Image forming device that determines whether additional information is necessary to execute a print job received from a terminal device, and image forming system and non-transitory readable recording medium

An image forming device comprises: an additional information determining part that determines necessity of additional information required for execution of a print job based on information received from a terminal device; a print job storage that temporarily stores therein the print job received from the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines the additional information is necessary; an additional information requesting part that requests for the additional information to the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines the additional information is necessary; an additional information obtaining part that obtains the additional information from the terminal device; a print setting applying part that applies the additional information to the print job stored in the print job storage; and a printing part that produces the printed output based on the print job to which the additional information is applied by the print setting applying part.

This application is based on the application No. 2015-145510 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming device, a terminal device, an image forming system and a non-transitory readable recording medium. The present invention more specifically relates to a technique of sending a print job to the image forming device from the terminal device and producing a printed output.

Description of the Background Art

A print job transmission function is regurarily included in an operating system of a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The print job transmission function generates a simple print job and sends it to an image forming device. The print job transmission function called AirPrint (registered trademark) is regurarily included in iPhone (registered trademark) designed and marketed by Apple Inc. for instance, as one of standard functions of iOS (registered trademark) which is an operating system. The print job transmission function searches for the image forming device with which the terminal device is allowed to communicate and displays. After the image forming device to be a destination is designated by a user, the print job transmission function generates the simple print job and sends it to the designated destination.

The print job transmission function regurarily included in the operating system of the terminal device generates the simple print job that may be printed at various types of image forming devices and sends. When the user instructs to print using the print job transmission function, he or she is allowed to configure settings about limited print setting items such as the number of copies. On the other hand, he or she is not allowed to configure a variety of setting items that may be set at the image forming device which is the destination. It is assumed, for example, the user of the terminal device would like to print a paper that he or she does not want to a third person to see. Even in such a case, he or she cannot instruct a secured printing using a print function such as a confidential printing supported by the image forming device.

Print data outputted from a printer driver is changed to appropriate data for the image forming device which is the destination by a port monitor of conventional computers. This known technique is introduced for example in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP 2009-282695 A. According to the known technique, after receiving the print data from the printer driver, the port monitor temporarily stores the received print data and extracts print settings from the print data. The port monitor then obtains the print function of the image forming device from the image forming device which is designated as the destination, and receives setting operations of print conditions by the user. The port monitor merges the settings additionally configured and the settings configured at the beginning and regenerates the final print job. The port monitor then sends the regenerated print job to the image forming device. If the port monitor is equipped with the terminal device such as the smartphone or the tablet terminal, the user is allowed to configure the variety of the setting items that may be set at the image forming device which is the destination about the simple print job generated using the print job transmission function such as AirPrint.

If, however, the conventional port monitor as described above is equipped with the terminal device, all the process of determining the variety of the setting items that may be configured at the image forming device which is the destination and/or regenerating the final print job needs to be performed at the terminal device, resulting in extreme increase in load on the terminal device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems. Thus, the present invention is intended to provide an image forming device, a terminal device, an image forming system and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium capable of allowing a user to configure a variety of setting items that may be set at the image forming device which is a destination without having an increase in a load on the terminal device even when a print job is generated using a print job transmission function regurarily included in an operating system of the terminal device.

First, the present invention is directed to an image forming device, that is allowed to communicate with a terminal device having a print job transmission function in an operating system, receives a print job sent from the terminal device using the print job transmission function and produces a printed output.

According to one aspect of this invention, the image forming device comprises: an additional information determining part that determines necessity of additional information required for execution of the print job based on information received from the terminal device; a print job storage that temporarily stores therein the print job received from the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines the additional information is necessary; an additional information requesting part that requests for the additional information to the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines the additional information is necessary; an additional information obtaining pert that obtains the additional information from the terminal device; a print setting applying part that applies the additional information to the print job stored in the print job storage after the additional information is obtained by the additional information obtaining part and a printing part that produces the printed output based on the print job to which the additional information is applied by the print setting applying part.

Second, the present invention is directed to a terminal device having a print job transmission function in an operating system sends a print job to an image forming device using the print job transmission function.

According to one aspect of this invention, the terminal device comprises: a display part on which a variety of information is displayed; a manipulation input pan that receives user inputs; an application running part that runs a predetermined application if additional information is requested by the image forming device when the print job transmission function sends the print job; an additional information receiving part that enables the application to display a screen to input the additional information on the display part and receives an input of the additional information based on the user input to the manipulation input part; and an additional information transmission part that sends the additional information received by the additional information receiving part to the image forming device separately from the print job.

Third, the present invention is directed to an image forming system.

