JP2004525443A - Remote printing - Google Patents

Abstract

A disclosed system and method for remotely printing documents from a computer application that generates printable data. In one form, printable data is transferred from the local computer (20) to the remote computer (24) or the printer (26) in the native data format of the application (42, 62). In another form, the relay server (28) provides a storage / transfer buffer between the local computer (20) and the remote computer (24) or printer (26). In another form, the computer readable medium (53) is program encoded to facilitate transfer of a remote print job. In another form, the local computer (20) maintains (respectively) a list of available local and remote printers (22, 26). When a print request is received, the system automatically traverses the list to find the first available printer and sends the print job to this printer.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
(Refer to related applications)
Priority is claimed in co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/248467, filed November 13, 2000, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 747,457, filed December 22, 2000.
[0002]
The present invention relates to the remote creation of hard copies from electronic documents. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for remotely printing documents as conveniently as local printing.
[Background Art]
[0003]
As computers are increasingly used for personal and business purposes in a wide variety of locations, you want to make a hard copy of the document away from your own workstation or leave the document (or a copy of the document). Often you want to send it to a place that you send. For example, a character may be created using a word processing program on a nearby computer just to mail it to another office in the country. In other situations, business travelers carry laptop computers so that they can create and modify documents while away from their offices. These business travelers who want to make hard copies of documents while traveling must carry a printer in addition to their laptop computer. As a result, the devices that need to be carried become heavy and bulky. These and other problems can be solved by a system that allows a user to print hardcopy from a remote location, ie, on a printer that is not directly connected to the user's computer.
[0004]
The prior art includes some examples of remote printing systems that include one or more deficiencies in addressing various situations where a user desires to print a hard copy of a document that is not directly connected to his or her computer. It is included. One example includes one or more direct connections, such as a dedicated telephone line connecting a workstation to a remote printer. This method has the disadvantage of requiring a constant (often expensive) communication link between the devices. In situations where the user travels in many places, such a solution can be prohibitively expensive. Such a solution is prohibitively expensive even with a large number of hard copy destinations.
[0005]
In an alternative system, a dial-up telephone line is used to communicate between the computer and the printer. While this solution addresses many of the problems described above, it does not meet the requirements of many users. For example, the necessary modems and networking equipment are often complex and difficult to manage. Similar networking deployments that use a wide area network (WAN) to connect to a local area network (LAN) at various locations also suffer from management complexity and prohibitive costs.
[0006]
Other remote printing schemes use Internet e-mail technology. In one such arrangement, the sending computer uses special software to convert the print job to an email print job. On the receiving side, the receiving computer and / or printer must have compatible software to receive and print the email print job. In other such systems, an email server converts an email print job into a facsimile transmission over a telephone line using a facsimile transmission protocol. The compatibility and complexity issues associated with such systems make management and use difficult.
[0007]
A simpler existing technique by which a hard copy of a document can be created at a remote location is to attach the document to an e-mail message. This method requires human intervention, such as opening a document and issuing a print command. In many forms of this system, the recipient can also modify the document, and this ability may not be desirable to the sender.
[0008]
Therefore, other contributions and improvements are sought for remote printing technology.
(Overview)
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for remote printing. Another object is to provide an improved system and method for allowing an authorized user to make a hard copy of a document from a given computer on that computer or on a printer that is not directly connected to the LAN. To provide.
[0009]
These and other objects are achieved by various aspects of the present invention.
(Description of Illustrated Embodiment)
For a better understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein specific language will be used when describing the same. However, this does not limit the scope of the invention, and any alterations and other modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, as well as those illustrated, will occur to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It is understood that any other applications of the principles of the present invention are contemplated.
[0010]
Generally, the remote printing system shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 provides a function for allowing a user of a local computer system 20 having a local printer 22 to print on a remote printer 26 connected to a remote computer system 24. is there. Network 30 carries data between computer systems. In some embodiments discussed herein, the relay server 28 stores and transfers this data as it passes between various other components throughout the system 32.
[0011]
Herein, two different embodiments of the remote printing system according to the present invention will be discussed. Next, the hardware components and communication relationships of the first "server intervening" embodiment will be discussed with reference to FIG.
