JP6016740B2 - Schedule-linked printing service device, schedule-linked printing service system, and schedule-linked printing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a schedule-linked printing service apparatus, a schedule-linked printing service system, and a schedule-linked printing program, and more particularly to a technique for outputting a printed matter in a time zone convenient for the user in cooperation with the user's schedule.

  In order to provide convenience for users who prepare conference materials used in events such as corporate meetings, a printing system that prints conference materials in accordance with the date and time of the conference has been proposed. For example, in the following Patent Document 1, the information management server sets a print job execution schedule in accordance with the meeting date and time specified by the schedule information, and the printer executes the print job when the print job execution time comes. Thus, a printing system that prints meeting materials in time for a meeting schedule is disclosed.

JP 2006-72470 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the meeting material can be printed in accordance with the meeting date and time. However, even if the user who should obtain the printed material is not near the image forming apparatus at the time of printing, the image formation is performed. Printed material is output from the device. For this reason, the state in which the printed matter is output to the image forming apparatus is easily left unattended, causing a security problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to prevent printing from being left unattended and ensure security by performing printing at a time when a user can easily obtain the printed material.

The schedule linkage print service apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a print job including print data, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event using a printed matter based on the print data, and a date and time of the event. A print information receiving unit for receiving event information indicating;
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
A print instructing unit for storing the calculated print start date and time and instructing printing by transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job when the print start date and time arrives ;
The print start date and time calculation unit calculates the print start date and time within an available time of the user closest to the event date and time .

Also, the schedule cooperation print service system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a computer, a server, and a user schedule database, a schedule cooperation print service system which have the image forming apparatus,
The computer
A print job generation unit that generates a print job including print data;
A communication unit that transmits to the server the print job, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event using a printed matter based on the print data, and event information indicating the date and time of the event. The server is
A print information receiving unit that receives the print job, the user information, and the event information from the computer;
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
A print instructing unit for storing the calculated print start date and time and instructing printing by transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job when the print start date and time arrives;
Further, the print start date and time calculation unit calculates the print start date and time within an empty time of the user closest to the event date and time,
The user schedule database is
A schedule storage unit for storing each schedule for a plurality of users is provided.
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print job receiver for receiving the print job from the server;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the print job.

Moreover, the schedule cooperation printing program which concerns on 1 aspect of invention is a computer,
A print information receiving unit that receives a print job including print data, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event of using a printed matter based on the print data, and event information indicating the date and time of the event,
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
The calculated print start date and time is stored, and when the print start date and time arrives, the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job and functions as a print instruction unit that instructs printing .
Further, the printing start time calculator is shall then calculates the printing start time in the idle time of closest the user Dates of the event.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cause the image forming apparatus to print the printed matter within the available time of the user who should obtain the printed matter, so that the printed matter is output from the image forming apparatus at a time when the user can easily obtain the printed matter. Is done. For this reason, security is ensured even when the above-described printing is performed not at the timing when a direct printing instruction is given from the user but at another timing calculated as a time suitable for printing execution. Thus, it becomes possible to output the printed matter from the image forming apparatus.

1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system including a schedule linkage printing service apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a computer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a print server. It is a figure which shows the example of the apparatus performance about each image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the calendar memorize | stored in user schedule DB. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the computer in the printing process of a schedule cooperation printing service system. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on the display part of a computer. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the print server in the printing process of a schedule cooperation printing service system. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the process by the print server in the printing process of a schedule cooperation printing service system. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of processing performed by a print server in print processing of a schedule cooperation print service system. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th Embodiment principle of the process by the print server in the printing process of a schedule cooperation printing service system. It is a flowchart which shows the 5th Embodiment principle of the process by the print server in the printing process of a schedule cooperation printing service system.

  Hereinafter, a schedule cooperation printing service apparatus, a schedule cooperation printing service system, and a schedule cooperation printing program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system including a schedule cooperation print service apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The schedule linkage printing service system 100 includes a print server 1, a computer 2, an image forming apparatus 3, and a user schedule DB 102 (hereinafter referred to as user DB). The print server 1, the computer 2, the image forming apparatus 3, and the user DB 102 are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

  The computer 2 generates a print job based on an instruction from the user and transmits the print job to the print server 1. In addition, the computer 2 communicates with the user schedule DB 102 and transmits user schedule information managed by the computer 2 to the user schedule DB 102.

