KR20150078727A - Method and apparatus for adjacent printing based on the cloud server - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjacent printing method based on a cloud server and an apparatus for the same. According to the present invention, the adjacent printing method based on a cloud server includes the steps of: searching a local output unit in a user terminal; transmitting output content and output information of the local output unit from the user terminal to the cloud sever; receiving an output setting interface, generated based on the output content and basic setting information in the cloud server; transmitting output unit setting information to be output based on the output setting interface to the cloud server; receiving output data generated based on the output unit setting information from the cloud sever; and transmitting the output data to the local output unit. Printing can be executed through the output unit adjacent to the user terminal by using a cloud system.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJACENT PRINTING BASED ON THE CLOUD SERVER [0002]

The present invention relates to a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus capable of printing using a printer near a user terminal through a cloud server.

Each of the users owns various types of terminals such as a personal computer, a smart phone, a tablet, and the like, and the user wants to use data stored in the terminal while carrying at least one terminal. Since data communication is possible by wired or wireless and each terminal owned by the user is capable of data communication, each terminal owned by the user is connected through data communication, and the stored data is used and shared without restriction of time and place The need to do so has increased. Accordingly, a cloud system has been developed, which is a system in which users can share desired information through a virtual storage space and utilize information at a desired terminal anytime and anywhere.

There are various cloud computing methods that can use IT related services such as data storage, network and content usage through the Internet at once. Cloud computing is a combination of various computing concepts and communication technologies such as virtualization computing, utility computing, on-demand computing, and the like. A plurality of data centers, typically composed of a plurality of computers, are integrated into a virtualization technology, Service, and a technology that connects users to provide various software, security solutions, and computing capabilities on demand. In other words, cloud computing is an on-demand outsourcing service for IT resources through the Internet. It stores programs or documents individually stored in a personal computer or a server of an enterprise in an Internet-based virtual server or storage, And the like through a cloud application such as a web browser so that a user can perform a desired operation.

The cloud system, which includes terminals and servers capable of cloud computing, enables users to use the information they want without time and location constraints. As a result, the user can output desired information through a cloud system at a desired location. However, there is a problem in that desired information can be output only through the output unit connected to the cloud system or only when the setting information of the output unit is stored in the cloud system.

Accordingly, when a user desires to output desired information through the cloud system, there is a need to provide a method of outputting desired information through an output unit close to the terminal on the basis of the position of the terminal of the user connected to the cloud system .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus capable of outputting contents to be printed out through an output unit (output unit) close to a user terminal through a cloud system.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus capable of using an output unit close to a user terminal without separately setting up an output unit in a cloud system.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for proximity printing based on a cloud server, the method comprising: searching a local output unit at a user terminal; Receiving the output setting interface generated based on the output content and the basic setting information of the output unit in the cloud server, and outputting the output setting information to be output based on the output setting interface to the cloud server Transmitting the output data to the cloud server, receiving output data generated based on the output unit setting information from the cloud server, and transmitting the output data to the local output unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the base setting information is generated on the basis of an output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information in the cloud server.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cloud server may download the output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information individually or download the integrated output sub-driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the output data is generated based on the downloaded output driver or the integrated output driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of transmitting to the local output unit further comprises receiving the output completion information from the local output unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cloud server-based proximity printing apparatus including a search module for searching a local output unit at a user terminal, a search module for searching for a local output unit at the user terminal, The cloud server is configured to receive the output setting interface generated based on the output content and the basic setting information of the output unit and to output the output setting information to be output based on the output setting interface to the cloud server, A cloud communication module that transmits the output data to the cloud server and receives output data generated based on the output unit setting information from the cloud server, and an output module that transmits the output data to the local output module. do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the base setting information is generated on the basis of an output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information in the cloud server.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cloud server may download the output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information individually or download the integrated output sub-driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the output data is generated based on the downloaded output driver or the integrated output driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the output section communication module receives the output completion information from the local output section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable medium storing instructions for providing a method for proximity printing based on a cloud server, the method including searching a local output unit at a user terminal, And an output setting interface configured to receive the output setting information generated based on the output setting information and the output setting information of the output section in the cloud server, And transmits the output data to the local output unit. The data output unit transmits the output data to the local output unit. The data output unit receives the output data from the cloud server.

