WO2016107401A1

WO2016107401A1 - Image formation control system and image formation control method

Info

Publication number: WO2016107401A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/097390
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王健; 李嘉德; 佘少华; 谭轩
Original assignee: 珠海奔图电子有限公司
Priority date: 2014-12-30
Filing date: 2015-12-15
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Also published as: CN104636092A; CN104636092B

Abstract

An image formation control system and image formation control method, the method comprising: a first module of a client application installed on the client determines a file to be printed (S501); after converting a to be printed file to bitmap data, transmitting the same to a second module (S505); after the second module converts the bitmap data to data to be printed and recognizable by the target imaging device, directly transmitting to the target imaging device or via a server in communication with the client application and the target imaging device. The method can effectively prevent a memory outflow or memory insufficiency of a mobile terminal resulting from processing the picture to be printed.

Description

Image forming control system and image forming control method

Cross-reference to related applications

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN201410843019.2, filed on Dec. 30, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of image formation, and in particular to an image forming control system and an image forming control method.

Background technique

Nowadays, imaging devices such as printers, copiers, scanners, facsimile machines, or multifunction machines that integrate the above functions are increasingly used in daily life, and people are increasingly demanding the manner and variety of printing. However, the conventional image forming apparatus can only provide the user with a local printing function, that is, the user can only perform a print job beside the image forming apparatus. Even imaging devices that provide wireless connectivity, such as imaging devices that are connected via WiFi and connected via wireless LAN, must be within the WiFi signal range or within the wireless LAN to perform print jobs. Such imaging devices impose significant limitations on user use.

Therefore, a cloud printing system has appeared on the market, that is, a plurality of imaging devices are connected to each other by a server through a network, and connected to the Internet, and a user can remotely print anytime and anywhere through a client. When the print job is executed, the client uploads the print data to the server, and the server processes the print data into a format supported by the image forming device according to the image forming device information selected by the user, and delivers the processed print data to the image forming device for print output. However, such a cloud printing system processes print data by a server, and the uploading, processing, and processing of the print job take a long time, and the job processing efficiency is not high. Moreover, the client of this cloud printing system can only support cloud printing, and can not provide users with local printing functions, and user usage still has limitations.

Summary of the invention

One of the technical problems to be solved by the present invention is to provide an effective prevention of mobile terminal An image forming control system and an image forming control method for processing a memory overflow problem caused by a large picture.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an image forming control method. The method includes: a first module of a client application installed on a client determines a file to be printed according to a user's selection; a first module of the client application converts the file to be printed into bitmap data; the client The first module of the end application sends the bitmap data to the second module of the client application; the second module of the client application converts the received bitmap data into a target imaging device that can identify and perform Printing the data to be printed; the second module of the client application sends the data to be printed to the target imaging device or the server to communicate with the client application and the target imaging device Print data is transmitted to the target imaging device; the target imaging device performs print output based on the received data to be printed. The client application includes a first module and a second module, the first module is configured to implement processing related to the user access interface, and the second module is implemented at the driver layer.

Furthermore, the step of the first module of the client application transmitting the bitmap data to the second module of the client application may further comprise: the first module of the client application will be the bit The figure data is split into individual packets and sent to the second module of the client application; the second module of the client application receives the individual packets and then performs grouping to restore the bitmap data.

Furthermore, the step of converting the file to be printed into bitmap data by the first module of the client application may further include: when the file to be printed is not a picture, the first module of the client application is to be printed The file is converted into a picture to be printed, and the picture to be printed is converted into the bitmap data.

Further, the processing by the second module of the client application to convert the received bitmap data into the data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation may further include: converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image; scaling the grayscale image according to a print size to obtain a scaled grayscale image; performing black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image; The black and white map data is subjected to JBIG algorithm compression processing to obtain compressed JBIG data; the compressed JBIG data is command combined to obtain data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform a printing operation.

In addition, after the foregoing processing of converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performing black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, the method further includes: in the grayscale image Or add a watermark to the black and white picture.

In addition, after the foregoing processing of converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performing black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, the method further includes: in the grayscale image Or add an electronic signature to the black and white picture.

In addition, the foregoing processing of compressing the black and white image data by the JBIG algorithm to obtain the compressed JBIG data includes: encrypting the compressed JBIG data by using a specific algorithm to obtain encrypted JBIG data; receiving the received image by the target imaging device After the data to be printed generated by the encrypted JBIG data is used, the data to be printed is decrypted and printed out using a specific algorithm.

