FIG. That is, the two drive wheels are rotated in the same direction at a constant speed to move the delivery device 300 straight, and the two drive wheels are rotated in different directions at a constant speed to change the traveling direction of the delivery device 300. Let

The road surface sensor 302b is composed of three optical sensors and detects the guide wire. The road surface sensor 302b recognizes the position of the center of the guide line based on the detection result of each optical sensor. As a result, the delivery device 300 can autonomously travel on the guide line.

The power supply unit 303 includes a rechargeable battery, and supplies electric power to the cassette unit 301, the vehicle unit 302, the control unit 304, the operation panel 305, the position information acquisition unit 306, the WiFi interface 307, and the like.

The control unit 304 includes a CPU 304a, a ROM 304b, a RAM 304c, and a map data storage unit 304d.

The CPU 304 a controls the entire delivery device 300 including the cassette section 301 and the vehicle section 302 . The CPU 304a also executes control programs stored in the ROM 304b.

The ROM 304b is, for example, a flash ROM. Various programs executed by the CPU 304a and various fixed data are stored in the ROM 304b. The ROM 304b may be non-rewritable.

A RAM 304c is the main memory of the CPU 304a. The RAM 304c is used for temporarily storing data required when the CPU 304a executes the control program.

The map data storage unit 304d stores map data such as the position of the user who is the delivery destination and guidance lines. Based on the map data and the delivery destination (information on the user who is the delivery destination) received from the server 100, the control unit 304 sets the movement route of the device itself (the route taken during collection and delivery).

The operation panel 305 includes a display section 305a and an operation section 305b. The display unit 305a displays various information. The operation unit 305b receives various operations.

The position information acquisition unit 306 acquires the current position of the device itself. The positional information acquiring unit 306 acquires the current position of the own machine based on the GPS (Global Positioning System) function, the traveling distance from the reference position on the guidance line, the direction, and the like.

A WiFi interface 307 performs wireless communication with other devices such as the server 100 .

(B) Print delivery processing performed by the image forming system

Next, print delivery processing performed by the image forming system will be described.

(B-1) Overview of print delivery processing

8 and 9 are diagrams conceptually showing print delivery processing performed by the image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention. 10 and 11 are sequence diagrams showing print delivery processing performed by the image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention.

8 and 10, desks are provided for each of a plurality of users (employees) in an office. Each desk of a plurality of users is arranged so as to constitute one group for several users (here, 6 users). Further, an information processing device 400 is arranged on each desk of a plurality of users. FIG. 8 shows only the information processing device 400 of the main user.

For example, grid-like guide lines GL are drawn on the floor between each of the plurality of groups in the office. A plurality of (three in this case) image forming apparatuses 200 are fixed near the guide line GL in the office. Furthermore, each of a plurality of (here, three) delivery devices 300 is present on the guide line GL. Each delivery device 300 is movable along a guide line GL.

A user U1 who requests (instructs to execute) print delivery of a document to the image forming system uses the information processing device 400a provided at his or her desk to process the document to be printed, the printing conditions of the document, and the delivery destination of the printed matter (here, Then, after setting three users U2), a document print delivery request is transmitted to the server 100 (request for document print delivery) (process PR1).

When the server 100 receives the document print delivery request, the server 100 notifies each of the delivery destination users U2 that the print delivery request has been registered, and inquires about the delivery of the printed document (process PR2).

Each of the users U2 who have received the notification transmits (answers) a request regarding print delivery through the information processing device 400b or the like provided at their desk. The server 100 receives a request regarding the delivery of the printed document from each of the delivery destination users U2 (process PR3). This print delivery request may include whether or not the document should be delivered, and the date and time of delivery (if the document needs to be delivered). The type of request is arbitrary.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, server 100 prints a document by image forming apparatus 200 and prints a document by delivery apparatus 300 in accordance with a request for delivery of a printed document from each of users U2 who are delivery destinations. to control the delivery of

As an example, when receiving a request from one of the users U2 to deliver a printed document on a specified date and time, the server 100 registers a timer job for the specified date and time. The server 100 periodically confirms whether or not the execution date of the timer job has come. The server 100 acquires information from each of all the image forming apparatuses 200 constituting the image forming system when the execution date and time of the timer job come (process PR4). The server 100 also acquires information from each of all the delivery devices 300 constituting the image forming system (process PR5). The server 100 prepares each of a plurality of combinations of the image forming apparatus 200 and the delivery apparatus 300, and calculates the print delivery time (the time required to complete the delivery of the printed matter related to the print delivery request) for each of the created combinations. Estimate. The time required to execute the print delivery request is estimated based on the information of the image forming apparatus 200 stored in the server 100, the information obtained from the image forming apparatus 200, and the information obtained from the delivery apparatus 300. FIG.

Server 100 selects image forming apparatus 200a and delivery apparatus 300a, which is the combination of image forming apparatus 200a and delivery apparatus 300a with the shortest estimated time. Select as device (delivery device that collects and delivers prints for print delivery requests) 300 .

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, server 100 generates print data for a document relating to a print delivery request. The server 100 transmits the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 200a in charge of printing, thereby instructing the execution of printing the document (process PR6). In addition, server 100 sends image forming device 200a in charge of printing and seat of user U2 (user U2 who requested delivery of the printed document at the specified date and time) to the delivery device 300a in charge of delivery. By notifying the location of the printed matter, an instruction to execute the collection and delivery of the printed matter is issued (process PR7).

When the image forming apparatus 200a in charge of printing receives a print execution instruction, it registers a print job related to the print in the print job management table (FIG. 33), and according to the print job management table, prints the number of copies of the document. to run. The delivery device 300a in charge of delivery moves to the notified image forming device 200a when receiving the execution instruction to deliver the printed matter (process PR8).

The image forming apparatus 200a in charge of printing notifies the server 100 of the completion of printing when the print job is completed and the printed material is output. The server 100 that has received the notification notifies the delivery device 300a in charge of delivery that printing has been completed. Upon receiving this notification, delivery device 300a in charge of delivery collects the printed matter from image forming device 200a.

The delivery device 300a in charge of delivery notifies the server 100 of the completion of the collection when the collection of the printed matter is completed. The server 100 that has received the notification notifies the image forming apparatus 200a in charge of printing that the collection has been completed. The image forming apparatus 200a in charge of printing cannot execute the next print job until it receives this notification, and after receiving this notification, it can execute printing of other documents (the next print job). state.

When the delivery device 300a in charge of delivery completes the collection of the printed matter, it moves to the seat of the delivery destination user U2 (the user U2 who made a request to deliver the printed matter of the document at the designated date and time), and moves to the seat of the delivery destination user U2. The printed matter is delivered to U2 (process PR9). After that, the delivery device 300a notifies the server 100 of the completion of delivery. The server 100 that has received the notification instructs the delivery device 300a on the next destination (instruction to deliver the next printed matter). Delivery device 300a moves to the indicated destination.

(B-2) Processing performed by information processing device

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the information processing device 400 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a print request list displayed on the display unit 402 by the information processing apparatus 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is performed by the CPU 401a executing the control program stored in the ROM 401b.

Referring to FIG. 12, control unit 401 performs initialization processing when processing is started by starting power supply to information processing apparatus 400 (S701). In initialization processing, general initialization processing such as memory clearing, operating system startup, and standard mode setting is performed. The control unit 401 repeats the processes after step S703 until the power supply to the information processing apparatus 400 is cut off.

After the process of step S701, the control unit 401 determines whether an event has occurred by the operation unit (input device) 403 such as a mouse or keyboard (S703). The control unit 401 repeats the processing of step S703 until it is determined in step S703 that an event has occurred by the operation unit 403 .

If it is determined in step S703 that an event has occurred by the operation unit 403 (YES in S703), the control unit 401 determines whether the event that has occurred is a print request (S711).

If it is determined in step S711 that the event that has occurred is a print request (YES in step S711), the control unit 401 performs a print request process, which will be described later (S721), and proceeds to step S703.

If it is determined in step S711 that the event that has occurred is not a print request (NO in S711), the control unit 401 determines whether the event that has occurred is a print request list display request (S713).

If it is determined in step S713 that the event that has occurred is not a print request list display request (NO in S713), the control unit 401 performs processing according to the event that has occurred (S751), and proceeds to the processing of step S703.

If it is determined in step S713 that the event that has occurred is a print request list display request (YES in S713), the control unit 401 acquires print request information from the server 100, and creates a print request based on the acquired information. A print request list (FIG. 13) is displayed on the display unit 402 (S731).

The print request list shown in FIG. 13 includes information on print requests (including print delivery requests) received by the server 100 . The print request information includes a print request ID (Identification), the date and time when the print request was received, the current status of the print request, the name of the image forming apparatus that executes printing, the job ID, and the print request. If requested, it contains the name of the delivery device that will deliver the print. The print request ID is information specifying a print request created by the server 100, and is information attached by the server 100 when the print request is received. The job ID is information specifying a print job to be executed in response to a print request, and is information attached by an image forming apparatus that executes printing. The print request list includes a "close" button BT1.

Following the process of step S731, the control unit 401 determines whether or not the "close" button BT1 has been pressed (S733).

If it is determined in step S733 that the "close" button BT1 has been pressed (YES in S733), the control unit 401 terminates display of the print request list (S743), and proceeds to the process of step S703.

If it is determined in step S733 that the "close" button BT1 has not been pressed (NO in S733), the control unit 401 determines whether or not another operation has been performed (S737).

If it is determined in step S737 that another operation has been performed (YES in S737), the control unit 401 performs processing according to the operation (S739), and proceeds to processing in step S733. Other operations are operations other than pressing the "close" button BT1. Other operations include an operation of pressing print request information in the print request list. When receiving an operation to press information of a print request, the control unit 401 changes the display state of the information of the pressed print request to the selected state, and displays the information of the other print request that was in the selected state. is deselected.

