JP2000020270A - Device and method for image formation, and computer- readable storage medium having stored program thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily and easily confirm the output result of a print, etc., with the eyes at the job issue source of print, etc., to easily refer to error information contents of the print etc., and to speedily and accurately manage and maintain an output device such as a printer. SOLUTION: When a network printer 110 executes a print job, the communication server on the network printer 110 opens to the publick image data displaying the print result. Then the result of the print job including a network resource identifier indicating the image data is reported to the host computer 100 being the print job issue source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for controlling communication via a network, and a storage medium stored in a computer-readable program. At that time, using a server that communicates with a specific protocol,
An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a computer, such as a network printer, for notifying a print job to a print job issuer, a printer administrator, a printer supporter, or the like, and making image data contents indicating the print result public and displayable. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printing system, when a document processing apparatus creates image data from a document received via a network and prints it, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-171506, etc. The print processing result is not notified to the print request source.

In recent client-server type remote printing, it is necessary to determine whether or not printing has been performed by a printer.
The print server that controls the printer keeps a job history even after sending the print data to the printer, and the print server polls the printer to determine whether the print data sent to the printer has been printed. A mechanism has been conceived that makes a determination and sends a print end notification to the client that has transmitted the print data of the job printed based on the determination result and the job history. However, even if this mechanism is used, the client that has issued the job is only notified of the end of printing, and it has not been possible to determine what output has been made by the printing process.

Further, processing is difficult only on the printer side, and to some extent can be achieved in a system in which a host computer shares a locally connected printer with a network.

[0005] For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-130554, when a host computer receives a print notification from a locally connected printer, it determines whether the printing process has succeeded or failed based on the print notification. Analysis is performed and the analysis result is notified by e-mail or the like. Here, the content notified by the e-mail is only the result of the printing process.

In recent years, a printing apparatus which can access the WWW (World Wide Web) by itself has been considered.
When a print job is received from W and printing is performed based on the print job, it is expected that the client who has requested the print job is instructed via the Web. It is considered that it is impossible to determine whether the print output is different from what was expected.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional example, when printing via a network, a notification indicating the print result is not performed, or an image image of the print result is transmitted to the source of the print job. Therefore, the following problems (a) to (d) occur.

(A) Since a notification indicating a print result is not made, it is necessary to make an inquiry to a relational database or the like for managing a print image after printing.

(B) It is only possible to check the result of the printing process (information such as the status of the process indicating success or failure, information about the number of prints, the printing time, etc.), and it is not possible to visually check the actual printing result.

(C) In the case of remote printing, the source of a print job and the network printer are often located far apart from each other. In order to visually confirm the print result, the print job is moved to the network printer. The only option is to check the print result or to send the print result to the source of the print job by mail or the like, which requires travel time or transmission time. Furthermore, a client that transmits a print job via the WWW may request the print job from a completely different location, for example. In such a case, it is necessary to contact the office of the print output destination and ask whether the desired content has been output.

(D) If the result is different from the desired print result, the raster image data created by the network printer cannot be reused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a first object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus capable of promptly and easily confirming an output result of printing or the like at a job issuing source of printing or the like. .

A second object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus which makes it easy to refer to error information such as printing and which can quickly and accurately manage and maintain an output device such as a printer. To provide.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: analyzing means for analyzing a print job received from an external device; generating an output image based on an analysis result by the analyzing means; Image processing means for outputting an output image, and image conversion means for format-converting the output image generated by the image processing means and holding the converted image file so as to be obtainable from the external device.

[0015] The external device can communicate with the external device via a network and the Internet.

[0016] Further, a judgment means for judging whether or not the printing process has been normally performed based on the print job received from the external device, and a status information creation means for creating a print result by the judgment means as status information. And the status information is held so as to be obtainable from an external device.

The information processing apparatus further includes a notifying unit for notifying a requester of the corresponding print job of status information indicating a printing result generated by the status information generating unit.

Further, the image file is data of only the first page of the output image.

When the analyzing means analyzes that the print job is a pull print in which print data is acquired from the outside and the print processing is performed, an external device is accessed based on the location information designated by the print job. And obtaining means for obtaining print data to be printed.

Further, the image conversion means generates and holds an image file when the analysis means determines that the print job is a pull print, and pushes the print job including print data by the analysis means. If it is determined that printing is to be performed, an image file is not generated.

Further, an address allocating means for extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table of the error information and an address to be notified of the error, and allocating an address for each corresponding error type; And a notification data generating means for generating data to be notified to the notification destination based on the generated error information.

The image conversion means generates and holds an image file when the requester of the print job is determined to be a client that communicates with the Internet by the analysis means. If it is determined that the request source is a client for LAN communication, no image file is generated.

