Management server, control method, and storage medium

A management server connected, to a plurality of image forming devices and an information processing device having a printer driver is provided. The server manages, for each location, network information and information of print performance of an image forming device belonging to the location; identifies a location to which the information processing device belongs, based on the network information, upon receiving from the information processing device a notification that network setting of the information processing device has been changed; and transmits, to the information processing device, a device setting of the printer driver based on information of print performance corresponding to an image forming device belonging to the location being identified.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a management server, a control method, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been proposed methods for installing a driver supporting MFP in an information processing device (e.g., a PC) in an image forming system including a plurality of PCs and a plurality of image forming devices (e.g., MFPs). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-38368 describes a method, for a management server managing a plurality of MFPs and PCs, that installs a new driver in a corresponding PC in accordance with updating of a driver of an MFP or a change of device information.

In addition, there is wide spread use of a print function that allows printing from any of the plurality of MFPs (hereinafter “pull print”). When implementing “pull print”, the management server usually manages information of print jobs to allow printing from any of the MFPs. In addition, such a print function provides a function of limiting print-allowed MFPs to a certain group for improved security and performance. For example, there is a “location function” that allows “pull print” only when PCs and MFPs are located in a same workplace. The location function uses IP addresses and host names within a certain range, for example, to group PCs and MFPs located in a same location, and allows printing only among devices belonging to the group.

In prior art, a general-purpose printer driver is registered to a PC in order to enable printing from any MFP in a same location and printing is performed using the printer driver. On the other hand, there may be a case where a user carrying a PC moves across different locations and uses the PC. When the user moves across locations, an MFP available by the “pull print” is switched to another MFP belonging to the new location. On this occasion, a proper function of the MFP cannot be used unless the device setting of the printer driver of the PC is reset in accordance with the MFP belonging to the new location.

For example, in a case where a staplable MFP is not included in the original location, the user sets stapling unavailable in the setting of a general-purpose driver to be registered in the PC. When the PC is moved to a new location in this state, stapling is set as unavailable in the device setting of the registered printer driver, despite that a staplable MFP is included in the new location. Accordingly, the user cannot use a stapling unless the user manually changes the device setting of the registered printer driver to the staplable setting each time the user moves across locations.

In contrast, there is also conceivable a solution in which all the settings for print performance of a general driver registered in the PC are kept ON. In such a case, moving to new location leaves all the printer functions selectable, whereby it turns out that a print function unavailable in the location remains selectable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a management server configured to be connected, via a network, to a plurality of image forming devices and an information processing device having a printer driver is provided. The management server comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors that execute a set of instructions to: manage, for each location, network information and information of a print performance of an image forming device belonging to the location; identify a location to which the information processing device belongs, based on the network information being managed, upon receiving from the information processing device a notification that a network setting of the information processing device has been changed; and transmit, to the information processing device, a device setting of the printer driver based on the information of a print performance corresponding to an image forming device belonging to the location being identified.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

System Configuration

FIG. 1illustrates an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A Multi-Function Peripheral (MFP) and a Personal Computer (PC) are connected to a management server100via a network135. The management server100has registered therein MFPs101,102,104and105, and PCs103and106. Note that, although the present embodiment is described taking as an example two locations in which the MFP and the PC are located, there may be a larger number of locations included. In addition, also the numbers of MFPs and PCs are not limited to those illustrated inFIG. 1. In addition, although the image forming device according to the present embodiment is described taking as an example an MFP, other types of image forming devices may be used, such as for example a network printer having only a print function. Other types of information processing terminals besides PCs, such as smartphones, mobile devices, or the like may also be used.

The management server100is a server that performs management of a network setting of MFPs and PCs and a print performance of the MFP, and job management. Management of an MFP to be managed by the management server100may be started in response to a registration request from the MFP, for example. In addition, the management server100manages locations.FIG. 1of the present embodiment illustrates a state in which the MFPs101and102, and the PC103belong to a location120.FIG. 1also illustrates a states in which the MFPs104and105, and the PC106belong to a location121. Information (location settings) of locations to which respective devices belong are supposed to be registered and managed by the management server100. Location settings are intended to group PCs and MFPs belonging to a same location using network information such as a specific range of IP addresses, host names, or the like. Accordingly, locations are not necessarily defined in terms of physical distances or positional relations.

