JP2005004325A - Network printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To configure a printing system with a high degree of freedom by adding an external data communication protocol stack, and by acquiring an information resource by not only existing data communication protocols but also a user-specific data communication protocol. <P>SOLUTION: A user sends information resource location information and a data communication protocol stack from a terminal to a printer connected to a network. The printer acquires a data communication protocol from the data communication protocol stack to access an information resource. The printer prints the accessed information resource. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network compatible printer connected to a network such as the Internet, an intranet, or a LAN.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a network printer as a printer connected to a network such as a LAN and shared by a plurality of host computers.
[0003]
In a conventional network printer, the host computer and the network printer are connected via a network or connected by means such as a parallel port, a USB parallel port, and wireless. A printer user transmits print data to a printer or a printer server from a terminal (host) that can be directly operated by the user (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
Data to be transmitted from the user side to the terminal includes text data, image data, data described in PDL (Page Description Language), and the like.
[0005]
In general, a printer user requires driver software for transmitting, converting, and editing print data.
[0006]
In addition, the Internet is known as a worldwide network that is interconnected with a large number of networks. There are WWW servers and FTP servers on the Internet, and information resources expressed in HTML and data such as files expressed in various data formats are transmitted to terminals that have accessed using a data communication protocol such as HTTP or FTP. providing. A URL is known as representing the location of an information resource on the Internet.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-344233 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the information resource must be accessed by a data communication protocol that is not supported by the network printer, the user must set the printer so that the printer can support the data communication protocol.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a highly flexible network printing system that can access information resources existing on a network with an arbitrary data communication protocol without imposing a load on a printer user's terminal and can directly print the information resources. is there.
[0010]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, when accessing an information resource existing on the network, the data communication protocol stack has a role like a kind of key, so that the disclosure of the information resource can be restricted. It is possible to limit the printing of this.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the network printer (network compatible printing apparatus) according to the present invention receives the URL indicating the location of the data communication protocol stack and the information resource (document etc.) and accesses the specified URL by itself. And acquiring information resources.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a network print system that is connected to a network and receives a print request from a terminal and performs print processing, a connection means to the network via a plurality of servers, a data communication protocol stack acquisition means, Information resource location information acquisition means for receiving and registering information (URL) indicating the location of the information resource, and information resource for receiving the information resource connected to the server using the information resource location information and the data communication protocol stack An acquisition means is provided.
[0013]
Here, the “terminal” includes all devices that can be connected to a network such as a personal computer, a handy terminal, a mobile phone, and a printer.
[0014]
Here, the “network via a plurality of servers” is the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or the like.
[0015]
Here, the “terminal” and the “network print system” may be connected via a network, or may be directly connected by means such as a USB parallel port, a parallel port, or wireless.
[0016]
Here, the “information resource” includes all data to be printed such as a text file, an image file, a PDL file such as PostScript or PDF, an application specific format, an encoded file, and the like.
[0017]
Here, the “data communication protocol” includes a protocol higher than the session layer in the OSI basic reference model such as HTTP and FTP, and a unique data communication protocol.
[0018]
Here, the “data communication protocol stack obtaining unit” may obtain from a host computer or may be obtained from a removable storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and does not depend on the transfer method.
[0019]
In the invention according to claim 3, in the network print system according to claim 1, in order to store “information resource location information”, “received information resource”, and “received data communication protocol stack” in the network print system. Storage information management for reusing the "information resource location information", "received information resource", and "received data communication protocol stack" stored in the network print system using the storage means Means, a comparison means for the newly received “information resource location information” and “data communication protocol stack”, “information resource location information”, and “data communication protocol stack” when receiving a print request from the terminal, and a new “data Means for determining whether or not the "communication protocol stack" needs to be recorded, and the determination If it is determined that the data need not be recorded, the data communication protocol expansion means based on the “data communication protocol stack” accumulated using the storage means and the server indicated by the “information resource location information” are newly added. Server connection determination means for determining whether it is necessary to connect and receive information resources; and when the server connection determination means determines that it is not necessary to connect to a server and receive information resources, the storage means And an internal storage program executing means for performing a printing process using the “received information resource” stored by using.
[0020]
Here, “storage means for accumulating” means storing with a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk.
[0021]
Here, “stored information management means managed for reuse” refers to, for example, centrally managing both information resources and data communication protocol stacks received from each server in the form of a table. Data update time and the like are to be managed.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of examples.
[0023]
(Example 1)
In the first embodiment, the invention according to claim 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
In the first embodiment, when a printer user prints from a terminal connected to the network to the printer connected to the network, the data communication protocol stack and a URL indicating the location of the desired information resource are transmitted to the printer and received. The received data communication protocol stack is used to analyze the received URL, expand the data transfer protocol supported by the printer, access the location indicated by the URL of the printer that has received the URL, receive information resources, and perform print processing. It is an example to do.
