Printing system and method for obtaining a desired or an alternative pull-printing result

A printing system includes an image forming apparatus, a management server, and a print data transmission apparatus, each of which are coupled one another via a network. The print transmission apparatus transmits print data to the management server in association with a user. The image forming apparatus, including apparatus-supported setting data, (i) causes the management server to authenticate the user, and (ii) prints the print data. The management server (i) manages the print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus, (ii) performs authentication of the user, and changes the print data associated with the user to supported print data corresponding to the apparatus-supported setting data, and (iii) transmits the supported print data to the image forming apparatus, if the authentication of the user is successful.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon, and claims the benefit of priority from, corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-144820, filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 27, 2012, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to printing systems that include an image forming apparatus, a management server that manages users of the image forming apparatus, and a print data transmission apparatus that transmits, to the management server, print data for printing to be performed by the image forming apparatus in association with specified users, and related printing methods.

BACKGROUND

An example of a typical print management technique is “pull printing” in which a printer outputs images based on document information obtained directly from a server without using a host system.

A typical printing system performing pull printing includes an image forming apparatus, a management server that manages users of the image forming apparatus, and a print data transmission apparatus that transmits, to the management server, print data for printing performed by the image forming apparatus in association with specified users. The image forming apparatus of the printing system includes an authentication request unit that sends the management server a request for authentication of a user, and a print execution unit that performs printing based on print data transmitted from the management server. The management server of the printing system includes a print data management unit that manages print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus, an authentication execution unit that performs authentication of the user based on the request for authentication, and a print data transmission unit that transmits, to an image forming apparatus that requested the authentication, print data that is included in the print data managed by the print data management unit and that is associated with the user who has been successfully authenticated by the authentication execution unit.

In this printing system, after the user who wants to perform pull printing has sent a request for authentication from the image forming apparatus to the management server and has been successfully authenticated by the management server, the image forming apparatus prints based on print data that is managed by the management server and that is associated with the user who has been successfully authenticated by the management server. Hence, the likelihood of someone else taking the printed output is decreased.

Further, when the user performs pull printing in this printing system, printing is performed at any image forming apparatus from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses included in this printing system. For example, the user who wants to perform pull printing can cause pull printing be performed at any image forming apparatus that is not being used by other users. A user who performs pull printing can cause pull printing be performed at image forming apparatuses that do not have a paper jam or a shortage of expendable supplies from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses included in the printing system.

However, in the printing system described above, when the print data transmitted from the management server to an image forming apparatus is not supported by the image forming apparatus, the image data is not processed properly in the image forming apparatus. Hence, in some cases, printing may not be performed or a desired print result may not be obtained.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a printing system and a printing method that can realize, in pull printing, a print result that is desired by a user or an alternative print result.

A printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image forming apparatus, a management server, and a print data transmission apparatus, each of which are coupled to a network. The print data transmission apparatus includes a first print data transmission unit configured to transmit print data associated with a user to the management server. The image forming apparatus includes an authentication request unit configured to cause the management server to authenticate the user, and a print execution unit, including apparatus-supported setting data, configured to print the print data transmitted from the management server. The management server includes a print data management unit configured to manage the print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus, an authentication execution unit configured to authenticate the user, and a second print data transmission unit configured to change the print data associated with the user to supported print data corresponding to the apparatus-supported setting data, and transmit the supported print data to the image forming apparatus, if authentication of the user is successful.

A method of printing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is performed by a printing system that includes an image forming apparatus, a management server, and a print data transmission apparatus, each of which are coupled to a network. The method includes, via the print data transmission apparatus, transmitting print data associated with a user to the management server; via the image forming apparatus including apparatus-supported setting data, causing the management server to authenticate the user, and printing the print data transmitted from the management server; via the management server, managing the print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus, performing authentication of the user, changing, if the authentication of the user is successful, the print data associated with the user to supported print data corresponding to the apparatus-supported setting data, and transmitting the supported print data to the image forming apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The printing system10includes a plurality of multifunction peripherals (MFPs) including an MFP20and an MFP30, a management server40that manages users of the MFPs, and a plurality of print data transmission apparatuses, including a print data transmission apparatus50, that transmit print data associated with specific users to the management server40for printing by the MFPs. The plurality of the MFPs, the management server40, and the plurality of print data transmission apparatuses are connected to one another in such a manner as to be able to communicate with one another via a network11, such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. The image forming apparatuses of the present disclosure includes the plurality of the MFPs.

