Patent Description:
It is known to transmit print data to an image forming apparatus via a cloud print service having a print function to print document data registered in a cloud service (<CIT>). In such a print system, first, an administrator registers the image forming apparatus in a tenant, which is a group on the cloud print service. The administrator sets whether to permit a user belonging to the tenant to use the image forming apparatus.

The user permitted to use the image forming apparatus based on the setting configured by the administrator submits a print job from a client terminal to the cloud print service. Then, the cloud print service stores and manages the received print job. Then, the image forming apparatus displays print jobs managed by the cloud print service, and acquires the print job selected by the user from the cloud print service and outputs it.

Representative examples of cloud print services include, for example, Google Cloud Print®, Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Print®, and uniFLOW Online®.

One possible case is that a single user uses a plurality of cloud print services, and can submit a print job from any of the cloud print services. In such a case, if the user wants to select the print job to print on the image forming apparatus, the user needs to log in to the cloud print service used to print, and select the print job to print from among the print jobs registered in the cloud print service. Thus, if the user accidentally logs in to a cloud print service different from the cloud print service in which the print job that the user intends to print is registered, the user has to log in again, i.e. to the correct cloud print service. As further prior art there may be mentioned <CIT>, which discloses an information processing apparatus connected to data accumulation devices configured to accumulate job data in a predetermined memory area and electronic devices configured to execute the accumulated job data through a predetermined data transmission line, wherein the data accumulation devices execute a deletion process based on a deletion control value included in management information and manage the accumulated job data, wherein the apparatus includes a control unit configured to control a communication process of the job data performed between the electronic devices and the data accumulation devices, and wherein the control unit is configured to transmit a control value for extending an accumulation period of the accumulated job data to at least one of the data accumulation devices, and to update the deletion control value of the management information retained in the predetermined memory area in the at least one of the data accumulation devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a server system as defined in claim <NUM>, a method as defined in claim <NUM>, and a program as defined in claim <NUM>.

An example of a system configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. A system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a client terminal <NUM>, an image forming apparatus <NUM>, a cloud service <NUM>, a general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and an extended cloud print service <NUM>. The client terminal <NUM>, the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and the extended cloud print service <NUM> are connected to one another via a network <NUM>.

The client terminal <NUM> is a mobile terminal, such as a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a multi-functional mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as a smart-phone), and a tablet held by a user.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> is a multi-functional peripheral having various functions such as scan, fax, print, and copy functions, or a printer having only the print function.

The cloud service <NUM> is a cloud service that allows, for example, document data to be generated, and a document to be shared and edited in collaboration among a plurality of users. Besides that, the cloud service <NUM> may be a cloud service used by the plurality of users to communicate with each other. The cloud service <NUM> has a function of being remotely accessed from the client terminal <NUM> and storing data into an online storage, and has a function of allowing the data to be printed by collaborating with each of cloud print services, which will be described below.

The general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> has a function of managing received data as a print job. Print data contains print settings in addition to image data required for printing. However, the print settings that can be specified on the cloud print service <NUM> are limited to basic settings such as N-on-<NUM> printing, specifying a print page range, the two-sided layout, and specifying the number of copies.

The extended cloud print service <NUM> includes a cloud print service that allows the user to specify advanced settings in which the device characteristic of the image forming apparatus <NUM> is reflected. For example, a finishing setting corresponding to a finisher connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, a profile setting to which an installed color profile is applied, and a setting of font substitution based on an installed font can be specified as print functions of the advanced settings.

In an example of a print flow according to the present exemplary embodiment, the user remotely accesses the cloud service <NUM> from the client terminal <NUM> and uses various kinds of cloud services such as a document generation service and a communication service. In a case where the user prints document data generated or shared online using the cloud service <NUM>, the user selects either the basic function printing of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> or the advanced setting printing of the extended cloud print service <NUM> to print the document data. At this time, the user should have account information corresponding to each cloud print service, and is asked to input the account information at the time of printing. After the account information is input and basic function settings or the advanced settings are configured, the print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM> and is output.

Next, a hardware configuration of the client terminal <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG>. It is apparent that the present invention can be applied to any of a single function apparatus, a system including a plurality of apparatuses, and a system in which processing is performed with a connection established via a network as long as the functions of the present invention can be fulfilled, unless otherwise noted specifically.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a controller unit of the client terminal <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. A central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> controls the entire apparatus based on a program stored in a read only memory (ROM) <NUM> or a random access memory (RAM) <NUM> in a main storage device <NUM> or an auxiliary storage device <NUM>.

The RAM <NUM> is also used as a work area when the CPU <NUM> performs various kinds of processing. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> records an operating system (OS) <NUM> and an application <NUM> therein. In the following description, the main storage device <NUM> and the auxiliary storage device <NUM> will be collectively referred to as a storage device.

