INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

An information processing system includes a processor configured: to accept a print request including print information to be printed and execute one or more predetermined specific processes on the print information included in the accepted print request; and transmit the print request including the print information after execution of the one or more specific processes to a preregistered information processing terminal that is to transmit the print request to a printer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-076810 filed May 8, 2023.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium.

(ii) Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-150559 proposes a program causing a computer of an information processing device to function as: acquiring means for acquiring print settings information for a first print instruction in a first format transmitted from the information processing device to a printer without going through a server system; and editing mean s for editing the acquired print settings information. The program transmits a second print instruction including the edited print settings information to the server system.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-522774 proposes a print server comprising an application manager, format converting means, and a print job router. The application manager is configured to receive a print request over a network from an application executed on a device, and is configured to provide a print dialog over the network to a user of the application, the print dialog providing a selection of at least one printer related to a user account of the user. The application manager is configured to receive a selected printer from the selection. The format converting means is configured to receive a print job designating the selected printer, the print job including print data and print properties expressed in a first format. The format converting means is configured to convert the print job from the first format to a printer-specific format associated with the selected printer. The print job router is configured to use the printer-specific format to route the print job over the network from the print server to a print client associated with the selected printer so that the print job will be printed by the selected printer.

SUMMARY

When printing with a printer which is not connected to an information processing system, or which is connected but not approved, specific processes provided by the information processing system, such as history management, an authorization process, and a confidentiality process, may no longer be available.

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium with which specific process provided by the information processing system are available for use even when printing with a printer which is not connected to the information processing system, or which is connected but not approved.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system including a processor configured: to accept a print request including print information to be printed and execute one or more predetermined specific processes on the print information included in the accepted print request; and transmit the print request including the print information after execution of the one or more specific processes to a preregistered information processing terminal that is to transmit the print request to a printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail and with reference to the drawings. As an example, the exemplary embodiment describes an information processing system in which a cloud server11, an image forming device, a client computer, and a mobile terminal or the like are interconnected through a communication circuit, such as any of various types of networks.FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment includes a cloud server11, an image forming device12as one example of a printer, a client computer14, and a mobile terminal16as one example of an information processing terminal. The cloud server11, the image forming device12, and the client computer14are interconnected via a communication circuit18such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or an intranet. Additionally, each of the cloud server11, the image forming device12, the client computer14, and the mobile terminal16is capable of bidirectionally transmitting and receiving various data through the communication circuit18. In the exemplary embodiment, an image is formed in accordance with a print instruction in the image forming device12by instructing the image forming device12to print from the client computer14or the mobile terminal16via the cloud server11.

Note that althoughFIG.1illustrates one of each of the cloud server11, the image forming device12, the client computer14, and the mobile terminal16, each of the above may be multiple devices, or any of the above may be multiple devices. In the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment, a print instruction may be issued from the mobile terminal16through the communication circuit18, but a print instruction may also be issued from the mobile terminal16via short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®. The mobile terminal16may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a laptop personal computer, for example.

The image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment has multiple functions, such as: an image forming function that performs an image forming process; a reading function that reads a document to obtain image information representing the document; a copy function that copies an image recorded on a document onto paper; a facsimile function that transmits and receives various data through a telephone circuit not illustrated; a forwarding function that forwards document information such as image information read by the reading function or the like; and a storage function that stores document information such as read image information. The multiple functions may be all of the above functions, or any two or more of the above functions.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrical system of the image forming device12in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with a control unit20including a central processing unit (CPU)20A, read-only memory (ROM)20B, and random access memory (RAM)20C. The CPU20A administers the overall operation of the image forming device12. The RAM20C is used as a work area or the like when the CPU20A executes various programs. Various information processing programs such as application programs, various parameters, and the like are stored in advance in the ROM20B. In the image forming device12, the components of the control unit20are electrically connected by a system bus42.

