JP4564766B2 - Printing environment shared service providing apparatus, printing environment shared service providing method, printing environment shared service providing program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing environment sharing service providing apparatus, a printing environment sharing service providing method, a printing environment sharing service providing program, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, as the processing speed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) has been improved, the range of use of notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) mainly composed of CPUs has been widely expanded. Furthermore, printers that print documents created on PCs have become widespread with the expansion of PCs.

  In general, in an office, a PC and a printer are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and the PC has a printer driver for the printer that is necessary when using the printer connected to the PC via the LAN. Installed.

  For example, when a user of the PC participates in a meeting held in an environment different from the office, for example, in another department or another office, the user brings his / her PC to the meeting room, I was printing a document with a printer near the room.

  Also, a document created by the user using his / her PC is stored in a recording medium such as FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk), the recording medium is brought to the conference room, and other documents in the vicinity of the conference room A method of printing a document by using a user's PC is also conceivable.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a system related to a print service using a network has also become widespread (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a server obtains user information and information on a location to be printed from a terminal, searches for a printer close to the location information, returns a candidate to the terminal, and the user uses the terminal to identify the printer candidates. A system is described in which one is selected and sent to a server, and the server sends the sent print data to a selected printer.
JP 2003-15848 A

  However, in the above-described method of bringing the user's own PC to the place where the conference is held, there is annoyance to bring a heavy PC, and there is anxiety about the battery duration.

  There is also a problem that various settings must be made to connect the PC brought by the user to the LAN and / or the printer itself near the place where the conference is held.

  There is also a problem that a printer driver of the printer that is necessary when using the printer must be installed.

  Since it is not possible to construct a printing environment that can be used on the spot without going through such various complicated work processes, printing cannot be easily performed.

  Further, in the above method of bringing a recording medium, in the case of a document created by a user using a specific application on his / her PC, the application is not necessarily installed on another user's PC to be used. There was a possibility that the document could not be printed.

  Further, according to Patent Document 1, when the system is expanded, the number of printers to be managed increases, which affects the search speed, changes in the printer location such as layout changes and store transfers, and new printers. With the installation of the server, it is necessary to change or add data in the server (for example, information on the printer address, printer name, and printer driver), which is a problem that is practically difficult to implement.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, there is a one-to-one connection from the server to each printer, and there are as many communication paths as there are, and in order to protect the security of the communication path, it is necessary to deal with each communication path individually. There was also a problem in terms of security.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to quickly print a designated document.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention transfers information for printing from a print management apparatus that receives a request for printing from a user terminal and provides user response data to the user terminal to the printing apparatus. A printing environment shared service providing apparatus among a plurality of printing environment shared service providing apparatuses that provides a shared environment of the printing apparatus, the other printing environment shared service providing apparatus and the printing environment shared service providing apparatus When the printing environment sharing service providing unit each has a search unit for searching for a print location, and when a print reservation request is acquired from the print management apparatus , the print location identification information searched by the search unit, the print location from the identification information of the printing device, the printing conditions and the location of the print environment shared service providing means the print management device to specify in Reservation information including the routing information to the serial printing location, and a transfer means for transferring the document to print environment shared service providing means other printing environments shared service providing apparatus, a print reservation control means for storing the reservation information, wherein acquiring the list obtaining request reservation from the print managing apparatus, the reservation information read sent to the print management apparatus, based on the path information from the print management device to the printing place to obtain the print start request, the And a print start control unit that causes the printing apparatus to execute printing.

In addition, the present invention transfers information for printing from a printing management apparatus that receives a request for printing from a user terminal and provides user response data to the user terminal, and a shared environment for the printing apparatus. A printing environment shared service providing method of any one of a plurality of printing environment shared service providing devices, wherein each of the plurality of printing environment shared service providing devices includes: A step in which the search means searches for the print location; and when the transfer means obtains a request for print reservation from the print management apparatus , the identification information of the print location searched by the search means is in the print location. identification information of the printing device, the printing condition and the printing field from the location of the print environment shared service providing means the print management device to specify Reservation information including the routing information to, and the step of transferring the document to print environment shared service providing means other printing environments shared service providing device,
The print reservation control means stores the reservation information, and when the print start control unit acquires a reservation list acquisition request from the print management device , the read reservation information is sent to the print management device , based on the route information from the print control apparatus to the printing place to obtain the print start request, and having the steps of: executing a printing on the printing device.

  Further, as a means for solving the above problems, a printing environment sharing service providing program and a recording medium may be used.

  According to the present invention, a designated document can be printed quickly.

  According to the present invention, a designated document can be printed quickly.

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

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram (part 1) for implementing the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a Web server 1, a repository server 2, an SPS server 3, a print server 4, a printer 6, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 7.

  In FIG. 1, the repository service 12 is implemented in the repository server 2, the print environment sharing service 13 is implemented in the SPS server 3, and the document print service 14 is implemented in the print server 4. .

  Each service can exchange a message based on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) as a Web service and use each function.

  The Web server 1, repository server 2, SPS server 3, print server 4, printer 6, and PDA 7 are connected via a network and / or the Internet.

  Assuming that the system configuration in FIG. 1 represents an in-house organization configuration, for example, R-0 represents the top of the company, and A office with a well-organized printing environment underneath, B This means that there is a business office. However, for the sake of simplification of description, the SPS server 3 (or the printing environment shared service 13) is referred to as A-1, B-1, etc. unless otherwise specified. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a printing environment arranged under B-1-2 is prepared. Further, although not shown for simplification of explanation, for example, when the print server 4 or the printer 6 in which the document print service 14 is installed exists under A-1-1-1, the A-1 It is assumed that a printing environment is maintained even under 1-1.

  First, the user inputs a user name, a password, and the like using the PDA 7, logs in to the Web server 1, uses a service provided by the printing environment sharing service 13, and prints (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B -1-2)), a printer to be printed (for example, printer 6 (P-1-2)), a printing condition (for example, A4, color), a document to be reserved for printing, and the like are designated, and a printing reservation is requested. Here, when the user selects the print location, the user does not directly select the SPS server 3 or the print environment shared service 13, but is easy to understand for the user associated with the SPS server 3 or the print environment shared service 13, for example Alternatively, a city name, business office name, department name, etc. may be selected. The same applies to the following.

  As will be described later, when the user designates a printing location, the printing environment sharing service 13 communicates with the printing location designated by the user (for example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)). Information (hereinafter referred to as route information) is acquired.

  For example, the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) responds to a search request from the Web server 1 by (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R-0) → (B− 1) → (B-1-2) and the like, the route information from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) which is the printing location designated by the user. Is obtained and provided to the Web server 1.

  The route information can be acquired by using a service list 71 described later.

  When the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) receives a print reservation request from the user via the Web server 1, the document ID included in the print reservation request, a document ticket permitting use of the document, or the like The document data stored in the repository server 2 via the repository service 12 is transmitted to the repository service 12 implemented in the repository server 2 by using the request for obtaining the document specified by the document ID. To get.

  The print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), based on the route information included in the print reservation request, identifies the route information and identification information for specifying the print location (for example, the print environment shared service 13 (B -1-2) URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)), identification information (for example, printer name and / or printer ID) for specifying the printer to be printed, reservation information including the printing conditions, and the acquired document data. , And transfer to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1).

  When the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) receives the reservation information or the document data from the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), the reservation is made based on the route information included in the reservation information. The information and the document data are transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0).

  When the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) receives the reservation information and the document data from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), based on the route information included in the reservation information, The document data is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1).

  Similarly, when the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the reservation information or the document data from the printing environment sharing service (R-0), the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1), based on the path information included in the reservation information, The reservation information and the document data are transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2).

  The printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has acquired the transferred reservation information and the document data stores the reservation information and the document data in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2). .

  On the other hand, for example, the user goes to a printing place and requests the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) via the Web server 1 to start printing the document for which the printing reservation has been made. The print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print start request receives the print start request based on the route information to the print environment sharing service 13 at the print location included in the print start request. Is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1).

  When receiving the print start request from the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) starts the print based on the route information included in the print start request. The request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0).

  When the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) receives the printing start request from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) issues the printing start request based on the route information included in the printing start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1).

  Similarly, when the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) receives the printing start request from the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) performs the printing based on the route information included in the printing start request. A start request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2).

  The print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the print start request transmits the stored reservation information and document data to the document print service 14 (PS-1), and is included in the reservation information. Requests printing of the document data under printing conditions.

  Upon receiving the document data print request, the document print service 14 (PS-1) converts the document data into print data that can be printed by the printer 6 (P-1-2), and the printer included in the reservation information. 6 (P-1-2) is requested to print the print data under the printing conditions.

  The printer 6 (P-1-2) that has received the print data print request performs printing based on the print request from the document print service 14 (PS-1).

  As described above, by making a print reservation, transferring reservation information and document data between the printing environment sharing services 13, and printing the document based on the print request, the user can, for example, have a different department or a different business. Therefore, it is possible to use a well-organized printing environment that is allowed to be shared, so that it is possible to quickly print a document in a different printing environment without the trouble of constructing a new printing environment.

