JP2000137592A - Information processing system and its transmitting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system and its transmitting method improving user's convenience and transmission efficiency by adding the information of an output device to printing image data and transmitting the information-added image data at the time of receiving an image printing request from an information processor connected through a network. SOLUTION: At the time of receiving an image printing request from a client computer 101 connected through a network to a center server 102, the server 102, is response to the request, acquires corresponding printing image data from an image server 111 by using information registered in the center server 102, adds the information of an output device to a file of the image data and transmits the file to the computer 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system for transmitting image data for printing in response to an image printing request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, and a transmission method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the dramatic improvement in computer performance, the advancement of network technology such as the Internet, and the spread of the technology to the general public, image data and the like have been widely transmitted and received via a network. Have been. Further, a service for printing image data on a network to a printer at a remote place has been provided.

However, in order to print a high-definition image, an image file having a large amount of data is required, and it has become important how to efficiently transmit the image file. It is also important for users who use the above-mentioned print service that communication costs be reduced.

In such a conventional technique, a processing device such as a single computer for printing images for printing, or a plurality of processing devices connected to a high-speed large-capacity local area network (LAN) (hereinafter referred to as a center server). When the center server receives a print order from a user via a network, an output instruction and print image data are output to a remote printer or other output device via the network. To send and output.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, since images for printing are stored centrally on a center server, a user can instruct output to a desired output device. In order to obtain information such as specifications of the output device and information of the image in a timely manner, the information processing device of the user needs to be constantly connected to the output device such as a printer. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in response to an image printing request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, information of an output device is added to the printing image data. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing system and a transmission method thereof, in which user convenience and transmission efficiency are improved by performing transmission.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing system according to the present invention comprises: a receiving means for receiving an image print request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network; And transmitting means for adding the information of the output device to the print image data and transmitting the print image data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission method of an information processing system, comprising: a receiving step of receiving an image print request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network; And transmitting the print image data with the information of the output device accordingly.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire system according to the present embodiment. In the figure,
101 is an information processing apparatus (CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD shown in FIG.
Computer system).
Hereinafter, it is referred to as a client computer. The client computer 101 has a function of browsing information such as an image stored in a center server to be described later through a network, a function of acquiring the information in the client computer 101, and a function of creating and editing a document. In addition, it has a function of ordering an image print order (hereinafter, simply referred to as a print order or simply an order) to a print server described later with respect to the center server.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an information processing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a center server) that performs processing mainly based on a request from the client computer 101, and an image to be transmitted to the client computer 101 based on a request from the client computer 101. A function of receiving a print order from the client computer 101, collecting images based on image storage location information, and instructing a print server to be described later, And a function of managing detailed information of the printer attached to the server.

Reference numerals 111, 112, and 11N denote information processing devices (hereinafter, referred to as image servers) for storing images and transmitting the stored images to the center server 102 in response to a request from the center server 102. Having.

Reference numerals 121, 122, and 12N denote information processing apparatuses (hereinafter, referred to as print servers) which function to print an image based on a print instruction from the center server 102, and store and use the images for printing. A function of transmitting the stored image to the center server 102 in response to a request from the server 102. Note that the print servers 121, 122, and 12N do not have to have a function of storing images.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a network system (hereinafter simply referred to as a network) such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. The client computer 101, the center server 102, the image servers 111, 112, 11N, the print server 121, 122, and 12N are connected. Note that in the present embodiment, the network 103 uses the general Internet, but can also be realized by using another network system.

Also, the client computer 101,
Center server 102, image servers 111 and 11
2, 11N, print servers 121, 122, 12N,
Some of them can be shared by the same physical computer.

<Description of Operation> Here, the overall operation of the system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the original image for printing is registered in the image server 111 or the print server 121. In the image server 111, images that can be used by all users, such as images provided mainly by corporations operating the server, are registered, and in the print server 121, only personal images of the users are registered. In many cases, an image that can be used is registered. However, in order to reduce the transmission load of the image for printing, it is also possible to register the same image for printing as the image registered in the image server 111.

The image server 111 or the print server 121 issues a management identifier (image ID) to the print image registered in each server, and both of them issue a low-level image for viewing and editing the image on the client computer 101. Create a resolution display / edit image. Then, the image server 111 or the print server 121 transmits the display / edit image and the image registration information to the center server 102.
Send to The center server 102 displays the transmitted
Store the image for editing and the image registration information.