An image forming method according to the present invention includes an analyzing step of analyzing a print job received from an external device, an image processing step of generating an output image based on the analysis result, and outputting the output image to a printing unit. And an image conversion step of converting the output image generated in the image processing step into a format and holding the converted image file so as to be obtainable from the external device.

The external device communicates via a network and the Internet.

Further, a determining step of determining whether or not the printing process has been normally performed based on the print job received from the external device, and a status information creating step of creating a print result by the determining step as status information. In addition, the status information is held so as to be obtainable from an external device.

Further, the method further includes a notifying step of notifying the requester of the corresponding print job of status information indicating the printing result generated in the status information creating step.

Further, the image file is data of only the first page of the output image.

If the analysis step analyzes that the print job is a pull print in which print data is acquired from the outside and print processing is performed, an external device is accessed based on the location information specified by the print job. And an acquisition step of acquiring print data to be printed.

In the image conversion step, when the analysis step determines that the print job is a pull print, an image file is generated and held. If it is determined that printing is to be performed, an image file is not generated.

An address assignment step of extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table of the error information and an address to which an error is to be notified, and assigning an address for each corresponding error type; And a notification data generating step of generating data to be notified to the notification destination from the error information and the generated error information.

In the image conversion step, when it is determined in the analysis step that the request source of the print job is a client that communicates with the Internet, an image file is generated and held, and the print job is converted by the analysis step. If it is determined that the request source is a client for LAN communication, no image file is generated.

A storage medium storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus for controlling printing based on a print job received from an external device according to the present invention includes: an analyzing step of analyzing a print job received from an external device; An image processing step of generating an output image based on the result and outputting the output image to a printing unit; converting the format of the output image generated in the image processing step; obtaining a converted image file from the external device And an image conversion step of holding the image data as much as possible.

Further, the image forming apparatus is controlled to be communicable with the external device via a network and the Internet.

Further, a determining step of determining whether or not the printing process has been normally performed based on the print job received from the external device, and a status information creating step of creating a printing result by the determining step as status information. In addition, the status information is held so as to be obtainable from an external device.

Further, the method further includes a notifying step of notifying the requester of the corresponding print job of status information indicating the printing result generated in the status information creating step.

Further, the image file is data of only the first page of the output image.

When the analysis step analyzes that the print job is a pull print in which print data is acquired from the outside and print processing is performed, an external device is accessed based on the location information specified by the print job. And an acquisition step of acquiring print data to be printed.

In the image conversion step, when it is determined in the analysis step that the print job is a pull print, an image file is generated and held, and in the analysis step, the print job includes a push file including print data. If it is determined that printing is to be performed, an image file is not generated.

An address assignment step of extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table of the error information and an address to which an error is to be notified, and assigning an address for each corresponding error type; And a notification data generating step of generating data to be notified to the notification destination from the error information and the generated error information.

In the image conversion step, when it is determined in the analysis step that the request source of the print job is a client that communicates with the Internet, an image file is generated and stored, and the print job is converted by the analysis step. If it is determined that the request source is a client for LAN communication, no image file is generated.

[0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Outline] First, an outline of the present invention will be described.

(First Invention) In a first invention, a print job is transmitted and received between a print job issuing source such as a host computer as a print client and a print job issuing destination such as a network printer as a print server. In the system, the print result display data for displaying the print result is created from the raster image data, the print result display data is stored, the print result display data is released by a specific protocol, and the print result is transmitted to a print job issuer. When the print server notifies the print server, the print server performs control processing to include the network resource identifier indicating the print result display data in the notification information.

Hereinafter, the first invention will be described in detail.

This system has the following components to transmit and receive a print job between a print job issuer (print client) and a print job issuer (print server).

(1) means for transmitting and receiving a print job via a network using a specific communication protocol (print job communication means); and (2) means for reading and storing the received print job and communication protocol (print job (Storage means), (3) means for creating print data from the received print job and protocol information (print data creation means), and (4) a network resource identifier included in the received print job is read and corresponded. It includes means for communicating with a server on a network by a communication protocol to download the network resource (print data download means), and (5) means for storing status information of a print job (print status storage means).

In the system provided with the above (1) to (5), the print job communication unit communicates with the requested print job by a print client that is a print job issuer and a print server that is a print job issuer. The print job is transmitted from the print client to the print server using a specific communication protocol determined between the print job and the print server.

The print job storage means operates on the print server side, stores the received print job, and operates to store information used by the protocol as protocol information.

The print data creation means can be used for push printing (when print data is included in a print job) and for pull printing (when print data is not included in a print job). It works as follows.

In the case of push printing: a print text and protocol information to be printed are cut out from the print job and protocol information stored in the print job storage means, and the print text and the protocol information are printed in a printing form (print format). It operates to flow and create print data.
In this case, the print data download unit is not used.