  Further, in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 1, for example, if security is managed independently in the A office and the B office, the printer 6 in the B office is used from the A office. However, if a firewall or the like is provided between the A office and the B office, security can be ensured compared to a conventional system in which a plurality of printers are connected to one server via a network. This is because in the conventional system, a communication path for each server is created for each printer, and it is necessary to ensure security for each communication path.

  Note that by using a service list 71 described later, each printing environment shared service 13 can construct a system having a tree structure as shown in FIG.

  Further, a service list 71 to be described later may be stored in the SPS server 3 on which each printing environment shared service 13 is mounted, or may be stored for each printing environment sharing service 13 together in other devices. It is good also as a structure which does.

  In the following description, for simplification of description, the service list 71 is described as being stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment shared service 13 is mounted.

  The user terminal used by the user is not limited to the PDA 7 and may be another mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.

  Hereinafter, a software configuration diagram of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the SPS server 3 includes an OS (Operating System) 21 and an application 29.

  The OS 21 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark) or Windows (registered trademark). For example, each software of the application 29 is executed in parallel as a process.

  The application 29 includes a printing environment sharing application 24 that is a printing reservation and / or printing application. The printing environment sharing service 13 shown in FIG. 1 is included in the printing environment sharing application 24.

  In FIG. 1, the SPS server 3 has been described as having only the print environment sharing service 13 included in the print environment sharing application 24. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the application 29 is an application for a printer. The printer application 26 and the document management application 27 that is a document management application may be included.

  The document print service 14 shown in FIG. 1 is included in the printer application 26. The repository service 12 shown in FIG. 1 is included in the document management application 27.

  However, in the first embodiment, for simplification of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the document print service 14 is mounted on the print server 4 and the repository service 12 is mounted on the repository server 2. I do. Note that this does not limit the implementation of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  The hardware configuration of the SPS server 3 shown in FIG. 3 includes an input device 31, a display device 32, a drive device 33, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 35, a RAM ( Random Access Memory (CPU) 36, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 37, interface device 38, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 39 are included.

  The input device 31 includes a keyboard and a mouse operated by the user of the SPS server 3 and is used to input various operation signals to the SPS server 3.

  The display device 32 includes a display used by the user of the SPS server 3 and displays various types of information.

  The interface device 38 is an interface that connects the SPS server 3 to the network.

  An application program corresponding to the printing environment sharing application 24 included in the application 29 of FIG. 2 and a main program for controlling the entire processing of the SPS server 3 are stored in the SPS server 3 by a recording medium 34 such as a CD-ROM, for example. Provided or downloaded over the network. The recording medium 34 is set in the drive device 33, and the application program, the main program, and the like are installed from the recording medium 34 to the HDD 39 via the drive device 33.

  The ROM 35 stores data and the like. The RAM 36 reads out and stores the application program, the main program, and the like from the HDD 39 when the SPS server 3 is activated. The CPU 37 executes processing in accordance with the application program and the main program read and stored in the RAM 36.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary functional configuration of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the SPS server.

  4, the SPS server 3 includes an HTTP processing unit 63 that performs communication control according to HTTP, an HDD 39 that stores a service list 71 and a printer list 72 described later, and the printing environment sharing application 24.

  An XML processing unit 61 that processes messages described in XML (extensible Markup Language) and a SOAP processing unit 62 that exchanges messages in accordance with SOAP are other than the printing environment sharing application 24 and the printing environment sharing application 24. Shared with the app.

  The printing environment sharing service 13 included in the printing environment sharing application 24 includes a service list acquisition unit 41, a printer list acquisition unit 42, a document acquisition unit 43, a data transfer unit 44, a printer capability information acquisition unit 45, a service, A list management unit 46, a printer list management unit 47, a print reservation control unit 48, and a print start control unit 49 are provided.

  The service list acquisition unit 41 sends a service list 71 (described later) stored in another SPS server 3 to the other SPS server 3 via the print environment sharing service 13 installed in the other SPS server 3. Or a service list 71 (to be described later) stored in the SPS server 3 on which the printing environment sharing service 13 is mounted.

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 uses a printer list 72 (described later) stored in another SPS server 3 or the print server 4 as a print environment sharing service 13 and / or print server 4 installed in the other SPS server 3. Or from the other SPS server 3 or the print server 4 or via the document print service 14 installed in the SPS server 3 in which the print environment sharing service 13 is installed.

  The document acquisition unit 43 acquires the document data of the designated document from the repository server 2 or the like via the repository service 12 based on a request from the Web server 1 or the like shown in FIG.

  The data transfer unit 44 includes route information of the print location to the print environment sharing service 13, identification information for specifying the print location, identification information for specifying the printer that performs printing, reservation information such as print conditions, and / or the document acquisition unit 43. The document data and the like acquired in step 1 are transferred to another printing environment sharing service 13.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 stores, for example, printer capability information stored in the print server 4 such as whether printing in color or double-sided printing is possible. 13 and / or the document print service 14 installed in the print server 4.

  The service list management unit 46 refers to the service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 and stores the data of the SPS server 3 that can be referred to by the SPS server 3, for example, the service list acquisition unit 41, the print list It notifies the acquisition unit 42, the data transfer unit 44, the printer capability information acquisition unit 45, etc., and adds data to the service list 71 or deletes data from the service list 71 based on the request.

  The printer list management unit 47 refers to the printer list 72 stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3, and obtains data of the print server 4 and / or the printer 6 that can be referred to by the SPS server 3, for example, printer list acquisition The data is notified to the unit 42, data is added to the printer list 72, and data is deleted from the printer list 72 based on the request.

  The print reservation control unit 48 performs control related to a print reservation request. For example, a print reservation request is received from the Web server 1 or the like connected to the SPS server 3 via the Internet and / or network, and the document acquisition unit 43 is requested to acquire document data, or the document acquisition unit 43 The data transfer unit 44 is requested to transmit the document data acquired by the printer and reservation information included in the print reservation request to the other print environment sharing service 13.

  The print start request control unit 44 performs control related to a print start request. For example, a print start request is received from the Web server 1 connected to the SPS server 3 via the Internet and / or the network and / or another print environment sharing service 13 and the like, and is included in the print start request. Based on the path information, the print start request is transmitted to other print environment sharing service 13 and document print service 14.

  Hereinafter, an example of the search for the print location will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram (part 1) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the Web server 1 makes a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to a print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. -1) transmits a request for acquiring the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) including information related to the location of the other printing environment shared service that can be referred to (sequence S1 in FIG. 6). ). At this time, the acquisition request for the service list 71 includes route information to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) from the Web server 1 is the SPS server 3 The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of (A-1-1) is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S2 in FIG. 6). At this time, along with the service list 71, route information to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) is also transmitted to the Web server 1.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 5A based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) and provides it to the user.

  In FIG. 5A, another print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) is displayed.

  For simplification of description, in FIG. 5, the print environment sharing service 13 that can be referred to is simply described as A-1-1-1, A-1-1-2, A-1, or the like. This may be, for example, a department name or an office name. The same applies to the following drawings.

  For example, when the user selects “A-1” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). -1) request for obtaining the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S3 in FIG. 6). Here, when the user selects “A-1”, the Web server 1 reads the print environment shared service 13 (A−) from the service list 71 of the acquired print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). 1) is an upper level connection of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1), and the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1). Since information (for example, access information described later) is obtained, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) is added to the route information from the Web server 1 to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) using the information as route information. To the print environment shared service 13 (A-1), and the route information is included in the service list 71 acquisition request. Similarly, in the following, the Web server 1 and / or the printing environment sharing service 13 can acquire the route information to the printing location selected by the user, for example, by acquiring the service list 71.

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S4 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1), and The route information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the route information (sequence S5 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) and the route information to the Web server 1 (FIG. 6 sequence S6.).

  In this way, the print environment shared service 13 adds the route information every time the user selects a print location, includes the route information in the acquisition request for the service list 71, and passes the route information to the print environment shared service 13. The acquisition request for the service list 71 can be transferred to another printing environment shared service 13 according to the route information. Further, the printing environment sharing service 13 can transfer the acquired service list 71 to the other printing environment sharing service 13 of the request source according to the route information. In addition, although description is abbreviate | omitted below for the simplification of description, route information is contained in the acquisition request of the service list 71 and the response to the acquisition request, and the service list 71 and the like are acquired using the route information. It shall be.

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 5B based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1) and provides it to the user.

  In FIG. 5B, the printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) is displayed.

  For example, when the user selects “R-0” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (R-R) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). -0) request for obtaining the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S7 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence of FIG. 6). S8.).

  Upon receiving the acquisition request, the service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S9 in FIG. 6). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0), and the printing environment sharing service 13. (A-1) (sequence S10 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S11 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the Web server 1 (sequence S12 in FIG. 6). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 5C based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (B-B) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S13 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence of FIG. 6). S14.).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S15 in FIG. 6). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S16 in FIG. 6). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (B-1), and print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S17 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (FIG. 6 sequence S18).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S19 in FIG. 6).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) to the Web server 1 (sequence S20 in FIG. 6). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 5D based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1-2” and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 5E and provides it to the user. .

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 5E, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by acquiring the service list 71, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can search for a print location. it can.

  Further, by performing the processing illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can acquire route information to the print location. .

