JP2002014779A - Print system, printing method, printer, terminal device, and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system which can print information by successively receiving print requests irrelevantly to the state of a printer when a user specifies content information obtained by a terminal device and prints it on the printer through the server device. SOLUTION: Once a request to print content information is sent from a portable terminal device 105 to the printer 108, the printer 108 when requesting the server device 101 to acquire its print data stores the request to print the content information in a print request storage part 120. Then the printer 108 obtains a request to print content information of one item from the print request storage part 120 and issues a transmission request to the server 101 when a series of operations for receiving PML data from the server device 101, converting the data into print data and printing them by a PML print part 113 are not carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content or document for printing based on location information such as a URL of data (content information) of content or document on a portable terminal device such as a cellular phone or PDA. The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, a printing device, a terminal device, and a server device that provide a service for outputting data (printing data) such as data to a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has disclosed a portable terminal device (Info).
When printing data (content information) such as contents and documents on the Internet obtained by an operation appliance (hereinafter simply referred to as an IA device), a print request is transmitted from the IA device to the printing device by local communication in response to a user's print instruction. In response to the print request, the printing device makes a request for obtaining the print data to the server device via the network,
In response to the acquisition request, the server device obtains print data, and the printing device proposes a printing system that prints the print data received from the server device.

[0003]

However, in the above printing system, if a new print request is transmitted from the IA device to the printing device before the printing output from the printing device in response to the previous printing request is completed, the printing is performed. The device could only execute a new print request or continue to execute a previous print request.

When the previous print request is continuously executed, the new print request is not accepted and becomes invalid. Therefore, the user of the IA apparatus always monitors the use state of the print apparatus, and the print apparatus is performing printing. It was necessary to issue a print instruction when it was not.

On the other hand, the execution of the previous print request is not continued,
When accepting a new print request, the print job based on the previous print request is aborted when the new print request is received, so that the user of the IA device always monitors the use status of the print device as before. However, it is necessary to issue a print instruction when the printing device is not printing.

As described above, in the above printing system, in a situation where a plurality of print requests are continuously output, the user of the IA apparatus always monitors the usage state of the printing apparatus and issues a print instruction at an appropriate timing. Unless the print request is issued, the requested print cannot be executed, that is, the next print request cannot be accepted until the printing by one print request is completed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when a user designates content information obtained at a terminal device and prints with a printing device via a server device, regardless of the status of the printing device, the print request is continuously received and printed. It is an object to provide a printing system, a printing method, a printing device, a terminal device, and a server device that can perform the printing.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and The terminal device to which the device is locally connected receives the first command in response to a print instruction from a user.
Transmitting a content information print request to the printing device by designating the position information of the content information, and in response to the print request, the printing device designates second position information based on the first position information. Sending a print data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information and A printing system for transmitting to a printing device, the printing device performing printing in accordance with the acquired print data, wherein the printing device includes a print request storage unit that stores information of the transmitted print request; When the printing process is not performed according to the print data acquired from the server device, the stored print request is transmitted to the server device.

Further, the terminal device acquires and displays a list of print request information stored in the print request storage means.

Further, the terminal device cancels or deletes the print request based on the displayed list of information of the print request.

Further, the printing apparatus acquires and displays a list of print request information stored in the print request storage means.

Further, the printing apparatus cancels or deletes the print request based on the displayed list of information of the print request.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system, at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected receives a printing instruction from a user. Depending on the first
Transmitting a content information print request to the printing device by designating the position information of the content information, and in response to the print request, the printing device designates second position information based on the first position information. Sending a print data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information and A printing system for transmitting to a printing device and performing printing in accordance with the acquired printing data, wherein the printing device transmits identification information of the printing device to the server device together with the acquisition request. An information transmission unit, wherein the server device includes a conversion unit configured to convert the print data into data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and an acquisition request type storing the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing device. And means, characterized in that passed to the converting means an acquisition request, which is the stored in a predetermined order.

[0014] The printing apparatus further comprises inquiry means for inquiring of the server apparatus whether the acquisition request exists in the acquisition request storage means by adding identification information of the printing apparatus. The server device further includes a notifying unit that determines the presence or absence of an acquisition request corresponding to the identification information in response to the inquiry, and notifies a result of the determination.

Further, the terminal device includes terminal device information transmitting means for transmitting identification information of the terminal device to the printing device together with the print request, and the printing device information transmitting means transmits the printing device information together with the acquisition request. Transmitting the identification information and the identification information of the terminal device to the server device, and the acquisition request storage unit stores the acquisition request for each of the identification information of the printing device and the identification information of the terminal device. I do.

Further, the server device is provided with a plurality of the conversion means, and transfers the acquisition request stored in the acquisition request storage means to the conversion means which has not been converted. .