An input device such as a pointing device <NUM> represented by a mouse and a touch panel, and a keyboard <NUM> is a device connected via an input interface (I/F) <NUM> and used by the user to issue various kinds of instructions to the computer.

An output I/F <NUM> is an interface for outputting data to outside, and outputs the data to an output device such as a monitor <NUM>.

A common data system bus <NUM> allows data to be exchanged between an I/F and a module. In addition, the CPU <NUM> performs processing based on the program stored in the storage device, whereby processing in steps illustrated in sequence diagrams that will be described below is implemented.

A communication I/F <NUM> is an interface used to connect the client terminal <NUM> to a network. The client terminal <NUM> is connected to the network <NUM> via the communication I/F <NUM>.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a controller unit of the image forming apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. A controller unit <NUM> is connected to a scanner <NUM>, which functions as an image input device, and a printer <NUM>, which functions as an image output device. Then, the controller unit <NUM> inputs and outputs image data and image forming apparatus information by connecting to the network <NUM> or a public circuit such as a wide area network (WAN) (for example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)). In the controller unit <NUM>, a CPU <NUM> is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM <NUM> is a system work memory used to operate the CPU <NUM>, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data. A ROM <NUM> stores a boot program of the system and various kinds of control programs therein. A hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM> stores various kinds of programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like therein. An operation unit I/F <NUM> is an interface unit with an operation unit (user interface (UI)) <NUM>, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit <NUM> to the operation unit <NUM>. The operation unit I/F <NUM> plays a role of transmitting information (for example, the account information) input via the operation unit <NUM> by the user of the present system to the CPU <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> includes a display unit having a touch panel, and the user can issue various kinds of instructions by pressing a button displayed on the display unit (touching it with his/her finger or the like). A network I/F <NUM> connects to a network and inputs and outputs data. A modem <NUM> connects to the public circuit and is in charge of an input and output of data such as facsimile (FAX) transmission and reception. An external I/F <NUM> is an I/F unit that receives an external input, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> port, and a printer port. A card reader <NUM> for a readout from an integrated circuit (IC) card, which is required for authentication in the present exemplary embodiment, is connected to the external I/F <NUM>. Then, the CPU <NUM> can control the readout of information from the IC card by the card reader <NUM> via the external I/F <NUM> and acquire the information read out from the IC card. The image forming apparatus configured in this manner is disposed on a system bus <NUM>. An image bus I/F <NUM> is a bus bridge that connects between the system bus <NUM> and an image bus <NUM>, which transfers image data at a high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus <NUM> is constructed using a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or IEEE <NUM> bus. The following hardware modules are disposed on the image bus <NUM>. A raster image processor (RIP) <NUM> rasterizes vector data such as a page description language (PDL) code into a bitmap image. A printer I/F <NUM> connects the printer <NUM> to the controller unit <NUM> and converts image data synchronously or asynchronously. A scanner I/F <NUM> connects the scanner <NUM> to the controller unit <NUM>, and converts image data synchronously or asynchronously. An image processing unit <NUM> corrects, processes, and/or edits input image data, and adds a correction by the printer and/or converts the resolution with respect to print output image data. In addition thereto, the image processing unit <NUM> rotates the image data and performs compression and decompression processing such as Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) for multivalued image data, and Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group (JBIG), Modified Modified Read (MMR), and Modified Huffman (MH) for binary image data. The scanner <NUM> illuminates an image on a sheet set as an original and scans the image with a charge coupled device (CCD) line sensor, thereby converting the image into electric signals of raster image data. The original sheet is set on a tray of an original feeder. The user of the apparatus issues an instruction to start reading of the original via the operation unit <NUM>, which causes the CPU <NUM> to issue an instruction to the scanner <NUM>, and the feeder feeds one original sheet at a time and performs a reading operation of the image on the original sheet. The printer <NUM> is a portion that converts the raster image data into an image on a sheet. Examples of the print method include an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and an inkjet method that directly prints the image onto the sheet by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array, and the printer <NUM> may employ any of the methods. Actuation of the print operation is started in response to an instruction from the CPU <NUM>. The printer <NUM> includes a plurality of sheet feeding stages so as to allow the user to select different sheet sizes or different sheet orientations, and includes sheet cassettes corresponding thereto. The operation unit <NUM> includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, and a touch panel sheet is attached on the LCD. The operation unit <NUM> displays an operation screen of the system thereon, and when a displayed key is pressed, notifies the CPU <NUM> of positional information thereof via the operation unit I/F <NUM>. Further, the operation unit <NUM> includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an identification (ID) key, and a reset key as various kinds of operation keys. The start key of the operation unit <NUM> is used, for example, when the operation of reading the image on the original sheet is started. At the central portion of the start key, light emitting diodes (LEDs) of two colors, green and red, are provided, and whether the start key is in a usable state is indicated by these colors. The stop key of the operation unit <NUM> functions to stop an ongoing operation. The ID key of the operation unit <NUM> is used when a user ID of the user is input. The reset key is used when the settings configured via the operation unit <NUM> are initialized. The card reader <NUM> reads out the information stored in the IC card (for example, Felicity Card (Felica)® of Sony Corporation) under the control of the CPU <NUM> and notifies the CPU <NUM> of the read information via the external I/F <NUM>. As being configured in this manner, the image forming apparatus <NUM> has a function of transmitting the image data read using the scanner <NUM> to a local area network (LAN) and a function of transmitting print data received from the LAN to the printer <NUM> to print and output it.