[0026]
Here, the data communication protocol may be transmitted from the terminal to the printer, or may be transmitted from the removable storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk to the printer, and does not depend on the transfer method.
[0027]
Both the host (printer user terminal) (H1) and the printer (PT1) are connected to the network.
[0028]
A server storing information resources is connected to the network (N1). Information resources stored in the server are downloaded to the printer by HTTP, FTP, or a unique data communication protocol. The network may be a large network such as the Internet, or a local network such as a LAN.
[0029]
Here, TCP / IP is assumed as a communication protocol between the host (H1) and the printer (PT1).
[0030]
It is assumed that the WWW server (S1) records the information resource (J1) indicated by the file name “001.data” on the hard disk inside the server. It is assumed that the file name “001.data” is in the folder indicated by the folder “data”.
[0031]
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
[0032]
The URL input screen (W1) is a screen on which software to be activated is displayed on the display of the host (H1) when a user at the host (H1) issues a print request to the printer.
[0033]
The user enters the URL (U1) indicating the location of the information resource to be printed in the print target URL entry field (L1), and presses the print button (B1). Thereby, one URL (U1) is transmitted to the printer via the network. Here, it is assumed that the URL entered by the user is already known.
[0034]
The following describes the case where the printer (PT1) receives the URL “proto: //www.server1.com/data/001.data” (U1) indicating the location of the information resource.
[0035]
The printer PT1 that has received one URL (U1) has the location “www.server1.com/data” of the location of the information resource (J1) from the URL “proto: //www.server1.com/data/001.data” (U1). /001.data "(A1) and protocol information" proto "(PRO1) for connecting to the WWW server. Further, the data communication protocol stack is transferred to the printer (PT1) from a terminal in which the data communication protocol stack is stored or a removable storage medium.
[0036]
Next, the printer (PT1) acquires the data communication protocol by the data communication protocol stack, connects to the server “www.server1.com” (S1), receives the information resource (J1), and stores it in a storage medium inside the printer. Record.
[0037]
Then, the printer (PT1) prints the information resource (J1).
[0038]
(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, the URL (data communication protocol stack) once received by the printer (PT1) of the first embodiment is recorded in a non-volatile storage medium inside the printer and can be managed in a reusable form. This is an example.
[0039]
In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the printer (PT1) has a hard disk mounted therein as a nonvolatile storage medium and records the received URL, data communication protocol stack, and information resource. Further, it is assumed that the printer (PT1) has a reception data communication protocol management table shown in FIG. 4 and a reception information resource management table shown in FIG. The received data communication protocol management table includes a supported data communication protocol (PRT1), an address (PRT2) indicating an area in which the received data communication protocol stack is recorded on the hard disk inside the printer, and a date and time (PRT3) when the data communication protocol stack is received. ). In the received information resource management table, the URL (JT1) indicating the location of the received information resource, the address (JT2) indicating the area where the received information resource is recorded on the hard disk inside the printer, and the date and time (JT3) when the information resource is recorded Record.
[0040]
Here, it is assumed that the reception information resource management table and the reception data communication protocol stack management table are separate, but they may be performed under the same table.
[0041]
The operation of the printer (PT1) when the URL (U1) indicating the location of the information resource is transmitted from the printer (PT1) and the host (H1) under the above assumption will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .
[0042]
In step ST1, the printer (PT1) that has detected the connection from the host (H1) receives the URL (U1) indicating the location of the information resource transmitted from the host (H1) and records it in the internal storage medium.
[0043]
Next, in step ST2, the printer (PT1) receives the data communication protocol stack and records it in the internal storage medium.
[0044]
Next, in step ST3, it is determined whether or not the received data communication protocol stack is registered in the received data communication protocol stack management table. If the received data communication protocol stack is not registered in the received data communication protocol stack management table, the supported data communication protocol (PRT1), the received data communication protocol stack recording area, and the recording date and time are registered in step ST4.
[0045]
Next, in step ST5, it is determined whether the URL (U1) received from the host (H1) is registered in the received information resource management table. If registered in the URL (U1), the received resource management recording area corresponding to the URL (U1) is referred to, and the information resource (J1) received from the same URL in the past is loaded from the hard disk inside the printer ( Step ST6). If the URL (U1) is not registered, the server (S1) represented by the URL (U1) is accessed in step ST7, and the information resource is received. The newly received information resource (J1) is recorded on the hard disk in step ST8, and the URL (U1), the received information resource recording area, and the recording date and time are registered in the received information resource management table.
[0046]
Finally, in step ST9, the information resource is printed.
[0047]
In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the order of step ST1 and step ST2 may be reversed.