Furthermore, the printing apparatus is characterized in that it has a printing data generating means for generating data unique to the printing apparatus based on the printing data transmitted from the server apparatus.

[0018] The server device may further include a print data generating unit configured to generate data unique to the printing device from the print data acquired based on the designated second position information. Is transmitted to the printing apparatus.

Further, the first position information is different from the second position information.

Further, the first position information and the second position information are the same.

Further, the second position information may include the first position information.
In the content information specified by the position information.

Further, the printing data transmitted to the printing apparatus is content information designated by the first position information or the second position information.

Further, the printing data transmitted to the printing apparatus is different from the content information specified by the first position information or the second position information.

Further, the printing apparatus includes a printing data generating means for generating data unique to the printing apparatus, and the printing data transmitted to the printing apparatus is in an HTML format which can be interpreted by the printing data generating means. Data.

Further, the printing apparatus is provided with printing data generating means for generating data unique to the printing apparatus, and the printing data transmitted to the printing apparatus is in an XML format which can be interpreted by the printing data generating means. It is characterized by being data.

Further, the server device is provided with print data acquisition means for acquiring the print data from the content information to be printed.

Further, the terminal device, the printing device, or the server device includes a position information acquiring unit for acquiring position information of content information to be printed.

Further, the printing device notifies the terminal device that printing is completed by local communication.

Further, at least a part of the network is the Internet or an intranet.

Further, the printing apparatus deletes the print request stored in the print request storage means after printing is completed.

A printing method according to a twenty-fourth aspect uses a printing system in which at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected is a user. Transmits a content information print request to the printing apparatus by designating first position information in response to a print instruction from the printing apparatus, and in response to the print request, the printing apparatus generates a request based on the first position information A request for acquiring print data is transmitted to the server device by designating the second position information, and in response to the request for acquiring print data, the server device responds to the request for acquisition of the print data based on the designated second position information. A printing method for acquiring printing data and transmitting the data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus performs printing in accordance with the acquired printing data. And storing the broadcast, if the not subjected to print processing in accordance with the print data acquired from the server apparatus, characterized by a step of transmitting the stored print request to the server apparatus.

A printing method according to a twenty-fifth aspect uses a printing system in which at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected is a user. Transmits a content information print request to the printing apparatus by designating first position information in response to a print instruction from the printing apparatus, and in response to the print request, the printing apparatus generates a request based on the first position information A request for obtaining print data is transmitted to the server device by designating second position information, and in response to the request for obtainment of print data, the server device obtains a request based on the specified second position information. A printing method for acquiring printing data and transmitting the printing data to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus performs printing in accordance with the acquired printing data. Transmitting the print data to the server device together with the acquisition request, converting the print data into data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and storing the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing device. And a step of transferring the stored acquisition request to the conversion means in a predetermined order.

[0033] The printing apparatus according to claim 26 is connected to a network together with at least one server apparatus and a terminal apparatus, and is a content transmitted by specifying first position information from the locally connected terminal apparatus. Receiving a print request for information and responding to the print request,
Transmitting a print data acquisition request to the server device by designating the second position information based on the position information, and responding to the print data acquisition request in response to the print data acquisition request. 2. A printing apparatus for receiving print data acquired based on the position information of No. 2 and performing printing in accordance with the received print data, comprising: a print request storage unit for storing the information of the transmitted print request. And when the print processing is not performed according to the print data obtained from the server device, the stored print request is transmitted to the server device.

A printing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the printing apparatus is connected to a network together with at least one server apparatus and a terminal apparatus, and the content transmitted by specifying first location information from the locally connected terminal apparatus. Receiving a print request for information and responding to the print request,
Transmitting a print data acquisition request to the server device by designating the second position information based on the position information, and responding to the print data acquisition request in response to the print data acquisition request. A printing device that receives the print data acquired based on the position information of No. 2 and performs printing in accordance with the received print data, and transmits identification information of the print device to the server device together with the acquisition request. The server device converts the printing data into data that can be interpreted by the printing device, stores the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing device, and stores the stored request. An acquisition request is delivered to the conversion means in a predetermined order.

The terminal device according to claim 28, wherein the locally connected printing device prints by designating the second position information based on the first position information in response to the print request of the content information. The server device transmits a data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires the print data based on the designated second position information, and The printing device is a terminal device connected to a network together with the server device and the printing device to perform printing in accordance with the acquired print data, and prints the content information instructed by the user to print. A transmitting unit for transmitting a request to the printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus stores information of the transmitted print request, and according to printing data acquired from the server apparatus. If not subjected to printing processing, and transmits the stored print request to the server apparatus.