Next, a software configuration of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the software module configuration of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> is a server system including one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a similar hardware configuration to the client apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. The CPU(s) <NUM> of the one or plurality of information processing apparatuses execute(s) the program stored in the ROM <NUM> or the auxiliary storage device <NUM> to implement the following software blocks.

A transmission and reception unit <NUM> transmits and receives the print job via a network to which the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> is connected.

A setting change screen control unit <NUM> controls a screen on which the print settings are configured in a case where document data in the cloud service is printed. The print settings that can be specified on the print setting screen are limited to the basic settings such as N-on-<NUM> printing, specifying a print page range, the two-sided layout, and specifying the number of copies.

A print job management unit <NUM> manages the print job in a case where the document data in the cloud service is printed. The print job management unit <NUM> manages the image forming apparatus <NUM> to which the print job can be submitted from the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> based on a print queue. The print job management unit <NUM> generates the print job in reaction to a request to carry out the print job from the user, and manages the print job by placing it in the print queue. The print setting information set on the print setting screen of the setting change screen control unit <NUM> is also held and managed in the print queue. An external cloud print service can be specified as a destination to which the print job is submitted for the print queue with which the print job management unit <NUM> can register the print job. In other words, the extended cloud print service <NUM> can be specified as the submission destination.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the print job may be controlled using the print queue for which the extended cloud print service <NUM> is specified as the destination. Further, the print job management unit <NUM> has a function of creating a list of managed print jobs.

An account management unit <NUM> manages the account information of the user using the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. The account information is necessary to use the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and a system administrator manages an output of the printing by managing the account information of the user.

A control unit <NUM> performs the overall control of various kinds of processing including the account management, the transmission and reception of the print data, the control of the screen for the print settings, the management of the print setting information, the generation of the print job, and the control of the print queue in the present exemplary embodiment.

The cloud service <NUM> includes a module for generating a document and a presentation material, a module for managing the generated document and presentation material in addition to the software modules included in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

Next, a software configuration of the extended cloud print service <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the software module configuration of the extended cloud print service <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

A transmission and reception unit <NUM> transmits and receives the print job via a network to which the extended cloud print service <NUM> is connected.

An advanced setting change screen control unit <NUM> controls a screen on which the print settings are configured in a case where document data in the cloud service is printed. Settings such as the finishing setting corresponding to the finisher connected to the image forming apparatus <NUM>, the profile setting to which the installed color profile is applied, and the setting of the font substitution based on the installed font are controlled as the print settings that can be set on the advanced setting change screen. The advanced setting change screen control unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> can set setting items that cannot be set on the print setting change screens displayed by the cloud service <NUM> and the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. For example, the above-described finishing setting, color profile setting, font substitution setting, and the like are the setting items that cannot be set on the setting change screens but can be set on the advanced setting change screen.

A print job management unit <NUM> manages the print job in a case where the document data in the extended cloud print service <NUM> is printed. The print job management unit <NUM> manages the image forming apparatus <NUM> to which the print job can be submitted from the extended cloud print service <NUM> based on a print queue. The print job management unit <NUM> generates the print job in reaction to a request to carry out the print job from the user, and manages the print job by placing it in the print queue. The print setting information set on the print setting screen of the advanced setting change screen control unit <NUM> is also held and managed in the print queue.

An account management unit <NUM> manages the account information of the user using the extended cloud print service <NUM>. The account information is necessary to use the extended cloud print service <NUM>, and the system administrator manages an output of the printing by managing the account information of the user.

A control unit <NUM> performs the overall control of various kinds of processing including the account management, the transmission and reception of the print data, the control of the screen for the print settings, the management of the advanced print setting information, the generation of the print job, and the control of the print queue in the present exemplary embodiment.

Next, a method for registering the print job on the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and the extended cloud print service <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The registration method will be described here referring to an example at the time of printing document data generated by the user using a document generation application in the cloud printing. The user issues an instruction to print a document on the document generation application. Next, the user selects a cloud service to use for the printing. At this time, the user selects one of the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and the extended cloud print service <NUM> and registers the intended printing as the print job.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating the method for registering the print job on the cloud service <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cloud service <NUM> has a function of generating document data or sharing document data and an online storage function of maintaining and managing the document data. The method for registering the document data as the print job will be described below.

