JP2003076534A - Printing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform proper printing by acquiring, via a network, the data of contents for printing which are stored in a distributing device. SOLUTION: A printer 20 reads access information an paper attribute information, etc., from a memory provided to roll paper 30 and transmits them to a host computer 10. The host computer 10 accesses a contents distribution server 40 on the basis of the access information. A user selects a desired image among images stored in the contents distribution server 40. Whether the selected image is printable under the current printing environment is determined on the side of the server 40 or on the side of the host computer 10. When it is printable, its image data are downloaded from the server 40 to the host computer 10 and printed by print setting based on the paper attribute information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus for performing printing by acquiring content data to be printed from a network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing system, for example, a host computer converts data of a content to be printed into predetermined print data and transmits the print data to a printer to obtain a desired printed matter. Has become.

The contents to be printed are, for example,
Document files, image files, graphic files, etc. can be mentioned. Each of these print contents can be created on a host computer such as a personal computer. Alternatively, a desired print content may be downloaded and printed from a network such as the Internet.

[0004]

A large number of servers on the Internet have innumerable printable contents such as documents and images. The user operates a web browser on the host computer to browse various contents,
It is possible to print desired contents.

However, the contents on the network are
It is not always created on the assumption that it is printed in advance. In addition, content on the network may be printed by various printers and various printing papers, so content is created in the greatest common divisor, or conversely, content optimized for a particular printing environment. Will be prepared. For this reason, it is not possible to obtain a high-quality printed matter, and user satisfaction is low.

Further, since it is impossible to judge whether or not the printing environment on the printer side and the attribute of the content match, misprinting may occur. For example, if the print size of the content and the paper size do not match, a part of the image may be printed.

On the other hand, in order to print an image beautifully, it is necessary to set print settings according to each paper type and paper size such as exclusive glossy paper and plain paper, but there are many paper types and paper sizes. . For this reason, it is troublesome to set the paper type and the paper size, and the setting may be erroneous.

In particular, in the case of printing paper (for example, roll paper) created according to the individual specifications of each user, there can be many kinds of printing paper.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a printing system capable of easily printing printing contents prepared in advance on a network with settings suitable for printing paper. And to provide a printing device.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing system according to the present invention is a printing system in which data of printing contents accumulated in advance in a distribution device is acquired through a network and printed. The storage device, the access means, the data acquisition means, and the printing means are provided.

The access means accesses the distribution device based on the access information stored in the storage device. The data acquisition means acquires the data accumulated in the distribution device based on the paper attribute information stored in the storage device. The printing unit prints the acquired data according to the print setting based on the paper attribute information.

Examples of the printing paper include cut paper and roll paper. Access information and paper attribute information are preset in the print paper storage device. For example, the access information can include a network address indicating the location of the distribution device and access key information required for login. The network address is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
And IP addresses. The access key information may be, for example, a user name or password. Both the user name and the password may be included, or only one of them may be included. In short, it suffices if the information includes enough information to determine whether or not there is an authority to log in to the distribution device and acquire the data of the print content. As the paper attribute information, for example, paper size,
Paper remaining amount, paper type (plain paper, special glossy paper, film, etc.),
Examples include paper thickness.

The distribution device can be realized, for example, as a content distribution server installed on the Internet. Data of print content is stored in advance in the distribution device. As the print content, for example, image data such as a photograph, a poster, or a manual, document data, graphic data, or the like can be used.

The data acquisition means acquires the data accumulated in the distribution device based on the paper attribute information. For example, the data acquisition unit acquires data that can be printed on the printing paper according to attributes such as the size of the printing paper and the paper type. Then, the printing unit prints the data according to the print setting based on the paper attribute information. Therefore, the user can easily acquire the data of the printable content and can easily print the data without making troublesome print settings.

Further, a display means for displaying an error message when data other than the printable data is selected can be provided to call the user's attention.

Further, it is possible to further include access condition judging means for permitting access to the distribution device by the access means when a predetermined access condition set in advance is satisfied. Here, as the access condition, for example,
Examples include whether or not a preset number of times of access has been performed, and whether or not the point balance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

As the storage device provided on the printing paper,
For example, in the case of roll paper, each of the above information can be stored by providing a storage device capable of transmitting / receiving with the outside inside or at the end of the shaft core. In the case of cut paper, for example, a cut paper packaging unit (for example, 100 sheets, 500
A storage device such as an IC card can be provided for each sheet, box, etc.).