  In the process shown in FIGS. 5 and / or 6, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 performs (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R− 0) → (B-1) → (B-1-2) and so on, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-) which is the printing location selected by the user from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). The route information up to 2) can be acquired.

  For example, when the user taps a “print reservation” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 5E, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. Provide to users.

  For example, as described later, the user does not set a printer or printing conditions, but only sets a printing location, and taps a “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 5G to make a print reservation. be able to. In such a case, after the print reservation, for example, the user goes to the actual printing place, and then checks the usage status and performance of a nearby printer, sets the printer and printing conditions described later, and performs printing. .

  In this case, in the print reservation request shown in FIG. 27 described later, the document ID of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target, the document ticket permitting use of the document, and the print location are specified. Identification information and route information to the printing location are included.

  Although not shown, the user can designate only a document to be printed and can make a print reservation without setting a printing location. In such a case, after a print reservation is made, for example, after the meeting location is determined, the user sets a print location, a printer and a printing condition described later, and performs printing.

  In this case, the print reservation request shown in FIG. 27, which will be described later, includes the document ID of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target and the document ticket that permits the use of the document.

  Hereinafter, an example of the service list 71 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the service list.

  The service list 71 includes URIs of other print environment shared services 13 that can be referred to by the corresponding print environment shared service 13.

  For example, the service list 71 shown in FIG. 7 has a higher rank than the print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 in which the service list 71 is stored. The URI of the printing environment sharing service 13 and the URI of the lower printing environment sharing service 13 are included.

  However, in order to simplify the description, FIG. 7 includes, for example, A-1 or A-1-1-1, which is a department name or business name, instead of the URI. .

  Although not shown in FIG. 7, the service list 71 includes other print environment shared services that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 in which the service list 71 is stored. In addition to 13 URIs, the name of the place where the other printing environment sharing service 13 exists, latitude, longitude, altitude, address, and the like are included.

  Hereinafter, another example of the search for the print location will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram (part 2) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the Web server 1 makes a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to a print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S30 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) from the Web server 1 is the SPS server 3 The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of (A-1-1) is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S31 in FIG. 9).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 8A based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) and provides it to the user.

  Here, in the printing location selection screen in FIG. 8A, the option “topmost” is increased by one compared to the printing location selection screen in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the Web server 1 includes a print environment positioned at the top in addition to the other print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). The shared service 13 also creates a screen in addition to one of the options.

  For example, when the user selects “top” and taps the “next” button, the Web server 1 provides the top printing environment sharing service 13 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). The acquisition request for the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S32 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request refers to the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and performs the printing. The acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1), which is a higher rank of the environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S33 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request refers to the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1), and the printing environment sharing service 13 The acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0), which is a higher rank of (A-1) (sequence S34 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request refers to the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0), and the printing environment sharing service 13. If it is confirmed that there is no higher rank (R-0), the service list 71 is acquired and transmitted to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence S35 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S36 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (R-0) to the Web server 1 (sequence S37 in FIG. 9). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 8B based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) and provides it to the user.

  In FIG. 8B, the printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) is displayed.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 sends the print environment shared service 13 (B-B) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). -1), an acquisition request for the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S38 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) (sequence of FIG. 9). S39.).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S40 in FIG. 9). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (sequence S41 in FIG. 9). ).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (B-1), and print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S42 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (FIG. 9 sequence S43).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). (Sequence S44 in FIG. 9).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1) to the Web server 1 (sequence S45 in FIG. 9). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 8C based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “B-1-2” and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8D and provides it to the user. .

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen of FIG. 8D, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  As shown in FIG. 8 and / or FIG. 9, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can also search for a printing location in order from the highest printing environment sharing service 13. .

  8 and / or 9, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can acquire route information to the print location.

  For example, in the processing shown in FIG. 8 and / or FIG. 9, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 are (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R− 0) → (B-1) → (B-1-2) and so on, the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-) which is the printing location selected by the user from the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1). The route information up to 2) can be acquired.

  Hereinafter, another example of the system configuration for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram (part 2) for implementing the present invention.

  The system configuration of FIG. 10 is a parallel system configuration as compared to the system configuration of FIG.

  In the service list 71, as a URI of the other print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 in which the service list 71 is stored, a URI that is not related to each other is used. By including, a system as shown in FIG. 10 can be constructed. Note that there is no vertical relationship, for example, in the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1, a relationship such as A-1-1 and A-1-2 or in the system configuration diagram of FIG. The relationship is B-1, C-1, D-1, and E-1.

  Hereinafter, an example of the search for the print location in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram (part 3) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service list of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1).

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 10, the Web server 1 sends a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) based on a request from the user. An acquisition request for the service list 71 is transmitted (sequence S50 in FIG. 12).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1) from the Web server 1 receives the SPS server 3 (A-1). The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S51 in FIG. 12).

  The Web server 1 creates a printing location selection screen as shown in FIG. 11A based on the received service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) as shown in FIG. To provide.

  In FIG. 11A, the printing environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) includes a printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1), which is a lower printing environment sharing service 13, and a printing environment sharing service 13. Along with (A-1-2), the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1), the printing environment sharing service 13 (C-1), and the printing environment sharing service 13 (D-1) which are the peer printing environment sharing service 13 And the printing environment shared service 13 (E-1) can be referred to.

  For example, when the user selects “E-1” and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11B and provides it to the user.

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 11B, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  11 and / or 12, even in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 10, by acquiring the service list 71, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1) and / or the Web server 1 The print location can be searched.

  Further, by performing the processing shown in FIG. 11 and / or FIG. 12, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1) and / or the Web server 1 can acquire route information to the print location.

  In the process shown in FIG. 11 and / or FIG. 12, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1) and / or the Web server 1 performs (A-1) → (E-1) and the like, and the print environment sharing service 13 The route information from (A-1) to the printing environment sharing service 13 (E-1) which is the printing location selected by the user can be acquired.

  Hereinafter, another example of the system configuration for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram (part 3) for carrying out the present invention.

  Compared with the system configuration of FIG. 1, the system configuration of FIG. 14 is newly added with a search server 8 that searches for a print location and the like.

  Hereinafter, an example of the search for the print location in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram (part 4) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 14, the Web server 1 makes a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to a print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S60 in FIG. 16).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) from the Web server 1 is the SPS server 3 The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of (A-1-1) is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S61 in FIG. 16).

  The web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 15A based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) and provides it to the user.

  In the print location selection screen in FIG. 15A, the option “search” is increased by one compared to the print location selection screen in FIG.

  For example, when the user selects “Search” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 creates a search condition input screen as shown in FIG. 15B and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user inputs search conditions and taps a “start search” button, the Web server 1 transmits a search request to the search server 8 (sequence S62 in FIG. 16). As shown in FIG. 15B, here, the address of the print location is used as a search condition. However, if the data is included in the service list 71 such as the latitude, longitude, altitude, and location name of the print location. The search condition can be used. The same applies to the following.

  The search server 8 that has received the search request, for example, holds information related to the print location included in the service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 to be managed (for example, the name of the location where the print environment shared service 13 exists, , Latitude, longitude, altitude, address, etc.) are searched for the print environment shared service 13 that meets the search conditions, and the search result is transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S63 in FIG. 16).

  The Web server 1 creates a search result display screen as shown in FIG. 15C based on the received search result and provides it to the user.

  In step S62, the Web server 1 has been described using an example in which a search request is made directly to the search server 8. However, the search is performed by the search server 8 via the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). The request may be transmitted, and the search result performed by the search server 8 may be transmitted to the Web server 1 via the SPS server 3 (A-1-1).

  For example, when the user selects “B-1-2” and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 15D and provides it to the user. .

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 15D, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and / or 16, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can also search for a print location using the search server 8.

  Hereinafter, another example of the search for the print location in the system configuration as shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, another example of searching for a print location will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram (No. 5) for explaining the search for the print location.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram (part 5) for explaining the search for the print location.

  For example, in the case of a system configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the Web server 1 makes a print environment shared service 13 (A-1) to a print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. The acquisition request for the service list 71 of (-1) is transmitted (sequence S70 in FIG. 18).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the service list 71 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) from the Web server 1 is the SPS server 3 The service list 71 stored in the HDD 39 of (A-1-1) is acquired and transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S71 in FIG. 18).

  The web server 1 creates a print location selection screen as shown in FIG. 17A based on the received service list 71 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) and provides it to the user.

  The print location selection screen in FIG. 17A has an option of “search” in the same manner as the print location selection screen in FIG.

  For example, when the user selects “Search” and taps the “Next” button, the Web server 1 creates a search condition input screen as shown in FIG. 17B and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “place name”, inputs “B-1-2” as a search condition, and taps the “search start” button, the Web server 1 causes the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1- A search request for the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted to 1) (sequence S72 in FIG. 18).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the search request for the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) receives the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1-). 1), an acquisition request for the service list 71 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1-1) is transmitted (sequence S73 in FIG. 18). Note that the service list 71 is acquired here, as described above, in the service list 71, there is another print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 holding the service list 71. This is because information such as the name of the place to be performed, latitude, longitude, altitude, address, etc. is included, and the search is performed using this information as a search condition in this system. The same applies to the following.

