JP5974266B2 - Print control server, print data generation method, print data generation program. - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control server and a print data generation method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system is known in which output data from a plurality of client devices is transmitted to a printing device via a predetermined server and printed. Patent Document 1 discloses that in such a printing system, in a certain client device, printing can be performed in another client device when the number of already printed sheets exceeds the maximum printable number assigned to each client device. It describes the mechanism for allowing the remaining number to be accommodated.
Conventionally, a cloud type printing system that provides a service that allows a specific printing apparatus to execute printing by sending an e-mail is known. The printing system includes a server that generates print data based on an e-mail when an e-mail addressed to an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus is received. The printing apparatus registered in the server receives print data from the server. Get and print. Therefore, the user of the printing system can use the printing apparatus registered in the printing system even when the driver program for the printing apparatus is not installed in a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone. become.

JP 2008-142678 A

When a printing device is installed in a public place such as a library and provides a printing service using the cloud-type printing system described above, the printing device is used beyond the range of usage assumed by the administrator of the printing device. There was a problem that could be done. For example, a large amount of printing may be executed by a specific user. Therefore, it is conceivable to restrict the use of the printing apparatus to the administrator of the printing apparatus. Patent Document 1 shows users B and C who can accommodate the number of printed sheets in the list when user A who has already reached the maximum printable number of sheets selects a user from whom the number of printed sheets is to be accommodated. An example of guiding information to the user A is described. In Patent Document 1, for example, it is considered that the number of printed sheets is interchanged within the same department. Therefore, it is considered that there is no particular problem even if information indicating the users B and C is guided to the user A. However, in the case of the above-described print service that accepts a request from an unspecified client, the requested party may not want to disclose information about itself to an unspecified client.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to suppress the unlimited use of a printing apparatus and to permit the use of the printing apparatus without unnecessarily disclosing information. To do.

  A print control server for achieving the above object includes a request information reception unit, a search unit, a guidance transmission unit, a processing unit, and a print control unit. The request information accepting unit accepts request information including device specifying information indicating a printing apparatus for which the requester requests use permission and related information related to the request by the requester. The request information receiving unit may be any form as long as it can acquire and receive the request information. For example, the configuration may be obtained using an input form of a requesting WEB site, or may be obtained using an e-mail.

  The device identification information may be information that can identify the target printing apparatus from among a plurality of printing apparatuses that can be used in the printing system using the print control server of the present invention. Thus, for example, the device identification information includes the serial number of the printing apparatus, the MAC address, and an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus (although a plurality of e-mail addresses may be associated with one printing apparatus. The e-mail address associated with a certain printing apparatus may not be associated with any other printing apparatus). It is assumed that the device identification information is presented in a state that can be easily recognized by a person (client) near the printing apparatus. For example, it is assumed that a sticker on which the device identification information is written is attached to the casing of the printing apparatus or the side of the casing. Further, the requester may be able to recognize the information on the display unit of the printing apparatus by operating the operation unit of the printing apparatus. The related information is information used as a determination material for permission determination for a request by an administrator. The related information may be information that is explicitly input by the client or information that is not explicitly input.

  The search unit searches for the contact information of the administrator of the printing apparatus based on the device identification information, and specifies the contact information of the administrator of the printing apparatus. In other words, the search unit searches the device identification information as a key for a database stored in advance in association with the device identification information and the contact information of the administrator of the printing apparatus indicated by the device identification information. Get contact information for. Note that the administrator may be a person or an apparatus that executes a program that automatically realizes a function desired by a person who manages the printing apparatus. In addition, the contact information should just show the destination of the administrator in the communication means used for transmission of the guidance by the guidance transmission part mentioned later, or a communication protocol. For example, it may be an administrator's email address. It may be an instant messenger user ID. It may be a FAX number.

  The guidance transmission unit transmits a guidance that prompts the administrator to make a determination on the request based on the related information. The processing unit receives a determination result by the administrator, and performs a process of permitting the request when the determination result is permission. That is, in the present invention, the requester does not directly interact with the administrator in order to request permission to use the printing apparatus, but indirectly communicates via the print control server. The determination on the request and the notification of the determination result to the processing unit may be performed manually by a person as described above or automatically by an apparatus that executes a program.