The user is a client computer 101
, The available editing images held in the center server 102 and the print servers 111, 112, 1
After acquiring 1N information and performing desired editing designation, one or more images and a desired print server 121 are selected, and a print order is ordered from the center server 102.

On the other hand, the center server 102 stores the information of the received print order, and then, for each image ID included in the print order,
02, the storage location of the print image identified by the image ID is specified using the image registration information held in
An image acquisition request is transmitted to the image servers 111, 112, 11N or the print servers 121, 122, 12N as necessary.

The image server or print server that has received the image acquisition request specifies an image file by using the image registration information in each server, and transmits the image file to the center server 102. The center server 102 receives a print image from an image server or a print server, and stores the print image in the center server 102.

The center server 102 stores all the printing images necessary for the above-mentioned print order.
2 or at the time when the print server 121 at the printing destination has
The print order and the original image for printing are stored in the print server 121.
Send to The print server 121 receives the print order and the original image for printing from the center server 102, performs print processing according to the print order, and transmits a print completion notification to the center server 102. Center server 10
2 receives a print completion notification from the print server 121,
If necessary, delete the print image collected for the print order and update the image registration information.

<Client Computer, Center Server, Image Server> FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of each information processing apparatus shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the center server 102 and the image server 1
Since there is no difference between the internal configurations of 11, 112, 11N and the client computer 101, the hardware configuration will be described collectively in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU), which controls the entire information processing apparatus. 202 is a random access memory (hereinafter RA)
M), and functions as a main memory of the CPU 201, and as an area of an execution program, an execution area of the program, and a data area. Reference numeral 203 denotes a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as a ROM).
01 is stored. ROM 20
Reference numeral 3 denotes a program RO in which basic software (OS) which is a system program for controlling equipment of the information processing apparatus is recorded.
M and a data ROM in which information necessary for operating the system is recorded. In some cases, a hard disk described later is used instead of the ROM 203.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a network interface (NETIF) for performing transfer control for performing data transfer between information processing apparatuses via a network, diagnosing a connection state, and the like. Reference numeral 205 denotes a video RAM (VRAM), which develops an image displayed on a CRT screen, which indicates the operating state of the information processing apparatus, which will be described later, and controls the display.
A display device (hereinafter, referred to as a CRT) 206 is, for example, a display. 207 is a controller (K
BC), and controls an input signal from an external input device described later. Reference numeral 208 denotes an external input device for accepting an operation performed by the user of the information processing apparatus on the information processing apparatus, and is, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and is hereinafter simply referred to as KB.

Reference numeral 209 denotes a hard disk drive (HD)
D), which is used for storing data such as application programs and image information. Here, the application program is, for example, a software program that executes various processing units constituting the present embodiment. 21
Reference numeral 0 denotes an external input / output device, which inputs and outputs a removable disk such as a floppy disk drive or a CDROM drive, and is used when reading the application program from a storage medium. Less than,
Simply described as FDD. Note that application programs and data stored in the HDD 209 can be stored in the FDD 210 and used. Reference numeral 200 denotes an input / output bus (address bus,
Data bus and control bus).

<Print Server> FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the print servers 121, 122, and 12N shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU that controls an information processing apparatus that is a print server. 30
Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory of the CPU 301 and as an area of an execution program, an execution area of the program, and a data area. 303 is CPU3
01 is a ROM that stores an operation processing procedure of No. 01. RO
M303 includes a program ROM in which basic software (OS), which is a system program for controlling equipment of the print server, is recorded, and a data ROM in which information necessary for operating the system is recorded. A hard disk described later may be used instead of the ROM 303.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a network interface (NETIF), which performs transfer control for performing data transfer with another information processing apparatus such as the center server 101 via the network and diagnoses a connection state. 305 is V
A RAM, which expands an image displayed on a screen of a CRT, which will be described later, indicating the operation state of the information processing apparatus which is a print server, and controls the display. Reference numeral 306 denotes a display device (hereinafter, referred to as a CRT), such as a display. A controller (KBC) 307 controls an input signal from an external input device described later. Reference numeral 308 denotes an external input device for receiving an operation performed by the user of the information processing apparatus on the information processing apparatus, and is, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse.
Simply described as KB.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a hard disk drive (HD)
D), which is used for an application program for controlling printing and for storing data such as image information. 31
Reference numeral 0 denotes an external input / output device which inputs / outputs a removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive or a CDROM drive, and is used when reading the above-mentioned application program from a storage medium. Hereinafter, it is simply referred to as FDD. Note that application programs and data stored in the HDD 309 are stored in the FDD.
It is also possible to use it stored in 310.