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The present invention provides a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus capable of outputting a printout of a content to be output through an output unit (output unit) close to a user terminal through a cloud system.

The present invention provides a cloud server-based proximity printing method and apparatus capable of using an output unit close to a user terminal without having to separately set up an output unit in the cloud system.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the specification.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cloud server-based proximity printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure for performing output according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface implemented according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface in which basic setting information according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is displayed.
FIG. 5 illustrates an output setting interface according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification unless otherwise specified.

It is to be understood that each of the features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with each other partially or entirely and technically various interlocking and driving is possible as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, It may be possible to cooperate with each other in association.

In the present specification, proximity printing means that the user outputs desired data using a local output section within a range in which the spatial distance is close to the user terminal. The spatial distance for proximity printing can be determined according to the communication method used for proximity printing. The spatial distance for the proximity printing may be set to, for example, 10 m or less when communicating with the local output unit using a Bluetooth method, 'AP' when communicating with the local output unit using the 'WI-FI' (Access Point) or less.

The term " user terminal " as used herein means an electronic device capable of performing cloud computing and providing a function for a user to connect to a cloud network to store or share information. User terminals include, for example, desktop computers, smart phones, laptops, tablets, and the like.

In this specification, local output means a device connected to a user terminal and capable of outputting information of a user terminal. The local output is an output of the output coupled to the user terminal and may not be connected to the cloud system. The local output may be, for example, a printer.

As used herein, output content refers to information desired to be output by a user terminal and a cloud system. The output content includes various types of information, and can be assumed to include, for example, information such as a document and a photograph that can be output to a printer.

In the present specification, the output unit information is information that can identify the local output unit, and is information that can be retrieved from the user terminal. For example, it is assumed that the output undesignated includes the model name of the local printer, the network address, and the like.

In this specification, the output driver is information necessary for installing basic setting contents for the output unit to be operated on each output unit for various output units. The output driver may be different for each output, and may be stored in the cloud server. An output sub-driver that is not stored in the cloud server may be additionally stored.

In the present specification, the basic setting information is setting information for various kinds of output units stored in the cloud server, and is setting information generated based on the output unit driver corresponding to the output unit information. Since the settings for outputting contents are different for each output unit of the basic setting type, the basic setting information corresponding to the output unit information retrieved from the user terminal is required for the output unit to output the content. The basic setting information may exist in various forms for each output unit and may include functions of a printer, a connection method with a user terminal, a communication method, a form of output, an output method, or an output speed.

In this specification, the output setting interface is an interface generated based on the output content and the basic setting information of the output unit in the cloud server, and is an interface through which the user can confirm the setting of the detailed output unit for the output content.

In the present specification, output section setting information is information generated at a user terminal through an output setting interface, and includes settings for a local output section. The output unit setting information is transmitted to the cloud server and serves as a basis for generating output data.

In this specification, output data means data generated in a cloud server based on output unit setting information, and is transmitted to a local output unit to be output through a user terminal, and is actually output data. That is, the output data may exist in various forms based on the basic setting information for each local output unit, and is data generated so that each local output unit can substantially recognize the output data.

In the present specification, a cloud server means a device capable of providing a virtual storage space in a cloud system, processing transmission / reception of information, and generating new information. The cloud server may store various types of information through exchange of information with a user terminal, and may generate output data using the output unit information and the contents of the local output unit. The cloud server stores one or more basic setting information, and generates an output setting interface based on the basic setting information corresponding to the output unit information. Further, the cloud server generates output data based on the output section setting information.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cloud server-based proximity printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, a cloud server-based proximity printing system includes a user terminal 100 that requires proximity printing, a cloud server 200 that is connected to the user terminal 100 through a network, And a local output unit 300 capable of outputting the output.