In step S100, the client terminal <NUM> transmits a request to display the setting change screen to the cloud service <NUM>.

In step S101, the cloud service <NUM> causes the client terminal <NUM> to display the setting change screen thereon. The user configures the print settings by operating the setting change screen. After that, the user selects an "execute printing" button to issue an instruction to execute the printing.

In step S102, the client terminal <NUM> transmits an instruction to register the print job to the cloud service <NUM>.

In step S102, the client terminal <NUM> instructs the cloud service <NUM> to register the print job of the document data specified by the user.

In step S103, the cloud service <NUM> registers the instructed document data in the online storage held by the cloud service <NUM> as the print job in reaction to the instruction to register the print job.

Unlike the cloud print services that will be described below, the present processing is performed to indicate that the document data generated by the user is explicitly handled as the print job. In a case where all pieces of document data stored in the cloud service <NUM> are to be handled as the print jobs, the instruction to register the print job does not have to be issued.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating the method for registering the print job on the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, a sequence for carrying out the printing from the above-described cloud service <NUM> using the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In step S200, the client terminal <NUM> issues a request to display the setting change screen to the cloud service <NUM>. At this time, the user selects the use of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> capable of carrying out the basic function printing, and inputs the account information corresponding to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S201, the cloud service <NUM> logs in to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> based on the account information received from the client terminal <NUM>.

In step S202, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> transmits a request to display the setting change screen provided by the setting change screen control unit <NUM> to the cloud service <NUM>.

In step S203, the cloud service <NUM> causes the client terminal <NUM> to display the setting change screen thereon. The user can select the "execute printing" button after changing the print settings by operating the setting change screen.

In step S204, the client terminal <NUM> instructs the cloud service <NUM> to register the document data specified by the user as the print job.

In step S205, the cloud service <NUM> transmits the document data to print and the print settings, addressing them to the account of the user authenticated by the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S206, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> registers the received document data and print settings as the print job.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating the method for registering the print job on the extended cloud print service <NUM>. In the present exemplary embodiment, a sequence for carrying out the printing from the above-described cloud service <NUM> using the extended cloud print service <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In step S300, the client terminal <NUM> transmits a request to display the advanced setting change screen in reaction to selection of the extended cloud print service <NUM> as the destination to which the print job is submitted. At this time, the user inputs the account information corresponding to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S301, the cloud service <NUM> transmits the account information input by the user to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S302, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits a request to display the advanced setting change screen to the cloud service <NUM> after authenticating the account.

In step S303, the cloud service <NUM> causes the client terminal <NUM> to display the advanced setting change screen thereon. The advanced setting change screen displayed at this time is the advanced setting change screen provided by the advanced setting change screen control unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

When the user selects "execute printing", in step S304, the client terminal <NUM> instructs the cloud service <NUM> to register the document data specified by the user as the print job.

In step S305, the cloud service <NUM> transmits the document data and the print settings to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S306, the extended cloud print service <NUM> registers the received document data and print settings as the print job.

Next, access from the image forming apparatus <NUM> to each cloud service after the print job is registered on each cloud service will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, a case is described where the printing is carried out as so-called pull printing in which the image forming apparatus <NUM> accesses each cloud service and acquires and outputs the print job. It is apparent that similar advantageous effects can be acquired in a case where the printing is carried out as push printing in which each cloud service causes the image forming apparatus <NUM> to carry out the printing.

First, an operation when the printing of the print job registered on the cloud service is carried out on the image forming apparatus <NUM> according to the conventional technique will be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The user holds the accounts corresponding to the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

The user selects a cloud service to which the print job corresponding to the data to print has been submitted on a screen for selecting a function to use (home screen).

A screen <NUM> is a login screen for logging in to the cloud service <NUM> and is displayed in a case where the user wants to print the job submitted to the cloud service <NUM>. A screen <NUM> is a login screen for logging in to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> and is displayed in a case where the user wants to print the job submitted to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. A screen <NUM> is a login screen for logging in to the extended cloud print service <NUM> and is displayed in a case where the user wants to print the job submitted to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

The user inputs the account information on the login screen <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> individually. The user accesses the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, or the extended cloud print service <NUM> on the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The cloud service that has received the login from the image forming apparatus <NUM> creates a list of print jobs registered therein. Then, the cloud service transmits the print job list to the image forming apparatus <NUM> and causes it to be displayed on the operation unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

Information <NUM> lists the print jobs stored in the online storage of the cloud service <NUM>. The print jobs submitted to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> and the extended cloud print service <NUM> are not displayed in this list.

Information <NUM> lists the print jobs stored in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. The print jobs submitted to the cloud service <NUM> and the extended cloud print service <NUM> are not displayed in this list.