In the case of pull printing: a network resource identifier indicating print data to be printed is cut out from the print job stored in the print job storage unit, and the print data download unit is used to perform communication with a communication protocol corresponding to the network resource identifier. Communicates with a server that publishes the network resource, downloads the network resource, creates a print text from the downloaded data, flows the print text and the protocol information into a print form (print format), and prints the print data. It works, like creating.

If the download is successful, information indicating that the download has been normally performed is stored in the print status storage unit. If not, information indicating that the download has failed is stored.

The print server sends the created print data to the printing device. The print server stores information indicating that printing has been normally performed in the print status storage unit when the printing is normally performed, and stores information indicating that the printing has failed otherwise.

The form for printing may be transmitted to the print server separately from the print data, may be included in the print data as a form separately from the text to be printed, or may be previously stored on the print server. It may be prepared and used as a default form.

In addition, the present system further includes the following configuration requirements for notifying the print result to a print job issuer so that the print result is disclosed by a specific communication protocol.

(6) means for converting raster image data for displaying a print result into a specific image format (raster image conversion means); (7) means for storing the converted image data (image data storage means); (8) means for publishing the stored image data with a specific protocol (image data publishing means).

In the system further provided with the above (6) to (8), the print job communication unit responds to the requested print job with a print client that is a print job issuer and a print client that is a print job issuer. The print job is transmitted from the print client to the print server using a specific communication protocol determined with the server.

Further, the present system further has the following configuration requirements for notifying a print job issuing source of a print result.

(9) means for extracting the job issuer address from the information stored in the print job storage means (address extraction means); and (10) print status information from the print status storage means to create data to be notified. Means (notification data creation means), and (11) means for notifying the notification data to the address (data notification means)
And further comprising:

In the system further including (9) to (11), the notification data creating means operates to include the network resource identifier published by the image data publishing means in the data to be created.

The data notifying means operates so as to transmit the data created by the notifying data creating means to the address cut out by the address cutting out means, using a specific protocol.

The protocol used by the data notification means may be the same as a specific communication protocol determined between the print client and the print server to which the print job is issued, or a different protocol may be used. May be.

(Second Invention) According to a second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, when data is created and printed, print status information indicating the result of the print processing is analyzed to determine a print error. A process for publishing information, notifying a manager or supporter of the printer as an error notification when a printing error occurs, and controlling the printing error information so that the printing error information can be referred to via a network. Is performed on the print server side.

The present system has the following components to notify print error information to an appropriate destination.

(12) means for extracting print status information from the print status storage means, converting the print status information into a format that can be disclosed, and creating data to be disclosed (error information creating means); and (13) extracting error information from the print status information. A means for assigning an address for each corresponding error type by referring to a cut-out and error-address correspondence table (address assigning means); (14) print status information; and error information created by the error information creating means.
Means for creating data to be notified (notification data creation means)
(15) means for notifying the notification data to the address assigned by the address allocating means (data notifying means)
And

In a system further including (13) to (15), when a print error (or an error related to download in the case of pull printing) occurs, not only the source of the print job but also the printer A notification message related to the printing error is transmitted to a destination corresponding to an administrator who performs maintenance or management or a person who performs support.

Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

[First Example] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network printer to which the present invention is applied.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a client including a host computer for issuing a print job. In this embodiment, a print job is a page description language such as LIPS (a registered trademark of Canon Inc.) or a JL (Job Lap.
nguage), and the case where the print data consists of location information indicating the location of the print data and a print command command without including the print data for actual printing.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a network printer which receives a print job issued by the client 100 and controls printing based on the print job. In this embodiment, a network printer will be described for simplicity. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a multifunction peripheral having an image reading unit such as a scanner and having a facsimile or copy function is also included in the technical field of the present invention. Things.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a network interface unit for communicating with a client 100 connected via a network.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a protocol analysis unit for analyzing a protocol of a print job. For example, when the print job includes print data, the print data is analyzed according to a page description language, and internal intermediate data for generating a raster image is generated.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a raster image data generation unit that generates raster image data to be actually output based on intermediate data generated from a print job.