Furthermore, the foregoing processing of combining the compressed JBIG data to obtain data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform a printing operation may further include: when the target imaging device is a network imaging device, the client The application converts the data obtained by combining the compressed JBIG data into a cloud print format file as data to be printed which the image forming apparatus can recognize and perform a printing operation.

In addition, the method may further include: the client application determines whether the cloud print format file is generated by detecting whether a cloud print format file of a specific format exists in the specified location; and when the detection result is that the generation has been completed, the cloud is The print format file is uploaded to the server.

Further, the method further includes the following processing before the target imaging device performs print output based on the received data to be printed: the client application uploads as a cloud print format file to the server; the server notifies the target imaging The device to the server acquires a cloud print format file; the target imaging device actively selects an appropriate time to acquire a cloud print format file from the server as data to be printed.

Further, the process of the server notifying the target imaging device to the server to acquire the cloud print format file may further include at least any one of the following: the client application sends an instruction to acquire a cloud print format file to the server, where the server The instruction is sent to the target imaging device to notify the target imaging device to actively obtain the cloud print format file from the server; after receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client application, the server automatically sends the file to the target The target imaging device sends an instruction to acquire a cloud print format file to notify the target imaging device to actively obtain a cloud print format file from the server; after receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client application, the server passes the When the instruction of the client application is not received, the instruction for acquiring the cloud print format file is automatically sent to the target imaging device to notify the target imaging device to actively obtain the cloud print format file from the server.

Furthermore, the aforementioned method may further include the first mode of the client application installed on the client The block determines the following processing before the step of the file to be printed according to the user's selection: detecting whether the user account has been logged in, and if the detection result is no, searching for the local imaging device, and vice versa, searching for the network imaging device and the local imaging device; the client application is based on the user The selection is to determine one of the searched imaging devices as the target imaging device.

In addition, the foregoing method may further include: before the step of determining, by the first module of the client application installed by the client, the processing of the file to be printed according to the user's selection, when the startup type of the client is an automatic binding imaging device type, The client application launches a two-dimensional code scanning function or a two-dimensional code scanning function of a client application manually initiated by a user; the client application scans a two-dimensional code containing imaging device information and extracts the two-dimensional code The imaging device information is bound to the currently logged-in user account by the image device corresponding to the imaging device information obtained by the scanning according to the currently logged-in user account information and the imaging device information obtained by the scanning.

The present invention also provides an image forming control system. The system includes a client, a server, a local imaging device, and a network imaging device that communicates with the client through the server, wherein the client determines to be printed according to a user's selection using a first module of the client application a file, converting the file to be printed into bitmap data, transmitting the bitmap data to a second module of the client application, and receiving the received by the second module of the client application The bitmap data is converted into data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform a printing operation, and the client application of the client includes a first module and a second module, and the first module is configured to implement a user access interface. Processing, the second module is implemented at the driver layer; the local imaging device performs print output based on the data to be printed received from the client; the network imaging device performs print output based on the data to be printed actively acquired from the server, Receiving, by the server, data to be printed sent from the client, and in response to the network imaging device Request to be sent to the network print data forming device.

Compared with the prior art, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first module of the client app splits the Bitmap data into individual packets and transmits them to the second module of the client app, and then the client app. The second module performs a group package to restore Bitmap data. Since mobile terminals, such as Android (Android) devices, may experience memory overflow or insufficient memory when reading or processing large pictures, the second module of the client app can process large pictures, and the data is removed here. Divided into individual packets, and then transferred to the client app, the second module is recombined into a complete picture data packet for processing, which can effectively prevent the memory terminal from overflowing due to processing large pictures.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have proposed to notify the imaging device to actively obtain a cloud print format text from the server. In a way, the imaging device can select the appropriate timing to obtain the print data according to its processing capability and state, for example, the image processing device has processed some of the jobs in the print queue, and has enough storage space for storing the next print. When the job is performed, the print data is actively acquired, which can greatly reduce the probability of data loss during the large number of communication with the cloud server, and simplify the system flow.