On the other hand, the image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with a hard disk drive (HDD)26that stores various data, application programs, and the like. The image forming device12is provided with a display controller28which is connected to a user interface22and which controls the display of various operating screens and the like on a display of the user interface22. The image forming device12is also provided with an operation input detection unit30which is connected to the user interface22and which detects operation instructions inputted through the user interface22. In the image forming device12, the HDD26, the display controller28, and the operation input detection unit30are electrically connected to the system bus42. Note that although the HDD26is implemented as a memory in the image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment, the configuration is not limited thereto, and non-volatile memory such as flash memory may also be implemented. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, a touch panel capable of displaying information and accepting operation input is implemented as the user interface22, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and a user interface with a display and an operation unit that are separate may also be implemented.

The image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with a reading controller32that controls an operation of reading an optical image with a document reading unit44and an operation of feeding a document with a document transport unit, and an image forming controller34that controls an image forming process by an image forming unit24and the transport of paper to the image forming unit24by a transport unit25. The image forming device12is also provided with a communication circuit interface (I/F) unit36which is connected to the communication circuit18and which transmits and receives communication data with another external device such as the client computer14connected to the communication circuit18. The image forming device12is also provided with a facsimile interface (I/F) unit38which is connected to a telephone circuit not illustrated and which transmits and receives facsimile data with a facsimile device connected to the telephone circuit. The image forming device12is also provided with a transmission/reception controller40that controls the transmission and reception of facsimile data through the facsimile I/F unit38. The image forming device12is also provided with a human sensor46that detects a person near the device. Additionally, in the image forming device12, the transmission/reception controller40, the reading controller32, the image forming controller34, the communication circuit I/F unit36, the facsimile I/F unit38, and the human sensor46are electrically connected to the system bus42.

According to the above configuration, in the image forming device12according to the exemplary embodiment, access to each of the RAM20C, the ROM20B, and the HDD26is executed by the CPU20A. In the image forming device12, control of the display of operating screens and information such as various messages on a display of the user interface22through the display controller28is executed by the CPU20A. In the image forming device12, control of the workings of the document reading unit44and the document transport unit through the reading controller32is executed by the CPU20A. In the image forming device12, control of the workings of the image forming unit24and the transport unit25through the image forming controller34and control of the transmission and reception of communication data through the communication circuit I/F unit36are executed by the CPU20A. In the image forming device12, control of the transmission and reception of facsimile data through the facsimile I/F unit38by the transmission/reception controller40is executed by the CPU20A. Furthermore, in the image forming device12, the CPU20A ascertains operation content in the user interface22based on operation information detected by the operation input detection unit30, and executes various types of control based on the operation content.

Next, a schematic configuration of the electrical system of the cloud server11, the client computer14, and the mobile terminal16according to the exemplary embodiment will be described.FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electrical system of the cloud server11, the client computer14, and the mobile terminal16in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that since the cloud server11, the client computer14, and the mobile terminal16all have a typical computer configuration, the following describes the cloud server11as a representative example.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the cloud server11according to the exemplary embodiment is provided with a CPU11A as one example of a processor, ROM11B, RAM11C, storage11D, an operation unit11E, a display11F, and a communication circuit interface (I/F) unit11G. The CPU11A administers the overall operation of the cloud server11. Information such as various control programs and various parameters is stored in advance in the ROM11B. The RAM11C is used as a work area or the like when the CPU11A executes various programs. Various data, application programs, and the like are stored in the storage11D. The operation unit11E is used to input various information. The display11F is used to display various information. The communication circuit I/F unit11G is connected to the communication circuit18, and transmits and receives various data with other devices connected to the communication circuit18. The communication circuit I/F unit11G may also be configured to communicate with equipment directly using any of various known types of wireless communication. The above components of the cloud server11are electrically interconnected by a system bus11I. Note that although the storage11D is implemented as a memory in the cloud server11according to the exemplary embodiment, examples of implementable storage also include a hard disk drive (HDD) and non-volatile memory such as flash memory.