A printing unit 104 prints the generated raster image data. The printing unit is a print engine controlled by a known technique, and in this embodiment, is realized by electrophotographic transfer. The transfer system may be any of an intermediate transfer system, a transfer drum system, and a transfer belt system.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a notification data creation unit that creates data for notifying the status of a print job.
There are two types of this status. First, as described above, when pull printing is performed with a print job that does not include print data, status information that indicates whether resources to be printed have been normally downloaded based on location information. . The second is status information indicating whether printing was successfully performed by the printing unit 104 or failed. This status information allows the client to know in detail whether printing has succeeded or failed. For example, printing has been performed because the toner of a certain color has run out, an overrun error has occurred due to insufficient development of the image at the transfer speed, or image deterioration due to lack of memory and reduced resolution or gradation. Has occurred, or the stapling instruction has been given but the staple has disappeared halfway.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an image data management unit which converts the image format of the raster image data for print output into a format suitable for the client application so that the client who has requested the print job can visually grasp the image format. is there. The image format is J
The PEG image format and the PDF image format are suitable. The image data management unit also needs to perform color conversion of raster image data, which is a YMCK color attribute, to an RGB color attribute at the time of image format conversion.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a print job from the network, a print job or the like as Internet printing from a client (not shown) having a browser via the Internet, and a notification of a print job result to a print job issuer. Or the corresponding data from the network resource identifier is transmitted to an external WW via a database (not shown) on the network or the Internet.
It is a WWW server that downloads from a W server or publishes stored image data using a specific protocol. In this embodiment, the network printer having a WWW server has a host name “www.foo.co.jp”.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a notification address management unit that manages a notification destination address for notifying a result of a print job from a received print job. In this embodiment, the address of the notification destination is the address of the client that issued the print job, and when the print job is received via the network (LAN), it corresponds to the IP address or the e-mail address. It manages by cutting out the address from. Further, when a print job is received via the Internet, the print job is managed by corresponding to an e-mail address and by similarly cutting out the address from the print job.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a network for transmitting print jobs, notifications, and data to be downloaded. Although not shown, on the network 109, there are a plurality of clients and a print server which controls the order of transmitting print jobs to the network printer.

FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively show HTTP (Hypertext Transcript) as a protocol for relaying a print job.
sfer Protocol) is an example of the protocol information and the print text when the sfer protocol is used.

Reference numeral 201 denotes the network printer 11 from the client 100 when HTTP is used.
It is an example of information (protocol information) transmitted to 0.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a table indicating the contents obtained by analyzing the protocol information 201.

The contents obtained by analyzing the protocol information 201 are as follows:
Using "HTTP / 1.1" as the communication protocol,
Using the TP method “POST”, the host name “www.
foo.co.jp "network printer 110
Is printed using a printing program whose URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is specified by “/cgi-bin/print.cgi”.

The source of the print job is that the e-mail address is “taro@foo.co.jp”, the content type is “application / x-www-form-urlencoded”, the content length is 19 bytes, and the content of the content is Is “data = Hello + Wo
rld. "has been issued.

Here, the line feed code is two bytes of CR LF (decimal code 13, 10). Connection is "cl
"ose" indicates that the communication channel is disconnected when the communication session ends.

Further, the content type is changed to “application / x-www-form-urlencoded” by the printing program.
Is divided into the form name and form value by the "=" character, and the form value "Hello + Worl
"d." indicates that the "+" character is decoded into a space SP "" (decimal code 32), converted to "Hello World.", and printed.

The printing program executes the above-mentioned character string “Hell
o World. "is generated as a raster image and sent to the printing unit 104.

Further, the user name "taro" is cut out from the above e-mail address, the generated raster image is converted into the JPEG image format, and the URL "http://www.foo.co.
jp / taro / print.jpg ”and save it in a form that can be referenced.

The notification data creation unit 105 stores the print status information and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
Create a message containing r) and notify the above e-mail address.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the storage unit of network printer 110 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a ROM (read memory), which stores a program for controlling the network printer 110 by the CPU.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a main storage unit (MM: Main M)
emory).

Reference numeral 303 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which stores the hardware configuration of the network printer in the ROM 30
1 is controlled based on the control program stored in the control program 1.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a network interface. It is the same as 101 in FIG.

Reference numeral 305 denotes an HD interface for reading and writing data stored in the secondary storage device.

Reference numeral 306 denotes H as an external secondary storage device
D (hard disk). In the present network printer, the print result is stored in the HD.

The printer may be connected to the network 109 via the network interface 304, or may be directly connected to the print server via a serial cable or a printer cable. Also, communication to the WWW is not always necessary.

The control program according to the present invention (see flowcharts shown in FIGS.
1, or may be stored in the main storage unit 302, the HD 306, or the like, or may be separately stored in a floppy disk or the like.

(System Operation) The operation of the present system will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing in the printing processing of the network printer 110 shown in FIG. 1, particularly the processing form of push printing. Note that the processing form of the pull printing is branched in FIG. 6 halfway.

First, in step S401, WWW
In the server 107, the print job communication unit (1) receives a print job from the client 100 via the Internet or the network interface unit 101.

In the following step S402, the received print job information is spooled in the print job storage means (2) in the MM 302.

In step S403, the protocol analysis unit 102 analyzes (2) the information of the spooled print job in the print job storage unit, cuts out the protocol information, and determines whether the print job is a push print including print data or a print data. It is determined whether the printing is the pull printing including the location information indicating the holding destination. If it is determined that the spooled print job is push printing, the process proceeds to step S404. If it is determined that the spooled print job is pull printing, step S410 is performed.
Processing proceeds to The pull printing process in step S410 will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

Then, in step S404, the protocol analysis unit 102 analyzes the information of the spooled print job and cuts out a print data portion which is information including a print text.