Reference numeral 311 denotes a printer control device, which controls an external output device 312 described later and controls an image to be output. Hereinafter, it is described as PRTC. Reference numeral 312 denotes an external output device, for example, a printer, which is hereinafter referred to as PRT. 31
An extended external input / output device control device 3 controls an extended external input / output device 314 described later. Hereinafter, it is described as CTLR. Reference numeral 314 denotes an extended external input / output device that has an external input function of image data, such as reading a printed material like a scanner. Hereinafter, it is simply referred to as a scanner.
Reference numeral 300 denotes an input / output bus (address bus, data bus, and control bus) for connecting the above-described units.

<Center Server> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each processing means in the center server 102 and management data.
In the figure, reference numerals 401 to 409 denote application programs as processing means.
209 or RAM 202 read from FDD 210
It is expanded and used. 411 to 420 are HDD 20
9 is data stored.

The document providing means 401 is a client computer 1 via a network such as the Internet.
01 is an application program that enables a document (text, image, or a combination of text and image) requested from the HDD 209 to be searched and transmitted. The document providing means 401 is generally called an Internet server program or a WWW server program.
09 can be used by expanding the application program stored in the RAM 202 into the RAM 202 and, if necessary, authenticating the user ID of the user in response to an external request and limiting data to be transmitted. Application program.

The editing image providing means 402 retrieves a display / editing image requested by the client computer 101 from a display / editing image storage device 411, which will be described later, based on a request from the client computer 101, and retrieves the image data. An application program that performs processing such as conversion into an image format of the client computer 101 and transmits the image data to the client computer 101 via the document providing unit 401.

The order receiving means 403 receives the print order transmitted by the client computer 101,
The print order is analyzed and stored in an order management table 416 to be described later, an order result is transmitted to the client 101 via the document providing unit 401, and an image to be described later is collected to collect images used for the print order. The collecting means 405 is stored in the RAM 2
02 is an application program to be developed and used. Editing image providing means 402 and order receiving means 40
Reference numeral 3 denotes an application program that is used by the document providing unit 401 by expanding it in the RAM 202 from the HDD 209 or the like based on a request from the client computer 101, and is generally called a CGI program.

The image registration means 404 receives an R from the HDD 209 or the like by a center transmission / reception control means 407 described later.
An application program that is developed and used in the AM 202 and is used by the image server 111 or the print server 12.
1 to receive the position change data (new registration, deletion, duplication, movement) of the print image and the image for editing, update and manage the position management table 412 described later, and store the image for edit later. Display / edit image storage device 411
It is an application program having a function to be stored in the application. Further, when the position change data is data representing the movement of the print image, the print image transmitted from the image server 111 or the print server 121 of the movement source is copied to the image of the movement destination via the center transmission / reception control unit 407 described later. It has a function of transmitting to the server 111 or the print server 121.

The image collecting means 405 includes the order receiving means 4
03 or a center transmission / reception control unit 407, which will be described later, issues an activation instruction.
02, which is an application program to be used after being developed in the order management table 416, which will be described later, and a function for determining the storage position of the printing original image required for printing, and the image server 111 or the print destination which is the storage destination specified by this function A function of transmitting a print image acquisition request to the server 121 via the center transmission / reception control unit 407 and a function of storing a print image returned from the image server 111 or the print server 121 in a temporary storage image storage device 414 described later. An application program having a function of managing, and a function of developing an order progress management unit 406 described later in the RAM 202 from the HDD 209 or the like when all the printing images necessary for the print order are prepared by managing the collection status. It is.

The order progress management means 406 controls the HD by the image collection means 405 or the center transmission / reception control means 407.
An application program developed and used in the RAM 202 from within the D209 or the like.
6, print instruction data for the print server 121 is created from the print order data in the temporary storage image storage device 414 described later, and the print instruction data is printed via the center transmission / reception control unit 407 described later. An application program having a function of transmitting to the server 121 and a function of updating the contents of the order management table based on print completion report data received from the print server 121 via the center transmission / reception control unit 407.