Information can be set on the printing paper in addition to the storage device. For example, it can be set by printing the access information or the like on the printing paper side using a barcode or the like.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it can be understood as a printing device, a program, and a printing sheet, respectively. The program can be downloaded to a computer of the printing system via a communication line such as the Internet, or can be recorded in a recording medium and distributed. As the recording medium, for example, a CD-ROM,
Various recording media such as DVD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, hard disk, and memory can be used.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing an overall outline of a printing system according to the present embodiment.

The user system 1 is used by each user and includes a host computer 10 and a printer 20.
It has and. As the host computer 10, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, a personal digital assistant, or the like can be used. The host computer 10 includes a data processing device, an input device such as a keyboard switch and a pointing device, and a display device. The printer 20 performs predetermined printing on the roll paper 30 based on the print data input from the host computer 10. As the printer 20, for example, an inkjet serial printer or a laser page printer can be used.

The host computer 10 uses the roll paper 30.
The access information and the roll paper attribute information are read out from the memory 33 provided in the memory 33, and based on these information, desired image data is downloaded from the content distribution server 40 described later and printed. The access information includes, for example, a URL indicating the location of the content distribution server 40 and an access key required for login. Further, the roll paper attribute information includes attributes such as the remaining amount of paper, the width of paper, the type of paper, and the thickness of paper.
The host computer 10 accesses the content distribution server 40 based on the access information and transmits the roll paper attribute information to the server 40.

In addition to the roll paper attribute information, the host computer 10 may also send printing environment information such as printer driver version information, color material remaining amount information such as ink remaining amount and toner remaining amount. Good. The user system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

A content distribution server (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “server”) 40 as a “distribution device” is communicatively connected to each user system 1 via a communication network 2 such as the Internet. The print content data is transmitted in response to a request from each user system 1.

Each of the servers 40 will be described later.
Authentication unit 41, access management database (“D
B ”) 42, selection unit 43, image DB 44, determination unit 45,
The transmitter 46 is provided.

The authentication unit 41 authenticates the user system 1 that has accessed the server 40 and determines whether or not the user has access authority. The authentication unit 41 uses the user system 1
By referring to the access management database with the access key information obtained from the search key as the search key, it is possible to determine whether or not the user has access authority. For example, if the identification information (ID) of the shipped roll paper 30 is registered in advance in the access management database 42, the roll paper ID acquired from the user system 1 is collated,
You can check whether you have access rights.

The selection section 43 refers to the image database 44 to generate an image selection menu, and allows the user to select an image desired to be printed. Here, in the present embodiment, an image is exemplified as the print content, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the server 40 may provide other data such as a document or a graphic.

The determination unit 45 compares the attribute of the image selected by the user with the printing environment acquired from the user system 1, in particular, the attribute of the printing paper, and determines whether the image selected by the user can be printed. It is a thing. Specifically, for example, it is possible to determine whether printing is possible by comparing the size of the selected image with the size of the roll paper 30 (remaining paper amount and width dimension). When the determination unit 45 determines that printing is possible, the selected image data is transmitted to the user system 1 via the transmission unit 46. In the user system 1, the image acquired from the server 40 is printed by the printer 20.

For the sake of convenience of explanation, the determination unit 45 is shown in the server 40 side, but the host computer 1
The determination unit 45 can be realized on the 0 side. It is not necessary to send the paper attribute information to the server 40 when the client side determines the download.

Next, FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view showing an outline of the user system 1. An input unit 11 and a display unit 12 are connected to the host computer 10. Further, the host computer 10 is provided with a printer driver 13, an interface 17, a web browser 18, a network interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 19, and the like.

The printer driver 13 is provided with a print data generation unit 14, a printer side information acquisition unit 15, and a count determination unit 16. The print data generation unit 14 converts the image data acquired from the server 40 into print data in a format printable by the printer 20.

The printer-side information acquisition unit 15 uses the roll paper 3
The roll paper attribute information and the access information are acquired from the 0 side. It should be noted that not only the roll paper attribute information but also information such as the remaining ink amount may be acquired.

The count determination unit 16 determines whether or not the number of accesses as the "access condition" included in the access information is less than or equal to a predetermined number. That is, the user can access the server 40 a predetermined number of times to obtain and print a desired image.

