JP2003091408A - Information managing device, information processor, information processing system, information processing method, recording medium and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a preview screen for facilitating countermeasures to the output configuration of data changed based on working information set by a user. SOLUTION: Working information related with the change of output configuration in outputting data is set by a user terminal 100, and a print service server 101 works the output configuration of the data based on the working information, and prepares a preview screen for displaying the worked data, and transmits it to the user terminal 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print service provided with an output device such as a printer, and when a change in output format is set by a user's request, a preview screen corresponding to the change is displayed on a user terminal. The present invention relates to an information management device, an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a recording medium and a program for displaying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a user uses a printer of a print service server, a means for displaying a preview image on a user terminal has been used as a method of knowing the print result in advance. As an example thereof, there is known a form in which a preview screen for each sheet is prepared in advance and an image corresponding to the sheet number of the document designated by the user is previewed.

[0003]

However, there is no conventional printing system that completely displays the printing state in sheet units after performing some processing on a document or image from a user terminal. The processing mentioned here refers to a process in which the layout information for each sheet changes after printing, such as changing the print format, annotating a logical page, moving a page, or deleting.

For example, in the print format setting, from 1Up to 2U
When switched to p, two pages are printed on one sheet, and the layout configuration of the entire sheet is changed. Alternatively, when punch holes are set in the print format setting, a preview of the state in which the punch holes are added to the sheet is required. The print format setting refers to all elements related to the setting of print properties of the desktop application. When an annotation is added to the logical page, the structure of the logical page changes. Move pages
When deletion is performed, the order of pages is changed, and therefore, when bookbinding printing and a format setting of 2 Up or more are performed, the layout of the entire sheet changes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a user performs a process for changing the output format, a preview screen in which the output format is changed according to the contents is displayed. Information management device, information processing device, information processing system, information processing method,
The purpose is to provide a recording medium and a program.

Further, the present invention is an information management device capable of performing processing according to a desired capability of a printer device,
An object is to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, a recording medium, and a program.

[0007]

In order to achieve such an object, an information management apparatus according to claim 1 is a processing information receiving means for receiving processing information relating to a change in output format at the time of data output from an external device, An output format processing means for processing an output format of the data based on the processing information received by the processing information receiving means, and a preview screen for creating a preview screen of the data in which the output format is processed by the output format processing means. It is characterized by comprising a creating means and a preview screen sending means for sending the preview screen created by the preview screen creating means to the external device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information management device according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the capability information acquiring means for acquiring capability information of the output device for outputting the data and the capability information acquiring means. Further, it is characterized by further comprising setting screen transmitting means for transmitting a setting screen for setting the processing information corresponding to the capability information to the external device.

The information management apparatus according to a third aspect is the information management apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices is transmitted to the external device. The output device corresponding to the selection information received by the selection information receiving unit includes a transmission unit and a selection information receiving unit that receives selection information of the output device on the output device selection screen. It is characterized by acquiring ability information from.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information management apparatus according to the first aspect, the connection request receiving means for receiving a connection request from the external device, and the connection request receiving means for receiving the connection request. It is characterized by having an authentication means for authenticating the legitimacy of the external device and a connection control means for controlling the connection with the external device according to the authentication result by the authentication means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information management apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the connection control means, when a predetermined series of processing is completed between the external device and its own device, The connection request with the external device is released, and the connection request receiving unit receives a connection request related to the data from another external device after the connection control unit releases the connection with the external device. And

