JP2003015854A - Printing mediation system via network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance estimation accuracy of required time for printing and charges, etc., in printing via a network. SOLUTION: A system in which a client, a server and a printer are connected with the network is constructed. The client specifies the contents to be printed and transmits a printing request to the server. The server makes a specified printer perform the printing by mediating contents. In this case, history data regarding the required time for printing in the past are held in a history holding part 196 in the server. The history data are associated with a prescribed parameter such as data quantity of the contents. The server calculates a parameter value regarding the contents specified from the user and predicts the required time, etc., by referring to the history data. The estimation accuracy of the required time, etc., is enhanced by using records in the past.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for executing printing by mediating between a client connected to a network and a printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various printers have been used as output devices of computers. The printer is connected to the computer on a one-to-one basis using a predetermined cable such as a bidirectional parallel interface (hereinafter referred to as "local connection"), receives data from the computer and prints. In recent years, with the widespread use of LANs (local area networks), a mode in which a printer is connected to a network and shared by a plurality of computers also connected to the network has become widespread.

Furthermore, IPP (Internet Printing Prot)
It has become possible to print between any clients and printing devices connected to the Internet by using the protocol called "ocol". However, the output destination is limited to the printing device whose URI (Uniform Resource Indicator) is known. In other words, simply applying the IPP cannot realize highly convenient printing in which the output destination can be freely selected on the network.

In any of the above-mentioned modes, conventionally,
The connection state between the printer and the computer is usually predetermined. In other words, conventionally, printing has usually been done in a fixed place for each computer owner.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the development of information infrastructures such as the Internet and the improvement of portability of terminals that access the information infrastructures such as so-called notebook computers and mobile phones, it is possible to access information anywhere. Has become. Based on this tendency, there has been a demand for a technique capable of freely selecting an output destination on a network for printing. For example, there has been a demand for a technology that can immediately perform printing by using a nearest printing device as soon as information is acquired.

[0006]

As a practical problem when the print destination can be freely selected on the network,
Estimated printing time and fees.

In such a printing environment, a user often aims to obtain a printed matter inexpensively and quickly.
It is highly effective to provide the user with the estimated value of the required time, the charge, etc. before printing in view of the purpose. Further, in order to prevent the printing apparatus from being occupied by a single user due to a large number of print jobs, it is effective to set an upper limit value for the required time and determine whether the execution is possible. As illustrated here, the estimated values of the required time before printing, fees, etc. are
This information is effective for improving the practicality of printing via a network.

However, it was very difficult to accurately estimate the required time, fee, etc. due to the following factors. First
Generally, a wide variety of printing devices are connected to the network, and the time required for printing and the like vary depending on the capabilities of the printing device. Second, at the time of mediation, it is often necessary to perform file conversion and other processing on the print data, and the time required for these processings does not depend on the capacity of the print data.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for accurately estimating a required time and the like in printing via a network.

[0010]

In order to solve at least a part of the above problem, the present invention intervenes between a client connected to a network and a printing device, and receives an instruction from the client. In the print mediation server that realizes printing via the network by mediating print data to the printing apparatus, statistical processing is applied to improve the accuracy of estimation of required time, fee, and the like. Here, the network includes both a wide area network such as the Internet and a relatively limited network such as a local area network and an intranet.

In order to store the statistical data, the print mediation server of the present invention is provided with a history holding unit for holding a history relating to the relationship between predetermined parameters relating to the print data and at least one of the time required for printing and the charge. As the parameter, it is possible to apply an arbitrary amount having a correlation with the required time or the like such as the volume of print data. The history is a value such as a required time based on the past print record, and is stored in association with the above-mentioned parameters. The history may store the past performance as it is, or may process the past performance into one calibration curve and store it.

The print mediation server includes an acquisition unit, an indexing unit, and a prediction unit as units used when mediating print data. The acquisition unit acquires print data according to an instruction from the client. The acquisition source of the print data may be the client itself or another server. In the latter case, the client receives information indicating the location of the print data.

The indexing unit indexes the acquired print data based on predetermined parameters. For example,
When using the print data capacity as a parameter,
The capacity of the acquired print data is calculated. The prediction unit refers to the history holding unit based on the parameters thus obtained, and predicts at least one of the required time and the charge for the print data.

According to the print mediation server of the present invention, the required time and the like are estimated based on the past history, so that the estimation accuracy of these can be improved. In printing via a network, since there are many uncertain factors that affect the required time and the like, statistical processing based on past history is particularly useful. Further, in printing via the print mediation server, since the usage record of each printing device can be centrally managed by this server, the above-mentioned statistical processing can be applied easily and effectively.

