JP6201733B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228867, when a charge shortage occurs before the transmission of all pages ends after the MFP starts facsimile transmission due to the input of a fee, the identification code is displayed on the screen and the facsimile transmission is performed. Save the setting contents related to the identification code, and when the payment is made within a certain time and the identification code is input, the saved setting contents corresponding to the identification code are read and the sent page A technique for resuming facsimile transmission from the next page has been proposed.

JP 2012-54631 A JP 2008-20628 A JP 2012-81620 A

  An object of the present invention is to make a user select whether to hold a job being executed.

The image forming system according to the present invention includes: a first image forming apparatus to be used by an unspecified number of users, and the second image forming apparatus to be used by an unspecified number of users, the job resume specifying the reserved job An identifier that is an identifier that is unique within the image forming system, and is generated by combining job-related information including information indicating the progress of the job at the time of the hold and information related to the setting of the job Storage means for storing job hold information, wherein the first image forming apparatus controls the execution of the job in response to a job execution request, and the first job execution control. The first execution means for executing the image forming service process designated by the job in response to an instruction from the means, and whether to suspend the execution of the job A selecting means for selecting, when the execution of the job has been held by the first job execution control unit by the user selects the hold, the job-related information of the job at the time that the job restart identifier and are reserved Generating job holding information by associating the job resumption identifier with the job related information and storing the information in the storage unit; and output means for outputting the job resumption identifier , second image forming apparatus, receiving means and, if the job restart identifier is accepted by said accepting means, associated with the job resumed identifiers job-related information said storage means for receiving a job resume identifier specified by the user Based on the job-related information acquired by the acquisition unit A second job execution control means for controlling the execution of the job to resume from the image forming service process immediately after the line is suspended, and an image designated by the job in accordance with an instruction from the second job execution control means And a second execution means for executing a forming service process.

  In addition, every time a processing result is output in the execution process of the image forming service process by the first execution unit from the amount charged to the first charging apparatus provided in the first image forming apparatus, a charge is generated by the output. The first job execution control means holds the job execution when the user selects the hold due to a shortage of the remaining money.

Further, the acquisition unit is associated with the job resumption identifier received by the receiving unit when an amount for resolving the shortage of the remaining amount is input from the second charging device provided in the second image forming apparatus. The job related information is acquired from the storage means.

Further, characterized in that it has a deletion unit that deletes when been job pending information stored in the storage means, conform to preset deletion condition.

Further, the output means transmits data including the job resumption identifier to a device used by a user who has requested execution of a suspended job.

  The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the storage unit are connected via a network.

  Further, the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are the same image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is included in an image forming system, and in an image forming apparatus used by an unspecified number of users, job execution control means for controlling execution of the job in response to a job execution request; In response to an instruction from the job execution control unit, an execution unit that executes the image forming service process specified by the job, a selection unit that allows the user to select whether or not to hold the job execution, and the user selects hold Thus, when the job execution control unit holds the execution of the job, it is a job resumption identifier that identifies the held job and is unique within the image forming system, and at the time when the job is held Generate job-related information including information indicating the progress of the job and information related to the settings of the job It characterized in that it has a generation unit configured to store the pending job information generated by associating the job-related information in the job restart identifier in the storage means, and output means for outputting the job restart identifier.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a job resumption identifier that is included in an image forming system and that is used by an unspecified number of users to specify a job that has been designated and held by a user, A receiving unit that receives a unique job resumption identifier in the forming system, and when the job resuming identifier is received by the receiving unit, a job resuming identifier, information indicating a progress status of the job at the time of being held, and the job Acquisition means for acquiring job-related information associated with a job resumption identifier by the accepting means from storage means for storing job hold information generated by combining job-related information including information relating to settings; and Immediately after execution of the job is suspended based on job-related information acquired by the acquisition unit Job execution control means for controlling the execution of the job to resume from the image forming service process; and execution means for executing the image forming service process specified by the job in response to an instruction from the job execution control means. It is characterized by having.