The plurality of the MFPs included in the printing system10have the same configuration as the MFP20or the MFP30. Hereinafter the MFP20and the MFP30will be described.

Similarly, the plurality of the print data transmission apparatuses included in the printing system10have the same configuration as the print data transmission apparatus50. Hereinafter, the print data transmission apparatus50will be described.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP20.

The MFP20includes an operation unit21, a display unit22, a printer23, a scanner24, a facsimile communication unit25, a network communication unit26, a storage unit27, and a control unit28. The operation unit21is an input device including, for example, buttons, for receiving various user operations performed thereon. The display unit22is a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying various types of information. The printer23is a printing device for printing on a sheet of paper. The scanner24is a reading device for reading an image from an original document. The facsimile communication unit25is a facsimile device for communicating with an external facsimile device (not illustrated) via a communication line, such as a public telephone network. The network communication unit26is a network communication device for communicating with external apparatuses via the network11. The storage unit27is a storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), for storing various types of information. The control unit28controls the entirety of the MFP20.

The storage unit27stores an MFP program27a, which is a program for the MFP, and an apparatus-supported setting table27b, which contains the apparatus settings data supported by a print execution unit28bdescribed later.

The MFP program27amay be installed in the MFP20at the manufacturing stage of the MFP20or may be additionally installed in the MFP20from a storage medium, such as an SD card or a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick. Alternatively, the MFP program27amay be additionally installed in the MFP20from the network11.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus-supported setting table27b.

The apparatus-supported setting table27bstores the apparatus settings data and the support statuses for the apparatus settings.

The apparatus-supported setting table27bshows that the MFP20supports an option for indicating a number of printed copies in the print attribute information of the print data. Additionally, the MFP20supports printing on A4- and A3-size paper by indicating the sheet size information in the print attribute information of the print data. Further, the MFP20supports “monochrome” and “color” printing by indicating the color/black information in the print attribute information of the print data.

The control unit28illustrated inFIG. 2includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) storing programs and various data, and a random access memory (RAM) used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit27.

The control unit28, by executing the MFP program27a, functions as (i) an authentication request unit28awhich sends to the management server40a request for authentication of a user, (ii) the print execution unit28bthat prints based on print data transmitted from the management server40, and (iii) an apparatus-supported setting table management unit28cthat manages the apparatus-supported setting table27b.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP30.

The MFP30includes an operation unit31, a display unit32, a printer33, a scanner34, a facsimile communication unit35, a network communication unit36, a storage unit37, and a control unit38that are respectively similar to the operation unit21, the display unit22, the printer23, the scanner24, the facsimile communication unit25the network communication unit26, the storage unit27, and the control unit28of the MFP20.

However, in the present embodiment, the storage unit37is a memory device such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) storing various types of data and has a considerably smaller amount of storage than the storage unit27.

The storage unit37stores an MFP program37aand an apparatus-supported setting table37bthat are respectively similar to the MFP program27aof the storage unit27and the apparatus-supported setting table27b.

The control unit38, by executing the MFP program37a, functions as an authentication request unit38a, a print execution unit38b, and an apparatus-supported setting data management unit38cthat are respectively similar to the authentication request unit28a, the print execution unit28b, and the apparatus-supported setting table management unit28cof the control unit28.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus-supported setting table37b.

The apparatus-supported setting table37bstores the apparatus settings data and the support statuses for the apparatus settings.

The apparatus-supported setting table37billustrated inFIG. 5shows that the MFP30does not support an option for indicating a number of printed copies in the print attribute information of the print data. The MFP30supports printing on A4-paper by indicating the sheet size information in the print attribute information of the print data, but does not support printing on A3-size paper. Further, the MFP30supports “monochrome” printing by indicating the color/black information in the print attribute information of the print data, but does not support “color” printing.

Note that the reason why the MFP20, but not the MFP30, supports the option for indicating a number of printed copies in the print attribute information of the print data is that the storage unit37of the MFP30does not have a storage capacity sufficient for temporarily storing the print data until the printing is completed, whereas the storage unit27of the MFP20has a storage capacity sufficient for temporarily storing the print data until the printing is completed.

FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the management server40.