  The print control unit generates print data based on a print target corresponding to the permitted request, and causes the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print data. For example, the print target corresponding to the request may be as follows. For example, an attached file (an image file or a document file) of an e-mail (e-mail addressed to an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus) transmitted from the communication terminal of the client to be printed to the print control server It may also be a web site indicated by the URL described in the text of the e-mail. Further, for example, the print target may be a file transmitted by the requester to the print control server using the request WEB site, or indicated by the URL notified by the requester to the print control server using the request WEB site. It may be a WEB page.

  When the print control server of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus to execute printing corresponding to the request when the administrator permits it. For this reason, it is possible to prevent printing from being executed beyond the range of usage conditions assumed by the administrator. Further, since the contact information of the manager is not known to the client, the manager does not have to worry about damage such as junk mail, and the manager can provide the printing service with peace of mind. In addition, it is possible to provide a printing service that allows the client to use the printer even if the driver program for the printer is not installed in the communication terminal used by the client.

  Further, in the print control server of the present invention, the related information may include at least one of a request date and time, information on the requester, a message from the requester to the administrator, and a print target. The number of print pages, the number of print copies, color / monochrome designation information, the type of print medium to be used, and the like may be included. Therefore, the print control server can provide the administrator side with these pieces of information as determination materials for permission determination. The information about the requester may be, for example, information for identifying the requester (for example, the requester's employee number, student number, name, requester's e-mail address, etc.) Information (for example, department name, department name, etc.) may be displayed. Further, when the print target is included in the related information, preview image data may be generated based on the print target, and the preview image data may be provided to the administrator as a determination material. By doing so, the administrator can make a permission determination after confirming the preview of the print target that the client wants to print.

  Further, in the print control server of the present invention, the processing unit may notify the requester of an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus when the determination result is permission. In this case, the request information receiving unit may receive an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address and including an object to be printed from a requester of the permitted request. In this case, the print control unit may generate print data based on a print target included in the e-mail, and cause the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print data.

  In the case of this configuration, the requester can recognize whether or not he / she can use the printing apparatus before transmitting an e-mail including a print target. In addition, as a mode of notification by the processing unit, for example, notification may be performed by causing the printing apparatus to print characters indicating an e-mail address, or notification may be performed by displaying the character on the display unit of the printing apparatus. Also, for example, notification may be made on the requesting WEB site. Also, for example, when the related information includes the e-mail address of the requester, the e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus may be notified by an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address. Note that the e-mail address notified to the requester may be an address that can be temporarily used in accordance with the permission for the request (may be disabled after printing or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after notification).

Furthermore, in the print control server of the present invention, the device specifying information may be an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus. In this case, the request information receiving unit may receive an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address and including an object to be printed. In that case, the processing unit determines execution of printing based on the print target when the determination result is permission, and the print control unit includes the e-mail when execution of printing based on the print target is determined. The print data may be generated based on the print target to be printed, and the printing apparatus may execute printing based on the print data.
In the case of this configuration, the requester can complete the request for permission to use the printing apparatus and the transmission of the print target at once.

Further, in the print control server of the present invention, the print control unit performs processing that does not permit the request when the determination result is not permitted, and the print control unit prints the print corresponding to the request that is not permitted. Do not let the device run.
In this way, it is possible to prevent printing from being executed when the administrator does not permit it.

Further, in the print control server of the present invention, when the determination result is not permitted, the processing unit may notify the requester that the request is not permitted. For example, when the requester's e-mail address is included in the related information, notification may be made by an e-mail addressed to the requester's e-mail address. Further, for example, the notification may be made by causing the printing apparatus to print characters indicating non-permission. Further, for example, the requester may be notified of the disapproval through the requesting WEB site.
By doing so, the print control server can make the client recognize that the client cannot use the printing apparatus.

  Note that the functions of each unit and each device described in the claims are realized by hardware resources whose functions are specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose functions are specified by a program, or a combination thereof. Further, the functions of these units and devices are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other. It may be realized by a single hardware resource that also functions as a plurality of functions. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a print data generation method, a print control program, and a program recording medium. Of course, the recording medium for the computer program may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium developed in the future.