In addition, the management server100holds the device settings of printer drivers for each location.FIG. 1illustrates an example in which device settings130and131corresponding to the locations120and121are held. The device setting, existing one for each location, is set as appropriate for a printer driver of a PC belonging to the location. The device setting includes configurable setting items associated with the print function of each MFP, and setting values for the setting items.

A device setting will be specifically described, referring to the example ofFIG. 1. To the location120belong the MFPs101and102. On this occasion,FIG. 1illustrates that the MFP101is a “color printer” in terms of print performance, with “A4 sheet” being the maximum printable sheet size. In addition,FIG. 1illustrates that the MFP102is a “monochrome printer”, with “A4 sheet” being the maximum printable sheet size. Furthermore,FIG. 1illustrates that the MFP102may have a setting item “stapling” set therein as a finishing function. Based on such printing performance, the management server100holds a device setting130of “color/monochrome,” “A4 sheet”, “staplable,” as the device setting for location120. A device setting131is similarly held in association with the MFP belonging to the location121.

In addition, the management server100holds a job list (not illustrated) for each location. The job list has registered therein jobs generated in response to a request from a PC or the like. A method for registering a job will be described later.

Each MFP is registered in the management server100and connected to the management server100via a network135. In addition, each MFP manages, and provides the management server100with, information respectively relating to the print performance of the MFP. Each PC is registered to the management server100and connected to the management server100via the network135. The PCs103and106respectively hold printer drivers110and111, which are general drivers. In each PC, the printer driver is used by a user as a destination of print instruction when using pull print.

Hardware Configuration

FIG. 2illustrates a hardware configuration of an MFP in the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The present embodiment is described as using four MFPs, the MFP101of which is described here as a representative. In addition, the present embodiment is described assuming that each MFP differs in print performance (function), and therefore including parts and details of configurations may be different in accordance with the function.

A CPU140collectively controls access to various devices based on a control program stored in a ROM141or a hard disk (HDD)147. The ROM141, which is a non-volatile storage area, stores a control program or the like, which is executable by the CPU140. A RAM142, which mainly works as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the CPU140, may be configured to be expandable in storage capacity with an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not illustrated). An image processing circuit146performs various image processing on arbitrary image data. The type of image processing here is not intended to be particularly limiting, and there may be mentioned a conversion process for performing printing process by a printer145, for example.

The HDD147, which is a non-volatile storage area, stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, or the like. Here, although the present embodiment describes an example using the HDD147, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device besides the HDD147. A scanner144is a reading unit configured to read an original document and generates a read image. The printer145is a printing unit configured to perform a printing operation based on predetermined image data. An operation unit143performs receiving input from a user via a User Interface (UI) and displaying the UI. A network I/F148is an interface configured to perform data communication with an external device via the network135.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a PC as an information processing device in the image forming system according to the present embodiment.FIG. 1illustrates two PCs, the PC103of which is described as a representative. Here, each PC may include a different part. A CPU150collectively controls access to various devices based on a control program stored in a ROM151or an HDD153. The ROM151stores a control program or the like, which is executable by the CPU150. A RAM152, which mainly works as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the CPU150, may be configured to be expandable in storage capacity with an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not illustrated).

The HDD153stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, or the like. Here, although the present embodiment uses the HDD153, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device besides the HDD153. A system bus157is a bus configured to communicatively connect each part in the PC103. A network I/F154is an interface configured to perform data communication with an external device via the network135. A keyboard I/F155is an interface configured to control key input from a keyboard158or a pointing device (not illustrated). A display I/F156is an interface configured to control display of a display159.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server100of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. A CPU160collectively controls access to various devices based on a control program stored in a ROM161or an HDD163. The ROM161stores a control program or the like, which is executable by the CPU160. A RAM162, which mainly works as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the CPU160, may be configured to be expandable in storage capacity with an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not illustrated). The HDD163stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, or the like. Here, although the present embodiment uses the HDD163, an SD card, a flash memory, or the like may be used as an external storage device besides the HDD163. A system bus165is a bus configured to communicatively connect each part in the management server100. A network I/F164is an interface configured to perform data communication with an external device via the network135.

Processing Sequence

There will be described a flow of an operation of the entire system according to the present embodiment.FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate a sequence of a flow of the entire system according to the present embodiment. Processes in respective devices are realized by reading and executing programs stored in a ROM or the like, by the CPU included in the aforementioned device configuration. In addition, although description ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bis provided taking the MFP101and PC103as an example, it is intended that other devices also perform similar processes.