[0012]
In each case where "communication" between components is described and not characterized as being via "direct connection", facilitating that communication, such as a bridge, router, or even another computer It should be understood that one or more components can be added in addition to the components shown or described to accomplish the above.
[0013]
Further, as used herein, a "direct connection" between a printer and a processing device or computer refers to an arrangement in which communication between components can be performed, such as a router or network exchange. Does not pass through any network hardware. A "LAN" connection between a printer and a processing device or computer is an arrangement in which communications between components can be performed, where the communications involve network components owned or controlled by a single entity. pass.
[0014]
The local computer system 20 includes a processing unit 41, a memory 43, a monitor 45, a network interface 47, zero or more optional input devices 48, and zero or more optional additional output devices 49. The relay server 28 includes a processing device 51, a memory 53, and a network interface 57. Like the local computer system 20, the remote computer system 24 includes a processing unit 61, a memory 63, a monitor 65, a network interface 67, zero or more optional input devices 68, and zero or more output devices 69. . The processing device 41 can be connected to a local printer via a parallel or USB port or a serial port, such as RS232, RS422, Firewire (IEEE standard 1394), or similar connection protocol, as known to those skilled in the art. 22 is directly connected. The processing device 41 can alternatively communicate with the printer 22 via a LAN. Similarly, processor 61 communicates with remote printer 26 via a direct connection or a LAN connection, as is known in the art.
[0015]
It should be understood that local computer 20 can include multiple processing units or CPUs and multiple types of memory, and memory 43 is representative of one or more types. Further, while one local computer 20 is shown, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, multiple computers can be connected thereto. The processing device 41 can be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. Alternatively, in the case of a multiple component format, the processing device 41 can have one or more components that are spaced apart from one another. One or more components of the processing device 41 may include digital circuits, analog circuits, or both, and may be electronically diverse. In one embodiment, processing unit 41 is a conventional integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more PENTIUM® III or PENTIUM® 4 processing units supplied by INTEL Corporation.
[0016]
Memory 43 may include one or more types of solid state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, to name just a few. By way of non-limiting example, memory 43 may be a solid state electronic random access memory (RAM), a sequentially accessible memory (SAM) (such as a first-in first-out (FIFO) variety, or a last-in first-out (LIFO) variety), a programmable readout. Private memory (PROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), optical disk memory (such as DVD or CD ROM), magnetically encoded hard disk, floppy disk , Tape, or cartridge media, or any combination of these memory types. The memory 43 can also be volatile, non-volatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and non-volatile variety.
[0017]
Network 30 may take the form of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or other network types as would occur to one skilled in the art. Local computer 20 includes a monitor 45. Although not shown for clarity, local computer 20 may include one or more of a keyboard, mouse, trackball, light pen, and / or microphone, just to name a few. Multiple operator input devices 48 may be included. In addition to the monitor 45, zero or more other output devices 49, such as speakers, may be included.
[0018]
In the relay server 28, the processing device 51, the memory 53, and the network interface 57 can take any of the forms described above for the processing device 41, the memory 43, and the network interface 47, respectively. Each corresponding item may be the same or different from the corresponding component of local computer 20. Similarly, the components of the print host 24 (processing unit 61, memory 63, monitor 65, network interface 67, zero or more other input devices 68, and zero or more other output devices 69) are also local. Each may take one or more of the forms described above with respect to the corresponding components 41, 43, 45, 47, 48, and 49 for the computer 20, respectively. In addition, a general communication pattern between hardware components in the illustrated embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, where any of the illustrated communication paths includes a network 30 (see FIG. 1), ports, It may be through additional components not shown in FIG. 2, such as connectors, switches, and the like as would occur to those skilled in the art.
[0019]
Referring now to FIG. 3, an overview of key software components in one illustrated embodiment is shown. The application 42 generates or collects printable data, such as, but not limited to, word processing documents, graphic displays, images, World Wide Web content, spreadsheets, and email messages. If the user of the local computer 20 wants to print such data on the remote printer 26, the user selects a “print” command on the user interface of the application 42. The application 42 continues with a "printer discovery" process whereby the application 42 obtains information about local and remote printers available to the local computer 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the application 42 sends the document to the file manager 44 with information on the particular destination printer and print options. File manager 44 connects to relay server 28 and sends printable data to one of relay processes 55. Relay process 55 stores this data in queue 56 for later use.