The management server40includes an operation unit41, a display unit42, a network communication unit43, a storage unit44, and a control unit45. The operation unit41is an input device such as a mouse or keyboard via which various types of information are input. The display unit42is a display device, such as an LCD, for displaying various types of information. The network communication unit43is a network communication device for communicating with external apparatuses via the network11. The storage unit44is a storage device, such as an HDD, for storing programs and various types of data. The control unit45controls the entirety of the management server40. The management server40takes the form of a computer such as a personal computer (PC).

The storage unit44stores a management server program44a, which is a program for the management server40, and authentication information44bfor authenticating users. The authentication information44bcontains combinations of user IDs (i.e., identification information of users) and passwords.

The management server program44amay be installed in the management server40at the manufacturing stage of the management server40or may be additionally installed in the management server40from a storage medium such as a compact disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD). Alternatively, the management server program44amay be additionally installed in the management server program44afrom the network11.

The storage unit44is configured to be able to store a plurality of print jobs44ctransmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50.

The control unit45includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and various types of data, and a RAM used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes the programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit44.

The control unit45, by executing the management server program44astored in the storage unit44, functions as (i) a print data management unit45athat manages the print jobs44cin the storage unit44transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50, (ii) an authentication execution unit45bthat authenticates users based on requests for authentication transmitted from the MFPs or the print data transmission apparatus, and (iii) a print data transmission unit45cthat transmits a piece of print data, among the print jobs44c, associated with the user who has been successfully authenticated to the MFP that requested the authentication.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the print data transmission apparatus50.

The print data transmission apparatus50includes an operation unit51, a display unit52, a network communication unit53, a storage unit54, and a control unit55. The operation unit51is an input device such as a mouse or keyboard via which various types of information are input by the user. The display unit52is a display device, such as an LCD, for displaying various types of information. The network communication unit53is a network communication device for communicating with external apparatuses via the network11. The storage unit54is a storage device, such as an HDD, for storing programs and various types of data. The control unit55controls the entirety of the print data transmission apparatus50. The print data transmission apparatus50takes the form of a computer such as a PC.

The storage unit54stores a printer driver54afor generating print data based on which the MFPs perform printing.

The printer driver54amay be installed in print data transmission apparatus50at the manufacturing stage of the print data transmission apparatus50or may be additionally installed in the print data transmission apparatus50from a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD. Alternatively, the printer driver54amay be additionally installed in the print data transmission apparatus50from the network11.

The control unit55includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM which stores programs and various types of data, and a RAM used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes the programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit54.

The control unit55, by executing the printer driver54astored in the storage unit54, functions as (i) an authentication request unit55athat issues to the management server40the request for authentication of the user and (ii) a print data transmission unit55bthat transmits print data.

Described next is the operation of the printing system10when print data is transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50.

A user of the print data transmission apparatus50can instruct the print data transmission apparatus50to print via the operation unit51in an application program such as document creation software.

The control unit55of the print data transmission apparatus50, when instructed to print, executes the operation illustrated inFIG. 8by activating the printer driver54a.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the print data transmission apparatus50at the time of execution of the printer driver54a.

The authentication request unit55aof the control unit55in the print data transmission apparatus50requests authentication of the user by transmitting the user ID and password of the current user to the management server40via the network communication unit53(S101).

The authentication execution unit45bof the management server40, upon receipt of the request for authentication of the user from the print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit43, performs the requested authentication. Here, the authentication execution unit45bdetermines that the authentication is successful if the combination of the user ID and password received from the print data transmission apparatus50is stored in the authentication information44b. On the other hand, the authentication execution unit45bdetermines that the authentication is unsuccessful if the combination of the user ID and password received from the print data transmission apparatus50is not stored in the authentication information44b.

Then the authentication execution unit45btransmits the authentication result to the print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit43.

The authentication request unit55aof the control unit55in the print data transmission apparatus50, when the process of step S101is finished, continues to determine whether or not the authentication result has been received from the management server40until it is determined that the authentication result has been received from the management server40via the network communication unit53(S102).

When it is determined in step S102that the authentication result has been received from the management server40, the authentication request unit55adetermines in step S102whether or not the authentication of the user is successful based on the authentication result received from the management server40(S103).

The authentication request unit55aterminates the process illustrated inFIG. 8if it is determined in step S103that the authentication of the user is unsuccessful.

If it is determined in step S103that the authentication of the user is successful, the print data transmission unit55bof the print data transmission apparatus50displays a print instruction screen60illustrated inFIG. 9on the display unit52(S104).