The user terminal 100 includes a search module 110, a cloud communication module 120, and an output communication module 130. The user terminal 100 communicates with the local output unit 300 through the search module 110 and the output communication module 130 and communicates with the cloud server 200 via the cloud communication module 120.

The search module 110 searches the periphery of the user terminal 100 to find a local output 300 that can be output. The search module 110 receives the output unit information from the local output unit 300 and transmits the received output unit information to the cloud communication module 120.

The cloud communication module 120 may be connected to the cloud server 200 through a network to communicate in various ways. The cloud communication module 120 transmits the output unit information received from the search module 110 and the output unit setting information generated by the user terminal 100 to the cloud server 200. The cloud communication module 120 receives the output setting interface and output data generated by the cloud server 200.

The cloud communication module 120 communicates with the cloud server 200 and transmits the received information to the output communication module 130. That is, the output setting interface and the output data received through the cloud communication module 120 are transmitted to the output module 130.

The output unit communication module 130 is connected to the local output unit 300 through a network. The output unit communication module 130 transmits the output data received from the cloud communication module 120 to the local output unit 300. In addition, the output communication module 130 may receive the output completion information from the local output unit 300 after the output content is output.

The cloud communication module 120 and the output communication module 130 in the user terminal 100 may be implemented as a single integrated module and the search module 110 and the output communication module 130 may be integrated into one integrated It may be implemented as a module. In other words, the search module 110, the cloud communication module 120, and the output communication module 130 may be implemented as a single module in the user terminal 100. However, .

The cloud server 200 includes a communication module 210, an output unit information processing module 220, and an output data generation module 230. The cloud server 200 communicates with the user terminal 100 through the communication module 210.

The communication module 210 transmits various pieces of information received from the user terminal 100 to the output unit information processing module 220 and the output data generation module 230. More specifically, the communication module 210 transmits the output content and the output unit information received from the user terminal 100 to the output unit information processing module 220, and outputs the output unit setting information to the output data generation module 230 send.

Also, the communication module 210 transmits various information processed and generated by the cloud server 200 to the user module 100. More specifically, the communication module 210 transmits the output setting interface generated by the output unit information processing module 220 and the output data generated by the output data generation module 230 to the user module 100.

The output unit information processing module 220 receives the output unit information from the communication module 210. The output unit information processing module 220 may store the output unit driver. If the output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information is not stored in the output sub-information processing module 220, the output sub-information processing module 220 can individually download the output sub-drivers or download the integrated output sub- have. The output unit information processing module 220 can generate and store the basis setting information based on the output unit driver. The output unit information processing module 220 may transmit the basic setting information corresponding to the received output unit information to the output data generation module 230 together with the output contents.

The output unit information processing module 220 can generate the output setting interface based on the basic setting information corresponding to the output unit information and the output unit information. The output unit information processing module 220 can transmit the generated output setting interface to the communication module 210. [ The output unit information processing module 220 may transmit the output contents to the output data generation module 230.

The output negative information includes information such as the model name of the output unit as a result of the search performed by the search module 110 as information on the local output unit 300. In response to the output unit information, the output unit driver is information to be installed in the terminal for using the output unit stored in the cloud server 200, and the basic setting information is generated based on the installed output unit driver .

The output data generation module 230 generates output data based on the output contents received from the output section information processing module 220 and the output section setting information received from the communication module 210. The output data generation module 230 transmits the generated output data to the user terminal 100 through the communication module 210.

The local output unit 300 communicates with the search module 110 and the output unit communication module 130 of the user terminal 100 to output the content to be output from the user terminal 100. The local output unit 300 may transmit the output unit information to the search module 110. Also, the local output unit 300 can output the output completion information to the output unit communication module 130 after outputting based on the output data.

FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure for performing output according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Will be described with reference to Fig. 1 for convenience of explanation.

The cloud server-based proximity printing method according to the present invention is started by the search module 110 searching a local output unit at a user terminal (S110).

