JP2000284927A - Print processing system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print processing system in which print processing can be executed, and an actual print image can be confirmed even from terminal which is not provided with any application or the like. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a client 1, a printer 2, a server 3, and a network 4. In this case, the client 1 is provided with a print data inputting part 11, a print confirmation data obtaining part 13 for confirming a print image, and a display part 12 for displaying the print image, and the printer 2 and the server 3 are respectively provided with print data converting parts 21 and 31 for converting the print data into printer description language, print data conversion information retrieving parts 22 and 32 for retrieving the conversion information, conversion information offering parts 23 and 33 for offering the conversion information, and storage parts 24 and 34 for storing the conversion information. Moreover, the printer 2 is provided with a printing part 25, a print confirmation data preparing part 26 for preparing the print image, and a print confirmation data offering part 27 for transmitting the print image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print processing system and a print processing method for performing printing with a printer connected to a network. In particular, the present invention relates to a print processing system and a print processing method for performing printing with a printer connected to a network without providing an application or a printer driver for generating print data (printer description language) on a client.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing process in a network system in which a PC (Personal Computer) and a printer are connected, when printing data such as word processing sentences and images, the following processing is performed.

[0003] First, an application capable of handling print data such as word processing sentences and images to be printed on a PC is started. And with this application,
Converts print data such as word processing sentences and images into a printer description language.

[0004] The converted printer description language is confirmed as a print image by a PC, and transmitted to a printer controlled by a printer driver via a network. The printer receives and prints the printer description language.

[0005]

However, according to the above-described conventional print processing, it is necessary to provide a PC with an application for generating a printer description language and a printer driver for controlling a printer, so that it is called a thin client. There is a problem that a small terminal with limited hardware resources cannot include an application and a printer driver and cannot perform data printing.

Further, there is a problem that a print image to be confirmed on a PC before printing data is created by an application, and thus may be different from an image actually printed by a printer.

Therefore, in view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing method capable of performing a data printing process even from a terminal having neither an application nor a printer driver and confirming an actual image printed by a printer. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing system and a print processing method.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a print processing system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a client for inputting print data and issuing a print request, and a printer for printing the print data. A print processing system comprising a network for connecting the client and the printer, wherein the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image and transmits the print data to the printer; and a print image from the printer. And a display unit for displaying the print image, wherein the printer stores conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language, and the storage unit Conversion information providing means for reading the conversion information from A print data conversion information search unit that searches from the conversion information passed from the conversion information providing unit; and the printer that prints the print data from the client based on the conversion information searched by the print data conversion information search unit. A print data conversion unit for converting into a description language, a printing unit for printing the printer description language converted by the print data conversion unit, and a print image created from the printer description language converted by the print data conversion unit A print image creation unit; and a print image transmission unit that sends the print image created by the print image creation unit to the client.

In order to solve the above problems, a print processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a client for inputting print data and issuing a print request, a printer for printing the print data, and a printer for printing. In a print processing system including a server having appropriate conversion information and a network connecting the client, the printer, and the server, the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image and transmits the print data to the printer. Data input means, print image obtaining means for obtaining a print image from the printer, and display means for displaying the print image, wherein the server has conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language. Means for storing the conversion information, and conversion information providing means for reading the conversion information from the storage means The conversion information corresponding to the print data, and a print data conversion information retrieval means for retrieving from the conversion information passed from the conversion information supply means,
A print data conversion unit configured to convert the print data from the client into the printer description language based on the conversion information searched by the print data conversion information search unit of the server; Printing means for printing the printer description language converted by the printer data conversion means, print image creation means for creating a print image from the printer description language converted by the print data conversion means, and the print image creation means created by the print image creation means Print image transmitting means for transmitting a print image to the client.

In order to solve the above problems, a print processing system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a client for inputting print data and issuing a print request, a printer for printing the print data, and a conversion required for printing. A server having information;
In a print processing system including a network that connects the client, the printer, and the server, the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image and transmits the data to the printer. A print image obtaining unit that obtains a print image; and a display unit that displays the print image, wherein the server stores conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language.
Storage means, first conversion information providing means for reading the conversion information from the first storage means, and first conversion information corresponding to the print data are passed from the first conversion information providing means. First print data conversion information searching means for searching from the conversion information, and the print data from the client on the basis of the first conversion information searched by the first print data conversion information searching means. A first print data conversion unit that converts the print data into a printer description language; the printer has a second storage unit that stores conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language; A second conversion information providing unit that reads the conversion information from a storage unit; and a second conversion information corresponding to the print data, the second conversion information providing unit receiving the second conversion information from the conversion information passed from the second conversion information providing unit. A second print data conversion information search unit to be searched; a second conversion information searched by the second print data conversion information search unit; or a second print data conversion information search unit of the server. Second print data conversion means for converting the print data from the client into the printer description language based on the first conversion information, and the printer description converted by the second print data conversion means. Printing means for printing a language or the printer description language converted by the first print data conversion means of the server; print image creation means for creating a print image from the printer description language; and print image creation means And a print image transmitting unit for transmitting the print image created in step (1) to the client.