According to one aspect of this invention, the image forming system comprises: a terminal device that has a print job transmission function in an operating system; and an image forming device that is capable of communicating with the terminal device, and receives a print job sent from the terminal device by using the print job transmission function and produces a printed output. The image forming device includes: an additional information determining pan that determines necessity of additional information relating to print setting required for execution of the print job based on Information received from the terminal device; a print job storage that temporarily stores therein the print job received from the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines that the additional information is necessary; an additional information requesting part that requests for the additional information to the terminal device when the additional information determining part determines that the additional information is necessary; an additional information obtaining part that obtains the additional information from the terminal device; a print setting applying part that applies the additional information to the print setting about the print job stored in the print job storage after the additional information is obtained by the additional information obtaining part; and a printing part that executes the print job and produces the printed output based on the print setting to which the additional information is applied by the print setting applying part. The terminal device includes: a display part on which a variety of information is displayed; a manipulation input part that receives user inputs; an application running part that runs a predetermined application if additional information is requested by the image forming device when the print job transmission function sends the print job; an additional information receiving part that enables the application to display a screen to input the additional information on the display part and receives an input of the additional information based on the user input to the manipulation input part; and an additional information transmission part that sends the additional information received by the additional information receiving part to the image forming device separately from the print job.

Fourth, the present invention is directed to a non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by an image forming device, that is capable of communicating with a terminal device having a print job transmission function in an operating system and receives a print job sent from the terminal device by using the print job transmission function, thereby producing a printed output.

According to one aspect of this invention, execution of the program by the image forming device causing the image forming device to execute the steps of: (1) determining necessity of additional information required for execution of the print job based on information received from the terminal device; (2) temporarily storing the print job received from the terminal device in a predetermined storage when it is determined that the additional information is necessary in the step (1); (3) requesting for the additional information to the terminal device when it is determined that the additional information is necessary in the step (1); (4) obtaining the additional information from the terminal device; (5) applying the additional information to the print job stored in the storage after the additional information is obtained in the step (4); and (6) producing the printed output based on the print job to which the additional information is applied in the step (5).

Fifth, the present invention is directed to a non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by a terminal device having a print job transmission function in an operating system sends a print job to an image forming device using the print job transmission function. The program is run by the operating system if additional information relating to the print job is requested by the image forming device when the print job transmission function sends the print job to the image forming device.

According to one aspect of this invention, execution of the program by the operating system causing the terminal device to execute the steps of: (1) enabling a predetermined display part to display a screen to input the additional information; (2) receiving an input of the additional information based on a user input to a predetermined manipulation input part; and (3) sending the additional information received in the step (2) to the image forming device separately from the print job.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to figures. In the description given below, those elements which are shared in common among figures are represented by the same reference numerals, and these elements are not discussed repeatedly for the same description.

First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1shows an exemplary configuration of an image forming system1of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system1comprises an image forming device2constructed by a device such as one of MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) and a terminal device3constructed by a device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The image forming device2and the terminal device3are capable of sending and receiving data to and from each other. The manner of communications between the image forming device2and the terminal device3may be wired or wireless. For the wireless communications, the wireless communication such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark). WiFi or a NFC (Near Field Communication) is established. A communication path by the wireless communication may be included in a part of the communication path between the image forming device2and the terminal device3.

The image forming device2includes multiple functions such as a scan function, a print function, a network function, a fax function, an email transmission function and a box function for example. However, this is given not for limitation. The image forming device2may be a device that at least includes the print function. After receiving a print job from an external device such as the terminal device3, the image forming device2executes the print job and produces a printed output.

The terminal device3has a print job transmission function regurarily included in an operating system. The terminal device3is capable of sending the simple print job to the image forming device2using the print job transmission function. It is assumed, for example, the terminal device3is iPhone (registered trademark) designed and marketed by Apple Inc. In this case, the print job transmission function called as AirPrint (registered trademark) is regurarily included in iOS (registered trademark) which is the operating system of the terminal device3. The print job transmission function, for example, receives a user operation to configure settings of limited print setting items such as the number of copies, and generates the print job to which simple print setting information based on the user operation is attached. The print job transmission function then sends the generated print job to the image forming device2. A print control application that works with the image forming device2is installed in advance on the terminal device3.

The image forming device2has a variety of setting items more than the print setting items included in the print setting information generated with the print job transmission function in the terminal device3. After receiving the print job with the simple print setting information sent with the print job transmission function in the terminal device3attachment, the image forming device2temporarily stores the print job. The image forming device2communicates with the terminal device3, thereby running the print control application installed in advance on the terminal device3. The image forming device2requests for additional information relating to the variety of setting items to the print control application, and enables the terminal device3to automatically display a setting screen of the additional information required for execution of the print job at the image forming device2. The user of the terminal device3operates the setting screen so that he or she is allowed to configure intended settings about the various types of setting items that may be set at the image forming device2. The image forming device2obtains the additional information based on the user operation from the print control application, and merges the additional information into the print setting information of the print job temporarily stored to apply the additional information, thereby converting the original simple print setting information into the print setting information that has respective setting values configured by the user for wealth of the setting items. The image forming device2then reads the temporarily stored print job, and executes the print job in accordance with the converted print setting information. As a result, the printed output is produced in a manner the user intends.

Detailed structures and operations of the above-described image forming device2and terminal device3are explained below.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware structure and that of a functional structure of the image forming device2. The image forming device2includes a controller10, a storage11, an operational panel12, a communication interface13and a printer section14. The controller10includes a CPU and a memory, and the storage11is formed from a device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The operational panel12is a user interface for the user to operate the image forming device2. The communication interface13is to establish wired or wireless communication with an external device such as the terminal device3. The printer section14produces the printed output by forming images on a sheet material such as a printing sheet. The operational panel12includes a display unit12aformed from a device such as a color liquid crystal display and a manipulation unit12breceives inputs by the user. A program15executed by the CPU of the controller10, print setting item information16relating to the setting item configurable for the user at the image forming device2and user information17as which user information such as a user ID and a password of the user who uses the image forming device2is registered are also stored in the storage11. The storage11also includes a print job storage18to temporarily store a print job D1received from the terminal device3.