  The user schedule DB 102 includes a schedule storage unit that stores user schedule information for each user, and stores, rewrites, and deletes each user's schedule in accordance with instructions from the computer 2, and the user schedule requested by the print server 1. Is transmitted to the print server 1.

  The print server 1 receives and spools the print job from each computer 2 and, when the print execution time comes, sends the print job to the image forming apparatus 3 as the output destination indicated by the print job to instruct printing. . The print server 1 is an example of a schedule cooperation print service apparatus and server in the claims.

  The image forming apparatus 3 also includes a data transmission / reception unit 31 that receives a print job from the print server 1 and an image formation unit 32 that performs image formation (printing) using print data included in the print job.

  The configuration of the computer 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the computer.

  The computer 2 includes a control unit 20, an operation unit 27, and a display unit 28. The control unit 20 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The control unit 20 includes a control unit 21, an information storage unit 22, a print job generation unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a scheduler 25.

  The control unit 21 governs overall operation control of the computer 2.

  The information storage unit 22 stores user information indicating a user who is a user of the computer 2.

  The print job generation unit 23 operates according to a printer driver stored in an unillustrated HDD, thereby converting data instructed by the operation of the operation unit 27 by the user into a format suitable for the image forming apparatus 3 and printing. A print job including the print data is generated as data. Further, the print job generation unit 23 receives the event information having the name of the meeting (an example of the event) using the printed matter based on the print job and the date and time of the conference according to the content input by the operation of the operation unit 27 by the operator. Generate.

  The communication unit 24 includes a print job generated by the print job generation unit 23, event information corresponding to the print job, and user information stored in the information storage unit 22 (that is, user information indicating a user who generated the print job) ) To the print server 1 through the LAN.

  The scheduler 25 manages the schedule for the user of the computer 2 by operating according to the schedule management application stored in the HDD. The schedule includes user schedule information that is determined by specifying the event name and the date and time of the event. The scheduler 25 creates user schedule information based on the event name input by the operation of the operation unit 27 by the operator and the date and time of the event. The scheduler 25 manages when the user's schedule is entered by storing the user schedule information according to a daily, weekly, or monthly calendar in a corresponding time zone. The scheduler 25 is synchronized with the user schedule DB 102, and the user schedule managed by the scheduler 25 is also stored in the user schedule DB 102.

  The scheduler 25 may manage the schedule for the user of the computer 2 by accessing the user schedule DB 102 and operating according to the schedule management application stored in the user schedule DB 102.

  The operation unit 27 includes a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and a user inputs data to be printed, a print instruction that specifies the image forming apparatus 3 used for the data, schedule information, and a transmission instruction thereof.

  The display unit 28 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays operation guidance for the operator.

  Next, the configuration of the print server 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the print server.

  The print server 1 includes a control unit 11, a print information reception unit 12, an apparatus performance storage unit 13, a required print time calculation unit 14, a user schedule acquisition unit 15, and a free time determination unit 16. And a print start date and time calculation unit 17. The control unit 10 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

  The control unit 11 manages overall operation control of the print server 1.

  The print information receiving unit 12 receives from the computer the print job including print data, user information indicating a user who created the print job, and the event information about the print data.

  The device performance storage unit 13 stores the device performance of the image forming apparatus 3 set in advance as an output destination of print data. In the present embodiment, the device performance of a plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 is stored. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of apparatus performance for each image forming apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus performance storage unit 13 is configured to print the single-sided printing speed, the double-sided printing speed, and the staple for each of the image forming apparatuses 3 (image forming apparatuses A to E shown in FIG. 3) stored in the print server 1. Time required, time required for punching, etc. are stored. For example, the required printing time per recording sheet is stored as each of these speeds. Further, as the time required for stapling or punching, the required processing time per bundle of recording paper is stored.

  The required print time calculation unit 14 analyzes the print job received by the print information reception unit 12, and displays the performance of the image forming apparatus 3 indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the device performance storage unit 13. Read and calculate the time required for printing the print data. For example, the required print time calculation unit 14 uses the information on the number of prints included in the print job, the number of copies to be printed, whether double-sided or single-sided printing is necessary, whether stapling and punching are necessary, and the read apparatus performance. The time required for printing required to print the print data indicated by the print job is calculated.

  Based on the user information received by the print information receiving unit 12, the user schedule acquisition unit 15 acquires a schedule for the user indicated by the user information from the user schedule DB 102.