The web browser 18 realizes "data acquisition means" together with the function of the printer driver 13. The web browser 18 accesses the server 40 via the network I / F 19 and acquires image data that can be printed in the current printing environment from the server 40. The print data generation unit 14 converts the image data into print data, and
/ F17 to the printer 20. The print data generation unit 14 also sets print settings based on the roll paper attribute information. For example, the ink ejection amount is controlled according to the paper type, or the platen gap is adjusted according to the paper thickness. Note that it is not necessary for the printer driver 13 side to perform all the print settings based on the roll paper attributes, and some or all of the print settings may be performed for the printer 20 side. Here, the communication line CN that connects the host computer 10 and the printer 20 to each other so that bidirectional communication is possible can be configured by a wired system or a wireless system. In addition, a plurality of host computers 10
May be configured so as to share one or a plurality of printers 20.

The printer 20 is the printer controller 2
1 and a print engine. The print engine drives the paper feed roller 25 and the like to feed the roll paper, while ejecting ink from the print head 26 to perform predetermined printing on the print surface of the roll paper. The printer controller 21 uses the communication I / F 2
2. A print control unit 23 and a memory access unit 24 are provided, and are configured by utilizing computer resources such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output unit.

The print control unit 23 generates print image data based on the print data, and the generated print image data is printed on the roll paper by the print engine. The memory access unit 24 is for accessing the memory device (hereinafter “memory”) 33 of the roll paper 30 to read or write data. The memory access unit 24 reads the access information and the paper attribute information stored in the memory 33 and notifies the printer driver 13 of the read information.

The roll paper 30 has, for example, a cylindrical shaft core 31.
It is configured by winding a long continuous printing paper 32 around the outer peripheral surface of the paper. A memory 33 is provided on the axis 31 of the roll paper 30. The memory 33 stores attribute information, access information, and the number of times of access regarding the roll paper 30 in advance.

Here, one configuration example of the memory 33 will be described in detail. For example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, a power supply unit that supplies power to the memory, and communication with the printer side are performed. And a communication unit for For example, the memory 33 can be used as a power source by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the printer side and generating an induced electromotive force by this radio wave. The method is not limited to this, and various methods can be adopted. For example, it is possible to update the contents of the memory 33 by forming a contact for data transmission / reception and power supply at the end of the shaft core 31 and making contact with the contact on the printer side.

Next, an example of obtaining image data from the server 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3A shows a screen configuration displayed on the display unit 12 of the host computer 10. For example, in a predetermined case such as when the roll paper 30 is set in the printer 20, a notification that the image data download service is available is displayed on the display unit 12. On the screen of the display unit 12, a display G1 of the number of times of access and the remaining number of times of accessible, a display G2 for selecting an image genre, a button G3 for accessing the server 40 and executing printing of an image, and A cancel button or the like can be provided. In addition, for example, posters of actors and talents, masterpieces,
A server 40 may be provided for each genre of images such as landscapes.

If the user's access count does not exceed the upper limit (10 times in the illustrated example), the user can access the server 40. When the host computer 10 accesses the server 40, the web browser 1
An image selection screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed at 8. A plurality of sample images G4 can be displayed on the screen as a list. For each sample image G4, the paper size at the time of printing,
The data size is also displayed. That is, reference information useful for obtaining and printing the sample image G4 is added to each sample image G4. In addition to the paper size and data size, for example, a file format, recommended paper type, etc. can be added to the reference information.

The user can select one or more images desired to be printed from each sample image G4. In FIG. 3, the lower left sample image G4 is selected by the user. When the user selects an image, the reference information of the selected image is compared with the printing environment information of the user system 1, especially the paper attribute information, and it is determined whether or not the selected image can be printed. . If it is determined that printing is impossible or printing is possible but the quality is deteriorated, a warning message G5 is displayed before the image download is started.

Next, the flow of this system will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the step is abbreviated as "S". The flowcharts shown in the respective figures show the outline of the operation necessary for understanding the invention, and are different from the actual program.

First, it is determined whether or not the roll paper is set (S1). When the roll paper is set, the host computer 10 acquires the access information, the access count, and the roll paper attribute information from the memory 33 of the roll paper 30 (S2). Next, it is determined whether or not the access count is less than or equal to a predetermined count (S3). In this embodiment, the image data can be downloaded by accessing the server 40 a predetermined number of times.

If the number of accesses is less than the predetermined number of times, as shown in FIG. 3A, the image data is obtained from the server 40 and the fact that printing is possible is notified (S4). If the user wants to obtain the image (S5: YES), roll paper 3
Server address (UR
Based on L), the server 40 is connected (S6). When the host computer 10 accesses the server 40, authentication is performed using the access key read from the memory 33 (S7). When the authentication is successful, a list of available images is displayed on the web browser 18 of the host computer 10 as shown in FIG. 3B (S8).