Information <NUM> lists the print jobs stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM>. The print jobs submitted to the cloud service <NUM> and the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> are not displayed in this list. In particular, on the information <NUM>, which is the print job list of the extended cloud print service <NUM> having the function of changing the advanced settings, a function of the advanced settings not supported by the other cloud services can be provided.

In the case of the above-described example, accessing each of the cloud services is necessary to display information about the print jobs stored in each of the cloud services. Thus, the user needs to input the account information. Further, the user needs to access the cloud service after recognizing where the print job is registered. To solve such an issue, the server system described herein creates an integrated print job list in which the respective print job lists of the cloud services are merged, and causes the image forming apparatus <NUM> to display it. Presenting such a display allows the user to select the print job to carry out the printing without being conscious of which service the print job has been submitted to.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate screens that the extended cloud print service <NUM>, which is the server system according to the present exemplary embodiment, provides to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The user selects the extended cloud print service <NUM> on the screen for selecting a function to use (home screen). Then, a login screen indicated by <NUM> in <FIG> is displayed. The user logs in to the extended cloud print service <NUM> by inputting the username and the password corresponding to the extended cloud print service <NUM> on the login screen <NUM>. A "cloud linkage" button is a button to display a screen for confirming or adding a cloud service with which the extended cloud print service <NUM> is linked. If the user selects the "cloud linkage" button, a screen indicated by <NUM> is displayed. The already linked cloud service <NUM> and general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> are displayed on the screen <NUM>. Further, the user can register a cloud service in which the extended cloud print service <NUM> will be newly linked on the screen <NUM>. If the user selects a not-illustrated "register" button, a screen for registering the new cloud service is displayed.

<FIG> illustrates a list of print jobs displayed when the user selects a "log in" button on the login screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The information about the print jobs stored in the cloud service <NUM> and the information about the print jobs stored in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> are displayed in the list of print jobs in addition to the information about the print jobs stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM>. An item "job name" is a filename of a file to print. A part of the print settings set to the print data is displayed in an item "print settings". The name of the cloud service specified by the user as the submission destination is displayed in an item "cloud service". The date and time of submission of the print job is indicated in an item "date and time". Only the date is displayed in <FIG>, but the list may be configured to also display the submission time.

The print jobs can be displayed after being sorted by the job name, the type of the cloud service, or the date and time of submission of the print job in the list of print jobs illustrated in <FIG>. For example, if the print jobs are sorted in the order of the date and time of submission of the print job from the latest to the earliest, the pieces of information about the print job are displayed in the order of "contract. pdf", "application. doc", "drawing. xls", and "report. In this manner, the pieces of information about the print job in the list can be sorted regardless of the type of the cloud service that is the destination to which the print job has been submitted on the screen illustrated in <FIG>.

If the user selects a print job in a display <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the print job is selected as indicated by <NUM>. The user can also select a plurality of print jobs. If the user selects a "start printing" button <NUM>, the printing of the selected print job is carried out. If the user selects a "delete job" button while the information about the print job is selected, the extended cloud print service <NUM> deletes the selected information about the print job. Further, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits a request to delete the print job to the cloud service in which the selected print job is stored. If the user selects a "deselect" button <NUM>, the selected print job is deselected.

Next, a sequence for creating the integrated print job list by the extended cloud print service <NUM> will be described with reference to a sequence diagram illustrated in <FIG>. In the present exemplary embodiment, the Open Authorization (OAuth) authorization system using an authorization server is used to implement authorization. The sequence illustrated in <FIG> is started in reaction to the user's logging in to the extended cloud print service <NUM> by operating the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In step S401, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives the input of the account information from the user, and logs in to the extended cloud print service <NUM> using the account information.

In step S402, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits an acquisition request for an access token to an authorization server <NUM> of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> specified as the linkage destination.

In step S403, the authorization server <NUM> causes the image forming apparatus <NUM> to display the screen for inputting the username and the password corresponding to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, and carries out the user authentication based on the input information. Further, the authorization server <NUM> confirms authorization regarding whether the extended cloud print service <NUM> is permitted to access the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> with the user via the operation unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In step S404, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits, to the authorization server <NUM>, information indicating permission for the access using the information about the authorization input by the user.

In step S405, the authorization server <NUM> generates an access token required to access the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S406, the authorization server <NUM> transmits the generated access token to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In a case where the extended cloud print service <NUM> has already stored the access token for the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, the processing described in steps S402 to S406 can be omitted.

In step S407, the extended cloud print service <NUM> issues an acquisition instruction for the print job information to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> using the acquired access token.

In step S408, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> verifies the received access token, and verifies whether the access is access authorized by the authorization server <NUM>.