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1-1). Then, it is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S74 in FIG. 18).

  The print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has acquired the service list 71 of the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1-1) has a search condition in the service list 71, in this case, the print to be searched. It is determined whether or not the URI of the environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) is included. If it is determined that the URI is not included, the printing to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1-2) is performed. An acquisition request for the service list 71 of the environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S75 in FIG. 18).

  The service list acquisition unit 41 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1-2). Then, it is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S76 in FIG. 18).

  Hereinafter, similarly, the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the service list 71 including the search condition, here, the URI of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2). Until this is done, an acquisition request for the service list 71 is made exhaustively to all the printing environment shared services 13 to acquire the service list 71 (from sequence S77 to sequence S92 in FIG. 18).

  When the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the service list 71 including the search condition, here, the URI of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2), the service list 71 Or a search result including route information to the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) to be searched is transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S93 in FIG. 18).

  The Web server 1 creates a search result display screen as shown in FIG. 17C based on the received search result and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 creates a print location selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 17D and provides it to the user.

  Further, for example, when the user taps the “selection result display” button on the print location selection confirmation screen in FIG. 17D, the Web server 1 displays a print location selection result display screen as shown in FIG. Create and provide to users.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and / or 18, by acquiring the service list 71, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) searches the print environment shared service 13 to be searched independently. be able to.

  Further, by performing the processing shown in FIGS. 17 and / or 18, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can acquire route information to the printing location. .

  Hereinafter, another example in which the print location is searched independently will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram (part 6) for explaining the search for the print location.

  In FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 18, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the search request from the Web server 1 is the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) to be searched. Until the service list 71 including the URI of the service list 71 is acquired, a request for acquiring the service list 71 is exhaustively sent to all the printing environment shared services 13 and the service list 71 is not acquired. The print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the search request from the other print environment shared service 13 that can be referred to by the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1). The print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) search request is transmitted together with the acquisition request, and the print environment shared service 13 that has received the search request independently and Printing environment shared service 13 has a configuration that sends a search request for the printing environment shared service 13 with request for acquiring the service list 71 to other printing environment shared services 13 referable (B-1-2).

  In FIG. 19, when a search request for the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted to another print environment shared service 13, information about where the search request comes from is added. The print environment shared service 13 that has acquired the service list 71 including the URI of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) to be searched returns the service list 71 to the search request source. be able to.

  Hereinafter, another example in which the print location is searched independently will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram (part 7) for explaining the search for the print location.

  In FIG. 20, as in FIG. 18, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the search request from the Web server 1 has the URI of the print environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) to be searched. Until the included service list 71 is acquired, an acquisition request for the service list 71 is made to all the printing environment shared services 13 in an exhaustive manner, and the service list 71 is acquired.

  FIG. 20 differs from FIG. 18 in that the order of acquisition requests for the service list 71 is different. In FIG. 18, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) is shared with other print environments that can be referred to by itself. While the service list 71 is requested in order from the service 13, in FIG. 20, the print environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) has the service list 71 in order from the highest print environment shared service 13. The acquisition request is being made.

  As shown in FIG. 20, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 acquires the service list 71 in order from the highest printing environment shared service 13 and independently searches for the search target. A search for the printing environment shared service 13 can be performed.

  Further, by performing the processing shown in FIG. 20, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 can acquire route information to the print location.

  Hereinafter, an example of acquiring the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. The printer list 72 shown below may be stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment sharing service 13 is installed, or stored in the print server 4 in which the document print service 14 is installed. It is good also as such a structure.

  Hereinafter, an example of acquiring the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 21, taking as an example the case where the printer list 72 is stored in the SPS server 3. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of printer list acquisition.

  For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, the search for the print location (print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)) is completed, and the user, for example, as shown in FIG. When the “printer selection” button is tapped on the print location selection confirmation screen, the Web server 1 shares the print environment with the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration shown in FIG. An acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S150).

  As described above, when searching for a print location, the Web server 1 sends route information (for example, (A-1-1) → (A-1) → (R−) to the print environment shared service 13 at the print location. 0) → (B-1) → (B-1-2)), the route information can be included in the acquisition request of the printer list 72 and transmitted.

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the printer list 72 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) performs printing based on the route information. The acquisition request is transmitted to the environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S151).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S152).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S153).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S154).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires the printer list 72 stored in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2), and Based on the route information, the information is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) (sequence S155).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) uses the received printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) as the printer list 72 based on the path information. (R-0) (sequence S156).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) uses the received printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) printer list 72 based on the path information. (A-1) (sequence S157).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) uses the received printer list 72 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. (A-1-1) (sequence S158).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) to the Web server 1 (sequence S159). ).

  The Web server 1 creates a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. 24A described later based on the received printer list 72 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2), and provides it to the user.

  Hereinafter, an example of obtaining the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIG. 22, taking the case where the printer list 72 is stored in the print server 4 as an example. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of printer list acquisition.

  For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, the search for the print location (print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2)) is completed, and the user, for example, as shown in FIG. When the “printer selection” button is tapped on the print location selection confirmation screen, the Web server 1 shares the print environment with the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration shown in FIG. An acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the service 13 (B-1-2) is transmitted (sequence S200).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the acquisition request of the printer list 72 of the document printing service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) Based on the path information, the acquisition request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S201).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the route information. (Sequence S202).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S203).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request sends the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the route information. Transmit (sequence S204).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the document printing service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) An acquisition request for the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-1) is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S205).

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires, for example, the printer list 72 stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), and print environment sharing service 13 (B-1- 2) (sequence S206).

  Further, the printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request of the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2). Transmits a request to acquire the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-2) to the document print service 14 (PS-2) (sequence S207).

  The document print service 14 (PS-2) that has received the acquisition request acquires the printer list 72 stored in the print server 4 (PS-2), for example, and print environment shared service 13 (B-1- 2) (sequence S208).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) receives the received printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-1) and the printer list 72 of the document print service 14 (PS-2). Are transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the route information (sequence S209).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information (sequence S210). .

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) based on the path information (sequence S211). .

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) based on the path information (sequence S212). .).

  The printer list acquisition unit 42 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received printer list 72 to the Web server 1 (sequence S213).

  Based on the received printer list 72 of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2), the Web server 1 displays a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. And provide it to the user.

  In the following description, for simplicity of explanation, the printer list 72 is described as being stored in the SPS server 3 in which each printing environment shared service 13 is mounted.

  Hereinafter, an example of the printer list 72 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printer list.

  The printer list 72 includes a URI of the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the corresponding print environment sharing service 13, a printer ID of a printer managed by the document print service 14, and a printer name.

  For example, in the printer list 72 shown in FIG. 23, the document print service 14 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 installed in the SPS server 3 (B-1-2) in which the printer list 72 is stored. , The printer ID of the printer managed by the document print service 14, and the printer name.

  However, in order to simplify the explanation, FIG. 23 includes, for example, PS-1 and PS-2 for identifying the document print service 14 instead of the URI.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining selection of a printer.

  As described above, for example, when the user taps the “printer selection” button on the print location selection confirmation screen of FIG. 5 or FIG. 8, the Web server 1 selects the printer of the print environment sharing service 13 selected as the print location. An acquisition request for the list 72 is made, and the printer list 72 is acquired.

  The Web server 1 creates a printer selection screen as shown in FIG. 24A based on the acquired printer list 72 and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “P-1-2” on the printer selection screen in FIG. 24A and taps the “OK” button, the Web server 1 confirms the printer selection as shown in FIG. Create a screen and provide it to the user.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, for example, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 obtains the printer list 72, the user can select the printer after the print location. You can select and make print reservations.

  For example, when the user taps a “print reservation” button on the printer selection confirmation screen in FIG. 24B, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. To do.

  In the print reservation confirmation screen of FIG. 24C, a printer is set compared to the print reservation confirmation screen of FIG.

  For example, the user selects and sets a document to be printed, a printing location, and a printer without setting printing conditions, and taps a “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. It can be performed.

  In this case, in the print reservation request shown in FIG. 27 described later, the document ID of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target, the document ticket permitting use of the document, and the identification information for specifying the print location And route information to the printing location and identification information for specifying the selected printer.

  Hereinafter, an example of acquiring the capability information of the printer will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of acquiring capability information of the printer.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24, when the selection of the printer is completed and the user taps the “print condition setting” button on the printer selection confirmation screen as shown in FIG. In the system configuration as shown in FIG. 1, a capability information acquisition request of the printer 6 (P-1-2) is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S160). .

  Here, the capability information of the printer is a function for each printer such as whether the document print service 14 that manages the printer has, for example, the printer supports color printing or whether double-sided printing is possible, and / or Or it is information related to processing capacity.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the capability information acquisition request of the printer 6 (P-1-2), based on the path information, print environment sharing service. 13 (A-1) transmits the acquisition request (sequence S161).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) based on the path information. (Sequence S162).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) based on the path information. (Sequence S163).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the acquisition request makes the acquisition request to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) based on the path information. Is transmitted (sequence S164).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the acquisition request transmits the acquisition request to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S165). .

