JP2012208624A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system allowing any printer communicable with a terminal device to print information displayed on the terminal device.SOLUTION: A print system comprises a terminal device, a user server, and a print server 300. The terminal device includes: a terminal side application 160 for transmitting a print instruction signal in response to a print instruction operation and transmitting a terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal; and a print application 170 for receiving RAM data generated for a printer 400 which is communicatively connected to the terminal device, and transmitting the RAW data toward the printer 400. The user server includes a server side application for receiving the print instruction signal to generate the RAW data and outputting the RAW data as data for a virtual printer. The print server 300 incudes a data transmission section for transmitting the RAW data, which is acquired before reaching the virtual printer, to the terminal device identified by the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a terminal device and a server connected to each other via a communication network.

  Portable terminal devices equipped with a platform (for example, Android (registered trademark)) for browsing and displaying information of various contents provided by a server via a communication network have become widespread. Along with this, there is an increasing demand for a printing system for printing information displayed on such a terminal device with a printer.

  As such a print system, for example, a print system that prints information on a printer connected to a server in accordance with an instruction from a terminal device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-98710 A

  Here, when printing the information displayed on the terminal device, if there is an arbitrary printer that can be connected to the terminal device by the user using the terminal device, the arbitrary printer There is a request to make it print. Such a demand is high in, for example, a trader who conducts business negotiations while viewing information displayed on a terminal device at a customer. However, at present, no effective proposal has been made for a printing system that prints information displayed on a terminal device to an arbitrary printer as described above.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can print information displayed on a terminal device on an arbitrary printer that can be connected to the terminal device.

The printing system of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
In a printing system including a terminal device and a server connected to each other via a communication network,
The terminal device is
A display screen for displaying information;
In response to a print instruction operation, a print instruction signal for instructing printing of the information is transmitted via the communication network, and terminal identification data assigned to the terminal apparatus and identifying the terminal apparatus is attached to the print instruction signal. A print instruction section to send;
Print that is generated for the first printer that is connected to the terminal device and that represents the information is received via the communication network, and the print data is sent to the first printer. With an execution part,
The server
A print data generation unit that receives the print instruction signal via the communication network, generates the print data based on image data representing the information, and outputs the print data for a second printer;
Data that acquires the print data output by the print data generation unit before reaching the second printer, and also acquires terminal identification data attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the print data An acquisition unit;
A data transmission unit that transmits the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit to the terminal device identified by the terminal identification data acquired by the data acquisition unit via the communication network, To do.

  The image data that is the basis of print data generation by the print data generation unit may be obtained by the print data generation unit from the terminal device, or originally existed in the server. It may be.

  Further, the print data generated by the print data generation unit may be print data representing the information itself displayed on the display screen, or created using information displayed on the display screen. It may be print data representing an image. As an example of print data representing the information itself displayed on the display screen, print data representing the image or character string itself when the image or character string to be printed is displayed as information on the display screen. Is mentioned. An example of print data representing an image created using information displayed on the display screen is, for example, a table format in the case where a character string such as a number is displayed on the display screen as information. Print data representing an image in which the information is entered in a print format such as. Furthermore, as an example of print data representing an image created using information displayed on the display screen, an image of the information itself displayed on the display screen or an image created using such information can be used. Other than the image, for example, print data representing an image to which a barcode or the like is added may be used.

  Further, the “second printer” mentioned above may be an actual printer connected to the server by communication, or a virtual printer apparently connected to the server by communication.

  Further, the “server” mentioned above may be one computer device or a cloud composed of a plurality of computer devices.

  According to the printing system of the present invention, the print data for the first printer that is communicatively connected to the terminal device is generated in the server, and the printer that is actually communicatively connected to the server or virtually connected to the server. Output for (second printer). The output print data is acquired before reaching the second printer and transmitted to the terminal device, so that the information represented by the print data can be printed by the first printer. In addition, since it is not necessary for the terminal device to create print data for the first printer by itself, the selection range of the first printer is wide for each terminal device. Thus, according to the printing system of the present invention, the information displayed on the terminal device can be printed on any printer that can be connected to the terminal device.

Here, for the printing system of the present invention,
“The terminal device
Prior to transmission of a print instruction signal by the print instruction unit, a printer data transmission unit that associates printer identification data for identifying at least a model of the first printer with the terminal identification data and transmits the data via the communication network. With
The server further includes:
A storage unit prepared for each model of the second printer and storing a printer driver for generating the print data for the model;
The printer identification data and the terminal identification data are received via the communication network, and among the printer drivers stored in the storage unit, a printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the printer identification data is selected. A registration unit for copying and registering the copied printer driver in the storage unit in association with the terminal identification data;
The print data generation unit generates the print data using a printer driver registered in the storage unit in association with the same terminal identification data as the terminal identification data attached to the received print instruction signal. Is
This form is suitable.

  As an example of the print data generation method, there is a method using a so-called printer driver which is a software tool for generating print data for each type of printer. In many cases, a printer driver is prepared for each printer model by a printer manufacturer. According to the printing system of the preferred embodiment, prior to the printing instruction from the terminal device to the server, the printer driver for the same model as the first printer is duplicated and associated with the terminal identification data. be registered. Thus, when instructing printing from the terminal device to the server, the print data for the first printer can be obtained simply by informing the terminal identification data and instructing printing without specifying the model of the first printer. Can be generated using a suitable printer driver.

For the printing system of the present invention,
“The terminal device
Prior to transmission of the print instruction signal by the print instruction unit, a printer data acquisition unit that communicates with the first printer and acquires printer identification data that identifies at least a model of the first printer;
A printer data transmission unit that associates the printer identification data acquired by the printer data acquisition unit with the terminal identification data and transmits the data via the communication network;
The server further includes:
A storage unit prepared for each model of the second printer and storing a printer driver for generating the print data for the model;
The printer identification data and the terminal identification data are received via the communication network, and among the printer drivers stored in the storage unit, a printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the printer identification data is selected. A registration unit for copying and registering the copied printer driver in the storage unit in association with the terminal identification data;
The print data generation unit generates the print data using a printer driver associated with the same terminal identification data as the terminal identification data attached to the received print instruction signal and registered in the storage unit Is
This form is also suitable.

  According to this preferred form of the printing system, prior to the printing instruction from the terminal device to the server, the terminal device communicates with the first printer to acquire the printer identification data. Then, based on the acquired printer identification data, duplication and registration of an appropriate printer driver for the same model as the first printer model is performed. According to this preferred form of the printing system, for example, even when the first printer is changed from a printer of a certain model to a printer of another model, printing with the printer of another model is automatically supported. can do.

In addition, for the two preferred forms of the printing system described above,
“The server
When a printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the printer identification data received by the registration unit does not exist in the storage unit, the printer driver is acquired via the communication network and stored in the storage unit It has a driver acquisition unit. ''
This form is more preferable.

  According to this more preferable form of the printing system, a printer driver for the same model as the first printer is also acquired via the communication network, so that the first printer can It is possible to flexibly deal with printers and the like.