[0020]
The file manager 64 of the remote computer 24 periodically polls the relay server 28 for waiting for such jobs by sending a command to connect to one of the relay processes 55 to check for waiting for print jobs. I do. If any data is queued for the remote printer 26, the file manager 64 retrieves the data and stores it in the print queue 66. If the remote printer 26 is available, the file manager 64 opens an instance of the application 62 using the request to print the data stored in the queue 66. The application 62 automatically opens, loads the data and prints it on the remote printer 26.
[0021]
The result code of the print job is returned from the printer 26 to the application 62, which then provides the result information (success or failure of the print job) to the file manager 64. The application 62 then closes itself to save memory and processing resources. The file manager 64 sends the result code to the relay process 55. File manager 44 periodically polls relay process 55 to determine if the result code is available and downloads the code if available. The file manager 44 records the results in one or more log files, directly through an application 42, through a user interface (not shown) provided by the operating system of the local computer 20, or The user can be notified of the result of the print job without any further action.
[0022]
If the various components are sufficiently responsive and the connection is sufficiently stable, some or all of the above communications may be polled as described for queue 56 and queue 66 and relay process 55. No mechanism can be used. Instead, the components (application 42, file manager 44, relay process 55, file manager 64, application 62, and remote printer 26) communicate while the system communicates and executes the print job and returns the result code. Connection is maintained.
[0023]
Next, in an alternative embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 4, the file managers 44 and 64 communicate directly without using the relay server 28. In this embodiment, when the file manager 44 receives a request to print a print job, it directly links to the file manager 64 to transmit print job information and waits for a result code. Alternatively, as discussed with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the link between the file manager 44 and the file manager 64 may be aborted while the print job is waiting and the print job After returning to the manager 44 and application 42, it can be re-established.
[0024]
Another form of the invention will now be discussed with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the local computer 20 further includes a connection detector 40 that can determine whether the local printer 22 is actually communicating with the local computer 20. Similarly, a connection detector 60 is also provided and is configured to detect whether the remote printer 26 is operatively connected to the file manager 64. Various methods are known in the art for providing such connection detection, including methods using hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
[0025]
File manager 44 maintains a prioritized list of printers used to process print jobs. This list may contain one or more specific printers (by "printer identifier", e.g., name, serial number, other unique identifier, or port) and / or "group identifiers", e.g. , Printers that are more color than black and white, or an ordered list of classes (with routing information based on the network through which the local computer 20 sends print jobs to a particular printer). When the application 42 sends a print job to the file manager 44, the file manager 44 repeats this list until it finds a printer that can print the print job. This iteration uses the connection detector 40 to determine the availability of one or more local printers 22 and to determine the availability of one or more remote printers 26 (via the file manager 64). And v.) By using a connection detector 60. Alternatively or additionally, the file manager 44 may be connected to and / or connectable to the local computer 20 by the remote printer 26, for example by accepting login / logout signals and / or periodically polling each printer. The list can be maintained, and when a print job subsequently arrives, the local list can be used instead of trying to remotely detect the connectivity of the various remote printers 26.
[0026]
In another form of the invention, system 32 includes a local computer having a first processing unit and a first memory encoded with a first set of programming instructions, wherein the local computer has the first instructions. A processing unit for executing (1) executing a first instance of an application having at least one native data format; and (2) printing first data associated with the application. Can accept the request. Further, the system includes a remote printer and a remote computer in communication with the local computer and the remote printer, the remote computer (1) executing a second instance of the application, (2) receiving the request, (3). A second processing unit for automatically printing the first data on the remote printer using the second instance of the application in response to the received content, and executable by the second processing unit. A second memory encoded with a second set of programming instructions. In this format, the first data is sent from the local computer to the remote computer in at least one of the application's native data formats.