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information management apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the connection control means is configured to operate as the external device when the operation input from the external device is not accepted for a predetermined time or more. The connection request accepting means accepts a connection request relating to the data from another external device after the connection control means cancels the connection with the external device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information management apparatus according to the first aspect, when the processing information is received from the external device by the storage means for storing the data and the setting information receiving means, It has a holding means for reading the data from the storage means and temporarily holding the data, and the output appearance processing means processes the data temporarily held by the holding means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, wherein setting means sets processing information relating to a change in output format at the time of outputting data, and the processing information set based on the processing information set by the setting means. Setting information transmitting means for transmitting the processing information to an external device that processes the output format, preview screen receiving means for receiving a preview screen of the data whose output format is processed by the external device, and the preview screen It has a preview screen display means for displaying the preview screen received by the receiving means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, a setting screen reception for receiving a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of the output device for outputting the data is received. It is characterized by having means.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 is
In the invention according to claim 9, a selection screen receiving means for receiving an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices, and on the output device selection screen received by the selection screen receiving means. Output device selecting means for selecting an arbitrary output device, and the setting screen receiving means receives the setting screen corresponding to the capability of the output device selected by the output device selecting means. .

The information processing apparatus according to claim 11 is
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized by further comprising authentication information transmitting means for transmitting, to the external device, authentication information for authenticating the validity of the own device when a connection request is made to the external device.

An information processing system according to claim 12 is the information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11. It is characterized by having.

An information processing method according to claim 13 is
A setting information receiving step of receiving, from an external device, processing information relating to a change in output format at the time of data output; and an output format processing step of processing the output format of the data based on the processing information received by the setting information receiving step A preview screen creating step of creating a preview screen of the data whose output format has been processed by the output format processing step, and a preview screen transmitting step of transmitting the preview screen generated by the preview screen creating step to the external device And having.

The information processing method according to claim 14 is
The invention according to claim 13, wherein a capability information acquiring step of acquiring capability information of an output device that outputs the data, and a setting for setting processing information corresponding to the capability information acquired by the capability information acquiring step. It has a setting screen transmission step of transmitting a screen to the external device.

The information processing method according to claim 15 is
15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein a selection screen transmission step of transmitting an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices to the external device, and selection of the output device on the output device selection screen. A selection information receiving step of receiving information, wherein the capability information acquiring step acquires the capability information from an output device corresponding to the selection information received by the selection information receiving step.

The information processing method according to claim 16 is
14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein a connection request receiving step of receiving a connection request from the external device, an authentication step of authenticating the validity of the external device receiving the connection request in the connection request receiving step, and the authentication step. The connection control step of controlling the connection with the external device according to the authentication result by

According to the information processing method of claim 17,
In the invention according to claim 16, in the connection control step, when a predetermined series of processing is completed between the external device and its own device, the connection with the external device is released, and in the connection request receiving step. After the connection with the external device is released by the connection control step, a connection request for the data from another external device is accepted.

The information processing method according to claim 18 is
17. The invention according to claim 16, wherein in the connection control step, when an operation input from the external device is not accepted for a predetermined time or more, the connection with the external device is released, and in the connection request acceptance step, the connection is accepted. After the connection with the external device is released by the control step, a connection request relating to the data from another external device is accepted.

The information processing method according to claim 19 is
14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein when the processing information is received from the external device by the storing step of storing the data and the setting information receiving step, the data is read from the storing step and is held temporarily. In the output format processing step, the data temporarily held by the holding step is processed.

Further, the information processing method according to claim 20 is
The processing information is sent to a setting step for setting the processing information related to the change of the output format at the time of data output, and an external device for processing the output format of the data based on the processing information set by the setting step. A setting information transmitting step for transmitting, a preview screen receiving step for receiving a preview screen of the data whose output format is processed by the external device, and a preview screen displaying step for displaying the preview screen received by the preview screen receiving step And having.

Further, the information processing method according to claim 21 is
The invention according to claim 20 is characterized by further comprising a setting screen receiving step of receiving a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of the output device for outputting the data.

The information processing method according to claim 22 is
The invention according to claim 21, wherein a selection screen receiving step of receiving an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices, and the output device selection screen received by the selection screen receiving step An output device selection step of selecting an arbitrary output device, and the setting screen reception step receives a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of the output device selected in the output device selection step. It is characterized by doing.