The search module 110 may search the neighborable local output 300 and store the output information. The search module 110 may receive and store the output unit information transmitted from the local output unit 300 (S115). The search module 110 searches the local output 300 in various ways. The search module 110 may search for the local output unit 300 using, for example, local area communication such as Bluetooth or wireless communication such as 'WI-FI'. When one or more local output units 300 are close to the user terminal 100, the search module 110 may display all of the one or more local output units 300 retrieved through the user terminal 100.

The cloud communication module 120 transmits the output content of the user terminal 100 and the output information of the local output unit 300 to the cloud server 200 (S 120).

The cloud communication module 120 transmits the output content desired by the user to the cloud server 200 and the output information of the local output unit 300 received from the search module 110. The communication module 210 of the cloud server 200 receives the transmitted output content and output information. The received output content and output indefinite information are transmitted to the output unit information processing module 220.

The cloud communication module 120 receives the output setting interface generated based on the output content and the basic setting information of the output unit in the cloud server 200. [ The output unit information processing module 220 receives the output content and output unit information and generates an output setting interface based on the output content and the output unit information (S130). The generated output setting interface is transmitted to the user module 100 through the communication module 210 (S135). The user module 100 can display the output setting interface through the display and the user can select the setting for outputting from the local output section 300 via the output setting interface.

The cloud communication module 120 transmits the output setting information to be output to the cloud server 200 based on the output setting interface. The cloud communication module 120 may generate output setting information based on the output setting selected by the user through the output setting interface (S140). The output setting information is transmitted to the cloud server 200 through the cloud communication module 120 (S145).

The cloud communication module 120 receives the output data generated based on the output section setting information from the cloud server 200. [ The output unit setting information received through the communication module 210 is transmitted to the output data generation module 230. The output data generation module 230 generates output data based on the output content transmitted from the output unit information processing module 220 and the output unit setting information transmitted from the communication module 210 (S150). The output data generated by the output data generation module 230 is transmitted to the user terminal 100 through the communication module 210 (S155).

The output unit communication module 130 transmits the output data to the local output unit 300 (S160). The output data received from the cloud communication module 120 is transmitted to the local output unit 300 through the output communication module 130. The manner in which the output data is transmitted may be the same as the manner in which the search module 110 searches for the local output 300.

The local output unit 300 outputs the output content based on the received output data (S170). When the output is completed, the local output unit 300 generates output completion information (S175). The generated output completion information is transmitted to the output side communication module 130 of the user terminal 100 (S180), and can notify the user of the completion of the output.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface implemented according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display 400 of the user terminal 100 displays output type information 410, output information 401, 403, and 405.

The output type information 410 indicates the type of the output section searched by the search module 110. For example, when the output module retrieved by the retrieval module 110 is a printer, the output subtype information 410 indicates a printer.

The output unit information 401, 403, and 405 may include a model name of the local output unit retrieved through the search module 110 and a distance between the local output unit and the user terminal 100. The output unit information 401, 403, and 405 may be displayed on the display 400 in a list format. The output unit information 401, 403, and 405 may be displayed in the order of the closest distance to the user terminal 100 of the output unit.

The user can select the local output unit 300 to select and output the output unit information 401, 403, and 405, and the output unit information selected by the user is transmitted to the cloud server 200.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user interface in which basic setting information according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the basic setting information display unit 500 displays basic setting information generated by installing an output sub-driver corresponding to output sub information. The basic setting information may include a model name area 501, a location and description area 503, and a description area 505 of the model.

The model name area 501 can display the output unit information as it is. The model name area 501 indicates the model name of the output unit, and in the case of a printer, the model name of the printer can be displayed.

The location and description area 503 may indicate a network address associated with the user terminal 100 or may indicate a feature of the output.

The description area 505 of the model is an item included in the basic setting information by the installed output driver and displays the function of the output section. For example, the description area 505 of the model includes description of whether color output is available, usable paper, output speed, output resolution, and the like.