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of the print instruction screen60displayed on the display unit52of the print data transmission apparatus50.

The print instruction screen60includes a drop-down list61allowing the user to select a transmission destination of print data, a drop-down list62allowing the user to select the size of a recording medium to which to print, i.e., a sheet size, a radio button63aallowing the user to select “color” among the print colors, a radio button63ballowing the user to select “monochrome” among the print colors, a spin button64allowing the user to select the number of copies, a print button65for transmitting print data, and a cancel button66for cancelling a print instruction.

In the drop-down list61, it is possible to select the management server40other than the MFPs.

The radio button63aand the radio button63bare configured in such a manner that only one of them can be selected.

Referring toFIG. 8, the print data transmission unit55bof the print data transmission apparatus50, upon termination of the process of step S104, determines whether or not the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is an MFP (S105).

If it is determined in step S105that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is an MFP, the print data transmission unit55brequests an apparatus-supported setting table from the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61via the network communication unit53(S106).

For example, when the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is the MFP20, the apparatus-supported setting table management unit28cof the control unit28in the MFP20, upon receipt of the request for an apparatus-supported setting table from the print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit26, transmits the apparatus-supported setting table27bstored in the storage unit27to the print data transmission apparatus50. Although an instance has been described previously in which the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is the MFP20, a similar process is performed if the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is an MFP other than the MFP20—for example, the MFP30.

The print data transmission unit55bof the control unit55in the print data transmission apparatus50, upon termination of the process of step S106, continues to determine whether or not an apparatus-supported setting table has been received via the network communication unit53from the MFP specified by the drop-down list61(S107).

When it is determined in step S107that the apparatus-supported setting table has been received from the MFP specified by the drop-down list61, the print data transmission unit55brestricts the settings regarding sheet size information and color/black information based on the apparatus-supported setting table received from the MFP in step S107(S108). For example, if the sheet size information indicates that printing to an “A3” size recording medium is not supported, then an A3-size recording medium will not be selectable in the drop-down list62. If the color/black information indicates that “color” printing is not supported, then the print data transmission unit55bmakes the radio button63anon-selectable.

If it is determined in step S105that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is not an MFP or when the process of step S108is finished, the print data transmission unit55bdetermines whether or not the print button65has been pressed (S109).

If it is determined in step S109that the print button65has not been pressed, the print data transmission unit55bdetermines whether or not the cancel button66has been pressed (S110).

If it is determined in step S110that the cancel button66has not been pressed, the print data transmission unit55bdetermines whether or not the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61has been changed (S111).

If it is determined in step S111that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61has been changed, the print data transmission unit55bperforms the process of step S105again.

If it is determined in step S111that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61has not been changed, the print data transmission unit55bperforms the process of step S109again.

If it is determined in step S109that the print button65has been pressed, the print data transmission unit55bdetermines whether or not the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is an MFP (S112).

If it is determined in step S112that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is an MFP, the print data transmission unit55bdetermines, based on the received apparatus-supported setting data, whether or not the MFP supports the option to indicate the number of copies (S113).

If it is determined in step S112that the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is not an MFP, i.e., the transmission destination is the management server40, or if it is determined in step S113that the MFP, which is the transmission destination, supports the option to indicate the number of copies, then the print data transmission unit55btransmits print data to the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61via the network communication unit53(S114). The print data includes image data, sheet size information corresponding to the sheet size specified by the drop-down list62, color/black information indicating “monochrome” or “color” printing specified by the radio button63aand the radio button63b, and information indicating the number of copies specified by the spin button64. Here, when the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61is the management server40, the print data transmission unit55btransmits the print data to the management server40. The print data management unit45aof the management server40, upon receipt of the print data transmitted from the received print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit43, stores the print data in the storage unit44.

When it is determined in step S113that the MFP which is the transmission destination does not support the option to indicate the number of copies, the print data transmission unit55btransmits a number of print jobs that is equal to the number of copies specified by the spin button64to the MFP that is the transmission destination specified by the drop-down list61via the network communication unit53(S115). Here, the print data includes image data, sheet size information corresponding to the sheet size specified by the drop-down list62, and color/black information indicating “monochrome” or “color” printing specified by the radio button63aand the radio button63b.

If it is determined in step S110that the cancel button66has been pressed or when the process of step S114or S115has been finished, the print data transmission unit55bterminates display of the print instruction screen60on the display unit52(S116) and terminates the process illustrated inFIG. 8.