In step S409, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> confirms that there is no problem with the access authority as a result of the verification, and transmits the information about the print job to the extended cloud print service <NUM>. The information about the print job here means bibliographic information such as the print settings of basic functions, the job name, and the date and time of submission of the print job. The information about the print job may be information contained in the print job or may be information stored in association with the print job in another server system.

Next, in steps S410 to S417, the extended cloud print service <NUM> performs processing similar to the processing performed with respect to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> in steps S402 to S409, targeting at the cloud service <NUM>.

In step S410, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits an acquisition request for an access token to an authorization server <NUM> of the cloud service <NUM> specified as the linkage destination.

In step S411, the authorization server <NUM> causes the image forming apparatus <NUM> to display the screen for inputting the username and the password corresponding to the cloud service <NUM>, and carries out the user authentication based on the input information. Further, the authorization server <NUM> confirms authorization regarding whether the extended cloud print service <NUM> is permitted to access the cloud service <NUM> with the user via the operation unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In step S412, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits, to the authorization server <NUM>, information indicating permission for the access using the information about the authorization input by the user.

In step S413, the authorization server <NUM> generates an access token required to access the cloud service <NUM>.

In step S414, the authorization server <NUM> transmits the generated access token to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In a case where the extended cloud print service <NUM> has already stored the access token for the cloud service <NUM>, the processing described in steps S410 to S414 can be omitted.

In step S415, the extended cloud print service <NUM> issues an acquisition instruction for the print job information to the cloud service <NUM> using the acquired access token.

In step S416, the cloud service <NUM> verifies the received access token, and verifies whether the access is access authorized by the authorization server <NUM>.

In step S417, the cloud service <NUM> confirms that there is no problem with the access authority as a result of the verification, and transmits the information about the print job to the extended cloud print service <NUM>. The information about the print job here means bibliographic information such as the print settings of basic functions, the job name, and the date.

In step S418, the extended cloud print service <NUM> creates the integrated print job list by merging the pieces of print job information acquired in steps S409 and S417. In step S418, the extended cloud print service <NUM> generates data in the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) format that constructs the screen illustrated in <FIG> on which the list of print jobs is displayed. The processing performed by the extended cloud print service <NUM> in step S418 will be described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

Then, in step S419, the extended cloud print service <NUM> instructs the image forming apparatus <NUM> to display the created integrated print job list. Upon receiving the integrated print job list, the image forming apparatus <NUM> displays the received integrated print job list on the operation unit <NUM> using, for example, a web browser function.

Now, the method for creating the integrated print job list will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart in which the extended cloud print service <NUM> creates the integrated print job list by merging the information acquired from each of the cloud services. The CPU(s) of one or a plurality of information processing apparatuses forming the extended cloud print service <NUM> execute(s) the program stored in the ROM or the auxiliary storage device to implement the processing illustrated in <FIG>.

First, in step S900, the extended cloud print service <NUM> starts the processing thereof after acquiring the job information from each of the cloud services.

In step S901, the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> determines whether there is the integrated print job list. One integrated print job list is prepared for one account on the extended cloud print service <NUM>. Thus, if there is the previously created integrated print job list (YES in step S901), the print job management unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S903. If the integrated print job list has not been created (NO in step S901), the print job management unit <NUM> advances the processing to step S902.

In step S902, the extended cloud print service <NUM> creates a frame of the integrated print job list having the sort function. The information about each print job is not reflected yet at this point. The sort function refers to a mechanism capable of sorting the print jobs according to the content of the print job information, and refers to, for example, sorting the print jobs by the job name, sorting the print jobs by the date, and sorting the print jobs by the cloud service name. Sorting the print jobs by the job name means sorting the pieces of information about the print jobs in the order of the Japanese syllabary or in the alphabetical order. Sorting the print jobs by the date means sorting the pieces of information about the print jobs in the order of the date of submission of the print job from the earliest to the latest or from the latest to the earliest. Sorting the print jobs by the cloud service name means sorting the pieces of information about the print jobs by the type of the cloud service.

In step S903, the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> reflects the print job information stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM> into the integrated print job list. If the integrated print job list is determined as having been already prepared in step S901 (YES in step S901), the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> updates the information about the print jobs stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM> that is contained in the integrated print job list.

In step S904, the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> reflects the print job information acquired from the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> into the integrated print job list. If the integrated print job list is determined as having been already prepared in step S901 (YES in step S901), the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> updates the information about the jobs stored in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> that is contained in the integrated print job list with the information acquired in step S409.

In step S905, the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> reflects the print job information acquired from the cloud service <NUM> into the integrated print job list. If the integrated print job list is determined as having been already prepared in step S901 (YES in step S901), the print job management unit <NUM> of the extended cloud print service <NUM> updates the information about the jobs stored in the cloud service <NUM> that is contained in the integrated print job list with the information acquired in step S417.