The center transmission / reception control unit 407 manages data created by an application program such as the image collection unit 405 in the center server 102 and stored in a center transmission box 418 described later.
4, the image server 111 or the print server 1
A function of extracting transmission data for the image server 111 or the print server 121 from the center transmission box 418 and transmitting the transmission data for the image server 111 or the print server 121 based on the data transmission / reception start request received from the image server 111 or the print server 12
1 is stored in a center reception box 419 described later, and an application program for analyzing the received data and processing the data is stored in an HD.
A function to be developed and used in the RAM 202 from inside the D209 or the like.

Before the editing image providing unit 402 transmits the editing image to the client computer 101 via the document providing unit 401, the image editing unit 408 stores the resolution information of the image in the comment area of the editing image. It has a function of expanding and using an application program that can be given to the RAM 202 from within the HDD 209 or the like. The printer information management unit 409 manages an information table on printers available to the user and a printer information management table 420, and
An application program for providing the client computer 101 with the information of the printer information management table 420 via the HDD 202 or the like from the HDD 202
It has a function to be developed and used.

Since data transmission / reception with the image server 111 or the print server 121 is performed based on a transmission / reception start request from the image server 111 or the print server 121, a network connection mode (a permanent connection by a dedicated line, a temporary connection by dial-up). Optimal transmission / reception cycle can be ensured according to various connections.

The display / editing image storage device 411 stores low-resolution images of all images available to the user and resolution information of original images, and includes a document editing device 501 and a document providing means to be described later. In response to a user's image acquisition request received through 401, the lowest resolution display image displayed on the document editing device 501 or the document editing device 50
1 stores data that can provide an editing image to be used. The image file has a user ID corresponding to the transmission data restriction by the user ID of the document providing unit 401.
And a table for searching for a corresponding image file by image ID.

The original image position management table 412 is a management table of a storage position of a print image. The server management table 413 is a table for managing information of each image server 111 and print server 121. The temporary storage image storage device 414 is a spool that stores printing images required for printing until printing is completed. The order status table 415 stores an order status table for managing the progress of the print order. The order management table 416 stores print order data. The editing image position management table 417 includes:
With the same layout as the original image position management table, it manages the correspondence between the path name of the image file stored in the display / edit image storage device 411 and the image ID.

The center transmission box 418 and the center reception box 419 are devices for storing transmission data and reception data to the image server 111 or the print server 121 in the HDD 209, respectively. The printer information management table 420 is a device that stores information on printers that can be used by a user, for example, a group of printers to which the printers belong, a resolution of the printers, margins, and the like.

<Client Computer> FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the functions of the client computer 101, which is an information processing device actually used by the user.
A document editing unit 501, a network browsing unit 502, and an extension unit 503 as application programs that are read from the HDD 203, the HDD 209, or the FDD 210 and are developed and used in the RAM 202 exist.

The document editing means 501 has functions such as creation and editing of a document including data such as character strings, figures, and images. The details will be described later.

The network browsing unit 502 is an application program (a general application program such as a so-called Internet browser) that enables a service from the outside such as the Internet to be received through a network. The network browsing unit 502 can extend its function by incorporating an extension unit (plug-in module). The extension unit (plug-in) 503 is an application program added to the network browsing unit 503. It is. Further, since the network browsing unit 503 focuses on a function of browsing a document such as an image on a network and transmitting the document to a client computer,
The extension unit 503 is used to cooperate with an external application program such as the document editing unit 501.

The extension means 503 is an application program stored in the HDD 209 and is developed and used in the RAM 202 at the same time as the network browsing means 502, and operates together with the network browsing means 502 to transfer data handled by the document editing means 501 to the network. It has a function of acquiring data from above, a function of displaying data through the CRT 206, a function of transferring data to the document editing apparatus 501, and a function of transmitting print order data created by the document editing apparatus to a network.

<Comment Area Data of Image> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of adding data to a comment area of an image to be edited by the image editing means 408, and shows an image data file as an example. The format of the image data file is not limited to a special format for storing resolution information or printer information of an original image,
It can be applied to all commonly distributed file formats. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the image data is stored in a comment area of an image data file that can be realized in the JFIF format or the like.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a structure of an image data file format described in this embodiment. The image data file 601 includes a file header 602 in which additional information such as the format, size, and compression ratio of the image data file is stored, a comment area 603 in which a comment on the image data is stored, and an original image area that is the substance of the image data. 604. In the present embodiment, the comment area 603 in the image data file
Is to edit.

