JP2003241919A - Server and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server for allowing printing output of an image as desired by a client even when a printing data format received from a client cannot be processed. <P>SOLUTION: When requesting the printing output to the server 20, the client 10 transmits data format information showing the data format of application data to be transmitted to the server 20. The server 20 receiving it determines whether the received application data in the data format can be converted into a PDL format or not and transmits its result as processing determined information to the client 10. The client 10 transmits the application data which can be converted into the PDL format by the server 20 to the server 20 in accordance with the processing determined information. After converting the received application data into the PDL format, the server 20 delivers it to a printer 21A which performs printing output of the image in accordance with the received data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server and a program for converting print data transmitted from a client into a printable format and printing it on a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of clients and a server are connected via a network such as the Internet, and a server which receives print data from each client causes a printer to print out an image based on the print data. There is a printing system.

In this print system, a client attaches print data created and edited using application software (hereinafter, simply referred to as "application") to an e-mail and sends it to a server.
On the other hand, the server obtains print data from the received e-mail and prints the data format of the print data, for example, PDL format (Page Desc).
conversion to a ripion language). Then, the PDL format data is sent to the printer to print out the image.

[0004]

However, in the conventional print system, the data format of the print data received by the server varies depending on the application used by the client. Therefore, the received print data may not be converted into the PDL format. In such a case, there is a problem that an image cannot be printed out or an image different from the requester's request is printed out.

Further, the data format of the received print data is set to P by using the application held by the server.
When converting to DL data, the number of uses (license number) that can simultaneously use the application may be set. Therefore, the received print data is P
Even if the data format can be converted to the DL format, the same problem as described above occurs when the application used for the conversion cannot be used due to the limited number of uses.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a server and a server capable of printing an image as requested by a client even when print data received from a client cannot be processed. The purpose is to provide the program.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a server according to the present invention is a server which converts print data transmitted from a client into a printable format and sends the print data to a printer. Information acquisition means for acquiring information on print data to be transmitted from the client from the client; determination means for determining whether or not the print data to be transmitted can be processed based on the acquired information; And a transmission unit that transmits the determination information regarding the result to the client.

With this configuration, the client can know whether the print data to be transmitted can be processed by the server. Therefore, if the print data to be sent is in a format that cannot be processed by the server, the client can convert the print data to be sent to another data format and send it to the server. It will be possible to print out.

Here, processing print data means
It includes not only the process of converting the received print data into a printable format, but also the process of handling the received printer data. Further, the information regarding the print data scheduled to be transmitted may be any information that can determine whether or not the print data scheduled to be transmitted can be processed.

Further, the judgment information is not limited to the information indicating the result judged by the judging means. For example, the determination information may include information regarding print data that can be processed by the server. A server that converts the print data sent from the client into a printable format and sends the print data to the printer, and a determining unit that determines whether the print data can be processed; and a case where the print data cannot be processed. And a transmission unit that transmits information regarding print data that can be processed to the client.

According to this configuration, the client can process the print data sent by the server even if the print data is not processed by the server.
Printer data that can be processed by the server can be sent to the server based on the processing information received from the server,
It will be possible to print out as requested by the client.
Here, processing the print data includes processing for converting the received print data into a printable format and processing for handling the received printer data.

The information regarding the print data is information indicating the data format of the print data, and the determining means can process the print data when the data format of the print data can be converted into the printable data format. It is characterized by determining that. According to this configuration, it is determined whether or not the data format of the print data to be transmitted can be converted, so that it is reliably determined whether or not the server can convert the print data into a printable format.

Further, when the application software capable of converting the print data to be transmitted is set to a number capable of using the application software at the same time, the determining means can process when the application software is available. It is characterized by making a judgment. With this configuration, the data format of the print data scheduled to be transmitted can be converted, and the client can know even when the print data cannot be output due to the limitation of the number of applications used. Therefore, the client can, for example, convert the print data to be transmitted into another format and transmit the print data to the server, and can print out without being limited by the number of applications used.

On the other hand, the program according to the present invention causes a server, which converts the print data transmitted from the client into a printable format and sends the print data to the printer, to obtain information on the print data to be transmitted from the client from the client. Information acquisition processing, a determination processing for determining whether or not print data to be transmitted can be processed based on the acquired information, and a transmission processing for transmitting information regarding the determined result to the client I am letting you.

With this configuration, the client can know whether the print data to be transmitted can be processed by the server. Therefore, if the print data to be sent cannot be processed by the server, the client can convert the print data to be sent to another data format and send it to the server, and print output as requested by the client. Will be possible.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a printing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) 1. Overall Structure FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present invention.

The printing system, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of clients 10 to 14 and a plurality of servers 20,
30 are connected to the network 40, respectively. The server 20 includes printers 21A and 21B.
However, a printer 31A is connected to each server 30. For example, the Internet is used as the network 40, and the clients 10 to 14 and the servers 20 and 30 use TCP / TCP as a communication protocol.
SMTP (Simple) for sending and receiving e-mail to IP
(Mail Transfer Protocol) is used in combination.

A case where application data is transmitted from the client 10 to the server 20 and output by the printer 21A will be described below. Client 1
1 to 14 have substantially the same function as the client 10,
The server 30 also has substantially the same functions as the server 20, and the printers 31A and 21B also have substantially the same functions as the printer 21A.

The client 10 is installed with an application for creating a document, a graphic, and externally importing and editing image data such as a photograph. Image data such as documents, figures, and photographs created by this application (hereinafter, this data may be referred to as "application data") has a data format unique to the application and is based on this application data. If you request to print the selected image,
The application data is transmitted to the server 20.