According to the above configuration, in the cloud server11according to the exemplary embodiment, access to the ROM11B, the RAM11C, and the storage11D, the acquisition of various data through the operation unit11E, and the display of various information on the display11F are executed by the CPU11A. In the cloud server11, control of the transmission and reception of communication data through the communication circuit I/F unit11G is executed by the CPU11A.

Note that the mobile terminal16may include components which are not present in the cloud server11, such as a location detection unit16H that detects the location of the mobile terminal16using the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the like, and a camera or other image capture unit (not illustrated).

In the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment configured in this way, the cloud server11provides a print management system as a cloud service that performs predetermined specific processes on print jobs to be printed by the image forming device12. Examples of the specific processes include a history management process that manages a history of print jobs, an authorization process that authorizes print jobs, and a confidentiality process that masks confidential portions of print jobs or the like. For example, in the print management system, the cloud server11accepts a print job from the client computer14, performs an authorization process on the accepted print job, and transmits the authorized print job to the image forming device12. With this arrangement, only authorized print jobs are printed by the image forming device12. Note that a print job refers to a process or set or processes to be executed by the image forming device12in order to execute printing.

However, when printing with an image forming device12which is not connected to the information processing system10, or which is connected but not approved, specific processes provided by the information processing system10may no longer be available.

Accordingly, the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment accepts a print job as a print request including print information to be printed, executes predetermined specific processes on the print information included in the accepted print job, and transmits the print job to the mobile terminal16as a preregistered information processing terminal that is to transmit the print job including the print information after execution of the specific processes to the image forming device12.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.4, a print job from the client computer14is addressed to the mobile terminal16and transmitted to a print management system50in the cloud. Note thatFIG.4is a diagram illustrating an overview of processes performed by the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment.

Upon accepting a print job, the print management system50saves a job log for managing a history and performs an authorization process for authorizing printing as the specific processes. Note that the authorization process involves, for example, sending a request to authorize printing of the print job to a preregistered client computer14and receiving an authorization result. Specifically, an authorization request email is transmitted to the email address of a preregistered authorizer. The authorizer operates the client computer14to open the email, launch a web browser from a link in the email, log in to the information processing system, confirm the print job to be authorized, and perform an authorization operation. On the basis of the authorization operation, the information processing system authorizes the print job to be authorized.

Next, the print management system50transmits the print job after the specific processes to the recipient mobile terminal16designated by the client computer14to spool the print job to the mobile terminal16. Note that spooling means temporarily storing print information in a separate location rather than transmitting the print information directly to the image forming device12.

Thereafter, short-range wireless communication is used to transmit the print job from the mobile terminal16to the image forming device12, thereby causing the print job after the specific processes to be printed by the image forming device12. This arrangement enables printing to be performed using specific processes provided by the information processing system10, even when printing with an image forming device12which is not connected to the information processing system, or which is connected but not approved. Note that in the exemplary embodiment, the print job is described as being transmitted from the mobile terminal16to the image forming device12by short-range wireless communication, but configuration is not limited to short-range wireless communication, and the print job may also be transmitted through a connection to the communication circuit18or by a wired connection.

A method of spooling a print job to the mobile terminal16and printing with the image forming device12will be described specifically.

First, the flow from the registration to the start of use of the mobile terminal16in the print management system50will be described.FIG.5is a diagram for explaining a flow from the registration to the start of use of the mobile terminal16in the print management system50.

A user logs in to the print management system50in the cloud through a web browser from the client computer14or the mobile terminal16of a user48, and registers the mobile terminal16of the user48.

Registration involves registering information that can be used to uniquely identify the mobile terminal16. For example, information such as a unique device identifier (UDID), a serial number, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, or a media access control (MAC) address is registered.

A supported application is installed on the mobile terminal to log in to the system. This arrangement allows for print jobs to be spooled to the mobile terminal.

When registering the mobile terminal16of the user48, the registration screen52illustrated inFIG.6is displayed in a web browser to accept the registration of the mobile terminal16, for example.FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example of the registration screen52when registering the mobile terminal16in the print management system50. Note that the mobile terminal16is registered from the client computer14or from the mobile terminal16.