An example of resolution information of an original image and printer model information to be edited by the image editing means 408 will be described below using an image data file as an example.

Reference numeral 611 denotes an example of resolution information and printer information of the original image. In the present embodiment, it is expressed by the following format.

Data start identifier 612, resolution information entity 613, printer information 614, image data end identifier 6
15.

Here, the above format will be described in detail. Reference numeral 612 denotes a data start identifier that distinguishes other comment data from resolution information and printer information and indicates the start of data required by the document editing unit 501. In the present embodiment, a bracket and a character string, that is, [control code]
Expressed by The start identifier is mainly the document editing means 50
1 is used for recognizing the start position when each of the above-described information is obtained. Therefore, in addition to the character string expression applied in the present embodiment, a specific bit string that only the document editing unit 501 can know is used. But expression is possible.

Reference numeral 613 denotes the entity of the resolution information of the original image. "DPI =" indicating the resolution information so that the document editing unit 501 can identify the resolution information of the original image. And the resolution information of the original image. Reference numeral 614 denotes an entity of the printer information. In order to enable the document editing apparatus 501 to identify the printer information, the printer information is combined with an identification character string “PRT =” indicating the printer information. Describe. 615 is a data end identifier indicating the end of each information. In the present embodiment, a description method similar to the data start identifier is used, and is expressed by [control code end].

<Printer Information Management Table> FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the format of the printer management table 420 managed by the printer information management means 409 of the center server 102 and used by the document editing means 501 of the client computer 101.

As shown in the figure, the printer information management table is composed of 701 and 702, and the HDD of the client computer 101 and the center server 102.
209 or 309 or the RAM 202 or 302. The printer information management table is in a searchable state in which information such as a printer model name, a printer group name, a margin, and a resolution is stored, and each information can be added, updated, and deleted.

A column 701 stores a printer model name, and a column 712 stores a group name of a printer to which the printer belongs. 713 of 702 stores the group name of the printer similarly to 712, 714 stores the maximum value of the margin of the printer group, and 715
Stores resolution information for 713.

<Document Editing Means> The document editing means 501 shown in FIG. 5 has functions of creating and editing documents including data such as character strings, graphics, and images, converting document data into a page description language, and browsing the network. An editing image or text file is acquired from the center server 102 through the extension unit 503 operating in the unit 502, a print order including the edited page description language is created, and a print order is ordered from the center server 102 through the extension unit 503. It has a function to do.

Further, information given to the editing image by the image editing means 408 of the center server 102 can be acquired through the extension means 503 operating in the network browsing means 502, and this information includes the resolution of the printing image. Calculates the paper size specified by the user when setting the print order and the image size to be printed as a result of the image editing information, and the print size, that is, the required resolution A function for displaying a warning message to the user when the resolution of the original image stored in the center server 102, that is, the resolution of the print image is significantly higher, and specifying a printer for the print image based on the provided information. If a user specifies a different printer, a warning message will be displayed. To.

The image to be edited is stored in the center server 10.
If the image is not the image acquired from the image 2 but exists in the client computer 101, it can be determined that there is no information assigned the same value as the editing image. As a result, it is possible to determine that the image does not have a printer designation, and the resolution of the print image can be obtained from the image. Therefore, it is easy to realize the above-described functions.

In the above process, the image is sent to the center server 102 at the same time when the print order is ordered. Further, a function of acquiring print management information managed by a printer information management unit 409 described later from the center server 102 through the extension unit 503 operating in the network browsing unit 502 and managing the acquired print management information, In addition to the printer information,
It has a function of providing resolution information and margin information for each printer group, which will be described later, to the user from the printer management information.