Further, the information processing method according to claim 23,
The invention according to claim 20 is characterized by further comprising an authentication information transmitting step of transmitting authentication information for authenticating the validity of the own device to the external device when a connection request is made to the external device.

A recording medium according to claim 24 is the information management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the information processing system according to claim 12 is recorded.

A recording medium according to a twenty-fifth aspect is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-third aspects is recorded.

A program according to claim 26 is the information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, or the information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11. A computer is caused to function as each unit of the information processing system according to item 12.

Further, the program according to claim 27 is characterized by causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the information processing system in this embodiment. 100 is
A user terminal, which is a tool for accessing the information processing system. Reference numeral 101 denotes a print service server, which performs operation management and service management of the entire print service. Here, although one or two user terminals 100 are shown as a diagram showing the basic configuration, it is needless to say that in actual operation, a larger number of user terminals can be provided and configured to be applied to a wide range of services. is there.

Next, the operation mode in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a user terminal 100 (for example, a general personal computer) and a print service server 101 on a network that crosses a firewall.
Shows the operation mode in which is allocated. Specifically, each is connected to the Internet and the user is
0 is used to access the print service server 101 and the print service server 101 can perform predetermined document printing.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an operation form connected to the network beyond the firewall and the network inside the firewall, and the basic service operation form is the same as the example of FIG. The access means to the print service server 101 is implemented mainly by a general internet protocol (HTTP, etc.), and as a security measure, a general means typified by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is used for the system. Is being operated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print service server 101 in this embodiment. A communication control unit 501 performs data communication processing with the user terminal 100. Further, here, processing such as user authentication is performed using the data managed by the authentication information management device 551.

Reference numeral 502 denotes a print format setting unit, which is Tmp.
A process of updating the document saved in the information management device 554 (device for managing information that is valid only while logged in) by the print format information set by the user is performed.
A preview image creation unit 503 creates a preview image of the page requested by the user from the document of the Tmp information management device 554, and saves it again in the Tmp information management device 554. Note that the preview image is not limited to one sheet, and a plurality of sheets can be arranged on one screen. In this case, the images of a plurality of sheets are displayed on the Tmp information management device 554.
Save to. Then, additional information such as a page number is attached to each sheet to create a preview screen.

Reference numeral 504 is a document structure creation unit, which analyzes the chapters and page structures of a document and arranges them in a tree structure. A job processing unit 505 saves the document stored in the Tmp information management device 554 in the job management device 552 according to a print request from the user. A document management unit 506 includes a document information management device 5
A document list that can be used by the user is created from 53, or a document updated by the Tmp information management device 554 according to the user's save instruction is updated to the document information management device 55.
Save to 3.

Reference numeral 507 denotes an edit processing unit, which performs processing such as page deletion and page movement. A result notification unit 508 creates a character string such as an error display or a warning when the user's operation is inappropriate and reports the result of the user operation. A printer selection unit 509 searches for usable printers connected to the print service server 101 and creates a list of printer names and the like.

Reference numeral 510 denotes a print service unit, which schedules a document on standby for printing stored in the job management device 552 and outputs it to the printing device 551 described in the document according to a queuing rule. 5
Reference numeral 11 denotes a printing device, which prints by the information processing system. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 3, only one printing device is shown, but it is possible to equip a plurality of printing devices.

Next, the print service server 101
A supplementary description will be given of various data management devices that are operated and managed in. An authentication information management device 551 manages data to be managed while sufficiently securing the security of the password corresponding to each user ID. A job management apparatus 552 manages a document instructed by the user to print, and outputs the managed document to the printing apparatus 551 in response to a request from the print service unit 510.

Reference numeral 553 is a document information management apparatus, which executes document storage, retrieval, etc. in accordance with a request from a user.
Since the document is locked at the timing of reading the document from the device, other users connected to the network cannot specify the same document and work.