The registration screen52inFIG.6illustrates an example in which “XXXPhone” is inputted as the name of the mobile terminal and “ABCDEFGH-XXXXXXXXXX” is inputted as the UDID. By operating “Register” inFIG.6, the mobile terminal16is registered in the print management system50. On the other hand, by operating “Cancel” inFIG.6, the registration of the mobile terminal16is canceled.

Next, the registration of a print job in the print management system50will be described.FIG.7is a diagram for explaining the registration of a print job in the print management system50.

A print job is registered using a print tool such as a printer driver that supports cloud printing or a web user interface (UI).

Specifically, when displaying a print settings screen of the print tool such as a printer driver or a web UI, a list of mobile terminals16to spool to, which are associated with the user48who is logged in to the print management system50, is acquired by downloading from the print management system50.

The user48sets the mobile terminal16to spool to from the list of mobile terminals16and registers the print job. The setting of the mobile terminal16to spool to is assumed to allow the selection of all mobile terminals16carried by the user48, or a mobile terminal16designated by the user48.

FIG.8is a diagram illustrating an example of a print settings screen54when setting the mobile terminal16to spool to from the print tool of the client computer14.

The print settings screen54inFIG.8illustrates an example of print settings in which the file name is set to “Proposal.pdf”, the number of copies is set to “1”, the color mode is set to “full color”, and duplex printing is set to “single-sided”. Also, the print settings screen54inFIG.8illustrates an example in which “Print proposal for Project ABC at Location Y” has been inputted as a comment to the authorizer. Furthermore, the print settings screen54inFIG.8illustrates an example in which “Set mobile terminal to spool to” is enabled, “Designated mobile terminal carried by this user” is selected, and “XXXPhone” is selected as the mobile terminal16. By operating “Register Job” inFIG.8, the print job is registered in the print management system50. On the other hand, by operating “Cancel”, the registration of the print job is canceled.

The following describes the flow up to when a print job registered in the print management system50is spooled to the mobile terminal16.FIG.9is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow up to when a print job registered in the print management system50is spooled to the mobile terminal16. Note that the following describes an example of performing a history management process, an authorization process, and a process of setting a period of validity as the specific processes.

When a print job is registered in the print management system50, a job log is saved in the print management system50in the cloud, print authorization is performed to make an authorization request and obtain authorization, and a period of validity is set for the print job, after which the print job is spooled to the mobile terminal16. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.9, the print management system50saves a job log and performs the authorization process if authorized printing is enabled. In other words, the print management system50transmits an authorization request to the client computer14used by the boss of the user48, and receives an authorization result regarding the print job. If an authorization result is received and the print job is authorized, the print management system50sets a period of validity for the job. The setting of the period of validity involves setting a predetermined deadline, for example. The predetermined deadline may be set by setting a period of authorized printing, a default period, or the like in advance, and setting the period of validity by deriving a deadline from the preset period.

After all of the process are completed, the print job is spooled to the mobile terminal16set as the spool target when the job was registered.FIG.9illustrates an example of spooling to a mobile terminal A (XXXXPhone) as the case of transmitting the print job to a designated mobile terminal16carried by the user48, and spooling to the mobile terminal A (XXXXPhone) and a mobile terminal B (YYYYPhone) as the case of transmitting the print job to all mobile terminals16carried by the user48.

The configuration of a spooled print job includes “print information” and “attribute information of the print information”, and this information is collectively referred to as the “print job”. Attribute information refers to print settings information managed separately from the print information, and information that includes the period of validity of the print job.

Spooling a print job normally involves transmitting from the cloud via push notification, but a print job may also be received via pull notification at any time chosen by the user48.

