JP2001270175A - Printing control unit, data processor, printing system, data obtaining method and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing control unit for directly obtaining external character data from an alternatively determined server device responding to a predetermined protocol to utilize the obtained desired external character data to efficiently perform printing processing and enabling the unitary control of external character data utilizable as printing resources while alternatively determining the obtaining destination of the utilizable external character data, a data processor, a printing system, a data obtaining method and a memory medium. SOLUTION: When the printer driver 903 of a client device 801 outputs printing data including external character data to a network connected printer 802, the controller 904 of the printer 802 refers to URL contained in printing data and an external character file 901 is loaded down from a WWW server program 900 by http.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control device, a data processing device, a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a server device, a client device, and the like which respond to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. A print control device, a data processing device, and a printing system suitable for realizing unified management of external character data in a printing system in which a printer is communicable or a server device, a client device, a print server device, and a printer are communicably connected. And a data acquisition method and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a printing system in which a printing apparatus such as a printer and a data processing apparatus such as a computer are connected to a network. In a conventional printing system, generally, when text printing using an external character is realized, external character data is often used by placing the external character data on a local file system for executing printing or on a network file system equivalent to the local file system. Furthermore, in most cases, external character data is rasterized (developed) in an environment in which printing is performed.

[0003]

However, the above prior art has the following problems. That is, in the above-described conventional printing system, external character data that can be obtained on a network connecting a printing device and a data processing device must be obtained from individual data processing devices on a limited network. And the data management of external character data becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and directly acquires external character data from a uniquely determined server device responding to a predetermined protocol, and utilizes the acquired desired external character data. Access to a wide range of external character data and centrally manage available external character data while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as print resources by enabling efficient printing processing It is a first object to provide a print control device, a data processing device, a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium that can perform the above-described operations.

According to the present invention, print data transferred directly from a print server device by directly obtaining external character data from a uniquely determined server device responding to a predetermined protocol and using the obtained desired external character data. Enables efficient access to external character data as well as centralized access to a wide range of external character data, while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as print resources. A second object of the present invention is to provide a print control device, a data processing device, a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium capable of managing and the like.

Further, the present invention uniquely identifies a server device that responds to a predetermined protocol that manages external character data, and enables efficient acquisition of desired external character data, thereby providing a printing resource. A printing control device, a data processing device, a printing system, and the like, capable of uniquely accessing a wide range of external character data and centrally managing the available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as A third object is to provide a data acquisition method and a storage medium.

Further, the present invention provides a method of securely acquiring external character data from a server device which is uniquely determined and responding to a predetermined protocol, and efficiently performing a printing process using the acquired desired external character data. A print control device that enables access to a wide range of external character data and unified management of available external character data, while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. It is a fourth object to provide a data processing apparatus, a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium.

Further, according to the present invention, external character data is reliably acquired from a uniquely determined server device that responds to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data is transferred to a printing device to efficiently perform printing processing. By making this possible, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and centrally manage the available external character data, while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. A fifth object is to provide a print control device, a data processing device, a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium.

According to the present invention, external character data is reliably acquired from a uniquely determined server device responding to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data is connected to a printing device or a data processing device on a network. Access to a wide range of external character data while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as a print resource by enabling efficient transfer by transferring to a local print processing device. And a print control device, a data processing device, and the like which can centrally manage available external character data, and the like.
A sixth object is to provide a printing system, a data acquisition method, and a storage medium.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. It is characterized by having acquisition means for downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server apparatus. And acquiring means for downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the printing control device in the printing device has An acquisition unit downloads and acquires external character data from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the print data output from the client device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, the print server device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the printing in the printing device is performed. The acquisition means included in the control device downloads external character data from the server device via http based on external character data position information output from the client device to the print server device and included in print data spooled by the print server device. And acquire it.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system having a printing control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. The control device includes an acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server apparatus. In a printing system, the print control device includes an acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 9 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the printing control device in the printing device has The acquisition means downloads and acquires external character data from the server device based on external character data position information included in print data output from the client device by using http.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 10 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, the print server device, and a printing device are connected to a network. The acquisition means included in the print control device is configured to output ht from the server device based on external character data position information included in print data output from the client device to the print server device and spooled by the print server device.
It is characterized in that external character data is downloaded and acquired by tp.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data acquisition method applied to a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. And acquiring an external character data by downloading the external character data from the server device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 12 is applied to a print control apparatus which can communicate with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and can communicate with a print server apparatus. Data acquisition method, characterized by comprising an acquisition step of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the printing control device in the printing device has In the acquiring step, the external character data is downloaded and acquired from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the print data output from the client device by using http.

[0024] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, the print server device, and a printing device are connected to a network. According to the acquisition step included in the print control device, external character data is output from the server device via http based on external character data position information output from the client device to the print server device and included in print data spooled by the print server device. It is characterized by being downloaded and acquired.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 executes a data acquisition method applied to a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program, wherein the data obtaining method includes an obtaining step of performing control to download and obtain predetermined external character data from the server device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is applied to a print control apparatus which can communicate with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and can communicate with a print server apparatus. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the data acquisition method, wherein the data acquisition method includes a step of controlling to download and acquire predetermined external character data from the server device. It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network.

[0028] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 19 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the printing control device in the printing device has In the acquiring step, the external character data is controlled to be downloaded and acquired from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the print data output from the client device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 20 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, the print server device, and a printing device are connected to a network. According to the acquiring step of the print control device, external character data is output from the server device via http based on external character data position information output from the client device to the print server device and included in print data spooled by the print server device. It is characterized in that it is controlled to download and acquire.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a printing apparatus. A control unit that controls the printing device that can communicate via a predetermined interface,
An acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device; and a transfer unit that transfers external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired by the acquisition unit to the printing device. It is characterized by the following.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 22 is capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server apparatus controlling a printing apparatus. An acquisition unit for downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device, and outputting external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired by the acquisition unit to the printing device. Transfer means for transferring.