Reference numeral 554 denotes a Tmp information management device, which copies a document designated by the user to this device and updates the document in response to various requests from the user. It is also used for temporarily saving the created preview image.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing the flow of a print service using the information processing system in this embodiment. This figure shows a sequence when the print service server 101 is accessed from the user terminal 100 and is printed out. The basic processing flow will be described below.

When the login request process from the user terminal 100 to the print service server 101 is performed in step S601, the authentication process is performed in the print service server 101 in step S602, and the result of access permission or non-permission is notified. It In step S603,
When a search request for a document registered in advance in the print service server 101 is made, step S604.
Then, the requested document search process is performed on the print service server 101 side, and the result is notified.

When a preview request for a specific page of the document is made in step S605, a preview image of the specified page of the document is created in step S606, and information such as the image and page number is notified. It is also possible to display a plurality of sheets on the same screen for the preview. In this case, the image size to be created is adjusted to the optimum size depending on the number of display sheets.

When the screen for selecting and selecting a printer is displayed in step S607, all printer devices 511 connected to the print service server 101 are searched for in step S608, and the printer list is searched for the user terminal 10.
Notify 0. The user selects the printer device 5 from the list.
If 11 is selected, the print service server 101 is notified of the printer name and is temporarily stored in the document.

When the screen is changed to the print format setting screen in step S609, the printer device 511 in step S610.
The user is notified of information that can be set. At that time, the print service server 101 acquires the capability information from the printer device 511 designated by the user terminal 100,
A print format setting screen corresponding to the acquired capability information is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 100. When the user sets printer information on the print format setting screen, the print format setting information of the temporary document of the print service server 101 is updated with the information.

When a save request is made in step S611, the temporary document save process is performed in step S612. When an edit request is made in step S613, the edit information is notified to the user terminal 100 in step S614. The result of editing by the user according to the information is stored in the temporary document of the print service server 101.

When a print request is made in step S615, printing of the temporary document is accepted in step S616. The accepted document is temporarily stored here, and when the printer device 511 is not busy, step S
The print processing of 618 outputs to the printer device 511. Steps S605 to S61 of the user terminal 100
The screen related to the process of 5 does not change sequentially, but the user can randomly select at any time.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of the preview processing in this embodiment. A description will be given of a means for previewing a state in which a temporary document has been updated by print format setting, editing, printer selection, and the like.

In step S1101, the user first selects a document for which the print service is provided. Document management unit 50
The document is read from the Tmp information management device 5
54 is copied. In the following flow, update processing is performed for all copied documents. Step S110
In 2, the default state of the selected document is displayed. First, the preview image creating unit 503 creates a preview image of the document in the Tmp information management device 554,
Information such as a page is added and transferred to the user terminal 100. Since the document is locked at the timing read from the document management unit 506, other users on the network cannot access the document.

In step S1103, the update process that can be performed on the document is described. Settable information is created by the print service server 101 and displayed on the user terminal 100 in order to perform processing such as changing the print format setting, changing the output destination printer, and document editing. In step S1104, the print service server 101 receives the information set by the user terminal 100, and updates the document stored in the Tmp information management device 554 with the information.

In step S1105, the user issues a preview display instruction to the print service server 101 in order to confirm the print state of the updated document. In step S1106, the print service server 101 creates an image of the page instructed by the user by the preview image creating unit 503 and saves it in the Tmp information management device 554. Then add information such as the page number of the preview,
The saved image is transferred to the user terminal 100. In step S1107, the transfer image information is preview-displayed according to the display procedure of the user terminal 100.