In the present invention, regarding print data,
It is desirable to acquire the actual time or fee and update the history based on the actual result. Since the print data is indexed at the time of printing, the history can be updated by associating this parameter with the actual result and registering them in the history holding unit. Registration can be performed according to the form of history holding. For example, the actual result may be retained as it is in association with the parameter. Further, the actual result may be processed and held based on the parameter. When a plurality of parameters are used in the estimation, actual values may be distributed and held according to the influence of each parameter on the required time and the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is highly useful for converting print data into a general-purpose format that does not depend on the printing apparatus and then transmitting the file to the printing apparatus. In such a case, it is desirable to include a history regarding at least one of the time required for file conversion and the fee. Since it is difficult to simply estimate the time required for file conversion from the data capacity, the estimation accuracy can be greatly improved by using the statistical processing.

Here, as a general-purpose format, for example, PDF
Formats can be used. In addition, a page description language such as Postscript (registered trademark) can be used. The use of these formats has the advantage that the layout of the printed matter can be maintained relatively easily. Further, with these formats, almost all print data can be converted, so that the present invention can be applied to a wide range of print data.

Various parameters and indexing can be used in the present invention. For example, the indexing of the image data included in the print data and the indexing of the character data included in the print data may be performed separately. Since these have different influences on the required time and the like, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy by individually indexing them.

It is also useful to include indexing relating to processing instructions for print data. This indexing includes indexing according to the presence or absence of processing of print data and the type of processing. The processing includes, for example, file conversion, enlargement or reduction of print data, layout change for printing a plurality of pages per page, insertion of a banner or the like in a margin, and the like, which are exemplified above. Since these processes affect the required time and the like, the estimation accuracy can be improved by indexing them.

The present invention can be effectively used in a network to which a plurality of types of printing devices are connected. In such a case, it is desirable to keep the history by classifying the types. By doing so, it is possible to accurately perform estimation according to the capability of the printing apparatus. In addition to the type of printing device, it may be further subdivided according to the communication speed to the printing device.

The present invention can be configured in various modes such as a print mediation method in addition to the above-described mode as a print mediation server. Further, these methods may be configured as a computer program realized by a computer itself or a signal that can be regarded as the same. Further, it may be configured as a recording medium recording these computer programs.

Here, as the storage medium, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card,
Various computer-readable media such as ROM cartridges, punched cards, printed materials on which codes such as bar codes are printed, internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM) of computers, and external storage devices can be used.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on an example of a system for performing printing via a network. A. Basic system configuration: A1. System outline: A2. Function outline: A3. Functional block configuration: B. Estimation of required time: C. Required time prediction processing: D. History update processing: E. Effects and Modifications: E1. Estimating charges: E2. Modified example of history data:

A. Basic system configuration: A1. System Overview: FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system. The embodiment has illustrated a system that realizes printing via the Internet. Similar configuration is L
It is also possible to apply to a relatively limited network environment such as AN (Local Area Network) or so-called personal computer communication.

In this embodiment, the Internet INT
Various servers and clients are connected to. For convenience of explanation, the figure shows a state in which they are connected in a hierarchical manner, but these devices can exchange information with each other via the Internet INT. Further, for convenience of explanation and illustration, only a few devices are shown, but as is well known, there is no upper limit to the number of connections. The embodiment is to realize printing on an arbitrary printer under the system configuration in which a large number of servers, clients, etc. are connected via the Internet INT in this way.

In the embodiment, as a client, a mobile phone MP11 having an access function to the Internet,
The case where MP12, MP21, MP22, MP31, MP32 and the like are used is illustrated. These mobile phones MP11 and the like can access the Internet via the service providers SP1, SP2, SP3. The client is not limited to the mobile phone, and a personal computer can be used.

Content providers CP1 and CP2 are also connected to the Internet INT. These content providers CP1 and the like are the subjects that provide the content to be printed in this embodiment. For content providers, W in Internet INT
The provider of the eb page is included.

In the embodiment, the printing destination is the printing station PS11 or the like. Printing station PS
Reference numeral 11 and the like mean printers capable of sending and receiving data via the Internet. For example, a printing station can be constructed by combining a computer connected to the Internet and a printer locally connected to the computer. The printing station is in each individual home,
The user may be installed in a relatively limited place such as an office, or may be installed in a public place such as a store or a hotel.

In the embodiment, printing is performed by delivering the content provided from the content provider CP1 or the like to the printing station according to an instruction from the client MP11 or the like. In the embodiment, the mediation of data between the client and the printing station is performed by two types of servers, that is, an upper layer and a lower layer.

The upper layer server is shown as a print mediation system (print portal) PP in the figure. The lower layer servers are the printing service providers PSP1 and PS.
Shown as P2.