The CPU executes the program15so that the controller10serves as a print job receiving part21, an additional information determining part22, an additional information requesting part23, an additional information obtaining part24, a print setting applying part25and a printing part26.

The print job receiving part21receives the print job via the communication interface13. After receiving the print job D1sent with the print job transmission function in the terminal device3, the print job receiving part21temporarily stores the print job D1in the print job storage18.

The additional information determining part22determines the necessity of the additional information required for the execution of the print job D1based on the information received via the communication interface13. The additional information determining part22is capable of determining the necessity of the additional information based on the information sent with the print job transmission function in the terminal device3.

As the print job transmission function in the terminal device3is started to activate, the print job transmission function starts searching for the image forming device2that is capable of communicating with the terminal device3. After finding out the image forming device2that is capable of communicating with the terminal device3, the print job transmission function sends an inquiry about device type information to the image forming device2to ask whether or not the image forming device2is a device type that supports the limited print settings such as the number of the copies or color. This inquiry about the device type information includes information such as that relating to the setting items of the print settings set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3and/or version information of the print job transmission function. The additional information determining part22identifies the setting items set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3based on the information relating to the setting items and/or the version information of the print job transmission function included in the inquiry about the device type information. The additional information determining part22reads the print setting item information16, and compares the setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2with the setting items set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3.

FIG. 3shows an example of the print setting item information16. A print setting item16a, a default value16band a setting value16care recorded as the print setting item information16. The print setting item16ais an item that is configurable for the user at the image forming device2, and the default value16bis a default value for the print setting item16a. The setting value16cis a value that may be configured by the user for the prim setting item16a. The additional information determining part22refers to the print setting item information16, thereby knowing the setting item that may be configured by the user at the image forming device2. If there is any item that is not included in the setting items set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3of the multiple setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2, the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary.

The additional information determining part22determines the necessity of the additional information based on die inquiry about device type information from the terminal device3. Besides that, the additional information determining part22is capable of determining the necessity of the additional information by analyzing the print setting information included in the print job D1when the print job D1is received from the terminal device3, for instance. To be more specific, when the print job D1sent using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3is received by the print job receiving part21, the additional information determining part22analyzes the print setting information included in the print job D1, and determines the additional information is necessary if there is the item not included in the print setting information of the print job D1of the multiple setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2.

For comparing the setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2with the setting items set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3, the additional information determining pert22may only compare the number of the setting items. More specifically, the additional information determining part22compares the number of the setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2with the number of the setting items set using the prim job transmission function in the terminal device3. If the number of the setting items configurable at the image forming device2is more than the number of the setting items set using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3, the additional information determining part22may determine that the additional information is necessary. In this case, it is not necessary to determine whether the detail of each item matches, so the efficient determination may be realized.

The determination of the necessity of the additional information as described above may be carried out before the print job receiving part21receives the print job D1from the terminal device3or sometimes after the print job D1is received. It is assumed, for example, the determination of the necessity of the additional information is carried out before the print job D1is received. In this case, after receiving the print job D1from the terminal device3, the print job receiving part21may store the print job D1in the print job storage18if the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary. It is assumed, for example, the necessity of the additional information is determined after the print job D1is received. In this case, after receiving the print job D1from the terminal device3, the print job receiving part21may store the print job D1in the print job storage18if the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary. After storing the print job D1in the print job storage18, the print job receiving part21sends a print completion notice to the terminal device3. The activation of the print job transmission function in the terminal device3then may be complete.

The additional information requesting part23requests for the additional information to the terminal device3when the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary. The additional information requesting part23runs the print control application on the terminal device3at first. If the print control application has already been running on the terminal device3, it is not necessary for the additional information requesting part23to run it again. The additional information requesting part23then communicates with the print control application run on the terminal device3, and requests for the additional information about the setting item configurable for the user at the image forming device2to the print control application. A screen to receive input of the additional information is then displayed at the terminal device3. The user operates the terminal device3, thereby inputting the intended setting value for the setting item that cannot be configured using the print job transmission function.

The additional information obtaining pan24is brought into operation when the additional information is requested to the terminal device3by the additional information requesting part23. The additional information obtaining part24monitors the information received via the communication interface13, and obtains the additional information about the additional setting item when it is received from the terminal device3.

When the additional information is obtained by the additional information obtaining part24, the print setting applying part25merges the additional information into the print setting information of the print job D1stored in the print job storage18, thereby applying the additional information to the print job D1. More specifically, the print setting applying part25adds the additional information which is additionally configured by the user of the terminal device3to the print control application to the print settings of the print job D1. As a result, the print job D1generated using the prim job transmission function in the terminal device3is allowed to have the setting values intended by the user are applied for the variety of setting items configurable at the image forming device2.