Other advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in the <RTIgt; The teachings of the present invention are taught. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained in the <RTIgt;

DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are intended to be a part of the description of the invention. In the drawing:

1 is a block diagram showing an architecture of an image forming control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flow chart of an image forming control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image forming control method according to still another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

4 is a flowchart of an image forming control method according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a processing flow of a client application generating print data and a cloud print format file.

detailed description

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which the present invention can be applied to the technical problems, and the implementation of the technical effects can be fully understood and implemented. It should be noted that the various embodiments of the present invention and the various features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other, and the technical solutions formed are all within the scope of the present invention.

Additionally, the steps illustrated in the flowchart of the figures may be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and although the logical order is illustrated in the flowchart, in some cases may be different The steps shown or described are performed in the order herein.

The technical solutions of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an architecture of an image forming control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of clients 10 communicate with the server 30 via the Internet 20. In addition, multiple clients 10 also pass none The line access point 40 is in communication with a plurality of local imaging devices 50, and the server 30 is in communication with a plurality of network imaging devices 60.

FIG. 1 is only an example, and the client 10 may be a terminal device with wireless communication functions, including a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palmtop computer, a vehicle-mounted computer, and other smart terminals having wireless communication functions. The following describes a mobile terminal as an example. The wireless access point may be an access point having a wireless signal transceiving function, such as a router, a switch, a mobile terminal, a PC, etc., and the number may be at least one. In addition, the access point may also be an imaging device 50 (also referred to as an image forming device, which is a printer, a multifunction machine that combines various imaging functions such as printing and faxing), which has a wireless hotspot function. The local imaging device 50 refers to an imaging device that is not connected to the Internet (can access a local area network, as long as it is not connected to the Internet, that is, a local imaging device; when the local imaging device accesses the Internet, it can become a network imaging device). The network imaging device 60 is an imaging device that accesses the Internet or accesses the Internet through the server 30. Server 30 can be one or more.

The local imaging device 50 performs print output based on the data to be printed received from the client 10. The network imaging device 60 performs print output based on data to be printed actively acquired from the server 30. The server 30 receives the data to be printed sent from the client 10 and transmits the data to be printed to the network imaging device 60 in response to a request from the network imaging device 60. Hereinafter, the imaging device may refer to the network imaging device 60 and/or the local imaging device 50 unless otherwise specified.

Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an image forming control method according to the present embodiment.

S201, start a client app (client application). The app is an application for executing a print job on the client, and is pre-installed on the client by the user. The user logs in to the server 30 using the account and password registered in advance on the server 30.

S202. The client app searches the server 30 for the imaging device in the network that is bound to the currently logged-in user account. The client app completes the search by transmitting a request to acquire an imaging device on the server 30 that has been bound to the currently logged-in user account and receiving a return result of the server 30. Displaying the searched imaging device list and its status information on the client user interface, the displayed status information may include: device name, device number, device address (IP address), working status (busy, standby or not ready, etc.), Print speed, print resolution, supported print mode (black and white or color print), device network status (online or offline), device network transfer status (network transfer speed, network delay, packet loss rate), device consumables information (paper Information such as the remaining amount, the remaining amount of the toner cartridge, etc.).

S203. The client app determines an imaging device for executing a print job according to a user selection, which is called a target imaging device. The user selects an imaging device that wishes to execute a print job through the client's user interface.

S204. The client app generates a cloud print format file. The client app converts the print data into a cloud print format file that the selected image forming device can recognize and print as data to be printed.

The specific processing flow of the client app to generate the cloud print format file is shown in Figure 5 and its description.

S205. The client app uploads the cloud print format file to the server 30. The client app uploads the generated cloud print format file to the server 30. The result information such as upload success or upload failure can be displayed on the user interface.

S206. The server 30 notifies the target imaging device to the server 30 to acquire the cloud print format file.

The notification that the target imaging device actively obtains the cloud print format file from the server 30 can be implemented in one of the following ways: 1 The client app sends an instruction to obtain a cloud print format file to the server 30, and the server 30 delivers the instruction to the server 30. The target imaging device notifies the target imaging device to actively obtain the cloud print format file from the server 30. After receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client app, the server 30 automatically sends an instruction to acquire the cloud print format file to the target imaging device to notify the target. The imaging device actively obtains the cloud print format file from the server 30; after receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client app, the server 30 automatically images the target after a predetermined time, such as 5 seconds, without receiving the instruction of the client app. The device sends an instruction to obtain a cloud print format file, and notifies the target imaging device to actively obtain the cloud print format file from the server 30.