In the above-described print processing system, the client may include a print image editing unit for editing the print image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method for printing print data from a client connected to a network using a printer. ) The print data is transmitted from the client to the printer, and (B) the printer
Determine whether the print data is printable data,
(C) If the print data is data that cannot be printed,
Searching for conversion information corresponding to the print data; (D) converting the print data into printable data based on the conversion information; (E) creating a print image from the printable data; Transmitting a print image to the client; (G) confirming the print image at the client; (H) transmitting a print command to the printer; and (I) transmitting the print command to the printer in response to the print command. And printing the data that can be printed.

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a print processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is the print processing method according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the network includes:
When a server is connected and the conversion information corresponding to the print data cannot be detected in the step (C), (C1) transmitting the print data to the server;
(C2) The server detects conversion information corresponding to the print data, and (C3) transmits the conversion information corresponding to the print data to the printer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method according to the first aspect, wherein the network comprises:
When a server is connected and the conversion information corresponding to the print data cannot be detected in the step (C), (C1) transmitting the print data to the server;
(C2) The server detects conversion information corresponding to the print data, and replaces the step (D) with (D1)
The server converts the print data into printable data based on the conversion information, and (D2) transmits the printable data to the printer.

In the above-described print processing method, in the step (G), (G1) the client checks the print image, and (G2) edits the print image. .

Since the printer or server converts the print data into a printer description language, there is no need to provide an application capable of handling the print data on the client side or a printer driver for controlling the printer. Therefore, even a terminal with scarce hardware resources can perform high-quality printing.

Further, since the user can check the actual image printed by the printer and edit the print image, even if the print data is processed by a different application, it is necessary to edit the print data by combining it at the time of printing. Is now available.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a print processing system and a print processing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the print processing system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the print processing system includes a thin client 1 for inputting print data and issuing a print request, a printer 2 for printing print data, a server 3 having information and applications necessary for printing, a thin client 1 , A printer 2 and a network 4 for connecting the server 3.

Here, the thin client 1 includes a print data input unit 11 for inputting print data such as a word processing document and an image and issuing a print request to the printer 2, a print confirmation data acquisition unit 13 for acquiring a print image, A display unit 12 for displaying a print image and a network interface 18 for communicating data with the network 4 are provided.

The printer 2 has a print data conversion unit 21 for converting the received print data into a printer description language.
A print data conversion information search unit 2 for searching for conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language.
2, a conversion information providing unit 23 that provides conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language, and a storage unit 24 that stores conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language. , Print data conversion unit 2
A printing unit 25 for printing the printer description language converted in step 1
A print confirmation data creating unit 26 for creating a print image from a printer description language to be actually printed, and a print confirmation data providing unit 2 for transmitting the print image over the network 4
7 and a network interface 28 for performing data communication with the network 4.

The server 3 further comprises a print data conversion unit 31 for converting the received print data into a printer description language,
A print data conversion information search unit 32 for searching for conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language
A conversion information providing unit 33 that provides conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language, a storage unit 34 that stores conversion information for converting received print data into a printer description language, Network interface 38 for communicating data with network 4
And

In FIG. 1, the thin client 1
Although only one printer and one printer 2 are shown, a plurality of thin clients 1 and printers 2 can be connected to the network 4. Further, a plurality of servers 3 may be connected to the network 4.

Next, a printing process in the above-described printing system will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a printing process in the above-described printing system. In FIG. 2, first, when print data such as a word processing document or an image to be printed is input, the print data input unit 11 of the thin client (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “client”) 1 prints the print data. The request is transmitted from the network interface 18 to the printer 2 together with the request (step 201).

The printer 2 receives print data from the network 4 via the network interface 28. The received data is input to the print data conversion unit 21, and the print data conversion unit 21 determines whether the print data is a non-printable data such as a printable printer description language or application data (step 20).
2).

If the print data is in a printable printer description language, the print confirmation data creation unit creates a print image to be actually printed from the printer description language (step 203).

The created print image is sent from the print confirmation data providing unit 27 to the network interface 28, and is sent from the network interface 28 to the client 1 via the network 4 (step 204).

In the client 1, the print confirmation data acquisition unit 13 receives the print image via the network interface 18 (Step 205).

The print confirmation data acquisition section 13 sends the print image to the display section 12 and displays it on the display section 12 (step 206).

The user checks the print image displayed on the display unit 12 and determines whether or not to print (step 207).

When printing, a print command is transmitted from the print confirmation data acquisition unit 13 (step 208), and a print start command is received. In the printer 2, the printer unit 25 prints the printer description language as a print image. (Step 2
15).