[0032] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 24 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. The acquisition means included in the data processing device in the device downloads and acquires the external character data from the server device based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request the external character data, and the transfer included in the data processing device in the client device. The means transfers the external character print data to the printing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 25 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the data processing device in the client device has The acquisition unit downloads and acquires external character data from the server device by using http, and the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data to the printing device. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 26 is applied to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the print server device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. It is possible that the acquisition unit of the data processing device in the client device downloads and acquires external character data from the server device by using http, and the transfer unit of the data processing device in the client device includes the transfer unit, The external character print data is transferred to the printing device via the print server device equipped with a spool function.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a printing device. A data processing device, the data processing device comprising: a control unit that controls the printing device communicable via a predetermined interface; an obtaining unit that downloads and obtains predetermined external character data from the server device; Transfer means for transferring external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data obtained by the means to the printing apparatus.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 28 is capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server device controlling a printing device. A printing system having a data processing device, wherein the data processing device downloads and obtains predetermined external character data from the server device, and the predetermined external character data and print data obtained by the obtaining unit. Transfer means for transferring the external character print data based on the character string to the printing apparatus.

[0038] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 29 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 30 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. The obtaining means of the data processing device in the device downloads and obtains the external character data from the server device based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request the external character data, and the data processing device in the client device has The transfer means transfers the external character print data to the printing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 31 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the data processing device in the client device is Said acquisition means having a
In the client device, the external character data is downloaded and acquired, and the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data to the printing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 32 is applied to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the print server device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. It is possible that the acquisition unit of the data processing device in the client device downloads and acquires external character data from the server device by using http, and the transfer unit of the data processing device in the client device is And transferring the external character print data to the printing device via the print server device equipped with a spool function.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 33 is applied to a data processing device which can communicate with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and can communicate with a printing device. A data acquisition method for controlling the printing apparatus communicable via a predetermined interface, an acquisition step of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device, Transferring the external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data to the printing apparatus.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 34 is capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server device controlling a printing device. A data acquisition method applied to a data processing device, comprising: an acquisition step of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device; and an external character based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired in the acquiring step. Transferring a print data to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 35 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 36 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. According to the acquisition step of the data processing device in the device, the external character data is downloaded and acquired from the server device based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request the external character data, and the data processing device in the client device has The external character print data is transferred to the printing device in the transferring step.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 37 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the data processing device in the client device is Ht from the server device by the obtaining step
The external character data is downloaded and acquired by tp, and the external character print data is transferred to the printing device in the transfer step of the data processing device in the client device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 38 is applied to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the print server device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. It is possible, by the acquisition step of the data processing device in the client device, to download and acquire external character data from the server device by http, and by the transfer step of the data processing device in the client device, And transferring the external character print data to the printing device via the print server device equipped with a spool function.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 39 is applied to a data processing device which can communicate with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and can communicate with a printing device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a data acquisition method, wherein the data acquisition method includes a control step of controlling the printing device communicable via a predetermined interface; and the server device. An acquisition step of controlling to download and acquire predetermined external character data from the printer, and controlling to transfer external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired in the acquisition step to the printing apparatus. And a transfer step.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 40 is capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server apparatus controlling a printing apparatus. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a data acquisition method applied to a data processing device, wherein the data acquisition method downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device. And a transfer step of controlling to transfer the external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired in the acquisition step to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 41 is characterized in that the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 42 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. The acquisition step included in the data processing device in the device, based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request external character data, control to download and acquire external character data from the server device via http,
The external character print data is controlled to be transferred to the printing device by the transfer step of the data processing device in the client device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 43 is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the printing device are connected to a network, and the data processing device in the client device is The obtaining step includes controlling the external character data to be downloaded and obtained from the server device by using http, and the transferring step included in the data processing device in the client device transmits the external character print data to the printing device. It is characterized in that the transfer is controlled.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 44 is applied to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and the print server device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. The data processing device in the client device controls the data processing device in the client device to download and obtain external character data by using the http, and the data processing device in the client device has the data processing device. In the transfer step, the external character print data is controlled to be transferred to the printing apparatus via the print server apparatus equipped with a spool function.

[0054]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, first to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The printing systems according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention are managed by a World Wide Web (hereinafter abbreviated as WWW) server device that responds to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. The print control device (or data processing device) directly acquires and uses such external character data, thereby uniquely determining the acquisition destination of the external character data that can be used as a print resource and centrally managing the available external character data. It is made possible.

First, before describing the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, an example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied. A printing system to which the present invention can be applied includes a host computer 300
0, a printer 1500. It should be noted that if the functions of the present invention are executed, whether the system is a single device or a system including a plurality of devices,
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a (Local Area Network).

A host computer 3000 constituting a printing system to which the present invention can be applied includes a CPU 1 and a RAM.
2, ROM 3, hard disk (HD) 12, system bus 4, keyboard controller (KBC) 5, CRT
Controller (CRTC) 6, disk controller (DKC) 7, printer controller (PRTC) 8,
Keyboard (KB) 9, CRT display (CRT)
10, an external memory 11, and the printer 1500 includes a printer CPU 14, a RAM 15, a ROM 16, a hard disk (HD) 17, a system bus 18, an input unit 19,
Printing unit interface 20, disk controller (D
KC) 21, a non-volatile memory 22, a printing unit (printer engine) 23, an operation panel 24, and an external memory 25. In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes a host computer control unit, 1400 denotes a printer control unit, and 13 denotes a bidirectional interface.

