JP2001265555A - Network print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a network print system capable of executing print without installing a printer driver in a client. SOLUTION: The client 1 is provided with a Web browser 16 to visually display print image data generated by a print server 2, application 11 to create print data and an application data file 17 constituted of the print data and the print server 2 is provided with a Web server 18 to transmit a kind of the application data file 17 the print processing of which is possible to the client 1, a print data generating part 22 to convert the printable application data file 17 into the print data, a storage device 15 to hold the print data, a print image data generating part 21 to convert the print data into the print image data and a print managing part 14 to make a printer 3 perform the print.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network printing system capable of printing from a Web browser to a printer connected via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printers have been commonly used by a plurality of clients via a network.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional network printing system, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the network printing system comprises a client 1 and a print server 2 mutually connected to a network 4, and a printer 3 for executing printing is connected to the print server 2. I have.

[0005] Here, the client 1 receives the FD (Flo
a storage medium reading device 10 for reading information stored in a storage medium such as a py disk or a CD-ROM; an application 11 for creating data; a printer driver 12 for generating print data from data created by the application 11; A communication unit 13 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the print server 2 is provided.

The print server 2 includes a communication unit 13 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the client 1 and a communication unit 1.
The print management unit 14 includes a print management unit 14 that sequentially transfers the print data received from the client 1 to the printer 3 and a storage device 15 that stores the print data sent to the print management unit 14.

Next, the operation of the network printing system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When printing is performed from the client 1 to the printer 3 via the network 4, a printer driver 1 that generates print data that can be processed by the printer 3
2 needs to be installed on the client 1. To install the printer driver 12 in the client 1, a storage medium on which the printer driver 12 is recorded is set in the storage medium reading device 10 of the client 1, and the printer driver 12 is read from the storage medium and transmitted to the client 1. Install (Step 401).

Next, a printer driver 12 for printing data created by using the application 11 is selected and printing is instructed (step 402).

The printer driver 12 that has received the print execution instruction receives the data from the application 11 and generates print data (step 403).

When the generation of the print data is completed,
The print data is transmitted from the communication unit 13 of the client 1 via the communication unit 13 of the print server 2 (step 4).
04).

The print data sent from the communication unit 13 of the print server 2 to the print management unit 14 is stored in the storage device 15, and printing is executed by sequentially transferring the print data to the printer 3 by the print management unit 14. (Step 40
5).

[0013]

As described above, according to the conventional technology in which a printer driver of a printer is installed in a client and printing is performed, when there are a plurality of printers, a printer corresponding to each printer is provided. It is necessary to install the driver on the client, and it takes time to install the printer driver.

[0014] Even when printing is performed on a printer that is not regularly used, it is necessary to install a printer driver without fail.

When printing to a remote printer via the Internet or the like, there is a possibility that a printer driver corresponding to the printer cannot be obtained from an FD, a CD-ROM, or the like. This makes it impossible to execute printing itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a network printing system capable of executing printing without installing a printer driver on a client.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network printing system capable of confirming a printing result in advance.

[0018]

In order to solve this problem, a network printing system according to the present invention is a network printing system including a client and a print server connected to each other via a network, and a printer connected to the print server. The client includes print image display means for visually displaying print image data generated by the print server as a print image, an application for creating data to be printed, and data created by the application. An application data file, the print server includes a data format notifying unit that transmits to the client a type of format of the application data file that can be printed by the print server, and a print format transmitted from the client. Print data generating means for converting an application data file capable of print processing into print data printable by a printer, storage means for holding the print data generated by the print data generating means, and converting the print data into print image data The configuration includes a print image data generation unit and a print management unit that transfers print data to a printer in accordance with a print request from a client and executes printing.