If it is determined in step S737 that no other operation is performed (NO in S737), the control unit 401 proceeds to the process of step S733.

FIG. 14 is a subroutine of the processing (S721) at the time of print request in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a print setting screen displayed on display unit 402 by information processing apparatus 400 in an embodiment of the present invention.

14 and 15, in the process (S721) when requesting printing, control unit 401 displays the print setting screen shown in FIG. 15 on display unit 402 (S801).

The print setting screen shown in FIG. 15 is a screen for accepting user settings for printing conditions such as document, number of copies, paper size, printing method (single-sided printing/double-sided printing), and color (color/monochrome). The print setting screen includes list boxes LT2, LT3, LT4, and LT5, buttons BT2, BT3, BT4, BT5, BT6, and BT7, drop-down lists DD1 and DD2, checkboxes CB1 and CB2, and the like. ing.

When a document is selected from the list box LT2 of printable document items and the button BT2 is pressed, the control unit 401 adds the selected document to the list box LT3 for printing or print delivery. . Multiple documents may be selected. When a document is selected from the list box LT3 for printing or print delivery and the button BT3 is pressed, the control unit 401 deletes the selected document from the list box LT3 for printing or print delivery. do.

Further, the control unit 401 sets print delivery and accepts designation of a delivery destination when the check box CB1 of the item “delivery” on the print setting screen is checked. Specifically, the control unit 401 activates the user list item list box LT4, the delivery destination item list box LT5, and the check box CB2 for "disclose electronic data" to enable selection of the delivery destination. state. When a user is selected from the user list item list box LT4 and the button BT4 is pressed, the control unit 401 adds the selected user to the delivery destination list box LT5. There may be multiple users at the delivery destination. When a user is selected from the delivery destination item list box LT5 and the button BT5 is pressed, the control unit 401 deletes the selected user from the delivery destination list box LT5.

In addition, when the check box CB2 of the item "disclose electronic data" on the print setting screen is checked, the control unit 401 sets the electronic data of the document to be published (the electronic data of the document by the user at the delivery destination). setting to allow acquisition) is accepted.

Further, when an image forming apparatus is specified in the drop-down list DD1 of the "image forming apparatus" item on the print setting screen, the control unit 401 accepts the specification of the image forming apparatus in charge of printing.

The control unit 401 also accepts a setting as to whether or not the document to be delivered for printing needs to be treated confidentially in the drop-down list DD2 of the "document level" item on the print setting screen. When there are a plurality of documents to be printed and delivered, the control unit 401 receives a setting as to whether or not confidential handling is required for each of the plurality of documents.

The control unit 401 transmits a print request under the set print conditions to the server 100 when the press of the “execute print” button BT6 is accepted. In particular, when the "execute print" button BT6 is pressed while the check box CB1 for the item "delivery" is checked, the control unit 401 performs printing to the set printing conditions and delivery destination. Send a delivery request to the server 100 . When the “Cancel” button BT7 is pressed, the control unit 401 discards the print conditions accepted so far and closes the print setting screen.

Following the process of step S801, the control unit 401 determines whether or not an operation for setting print conditions and the like has been received on the print setting screen (S803).

If it is determined in step S803 that an operation for setting print conditions or the like has been received on the print setting screen (YES in S803), the control unit 401 performs processing according to the operation (S805), and proceeds to step S803. The operation of setting print conditions includes an operation of selecting a document, an operation of changing print conditions from default print conditions, and the like. When such an operation is accepted, in step S805, a process of changing the display state of the selected document to a selected state or changing the value of the number of copies is performed.

If it is determined in step S803 that an operation for setting print conditions on the print setting screen is not accepted (NO in S803), the control unit 401 determines whether or not pressing of the "execute print" button BT6 has been accepted ( S807).

If it is determined in step S807 that the "execute print" button BT6 has been pressed (YES in S807), the control unit 401 transmits a print request or a print delivery request to the server 100 (S811) (request means example), exit the print setting screen (S813), and return.

If it is determined in step S807 that the pressing of the "execute printing" button BT6 is not accepted (NO in S807), the control unit 401 determines whether or not the pressing of the "stop" button BT7 is accepted (S809).

If it is determined in step S809 that the "stop" button BT7 has been pressed (YES in S809), the control unit 401 closes the print setting screen (S813) and returns.

If it is determined in step S809 that the pressing of the "stop" button BT6 is not accepted (NO in S809), the control unit 401 proceeds to the process of step S803.

(B-3) Processing performed by the server

16-18 are flow charts showing the processing performed by server 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing an image forming apparatus management table stored in the storage device 105 in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically showing a delivery device management table stored in storage device 105 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a diagram schematically showing a print request management table stored in the storage device 105 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the state transition of a print request according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a response input screen to a delivery inquiry displayed by information processing apparatus 400 on display unit 402 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing a delivery destination management table stored in storage device 105 in one embodiment of the present invention. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 are performed by the CPU 101a executing the control program stored in the ROM 101b.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 19 and 20, control unit 101 performs initialization processing when processing is started by starting power supply to server 100 (S1001). In initialization processing, general initialization processing such as clearing memory, starting the operating system, or setting standard mode is performed.

After the process of step S1001, the control unit 101 determines whether an event has occurred by the operation unit (input device) 103 such as a mouse or keyboard (S1003).

If it is determined in step S1003 that an event has occurred by the operation unit 103 (YES in S1003), the control unit 101 performs processing according to the event that has occurred (S1011), and proceeds to step S1003. As one of processes according to the event, the control unit 101 performs registration processing of the image forming apparatus 200 when a predetermined operation is received, and registers the image forming apparatus 200 in the image forming apparatus management table shown in FIG. do. Further, when receiving a predetermined operation, the control unit 101 performs registration processing of the delivery device 300, and registers the delivery device 300 in the delivery device management table shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus management table shown in FIG. 19 includes information of the image forming apparatuses 200 that constitute the image forming system. The information of the image forming apparatus 200 includes the name of the image forming apparatus, the IP address of the image forming apparatus, the model of the image forming apparatus, whether or not a finisher is installed, the current state of the image forming apparatus, and the completion of printing. time and included. The current status of the image forming apparatus is "executing a job", "standby", "standby in power saving mode", and "stopped" ("stopped" means that printing is not possible due to the power being turned off or a problem occurring). possible states). The time until printing is completed is the time expected to be required until the image forming apparatus completes the print job being executed or waiting for execution.

When the state of the image forming apparatus 200 changes, the image forming apparatus 200 notifies the server 100 of the changed state. When the server 100 receives this notification, it updates the contents of the current state of the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus management table.

The server 100 acquires the time until print completion from the image forming apparatus 200 as necessary, and updates the contents of the time until print completion in the image forming apparatus management table.

The delivery device management table shown in FIG. 20 includes information on the delivery device 300 that constitutes the image forming system. The information of the delivery device 300 includes the name of the delivery device, the IP address of the delivery device, the current status of the delivery device, the current location of the delivery device, and the operating status of the delivery device. The current state of the delivery device toggles between "waiting", "collecting", "delivering", and "-" ("-" means moving to a waiting position, etc.). As the current position of the delivery device, the name of the image forming device 200 is indicated if it exists at the position of the image forming device 200, and the coordinates of the moving route are indicated otherwise. The operating state of the delivery device switches between "good" and "stopped" ("stopped" means a state in which delivery is impossible due to power off, occurrence of trouble, etc.).

The delivery device 300 notifies the server 100 of the changed state when the current state of the delivery device 300 changes. When the server 100 receives this notification, it updates the contents of the current status in the delivery device management table.

The delivery device 300 notifies the server 100 of the changed operating state when the operating state of the delivery device 300 changes. When the server 100 receives this notification, it updates the contents of the operation status in the delivery device management table.

The server 100 acquires the current position from the delivery device 300 as necessary, and updates the contents of the current position in the delivery device management table.

If it is determined in step S1003 that an event by the operation unit 103 has not occurred (NO in S1003), the control unit 101 has received a processing request or notification from an external device such as the information processing device 400 via the network NT. It is determined whether or not (S1005).

If it is determined in step S1005 that a processing request or notification has been received (YES in S1005), the control unit 101 determines whether the received request is a print request (S1021).

If it is determined in step S1021 that the received request is a print request (YES in S1021), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1031 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1021 that the received request is not a print request (NO in S1021), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1023 in FIG.

17 and FIGS. 21 to 24, in step S1031, control unit 101 determines whether the received print request is a print delivery request (whether or not the received print request includes a delivery request). ) is determined (S1031).

If it is determined in step S1031 that the received print request is not a print delivery request (NO in S1031), the control unit 101 registers the information of the print request in the print request management table shown in FIG. 21 (S1033). A process for requesting printing is performed (S1035). After that, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S1003 in FIG.

The print request management table shown in FIG. 21 contains information on print requests received by the server 100 . The print request information includes a print request ID, date and time when the print request was received, presence/absence of a delivery request, delivery ID, necessity of confidential handling of the document, presence/absence of confidentiality designation, status of the print request, Elapsed time since the status of the print request changed to the current status, the name of the image forming apparatus in charge of printing, the job ID of the print job given by the image forming apparatus in charge of printing, and the time until the completion of printing. It contains the estimated time and the name of the delivery device responsible for the delivery. The print request information is added to the print request management table when a print request is received, and when all printing related to the print request is completed (if it is a print delivery request, it is sent to all delivery When delivery is completed), it is deleted from the print request management table.

The print request ID is an ID given by the server 100 when the print request is registered in the print request management table. As the print request ID, a larger number is assigned to a later received print request.