S207. The target imaging device actively selects an appropriate timing to acquire a cloud print format file from the server 30 and perform a printing operation. The image forming apparatus downloads the cloud print format file from the server 30 and prints the cloud print format file on the recording medium.

It should be emphasized that the inventor has noticed that in the conventional imaging system, since the client and the imaging device are directly connected, the communication efficiency is high, and the print data loss caused by the printer being busy or malfunctioning is not easy to occur, and the cloud imaging is performed. In the system, since the client and the imaging system communicate through the cloud server 30, and the binding relationship between the client and the imaging device has greater variability, if the imaging device continues to be passively received by the conventional technology, the client is at any timing. The processing method of the sent print data may cause the print data to be queued too long, the printing is cancelled frequently, the imaging device is out of paper, the imaging device is faulty, etc., and the imaging system has frequent errors, and in order to solve these possible errors, it needs to be introduced too much. Complex control program. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have proposed a new processing method, in which it is notified in S206 that the image forming apparatus actively takes the cloud print format file to the server 30, and in S207, the image forming apparatus can be rooted. According to its processing power and state, choose the appropriate timing to obtain the print data. For example, if the imaging device has processed part of the job in the print queue, and has enough storage space to store the next print job, actively obtain the print data. This greatly reduces the probability of data loss and simplifies system flow.

Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have also noticed that the server 30 tends to have a strong data storage capability, but if the processing of the print data is placed in the server 30, the computing power of the server 30 is difficult to meet the demand. Therefore, the present invention modifies the scheme of converting the print data into the processing of the cloud print format file identifiable and printable by the selected image forming apparatus in the conventional cloud imaging system, and placing the processing in the server 30, but placing the processing On the client side, the computational processing is distributed, which greatly improves the processing power of the entire imaging system.

S208. The client app requests the imaging device status and the print job status, and displays the result information. During the execution of the printing operation by the image forming apparatus, the client app sends a request to the server 30 every time interval, such as 0.5 seconds, to acquire the state of the image forming apparatus that executes the print job and the print job state; the server 30 sends an instruction to perform the image forming of the print job. The device acquires the imaging device status and the print job status; the imaging device transmits the self status information and the print job status information to the server 30 in response to the instruction issued by the server 30; the server 30 receives the status information sent back by the imaging device, and the status information Sended to the client app; the client app receives the status information sent back by the server 30, and displays the imaging device status information and the print job status information in the user interface.

The imaging device status may include: device network communication status (network speed, network delay, communication success), device consumables information (paper remaining amount, toner cartridge remaining amount, etc.), device failure information (jam, lack of ink, lack of Information such as paper, cover is opened, accidental power off). The print job status includes: data analysis status (resolution progress, parsing success or parsing failure), job print status (number of printed pages, number of unprinted pages, elapsed time, required time, etc.).

S209, the end. When the client app displays the final print result information in the user interface, such as "Print Successful", the print job ends.

Embodiment 2

Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an image forming control method according to the present embodiment.

S301. Start the client app. The client app is an application for executing a print job on the client, and is pre-installed on the client by the user.

S302. The client app searches for a local imaging device. The client app searches for the local imaging device by searching for a device that has broadcasted the wireless signal and its device identifier locally, and displays it on the client's user interface. The searched local imaging device list and its status information, the displayed status information may include: device name, device number, working status (busy, standby or not ready, etc.), print speed, print resolution, supported print mode ( Black and white printing or color printing), equipment consumables information (paper remaining amount, toner cartridge remaining amount, etc.), user rights and other information.

S303. The client app determines one of the searched imaging devices as the target imaging device for executing the print job according to the user's selection or preset. The user can select the imaging device that wants to execute the print job through the client's user interface.

S304. The client app sends the print data to the imaging device. The client app converts the print data into a format that the selected imaging device can recognize and print, sends it to the imaging device, and displays result information such as a successful transmission or a failed transmission on the user interface.

The specific processing flow of the client app to generate print data is shown in Figure 5 and its description.

S305. The imaging device performs a printing operation. The image forming apparatus prints the received print data on a recording medium.

S306. The client app requests the imaging device status and the print job status, and displays the result information. During the printing operation of the imaging device, the client app sends an instruction to the imaging device to acquire the state of the imaging device and the print job state every time interval, such as 0.5 seconds; the imaging device responds to the instruction issued by the client app to the client. The end app sends its own status information and print job status information; the client app receives the status information sent back by the imaging device, and displays the imaging device status information and the print job status information in the user interface.