Then, the raster image data generation unit 103
(Corresponding to the print data creation means (3) of the first invention) creates printer-specific intermediate data from the cut-out protocol information and information consisting of the print text, and creates an output image of the printer based on the intermediate data. Create raster image data.

Next, in step S405, it is determined whether the creation of the print data was successful in step S404. If the creation of the print data was successful, the process proceeds to the next step S406. S
Proceed to 407.

In step S406, the raster image, which is the created print data, is printed by the printer (the printing unit 104 in FIG. 1).
To send to.

If the image is normally printed in step S407, the raster image conversion means (6) converts the YMCK color attribute to the RGB color attribute based on the raster image data used in the printing, and converts the image into a JPEG image format. The format is converted to create image data for displaying the print result, and the image data is disclosed to a specific client by the image data disclosure means (8). If the printing is not performed normally, the error information creating means (12) cuts out the error from the status information, converts the format, creates error information, and publishes it.

Subsequently, in step S408, the notification data creating means (10) creates a notification message from the print status, the protocol information, and the network resource identifier indicating the image data.

In step S409, the address extracting means (9) extracts the address of the notification destination from the print job, and creates a notification destination table according to the status. The created notification message is notified to the address corresponding to the print status. For example, if printing is successful, notify the print job issuer,
For minor errors such as out of toner and paper jam (jam), notify the address to the printer administrator, and for severe errors such as hardware error of printer or error of unknown cause, address to printer support staff. Notify. Then, the process ends.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a pull print processing mode of the network printer 110 shown in FIG. This is performed following the processing in step S410 in FIG.

First, if it is determined that the printing is the pull printing, in step S501, the information of the print job spooled in the print job storage means (2) is analyzed, and the location of the data to be printed in the print job is indicated. Cut out the network resource identifier which is the location information.

Then, in step S502, the print data download unit (4) sends the extracted protocol information and network resource identifier (URL, etc.)
, Access the Internet via a WWW server, download the print data indicated by the network resource identifier, and create raster image data for printing.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the creation of the raster image data of the print data is successful. If the creation of the raster image data is successful, the process proceeds to the next step S503, and if the creation of the raster image data is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to step S504.

Then, in step S503, step S503
The raster image data based on the print data created in 502 is sent to the printing unit 104 as a printer.

If the image is normally printed in step S504, the raster image conversion means (6) converts the YMCK color attribute to the RGB color attribute based on the raster image data used in the printing, and converts the image into a JPEG image format. The format is converted to create image data for displaying the print result, and the image data is disclosed to a specific client by the image data disclosure means (8). If the printing is not performed normally, the error information creating means (12) cuts out the error from the status information, converts the format, creates error information, and publishes it.

Then, in step S505, the notification data creation means (10) creates a notification message from the print status, the protocol information, and the network resource identifier indicating the image data.

Then, in step S506, the address extracting means (9) extracts the address of the notification destination from the print job and creates a notification destination table according to the status. The created notification message is notified to the address corresponding to the print status.

For example, if the printing is normally performed, a notification is issued to the print job issuer, and if a minor error such as out of paper, out of toner, or paper jam (jam) is notified to an address addressed to a printer administrator, In the case of a severe error such as a hardware error or an error of unknown cause, the error is notified to the address addressed to the printer support staff. Then, the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication process of the network printer 110 shown in FIG.

The vertical axis indicates the passage of time, and the horizontal arrow between the vertical axes indicates communication between the client 100 and the network printer 110. However, the transmission of the response of the print job and the notification of the e-mail may be performed in reverse order, or may be performed simultaneously by the server performing the processing in parallel.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, the image data management unit 106 creates a thumbnail image for each image data that displays each printed page, and arranges each thumbnail image in appropriate display data. It is possible to list the displayed pages.

For example, as an appropriate display data format, HT
Each thumbnail image is displayed using ML (Hypertext Markup Language).

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first and second embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In the above-described example, HTTP / 1.1 is used as the transfer protocol of the print job.
The present invention is not limited to TP / 1.1, but is applied to any communication protocol for communicating in a client-server system and transferring a print job.

For example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or the like is used as a print job transfer protocol. In this case, an e-mail address can be assigned to the network printer, an SMTP server can be started on the network printer, and the e-mail can be transmitted and received.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, when a printed page is made public, an authentication function is added so that the page can be viewed only from the client that issued the print job.

For example, as an appropriate display data format, H
Using TML (Hypertext Markup Language), the site that can view the display data is limited to the host that issued the print job. The communication server creates an information table including the display data and a host name indicating the client, and displays the display data only when a display request is issued from the client when displaying the display data. In this case, there is an advantage that the print result can be viewed only from the host that issued the print job.