The delivery ID is an ID given by the server 100 when a delivery request is included in the print request. The number "1" is normally assigned as the delivery ID, and new print request information is added each time the delivery device is instructed to redelivery due to the absence of the delivery destination user, etc., and is assigned as the delivery ID. The number increases as "2", "3", and so on.

Each of the name of the image forming device responsible for printing and the name of the delivery device responsible for delivery is entered as “undecided” (“undecided” means unselected) until it is selected by server 100 .

The estimated time to complete printing is entered by server 100 based on information received from image forming apparatus 200 in charge of printing.

When the print request is a print delivery request, the state of the print request transitions as shown in FIG. The status of the print request is set to "waiting for response" when the information of the print request is registered in the print request management table. If the desired delivery date and time is included in the response to the delivery inquiry, the status of the print request is changed from "waiting for response" to "before specified date and time". The status of the print request is when the request to print and deliver the document immediately is included in the response to the delivery inquiry, or when the timing is based on the desired delivery date and time, and the delivery destination user is present. If not, it is set as "waiting for redelivery", and if the user at the delivery destination is present after that, the status is changed from "waiting for redelivery" to "waiting for printing". If the request for immediate delivery is included in the response to the delivery inquiry, or if the timing is based on the desired delivery date and time, the status of the print request will be when the delivery destination user is present. Changed to "Waiting for printing".

The status of the print request is changed from "waiting for printing" to "printing" when printing starts. The status of the print request is changed from "printing" to "collecting" when printing is completed, and is changed from "collecting" to "delivery" when the collection of printed matter is completed. When the delivery of the printed matter is completed, the print request information is deleted from the print request management table.

Image forming apparatus 200 and delivery apparatus 300 notify server 100 of the changed status when the status of the print request changes. When the server 100 receives this notification, it updates the contents of the print request status in the print request management table.

If it is determined in step S1031 that the received print request is a print delivery request (YES in S1031), the control unit 101 determines whether the delivery destination user is the same as the user who requested the print delivery of the document. Determine (S1041).

If it is determined in step S1041 that the delivery destination user is the same as the user who requested the print delivery of the document (YES in S1041), the control unit 101 issues a request regarding the delivery of the printed document to the delivery destination user. , the process proceeds to step S1033. If the delivery destination user is the same as the user who requested the print delivery of the document, it is possible to set the print delivery according to the user's request, so there is no need to inquire about the delivery request or respond to it. Because there is

If it is determined in step S1041 that the user of the delivery destination is not the same as the user who requested the print delivery of the document (NO in S1041), the control unit 101 determines that the publication setting of the electronic data of the document to be printed is printed. It is determined whether or not it is included in the delivery request (S1043).

If it is determined in step S1043 that the publication setting of the electronic data of the document to be printed is not included in the print delivery request (NO in S1043), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S1047.

If it is determined in step S1043 that the electronic data disclosure setting of the document to be printed is included in the print delivery request (YES in S1043), the control unit 101 indicates that the document needs to be treated confidentially. is included in the print delivery request (S1044).

If it is determined in step S1044 that the print delivery request includes a setting indicating that the document must be treated confidentially (YES in S1044), the control unit 101 assigns a password to the electronic data of the document and (S1045), the electronic data of the document is saved in a public folder in the storage device 105 (S1046). After that, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1047.

The password attached to the electronic data of the document may be sent to the delivery destination user through e-mail, a message tool of SNS (Social Networking Service), or the like.

If it is determined in step S1044 that the print delivery request does not include a setting indicating that the document must be treated confidentially (NO in S1044), control unit 101 releases the electronic data of the document to public in storage device 105. (S1046), and the process proceeds to step S1047.

In step S1047, the control unit 101 transmits a delivery inquiry to the user at the delivery destination to inquire about a request for delivery of the printed document (S1047) (an example of an inquiry means). After that, the control unit 101 registers print delivery information in the print request management table, registers delivery destination information in the delivery destination management table (S1049), and proceeds to the processing of step S1003 in FIG.

The delivery request may be sent to the delivery destination user through an e-mail, SNS message tool, or the like. The delivery inquiry contains a link to a web page. When this link is clicked on the information processing device 400 of the user of the delivery destination, a response input screen to the delivery inquiry shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the display unit.

The response input screen to the delivery inquiry shown in FIG. 23 is a screen for receiving the input of a request regarding the delivery of the printed matter of the document. The response input screen for the delivery inquiry shown in FIG. 23 includes the creator and name of the document to be printed and delivered, buttons RD1, RD2, RD3, and RD4, a check box CB3, a box BX1, and a button BT8. and BT9 are included.

A "necessary" button RD1 and an "unnecessary" button RD2 are radio buttons for selecting the necessity of printing and delivery of the document. When the "required" button RD1 is selected, the control unit 101 sets a request to the effect that delivery of the printed document is required, and when the "unnecessary" button RD2 is selected, delivery of the printed document is unnecessary. Set a request to the effect that When the delivery destination user acquires the electronic data of the document, the delivery of the printout of the document is unnecessary, so the "unnecessary" button RD2 is selected.

When the "required" button RD1 is selected, the control unit 401 activates the "immediately" button RD3 and the "specify date and time" button RD4 to enable specification of the delivery date and time.

The control unit 401 sets a request to print and deliver the document immediately when the "immediately" button RD3 is selected. On the other hand, when the "specify date and time" button RD4 is selected, the control unit 401 executes the printing and delivery of the document at the timing determined based on the desired delivery date and time (the date and time entered in the box BX1). request).

If the check box CB3 indicating whether or not delivery is possible during absence is checked, the control unit 401 responds to a request for delivery regardless of whether or not the user at the delivery destination is present (delivery possible during absence). request). On the other hand, when the check box CB3 is unchecked, the control unit 401 sets a request for delivery when the user at the delivery destination is present (request for non-delivery when absent).

Furthermore, if the print delivery request includes the setting for publishing the electronic data of the document, the response entry screen for the delivery inquiry will include a link to the web page for downloading the electronic data of the document (storage of the electronic data of the document). ) are also included. When this link is pressed, the control unit 401 downloads the electronic data of the document. If the print delivery request contains information indicating that the document must be treated confidentially, the link on the above web page is for downloading the electronic data of the encrypted document (Encrypted It may also be a storage destination of the electronic data of the document that has been processed).

When the control unit 401 accepts pressing of the “OK” button BT8, it transmits the content of the set request to the server 100 as a response to the delivery inquiry.

When the control unit 401 accepts the pressing of the “cancel” button BT9, it discards the content of the request set up to that point, and closes the input screen for inputting a response to the delivery inquiry.

The device that displays the response input screen for the delivery inquiry may be the information processing device 400 or any device.

The delivery destination management table shown in FIG. 24 includes delivery destination information for one delivery (from the time the delivery device 300 collects the printed matter until the delivery of all the collected printed matter is completed). The delivery destination information includes a print request ID, a delivery ID, a user ID of a user who is a delivery destination, a delivery status, a delivery request transmission date and time, whether print delivery is necessary, a desired delivery date and time, and so on. It includes the availability of unattended delivery. Delivery destination information is added to the delivery destination management table when a print delivery request is received or redelivery is performed due to the absence of the delivery destination user, etc., and delivery to all delivery destinations related to the print delivery request is completed. It is deleted from the delivery destination management table when the delivery destination user requests that the delivery is unnecessary.

The delivery status is "inquiry" (waiting for a response to the delivery inquiry)
, "not delivered" (undelivered status), "delivering", and "delivered". When the delivery status changes, the delivery device 300 notifies the server 100 of the changed delivery status. When the server 100 receives this notification, it updates the contents of the delivery status in the delivery destination table.

Referring to FIG. 18, at step S1023, control unit 101 determines whether or not the received item is a response to a delivery inquiry (request for delivery of a printed document) (S1023).

If it is determined in step S1023 that the received item is a response to a delivery inquiry (YES in S1023) (an example of request receiving means), the control unit 101 performs processing for receiving a response to a delivery inquiry, which will be described later (S1051). ), the process proceeds to step S1003 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1023 that the received item is not the response to the delivery inquiry (NO in S1023), the control unit 101 determines whether or not the received item is the print completion notification from the image forming apparatus 200. (S1025).

If it is determined in step S1025 that the received notification is the print completion notification from image forming apparatus 200 (YES in S1025), control unit 101 receives the identification ID and job ID of image forming apparatus 200 together with the print completion notification. a print request relating to the print completion notification is identified from the print request management table, and if the identified print request includes a delivery request, the print completion notification is transmitted to the delivery device 300 in charge of delivery (S1061). . Next, the control unit 101 updates the print request management table (S1091), and proceeds to the process of step S1003 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1025 that the received notification is not the print completion notification from the image forming apparatus 200 (NO in S1025), the control unit 101 determines whether the received notification is the collection completion notification from the delivery apparatus 300. is determined (S1027).

If it is determined in step S1027 that the received notification is the collection completion notice from delivery device 300 (YES in S1027), control unit 101 selects a job based on the identification ID and job ID of delivery device 300 received together with the collection completion notice. Then, a print request related to the collection completion notification is specified from the print request management table, and the collection completion notification is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 in charge of printing (S1071). Next, the control unit 101 updates the print request status column in the print request management table to "delivering" (S1091), and proceeds to the process of step S1003 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1027 that the received notification is not the collection completion notification from delivery device 300 (NO in S1027), control unit 101 determines whether the received notification is the delivery completion notification from delivery device 300. Determine (S1029).