On the other hand, if the print data is data that cannot be printed, the conversion information is received by the print data conversion search unit 22 from the storage unit 24 via the conversion information providing unit 23, and the print data conversion search unit 22 converts the print data into print data. Search for the corresponding conversion information. The print data conversion unit 21 receives the result and determines whether the print data can be converted into a printer description language (step 209).

When the print data can be converted into the printer description language, the print data conversion unit 21 converts the print data into the printer description language based on the conversion information (step 210). Then, the processing from step 202 is repeated.

On the other hand, if the print data cannot be converted into the printer description language (step 209), the print data is transmitted to the server 3.

In the server 3, the print data is received by the network interface 38. Then, in the same manner as the above-described processing of the printer 2, the print data conversion search unit 32 receives the conversion information from the storage unit 34 via the conversion information providing unit 33, and the print data conversion search unit 32 responds to the print data. Search for conversion information. Print data converter 31
Receives the result and determines whether the print data can be converted into a printer description language (step 21).
1). If the data cannot be converted by the server 3, the printing process is terminated.

If the print data can be converted into the printer description language (step 211), the server 3 determines whether to transmit conversion information for converting the print data into the printer description language to the printer 2 (step 212). ).

When transmitting the conversion information from the server 3 to the printer 2 (step 212), the printer 2
, Via the network 4 (step 213). This conversion information is stored in the storage unit 24.

The print data converter 2 of the printer 2
1 converts the print data into a printer description language based on the conversion information received via the network interface 28 (Step 210), and thereafter repeats the processing from Step 202.

On the other hand, when the conversion information is not transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2 (step 212), the print data conversion unit 31 of the server 3 performs the conversion based on the conversion information of the storage unit 34 searched by the print data conversion search unit 32. Then, the print data is converted into a printer description language (step 214), and the converted printer description language is transmitted to the printer 2. Hereinafter, the processing from step 202 is repeated.

While the print processing method of the present invention has been described above, a case where a plurality of printers 2 are connected to the network 4 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a printer selection process when a plurality of printers 2 are connected to the network 4. In FIG. 3, step 2 in FIG.
Between step 06 and step 207, a process (step 301) of selecting a printer for printing may be added. However, the printer selected at this time is determined in step 201.
It is preferable that the printer has the same printing function as the printer 2 to which the print data has been transmitted. Further, it is necessary to transmit a print image or a printer description language to the selected printer.

In step 201, the print data may be transmitted to all the printers, and a printer to be printed may be selected from the available printers (step 301).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the print processing system of the present invention. Here, FIG. 4 differs from FIG. 1 in that the client 1 includes a print data editing unit 14 for editing a print image. Less than,
This difference will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the print data editing unit 14. Steps 501 to 503 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to step 20 shown in FIG.
6 and step 207.

In FIG. 5, the user checks the print image displayed on the display unit 12 and determines whether or not to edit the print image (step 501).

When editing a print image, the print data editing unit 14 changes the print data to edit the print image (step 502).

The print data edited by the print data editing unit 14 is input to the print data input unit and transmitted to the printer 2 (Step 503). Hereinafter, the processing from step 202 is repeated.

When the print image is not edited (step 501), the processing from step 207 is repeated.

Edit the print image (step 50)
2) At this time, it is also possible to receive print images from a plurality of printers and edit them. These multiple print images may be created by different applications. Further, one print image may be divided into a plurality of portions, and each may be printed by an arbitrary printer.

The print processing system and the print processing method of the present invention have been described above. If the print data cannot be converted by the conversion information in the printer 2 without performing the processing of the server 3, the print processing is terminated. You may do so.

The printer 2 may obtain the conversion information from the server 3 without including the print data conversion information search unit 22, the conversion information providing unit 23, and the storage unit 24.

[0053]

As described above, according to the print processing system and print processing method of the present invention, a printer or a server converts print data into a printer description language. There is no need to have a driver. Therefore, high-quality printing can be performed even on a terminal with scarce hardware resources.

Further, since the conversion information for converting the print data by the printer can be obtained from the server, the processing capability of the printer for the print data can be improved.

Further, since the print data transmitted from the client can be in a compressed file format, the transmission data can be reduced, and the cost of network communication can be reduced.

Further, since a print request can be made to all the printers connected to the network, a printer to be printed can be selected based on a print image instead of the specifications of the printer.

Further, since the print image can be edited, even if the print data is processed by a different application, it is possible to edit the print data by combining the print data at the time of printing.