A program according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is included in an image forming system and is used by an unspecified number of users, and is a job resumption identifier that identifies a held job and is unique within the image forming system. A storage means for storing job hold information generated by combining a job resume identifier , job-related information including information on the progress of the job at the time of hold and information related to the setting of the job A computer mounted on the image forming apparatus capable of controlling the execution of the job according to the job execution request, and the image formation designated by the job according to the instruction from the job execution control unit Execution means for executing service processing, selection means for allowing the user to select whether or not to suspend job execution, If The execution of the job has been held by the job execution control unit by selecting the hold, to generate the job-related information of the job at the time that the job restart identifier and is pending in the job restart identifier The job holding information is generated by associating the job related information with each other and is stored in the storage unit, and the output unit outputs the job restart identifier .

A program according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is included in an image forming system and is used by an unspecified number of users, and is a job resumption identifier that identifies a held job and is unique within the image forming system. A storage means for storing job hold information generated by combining a job resume identifier , job-related information including information on the progress of the job at the time of hold and information related to the setting of the job the computer mounted on an image forming apparatus, receiving means for receiving the specified job resume identifier by a user, wherein when the job restart identifier is accepted by the accepting unit, the job-related information associated with the job restart identifier From the storage means, the job acquired by the acquisition means Based on the link information, the job execution control means for controlling the execution of the job to resume from the image forming service process immediately after the execution of the job is suspended, specified by the job according to the instruction from the job execution control means It is for functioning as an execution means for executing the image forming service process.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to allow the user to select whether or not to hold the job being executed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the execution of the job can be suspended by the user selecting the suspension due to the shortage of the balance.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first image forming apparatus holds the payment because the payment is made to the second image forming apparatus different from the first image forming apparatus where the execution of the job is put on hold due to insufficient balance. The execution of the job that has been performed can be resumed by the second image forming apparatus.

According to the invention of claim 4 can be removed when the job pending information stored in the storage unit matches the deletion condition.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the job specifying information can be transmitted to the device used by the user who has requested execution of the suspended job.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the execution of the job can be resumed in the second image forming apparatus different from the first image forming apparatus that has suspended the execution of the job.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the job execution can be resumed in the same image forming apparatus as the image forming apparatus that suspended the job execution.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to make the user select whether to hold the job being executed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the held job can be resumed from the image forming service process immediately after the hold.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, it is possible to make the user select whether or not to hold the job being executed.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the held job can be resumed from the image forming service process immediately after the hold.

1 is a functional block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of the job hold information memorize | stored in the job hold information storage part in this Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating print service processing performed by the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for resuming a held job in the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, as an image forming apparatus with a billing device, it is installed in a convenience store and the like, and image forming processing such as copying and printing is executed, and as a result, an image forming service with output to paper as a medium is provided. A self-service multifunction machine 10 is assumed. In the present embodiment, an image data printing service provided by the multifunction machine 10 will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 2, a multifunction machine 10 is a multifunction machine having various functions such as a printing function and a copying function, and is a device incorporating a computer. In FIG. 2, the CPU 31 controls the operation of various mechanisms such as the scanner 33 and the printer engine 35 mounted on the apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM 38. The address data bus 40 is connected to various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 31 to perform data communication. The operation panel 32 receives a print instruction from the user, print attribute setting contents, and the like, and displays information. The scanner 33 reads a document set by a user and accumulates it in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 or the like as electronic data. The HDD 34 stores an electronic document read using the scanner 33, job hold information described later, and the like. The printer engine 35 prints an image on output paper in accordance with an instruction from a control program executed by the CPU 31. A network interface (I / F) 36 connects to a network and is used for data communication such as job hold information, electronic data transmission / reception, facsimile data transmission / reception between other multifunction devices and the management server of the multifunction device 10. Is done. The RAM 37 is used as a work memory during program execution and a communication buffer during electronic data transmission / reception. The ROM 38 stores various programs including control of the apparatus and print service processing described later. An external media interface (I / F) 39 is an interface with an external memory device such as a USB memory or a flash memory. The billing device 41 is a device that collects an amount necessary for using the service provided by the multifunction machine 10. The billing apparatus 41 is generally formed in a separate housing from the main body of the multifunction device 10 and operates in cooperation by being connected to the multifunction device 10.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a charging device control unit 11, an operation panel control unit 12, a print processing unit 13, a job execution control unit 14, and a job hold information storage unit 15. Note that FIG. 1 shows only the components necessary for the description of the present embodiment, and the components that are not used in the description are omitted even if they are necessary for the operation as the multifunction machine 10. ing.