If it is determined in step S1029 that the received item is the delivery completion notification from the delivery device 300 (YES in S1029), the control unit 101 transmits the delivery completion notification by performing the next work instruction processing described later. The next work is instructed to the delivery device 300 (S1081). Next, the control unit 101 deletes the delivery destination information from the delivery destination management table, deletes the delivery request information from the print request management table (S1091), and proceeds to step S1003 in FIG. Note that instead of the server 100 instructing the next work, the delivery device 300 that has completed the delivery may obtain necessary information from the server 100 to determine the next work to be done by the delivery device 300 .

If it is determined in step S1029 that the received notification is not the delivery completion notification from the delivery device 300 (NO in S1029), the control unit 101 performs processing according to the received event (S1095), and step S1003 in FIG. proceed to the processing of

Referring to FIG. 16, when it is determined in step S1005 that a processing request or notification has not been received (NO in S1005), control unit 101 determines whether it is time to confirm redelivery (S1007). That is, when receiving a print delivery request, if there is an absent user among the users to be delivered, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the user is present at the time of redelivery confirmation. confirm. If the user is present, the control unit 101 prints the document for the user and redelivers the document to the user. The timing of redelivery confirmation may be arbitrary timing, for example, it may be at intervals of a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

If it is determined in step S1007 that it is time to confirm redelivery (YES in step S1007), a print request whose status is "waiting for redelivery" exists in the print request management table, and a predetermined time has elapsed. It is in. In this case, the control unit 101 creates a print request with the smallest print request ID (the print request ID with the oldest date and time when the print request was received) among the print requests whose print request status is “waiting for redelivery” in the print request management table. Identify. Then, the control unit 101 performs the processes after step S1921 in FIG. 30 for the identified print request.

If the server 100 does not accept a request for delivery of the printed document from the user at the delivery destination even after a predetermined time (execution deadline) has passed since the inquiry, the server 100 retrieves the print request information from the print request management table. By deleting the delivery destination information from the delivery destination management table, the print delivery of the document for that delivery destination may be canceled (an example of the canceling means). Also, the server 100 may receive the setting of this execution time limit from the user.

If it is determined in step S1007 that it is not the time to confirm redelivery (YES in S1007), the control unit 101 determines whether it is time to execute the timer job (S1009). A timer job is a print delivery request related to delivery destination information for which a desired delivery date and time is specified in the delivery destination management table. The execution timing of the timer job may be timing determined based on the desired delivery date and time of the print delivery request of the timer job (for example, a predetermined time before the desired delivery date and time).

If it is determined in step S1009 that it is time to execute the timer job (YES in step S1009), the control unit 101 performs the processing from step S1921 onward in FIG. One case).

If it is determined in step S1009 that it is not time to execute the timer job (NO in step S1009), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1003.

25 to 27 are subroutines of the process (S1035) at the time of print request in FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically showing a device selection table stored in the storage device 105 in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically showing a method of determining the print order of a plurality of documents.

Referring to FIG. 25, in the print request processing (S1035), control unit 101 determines whether or not the print request includes designation of the image forming apparatus in charge of printing (S1101).

If it is determined in step S1101 that the print request includes the designation of the image forming apparatus in charge of printing (YES in step S1101), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1103.

If it is determined in step S1101 that the print request does not include designation of the image forming apparatus in charge of printing (NO in S1101), the control unit 101 selects m (m) units registered in the image forming apparatus management table. From each of the image forming apparatuses 200-1 to 200-m constituting the image forming system, the time (estimate value) required to execute the print job being executed or waiting for execution is acquired, and the acquired time is imaged. This is recorded in the column of time until printing is completed in the forming apparatus management table (S1113 to S1117).

Following the processing of steps S1113 to S1117, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the print request includes a delivery request (S1103).

If it is determined in step S1103 that the delivery request is not included in the print request (NO in S1103), the control unit 101 selects an image forming apparatus for printing the document (S1181). When the print request includes designation of the image forming apparatus 200, the control unit 101 selects the image forming apparatus 200 designated as the image forming apparatus in charge of printing. If the print request does not include designation of the image forming apparatus 200, the control unit 101 calculates the printing time t1 for each of all the image forming apparatuses 200 constituting the image forming system by a method described later, The image forming apparatus 200 with the shortest printing time t1 is selected as the image forming apparatus in charge of printing.

Following the process of step S1181, the control unit 101 enters the selected image forming apparatus 200 into the print request management table (S1182), and based on the print conditions and document included in the print request received from the information processing apparatus 400, Print data is generated (S1183). After that, the control unit 101 transmits the generated print data to the selected image forming apparatus 200 (S1185), and returns.

If it is determined in step S1103 that the delivery request is included in the print request (YES in S1103), the control unit 101 controls the n units registered in the delivery device management table (all of which constitute the image forming system). ) Obtain the current position from each of the delivery devices 300-1 to 300-n, and record the obtained current position in the current position column of the delivery device management table (S1123 to S1127).

After the processing of steps S1123 to S1127, the control section 101 proceeds to the processing of step S1131 in FIG.

26, 28, and 29, in steps S1131 to S1143, control unit 101 controls a plurality of image forming apparatuses 200-1 to 200-m and a plurality of delivery apparatuses 300-1 to 300-m constituting the image forming system. Create multiple combinations 1 to q with each of n. Then, the control unit 101 estimates the print delivery completion time (the time required to complete the delivery of the printed matter) for each of the plurality of combinations 1 to q, and enters it into the device selection table shown in FIG. 28 (S1131 to S1143). ).

Specifically, the control unit 101 sets the combination number k to 1, and determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 200 with the combination number k is capable of printing (S1133). An image forming apparatus capable of printing is an image forming apparatus that can execute the printing conditions included in the print delivery request, and is temporarily unable to execute printing due to failure, part life, or consumables being empty. The image forming apparatus is not in a state. Whether or not the printing conditions can be executed is determined based on the details of the model of the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus management table, the details of whether or not a finisher is installed, and the like. Further, whether or not the printing conditions can be executed is determined by SNMP (Simple Network Model), which is a protocol for monitoring and controlling devices connected to the network NT, to check the mounting status of options for executing the printing conditions. protocol).

If it is determined in step S1133 that the image forming apparatus 200 with the combination number k is not printable (NO in S1133), the control unit 101 excludes the image forming apparatus 200 from selection targets (S1139), and performs the process of step S1141. proceed to As a result, image forming apparatuses that are temporarily incapable of printing due to at least one of failure, end of life of parts, and empty consumables are excluded from selection targets.

When it is determined in step S1133 that the image forming apparatus 200 with the combination number k is capable of printing (YES in S1133), the control unit 101 determines whether the delivery apparatus 300 with the combination number k is in a standby state. (S1135). A delivery device in a waiting state is a delivery device whose current status in the delivery device management table is waiting.

If it is determined in step S1135 that the delivery device 300 with the combination number k is not in the standby state (NO in S1135), the control section 101 excludes the delivery device 300 from selection (S1139), and proceeds to the process of step S1141. . As a result, delivery devices that are in the process of delivery are excluded from selection targets.

If it is determined in step S1135 that the delivery device 300 with the combination number k is in the standby state (YES in S1135), the control unit 101 fills in each column of the device selection table shown in FIG. The print delivery time for the k combination of image forming apparatus 200 and delivery apparatus 300 is estimated (S1137), and the process proceeds to step S1141.

In step S1141, the control unit 101 increments the combination number k (S1141), and determines whether or not the combination number k is greater than q (total number of combinations satisfying q=m×n) (S1143).

If it is determined in step S1143 that the combination number k is not greater than q (NO in S1143), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1133.

If it is determined in step S1143 that the combination number k is greater than q (YES in S1143), the print delivery time estimate for all combinations has been completed. In this case, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1151.

The device selection table shown in FIG. 28 is information about a plurality of combinations of each of the plurality of image forming devices 200 and the plurality of delivery devices 300 constituting the image forming system, and is used for estimating print delivery time. This is a table in which information required for is entered.

The device selection table includes items of combination number k, name of combined image forming device, name of combined delivery device, print time, collection transfer time, delivery time, and print delivery time. include.

The print time is the time required for the combination imaging device to complete printing the document associated with the print delivery request.

The collection travel time is the time it takes for the combination delivery device to reach the combination imaging device from its current location.

The delivery time is the time required for the delivery device of the combination to leave the image forming device of the combination and complete the delivery of the prints to all of the delivery destinations.

The print delivery time is the time required to complete the delivery of the printed material for the print delivery request.

Assume that the printing time is t1, the collection travel time is t2, and the delivery time is t3. In step S1137, print delivery time T is calculated (estimated) using equation (1) below.

Print delivery time T=(max (printing time t1, collection travel time t2))+delivery time t3 (1)

In equation (1), the time obtained by adding the delivery time t3 to the longer of the printing time t1 and the collection travel time t2 (max (printing time t1, collection travel time t2)) is the print delivery time. Estimated as time T. The print time t1 is calculated by the server 100 in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 200 calculates the time required for its own printing to be completed.

The printing time t1 is the time t11 (the time required for the combined image forming apparatus 200 to complete the print job being executed or waiting for execution) until the printing of the image forming apparatus 200 described in the image forming apparatus management table is completed. , and the time t12 required for the image forming apparatus 200 to print the document related to the print delivery request. The time t12 is calculated in consideration of the print speed of the image forming apparatus 200, the print amount of the document related to the print delivery request, and the like.

Note that when the image forming apparatus 200 is in the power saving state, the control unit 101 may calculate the printing time t1 in consideration of the time required to return from the power saving state to the normal state. If priority is given to suppressing power consumption, the control unit 101 determines in step S1133 that the image forming apparatus 200 in the power saving state is not printable (NO in S1133), thereby switching the image forming apparatus 200 to the power saving state. image forming apparatus 200 may be excluded from the selection targets.

Collection travel time t2 is calculated from the distance from the current position of delivery device 300 to image forming device 200 based on the map data and the travel speed of delivery device 300 .