At S101, the MFP101transmits a print performance and a network setting of the MFP101to the management server100. The processing in this procedure will be described in detail, referring toFIG. 6.

At S102, the management server100, upon receiving the print performance and the network setting from the MFP101, identifies location of the MFP101from the network setting, using an IP address or a host name. The management server100has information about locations preliminarily set therein. Information about a location has a range of IP addresses and host names set therein. For example, a range of IP addresses “192.168.1.1” to “192.168.1.254” is set for the location120. In addition, a range of IP addresses “192.168.2.1” to “192.168.2.254” is set for the location121. The management server100acquires the IP address of the MFP101from the received network setting of the MFP101, and identifies the location to which the MFP101belongs. On this occasion, the MFP101and the location to which the MFP101belongs may be managed by associating with each other, based on the identification result.

At S103, the management server100updates the device setting130of the identified location120. Details of the update method for the device setting130here will be described below, referring toFIGS. 7 and 8.

At S104, the PC103, upon detecting a change made to the network to which the PC103belongs, notifies the management server100of the change. For example, the PC103may detect that the network is changed, when a change of setting with regard to the network is made by an instruction from a user, an external device, or the like.

At S105, the management server100acquires an IP address or a host name from the network setting received from the PC103, and identifies the location corresponding thereto. Identification is performed here by referring to the information about the location which has been set in the management server100.

At S106, the management server100transmits the device setting of the location identified at S105to the PC103as a response to the detection notification provided at S104. Here, the PC103is provided with a device setting corresponding to one or more MFPs belonging to a location after the PC103has moved thereto.

At S107, the PC103updates the device setting of the printer driver110using the device setting received from the management server100.

At S108, the PC103detects a print request triggered by a print instruction from a user to the printer driver110. The print instruction mentioned here includes, for example, performing an instruction from an arbitrary application (not illustrated) installed in the PC103, to print document data. The print instruction includes a print setting used by a job. In addition, when receiving the printing setting, the printer driver110displays items and initial values of the print setting on the UI, based on the device setting provided in association with the location.

At S109, the PC103transmits bibliographic information of the job to the management server100. Bibliographic information, which is setting information of a job such as number of sheets or size of the job, color, job name, or the like, does not include the print data itself to be printed by the job. In the present embodiment, the job body is withheld in a spool (not illustrated) of the printer driver110of the PC103.

At S110, the management server100adds the job corresponding to the bibliographic information to a job list for a location120including the PC103that has transmitted the bibliographic information.

At S111, the MFP101receives a job list display request by a UI operation on the operation unit143performed by the user. A job list display request is issued when, for example, a user logs in via the operation unit143of the MFP101and the user requests to display a screen listing printable jobs.

At S112, the MFP101transmits a job list acquisition request to the management server100in response to receiving the job list display request at S111.

At S113, the management server100identifies the location of the MFP101in response to receiving the job list acquisition request from the MFP101at S112.

At S114, the management server100transmits, to the MFP101, a job list of the location identified at S113. The job list also includes information for identifying a PC holding respective jobs. The information for identifying a PC includes an IP address or the like of the PC.

At S115, the MFP101displays the received job list on a UI (not illustrated) of the operation unit143. On this occasion, jobs are displayed on the UI in a selectable manner from the job list. In addition, information of a user or a PC that has submitted the job, or bibliographic information of the job may be displayed together.

At S116, the MFP101detects that one or more jobs have been selected from the job list by the operation unit143, and that a print instruction for the jobs has been issued. For example, a job may be selected on the UI, and a print instruction may be detected in response to depression of a predetermined button (not illustrated).

At S117, the MFP101identifies an IP address of the PC103holding the selected job from the information included in the job list acquired at S114and transmits a job acquisition request to the PC103using the IP address.

At S118, the PC103transmits, to the MFP101, a job including the print data withheld in the spool of the printer driver110, as a response to the job acquisition request received from the MFP101at S117.

At S119, the MFP101performs the printing process, using the print data included in the job received from the PC103at S118. The printing process may be performed based on the bibliographic information transmitted at S109. Note that a change of the print setting may be received when receiving the print instruction at S116, in which case the job may be executed based on the changed setting.

At S120, the PC103, after having transmitted the job to the MFP101at S118, deletes the job withheld in the spool of the printer driver110of the PC103. On this occasion, when deleting a job, history information about the process of the job may be held. For example, information as to whether or not the job successfully completed, or information of the MFP that performed the job may be held as history information.