Then, in step S906, the processing for creating the integrated print job list is ended. Through the above-described flow, the integrated print job list is created with the pieces of print job information of the linked cloud services reflected therein.

Performing the above-described processing allows the login screen on the image forming apparatus <NUM> to be integrated (login screen <NUM>) as illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the user can confirm the print jobs of each of the linked cloud services (screen <NUM>) simply by logging in using the account information corresponding to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

Further, if necessary, the user can expand the linked cloud services by inputting account information corresponding to an intended cloud service on the screen. The present configuration also allows the extended cloud print service <NUM> to prompt the user to link to a highly convenient cloud service that is an unlinked cloud service and different especially in function from the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the pieces of job information are merged on the extended cloud print service <NUM>, but there is no problem if the pieces of job information are merged on the image forming apparatus <NUM> side. Further, even in a case where the integrated print job list is created, the image forming apparatus <NUM> can still keep using the screen for login to each of the cloud services as in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the example of the display of the integrated print job list created by the extended cloud print service <NUM> that is displayed on the image forming apparatus <NUM> (display <NUM>) as described above. The print jobs of each of the cloud services can be viewed in a list. Further, the display has the function of allowing the print jobs to be sorted by the item of the job name, the cloud service that indicates where the registered print job is located, the date, or the like to improve visibility as described above. When being sorted by the item of the cloud service, the print jobs are displayed while being grouped by the cloud service. When being sorted by the date, the print jobs are displayed in the order of the date and time of submission from the latest to the earliest or from the earliest to the latest. In <FIG>, the print jobs are displayed in the order of the date and time of submission of the print job from the earliest to the latest. As illustrated in <FIG>, the print jobs are displayed in the list form while being sorted independently of the cloud service specified as the submission destination by the user in the present exemplary embodiment. Presenting such a display allows the user to select the print job to print without being conscious of which service the job has been submitted to.

Next, the printing of the print job submitted to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> from the integrated print job list displayed by the extended cloud print service <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating processing when the user selects the print job registered in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> from the integrated print job list and selects the "start printing" button <NUM>.

In step S601, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits a request to start the printing of the print job selected by the user to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S602, the extended cloud print service <NUM> determines which service stores the print job that the extended cloud print service <NUM> is instructed to print. In the present example, suppose that the selected print job is a print job stored in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S603, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits an acquisition request for the print job that the extended cloud print service <NUM> is instructed to print using the access token for accessing the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S604, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> verifies the access token received from the extended cloud print service <NUM>. If the request is issued from the extended cloud print service <NUM> permitted to access the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> transmits the requested print job to the extended cloud print service <NUM>. The processing described in steps S403 to S406 illustrated in <FIG> may be performed if the verification of the access token is not successful.

In step S605, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits a notification indicating that the acquisition of the print job is completed to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S606, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> deletes the print job, the notification about which has been transmitted from the extended cloud print service <NUM>, from the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S607, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In step S608, the image forming apparatus <NUM> analyzes the print job received from the extended cloud print service <NUM> and carries out the printing.

In step S609, upon completing the printing, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits a print completion notification to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S610, the extended cloud print service <NUM> deletes the print job, the print completion notification about which has been transmitted from the image forming apparatus <NUM>, and the information about the print job stored in the table for managing the bibliographic information.

<FIG> has been described referring to the example when the image forming apparatus <NUM> carries out the print job submitted to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. In a case where the image forming apparatus <NUM> carries out the print job submitted to the cloud service <NUM>, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is replaced with the cloud service <NUM>. Further, in a case where the image forming apparatus <NUM> carries out the print job submitted to the extended cloud print service <NUM>, the processing in steps S603 to S606 is omitted, and the processing in step S607 and the subsequent steps is performed after step S602.

The sequence illustrated in <FIG> allows the user to carry out the print job submitted to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> or the cloud service <NUM> from the list of print jobs displayed by the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

The user can change the print settings by selecting the print job in the integrated print job list illustrated in <FIG> and selecting an "advanced settings" button <NUM>.

However, the print jobs registered in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> are limited to the basic functions, and thus a part of the setting items settable on the extended cloud print service <NUM> cannot be reflected therein. Thus, in a case where changing of the settings of a print job registered in another cloud service is instructed, the extended cloud print service <NUM> acquires the print job from the other cloud service. Then, the extended cloud print service <NUM> performs processing for reregistering the print job registered in the other cloud service with the extended cloud print service <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to configure the advanced settings. The present processing will be described with reference to a sequence diagram regarding processing between the individual cloud services illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram for reregistering the print job in the extended cloud print service <NUM> from the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> to allow the user to change the advanced print settings.

In step S501, the image forming apparatus <NUM> receives an input to change the print settings from the user, and instructs the extended cloud print service <NUM> to permit the change in the print settings of the selected print job. When the user selects the "advanced settings" button <NUM>, the processing described in step S501 is performed.