Described next is the operation of the printing system10in an instance in which print data transmitted directly from the print data transmission apparatus50to the MFP20is processed by the MFP20.

The control unit28of the MFP20performs an operation illustrated inFIG. 10upon receiving the print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit26in step S114.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the MFP20performed when printing based on print data.

The print execution unit28bstores print data received via the network communication unit26in the storage unit27(S121).

Then, the print execution unit28bof the MFP20prints using the printer23based on the print data stored in the storage unit27in step S121(S122).

Then, the print execution unit28bdetermines whether or not the number of printed copies is the same as the number of copies indicated in the print attribute information of the print data (S123).

If it is determined in step S123that the number of printed copies is not the same as the number of copies indicated in the print attribute information of the print data, the print execution unit28bperforms the process of step S122again to print one more copy.

If it is determined in step S123that the number of printed copies is the same as the number of copies indicated in the print attribute information of the print data, the print execution unit28bterminates the process illustrated inFIG. 10.

Next, the operation of the printing system10will be described for the case in which print data transmitted directly from the print data transmission apparatus50to the MFP30is processed by the MFP30.

The control unit38of the MFP30performs the process illustrated inFIG. 11upon receiving the print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50via the network communication unit36in step S115.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the MFP30performed when printing based on print data.

The print execution unit38bof the control unit38in the MFP30prints using the printer33based on the print data received via the network communication unit36(S141) and terminates the process illustrated inFIG. 11.

Hence, the MFP30, upon receipt via the network communication unit36of a plurality of print jobs, each including a single copy of the print data, can print a plurality of copies based on these print jobs. However, the MFP30can print only a single copy of each print job, even when the print data indicates a multiple number of copies for a respective job.

Described next is the operation of the printing system10for the case in which print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50to the management server40is processed by an MFP—that is, when pull printing is performed.

As described above, print data transmitted from the print data transmission apparatus50to the management server40is stored in the storage unit44of the management server40.

A user can instruct the MFP20to display the individual print jobs stored in the management server40via operation of the operation unit21of the MFP20.

The control unit28of the MFP20, upon receipt of an instruction to display the list of the print jobs stored in the management server40, performs the process illustrated inFIG. 12.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the MFP20performed when the management server40is instructed to display the list of print jobs stored in the management server40.

The authentication request unit28aof the control unit28in the MFP20requests authentication of the user by transmitting the ID and password of the current user to the management server40via the network communication unit26(S161).

The authentication execution unit45bof the control unit45in the management server40, upon receiving the request for authentication of the user from the MFP20via the network communication unit43, performs the requested authentication of the user. Here, the authentication execution unit45bdetermines that the authentication is successful if the combination of the user ID and password received from the MFP20is included in the authentication information44b. On the other hand, the authentication execution unit45bdetermines that the authentication is unsuccessful if the combination of the user ID and password received from the MFP20is not included in the authentication information44b.

The authentication execution unit45btransmits the authentication result to the MFP20via the network communication unit43.

The authentication request unit28aof the MFP20, upon completion of the process of step S161, determines whether or not the authentication result has been received from the management server40(S162).

The authentication request unit28a, if it is determined in step S162that the authentication result has been received from the management server40, determines whether or not the user authentication is successful or not based on the authentication result received from the management server40in step S162(S163).

If it is determined in step S163that the authentication of the user is unsuccessful, the authentication request unit28aterminates the process illustrated inFIG. 12.

If it is determined in step S163that the authentication of the user is successful, the print execution unit28bof the control unit28in the MFP20requests a list of print jobs stored in the management server40from the management server40via the network communication unit26(S164).

The print data management unit45ain the management server40, upon receiving the request for the list of the print jobs from the MFP20via the network communication unit43, transmits to the MFP20the list of the print jobs of the current user of the MFP20from among the print jobs44cstored in the storage unit44.

The print execution unit28bof the control unit28in the MFP20, upon completing the process of step S164, continues to determine whether or not the list of the print jobs has been received from the management server40via the network communication unit26(S165).

When it is determined in step S165that the list of the print jobs has been received from the management server40, the print execution unit28bdisplays a list screen70illustrated inFIG. 13on the display unit (S166).

FIG. 13is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the list screen70displayed on the display unit of the MFP20.

