JP6989749B2 - Image forming equipment, systems, control methods, and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to print control in an image forming apparatus that gives a print instruction from an information processing apparatus.

In recent years, cloud print services installed on the Internet, such as Google Cloud Print, have been provided. In a cloud print service, it is generally necessary to register an image forming device such as an MFP specified as an output destination on the service in advance. At the time of registration, the print setting function of the MFP to be output can be specified by passing the print setting information (also referred to as Capability information) (see FIG. 17) of the MFP.

On the other hand, for the purpose of cost reduction in the operation of the MFP, the print settings that can be used by the user may be restricted by the authority of the user who logged in to the MFP.

At this time, for example, when a user who is only allowed to print in monochrome when printing document data from a client PC (hereinafter, local printing), color printing is performed when printing document data from a cloud print service (hereinafter, cloud printing). The problem of being possible arises.

Therefore, there is a technique that enables cloud printing to specify print settings that can be specified by local printing even if the print setting information that can be used by local printing and cloud printing is different (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-97434

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of users having different authority share and use a printer object registered in the cloud print service, the print setting information is updated every time the user uses the printer object. It is not a realistic usage because it needs to be done.

Therefore, when users with different authority use cloud printing, it is desired that printing can be performed without updating the print setting information of cloud printing as appropriate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of using an appropriate setting according to a user 's printing authority.

The present invention for solving the above problems
An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a system that manages registration information of the image forming apparatus including print settings corresponding to print authority.
A reception means that accepts user information about users,
A storage means for storing access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user .
The storage of the notification regarding the access information to the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information by the reception means to the user who has received the user information by the reception means. Notification means performed based on the notification destination information corresponding to the user stored in the means, and
It is characterized by being equipped with.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that an appropriate setting according to the printing authority of the user can be used .

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of a printing system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of an administrator PC or a client PC. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the MFP. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of an administrator PC, a client PC, and an MFP. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of registering information about a MFP in a cloud print service. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing of a sharing setting. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the use setting of a user's cloud print service. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a user performs a usage setting at the time of a user invitation. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sharing setting screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sharing setting screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the usage setting start screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the usage setting completion screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the account information input screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the usage setting completion screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the usage setting error screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of each table. It is a figure which shows an example of print setting information.

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

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system in a printing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 100 is composed of an administrator PC 102, a client PC 104, an MFP 106, and a cloud print service 108.

The administrator PC 102, the client PC 104, and the MFP 106 are configured such that the cloud print service 108 is connected via the LAN 110.

The administrator PC 102 communicates with the cloud print service 108 and the MFP 106 from the Web browser provided in the PC to register and set various information.

The client PC 104 submits a job to the cloud print service 108 by uploading print data to the designated printer object from the Web browser.

The MFP 106 communicates with the cloud print service 108 in response to the registration request from the administrator PC 102, and performs various registration processes. In addition, the setting information of the printer object registered in the cloud print service 108 is managed, and the usage setting is made for the user.

The cloud print service 108 is a cloud-type print service provided on the Internet.

In response to the registration request from the MFP 106, a printer object having the account logged in to the MFP 106 as an administrator is created in the cloud print service 108.

The job is stored in this printer object, and a notification (job submission notification) indicating that the job has been submitted is transmitted to the MFP 106 by XMPP (Extension Messaging and Presence Protocol) communication.

After receiving the job submission notification, the MFP 106 downloads the job from the cloud print service 108 and outputs the job.

In order for each user to use the cloud print service 108, the administrator must set the sharing of the printer object.

In the case of Google Cloud Print (trademark registration), there are two methods, one is to publish the shared link and the other is to invite users and groups.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the administrator PC 102 and the client PC 104 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the administrator PC 102 and the client PC 104 have a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and an input controller 205 via the system bus 204. A video controller 206, a memory controller 207, and a communication I / F controller 208 are connected.

The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

The ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is a control program executed by the CPU 201 such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an OS (Operating System), a computer-readable program for realizing the information processing method, and various necessary programs. Holds data (including data table).

The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 realizes various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for executing the process from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

The input controller 205 controls an input from an input device such as a keyboard 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

When the input device is a touch panel, the user can give various instructions by pressing (touching with a finger or the like) the icon, the cursor, or the button displayed on the touch panel.