The lower layer server, that is, the printing service provider PSP1 or the like is a printing station PS11.
Plays the function of managing the etc. In the illustrated example, the printing service provider PSP1 is the printing station P
Manages S11 to PS14. The printing service provider PSP2 has printing stations PS21 to PS21.
Manage S24. Considering the case where the printing stations PS11 and the like are provided in the stores, the printing service provider PSP1 and the like can be provided for each business owner. The business owner A uses the printing service provider PSP1 to manage the printing stations PS11 to PS14 provided in its own head office, branch, etc., and the business owner B uses the printing service provider PSP2 to print stations PS21 to PS2.
4 is managed. By doing so, it is possible to manage the printing station for each business owner, and at the time of mediating the print data, it is also possible to add a service unique to the business owner in terms of fees and other aspects.

Upper layer server, ie, print portal PP
Is a printing service provider PSP1, PS
Manage P2. Therefore, the print portal PP indirectly manages the print station PS11 and the like via the printing service providers PSP1 and PSP2. Printing Service Provider PSP
Even if the business owners of 1 and PSP2 are different, the upper layer server can provide a function common to these. For example, when the client MP11 or the like executes printing,
It is possible to provide a unified interface screen and improve user convenience.

The upper layer server and the lower layer server are functionally divided in this way, and each server does not necessarily have to be constructed by a single server. The functions of the upper layer server and the lower layer server described below may be provided by a plurality of servers by distributed processing.

A2. Function outline: The internal structure of each system of the embodiment will be described later. Here, in order to make it easier to understand the functions of the server, etc.
A printing method using the print portal will be specifically described.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing data transfer at the time of printing an electronic mail. FIG. 3 is a time chart when printing an electronic mail. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an interface when printing an electronic mail. The function of each unit will be described with reference to these drawings. In the case of electronic mail, the mail service CP corresponds to the content provider.

First, the user accesses the mail service CP from the client MP, confirms the mail addressed to himself, and selects the mail to be printed. FIG. 4 shows an example of an interface screen displayed on the display unit DISP of the mobile phone. The screen on the left shows four mails Mail1 to Mail.
il4 has reached itself, Mail2 and Mai
14 indicates that 14 is selected as the print target. This interface is provided by the mail service CP. When the user presses the “iPrint” button on the screen, a print execution request is transmitted from the mail service CP to the print portal PP (see Sa01 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2).

By registering the mail service CP as a content provider in the print portal PP in advance, the installation of the "iPrint" button on the screen is permitted. This button functions as a link to the print portal PP. When printing is requested by the “iPrint” button, the access destination of the client MP is changed to the print portal PP. At the same time, the print data, that is, the data of Mail2 and Mail4 is transmitted from the mail service CP to the print portal PP (see Sa02 and FIG. 2 in FIG. 3).

Next, the print portal PP provides the client MP with an interface for designating the printing destination and the printing conditions (see Sa03 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2). Here, a normal designation method of the print destination, that is, a method of selecting from the list will be described. The system of this embodiment can also specify the print destination without complicated operations by utilizing the communication between the print station and the client. This aspect will be described later.

An example of an interface for designating a print destination is shown in the center of FIG. When specifying the print destination, the print stations available to the user are listed. The list of output destinations may be displayed in stages. For example,
When the “XX store” illustrated in FIG. 4 is selected, each store in the series can be listed. The printing service provider may be selected in the first layer. If there are many selectable printing stations, the hierarchy and the list displayed in each hierarchy will increase.

An example of an interface for designating printing conditions is shown on the right side of FIG. The printing conditions include items such as the size, layout, and resolution of printing paper. When the "printing paper" menu is selected, detailed settings for printing paper such as A4 size and B5 size can be made. When the “Layout” menu is selected, detailed settings regarding the layout such as 1 page / sheet and 2 pages / sheet can be performed. The same applies to the other menus. The print settings are not limited to these, and various items can be provided in consideration of convenience.

When the user uses these interfaces to set the print destination and print conditions, the information is sent to the print portal PP (see Sa04 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2). Based on this information, the print portal PP selects the printing service provider PSP1 to which the print job should be sent, and transfers the job (see Sa05 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 2). The printing service provider PSP1 that manages the printing station PS11 designated by the user as the printing destination is selected as the destination of the job.

The printing service provider PSP1 which has received the print job is the printing station PS1.
1 is selected and the job is transferred (see FIG. Sa07 and FIG. 2). Printing station PS11 specified by the user
Is selected as the destination.

In the process of being mediated by the print portal PP and the printing service provider PSP1, the print data is converted into PDF which is a general format. The PDF file is generated as an encrypted file using a fixed password in order to improve security at the time of print mediation. These file conversion processes will be described in detail later. Printing station PS11
Analyzes the PDF file and executes printing.

As indicated by Sa06 in FIG. 3, the transfer destination and the print condition may be confirmed and displayed to the client MP prior to the transfer from the printing service provider PSP1 to the print station PS11. Further, at this point, in addition to the confirmation indication such as the printing condition designated by the user, the content estimated by the print portal based on the designated content, for example, the required printing time and the estimated value of the fee may be displayed. After printing is completed, a print result report may be transmitted from the print station PS11 to the print portal PP. From this report, the print portal PP can detect that printing has been completed normally and perform post-processing such as billing processing.