  As described above, according to the printing system of the present invention, the information displayed on the terminal device can be printed on any printer that can be connected to the terminal device.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a specific embodiment of a printing system of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the terminal device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration common to a user server and a print server illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a basic hardware configuration common to a plurality of printers illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the print system of FIG. 1 with attention paid to functions in a terminal device, a first user server, and a print server. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the print system of FIG. 1 with attention paid to functions in a terminal device, second and third user servers, and a print server. It is a figure which shows the setting screen in which connection instruction | indication operation is performed. It is a figure which shows typically the process from communication connection of a terminal device and a printer to replication and registration of a printer driver by a 1st server side synchronizing part. It is a figure which shows typically an automatic installation process. It is a figure which shows a printing instruction | indication screen. It is a figure which shows typically the process until RAW data is produced | generated in the 1st-3rd user server, and it writes in the file storage part of a print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing from when a user performs a print instruction operation on a terminal device to when printing is performed by a printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating how RAW data generated using a printer driver registered by a server-side synchronization unit is written to a file storage unit of a print server by a port monitor. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating how RAW data generated without using a printer driver in a second user server is written into a file storage unit of a print server by a printer daemon. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the RAW data produced | generated without using a printer driver in the 3rd user server are written in the file storage part of a print server by File I / F. It is a flowchart which shows the process of step S108-step S111 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 in detail.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the printing system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a specific embodiment of the printing system of the present invention.

  The print system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices that are communicatively connected to the cloud 10a and a plurality of user servers that constitute the cloud 10a. FIG. 1 shows first to sixth terminal devices 100_1,..., 100_6 among a plurality of terminal devices, and first to third user servers 200_1,. ., 100_3 is illustrated. The print system 10 includes a single print server 300 that constitutes a cloud 10a together with a plurality of user servers.

  Each of the plurality of terminal devices corresponds to an example of the terminal device referred to in the present invention.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the cloud 10a receives print instructions from each terminal device, generates print data at any user server, and sends the print data from the print server 300 to the terminal device. This is transmitted, and corresponds to an example of a server referred to in the present invention.

  Each terminal device has a function of a mobile phone and is connected to the cloud 10a via a telephone line. An example of such a terminal device is a portable terminal device equipped with an Android (registered trademark) platform.

  In the print system 10, each terminal device is used to display an image of content provided by any user server. The first and second terminal devices 100_1 and 100_2 are used for displaying images from the first user server 200_1, and the third and fourth terminal devices 100_3 and 100_4 are images from the second user server 200_2. The fifth and sixth terminal devices 100_5 and 100_6 are used for displaying images from the third user server 200_3.

  Each terminal device includes a display screen 102a that displays an image and has a touch pad function for receiving a touch operation by a user. The terminal device also includes an operation button 104a that accepts a button operation by the user. In FIG. 1, for easy understanding of the drawing, the display screen and the operation buttons are denoted only by the first terminal device 100_1.

  When an instruction to print an image displayed on the display screen 102a is given by a button operation on the operation button 104a or a touch operation on the display screen 102a, each terminal device prints the image. To the user server.

  Each user server provides a content image on the cloud 10a. When printing is instructed from the terminal device, RAW (raw) data is generated as print data in a data format that represents an image to be printed and that can be processed by the printer.

  Here, the first user server 200_1 employs a method of generating RAW data using a so-called printer driver. As such a method, for example, a printing method adopted in Windows (registered trademark) can be cited.

  The second and third user servers 200_2 and 200_3 employ a method of generating RAW data without using a printer driver. As such a method, for example, a printing method adopted in Linux (registered trademark) can be cited.

  The first user server 200_1 generates RAW data in response to instructions from the first and second terminal devices 100_1 and 100_2 used for displaying images from the first user server 200_1, and the second user server 200_2. Generates RAW data in response to instructions from the third and fourth terminal devices 100_3 and 100_4 used to display an image from the second user server 200_2, and the third user server 200_3 RAW data is generated in response to instructions from the fifth and sixth terminal devices 100_5 and 100_6 that are used to display an image from the user server 200_3.

  The RAW data generated by each user server is sent to the print server 300 and stored in the print server 300. Then, the RAW data generated by the instruction from the terminal device is transmitted from the print server 300 to each terminal device via the telephone line.

  The terminal device that has received the RAW data from the print server 300 transmits the RAW data to each printer 400_1,..., 400_6,. The image represented by the data is printed. Each of the plurality of printers 400_1,..., 400_6,... Corresponds to an example of a first printer according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, each of the terminal device, the user server, the print server, and the printer that is communicatively connected to the terminal device will be described in detail.

  Here, the plurality of terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 are devices equivalent to each other as hardware, and the plurality of user servers are also computer devices equivalent to each other as hardware.

  The plurality of printers have different hardware parts such as an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, but the basic hardware configuration is the same.

  Therefore, in the following description, the hardware configuration of the terminal device, user server, and printer shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the terminal device having a reference numeral “100” for the sake of simplicity. One terminal device will be described as a representative, one user server will be described as a representative for a user server, and one print will be given a “300” for a print server. The server will be described as a representative, and the printer will be described with a single printer having a reference number “400” as a representative.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal device illustrated in FIG. 1.

  The terminal device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a display unit 102, a voice processing unit 103, an operation unit 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 105, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 106, an ID memory 107, a portable communication unit. 108 and a short-range communication unit 109, and each element is connected to each other by a bus 110.

  The CPU 101 controls the operation of each element of the terminal device 100.

  The display unit 102 displays various operation screens, images of various contents downloaded from the cloud 10a illustrated in FIG. 1 via a telephone line, and the like on the display screen 102a.

  When the terminal device 100 operates as a mobile phone, the voice processing unit 103 converts voice data for communication into a voice signal for voice output and inputs the voice signal to the speaker 103a or is converted from voice by the microphone 103b. Convert audio signals into audio data for communication.

  The operation unit 104 notifies the CPU 101 and the like of various operation information input by a touch operation on the display screen 102a or a button operation on the operation button 104a.

  The ROM 105 stores various operation programs and the like.

  An operation program that is read from the ROM 105 and processed by the CPU 101 is expanded in the RAM 106. The RAM 106 temporarily stores various parameters generated during the operation of the program.

  The ID memory 107 stores data (terminal ID) that is individually assigned to the terminal device 100 and identifies the terminal device 100. This terminal ID corresponds to an example of terminal identification data according to the present invention.

  The mobile communication unit 108 is connected to the telephone line when the terminal device 100 operates as a mobile phone, exchanges voice data for communication, communication connection with the cloud 10a via the telephone line, and from the cloud 10a. Downloading content images, outputting various signals to the cloud 10a, and the like are performed using the antenna 108a.

  The short-range communication unit 109 performs short-range wireless communication based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) using the short-range antenna 109a.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration common to the user server and the print server shown in FIG.