The terminal device according to claim 29, wherein the locally connected printing device prints by designating the second position information based on the first position information in response to the print request of the content information. The server device transmits a data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires the print data based on the designated second position information, and The printing device is a terminal device connected to a network together with the server device and the printing device to perform printing in accordance with the acquired print data, and prints the content information instructed by the user to print. A transmitting unit that transmits a request to the printing device, wherein the printing device transmits identification information of the printing device to the server device together with the acquisition request, and the server device Converting the printing data into data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus, storing the acquisition request for each piece of identification information of the printing apparatus, and passing the stored acquisition request to the conversion unit in a predetermined order. And

[0037] The server device according to claim 30 is connected to a network together with a terminal device and a printing device, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected is a first device.
And transmitting a content information print request to the printing device by designating the position information of the second position information based on the first position information from the printing device in response to the print request. A printing apparatus that receives the transmitted print data acquisition request, and in response to the print data acquisition request, acquires print data based on the designated second position information and performs printing. A server device for transmitting the acquired print data, receiving means for receiving a print request transmitted from the printing device, and acquiring the print data in response to the received print request. Means for transmitting the acquired print data to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a print request storage means for storing information of a print request transmitted from the terminal apparatus; and Take from device If in accordance with the print data which is not subjected to printing processing, and transmits the stored print request to the server apparatus.

The server device according to claim 31 is connected to a network together with a terminal device and a printing device, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected is a first device.
And transmitting a content information print request to the printing device by designating the position information of the second position information based on the first position information from the printing device in response to the print request. A printing apparatus that receives the transmitted print data acquisition request, and in response to the print data acquisition request, acquires print data based on the designated second position information and performs printing. A conversion unit that converts the print data into data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and stores the acquisition request for each piece of identification information of the printing device. And an acquisition request storage unit, wherein the stored acquisition requests are delivered to the conversion unit in a predetermined order.

In the printing method according to the thirty-second aspect, a step of receiving a print request of a designated address from the terminal device, a step of storing the received print request of the designated address, and no printing process are performed. In the case, the method includes a step of transmitting a print request of the stored designated address to the server device, and a step of performing print processing based on print data corresponding to the print request of the designated address transmitted from the server device. It is characterized by.

Further, the address includes a display URL.

Further, the address includes a print URL extracted from the display URL.

A printing method according to a thirty-fifth aspect includes a step of receiving a print request of an address designated from a terminal device from a printing apparatus, a step of storing the received print request, and a step of storing the plurality of stored print requests. The method further comprises a step of sequentially converting the print data into print data and a step of transmitting the converted print data to a printing apparatus.

Further, the address includes a display URL.

Further, the address includes a print URL extracted from the display URL.

Further, the converting is performed by a plurality of converting means.

In a printing method according to a thirty-ninth aspect, a step of receiving a print request at an address designated from a terminal device from a printing device, a step of storing the received print request, Receiving a query, transmitting a print request to the printing device, and receiving a print request processing request from the printing device. The method includes the steps of sequentially converting requests into print data, and transmitting the converted print data to a printing device.

The printing method according to claim 40, wherein a step of receiving a print request of an address designated from the terminal device together with the terminal device specifying information from the printing device, a step of storing the received print request, and a step of storing the received print request. The method includes a step of converting a print request into print data, and a step of transmitting the converted print data to a printing device together with terminal device identification information.

Further, the terminal device specifying information is information for notifying the terminal device of the printing completion based on the terminal specifying information after the printing of the print data is completed.

[0049]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a printing system, a printing method, a printing device, a terminal device and a server device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment. This printing system uses a portable terminal device (Information
The system has a configuration in which an appliance (hereinafter simply referred to as an IA device) 105, a server device 101, and a printing device 108 are connected via the Internet 103. Server device 1
Reference numeral 01 connects to the Internet 103 and functions as a WEB server, and has a PML conversion unit 109. Upon receiving a request for print data from the printing device 108, the PML conversion unit 109 converts the print data into a PML (Print Mark).
(Up Language) data and send it out.
The PML conversion unit 109 skips the PML conversion when the print data is described in PML in advance.

The IA device 105 is a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, or the like, and is connected to the carrier or provider to which the device belongs via the network 104 via the network 104.
3 is connected. The IA device 105 includes a printing device communication unit 110, and performs network 1 communication such as wireless communication.
06 and can communicate with the printing device 108.

The printing device 108 is a server device communication unit 11
1, an IA communication unit 112, a PML printing unit 113, and a print request storage unit 120. The printing device 108 is connected to the IA communication unit 112 via a network such as wireless communication.
It can communicate with the device 105. Thus, the IA device 1
05 and the printing device 108 are locally connected by a printing device communication unit 110 and an IA communication unit 112.

The printing apparatus 108 is connected to the Internet 103 via the network 107 by the server communication unit 111. The printing device 108 is the server device 1
01 received by requesting print data from
The ML data is printed by the PML printing unit 113.