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the acquisition request acquires capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) stored in the print server 4 (PS-1), for example, and prints it. It transmits to the environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S166). Note that the capability information of the printer 6 may be stored in the print server 4, or may be stored in each of the printers 6 together in another server or the like. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, the capability information of the printer 6 is assumed to be stored in the print server 4.

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) obtains the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) based on the route information. B-1) (sequence S167).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) as a basis for the printing environment shared service 13 (R-). 0) (sequence S168).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) as a basis for the printing environment shared service 13 (A-). 1) (sequence S169).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment shared service 13 (A-1) uses the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) as a basis for the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-). 1-1) (sequence S170).

  The printer capability information acquisition unit 45 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) to the Web server 1 (sequence S171).

  The Web server 1 creates a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 26A described later based on the received capability information of the printer 6 (P-1-2) and provides it to the user.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining setting of printing conditions.

  As described above, for example, when the user taps the “print condition setting” button on the printer selection confirmation screen in FIG. 24B, the Web server 1 makes a request for acquiring the capability information of the selected printer 6, Capability information of the printer 6 is acquired.

  The Web server 1 creates a print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 26A based on the acquired capability information of the printer 6 and provides it to the user.

  Also, for example, when the user taps the “print reservation” button on the printer selection confirmation screen in FIG. 26A, the Web server 1 creates a print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. To provide.

  The printing reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 26B has printing conditions set as compared to the printing reservation confirmation screen in FIG.

  For example, the user can set a document to be printed, a printing location, a printer, and printing conditions, and tap a “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen in FIG. 26B to make a print reservation.

  In this case, in the print reservation request shown in FIG. 27 described later, the document ID of the document selected by the user as the print reservation target, the document ticket permitting use of the document, and the identification information for specifying the print location And route information to the printing location, identification information for specifying the printer, and printing conditions.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, for example, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) and / or the Web server 1 acquires the capability information of the printer, the user can specify the print location and the printer. Subsequently, printing conditions can be set and printing reservations can be made.

  An example of a print reservation request and a print start request will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a print reservation request and a print start request.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the start of printing.

  For example, when the user taps the “reservation” button on the print reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 26B, the Web server 1 uses the print environment sharing service 13 (A -1-1), a print reservation request is transmitted (sequence S180 in FIG. 27).

  The print reservation control unit 48 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print reservation request passes the document ID, document ticket, and the like included in the print reservation request to the document acquisition unit 43. Request document data acquisition.

  The document acquisition unit 43 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) transmits a document data acquisition request including the document ID and the document ticket to the repository service 12 (sequence S181 in FIG. 27). .

  Upon receiving the document data acquisition request, the repository service 12 determines the validity of the document ticket included in the document acquisition request, and if it is determined to be a valid document ticket, the document data corresponding to the document ID Is transmitted from the repository server 2 and transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) (sequence S182 in FIG. 27).

  When the document acquisition unit 43 acquires document data, the print reservation control unit 48 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) receives reservation information (for example, the print reservation request received from the Web server 1 (for example, The data transfer unit 44 to transfer the identification information for specifying the printing location, the identification information for specifying the printer, the printing condition and the route information to the printing location, and the acquired document data, and the reservation information Are stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 in which the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) is mounted, for example.

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) instructed to transfer prints the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. It transfers to the environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S183 of FIG. 27).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) (sequence S184 in FIG. 27).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on the route information to the print location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S185 in FIG. 27).

  The data transfer unit 44 of the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data uses the reservation information and the document data based on route information to the printing location included in the reservation information. Then, it is transferred to the printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S186 in FIG. 27).

  The printing environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has acquired the reservation information and the document data stores the reservation information and the document data in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2).

  On the other hand, the Web server 1 sends a request for obtaining a list of reservation information stored for each user in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (A-1-1) based on a request from the user. (A-1-1) (sequence S187 in FIG. 27).

  Upon receiving the reservation information list acquisition request, the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) acquires the reservation information list of the designated user from the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). Then, it is transmitted to the Web server 1 (sequence S188 in FIG. 27).

  The Web server 1 creates a print reservation selection screen for selecting a print reservation as shown in FIG. 28A based on the reservation information list and provides it to the user.

  For example, when the user selects “reservation 1” on the print reservation selection screen in FIG. 28A and taps the “reservation content” button, the Web server 1 displays the print reservation content as shown in FIG. Create a screen and provide it to the user.

  For example, when the user confirms the reservation content on the print reservation content display screen as shown in FIG. 28B and taps the “print” button on the print reservation content display screen, or when the user selects FIG. When the “print” button is tapped on the print reservation selection screen as shown in FIG. 1, the Web server 1 prints to the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) in the system configuration shown in FIG. A start request is transmitted (sequence S189 in FIG. 27).

  The print start control unit 49 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1-1) that has received the print start request starts the print based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. The request is transmitted to the printing environment sharing service 13 (A-1) (sequence S190 in FIG. 27).

  The print start control unit 49 of the print environment sharing service 13 (A-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (R-0) (sequence S191 in FIG. 27).

  The print start control unit 49 of the print environment sharing service 13 (R-0) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1) (sequence S192 in FIG. 27).

  The print start control unit 49 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1) that has received the print start request issues the print start request based on the path information to the print location included in the print start request. It transmits to the printing environment shared service 13 (B-1-2) (sequence S193 in FIG. 27).

  The print start control unit 49 of the print environment sharing service 13 (B-1-2) that has received the print start request receives reservation information and documents stored in the HDD 39 of the SPS server 3 (B-1-2). Data is acquired, and a print start request including the printing conditions included in the reservation information and the document data is transmitted to the document print service 14 (PS-1) (sequence S194 in FIG. 27).

  The document print service 14 (PS-1) that has received the print start request including the print conditions and the document data converts the document data into print data that can be printed by the designated printer 6 (P-1-2). Then, a print start request including the print data is transmitted to the printer 6 (P-1-2) (sequence S195 in FIG. 27).

  The printer 6 (P-1-2) prints out the print data in response to the received print start request.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and / or 28, the printing environment sharing service 13 prints printing reservation information and document data based on the route information to the printing location acquired using the service list 71, for example, at the printing location. It can be transferred to the environment sharing service 13 to make a print reservation.

  The print environment sharing service 13 also issues a print start request based on the route information to the print location acquired using the service list 71, for example, and the print location SPS server 3 for storing print reservation information and document data. The document print service 14 that manages the designated printer 6 can be requested to start printing.

  Hereinafter, although not mentioned in the first embodiment, an example of the I / F of the SOAP method of the printing environment sharing service 13 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the print reservation method.

  Here, the print reservation method is a method for transmitting the document data to the designated print environment sharing service 13 or the document print service 14.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 29A and calls the print reservation method of another print environment shared service 13 or the print environment shared service 13 as a return value. Data as shown in FIG. 29B is acquired.

  Note that the properties in FIG. 29A exist as many as the number of printing conditions. Further, documentInformation in FIG. 29A exists as many as the number of documents.

  The I / F of the print start method is shown in FIG. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the print start method.

  Here, the printing start method is a method for starting printing of a designated document reserved for printing.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 30A and calls the print start method of the other print environment shared service 13 or the print environment shared service 13 as a return value. Data as shown in FIG. 30B is acquired.

  Note that documentInformation in FIG. 30A exists in the number of 0 to n documents. Here, 0 exists because it is not specified when printing the document selected at the time of reservation as it is. Further, the properties in FIG. 30A exist as many as 0 to n printing conditions. Here, 0 exists because it is not specified when the setting at the time of reservation is used as it is.

  The I / F of the reservation list acquisition method is shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the reservation list acquisition method.

  Here, the reservation list acquisition method is a method for acquiring reservation information of a specified reservation ID and user name.

  For example, the Web server 1 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 31A, calls the reservation list acquisition method of the printing environment shared service 13, and acquires data as shown in FIG. 31B as a return value. To do.

  Note that the properties in FIG. 31B exist as many as the number of printing conditions. Further, the ReservedDocument in FIG. 31B exists in the number of 1 to n documents.

  The reservation information transfer method I / F is shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the I / F of the reservation information transfer method.

  Here, the reservation information transfer method is a method for transferring reservation information and a document held by the printing environment sharing service 13 to another printing environment sharing service 13.

  For example, the printing environment sharing service 13 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 32A and calls the reservation information transfer method of another printing environment sharing service 13.

  Note that there are as many TransferDocumentInformation in FIG. 32 as the number of documents. Further, the fileInformation of FIG. 32 exists as many as the number of files included in the document.

  The I / F of the SPS list acquisition method is shown in FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the SPS list acquisition method.

  Here, the SPS list acquisition method is a method for returning its own service list 71.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 calls an SPS list acquisition method of another print environment shared service 13 or the print environment shared service 13 by giving an argument as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 33B, data is acquired.

  Note that there are as many SPSInformationSpecs in FIG. 33B as the number of print environment shared services 13 included in the service list 71 to be acquired.

  The I / F of the SPS information acquisition method is shown in FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the SPS information acquisition method.

  Here, the SPS information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information of the specified printing environment sharing service 13.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 calls an SPS information acquisition method of another print environment shared service 13 or the print environment shared service 13 by giving an argument as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 34B, data as shown in FIG.