At S121, the PC103transmits, to the management server100, a request to delete, from the job list of the location, the bibliographic information of the job transmitted at S118.

At S122, the management server100deletes, in accordance with the bibliographic information deletion request received from the MFP101at S121, the bibliographic information of the job of deletion request from the job list of the location. Then, this process sequence is terminated.

The processes from S101to S110and from S111to S122ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bmay be performed asynchronously. In other words, the process from S101to S110may be initiated triggered by the process at S101(the process inFIG. 6described below). On the other hand, the process from S111to S122may be initiated at a timing at which detection has been made at S111.

In addition, the process from S120to S122may be performed in accordance with the result of the printing process by the MFP101at S119. For example, deletion of a job or the like may be performed in accordance with successful completion of the printing process.

In the following, processing by each device will be described referring to the drawings, based on the process sequence ofFIGS. 5A and 5B. The following flowchart will be described in association with each of the processes illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B.

Information Transmission Process

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating a process for transmitting a print performance and a network setting in the MFP101according to the present embodiment. The process may be initiated at a regular time interval after the MFP101is activated, or may be performed upon occurrence of a predetermined event (reception of setting change, activation of device, or the like).

At S201, the MFP101checks whether or not an operation of newly registering the MFP101to the management server100has been performed. The new registration may be instructed by, for example, accessing the management server100via a predetermined UI (not illustrated) when newly installing the MFP101. When there is a new registration (YES at S201), the process flow proceeds to S204, otherwise (NO at S201) the process flow proceeds to S202.

At S202, the MFP101checks whether or not the print performance has been changed. For example, a change in presence or absence of stapling or a bookbinding finishing due to addition or removal of a finisher to or from the MFP101may fall within. In other words, the MFP101may be configured to be functionally expansive, whereby its functionality may vary. When the print performance is changed (YES at S202), the process flow proceeds to S204, otherwise (No at S202) the process flow proceeds to S203.

At S203, the MFP101checks whether or not the network setting has been changed. Change in the network setting includes, for example, a case where the IP address of the MFP is changed. When the network setting is changed (YES at S203), the process flow proceeds to S204, otherwise (NO at S203) the present process flow is terminated.

At S204, the MFP101transmits its print performance and network setting to the management server100. Triggered by the transmission process, the processes at and after S101ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bwill be performed. Then, the present processing flow is terminated.

Setting Updating Process

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an updating process of the device setting of the printer driver in the management server100according to the present embodiment. The present process flow corresponds to the processes from S102to S106ofFIG. 5A.

At S301, the management server100checks whether or not a print performance and a network setting have been received from the MFP101. When respective pieces of information are received (YES at S301), the process flow proceeds to S305, otherwise (NO at S301), the process flow proceeds to S302.

At S302, the management server100checks whether or not registration of the MFP registered in the management server100has been released. Registration is released by, for example, performing an operation to release registration of the MFP on a management screen (not illustrated) of the management server100. Alternatively, registration may be released in response to issuing a release request from the MFP. When the MFP has been released (YES at S302), the process flow proceeds to S304, otherwise (NO at S302) the process flow proceeds to S303.

At S303, the management server100checks whether or not the location setting registered in the management server100has been changed. For example, a check is performed as to whether or not there has been a change in the range of IP addresses, addition or deletion of IP addresses, or the like. When the location setting has been changed (YES at S303), the process flow proceeds to S307, otherwise (NO at S303) the process flow proceeds to S309.

At S304, the management server100identifies the location of the released MFP. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S307.

At S305, the management server100identifies the location of the MFP101from the received network setting.

At S306, the management server100updates the information of the MFP101registered in the management server100, based on the received print performance and network setting.

At S307, the management server100updates the device setting of the printer driver at the location registered in the management server100. Details of the updating process will be described below, referring toFIGS. 8A and 8B. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S308.

At S308, the management server100transmits the updated device setting to the PC within the corresponding location. Then, the process flow returns to S301, from which the process is repeated.

At S309, the management server100checks whether or not a notification of detection of network change has been received from the PC (S309). The aforementioned notification of detection corresponds to the notification of detection received in the process at S104ofFIG. 5A. When the notification of detection has not been received, the process flow returns to the start of the flow in order to check occurrence of the updating process.