In a situation of printing from the mobile terminal16at another location or a visited destination, the output destination may not have the image forming device12of one's own company, and therefore the print job is spooled to the mobile terminal16after converting the format of the print job to a predetermined common format to allow the print job to be outputted irrespectively of the type of image forming device12. The print job is spooled to the mobile terminal16after converting the format to any of various common formats offered by various companies, such as the Portable Document Format (pdf) or Mopria.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an example of a progress screen56displayed on the mobile terminal16during spooling and a spooling complete screen58displayed after spooling is completed.

When spooling a print job to the mobile terminal16, the progress of spooling is displayed on a screen like the progress screen56illustrated inFIG.10. The progress screen56inFIG.10illustrates an example in which “Proposal.pdf” is being spooled, and the spooling is 65% complete. When spooling is completed, the spooling complete screen58is displayed. The spooling complete screen58inFIG.10illustrates an example in which “Proposal.pdf” has completed spooling and is ready to print.

The following describes the flow up to when a print job spooled to the mobile terminal16is transmitted to the image forming device12.FIG.11is a diagram for explaining the flow up to when a print job spooled to the mobile terminal16is transmitted to the image forming device12.

The supported application is launched on the mobile terminal16, and as illustrated inFIG.11, the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the image forming device12to connect to is acquired and set, and the job is transmitted to the image forming device12.

Information for connecting to the image forming device12may be set through manual input by the user48, or may be set by reading a near field communication (NFC) tag or a Quick Response (QR) code installed with respect to the image forming device12.

Transmission of a print job is executed according to an operation by the user48. For example, as illustrated inFIG.12, the supported application on the mobile terminal16displays a spooled print job list screen60, and the user48selects a desired print job to print and presses a Transmit button to transmit the selected print job.FIG.12is a diagram illustrating an example of the spooled print job list screen60.FIG.12illustrates an example in which two jobs for “Proposal.pdf” and “XX Corp. Research Data.pdf” are selected from the job list, whereas other jobs for “Report.docx” and the like are unselected.

The supported application on the mobile terminal16periodically checks the period of validity from the attribute information of spooled print jobs, and removes a job upon detecting that the period of validity has expired, irrespectively of whether the job has been transmitted to the image forming device12.

The following describes detailed processes performed by each device of the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment configured as above.

First, processes performed by the client computer14when transmitting a print job from the client computer14to the print management system50will be described.FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processes performed by the client computer14when a print job is transmitted from the client computer14to the print management system50in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that the processes inFIG.13are started when, for example, the user48operates the client computer14and the print tool is launched.

In step100, the CPU14A launches the print tool that supports cloud printing, and proceeds to step102. In other words, a print tool such as a printer driver is launched.

In step102, the CPU14A acquires the mobile terminal16to spool to from the cloud, and proceeds to step104. In other words, a list of mobile terminals16to spool to, which are associated with the user48who is logged in to the print management system50, is acquired by downloading from the print management system50.

In step104, the CPU14A determines whether there is a registered mobile terminal16to spool to. If the determination is positive, the CPU14A proceeds to step106, whereas if negative, the CPU14A proceeds to step112.

In step106, the CPU14A shows the user48the mobile terminal16to spool to, and proceeds to step108. In other words, the list of mobile terminals16acquired from the print management system50is displayed on the display14F.

In step108, the CPU14A determines whether a spool target is designated. This determination involves determining whether “Set mobile terminal to spool to” is enabled on the print settings screen54inFIG.8, for example. If the determination is positive, the CPU14A proceeds to step110, whereas if negative, the CPU14A proceeds to step112.

In step110, the CPU14A adds spool target information to the print job, and proceeds to step112.

In step112, the CPU14A transmits the print job to the print management system50, and ends the series of processes.

The following describes processes when the print management system50in the cloud receives a print job.FIG.14is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processes performed by the cloud server11when the print management system50receives a print job in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that the processes inFIG.14are started when a print job is transmitted from the client computer14.

In step200, the CPU11A receives a print job and proceeds to step202. In other words, the CPU11A receives the print job that was transmitted from the client computer14in step112above.

In step202, the CPU11A saves a job log and proceeds to step204. In other words, as a specific process, a history of jobs is saved as a job log.