1 is a block diagram of a printing system including a print control server according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a sequence chart showing a printing sequence according to the first embodiment. (3A) is a diagram showing an example of a request WEB site according to the first embodiment, (3B) is a diagram showing an example of history information according to the first embodiment, and (3C) a management WEB site according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example. 3 is a sequence chart showing a printing sequence according to the first embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the printing sequence concerning 2nd embodiment. The sequence chart which shows the printing sequence concerning 3rd embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the management WEB site concerning 3rd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

1. 1. First embodiment 1-1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system including a print control server 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system is used by a print control server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 1, a communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as a requester terminal) 2 used by a client who requests printing, a printing device 3, and an administrator. And a communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as an administrator terminal) 4. The printing apparatus 3 included in this printing system is installed in a place used by an unspecified number of people such as a library, a conference room, and a lecture hall. When the requester terminal 2 transmits an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus 3 registered in the server 1, the printing system 3 associates the printing system with the printing apparatus 3 associated with the e-mail address. A mechanism is implemented that allows the administrator of the printing apparatus 3 to use a function for printing an attached file or body of an e-mail.

  The server 1, the client terminal 2, the printing device 3, and the administrator terminal 4 are connected to the Internet 5. The server 1 includes one or more computers, and includes, for example, an application server 11, a first SMTP server 12, a first HTTP server 13, an XMPP server 14, a second HTTP server 15, and a second SMTP server 16. The application server 11, the first SMTP server 12, the first HTTP server 13, the XMPP server 14, the second HTTP server 15, and the second SMTP server 16 communicate with a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a hard disk device (HDD) (not shown). The servers can communicate with each other via a LAN. Each server can load a program recorded in the ROM or HDD into the RAM and execute it on the CPU. The program includes a program for realizing communication according to various communication protocols and a program for realizing various functions to be described later. The communication unit converts the signal received from the Internet 5 via the LAN according to the protocol and sends it to the internal bus, converts the signal taken from the internal bus according to the protocol and sends it to the Internet 5 via the LAN.

  The second HTTP server 15 has a function of communicating with the client terminal 2 and the administrator terminal 4 based on HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). Specifically, a request WEB site for accepting a request for permission to use the printing apparatus 3 by the requester and a management WEB site for accepting a determination result of permission or non-permission by the administrator for the request are disclosed. Yes. The second HTTP server 15 corresponds to a “request information receiving unit” and a “processing unit”.

  The second SMTP server 16 has a function of transmitting e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the administrator of the administrator terminal 4 based on SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). In this case, the second SMTP server 16 corresponds to a “guidance transmitter”. The second SMTP server 16 has a function of transmitting an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the client of the client terminal 2 based on the SMTP. In this case, the second SMTP server 16 functions as a “processing unit”.

  The application server 11 receives the device identification information of the printing apparatus 3 (the serial number of the printing apparatus 3 in the present embodiment) and the contact information of the administrator of the printing apparatus 3 (the e-mail address of the administrator in the present embodiment). A database (DB) is provided that is stored in association with the HDD. The DB also stores an e-mail address assigned to the printing apparatus 3 and an address (JID) of the printing apparatus 3 for XMPP communication with the printing apparatus 3 in association with the serial number of the printing apparatus 3. ing. The application server 11 receives the request information through the request WEB site based on HTTP, searches the DB using the serial number of the printing apparatus 3 included in the request information as a key, and specifies the administrator's e-mail address (in this case) The application server 11 functions as a “search unit”), generates an e-mail as a guide for prompting a determination based on related information included in the request information, and sends the e-mail to the administrator's e-mail address based on SMTP. It has a function of transmitting an e-mail, receiving the determination result of the administrator through the management WEB site based on HTTP, and transmitting an e-mail for notifying the determination result to the requester's e-mail address based on SMTP. .

  The first SMTP server 12 has a function of receiving an e-mail addressed to an e-mail address assigned to the printing apparatus 3 registered in the application server 11 based on the SMTP. The first SMTP server 12 corresponds to a “request information receiving unit”. The XMPP server 14 has a function of communicating with the printing apparatus 3 based on XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol). The first HTTP server 13 has a function of communicating with the printing apparatus 3 based on HTTP, and transmits print data to the printing apparatus 3 in response to a print data acquisition request from the printing apparatus 3.

  When the application server 11 receives the e-mail based on the SMTP, the application server 11 generates print data based on the e-mail, and refers to the DB for the printing apparatus 3 associated with the destination e-mail address of the received e-mail. It has a function of transmitting a print job notification to the printing apparatus 3 based on XMPP and transmitting the generated print data to the printing apparatus 3 in response to a transmission request based on HTTP from the printing apparatus 3. In this case, the application server 11, the XMPP server 14, and the first HTTP server 13 correspond to a “print control unit”.