Further, the touch panel may be a touch panel such as a multi-touch screen that can detect a position touched by a plurality of fingers.

The video controller 206 controls the display on an external output device such as the display 210. The display shall include the display of a notebook computer integrated with the main body.

The external output device is not limited to the display, and may be, for example, a projector. Further, as for the device capable of accepting the above-mentioned touch operation, an input device is also provided.

The video controller 206 can control a video memory (VRAM) for display control, can use a part of the RAM 203 as a video memory area, or can provide a dedicated video memory separately. It is possible.

The memory controller 207 controls access to the external memory 211. External memory is connected to an external storage device (hard disk), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot that stores boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, various data, etc. via an adapter. Compact flash (registered trademark) memory etc. can be used.

The communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network.

For example, communication using TCP / IP, a telephone line such as ISDN, and communication using a 3G line of a mobile phone are possible.

The CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by, for example, executing an outline font expansion (rasterization) process in the display information area in the RAM 203. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the display 210.

Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the MFP 106 as the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the controller unit of the MFP 106 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, 316 is a controller unit, which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, LAN 110 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (for example, LAN 110 shown in FIG. 1). By connecting to WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN), image data and device information are input and output.

In the controller unit 316, 301 is a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. The 302 is a RAM, which is a system work memory for operating the CPU 301, a program memory for recording a program, and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

Reference numeral 303 is a ROM, which stores a system boot program and various control programs. Reference numeral 304 denotes an external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)), which stores various programs, image data, and the like for controlling the system.

Reference numeral 307 is an operation unit interface (operation unit I / F), which is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308.

Further, the operation unit I / F 307 plays a role of transmitting information (for example, user information and the like) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

The operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by the user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

Reference numeral 305 is a network interface (Network I / F), which is connected to a network (LAN) to input / output data. Reference numeral 306 is a modem (MODEM), which is connected to a public line to input / output data such as transmission / reception of FAX.

318 is an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE1394, a printer port, and RS-232C, and a card reader 319 for reading an IC card required for authentication. It is connected to an external I / F 318.

Then, the CPU 301 can control the reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire the information read from the IC card.

The storage medium is not limited to the IC card and may be a storage medium capable of identifying the user. In this case, the storage medium stores identification information for identifying the user. This identification information may be the serial number of the storage medium or the user code given by the user in the company.
The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

Reference numeral 320 is an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and the image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

The image bus 315 is composed of a PCI bus or IEEE 1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

Reference numeral 310 denotes a raster image processor (RIP), which expands vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image.

Reference numeral 311 is a printer interface (printer I / F), which connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. Further, 313 is a scanner interface (scanner I / F), which connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316 to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

Reference numeral 317 is an image processing unit, which corrects, processes, and edits the input image data, and corrects the printer, converts the resolution, and the like with respect to the print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs compression / decompression processing of image data, JPEG for multi-valued image data, JBIG, MMR, MH, etc. for binary image data.

The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor to convert it into an electric signal as raster image data. The manuscript paper is set in the tray of the manuscript feeder, and when the user of the device gives an instruction to read and start from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the manuscript paper one by one and reads the manuscript image. Do the action.

The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper, and the method is an electrophotographic method using a photoconductor drum or a photoconductor belt, and ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array and directly onto the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used.

The start of the print operation is started by the instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding to the plurality of paper feed stages.

The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, a touch panel sheet is attached on the LCD, displays the operation screen of the system, and when the displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F307. Is transmitted to the CPU 301 via.

Further, the operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. In the center of the start key, there is a two-color LED of green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key is ready for use.

Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation during operation. Further, the ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used to initialize the settings from the operation unit.

The card reader 319 reads the information stored in the IC card (for example, FeliCa (registered trademark) of Sony Corporation) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. Notify the CPU 301.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the functional configuration of various devices according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The details of each function will be described together with reference to the flowchart described later.

The administrator PC 102 and the client PC 104 include a Web browser 400 and a mail receiving unit 402.

The Web browser 400 is a browser used for using the World Wide Web (WWW), displays a screen generated by the MFP 106, supports uploading print data to the cloud print service 108, and the like.