In step204, the CPU11A determines whether authorized printing is enabled. The determination may involve determining whether authorized printing is set in the print job or determining whether authorized printing is enabled by a setting in the print management system50. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step206, whereas if negative, the process proceeds to step212.

In step206, the CPU11A makes an authorization request and proceeds to step208. For example, the CPU11A transmits an authorization request to the client computer14of a boss or the like registered in advance.

In step208, the CPU11A determines whether an authorization result is received. The CPU11A stands by until the determination is positive, and then proceeds to step210.

In step210, the CPU11A determines whether printing is authorized. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step212, whereas if negative, the series of processes ends.

In step212, the CPU11A sets a period of validity for the job, and proceeds to step214. For example, the CPU11A sets in the print job a period of validity calculated from a period set in advance by an administrator or the like.

In step214, the CPU11A determines whether a spool target exists. This determination involves, for example, determining whether spool target information was added to the print job in step110above. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step216, whereas if negative, the series of processes ends.

In step216, the CPU11A identifies the mobile terminal16to spool to, and proceeds to step218. In other words, the CPU11A identifies the mobile terminal16to spool to that was set on the print settings screen54inFIG.8.

In step218, the CPU11A determines whether communication is established with the mobile terminal16to spool to. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step220, whereas if negative, the series of processes ends. Note that when the determination is negative, communication may be reattempted after a predetermined time elapses or the like, and the CPU11A may determine whether communication has been established. Also, in this case, the series of processes may be ended if communication is not established after a predetermined number of attempts.

In step220, the CPU11A starts spooling the print job to the mobile terminal16, and ends the series of processes.

The following describes processes performed by the mobile terminal16when print jobs are spooled.FIG.15is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processes performed by the mobile terminal16when print jobs is spooled in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that the processes inFIG.15are started when print jobs to be spooled are transmitted from the print management system50.

In step300, the CPU16A receives print jobs transmitted from the print management system, and proceeds to step302.

In step302, the CPU16A displays the progress of receiving the print jobs on the display16F, and proceeds to step304. For example, the CPU16A displays the spooling progress screen56as illustrated inFIG.10.

In step304, the CPU16A determines whether all print jobs have been received. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step306, whereas if negative, the CPU16A returns to step300and repeats the above processes.

In step306, the CPU16A displays the print jobs and proceeds to step308. In other words, the CPU16A displays the print jobs received from the print management system50on the display16F. For example, the CPU16A displays the spooled print job list screen60on the display16F as illustrated inFIG.12.

In step308, the CPU determines whether there are no other print jobs to spool. If the determination is negative, the CPU returns to step300and repeats the processes above, whereas if the determination is positive, the CPU ends the series of processes.

Next, processes performed when transmitting a completely spooled print job from the mobile terminal16to the image forming device12will be described.FIG.16is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processes performed by a mobile terminal when a completely spooled print job is transmitted from the mobile terminal16to the image forming device12in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that the processes inFIG.16are started after a print job is spooled from the print management system50, when the supported application installed on the mobile terminal16is launched and a predetermined operation is performed to start transmitting the print job to the image forming device12, for example.

In step400, the CPU16A sets the connection destination and proceeds to step402. In other words, the CPU16A acquires and sets the IP address of the image forming device12to connect to.

In step402, the CPU16A selects a print job to print from among the spooled print jobs, and proceeds to step404. For example, as illustrated inFIG.12, the CPU16A displays a list of spooled print jobs and accepts the selection of a print job to print.

In step404, the CPU16A determines whether the selected print job is within the period of validity. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step406, whereas if negative, the process proceeds to step410.

In step406, the CPU16A transmits the selected print job to the image forming device12, and proceeds to step408.

In step408, the CPU16A determines whether transmission is successful. If the determination is positive, the CPU16A ends the series of processes, whereas if negative, the CPU16A proceeds to step410. Note that when transmission is successful, the CPU16A may remove the transmitted print job before ending the processes.