The image forming apparatus status may include information such as equipment consumables information (paper remaining amount, toner cartridge remaining amount, etc.), equipment failure information (jam, lack of ink, out of paper, cover is opened, accidental power off). The print job status includes: data analysis status (resolution progress, parsing success or parsing failure), job print status (number of printed pages, number of unprinted pages, elapsed time, required time, etc.).

S307, the end. When the client app displays the final print result information in the user interface, such as "Print Successful", the print job ends.

Embodiment 3:

Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an image forming control method according to the present embodiment.

S401, start the client app. The client app is an application for executing a print job on the client, and is pre-installed on the client by the user. Alternatively, the user can log in to the server 30 using the account and password previously registered on the server 30.

S402. Detect whether the current startup type is a normal startup type. The startup type of the app includes a normal startup type and an automatic binding imaging device startup type, and detects whether the startup type is a normal startup type or an automatic binding imaging device type by detecting a function initiated by the client app. When the detection result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S405, and when the detection result is "NO", the process proceeds to step S403.

S403. The client app starts the two-dimensional code scanning function to scan the two-dimensional code on the imaging device. The client app is provided with a QR code scanning function module. After entering this step, the system automatically starts the QR code scanning function or the user manually starts the QR code scanning function to scan the QR code on the imaging device.

When the user scans the two-dimensional code on the imaging device, the two-dimensional code scanning program automatically decodes the scanned two-dimensional code and extracts the imaging device information contained in the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code may be directly printed on the image forming apparatus, may be printed on the label attached to the image forming apparatus, or may be sprayed on the image forming apparatus by the inkjet technique, or may be in a visible form by other means. Displayed on the image forming device. The imaging device information includes at least imaging device identification information, and may further include information such as a device model, device attributes (such as print speed, print resolution), device functions (such as whether to support color printing), and the imaging device identification information refers to An imaging device is distinguished from other devices by unique identifiers, such as device codes.

S404. The server 30 binds the imaging device to the currently logged-in user account according to the currently logged-in user account information and the imaging device information obtained by scanning. The client app automatically submits the imaging device information to the server 30 for binding with the user account. If the user is not logged in, the user is prompted to log in first, and then the binding is performed. Binding refers to establishing a correspondence between an imaging device and a user account.

S405. Detect whether the user account is logged in. When the detection result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S406 to search for the network imaging device and the local imaging device; when the detection result is "NO", the process proceeds to step S409 to search for the local imaging device.

S406. The client searches for the imaging device through the server 30 and the local network. The client app sends a request to obtain an imaging device on the server 30 that has been bound to the logged-in user account and receives the return result of the server 30, while searching for the local imaging device by searching for a device that has broadcasted the wireless signal and its device identification code locally. And displaying the searched network imaging device and the local imaging device list and status information thereof on the client user interface, the displayed status information may include: device type (network imaging device or local imaging device), device name, device number, device Address (IP address), working status (busy, standby or not ready, etc.), print speed, print resolution, supported print mode (black and white or color print), device network status (online or offline), device network transmission status (network transmission speed, network delay, packet loss rate), equipment consumables information (paper remaining amount, toner cartridge remaining amount, etc.), usage rights And other information.

S407. The client app determines one of the searched imaging devices as the target imaging device for executing the print job according to the user's selection or preset. The user can select the imaging device that wants to execute the print job through the client's user interface.

S408. Determine whether the selected target imaging device is a network imaging device. Whether or not the network imaging device is determined by the type of imaging device selected by the user. When the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S412, and when the determination result is "NO", the process proceeds to step S411.

S409, searching for a local imaging device;

S410. Select a target imaging device from the searched imaging devices to perform a print job.

S411, the client app sends the print data to the imaging device;

The above steps S409, S410, and S411 are substantially the same as steps S302, S303, and S304 in FIG. 3, and are not described here.

S412. The client app generates a cloud print format file.

The specific processing flow of the client app generating the print data sent in the above step S411 and the cloud print format file in the step S412 is shown in FIG. 5 and its description.

S413, the client app uploads the generated cloud print format file to the server 30;

S414, the server 30 notifies the target imaging device to acquire the cloud print format file from the server 30;

The above steps S412, S413, and S414 are substantially the same as steps S204, S205, and S206 in FIG. 2, and are not described here.