The printing part26outputs the print job D1to the printer section14, thereby controlling the printing based on the print job D1. It is assumed that the additional information is applied to the print job D1stored in the print job storage18by the print setting applying pan25. In this case, the printing part26outputs the print job D1to the printer section14so that it is allowed to enable the printer section14to produce the printed output under the condition that wealthier print settings than the print settings configurable using the print job transmission function in the terminal device3are applied. When the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is unnecessary, the printing part26immediately outputs the print job D1received by the print job receiving part21to the printer section14.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware structure and that of a functional structure of the terminal device3. The terminal device3includes a controller30, a storage31, a display unit32, a manipulation unit33and a communication interface34. The controller30includes a CPU and a memory that are not shown inFIG. 4, and the storage31is formed from a device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The display unit32is to display various types of information to the user and the manipulation unit33receives inputs by the user. The communication interface34is to establish wired or wireless communication with the image forming device2. The display unit32is formed from a device such as a color liquid crystal display, for example. The manipulation unit33is formed with parts such as touch panel sensors arranged on the screen of the display area of the display unit32and push-button keys arranged around the display area of the display unit32, for example. The manipulation unit33may be equipped with a keyboard and/or a pointing device such as a mouse. An operating system35and an application program36are stored in the storage31as programs executed by the CPU of the controller30.

After the terminal device3is powered on, the CPU of the controller30automatically reads and executes the operating system35in the storage31. The operating system40becomes operative on the controller30. The operating system40includes a print job transmission function41and an application running part42.

The print job transmission function41regurarily included in the aforementioned operating system40sends the simple print job D1to the image forming device2. After detecting the user operation to print, the operating system40activates the prim job transmission function41. In response to being activated, the print job transmission function41searches for the image forming device2communicatable via the communication interface34. As a result of the search, at least one communicatable image forming device2may be found. The print job transmission function41then displays a list of the image forming device2to which the print job D1may be output on the display unit32, and receives the user operation to designate the destination through the manipulation unit33.

The print job transmission function41sends the inquiry about the device type information to the image forming device2that is designated as the destination by the user to ask whether or not the image forming device2is the device type that supports the limited print settings such as the number of the copies or color, and receives the device type information from the image forming device2. This inquiry about device type information includes information if the setting item of the print setting asked by the job transmission function41is supported, for example. After obtaining the device type information from the image forming device2that is designated as the destination, the print job transmission function41displays the setting screen for the user to configure the limited print settings such as the number of the copies or color on the display unit32supported by the image forming device2, and receives the user operation.

FIG. 5shows an example of a screen G1displayed by the job transmission function41on the display unit32. The screen G1includes an area43,44and45as illustrated inFIG. 5. The user operates the area43for selecting the destination, and the area44for configuring the print settings. The user operates the area45for instructing to start the printing. The area44operated by the user to configure the print settings includes two areas,44aand44b. The area44ais for the user to specify a print range, and the area44bis for the user to specify the number of the copies. More specifically, in the example ofFIG. 5, the screen G1only allows the user to configure two setting items, the print range and the number of the copies.

The print job transmission function41generates the print setting information based on the user operation about the area44aand44bas described above. In the example of the screen ofFIG. 5, the print job transmission function41generates the print setting information including the setting values configured by the user relating to the two setting items, the print range and the number of the copies. After the start of the printing is instructed by the user, the print job transmission function41generates the print job D1based on images including a document, a picture and/or a web page specified by the user. The print job transmission function41then attaches the print setting information to the print job D1and sends it to the image forming device2.

The timing when the print job transmission function41sends the inquiry about the device type information is not always when the user designates the destination. It is assumed, for example, when searching for the communicatable image forming device2, the print job transmission function41sends the inquiry about the device type information via a broad cast transmission, and receives the inquiry about the device type information as a response to the inquiry about the device type information. In this case, the print job transmission function41may detect that the communication may be established with the image forming device2that sent the device type information. Moreover, the print job transmission function41does not always have to send the inquiry about the device type information. The print job transmission function41may receive the user operation to configure the predetermined print settings such as the number of the copies without sending the inquiry about the device type information.

When the print job transmission function41receives the print completion notice from the image forming device2after sending the print job D1to the image forming device2designated as the destination, it determines that the execution of the print job D1is complete normally and completes the operation.

The application running part42reads and executes the application program in the storage31, thereby running an application corresponding to the application program on the controller30. The application program36stored in the storage31of the first preferred embodiment is a program that brings a print control application50into operation on the controller30, for example. After receiving a request to run the print control application50from the image forming device2via the communication interface34, the operating system40brings die application running part42into operation. The application running part42reads and executes the application program36in the storage31in response to the running request from the image forming device2, thereby bringing the print control application50into operation. The print control application50is not always run in response to the running request from the image forming device2. The print control application50may be run after the terminal device3is powered on, and residence on the controller30. The print control application50includes an additional information receiving part51and an additional information transmission part52.

The additional information receiving part51is brought into operation in response to receiving to a request for the additional information from the image forming device2. The additional information receiving part51receives the inputs of the additional information by the user of the terminal device3. The additional information receiving part51, for example, identifies the setting item that should be added to the print job D1based on the request for the additional information from the image forming device2and displays the screen to receive the inputs of the additional information relating to the setting item on the display unit32.