  The billing device control unit 11 is means for controlling the billing device 41 and performs billing in cooperation with the billing device 41. The charging device control unit 11 includes an input amount acquisition unit 111 that acquires the amount inserted into the charging device 41, a display control unit 112 that performs display control on the display unit of the charging device 41, such as displaying the balance of the input amount, Have In the present embodiment, the “input amount” is the amount invested in the charging apparatus 41.

  The operation panel control unit 12 is a means for controlling the operation panel 32. The operation panel control unit 12 according to the present embodiment is provided as selection means, displays a predetermined hold selection screen on the operation panel 32, and allows the user to select whether or not to hold the job execution. The operation panel control unit 12 includes an operation reception unit 121 and a display control unit 122. The operation accepting unit 121 accepts parameters such as a job and a print attribute specified by the user from a setting screen displayed on the operation panel 32 when using a print service, for example. The operation accepting unit 121 in the present embodiment is provided as accepting means and accepts a job resumption identifier specified by the user. The display control unit 122 displays information such as attributes on the operation panel 32 through a screen for setting attributes and the like and various screens. The display control unit 122 is also provided as an output unit, and outputs a job resumption identifier.

  The print processing unit 13 is provided as a first execution unit and a second execution unit, and executes an image forming service process designated by the job in response to an instruction from the job execution control unit 14. Note that when the print processing unit 13 executes the print process, the multifunction machine 10 executes the print service process and provides the print service to the user. Therefore, the print process and the print service process can be regarded as synonymous.

  The job execution control unit 14 is provided as a first job execution control unit, and controls the execution of the job in response to a job execution request. The job execution control unit 14 is also provided as a second job execution control unit, and immediately after the execution of the job is suspended based on the job related information acquired by the information management unit 145 reading from the job suspension information storage unit 15. The execution of the job is controlled to resume from the print service process.

  The job execution control unit 14 includes a print control unit 141, a balance calculation unit 142, a job resumption identifier generation unit 143, a setting information collection unit 144, and an information management unit 145. The print control unit 141 performs execution control of print processing, which is one of image forming service processes specified for a job, in cooperation with other components. The balance calculation unit 142 is provided as a calculation unit, and each time a processing result is output in the course of execution of the printing process by the printing processing unit 13 from the amount charged to the charging device 41 (in the printing process, for each output of one sheet of paper) ), The balance is calculated by successively subtracting the billing amount generated by the output. When the job execution is suspended by the print control unit 141 in the job execution control unit 14, the job resumption identifier generation unit 143 generates a job resumption identifier as job specifying information for specifying the job. In addition, when the execution of the job is suspended, the setting information collection unit 144 collects information regarding the job at the time of suspension. The information management unit 145 manages job hold information stored in the job hold information storage unit 15. The information management unit 145 is provided as a generation unit, and information collected by the setting information collection unit 144 when execution of the job is suspended by the print control unit 141 in the job execution control unit 14 because the user selects suspension. Job-related information is generated based on the job resumption information, and the generated job-related information is associated with the job resumption identifier generated by the job resumption identifier generation unit 143 when the job is suspended. And stored in the job hold information storage unit 15. The information management unit 145 is also provided as an acquisition unit. When a job resumption identifier is received by the operation reception unit 121, the job management information associated with the job resumption identifier is read from the job hold information storage unit 15 and acquired. . The information management unit 145 is further provided as a deletion unit, and deletes the job hold information stored in the job hold information storage unit 15 when it matches a preset deletion condition. In this way, the information management unit 145 manages the job hold information stored in the job hold information storage unit 15.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of job hold information stored in the job hold information storage unit 15 according to the present embodiment. The job hold information storage unit 15 is provided as a storage unit and stores job hold information. The job hold information includes a job resumption identifier generated by the job resumption identifier generation unit 143 and job related information generated by the information management unit 145. In the job related information, as information related to job setting, parameter information such as print attributes set until the start of job execution, printed page number as information indicating the progress of the job at the time of suspension, and Image data to be printed by the job is included. In this embodiment, the job is resumed from the state immediately after the job is suspended according to the instruction from the user. However, the job-related information reproduces the operating environment and state immediately after the job is suspended. All necessary information is included.