Further, for example, the above notification is sent to the SMTP (Simp
le Mail Transfer Protocol), and a user name and a password are specified in a transmission message of the e-mail. Notification data creation unit 1
05 is a network resource identifier URL (Un
(iform Resource Locator), the user name and the password are embedded in the transmission message of the e-mail, and an information table including the URL, the user name and the password is created.

When the notification is received, when referring to the URL which is a network resource identifier included in the notification, the communication server prompts for a user name and a password, refers to the information table, and Only when the user name and the password included in the notification are correctly entered,
The published print result can be viewed. In this case, since a different user name and password can be issued for each print job, there is an advantage that the security of the authentication function is improved.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first to fourth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, after printing or notifying the image data for displaying each page created and printed, the image data management unit 106 does not refer to the image data after a lapse of a predetermined time. It is not necessary for the server to delete it after a certain period of time.

Server storage area (main storage unit 302, HD
306 etc.).

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those in the first to fifth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, after the image data management unit 106 prints or notifies each image data for displaying each created and printed page, if the client that issued the communication job refers to the image data, The server deletes the image data as unnecessary.

Server storage area (main storage 302, HD
306 etc.).

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first to sixth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, the image data management unit 106 calculates the size of the free space in the storage area of the server after printing or notifying each image data for displaying each page created and printed, and The server deletes the image data when the size of the area falls below a certain value.

The storage area of the server (main storage unit 302, HD
306 etc.).

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as in the first to seventh embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, after the image data management unit 106 notifies each image data for displaying each page created and printed, if there is a deletion request from an authenticated client, the server deletes the image data. It is to be deleted.

Server storage area (main storage 302, HD
306 etc.).

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first to eighth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

As described in the above embodiment, the raster image conversion means (6) converts the format of all pages of the raster image generated based on the print job.
The image data is stored in the image data storage unit (7) of the image data management unit 106 and is disclosed to a specific client. It is not always necessary to check the print results of all pages to determine whether a print job has been executed correctly, but a simplified method may be sufficient to check that the first page is printed correctly. is there. In such a case,
If the print result is stored only for the first page, when the print job results in a plurality of pages, the size of the image data indicating the print result is reduced, and the processing is further simplified.

Therefore, in order to reduce the memory capacity for storing images in the printer, in this embodiment, only the first page of a print job is stored.

The processing flow is as follows. That is, step S407 in FIG. 5 and step S407 in FIG.
In step 504, when the printing is normally performed, the raster image data of the first page is held until the printing process and the paper discharging process are completed, and after the paper discharging is completed, the raster image conversion unit (6) uses the raster image data for printing. Based on the raster image data of the first page, the color attributes of YMCK are converted into the color attributes of RGB, and the format is converted into a JPEG image format to create image data for displaying a print result, and image data publishing means (8) Publish to specific clients. The specific client referred to in the present invention refers to a client having an IP address or an e-mail address of a requester of a print job, and a network administrator set to a network printer. FIG.
When the client requests the print image data request from the network printer, the request source address is authenticated. That is, when requested via the LAN, the determination is made from the IP address, and when requested via the Internet, the determination is made from the e-mail address. If it is determined that the client is correct as a result of the authentication, the print image of the first page whose format has been converted is returned as a response.

As described above, since the print image is stored after the printing of only the first page is completed, the storage area (the main storage unit 302, the HD 30) of the network printer serving as the print server is stored.
6)).

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first to ninth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, the client uses a Web browser to access the WWW server of the network printer 110 to refer to the Web page, input text data into a form on the Web page, and execute the HTTP method “POST”. Is transmitted to the host of the network printer 110. The Web page specifies a program whose URI is specified by “/cgi-bin/print.cgi” in the form. For example, the following HT
Enter the print string from the ML file form:

<! DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-// IETF // DTD HT
ML i18n // EN "><HTML><HEAD><TITLE> Network Print Page </ TITLE></HEAD><BODY><H1> Network Print Page </ H1><FORM METHOD =" POST "ACTION =" /cgi-bin/print.cgi "><P><INPUT TYPE =" submit "VALUE =" print "></P><P><INPUT TYPE =" reset "VALUE =" reset "></P><P> Enter the text you want to print: <TEXTAREA NAME = "inputstring" ROWS = "12" COLS = "50"> The text you want to print </ TEXTAREA></P><P> E-mail address Please enter: <INPUT NAME = "address" SIZE = "40" VALUE = "yourname @ fo
o.co.jp "></P></FORM></BODY></HTML>

By inputting a character to be printed and an e-mail address on the UI of a client browser on the Internet as shown in FIG. 9 and designating a print button, a print job is transmitted to the network printer 110. You. For example, when the client inputs “Hello World.” As a character string to be printed and “taro@foo.co.jp” as an e-mail address and executes printing from the client's Web browser, 801 in FIG.
Is transferred, and the WWW server 107 of the network printer 110 receives the data input via HTTP, and
02 analyzes the header part and the data part of the HTTP data and sends the data “inputstring = Hello + World. &” To the print program specified by the URI “/cgi-bin/print.cgi”.
address=taro@foo.co.jp ”The data input by the above printing program is first“ inputstring = Hello + World. ”and“ address = taro @ fo
o.co.jp ", and the split string is divided into the form name and form value by the" = "character, and the form value" Hello + World. " Is decoded to a blank SP “” (decimal code 32) and converted to “Hello World.”, And the form name “inpu
tstring ”is stored in association with the form value“ t
“aro@foo.co.jp” is stored in association with the form name “address” as shown by 802 in FIG.