FIG. 6shows an example of a screen G2displayed on the display unit32by the additional information receiving part51. Multiple areas55ato55iare displayed on the screen G2ofFIG. 6as areas operated by the user to configure the print settings. Also, an area55joperated by the user to instruct completion of the setting operation is displayed on the screen G2. The multiple areas55ato55ioperated by the user to configure the print settings include the variety of the setting items configurable for the user at the image forming device2. The user operates the screen G2, thereby configuring the setting for the setting item that cannot be configured by the print job transmission function41and inputting the variety of setting values about the print job D1. The additional information receiving part51receives the input of the additional information intended by the user for the respective setting items based on the user input through the manipulation unit33.

The additional information transmission part52is brought into operation when the user operates the area55jand instructs the completion of the setting operation. The additional information transmission part52sends the additional information received by the additional information receiving part51to the image forming device2.

In response to receiving the print completion notice from the image forming device2after sending the additional information to the image forming device2, the print control application50determines that the execution of the print job D1is complete normally and completes the operation.

FIG. 7shows an example of an operation process worked together by the image forming device2and the terminal device3. Each of the aforementioned parts operates one after the other at the image forming device2and the terminal device3so that the operation process shown inFIG. 7is proceeded.

After the user instructs the printing to the terminal device3(process P1), the print job transmission function41in the operating system40of the terminal device3activates (process P2). The print job transmission function41sends the inquiry about the device type information to the image forming device2(process P3).

After receiving the inquiry about the device type information from the terminal device3, the image forming device2replies the device information to the terminal device3in response to the inquiry (process P4). The image forming device2performs a process to determine the additional information based on the information included in the inquiry about the device type information from the terminal device3to determine whether or not to request for the additional information to the terminal device3(process P5). The additional information determination (process P5) may be performed based on the print setting information included in the print job D1after receiving form the print job D1from the terminal device3.

After obtaining the device information from the image forming device2, the print job transmission function41receives the setting operation by the user relating to the limited setting item based on the device information. To be more specific, the print job transmission function41receives the setting operation by the user to the screen G1as shown inFIG. 5. In response to detecting the instruction to start the printing by the user (process P6), the print job transmission function41generates the print job D1including the simple print setting information and sends the print job D1to the image forming device2(process P7).

After receiving the print job D1from the terminal device3, the image forming device2determines whether or not to request for the additional information to the terminal device3. This determination is carried out by referring to the result of the additional information determination performed in process P5, for example. When requesting for the additional information to the terminal device3, the image forming device2temporarily stores the print job D1received from the terminal device3in the print job storage18(process P8). The image forming device2sends the print completion notice to the terminal device3(process P9). The print completion notice is sent to the terminal device3under the condition when the printing based on the print job D1has not complete yet. The print completion notice enables the operation of the print job transmission function41to be complete normally in the terminal device3. After sending the print job D1to the image forming device2, the print job transmission function41in the terminal device3receives the print completion notice from the image forming device2so that it completes the operation.

The image forming device2then sends an application running request to run the print control application50to the terminal device3(process P10). The operating system40of the terminal device3reads and executes the application program36in response to the application running request, and runs the print control application50(process P11). The print control application50works together with the image forming device2. After the print control application50runs, it is capable of sequentially communicating with the image forming device2and performing operation in cooperation with the image forming device2.

After the print control application50runs on the terminal device3, the image forming device2notifies the print control application50of at least the setting item not included in the print job D1of the multiple setting items configurable at the image forming device2as the additional item, and requests for the additional information relating to the setting item (process P12). The image forming device2may analyze the detail of the print job D1and not include the setting item unnecessary for the execution of the print job D1in the additional item. It is assumed, for example, the print job D1is to print only a single page. In this case, the setting items including page layout and/or staple are unnecessary. The image forming device2notifies the additional item without the setting item unnecessary for the execution of the print job D1, thereby requesting for only the additional information necessary for the execution of the print job D1. For requesting for the additional information to the print control application50, the image forming device2may request for the additional information for all the setting items configurable at the image forming device2.

After receiving the request for the additional information from the image forming device2, the print control application50displays the screen G2to receive the setting operation by the user for the additional item included in the request on the display unit32(process P13), and receives the setting operation by the user (process P14). In response to detecting that the area55jto instruct the completion of the setting operation is operated by the user (process P15), the print control application50generates the additional information relating to the additional item and sends the generated additional information to the image forming device2(process P16).

After receiving the additional information from the print control application50, the image forming device2merges the additional information into the print setting information of the print job D1, thereby applying the additional information to the print job D1(process P17). As a result, the print job D1has the setting values intended by the user applied to the setting items not configurable with the print job transmission function41. The image forming device2reads the prim job D1, and produces a printed output based on the print job D1(process P18). After the printing, the image forming device2sends the print completion notice to the print control application50(process P19). The print completion notice is sent to the terminal device3when the printing based on the print job D1is actually completed, and enables the operation of the print control application50at the terminal device3to complete normally. Hence, after sending the additional information to the image forming device2, the print control application50of the terminal device3receives the print completion notice, thereby completing the operation.

The detailed operation performed at the image forming device2is explained next.FIGS. 8 and 9are flow diagrams explaining an exemplary sequential procedure of the process performed at the image forming device2. This process is performed when the CPU of the controller10executes the program15at the image forming device2.