  In this embodiment, as is clear from the description of the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 described above, the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 has the components of both the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus. An example of the case is shown.

  The constituent elements 11 to 14 in the multifunction machine 10 are realized by a cooperative operation of a computer installed in the multifunction machine 10 and a program operating on the CPU 31 installed in the computer. The job hold information storage unit 15 is realized by the HDD 34 mounted on the multifunction machine 10. Alternatively, the RAM 33 or an external storage means may be used via a network.

  Further, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. The program provided from the communication means or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU of the computer sequentially executing the program.

  Next, a print service process performed by the multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The user operates the operation panel 32 of the multifunction device 10 to select a print service and set attribute information such as parameters necessary for execution of printing. Then, after depositing from the charging apparatus 41 for using the print service, the user instructs the execution of the print service processing job by operating the start button or the like.

  When the input money acquisition unit 111 recognizes the input money to the charging apparatus 41, the job execution control unit 14 acquires the input money (step 101). Further, when the operation reception unit 121 receives the parameter information set from the operation panel 32 in accordance with the print service processing job execution instruction (print job execution request), the job execution control unit 14 acquires the parameter information ( Step 102). Then, the print control unit 141 in the job execution control unit 14 instructs the print processing unit 13 to start the print processing by executing the job according to the parameter setting contents (step 103).

  The print processing unit 13 executes image formation processing in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit 141, and converts the input data into image data in an output format, thereby generating image data for each page (step 104). The data to be printed may be data read by the scanner 33, data read from an external medium, or data acquired via a network, and the data acquisition path is not particularly limited. The print processing unit 13 executes printing by sequentially outputting the image data page by page, but the print control unit 141 recognizes the print target before printing by the print processing unit 13. Check if there is enough money left to print the page to be printed. When it is confirmed that the balance is sufficient (Y in Step 105), the print control unit 141 instructs the print processing unit 13 to print the page, and the print processing unit 13 responds according to the print instruction. The image data for one page is printed (step 106).

  By the way, when executing printing, the user inputs data to be printed into the multi-function device 10, sets parameters, and executes output. In the case of the multifunction machine 10 that is installed in a convenience store and can perform on-demand billing that collects only the necessary price, the required price varies depending on the parameters (number of printed sheets, color mode, etc.) set by the user. In the case of a print service, the page size, the number of pages, and the color mode may not be specified until after the image forming process. That is, there is a case where the price required for executing the print job (end of printing of all pages) cannot be determined before executing the print job. For this reason, a shortage of input money may occur.

  Therefore, in order to adapt to such a case, the MFP 10 according to the present embodiment executes image formation processing to generate image data for all pages in advance, and determines the charge amount required for printing each page. Then, after confirming the presence or absence of the balance, each page is printed.

  The balance calculation unit 142 charges each time printing for one page is executed, and calculates a new balance (step 107). Then, under the execution control by the print control unit 141, the printing is repeatedly performed page by page while checking the balance (Y in step 108) until the printing of all pages is completed (Y in step 108). ~ 107). The balance is displayed on the billing apparatus 41 by the display control unit 112. The processing so far may be the same as before.

  Here, if there is a shortage of balance before printing of all pages is completed (N in Step 105), the job execution control unit 14 causes the operation panel control unit 12 to display a predetermined hold selection screen, and From the screen, the user can select whether to hold the job currently being executed or cancel the job. When the operation accepting unit 121 accepts the content selected by the user (step 109), if it is a job execution stop instruction (N in step 110), the job execution control unit 14 prints according to the stop instruction. The execution of the process is stopped (step 111). That is, when printing is stopped, the print control unit 141 executes post-processing such as causing the print processing unit 13 to erase image data of a page that has not been printed. As a result, only the printing up to the page for which the input amount is sufficient is executed.

  On the other hand, when the operation receiving unit 121 receives a job hold instruction (Y in step 110), the print control unit 141 in the job execution control unit 14 holds the execution of the job being executed in accordance with the hold instruction (step 112). ). When the job execution is suspended, the setting information collection unit 144 acquires the page number for which printing has ended immediately before the job is suspended, and is generated by the parameter information set at the time of job execution and the image forming process. Among the image data, at least image data that has not been printed is collected (step 113). In addition, the job resumption identifier generation unit 143 generates a job resumption identifier that identifies the suspended job (step 114). Then, the information management unit 145 generates job related information based on the information collected by the setting information collection unit 144, generates job hold information by associating the job resumption identifier, and stores the job hold information in the job hold information storage unit 15. (Step 115).