  The free time determination unit 16 determines a free time zone of the user on the event date indicated by the event information from the schedule acquired by the user schedule acquisition unit 15.

  For example, the user schedule DB 102 is stored in a schedule storage unit 1021 (FIG. 3) that incorporates a calendar as shown in FIG. This calendar is stored for each user. The free time determination unit 16 acquires the user's calendar from the user schedule DB 102 and determines whether another schedule of the user is stored at the event date and time indicated by the event information. Here, when the free time determination unit 16 determines that the read calendar has a time zone in which no other schedule is stored in the time zone before the event date and time, the time zone is determined. Judge as free time.

  The print start time calculating unit 17 sets the print start date and time at which the printing of the received print data can be completed within the free time determined by the free time determining unit 16 by using the required print time calculating unit 14. Calculation is performed using the calculated printing time.

  The control unit (print instruction unit) 11 stores the print start date and time calculated by the print start date and time calculation unit 17, and when the received print job is timed by a built-in timer, the received print job is The print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 shown to instruct printing.

  The print server 1 further includes an HDD 19. The HDD 19 stores a schedule linkage printing program that is an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 10 operates in accordance with the schedule linkage printing program, so that the control unit 11, the print information receiving unit 12, the apparatus performance storage unit 13, the required print time calculation unit 14, and the user schedule acquisition unit 15. And the free time determination unit 16 and the print start date and time calculation unit 17. However, the control unit 11, the print information receiving unit 12, the device performance storage unit 13, the required print time calculation unit 14, the user schedule acquisition unit 15, the free time determination unit 16, and the print start date / time calculation unit 17 are configured by hardware circuits. May be.

  Next, a first embodiment of a printing process performed by the schedule cooperation printing service system 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing by the computer 2 in the printing processing of the schedule cooperation printing service system 100.

  In the computer 2, when data to be printed is specified by the user operating the operation unit 27 and a print instruction is input, the printer driver is activated. At this time, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 28 to display a screen D as shown in FIG. Here, when the user operates the mouse pointer and the keyboard as the operation unit 27 and inputs, for example, the name and date of the meeting as an event (YES in S1), the print job generation unit 22 is designated by the user. A print job using the data as print data is generated (S2). Since the computer 2 stores in advance a printer driver for the image forming apparatus 3 used for printing, an image forming apparatus 3 that is an output destination of a printed matter based on the data specified by the data to be printed is designated as a print instruction. An instruction to specify is included.

  Further, the print job generation unit 22 reads out user information indicating a user who is a user of the computer 2 from the information storage unit 22 (S3). The communication unit 24 transmits the read user information, the print job, and the event information to the print server 1 (S4).

  Next, processing by the print server 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing by the print server 1 in the printing processing of the schedule cooperation printing service system 100.

  In the print server 1, when the print information receiving unit 12 receives the print information including the user information, the print job, and the event information from the computer 2 (S 21), the required print time calculating unit 14 includes the apparatus performance storage unit 13. The device performance of the image forming apparatus 3 indicated by the print job as the output destination of the printed matter is read out (S22).

  Subsequently, the required print time calculation unit 14 calculates the required print time for the print data included in the print job based on the read device performance of the image forming apparatus 3 (S23).

  For example, the required print time calculation unit 14 selects the image forming apparatus 3 that is the image forming apparatus 3 indicated by the print job from the apparatus performances (FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatuses 3 stored in the apparatus performance storage unit 13. Read C device performance. For example, when the print content indicated by the print job is single-sided printing, the number of printed sheets is 200 sheets, one-part printing, stapling or no punching is performed, the required printing time calculation unit 14 starts from the single-sided printing speed of 1.5 seconds / sheet of the image forming apparatus C. The time required for printing is calculated as 300 seconds = 5 minutes.

  Subsequently, the user schedule acquisition unit 15 accesses the user schedule DB 102 and acquires the user's schedule from the user schedule DB 102 (S24). For example, the user schedule acquisition unit 15 reads the user's calendar from the user schedule DB 102 and acquires information indicating each schedule and date / time of the user as a schedule.

  The vacant time determination unit 16 is the vacant time that the user has on the date of the event indicated by the event information received in S21 from the schedule acquired by the user schedule acquisition unit 15, and is based on the time of the event. It is determined whether there is a free time that is the previous time zone (S25).

