JP2005166065A - System for mediating printing on network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize practical printing between a client and a printer connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: This system for mediating printing on the network is constructed by providing a server connected to the network. The client transmits print data and an identification number for identifying a printer of an output destination to the mediating system. The mediating system converts the print data into a PDF to output it to the printer corresponding to the identification number. Printing is performed by converting the PDF into printer-specific control data on the printer side. Cooperation between a plurality of mediating systems is facilitated by managing information about printers related to other mediating systems together by directory service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for mediating between a client connected to a network and a printing apparatus and realizing printing between the two.

  Conventionally, various printers are used as computer output devices. The printer is connected to the computer in a one-to-one relationship (hereinafter referred to as “local connection”), and receives data from the computer and performs printing. A mode in which a printer is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and shared by a plurality of computers connected to the same LAN is also widespread.

  Furthermore, it has become possible to perform printing between any client or printing apparatus connected to the Internet by using a protocol called IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). However, the output destination is limited to a printing apparatus with a known URI (Uniform Resource Indicator).

  In any of the above-described aspects, conventionally, the connection state between the printer and the computer is usually determined in advance. In other words, conventionally, printing is usually performed at a place determined for each owner of the computer.

  In recent years, the portability of terminals that access the Internet, such as notebook computers and mobile phones, has improved, and it has become possible to access information regardless of location. Based on this tendency, there has been a demand for a technique that can easily perform printing from a portable terminal regardless of location. For example, there has been a demand for a technique capable of performing printing using the nearest printing apparatus as soon as information is acquired. Since printing in which the output destination can be freely selected on the network in this way greatly improves the convenience of the printing apparatus, it has been desired to be realized without being limited to use from a portable terminal.

  In order to be able to freely select an output destination on the network, there are various problems in practice. For example, in order to prevent unauthorized printing and realize reliable printing, the relationship between each user and the available printing apparatus needs to be under a certain management. However, if the number of selectable printing apparatuses increases, another problem that the management burden becomes very large is caused. Therefore, it is required to construct a system that can flexibly select a large number of printing apparatuses while avoiding an extreme increase in management burden.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve these problems and to provide a technique for realizing printing with a high degree of freedom regarding selection of print contents and output destination between a client and a printing apparatus connected to a network. .

  The present invention includes an input unit, a management unit, a data conversion unit, and a job management unit in a print mediation server that mediates between a plurality of clients and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and realizes printing between the two. It was. The client is hardware having a function capable of accessing a network and used by a user who is permitted to print using the print mediation server. Here, the network includes a relatively limited network such as computer communication, the Internet, and a LAN.

  The input unit inputs a print request including print data and output destination designation information for designating the printing apparatus as an output destination from the client. The management unit manages output destination related information for specifying printing apparatuses that can be used by a plurality of clients. Such management is performed based on the correspondence relationship between the client or its user and the printing apparatus.

  The data conversion unit converts the print data into a general-purpose format that does not depend on the model of the printing apparatus. The job management unit mediates print data in a general-purpose format to a designated printing apparatus within a range that can be used by the client based on the output destination related information. Based on the print data thus transferred, printing is performed in each printing apparatus. Since general-purpose data independent of the model is used, a wide variety of printing apparatuses can be included in the output destination.

  As a general-purpose format, for example, a PDF format can be used. In addition, a page description language such as Postscript (registered trademark) can be used. If these formats are used, there is an advantage that the layout of the printed matter can be maintained relatively easily. In addition, since these formats can convert almost all print data, there is an advantage that the present invention can be applied to a wide range of print data.

  According to the print mediation server of the present invention, the management unit can centrally manage the client and the printing apparatus. For example, unauthorized printing can be suppressed by managing the access right together. In addition, even when a plurality of print mediation servers associated with individual clients and printing apparatuses exist on the network, it is relatively easy to link the print mediation servers by sharing the information of the management unit. be able to.

  For example, the management unit can manage the correspondence relationship between the printing apparatus associated with another print mediation server and the other print mediation server as the output destination related information. It becomes possible for a client or a user associated with itself to easily use a printing apparatus associated with another print mediation server. For example, when a printing apparatus associated with another print mediation server is designated as an output destination, the job management unit issues a print request to the other print mediation server associated with the print mediation server. It can be easily realized by transferring.

  The present invention can also be configured as a print mediation system that uses a plurality of print mediation servers to mediate between a plurality of clients and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network and realize printing between the two. . A plurality of clients and printing apparatuses are associated with each print mediation server.