  The user server 200 and the print server 300 are computer devices equivalent to each other as hardware, and include CPUs 201 and 301, storage devices 202 and 302, ROMs 203 and 303, RAMs 204 and 304, and I / O interfaces 205 and 305. Each element is connected to each other by buses 206 and 306.

  The CPUs 201 and 301 control the operation of each element of the user server 200 or the print server 300.

  The storage devices 202 and 302 are large-scale storage devices that store various content programs and the like.

  The ROMs 203 and 303 store various basic operation programs in the user server 200 or the print server 300.

  In the RAMs 204 and 304, programs that are read from the storage devices 202 and 302 and the ROMs 203 and 303 and processed by the CPUs 201 and 301 are expanded. The RAMs 204 and 304 temporarily store various parameters generated during the operation of the program.

  The I / O interfaces 205 and 305 perform communication connection between the user server 200 or the print server 300 and an external device. The I / O interfaces 205 and 305 perform not only wired communication connection via a cable but also wireless communication connection via a LAN (local area network). Wireless communication connection is performed using wireless LAN antennas 205a and 305a.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a basic hardware configuration common to a plurality of printers shown in FIG.

  The printer 400 includes a CPU 401, an image forming unit 402, a ROM 403, a RAM 404, and a short-range communication unit 405, and each element is connected to each other via a bus 406.

  The CPU 401 controls the operation of each element of the printer 400.

  The image forming unit 402 forms an image on a sheet under the control of the CPU 401. Strictly speaking, the detailed structure of the image forming unit 402 differs depending on the model of the printer 400.

  The ROM 403 stores various operation programs and the like. The ROM 403 stores a printer name as information for identifying the model of the printer 400. This printer name corresponds to an example of printer identification information according to the present invention.

  An operation program that is read from the ROM 403 and processed by the CPU 401 is developed in the RAM 404. The RAM 404 temporarily stores various parameters generated during the operation of the program.

  The short-range communication unit 405 performs short-range wireless communication based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) using the short-range antenna 405a.

  In this embodiment, the printer 400 has a data format that represents an image to be printed from an external device of the printer 400 and can be processed by the printer 400 by short-range wireless communication via the short-range communication unit 405. RAW data is supplied as print data. The RAW data is transferred to the CPU 401, and under the control of the CPU 401, the image forming unit 402 performs image formation based on the RAW data.

  This is the end of the description of the hardware configuration of each of the terminal device, user server, print server, and printer connected to the terminal device included in the print system 10 of FIG. Functions in each of the terminal device, the user server, and the print server will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the print system of FIG. 1 while paying attention to the functions of the terminal device, the first user server, and the print server.

  In the present embodiment, since the functions of the plurality of terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 are equivalent to each other, in FIG. Has been. In FIG. 5, the printer is shown with a designation of “400” in which the distinction between the printers is discarded, in the sense that it is a single printer that is communicatively connected to one of the terminal devices. .

  The terminal device 100 includes a terminal-side synchronization unit 150, a terminal-side application 160, and a printing application 170 as functional blocks.

  Prior to transmission of a print instruction signal described later by the terminal application 160, the terminal-side synchronization unit 150 communicates with the printer 400 in accordance with a procedure conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark) in accordance with a connection instruction operation described later by the user. Connect. At the time of the communication connection, the terminal side synchronization unit 150 inquires of the printer 400 about the printer name of the connection target printer 400. Then, in the printer 400, the CPU 401 shown in FIG. 4 reads the printer name from the ROM 403 and transmits it via the short-range communication unit 405. The terminal side synchronization unit 150 receives the transmitted printer name. Further, the terminal side synchronization unit 150 reads the terminal ID from the ID memory 107 shown in FIG. Then, the terminal-side synchronization unit 150 associates the printer name and the terminal ID with each other and transmits the first user server 200_1 to the first user server 200_1 via a telephone line.

  The terminal-side synchronization unit 150 is a function processed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 2, and the terminal ID and the printer name are transmitted and received using the mobile communication unit 108 and the short-range communication unit 109 in the processing. The terminal-side synchronization unit 150 corresponds to an example of serving as both a printer data acquisition unit and a printer data transmission unit according to the present invention.

  When a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) in the cloud 10a shown in FIG. 1 is specified by a user operation, the terminal-side application 160 accesses the URL and stores the content provided by the user server in the URL. The image is downloaded and displayed on the display screen 102a. In FIG. 5, the terminal-side application 160 downloads and displays the content image provided by the first user server 200_1 on the display screen 102a.

  Further, when the terminal-side application 160 receives a print instruction operation for instructing printing of the image displayed on the display screen 102a from the user, the terminal-side application 160 provides details to the printing application 170 in accordance with the print instruction operation. Indicates the start of a printing process to be described later. When the printing process is started, the printing application 170 reads the terminal ID from the ID memory 107 shown in FIG. 2 and sends it to the terminal-side application 160. Then, the terminal-side application 160 transmits a print instruction signal for instructing printing of the image displayed on the display screen 102a to the first user server 200_1 via the telephone line with the terminal ID attached.

  Here, the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction signal may be a downloaded image itself or an image created by editing or the like in the terminal device 100 based on the image. is there. When the image to be printed is the downloaded image itself, the URL of the image in the cloud 10a is attached to the print instruction signal. If the image to be printed is an image created by editing or the like in the terminal device 100, image data representing the image is transmitted following the print instruction signal.

  The terminal-side application 160 is processed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 2, and the display unit 102, the operation unit 104, and the portable communication unit 108 are moved in the processing. The terminal-side application 160 corresponds to an example of a print instruction unit according to the present invention.

  When the terminal application 160 instructs the printing application 170 to execute printing processing, the printing application 170 reads the terminal ID from the ID memory 107 shown in FIG. 2 and sends it to the terminal application 160. As described above, the terminal-side application 160 transmits the print instruction signal with the terminal ID attached thereto.

  In the first user server 200_1, a print instruction signal is received, and RAW data representing an image to be printed is generated. Further, in the first user server 200_1, the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the RAW data and the RAW data are associated with each other and sent to the print server 300. In the print server 300, the transmitted terminal ID and RAW data are stored in association with each other.

  After sending the terminal ID to the terminal-side application 160 as described above, the printing application 170 indicates whether or not there is RAW data associated with the terminal ID to the print server 300 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Inquires repeatedly at regular intervals. When the print server 300 replies to the inquiry that there is RAW data, the printing application 170 instructs the print server 300 to transmit the RAW data. Then, the printing application 170 receives the RAW data transmitted from the print server 300 in response to the instruction, and transmits the RAW data to the printer 400. The printer 400 receives the transmitted RAW data and prints an image represented by the RAW data.

  The printing application 170 is processed by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 2, and the portable communication unit 108 and the short-range communication unit 109 are moved in the processing. The printing application 170 corresponds to an example of a print execution unit according to the present invention.

  Next, functional blocks of the first user server 200_1 will be described.