The list screen70includes a list area71displaying the list of selectable print jobs, a print button72for printing based on a print job selected in the list area71, and a cancel button73for cancelling a print instruction.

Referring toFIG. 12, the print execution unit28bof the control unit28in the MFP20, upon termination of the process of step S166, determines whether or not the print button72has been pressed (S167).

If it is determined in step S167that the print button72has not been pressed, the print execution unit28bdetermines whether or not the cancel button73has been pressed (S168).

If it is determined in step S168that the cancel button73has not been pressed, the print execution unit28bperforms the process of step S167again.

If it is determined in step S167that the print button72has been pressed, the print execution unit28brequests the print job selected in the list area71from the management server40via the network communication unit26(S169).

If it is determined in step S168that the cancel button73has been pressed or when the process of step S169is finished, the print execution unit28bterminates display of the list screen70on the display unit (S170) and terminates the process illustrated inFIG. 12.

Although an instance is described above in which the user instructs the MFP20to display the list of print jobs, a similar process is performed for the case in which the user instructs an MFP, such as the MFP30, other than the MFP20to display the list of print jobs.

The management server40, upon receipt of the request for print jobs from an MFP in step S169, performs the process illustrated inFIG. 14.

FIG. 14is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the management server40performed when print jobs are requested by an MFP.

The print data transmission unit45cin the management server40requests apparatus-supported setting data from the MFP that requested print data, i.e., from the transmission destination of the print data, via the network communication unit43(S181).

The apparatus-supported setting data management unit of the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data, upon receiving the request for the apparatus-supported setting data from the management server40via the network communication unit43(S181), transmits the apparatus-supported setting data stored in the storage unit to the management server40via the network communication unit.

The print data transmission unit45cof the management server40, upon termination of the process of step S181, determines whether or not the apparatus-supported setting data has been received from the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data (S182).

If it is determined in step S182that the apparatus-supported setting data has been received from the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data, the print data transmission unit45cdetermines whether or not the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data supports the sheet size indicated by the sheet size information of the print data to be transmitted, based on the received apparatus-supported setting data (S183).

If it is determined in step S183that the transmission destination of the print data does not support the sheet size indicated by the sheet size information of the print data to be transmitted, the print data transmission unit45cchanges the sheet size information to indicate a “supported” sheet size that is included in the apparatus-supported setting data of the MFP (S184). For example, when sheet size information of the print data indicates an A3 size but the apparatus-supported setting data does not include an A3 size as a supported sheet size as illustrated inFIG. 5, the print data transmission unit45cchanges the sheet size information of this print data to indicate an A4 size, which is a supported sheet size as indicated by the apparatus-supported setting data of the MFP to which the print data is to be transmitted.

If it is determined in step S183that the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data supports the sheet size indicated by the sheet size information of the print data to be transmitted or when the process of step S184is finished, the print data transmission unit45cdetermines whether or not the MFP to which the print data is to be transmitted supports the color indicated by the color/black information of the print data to be transmitted, based on the received data of the apparatus-supported settings (S185).

If it is determined in step S185that the MFP to which the print data is to be transmitted does not support the color indicated by the color/black information of the print data to be transmitted, the print data transmission unit45cchanges the color/black information of the print data to be transmitted to indicate a “supported” color that is included in the apparatus-supported setting data (S186). For example, when the color/black information indicates “color printing but the apparatus-supported setting data does not include “color” printing, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the print data transmission unit45cchanges the color/black information to indicate “monochrome” printing.

If it is determined in step S185that the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data supports the color indicated by the color/black information of the print data to be transmitted or when the process of step S186is finished, the print data transmission unit45cdetermines whether or not the MFP to which the print data is to be transmitted supports, based on the received data of the apparatus-supported settings, printing the number of copies indicated in the print data.

If it is determined in step S187that the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data does not support printing the number of copies indicated in the print data, the print data transmission unit45cchanges the print data to a number of individual print jobs equal to the indicated number of copies (S188). For example, when the print data includes image data and information indicating three printed copies, the print data transmission unit45cchanges this print data to three individual print jobs, each including a single copy of the print data.

If it is determined in step S187that the MFP that is the transmission destination of the print data supports printing the indicated number of copies or when the process of step S188is finished, the print data transmission unit45ctransmits the print data to the MFP that is the transmission destination via the network communication unit43(S189) and terminates the process illustrated inFIG. 14.