Then, it waits for the user to select an image (S9). When an image is selected, the attribute of the image and the printing environment are compared to determine whether the selected image can be printed, or whether the selected image can be printed with a predetermined quality. It is determined whether or not (S10). Note that S10
The determination can be made on the host computer 10 side. If the selected image can be printed, the image data is downloaded and the host computer 10
The image data downloaded to the side is printed by the printer 20 (S11). After the download of the image data is completed, the access count is updated (S12).
The access count may be updated not only after the image data is downloaded but also after the printing is completed.

On the other hand, if the image selected by the user cannot be printed in the current printing environment (S10: NO), an error message is displayed (S13). If an error message is displayed, the process ends without downloading the image data. Not limited to this, the user's options may be changed according to the type of error. For example, if printing stops halfway because the remaining amount of paper is smaller than the image size, you will not be allowed to download image data, but a dedicated glossy paper is recommended, but the current roll paper is In the case of plain paper, it may be notified that image quality deterioration is predicted and image data may be downloaded.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the server 40 is accessed based on the access information read from the roll paper memory 33, and the printing content data stored in advance in the server 40 is downloaded. Can be printed.

Further, since the content data is downloaded based on the paper attribute information, useless downloading and printing can be prevented. Since printing is performed based on the paper attribute information, the user does not need to make troublesome print settings, and usability is improved.

Access information to the server 40 can be stored in the memory 33 of the roll paper 30 in advance, and contents suitable for roll paper printing can be prepared in advance in the server 40. It is possible to promote sales of paper.

Further, since the access information and the like are stored in the memory 33, even when the roll paper 30 is set in another printer 20, it is possible to access the server 40 to obtain the image data and print it.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the same components as those described above will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that "access condition"
The so-called point system is adopted as the above, and when the predetermined point balance is held (S21: YES), the download of the image data is permitted, and the point balance is updated (S22) after the image data is downloaded.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that a barcode 5 is printed on a printing paper (for example, cut paper) 50 other than roll paper.
1 is provided, and predetermined information such as access information, access conditions, and paper attribute information is set in advance in the barcode 51.

The predetermined information can be recorded not only on the bar code 51 but also on other means such as a magnetic tape on a printing paper, a wrapping paper for wrapping the printing paper, a box for packing the printing paper, or the like. Further, it is preferable that the barcode 51 is formed, for example, on a back surface of the printing paper 50 or the like that is not used for printing so as not to interfere with the use of the printing paper.

The user reads the information of the bar code 51 through the bar code reader 52 and uses this information to
Image data can be obtained by accessing the server 40 and can be printed. The user system 1 is not limited to a personal computer system installed in a home or a workplace, but may be, for example, an information terminal (a multifunctional terminal, a register, etc.) installed in a store such as a convenience store or an electric home appliance store. Good.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that the server 4
The function of accessing 0, the function of acquiring image data, and the like are provided in the printer 60.

The printer 60 according to this embodiment comprises an operation section 61, a display section 62, a printer controller 63 and a print engine. The printer controller 63 is provided with a network I / F 64, a data acquisition unit 65, a print data generation unit 66, a print control unit 67, a memory access unit 68, and a count determination unit 69.

When the memory access unit 68 reads the access information, the access count, the paper attribute information, etc. from the memory 33 of the roll paper 30, the count determination unit 69 inspects the remaining number of accessible times. If accessible, the data acquisition unit 65 accesses the server 40 via the network I / F 64 and downloads the image data selected by the user from the server 40. The downloaded image data is converted into print data by the print data generation unit 66, and is printed by the print control unit 67 according to the print settings based on the paper attribute information.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications by adding, deleting, changing, etc. the constituent elements in each of the embodiments.

[0062]

As described above, according to the printing system and the printing apparatus of the present invention, the distribution apparatus is accessed based on the information set on the printing paper, and the printing contents stored in the distribution apparatus in advance are stored. Data can be acquired and printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing an overall outline of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a user system.