Here, the case where the printing is mediated by the print portal PP which is the upper layer server and the printing service provider PSP1 which is the lower layer server has been exemplified. Dividing the intermediary server into two layers has the following advantages.

Since the lower layer server can be constructed for each business line, it is possible to maintain the service unique to each line and to differentiate it from other business owners. There is also an advantage that each business owner can take in the users and content providers registered in the print portal PP as their own users relatively easily.

Even when the lower layer server is constructed in a separate system, the upper layer server can provide the user with a unified interface. Therefore, the convenience of the print portal can be improved.

Further, the user can easily use various lower layer servers under the control by registering in the print portal PP. Convenience can be improved because there is no need to perform complicated work such as use registration for each lower layer server. There are similar benefits to content providers. That is, the content provider can easily increase the number of users and print destinations of the content provided by the content provider by registering the use in the print portal PP.

Of course, the print mediation system is not limited to one using a two-layer server. It may be constructed by a single tier server having the functions of a print portal and a printing service provider.

A3. Functional Block Configuration: FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the functional blocks of the print portal. For convenience of explanation, the reference numerals are different from those in FIG. 1, but the functions of the units having the same name are not different.

As shown in the figure, the print portal 100 is roughly provided with three functional blocks: a core module 130, a file conversion unit 110, and an application unit 180. In this embodiment, each of these functional blocks is constructed by software.

The file conversion unit 110 has a function of converting the format into a predetermined intermediate file when mediating the print data. In this embodiment, PDF is used as a general-purpose format.

The application section 180 realizes various additional functions in addition to the main function of the print portal PP that mediates print data. This function includes, for example, estimation of required printing time, which will be described later.

The core module 130 cooperates with the file conversion unit 110 and the application unit 180 to perform a function of mediating print data. Therefore, the core module 130 also manages communication with the content provider 10, the service provider 30, the printing service provider 50, and the like. The printing service provider 50 is provided with an interface 52 for ensuring the flexibility of the protocol when connecting to the print portal PP.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the core module 130. These are merely examples, and the functional blocks may have various other configurations.

The controller 132 controls the print portal 100.
The control of the operation of each functional block, the information transmission with the outside through the Internet INT, and the like are performed. This control includes registration management of users and the like, control of print job status, acceptance and cancellation of print requests, and search for printers that are output destinations. It also provides an interface screen for the print portal 100 to interact with the outside.

The registration management unit 134 uses the print portal P.
The user who uses P, the content provider 10, and the printing service provider 50 are registered and managed. The registration management unit 134 provides a function of generating an interface screen for this purpose, and a function of saving or changing data related to registration in a predetermined database.

The queuing system 140 relays the operation of each functional block. In this embodiment, each functional block is constructed by so-called object-oriented software. Each functional block refers to the message registered in the queuing system 140, detects the presence of a job to be processed, and executes each process. When the processing is completed, a message indicating that the processing is completed is registered in the queuing system 140. In this way, the queuing system 140 acts as a relay,
The print portal PP realizes a series of processes from the reception of a print request to the completion of printing by the respective functional blocks executing the respective processes.

In order to realize a series of processing, the queuing system 140 is provided with a content acquisition queue, a file conversion queue, a job transmission queue, a job cancellation queue and the like.

The content acquisition unit 160 has a function of accessing the content provider 10 and acquiring the content designated as the print target by the user. The acquired content is temporarily stored in the content storage 162. The content acquisition unit 160 refers to the content acquisition queue provided in the queuing system 140, and performs the above-described operation according to the message accumulated therein. After acquiring the content, a message requesting file conversion of the content is registered in the file conversion queue of the queuing system 140.

The file converter 110 converts the content into P
It has the function of converting to DF format. Also, at the time of this conversion, encryption processing using a predetermined password is also performed. Even when the content is a PDF file, the file conversion unit 110 performs re-conversion to PDF including encryption processing. Since PDF is a general-purpose format, there is an advantage that output to various printers can be easily realized by converting to such a format and mediating print data. There is also an advantage that the layout of the printed matter can be maintained relatively faithfully. Further, since almost all print data such as documents and images can be converted, a wide range of contents can be printed. Postsc as a universal format
A page description language such as ript (registered trademark) may be used.

In this embodiment, in order to reduce the load on the server,
The file conversion unit 110 is built on a server other than the core module 130. Therefore, the core module 130 is provided with the DF interface 136 in order to exchange data with the file conversion unit 110.

The DF interface 136 transfers data to the file conversion unit 110 according to the message accumulated in the file conversion queue of the queuing system 140. In addition, the processed PD from the file conversion unit 110
Upon receiving the F file, the queuing system 140
Register the send message of the print job in the job send queue of. It is also possible to omit the DF interface 136 and construct the file conversion unit 110 so as to access the queuing system 140.