The MFP20, upon receiving the print data from the management server40in step S189, performs the process illustrated inFIG. 10and performs printing.

The MFP30, upon receipt of the print data from the management server40in step S189, performs the process illustrated inFIG. 11and performs printing.

As described above, when the apparatus-supported setting data of an MFP to which print data is to be transmitted from the management server40does not correspond to print attribute information included in this print data (No in step S183, No in step S185, No in step S187), the printing system10changes this print data to include attribute information corresponding to the apparatus-supported setting data (S184, S186, S188). As a result, in pull printing, a print result that is the same as the print result desired by the user or the print result alternative to the print result desired by the user is obtained.

Specifically, when print attribute information in the print data to be transmitted to an MFP from the management server40indicates a desired number of printed copies, even if the MFP does not support printing of the number of copies indicated by the print data (No in step S187), the printing system10changes this print data to a number of individual print jobs equal to the indicated number of copies (S188). As a result, the user obtains the desired output. Note that although the process for changing the original print data to a number of individual print jobs equal to the indicated number of copies is performed in the embodiment described above, the original print data may be controlled so as to be changed to a single print job by removing the information indicating the number of copies. However, in this case, it is preferable to control the display unit22of the MFP to display a message noting that the number of copies has been changed.

Even if an MFP does not support the sheet size indicated by the sheet size information of the print data that is to be transmitted from the management server40to the MFP (No in step S183), the printing system10changes this print data to indicate a supported sheet size (S184). As a result, the user obtains a modified print result as an alternative to the desired print. For example, in pull printing, the print data representing an A3-size recording medium cannot be printed by the MFP30that does not support the A3 size without the management server40changing the size from A3 to A4. However, in pull printing in the printing system10, since the print data represented by A3-size is printed by the MFP30after the conversion process performed by the management server40(such as reduction of the A3-size printing data to A4-size printing data), A4-size output is obtained by the MFP30.

Even when an MFP does not support the color indicated by the color/black information of the print data that is to be transmitted from the management server40to the MFP (No in step S185), the printing system10changes this print data to include color/black information indicating one of the colors supported by this MFP (S186). As a result, the user obtains a print result that is different from the print result desired in pull printing, i.e., a print output that uses a color that is different from the color desired. For example, in pull printing, when the image data of a yellow bar graph or text data of yellow text is printed by the MFP30, the MFP30changes the color image to a monochrome image using a monochrome conversion function provided in the MFP30. However, in this case, a monochrome print output may be obtained in which the bar graph or text is difficult to visualize due to unclear shading or a low black density. However, in pull printing in the printing system10, the image data of the yellow bar graph or the text data of the yellow text is changed by the management server40to monochrome image data in which, for example, yellow is represented as non-shaded black, before printing is performed by the MFP30. As a result, easy-to-read output is obtained in which a bar graph and text have clear shading or a high black density.

In the present embodiment, information indicating the number of copies, the sheet size, and the color, among the print attributes of print data, has been described as an example of the apparatus settings data that are not supported by an MFP. However, the apparatus settings data that are not supported by an MFP among the print attributes of print data may be print attribute information other than the information indicating the number of copies, the sheet size, and the color.

In the printing system10, since the management server40obtains the data of apparatus-supported settings from an MFP as required (S181), a change in system configuration, for example, addition and deletion of an MFP and a change in the apparatus settings data supported by the MFP, may be easily handled. Note that when the printing system10employs a configuration in which the management server40stores the data of apparatus-supported settings of all the MFPs in the printing system10, the management server40need not obtain the apparatus-supported setting data from the MFPs.

In the printing system10, since the management server40automatically changes print data, a user operation for changing print data is not required. As a result, for example, a printing error due to a user's improper operation is prevented in the printing system10.

As has been described above, the management server40changes print data in accordance with the apparatus settings data supported by an MFP to which the print data is transmitted. Since the management server40need not ask an MFP to change the print data in accordance with the apparatus settings data supported by the MFP, the configuration of the MFP need not be changed when the management server40is incorporated into an existing printing system including MFPs. As a result, the management server40can be easily incorporated into an existing printing system including MFPs.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are possible. Other designs may be used in which the above-described components are each present.

Although the management server40is configured to store print data in the printing system10of the present embodiment, a spool server for storing print data may be provided separately from the management server40.

Although the printing system10of the present embodiment includes an MFP as an image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a printer, may be included.