The delivery time t3 is calculated by the following formula (2). That is, delivery time t3 is determined from the total moving distance of delivery device 300 when delivery device 300 leaves image forming device 200 and completes the delivery of printed materials to all delivery destinations, and the moving speed of delivery device 300. For the calculated travel time t31, a unit delivery time (the product of the number of delivery destinations and the unit delivery time when there are multiple delivery destinations) t32, which is the time required to deliver the printed matter to one delivery destination, is calculated. calculated by adding

Delivery time t3 = (total moving distance/moving speed) + (number of delivery destinations x unit delivery time) (2)

In step S1151, the control unit 101 refers to the device selection table, selects the image forming device 200 with the shortest print delivery time combination as the image forming device in charge of printing, and selects the image forming device 200 in charge of print delivery as the delivery device in charge of delivery. The combination of delivery devices 300 with the shortest time is selected (S1151). In the device selection table shown in FIG. 28, image forming device 200 (“MFP2”) and delivery device 300 (“Delev4”) with combination number k=8 are selected.

If there is no delivery device to be selected because there is no delivery device 300 that is currently on standby, the delivery device that is in charge of delivery is "undetermined." In this case, the delivery device in charge of delivery is selected in the next work instruction process in step S1081 of FIG. 31, which will be described later.

Further, when the print request includes the designation of the image forming apparatus 200, the processing of steps S1111 to S1117 is skipped, so the print delivery time is not calculated. In this case, the control unit 101 selects the image forming apparatus 200 designated as the image forming apparatus in charge of printing, and determines the delivery time from the combination with the designated image forming apparatus 200 as the delivery apparatus in charge of delivery. Select the shortest delivery device 300 .

Following the process of step S1151, the control unit 101 enters the information of the selected image forming apparatus 200 and delivery apparatus 300 into the print request management table (S1152). Next, when there are a plurality of documents for which the print delivery request is made, the control unit 101 determines the printing order of the plurality of documents (S1153) (an example of the order determining means), and performs the processing of step S1155 in FIG. proceed to

In step S1153, the control unit 101 confirms whether or not the back side of the last page of the printed matter output by printing is the unprinted side for each of the plurality of documents. As a result, if there is a document in which the back side of the last page of the printed material is not printed (the type of document shown in FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 5(c)), the printing order of the document is changed to the last. print order.

As an example, the documents to be requested for print delivery are document A, document B, document C, and document D shown in FIG. are selected in this order in the target list box LT3), the back side of the last page of the printed matter is the unprinted side of document B and document C. For this reason, the printing order of document C, which is selected later than document B and document C, is changed to the last printing order. The printing order of each of document A and document B is unchanged, being first and second respectively. The printing order of document D is changed to third.

Referring to FIG. 27, in step S1155, control unit 101 sets the value of variable m for the printing order of documents to 1 (S1155). Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the m-th document in printing order is the last document in printing order (S1157).

If it is determined in step S1157 that the document in the m-th order of printing is the document in the last order of printing (YES in S1157), the control unit 101 determines that the setting to the effect that confidential handling of the document is required is a print delivery request. is included in (S1158).

If it is determined in step S1158 that the print delivery request includes a setting indicating that the document must be treated confidentially (YES in step S1158), the control unit 101 prints the m-th document in the print order. It is determined whether or not the back side of the last page of the printed material to be output is the printed side (S1159).

If it is determined in step S1157 that the document in the m-th printing order is not the document in the last printing order (NO in S1157), in step S1158, the print delivery request includes a setting indicating that the document must be treated confidentially. (NO in S1158), or if it is determined in step S1159 that the back side of the last page of the printed matter output by printing is not the printed side (NO in S1159), the control unit 101 generates the print data of the document in the m-th print order without inserting blank sheets (S1161), and proceeds to the process of step S1165.

If it is determined in step S1159 that the reverse side of the last page of the printed matter to be output by printing is the printed side (YES in S1159), the document subject to the print delivery request does not include the last page of the printed matter. This is a state in which there is no document whose back side is not printed. In this case, the control unit 101 inserts a blank sheet after the last page of the document in the mth print order (the document in the last print order) to generate the print data of the document in the mth print order (S1163). . Accordingly, after printing the document, the image forming apparatus 200 is instructed to output a printed material whose back side is not printed (an example of an additional print instructing unit). After that, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1165.

The print data may be in a format in which print command data of a document written in PDL (Printer Description Language) such as PCL or PostScript is covered with PJL (Print Job Language), which is a language for controlling print jobs.

In the process of step S1163, the blank page may be inserted by PDL, or by designating in PJL to insert a blank page after the last page of the document in the image forming apparatus having the function of inserting the paper. good too. By inserting a blank sheet of paper, regardless of the number of documents for which a print delivery request is made, the printed material is placed on the delivery-to user's seat with the unprinted side facing up when the delivery-to user is absent. Therefore, the possibility that the content of the printed matter will be seen by others is reduced.

Note that in the process of step S1163, instead of inserting a blank sheet (a sheet in which both the front side and the back side are not printed), a sheet whose front side is printed and whose back side is not printed is inserted. may be inserted. Also, if the recipient requests that the document cannot be delivered while they are away, the back side will be printed regardless of whether or not the print delivery request includes a setting to the effect that confidential handling of the document is required. It is also possible not to insert a sheet of paper that is not on the opposite side.

In step S1165, the control unit 101 transmits a print execution instruction for the generated print data to the selected image forming apparatus 200 together with a print delivery request notification (S1165). Notification of the print delivery request may be made by specifying a PJL command in the print data. Subsequently, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a job ID has been received from the selected image forming apparatus 200 (S1167). The control unit 101 repeats the process of step S1167 until it determines that the job ID has been received from the selected image forming apparatus 200 .

If it is determined in step S1167 that the job ID has been received from the selected image forming apparatus 200 (YES in S1167), the control unit 101 enters the received job ID in the print request management table and increments the variable m ( S1169). Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the variable m exceeds the number mmax of documents to be printed and delivered (S1171).

If it is determined in step S1171 that the variable m does not exceed the number m max of documents to be printed and delivered (NO in step S1171), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S1157.

If it is determined in step S1171 that the variable m exceeds the number m max of documents to be printed and delivered (YES in S1171), the control unit 101 transmits a delivery instruction to the selected delivery device 300 (S1173). ). Control unit 101 transmits the identification ID of selected image forming apparatus 200, the job ID received from image forming apparatus 200 (the number of job IDs is plural when there are plural documents), and the delivery destination together with the delivery instruction. do. After that, the control unit 101 returns.

FIG. 30 is a subroutine of the response reception process (S1051) to the delivery inquiry in FIG.

23 and 30, in the process of receiving a response to the delivery inquiry (S1051), control unit 101 determines whether the response to the delivery inquiry includes a request to the effect that the printed document must be delivered. It is determined whether or not (S1901).

If it is determined in step S1901 that the response to the delivery inquiry does not include a request to the effect that the printed document must be delivered (NO in S1901), the delivery destination user obtains the electronic data of the document, You are not requesting delivery of a printed copy of the document. In this case, the control unit 101 does not instruct the image forming apparatus 200 to print the document and does not instruct the delivery apparatus 300 to collect and deliver the printed document. The control unit 101 deletes the delivery destination information from the delivery destination management table (S1911) and returns. This prevents printing and delivery for the destination user.

If it is determined in step S1901 that the response to the delivery inquiry includes a request to the effect that the printed document must be delivered (YES in S1901), the control unit 101 According to the content, the delivery destination information (print delivery necessity, desired delivery date and time, and availability of delivery during absence) in the delivery management table is updated, and the print delivery information in the print request management table is updated (S1903). Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the desired delivery date and time is included in the response to the delivery inquiry (S1905).

If it is determined in step S1905 that the desired delivery date and time is included in the response to the delivery inquiry (YES in step S1905), the control unit 101 requests printing of print delivery information for the user at the delivery destination as a timer job. It is registered in the management table, and the delivery destination information (print delivery necessity, desired delivery date and time, and availability of delivery during absence) in the delivery management table is updated (S1951). After that, the control unit 101 returns.

If it is determined in step S1905 that the desired delivery date and time is not included in the response to the delivery inquiry (NO in S1905), the request to print and deliver the document immediately is included in the response to the delivery inquiry. is in a state of being In this case, the control unit 101 refers to the print request management table and determines whether confidential handling of the document to be delivered for printing is required (S1921). If there are a plurality of documents to be printed, it is determined in step S1921 whether or not at least one of the documents to be printed must be classified.

If it is determined in step S1921 that confidential handling of the document to be delivered for printing is required (YES in S1921), the control unit 101 refers to the delivery destination management table and determines that delivery is possible when print delivery is absent. (S1923).

If it is determined in step S1921 that confidential handling of the document to be delivered for printing is not required (NO in S1921), or if it is determined in step S1923 that delivery is possible when print delivery is not available (YES in S1923). ), the control unit 101 performs printing and delivery regardless of whether the user at the delivery destination is present (an example of first attendance delivery control means). The control unit 101 performs processing for requesting printing (S1035), and returns.

If it is determined in step S1923 that the print delivery cannot be delivered when the user is absent (NO in S1923), the control unit 101 confirms the presence of the user who is the delivery destination (S1925) (an example of a presence information acquisition unit). ). The confirmation of the user's presence may be performed using the user's electronic schedule managed by the server 100, an electronic conference tool, or the like, or may be performed by inquiring of the user's presence to the information processing device 400 owned by the user. .

Following the processing of step S1925, the control unit 101 determines whether or not at least one of the users serving as delivery destinations is present (S1927).

If it is determined in step S1927 that no user who is the delivery destination is present (NO in S1927), the control unit 101 changes the status of the print request in the print request management table to "waiting for redelivery". (S1941), return.