  The first user server 200_1 includes, as functional blocks, a first storage unit 210_1, a first server side synchronization unit 220_1, a first server side application 230_1, and a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). A port 240 and a port monitor 250 are provided.

  The first storage unit 210_1 stores printer drivers that generate RAW data for each model for various types of printers. As the hardware of the first storage unit 210_1, the storage device 202 illustrated in FIG. 3 plays the role. The first storage unit 210_1 corresponds to an example of the storage unit referred to in the present invention.

  The first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 receives the printer name and the terminal ID sent from the terminal-side synchronization unit 150 via the telephone line. Then, the printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the received printer name is searched from the printer drivers stored in the first storage unit 210_1. If the printer driver for such a model does not exist in the first storage unit 210_1, the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 downloads the printer driver for the model and uses the first storage unit. The automatic installation process stored in 210_1 is executed. In this automatic installation process, a printer driver downloads a printer driver from a site established on the network to which the cloud 10a in FIG.

  The first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 duplicates the printer driver found in the first storage unit 210_1 or stored in the first storage unit 210_1 by the automatic installation process, and a terminal is added to the duplicated printer driver. The terminal ID sent from the side synchronization unit 150 is named as a name and registered in the first storage unit 210_1.

  The first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 is processed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and in this process, the terminal ID and the printer name are received and the printer driver is downloaded using the I / O interface 205. The first server side synchronization unit 220_1 corresponds to an example of a registration unit according to the present invention.

  The first server-side application 230_1 provides a content image on the cloud 10a illustrated in FIG. In addition, when the first server-side application 230_1 receives the print instruction signal sent from the terminal-side application 160, the first server-side application 230_1 receives the print instruction signal from the printer drivers stored in the first storage unit 210_1. The printer driver 230a having the terminal ID attached to the name as a name is searched. Then, the first server-side application 230_1 generates RAW data representing an image instructed to be printed by the print instruction signal by using the printer driver 230a found by the search.

  Here, the printer corresponding to the printer driver 230a that can process the generated RAW data is not actually connected to the first user server 200_1. However, in this embodiment, the first server-side application 230_1 designates the IP address of the virtual printer as a destination as if such a printer is connected by communication, and the generated RAW data Is output to the TCP / IP port 240. The above virtual printer corresponds to an example of a second printer according to the present invention.

  The first server-side application 230_1 is processed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and a print instruction signal is received using the I / O interface 205 in the processing. The first server-side application 230_1 corresponds to an example of a print data generation unit referred to in the present invention.

  The TCP / IP port 240 performs data communication with devices on the network according to the TCP / IP protocol. The TCP / IP port 240 is processed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and various data to be communicated are transmitted / received using the I / O interface 205 in the processing.

  The port monitor 250 acquires the RAW data output to the TCP / IP port 240 by the first server-side application 230_1 before reaching the TCP / IP port 240. The port monitor 250 also acquires the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the acquired RAW data. Then, the port monitor 250 creates a file name of the acquired RAW data by using the acquired terminal ID and acquisition date and time, names the file name to the RAW data, and stores the file in the print server 300 described later. Write to part 330.

  The port monitor 250 is processed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and RAW data is transmitted using the I / O interface 205 in the processing. The port monitor 250 corresponds to an example of the data acquisition unit referred to in the present invention.

  Next, functional blocks of the print server 300 will be described.

  The print server 300 includes a printer daemon 310, a file I / F 320, a file storage unit 330, a data check unit 340, and a data transmission unit 350 as functional blocks.

  The printer daemon 310 receives RAW data sent from the second user server 200_2 shown in FIG. 1 as described later and writes it in the file storage unit 330. The file I / F 320 is shown in FIG. The RAW data sent from the third user server 200_3 as described later is received and written into the file storage unit 330.

  Each of the printer daemon 310 and the file I / F 320 is processed by the CPU 301 shown in FIG. Each of the printer daemon 310 and the file I / F 320 corresponds to an example of a data acquisition unit according to the present invention.

  The file storage unit 330 stores RAW data written by the port monitor 250, the printer daemon 310, and the file I / F 320.

  As the hardware of the file storage unit 330, the storage device 302 shown in FIG.

  Each time the data check unit 340 is presented with a terminal ID from the printing application 170 and repeatedly inquires about the existence of RAW data associated with the terminal ID via the telephone line, the data check unit 340 Then, it is checked whether or not there is RAW data having a file name consisting of the terminal ID and the date and time after the inquiry date and time. If RAW data exists, a response to that effect is sent to the printing application 170 via a telephone line.

  The data check unit 340 is processed by the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3, and various data are exchanged with the printing application 170 using the I / O interface 305 in the processing.

  When the terminal ID is presented from the printing application 170 and the transmission of the RAW data associated with the terminal ID is instructed from the printing application 170, the data transmission unit 350 includes the terminal ID from the file storage unit 330. The RAW data having the file name is read out and transmitted to the printing application 170 via the telephone line. As described above, the transmitted RAW data is transmitted from the printing application 170 to the printer 400, and printing based on the RAW data is executed by the destination printer 400.

  The data transmission unit 350 is processed by the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3, and various data exchanges with the printing application 170 are performed using the I / O interface 305 in the processing. The data transmission unit 350 corresponds to an example of the data transmission unit referred to in the present invention.

  Next, functions of the print system 10 in the terminal device, the second and third user servers, and the print server will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the print system of FIG. 1 while paying attention to the functions of the terminal device, the second and third user servers, and the print server.

  In FIG. 6, components equivalent to those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5, and redundant description of these components will be omitted below.

  Each of the second and third user servers 200_2 and 200_3 includes a second or third storage unit 210_2 and 210_3, a second or third server side synchronization unit 220_2 and 220_3, and a second or third server side. Applications 230_2 and 230_3 are provided.

  The second and third storage units 210_2 and 210_3 store the printer name and the terminal ID in association with each other. As hardware, the storage device 202 shown in FIG. 3 plays the role.

  The second and third server side synchronization units 220_2 and 220_3 receive the printer name and the terminal ID sent from the terminal side synchronization unit 150 via the telephone line. Then, the received printer name and terminal ID are associated with each other and written in the second or third storage unit 210_2 or 210_3. The second and third server-side synchronization units 220_2 and 220_3 are processed by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and in this process, the terminal ID and the printer name are received using the I / O interface 205.

  The second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 also provide content images on the cloud 10a shown in FIG. Further, the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 are configured to generate RAW data without using a printer driver for a plurality of types of printers determined in advance. When the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 receive the print instruction signal sent from the terminal-side application 160, the printer names stored in the second or third storage units 210_2 and 210_3 The printer name corresponding to the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal is searched for. Then, the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 generate RAW data representing the image instructed to be printed by the print instruction signal for the printer having the printer name found by the search. Further, the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 assume that the printer having the printer name exists at the IP address of the print server 300, and use the generated RAW data as the destination of the IP address. Output. The second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 transmit the generated RAW data with the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the RAW data. In the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3, the virtual printer that exists at the IP address of the print server 300 corresponds to an example of the second printer according to the present invention.