A printer driver corresponding to each printer is installed in advance in the server 20, and the received application data is converted into a PDL format (the data converted into the PDL format will be referred to as "PDL data" hereinafter). The PDL data is sent to the printer 21A.
Send to. The PDL format is described in a language that gives a print image to the printer 21A.

The printer 21A receives the PDL from the server 20.
When the data is received, the format of the PDL data is converted into a bitmap format (hereinafter referred to as “BMP format”, the data converted into this format is referred to as “BMP data” below), etc., and received. An image based on the PDL data is printed out. Next, a case where the server 20 receives a print request from the client 10 and causes the printer 21A to print out the requested image will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence for printing out an image created by the client 10. The figure shows a state in which the printer 21A can print. When the client 10 requests the server 20 to print, the client 20 sends a printer 21 to the server 20.
A confirmation (hereinafter referred to as “print output confirmation”) of whether A can print out is transmitted. In response to this, the server 20 confirms the connection to the printer 21A, and determines whether or not the print output is possible based on the confirmation information returned from the printer 21A.

When print output is possible, on the contrary, when print output is not possible, for example, when the printer 21A is powered off, the information indicating that the print output is impossible is transmitted to the client 10. Here, it is assumed that the information indicating that the print output is possible has been transmitted. Further, the information indicating that the print can be output or not will be referred to as “output permission / prohibition information” below.

When the client 10 receives the output permission information indicating that the print output is possible from the server 20, the client 10 transmits the data format information indicating the data format of the application data to be transmitted to the server 20. Server 2
0 determines from the received data format information whether the application data having the received data format can be processed, that is, whether the application data that will be transmitted for the print request can be converted into PDL data. The client 10 uses the result as processing determination information.
Send to.

If the received process determination information is information indicating that the client 10 can convert, the client 10 indicates that the application data to be transmitted by the server 20 can be converted into the PDL format, and the application data is transmitted to the server 20. To do. On the other hand, if the processing determination information is information indicating that the application data cannot be converted, it indicates that the application data scheduled to be transmitted by the server 20 cannot be converted to the PDL format, and the data format of the application data is converted to another format. The data format information indicating the converted data format is transmitted again to the server 20.

When the client 10 repeatedly receives from the server 20 the processing determination information indicating that the data cannot be converted, and cannot convert the data format of the application data into another format, the print request is canceled. Client 10
Since the application data received from is in a data format that can be processed, the server 20 converts the application data into PDL data and transmits this PDL data to the printer 21A. In response to this, the printer 2
1A converts the PDL data into BMP data and then prints out the image requested by the client 10.

2. Configuration of Client, Server, Printer Next, client 10, server 20, printer 21A
Each configuration of will be described. 1) Configuration of Client FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the client 10.
As shown in the figure, the client 10 includes a network unit 17 for performing data communication via a network 40, a CPU 12 for transmitting data commands and the like, converting the data format of application data, and a data format of application data. RAM 13 serving as a work area when converting data, ROM 11 storing processing programs in CPU 12, HDD 14 storing various applications and various data including application data, and input means 1 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
5, a display device 16, etc., and a ROM 11,
CPU 12, RAM 13, HDD 14, input means 15,
The display device 16 and the network unit 17 are connected to the bus 1
8 are connected.

The HDD 14 has a network compatible O
S, for example, Windows 2000 (trade name of Microsoft Corporation) is installed and this O
The application etc. which start on S are installed. A user operates an alphanumeric key of a mouse or a keyboard to select an application or select various functions. The data format of the application data is acquired from the extension of the file name saved in the HDD 14 or the like by the application being used.

When making a print request to the server 20, the client 10 sends a print output confirmation to the server 20 as to whether print output is possible, receives output permission information as a response to the print output confirmation, and analyzes the content. Function,
When the output permission / prohibition information received is information indicating that it can be printed out, there is a function of transmitting the data format information of the application data to the server 20, receiving the processing determination information as a response thereto, and analyzing the content. is doing.

Further, the client 10 notifies the user that the data format of the application data will be converted to another format when the received processing determination information is information indicating that the processing cannot be processed, and the user was scheduled to transmit. A function of converting the application data to another data format and transmitting the data format information to the server 20 again, or transmitting the application data to the server 20 when the processing determination information indicates that the data can be processed. Have

The user can convert the data format of the application data into another format, for example, by reading the application data with the application that created the application data and saving it again in the HDD 14 in a different data format. . In the present embodiment, electronic mail is used for transmission / reception of print output confirmation, output permission / prohibition information, data format information, processing determination information, and application data performed between the client 10 and the server 20. For this reason, the client 10 has a function of establishing a TCP connection with a mail server (not shown), sending an e-mail, and periodically checking whether a new e-mail has arrived. I have it. It should be noted that the input of the destination address of the electronic mail and the like is performed by using the alphanumeric keys of the keyboard.

FIG. 4 shows the client 10 to the server 20.
It is a figure which shows the data structure at the time of transmitting a print output confirmation to FIG. The print output confirmation is transmitted from the client 10 to the server 20 using the electronic mail as described above. This e-mail is hereinafter referred to as "output confirmation mail". The output confirmation mail includes a header part and a mail body part, as shown in FIG. The header part is composed of a plurality of fields, and stores a destination address, a source address, and a subject. The transmission destination address indicates the mail address of the server 20 which is requesting the print, and the transmission source address indicates the mail address of the client 10. For example, "output confirmation" is stored in the subject.

Based on this subject, the server 20 recognizes that this electronic mail is an electronic mail for confirming the print output. A request number is stored in the mail body, and this print request is distinguished from other print requests. FIG. 5 shows the client 10 to the server 2
It is a figure which shows the data structure at the time of transmitting data format information to 0. The data format information is transmitted using electronic mail as in the print output confirmation. In addition, this electronic mail is hereinafter referred to as "data format mail".