Thus, since only the application data file that can be printed by the print server is transmitted from the client to the print server, printing can be performed without installing a printer driver in the client.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
What is claimed is: 1. A network printing system comprising: a client and a print server connected to each other via a network; and a printer connected to the print server, wherein the client visually prints print image data generated by the print server as a print image. An image display unit, an application for creating data to be printed, and an application data file composed of data created by the application. The print server has a format of an application data file that can be printed by the print server. Data format notifying means for transmitting the type to the client, and a mark for converting the print-processable application data file sent from the client into print data printable by the printer Data generating means, storage means for holding the print data generated by the print data generating means, print image data generating means for converting the print data into print image data, and transfer of the print data to the printer according to a print request from the client A printing management unit for executing printing by performing
Since only the application data file that can be printed by the print server is transmitted from the client to the print server, it is possible to perform printing without installing a printer driver on the client. Also, since the print image data generated by the print server is displayed as a print image on the print image display unit of the client,
This has the effect that the print result can be confirmed in advance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing system comprising a client and a print server mutually connected to a network, and a printer connected to the print server, wherein the client is generated by the print server. Print image display means for visually displaying the print image data as a print image, an application for creating data to be printed, and printing data from the data created by the application transmitted from the print server in response to a request from the client. A print driver for generating the print data, the print server includes a data format notifying unit that transmits a format type of an application data file that can be printed by the print server to the client, and printing by the printer. Storage means for storing print data and storing print data, print image data generating means for converting print data into print image data, and print data to the printer in accordance with a print request from a client A network printing method system comprising: a print management unit that transfers and executes printing; a print server that holds a printer driver that generates print data that can be printed by a printer; Is generated, it is not necessary to install the necessary printer driver from the storage medium to the client, and it is possible to perform printing without performing the installation work of the printer driver.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printing system comprising a client and a print server connected to each other via a network, and a printer connected to the print server. Print image display means for storing an editing program transmitted from the print server and visually displaying print image data generated by the print server as a print image to enable editing work, and creation of data to be printed And an application data file composed of data created by the application, and the print server determines a format type of the application data file printable by the print server. Data format notifying means for transmitting the print data to the printer, print data generating means for converting a print-processable application data file sent from the client into print data printable by a printer, and an editing program for editing the print data. Storage means for holding the print data generated by the print data generating means, print image data generating means for converting the print data into print image data, and transferring and executing the print data to the printer in accordance with a print request from the client A print management unit for storing the editing program in the print server,
Since this is transmitted to the client so that the editing operation can be performed, there is an effect that defective print data can be easily corrected by the editing program.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In these drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network printing system according to the present embodiment comprises a client 1 and a print server 2 mutually connected to a network 4, and the print server 2 has a printer for executing printing. 3 are connected.

Here, the client 1 includes a Web browser (print image display means) 16 for visually displaying print image data generated by the print server 2 as a print image, and an application 11 for creating data to be printed. Application data file 17 composed of data created by application 11
And a communication unit (communication means) 13 for accessing the print server 2.

The print server 2 includes a Web server (data format notifying means) 18 for transmitting the format type of the application data file 17 printable by the print server 2 to the client 1;
A print data generation unit (print data generation unit) 22 that converts the print-processable application data file 17 sent from the client 1 into print data that can be printed by the printer 3, and print data generated by the print data generation unit 22 (Storage means) 15 for storing print data, a print image data generation section (print image data generation means) 21 for converting print data into print image data, and print data sequentially to the printer 3 according to a print request from the client 1. The printer 1 includes a print management unit 14 that transfers the data and executes printing by the printer 3, and a communication unit (communication unit) 13 that transmits and receives data to and from the client 1.

Next, the operation of the network printing system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in the client 1, a document or the like to be printed is created using the application 11, and held as an application data file 17 (step 101). Then, the client 1 accesses the Web server 18 of the print server 2 using the Web browser 16 (Step 102).

When the Web server 18 receives the access from the client 1, the Web server 18 transmits the type of the format of the application data file 17 printable by the print server 2 to the client 1 as printable format information (step 103).

The client 1 compares the printable format information transmitted from the print server 2 with the format of the application data file 17 to be printed, and determines whether or not printing is possible (step 104).

If it is determined that the application data file 17 is printable, the client 1 transmits the application data file 17 to the print server 2 via the communication unit 13 and the network 4 (step 105). It should be noted that the case where it is determined in this determination that they do not match will be described in detail in the following second embodiment.

In the print server 2 receiving the application data file 17, the print management unit 14 manages the application data file as a print job. The application data file 17 is converted by the print data generation unit 22 into print data that can be printed by the printer 3. The print data is stored in the storage device 15 (step 106).

Next, print image data for visually confirming a print result is generated from the print data by the print image data generation unit 21, and the print image data is transmitted from the Web server 18 to the Web browser 16 of the client 1. Send it (step 107).