  Here, when the free time determination unit 16 determines that there is a free time that is a time zone before the time when the event is held (YES in S25), the free time is used as a time zone for printing the print data. It is determined as time (S26). Note that the free time determination unit 16 selects one of the free times when there are a plurality of free times in the time zone before the time when the event is held.

  For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, if the user's event and the date and time of the event are the event “conference” and the holding time zone March 15 from 14:00 to 16:00, Search for a time zone before 15:00 on March 15 before the user's schedule is stored. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, the user's schedule is not stored at 13:00 to 14:00 in the time zone, and the user's schedule is entered in other time zones. The time zone from 13:00 to 14:00 which is a time zone before 15:00 on March 15 is determined as a free time.

  Subsequently, the print start date and time calculation unit 17 calculates the print start date and time so that printing based on the print job is completed within the determined free time (S27). For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, since the free time is from 13:00 to 14:00 on March 15, the time when printing can be completed during these two hours, for example, the time required for printing is 3 minutes The time before 13:57 on March 15 is calculated as the print start date and time.

  Then, the control unit 21 stores the calculated printing start date and time (S28). Thereafter, the control unit 21 measures the date and time with a built-in timer (NO in S29 and S29), and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 3 when the print start date and time has arrived (YES in S29). (S30).

  In the image forming apparatus 3, when the data transmitting / receiving unit 31 receives the print job, the image forming unit 32 executes printing based on the print job.

  In S25 described above, when the vacant time determination unit 16 determines that there is no vacant time in the time zone before the event holding time (NO in S25), the process ends.

  According to the printing process according to the first embodiment, there is a possibility that the user who has instructed execution of the print job has no idle time, that is, there is no other schedule and is in the office where the image forming apparatus 3 is installed. It is possible to output the printed matter from the image forming apparatus 3 in a high time zone. As a result, the printed material is output from the image forming apparatus 3 at a time when the user can easily obtain the printed material, thereby preventing the printed material from being left unattended. For this reason, security is ensured even when printing is performed at another timing calculated by the print server 1 as a timing suitable for printing execution, not at a timing when a direct printing instruction is issued from the user. The printed material can be output from the image forming apparatus.

  Next, a second embodiment of print processing by the schedule cooperation print service system 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the process performed by the print server 1 in the print process of the schedule cooperation print service system 100. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, processing similar to the processing of S21 to S25 shown in the first embodiment is performed, and in S25, the free time determination unit 16 has a time zone in which other schedules of the user are not stored. If it is determined (YES in S25), the free time determination unit 16 further determines whether there are a plurality of free times (S31).

  If it is determined that there are a plurality of idle times (YES in S31), the idle time determination unit 16 selects the idle time closest to the event date and time (S32), and prints the print data using the idle time. It is determined as a free time as a time zone to be performed (S33).

  The print start date and time calculation unit 17 calculates the print start date and time so that printing based on the print job is completed within the determined free time (S34). Thereafter, S35 to S37, which are the same processes as S28 to S30 of the first embodiment, are performed.

  For example, if the user's schedule is as shown in FIG. 5, the free time determination is performed when the date and time of the event “meeting” indicated by the event information received from the computer 2 is March 16:00 to 18:00 The unit 16 determines a plurality of idle times, that is, a time zone from 8 o'clock to 10 o'clock, a time zone from 10 o'clock to 13 o'clock, and a time zone from 14 o'clock to 16 o'clock as idle times. At this time, the vacant time determination unit 16 uses the time zone from 14:00 to 16:00 that is closer to the event date and time of the event “meeting” March 16 from 16:00 to 18:00 as a time zone for printing the print data. Judge as time.

  According to the second embodiment, a printed matter of print data is output from the image forming apparatus 3 in the free time closest to the event date and time, and the period from when the printed matter is output until the event is held is shortened. The risk of leaving the printed material is reduced, and the security is further enhanced.

  Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of print processing by the schedule cooperation print service system 100. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the process performed by the print server 1 in the print process of the schedule linkage print service system 100. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in the first or second embodiment is omitted.

  In 3rd Embodiment, when the process of S21-S25 shown in 1st Embodiment is performed, and the free time determination part 16 judges that there exists a time slot | zone when the other schedule of a user is not memorize | stored (in S25) YES), the free time determination unit 16 further determines whether the free time is longer than the calculated required print time (S51).