The data format mail, as shown in FIG.
Similar to the output confirmation mail, it has a header part and a mail body part. The header part stores a destination address, a source address, and a subject. The destination address and the source address are the same as those in the output confirmation mail. In the subject,
For example, "data format" is stored. Based on this subject, the server 20 recognizes that this electronic mail is an electronic mail that stores the data format of the application data for which a print request is scheduled.

The request number used in the output confirmation mail and the data format name (data format information) of the application data to be transmitted are stored in the mail body. For this data format name, for example, the extension attached to the file name of the application data is used. When this extension is created and edited on the application and then saved, the application data in a desired data format can be saved by selecting and designating the file type, and the extension is also added accordingly.

FIG. 6 shows the client 10 to the server 20.
It is a figure which shows the data structure at the time of transmitting application data to. The application data uses electronic mail as well as print output confirmation and data format mail. Note that this electronic mail will be referred to as "data attached mail" hereinafter. The data-attached mail has a header part and a mail body part as shown in FIG. The header part stores a destination address, a source address, and a subject. For example, "data attachment" is stored in the subject. Based on this subject, the server 20 recognizes that this electronic mail is an electronic mail to which the application data of the print request is attached. The request number is stored in the mail body, and the application data is attached according to the MIME standard.

2) Server Configuration The server 20 has a configuration similar to that of the client 10 shown in FIG. In other words, a network unit for performing data communication via the network 40, data
A CPU that receives commands and converts application data, and becomes a work area when converting data formats, etc.
RO in which processing programs in AM and CPU are stored
M, an HDD for storing a printer driver and the like for converting application data into the PDL format, input means such as a keyboard and mouse, a display device and the like.
The CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, input means, display device, and network unit are connected by a bus.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the server 20 receives the print output confirmation from the client 10, the server 20 confirms the connection with the printer 21A, analyzes the confirmation information received from the printer 21A, and outputs the output permission information to the client 10. And the data format information is received from the client 10, it is determined whether or not the application data can be processed by referring to the extension stored in the processable table T1 described later, and from the determination result. A function of creating processing determination information and transmitting it to the client 10,
It has a function of converting application data received from the client 10 into PDL data and sending it to the printer 21A.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the processable table T1. As shown in the figure, in this table, processable application names and the extensions of the application data are stored in association with each other. Server 2
0 is the data format name stored in the data format mail,
If there is a file that matches the extension name of the processable table T1, it is determined that the application data having the data format name can be converted to the PDL format. If there is no file that matches the extension, the application data is converted to the PDL format. It is determined that it cannot be done.

As described above, since the electronic mail is used for transmitting and receiving the information between the client 10 and the server 20, the server 20 also communicates with the mail server (not shown) like the client 10. Is provided with a function of establishing a TCP connection and transmitting an e-mail, and periodically checking whether a new e-mail has arrived.

FIG. 8 shows the server 20 to the client 10.
It is a figure which shows the data structure at the time of transmitting output propriety information to FIG. The output propriety information is transmitted to the client 10 using the output confirmation mail received from the client 10. Note that this e-mail is hereinafter referred to as "output permission mail". The output permission mail is composed of a header part and a mail body part as shown in FIG. The header part stores a destination address, a source address, and a subject. The transmission source address stores the transmission source address stored in the header portion of the output confirmation mail, and the transmission source address stores the transmission destination address stored in the header portion of the output confirmation mail.

For example, "possibility of output" is stored in the subject. Based on this subject, the client 10 recognizes that this e-mail is an e-mail for replying the print output confirmation. Further, the mail body part stores the request No. stored in the data body part of the output confirmation mail and the output permission / inhibition information created based on the confirmation information acquired from the printer 21A. The output permission / prohibition information is, for example, “OK” when print output is possible, and “NG” when print output is not possible.

FIG. 9 shows the server 20 to the client 10
It is a figure which shows the data structure at the time of transmitting process determination information to. The processing determination information is returned to the client 10 using the data format mail received from the client 10, and this electronic mail is hereinafter referred to as “processing determination mail”. The process determination mail is composed of a header part and a mail body part, as shown in FIG. The header part stores a destination address, a source address, and a subject. In the destination address, the source address stored in the header part of the data format mail is stored, and in the source address,
The destination address stored in the header of the data format mail is stored.

For example, "processing determination" is stored in the subject. From this subject, the client 10 recognizes that this electronic mail is an electronic mail for responding to the data format mail. Further, the mail body portion stores the request No. stored in the data notification mail and the processing determination information created from the determination result of whether or not the application data scheduled to be printed can be processed. If the processing determination information can be processed, for example, "OK",
When the processing cannot be performed, the status becomes “NG”, for example.

3) Printer The printer 21A of the present embodiment prints data for one page collectively. Note that the other printers 21B and 31
The printer A has a configuration similar to that of the printer 21A. Upon receiving the connection confirmation from the server 20, the printer 21A has a function of confirming the connection of the power source, the presence of recording paper, the amount of toner, and the like to create confirmation information and send it back to the server. .

The printer 21A forms an image based on the PDL data received from the server 20. First, the received PDL data is RIP (Raster Image).
In the eProcessor), the received character or image in the PDL format is arranged at a required size and position, the filled bitmap format is developed, and the requested image is printed out using this BMP data. The printer may be an image forming apparatus having a print function, such as a copying machine.

3. Processing Content 1) Client FIG. 10 is a flowchart when the client 10 requests the server 20 to print out an image of application data. First, the client 10 receives a mail address of a transmission destination, an application data name to be printed out, and a request No. by keyboard input from a user, and creates and sends an output confirmation mail (steps S110 and S120). It should be noted that "output confirmation" is automatically stored in the subject of the header portion of the electronic mail, and the input request number is automatically stored in the main body of the email.