If it is determined in step S1927 that at least one of the delivery-to users is present (YES in S1927), the control unit 101 determines whether any of the delivery-to users are absent. It is determined whether or not (S1929).

If it is determined in step S1929 that there is no absent user among the users serving as delivery recipients (NO in S1929), it means that all users serving as delivery recipients are present, and control unit 101 print and deliver to all users. In this case, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1035.

If it is determined in step S1929 that there is an absent user among the users who are the delivery destinations (YES in S1929), the control unit 101 prints and delivers printed matter only for the users who are present (second (an example of the present delivery control means). In this case, the control unit 101 registers the information of the print delivery request for redelivery for the absent user in the print request management table (S1931). After that, the control unit 101 performs processing for requesting printing (S1035), and returns.

FIG. 31 is a subroutine of the next work instruction process (S1081) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 31, in the next work instruction process (S1081), control unit 101 refers to the print request management table (S1201) to determine whether there is a print delivery request for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undetermined. is determined (S1203).

If it is determined in step S1203 that there is a print delivery request for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undecided (YES in S1203), the control unit 101 adds a print delivery request for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undecided. It is determined whether or not there is a print delivery request whose request status is "collecting" (S1211).

If it is determined in step S1211 that there is a print delivery request whose print request status is "collecting" among the print delivery requests for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undetermined (YES in S1211), the delivery device is in charge of delivery. Among the print delivery requests for which the delivery device is undecided, there is a print delivery request in which the printed matter is left on the discharge tray 203a of the image forming device 200 and is waiting for collection of the printed matter. In this case, the control unit 101, among print delivery requests for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undetermined and whose print request status is "collecting", after the print request status becomes "collecting" Identify the print requests with the longest elapsed time. Then, the control unit 101 selects the image forming apparatus 200 in charge of printing related to the identified print request (that is, the image forming apparatus 200 in which the printed matter is left in the discharge tray 203a of the image forming apparatus 200 and the state of waiting for collection of the printed matter is the longest.) device 200) as the standby position (S1221).

Subsequently, the control unit 101 selects the delivery device 300 that has transmitted the delivery completion notice as the delivery device in charge of delivery for the identified print request (S1212), and enters the selected delivery device 300 into the print request management table (S1212). S1213). Next, the control unit 101 transmits a delivery instruction to the selected delivery device 300 (instructs to move to the standby position) (S1214). Control unit 101 transmits the delivery instruction, the job ID received from image forming apparatus 200 at the standby position, and the delivery destination. After that, the control unit 101 returns.

In step S1211, if it is determined that there is no print delivery request whose print request status is "collecting" among the print delivery requests for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undecided (NO in S1211), the delivery device is in charge of delivery. The print delivery requests for which the delivery device to be delivered is undetermined are either printing or waiting to be printed. In this case, the control unit 101 selects a print request with the shortest predicted time to complete printing among the print delivery requests for which the delivery device in charge of delivery is undecided and is being printed or is waiting for printing. Identify. Then, the control unit 101 determines the image forming apparatus 200 that has taken charge of printing related to the identified print request as a standby position (S1231). The image forming apparatus 200 determined in the processing of step S1231 is the image forming apparatus 200 that completes the printing earliest among the image forming apparatuses 200 in charge of printing related to the print delivery request for which the delivery apparatus in charge of delivery is undecided. Equivalent to. After that, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1212.

In step S1203, if the delivery device in charge of delivery determines that there is no undetermined print delivery request (NO in S1203), the delivery device 300 that has sent the delivery completion notice needs to collect and deliver the printed matter immediately. is in a situation where there is no In this case, the control unit 101 acquires information about the print frequency of each of the image forming apparatuses 200 within a predetermined period (for example, one month), and places the image forming apparatus 200 with the highest print frequency within the predetermined period at the standby position (next position). destination) (S1241). As the printing frequency within a predetermined period, the control unit 101 may count the number of printings and store it in the storage device 209 or the like. When deleting a print request from the print request management table due to completion of delivery or completion of printing, the control unit 101 increments by one the print count of the image forming apparatus 200 in charge of printing for the print request.

Following the process of step S1241, the control unit 101 instructs the delivery device 300 that has transmitted the delivery completion notice to move to the determined standby position (S1243), and returns.

In the processes of steps S1241 and S1243, the control unit 101 (A) determines the image forming apparatus 200 with the highest printing frequency within a predetermined period, and instructs movement to the determined image forming apparatus. Instead of (A) above, the control unit 101 may instruct movement to the standby position by the following method (B) or (C).

(B) The control unit 101 may determine the image forming apparatus 200 having the fastest system speed among the image forming apparatuses 200 and instruct the movement to the determined image forming apparatus. This is because the image forming apparatus 200 with the fastest system speed is most likely to be in a state of waiting for the collection of printed matter the earliest.

(C) The control unit 101 may determine an image forming apparatus 200 that has the largest number of executable print functions among the image forming apparatuses 200 and instruct movement to the determined image forming apparatus. This is because the image forming apparatus 200 that has the largest number of executable print functions can handle various printing conditions and is likely to be in charge of printing.

Further, in any one of the above methods (A) to (C), if there are a plurality of determined image forming apparatuses 200, the control unit 101 instructs the movement of the determined plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 to an intermediate point. You may

In addition, in any one of the above methods (A) to (C), if there are a plurality of determined image forming apparatuses 200, the control unit 101 transmits a delivery completion notification to one of the determined image forming apparatuses 200. The delivery device 300 may instruct to move to the image forming device that takes the shortest time to move.

Furthermore, in (A) to (C) above, the control unit 101 may exclude the image forming apparatus 200 that cannot immediately execute printing from the determination targets. Image forming apparatuses 200 that cannot immediately execute printing may include image forming apparatuses 200 in a power saving state. Also, for the image forming apparatus 200 that cannot immediately execute printing, an image that cannot be printed temporarily due to at least one of failure, part life, and empty consumables. A forming device 200 may be included.

(B-4) Processing performed by the image forming apparatus

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing processing performed by the image forming apparatus 200 in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing a print job management table stored in the storage device 209 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the transition of print job states according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 are performed by the CPU 201a executing the control program stored in the ROM 201b.

Referring to FIGS. 32 to 34, control unit 201 performs initialization processing when processing is started by starting power supply to image forming apparatus 200 (S1301). In initialization processing, general initialization processing such as memory clearing or standard mode setting is performed. The control unit 201 repeats the processes after step S1303 until the power supply to the image forming apparatus 200 is cut off.

After the process of step S1301, the control unit 201 determines whether print data has been received from the information processing apparatus 400 or the like (S1303).

If it is determined in step S1303 that print data has been received (YES in step S1303), the control unit 201 performs print data reception processing (to be described later) (S1321), and proceeds to the processing of step S1303.

If it is determined in step S1303 that print data has not been received (NO in step S1303), the control unit 201 refers to the print job management table shown in FIG. It is determined (S1305).

The print job management table shown in FIG. 33 includes information on print jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 200 itself. The print job information includes a job ID, print data name, presence/absence of delivery request, current state (status) of the print job, and print time. The job ID is a number assigned by the control unit 201 when the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job execution instruction. The print data name is a name given to identify the print data when the image forming apparatus 200 saves the print data. Whether or not there is a delivery request is information received together with the print data received from server 100 (for example, the process of step S1165 in FIG. 27).

The print time is an estimated value of the time required for the image forming apparatus 200 to complete the print job being executed or waiting for execution. The printing time is calculated, for example, by dividing the number of sheets printed by the print job by the system speed of the image forming apparatus 200 . Also, if the image forming apparatus 200 does not print at a constant system speed, it may be calculated in consideration of the difference in printing speed depending on the type of paper, the paper turnover time during double-sided printing, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 34, print job information is registered in the print job management table when the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job execution instruction, and is deleted when the collection of printed matter is completed. The status of the print job changes from "waiting for printing"→"printing"→"collecting" ("collecting" only when there is a delivery request). That is, the status of the print job is set to "waiting for printing" when the print job information is registered in the print job management table, and is changed to "printing" when the execution of the print job is started, and the printing is completed. If you do, it will be changed to "Collecting".

If it is determined in step S1305 that there is a print job waiting to be printed (YES in S1305), the control unit 201 selects the print job registered at the top of the print job management table among the print jobs waiting to be printed. A print job execution process, which will be described later, is performed for the job (the print job registered first) (S1331), and the process proceeds to step S1303.

If it is determined in step S1305 that there is no print job waiting to be printed (NO in S1305), the control unit 201 determines whether or not an information transmission request has been received from the server 100 (S1309). The information transmission request is a request made during the process of S1113 in FIG. 25, and is a request to transmit information on the time required for execution of the print job being executed or waiting for execution in the image forming apparatus 200. .

If it is determined in step S1309 that an information transmission request has been received from the server 100 (YES in S1309), the control unit 201 retrieves the print time (status of the print job management table) for all print jobs from the print job management table. For the print job with the column "in progress", the remaining print time at that time) is acquired, and the total value of the acquired print time is calculated (S1351). Subsequently, the control unit 101 transmits the calculated total value to the server 100 as information about the time required to execute the print jobs currently being executed and waiting for execution on the own device (S1353), and proceeds to the processing of step S1303.

If it is determined in step S1309 that an information transmission request has not been received from the server 100 (NO in S1309), the control section 201 determines whether or not a request for other processing has been received (S1311). The other processing includes processing performed when a setting or an execution instruction regarding a copy job or a transmission job of read document data is received through the operation panel 205 .

If it is determined in step S1311 that a request for other processing has been received (YES in S1311), the control unit 201 performs processing according to the request (S1361), and proceeds to processing in step S1303.