  Thereafter, the display control unit 122 displays the job resumption identifier generated by the job resumption identifier generation unit 143 on the operation panel 32 in accordance with the instruction from the job execution control unit 14 (step 116). Here, the user records and remembers the job resumption identifier displayed on the operation panel 32 and keeps it. After that, the multifunction machine 10 is in a state where other service processing can be executed.

  Next, processing for resuming a held job will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same process as the process shown in FIG. 4, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  After putting the job on hold, the user deposits an amount that is considered sufficient for printing a page that has not been printed from the billing apparatus 41, and a predetermined operation is performed to cause the operation panel 32 to display a restart instruction screen. Enter the job resume identifier from.

  When the input money acquisition unit 111 recognizes the input money to the charging apparatus 41, the job execution control unit 14 acquires the input money (step 121). Further, when the operation accepting unit 121 accepts a job resumption identifier input from the operation panel 32 (step 122), the information management unit 145 in the job execution control unit 14 displays job related information corresponding to the accepted job resumption identifier. Acquired by taking out from the job hold information storage unit 15 (step 123). Then, the job hold information including the acquired job related information is deleted from the job hold information storage unit 15 (step 124). Subsequently, the print control unit 141 in the job execution control unit 14 resumes the execution of the job in accordance with the set content of the acquired job related information (step 125). In other words, the print control unit 141 adds 1 to the printed page number, specifies the page to be printed immediately after being put on hold, and causes the print processing unit 13 to execute printing from the specified page. Subsequent processing (after step 105) may be basically the same as the processing shown in FIG.

  By the way, in the above description, a job resumption identifier is issued when the user selects hold of a job, and when the user wants to resume printing, the MFP 10 sets parameters and the like for execution of the job. Only by inputting the issued job resumption identifier without inputting it again, the multifunction device 10 resumes printing of the remaining unprinted pages. In the present embodiment, there is no particular limitation on the time limit for resuming printing. For example, printing may be resumed at a desired timing such as several days later. However, since the multifunction machine 10 installed in a convenience store can be used by an unspecified number of users, it is not preferable to store personal data (job hold information) for a long period of time or permanently. In addition, the HDD 34 may run out of capacity. Therefore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the job hold information is stored in the job hold information storage unit 15, it may be automatically deleted, for example, one day later, one week later, or one month later. In this embodiment, the information management unit 145 is provided with this automatic deletion function. As the predetermined time to be set, an appropriate time is set according to the capacity of the HDD 34, the number of users expected to be used by the multifunction machine 10, and the like. Alternatively, other conditions such as the number of pending jobs, HDD 34 free space and usage rate are set in advance as deletion conditions instead of the time, and when the deletion conditions are met, for example, a job stored for a long time You may make it delete preferentially from hold information.

  In the above description, the job resumption identifier is displayed on the operation panel 32 and is recorded by the user with a memo or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this presentation method. For example, the job resumption identifier may be read on a portable terminal such as a smartphone by displaying it on the operation panel 32 with a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code (registered trademark). Or you may make it transmit to a portable terminal by infrared communication. Alternatively, the job resumption identifier may be transmitted in the form of character string data or a two-dimensional barcode using the mail function. As described above, when recording is performed by some means instead of storage, it is necessary to provide the multifunction device 10 with a means for reading the recorded information, for example, a reading means such as a two-dimensional barcode reader.

  In this embodiment, as described above, when the user selects the suspension of job execution due to a shortage of the balance, it is necessary to associate the job before the suspension with the job after the suspension in order to resume the execution of the job. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a job resumption identifier is issued, and when the execution of the job is started, the issued job resumption identifier is input to the user from the multifunction device 10. Basically, since there is a shortage of remaining money, it may be normal to resume job execution in the multifunction machine 10 that has caused the shortage of remaining money. However, it is not always necessary to limit the multifunction machine 10 that resumes job execution to the multifunction machine 10 in which the shortage of the balance has occurred.