When this output confirmation mail is sent to the server 20, various electronic mails are sent from the server 20. Therefore, the client 10 periodically checks whether a new electronic mail has arrived at the mail server, When a new email is received, the email is downloaded (steps S130 and S140). If the downloaded e-mail is an output permission mail, the output permission information stored in the mail body of the output permission mail is acquired (step S150; YES, S160). It should be noted that whether or not the downloaded e-mail is an output enable / disable mail is determined based on whether or not “output enable / disable” is stored in the subject of the header of the e-mail.

When the acquired output permission information is not "OK", that is, "NG", information indicating that printing is impossible is displayed on the display device 16, for example, and the process is terminated (step S170; NO, S200). ). On the other hand, when the output permission / prohibition information is “OK”, a data format mail for notifying the data format of the application data scheduled to be printed is created (S170; YES, S180).

In this data format mail, a mail address similar to the destination address and the source address of the output confirmation mail is automatically stored in the destination address and the source address of the header section. The "data format" and the extension (data format name) given to the application data name input in step S110 and the request number are automatically stored in the mail body. The request number is the same as that used in the output confirmation email.

The data format mail thus created is transmitted to the server 20 via the network 40 (step S190), and the process proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the downloaded e-mail is not the output permission mail in step S150, it is determined whether this e-mail is a process determination mail (step S150; NO,
S210). It should be noted that whether or not the downloaded e-mail is the processing judgment mail is judged by whether or not "processing judgment" is stored in the subject of the header part of the e-mail.

If the downloaded e-mail is not the process judgment e-mail in step S210, that is, if it is another e-mail, it is an e-mail not related to this print request (step S210; NO), and step S13.
Move to 0. On the other hand, when the email is the processing determination email, the processing determination information stored in the email is acquired and it is determined whether the processing determination information is “OK” (step S210; YES, S220, S230).

If the processing determination information is not "OK", that is, "NG", it means that the data format of the application data to be transmitted cannot be processed by the server 20, and this is displayed on the display device 16. And waits until the user changes the data format of the application data (step S230; NO, S260, S27).
0; NO). When the user converts the data format of the application data, the newly converted data format name is stored again in the mail body of the data format mail and sent to the server 20 (step S270; YES, S
180, S190) and moves to step S130.

On the other hand, if the processing determination information is "OK" in step S230, it indicates that the data format of the application data scheduled to be printed can be processed by the server 20, and the data attached mail for transmitting the application data is sent. Is created (step S230;
YES, S240). The email address similar to the output confirmation email is automatically stored in the destination address and source address of the header of this data attachment email, and "Data attachment" is automatically stored in the subject of the header. A request number is stored in the main body, and application data is attached to the mail main body. And
The created data attached mail is transmitted to the server 20 (step S250), and the process ends.

2) Server FIG. 11 is a flowchart when the server 20 receives a print request from the client 10. Server 20
Periodically establishes whether a TCP connection has been established with the mail server and a new e-mail has been received (step S410; NO, S420), and if an e-mail has been received, Downloads the mail (step S410; YES).

It is determined whether the downloaded electronic mail is an output confirmation mail (step S430). This determination is made based on whether or not "output confirmation" is stored in the subject of the header of the email. When the downloaded e-mail is the output confirmation mail, the printer 21A confirms the connection, creates an output permission mail based on the confirmation information acquired from the printer 21A, and transmits it to the client 20 (step S430; YES, S440). , S4
50, S460). This output permission mail is created using the output confirmation mail received from the client 10. In other words, the output enable / disable mail can be sent as a reply mail by setting the source address of the header part of the output confirmation mail as the destination address and conversely the destination address as the source address. In addition, the request number obtained from the output confirmation email in the email body and "OK"
Alternatively, it can be created by storing either output permission information of "NG".

If the electronic mail downloaded in S410 is not the output confirmation mail, it is determined whether the electronic mail is a data format mail (step S430;
NO, S470). This determination is made based on whether or not "data format" is stored in the subject of the header of the electronic mail. If the downloaded e-mail is a data format mail, the data format name is acquired from the mail body (step S470; YES, S480). Next, it is determined whether or not the application data having the acquired data format name can be converted into the PDL format by the processing determination processing described later (step S490).

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the process determination process. As shown in the figure, the server 20 first clears the determination processing information and then executes step S4 in FIG.
The data format name acquired in 80 is the processable table T1.
Is registered in (step S491,
S493). If the acquired data format name is registered, the process determination information is set to "OK" (step S49).
3; YES, S495), and if not registered, the process determination information is set to "NG" (step S493;
No, S497), and proceeds to step S500 in FIG.

Then, returning to step S500 of FIG. 11, a processing determination mail storing processing determination information indicating the determination result determined in the processing determination processing is created and transmitted to the client 10 (step S510). In this processing judgment mail, the sender address of the header part of the data format mail is set as the destination address, and conversely the destination address is set as the sender address. Request N stored in data format mail
It can be created by storing o and processing determination information of either “OK” or “NG”.

On the other hand, if the downloaded electronic mail is not a data format mail in step S470 (N
O), it is determined whether the e-mail is a data attachment mail (step S520). This determination is made based on whether or not "data attachment" is stored in the subject of the header of the electronic mail. If the downloaded e-mail is a data attachment mail, the application data attached to the e-mail is acquired, and the acquired application data is converted into PDL data by the printer driver (step S520; YES, S530, S540).
Then, the converted PDL data is sent to the printer 21A (step S550), and the process proceeds to step S410.