Upon start of the process, the image forming device2determines whether or not the inquiry about the device type information is received from the terminal device3as shown inFIG. 8(step S10). When the inquiry about the device type information is received (when a result of step S10is YES), the image forming device2replies the device information to the terminal device3(step S11). The image forming device2performs the additional information determination based on the information included in the inquiry about the device type information (step S12), and determines whether or not to request for the additional information to the terminal device3. The process by the image forming device2is then returns to step S10. If the inquiry about the device type information is not received (when a result of step S10is NO), the image forming device2determines if the print job D1is received from the terminal device3(step S13). The print job D1may not be received (when a result of step S13is NO). In this case, the process by the image forming device2is then returns to step S10.

When the print job D1is received from the terminal device3(when a result of step S13is YES), the image forming device2determines if the determination of the necessity of the additional information about the print job D1has already been performed (step S14). If the additional information determination has already been performed in step S12, the result is YES. If the additional information determination has not been performed in step S12, the result is NO. When the additional information determination has not been performed yet (when a result of step S14is NO), the image forming device2extracts the print setting information included in the print job D1received from the terminal device3(step S15), and performs the additional information determination based on the print setting information (step S16). The image forming device2then decides whether or not to request for the additional information to the terminal device3(step S17). The additional information determination may have already been performed in step S12(when a result of step S14is YES). In this case, the process in steps S15and16is skipped.

For requesting the additional information to the terminal device3(when a result of step S17is YES), the image forming device2temporarily stores the print job D1received from the terminal device3in the print job storage18(step S18). The image forming device2then sends the print completion notice to the terminal device3(step S19). Thus, the process by the print job transmission function41in the terminal device3may be complete normally.

The image forming device2then performs the additional information request (step S20).FIG. 9is a flow diagram explaining an exemplary sequential procedure of the additional information request in detail. Upon start of the additional information request, the image forming device2sends the application running request to the terminal device3(step S30). The print control application50is then started to run on the terminal device3. After sending the application running request, the image forming device2waits until the print control application50starts to run on the terminal device3(step S31). After the print control application50starts to run (when a result of step S31is YES), the image forming device2notifies the print control application50of the additional items, thereby requesting for the additional information (step S32). Thus, the print control application50is allowed to at least identify the additional item not included in the print setting information of the print job D1. The additional information request (step S20) is complete.

Referring back to the flow diagram ofFIG. 8, after requesting for the additional information to the terminal device3, the image forming device2determines whether or not the additional information is obtained from the print control application50(step S21). If the additional information is not obtained (when a result of step S21is NO), the image forming device2determines if a predetermined period of time has elapsed after requesting for the additional information to the terminal device3(step S22). The predetermined period of time may not be elapsed (when a result of step S22is NO). In this case, the image forming device2returns to the process in step S21to repeat the above process, and waits until obtaining the additional information from the prim control application50or the predetermined period of time elapses.

When obtaining the additional information from the print control application50(when a result of step S21is YES), the image forming device2applies the additional information to the print job D1(step S23). The image forming device2is allowed to set the confidential printing about the print job D1based on the additional information. The confidential printing is a secured printing method of assigning identification information such as the user ID and/or the password to the print job D1and allowing the printing if information that matches with the identification information is input through the operational panel12when the print job D1is executed at the image forming device2. The confidential printing is used when the user of the terminal device3would not like a third person to see the detailed of the printed output, for example. The confidential printing is one of the functions not supported by the print job transmission function41. Hence, when the confidential printing is set according to the additional information, the image forming device2is allowed to add the identification information such as the user ID and/or the password to the print job D1.

Alternatively, when the print job is received from outside, for example, the image forming device2may perform a user authentication and start the printing based on the received print job after confirming that the job is given by the user who is registered with the user information17through the user authentication. In such a case, the image forming device2applies the additional information to the print job D1in step S21, thereby adding authentication information to identify the user such as the user ID and/or the password to the print job D1.

The image forming device2then reads the print job D1in the print job storage18(step S24), and produces the printed output based on the print job D1(step S25). It is assumed for example the confidential printing is set about the print job D1. In this case, the image forming device2displays a screen to input the identification information such as the user ID and/or the password on the display unit12aof the operational panel12. The image forming device2only produces the printed output if the identification information input by the user through the manipulation unit12bmatches with the identification information added to the print job D1. The image forming device2sometimes produces the printed output after performing the user authentication. In this case, the image forming device2only produces the printed output if it can confirm that the authentication information such as the user ID and/or the password added to the print job D1matches with the information registered with the user information17and the user issued the print job D1is registered with the user information17.

The predetermined period of time may be elapsed without obtaining the additional information from the terminal device3(when a result of step S22is YES). In this case, the image forming device2reads the print job D1in the print job storage18(step S24), and produces the printed output based on the print job D1(step S25). The additional information configured by the user is not applied to the print job D1here. As a result, the printing is performed with the default values applied to each of the multiple setting items configurable at the image forming device2.

When determining not to request for the additional information in step S17(when a result of step S17is NO), the image forming device2immediately produces the printed output based on the print job D1received from the terminal device3(step S25).

After producing the printed output based on the print job D1, the image forming device2sends the print completion notice to the terminal device3(step S26). Thus, the process of the print control application50may be complete when the print control application50is running on the terminal device3. As described above, the whole process by the image forming device2is complete.