[0027]
In a variation of this type, a relay computer is configured and adapted to receive first data from a local computer and transmit the first data to a remote printer. In some embodiments of this variation, the remote computer periodically polls the relay computer to determine whether one or more print jobs for the remote printer are waiting to be sent. If waiting, the remote computer retrieves this print job and prints it on the remote printer.
[0028]
Another form of the invention is a system that includes at least one remote printer and a local computer connectable to one or more local printers and communicating with the remote printer via a network. The local computer includes means for detecting whether one or more local printers are connected, a processing device, and a memory encoded with programming instructions, which execute the programming instructions. (1) maintain an ordered list (by identity, category, or function) of at least two printers, including at least one local printer and at least one remote printer, and (2) accept requests to print documents (3) automatically traverse the ordered list to find the first printer that is the destination printer on the ordered list accessible to the local computer, and (4) print the document at the destination printer. .
[0029]
In a variant of this form, the first of the local printers is connected directly to the local computer via the LAN.
In another variation, the system also includes a remote computer in communication with the local computer, which can access the remote printer via the remote computer. In some embodiments of this variation, the remote printer is connected directly to the remote computer.
[0030]
Other forms of the invention include: (1) receiving a print job from a source computer; (2) accepting a polling signal from a destination computer; and (3) sending a print job for printing to a destination printer. A method comprising: responding to a polling signal; (4) receiving a print job result signal from a destination computer; and (5) sending the print job result signal to a source computer. In one variation of this format, the print job includes document data and print parameters. In another variation, the print job includes document data in a format that cannot be printed directly by the remote printer. In one embodiment of this variation, the format is a word processing application data format, and in another embodiment, the format is a spreadsheet application data format.
[0031]
In some embodiments of the present invention, users of local computer 20 and print host 24 are authenticated by a login procedure at relay server 28. The user of the print host 24 logs in to make his directly connected and / or LAN connected printer 26 available to the user of the computer 20 or to cancel or remove its availability. . The authentication may use a username / password combination, digital certificate, biometric authentication, or other authentication techniques as would occur to a person skilled in the art. Access rights can be maintained by access control lists, group certificate management (eg, PKI architecture), or other methods as will occur to those skilled in the art. In various embodiments, allowing access to the remote printer 26 allows users of the print host 24 to access certain individual users of the system, as well as users associated with particular companies, user groups, or classes. Access can be granted to a group of users of the system.
[0032]
In some embodiments, the systems all handle a single file format in exchange for printable data, while other systems allow multiple formats. In the latter type of embodiment, the print host 24 may control the envelope information (such as a MIME type header, field, or extension), a "magic number", the format and / or content of the data itself, or a person skilled in the art. Various techniques can be used to distinguish between various document types. As data in multiple formats passes through the system, various embodiments of the present invention use various methods to convert these formats into data that can be interpreted directly by a printer. In some embodiments, the source (local) computer does not interact directly with the remote printer, thus eliminating the need to install a driver for each such remote printer to access.
[0033]
Further, in some embodiments, the local computer can use the remote printer regardless of its operating system, even if there is no printer driver for the remote printer on the local computer's operating system. Furthermore, various embodiments of the present invention combine the various features described herein into one or more objects, modules, applications, devices, and the like as would occur to one skilled in the art. And / or separate.
[0034]
In some embodiments, a destination printer is selected by a user of local computer 20 at the start of a print job. In these situations, the destination printer information is transmitted through the system as part of a print job. In other embodiments, a group of printers identified by a unique identifier, a class of printers identified by a function, or a list of classes of printers is selected at the start of a print job, and the ambiguity is determined by the current printer. It is resolved by the relay server 28 using the availability information (or subsequent availability information if no printer is currently available in the selected group or class).
[0035]
Data compression and encryption can be incorporated into the aforementioned systems without undue experimentation by those skilled in the art. By way of non-limiting example, the data transferred between computers can be encrypted using the digital certificate and the authentication function described above. Encryption is preferably used for at least those transfers passed over public data networks such as the Internet. As another independent example, one or more documents to be printed may be printed on a well-known document. The ZIP file format can be used to compress and combine into a single file with another "print options" file.
[0036]
All publications, prior applications, and other documents cited herein are each individually incorporated by reference and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth.