The basic setting information can be confirmed by the user through the cloud server 200. [ The output unit information processing module 220 generates an output setting interface based on the basic setting information.

FIG. 5 illustrates an output setting interface according to a cloud server-based proximity printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the output setting interface display unit 600 may include a print button 601, an output unit selection button 610, and an output unit setting area 620. The output setting interface display unit 600 exemplifies that the output setting interface generated by the output unit information processing module 220 is displayed on the user terminal 100.

The user can confirm another output portion around the user terminal 100 searched through the search module 110 through the output portion selection button 610. [ However, if another output unit is selected through the output unit selection button 610, the user terminal 100 may transmit the output unit information to the cloud server 200 again. Accordingly, the output unit information processing module 220 can again generate the basis setting information based on the output unit driver corresponding to the selected output unit information.

The output unit setting area 620 may display a state actually output through the selected local output unit 300. The user can directly adjust various settings of the output section setting area 620. [ The output section setting area 620 includes settings for the print range, the number of pages, whether or not to print on both sides, the orientation of the paper, the type of paper, the margin, and the like.

When the print button 601 is selected by the user, output setting information is generated based on the output settings selected by the user. The output unit setting information may be generated in the cloud communication module 120. Output setting information generated by the output setting interface is transmitted to the cloud server 200, and output data is generated in the output data generating module 230 using the output contents based on the output setting information.

In this specification, each block or each step may represent a part of a module, segment or code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing the specified logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks or steps may occur out of order. For example, two blocks or steps shown in succession may in fact be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks or steps may sometimes be performed in reverse order according to the corresponding function.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in a RAM memory, a flash memory, a ROM memory, an EPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, which is capable of reading information from, and writing information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral with the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside within an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside within the user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those embodiments and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. . Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

100 user terminal
110 search module
120 Cloud Communication Module
130 Output module Communication module
200 cloud server
210 communication module
220 output information processing module
230 output data generation module
300 local output
400 user terminal display
401, 403, 405 output section information
410 Output Type Information
500 Basic setting information display part
501 model name area
503 Location and description area
Description area of the 505 model
600 output setting interface display
601 Print button
610 Output selection button
620 Output setting area

Claims (11)

Retrieving a local output from the user terminal;
Transmitting output content from the user terminal and output unit information of the local output unit to a cloud server;
Receiving an output setting interface generated based on the output content and basic setting information of an output unit in the cloud server;
Transmitting output setting information to be output to the cloud server based on the output setting interface;
Receiving output data generated based on the output unit setting information from the cloud server; And
And transmitting the output data to the local output unit. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 19 > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the basic setting information is generated on the basis of an output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information in the cloud server. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the cloud server receives the output sub-drivers corresponding to the output sub-information individually or downloads the integrated output sub-driver. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the output data is generated based on the downloaded output driver or the integrated output driver. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of transmitting to the local output further comprises receiving output completion information from the local output. A retrieval module for retrieving a local output from the user terminal;
The user terminal transmits the output content and the output unit information of the local output unit to the cloud server, receives the output setting interface generated based on the output content and the basic setting information of the output unit in the cloud server, A cloud communication module for transmitting output setting information to be output to the cloud server and receiving output data generated based on the output setting information from the cloud server; And
And an output module communicating the output data to the local output module. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the basic setting information is generated on the basis of an output sub-driver corresponding to the output sub-information in the cloud server. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the cloud server receives the output sub-drivers corresponding to the output sub-information individually or downloads the integrated output sub-driver. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the output data is generated based on the downloaded output driver or the integrated output driver. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the output communication module receives the output completion information from the local output unit. Retrieving a local output from the user terminal,
The user terminal transmits the output content and the output unit information of the local output unit to the cloud server,
The cloud server receives an output setting interface generated based on the output content and basic setting information of an output unit,
Transmitting the output setting information to be output to the cloud server based on the output setting interface,
Receiving output data generated based on the output unit setting information from the cloud server,
And wherein the output data is transmitted to the local output. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 20 >

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