On the contrary, if the downloaded e-mail is not the data attachment e-mail in step S520 (step S520; NO), the e-mail is regarded as another e-mail not related to the print output and the step S41.
Move to 0. The acquired application data is converted into PDL in steps S540 and S550.
As this method, for example, there is a method of using an application. That is, when the server 20 prints out the application data by using the application corresponding to the extension of the application data,
After the data is output from the application to the printer driver and converted into PDL data, the PDL data is sent to the printer.

In the above print system, the server 20
Acquires in advance information on the data format of the application data received from the client 10 and determines whether or not the data format can be converted into PDL data.
When the conversion is not possible, it is configured to reply to that effect to the client 10. Therefore, for example, even if the client 10 plans to transmit application data that the server 20 cannot process (convert), the client 10 can obtain information from the client 10 that the application data scheduled to be transmitted cannot be processed by the server 20. Therefore, the data format of the application data can be converted by the client 10, and the print output can be reliably performed.

4. Others In the first embodiment described above, the process determination information transmitted from the server 20 to the client 10 is the client 10
It shows whether or not the data format received from the server can be processed. For example, when the server 20 cannot process the data format received from the client, processing determination information indicating that the data format cannot be processed, The data format name of the application that can be converted into the PDL format may be transmitted.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the print system in which the data format name that the client 10 can process is attached to the processing determination mail. Note that, in FIG. 13, the processing after the server 20 receives the data format information is different from that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and therefore the description will be made after the data format information is received. First,
Upon receiving the data format information from the client 10, the server 20 determines whether or not the application data having this data format name can be converted into PDL data. PD
If the data can be converted to L data, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed, and the description thereof is omitted.

When the PDL data cannot be converted, the conversion cannot be performed ("NG"), as in the first embodiment.
And the application list corresponding to the data format that the server 20 can process are transmitted to the client 10. Specifically, an application list such as the processable table T1 shown in FIG. 9 is attached to the processing determination mail and transmitted to the client 10.

When the processing determination information received from the server 20 is “NG”, the client 10 cannot process the application data in the data format transmitted earlier, so that the data format of the application data is changed to another format. Convert application data. At this time, by referring to the application list received from the server 20, the application data is transferred to the server 2
It can be surely converted to a data format in which 0 can be processed. Then, the newly converted application data is attached to a data attachment mail and transmitted to the server 20. In response to this, the server 20 converts the received application data into PDL data and sends it to the printer 21A.

Even if the server 20 is configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the user can refer to the application list received from the server 20 and can process the data that the server 20 can process. Since the data format can be converted, the conversion of the data format does not have to be repeated until the data format can be processed by the server 20, as in the first embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the server 20 converts the application data received from the client 10 using the application held by the server 20. However,
When the server provides a service for lending to the client an application used for conversion, that is, an application service provider (ASP), a license agreement (hereinafter, referred to as “license agreement”) for the application. ) Is often concluded, and a limit is imposed on the number of uses (the number of uses is referred to as “license number”) that the client can use the application at the same time.

As described above, when the number of licenses is limited to the applications used by the server 20 for converting the application data, even if the application data received from the client 10 is in a convertible format, the application is licensed. If used for several minutes, the server 20 cannot print out an image.

Hereinafter, even if the application corresponding to the application data received from the client 10 cannot be used due to a restriction such as a license contract, the server 20 can print out without causing an error.
Will be described. First, the server 20 is installed with an application that can be lent to a plurality of clients via a network 40, for example, the Internet. The server 20 uses this application to convert the application data created and edited by the client 10 into the PDL format and sends it to a predetermined printer (for example, 21A).

The application installed in the server 20 has a license contract, and according to the application management table T2 stored in the HDD,
The number of uses of the application is managed so as not to exceed the maximum number of licenses. FIG. 14A shows the application management table T2. As shown in the figure, the application management table T2 has three columns, and stores an application name installed in the server 20, its extension name, and the number of licenses. Further, each application has a usage status table T3 indicating the usage status of the application, as shown in FIG. Incidentally, FIG. 14 (b)
Indicates that the application name shown in FIG. 14A is that of application B.

This usage status table T3 shows the usage status,
There are three columns of the scheduled end time and the license reservation status. For example, when the clients 11 and 12 are using the application B to create / edit documents, figures, etc., the usage status is "use.""Medium" is stored. Further, in such a use, since the scheduled end time is unknown, “unknown” is stored in the scheduled end time.

When the clients 13 and 14 send only the application data and request the print of the image using the application B of the server 20, "in use" is stored in the usage status. At the same time, the scheduled time until the print output is completed, for example, "30
“Second” is stored in the scheduled end time. Within the number of licenses,
For those that are not used, the usage status is "unused"
Becomes The storage in each column of the usage status table T3 is performed in the order of request, and when the usage of the application is completed, the usage status of the usage status table T3 becomes “unused”.

When the data format name received from the client 10 can be processed by the server 20, the mail address and request number of the client are stored in order to secure the application for application data that will be transmitted later. Is registered in the license reservation.
Note that the registered location is where the usage status is “unused” in the usage status table T3.
Therefore, the usage status of the usage status table T3 is "unused".
Even if the license reservation email address, request N
If o is stored, the server 20 also considers it in use.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram when the application data received from the client 10 is printed out by using the server 20 which owns the application for which the above-mentioned license contract has been made. Since the characteristic part of this embodiment is the processing after the server 20 receives the data format information from the client 10 in FIG.
The description begins with the data format information received from.

When the server 20 receives the data format information from the client 10, whether or not the application data of the data format can be converted into the PDL format, and if the application data can be further converted into the PDL format, the usage of the application depends on the number of licenses. It is determined whether or not there is a limitation, and the processing determination information indicating the determination result is sent to the client 1
Send to 0.