By repeating these steps, it is possible to preview the updated print state of the document at an arbitrary timing. The above operation is performed in step S1102.
Since the document being processed is locked as described in,
The person to be processed is limited to one user. In order to be used by another user, it is necessary to wait until the connection with the user terminal 100 is released and the connection request from the other user terminal 100 is permitted. The lock is released at the timing when the sequence ending operation of steps S605 to S615 of the print service sequence is performed or when the system times out because there is no user operation for a long time.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the preview image generation processing by the print service server 101. This process is executed in the procedure of step S1106. In step S2101, information related to print format settings is acquired from the document. In step S2102, the layout configuration of the document is changed according to the print format setting information. For example, in the case of 2 Up, two logical pages are arranged on one sheet. When the paper orientation is changed from portrait to landscape, the image is rotated 90 ° and placed on the sheet. In step S2013, if a punch hole is designated, the punch hole is marked at a predetermined position on the sheet. Alternatively, when stapling is designated, stapling is marked. After performing these processes, an image is output.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The user can make settings according to the printer's capabilities and view the print status on the preview screen at any time.
The convenience of the user can be improved.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer (or CPU or M of the system or apparatus).
It is needless to say that it is also achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes the case where () etc. perform part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0065]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the processing related to the change of the output format at the time of data output is performed, the data processed according to the content is displayed as a preview screen. So that the user
When performing the above processing, it is possible to refer to the print status according to the processing content as a preview screen at any time,
The convenience of the user can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, since the setting screen for setting the processing information according to the capability of the desired printer device is displayed, the user performs the processing in consideration of the capability of the selected printer device. There is no need to do it, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a print service server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a flow of a print service using the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of preview processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of preview image generation processing by the print service server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 user terminals 101 Print service server 501 communication control unit 502 Print format setting section 503 Preview image creation unit 504 Document structure creation unit 505 job processing unit 506 Document Management Department 507 Editing processor 508 result notification section 509 Printer selection unit 510 Print Service Department 511 printing device 551 Authentication information management device 552 job management device 553 Document information management device 554 Tmp Information Management Device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C087 AB06 BA06 BD41 CA02 CA05                       CB20                 5B021 AA01 CC07 PP08                 5B050 AA09 BA06 CA08 EA12 EA19                       FA02 FA03                 5E501 AA06 AC34 BA05 DA02