  The printer list acquisition method I / F is shown in FIG. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the printer list acquisition method.

  Here, the printer list acquisition method is a method for acquiring a list of printers.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 35A, calls another print environment shared service 13 or the printer list acquisition method of the print environment shared service 13, and returns the return value. As shown in FIG. 35B, data as shown in FIG.

  Note that there are as many PrinterInformations in FIG. 35B as there are 0 to n printers.

  The printer property acquisition method I / F is shown in FIG. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the printer property acquisition method.

  Here, the printer property acquisition method is a method for acquiring the attributes of the printers 6 under the designated printing environment sharing service 13.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 gives an argument as shown in FIG. 36A and calls another print environment shared service 13 or a printer property acquisition method of the print environment shared service 13 to return a return value. As shown in FIG. 36B, data as shown in FIG.

  Note that the PrinterProperty in FIG. 36B exists for the number of attributes from 0 to n.

  The I / F of the route information acquisition method is shown in FIG. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating the I / F of the route information acquisition method.

  Here, the route information acquisition method is a method for acquiring route information from the highest printing environment shared service 13.

  For example, the print environment shared service 13 or the Web server 1 calls the route information acquisition method of another print environment shared service 13 or the print environment shared service 13 without an argument, and acquires data as shown in FIG. 37 as a return value. To do.

  Hereinafter, an example of more specific data related to the reservation information managed by the printing environment sharing service 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 to 39.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reservation information list. As shown in FIG. 38, the printing environment sharing service 13 uses the reservation ID, the user ID (or user name), and the directory in which the reservation detail information is stored as the reservation information. Have.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of reservation detailed information. As shown in FIG. 38, the printing environment sharing service 13 has the detailed information of the reservation information received by itself and the detailed information of the reservation information designated as the printing destination as detailed information corresponding to the reservation information. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made mainly on the search (or selection) of the print location and the function and processing related to the print reservation. However, in this embodiment, for example, the system shown in FIG. Such functions and processing will be described.

  Hereinafter, another example of the functional configuration of the SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 40 is another functional configuration diagram of the SPS server.

  In the functional configuration shown in FIG. 40, an addition unit 50 and a deletion unit 51 are added to the printing environment sharing service 13 as compared to the functional configuration shown in FIG.

  In response to a connection request from another print environment shared service 13 or the like, the adding unit 50 adds data such as access information of the print environment shared service 13 that is the connection request source to the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3. Add Here, for the sake of simplification of description, information such as the name of the place where the printing environment sharing service 13 exists, latitude, longitude, altitude, address, URI, and the like are also referred to as access information. The same applies to the following.

  In response to a disconnection request from another print environment shared service 13 or the like, the deletion unit 51 stores data such as access information of the print environment shared service 13 that is the disconnect request source from the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3. Is deleted.

  Hereinafter, an outline of processing performed by the adding unit 50 and / or the deleting unit 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 to 52. First, a connection request from the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) to the SPS server 3 (A-1) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 41 is a conceptual diagram (part 1) for explaining a connection request.

  As illustrated in FIG. 41, for example, the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) that is a request source that requests a connection sends an SPS to the SPS server 3 (A-1) that is a request destination that requests a connection. A request is made to connect to a lower level of the server 3 (A-1).

  Hereinafter, an example of data added to the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the connection shown in FIG. 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the addition of data to the service list.

  In the service list 71 shown in FIG. 42, access information of the printing environment sharing service 13 that is higher than the printing environment sharing service 13 that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service 13 and the printing environment sharing service 13 of the peer. Access information and access information of the lower printing environment sharing service 13 are included.

  For simplification of description, in the following, when there is no upper, peer, or lower printing environment sharing service 13 for the printing environment sharing service 13, “none” is described.

  FIG. 42A is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-2).

  As shown in FIG. 42A, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is connected to the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-2). In the service list 71, A-1 is newly added to the top and A-1-1 is newly added to the peer.

  FIG. 42B is an example of data before and after connection of the service list stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1).

  As shown in FIG. 42B, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is connected to the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1). A-1-2 is newly added to the service list 71 at the lower level.

  FIG. 42C is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1).

  As shown in FIG. 42C, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is connected to the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). A-1-2 is newly added to the same service list 71.

  Note that the SPS server 3 (A-1-1), which is the peer of the SPS server 3 (A-1-2), is connected to the SPS server 3 (A-1), which is a higher level of the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). ) From SPS server 3 (A-1-2) to SPS server 3 (A-1-2) may be used. 3 (A-1-1) may be configured to request connection as a peer.

  41 and 42, an example in which a connection request is transmitted from the lower SPS server 3 to the upper SPS server 3 has been described. However, the upper SPS server 3 to the lower SPS server 3 have been described. A connection request may be transmitted to.

  By using the service list 71 as shown in FIG. 42, the SPS server 3 can construct a system having a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a disconnection request from the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) to the SPS server 3 (A-1) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 43 is a conceptual diagram (part 1) for explaining a disconnection request.

  As shown in FIG. 43, the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) that is the request source that requests disconnection issues a disconnection request to the SPS server 3 (A-1) that is the request destination that requests disconnection. Send.

  Hereinafter, an example of data deleted from the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the disconnection shown in FIG. 43 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 44 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the deletion of data from the service list.

  FIG. 44A is an example of data before and after disconnection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-2).

  As shown in FIG. 44 (A), when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is disconnected from the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-2). The upper A-1 and the peer A-1-1 are deleted from the existing service list 71.

  FIG. 44B is an example of data before and after disconnection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1).

  As shown in FIG. 44B, when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is disconnected from the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1). The lower A-1-2 is deleted from the service list 71.

  FIG. 44C is an example of data before and after disconnection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1).

  As shown in FIG. 44 (C), when the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) is disconnected from the lower level of the SPS server 3 (A-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). The peer A-1-2 is deleted from the current service list 71.

  Note that the SPS server 3 (A-1-1), which is the peer of the SPS server 3 (A-1-2), is connected to the SPS server 3 (A-1), which is a higher level of the SPS server 3 (A-1-1). ) May be configured to request the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) to be disconnected, and the description is omitted in FIG. 43, but the SPS server 3 (A-1-2) to the SPS server 3 ( It may be configured to make a request for disconnection to A-1-1).

  43 and 44, an example in which a disconnection request is transmitted from the lower SPS server 3 to the upper SPS server 3 has been described. However, the upper SPS server 3 to the lower SPS server 3 have been described. A disconnection request may be transmitted to.

  Hereinafter, a connection request from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to another SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram (part 2) for explaining a connection request.

  As illustrated in FIG. 45, the SPS server 3 (E-1) that is a request source that requests connection transmits a connection request to another SPS server 3 that is a request destination that requests connection.

  Hereinafter, an example of data added to the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the connection shown in FIG. 45 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 46 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the addition of data to the service list.

  FIG. 46A is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1).

  As shown in FIG. 46A, when the SPS server 3 (E-1) is connected to the peer of the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1), the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1) is connected. E-1 is newly added to the peer in the service list 71 stored in ().

  In FIG. 46A, for simplicity of explanation, the access information of the print environment sharing service 13 is also stored in the same direction. However, the access information may be stored or stored. It does not have to be. The same applies to FIG. 46B below.

  FIG. 46B is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  As shown in FIG. 46B, when the SPS server 3 (E-1) is connected to the peer of the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1). A-1 to E-1 are newly added to the same service list 71.

  By using the service list 71 as shown in FIG. 46, the SPS server 3 can construct a system having a parallel structure as shown in FIG.

  In FIGS. 45 and 46, the description has been given using an example in which a connection request is transmitted from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1). A connection request may be transmitted from any one of the SPS servers 3 (A-1 to D-1) to the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  Hereinafter, a disconnection request from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to another SPS server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 47 is a conceptual diagram (part 2) for explaining the disconnection request.

  As illustrated in FIG. 47, the SPS server 3 (E-1) that is a request source that requests disconnection transmits a disconnection request to another SPS server 3 that is a request destination that requests disconnection.

  Hereinafter, an example of data deleted from the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the disconnection shown in FIG. 47 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 48 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the deletion of data from the service list.

  FIG. 48A shows an example of data before and after disconnection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1).

  As shown in FIG. 48A, when the SPS server 3 (E-1) is disconnected from the peers of the SPS servers 3 (A-1 to D-1), the SPS servers 3 (A-1 to D-1) are disconnected. The peer E-1 is deleted from the service list 71 stored in ().

  In FIG. 48A, the access information of the own printing environment sharing service 13 is also stored for simplification of description, but the access information may or may not be stored. It does not have to be. The same applies to FIG. 48B below.

  FIG. 48B is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  As shown in FIG. 48B, when the SPS server 3 (E-1) is disconnected from the peers of the SPS servers 3 (A-1 to D-1), it is stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1). The peers A-1 to E-1 are deleted from the existing service list 71.

  In FIGS. 47 and 48, description has been made using an example in which a disconnection request is transmitted from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to the SPS server 3 (A-1 to D-1). A disconnection request may be transmitted from one of the SPS servers 3 (A-1 to D-1) to the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  Hereinafter, a connection request from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to the SPS server 3 (R-0) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 49 is a conceptual diagram (part 3) for explaining the connection request.