  Processing is performed by the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 and the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3, and reception of a print instruction signal or the like is performed using the I / O interface 205 in the processing. Each of the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 also corresponds to an example of the print data generation unit referred to in the present invention.

  In the print server 300, the printer daemon 310 and the file I / F 320 receive the RAW data sent from the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3. Then, the printer daemon 310 or the file I / F 320 creates a file name of the received RAW data using the terminal ID attached to the RAW data and the reception date and time, and adds the file name to the RAW data. The file is named and written in a file storage unit 330 described later in the print server 300. The RAW data is sent to the printing application 170 for printing on the printer 400.

  Next, processing from communication connection between the terminal device 100 and the printer 400 to copying and registration of the printer driver by the first server side synchronization unit 220_1 shown in FIG. 5 will be described in more detail. In the following description, each component shown in FIG. 5 will be referred to without particularly referring to the figure number.

  The communication connection between the terminal device 100 and the printer 400 is performed in response to a connection instruction operation by the user on the following setting screen displayed on the display screen 102a.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen on which a connection instruction operation is performed.

  The setting screen 151 shown in FIG. 7 is a menu screen for the user to select a target device for communication connection by Bluetooth (registered trademark) in the terminal device 100.

  In the example of FIG. 7, four devices other than the printer and one printer 400 are displayed on the setting screen 151 with the names of the devices as communication connection target device candidates. When the user taps the display location 151 a of the name “AAAA” of the printer 400 among the names listed on the setting screen 151, communication connection between the terminal device 100 and the printer 400 is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating processing from communication connection between the terminal device and the printer to copying and registration of the printer driver by the first server-side synchronization unit.

  When the terminal side synchronization unit 150 of the terminal device 100 establishes a communication connection with the printer 400 in accordance with a procedure based on Bluetooth (registered trademark), the printer name is sent from the printer 400 to the terminal side synchronization unit 150. Then, the terminal-side synchronization unit 150 of each terminal device transmits the terminal ID of the terminal device and the printer name in association with each other via a telephone line.

  In FIG. 8, as the terminal device 100, the first terminal device 100_1 and the second terminal device 100_2 shown in FIG. 1 are shown. In the example of FIG. 8, the terminal ID of the first terminal device 100_1 is “12345”, and the printer name of the printer 400 connected to the first terminal device 100_1 is “AAAA”. The terminal-side synchronization unit 150 of the first terminal device 100_1 transmits the terminal ID “12345” and the printer name “AAAA” in association with each other. In the example of FIG. 8, the terminal ID of the second terminal device 100_2 is “67890”, and the printer name of the printer 400 connected to the second terminal device 100_1 is “AAAA”. The terminal-side synchronization unit 150 of the second terminal device 100_2 transmits the terminal ID “67890” and the printer name “AAAA” in association with each other.

  The first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 of the first user server 200_1 searches the first storage unit 210_1 for a printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAA” sent from the terminal-side synchronization unit 150. Then, the printer driver is duplicated for each terminal ID, and the duplicated printer driver is named with the terminal ID as a name and registered in the first storage unit 210_1.

  In the example of FIG. 8, for the terminal ID “12345” of the first terminal device 100_1, the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAAA” is duplicated, and the terminal ID “12345” is named as the name for the duplicated printer driver. It has been. Also, for the terminal ID “67890” of the second terminal device 100_2, the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAA” is duplicated, and the terminal ID “67890” is named as the name of the duplicated printer driver. . That is, in the example of FIG. 8, two equivalent printer drivers obtained by duplication are registered with different names.

  If the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAA” does not exist in the first storage unit 210_1, the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 manufactures a printer with the printer name “AAAA”. An automatic installation process is executed in which a printer driver for the model is downloaded from a site established on the network by the manufacturer and stored in the first storage unit 210_1.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the automatic installation process.

  In the present embodiment, the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 includes a driver acquisition unit 221 that performs automatic installation processing as a functional block.

  In the automatic installation process, the driver acquisition unit 221 accesses the search engine 10a_1 on the network to which the cloud 10a in FIG. 1 is connected, and searches for the site 10a_2 of the manufacturer that manufactures the printer with the printer name “AAAA”. I do. Then, from the site 10a_2, the driver acquisition unit 221 downloads an installation set 221a for installing a printer driver for the printer having the printer name “AAAA”. Then, the driver acquisition unit 221 uses the downloaded installation set 221a to install a printer driver for the printer having the printer name “AAAA”. The installed printer driver is stored in the first storage unit 210_1.

  The driver acquisition unit 221 is processed by the CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 3, and access to the manufacturer's site 10a_2 is performed using the I / O interface 205. This driver acquisition unit 221 corresponds to an example of a driver acquisition unit according to the present invention.

  When the printer driver installed by the automatic installation process is duplicated, the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1 registers the duplicated printer driver in the first storage unit 210_1 with the terminal ID as a name.

  Next, a process from when a print instruction operation is performed by the user in the terminal device 100 to when the RAW data is written in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300 will be described in more detail. In the following description, the components shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be referred to without particularly referring to the figure numbers.

  The print instruction operation is an operation by the user on the following print instruction screen displayed on the display screen 102a.

  FIG. 10 shows a print instruction screen.

  The print instruction screen 161 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display screen 102a by the terminal-side application 160 when the user taps a print icon when the image to be printed is confirmed in the terminal device 100.

  The print instruction screen 161 includes an address display field 161a, an execution instruction button 161b, and an end instruction button 161c.

  The address display field 161a displays the IP address of the user server that is the provider of the image to be printed itself or the provider of the content image that is the basis for creating the image to be printed. The execution instruction button 161b is tapped by the user to instruct execution of printing. The end instruction button 161c is tapped by the user to instruct the close of the print instruction screen 161.

  When the user taps the execution instruction button 161b, the terminal-side application 160 instructs the printing application 170 to start printing processing. Then, the terminal-side application 160 obtains a terminal ID from the printing application 170, attaches the terminal ID to the print instruction signal, and transmits it to the user server. In the user server that has received the print instruction signal, RAW data is generated in accordance with the print instruction signal, and the generated RAW data is written in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating processing until RAW data is generated and written to the file storage unit of the print server in the first to third user servers.

  In the first user server 200_1, the first server-side application 230_1 generates RAW data using the printer driver 230a having the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal as a name. Here, the RAW data generated by the first server-side application 230_1 is a virtual data that is of the same model as the printer 400 that is communicatively connected to the terminal device 100 and that is not actually connected to the first user server 200_1. It is generated for the printer 400 ′. However, in this embodiment, the first server-side application 230_1 uses the IP address of the virtual printer 400 ′ as the destination, as if such a printer is connected to the first user server 200_1. Designate and output the generated RAW data to the TCP / IP port 240.