In the present example, suppose that the user issues an instruction to change the settings of the print job registered in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S502, the extended cloud print service <NUM> transmits an acquisition request for the access token to the authorization server <NUM> of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S503, the authorization server <NUM> transmits a request for user confirmation to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In reaction to the request, the image forming apparatus <NUM> displays the ID and password screen for logging in to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. Then, the authorization server <NUM> carries out the authentication for logging in to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> based on the input ID and password. Then, the authorization server <NUM> causes the image forming apparatus <NUM> to display a screen for inquiring of the user whether the extended cloud print service <NUM> is permitted to access the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

When the user instructs the image forming apparatus <NUM> to permit the access, in step S504, the image forming apparatus <NUM> transmits an access permission instruction to the authorization server <NUM>.

In step S505, the authorization server <NUM> generates an access token for allowing the extended cloud print service <NUM> to access the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. In step S506, the authorization server <NUM> transmits the generated access token to the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

The processing in steps S502 to S506 between the extended cloud print service <NUM>, the authorization server <NUM>, and the image forming apparatus <NUM> may be omitted if the extended cloud print service <NUM> has already held the access token for accessing the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S507, the extended cloud print service <NUM> issues an acquisition instruction for the print job targeted for the change in the print settings specified on the image forming apparatus <NUM> to the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> using the access token.

In step S508, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> verifies the received access token, and verifies whether the access is access authorized by the authorization server <NUM>.

In step S509, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> transmits the print job targeted for the change in the print settings specified on the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

In step S510, the extended cloud print service <NUM> registers the acquired print job in the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

Upon completing the registration of the received print job, in step S511, the extended cloud print service <NUM> notifies the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> of a notification indicating that the acquisition of the print job is completed.

In step S512, the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> receives the notification indicating that the acquisition of the print job is completed from the extended cloud print service <NUM>, and deletes the print job.

In step S513, the extended cloud print service <NUM> recreates the integrated print job list including the newly acquired print job. At this time, the extended cloud print service <NUM> registers the print job of which the extended cloud print service <NUM> is instructed to change the print settings with the integrated print job list as the print job registered in the extended cloud print service <NUM>.

In step S514, the extended cloud print service <NUM> displays the not-illustrated print setting change screen on the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The print setting change screen is a screen on which the user can set print settings that cannot be set using the print functions of the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> and the cloud service <NUM>. The print settings that cannot be set on the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> and the cloud service <NUM> include the finishing setting corresponding to the finisher, the profile setting to which the installed color profile is applied, the setting of the font substitution based on the installed font, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the integrated print job list recreated in step S513 illustrated in <FIG>.

The print job with the general-purpose cloud print service displayed in the item of the cloud service in <FIG> is listed with the extended cloud print service displayed in the item in a recreated integrated print job list <NUM>. Performing such processing causes the print job to be stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to change the print settings.

<FIG> and <FIG> have been described using the example of changing the print settings of the print job registered in the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM>. A similar method may be performed in a case where the print settings of the print job registered in the cloud service <NUM> are to be changed. In such a case, the authorization server <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is replaced with the authorization server <NUM> corresponding to the cloud service <NUM>, and the general-purpose cloud print service <NUM> is replaced with the cloud service <NUM>.

Further, in a case where the settings of the print job stored in the extended cloud print service <NUM> are to be changed, the processing illustrated in <FIG> is unnecessary.

With the server system described in the present exemplary embodiment, the user can confirm the print data that can be processed on the image forming apparatus <NUM> without being conscious of the cloud print service to which the print job has been submitted.

Further, the server system can improve the convenience of the user by being linked with the plurality of cloud services and, further, can provide an advanced print setting method suitable for the image forming apparatus <NUM> to the user in the cloud printing using the cloud print service.

According to the server system described above in the exemplary embodiments, the user can confirm the print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus without being conscious of the cloud print service to which the print job has been submitted.

Claim 1:
A first server system (<NUM>) comprising:
a job management means (<NUM>) for managing first information about a plurality of print jobs stored on the first server system; and
a receiving means (<NUM>) for receiving, from an image forming apparatus, first user identification information, wherein the first user identification information is used for logging in to the first server system,
wherein the first server system further comprises
a requesting means for transmitting an acquisition request for an access token to an authorization server of a second server system, wherein the second server system stores second information about a second plurality of print jobs stored on the second server system;
an acquiring means (<NUM>) for acquiring, from the second server system, the stored second information by using the requested access token wherein the access token is generated by the authorization server based on second user identification information different from the first user identification information; and
a control means (<NUM>) for causing the image forming apparatus to display the managed first information and the received second information, which are arranged in an order set regardless of which server system each of the first and second plurality of print jobs is stored in.