  As illustrated in FIG. 49, the SPS server 3 (E-1) that is a request source that requests connection transmits a connection request to the SPS server 3 (R-0) that is a request destination that requests connection. .

  Hereinafter, an example of data added to the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the connection shown in FIG. 49 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 50 is a third diagram illustrating the addition of data to the service list.

  FIG. 50A is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0).

  When the SPS server 3 (E-1) is connected to the lower level of the SPS server 3 (R-0) as shown in FIG. 50A, the service list stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0) In E71, E-1 is newly added in the lower order.

  FIG. 50B is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  When the SPS server 3 (E-1) is connected to the lower level of the SPS server 3 (R-0) as shown in FIG. 50B, the service list stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1) In 71, R-0 is newly added at the upper level.

  By using the service list 71 as shown in FIG. 50, the SPS server 3 can construct a system having a structure as shown in FIG.

  49 and 50, the description has been given using an example in which a connection request is transmitted from the lower SPS server 3 (E-1) to the upper SPS server 3 (R-0). A connection request may be transmitted from the upper SPS server 3 (R-0) to the lower SPS server 3 (E-1).

  Hereinafter, a disconnection request from the SPS server 3 (E-1) to the SPS server 3 (R-0) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 51 is a conceptual diagram (part 3) for explaining the disconnection request.

  As illustrated in FIG. 51, the SPS server 3 (E-1) that is a request source that requests disconnection transmits a disconnection request to the SPS server 3 (R-0) that is a request destination that requests disconnection. .

  Hereinafter, an example of data deleted from the service list 71 stored in each SPS server 3 by the disconnection shown in FIG. 51 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 52 is a diagram (No. 3) for explaining the deletion of data from the service list.

  FIG. 52A is an example of data before and after disconnection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0).

  When the SPS server 3 (E-1) is disconnected from the lower level of the SPS server 3 (R-0) as shown in FIG. 52A, the service list stored in the SPS server 3 (R-0) From 71, the lower E-1 is deleted.

  FIG. 52B is an example of data before and after connection of the service list 71 stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1).

  When the SPS server 3 (E-1) is disconnected from the lower level of the SPS server 3 (R-0) as shown in FIG. 52 (B), the service list stored in the SPS server 3 (E-1) From 71, the upper R-0 is deleted.

  In FIGS. 51 and 52, the description has been given using an example in which a disconnection request is transmitted from the lower SPS server 3 (E-1) to the upper SPS server 3 (R-0). A disconnection request may be transmitted from the upper SPS server 3 (R-0) to the lower SPS server 3 (E-1).

  Hereinafter, as another example of an apparatus in which the printing environment sharing service 13 is implemented, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function peripheral) that forms an image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the compound machine.

  In FIG. 53, the MFP 1200 includes a plotter 1201, a scanner 1202, a hardware resource 1203 such as a facsimile, and the like, a software group 1210 including a platform 1220 and an application 1230, and an MFP starter 1240. It has.

  The MFP starter 1240 is first executed when the MFP 1200 is turned on to start the platform 1220 and the application 1230.

  The platform 1220 interprets a processing request from the application 1230, generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources, and acquires from the control service 1250. It has a system resource manager (SRM (System Resource Manager) 1223) that arbitrates requests, and an OS 1221.

  The control service 1250 is formed by a plurality of service modules. Specifically, the system control service (SCS) 1222, the engine control service (ECS) 1224, the memory control service (MCS) 1225, and the OCS (Opera) There is a Control Service (2261), an FCS (FAX Control Service) 1227, an NCS (Network Control Service) 1228, and an IMH (Imaging Memory Handler) 1229. The platform 1220 has an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function.

  The OS 1221 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 1220 and the application 1230 in parallel as processes. By using open source UNIX (registered trademark), the safety of the program can be secured, the network can be supported, and the source code can be easily obtained. Furthermore, OS and TCP / IP royalties are unnecessary, and outsourcing is easy.

  The SRM 1223, together with the SCS 1222, performs system control and resource management, and includes engine units such as scanners and plotters, memory, HDD files, host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F, RS232CI / F, etc.) arbitration is performed according to a request from a higher layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 1223 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request). If it is available, the requested hardware resource is Tell the upper layer that it is available. Also, hardware resource usage scheduling may be performed in response to a request from an upper layer, and the requested contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) may be directly executed. .

  The SCS 1222 includes application management (function 1), operation unit control (function 2), system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.) (function 3), LED display (function 4), resource management (function 5), A plurality of functions such as interrupt application control (function 6) are performed. Specifically, in application management (function 1), processing for registering an application and notifying other applications of the information is performed. In the operation unit control (function 2), exclusive control of the operation unit use right of the application is performed. In the system screen display (function 3), a warning screen corresponding to the state of the engine unit is displayed according to the request content from the application having the operation unit usage right. In LED display (function 4), display control of system LEDs such as warning LEDs and application keys is performed. Resource management (function 5) provides a service for exclusive control of engine resources (scanners, staples, etc.) that must be excluded when an application (ECS) executes a job. In the interrupt application control (function 6), control and service for preferential operation of a specific application are performed.

  The ECS 1224 controls engine units such as the plotter 1201, the scanner 1202, and other hardware resources 1203, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like.

  The MCS 1225 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 1225 acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.

  The OCS 1226 is a module that controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control, and provides a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Processing, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed.

  FCS 1227 performs facsimile transmission / reception using the PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. API (Application Program Interface).

  The NCS 1228 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. The NCS 1228 distributes data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, and distributes data from the application. Mediates when sending to the network side.

  For example, NCS 1228 controls data communication with a network device connected via the Internet by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon) 20 among a plurality of protocols by HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and uses an HTTP request header. A processing unit corresponding to a specified Web service may be activated by a function call, and a processing result by the Web service may be notified to the network device using an HTTP response. The web service is provided according to a message described in XML, for example.

  The IMH 1229 maps image data from a virtual memory area (user virtual space) to a physical memory. In response to process activation, a system call is performed to perform processing such as mapping a virtual memory area for a process, releasing the mapped virtual memory area at the end of the process, and the like.

  The application 1230 includes a printer application 1211 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 1212 that is a copy application, and a fax application 1213 that is a facsimile application. , A scanner application 1214 that is a scanner application, and a Web service processing application 1215 that is a Web service application. Since each application 1211 to 1215 can execute an operation by using each process on the platform 1220, a screen display control program for performing screen control, key operation control, job generation, and the like is the main component. Note that a new application can also be installed via the network via the network connected by the NCS 1228. Each application can be added or deleted for each application.

  The web service processing application 1215 receives an HTTP request for requesting a web service and transmits an HTTP response to the web server 500 that provides the web service, and uses a control service 1250 via an API (Application Program Interface). A Web service function (WSF) 1400 that performs predetermined processing and provides the processing result as a Web service via a WS-API (Web Service Application Program Interface).

  In this embodiment, the print environment sharing service 13 and the repository service 12 are mounted on the Web service function 1400.

  In addition, reservation information, document data, and the like transferred from the service list 71, the printer list 72, and other MFPs 1200 are stored in the HDD 1303 described later.

  The multi-functional apparatus 1200 performs centralized processing on the platform 1220 for processing commonly required by each application.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1200 will be described.

  FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral.

  As shown in FIG. 54, the MFP 1200 includes an operation panel 1310, a FAX control unit (FCU) 1530, an engine unit 1350 (to which a scanner 1202 and the like are connected), a plotter 1201, and an ASIC 1301 of the controller 1300 connected to a PCI (Peripheral). (Component Interconnect) bus 1309 is connected.

  The controller 1300 connects the ASIC 1301 to the MEM-C 1302, the HDD 1303, and the like, and connects the ASIC 1301 and the CPU 1304 via the NB 1305 of the CPU chip set. Thus, the reason for connecting via the NB 1305 is that the interface of the CPU 1304 itself is not disclosed.

  Here, the ASIC 1301 and the NB 1305 are not connected via the PCI, but are connected via the AGP 1308. The reason for the connection via the AGP 1308 is that the MFP 1200 executes and controls a plurality of processes forming the platform 1220 and the application 1230 shown in FIG. This is because performance decreases.

  The CPU 1304 performs overall control of the MFP 1200. Specifically, the SCS 1222, SRM 1223, ECS 1224, MCS 1225, OCS 1226, FCS 1227, and NCS 1228 that form the platform 1220 on the OS 1221 are started and executed as processes. At the same time, the printer application 1211, the copy application 1212, the fax application 1213, the scanner application 1214, and the Web service processing application 1215 that form the application 1230 are activated and executed.

  The NB 1305 connects the CPU 1304 to the MEM-P 1306, the SB 1307, the NIC (Network Interface Card) 1341, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1330, the IEEE 1394 1340, the Centronics 1342, the driver I / F 1343, and the ASIC 1301.

  The MEM-P 1306 is a system memory used as a drawing memory of the multifunction peripheral, and the SB 1307 is a bridge for connecting the NB 1305 to the ROM, PCI device, and peripheral device. The MEM-C 1302 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and the ASIC 1301 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing.