[0048]
Similarly, the step group related to the acquisition of information resources (step ST3 to step ST4) and the step group related to the acquisition of the data communication protocol stack (step ST5 to step ST8) do not depend on each other, so the parallel processing is performed regardless of the execution order. Is also possible.
[0049]
Step ST4 and step ST8 may be executed after step ST9.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the main processing performed at the printer user's terminal is to indicate to the printer the location of the information resource that exists in the network. Therefore, it is not necessary to process information resources directly at the user's terminal, and printing can be performed while suppressing the load on the network due to the transfer of information resources.
[0051]
Since the data communication protocol stack can be added from outside the printer, the user is freed from the trouble of setting the data communication protocol.
[0052]
Further, information resources can be acquired not only by existing data communication protocols but also by data communication protocols uniquely created by the user, and a printing system with a high degree of freedom can be constructed.
[0053]
In addition, when accessing information resources that exist on the network, the data communication protocol stack has a role like a kind of key, which can restrict the disclosure of information resources and restrict the printing of information resources. It can be applied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an image in which a host, a printer, a WWW server, and an FTP server are connected to a network.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a URL input screen of a host that issues a print request to the printer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a URL.
FIG. 4 shows a received data communication protocol management table.
FIG. 5 shows a received information resource management table.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a printer according to the second exemplary embodiment.

Claims (8)

In a network print system that is connected to a network and receives a print request from a terminal and performs a print process, means for connecting to the network via a plurality of servers;
A data communication protocol stack acquisition means;
Information resource location information acquisition means for receiving and registering information (URL) indicating the location of the information resource;
A network print system comprising information resource acquisition means for connecting to a server and receiving information resources using the information resource location information and the data communication protocol stack. 2. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the data communication protocol stack acquired by using the data communication protocol stack acquisition means is a program that can support a data communication protocol that is not currently supported. A network print system characterized in that an information resource on a network can be accessed and acquired. In the network print system according to claim 1, storage means for storing "information resource location information", "received information resource", "received data communication protocol stack" in the network print system;
Stored information management means for managing the "information resource location information", "received information resources", and "data communication protocol stack" stored in the network print system using the storage means;
When receiving a print request from the terminal, the newly received “information resource location information” and “data communication protocol stack information”, “information resource location information”, “data communication protocol stack” comparing means,
A means for determining whether or not a new “data communication protocol stack” needs to be recorded,
When the determination means determines that it is not necessary to record, the data communication protocol expansion means by the “data communication protocol stack” stored using the storage means;
A server connection determination means for newly connecting to a server represented by “information resource location information” and determining whether it is necessary to receive the information resource;
Internal storage that performs print processing using the “received information resource” stored using the storage means when the server connection determination means determines that it is not necessary to connect to the server and receive the information resource A network printing system comprising program execution means. 4. The network print system according to claim 3, wherein the data communication protocol stack acquired by using the data communication protocol stack acquisition means is a program that can support a data communication protocol that is not currently supported. A network print system characterized in that an information resource on a network can be accessed and acquired. In a network print system that is connected to a network and receives a print request from a terminal and performs print processing, a step of connecting to a network via a plurality of servers;
A data communication protocol stack acquisition step;
An information resource location information acquisition step for receiving and registering information (URL) indicating the location of the information resource;
An information resource acquisition step of receiving an information resource by connecting to a server using the information resource location information and the data communication information protocol stack. 6. The network print system according to claim 5, wherein the data communication protocol stack acquired using the data communication protocol stack acquisition step is a program that can support a data communication protocol that is not currently supported, and uses the acquired data communication protocol. A network printing system characterized in that information resources on a network can be accessed and acquired. 6. The network print system according to claim 5, wherein the "information resource location information", "received information resource", and "received data communication protocol stack" received via the network are stored in the network print system. Steps,
A storage information management step for managing the "information resource location information", "received information resource", and "data communication protocol stack" stored in the network print system using the storage means;
A step of comparing the newly received “information resource location information” and “data communication protocol stack” with “information resource location information” and “data communication protocol stack” when receiving a print request from the terminal;
A step of determining whether or not a new "data communication protocol stack" needs to be recorded;
A data communication protocol expansion step according to the "data communication protocol" stored using the storage means when it is determined by the determination means that it is not necessary to record;
A server connection determination step for determining whether it is necessary to newly connect to a server represented by “information resource location information” and receive information resources and data;
Internal storage for performing print processing using the “received information resource” stored using the storage step when it is determined in the server connection determination step that it is not necessary to connect to the server and receive the information resource A network printing system comprising program execution means. 8. The network print system according to claim 7, wherein the data communication protocol stack acquired using the data communication protocol stack acquisition step is a program that enables support of a data communication protocol that is not currently supported. A network print system characterized in that an information resource on a network can be accessed and acquired.

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