  The port monitor 250 acquires the RAW data output from the first server-side application 230_1 before the TCP / IP port 240. The port monitor 250 creates the file name of the acquired RAW data using the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal and the acquisition date and time of the RAW data, and names the RAW data with the file name. The data is written in the file storage unit 330 in the print server 300.

  On the other hand, in the second and third user servers 200_2 and 200_3, the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 are used for the printer 400 ′ having the printer name corresponding to the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal. RAW data is generated without using a printer driver. The second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 assume that a virtual printer 400 ′ of the same model as the printer 400 communicatively connected to the terminal device 100 exists at the IP address of the print server 300. The generated RAW data is output in accordance with the print data transmission protocol with the IP address as the destination. Further, when outputting the RAW data, the second and third server-side applications 230_2 and 230_3 add to the RAW data the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the RAW data. Send with attachment.

  The second server-side application 230_2 performs the output of the RAW data in accordance with a transmission protocol using an LPR (Line PRinter daemon protocol) command. The third server-side application 230_3 outputs the RAW data as it is in accordance with the print data transmission protocol.

  The RAW data output from the second server-side application 230_2 is received by the printer daemon 310 of the print server 300. The RAW data output by the third server-side application 230_3 is received by the file I / F 320 of the print server 300. Then, the printer daemon 310 or the file I / F 320 creates a file name of the received RAW data using the terminal ID attached to the RAW data and the reception date and time, and adds the file name to the RAW data. Name it and write it to the file storage unit 330 in the print server 300.

  Next, a process from when a printing instruction operation is performed by the user in the terminal device 100 to when printing is performed by the printer 400 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from when a user performs a print instruction operation on the terminal device to when printing is executed by the printer.

  In the terminal device 100, when the execution instruction button 161b is tapped on the above-described print instruction screen 161 in FIG. 10 (step S101), the terminal-side application 160 instructs the printing application 170 to start the printing process (step S102). . When starting the printing process, the printing application 170 acquires the terminal ID of the terminal device 100 and passes it to the terminal-side application 160 (step S103). When the terminal-side application 160 obtains the terminal ID from the printing application 170, the terminal-side application 160 attaches the terminal ID to the print instruction signal and transmits it to the user server. The transmitted print instruction signal and terminal ID are received by the server-side application in the destination user server. Then, the server side application generates and outputs RAW data (step S104). The server-side application that has output the RAW data returns a message to that effect to the terminal-side application 160 that has transmitted the print instruction signal (step S105). The terminal-side application 160 determines whether or not a response has been returned within a certain time after transmitting the print instruction signal (step S106). If no response is returned within a certain time, the terminal-side application 160 transmits the print instruction signal again, and if no response is returned even after repeating the print instruction signal transmission a predetermined number of times, the display screen An error message is displayed at 102a.

  The RAW data output by the server-side application is acquired by the port monitor 250, the printer daemon 310, or the file I / F 320, and written in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300 (step S107).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating how RAW data generated using a printer driver registered by the server-side synchronization unit is written to the file storage unit of the print server by the port monitor.

  In FIG. 13, the first terminal device 100_1 with the terminal ID “12345” and the second terminal device 100_2 with the terminal ID “67890” and the A model printer 400_A with the printer name “AAAA”. The state of processing when communication connection is made is shown. In addition, the processing state when the second terminal apparatus 100_2 is connected to the B model printer 400_B having the printer name “BBBB” on the later date is also shown.

  When the first terminal apparatus 100_1 and the second terminal apparatus 100_2 are connected to the A model printer 400_A, the terminal ID and the printer name are associated with each other from the terminal side synchronization unit 150 of each terminal apparatus. To the first user server 200_1. The terminal ID “12345” and the printer name “AAA” are sent from the first terminal apparatus 100_1, and the terminal ID “67890” and the printer name “AAAA” are sent from the second terminal apparatus 100_2.

  In the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1, the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAA” is duplicated for each of the terminal ID “12345” and the terminal ID “67890”, and two printers obtained by duplication are obtained. One of the drivers is named with the terminal ID “12345” as the name, and the other is named with the terminal ID “67890” as the name.

  If the printer driver with the printer name “AAAAA” is not in the first storage unit 210_1, the above-described automatic installation processing is executed, and the printer is started from the site established by the printer manufacturer with the printer name “AAAAA”. The driver is downloaded, and the downloaded printer driver is duplicated.

  When a print instruction signal is transmitted from each terminal device, the first server-side application 230_1 has a printer whose name is the terminal ID “12345” in response to the print instruction signal from the first terminal device 100_1. RAW data is generated using a driver. The first server-side application 230_1 generates RAW data using a printer driver whose name is the terminal ID “67890” in response to a print instruction signal from the second terminal device 100_2.

  When the first server-side application 230_1 outputs the generated RAW data, the RAW data is acquired by the port monitor 250.

  The port monitor 250 uses the terminal ID attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the RAW data as the file name of the acquired RAW data and the acquisition date and time of the RAW data as follows. Create a valid file name. The port monitor 250 creates and names a file name of the format “# ID = terminal ID # T = acquisition date / time.spl” as the file name of the RAW data.

  Specifically, for example, the port monitor 250 includes RAW data generated in response to a print instruction signal from the first terminal device 100_1 and acquired at 10:00:00 on February 28, 2011. Name the file "#ID = 12345 # T = 201128128100000.spl". For the RAW data generated in response to the print instruction signal from the second terminal device 100_2 and acquired at 10:00:20 on February 28, 2011, the port monitor 250 displays “# ID = 67890 # T = 2011010228100020.spl ".

  The port monitor 250 writes the RAW data thus named in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300.

  Here, when communication connection with the B model printer 400_B having the printer name “BBBB” is performed on the second terminal device 100_2 at a later date, the terminal ID “67890” and the printer name are transmitted from the second terminal device 100_2. “BBBB” is sent.

  In the first server-side synchronization unit 220_1, the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “BBBB” is duplicated, and the terminal ID “67890” is named as the name of the printer driver obtained by the duplication. At this time, a printer driver corresponding to the printer name “AAAA” already exists as a printer driver having the terminal ID “67890” as a name, but the printer driver corresponding to the printer name “BBBB” is overwritten. Become.

  Then, in response to a print instruction signal from the second terminal device 100_2, RAW data is generated using a printer driver corresponding to the printer name “BBBB” whose name is the terminal ID “67890”. This RAW data is acquired by the port monitor 250, and using the terminal ID “67890” and the acquisition date and time “March 10, 2011 10:00:00”, the RAW data includes “#ID = 67890 # T = 20110310100000.spl "is named.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating how the RAW data generated without using the printer driver in the second user server is written in the file storage unit of the print server by the printer daemon.

  In FIG. 14, the second terminal device 100_3 with the terminal ID “12131” and the second terminal device 100_4 with the terminal ID “14151” receive the second print instruction signal in response to the reception of the print instruction signal. The processing state when RAW data is generated without using a printer driver in the user server 200_2 is shown.

  In the second user server 200_2, the second server-side application 230_2 generates RAW data without using the printer driver, and outputs it according to a transmission protocol using the LPR command. The LPR command describes the IP address of the printer that performs printing and the printer name of the printer.