  The driver I / F 1343 is an I / F that is used to read a program or application from an inserted recording medium in which the program or application or the like is stored, and mount the program or application on the MFP 1200. Examples of the recording medium include an SD memory card, smart media, multimedia card, and compact flash (registered trademark).

  The HDD 1303 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating programs, accumulating font data, accumulating forms, and accumulating documents. In addition, the service list 71, the printer list 72, reservation information, document data, and the like in this embodiment. Is stored. The operation panel 1310 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from an operator and performs display for the operator.

  Accordingly, the ASIC 1301 is provided with a RAM interface for connecting the MEM-C 1302 and a hard disk interface for connecting the HDD 1303. When inputting / outputting image data to / from these storage units, The destination is switched to the RAM interface or the hard disk interface.

  The AGP 1308 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing, and makes the graphics accelerator card faster by directly accessing the system memory with high throughput.

  As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, when the printing environment sharing service 13 is installed in the multi-function peripheral 1200, as shown in the first embodiment, for example, reservation information and document data are exchanged between the multi-function peripherals 1200. When the transfer information is stored and the reservation information and document data are stored in the MFP 1200 at the designated print location and a print start request is received, for example, the MFP 1200 can perform printing.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the system block diagram (the 1) which implements this invention. It is a software block diagram of an example of an SPS server. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of an SPS server. It is a function block diagram of an example of an SPS server. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram (part 1) for explaining a search for a printing place. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a service list. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram (part 2) for explaining a search for a printing place. It is a system configuration figure (the 2) which carries out the present invention. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating a search for a print location. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (No. 3) for explaining a search for a printing place. It is a figure which shows an example of the service list of a printing environment shared service (A-1). FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram (part 3) for implementing the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining a search for a printing place; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram (part 4) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 5) for describing a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (part 5) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (No. 6) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (part 7) for explaining a search for a printing place. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of printer list acquisition. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of printer list acquisition. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a printer list. It is a figure for demonstrating selection of a printer. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of acquiring capability information of a printer. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of printing conditions. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a print reservation request and a print start request. It is a figure for demonstrating the start of printing. It is a figure which shows I / F of a printing reservation method. It is a figure which shows I / F of the printing start method. It is a figure which shows I / F of a reservation list acquisition method. It is a figure which shows I / F of the reservation information transfer method. It is a figure which shows I / F of the SPS list acquisition method. It is a figure which shows I / F of a SPS information acquisition method. It is a figure which shows I / F of a printer list acquisition method. It is a figure which shows I / F of a printer property acquisition method. It is a figure which shows I / F of a route information acquisition method. It is a figure which shows an example of a reservation information list. It is a figure which shows an example of detailed reservation information. It is another functional block diagram of a SPS server. It is a conceptual diagram (the 1) for demonstrating a connection request. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating addition of the data to a service list. It is a conceptual diagram (the 1) for demonstrating a cutting | disconnection request | requirement. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining deletion of data from a service list; It is a conceptual diagram (the 2) for demonstrating a connection request. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating addition of the data to a service list. It is a conceptual diagram (the 2) for demonstrating a cutting | disconnection request | requirement. FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining deletion of data from a service list. It is a conceptual diagram (the 3) for demonstrating a connection request | requirement. It is FIG. (3) for demonstrating addition of the data to a service list. It is a conceptual diagram (the 3) for demonstrating a cutting | disconnection request | requirement. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating deletion of data from a service list. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a compound machine. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a compound machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Web server 2 Repository server 3 SPS server 4 Print server 6 Printer 7 PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
8 Search server 12 Repository service 13 Print environment sharing service 14 Document print service 20 httpd (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon)
21 OS (Operating System)
24 Print Environment Sharing Application 26 Printer Application 27 Document Management Application 29 Application 31 Input Device 32 Display Device 33 Drive Device 34 Recording Medium 35 ROM (Read Only Memory)
36 RAM (Random Access Memory)
37 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
38 Interface device 39 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 Service list acquisition part 42 Printer list acquisition part 43 Document acquisition part 44 Data transfer part 45 Printer capability information acquisition part 46 Service list management part 47 Printer list management part 48 Print reservation control part 49 Print start control part 50 Addition part 51 Deletion part 61 XML processing unit 62 SOAP processing unit 63 HTTP processing unit 71 Service list 72 Printer list 500 Web server 1200 Fusion machine 1201 Plotter 1202 Scanner 1203 Other hardware resources 1210 Software group 1211 Printer application 1212 Copy application 1213 Fax application 1214 Scanner application 1215 Web Service processing application 1220 Platform 1221 OS (Operating System)
1222 SCS (System Control Service)
1223 SRM (System Resource Manager)
1224 ECS (Engine Control Service)
1225 MCS (Memory Control Service)
1226 OCS (Operation panel Control Service)
1227 FCS (FAX Control Service)
1228 NCS (Network Control Service)
1229 IMH (Imaging Memory Handler)
1230 Application 1301 ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)
1302 MEM-C
1303 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
1304 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
1305 NB (North Bridge)
1306 MEM-P (system memory)
1307 SB (South Bridge)
1308 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
1309 PCI Bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus)
1310 Operation Panel 1330 USB (Universal Serial Bus)
1340 IEEE 1394
1341 NIC (Network Interface Card)
1342 Centronics 1343 Driver I / F
1350 Engine part 1400 WSF (Web service function)
1530 FCU (FAX control unit)

Claims (17)

Transferring information for printing from the print management device that accepts a request for printing from the user terminal to provide user response data to the user terminal, and
A printing environment shared service providing device among a plurality of printing environment shared service providing devices that provides a shared environment of the printing device,
Other printing environment sharing service providing devices and the printing environment sharing service providing means respectively possessed by the printing environment sharing service providing device,
A search means for searching for a print location;
When acquiring the request relating to the reservation of the print from the print management apparatus, printing the identification information of the print locations searched by the searching means, the identification information of the printing device in the printing location, the printing condition and the printing management apparatus specified Reservation information including route information from the location of the environment sharing service providing means to the printing location, and transfer means for transferring the document to the printing environment sharing service providing means of another printing environment sharing service providing device ;
Print reservation control means for storing the reservation information;
Wherein acquiring the list obtaining request reservation from the print managing apparatus, the reservation information read sent to the print management apparatus, based on the path information from the print management device to the printing place to obtain the print start request, the A print start control unit for causing the printing apparatus to execute printing;
A printing environment shared service providing apparatus characterized by comprising: The search means includes route information acquisition means for acquiring route information related to a route to the printing location.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1. The search means includes service data acquisition means for acquiring service data including data relating to a reference relationship between the printing environment shared service providing means from other printing environment shared service providing means.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1. The reservation information includes document identification information for specifying the document and document use permission information for permitting use of the document.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. The printing environment sharing service providing means includes, when requested, service data including data related to other printing environment sharing service providing means that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service providing means, to the printing environment sharing service of the connection request source. A data adding unit for adding data according to the providing unit;
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. The printing environment sharing service providing means, upon request, from the service data including data related to other printing environment sharing service providing means that can be referred to by the printing environment sharing service providing means, the printing environment sharing service of the disconnection request source It further has a data deleting means for deleting data related to the providing means,
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. In the service data, in the relationship between the printing environment shared service providing means, it is possible to set a higher order, a peer, or a lower order.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6. Service data storage means for storing service data including data relating to a reference relationship between the printing environment shared service providing means and other printing service providing means;
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. The printing environment sharing service providing unit further includes a document acquisition unit that acquires the document.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. The printing environment shared service providing means further comprises a printing apparatus data acquisition means for acquiring a printing apparatus data including data relating to the printing device,
10. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. The printing device data is managed in print environment shared service providing means for providing a shared environment of the printing device,
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 10. The printing apparatus data is managed in a printing service providing unit that provides a service related to printing.
The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 10. Printing apparatus data storage means for storing the printing apparatus data;
12. The printing environment shared service providing apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, The printing environment sharing service providing means further includes function information acquisition means for acquiring function information related to the function of the printing apparatus.
14. The printing environment sharing service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing environment sharing service providing apparatus is provided. Transferring information for printing from the print management device that accepts a request for printing from the user terminal to provide user response data to the user terminal, and
A printing environment sharing service providing method for a plurality of printing environment sharing service providing apparatuses, which provides a shared environment for the printing apparatus ,
The printing environment shared service providing means respectively possessed by the plurality of printing environment shared service providing devices includes the following steps:
A search means for searching for a print location;
Transfer means, wherein when the print management device obtains the request of the reservation of the print, identification information of the print locations searched by the searching means, the identification information of the printing device in the printing location, the printing condition and the printing management apparatus Transferring the reservation information including the route information from the location of the printing environment shared service providing means designated by the printing environment to the printing location, and the document to the printing environment shared service providing means of another printing environment shared service providing device ;
Printing reservation control means storing the reservation information;
The print start control unit obtains the list obtaining request reservation from the print management device, the reservation information read sent to the print managing apparatus, the up and printing place to get a print start request from the printing management apparatus based on the route information, the step of executing printing in the printing device,
A printing environment shared service providing method comprising:   16. A printing environment shared service providing program for causing a computer to execute the printing environment shared service providing method according to claim 15.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing environment sharing service providing program according to claim 16 is recorded.

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