  The printing apparatus 3 has a function of receiving print data from the server 1 using HTTP and executing printing when the server 1 is notified of the presence of a print job through a constant connection with the server 1 using XMPP. Therefore, the printing apparatus 3 includes a communication unit for transmitting and receiving various data via the Internet 5 in addition to the components of a normal printing apparatus such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and printing unit. The ROM stores various programs such as a communication program and a printing program that are read into the RAM and executed by the CPU. Various functions of the printing apparatus 3 are realized by the CPU executing these programs.

  The communication program is a program for performing communication with the server 1 according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, HTTP, XMPP or the like. Note that connection information (JID, password, and the like) necessary for connecting to the server 1 using XMPP is acquired in advance by the printing apparatus 3 and stored in a nonvolatile RAM or the like. The printing apparatus 3 is always connected to the XMPP server 14 by XMPP based on the connection information when the power is turned on, and can always receive notifications from the XMPP server 14. When the printing apparatus 3 receives the print job notification from the XMPP server 14 by XMPP by executing the communication program, the printing apparatus 3 requests the first HTTP server 13 to transmit the print data by HTTP and sends the print data from the first HTTP server 13. Can be received. The URL of the first HTTP server 13 from which the print data is acquired is notified to the printing apparatus 3 by, for example, a print job presence notification.

  The print program is a program for executing printing based on the received print data when the print data is received from the first HTTP server 13. More specifically, the received print data is subjected to pre-print processing to convert the print data into data in a format suitable for printing in the printing apparatus 3, and the printing unit is controlled based on the converted data for printing. It is a program having a function of performing. In the present embodiment, the server 1 renders a print target, generates print data, and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 3. By executing the printing program, the printing apparatus 3 performs processing such as resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and rearrangement processing as pre-printing processing on the print data acquired from the server 1. The printing unit includes an actuator, a sensor, a drive circuit, and a machine part for executing printing on a printing medium such as photographic paper, plain paper, and an OHP sheet by a known printing method such as an inkjet method or a laser method.

  The client terminal 2 and the administrator terminal 4 are devices having a communication function such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, and a tablet terminal. The requester terminal 2 and the administrator terminal 4 include a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory card, a communication unit, and the like. In the client terminal 2 and the administrator terminal 4, various programs are recorded in a recording medium or a ROM, and the CPU can execute the program by loading the program into the RAM. Various programs include a browser program for browsing a WEB site and an application program for sending and receiving e-mails. An application program for creating a document may be included. Various programs include programs for realizing communication such as HTTP, SMTP, POP, IMAP, and TCP / IP. The client terminal 2 may have a digital camera function.

1-2. Printing Sequence FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing a printing sequence in this embodiment. This sequence is executed in a situation where the client wants to print the printing object using the printing apparatus 3 installed in a place that can be used by an unspecified number of persons such as a library, a conference room, and a lecture hall. The use of the printing apparatus 3 is based on an administrator's permission system, and the client begins by asking for permission to use the printing apparatus 3. Therefore, the requester operates the requester terminal 2 to start the browser and access the requesting WEB site. The URL of the requesting WEB site is guided so as to be easily understood by those who intend to use the printing apparatus 3. For example, a sticker describing a URL is attached to the casing of the printing apparatus 3. The URL may be presented in characters or may be presented as a two-dimensional code. The requester terminal 2 requests the second HTTP server 15 to transmit display data for displaying the requesting WEB site, and the second HTTP server 15 transmits display data in response to the request. Based on the display data, the client terminal 2 displays the request WEB site on the browser (steps S100 to S105).

  FIG. 3A shows an example of a requesting WEB site. In the present embodiment, a text box b1 for inputting the serial number of the printing apparatus 3, a text box b2 for inputting an e-mail address of the requester, and a message to the administrator are input to the request WEB site. And a text box b3 for performing. When the requester inputs the serial number of the printing apparatus 3, his / her e-mail address and message and presses the send button b <b> 4, the requester terminal 2 receives the input serial number and e-mail of the requester. The address and message are transmitted to the second HTTP server 15 (step S110). When the second HTTP server 15 receives the serial number, the e-mail address, and the message (step S115), the application server 11 acquires the reception date and time from the internal timekeeping unit. The timer unit synchronizes time with an external NTP server. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the application server 11 associates the received date and time with the request date and time together with the received serial number, e-mail address, and message (No) for identifying the request, and stores it in the HDD as history information. Remember. Storing these pieces of information corresponds to accepting request information. In the present embodiment, the request date and time, the e-mail address of the requester, and the message correspond to “related information”. Although the request date and time is not information explicitly input by the requester to the requesting WEB site, in the present embodiment, information automatically added on the server 1 side in this way is also received as related information.