If it is determined in step S1311 that a request for other processing is not received (NO in S1311), the control unit 201 proceeds to processing in step S1303.

FIG. 35 is a subroutine of the print data reception process (S1321) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 35, in the print data reception process (S1321), control unit 201 assigns a job ID to the received print data and saves the received print data in a predetermined folder in storage device 209 ( S1401). Next, the control unit 201 registers the print job of the received print data in the print job management table (S1403). Next, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a notification of a delivery request has been received when the print data is received (S1405).

If it is determined in step S1405 that a delivery request has been received when the print data is received (YES in S1405), the control unit 201 notifies the server 100 of the job ID (S1411) and returns.

If it is determined in step S1405 that a delivery request notification has been received when the print data is received (NO in S1405), the control unit 201 returns.

FIG. 36 is a subroutine of the print job execution process (S1331) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 36, in the print job execution process (S1331), control unit 201 selects a print job registered at the highest level in the print job management table (first The current status of the print job registered in the printer) is changed from "waiting for printing" to "printing" (S1501). Next, the control unit 201 reads print data of the print job and performs image forming processing (S1503). Next, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the print job includes a delivery request by referring to the delivery request column of the print job management table (S1505).

If it is determined in step S1505 that the print job includes a delivery request (YES in S1505), the control unit 201 transmits a print completion notification to the server 100 (S1511), and is changed from "printing" to "collecting" (S1513). Next, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a collection completion notification has been received from the server 100 (S1515). The control unit 201 repeats the process of step S1515 until it determines that the collection completion notification has been received from the server 100 .

If it is determined in step S1515 that the collection completion notification has been received from the server 100 (YES in S1515), the control unit 201 proceeds to step S1521. Accordingly, the print output unit 203 of the image forming apparatus 200 starts the next printing after the collection of the printed matter by the delivery apparatus 300 is completed.

If it is determined in step S1505 that the print job does not include a delivery request (NO in S1505), the control unit 201 deletes the print data related to the print job from the storage device 209 (S1521), and restores the print job information. Delete from the print job management table (S1523). After that, the control unit 201 returns.

(B-5) Processing performed by the delivery device

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing state transitions of delivery device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 37, the state of delivery apparatus 300 is changed from "waiting" to "collecting (moving)" when a delivery instruction is received, and the standby position (image forming apparatus) for collecting printed materials is displayed. ), the status is changed to “collecting (waiting)”, and when the image forming apparatus 200 completes printing the printed matter and is connected to the image forming apparatus 200, the status changes to “collecting (collecting)”. is changed to The status of the delivery device 300 is changed to "delivering (in transit)" when the collection of the printed matter is completed, and is changed to "in delivery (handing over)" when the printed matter has arrived at the delivery destination. The status of the delivery device 300 is changed to "-" when the delivery is completed and starts to move to the standby position, and is changed to "waiting" when it reaches the standby position.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing processing performed by delivery device 300 in one embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart shown in FIG. 38 is performed by the CPU 304a executing the control program stored in the ROM 304b.

Referring to FIG. 38, control unit 304 performs initialization processing when processing is started by starting power supply to delivery device 300 (S1601). In initialization processing, general initialization processing such as memory clearing or standard mode setting is performed. During this initialization process, the control unit 304 notifies the server 100 of the activation. After that, the control unit 304 repeats the processing from step S1603 until the power supply to the delivery device 300 is cut off.

Following the process of step S1601, the control unit 304 determines whether or not an instruction to move to the standby position has been received from the server 100 (S1603). The instruction to move to the standby position is issued by server 100 after activation of delivery device 300 and completion of delivery of printed matter.

If it is determined in step S1603 that an instruction to move to the standby position has been received from the server 100 (YES in S1603), the control unit 304 moves to the standby position, waits at the standby position (S1621), and proceeds to the processing of step S1603. .

If it is determined in step S1603 that no instruction to move to the standby position has been received from server 100 (NO in S1603), control unit 304 determines whether or not a delivery request has been received from server 100 (S1605).

If it is determined in step S1605 that a delivery request has been received from server 100 (YES in S1605), control unit 304 performs delivery request reception processing (S1631), which will be described later, and proceeds to step S1603.

If it is determined in step S1605 that a delivery request has not been received from server 100 (NO in S1605), control unit 304 determines whether or not a print completion notification has been received (S1607).

If it is determined in step S1607 that the print completion notification has been received (YES in step S1607), the control unit 304 performs collection and delivery processing (to be described later), collects the printed matter from the image forming apparatus, and delivers it to the delivery destination (S1641). After that, the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S1603.

If it is determined in step S1607 that the print completion notification has not been received (NO in S1607), the control unit 304 determines whether or not an information transmission request has been received from the server 100 (S1609). The information transmission request is a request made during the processing of S1123 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S1609 that an information transmission request has been received from server 100 (YES in S1609), control unit 304 notifies server 100 of its own current position (S1651), and proceeds to the processing of step S1603.

If it is determined in step S1609 that the information transmission request is not received from the server 100 (NO in S1609), the control unit 304 proceeds to the process of step S1603.

FIG. 39 is a subroutine of the delivery request reception process (S1631) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 39, in the delivery request receiving process (S1631), control unit 304 confirms the state of the device itself and determines whether the state of the device is "waiting" (S1701).

If it is determined in step S1701 that the state of the device itself is not "waiting" (NO in S1701), the delivery device 300 is in a state of collecting or delivering other printed matter, and cannot respond to a delivery request. . In this case, the control unit 304 responds to the server 100 that delivery is not possible (S1721), and returns.

If it is determined in step S1701 that the state of the device is "waiting" (YES in S1701), the control unit 304 stores the delivery request and the delivery information received from the server 100 in the RAM 304c or the like (S1703). , the state of the device itself is changed to "collecting (moving)" (S1705). The delivery information is information including the identification ID of the image forming apparatus 200 that generates the printed matter, the job ID of the job that generates the printed matter, and the delivery destination of the printed matter. Subsequently, the control unit 304 moves toward the standby position (the image forming apparatus 200 that serves as the collection destination of the printed matter) (S1707), and acquires the current position (S1709). Next, the control unit 304 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached the standby position based on the acquired current position (S1711).

If it is determined in step S1711 that the robot has not reached the standby position (NO in S1711), the control unit 304 proceeds to the process of step S1707.

If it is determined in step S1711 that the device has arrived at the standby position (YES in S1711), the control unit 304 changes the state of the device itself to "collecting (waiting)" (S1713), and returns.

40 and 41 are subroutines of the pick-up and delivery process (S1641) of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 40, the collection and delivery process (S1641) is a process of collecting prints from image forming apparatuses that have completed printing, transporting the prints to a designated delivery destination, and delivering the prints to the delivery destination. In the collection and delivery process (S1641), the control unit 304 connects the arm 301d of the collection unit 301a to the discharge tray 203a of the image forming apparatus 200 (S1801). Subsequently, the control unit 304 transmits a connection completion notification to the server 100 (S1803), and changes the state of the device itself to "collecting (collecting)" (S1805). Next, the control unit 304 determines whether or not the collection of printed materials has been completed (S1807). This determination is made by determining whether or not the collection detection unit 301 c has detected that the printed material discharged from the image forming apparatus 200 has been stored in the cassette unit 301 . The control unit 304 repeats the processing of step S1807 until it determines that the collection of printed matter has been completed. When a plurality of job IDs are notified at the time of the delivery request (in other words, when a print delivery request for a plurality of documents is accepted), it is possible to notify that the printed materials corresponding to the number of job IDs have been accommodated in the cassette unit 301 of the delivery device. The control unit 304 repeats the processing of step S1807 until it is detected.

If it is determined in step S1807 that the collection of printed materials has been completed (YES in S1807), the control unit 304 transmits a collection completion notice to the server 100 (S1809), and changes the status of the machine to "delivering (moving)." ” (S1811), and the process proceeds to step S1821 in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 41, in step S1821, control unit 304 assigns delivery numbers 1 to Imax (Imax is an integer equal to or greater than 1) to delivery destinations, sets I to 1 (S1821), and sets I to 1 (S1821). It moves to the delivery destination by autonomous driving (S1823). Next, the control unit 304 acquires the current position (S1825) and determines whether or not the delivery destination has been reached (S1827).

If it is determined in step S1827 that the delivery destination has been reached (YES in S1827), the control unit 304 discharges one copy (one set) of the printed matter to the seat of the user who is the delivery destination (or hands it to the user) ( S1829). Subsequently, the control unit 304 increments the delivery number I (S1831), and determines whether or not the delivery number I exceeds the maximum value (total number of delivery destinations) Imax (S1833).

If it is determined in step S1827 that the delivery does not arrive at the delivery destination (NO in S1827), or if it is determined in step S1833 that the delivery number I does not exceed the maximum value Imax (NO in S1833), the control unit 304 proceeds to step S1823. proceed to the processing of

If it is determined in step S1833 that the delivery number I exceeds the maximum value Imax (YES in S1833), the delivery to all delivery destinations has been completed. In this case, the control unit 304 transmits a delivery completion notification to the server 100 (S1835), changes the state of the device itself to "-" (S1837), and returns.

[Effects of Embodiment]

According to this embodiment, when performing print delivery, document printing performed by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed document performed by the delivery apparatus are controlled in accordance with a delivery request from the user at the delivery destination. It is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience for the user at the delivery destination.

In particular, by disclosing the electronic data of the document to the destination user, if the destination user wishes to obtain the document as electronic data instead of delivering the printed document, the destination user can obtain the electronic data of the document. can do. As a result, resources required for printing (paper used for printing, consumables such as toner for the image forming apparatus, time and power required for printing and delivery, etc.) can be prevented from being wasted.