S415, the target imaging device actively selects an appropriate timing to acquire a cloud print format file from the server 30. The imaging device downloads the cloud print format file from the server 30 and stores it in the imaging device memory.

S416, the target imaging device performs a printing operation based on the cloud print format file acquired from the server 30. When the target imaging device is a network imaging device, the imaging device prints the data to be printed (ie, the cloud print format file) received and stored in the memory on the recording medium; when the imaging device is the local imaging device, the imaging device receives The data to be printed to be printed is printed on the recording medium.

S417. Optionally, the client app requests the imaging device status and the print job status to display the result information. When the imaging device is a network imaging device, step S417 is substantially the same as step S208 in FIG. 2; when the imaging device is a local imaging device, step S417 is substantially the same as step S306 in FIG. 3; therefore, it will not be described here.

S418, the end. When the client app displays the final print result information in the user interface, such as "Print Successful", the print job ends.

The processing flow of the client app to generate the print data and the cloud print format file in the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

S501. The first module of the client app installed on the mobile terminal determines the file to be printed according to the user's selection. The user can select a print file through the user interface of the client app, and the print file can be a picture type or a file type such as an electronic document, a spreadsheet, or the like. The client app includes a first module and a second module, and the first module is used to implement processing related to the user access interface. The processing independent of the user access interface is performed by the second module, and the second module is implemented at the driver layer. With such a design, the client app can be made to process larger pictures, which will be further explained later.

In subsequent S502 to S504, the client app first module converts the file to be printed into bitmap data.

S502. The first module of the client app determines whether the file to be printed is a picture type. If the result of the determination is "NO", the process proceeds to step S503, and when the result of the determination is "YES", the process proceeds to step S504.

S503. When the file to be printed is not a picture type, the first module of the client app converts the file to be printed into a picture to be printed. After the conversion is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

S504. The first module of the client app converts the picture to be printed into Bitmap data, for example, bitmap data in a 24-bit format.

S505. The first module of the client app sends the Bitmap data to the second module of the client app. Preferably, the Bitmap data is split into individual packets and transmitted to the second module of the client app, and then the second module of the client app performs group package restoration of the Bitmap data. Since mobile terminals, such as Android (Android) devices, may experience memory overflow or insufficient memory when reading or processing large pictures, the second module of the client app can process large pictures, and the data is removed here. Divided into individual packets, and then transmitted to the client app, the second module is recombined into a complete picture data packet for processing, which can effectively prevent the mobile terminal from overflowing or insufficient memory.

Then, through steps S506 to S510, the second module of the client application converts the received bitmap data into data to be printed that the imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation.

S506, the second module of the client app converts the Bitmap data into a grayscale image, such as an 8-bit grayscale image.

S507. The second module of the client app scales the grayscale image according to the print size.

S508. The second module of the client app performs black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image. The grayscale image is subjected to black and white binarization processing, that is, the data is converted into a black and white image.

In other embodiments of the present invention, after the second module of the client app converts the Bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performs black and white binarization processing on the grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, that is, after step S506 or step S508, Add a watermark in the grayscale image or in the black and white image.

The watermark is to add certain digital information to electronic data (such as images, sounds, video signals, etc.) to achieve the functions of authenticity identification, copyright protection, and the like. The embedded watermark information is hidden in the host file without affecting the observability and integrity of the original file.

In other embodiments of the present invention, after the second module of the client app converts the Bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performs black and white binarization processing on the grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, that is, after step S506 or step S508, Add an electronic signature in the grayscale image or in the black and white image.

The electronic signature refers to data contained in an electronic form in electronic data, attached to identify the identity of the signer and indicating that the signer approves the content therein.

S509, the second module of the client app performs the compression processing of the JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) algorithm to obtain the compressed JBIG data. A binary image is an image that expresses the color value of each pixel using only 1 bit. JBIG is a binary image compression standard that can be used to encode grayscale images and color images using a limited number of bits per pixel.

In other embodiments of the present invention, after the second module of the app obtains the compressed JBIG data, that is, after step S509, the compressed JBIG data is encrypted using a specific algorithm to obtain the encrypted JBIG data.

S510. The second module of the client app combines the compressed JBIG data. The command combination process combines the compressed JBIG data with the data command to generate data to be printed that the imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation.