  The application server 11 searches the DB for the e-mail address of the administrator of the printing apparatus 3 having the serial number stored in association with the serial number (step S120). When the application server 11 acquires the administrator's e-mail address as a result of the search, the application server 11 generates an e-mail (guidance mail) for prompting determination on the request. A mail is transmitted (step S125). Since the administrator is required to use the printing apparatus 3 in this guidance mail, a sentence prompting the administrator to access the management WEB site, check related information, and make an administrator's decision on the request, and management URL of the WEB site for business. After the administrator terminal 4 receives the guide mail transmitted in step S125 (step S130), when the administrator clicks on the URL described in the guide mail, the administrator terminal 4 manages the second HTTP server 15. The second HTTP server 15 transmits the display data to the administrator terminal 4 in response to the request, and based on the transmitted display data, the administrator terminal 4 The management WEB site is displayed on the browser (steps S135 to S140).

  FIG. 3C shows an example of the management WEB site. In this embodiment, on the management WEB site, a request date and time b5 and a message b6 from the requester are displayed as related information, and a radio button b7 for selecting permission or disapproval for the request is displayed. The administrator can determine permission or disapproval with reference to related information. For example, if the day of the week and the time zone for accepting the request are defined as the operation rule of the print service, the requester determines permission or disapproval according to the request date and time. Or you may determine according to the content of a message.

  When the administrator selects the radio button b7 and presses the send button b8, the administrator terminal 4 transmits a determination result indicating permission or disapproval to the second HTTP server 15 (step S145). Of course, such determination and transmission of the determination result may be automatically performed in the administrator terminal 4. In other words, the administrator sets the determination condition in the program in advance, determines whether the related information satisfies the determination condition, and if it satisfies the condition, selects permission, and if not satisfied, selects non-permission and determines A program for transmitting the result may be executed in the administrator terminal 4. For example, when the printing apparatus 3 is installed in a university and only the students of the university want to permit the use of the printing apparatus 3, the student number and name are input on the requesting WEB site and accepted as related information. Then, the student information database provided on the administrator terminal 4 side is searched to confirm that the student number and the name match, and if they match, the administrator terminal 4 may execute a program that selects and transmits permission. .

  When the second HTTP server 15 receives the determination result (step S150), the determination result is recorded in the HDD in association with the request number shown in FIG. 3B as history information, and the application server 11 is addressed to the e-mail address of the requester. An electronic mail (result notification mail) is generated and transmitted (step S155). If the determination result is permission, the application server 11 includes in this result notification mail a sentence that prompts the user to send an e-mail with the print target attached to the next e-mail address because the use of the printing apparatus 3 is permitted. The e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus 3 is described. When the requester performs a reply operation to the result notification mail, the destination may be an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus 3 (for example, the transmission source mail address of the result notification mail is stored in the printing apparatus 3). It may be an associated email address). If the determination result is not permitted, the application server 11 decides not to perform printing corresponding to the request, and writes a text indicating that the result notification mail is not permitted (the email address of the printing apparatus 3 is Not listed). The client terminal 2 receives the result notification mail (step S160). When the requester confirms the received result notification mail and the result notification mail contains text indicating that the result notification mail is not permitted, the requester does not know the e-mail address of the printing apparatus 3, and the subsequent sequence Exit without proceeding. That is, printing is not executed. Even when the request is not permitted, such a result notification mail is transmitted to the requester, so that the requester can recognize that the request was not permitted. When an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus 3 is described in the received result notification mail, the sequence shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  FIG. 4 shows a sequence when the administrator permits the use of the printing apparatus 3. The requester sends a print target attached to the e-mail addressed to the e-mail address (print request mail) described in the result notification mail received in step S160 (step S200). The first SMTP server 12 receives the print request mail (step S205). Here, it is determined again whether or not the received print request mail is permitted based on the e-mail address or the like of the transmission source of the print request mail, and the process proceeds to the following step S210 only when it is permitted. You may make it. Subsequently, the application server 11 generates print data based on the attached print target (step S210). Specifically, print data is generated by rendering a print target according to a rule according to the printing apparatus 3.