Here, PML is an XML-based printing data description language that can be transmitted and received on an arbitrary line basis according to the processing capacity of the printing apparatus. Such information is described as data to which print instruction information such as "."

The IA device 105 specifies position information such as a URL, and acquires content information from the Internet 103 through a communication line 104 such as a network. When printing data (content / document or content information) such as content or a document as the acquired content information, the IA device 105 notifies the printing device 108 of the content information by the printing device communication unit 110.

The printing device 108 receives the content information (URL) and the print request by the IA communication unit 112 transmitted from the IA device 105 via the network 106. The printing device 108 stores a content information print request (print request) in the print request storage unit 120. When the printing device 108 issues a content / document request to the server device 101 via the network 107 by the server device communication unit 111, the printing device 108
If the PML data is not received from the print request storage unit 120 and the PML print unit 113 receives the PML data from the print request storage unit 120, the content information (URL) of one print request is acquired from the print request storage unit 120. Then, the server device communication unit 111 and the network 107 issue a content information transmission request to the server device 101.

Then, the server apparatus 101 having received the request from the printing apparatus 108 converts the content / document specified by the URL into a PML
The printer 10 converts the ML data into ML data,
8 Printer 10 that has received PML data
Reference numeral 8 denotes printing by converting the data into print data by the PML printing unit 113. After the printing is completed, the printing device 108 deletes the content information print request from the print request storage unit 120.

As described above, in the printing system according to the first embodiment, when the user specifies the content information obtained by the IA device 105 and gives a printing instruction to the printing device 108, Instead, printing can be performed by continuously receiving a print request.

It is also possible for the printing apparatus 108 to acquire and display information of a print request (print request) stored in the print request storage unit 120, for example, a list of position information. Further, the printing device 108 can cancel or delete the corresponding print request from the position information displayed in the list.

Further, the IA device 1 is transmitted through the printing device communication unit 110, the network 106, and the IA communication unit 112.
It is also possible to acquire and display information on print requests (print requests) stored in the print request storage unit 120, for example, a list of position information. Then, similarly, the IA device 105 can also cancel or delete the corresponding print request from the position information displayed in the list.

The URL of the content to be printed is
URL for mobile terminal display or U for mobile terminal display
Contains the URL for printing extracted from the RL.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. This printing system has a configuration in which a portable terminal device (Information Appliance, simply referred to as an IA device) 105, a server device 101, and a printing device 108 are connected via the Internet 103. The server device 101 is the Internet 10
3 and functions as a WEB server, the print request storage unit 114, the printing device communication unit 115, and the PML conversion unit 1
09. Upon receiving a request for print data from the printing apparatus 108, the PML conversion unit 109 converts the print data into a PM
It is converted into L (Print Markup Language) data and transmitted. The PML conversion unit 109 skips the PML conversion when the print data is described in PML in advance.

The IA device 105 is a portable information terminal, a portable telephone, or the like, and is connected to the carrier or provider to which the device belongs by way of the network 104 via the network 104.
3 is connected. The IA device 105 includes a printing device communication unit 110, and performs network 1 communication such as wireless communication.
06 and can communicate with the printing device 108.

The printing device 108 is a server device communication unit 11
1, an IA communication unit 112 and a PML printing unit 113. The printing device 108 can communicate with the IA device 105 via a network such as wireless communication by the IA communication unit 112. Thus, the IA device 105 and the printing device 108
Are locally connected by a printing device communication unit 110 and an IA communication unit 112.

The printing apparatus 108 is connected to the Internet 103 via the network 107 by the server communication unit 111. The printing device 108 is the server device 1
01 received by requesting print data from
The ML data is printed by the PML printing unit 113.

In the figure, reference numeral 116 denotes a sample of PML data transmitted from the server apparatus 101 to the printing apparatus 108. PML is an XML-based printing data description language that can be transmitted and received in arbitrary line units according to the processing capacity of the printing apparatus. The PML is capable of not only data such as text and images but also print instruction information such as page and font designation. It is described as added data.

The IA device 105 acquires content information from the Internet 103 through the communication line 104. When printing data (content / document or content information) such as content or a document as the acquired content information, the IA device 105 notifies the printing device 108 of the content information by the printing device communication unit 110.

The printing device 108 receives the content information and the print request by the IA communication unit 112 transmitted from the IA device 105 via the network 106.
The printing device 108 notifies the server device 101 of a content / document request via the network 107 by the server device communication unit 111.

The server device 101 that has received the request (print request) from the printing device 108 stores the content / document specified by the stored print request in the PML conversion unit 109 and stores the content / document in the print request storage unit 114.
To PML data, and the printing device communication unit 115 transmits the PML data to the printing device 108 via the network 102, the Internet 103, and the network 107. P
Upon receiving the ML data, the printing apparatus 108 converts the data into print data by the PML printing unit 113 and performs printing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing operation procedure of the printing system. First, the user operates the IA device 105 to specify data such as content to be displayed on the IA device 105 (S201).