The configuration of each part of the host computer 3000 will be described in detail. The CPU 1 mixes figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3. The document processing is executed, and each device connected to the system bus 4 is comprehensively controlled. The CPU 1 is, for example, an RA
An outline character expansion (rasterization) process is performed on the display information RAM area set on the M2, and the WYSIWYG (What You Se) is displayed on the CRT display 10.
e Is What You Get: a function that allows printing as it is visible on the screen. CPU1
Opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT display 10 and executes various data processing.

The RAM 2 can be extended by an optional RAM or the like, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. The ROM 3 includes a ROM for external characters, a ROM for programs, and a ROM for external characters data. R for external character
The OM stores external character data and the like used in the document processing. The program ROM stores a control program of the CPU 1 and the like. The external character data ROM stores various data (for example, programs in various page description languages, rasterizing data of external characters, and the like) used when performing the document processing and the like. The hard disk (HD) 12 is used as an auxiliary storage device.

The keyboard controller (KBC) 5
It controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). CRT controller (C
The RTC 6 controls display on the CRT display 10. The disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11. The printer controller (PRTC) 8 has a predetermined bidirectional interface 13.
Connected to the printer 1500 via the
The communication control process with the 00 is executed.

The keyboard (KB) 9 has various keys for various data input and various settings. CRT
The display (CRT) 10 displays figures, characters, tables, and the like under the control of the CRT controller (CRTC) 6. Note that the display method is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display method such as a liquid crystal display. The external memory 11 is configured as a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program, various applications, external character data, user files, edited files, and the like, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and the like.

The configuration of each part of the printer 1500 will be described in detail. The printer CPU 14 is connected to the system bus 18 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 16 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 25. It controls the access to various devices in general, and outputs an image signal as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 23 connected via the printing unit interface 20. Also, the printer CPU 1
4 is a host computer 3000 via the input unit 19
Communication with the host computer 3000, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information and the like in the printer 1500.

The ROM 16 includes an external character ROM, a program ROM, and a data ROM. ROM for external characters
Stores external character data (including outline external character data) used when generating the output information.
The program ROM stores a control program for the printer CPU 14 and the like. In the case of a printer without the external memory 25 such as a hard disk, the data ROM stores information used on the host computer 3000 and the like. The RAM 15 mainly functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the printer CPU 14, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The RAM 15 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like. The hard disk (HD) 17 is used as an auxiliary storage device.

The input unit 19 is provided with the bidirectional interface 1
3 for controlling communication with the host computer 3000. The print unit interface 20 is a printer CP
A signal is transmitted and received between the U14 and the printing unit (printer engine) 23. Disk controller (DKC)
21 controls access to the external memory 25. The printing unit (printer engine) 23 performs a printing operation based on an image signal as output information output from the printer CPU 14. The operation panel 24 includes keys and a display unit for performing various operations.

The external memory 25 has a hard disk (H
D) and an IC card, and the access is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 21. The external memory 25 is connected as an option, and includes external character data (including external character data downloaded from the host computer 3000), an emulation program (including an emulation program downloaded from the host computer 3000), and form data (including the host computer 3000). Etc.)
And so on. The external memory 25 is not limited to one, and is provided with at least one or more, and can be connected to a plurality of external memories storing an optional external character card and a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system in addition to the built-in external characters. It may be. Furthermore, NVRAM (not shown)
And the printer mode setting information from the operation panel 24 may be stored for each user and each group.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. The printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a WWW server device (hereinafter, a server device) 800, a client device 801, and a printer 802 are connected via a network NET.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
Is, for example, a predetermined operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (protocol for WWW client to communicate with server via network NET, hereinafter ht)
tp). The client device 801
For example, data processing is managed by a predetermined OS, and various data processing is executed by executing an application program stored in a hard disk or the like (not shown). The printer 802 is connected via the network NET and processes a print request from the client device 801. Also,
The server device 800 stores an external character data file on a hard disk (not shown) or the like, and performs file transfer via the network NET based on a file request from the client device 801. The configuration of the hardware will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing common hardware resources in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The common hardware resources 200 in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention include a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 20
3. It is composed of a main bus 204. That is, the server device 800 and the client device 80 shown in FIG.
1 shows the hardware resources common to the external memory,
The communication interface, input device, and the like are the same as those in FIG.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
The processing is executed in accordance with the control with the connected input device and the input instruction. The ROM 202 stores a boot program of the CPU 201 and the like. RAM 203 stores C
The PU 201 is used as an area for loading the program of the present invention. Note that an OS and application programs are also loaded on the RAM 203 and executed. Further, the program according to the present invention, as described in detail in FIG.
D, HD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and other storage media.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a resource configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The server device 800 of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can operate the WWW server program 900 and includes the external character data file 901, and the client device 801 can operate the application program 902. And a printer driver 903.
4 is provided. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
, The WWW server program 900 operates and the external character data file 901 exists. In the client device 801, the application program 902 executes various data processing. Printer driver 903
Receives print setting data and print data from the application program 902 and converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the controller 904 of the printer 802 according to the print setting data.