FIG. 3 shows a screen configuration when a server is accessed and an image is selected. (A) is a screen displayed on the user system side before connecting to the server, (b) is connecting to the server to display the image. The menu screens for selection are shown respectively.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image data acquisition print process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing image data acquisition printing processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a printing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 User system 10 Host computer 13 Printer driver 14 Print data generator 15 Printer side information acquisition unit 16 count determination unit 18 Web browser 20 printers 21 Printer controller 23 Print control unit 24 Memory access unit 30 roll paper 31 shaft core 32 sheets 33 memory 40 Content distribution server 41 Authentication Department 42 Access Management Database 43 Selector 44 image database 45 Judgment unit 46 Transmitter 50 printing paper 51 bar code 60 printer 63 Printer controller 65 Data acquisition section 66 Print data generator 67 Print control unit 68 Memory access unit 69 count determination unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ05 AS02 AS06 AS11                       HK07 HL01 HQ17 HR06 HV12                       HV32                 2C087 AB05 BA03 BA04 BA06 BB11                       BC12 CA03 CB20 DA11 DA17                 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 CC05 EE04                       KK02

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A printing system in which data of printing contents stored in advance in a distribution device is acquired via a network and printed, wherein a storage device is provided on the printing paper, and the printing paper is stored in the storage device. Access means for accessing the distribution device based on the access information, data acquisition means for acquiring the data accumulated in the distribution device based on the paper attribute information stored in the storage device, and the paper attribute information A printing system for printing the acquired data according to a print setting based on the printing system. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires, based on the paper attribute information, data printable on the printing paper among the data stored in the distribution device. . 3. The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying an error message when data other than the printable data is selected. 4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising access condition determination means for permitting access to the distribution device by the access means when a preset predetermined access condition is satisfied. The printing system described. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the access information includes at least a network address indicating a location of the distribution device on the network and access key information for logging in to the distribution device. . 6. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the paper attribute information includes at least a size of the printing paper, a paper type, and a remaining amount of paper. 7. A printing device using a printing paper, which has access information for accessing a distribution device on a network and paper attribute information set in advance in a storage device, wherein the access information and the paper attribute information are stored in the storage device. Means for reading from a storage device, means for transmitting the read access information and paper attribute information to a host computer, means for performing print settings based on the paper attribute information, and the host computer based on the access information A means for printing the data obtained from the distribution device according to the print setting. 8. A printing device using a printing paper, which has access information for accessing a distribution device on a network and paper attribute information preset in a storage device, wherein the access information and the paper attribute information are stored in the storage device. Means for reading from a storage device, data acquisition means for acquiring desired data from the distribution device based on the read access information, and printing for printing the acquired data with print settings based on the paper attribute information And a printing device. 9. A program for acquiring, via a network, data of printing contents stored in a distribution device in advance and printing the same, wherein a storage device is provided on the printing paper, and the distribution device is provided with the distribution device. Access information for accessing the apparatus and paper attribute information are stored in advance, and a read function for reading the access information and the paper attribute information from the storage device, and based on the read access information An access function for accessing the distribution device; a data acquisition function for acquiring data printable on the printing paper among the data stored in the distribution device based on the paper attribute information; Based on the print settings based on the above, the function to print the acquired data and the program to realize it on the computer. Mu. 10. A printing paper having an information storage means, wherein the information storage means includes access information for accessing a distribution device on a network, attribute information of the printing paper, and information for the distribution device. A print sheet, wherein access condition information defining access conditions and update condition information are stored so that they can be updated. 11. A printing system for acquiring, via a network, data of printing contents stored in a distribution device in advance and printing the data, wherein the access is for accessing the distribution device based on access information set on a printing sheet. A data acquisition unit that acquires the data stored in the distribution device based on paper attribute information set on the printing paper; and print the acquired data by print settings based on the paper attribute information. A printing system including: 12. A printing apparatus that uses a printing paper sheet having preset access information and paper attribute information for accessing a distribution apparatus on a network, wherein the access information and the paper attribute information are provided on the printing paper side. Means for reading from the host computer, means for transmitting the read access information and paper attribute information to the host computer, means for performing print settings based on the paper attribute information, and the host computer for executing the print setting based on the access information. A printing unit configured to print the data acquired from the distribution unit according to the print setting. 13. A printing apparatus that uses a printing sheet having access information for accessing a distribution apparatus on a network and sheet attribute information set in advance, wherein the access information and the sheet attribute information are on the printing sheet side. And a data acquisition unit that acquires desired data from the distribution device based on the read access information, and a printing unit that prints the acquired data with print settings based on the paper attribute information. A printing apparatus comprising: 14. A program for acquiring, via a network, data of printing contents stored in a distribution device in advance and printing the data, wherein the printing paper has access information and paper attributes for accessing the distribution device. Information is set in advance, a read function for reading the access information and the paper attribute information from the printing paper side, an access function for accessing the distribution device based on the read access information, A data acquisition function for acquiring data printable on the printing paper among the data stored in the distribution device based on the paper attribute information set on the printing paper; and a print setting based on the paper attribute information. A program for realizing, on a computer, the function of printing the acquired data.