The IA device 105 stores the UR of the designated data.
The location information such as L (hereinafter simply referred to as URL) is transmitted to the server apparatus 101 via the Internet 103 (S2).
02). Then, according to the http protocol, the HTM
The display data described in L or the like is acquired (S203),
The acquired display data is displayed (S204).

Thereafter, the user issues a print instruction from the IA device 105 (S205). Thereby, the IA device 10
5 designates the URL of the data displayed by the printing device communication unit 110 and makes a printing request to the printing device 108 (S206).

Upon receiving the print request, the printing device 108
Connects to the server device 101 according to the tp protocol,
The server apparatus 101 is notified of the URL of the display data, the print request, and the printing apparatus identification code received from the A apparatus 105 (S207).

Upon receiving the notification, the server apparatus 101 stores the received print request (acquisition request) in the print request storage unit 114 for each printing apparatus identification code, and stores the P in the order of the stored print requests.
It is delivered to the ML conversion unit 109 (S208). The PML conversion unit 109 acquires display data based on the URL of the display data, extracts the URL of the print data in the display data, and acquires the print data from the URL of the print data. Further, if the acquired print data is not in the PML format suitable for printing and communication, the PML conversion unit 109 converts the print data into PML data (S20).
9) The PML data is transmitted to the requesting printing device 108 (S210). If the acquired print data is in a PML format suitable for printing and communication, it is transmitted as it is.

Printer 108 that has received PML data
Interprets the PML data by the PML printing unit 113,
The print data is converted into print data unique to the printing apparatus and printing is performed (S2).
11). While the printing device 108 is performing printing, the server device 101 sequentially processes the print requests stored in the print request storage unit 114. When the printing is completed, the server apparatus 101 transmits the PML data according to the next print request to the printing apparatus 108. When all printing is completed, the printing device 108 notifies the IA device 105 of the completion of printing (S212).

FIG. 4 shows a printing operation procedure of the printing system in a case where a printing request is sent to the printing apparatus 108 again, despite the fact that a printing request is stored in the printing request storage unit 114 and the printing apparatus 108 is again connected to the printing apparatus 108 to make a printing request. FIG.

The printing apparatus 108 inquires of the server apparatus 101 whether or not there is a printing request together with a printing apparatus identification code (S301, S302). Server device 10
1 determines in response to this inquiry whether or not a print request from the printing device remains in the print request storage unit 114 based on the printing device identification code, and compares the result with the printing device 10.
8 (S302, S304).

If the printing apparatus 108 determines from the received result that a print request remains, it transmits a processing request for the remaining print request to the server apparatus 101 (S305).
Upon receiving the processing request, the server device 101 converts the print request stored in the print request storage unit 114 into a PML conversion unit 1
09 (S306). The transferred print request may be deleted from the print request storage unit 114.

The PML conversion unit 109 performs the same processing as in S209 described above, and converts the converted PML data into the printing device 1
08 (S310). The printing device 108
The printer driver receives the L data, converts the received PML data into print data unique to the printing apparatus, and performs printing (S309). At the end of printing, the printing apparatus 108 sends a print completion notification to the IA apparatus 1
05 is notified (S310).

As described above, in the second embodiment, even if the user continuously issues a print instruction, printing can be performed at high speed without waste, and even if the network is disconnected, the same Printing can be performed without repeating the procedure.

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the printing system provided with one IA device is described. However, in the third embodiment, a printing system provided with a plurality of IA devices is provided. Is shown. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system provided with a plurality of IA devices according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the printing system corresponding to FIG. The same components and processes as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different portions will be described here.

In this printing system, each IA device 105
Has a printing device recognition unit 416, and the printing device 108
A device recognition unit 417 is provided.

When the user gives a print instruction from the IA device 105 (S 205), the IA device 105 designates the URL of the data displayed by the printing device communication section 110, issues a printing request to the printing device 108, and The IA device identification code (IA recognition information) is transmitted (S206).
A).

The printing device 108 that has received the print request is ht
Connects to the server device 101 according to the tp protocol,
The URL of the display data received from the A device 105, the print request, the printing device identification code, and the IA device identification code are notified to the server device 101 (S207A).

The server device 101 that has received the notification stores the received print requests in the print request storage unit 114 for each of the print device identification code and the IA device identification code, and delivers the print requests to the PML conversion unit 109 in the order of the stored print requests ( S208
A). In the PML conversion unit 109, the URL of the display data is used.
, The display data is acquired, the URL of the print data in the display data is extracted, and the print data is acquired from the URL of the print data. Further, if the acquired print data is not in a PML format suitable for printing and communication, the PM
The print data is converted into PML data by the L conversion unit 109 (S209), and the PIA data is transmitted with the IA device identification code added to the requesting printing device 108 (S21).
0A).