In addition, by delivering the printed matter on the date and time designated by the user at the delivery destination, it is possible to avoid the situation where the printed matter is delivered to the seat of the user at the delivery destination when the user at the delivery destination is not present. . This eliminates the need for a space for placing the printed matter until the user at the delivery destination returns to his/her seat. In addition, when the contents of the printed matter include confidential information, there is no possibility that the contents of the printed matter will be snooped by others or stolen while the user at the delivery destination is not present.

In addition, by printing the back of the last page of the printed matter of the document as the top surface of the printed matter of the document and printing the back of the last page as the unprinted side, delivery can be performed even when the delivery destination user is absent. If you do, other people will not be able to peek at the contents of the printed matter unless they touch the printed matter.

Also, if the delivery destination user is the user who requested the print delivery of the document, the timing can be adjusted so that the print request is made at a convenient time to obtain the printed material. Therefore, unnecessary processing can be omitted by not inquiring about the delivery of printed matter of the document to the user who requested the printed delivery of the document.

[others]

The imaging system may have only one imaging device 200 and delivery device 300 . In this case, server 100 may always use a specific image forming device 200 and delivery device 300 for printing and delivery without selecting a set of image forming device 200 and delivery device 300 .

When the control unit 101 receives from the information processing apparatus 400 a request for print delivery of a document containing printing conditions for double-sided printing and information indicating that the document needs to be treated confidentially, the control unit 101 prints the back side of the final page. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 200 may be instructed to print on the non-printed side.

When the control unit 101 receives from the information processing apparatus 400 a request for print delivery of a document containing information indicating that the document must be treated confidentially, the control unit 101 acquires information indicating that the delivery destination user is not present. In some cases, the instruction to print the document to the image forming apparatus 200 may be withheld, and the instruction to collect and deliver printed copies of the document to the delivery apparatus 300 may be withheld. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 receives from the information processing apparatus 400 a request for print delivery of a document containing information indicating that confidential handling of the document is unnecessary, the control unit 101 determines whether the user of the delivery destination is present. Regardless, the image forming apparatus 200 may be instructed to print the document, and the delivery apparatus 300 may be instructed to collect and deliver printed copies of the document.

In the above-described embodiment, the server 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 are different apparatuses. It may be 200. In this case, the processing of the server 100 is performed by one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 200 forming the image forming system.

The embodiments and variants described above can be combined with each other.

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

The above-described embodiments should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

100 Server 101, 201, 304, 401 Control Unit 101a, 201a, 304a, 401a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
101b, 201b, 304b, 401b ROM (Read Only Memory)
101c, 201c, 304c, 401c RAM (Random Access Memory)
101d, 304d Map data storage unit 102, 205a, 305a, 402 Display unit 103, 205b, 305b, 403 Operation unit 104, 207, 404 Network interface 105, 209, 405 Storage device 200, 200-1 to m, 200a Image formation Device 202 Document reading unit 203 Print output unit 203a Paper output tray 204 Facsimile unit 205, 305 Operation panel 206 User authentication unit 208, 307 WiFi interface 209a Job storage unit 300, 300-1 to n, 300a Delivery device 301 Cassette unit 301a Collection Part 301b Discharge Part 301c Collection Detection Part 301d Arm 301e Storage Part 302 Vehicle Part 302a Drive Mechanism 302b Road Sensor 303 Power Supply Part 306 Position Information Acquisition Part 400, 400-1 to p, 400a Information Processing Apparatus AP Access Points BT1, BT2, BT3 , BT4, BT5, BT6, BT7, BT8, BT9, RD1, RD2, RD3, RD4 Button BX1 Box CB1, CB2, CB3 Check box DD1, DD2 Drop-down list GL Guide line LS Back side of last page of printed matter LT2, LT3, LT4, LT5 List box NT Network PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5, PR6, PR7, PR8, PR9 Process SH Print U1, U2 User

Claims (16)

An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing apparatus includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document in accordance with a request from a user requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document according to the set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed document of the document to the seat of a delivery destination user who is different from the requesting user ,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means ;
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the request for delivery of printed matter of the document is a request to deliver the printed matter of the document at a designated date and time . An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing device includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document in accordance with set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed copy of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means;
Presence information acquisition means for acquiring information as to whether the user at the delivery destination is present,
The control means is
Instructing the image forming device to print the document when the request receiving means receives a request for delivery regardless of whether the user at the delivery destination is present or not, and the delivery device first attended delivery control means for instructing collection and delivery of printed matter of said document to
When the request receiving means receives a request to deliver while the user at the delivery destination is present, and when information indicating that the user at the delivery destination is present is acquired, the image is displayed. and second attended delivery control means for instructing a forming device to print said document and instructing said delivery device to collect and deliver prints of said document. The image forming apparatus includes printing means for printing the document and outputting the printed matter of the document in page order when an instruction to print the document is received from the server,
The printing means makes the back surface of the last page of the printed matter of the document the top surface of the printed matter of the document,
3. The image forming system according to claim 2 , wherein said delivery device includes delivery means for delivering printed matter of said document in a state in which the back side of the last page of printed matter of said document is the uppermost surface of said printed matter of said document. The request for print delivery of the document includes information on whether the document needs to be treated confidentially,
When receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of the document containing printing conditions for double-sided printing and information indicating that the document needs to be treated confidentially, the control means determines that the back side of the last page is 4. The image forming system according to claim 3 , further comprising first print instructing means for instructing said image forming apparatus to print a non-printed surface. the document is a plurality of documents, and the request for print delivery of the documents includes information on whether the plurality of documents need to be treated confidentially;
When receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of the plurality of documents including information indicating that at least one of the plurality of documents needs to be treated confidentially, the control means controls the delivery of the last page of the document. 5. The image forming system according to claim 3, further comprising second print instruction means for instructing said image forming apparatus to perform printing in which a back surface is not printed. When the plurality of documents include a document of the first type in which the back side of the last page of the printed material output by printing is the unprinted side, the second print instruction means 6. The image forming system according to claim 5 , further comprising order determining means for determining the first type of printing order to be the last printing order among said plurality of documents. The second print instructing means outputs a printed matter having a back side that is not printed after printing the plurality of documents when the document of the first type does not exist among the plurality of documents. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6 , further comprising additional print instructing means for instructing said image forming apparatus to do so. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said additional print instructing means instructs said image forming apparatus to output a blank sheet of paper on which neither front side nor back side is printed after said plurality of documents are printed. image forming system. An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing device includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document in accordance with set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed copy of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means;
The request for print delivery of the document includes information on whether the document needs to be treated confidentially,
Presence information acquisition means for acquiring information as to whether the user at the delivery destination is present,
The control means is
When a request for print delivery of the document containing information indicating that the document needs to be treated confidentially is received from the information processing apparatus, information indicating that the user at the delivery destination is not present is included in the presence information. first secure delivery control means for withholding an instruction to print the document to the image forming apparatus and an instruction to collect and deliver the printed matter of the document to the delivery apparatus when the acquisition means acquires the document and,
When receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of the document containing information indicating that the confidential handling of the document is unnecessary, regardless of whether the user at the delivery destination is present or not. and second secure delivery control means for instructing an image forming device to print said document and instructing said delivery device to collect and deliver prints of said document. An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing device includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document in accordance with set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed copy of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means;
The control means does not instruct the image forming apparatus to print the document when the request receiving means receives a request to the effect that delivery of the printed matter of the document is unnecessary, and the delivery apparatus does not instruct the printing of the document. An imaging system that does not direct the collection and delivery of printed copies of documents. An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing device includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document in accordance with set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed copy of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means;
The print delivery of the document includes information as to whether or not the user at the delivery destination is permitted to obtain the electronic data of the document,
The inquiry means, when receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of the document containing information to the effect that the user at the delivery destination is permitted to acquire the electronic data of the document, asks the user at the delivery destination to In response, an image forming system that inquires about a request for print delivery of the document and notifies the storage destination of the electronic data of the document. The request for print delivery of the document includes information on whether the document needs to be treated confidentially,
When receiving from the information processing device a request for print delivery of the document containing information indicating that the document needs to be treated confidentially, the inquiry means specifies a storage destination of the encrypted electronic data of the document. 12. The imaging system of claim 11 , wherein the notifying. An image forming system comprising an information processing device capable of communicating with each other, a server, an image forming device, and a delivery device capable of autonomous travel,
The information processing device includes request means for requesting print delivery of the document,
The print delivery of the document is the printing of the document in accordance with set printing conditions and the delivery of the printed copy of the document to the seat of the user at the delivery destination,
The server is
inquiry means for inquiring a user of the delivery destination about a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document when a request for print delivery of the document is received from the information processing apparatus;
request receiving means for receiving a request regarding delivery of printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination when an inquiry is made by the inquiry means;
control means for controlling printing of the document by the image forming apparatus and delivery of the printed material of the document by the delivery apparatus in accordance with the request received by the request receiving means;
When the requesting user, who is a user requesting print delivery of the document through the information processing device, is included in the user of the delivery destination, the inquiry means asks the requesting user a request regarding the delivery of the printout of the document. No inquiry , image forming system. When the request receiving means receives a request to deliver the printed matter of the document at the specified date and time, the control means sends the image forming apparatus at the timing determined based on the specified date and time. 13. Date and time delivery control means for instructing printing of a document and for instructing said delivery device to collect and deliver printed matter of said document at a timing determined based on said designated date and time. The image forming system according to any one of . If the request receiving means does not accept a request regarding the delivery of the printed matter of the document from the user at the delivery destination even after a predetermined time has passed since the inquiry by the inquiry means, the delivery destination 15. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising canceling means for canceling print delivery of said document for. 16. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said server is said image forming apparatus.

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