At this time, when the restriction by the license is released within a predetermined time, the time until the application is released (waiting time) is transmitted to the client 10 together with the processing determination information. In response to this, the client 10 sends the application data that was scheduled to be printed to the server 20 in the same format,
Server 2 with application data converted to other formats
In addition to sending to 0, the license number limit is released, that is, waiting for the waiting time, and then sending the application data to the server 20.

The server 20 converts the received application data into PDL format and sends it to the printer 21A, and the printer 21A prints out an image based on this data. 1. Processing content at the time of print output 1) Server Since only the processing determination processing for determining whether or not the data format received from the client 10 can be processed is different from the first embodiment, the processing determination processing will be described here. . FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the processing determination processing in this embodiment.

In the processing determination processing, first, the processing determination information is cleared, and the data format name acquired from the data format mail is used to expand the application data stored in the processable table T1 stored in the HDD of the server 20. It is determined whether or not there is a matching child (steps S1491 and S1492). If there is a match, it is determined whether the number of applications of the data format name used is the upper limit of the number of licenses (step S149).
2; YES, S1493). If the number of licenses has not reached the upper limit, the process determination information is set to "OK1",
After making a license reservation for printing out the application data that will be transmitted (step S1493; NO, S1494, S1495), FIG.
To step S490.

In the license reservation, the license reservation is made for the unused portion of the number of licenses. Specifically, the usage status table T of FIG.
3, the mail address of the client 10 and the request number are registered in the license reservation status corresponding to the usage status of "unused". Then, when the data attached mail in which the mail address and the request number are stored is received later, the usage status is changed to "in use".

On the other hand, when the number of applications of the received data format name is equal to or more than the upper limit of the number of licenses, it means that all the applications are used, that is, the so-called license is not released, and this license is released. (Hereinafter, referred to as “opening time”) is acquired (step S1493; YES, S1496).
Specifically, the opening time is acquired from the shortest time among the times stored in the scheduled end time of the usage status table T3 shown in FIG. 14B.

Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired release time is within the predetermined time. If it is within the predetermined time, the process determination information is set to "OK2", and the license reservation is made (step S1497; YES). , S1498, S1495),
It progresses to step S490 of FIG. On the other hand, if the opening time is not within the predetermined time, the process determination information is set to "NO" (step S1497; NO, S1499), and the process proceeds to step S490 in FIG. If the release time is within the predetermined time, the waiting time until the license is released is transmitted to the client 10 together with the processing determination information.

The license reservation here is performed by the client 10 according to the license reservation status corresponding to the scheduled end time used for determining whether the license release time is within a predetermined time.
The e-mail address and the request number are registered. And
When the data attached mail storing this mail address and the request number is received after the license is released, the usage status is changed to "in use".

2) Client FIG. 17 is a flow chart when the client 10 requests the server 20 for print output. Since the content of the process determination information stored in the process determination mail in step S1210 and subsequent steps is different from that in the first embodiment in FIG. 11, the process related to the process determination information will be described below.

If the processing determination information acquired in step S1220 is "OK1", that is, the data format transmitted to the server 20 is a format that the server 20 can process,
A data-attached mail for transmitting application data to the server 20 is created and transmitted, and the process ends (step S1230; YES, S1240). On the other hand, when the process determination information is not “OK1”, the process determination information is “O”.
K2 ”is determined (step S1230;
NO, S1250).

When the processing determination information is "OK2", that is, the transmitted data format is a format that the server 20 can process, but it takes time to release the license, and this time (waiting time) is set. The process determination mail is acquired from the mail main body, and after the waiting time has elapsed, a data attached mail for transmitting application data is created and transmitted, and the processing is ended (step S125).
0; YES, S1260, S1270; YES, S12
40).

On the contrary, when the processing determination information is not "OK2", that is, when the processing determination information is "NO", the transmitted data format is a format that the server 20 cannot process, or the data format is Although the server 20 can process the license, it takes a predetermined time or more to release the license, and the user is informed that the data format cannot be processed (step S1250; NO, S1280). Then, when the user converts the data format of the application data, a data data format mail is created and transmitted to transmit the converted data format information to the server 20 (step S1290; YES, S1180, S119).
0), and proceeds to step 1130.

According to the print system having the above structure, even if the print data to be transmitted can be converted into the PDL format,
If the usage of the application is limited by the number of licenses, the client can know these.
Therefore, if the release time until the license is released is short, the client can wait for the waiting time and then send the application data to the server 20 to cause the printer 21A to print out without error. it can. Also, if the time until the license is released is long, for example, by converting the data format of the application data to another format, and then again transmitting the data format of the application data to be transmitted to the server, It is known whether the data will be processed by the server 20.

2. Others In the above first and second embodiments, the print system has been described. The features of this print system are as follows.
In a printing system including a client that transmits print data, a server that converts the print data into a printable format, and a printer that prints out an image based on the print data in the printable format, the server includes: Based on the information acquisition unit that acquires information about print data to be transmitted from the client from the client, and the acquired information,
A determination unit that determines whether or not the print data to be transmitted can be processed, and a transmission unit that transmits determination information regarding the determined result to the client, and the client, based on the determination information, Sending print data in a format that can be processed by the server to the server.

With this configuration, the client can know whether the print data to be transmitted can be processed by the server. Therefore, if the server cannot process the printer data to be sent, the client can convert the print data to be sent to another data format and send the print data to the server. Will be possible.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, the client 10 sends the data format information to the server 20 before sending the application data. In this embodiment, the client 10
The application data is transmitted to the server 20, and the server 20 determines whether or not the received application data can be processed. And if it can be processed, PDL
It is converted into a format and sent to the printer 21A. On the other hand, when processing is not possible, information on an application that can be processed (hereinafter referred to as "processable information") is transmitted to the client.