As described above, when there are a plurality of IA devices 105, the identification code of each IA device is transmitted from the printing device 108 to the server device 101 together with the print request, and the server device 101 is stored in the print request storage unit 114. The print request is managed for each printing device identification code and IA device identification code.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first, second and third embodiments, the case where the server device is provided with one PML conversion unit has been described. ,
This shows a case where a plurality of PML conversion units are provided in a server device. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system when a plurality of PML conversion units are provided in a server device. The same components as those in the second and third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The server apparatus 101 has a plurality of PML conversion units 7
09, the print request storage unit 114 transfers the print request to the PML conversion unit 709 that is not performing the conversion work, so that the print request storage unit 114 can keep the print request waiting for conversion. This can solve the problem and speed up the printing process.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions described in the claims or the functions of the embodiments are described. Any configuration that can achieve the function of the configuration is applicable.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printing system in which each device is connected via the Internet has been described. However, an intranet or another network may be used instead of the Internet.

The print request stored in the print request storage unit can also store a print request from a printing device having a different printing device identification code. Further, when the network address of the printing apparatus is different, for example, when the network address of the printing apparatus is uniquely set at the time of dial-up connection, such as when connecting to the Internet by dial-up, the print request Are managed by identification information (printing device identification code) unique to the printing device, and can be stored.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PML conversion unit is provided in the server device holding the content information to be printed. However, the PML conversion unit is provided in a server device different from the server device holding the content information. In this case, the PM converted by the server device may be provided.
The L data is transferred to the printing device. Also, P
The ML data conversion unit may be provided in the printing apparatus. In this case, after the printing apparatus converts the data into PML data, the printing apparatus generates and prints data unique to the printing apparatus.

Further, the server device may have a print data generation unit for generating the PML data converted by the PML conversion unit into data unique to the printing device. In this case, the server device generates data unique to the printing device. By transmitting the data to the printing apparatus, the processing on the printing apparatus side can be reduced.

Further, although only the terminal device has acquired the position information of the content information to be printed, the present invention is not limited to the terminal device, and any of the server device and the printing device may acquire it.

The network to which the server device, the IA device, and the printing device are connected includes, in addition to the Internet,
Multiple intranets such as ANs may intervene. The IA device and the printing device only need to be connected by local communication, and can be connected by wireless communication, infrared light communication, a cable, or the like.

[0096]

According to the present invention, when a user designates content information obtained from a terminal device and prints the content via a server device using a printing device, a print request is continuously received regardless of the status of the printing device. Printing. In addition, before the printing apparatus starts printing, it is possible to cancel the print instruction.

Therefore, the user can print without considering the state of the printing apparatus, and the usability can be improved.

Further, even if the user issues a print instruction continuously, printing can be performed at high speed without waste.
Even if the network is disconnected, printing can be performed without repeating the same procedure. Furthermore, communication that is resistant to errors that may occur in the printing apparatus can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a printing operation procedure of the printing system.

FIG. 4 shows a printing operation procedure of the printing system in a case where a printing request is not transmitted to the printing apparatus 108 even though the printing request is stored in the printing request storage unit 114 and the printing apparatus 108 is connected to the printing apparatus 108 again and makes a printing request. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system provided with a plurality of IA devices according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the printing system corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system when a plurality of PML conversion units are provided in a server device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 server device 103 Internet 105 portable terminal device (IA device) 108 printing device 109, 709 PML conversion unit 110 printing device communication unit 111 server device communication unit 113 PML printing unit 114, 120 print request storage unit 416 printing device recognition unit 417 IA Device recognition unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 107 H04N 1/00 107Z (72) Inventor Hirohisa Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Canon F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HJ06 HN22 HN23 HQ17 2C087 AB01 BA06 BA14 BC07 BD24 CB02 CB03 CB17 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB05 EE04 5C062 AA05 AA13 AA29 AA35 AB20 AB23 AC42 AF04 AC05 AC22

Claims (41)