The mail receiving unit 402 receives the mail transmitted from the MFP 106 or an external system.

The MFP 106 includes an HTTPS communication unit 404, a setting information management unit 406, a display control unit 408, a Web control unit 410, and a mail transmission unit 412.

The HTTPS communication unit 404 sends a request to another device such as the cloud print service 108 in order to request a desired process, and receives the process result and print data (job) for the request.

The setting information management unit 406 manages information related to the print settings of the cloud print service 108 according to the user's authority (role), and the display control unit 408 gives an operation instruction to the operation unit 308 of the MFP. Or display the screen for displaying the result of the operation instruction.

The Web control unit 410 generates a screen for the user to give an operation instruction to the operation unit 308, and the mail transmission unit 412 transmits a mail to another device such as the client PC 104.

Next, the process executed by the printing system 100 using the cloud print service 108 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 8.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of registering information about the MFP 106 from the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 to the cloud print service 108.

In step S501, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 displays a registration screen (not shown) generated by the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106.

The registration screen (not shown) includes a registration button, and when the registration button is pressed, the MFP 106 sends a registration request for information (for example, a printer name) regarding the MFP 106 to the cloud print service 108.

In step S502, when the registration button on the registration screen (not shown) is pressed, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 transmits a request related to the registration request to the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106.

In step S503, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 acquires a list of role information and a list of print setting information restricted by the role from the authentication destination (see FIG. 16).

The authentication destination indicates an authentication server (not shown) capable of communicating with the MFP 106, but may be various information provided in the MFP 106 itself (hereinafter, the same applies) instead of the authentication server (not shown).

The second row from the top of FIG. 16 shows a user information table for storing user information, and the user information table includes a user ID for uniquely identifying a user, a user role, and a user. It is configured to include the e-mail address of.

At the bottom of FIG. 16, a role information list table that stores the role registered in the authentication destination and the print setting information associated with the role is shown, and the role information list table is for the user's role and the role. Available print settings (color settings for color printing, monochrome printing, or both, color settings for printing, number of copies available for printing, paper size and layout that can be used, single-sided, double-sided, or both printing methods. It has double-sided settings, etc.).

In this step, the print setting function of the printer object to be registered is determined based on the print setting information acquired from the role information list table.

In step S504, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 creates print setting information of the printer object to be registered based on the print setting information stored in the role information list table acquired in step S503 (see FIG. 17).

FIG. 17 shows print setting information (Capacity information) to be transmitted as a request when registering to the cloud print service 108, and a printer object having a print setting function specified here is on the cloud print service 108. Will be registered in.

After that, from step S505 to step S512, the processing is sequentially performed for each roll.

In step S505, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 generates a / register request to be transmitted to the cloud print service 108 based on the print setting information created in step S504.

In step S506, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 transmits a / register request to the cloud print service 108.

In step S507, the cloud print service 108 receives the / register request.

In step S508, the cloud print service 108 creates a printer object in response to the / register request.

In step S509, the cloud print service 108 issues printer information such as a printer ID and an access token of the printer object generated in step S508, and transmits the printer information to the MFP 106.

In step S510, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 receives the printer information.

In step S511, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 associates the role currently being processed with the printer information and stores it in the setting information table (FIG. 16).

The upper part of FIG. 16 shows a setting information table for storing printer information related to a printer object corresponding to a role registered in the authentication destination, and the setting information table includes a role, a printer object name, a printer ID, and a printer ID. It has a shared link.

In step S512, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 determines whether the printer information is set for all the roles acquired in step S503 (that is, whether the printer object associated with all the roles is registered on the cloud print service 108). judge.

If it is determined that all are set, the process proceeds to step S513, and if it is determined that all are not set, the process proceeds to step S505.

In step S513, the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106 generates a registration completion screen (not shown).

In step S514, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 displays a registration completion screen (not shown).

The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of sharing settings performed by the administrator when sharing a printer object using a shared link.

In step S601, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 logs in to the cloud print service 108 and displays the printer list screen (not shown) provided by the cloud print service 108.

In step S602, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 selects a printer object from the printer list screen (not shown) and presses the share button in order to issue a shared link for the printer object.

Since the setting method of the shared setting differs depending on the cloud print service, an example of processing is shown here.