At this time, in order for the printer 802 to download the external character data file 901 from the WWW server program 900 via http, the Uniform Resource indicating the position of the external character data file in the print data.
Locator (hereinafter abbreviated as URL) is included. Then, the printer driver 903 of the client device 801 outputs print data including external character data to the controller 904 of the printer 802 connected to the network. The controller 904 of the printer 802 refers to the URL included in the print data and sends the external character data file 9 from the WWW server program 900 by using the http.
Download 01. Then, the external character data is rasterized to generate print data, and the print data as a final output form is output to a printer engine (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 (print control device).
First, when a print request is instructed on the printer 802 by the printer driver 903 of the client device 801 (step S1), the controller 90 of the printer 802 is activated.
4 receives the print data from the printer driver 903 and interprets the print data to convert it into an internal data format (step S2). Next, the controller 904 of the printer 802 determines whether there is an instruction for requesting external character data (step S3). If it determines that there is no instruction for requesting external character data, the controller 904 outputs print data to the printer engine (step S7). ), And terminate the process.

On the other hand, the controller 90 of the printer 802
If it is determined in step S3 that there is an instruction to request external character data, the URL of the WWW server device embedded in the print data is read by the printer driver 903, and the external character data file 90 is stored in the server device 800.
1 is requested (step S4). Next, the controller 904 of the printer 802 waits for the download processing of the external character data file 901 to be completed (step S5), and rasterizes the external character when the download processing of the external character data file 901 is completed. Then, the controller 904 of the printer 802 outputs the print data to the printer engine (not shown) (step S6), and ends the processing.

FIG. 8 shows a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention and second to fifth embodiments to be described later. FIG. FD of the present invention,
The memory map of a storage medium such as an HD, a CD-ROM, and a DVD-ROM includes directory information, a first data processing program (a code group of a program corresponding to the steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5), and a second data processing. The data processing program according to the first to fifth embodiments includes a program (a code group of a program corresponding to the steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11).

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, an author and the like, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, identification of the program Icons to be displayed may also be stored. Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

FIG. 5 (first embodiment), second embodiment, FIG. 11 (third embodiment), and fourth embodiment of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, which will be described later. The functions described in the fifth and fifth embodiments may be performed by a host computer based on a program installed from the outside. And in that case, C
From a storage medium such as D-ROM, flash memory, or FD, or from an external storage medium via a network,
The present invention is applicable even when an information group including a program is supplied to an output device.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the first embodiment of the present invention and the second to fifth embodiments described later is stored in a system or an apparatus. It is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be achieved also by supplying the program or the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus 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 novel function of the present invention, 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, C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the first embodiment of the present invention but also the functions of the second to fifth embodiments described later are realized. Based on the instructions of the code, an OS (Operating System) or the like running on the computer performs a part or all of the actual processing, and according to the processing, the first embodiment of the present invention and second to second It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the fifth embodiment are realized is also included.

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, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and according to the processing, the CPU according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the second to fifth embodiments to be described later are executed. It goes without saying that a case where a function is realized is also included.

As described above, according to the printing system of the first embodiment of the present invention, the controller 904 of the printer 802 has a function of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data information from the server device 800. Therefore, the external character data can be directly acquired from the uniquely determined server device 800 responding to the predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data can be used to efficiently perform the printing process. It is possible to access a wide range of external character data and to centrally manage available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a resource.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the printer 802 is connected to the client device 8.
01 has been described as an example, but a printer that prints print data spooled from a print server device is an external character from the server device as in the second embodiment of the present invention. You may be comprised so that data may be downloaded directly.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server device (hereinafter referred to as a server device) 1000 and a client device 10.
01, print server device 1002, printer 1003
Are connected via a network NET.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
0 responds to http via the network NET, for example, performing data processing by a predetermined OS. The client device 1001 manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined OS, and executes various types of data processing by executing application programs stored in a hard disk (not shown) or the like. The print server device 1002 manages print data processing spooled by a predetermined OS, for example, and processes a print request from the client device 1001. The printer 1003 is connected via a network NET. The server device 1000 stores an external character data file on a hard disk (not shown) or the like, and performs data transfer via the network NET based on a download request from the client device 1001. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the resource configuration of the printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The server 1000 of the printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server program 110.
0 is operable and the external character data file 110
1, the client device 1001 is capable of running the application program 1102, has a printer driver 1103, and has a print server device 1010.
02 includes a spooler 1104 and a printer 1003
Includes a controller 1105. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
At 0, the WWW server program 1100 operates and the external character data file 1101 exists. In the client device 1101, the application program 1102 executes various data processing. The printer driver 1103 is an application program 1102
, And converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the controller 1105 of the printer 1003 according to the print setting data.

At this time, the printer driver 1103 of the client device 1001 executes the WWW server program 1
External character data file 110 by http from 100
In order to download No. 1, the URL indicating the position of the external character data is included in the print data. Then, the spooler 110 operating in the print server device 1002
Then, the external character print data is spooled in step 4. The spooled data is stored in a printer 1003 connected to the network.
Is output to the controller 1105. Printer 100
The third controller 1105 refers to the URL included in the print data and refers to the WWW server program 11.
From 00, the external character data file 901 is downloaded by http.

As described above, according to the printing system of the second embodiment of the present invention, the printer 1003
Since the controller 1105 has a function of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data information from the server device 1000, the controller 1105 directly acquires external character data from the uniquely determined server device 1000 responding to a predetermined protocol, and acquires the external character data. It is possible to efficiently perform print processing on print data transferred from the print server device 1002 using desired external character data. Therefore, it is possible to uniquely determine a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. On the other hand, there is an effect that a wide range of external character data can be accessed and available external character data can be centrally managed.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. The printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention connects a WWW server device (hereinafter referred to as a server device) 100 and a client device 101 via a network NET, and connects the client device 101 to a printer 10.
2 is locally connected.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
Performs data processing using, for example, a predetermined OS, and responds to http via the network NET. The client device 101 manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined OS, and executes various data processing by executing an application program stored in a hard disk (not shown) or the like. The printer 102 is connected to the client device 101 via a predetermined interface, and processes a print request from the client device 101. Also, the server device 1
At 00, the external character data file is stored on a hard disk (not shown) or the like, and the external character data is transferred via the network NET based on a file request from the client device 101. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the resource configuration of the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The server device 100 of the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server program 300.
Is operable, has a character data file 301, the client device 101 is operable with an application program 302, is provided with a printer driver 303, and the printer 102 is
04. In FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
, The WWW server program 300 downloads the external character data file 301 stored and managed in the memory resource based on a download request from the printer driver 303 of the client device 101. In the client device 101, the application program 302 executes various data processing. The printer driver 303 receives print setting data and print data from the application program 302, and converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the controller 304 of the printer 102 according to the print setting data.