Furthermore, a print image created by one publication can be printed by a plurality of printers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating print processing in the print processing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating print processing for selecting a printer from a plurality of printers in the print processing system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of editing a print image in the print processing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 thin client 2 printer 3 server 4 network 11 print data input unit 12 display unit 13 print confirmation data acquisition unit 14 print data editing unit 18, 28, 38 network interface 21, 31 print data conversion unit 22, 32 print data conversion information search Unit 23, 33 Conversion information providing unit 24, 34 Storage unit 25 Printing unit 26 Print confirmation data creating unit 27 Print confirmation data providing unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] A client for inputting print data and issuing a print request; a printer for printing the print data;
A print processing system comprising a network connecting the client and the printer, wherein the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image and transmits the print data to the printer, and a print image from the printer. A print image acquisition unit for acquiring, a display unit for displaying the print image, and a storage unit for storing conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language; and A conversion information providing unit that reads the conversion information; a print data conversion information search unit that searches for the conversion information corresponding to the print data from the conversion information passed from the conversion information providing unit; and a print data conversion information search. Based on the conversion information retrieved by the means, Print data conversion means for converting the print data into the printer description language; printing means for printing the printer description language converted by the print data conversion means; and the printer description language converted by the print data conversion means And a print image transmitting means for transmitting the print image generated by the print image generating means to the client. 2. A client that inputs print data and issues a print request, a printer that prints the print data,
In a print processing system including a server having conversion information necessary for printing and a network connecting the client, the printer, and the server, the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image, and A data input unit for transmitting the print data to a printer description language; a print image obtaining unit for obtaining a print image from the printer; and a display unit for displaying the print image. Storage means for storing the conversion information, conversion information providing means for reading the conversion information from the storage means, and searching for the conversion information corresponding to the print data from the conversion information passed from the conversion information providing means. A print data conversion information searching unit, wherein the printer is the server Print data conversion means for converting the print data from the client into the printer description language based on the conversion information searched by the print data conversion information search means; and the printer description converted by the print data conversion means A printing unit for printing a language; a print image creation unit for creating a print image from the printer description language converted by the print data conversion unit; and transmitting the print image created by the print image creation unit to the client. And a print image transmitting unit. 3. A client that inputs print data and makes a print request, a printer that prints the print data,
In a print processing system including a server having conversion information necessary for printing and a network connecting the client, the printer, and the server, the client inputs print data such as a word processing document or an image, and A data input unit for transmitting the print data to a printer description language; a print image obtaining unit for obtaining a print image from the printer; and a display unit for displaying the print image. A first storage unit for storing the conversion information, a first conversion information providing unit that reads the conversion information from the first storage unit, and a first conversion information corresponding to the print data,
A first print data conversion information search unit that searches from the conversion information passed from the conversion information providing unit; and a first print data conversion information search unit that searches based on the first conversion information searched by the first print data conversion information search unit. A first print data conversion unit for converting the print data from a client into the printer description language, wherein the printer stores conversion information for converting the print data into a printer description language. A storage unit; a second conversion information providing unit that reads the conversion information from the second storage unit; and a second conversion information corresponding to the print data.
A second print data conversion information search unit that searches from the conversion information passed from the conversion information providing unit; and a second conversion information that is searched by the second print data conversion information search unit; A second print data conversion unit for converting the print data from the client into the printer description language based on the first conversion information retrieved by the first print data conversion information retrieval unit; A printing means for printing the printer description language converted by the second print data conversion means or the printer description language converted by the first print data conversion means of the server; and a print image from the printer description language. A print image creation unit to be created; and a print image creation unit that sends the print image created by the print image creation unit to the client. And a message transmitting unit. 4. The print processing system according to claim 1, wherein the client has a print image editing unit that edits the print image. 5. A print processing method for printing print data from a client connected to a network on a printer, comprising: (A) transmitting print data from the client to the printer; and (B) printing the print data on the printer. It is determined whether or not the data is printable data. (C) If the print data is not printable data,
Searching for conversion information corresponding to the print data; (D) converting the print data into printable data based on the conversion information; (E) creating a print image from the printable data; Transmitting a print image to the client; (G) confirming the print image at the client; (H) transmitting a print command to the printer; and (I) transmitting the print command at the printer in response to the print command. Printable data, wherein the printable data is printed. 6. A server is connected to the network, and in step (C), when conversion information corresponding to the print data is not detected, (C1) transmitting the print data to the server The printing according to claim 5, wherein (C2) the server detects conversion information corresponding to the print data, and (C3) transmits the conversion information corresponding to the print data to the printer. Processing method. 7. A server is connected to the network, and in step (C), when conversion information corresponding to the print data is not detected, (C1) transmitting the print data to the server (C2) the server detects conversion information corresponding to the print data, and in place of the step (D), (D1) the server can print the print data based on the conversion information The print processing method according to claim 5, wherein (D2) the printable data is transmitted to the printer. 8. The printing process according to claim 5, wherein in the step (G), (G1) the client confirms the print image, and (G2) edits the print image. Method.