[Claims] At least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected transmits first position information in response to a printing instruction from a user. And transmitting a print request for the content information to the printing apparatus, and in response to the print request, the printing apparatus specifies second position information based on the first position information and transmits the print data. An acquisition request is transmitted to the server device, and in response to the acquisition request for the print data, the server device acquires the print data based on the designated second position information and transmits the acquired print data to the printing device. The printing apparatus is a printing system that performs printing in accordance with the acquired print data, the printing apparatus includes: a print request storage unit that stores the transmitted print request information; A printing system configured to transmit the stored print request to the server device when the printing process is not performed according to the print data acquired from the server device. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device acquires and displays a list of print request information stored in the print request storage unit. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the terminal device cancels or deletes the print request based on the displayed list of information of the print request. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus acquires and displays a list of print request information stored in the print request storage unit. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus cancels or deletes the print request based on the displayed list of the information of the print request. 6. At least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, and the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected transmits first position information in response to a printing instruction from a user. And transmitting a print request for the content information to the printing device, and in response to the print request, the printing device specifies second position information based on the first position information and transmits the print data. An acquisition request is transmitted to the server device, and in response to the acquisition request for the print data, the server device acquires the print data based on the designated second position information and transmits the acquired print data to the printing device. The printing apparatus is a printing system that performs printing in accordance with the acquired printing data, wherein the printing apparatus transmits identification information of the printing apparatus to the server apparatus together with the acquisition request. Conversion information conversion means for converting the print data into data interpretable by the printing device; and an acquisition request storage means for storing the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing device. Wherein the stored acquisition request is delivered to the conversion means in a predetermined order. 7. The printing apparatus further comprises inquiry means for inquiring of the server device whether or not the acquisition request exists in the acquisition request storage means by adding identification information of the printing apparatus to the inquiry. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the server device includes a notification unit that determines the presence or absence of an acquisition request corresponding to the identification information in response to the inquiry, and notifies a result of the determination. 8. The terminal device, further comprising: a terminal device information transmitting unit that transmits identification information of the terminal device together with the print request to the printing device, wherein the printing device information transmitting unit transmits the printing device together with the acquisition request. Transmitting the identification information of the printing device and the identification information of the terminal device to the server device, wherein the acquisition request storage unit stores the acquisition request for each of the identification information of the printing device and the identification information of the terminal device. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein 9. The server device is provided with a plurality of the conversion units, and transfers the acquisition request stored in the acquisition request storage unit to the conversion unit that has not been converted. The printing system according to claim 6. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus includes printing data generating means for generating data unique to the printing apparatus based on printing data transmitted from the server apparatus. 6. The printing system according to 6. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server device includes a printing data generating unit configured to generate the printing device-specific data from the printing data acquired based on the designated second position information. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system transmits the print request to the printing apparatus. 12. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first position information is different from the second position information. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first position information and the second position information are the same.
The printing system as described. 14. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second position information is indicated in content information designated by the first position information. 15. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the print data transmitted to the printing apparatus is content information designated by the first position information or the second position information. system. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data transmitted to the printing apparatus is different from the content information specified by the first position information or the second position information. Printing system. 17. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing data generation unit configured to generate data unique to the printing device, wherein the printing data transmitted to the printing device is in an HTML format interpretable by the printing data generation unit. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data is data of the following. 18. A printing apparatus, comprising: printing data generating means for generating data unique to the printing apparatus, wherein printing data transmitted to the printing apparatus is in an XML format which can be interpreted by the printing data generating means. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is data. 19. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the server device includes a print data acquisition unit that acquires the print data from the content information to be printed. 20. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device, the printing device, or the server device includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of content information to be printed. system. 21. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device notifies the terminal device that printing has been completed by local communication. 22. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the network is the Internet or an intranet. 23. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device deletes the print request stored in the print request storage unit after printing is completed. 24. A printing system in which at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, wherein the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected receives a printing instruction from a user. And transmitting a content information print request to the printing apparatus by designating the first location information, and in response to the print request, the printing apparatus designates second location information based on the first location information. Transmitting a print data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information. A printing method for transmitting to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus performing printing in accordance with the acquired print data, wherein the printing apparatus stores information of the transmitted print request, When not performing printing according to the printing data acquired from over server device, a printing method characterized by comprising the step of transmitting the stored print request to the server apparatus. 25. A printing system in which at least one server device, a terminal device, and a printing device are connected to a network, wherein the terminal device, to which the printing device is locally connected, receives a print command from a user. And transmitting a content information print request to the printing apparatus by designating the first location information, and in response to the print request, the printing apparatus designates second location information based on the first location information. Transmitting a print data acquisition request to the server device, and in response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information. A printing method for transmitting to the printing device, the printing device performing printing in accordance with the obtained printing data, wherein the printing device sends identification information of the printing device together with the acquisition request to the server. Transmitting to the device; converting the print data into data interpretable by the printing device in the server device; storing the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing device; Transferring the obtained acquisition requests to the conversion means in a predetermined order. 26. A print request for content information which is connected to a network together with at least one server device and at least one terminal device, and receives a content information print request specified by first position information from the locally connected terminal device, In response to the print request, a second data is designated based on the first location information, and a print data acquisition request is transmitted to the server device. hand,