  When the application server 11 generates print data, the server 1 transmits the generated print data to the printing apparatus 3. Specifically, the XMPP server 14 transmits a print job presence notification to the printing apparatus 3 (step S215). When the printing apparatus 3 receives a print job notification from the XMPP server 14 (step S220), it requests the first HTTP server 13 to send print data using HTTP, and the first HTTP server 13 prints in response to the request. The print data in which the target is rendered is transmitted (steps S225 to S230).

  The printing apparatus 3 performs printing based on the print data received from the first HTTP server 13 (step S235). Specifically, pre-printing processing is performed on the print data, and printing is performed by driving the printing unit based on the data generated as a result. After the printing is completed, the printing apparatus 3 transmits a print job status indicating a print result (success / failure) to the first HTTP server 13 (step S240), and the first HTTP server 13 receives the print job status (step S245). The print job status is recorded as history information in the HDD in association with the request number shown in FIG. 3B.

  As described above, since the use of the printing apparatus is permitted in the printing system of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus from being used beyond the administrator's assumption. In the case of the present embodiment, the configuration is such that it takes time to go near the printing apparatus 3 and confirm the serial number and input it to the requesting WEB site to request permission. Compared to the case where the e-mail address is disclosed from the beginning and is not permitted, for example, an effect of suppressing execution of a large amount of printing by the user can be expected. In addition, since the administrator's e-mail address is not known to an unspecified number of people, the administrator can provide the printing service with peace of mind. Further, even if the driver program for the printing apparatus 3 is not installed in the client terminal 2, the printing apparatus 3 can be used according to the present embodiment.

2. Second Embodiment The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the determination result by the administrator is notified to the client. In the present embodiment, when the request is permitted, the e-mail address of the printing apparatus 3 is notified by causing the printing apparatus 3 to print. Further, when the request is not permitted, the printer 3 is notified by causing the printing apparatus 3 to print a text indicating that the request is not permitted.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing a printing sequence according to the second embodiment. Descriptions common to the first embodiment are omitted. First, the client terminal 2 requests the second HTTP server 15 to transmit display data for displaying the requesting WEB site, and the second HTTP server 15 transmits display data in response to the request. Based on the displayed data, the client terminal 2 displays the request WEB site on the browser (steps S300 to S305). In the present embodiment, it is only necessary to input at least the serial number of the printing apparatus 3 on the requesting WEB site, and the requester's e-mail address is not necessarily input (notification to the requester is performed by e-mail). Because there is no).

  When the requester inputs the serial number of the printing apparatus 3 at the requesting WEB site and presses the send button, the requester terminal 2 transmits the serial number to the second HTTP server 15 (step S310). When the second HTTP server 15 receives the serial number (step S315), the application server 11 searches the DB for the administrator's email address stored in association with the serial number (step S320). Then, a guide mail in which the URL of the management WEB site is described is transmitted to the administrator's e-mail address (step S325). After the administrator terminal 4 receives the guide mail (step S330), when the administrator clicks the URL described in the guide mail, the administrator terminal 4 displays the management WEB site on the second HTTP server 15. The second HTTP server 15 transmits display data to the administrator terminal 4 in response to the request, and the administrator terminal 4 sends a management WEB to the browser based on the transmitted display data. The site is displayed (steps S335 to S340).

  In response to the operation of the administrator with respect to the management WEB site, the administrator terminal 4 transmits a determination result indicating permission or disapproval to the second HTTP server 15 (step S345). When the second HTTP server 15 receives the determination result (step S350), the application server 11 generates an image (print data) indicating the determination result (step S355). Subsequently, the XMPP server 14 transmits a print job presence notification to the printing apparatus 3 (step S360). When the printing apparatus 3 receives the print job notification (step S365), it requests the first HTTP server 13 to transmit the print data, and the first HTTP server 13 transmits the print data in response to the request (steps S370 to S375). ). The printing apparatus 3 executes printing based on the print data received from the first HTTP server 13 (step S380).

  That is, when the determination result is permission, a printed matter on which permission is indicated and the e-mail address of the printing apparatus 3 is printed on the printing apparatus 3. If the determination result is disapproved, the printed device 3 prints a printed matter indicating that the determination is disapproved. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the application server 11, the XMPP server 14, and the first HTTP server 13 correspond to a “processing unit”.

  The client sees the printed matter including the e-mail address of the printing apparatus 3 and sends the e-mail with the print target attached to the e-mail address, so that the requester prints the print target in the flow shown in FIG. The apparatus 3 can be printed. In addition, the requester can recognize that the request is not permitted by the printed matter indicating that the request is not permitted. If it is not permitted, the requester cannot know the e-mail address of the printing apparatus 3, and the printing apparatus 3 cannot execute printing. In addition to printing and notifying the determination result, for example, the XMPP server 14 may transmit the determination result to the printing apparatus 3, and the printing apparatus 3 may display the determination result on the display unit included in the printing apparatus 3. Good.