The PSP interface 138 has a function of transmitting a print job to the printing service provider 50. The PSP interface 138 sends the print job to the designated printing service provider 50 according to the message stored in the job sending queue of the queuing system 140. The job cancel message accumulated in the job cancel queue is also sent in the same manner. These transmissions use HTTP (Hypert
ext Transport Protocol) and various other protocols set by the printing service provider 50.

The core module 130 facilitates various databases such as a user database 150 and a printer database 152. Although only two types are illustrated here, a larger number of databases may be prepared. These databases are managed by the registration management unit 134. In addition to the processing in the core module 130, it is also used by the application unit 180.

A file is prepared in the user database for each user who uses the print portal 100, and a user name, a user ID, etc. are stored as attribute information corresponding to the user. In the printer database 152, a printer name, an identification number, etc. are registered for each printer. The identification number is an index used to specify a printer when printing using the print portal 100.

The system of this embodiment realizes the printing described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 by the configuration described above.

B. Estimating required time: In this embodiment,
A configuration for estimating the required printing time will be described.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks for estimating the required printing time. In this embodiment, the application unit 1
Although these functional blocks are provided inside the 80, the present invention is not limited to this mode.

In the present embodiment, these function blocks estimate the required time based on the past performance. The past performance regarding the required time is stored in the history storage unit 196 as history data. The history data is held as a correspondence relationship between parameters such as the data amount of the content and the required time.

When the user makes a print request, the indexing unit 190 acquires the content held in the content holding unit 162, analyzes the content, and performs indexing. Indexing means a process of obtaining a value of a parameter corresponding to history data. For example, when the history data is stored with the content data amount as a parameter, the indexing unit 190 obtains the acquired content data amount.

The parameter value thus obtained is transferred to the required time predicting section 192. Duration predictor 192
Refers to historical data based on this parameter value,
Find the time required. The time required is the core module 130
And is displayed on the client used by the user.

The required time may not be output to the user and may be used only for the internal processing of the print portal. For example, in order to avoid monopolization of a printing device by a single user, each printing device is provided with an upper limit value of the required time, and the content estimated to exceed this upper limit value is printed based on the above estimated value. Notification of refusal can be given. The selectable printing devices may be limited based on the estimated time required.

On the other hand, the history data is sequentially updated based on the printing results. When printing is completed, the history update unit 194 of the application unit 180 acquires the actual value of the required printing time. The history update unit 194 acquires the parameter value of the printed content from the indexing unit 190. Since the parameter value is obtained when the required time is estimated, the history update unit 194 may retain this value until printing is completed.

The history update section 194 generates update data of history data based on the parameter value and the actual value thus obtained. The format of the update data differs depending on the history data retention format. By registering the generated update data in the history holding unit 196, the update of the history data is completed.

C. Required time prediction process: FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the required time prediction process. As described above, this is a process performed in cooperation with each functional block provided in the application unit 180, and in terms of hardware, this is a process performed by the CPU of the print portal.

In this process, the CPU acquires the content to be predicted (step S10). Usually, this content is acquired by the print portal according to a user's designation and is held in the content holding unit 162.

Next, the acquired contents are indexed (step S12). Indexing is performed for various parameters that affect the required time. Examples of applicable parameters are as follows.

[0078] Group A: Parameters related to data transfer time: Data amount of contents; Presence of image data; Designated type of color printing and monochrome printing; Presence or absence of advertisement addition request; Network data communication speed, etc.

The transfer time is basically determined by the amount of data to be transferred and the transfer speed. In this embodiment, the content may be subjected to processing such as file conversion and advertisement addition by the print portal before being transmitted to the print station. In consideration of such a case, here, the content of the content before processing, the user's instruction regarding the processing, and the like are included as parameters.

[0080] Group B: Parameters related to print processing: Model of printing station; Printing speed of printing station; Number of pages of content; Presence of image data; Color printing and monochrome printing designation type, etc.

The time required for the print processing is basically determined by the amount of print data and the processing capacity of the printer. Further, in PDF and other page description languages, the required time varies greatly depending on the presence or absence of image data. In group B,
The parameters that have an effect at the time of printing are listed.

[0082] Group C ... Parameters related to file conversion: Data amount of contents; Presence of image data; Designated type of color printing and monochrome printing; Content reduction and other layout specifications, etc.

In this embodiment, the content is converted into a PDF file and output to the print station. The time required for this file conversion also greatly affects the time required for printing. File conversion does not always depend only on the amount of data, but changes depending on many factors such as the presence or absence of images. The parameters related to these factors are listed in group C.

[0084] Group D ... Parameters regarding waiting for processing: Print request received time, etc.