At S310, the management server100identifies the location120to which the PC103belongs, based on the network setting received from the PC103.

At S311, the management server100transmits, to the PC103, the device setting130of the location120identified at S310. Subsequently, the process flow returns to S301, from which the process is repeated.

Device Setting Updating Process of Management Server

FIGS. 8A-8Bshow a flowchart illustrating details of process of updating, in the management server100, the device setting of the printer driver at a corresponding registered location. The present process flow corresponds to the procedure at S307ofFIG. 7.

At S401, the management server100acquires the print performance of all the MFPs belonging to a same location120as the corresponding location.

At S402, the management server100focuses on an item of the print performance of the acquired MFP. Then, the management server100checks whether or not the item of the acquired print performance is settable in an ON-or-OFF manner. For example, the staple setting of print material is settable in an ON-or-OFF manner such as “ON” when staplable and “OFF” when not staplable. When there is an item which is not settable in an ON-or-OFF manner (NO at S402), the process flow proceeds to S403, otherwise (YES at S402) the process flow proceeds to S408.

At S403, the management server100checks whether or not an item of interest is that of the maximum printable sheet size. When the item of interest is not the setting of the maximum printable sheet size (NO at S403), the process flow proceeds to S405, otherwise (YES at S403), the process flow proceeds to S404.

At S404, the management server100checks the items of the maximum printable sheet size of all the MFPs in the corresponding location acquired at S401, and sets the largest sheet size among them as the maximum printable sheet size of the device setting130. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S405.

At S405, the management server100checks whether or not the acquired item of print performance is an item of printable colors. The values of the item of printable colors is, for example, “monochrome” for a monochrome printer, and “monochrome” and “color” for a full color printer. When the acquired item of print performance is not the item of printable colors (NO at S405), the process flow proceeds to S411, otherwise (YES at S405) the process flow proceeds to S406.

At S406, the management server100checks the item of printable colors of all the MFPs in the corresponding location acquired at S401, and sets all the available colors to the item of printable colors of the device setting130. Specifically, when an MFP that can print in “color” and “monochrome” belongs to the location, “color” and “monochrome” are set as printable colors. When, on the other hand, an MFP that can print only in “monochrome” belongs to the location, “monochrome” is set as a printable color. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S402, from which the process is repeated.

At S408, the management server100checks whether or not the item of print performance of interest is “ON” at one or more of the MFPs within the same location. When one or more MFPs are “ON” (YES at S408), the process flow proceeds to S409, otherwise (NO at S408) the process flow proceeds to S410.

At S409, the management server100sets “ON” to the corresponding item of the device setting130of the location. Then, the process flow proceeds to S411.

At S410, the management server100sets “OFF” to the corresponding item of the device setting130of the location. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S411.

At S411, the management server100checks whether or not all the items acquired at S401have been set. When there are yet-to-be-set items (NO at S411), the process flow returns to S402, from which the process is repeated as yet-to-be-set items to be an item of interest. When the process has completed for all the items (YES at S411), the present process flow is terminated.

The present process flow allows for setting the device setting130in a manner suitable for using the MFPs belonging to the location120.

Device Setting Updating Process of PC

FIG. 9is a flow chart illustrating an updating process of the device setting of a printer driver suitable for a current location in the PC103according to the present embodiment. The present process flow corresponds to the processes from S104to S107ofFIG. 5A.

At S501, the PC103checks whether or not the network to which the PC103is connected has been changed. For example, let us assume that the PC103which has been originally connected to a network corresponding to the location120is disconnected therefrom and newly-connected to a network corresponding to the location121. In this case, an IP address included in the range of the location121is provided from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server (not illustrated) to the PC103. Then, the IP address of the PC103is changed to the provided IP address. When the network is changed (YES at S501), the process flow proceeds to S502, otherwise (NO at S501) the process flow proceeds to S503.

At S502, the PC103transmits a network change detection notification to the management server100. The detection notification corresponds to S104ofFIG. 5A. Subsequently, the process flow proceeds to S503.

At S503, the PC103checks whether or not the device setting of the printer driver has been received from the management server100. Reception of the device setting here corresponds to S106ofFIG. 5A. When the device setting is received (YES at S503), the process flow proceeds to S504, otherwise (NO at S503) the present process flow is terminated.

At S504, the PC103sets or updates the device setting of the printer driver110registered in the PC103, using the received device setting of the printer driver. Then, the present processing flow is terminated.