A printing apparatus that receives print data acquired based on the designated second position information from the server device, and performs printing in accordance with the received print data. A print request storage unit for storing information, wherein the print request is transmitted to the server device when the print process is not performed according to the print data acquired from the server device. . 27. A print request for content information that is connected to a network together with at least one server device and a terminal device and that is transmitted by designating first position information from the locally connected terminal device, In response to the print request, a second data is designated based on the first location information, and a print data acquisition request is transmitted to the server device. hand,
A printing device that receives print data obtained based on the designated second position information from the server device, and performs printing in accordance with the received print data, wherein the identification information of the printing device is A printing device information transmitting unit that transmits to the server device together with the acquisition request, wherein the server device converts the printing data into data that can be interpreted by the printing device, and transmits the acquisition request to the identification information of the printing device. A printing apparatus storing the acquired acquisition requests in a predetermined order to the conversion unit. 28. A locally connected printing device, in response to a content information printing request, specifies a second position information based on the first position information, and issues a print data acquisition request to the server device. In response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information and transmits the acquired print data to the printing device. A terminal device connected to a network together with the server device and the printing device in order to perform printing in accordance with the acquired print data, wherein the terminal device transmits a print request for content information instructed by the user to print to the printing device. A transmitting unit, wherein the printing apparatus stores the information of the transmitted print request, and does not perform a printing process according to the printing data acquired from the server apparatus. Terminal device and transmits the stored print request to the server apparatus. 29. In response to a request for printing content information, a locally connected printing device specifies a second position information based on the first position information and sends a request for obtaining print data to the server device. In response to the print data acquisition request, the server device acquires print data based on the designated second position information and transmits the acquired print data to the printing device. A terminal device connected to a network together with the server device and the printing device in order to perform printing in accordance with the acquired print data, wherein the terminal device transmits a print request for content information instructed by the user to print to the printing device. Transmitting means for transmitting the identification information of the printing device to the server device together with the acquisition request, and the server device transmits the print data to the printing device. There was converted into interpretable data, and storing the acquisition request for each identification information of the printing apparatus, the terminal apparatus characterized by passing said converting means an acquisition request, which is the stored in a predetermined order. 30. A terminal device connected to a network together with a terminal device and a printing device, wherein the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected transmits a content information print request to the printing device by designating first position information. Receiving, in response to the print request, an acquisition request for print data transmitted from the printing apparatus by designating second position information based on the first position information, and acquiring the print data. A server device for acquiring print data based on the designated second position information in response to a request, and transmitting the acquired print data to the printing device that performs printing, the server device comprising: Receiving means for receiving the print request transmitted from the printer, acquiring means for acquiring the print data in response to the received print request, and transmitting means for transmitting the acquired print data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus comprises a print request storage unit for storing information of a print request transmitted from the terminal device, and when not performing a print process according to the print data acquired from the server device, The server device transmits the stored print request to the server device. 31. A terminal device connected to a network together with a terminal device and a printing device, wherein the terminal device to which the printing device is locally connected transmits a content information print request to the printing device by designating first position information. Receiving, in response to the print request, an acquisition request for print data transmitted from the printing apparatus by designating second position information based on the first position information, and acquiring the print data. A server device for acquiring print data based on the designated second position information in response to the request, and transmitting the acquired print data to the printing device that performs printing, the server device comprising: A conversion unit that converts data into data that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus; and an acquisition request storage unit that stores the acquisition request for each piece of identification information of the printing apparatus. A server device for transferring the data to the conversion means. 32. A step of receiving a print request of a designated address from a terminal device, a step of storing the received print request of a designated address, and A printing method, comprising: transmitting an address print request to a server device; and performing print processing based on print data corresponding to the designated address print request transmitted from the server device. 33. The printing method according to claim 32, wherein the address includes a display URL. 34. The address according to claim 3, wherein the address includes a print URL extracted from the display URL.
2. The printing method according to 2. 35. A step of receiving a print request at a designated address from a terminal device from a printing device, storing the received print request, and sequentially converting the stored plurality of print requests into print data. And transmitting the converted print data to a printing device. 36. The printing method according to claim 35, wherein the address includes a display URL. 37. The address according to claim 3, wherein the address includes a print URL extracted from the display URL.
5. The printing method according to 5. 38. The printing method according to claim 35, wherein said converting step is performed by a plurality of converting means. 39. A step of receiving a print request at a designated address from the terminal device from the printing device, storing the received print request, receiving an inquiry about the presence or absence of the print request from the printing device, Transmitting a print request to the printing apparatus; and receiving a print request processing request from the printing apparatus, and sequentially converting the stored print requests into print data in response to the print request processing request. And a step of transmitting the converted print data to a printing apparatus. 40. A step of receiving a print request at a designated address from the terminal device together with the terminal device specifying information from the printing device, a step of storing the received print request, and converting the stored print request into print data. And a step of transmitting the converted print data to the printing device together with the terminal device specifying information. 41. The printing method according to claim 40, wherein the terminal device specifying information is information for notifying a terminal device of a print end based on the terminal specifying information after printing of the print data is completed.