Here, the above-mentioned document editing means 501 operates in the network browsing means 502 and the extension means 503 operates.
To obtain the editing image from the center server 102 through the printer management information as a file,
A process for creating a print order will be described.
It should be noted that the file name of the file is the date and time when the information in the file was last updated. If the date and time are newer than the previously acquired file name, the file is replaced with the previous file. The printer management information file and format will be further described later.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a document editing process according to the present embodiment. First, in step S801, resolution information 613 and printer model name information 614 assigned to the comment area 603 of the editing image are acquired. In step S802, resolution information and a margin information list of each printer group are acquired from the printer management information file. Next, in step S803, the printer model name information 6 acquired in step S801.
14, it is determined whether or not a printer model is designated for the original image. If the printer model name can be acquired from the printer model name information, the process advances to step S804 to display a print setting screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the print setting screen. As shown, in the present embodiment, a general GUI
The print setting screen 90 is realized by an application.
In step 1, the user makes print settings. In the figure, reference numeral 902 denotes a print preview, which is a display portion for visually confirming the actually set margins and the like. 903
Is a part where you can select or enter a printer group,
In addition to the printers connected to the client computer 101, a list of printer groups that can submit a print order via the network can be selected.
The resolution of the printer group is also displayed. this is,
This is realized from the printer model name information and the printer management information file. Reference numeral 904 denotes a portion for setting a paper size. Reference numeral 905 denotes a portion for setting a margin portion of the print image. When a printer group is selected in 903, a margin setting value corresponding to the printer group is obtained from the printer management information file and displayed. Although an available printer group name is displayed, it can be set so that another printer model cannot be selected.

Next, in step S805, when the user sets a printer group, paper size, and the like using the print setting screen shown in FIG. 9, in step S806, the result of the paper size and image editing information designated by the user is set. To get. Next, in step S807, the image size to be printed is calculated from the value obtained in step S806, and in step S808, it is determined whether the image size calculated in step S807, that is, the resolution suitable for the print request is larger than the actual resolution. I do. If the resolution is larger than the actual resolution, the process advances to step S809 to display a warning message to the user. Then, step S81
At 0, a screen is displayed asking the user whether to redo the print settings. If the print settings are to be redone, the process returns to step S805. If not, the process proceeds to print order creation.

On the other hand, if the resolution suitable for the print request is equal to or smaller than the actual resolution in step S808, the flow advances to step S811 to determine whether a printer model that does not belong to the specified printer group is specified.
If a printer model other than the designated printer has been designated, the flow advances to step S809 to display a warning message to the user. When the designated printer is designated, the process proceeds to a process of creating a print order including a page description language. When a predetermined creation process is completed, a print order is ordered to the center server 102 via the extension means 503.

<Image Editing Means> The image editing means 408 shown in FIG. 4 has a function of editing data in a comment area of an image in accordance with the format described above. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image editing unit 408 handled by the present embodiment.

First, in step S1001, the editing image providing means 402 sends the client computer 1
01 to be provided to the document editing apparatus 501. In step S1002, information on the original image of the image is acquired from the editing image providing unit 402, and it is determined whether the original image has a printer designation. If there is a designation, the process advances to step S1003 to obtain printer information. Then, in step S1004, step S1002
The resolution information of the original image is obtained from the original image information obtained in step (1).
Next, in step S1005, step S100
3. The information obtained in step S1004 is added to the image in the format described above.

After the above-described processing, the client computer 1 is connected by the document providing means 401 via the network.
01 is provided to the document editing apparatus 501.

<Printer Information Management Unit> The printer information management unit 409 shown in FIG. 4 manages the above-described printer information management table 420, and has a function of adding, updating, and deleting each information. A function of reading data from the printer management table and writing the data to a file,
Finally, it has a function of storing the date and time when each information is added, updated or deleted.

As an example of the processing flow, the document providing unit 401 sends the editing image to the client computer 101.
When all the information in the printer management information table 420 is provided to a file,
And the file name is set to the date and time held by the present document providing means,
1 to the client computer 101 and used by the document editing device 501.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the editing image is downloaded to the client computer 101, the image editing means 408 adds the resolution information of the printing image of the image to the editing image file. During editing in the document editing apparatus, the print size of the image to be printed as a result of the image editing information and the paper size specified by the user is calculated using the additional information, and the print size, that is, the required resolution is printed. By displaying a warning message to the user when the resolution exceeds the resolution of the image for use, it is possible to realize the print quality required by the user.

Also, a list of printer models available in the print service system and their printing characteristics, ie, margins and resolutions, is stored in the HDD 209 of the client computer 101, and the user can edit the list from the list when editing the document in the document editing apparatus 501. By providing an editing screen based on the printing characteristics of the selected printer model by selecting a desired printer model, providing print output as edited by the user with the maximum capability of the printer. Becomes possible.

Further, in the list, printer models are grouped, and printing characteristics, that is, margins and resolutions have the maximum value of the printer attribute in the group for each group. It is possible to easily select a model.