[0037]
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it is to be understood that the same is illustrative and not restrictive by letters, and only preferred embodiments are shown and described; It should be understood that all changes and modifications conceived by a technician should be protected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0038]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system for remote printing.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a communication relationship in the remote printing system of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing software components in the remote printing system of FIG. 1 and a flow of data between them.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating software components and the flow of data between them in an alternative embodiment of the remote printing system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating software components and the flow of data between them in an alternative embodiment of the remote printing system of FIG. 1;

Claims (27)

A local computer having a first processing device and a first memory encoded with a first set of programming instructions, the programming instructions being executed by the first processing device to provide at least one native data. Executing a first instance of the application having the format,
A local computer capable of accepting a request to print a first print job associated with the application;
A remote printer,
A remote computer in communication with the local computer and the remote printer, the second computer having a second processing device, and a second memory encoded with a second set of programming instructions, the remote computer comprising: The processing unit executes
Run a second instance of the application,
Receives the request,
Responsive to the received content, a remote computer capable of automatically printing a first print job on a remote printer using the second instance.
A system wherein a first print job is sent from a local computer to a remote computer in one or more of at least one native data format. Receiving a first print job from the local computer;
Configured and adapted to send the first print job to the remote computer;
The system of claim 1, further comprising a relay computer. The remote computer,
Periodically polling the relay computer to determine whether one or more print jobs for the remote printer are waiting to be sent,
The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more print jobs are retrieved and printed on the remote printer when the one or more print jobs are waiting to be sent. At least one remote printer;
Network and
A system connectable to at least one local printer and communicating with at least one remote printer over a network, the system comprising: a local computer, the local computer comprising:
Means for detecting whether one or more local printers are connected;
A processing unit;
A memory encoded with programming instructions, wherein the processing instructions are executed by the processing unit,
Maintaining an ordered list of at least two printers including at least one of the one or more local printers and including at least one of the at least one remote printer;
Accept the request to print the document,
Automatically traversing the ordered list to find the first printer, the destination printer, on the ordered list accessible to the local computer;
A system that can print documents on a destination printer. The system of claim 4, wherein the first of the local printers is directly connected to a local computer. The system of claim 4, wherein a first of the local printers is connected to a local computer via a local area network. A remote computer that communicates with the local computer,
The system according to claim 4, wherein the remote printer is connectable to the local computer via the remote computer. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote printer is directly connected to the remote computer. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ordered list includes a printer identifier that identifies information about one or more printers in the ordered list. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ordered list includes group identifiers for one or more printers in the ordered list. Receiving a print job from a source computer;
Accepting a polling signal from the destination computer;
Responding to the polling signal by sending a print job to the destination computer for printing on a printer directly or LAN connected to the destination computer;
Receiving a print job result signal from a destination computer;
Sending a print job result signal to the source computer. The method of claim 11, wherein the print job includes document data and print parameters. The method of claim 11, wherein the print job includes document data in a format that cannot be printed directly by a remote printer. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the format is a word processing application data format. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the format is a spreadsheet application data format. Receiving a print job from a source computer;
Detecting an executable signal;
Sending the print job to a remote printer that is not directly connected to the source computer nor has a LAN connection after the detection. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving, detecting, and transmitting steps are performed by a relay server. The executable signal is a polling signal from the destination computer,
The method of claim 17, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting a print job to a destination computer for printing. Receiving a print job result signal from a destination computer;
Transmitting the print job result signal to the source computer. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the print job includes printable data and envelope data. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the envelope data includes document type information. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the envelope data includes authentication information. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a remote printer is selected from a plurality of remote printers prior to said receiving step. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a remote printer is selected from the plurality of remote printers after the receiving step. The print job is submitted by a user associated with the user identifier;
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote printer is selected from a plurality of remote printers based on a user identifier. The source computer has a network address,
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote printer is selected from a plurality of remote printers based on a network address. Exposing the user interface to the user on the source computer;
Displaying a list of available remote printers via a user interface;
Accepting a user's selection of an available remote printer via a user interface;
Transmitting the selection with the print job.

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