Here, the processable information is, in concrete terms, in the first embodiment, 3. It is an application list described in other items, and this processable information is
It is attached to the determination processing mail and transmitted to the client 10. 1. Regarding processing contents Hereinafter, processing contents of the client 10 and the server 20 will be described.

1) Client FIG. 18 shows a client 10 according to the third embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of FIG. Since the processing of the client 10 includes the same processing as that in the first and second embodiments, the processing will be briefly described.
First, the client 10 accepts the address of the server 20 for requesting print output, the data name for print request, and the request number from the user's operation, creates an output confirmation mail and sends the e-mail, and receives a new e-mail. Check periodically whether there is any (step S
2110, S2120, S2130, S2140). If a new email arrives, it will be downloaded.

It is determined whether or not the newly received e-mail is an output permission mail, and if it is an output permission mail, the output permission information stored in the e-mail is acquired (step S2150; YES, S2160). If the output permission / prohibition information is not “OK”, information indicating that printing is impossible is displayed (steps S2170 and S2200), and the process ends. On the contrary, when the output permission information is "OK", a data attached mail is created and this electronic mail is transmitted (step S2170; YES, S2180, S2190), and the process proceeds to step S2130.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2150 that the new email is not the output permission email, it is determined whether the email is a process determination email (step S2210). If it is not a processing judgment email (NO)
Moves to step S2130. On the contrary, in the case of the processing determination mail (YES), it is determined whether the processing determination information acquired from this e-mail is "OK" (step S2).
220, S2230).

When the processing determination information is "OK", the received application data is data that can be processed by the server 20, and the display unit 1 notifies the user of this fact.
6 (step S2230; YES, S224
0), the process ends. On the other hand, the processing determination information is “OK”.
If not, that is, if the server 20 cannot process the transmitted application data, the processable information attached to the process determination mail is acquired, and information indicating that the server 20 cannot process and the processable information are displayed on the display unit. 16 to notify the user (step S2230; N
O, S2250).

The user sees this display and recognizes that the application data transmitted to the server 20 has not been processed, and converts the data format of the application data based on the processable information (step S2).
260; YES). The converted application data is again attached to the data attachment mail and sent to the server 20.
(Steps S2180 and S2190).

2) Server FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the server 20 in the third embodiment. The process of the server 20 is the same as the first and second embodiments described above, and step S2.
In 430, if the email received from the client 10 is not the output confirmation email, that is, step S2470.
Since the subsequent processing is different, description will be given from this processing onward.

It is determined whether the received electronic mail is a data attached mail (step S2470). If it is not the data attachment mail (NO), the process moves to step S2410. On the other hand, in the case of a data-attached mail, the application data attached to this e-mail is acquired, and the application data is analyzed to acquire the data format of the application (step S247).
0; YES, S2480, S2490). The data name of the application data can be acquired from the header of the data-attached mail with the application data attached, and the extension of this data name is the data format of the application data.

Then, the processing determination processing determines whether the obtained data format can be processed (step S250).
0). This processing determination processing is the same as the processing determination processing of FIG. 12, and thus description thereof will be omitted here. If the processing determination information obtained in the above processing determination processing is “OK”, the application data acquired in step S2480 is converted into PDL format, and this PDL data is converted into the printer 2
1A (step S2510; YES, S25
40, S2550) and the process moves to step S2410.

On the other hand, if the processing determination information is not "OK", that is, if the server 20 cannot process the application data received from the client 10, "N"
The processing determination information indicating “G” is stored in the processing determination email, and the processability information indicating the format of the application data that can be processed by the server 20 is attached to the processing determination email and transmitted to the client 10 (step S251).
0; YES, S2520, S2530), step S2
Move to 410.

The client 10 configured as described above
Also in the print system including the server 20,
When the application data sent by the client 10 to the server 20 cannot be converted by the server 20, processing determination information indicating that the application data cannot be processed (converted) by the client 10 and processing that indicates a data format that the server 20 can process are possible. Information is the server 20
Since the client 10 converts the data format of the application data according to the processable information and transmits again to the server 20, the client 10 can print out the desired image.

In particular, in the print system described in the present embodiment, when the application data transmitted from the client 10 can be processed by the server 20, the application data is directly converted into the PDL format. The print output is performed earlier than in the above embodiment. 2. Others 1) In the third embodiment, it is determined whether or not the application data received by the server 20 can be converted into the PDL format. However, as in the second embodiment, P
It is also possible to determine whether or not the application converted into the DL format can be used due to the restriction on the number of licenses.

In this case, step S251 shown in FIG.
The processing determination information used for 0 includes a limit on the number of licenses. Specifically, the process determination process for creating the process determination information is the same as that in FIG. 12 in the third embodiment, but here, in FIG. 16 performed in the second embodiment.
The same process as the above may be performed. As a result, in step S2510 of FIG. 19, when the processing determination information is “OK1”,
Similar to the third embodiment, the application data is converted into the PDL format and transmitted to the printer 21A, and when the process determination information is “NO”, the process determination mail is sent as in the third embodiment. Create and send. If the processing determination information is “OK2” in consideration of the number of licenses, the application data may be converted into the PDL format and sent to the printer 21A after waiting until the waiting time elapses.

The application list is given as an example of the processable information, but the application list may be, for example, a list of application names or a list of extensions added to the data names of application data. . 2) In the third embodiment described above, the print system has been described, but the features of this print system are that the client sends print data, the server that converts the print data into a printable format, and the printable. In a print system including a printer that prints out an image based on print data of a format, the server determines a process for determining whether or not the print data can be processed, and a process for processing the print data when the print data cannot be processed. And transmitting means for transmitting processing information regarding print data that can be processed to the client, and the client transmits print data that can be processed by the server to the server based on the processing information.