The detailed operation performed at by the print control application50of the terminal device3is explained next.FIG. 10is a flow diagram explaining an exemplary sequential procedure of the process performed by the print control application50of the terminal device3. This process is performed when the CPU of the controller30executes the application program36on the terminal device3.

After being running on the terminal device3, the print control application50waits until receiving the additional item from the image forming device2(step S40). In response to receiving the additional item, the print control application50displays the print setting screen G2relating to the additional item as illustrated inFIG. 6on the display unit32(step S41). When the user inputs (when a result of step S42is YES), the print control application50determines if it is the setting operation about the additional item (step S43). The user operation may be the setting operation about the additional item (when a result of step S43is YES). In this case, the print control application50generates the setting information configured by the user about the additional item (step S44). The user operation may not be the setting operation about the additional item (when a result of step S43is NO). In this case, the print control application50skips the process in step S44. The print control application50then determines whether or not the user operation is complete (step S45). If the operation is not complete (when a result of step S45is NO), the print control application50returns to the process in step S42to repeat the above-described process.

If the user operation is complete (when a result of step S45is YES), the print control application50generates the additional information including the whole setting information generated in step S44(step S46), and sends the additional information to the image forming device2(step S47). The print control application50then waits until receiving the print completion notice from the image forming device2(step S48). In response to receiving the print completion notice (when a result of step S48is YES), the print control application50performs the application completion process to complete the whole process normally (step S49).

As described above, the image forming device2of the first preferred embodiment is capable of communicating with the terminal device3that has the print job transmission function41in the operating system40, and receiving the print job D1sent from the terminal device3using the print transmission function41, thereby producing the printed output. The image forming device2includes the additional information determining part22, the print job storage18, the additional information requesting part23, the additional information obtaining part24, the print setting applying part25and the printing part26. The additional information determining part22determines the necessity of the additional information required for the execution of the print job D1based on the information received from the terminal device3. When it is determined that the additional information is necessary by the additional information determining part22, the print job D1received from the terminal device3is temporarily stored in the print job storage18. When it is determined that the additional information is necessary by the additional information determining part22, the additional information requesting part23requests for the additional information to the terminal device3, and the additional information obtaining part24obtains the additional information from the terminal device3. After the additional information is obtained by the additional information obtaining part24, the print setting applying part25applies the additional information to the print job D1stored in the print job storage18. The printing pan26produces the printed output based on the print job D1to which the additional information is applied by the print setting applying part23.

As described above, the image forming device2determines whether or not to request for the additional information to the terminal device3so that the user is allowed to configure the setting about the variety of the setting items configurable at the image forming device2without placing a heavy load on the terminal device. Moreover, the user is allowed to configure the setting about the variety of the setting items without making any change in the operating system40of the terminal device3or the print job transmission function41in the operating system40, realizing a higher versatility.

As described above, even when the print job is generated using the standard print job function in the operating system of the terminal device, the user is allowed to configure the setting about the variety of the setting items configurable at the image forming device which is the destination without increasing the load on the terminal device.

Second Preferred Embodiment

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained next. According to the first preferred embodiment described above, the image forming device2runs the print control application50of the terminal device3and obtains the additional information via the print control application50. On the other hand, the image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment has a built-in web server. The image forming device2runs a web browser of the terminal device3and enables the web browser to access a web page provided by the web server, thereby obtaining the additional information. The exemplary whole configuration of the image forming system1of the second preferred embodiment is the same as the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware structure and that of a functional structure of the image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment. The image forming device2has the same hardware configuration as the first preferred embodiment. The difference between the image forming device2of the first and the second preferred embodiment is that the CPU of the controller10of the image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment executes the program15so that the controller10serves as a web server27.

The web server27provides a web page that allows the setting operation about the setting item configurable at the image forming device2. When the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary, the web server27creates the web page that allows the setting of the additional information, and sets an address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to the web page.

It is assumed that the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary and the additional information is requested to the terminal device3. In this case, the additional information requesting part23sends a request to run the web browser to the terminal device3. The request to run the web browser includes address information to access the web page created by the web server27. Hence, in response to receiving the request to run the web browser from the image forming device2, the terminal device3automatically runs the web browser and enables the web browser to access the web server27of the image forming device2so that it is allowed to obtain the web page created by the web server27and display on the display unit32.

After detecting the access from the web browser of the terminal device3, the web server27outputs the web page to set the additional information to the web browser. The additional information obtaining part24obtains the additional information based on operation information sent from the web browser in response to the operation about the web page by the user of the terminal device3. The other parts of the image forming device2are the same as the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware structure and that of a functional structure of the terminal device3of the second preferred embodiment. The terminal device3of the second preferred embodiment has the same hardware structure as that of the first preferred embodiment. The difference between the terminal device3of the first and the second preferred embodiment is that the CPU of the controller30of the terminal device3of the second preferred embodiment executes the application program36so that the controller30serves as a web browser60.

After receiving the request to nm the web browser60from the image forming device2via the communication interface34, the operating system40brings the application running part42into operation. The application running pan42reads and executes the application program36in the storage31in response to the running request from the image forming device2, thereby bringing the web browser60into operation. The web browser60includes a web page obtaining part61, an additional information receiving part62and an additional information transmission part63.