In printing via the print portal, requests may be concentrated on transfer to a printing station, file conversion, and the like, and waiting may occur. In general, the concentration of print requests often shows a constant variation with time.
From the viewpoint of this, in the group D, the reception time of the print request is used as the parameter that affects the processing wait. As a similar parameter, the time at which the required time is predicted may be used. Not only the time but also the day of the week, the month and the day may be considered together. Regarding the processing wait, the waiting time may be detected in real time without depending on the estimation using the parameters.

The parameters used for the actual required time predicting process differ depending on the purpose of the predicting process, the process at the print portal, the data format of the content, and the like. For example, in the case where the time required to actually obtain the printed matter after issuing the print request is presented to the user as the required time, it is desirable to consider all of the groups A to D. Specific parameters for each group can be arbitrarily selected.

Besides, when the time from the start of printing to the end of printing is presented to the user as the required time, the parameters regarding the group B may be used. If the time required to transfer the data to the printing station after performing predetermined processing such as file conversion on the print portal and to reach the printable state is the required time, use the parameters related to the A group and the C group. good. In this way, the parameters to be applied can be appropriately selected according to the definition of the required time, the purpose of prediction, and the like.

The CPU interpolates the history data based on the parameter values thus indexed, calculates the required time (step S14), and outputs the result (step S).
16).

The state of the history data is shown in the figure. Here, the history data is assumed to be held in a three-dimensional table corresponding to the three types of parameters A, B, and C.
Each parameter is quantized at a predetermined interval. As the history data, the required time is held for each grid point corresponding to each quantized parameter value. Since the points corresponding to the indexed parameters do not always match these grid points, the CPU performs interpolation calculation using the surrounding grid points. A well-known technique can be applied to the interpolation calculation, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, the case where three types of parameters are used is illustrated, but the number of parameters is not limited to this. Although the case where each parameter is quantized at a constant interval is illustrated, the interval may be indefinite. The intervals may be different for each parameter. Although a single three-dimensional table is shown in the embodiments, a plurality of types of tables may be used separately. For example, such a table may be prepared for each model of the printing station, and these tables may be selectively used according to the designated output destination.

D. History update processing: FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the history update processing. In this embodiment, each time printing is performed, the history data is updated based on the actual result value. Similar to the required time prediction process (FIG. 8), this process is also a process performed by the functional blocks of the application unit 180 in cooperation with each other.

When this process is started, the CPU inputs the parameter value and the record of the required time for the printed content (step S20). Since the parameter value is calculated in step S12 of the required time prediction process, this value may be held or may be calculated again.

As the method of acquiring the actual value, various methods can be adopted depending on the definition of the required time. As an example, consider the case where the time required from the issuance of a print request to the actual acquisition of a printed matter is the required time. In this case, for example, the required time can be calculated in the print portal based on the time when the print portal receives the print request and the time when the print completion notification is received from the print station.

As another example, consider the case where the time from the start of printing to the end is the required time. In this case, the printing station may measure the required time and send the result together with the print completion notification to the print portal.

Further, let us consider a case where the time required until a printable state is reached after the data is transferred to the print station after performing a predetermined process such as file conversion in the print portal is considered. In this case, for example, the required time may be calculated from the time when the printing station receives the data and the time when the processing is started in the print portal. As described above, the actual value acquisition method can be appropriately selected according to the definition of the required time. For each of the above definitions, the actual value can be obtained by various methods other than the exemplified method.

Next, the CPU performs a quantization process for reflecting the acquired parameters and actual values in the history data,
The correction amount of history data is determined (step S22). After that, the history is updated by reflecting the obtained correction amount (step S24).

The quantization process will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the history data is held in association with the lattice points set by quantizing the parameters at predetermined intervals. The actual value when printing the content does not always correspond to this grid point. Therefore, in order to reflect the history data, it is necessary to obtain the correction amount at the grid point based on the actual value. In this embodiment, this processing is called quantization processing.

The outline of the quantization process is also shown in the figure.
In order to avoid complexity of the figure, it is assumed that the history data holds the required time in association with one parameter.

Two points having parameter values A1 and A2 correspond to grid points, and the required time corresponding to the grid points is represented by points T1 and T2 in the history data. Assuming that the grid points are linearly interpolated, when the parameter value of the print target content is A, the estimated value is the value represented by the point T. On the other hand, if the actual value is the value represented by the point R, an error e occurs between the two. The process of correcting each of the points T1 and T2 based on this error e is the quantization process.

The corrected history data at the grid points A1 and A2 are represented by points Tc1 and Tc2. In order to match the estimated value and the actual value, the points Tc1, Tc2
It is desirable that the result of the linear interpolation of is the point R. In this embodiment, the points Tc1,
Tc2 was determined. This is a method in which the ratio of the error e to the estimated value T is reflected in the previous history data.