At this time, the printer driver 303 of the client apparatus 101 sends an http request from the WWW server program 300 based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request external character data.
The external character data file 301 is downloaded by p. Then, the printer driver 303 of the client device 101 outputs the external character print data to the controller 304 of the printer 102 locally connected to the client device 101.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to a data processing procedure by the printer driver 303 (print control device) of the client apparatus 101. . First, when a print request is instructed by the user on the client device 101 (step S11), the printer driver 303 of the client device 101 receives the print setting data and the print data from the application program 302, and prints the print data according to the print setting data. The data is converted into data that can be interpreted by 102 (step S12). Next, the printer driver 303 of the client device 101 determines whether or not there is an instruction for requesting external character data (step S13).
The print data is output to the printer 102 locally connected to the printer (step S17), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the printer driver 303 of the client device 101 determines in step S13 that there is an instruction to request external character data, it requests the server device 100 to download the external character data file 301 (step S14). Next, the client device 101
Printer driver 303 is an external character data file 301
Waits for the download process to end (step S
15) When the download processing of the external character data file 301 is completed, the print data is output to the printer 102 locally connected to the client apparatus 101 (step S16), and the processing is terminated.

As described above, according to the printing system of the third embodiment of the present invention, the printer driver 303 of the client device 101 controls the printer 102 that can communicate via a predetermined interface. And a function of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data information from the server device 100, and a function of transferring print data based on the acquired predetermined external character data information and print data to the printer 102. Can be reliably acquired from the server device 100 which is uniquely determined in response to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data can be transferred to the printer 102 to perform the printing process efficiently. Access to a wide range of external character data while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as Fine available external character data the effect of such centralized management.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the printer 102 is connected to the client device 1.
Although the case where the printing system is locally connected to the network printer 01 is described as an example, the present invention can be applied to a so-called network printer in which the printer is directly connected to a network as in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Can be applied.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server device (hereinafter, a server device) 400 and a client device 40.
1. The configuration is such that the printer 402 is connected via a network NET. That is, in the third embodiment, the printer is locally connected to the client device, but in the fourth embodiment, the printer 402 is directly connected to the network NET.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
Performs data processing using, for example, a predetermined OS, and responds to http via the network NET. The client device 401 manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined OS, and executes various data processing by executing an application program stored in a hard disk (not shown) or the like. The printer 402 is connected via the network NET and processes a print request from the client device 401. The server device 400 stores an external character data file on a hard disk (not shown) or the like, and receives a network N based on a file request from the client device 401.
Perform file transfer via ET. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a resource configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment. The server device 400 of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server program 50.
0 is operable and the external character data file 501
The client device 401 is capable of running the application program 502, has a printer driver 503, and the printer 402 has a controller 504. In FIG. 13, the same components as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
, The WWW server program 500 operates and the external character data file 501 exists. In the client device 401, the application program 502 executes various data processing. Printer driver 503
Receives print setting data and print data from the application program 502 and converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the controller 504 of the printer 402 according to the print setting data.

At this time, the printer driver 503 of the client device 401 downloads the external character data file 501 from the WWW server program 500 of the server device 400 via http and outputs the external character print data to the controller 504 of the printer 402 connected to the network. .

As described above, according to the printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the printer driver 503 of the client device 401 has the function of controlling the printer 402 that can communicate via a predetermined interface. And a function of downloading and obtaining predetermined external character data information from the server device 400 and a function of transferring print data based on the obtained predetermined external character data information and print data to the printer 402. Is reliably obtained from the server device 100 which is uniquely determined in response to a predetermined protocol, and the obtained desired external character data is transferred to the printer 402 so that the printing process can be performed efficiently. Access to a wide range of external character data while uniquely determining the source of external character data that can be used as Fine available external character data the effect of such centralized management.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the printer 102 is connected to the client device 1.
Although a case where the printing system is locally connected to the print server 01 has been described as an example, even when the printer is locally connected to the print server device as in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, The present invention can be applied.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a WWW server device (hereinafter, server device) 600 and a client device 60.
1. The print server device 602 is connected via a network NET, and a printer 603 is locally connected to the print server device 602.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
Performs data processing using, for example, a predetermined OS, and responds to http via the network NET. The client device 601 manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined OS, and executes various data processing by executing an application program stored in a hard disk (not shown) or the like. The print server device 602 manages print data processing spooled by a predetermined OS, for example, and processes a print request from the client device 601. Printer 6
Reference numeral 03 denotes a local connection to the print server device 602. The server device 600 stores an external character data file on a hard disk (not shown) or the like, and performs data transfer via the network NET based on a download request from the client device 601. The configuration of the hardware is the same as that of FIG.