  In the present embodiment, the second server-side application 230_2 describes the IP address of the print server 300 as the printer IP address, and describes the terminal ID as the printer name.

  The printer daemon 310 that has received the RAW data output in accordance with the transmission protocol using the LPR command receives the terminal ID described in the LPR command as the file name of the RAW data and the reception date and time of the RAW data. Are used to create and name a file name of the format “# ID = terminal ID # T = reception date / time.spl”. Specifically, for example, the printer daemon 310 generates RAW data generated in response to a print instruction signal from the third terminal device 100_3 and received at 10:00:00 on February 28, 2011. Name the file “# ID = 11311 # T = 2011228100000.spl”. The printer daemon 310 generates “# ID = 14151 # T” in the RAW data generated in response to the print instruction signal from the fourth terminal device 100_4 and acquired at 10:00:20 on February 28, 2011. = 2011010228100020.spl ".

  The printer daemon 310 writes the RAW data thus named in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating how RAW data generated without using a printer driver in the third user server is written to the file storage unit of the print server by the File I / F.

  In FIG. 15, the third terminal device 100_5 with the terminal ID “16171” and the third terminal device 100_6 with the terminal ID “18192” receive the print instruction signals from the third terminal device 100_5. The processing state when RAW data is generated without using a printer driver in the user server 200_3 is shown.

  In the third user server 200_3, the third server-side application 230_3 generates RAW data without using a printer driver. Then, the third server-side application 230_3 assumes that a printer exists at the IP address of the print server 300, and outputs RAW data to the IP address as it is in accordance with the print data transmission protocol. At this time, in the present embodiment, the third server-side application 230_3 describes the terminal ID as a comment at the beginning of the RAW data.

  The File I / F 320 that has received the RAW data with the comment uses the terminal ID described as the comment and the reception date and time of the RAW data as the file name of the RAW data, and “# ID = terminal ID A file name of the format “# T = reception date / time.spl” is created and named. Specifically, the file I / F 320 includes “RAW data generated in response to a print instruction signal from the fifth terminal device 100_5 and received at 10:00:00 on February 28, 2011,“ Name the file name “# ID = 16171 # T = 201128128100000.spl”. In the RAW data generated in response to the print instruction signal from the sixth terminal device 100_6 and received at 10:00:20 on February 28, 2011, the printer daemon 310 displays “# ID = 18192 # T = 2011010228100020.spl ".

  Further, the file I / F 320 deletes the comment from the RAW data named as described above. Then, the file I / F 320 writes the RAW data in the file storage unit 330 of the print server 300.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the printing application 170 of the terminal device transmits the terminal ID to the terminal-side application 160 in step 103, and then the RAW data associated with the terminal ID after a predetermined time has elapsed. The presence / absence of the print server 300 is repeatedly inquired at regular intervals (step S108). In the print server 300, each time an inquiry is repeatedly made, the data check unit 340 determines whether or not RAW data having a file name including the terminal ID and the date after the inquiry date / time exists in the file storage unit 330. Is checked (step S109).

  Then, when the data check unit 340 replies to the printing application 170 that such RAW data exists via the telephone line, the data check unit 340 receives a RAW data transmission instruction from the terminal device to which the answer is received, The transmission unit 350 compresses the RAW data and transmits it to the terminal device (step S110). The RAW data is decompressed by the printing application 170 of the destination terminal device and then transmitted to the printer 400, and printing by the printer 400 is executed (step S111).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in more detail the processing of steps S108 to S111 in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S108, the printing application 170 of the terminal device presents the terminal ID of the terminal device, and repeatedly inquires the print server 300 about the existence of RAW data at a fixed interval. The data check unit 340 of the print server 300 temporarily holds the date and time of the first inquiry in the RAM 304 shown in FIG. 3 when the inquiry is first made after presenting the terminal ID (step S109_1). .

  Subsequently, the data check unit 340 determines whether or not the RAW data in the file storage unit 330 includes RAW data having a file name including the presented terminal ID and the date and time after the inquiry date and time. Is checked (step S109_2).

  In the example of FIG. 16, the date and time of the inquiry first made after “FFFF” is presented as the terminal ID is February 14, 2011, 19:00:00.

  On the other hand, as RAW data having a file name consisting of the presented terminal ID “FFFF” and the date and time after the inquiry date in the file storage unit 330, “# ID = FFFF # T = 2011142190001.spl” And RAW data with a file name “# ID = FFFF # T = 201114190002.spl”.

  Of these two RAW data, the former RAW data is earlier in the port monitor 250, the printer daemon 310, and the File I / F 320, and the date is February 14, 2011, 19:00:01 Seconds.

  Here, the inquiry made between the first inquiry on February 14, 2011 at 19:00:00 and the time when RAW data was obtained on February 14, 2011 at 19:00:01 In response to this, in step S109_2, a response indicating that there is no RAW data suitable for the inquiry is sent from the data check unit 340 to the inquiry source terminal device.

  In the inquiring terminal device, the printing application 170 determines whether the response from the data check unit 340 is a response indicating that RAW data exists or a response indicating that RAW data does not exist ( Step S108_1).

  If the response indicates that there is no RAW data (No determination in step S108_1), the inquiry in step S108 is repeated.

  In the example of FIG. 16, in response to an inquiry made after 19:00:01 on February 14, 2011, the data check unit 340 replies that RAW data exists.

  Here, in the present embodiment, for the presented terminal ID, the RAW data obtained before 19:00:00 on February 14, 2011, which is the date and time of the inquiry made first, Therefore, it is moved to a storage folder for non-printing objects in the file storage unit 330. In the example of FIG. 16, the RAW data with the file name “# ID = FFFF # T = 2011102183000.spl” obtained at 18:30 on February 14, 2011 is stored in the storage folder for non-printing target. Moved.

  An answer to an inquiry made after 19:00:01 on February 14, 2011 is determined to be an answer indicating that RAW data exists (Yes determination in step S108_1). Then, the printing application 170 instructs the print server 300 to transmit the RAW data whose existence is confirmed by presenting the terminal ID again (step S108_2).

  In response to this instruction, the print server 300 reads out RAW data having a file name including the presented terminal ID and the date after the date of the first inquiry from the file storage unit 330 by the data transmission unit 350. (Step S109_3), the compressed data is transmitted to the instruction source terminal device (step S110). The RAW data is decompressed by the printing application 170 of the destination terminal device and then transmitted to the printer 400, and printing by the printer 400 is executed (step S111).

  As described above, according to the print system 10 of the present embodiment, the RAW data generated by the user server in response to the print instruction from the terminal device and output for the virtual printer is the virtual printer. Is acquired before being transmitted to the terminal device. Then, the transmitted RAW data is transmitted from the terminal device to the printer 400 that is communicatively connected to the terminal device, so that the printer 400 prints a desired image. Further, in the printing system 10 of the present embodiment, since the terminal device does not need to create print data for the printer 400 by itself, the selection range of the printer 400 is wide for each terminal device. As described above, according to the print system 10 of the present embodiment, an image displayed on a terminal device can be printed on an arbitrary printer 400 that can be connected to the terminal device.