Further, the server described in the third embodiment carries out various processes according to programs. In other words, this program processes the print data by a determination process for determining whether or not the print data can be processed by a server which converts the print data transmitted from the client into a printable format and sends the print data to the printer. When it is not possible, a transmission process of transmitting information about print data that can be processed to the client is executed.

(Modifications) The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the contents of the present invention are not limited to the specific examples shown in the above embodiments. Such modifications can be implemented. 1) In the first embodiment, the client notifies the data format information of the print data (application data) after receiving the output permission information from the server, but the client transmits the data format of the print data to the client. From before sending the print data to the server.

As such an example, in addition to the above-described embodiment, it is conceivable to store the data format information in the output confirmation mail for confirming whether the client can print out to the server and transmit it. In this case, when the server receives the output confirmation mail, it confirms the connection to the printer, acquires the data format information (data format name) stored in the output confirmation mail, and prints the print data of this data format name. It is only necessary to determine whether or not the data can be converted to a printable format (PDL format), store the output permission information and the processing determination information in one e-mail, here the output permission mail, and send it to the client.

With such a configuration, by confirming the print output and transmitting the data format information together, the time until the print output can be shortened. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the client confirms the print output to the server as to whether or not the output is possible. However, in the first and second embodiments, the print output confirmation is not performed. Data format information may be transmitted to the server as application data in the third embodiment.

2) In each of the above embodiments, the extension of the print data is transmitted as the data format information to be transmitted from the client to the server, but it is possible to know the data format of the print data to be transmitted. Good.
An example of this is the name of the application that created the print data. The data format information is not limited to one piece. For example, a plurality of pieces of information regarding a data format that can be converted by the client may be transmitted.
In this case, the server may determine whether each of the plurality of pieces of information can be processed, and among these pieces of information, a convertible data format may be transmitted to the client as processing determination information. The print data in a data format that can be converted by the server may be transmitted based on the processing determination information.

3) Although the print system in each of the above-described embodiments includes the client, the server, and the printer, the printer may have the function of the server. In this case, the printer serves as the server. further,
A so-called print controller can have a server function, and in this case, the printer controller serves as a server.

4) In each of the above embodiments, the client and server are connected via the Internet, but they are also effective in a print system in which they are connected via a LAN. Specifically, this is a case where an application for which a license contract for setting the number of uses is installed is installed on the server and a plurality of clients use this application. This is because such a printing system has a cost advantage over purchasing and installing the application in all the clients when all the clients do not use the same application at the same time.

5) As a specific example of the first embodiment, for example, a case may be considered in which print data is transmitted to a print specialty store, a so-called print shop, and a print request is made. In particular, it is considered to be particularly effective because it is possible to easily create an image due to the recent popularization of digital cameras, and naturally various applications are used to create an image.

[0114]

As described above, the server according to the present invention is
A server that converts print data transmitted from a client into a printable format and sends the print data to a printer, the information acquiring unit acquiring information about print data to be transmitted from the client from the client, and the acquired information. Determination means for determining whether or not the print data to be transmitted can be processed,
And a transmission unit that transmits the determination information regarding the determination result to the client.

According to this structure, the client can know whether the print data to be transmitted can be processed by the server. Therefore, if the print data to be sent is in a format that cannot be processed by the server, the client can convert the print data to be sent to another data format and send it to the server. It will be possible to print out.

A server for converting the print data sent from the client into a printable format and sending the print data to the printer, and a determination means for determining whether or not the print data can be processed, and the print data When the client cannot process the print data, the client is provided with a sending unit that sends information about the print data that can be processed to the client. The printer data that can be processed by the server can be transmitted to the server, and the printout can be performed as requested by the client.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence of the print system in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a client in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of an output confirmation mail transmitted from the client to the server.

FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram of a data format mail transmitted from the client to the server.

FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram of a data attached mail transmitted from the client to the server.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of a processable table.

FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of an output confirmation mail transmitted from the server to the client.

FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram of a processing determination mail transmitted from the server to the client.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the client in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing determination processing contents of the server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sequence of a printing system in another example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing the contents of an application management table, and FIG. 14B is a diagram showing the contents of a usage status table.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a sequence of the printing system in the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing determination processing contents of a server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a client according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a client in the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a server in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10-14 clients 20, 30 server 21A, 21B, 31A printer 40 networks T1 processable table T2 application management table T3 usage status table

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A server for converting print data sent from a client into a printable format and sending the print data to a printer, and an information acquisition unit for acquiring from the client information regarding print data to be sent by the client. A determination unit that determines whether or not the print data to be transmitted can be processed based on the acquired information, and a transmission unit that transmits determination information regarding the determined result to the client. And the server. 2. A server that converts print data sent from a client into a printable format and sends the print data to a printer, and a determining unit that determines whether or not the print data can be processed; A server that transmits information regarding print data that can be processed to the client when the server cannot process the data. 3. The information regarding the print data is information indicating a data format of the print data, and the determination unit can process when the data format of the print data can be converted into the printable data format. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server determines that 4. When the application software capable of converting the print data to be transmitted into the printable format is set to a number that allows the application software to be used at the same time, the determination means
The server according to claim 1, wherein the server determines that the application software can be processed when the application software is available. 5. A server, which converts print data sent from a client into a printable format and sends the print data to a printer, obtains information about print data to be sent from the client from the client, A program for executing a determination process for determining whether or not print data to be transmitted can be processed based on the acquired information, and a transmission process for transmitting information regarding the determined result to the client.