The print image is displayed on the Web browser 16 of the client 1 on the basis of the print image data, and a determination is made as to whether or not to execute printing (step 108). Here, the case where the user requests to edit the print data (step 110) will be described in detail in a third embodiment described later. On the other hand, when neither editing nor printing is performed, the client 1 issues a print stop request to the print server 2, and the print management unit 14 of the print server 2 deletes the print data stored in the storage device 15 and prints. The operation is stopped (step 111). If the user requests printing in step 108, the client 1 issues a print request to the print server 2, and the print server 2 sends the print data stored in the storage device 15 to the printer 3 according to the print request. Printing is performed by transferring (step 109).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since only the application data file 17 that can be printed by the print server 2 is transmitted from the client 1 to the print server 2, the printer driver is installed in the client 1. Printing can be performed without any need.

Also, the Web browser 1 of the client 1
In step 6, since the print image data generated by the print server 2 is displayed as a print image, the print result can be confirmed in advance.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printing system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the network printing system according to the present embodiment also includes a client 1 and a print server 2 mutually connected to a network 4, and the print server 2 has a printer for executing printing. 3 are connected.

Here, the client 1 includes a Web browser (print image display means) 16 for visually displaying print image data generated by the print server 2 as a print image, and an application 11 for creating data to be printed. A printer driver 12 that transmits print data from the print server 2 in response to a request from the client 1 and generates print data from data created by the application 11, and a communication unit (communication unit) 13 that accesses the print server 2. Have.

The print server 2 includes a Web server (data format notifying means) 18 for transmitting the format type of the application data file 17 printable by the print server 2 to the client 1,
A storage device (storage unit) 15 that stores a printer driver 12 that generates print data printable by the printer 3 and holds the print data, and a print image data generator (print image data) that converts the print data into print image data A print management unit 14 for sequentially transferring print data to the printer 3 in accordance with a print request from the client 1 and executing printing by the printer 3
And a communication unit (communication means) 13 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the client 1.

Next, the operation of the network printing system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

If it is determined in the flowchart of FIG. 2 that the data created by the application 11 does not conform to the printable format information (step 10).
4) The printing process is continued in accordance with the network printing flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, first, the client 1 requests the print server 2 from the printer driver 12 to generate print data printable by the printer 3 (step 201).

The print server 2 receiving the request transmits the printer driver 12 stored in the storage device 15 to the client 1 (Step 202).

The client 1 converts the data from the application 11 into print data by using the received printer driver 12 (step 203). And
The generated print data is transmitted from the client 1 to the print server 2 (Step 204).

The print data sent to the print server 2 is stored in the storage device 15 by the print management unit 14 (step 205).

Subsequent network printing operations follow the designated part of the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the print server 2 holds the printer driver 12 that generates print data that can be printed by the printer 3, and transmits this to the client 1 to generate print data. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the necessary printer driver from the storage medium in the client 1, and printing can be performed without performing the installation work of the printer driver.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printing system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the network printing system according to the present embodiment also includes a client 1 and a print server 2 which are mutually connected to a network 4, and the print server 2 has a printer for executing printing. 3 are connected.

Here, the client 1 stores the editing program 23 transmitted from the print server 2 in response to the request from the client 1, and visually displays the print image data generated by the print server 2 as a print image. Web browser (print image display means) 16 that enables editing work by the user, an application 11 that creates data to be printed, an application data file 17 composed of data created by the application 11, a print server 2, And a communication unit (communication means) 13 for performing the above access.

The print server 2 includes a Web server (data format notifying means) 18 for transmitting the format type of the application data file 17 printable by the print server 2 to the client 1,
A print data generation unit (print data generation unit) 22 for converting the print-processable application data file 17 sent from the client 1 into print data printable by the printer 3 and an editing program 23 for editing print data are stored. Storage device (storage means) 15 for storing the print data generated by the print data generation unit 22
And a print image data generation unit (print image data generation means) 2 for converting print data into print image data
1, a print management unit 14 for sequentially transferring print data to the printer 3 in accordance with a print request from the client 1 and executing printing by the printer 3, and a communication unit (communication means) for transmitting and receiving data to and from the client 1. 13 is provided.