FIG. 15 shows the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a resource configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment. The server device 600 of the printing system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a WWW server program 70.
0 is operable and the external character data file 701 is
The client device 601 is capable of running an application program 702 and includes a printer driver 703. The print server device 602 includes a spooler 704. The printer 603 includes a controller 705. In FIG. 15, the same components as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The above configuration will be described in detail.
, The WWW server program 700 operates, and the external character data file 701 exists. In the client device 601, the application program 702 executes various data processing. Printer driver 703
Receives print setting data and print data from the application program 702 and converts the print data into data interpretable by the controller 705 of the printer 603 according to the print setting data.

At this time, the printer driver 703 of the client device 601 downloads the external character data file 701 from the WWW server program 700 of the server device 600 by using http. Next, the print server device 602 spools the print data including the rasterized character data to the spooler 704 operating in the print server device 602. The spooled data is stored in the controller 70 of the printer 603 locally connected to the print server device 602.
5 is output.

As described above, according to the printing system of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the printer driver 703 of the client device 601 is
The spooler 70 of the print server device 602 has a function of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data information.
4 has a function of transferring print data based on predetermined external character data information and print data to the printer 603, so that external character data can be reliably obtained from the uniquely determined server device 600 that responds to a predetermined protocol. Then, the acquired desired external character data can be transferred to a local printer 603 connected to the print server device 602 on the network, and the printing process can be efficiently performed. It is possible to obtain effects such as access to a wide range of external character data and unified management of available external character data while uniquely determining a destination.

[Other Embodiments] The first embodiment of the present invention described above.
In the fifth to fifth embodiments, a laser beam printer that performs printing based on an electrophotographic method as shown in FIG. 1 as an example of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various printing apparatuses such as an ink jet printer, an electrostatic printer, a discharge breakdown printer, a thermal transfer printer, and a thermal printer.

In the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention described above, a printer is used as an example of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied can be applied to a multifunction copier having a printer function in addition to a normal copier function.

The correspondence between the components in the claims of the present invention and the components in the above-described printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention is as follows. The acquisition means of the print control device includes the controller 904 of the printer 802 (first embodiment), the printer 1
The control unit, the acquisition unit, and the transfer unit of the data processing device correspond to the controller 1105 (second embodiment) of the client device 101.
(Third Embodiment) Corresponding to the printer driver 503 of the client device 401 (fourth embodiment), the acquisition unit and transfer unit of the data processing device are the printer driver 703 of the client device 601 (fifth embodiment). Form)
Corresponding to

[0114]

As described above, according to the print control apparatus of the first aspect, the print control apparatus is capable of communicating with a server apparatus that responds to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. Since there is an acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device, the external character data is directly acquired from a uniquely determined server device that responds to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data is used. Printing process can be performed efficiently,
Therefore, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and centrally manage the available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server apparatus. Since there is an acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device, the external character data is directly acquired from a uniquely determined server device that responds to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data is used. It is possible to efficiently perform print processing on the print data transferred from the print server device, and therefore, it is possible to uniquely determine a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource, and It is possible to achieve an effect such that the access and available external character data can be centrally managed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network, a server device responding to a predetermined protocol for managing external character data is uniquely specified, and the desired communication device is specified. Can efficiently acquire external character data, and therefore, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and centrally manage available external character data while uniquely determining the acquisition destination of external character data that can be used as a printing resource. And so on.

Also in the print control apparatus according to the fourth and fifth aspects, similarly to the above, it is possible to access and use a wide range of external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. This has the effect that the external character data can be centrally managed.

According to the printing system of the present invention, the printing system is composed of a server, a client, and a printer, or the printing system is composed of a server, a client, a print server, and a printer. In the same manner as described above, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and centrally manage the available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource.

According to the data acquisition method of the present invention, by executing the data acquisition method in the print control device, similarly to the above, the acquisition destination of the external character data usable as the print resource is uniquely determined. In addition, there is an effect that a wide range of external character data can be accessed and available external character data can be centrally managed.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, the data acquisition method is read from the storage medium and executed by the print control device, thereby obtaining the external character data available as a print resource in the same manner as described above. Are uniquely determined, the effect is that a wide range of external character data can be accessed and available external character data can be centrally managed.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a printing apparatus. Control means for controlling the printing device communicable via an interface, obtaining means for downloading and obtaining predetermined external character data from the server device, and the predetermined external character data and print data obtained by the obtaining means Transfer means for transferring the external character print data based on the external character data to the printing apparatus, so that the external character data is reliably acquired from a uniquely determined server device responding to a predetermined protocol, and the acquired desired external character data is printed. This makes it possible to transfer the data to the printer and perform the printing process efficiently. And while an effect such that can centrally manage access and external character data available to a wide range of external character data.

According to the data processing apparatus of the present invention, the data processing apparatus can communicate with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and can communicate with a print server apparatus controlling the printing apparatus. And
An acquisition unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device; and a transfer unit that transfers external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired by the acquisition unit to the printing device. Therefore, the external character data can be reliably obtained from the uniquely determined server device responding to the predetermined protocol, and the obtained desired external character data can be transferred to the printing device to perform the printing process efficiently. In addition, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and unify management of available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource.

According to the data processing apparatus of the present invention, since the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface, in a print processing environment in which the printing apparatus is connected to the network or the interface, the external character data is converted to a predetermined protocol. Performs print processing efficiently by reliably acquiring from the uniquely determined server device that responds and transferring the acquired desired external character data to a printing device on the network or a local printing device connected to the data processing device. This makes it possible to access a wide range of external character data and centrally manage the available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource.

In the data processing apparatus according to the twenty-fourth to twenty-sixth aspects, similarly to the above, it is possible to access and use a wide range of external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. This has the effect that the external character data can be centrally managed.

According to the printing system of the present invention, the printing system includes a server device, a client device,
A printer, or a printing system as a server,
By configuring the client device, the print server device, and the printer, similarly to the above, it is possible to access a wide range of external character data and use the available external character data while uniquely determining a source of external character data that can be used as a print resource. And so on.