The web page obtaining part61automatically accesses the web server27of the image forming device2based on the address information such as the URL included in the request to run the web browser60received from the image forming device2. The web page obtaining part61obtains the web page provided by the web server27and displays on the display unit32.

The additional information receiving part62receives the input of the additional information based on the input by the user to the manipulation unit33as the web page is displayed on the display unit32by the web page obtaining part61. To be more specific, the additional information receiving part62receives the operation information based on the operation about the web page as the additional information. The additional information transmission part63sends the operation information received by the additional information receiving part62to the image forming device2.

FIG. 13shows an example of an operation process worked together by the image forming device2and the terminal device3. Since the process in processes P31to P39ofFIG. 13is the same as that in processes P1to P9ofFIG. 7, the detailed explanation is skipped.

After sending the print completion notice to the print job transmission function41(process P39), the image forming device2sends the request to run the web browser60to the terminal device3(process P40). The operating system40of the terminal device3reads and executes the application program36and runs the web browser60in response to the request to run the web browser60(process P41).

After being running on the terminal device3, the web browser60accesses the web server27of the image forming device2based on the address information included in the request to run the web browser60(process P42), and obtains the web page from the web server27(process P43). The web browser60displays the web page obtained from the web server27on the display unit32, thereby displaying the screen to receive the setting operation by the user about the additional items on the display unit32(process P44). The screen displayed on the display unit32in this process includes multiple setting items configurable at the image forming device2as the same as the screen G2ofFIG. 6. After receiving the setting operation by the user to the screen (process P45), the web browser60sends the additional information to the image forming device2(process P46). The processes P45and P46are repeatedly performed every time the user operation is received. Thus, the image forming device2stores therein the additional information every time the user operates. After the user operates to complete the setting operation of the additional information (process P47), the web browser60sends an operation completion notice to the image forming device2(process P48).

In response to receiving the operation completion notice from the web browser60, the image forming device2merges the whole stored additional information into the print setting information of the print job D1, thereby applying the additional information configured about the web page to the print job D1(process P49). As a result, the print job D1becomes the job to which the setting values intended by the user are applied about the setting items not configurable by the print job transmission function41. The image forming device2then reads the print job D1, and produces the printed output based on the print job D1(process P50). After the printed output is produced, the image forming device2sends a request to complete the running of the browser to the web browser60(process P51). The request to complete the running of the browser is sent to the terminal device3when the printing based on the print job D1is actually complete. The request to complete the running of the browser enables the operation of the web browser60of the terminal device3to be complete normally. Hence the web browser60of the terminal device3receives the request to complete the running of the browser from the image forming device2after sending the additional information to the image forming device2, thereby completing the operation.

The image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment performs the process the same as the flow diagram ofFIG. 8. The detailed sequential procedure of the additional information request ofFIG. 8(step S20) is different from the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 14is a flow diagram explaining an exemplary sequential procedure of the additional information request (step S20) performed at the image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment. The process is preformed when the web server27is brought into operation at the image forming device2. Upon start of the process, the image forming device2creates the web page to configure the additional information (step S60), and sets the address such as the URL with the web page (step S61). The image forming device2then sends the request to run the browser to the terminal device3(step S62). The request to run the browser includes the address information set in step S61. The image forming device2waits until detecting the access from the web browser60run on the terminal device3(step S63). After detecting the access from the web browser60(when a result of step S63is YES), the image forming device2outputs the web page to the web browser60(step S64). Thus, the additional information request (step S20) of the second preferred embodiment completes.

As described above, according to the second preferred embodiment, the image forming device2includes the web server27that provides the web page which enables the configuration of the print settings. When the additional information determining part22determines that the additional information is necessary, the additional information requesting pan23runs the web browser60on the terminal device3and enables the web browser60to access the web page of the web server27. The additional information obtaining part24obtains the additional information based on the operation information from the web browser60as the web browser60is accessing to the web page.

As described above, the installation of the print control application50dedicated for cooperation with the image forming device2on the terminal device3as described in the first preferred embodiment is no longer necessary, and the user is enabled to configure the additional information by using the web browser60which is used generally. The image forming device2of the second preferred embodiment realizes a better user-friendliness than the first preferred embodiment.

Everything else except for the points described above in the second preferred embodiment is the same as that explained in the first preferred embodiment.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments. Various modifications may be applied to the present invention.

In the above-described first preferred embodiment, the application program36that serves as the print control application50is installed in advance on the terminal device3. However, this is given not for limitation. It is assumed for example the application program36that serves as the print control application50is not installed in advance on the terminal device3. In this case, the image fuming device2may enable the terminal device3to install the application program36and execute the application program36on the terminal device3after the installation, thereby enabling the running of the print control application50. In such a case, the image forming device2stores therein in advance an installer program to install the application program36on the terminal device3. For requesting for the additional information to the terminal device3, the image forming device2may send the installer program at first to the terminal device3, thereby enabling the application program36that serves as the print control application50to be installed on the terminal device3. Alternatively, the image forming device2, for example, may run the web browser of the terminal device3and enable the web browser to access the server to install the application program36, thereby enabling the application program36that serves as the print control application50to be installed on the terminal device3.