Next, the operation of the network printing system having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the print image sent from the print server 2 is displayed on the Web browser 16 of the client 1 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the print data is edited (step 110), the printing is performed according to the network printing flowchart of FIG. Continue processing.

That is, the client 1 issues a request for the editing program 23 to the print server 2 (step 3).
01).

Upon receiving the request, the print server 2
The editing program 23 stored in the storage device 15 is transmitted to the client 1 together with the print data (step 30).
2).

Web browser 1 in client 1
In step 6, the editing program 23 is operated to perform editing, and the edited result is reflected on the print data (step 30).
3).

When the printing is requested after the editing is completed, the edited print data is transmitted from the client 1 to the print server 2 (step 304).

The print server 2 that has received the edited print data sends the edited print data to the print management unit 14 and stores it in the storage device 15 (step 305).

The subsequent network printing operation follows the designated part of the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the editing program 23 is held in the print server 2 and transmitted to the client 1 so that the editing work can be performed. The editing program allows for easy correction.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, since only the application data files that can be printed by the print server are transmitted from the client to the print server, printing can be performed without installing a printer driver in the client. There is an effective effect that it is possible to carry out.

According to the present invention, the print image display means of the client displays the print image data generated by the print server as a print image, so that the print result can be confirmed in advance. That is, an effective effect is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, a printer driver for generating print data printable by a printer is held in a print server, and this is transmitted to a client to generate print data. It is not necessary to install the printer driver from the storage medium to the client, and an advantageous effect is obtained in that printing can be performed without installing the printer driver.

According to the present invention, since the editing program is held in the print server and transmitted to the client so that editing can be performed, defective print data can be easily corrected by the editing program. The effective effect that it becomes possible is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional network printing system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network printing system of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 client 2 print server 3 printer 4 network 11 application 12 printer driver 14 print management unit 15 storage device (storage means) 16 Web browser (print image display means) 17 application data file 18 Web server (data format notification means) 21 print image Data generation unit (print image data generation unit) 22 Print data generation unit (print data generation unit) 23 Editing program

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) G06F 13/00 354 G06F 13/00 354D F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HH09 HJ08 HK04 HN05 HN15 HQ17 2C087 AB06 BA03 BC05 BC07 BD01 BD41 BD46 BD52 5B021 AA01 BB06 EE01 PP08 5B089 GA13 JA35 JB07 JB22 KA01 KA05 KA13 KB04 KB09 LB14

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A network printing system comprising: a client and a print server connected to each other via a network; and a printer connected to the print server, wherein the client prints print image data generated by the print server. A print image display unit that visually displays the image as an image, an application that creates data to be printed, and an application data file that includes data created by the application. A data format notifying unit that transmits a type of format of the application data file that can be printed to the client; and the application data file that can be printed and sent from the client. Print data generating means for converting the print data into print data printable by the printer, storage means for holding the print data generated by the print data generating means, and print image data for converting the print data into print image data A network printing system comprising: a generation unit; and a print management unit that transfers print data to the printer in accordance with a print request from the client and executes printing. 2. A network printing system, comprising: a client and a print server connected to each other via a network; and a printer connected to the print server, wherein the client prints print image data generated by the print server. A print image display unit for visually displaying an image, an application for creating data to be printed, and print data generation from data created by the application transmitted from the print server in response to a request from the client. A printer driver, the print server comprising: a data format notifying unit configured to transmit to the client a format type of an application data file printable by the print server; A printer driver for generating print data printable by the printer, storing means for holding the print data, print image data generating means for converting the print data into print image data, and a print request from the client. A print management unit that transfers the print data to the printer to execute printing. 3. A network printing system comprising a client and a print server connected to each other via a network, and a printer connected to the print server, wherein the client is transmitted from the print server in response to a request from the client. Print image display means for storing the edited editing program and visually displaying the print image data generated by the print server as a print image to enable the editing work, and an application for creating data to be printed, An application data file composed of data created by the application, wherein the print server determines a format type of the application data file that can be printed by the print server. A data format notifying means for transmitting to the client, a print data generating means for converting the print-processable application data file sent from the client into print data printable by the printer, and the editing for editing print data A storage unit for storing the print data generated by the print data generation unit while storing a program, a print image data generation unit for converting the print data into print image data, and a print image data generation unit according to a print request from the client. A network printing system, comprising: a print management unit that transfers print data to the printer to execute the print data.