The printing program described above stores the character string “H” stored in association with the form name “inputstring”.
"ello World." is generated as a raster image image and sent to the printing unit 104.

Further, a character string “taro@foo.co.jp” stored in association with the form name “address” is converted to a user name “taro” and a host name “foo.
co.jp ", the generated raster image is converted into a JPEG image format, and a URL" http://www.foo.co.jp/tar "is used as a network resource identifier.
o / print.jpg ”to save and publish.

The notification data creating unit 105 creates a message including the print status information and the URL, and stores the electronic mail address “taro@foo.co” stored in association with the form name “address”. .jp ”.

Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as in the first to tenth embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this embodiment, in the first embodiment, the protocol analyzer 102 of the network printer 110 analyzes the address of the transmission source, determines a job from a specific client, and saves only the print result of the job. The print result of the other job is erased together with the discharge without leaving the print result.

For example, a private address (192.168.1.x) is used as an in-house LAN, and a domain (foo1.fo) is used.
o.co.jp) using the IP addresses 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.255, the domain (foo1.foo.co.jp)
Print job, or the IP address is 192.168.1.1
To 192.168.1.255 from the client, as a local job via the LAN, the print result is erased together with the discharge without leaving the print result, and otherwise, the print result is left in the image file. In this case, an operation is performed in which client information that does not leave a print result is stored in a table and referred to from the protocol analysis unit 102.

Therefore, for a print job received by the WWW server via the Internet, the print image is converted in format and held. This process is performed as follows.

That is, step S407 in FIG. 5 and FIG.
In step S504, first, the print job is analyzed to cut out the address of the request source, and whether the address is a client communicated via the LAN network 109 or not.
It is determined whether the print job is a print job received from the WWW server 107 via the Internet. If it is determined that the print job is a print job received from a client on the network, the raster image data is deleted. Also, as a result of this determination, if it is determined that the print job is via the Internet, the print data is ejected by the print unit 104, and then the raster image data is format-converted and stored in the image data management unit 106. Publish to the requesting client. Further, as described in the ninth embodiment, the image file generated by format conversion from the raster image data held at this time can be more efficiently stored by holding the raster image data of the first page. Become

In the case of a specific client (for example, a client that has a network printer in the LAN and can check the print result immediately), there is no need to leave the print result. Fine processing is possible, and there is an effect that a print result can be left only when necessary.

Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same parts as those of the first to eleventh embodiments is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

In this example, the fourth and sixth embodiments are combined, and if the client authenticated in the fourth embodiment refers to the image data, the server determines that the image data is no longer necessary and the server It is designed to be deleted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, after a print image data response is sent from the network printer to the client, the print result can be notified to the client. Delete the existing image file.

By doing so, the image file can be deleted after confirmation from the client, so that the storage area of the server (main storage unit 302, HD3
06 etc.).

In each of the above examples, the relationship between the host computer and the network printer has been described as an example.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other information devices such as a copying machine and a facsimile may be used as output devices other than the printer.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the printing process, and similar effects can be obtained in other information processing.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0171]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a network printer executes a print job, a communication server on the network printer publishes image data displaying a print result, and transmits a print job result including a network resource identifier indicating the image data to a print job issuing source. , The print job issuer can visually confirm the print result from the network resource identifier through the image data for displaying the print result.

Further, according to the present invention, when an error occurs when a network printer executes a print job, a communication server on the network printer publishes error information contents for displaying a print result, and displays the error information. Since the result of the print job including the network resource identifier indicating the content is notified to the destination corresponding to the print status, not only the print job issuer obtains error information but also a printer administrator or a person who performs maintenance. The error information content is also notified, and it is possible to quickly and accurately respond to the error information content of printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network printer in a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted to a network printer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a table in which contents obtained by analyzing the information in FIG. 2 are described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage unit of the network printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of push printing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a pull printing process.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a communication process of the system according to the present invention in time series.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted to a printer capable of Web communication via the Internet, and a table created based on the information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a user interface when a print instruction is issued using a client browser on the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 host computer (job issuing source) 101 network interface unit 102 protocol analysis unit 103 image data generation unit 104 output unit 105 error information creation unit, notification data creation unit 106 image data management unit (image data conversion unit, image data storage unit) 107 communication server (notification means, image data disclosure means) 108 address assignment means 109 network 110 output means, printing means (network printer,
Job issuance destination)