MFP Printing Process

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a process when performing pull print in the MFP101according to the present embodiment. The present process flow corresponds to the processes from S111to S119ofFIG. 5B.

At S601, the MFP101detects a job list display request via a UI operation on the operation unit143.

At S602, the MFP101transmits a job list acquisition request to the management server100. The job list acquisition request includes the network setting of the MFP101. The present process corresponds to the process at S112ofFIG. 5B.

At S603, the MFP101receives a job list from the management server100as a response to the job list acquisition request issued at S602. The job list includes information for identifying the PC in which each job is held.

At S604, the MFP101displays the job list received at S603on the UI of the operation unit143. The present process corresponds to the process at S115ofFIG. 5B.

At S605, the MFP101detects that a job print instruction has been received from a user via a UI operation on the operation unit143. The present process corresponds to the process at S116ofFIG. 5B.

At S606, the MFP101identifies the PC103holding the instructed job, referring to the information included in the job list. Then, the MFP101transmits a print instruction to the identified PC103, using the IP address indicated in the job list. The present process corresponds to the process at S117ofFIG. 5B.

At S607, the MFP101receives a job from the PC103as a response to the print instruction. The present process corresponds to the process at S118ofFIG. 5B.

At S608, the MFP101performs printing of the job received from the PC103at S607. The present process corresponds to the process at S119ofFIG. 5B. Then, the present processing flow is terminated.

Printing Process of PC

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a process when performing pull print in the PC103according to the present embodiment. The present process flow corresponds to the processes from S108to S121ofFIGS. 5A-5B.

At S701, the PC103detects that a print request has been issued by a print instruction from the user to the printer driver110. The present process corresponds to the process at S108ofFIG. 5A.

At S702, the PC103transmits, to the management server100, bibliographic information of the job corresponding to the print request received at S701. The bibliographic information includes a network setting (such as IP address) of the PC103. The present process corresponds to the process at S109ofFIG. 5A.

At S703, the PC103withholds, in a spool (not illustrated) of the printer driver110of the PC103, the job body corresponding to the print request received at S701.

At S704, the PC103receives a job acquisition request from the MFP101. The present process corresponds to the process at S117ofFIG. 5B.

At S705, the PC103transmits, to the MFP101, a job corresponding to the acquisition request received at S704, among the jobs withheld in the spool at S703. The present process corresponds to the process at S118ofFIG. 5B.

At S706, the PC103deletes the job transmitted at S705, among the jobs withheld in the spool. The present process corresponds to the process at S120ofFIG. 5B.

At S707, the PC103transmits, to management server100, a request to delete the job transmitted at S705from the job list of management server100. The present process corresponds to the process at S121ofFIG. 5B. Then, the present processing flow is terminated.

Printing Process of Management Server

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating a process when performing pull print in the management server100according to the present embodiment. The present process flow corresponds to the processes from S109to S122ofFIGS. 5A-5B.

At S801, the management server100receives bibliographic information from the PC103. The bibliographic information includes the network setting of the PC103. The present process corresponds to the process at S109ofFIG. 5A.

At S802, the management server100identifies the location120to which the PC103belongs, using the held network setting.

At S803, the management server100adds a job corresponding to the received bibliographic information received at S801to the job list for location120identified at S802. The present process corresponds to the process at S110.

At S804, the management server100receives a job list acquisition request from the MFP101. The present process corresponds to the process at S112ofFIG. 5B.

At S805, the management server100identifies the location120to which the MFP101having transmitted the acquisition request at S804belongs. The present process corresponds to the process at S113ofFIG. 5B.

At S806, the management server100transmits, to the MFP101, the job list of the MFP101having identified the location120at S805, as a response to the acquisition request received at S804. The present process corresponds to the process at S114ofFIG. 5B.

At S807, the management server100receives a bibliographic information deletion request from the PC103. The present process corresponds to the process at S121ofFIG. 5B.

At S808, the management server100identifies the bibliographic information specified in the deletion request received at S807from the job list of the location120to which the PC103belongs, and deletes the bibliographic information from the job list. The present process corresponds to the process at S122ofFIG. 5B. Then, the present processing flow is terminated.

According to the present embodiment, as has been described above, moving the location of a PC causes the device setting of the printer driver registered in the PC to be automatically set to a setting suitable for the location. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform pull print suitable for the MFP, using the function of the MFP included in the location.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-134799, filed Jul. 22, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.