  If the free time determination unit 16 determines that the free time is shorter than the calculated required print time (NO in S51), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the idle time is longer than the calculated required printing time (YES in S51), the idle time determination unit 16 determines whether there are a plurality of the determined idle times. Determine (S52). Thereafter, the processes of S53 to S58, which are the same processes as S32 to S37 shown in the second embodiment, are performed.

  For example, if the user's schedule is as shown in FIG. 5, the free time determination is made when the date and time of the event “meeting” indicated by the event information received from the computer 2 is March 18:00 to 18:00 The part 16 determines the free time before this, that is, the time zone from 15:55 to 16:00 as the free time. Here, when the print content indicated by the received print job is a large amount of printing, for example, 300 sheets printed, double-sided printing, no stapling and punching processing, and the apparatus performance of the image forming apparatus C, the printing time is 900 seconds. Takes 15 minutes.

  In this case, if the print start date and time calculation unit 17 calculates the print start date and time so that the print end time is between 15:55 and 16:00, which is within the free time, the free time is shorter than the required print time. Even if it is shorter, the user can obtain the printed matter within the free time.

  However, in the third embodiment, the print start date / time calculation unit 17 calculates the print start date / time within the idle time only when the idle time is longer than the required print time as described above. Since the start to the end of printing is completed within the free time, the user is present in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 3 from the first (first bundle) recording paper output from the image forming apparatus 3. It is output with a high possibility. For this reason, the situation where a printed matter is left untreated can be avoided more reliably, and the security of the printed matter is further improved.

  Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of a printing process performed by the schedule cooperation printing service system 100. FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the processing by the print server 1 in the printing processing of the schedule linkage printing service system 100. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in the first to third embodiments is omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, after it is determined that there is a free time before the event date and time (S25), the print start date and time calculation unit 17 outputs the output destination by a print job. Job information indicating another print job scheduled to be executed in the image forming apparatus 3 is acquired from the image forming apparatus 3 (S61), and the time required for printing based on the other print job is calculated. (S62). If there is no other print job scheduled to be executed in the image forming apparatus 3, the print start date / time calculating unit 17 naturally does not calculate the required print time.

  The available time determination unit 16 adds the required print time for performing printing based on the other print job calculated in S62 to the required print time calculated in S23 (S63), and then the available time. It is determined whether the print time is longer than the required printing time (S64). Thereafter, S65 to S71 which are the same processes as S52 to S58 shown in the third embodiment are performed.

  According to the fourth embodiment, even when the image forming apparatus 3 executes another print job, it is possible to complete from the start to the end of printing within the determined idle time. For this reason, in consideration of the waiting state of the print job in the image forming apparatus 3, it is possible to more reliably avoid the situation where the printed material is left unattended, and the security for the printed material is further improved.

  The print start date and time calculation unit 17 acquires job information indicating another print job to be executed from the image forming apparatus 3 that is the output destination, and the other print job within the determined empty time. The print start date and time may be calculated in a time zone other than the time zone required for execution. In this case, it is possible to reliably set the print start date and time at which printing can be completed within the idle time, and it is possible to further ensure the security of printed matter.

  Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of print processing by the schedule cooperation print service system 100. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the fifth embodiment of the processing by the print server 1 in the printing processing of the schedule linkage printing service system 100. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in the first to fourth embodiments is omitted.

  In the fifth embodiment, when it is determined in the process of S25 of the first to fourth embodiments that there is no free time before the event holding time (NO in S25), the free time determination The unit 16 determines whether or not the execution request date of the print job is limited to the event date (S90). The free time determination unit 16 determines whether or not the execution request date of the print job is limited to the event date based on the print execution request date designation information transmitted together with the print job. This print execution request date designation information indicates whether the print execution is limited to the current day, or print execution is permitted before the previous day.

  If the free time determination unit 16 determines that the print execution request date of the print job is limited to the event date (YES in S90), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the free time determination unit 16 determines that the print execution request date of the print job is not limited to the event date and may be before the previous day (NO in S90), It is determined whether there is a free time in the user schedule of the previous day (S91). If the free time determination unit 16 determines that there is free time (YES in S91), the process proceeds to S83. If the free time determination unit 16 determines that there is no free time (NO in S91), the process ends.