The commands combined by the above command combination process may include: a document start command (including a document start mark, a print copy parameter, a duplex print parameter, a total number of printed pages, etc.), a page start command (including a page start mark, double-sided printing, and a page). Copies, paper source, paper type, horizontal resolution, vertical resolution, image width, image height, image bit depth, ink saving, etc.), JBIG compression commands (including JBIG compression mark, JBIG compression parameter option setting), JBIG Data commands (including JBIG data tags, JBIG compressed data blocks), JBIG data end commands (including JBIG data end tags), page end commands (including page end tags), and document end commands (including document end tags).

The format of the data to be printed that the above-mentioned image forming apparatus can recognize and print includes a prn format, a ps format, and a pcl format. The imaging device can recognize that the format of the print is determined by the language in which it is used. Currently mainstream imaging The languages used by the device are GDI language, PS language, and PCL language. Devices using the GDI language can only recognize prn format files, devices using the PS language can only recognize ps format files, and devices using the PCL language can only recognize pcl format files.

S511. The first module of the client app determines whether it is cloud printing. Whether the printing operation is cloud printing is judged by the type of the target imaging device (which may be determined according to user selection as described in the foregoing embodiment, which may also be a default/preset imaging device). When the imaging device selected by the user is the imaging device of the network, the determination result is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step S513; when the imaging device selected by the user is the local imaging device, the determination result is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S512.

S512, the second module of the client app sends the final data to the local imaging device as the target imaging device for printing. The client app transmits the final data to the target imaging device via a wireless network or a wired network, and the target imaging device performs print output based on the received print data. Optionally, when the final data includes multiple pages, the second module of the app sends the final data packet to the target imaging device, and the target imaging device combines the packetized data into complete print data for printing output.

In other embodiments of the invention, the target imaging device decrypts the received print data using a particular algorithm and prints out the decrypted print data.

S513. When the target imaging device is a network imaging device, the second module of the client app generates the cloud print format file by combining the data obtained by combining the compressed JBIG data. The client app will generate a file specific to the format recognized by the imaging device selected by the user, such as the prn format, the ps format, and the pcl format, by commanding the combined print data.

S514. The second module of the client app determines whether the cloud print format file is generated. The client app determines whether the cloud print format file is generated by detecting whether a cloud print format file of a specific format (prn format or ps format or pcl format) exists in the specified location. When it is detected that the file of the specific format exists, the determination result is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S516; when the file of the specific format is not detected, the determination result is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S515.

S515, the user selects whether to regenerate the cloud print format file. When the client app does not detect a file in a specific format, a prompt message such as "Cloud Print Format File Generation Error" is displayed, and the user is allowed to select whether to regenerate the cloud print format file. When the user selects "Yes", the process returns to step S513; when the user selects "No", the process returns to step S501.

S516. The second module of the client app uploads the cloud print format file to the cloud server 30 and prints when the detection result is that the generation has been completed. The client app uploads the cloud print format file to the cloud server 30 and prints it out through the target imaging device. Target imaging device based on received hits Print data for printout. Optionally, when the cloud print format file includes multiple pages of print data, the second module of the app uploads the cloud print format file to the cloud server 30; the cloud server 30 divides the data according to the active acquisition request of the target imaging device. They are respectively sent to the target imaging device, or combined into a complete cloud print format file and sent to the target imaging device; the target imaging device performs print output based on the received print data, or combines the packetized data into complete print data for print output.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be centralized on a single computing device or distributed over a network of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in a storage device by a computing device, or they may be fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or many of them Modules or steps are made into a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the described embodiments are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to limit the invention. Any modification and variation of the form and details of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is still subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

An image forming control method, comprising:

The first module of the client application installed on the client determines the file to be printed according to the user's selection;

The first module of the client application converts the file to be printed into bitmap data;

The first module of the client application sends the bitmap data to a second module of the client application;

The second module of the client application converts the received bitmap data into data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation;

The second module of the client application sends the data to be printed to the target imaging device or transmits the data to be printed to the target through a server in communication with the client application and the target imaging device Imaging device

The target imaging device performs print output based on the received data to be printed,

The client application includes a first module and a second module, the first module is configured to implement processing related to the user access interface, and the second module is implemented at the driver layer.
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of the first module of the client application transmitting the bitmap data to the second module of the client application further comprises:

The first module of the client application splits the bitmap data into individual packets and sends the second module to the client application;

The second module of the client application receives the individual packets and then performs grouping to restore the bitmap data.
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of converting the file to be printed into bitmap data by the first module of the client application further comprises:

When the file to be printed is not a picture, the first module of the client application converts the file to be printed into a picture to be printed, and then converts the picture to be printed into the bitmap data.
The method of claim 1, wherein the converting, by the second module of the client application, the received bitmap data to the data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation further comprises:

Converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image;

Performing a scaling process on the grayscale image according to a print size to obtain a scaled grayscale image;

Performing black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image;

Performing the JBIG algorithm compression processing on the black and white map data to obtain compressed JBIG data;

The compressed JBIG data is combined in a command to obtain data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform a printing operation.
The method according to claim 4, wherein after the process of converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performing the black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, the method further includes :

A watermark is added to the grayscale map or the black and white map.
The method according to claim 4, wherein after the process of converting the bitmap data into a grayscale image, or performing the black and white binarization processing on the scaled grayscale image to obtain a black and white image, the method further includes :

An electronic signature is added to the grayscale map or to the black and white map.
The method according to claim 4, wherein the processing of the black and white map data by the JBIG algorithm to obtain the compressed JBIG data comprises: encrypting the compressed JBIG data using a specific algorithm to obtain the encrypted JBIG data. ;

After the target imaging device receives the data to be printed generated by the encrypted JBIG data, the data to be printed is decrypted and printed out using a specific algorithm.
The method of claim 4, wherein the processing of combining the compressed JBIG data to obtain data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform the printing operation further comprises:

When the target imaging device is a network imaging device, the client application converts the data obtained by combining the compressed JBIG data into a cloud print format file, and the image forming device can recognize and perform a printing operation. Print the data.
The method of claim 8 further comprising:

The client application determines whether the cloud print format file is generated by detecting whether a cloud print format file of a specific format exists in the specified location;

The cloud print format file is uploaded to the server when the detection result is that the generation has been completed.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising the following processing before the target imaging device performs print output based on the received data to be printed:

The client application uploads the file as a cloud print format to the server;

The server notifying the target imaging device to the server to acquire a cloud print format file;

The target imaging device actively selects an appropriate time to acquire a cloud print format file from the server as data to be printed.
The method of claim 10, wherein the process of the server notifying the target imaging device to the server to acquire a cloud print format file further comprises at least any of the following:

Sending, by the client application, an instruction to obtain a cloud print format file to a server, the server sending the instruction to the target imaging device to notify the target imaging device to actively obtain a cloud print format file from the server;

After receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client application, the server automatically sends an instruction to acquire the cloud print format file to the target imaging device to notify the target imaging device to actively obtain the cloud print format from the server. file;

After receiving the cloud print format file uploaded by the client application, the server automatically sends an instruction for acquiring a cloud print format file to the target imaging device when the instruction of the client application is not received within a predetermined time. And notifying the target imaging device to actively obtain a cloud print format file from the server.
The method according to claim 11, further comprising the following processing before the step of determining the file to be printed according to the user's selection by the first module of the client-side client application:

Detecting whether the user account has been logged in, and if the detection result is no, searching for the local imaging device, and vice versa, searching for the network imaging device and the local imaging device;

The client application determines one of the searched imaging devices as the target imaging device according to the user's selection.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the following processing before the step of determining the file to be printed according to the user's selection by the first module of the client-side client application:

When the startup type of the client is an automatic binding imaging device type, the client application starts a QR code scanning function or manually starts a QR code scanning function of the client application by a user;

The client application scans a two-dimensional code containing imaging device information and extracts imaging device information in the two-dimensional code;

The server binds the imaging device corresponding to the imaging device information obtained by scanning to the currently logged-in user account according to the currently logged-in user account information and the imaging device information obtained by scanning.
An image forming control system including a client, a server, a local imaging device, and a network imaging device that communicates with the client through the server, wherein

Determining, by the first module of the client application, the file to be printed according to the user's selection, converting the file to be printed into bitmap data, and transmitting the bitmap data to the client application a second module, and using the second module of the client application to convert the received bitmap data into data to be printed that the target imaging device can recognize and perform a printing operation, the client application of the client includes the first a module and a second module, the first module is configured to implement processing related to a user access interface, and the second module is implemented at a driver layer;

The local imaging device performs print output based on data to be printed received from the client;

The network imaging device performs print output based on data to be printed actively acquired from the server,

The server receives data to be printed sent from the client and transmits data to be printed to the network imaging device in response to a request by the network imaging device.