  Further, according to the print system 10 of the present embodiment, prior to a print instruction from the terminal device to the user server, the printer driver for the same model as the model of the printer 400 is duplicated and registered in association with the terminal ID. The As a result, when instructing printing from the terminal device to the user server, the RAW data for the printer 400 can be appropriately displayed only by informing the terminal ID and instructing printing without specifying the model of the printer 400. It can be generated using a printer driver.

  Further, according to the print system 10 of the present embodiment, prior to a print instruction from the terminal device to the user server, the terminal device communicates with the printer 400 to acquire the printer name. Based on the acquired printer name, an appropriate printer driver for the same model as the model of the printer 400 is copied and registered.

  Further, according to the print system 10 of the present embodiment, the printer driver for the same model as the printer 400 can also be acquired via the network, so that it can be flexibly adapted to a future new model printer or the like. It has become.

  In the above, a terminal device having a function as a mobile phone is illustrated as an example of the terminal device of the present invention. However, the terminal device of the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a notebook personal computer or the like. There may be.

  In the above, as an example of the terminal device of the present invention, a terminal device that performs communication connection with a printer by short-range wireless communication conforming to Bluetooth (registered trademark) is illustrated, but the terminal device of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the communication connection with the printer may be performed by short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication.

  In the above description, the print system 10 that exchanges a print instruction signal and RAW data with a user server on the cloud 10a via a telephone line is illustrated as an embodiment of the print system of the present invention. The print system is not limited to this form, and may be, for example, a server that communicates with a terminal device via a wireless LAN and exchanges a print instruction signal and RAW data via the wireless LAN.

  In the above description, the print data representing the image itself displayed as information on the display screen 102a of the terminal device and instructed to be printed by the print instruction signal is illustrated as an example of the print data according to the present invention. The print data is not limited to this. The print data referred to in the present invention is, for example, displayed as information on the display screen 102a of the terminal device, and an image in which information such as a character string instructed to be printed by a print instruction signal is entered in a print format such as a table format. It may be print data or the like. In this case, entry of information in the print format is performed in the server to which the print instruction signal is sent. Further, the print data referred to in the present invention is, for example, an image displayed as information on the display screen 102a of the terminal device or an image created using information displayed on the display screen 102a of the terminal device. For example, print data representing an image to which a barcode or the like is added may be used. In this case, creation and addition of a bar code or the like is performed in the server to which the print instruction signal is sent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print system 10a Cloud 10a_1 Search engine 10a_2 Site 100 Terminal device 100_1 1st terminal device 100_2 2nd terminal device 100_3 3rd terminal device 100_4 4th terminal device 100_5 5th terminal device 100_6 6th terminal device 101 , 201, 301, 401 CPU
102 Display Unit 102a Display Screen 103 Audio Processing Unit 103a Speaker 103b Microphone 104 Operation Unit 104a Operation Buttons 105, 203, 303, 403 ROM
106, 204, 304, 404 RAM
107 ID memory 108 Mobile communication unit 108a, 109a, 205a, 305a, 405a Antenna 109, 405 Short-range communication unit 110, 206, 306, 406 Bus 150 Terminal side synchronization unit 151 Setting screen 151a Display location 160 Terminal side application 161 Print Instruction screen 161a Address display field 161b Execution instruction button 161c End instruction button 170 Application for printing 200 User server 200_1 First user server 200_2 Second user server 200_3 Third user server 210_1 First storage unit 210_2 Second storage Unit 210_3 third storage unit 220_1 first server side synchronization unit 220_2 second server side synchronization unit 220_3 third server side synchronization unit 221 driver acquisition unit 221a instrument 230_1 First server side application 230_2 Second server side application 230_3 Third server side application 230a Printer driver 240 TCP / IP port 250 Port monitor 202, 302 Storage device 205, 305 I / O interface 300 Print server 310 Printer Daemon 320 File I / F
330 File storage unit 340 Data check unit 350 Data transmission unit 400, 400 ′, 400_1, 400_2, 400_3, 400_4, 400_5, 400_6 Printer 402 Image forming unit

Claims (4)

In a printing system including a terminal device and a server connected to each other via a communication network,
The terminal device
A display screen for displaying information;
In response to a print instruction operation, a print instruction signal for instructing printing of the information is transmitted via the communication network, and terminal identification data assigned to the terminal apparatus and identifying the terminal apparatus is attached to the print instruction signal. A print instruction part to be sent and
Receives print data representing the information generated for the first printer connected to the terminal device via the communication network, and transmits the print data to the first printer. A printing execution unit,
The server
A print data generation unit that receives the print instruction signal via the communication network, generates the print data based on image data representing the information, and outputs the print data for a second printer;
Data for acquiring the print data output by the print data generation unit before reaching the second printer, and acquiring the terminal identification data attached to the print instruction signal that triggered the generation of the print data An acquisition unit;
A data transmission unit that transmits the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit to a terminal device identified by the terminal identification data acquired by the data acquisition unit via the communication network. And a printing system. The terminal device further includes:
Prior to transmission of a print instruction signal by the print instruction unit, a printer data transmission unit that associates printer identification data for identifying at least a model of the first printer with the terminal identification data and transmits the data via the communication network. With
The server further includes:
A storage unit prepared for each model of the second printer, storing a printer driver for generating the print data for the model;
The printer identification data and the terminal identification data are received via the communication network, and among the printer drivers stored in the storage unit, a printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the printer identification data is selected. A registration unit that duplicates and registers the duplicated printer driver in the storage unit in association with the terminal identification data;
The print data generation unit generates the print data using a printer driver registered in the storage unit in association with the same terminal identification data as the terminal identification data attached to the received print instruction signal. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal device further includes:
Prior to transmission of a print instruction signal by the print instruction unit, a printer data acquisition unit that communicates with the first printer and acquires printer identification data that identifies at least a model of the first printer;
A printer data transmission unit that associates the printer identification data acquired by the printer data acquisition unit with the terminal identification data and transmits the data via the communication network;
The server further includes:
A storage unit prepared for each model of the second printer, storing a printer driver for generating the print data for the model;
The printer identification data and the terminal identification data are received via the communication network, and among the printer drivers stored in the storage unit, a printer driver for the same model as the model identified by the printer identification data is selected. A registration unit that duplicates and registers the duplicated printer driver in the storage unit in association with the terminal identification data;
The print data generation unit generates the print data using a printer driver registered in the storage unit in association with the same terminal identification data as the terminal identification data attached to the received print instruction signal. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. The server further includes:
When a printer driver for the same model identified by the printer identification data received by the registration unit does not exist in the storage unit, the printer driver is acquired via the communication network and stored in the storage unit 4. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising a driver acquisition unit.

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