  As a result, even if there is no vacant time on the date of the event that uses the printed matter, the printed material is output from the image forming apparatus 3 and provided to the user during the vacant time on another day before the date and time of the event. It becomes possible to do.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, after determining the print start date and time, the control unit 11 of the print server 1 accesses the user schedule DB 102 and indicates that the printed material is to be collected at the time of the print start time of the user's calendar. May be added. Thereby, it is possible to make the user more clearly recognize the start and end of printing, and further the collection.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is described that the computer 2 inputs the event name and the date and time of the event, and the event information is transmitted from the computer 2 to the print server 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be as follows. For example, it is assumed that the schedule cooperation printing service 100 further includes an event database 101 for storing and managing a schedule of the date and time of a meeting or the like as indicated by a broken line in FIG. The user inputs only the event name (or information for specifying the event) in the computer 2, and the event name is transmitted from the computer 2 to the print server 1 together with the print job and the like. The print server 1 reads and acquires the date and time of the event corresponding to the event name (or information for specifying the event) from the event database 101.

  Moreover, the structure and process shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 12 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Schedule cooperation printing service system 1 Print server 2 Computer 3 Image formation apparatus 31 Data transmission / reception part 32 Image formation part 10 Control unit 11 Control part 12 Print information reception part 13 Apparatus performance memory | storage part 14 Print required time calculation part 15 User schedule acquisition part 16 Free time determination unit 17 Print start date / time calculation unit 20 Control unit 21 Control unit 22 Information storage unit 23 Print job generation unit 24 Communication unit 25 Scheduler 27 Operation unit 28 Display unit 102 User schedule DB
1021 Schedule storage unit

Claims (7)

A print information receiving unit that receives a print job including print data, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event of using a printed matter based on the print data, and event information indicating the date and time of the event,
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
A print instructing unit for storing the calculated print start date and time and instructing printing by transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job when the print start date and time arrives ;
The print start date and time calculation unit is a schedule cooperation print service device that calculates the print start date and time within the user's available time closest to the event date and time . The idle time determination unit compares the idle time and the length of the required print time, and calculates the print start date and time when the idle time is determined by the idle time determination unit to be equal to or longer than the required print time. parts are scheduled cooperative print service device according to claim 1 for calculating the print start time within the idle time zone. The printing start time calculating unit, when said idle time is shorter than the time necessary for printing is claimed in claim 2 for calculating the print start time in another in the free time period is determined by the interval determination section Schedule linkage printing service device. The print start date and time calculation unit obtains job information indicating another print job to be executed from the image forming apparatus serving as the output destination, and displays a print required time for performing printing based on the other print job. The schedule cooperation print service apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein after adding to the required time, the length of the idle time and the required print time are compared. The print start date / time calculating unit acquires job information indicating another print job to be executed from the image forming apparatus serving as the output destination, and performs the printing in a time zone other than a time zone required for execution of the other print job. The schedule cooperation printing service apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , which calculates a start date and time. A schedule linkage printing service system having a computer, a server, a user schedule database, and an image forming apparatus,
The computer
A print job generation unit that generates a print job including print data;
A communication unit that transmits to the server the print job, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event using a printed matter based on the print data, and event information indicating the date and time of the event. The server is
A print information receiving unit that receives the print job, the user information, and the event information from the computer;
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
A print instructing unit for storing the calculated print start date and time and instructing printing by transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job when the print start date and time arrives;
Further, the print start date and time calculation unit calculates the print start date and time within an empty time of the user closest to the event date and time,
The user schedule database is
A schedule storage unit for storing each schedule for a plurality of users is provided.
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print job receiver for receiving the print job from the server;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the print job. Computer
A print information receiving unit that receives a print job including print data, user information indicating a user who has instructed the print job, an event of using a printed matter based on the print data, and event information indicating the date and time of the event,
An apparatus performance storage unit for storing the performance of a predetermined image forming apparatus that can be an output destination of the print data;
A required print time calculation unit that reads the performance of the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job as the output destination of the print data from the apparatus performance storage unit, and calculates the required print time required for printing the print data indicated by the print job; ,
For a user indicated by the user information, a user schedule acquisition unit that acquires a schedule at a date and time of an event indicated by the event information from a user schedule database;
From the acquired schedule, for the user, a free time determination unit for determining a free time before the date and time of the event,
A print start date and time calculating unit that calculates a print start date and time that can complete printing of the print data within the determined idle time using the calculated required print time;
The calculated print start date and time is stored, and when the print start date and time arrives, the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus indicated by the print job and functions as a print instruction unit that instructs printing .
Further, the printing start date and time calculation unit, the event closest to the user's schedule cooperation printing program in the free time Ru to calculate the printing start date and time to hold the date and time of.

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