E1 = T1 × e / T; e2 = T2 × e / T; where T1, T2, T are the required times corresponding to points T1, T2, T respectively; e is the estimated value T and the actual result. Error from the value R; e1 is a correction value of the required time at the grid point A1; e2 is a correction value of the required time at the grid point A2;

The quantization process is not limited to the above method. Alternatively, a linear programming method may be used to determine the correction amount. For example, there is a method of applying a linear programming method under the following conditions. The condition that the linear interpolation of the corrected history data becomes the point R; the correction amounts e1 and e2 of the history data have the same sign as the error e; the condition that the total sum of the absolute values of the correction amounts e1 and e2 becomes the minimum;

Various methods other than the above can be applied to the quantization processing. Although the quantization processing is performed considering only the history data at the grid points used for the interpolation, the quantization processing may be performed considering the history data at the surrounding grid points. Further, in the present embodiment, the correction amount is determined so as to match the actual value R, but the history data and the actual value R of the past are multiplied by the weight value to obtain the expected value of the required time, and the expected value is matched. The correction amount may be determined.

In the present embodiment, since the history data is held in association with the lattice points obtained by quantizing the parameters at a predetermined interval, the quantizing process is required. On the other hand, as the history data, the parameter value of the content and the actual value may be held in association with each other as they are. In such a case, the quantization processing shown in step S22 of FIG. 9 is unnecessary. However, in this case, the interpolation calculation becomes slightly complicated, and a process of extracting history data existing in the vicinity of the parameter value of the content is required during the interpolation calculation.
Generally, when the history data is an N-dimensional space, it is necessary to extract N + 1 pieces of history data during the interpolation calculation.

E. Effects and Modifications: According to the printing system of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to realize printing with a high degree of freedom regarding the output destination via the network. At this time, the time required for printing can be estimated with high accuracy based on the history data. The estimated required time becomes useful information for the user or the printing system, and the convenience of the printing system can be improved.
For example, the user can determine whether to print based on this time. The system side can refuse to execute a print request that takes an extremely long time, and avoid the print station from being substantially occupied by a single user.

E1. Estimating the charge: In the embodiment, the required time is estimated, but the charge required for printing can be estimated by the same method. When estimating the charge, it is sufficient to use history data that holds the charge corresponding to the parameter. The following parameters can be considered as the parameters related to the charge.

[0107] Group E: Parameters related to data transfer fee: Data amount of contents; Presence of image data; Designated type of color printing and monochrome printing; Presence or absence of advertisement addition request; Network data communication speed, etc.

The transfer charge has different parameters depending on the charging method. When the fee is charged according to the communication time, the charge is determined by the amount of data to be transferred and the transfer speed. When the fee is charged according to the amount of packets transmitted, the fee is determined by the data amount of the content.

[0109] F group ... Parameters related to charges in the printing process: Model of printing station; Number of pages of content; Size and type of printing paper; Presence of image data; Color printing and monochrome printing designation type, etc.

The charge for the printing process is basically determined by the amount of consumables. For example, the type and size of printing paper such as plain paper and special paper, and the amount of ink or toner consumed for printing.

[0111] Group G ... Parameters related to file conversion: Data amount of contents; Presence of image data; Designated type of color printing and monochrome printing; Content reduction and other layout specifications, etc.

When the file conversion process is carried out for a fee, the fee varies depending on the load.

[0113] Group H: Parameters related to content provision: Whether it is paid content

The parameters relating to the charge are not limited to these, but can be variously set according to the actual situation.

E2. Modified Example of History Data: FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a required time prediction process as a modified example.
In the process of the modified example, the form of the history data is different from that of the embodiment, and therefore the history data interpolation process (step S14A) is different from that of the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the case where the required time is associated with the grid points defined in the N-dimensional space formed by N parameters has been illustrated. On the other hand, in the modification, a case is illustrated in which the required time is associated with each parameter individually. For example, this corresponds to a case where the history data is prepared by distinguishing the parameters related to the image part and the parameters related to the character part in the content.

As shown, the history holding unit 196 of the modified example.
The history data in A holds a curve that gives the required time to the parameter A. When the value of the parameter A is Va, the required time is Ta based on the history data. This value is a value that affects the required time by the parameter A. Similarly, the required time is obtained for each parameter prepared as history data such as parameters B and C.

By multiplying each required time thus obtained by the weighting values Wa, Wb, Wc, etc. set in consideration of the degree of influence on the actual required time, the sum Σ is calculated, An estimated travel time is required.

Also in the modified example, a plurality of types of history data may be prepared and used separately. For example, the history data can be selectively used according to the printing station.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the history update process in the modified example. Due to the difference in the format of historical data,
The process of setting the updated history, that is, the process of reflecting the actual value in the history data (step S22A) is different from the embodiment.

In the figure, the outline of the method of reflecting the actual value in the modified example is also shown. It is assumed that previous history data for a certain parameter is represented by the solid line L. With respect to the parameter value Va, the estimated value based on the previous history data is represented by the point Ta, while the actual value is represented by the point Tr.

The actual value in such a case can be reflected by various methods. For example, as shown by the broken line in the figure, the point Tr
The history data may be locally changed so as to pass through.