In step S603, the cloud print service 108 issues a shared link for the selected printer object (issues corresponding to the printer object name or printer ID).

In step S604, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 acquires the issued shared link and displays it on the Web browser.

In step S605, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 accesses the shared setting screen 900 (see FIG. 9) generated by the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106.

9 and 10 show a shared setting screen 900 for setting a shared link, and the shared setting screen 900 is a message display area 902 for displaying a message indicating a setting status, a result of setting processing, and the like. It is configured to include an input area 904 for inputting a shared link of each printer object, and a setting button 906 pressed when the shared link displayed in the input area 904 is confirmed.

In step S606, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 registers the shared link corresponding to the printer object from the shared setting screen 900 generated by the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106.

In step S607, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 stores the shared link set in step S606 in the setting information table (corresponding to the printer object name or the printer ID).

In step S608, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 determines whether or not all the shared links of the registered printer objects have been set, and if it is determined that all the shared links have been set for all the printer objects, the setting information management unit 406 determines. , The process proceeds to step S609, and if it is determined that the process is not set, the process proceeds to step S611.

In step S609, the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106 sets a sharing completion message on the sharing setting screen 900.

In step S610, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 displays the sharing setting screen 900 (FIG. 10) in which the sharing completion message is set.

In step S611, the Web control unit 410 of the MFP 106 sets the sharing incomplete message on the sharing setting screen 900.

In step S612, the Web browser 400 of the administrator PC 102 displays the sharing setting screen 900 (FIG. 9) in which the sharing incomplete message is set, and from step S602 until the sharing link is set for all the printer objects. Repeat the process of sharing settings.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the usage setting of the cloud print service 108 by the user when the printer object is shared by the shared link.

After the user has logged in to the MFP 106, in step S701, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 determines whether or not the cloud print service use button 1002 on the usage start screen 1000 (FIG. 11) is pressed, and determines whether or not the cloud print service use button 1002 is pressed. If it is determined that the print service use button 1002 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S702.

FIG. 11 shows a usage start screen 1000 for the user to set the usage, and the usage start screen 1000 is a cloud print pressed when starting the usage setting of the cloud print service 108 for the logged-in user. It is equipped with a service use button 1002.

In step S702, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the role and e-mail address of the logged-in user from the user information table.

In step S703, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the shared link of the printer object corresponding to the role acquired in step S702 from the setting information table.

In step S704, the mail transmission unit 412 of the MFP 106 creates a shared link notification mail for notifying the shared link acquired in step S703.

In step S705, the mail transmission unit 412 of the MFP 106 sends a shared link notification mail to the mail address acquired in step S702.

In step S706, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 generates and displays the usage setting completion screen 1100 (see FIG. 12).

FIG. 12 shows a usage setting completion screen 1100 for notifying that the usage setting is completed when using the shared link, and after the usage setting is completed, the shared link is notified to the email of the logged-in user. A message to that effect is displayed.

In step S707, the mail receiving unit 402 of the client PC 104 receives the shared link notification mail.

In step S708, the Web browser 400 of the client PC 104 receives and accesses the click operation of the shared link from the shared link notification mail.

In step S709, the Web browser 400 of the client PC 104 displays the login screen of the cloud print service 108. If the accessing user has not registered an account, the process proceeds to step S710, and if the user has already registered, the process proceeds to step S711.

In step S710, the Web browser 400 of the client PC 104 accepts a new registration of the account of the cloud print service 108.

In step S711, the Web browser 400 of the client PC 104 inputs the account information, logs in, accesses the cloud print service 108, and displays the printer object corresponding to the click-operated shared link.

Then, the user submits a job by uploading print data to the displayed printer object.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the usage setting of the cloud print service 108 by the user when the printer object is shared by the invitation of the user.

In step S801, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 determines whether or not the cloud print service use button 1002 on the usage start screen 1000 is pressed, and if it is determined that the cloud print service use button 1002 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. Proceed with processing.

In step S802, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 displays the account information input screen 1200 (see FIG. 13).

FIG. 13 shows an account information input screen 1200 for inputting account information necessary for the user to make usage settings at the time of user invitation.