In step410, the CPU16A displays an error on the display16F, and ends the series of processes.

The following describes the flow when removing a print job that has been spooled to the mobile terminal16.FIG.17is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processes performed by the mobile terminal16when a print job that has been spooled to the mobile terminal16is removed in the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment. Note that the processes inFIG.17are started at, for example, at least one timing from among when the application is launched, when the application moves from the background to the foreground, and when a fixed time elapses (for example, every hour).

In step500, the CPU16A determines whether a spooled print job exists. If the determination is positive, the CPU16A proceeds to step502, whereas if negative, the CPU16A ends the series of processes.

In step502, the CPU16A checks the period of validity from the attribute information of the print job, and proceeds to step504.

In step504, the CPU16A determines whether an expired print job exists. If the determination is positive, the CPU16A proceeds to step506, whereas if negative, the CPU16A ends the series of processes.

In step506, the CPU16A removes the expired print job, and ends the series of processes.

Note that although the exemplary embodiment above describes an example of spooling a print job from the print management system50to the mobile terminal16and then transmitting the print job to the image forming device12, information that has been spooled to the mobile terminal16may also be transmitted to a destination other than the image forming device12. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, information to be processed may be registered in the cloud server11, the registered information to be processed may be spooled to the mobile terminal16, and the spooled information may be transmitted to another cloud server or to a processing device such as an image processing device.

In the exemplary embodiment, the term “processor” refers to hardware in a broad sense. Examples of the processor include general processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit), dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, and programmable logic device).

In the exemplary embodiment above, the term “processor” is broad enough to encompass one processor or plural processors in collaboration which are located physically apart from each other but may work cooperatively. The order of operations of the processor is not limited to one described in the exemplary embodiment above, and may be changed.

The “system” in the exemplary embodiment is described as a configuration formed by multiple devices as an example, but may also be a configuration formed by a single device.

The processes performed by the information processing system10according to the exemplary embodiment above may be processes performed by software, processes performed by hardware, or processes performed by a combination of the two. Moreover, the processes performed by the information processing system10may be stored and distributed on a storage medium as a program.

The present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and obviously various modifications other than the above may be carried out within a scope that does not depart from the gist of the present disclosure.

APPENDIX

An information processing system comprising:a processor configured to:accept a print request including print information to be printed and execute one or more predetermined specific processes on the print information included in the accepted print request; andtransmit the print request including the print information after execution of the one or more specific processes to a preregistered information processing terminal that is to transmit the print request to a printer.
(((2)))

The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein the processor is configured to convert the print request to information in a predetermined common format, and transmit the converted information to the information processing terminal.

The information processing system according to (((1))) or (((2))), wherein the processor is configured to execute at least one from among history management processing, an authorization process, and a confidentiality process as the one or more specific processes.

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the processor is configured to display, on the information processing terminal, a progress of transmitting the print request after execution of the one or more specific processes to the information processing terminal.

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the processor is configured to set a period of validity for the print request and transmit the print request to the information processing terminal.

The information processing system according to (((5))), wherein the processor is configured to confirm the period of validity at a predetermined timing, and remove the print request that has expired.

The information processing system according to (((6))), wherein the predetermined timing is at least one from among when an application is launched on the information processing terminal, when the application moves from background to foreground, and when a fixed time elapses.

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))), wherein the processor is configured to accept a selection result of the information processing terminal to which to transmit the print request after execution of the one or more specific processes, and transmit the print request to the selected information processing terminal.

The information processing system according to (((8))), wherein the processor is configured to accept the information processing terminal designated by a user or all information processing terminals carried by the user as the selection result.

The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((9))), wherein the processor is configured to transmit the print request that has been transmitted to the information processing terminal to the printer by wireless communication.

An information processing program causing a computer to execute a process comprising:accepting a print request including print information to be printed and executing one or more predetermined specific processes on the print information included in the accepted print request; andtransmitting the print request including the print information after execution of the specific processes to a preregistered information processing terminal that is to transmit the print request to a printer.