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A processing information receiving unit that receives, from an external device, processing information related to a change in an output format when outputting data, and an output format of the data is processed based on the processing information received by the processing information receiving unit. Output format processing means, preview screen creating means for creating a preview screen of the data whose output format is processed by the output format processing means, and transmitting the preview screen generated by the preview screen creating means to the external device. An information management device, comprising: 2. A capability information acquisition unit for acquiring capability information of an output device for outputting the data, and a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability information acquired by the capability information acquisition unit, The information management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting screen transmission unit that transmits to the external device. 3. A selection screen transmitting means for transmitting an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices to the external device, and receiving selection information of the output device on the output device selection screen. 3. The information management according to claim 2, further comprising selection information receiving means, wherein the capability information acquiring means acquires the capability information from an output device corresponding to the selection information received by the selection information receiving means. apparatus. 4. A connection request receiving unit that receives a connection request from the external device, an authentication unit that authenticates the legitimacy of the external device that receives the connection request by the connection request receiving unit, and an authentication result by the authentication unit. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection control unit that controls connection with the external device according to the above. 5. The connection control means releases the connection with the external device when a predetermined series of processing is completed between the external device and its own device, and the connection request reception means causes the connection request receiving means to connect with the connection device. 5. The information management device according to claim 4, wherein after the connection with the external device is released by the control means, a connection request for the data from another external device is accepted. 6. The connection control means, when an operation input from the external device is not accepted for a predetermined time or more,
Disconnecting the connection with the external device, the connection request receiving means, after the connection control means has released the connection with the external device, to receive a connection request for the data from another external device. The information management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: 7. Storage means for storing the data, and storage means for reading the data from the storage means and temporarily storing the data when the setting information reception means receives the processing information from the external device. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output format processing unit processes the data temporarily held by the holding unit. 8. A setting means for setting processing information relating to a change in output format when outputting data, and an external device for processing the output format of the data based on the processing information set by the setting means. A setting information transmitting unit for transmitting the processing information, a preview screen receiving unit for receiving a preview screen of the data whose output format is processed by the external device, and a preview screen received by the preview screen receiving unit An information processing apparatus, comprising: 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising setting screen receiving means for receiving a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of the output device for outputting the data. 10. A selection screen receiving means for receiving an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices, and an arbitrary output on the output device selection screen received by the selection screen receiving means. 10. An output device selecting unit for selecting a device, wherein the setting screen receiving unit receives the setting screen corresponding to the capability of the output device selected by the output device selecting unit. The information processing device described. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an authentication information transmitting unit that transmits, to the external device, authentication information for authenticating the legitimacy of the own device when a connection request is made to the external device. . 12. An information processing system, comprising: the information management device according to claim 1; and the information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11. . 13. A setting information receiving step of receiving, from an external device, processing information related to a change of an output format at the time of outputting data, and an output format of the data is processed based on the processing information received by the setting information receiving step. An output format processing step, a preview screen creating step for creating a preview screen of the data whose output format has been processed by the output format processing step, and transmitting the preview screen generated by the preview screen creating step to the external device And a preview screen transmitting step for performing the information processing method. 14. A capability information acquiring step of acquiring capability information of an output device for outputting the data, and a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability information acquired by the capability information acquiring step, 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, further comprising a setting screen transmitting step of transmitting the setting screen to the external device. 15. A selection screen transmitting step of transmitting an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices to the external device, and receiving output device selection information on the output device selection screen. 15. The information processing according to claim 14, further comprising a selection information receiving step, wherein the capability information acquiring step acquires the capability information from an output device corresponding to the selection information received in the selection information receiving step. Method. 16. A connection request receiving step of receiving a connection request from the external device, an authentication step of authenticating the validity of the external device receiving the connection request in the connection request receiving step, and an authentication result of the authentication step. 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, further comprising a connection control step of controlling connection with the external device according to the above. 17. In the connection control step, when a predetermined series of processing is completed between the external device and its own device, the connection with the external device is released, and in the connection request reception step, the connection is accepted. 17. The information processing method according to claim 16, further comprising receiving a connection request for the data from another external device after the connection with the external device is released by the control step. 18. In the connection control step, when an operation input from the external device is not accepted for a predetermined time or more, the connection with the external device is released, and in the connection request acceptance step, the connection control step is executed. The information processing method according to claim 16, wherein a connection request for the data from another external device is accepted after the connection with the external device is released. 19. A storing step of storing the data, and a holding step of reading the data from the storing step and temporarily holding the data when the processing information is received from the external device in the setting information receiving step. The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein the output format processing step includes processing the data that is temporarily held by the holding step. 20. A setting step for setting processing information relating to a change in output format when outputting data, and an external device for processing the output format of the data based on the processing information set by the setting step. , A setting information transmitting step of transmitting the processing information, a preview screen receiving step of receiving a preview screen of the data whose output format is processed by the external device, and a preview screen received by the preview screen receiving step And a preview screen displaying step for performing the information processing method. 21. The information processing method according to claim 20, further comprising a setting screen receiving step of receiving a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of an output device for outputting the data. 22. A selection screen receiving step of receiving an output device selection screen for selecting a desired output device from a plurality of output devices, and an arbitrary output on the output device selection screen received by the selection screen receiving step. An output device selecting step of selecting a device, and in the setting screen receiving step, receiving a setting screen for setting processing information corresponding to the capability of the output device selected in the output device selecting step. The information processing method according to claim 21, which is characterized in that: 23. The information processing method according to claim 20, further comprising an authentication information transmitting step of transmitting authentication information for authenticating the validity of the own device to the external device when a connection request is made to the external device. . 24. Each of the information management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the information processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, or the information processing system according to claim 12. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as means is recorded. 25. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to claim 13 is recorded. 26. An information management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, or an information processing system according to claim 12. A program that causes a computer to function as each means. 27. A program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.