  For example, if you move to an office or a financial institution to procure cash for the shortage, if you can resume job execution from the multifunction machine 10 installed in the convenience store near the destination, there will be a shortage of the balance. This is convenient because it is not necessary to return to the place where the multifunction machine 10 is installed. In the present embodiment, it is possible to cope with a case where it is desired to resume execution of a job from a multifunction device 10 other than the multifunction device 10 in which a shortage of remaining money has occurred.

  In other words, in the above description, the function of both the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus is given to one multifunction machine (a multifunction machine in which the shortage of the balance has occurred), but the balance is short. The multifunction machine 10 is configured as a first image forming apparatus, and the multifunction machine 10 near the destination is configured as a second image forming apparatus.

  Issued by the MFP 10 in which the user has charged the shortage from the billing device 41 connected to the MFP 10 in the vicinity of the destination and the job execution has been suspended (the MFP having the shortage of the balance) When the job resumption identifier is input from the MFP 10 near the destination, the information management unit 145 in the MFP 10 near the destination is input from the MFP 10 whose job execution is suspended via the network. The job related information corresponding to the resumed job resume identifier is acquired to resume job execution.

  In this case, the multifunction peripheral 10 near the movement destination needs to know the multifunction peripheral 10 from which the job related information is acquired. The job hold information may include information for specifying the MFP 10 that stores the job hold information, for example, an IP address or a MFP ID uniquely assigned in the system, The acquisition request information including the resumption identifier may be broadcasted to make an inquiry to the multifunction peripheral included in the image forming system. In this case, the job resumption identifier needs to be generated as unique information in the system.

  Alternatively, a management server that manages job hold information (a management server that manages storage means) is installed in the image forming system, and the MFP 10 in which a shortage of balance has occurred, the MFP 10 near the destination, and the job hold An image forming system is constructed so that a management server that manages the information storage unit is connected to a network. The MFP 10 may be configured to acquire job related information by sending a job restart identifier to the management server and inquiring. In any case, since the job-related information communicated via the network includes image data, it is desirable to transmit and receive in an encrypted state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a job is suspended by user selection when the job cannot be continuously executed due to a shortage of remaining money. However, the user may voluntarily suspend execution of the job regardless of whether there is a balance.

  For example, the user may be forced to stop before the end of printing for some reason, such as having to move because the scheduled time of another schedule is reached while using the printing service. In this way, instead of saying that the balance is insufficient, it is possible to hold the execution of the print job by the user's own convenience.

  The print service process when the user voluntarily holds the print service may be basically the same as that shown in FIG. However, if there is a voluntary hold instruction from the user while the processing from step 105 to step 108 is repeated, the processing moves to step 112. As for the voluntary hold instruction from the user, a predetermined hold instruction screen may be displayed when the user performs a predetermined operation from the operation panel 32, and a job execution hold may be selected from the screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print service has been described as an example. However, the present invention may be applied to an image forming service involving other image forming processing such as copying or facsimile transmission.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 MFP, 11 Billing device control unit, 12 Operation panel control unit, 13 Print processing unit, 14 Job execution control unit, 15 Job hold information storage unit, 31 CPU, 32 Operation panel, 33 Scanner, 34 Hard disk drive (HDD) , 35 Printer engine, 36 Network interface (I / F), 37 RAM, 38 ROM, 39 External media interface (I / F), 40 Address data bus, 41 Charging device, 111 Input amount acquisition unit, 112, 122 Display control , 121 operation reception unit, 141 print control unit, 142 balance calculation unit, 143 job resumption identifier generation unit, 144 setting information collection unit, 145 information management unit.