The account information input screen 1200 is pressed when confirming the input content display area 1202 for inputting the account information, the keyboard 1204 indicating the keyboard prepared on the touch panel for inputting the account information, and the input account information. It is configured to include an OK button 1206.

A printer object sharing request is transmitted to the account information input from the account information input screen 1200.

However, in the subsequent processing, if an account not registered in the cloud print service 108 is specified when requesting sharing, the cloud print service 108 will not be able to accept the request, so the account of the cloud print service 108 is registered in advance. And prepare it.

Here, the account information of the cloud print service 108 does not have to be notified by the input of the user. For example, it may be acquired from an authentication server (not shown) that manages account information.

In step S803, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 determines whether or not the OK button 1206 of the account information input screen 1200 is pressed, and if it is determined that the OK button 1206 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the role of the logged-in user from the user information table.

In step S805, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the printer ID of the printer object corresponding to the role of the logged-in user acquired in step S804 from the setting information table.

In step S806, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 generates a / share request requesting the account entered on the account information input screen 1200 to share the printer object specified by the printer ID.

In step S807, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 transmits a / share request to the cloud print service 108.

In step S808, the cloud print service 108 receives the / share request from the MFP 106.

In step S809, the cloud print service 108 sets the sharing setting of the account included in the request to the printer object.

In step S810, the cloud print service 108 returns the processing result of the shared setting to the MFP 106.

In step S811, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 receives the processing result from the cloud print service 108.

In step S812, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 analyzes the processing result returned in step S811, determines whether or not the sharing setting is successful, and if it is determined that the sharing setting is successful, proceeds to step S813. If it is determined that the process has failed, the process proceeds to step S815.

When sharing is set in the cloud print service 108, an email notifying that the sharing notification has been made from the cloud print service 108 is automatically sent to the account.

In step S813, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 generates the usage setting completion screen 1300 (see FIG. 14).

In step S814, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 displays the usage setting completion screen 1300.

FIG. 14 shows a usage setting completion screen 1300 for notifying that the usage setting at the time of user invitation is completed, and is displayed when the sharing process of the account input on the usage setting completion screen 1300 is successful. ..

In step S815, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 analyzes the error content from the processing result returned in step S811.

In step S816, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 sets an error message based on the error analyzed in step S815, and generates a usage setting error screen 1400 (see FIG. 15).

In step S817, the display control unit 408 of the MFP 106 displays the usage setting error screen 1400 (see FIG. 15).

FIG. 15 shows a usage setting error screen 1400 for notifying that the usage setting by user invitation has failed.

The usage setting error screen 1400 displays an error message display area 1402 that analyzes the response returned after sending the / share request and displays an appropriate error message, an input content display area 1404 for inputting account information, and account information. It is configured to include a keyboard 1406 indicating a keyboard prepared on the touch panel for input, and an OK button 1408 to be pressed when confirming the input account information.
[Modification example]

In the modification to the embodiment, as the output method of the printed matter in the MFP, the so-called reserved printing output method in which only the authenticated user makes a print request for the print data temporarily stored on the server is adopted. An example will be described.

Since the modification has the same configuration and processing as that of the embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the description, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the user holds the IC card in which the information related to the user is recorded to the card reader 319 of the MFP 106, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 has the user ID specified from the IC card in the user information table. It is determined whether or not it exists in, and if it is determined that it exists, login is performed.

Then, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the role of the user from the user information table, and acquires the printer ID corresponding to the role of the setting information table corresponding to the acquired role.

The HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 makes an inquiry to the cloud print service 108 for the job of the corresponding printer object by using the printer ID.

Then, the HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 receives the information of the job input to the printer object, and the Web control unit 410 generates and displays a list screen (not shown) for displaying the job information in a list. The control unit 408 displays this list screen (not shown).

The user selects a job displayed on the list screen (not shown) and gives a print instruction to output the job.

As another embodiment, the account of the cloud print service 108 and the user ID managed by the MFP 106 are stored in association with each other. For example, the account is stored in the user information table corresponding to the user ID.

Then, the setting information management unit 406 of the MFP 106 acquires the role and account of the logged-in user from the user information table, and acquires the printer ID corresponding to the role of the setting information table corresponding to the acquired role.

The HTTPS communication unit 404 of the MFP 106 makes an inquiry to the cloud print service 108 for the job including the account among the jobs of the corresponding printer object by using the printer ID and the account.