3. Third Embodiment The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that the request and the transmission of the print target can be completed at one time. In the third embodiment, the “device specifying information” indicates the permission request e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus 3 itself. “Related information” refers to the print target (attached file of the print request mail) itself. FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing a printing sequence according to the third embodiment. When the requester operates the requester terminal 2 and performs an operation of sending an e-mail attached with a print target and addressed to the e-mail address for permission request associated with the printing apparatus 3, the requester terminal 2 sends an electronic mail (print request mail) (step S400). In the present embodiment, the e-mail address for permission request corresponding to the printing apparatus 3 is guided so as to be easily understood by the client. For example, a sticker on which an e-mail address for permission request is written is attached to the casing of the printing apparatus 3. For example, when the client operates the operation unit of the printing apparatus 3, the request is displayed on the display unit of the printing apparatus 3.

  When the first SMTP server 12 receives the print request mail from the requester terminal 2 (step S405), the application server 11 receives the request number for identifying the request, the e-mail address of the sender (requester), and the request. The date and time (the date and time when the e-mail is received) is associated and recorded in the HDD as history information. Further, the application server 11 searches for an administrator of the printing apparatus corresponding to the destination mail address (step S410). Therefore, the first SMTP server 12 functions as a “request information receiving unit”, and the application server 11 functions as a “search unit”. As a result of the search, when the application server 11 specifies the email address of the administrator of the printing apparatus corresponding to the destination email address, the application server 11 previews based on the file to be printed attached to the print request email received in S405. Image data is generated (step S415). Note that the preview image data may be image data having a lower resolution than print data described later. Subsequently, the second SMTP server 16 transmits an electronic mail (guidance mail) to the administrator's electronic mail address (step S420). The URL of the management WEB site is described in the guidance mail. The second SMTP server 16 functions as a “guidance transmitter”.

  After the administrator terminal 4 receives the guide mail (step S425), when the administrator clicks the URL described in the guide mail, the administrator terminal 4 displays the management WEB site on the second HTTP server 15. The second HTTP server 15 transmits display data to the administrator terminal 4 in response to the request, and the administrator terminal 4 sends a management WEB site to the browser based on the transmitted display data. Is displayed (steps S430 to S435).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the management WEB site in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, a preview based on the preview image data generated in step S415 is displayed on the management WEB site. The administrator can determine whether to permit printing of the print target after confirming the print target preview. For example, the administrator can determine that the preview is not suitable for printing in a university library.

  The administrator terminal 4 transmits a determination result indicating permission or disapproval to the second HTTP server 15 according to the operation of the administrator on the management WEB site (step S440), and the second HTTP server 15 receives the determination result. (Step S445). The second HTTP server 15 functions as a “processing unit”. The application server 11 records the determination result in the HDD as history information in association with the request number and the requester email address. The application server 11 determines whether or not the received determination result is permission (step S450). If it is permission, the application server 11 determines to perform printing based on the print target, and prints based on the print target. Data is generated (step S455). Also, the XMPP server 14 transmits a print job presence notification to the printing apparatus 3 (step S460).

  Upon receiving the print job presence notification (step S465), the printing apparatus 3 requests the first HTTP server 13 to transmit print data using HTTP, and the first HTTP server 13 transmits print data in response to the request (step S465). S470 to S475). The printing apparatus 3 executes printing based on the print data received from the first HTTP server 13 (step S480). After the printing is completed, the printing apparatus 3 transmits a print job status indicating the printing result to the first HTTP server 13 (step S485), the first HTTP server 13 receives the print job status (step S490), and the application server 11 Is recorded in the HDD as history information in association with the request number, the e-mail address of the requester, or the determination result by the administrator.

  If the application server 11 determines that the determination result is disapproved in step S450, it is an e-mail addressed to the requester's e-mail address and includes an e-mail (not-permitted notification e-mail) notifying that it is not permitted ) And the second SMTP server 16 transmits the non-permission notification mail (step S495). When the requester terminal 2 receives the disapproval notification mail (step S500), the requester can operate the requester terminal 2 to confirm the mail and recognize that it is disallowed. In the present embodiment, the application server 11, the XMPP server 14, and the first HTTP server 13 function as a “print control unit”. As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, it is possible to complete the request and the transmission of the print target at once.