Claims (27)

[Claims] An analysis unit configured to analyze a print job received from an external device; an image processing unit configured to generate an output image based on an analysis result of the analysis unit and output the output image to a printing unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: an image conversion unit configured to format-convert an output image generated by a processing unit and hold the converted image file so as to be obtainable from the external device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can communicate with the external device via a network and the Internet. A determining unit configured to determine whether the printing process has been normally performed based on a print job received from the external device; and a status information generating unit configured to generate a print result by the determining unit as status information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: holding the status information so that the status information can be acquired from an external device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a notifying unit for notifying a requester of a corresponding print job of status information indicating a printing result generated by said status information generating unit. . 5. The image file according to claim 1, wherein the image file is data of only the first page of the output image.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 6. When the analysis unit analyzes that the print job is a pull print in which print data is acquired from the outside and print processing is performed, an external device is accessed based on the location information specified by the print job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit configured to acquire print data to be printed. 7. The image conversion means generates and holds an image file when the print job is determined to be a pull print by the analysis means, and pushes the print job including print data by the analysis means. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an image file is not generated when it is determined that printing is performed. 8. An address allocating means for extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table between the error information and an address to which an error is to be notified, and allocating an address for each corresponding error type; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a notification data creation unit that creates data to be notified to the notification destination from the error information and the created error information. 9. The image conversion unit generates and holds an image file when the analysis unit determines that the requester of the print job is a client that communicates with the Internet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image file is not generated when it is determined that the request source is a client that performs LAN communication. 10. An analysis step of analyzing a print job received from an external device, an image processing step of generating an output image based on the analysis result, and outputting the output image to a printing unit; An image forming method, comprising: converting the format of a generated output image and holding the converted image file so as to be obtainable from the external device. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein the external device communicates via a network and the Internet. 12. A determining step of determining whether or not printing has been normally performed based on a print job received from the external device, and a status information creating step of creating a print result by the determining step as status information. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, further comprising: holding the status information so as to be obtainable from an external device. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, further comprising a notifying step of notifying a requester of a corresponding print job of status information indicating a print result generated in the status information creating step. . 14. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein the image file is data of only the first page of the output image. 15. When the analysis step analyzes that the print job is a pull print in which print data is acquired from the outside and print processing is performed, an external device is accessed based on location information specified by the print job. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, further comprising an acquisition step of acquiring print data to be printed. 16. The image conversion step according to claim 1, wherein the print job is determined to be a pull print by the analysis process.
16. The image forming method according to claim 15, wherein an image file is generated and held, and the image file is not generated when the analysis step determines that the print job is push printing including print data. 17. An address assignment step of extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table between the error information and an address to which an error is to be notified, and assigning an address for each corresponding error type; 12. The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising a notification data creation step of creating data to be notified to the notification destination from the error information and the created error information. 18. The image conversion step, wherein when the analysis step determines that the request source of the print job is a client that communicates with the Internet, the image conversion step generates and holds an image file. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, wherein an image file is not generated when it is determined that the request source is a client that performs LAN communication. 19. A storage medium storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus for controlling printing based on a print job received from an external device, wherein the analyzing step analyzes the print job received from the external device. An image processing step of generating an output image based on the analysis result and outputting the output image to a printing unit; and converting the format of the output image generated in the image processing step, and converting the converted image file from the external device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, comprising: an image conversion step of holding the image so that it can be acquired. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to be communicable with the external device via a network and the Internet. 21. A determining step of determining whether or not a printing process has been normally performed based on a print job received from the external device, and a status information creating step of creating a print result by the determining step as status information. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising: holding the status information so as to be obtainable from an external device. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, further comprising a notifying step of notifying a requester of a corresponding print job of status information indicating a print result generated in said status information creating step. 23. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the image file is data of only the first page of the output image. 24. When the analysis step analyzes that the print job is a pull print for acquiring print data from outside and performing print processing, an external device is accessed based on the location information specified by the print job. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising an acquisition step of acquiring print data to be printed. 25. The image conversion step, wherein when the analysis step determines that the print job is a pull print,
The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein an image file is generated and held, and the image file is not generated when the analysis step determines that the print job is push printing including print data. 26. An address allocating step of extracting error information from the status information, referring to a correspondence table between the error information and an address to be notified of an error, and allocating an address for each corresponding error type; 21. The storage medium according to claim 20, further comprising a notification data creation step of creating data to be notified to the notification destination from the error information and the created error information. 27. The image conversion step, wherein when the analysis step determines that the request source of the print job is a client for Internet communication, the image conversion step generates and holds an image file. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein an image file is not generated when it is determined that the request source is a client that performs LAN communication.