According to the data acquisition method of the present invention, by executing the data acquisition method in the data processing device, the acquisition destination of the external character data usable as a print resource is uniquely determined in the same manner as described above. In addition, there is an effect that a wide range of external character data can be accessed and available external character data can be centrally managed.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, the data acquisition method is read from the storage medium and executed by the data processing device, thereby obtaining the external character data available as a print resource in the same manner as described above. While uniquely determining
It is possible to access a wide range of external character data and to centrally manage available external character data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing common hardware resources in the printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a resource configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a resource configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of a storage medium storing various data processing programs that can be read by the printing system according to the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a resource configuration of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a resource configuration of a printing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a resource configuration of a printing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 400, 600, 800, 1000 Server apparatuses 101, 401, 601, 801, 1001 Client apparatuses 102, 402, 603, 802, 1003 Printers 300, 500, 700, 900, 1100 WWW server programs 301, 501, 701, 901, 1101 external character data file 302, 502, 702, 902, 1102 application program 303, 503, 703, 903, 1103 printer driver 304, 504, 705, 904, 1105 controller 602, 1002 print server device 704 spooler

Claims (44)

[Claims] 1. A print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: an obtaining unit for downloading and obtaining predetermined external character data from the server device. A print control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A print control device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a print server device, and downloads predetermined external character data from the server device. A printing control device, comprising: an obtaining unit that obtains the print data. 3. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined communication medium is configured by a network. 4. A printing system which is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and wherein the acquisition unit of a printing control device in the printing device outputs print data output from the client device. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein external character data is downloaded from the server device based on http based on the external character data position information included in the print data and acquired. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit included in the print control apparatus in the printing apparatus is applicable to a printing system in which the server apparatus, the client apparatus, the print server apparatus, and a printing apparatus are connected to a network. Ht is sent from the server device based on external character data position information output to the print server device and included in print data spooled by the print server device.
4. The printing control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the external character data is downloaded and acquired by tp. 6. A printing system having a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device transmits predetermined external character data from the server device. A printing system comprising an acquisition unit for downloading and acquiring. 7. A printing system having a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and capable of communicating with a print server device, wherein the print control device includes: A printing system, comprising: an obtaining unit that downloads and obtains predetermined external character data from a server device. 8. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined communication medium is configured by a network. 9. A printing system which is applicable to a printing system in which the server device, the client device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and wherein the obtaining unit of the printing control device in the printing device outputs the printing output from the client device. 9. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein external character data is downloaded from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the data and acquired. 10. The server device, the client device,
The print server apparatus and the printing apparatus are applicable to a printing system in which a printing apparatus is connected to a network, and the acquisition unit included in the print control apparatus in the printing apparatus is output from the client apparatus to the print server apparatus and the print server 9. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein external character data is downloaded and obtained from the server device based on external character data position information included in print data spooled by the device. 11. A data acquisition method applied to a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium, the method comprising downloading predetermined external character data from the server device. A data acquisition method comprising an acquisition step of acquiring. 12. A data acquisition method applicable to a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and being communicable with a print server device. A data acquisition method, comprising an acquisition step of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data. 13. The data acquisition method according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined communication medium is constituted by a network. 14. The server device, the client device,
The server is applicable to a printing system in which a printing device is connected to a network based on external character data position information included in print data output from the client device by the obtaining step of the printing control device in the printing device. 14. The data acquisition method according to claim 11, wherein the external character data is downloaded and acquired from the device by using http. 15. The server device, the client device,
The print server device, which is applicable to a printing system in which a printing device is connected to a network, is output from the client device to the print server device by the acquisition step of the print control device in the printing device, and the print server 14. The data acquisition method according to claim 12, wherein the external character data is downloaded and acquired from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the print data spooled by the device. 16. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing a data acquisition method applied to a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium, characterized in that the data acquisition method includes an acquisition step of performing control to download and acquire predetermined external character data from the server device. 17. A computer storing a program for executing a data acquisition method applied to a print control device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and capable of communicating with a print server device. A storage medium readable by: (a), wherein the data acquisition method includes an acquisition step of performing control to download and acquire predetermined external character data from the server device. 18. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined communication medium comprises a network. 19. The server device, the client device,
Applicable to a printing system in which a printing device is connected to a network, and the server is based on external character data position information included in print data output from the client device by the obtaining step of the printing control device in the printing device. 19. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the external character data is controlled so as to be downloaded from the device by HTTP. 20. The server device, the client device,
The print server device and the printing device are applicable to a printing system in which a printing device is connected to a network, and the print server is output from the client device to the print server device and the print server by the obtaining step of the print control device in the printing device. 2. A control method according to claim 1, wherein the external character data is downloaded and obtained from the server device based on the external character data position information included in the print data spooled by the device.
19. The storage medium according to 7 or 18. 21. A data processing device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and capable of communicating with a printing device, wherein the printing device is communicable via a predetermined interface. Control means for controlling the external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data obtained by downloading the predetermined external character data from the server device, and obtaining the external character print data from the server device. A data processing device comprising: a transfer unit that transfers data. 22. A data processing device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a print server device controlling a printing device. Data comprising: acquiring means for downloading and acquiring external character data; and transfer means for transferring external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired by the acquiring means to the printing apparatus. Processing equipment. 23. The data processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface. 24. A printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device, wherein the acquisition unit included in the data processing device in the client device includes: The external character data is downloaded and obtained from the server device via the HTTP based on the presence / absence of the instruction for requesting the external character data, and the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data to the printing device. 24. The data processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the data processing is performed. 25. The server device, the client device,