Claims (11)

A first image forming apparatus used by an unspecified number of users ;
A second image forming apparatus used by an unspecified number of users ;
Job-related information including a job resumption identifier that identifies a held job and is unique within the image forming system, information indicating the progress of the job at the time of the hold, and information related to the setting of the job Storage means for storing job hold information generated as a pair, and
Have
The first image forming apparatus includes:
First job execution control means for controlling execution of the job in response to a job execution request;
First execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in response to an instruction from the first job execution control means;
A selection means that allows the user to select whether to defer job execution;
When execution of the job is suspended by the first job execution control means because the user has selected suspension, the job resumption identifier and the job related information of the job at the time of suspension are generated, and the job is resumed. Generating means for associating the job-related information with the identifier to generate job hold information, and storing the information in the storage unit;
Output means for outputting the job resumption identifier ;
Have
The second image forming apparatus includes:
Accepting means for accepting a job resumption identifier designated by the user;
An acquisition unit that acquires, from the storage unit, job related information associated with the job resumption identifier when the job resumption identifier is received by the reception unit;
Second job execution control means for controlling the execution of the job so as to resume from the image forming service process immediately after the execution of the job is suspended based on the job related information acquired by the acquisition means;
Second execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in response to an instruction from the second job execution control means;
An image forming system comprising: From the amount charged to the first billing device provided in the first image forming apparatus, the billing amount generated by the output every time the processing result is output in the execution process of the image forming service process by the first execution unit. It has a calculation means to calculate the balance by deducting sequentially,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first job execution control unit suspends the execution of the job when the user selects the suspension in accordance with the shortage of the balance. The acquisition unit receives a job associated with the job resumption identifier received by the receiving unit when an amount for resolving the shortage of the remaining amount is input from the second charging device provided in the second image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the related information is acquired from the storage unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a deletion means for deleting when the job pending information stored in the storage means, conform to preset deletion condition. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit transmits data including the job resumption identifier to a device used by a user who has requested execution of a suspended job.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the storage unit are connected via a network.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus are the same image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system and used by an unspecified number of users,
Job execution control means for controlling execution of the job in response to a job execution request;
Execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in response to an instruction from the job execution control means;
A selection means that allows the user to select whether to defer job execution;
A job resumption identifier that identifies a held job and is unique within the image forming system when execution of the job is suspended by the job execution control unit due to the user selecting hold ; and Generates job-related information including information indicating the progress status of the job at the time when the job is held and information related to the setting of the job, and stores job hold information generated by associating the job-related information with the job resume identifier. Generating means to be stored in the means;
Output means for outputting the job resumption identifier ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus included in an image forming system and used by an unspecified number of users,
Accepting means for accepting a job resumption identifier that is specified by a user and that is a job resumption identifier that identifies a job that is suspended, and is unique within the image forming system ;
When a job resume identifier is accepted by the accepting means, a job resume identifier is generated, and a job related information including information indicating the progress of the job at the time when the job is put on hold and information related to the setting of the job is generated as a set Acquisition means for acquiring job-related information associated with the job resumption identifier by the receiving means from storage means for storing the job hold information that has been received;
Job execution control means for controlling execution of the job so as to resume from the image forming service process immediately after the execution of the job is suspended based on the job related information acquired by the acquisition means;
Execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in response to an instruction from the job execution control means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus included in an image forming system and used by an unspecified number of users, a job resumption identifier for identifying a held job, and a unique job resumption identifier in the image forming system, and a hold Mounted in an image forming apparatus that can access storage means for storing job hold information generated by combining information indicating the progress status of the job at the time when the job is performed and information related to the setting of the job Computer
Job execution control means for controlling execution of the job in response to a job execution request;
Execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in accordance with an instruction from the job execution control means;
A selection means that allows the user to select whether to defer job execution,
When execution of the job is suspended by the job execution control means because the user selects suspension, the job resumption identifier and the job related information of the job at the time of suspension are generated, and the job resumption identifier is Generating means for associating the job-related information with each other to generate job hold information and storing it in the storage means;
Output means for outputting the job resumption identifier ;
Program to function as. An image forming apparatus included in an image forming system and used by an unspecified number of users, a job resumption identifier for identifying a held job, and a unique job resumption identifier in the image forming system, and a hold Mounted in an image forming apparatus that can access storage means for storing job hold information generated by combining information indicating the progress status of the job at the time when the job is performed and information related to the setting of the job Computer
Accepting means for accepting a job resumption identifier designated by the user;
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the storage unit, job related information associated with the job restart identifier when the job restart identifier is received by the reception unit;
Job execution control means for controlling execution of the job to resume from the image forming service process immediately after the execution of the job is suspended based on the job related information acquired by the acquisition means;
Execution means for executing image forming service processing designated by the job in accordance with an instruction from the job execution control means;
Program to function as.

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