A printer information management file storing a list of printer models available in the print service system and their printing characteristics, ie, margins and resolutions, is acquired in the HDD 209 of the client computer 101 at the same time when the editing image is downloaded. By maintaining the latest printer information management file by comparing the update date and time of the existing printer information management file with the newly acquired printer information management file, the latest printer management information is always available when the user uses the service. Can be provided.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In response to an image print request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, information of the output device is added to the print image data and transmitted, thereby improving user convenience and transmission efficiency. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of each information processing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows print servers 121, 122, and 1 shown in FIG.
It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of 2N.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing processing means and management data in a center server 102.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functions of a client computer 101 which is an information processing device actually used by a user.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of adding data to a comment area of an image to be edited by an image editing unit 408.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a format of a printer management table 420.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a document editing process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an image editing unit 40 handled by the present embodiment.
8 is a flowchart showing the process of No. 8.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Client Computer 102 Center Server 111-11N Image Server 121-12N Print Server 200 I / O Bus 201 CPU 202 RAM 203 ROM 204 Network Interface (NETIF) 205 Video RAM (VRAM) 206 CRT 207 Keyboard Controller (KBC) 208 Keyboard (KB) 209 Hard disk drive (HDD) 210 Removable disk drive (FDD) 300 I / O bus 301 CPU 302 RAM 303 ROM 304 Network interface (NETIF) 305 Video RAM 306 CRT 307 Keyboard controller (KBC) 308 Keyboard (KB) 309 Hard disk drive (HDD) HDD) 310 rim Global disk drive (FDD) 311 Printer controller (PRTC) 312 Printer 313 Extended external input / output device controller (CTLR) 314 Extended external input / output device (scanner) 401 Document providing means 402 Editing image providing means 403 Order receiving means 404 Image registration means 405 Image collection means 406 Order progress management means 407 Center transmission / reception control means 408 Image editing means 409 Printer information management means 411 Display / edit image storage device 412 Original image position management table 413 Server management table 414 Temporary storage image storage Device 415 Order status table 416 Order management table 417 Editing image position management table 418 Center transmission box 419 Center reception box 420 Printer information management table 50 Document editing device 502 Network browsing means 503 Expansion means (plug-in) 601 Image data file 602 Header area 603 Comment area 604 Original image area 611 Comment area details 612 Control code 613 Resolution information 614 Printer information 615 Control code end 701 Printer model / printer Group management table 702 Printer group / margin (margin) / resolution management table 711 Printer model item 712 Printer group item 713 Printer group item 714 Margin (margin) item 715 Resolution item 901 Print setting screen 902 Preview 903 Printer model input / selection area 904 Paper size input area 905 Margin area display area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 HJ06 HJ07 HL03 HL04 HM07 HN06 HN15 HN19 HN20 HQ17 5B021 AA02 BB02 CC09 EE04 PP08 5B089 GA01 GA13 GA23 GB03 HB12 JA00 JB03 KB12 KA00 KBB KA00 KBB KA00 KB AA13 AA35 AB01 AB20 AB23 AB38 AB42 AC08 AC43 AE00 AF00 BA04

Claims (13)

[Claims] A receiving unit configured to receive an image print request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network; and a transmission unit that adds information of an output device to the print image data and transmits the print image data in response to the image print request. And an information processing system. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus performs a print setting for the output apparatus based on the information of the output apparatus transmitted by the transmission unit, and orders an output of the print image data. The information processing system as described. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the print setting is performed by displaying a preview screen on a display device. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information of the output device is a model name of the output device. 5. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information of the output device is resolution information of image data. 6. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing and managing a model name of the output device, a group to which the output device belongs, a margin, and a resolution as the information of the output device. 7. A receiving step of receiving an image printing request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, and transmitting, in response to the image printing request, information of an output device added to the printing image data and transmitted. And a transmission method of the information processing system. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus performs print setting for the output device based on the information on the output device transmitted in the transmission step, and orders output of the print image data. The transmission method of the information processing system described in the above. 9. The transmission method according to claim 8, wherein the print setting is performed by displaying a preview screen on a display device. 10. The transmission method according to claim 7, wherein the information of the output device is a model name of the output device. 11. The transmission method according to claim 7, wherein the information of the output device is resolution information of image data. 12. The transmission method according to claim 7, further comprising storing and managing a model name of the output device, a group to which the output device belongs, a margin, and a resolution as the information of the output device. 13. A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program code, the code including a receiving step code for receiving an image print request from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, and A transmission process code for transmitting the print image data by adding information of the output device to the print image data.