The printing apparatus is applicable to a printing system in which the printing apparatus is connected to a network, and the acquisition unit included in the data processing apparatus in the client apparatus transmits the printing apparatus from the server apparatus via http
24. The data according to claim 21 or 23, wherein the external character data is downloaded and acquired by p, and the transfer means included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data to the printing device. Processing equipment. 26. The server device, the client device,
It is applicable to a printing system in which the print server device is connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device, and the acquisition unit included in the data processing device in the client device is transmitted from the server device via http. Downloading and acquiring external character data, and transferring the external character print data to the printing device via the print server device equipped with a spool function, wherein the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data. 23. A method according to claim 22.
Or the data processing device according to 23. 27. A printing system having a data processing device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a printing device, wherein the data processing device is Control means for controlling the printing device communicable via an interface, obtaining means for downloading and obtaining predetermined external character data from the server device, and the predetermined external character data and print data obtained by the obtaining means And a transfer unit for transferring the external character print data based on the character string to the printing apparatus. 28. A printing system comprising a data processing device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a print server device controlling the printing device, A processing unit that downloads and acquires predetermined external character data from the server device; and a transfer that transfers external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired by the acquisition unit to the printing device. And a printing system. 29. The printing system according to claim 27, wherein the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface. 30. A printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device, wherein the acquisition unit included in the data processing device in the client device is provided. Downloading and acquiring external character data from the server device based on http based on the presence or absence of an instruction for requesting external character data, and the transfer unit of the data processing device in the client device transmits the external character print data to the printing device. 30. The printing system according to claim 27, wherein the data is transferred to a printer. 31. The server device, the client device,
The printing apparatus is applicable to a printing system in which the printing apparatus is connected to a network.
Download and obtain external character data by using http.
30. The printing system according to claim 27, wherein the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transfers the external character print data to the printing device. 32. The server device, the client device,
Applicable to a printing system in which the print server device is connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device, and the acquisition unit included in the data processing device in the client device includes:
The external character data is downloaded and obtained from the server device via http, and the transfer unit included in the data processing device in the client device transmits the external character print data via the print server device equipped with a spool function. 30. The printing system according to claim 28, wherein the data is transferred to a printing device. 33. A data acquisition method applicable to a data processing device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a printing device, comprising: A control step of controlling the printing device communicable with the printer, an obtaining step of downloading and obtaining predetermined external character data from the server device, and an external character based on the predetermined external character data and print data obtained in the obtaining step. A transfer step of transferring print data to the printing apparatus. 34. A data acquisition method applied to a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a print server device controlling a printing device. An acquisition step of downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device, and a transfer step of transferring external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired in the acquisition step to the printing device. A data acquisition method comprising: 35. The data acquisition method according to claim 33, wherein the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface. 36. A printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. Downloading and acquiring external character data from the server device via http based on the presence or absence of an instruction to request external character data, and transferring the external character print data to the printing device by the transfer process of the data processing device in the client device. 36. The data acquisition method according to claim 33, wherein the data is transferred to a data storage device. 37. The server device, the client device,
The printing apparatus is applicable to a printing system in which the printing apparatus is connected to a network. The obtaining step included in the data processing apparatus in the client apparatus downloads and obtains the external character data from the server apparatus by using the HTTP, and stores the external character data in the client apparatus. 36. The external character print data is transferred to the printing device by the transferring step of the data processing device.
Data acquisition method described. 38. The server device, the client device,
It is applicable to a printing system in which the print server device is connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. The external character data is downloaded and obtained, and the external character print data is transferred to the printing device via the print server device equipped with a spool function by the transfer step of the data processing device in the client device. The data acquisition method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein: 39. A computer storing a program for executing a data acquisition method applied to a data processing device capable of communicating with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicating with a printing device. A readable storage medium, wherein the data acquisition method includes: a control step of controlling the printing device capable of communicating via a predetermined interface; and downloading and acquiring predetermined external character data from the server device. A storage medium, comprising: an acquisition step of controlling; and a transfer step of controlling to transfer external character print data based on the predetermined external character data and print data acquired in the acquisition step to the printing apparatus. 40. A data acquisition method applied to a data processing device communicable with a server device responding to a predetermined protocol via a predetermined communication medium and communicable with a print server device controlling a printing device. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program, wherein the data obtaining method includes: obtaining an external character data from the server device; and obtaining the external character data. Transferring the external character print data based on predetermined external character data and print data to the printing apparatus. 41. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein the predetermined communication medium includes a network and an interface. 42. A printing system in which the server device and the client device are connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the client device. The acquisition step of the data processing device in the client device is performed by the acquiring step. Controlling the external character data to be downloaded and obtained from the server device based on the presence or absence of an instruction for requesting the external character data, and performing the transfer of the external character print data by the data processing device in the client device. 42. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein the storage medium is controlled to be transferred to the printing apparatus. 43. The server device, the client device,
Applicable to a printing system in which the printing apparatus is connected to a network, and the acquisition step of the data processing apparatus in the client apparatus is controlled such that external character data is downloaded and acquired from the server apparatus via http, 42. The storage medium according to claim 39, wherein control is performed such that the external character print data is transferred to the printing device in the transfer step of the data processing device in the client device. 44. The server device, the client device,
It is applicable to a printing system in which the print server device is connected to a network and the printing device is locally connected to the print server device. The external character data is controlled to be downloaded and obtained by the data processing device in the client device, and the external character print data is printed via the print server device equipped with a spool function by the transfer step. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control is performed so as to transfer the data to an apparatus.
42. The storage medium according to 0 or 41.