4). Other Embodiments The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples. The above-described embodiments may be combined, and these may be combined with the following embodiments. Of course, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the “related information” may include the number of printed pages and the number of copies in addition to those described in the above embodiment. From these pieces of information, it is possible to identify the scheduled number of prints and guide the administrator. The administrator can use the planned number of prints as a determination material for permission determination.

Further, the total number of printed sheets may be recorded as history information for each request. Then, the total number of printed sheets may be totaled for each client based on the history information, and the total number of printed sheets may be provided as a determination material by the manager for the next request from the client. Further, the number of requests for each client may be totaled from the history information, and the number of requests may be provided as a determination material by the manager for the next request of the client.
Also, the right to use the printing apparatus may be sold as a prepaid ticket. Then, the administrator terminal 4 may execute a program that subtracts the amount corresponding to the number of prints for each requester and prints out the request when there is no remaining balance.

  The print data generated by the application server 11 may be data for causing the printing apparatus 3 to print. For example, without including rendering, data including attached print target data and control data for printing such as a print job presence notification may be generated as print data, or before rendering and printing. The processed data may be generated as print data.

In the third embodiment, the application server 11 determines whether the destination of the print request mail is a permission request email address or a different print request email address. In the case of an e-mail address for print request, the print request e-mail indicates whether printing has already been permitted without asking the administrator for permission (sends a guide e-mail). It may be determined based on the e-mail address of the sender, and print data may be generated only when permission is granted.
In addition, in the e-mail addressed to the e-mail address for permission request, when the requester's comment is included in the e-mail body, related information other than the print target preview such as the comment entered on the management WEB site is displayed. You may make it make it. In this case, the server 1 treats the comment as not being printed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control server (server), 2 ... Client terminal, 3 ... Printing apparatus, 4 ... Administrator terminal, 5 ... Internet, 11 ... Application server, 12 ... 1st SMTP server, 13 ... 1st HTTP server, 14 ... XMPP server, 15 ... Second HTTP server, 16 ... Second SMTP server

Claims (4)

A request information receiving unit for receiving request information including device specifying information indicating a printing apparatus for which the requester requests use permission, and related information related to the request by the requester;
A search unit for searching for a contact information of an administrator of the printing apparatus based on the device identification information;
A guidance transmission unit that transmits to the contact information guidance that prompts the administrator to make a determination on the request based on the related information;
A processing unit that receives a determination result by the administrator, and notifies the requester of an e-mail address associated with the printing apparatus when the determination result is permission;
A print control unit that causes the printing apparatus to perform printing based on print data generated based on a print target corresponding to the permitted request;
With
The request information receiving unit receives an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address from the requester of the permitted request and includes the print target;
The print control unit generates the print data based on the print target included in the e-mail, and causes the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print data.
Print control server. The related information includes at least one of a request date and time of the request, information about the requester, and a message by the requester.
The print control server according to claim 1. A request information receiving step for receiving request information including request specifying information including device specifying information indicating a printing apparatus for which the requester requests use permission and related information related to the request by the requester;
A search step for searching for a contact information of an administrator of the printing apparatus based on the device identification information;
A guide transmission step in which a guide transmission unit transmits a guide to the contact to prompt the administrator to make a determination on the request based on the related information;
A processing step of accepting a determination result by the administrator and notifying the requester of an e-mail address associated with the printing device when the determination result is permission;
An accepting step of accepting an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address from the requester of the authorized request and including the print target;
A print data generation step for generating print data based on a print target corresponding to the permitted request;
Only including,
The print data generation step generates the print data based on the print target included in the email.
How to generate print data. A request information receiving step for receiving request information including request specifying information including device specifying information indicating a printing apparatus for which the requester requests use permission and related information related to the request by the requester;
A search step for searching for a contact information of an administrator of the printing apparatus based on the device identification information;
A guide transmission step in which a guide transmission unit transmits a guide to the contact to prompt the administrator to make a determination on the request based on the related information;
A processing step of accepting a determination result by the administrator and notifying the requester of an e-mail address associated with the printing device when the determination result is permission;
An accepting step of accepting an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address from the requester of the authorized request and including the print target;
A print data generation step for generating print data based on a print target corresponding to the permitted request;
A program for generating print data for executing the computer,
The print data generation step generates the print data based on the print target included in the email.
Print data generation program.

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