The history data may be changed in consideration of the overall correlation between the parameters and the required time. For the parameters illustrated here, the required time has a monotonically increasing correlation. Therefore, the history data is changed so as to pass the actual value Tr while maintaining a monotonically increasing tendency, as indicated by the one-dot chain line in the figure. Such a change can be realized by setting the history data under the condition that the differential coefficient in the actual value Tr is 0 or more. Here, the case of a monotonically increasing tendency is illustrated, but a monotonous decreasing tendency,
It is possible to set according to the correlation between the parameter and the required time, such as the tendency to have the maximum value or the minimum value.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above processes may be realized not only by software but also by hardware.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing data transfer at the time of printing an electronic mail.

FIG. 3 is a time chart when printing an electronic mail.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an interface when printing an electronic mail.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of a print portal.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a core module 130. FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks for estimating a required printing time.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a required time prediction process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of history update processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a required time prediction process as a modified example.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of history update processing in a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Content Provider 30 ... Service Provider 50 ... Printing Service Provider 52 ... Interface 60 ... Security system 70 ... Printer 72 ... Transmission unit 74 ... Acquisition unit 76 ... Communication section 100 ... Print portal 110 ... File conversion unit 130 ... Core module 132 ... Control unit 134 ... Registration Management Department 136 ... DF interface 138 ... PSP interface 140 ... Cueing system 150 ... User database 152 ... Printer database 160 ... Content acquisition unit 162 ... Content holding unit 180 ... Application section 190 ... Indexing unit 192 ... Required time prediction unit 194 ... History update section 196 ... History holding unit 196A ... History holding unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 23, 2002 (2002.10.
23)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masanori Mukaiyama             Seiko, 3-3 Yamato 3-chome, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture             -In Epson Corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HJ06 HK19 HQ17 HX10                 5B021 AA01 EE00 NN00                 5B089 GA11 GB02 JA36 JB15 KB10                       KC48 MC03 MC06

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A print mediation server which is interposed between a client connected to a network and a printing device, and mediates print data to the printing device according to an instruction from the client to realize printing via the network. A history holding unit that holds a history of the relationship between the predetermined parameters related to the print data and at least one of the time required for printing and the charge, and an acquisition unit that acquires the print data according to an instruction from the client. An indexing unit that indexes the print data based on the predetermined parameter, and a prediction unit that refers to the history holding unit based on the parameter and predicts at least one of the required time and the charge for the print data. A print mediation server including. 2. The print mediation server according to claim 1, further comprising: a performance acquisition unit that acquires a performance of a required time or a charge for the print data, a parameter obtained by the indexing unit, and A print mediation server including a history update unit that registers the result in association with the history holding unit. 3. The print mediation server according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that converts the print data into a general format that does not depend on the printing apparatus and then transmits the file to the printing apparatus. The print mediation server includes a history related to at least one of a time required for the file conversion and a charge. 4. The print mediation server according to claim 1, wherein the indexing unit is an image indexing unit that indexes the image data included in the print data, and a character included in the print data. A print mediation server including a character indexing unit that indexes data. 5. The print mediation server according to claim 1, wherein the indexing by the indexing unit includes indexing related to a processing instruction for the print data. 6. The print mediation server according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of printing devices are connected to the network, and the history holding unit holds the history for each of the types. server. 7. A printing mediation server, which is interposed between a client and a printing device connected to a network, mediates print data to the printing device according to an instruction from the client, and realizes printing via the network. A print mediation method for storing print data according to a predetermined parameter relating to the print data and a history regarding a relationship between at least one of a required time and a fee for the printing, and an instruction from the client. A step of indexing the print data based on the predetermined parameter, and a step of predicting at least one of the required time and the charge for the print data by referring to the history based on the parameter. A print mediation method provided. 8. A printing mediation server, which is interposed between a client connected to a network and a printing device, mediates print data to the printing device according to an instruction from the client, thereby realizing printing via the network. A computer program for storing print data according to a predetermined parameter relating to the print data, a function of retaining a history relating to at least one of the time required for printing and the charge, and an instruction from the client. A function of indexing the print data based on the predetermined parameter, and a function of referring to the history based on the parameter to predict at least one of the required time and the charge for the print data. A computer for realizing the above by the print mediation server. Program. 9. A printing mediation server, which is interposed between a client and a printing device connected to a network, mediates print data to the printing device according to an instruction from the client, and realizes printing via the network. A computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for performing the operation, wherein the computer program retains a history regarding a relationship between a predetermined parameter regarding the print data and at least one of a time required for printing and a fee. A function, a function of acquiring print data according to an instruction from the client, a function of indexing the print data based on the predetermined parameter, and a reference of the history based on the parameter to print the print data. About at least the required time and fee And a function of predicting a person, a computer program for realizing by the print intermediation server recording medium.