By taking such an aspect, only the jobs of the logged-in user are displayed on the list screen (not shown).

As described above, according to the present invention, by registering the printable setting for the image forming apparatus according to the user's authority in the cloud print service, it is possible to print with an appropriate print setting.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, a method, a program, a recording medium, or the like. Specifically, it may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to a device composed of one device.

Further, the program in the present invention is a program in which a computer can execute the processing method of each flowchart, and the storage medium of the present invention stores a program in which the computer can execute the processing method of each flowchart. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each device in each flowchart.

As described above, a recording medium recording a program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device stores the program in the recording medium. Needless to say, the object of the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing.

In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium on which the program is recorded constitutes the present invention.

Recording media for supplying programs include, for example, flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, EEPROMs, and silicon. A disc or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the function of the above-described embodiment is realized, but also the OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer is actually realized based on the instruction of the program. Needless to say, there are cases where a part or all of the processing is performed and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that there are cases where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or a device composed of one device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied when it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading the recording medium containing the program for achieving the present invention into the system or device, the system or device can enjoy the effect of the present invention.

Further, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, or the like on the network by a communication program, the system or device can enjoy the effect of the present invention. It should be noted that the present invention also includes all the configurations in which each of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are combined.

100 Printing system 102 Administrator PC
104 Client PC
106 MFP
108 Cloud Print Service 110 LAN

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a system that manages registration information of the image forming apparatus including print settings corresponding to print authority.
A reception means that accepts user information about users,
A storage means for storing access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user .
The storage of the notification regarding the access information to the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information by the reception means to the user who has received the user information by the reception means. Notification means performed based on the notification destination information corresponding to the user stored in the means, and
An image forming apparatus characterized by being equipped with. Account information receiving means for accepting account information of the system and
A usage instruction means for instructing the account information received by the account information receiving means to use the registration information managed by the system, and a usage instruction means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. 2. The usage instruction means is characterized in that it instructs the account information to use the print setting of the registration information according to the print authority of the user who has received the user information by the reception means. The image forming apparatus according to. Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the system is provided with a requesting means for requesting a job submitted by designating the registration information according to the printing authority of the user who has received the user information by the receiving means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming system in which a client terminal, a system, and an image forming apparatus can communicate with each other.
The system is
A management means for managing registration information of an image forming apparatus including print settings corresponding to print authority.
Equipped with
The image forming apparatus is
A reception means that accepts user information about users,
A storage means for storing access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user .
At the client terminal operated by the user who has received the user information by the reception means, the notification regarding the access information to the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information by the reception means is operated. A notification means that is performed based on the notification destination information corresponding to the user stored in the storage means so that the information can be received.
An image forming system characterized by being equipped with. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a system that manages registration information of an image forming apparatus including print settings corresponding to print authority.
The image forming apparatus is
A reception step that accepts user information about the user,
Based on the access information and the notification destination information acquired from the storage means that stores the access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and the notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user. The reception step notifies the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information in the reception step regarding the access information for accessing the registration information in response to the print authority. The notification step to be performed to the user who received the user information by
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises executing. It is a control method of an image forming system in which a client terminal, a system, and an image forming apparatus can communicate with each other.
The system is
A management step that manages registration information for image forming devices, including print settings that correspond to print permissions.
And run
The image forming apparatus is
A reception step that accepts user information about the user,
Based on the access information and the notification destination information acquired from the storage means that stores the access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and the notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user. The reception step notifies the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information in the reception step regarding the access information for accessing the registration information in response to the print authority. A notification step to enable the client terminal operated by the user who has received the user information to receive the user information.
A method of controlling an image forming system characterized by performing. A computer of the image forming apparatus that can communicate with the system that manages the registration information of the image forming apparatus including the print settings corresponding to the print authority.
A reception means that accepts user information about users,
Based on the access information and the notification destination information acquired from the storage means that stores the access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority and the notification destination information regarding the notification destination corresponding to the user. The reception means notifies the registration information managed by the system corresponding to the print authority of the user who has received the user information by the reception means regarding the access information for accessing the registration information corresponding to the print authority. Notification means to the user who received the user information by
A program to make it work.

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