  In such a print mediation system, each print mediation server includes a management unit and a job management unit. The management unit outputs information relating to the printing device associated with itself, and printing associated with another print mediation server as output destination related information for identifying a printing device that can be used by a client associated with the management unit. Information on the correspondence relationship between the apparatus and the other print mediation server is managed. The job management unit causes the printing apparatus to execute printing when a printing apparatus associated with itself is designated by the client, and when a printing apparatus associated with the other print mediation server is designated. Transfer the print request to another print mediation server.

  In addition, the present invention can be configured in various modes such as a print mediation method, a program that realizes the print mediation method, various signals that can be regarded as the same, and a recording medium that records the program. Here, as a recording medium, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (RAM, ROM, etc. Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following items based on examples.
A. System configuration:
B. Function block:
B1. Functional block variants:
C. Print execution example (single print mediation system):
C1. Aspect 1: Printing email:
C2. Aspect 2: Printing a web page:
D. Print execution example (multiple print mediation systems):

A. System configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a print mediation system. This is a system that performs printing by selecting an output destination flexibly via the Internet. Connected to the Internet INT are a server SVA that provides content such as Web pages, a server SV that constructs a print mediation system, printers PRT1 and PRT2, a client computer CC1, and the like. These devices can exchange information via a network. Here, for convenience of explanation and illustration, only a few devices are shown, but as is well known, countless servers, printers, and clients are connected to the Internet. The Internet INT can also be accessed from the mobile phone CP. The cellular phone CP that can access the Internet can perform almost the same function as the client computer.

  The server SV is configured to function as a print mediation system in the present embodiment. As shown below, the server SV manages client and printer information registered in advance, and performs printing by mediating print requests between them.

  When the user issues a print request by designating any one of the printers PRT1 and PRT2 on the network from the client computers CC1 and CC2 and the mobile phone CP, the print request is once transmitted to the server SV. The server SV confirms and sets the operating status of the designated printer, and confirms whether or not the user has authority to access the printer. The server SV converts the print data designated by the client into a general format that can be printed by any printer. In this embodiment, PDF is used as a general-purpose format. When PDF format data is transmitted from the server SV to the printer, the printer driver prepared on the printer side converts the data into printer-specific control data and performs printing.

  In the following embodiment, a case is shown in which most of the functions of the mediation system are basically provided by the server SV, but it may be constructed by a distributed processing system. The application of the embodiment is not limited to the Internet, but can be applied to a relatively limited network such as a LAN or so-called personal computer communication. From this point of view, in the following description, the Internet, LAN, and the like are collectively referred to as “network”.

B. Function block:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of the mediation system. The mediation system 200 is constructed in software in the server SV. FIG. 2 also shows the printer control unit 250 and the client 5. When the printer is directly connected to the network, the printer control unit 250 is a functional block configured by software in a microcomputer built in each printer. When a printer is locally connected to a computer connected to the network, the printer control unit 250 can be built in the computer by software.

  The printer control unit 250 includes a logical printer management unit 252, a physical printer management unit 254, a data conversion unit 256, and a security module 251. The logical printer management unit 252 is a printer as a unit that handles print jobs. For example, when one document is distributed and printed by two printers, the two printers are combined to form one logical printer.

  The physical printer management unit 254 has a function of managing the operation state of each printer, for example, the remaining amount of toner and paper. The physical printer management unit 254 is provided for each printer as a machine regardless of the configuration of the logical printer.

  The data conversion unit 256 corresponds to the function of the printer driver. There is a function of converting data received from the mediation system 200 into control data unique to the printer to be controlled, that is, data representing dot on / off for each pixel. The security module 251 has functions such as data encryption and transmission / reception authentication for avoiding unauthorized access to the printer control unit 250.

  The mediation system 200 is mainly composed of a standard function unit 210, an application unit 220, a charging unit 240, and a security module 201. The standard function unit 210 provides a main function for realizing printing via the mediation system 200. The standard function unit 210 includes a data conversion unit 212, a status management unit 214, a job control unit 216, a directory service 218, an API (Application Programming Interface) 211, and a security module 202. The functions of the security modules 201 and 202 are the same as the security module 251 of the printer control unit 250.

  The data conversion unit 212 has a function of converting print data designated by the client 5 into a general-purpose format independent of the printer model. In this embodiment, PDF is used. The general-purpose format is not limited to PDF, and any format that can be handled by all printers as output destinations may be used. Multiple types of general-purpose formats may be used in combination. However, PDF has the advantage that it is easy to maintain the page layout of the document, and the advantage that almost all documents can be changed to PDF.

  The status management unit 214 has a function of monitoring the operation state of the printer. The operation state refers to the state of each printer involved in printing such as the remaining amount of ink or toner and the remaining amount of printing paper. The management target is a physical printer. The status management unit 214 performs management by communication with the physical printer management unit 254.

  The job control unit 216 has a function of managing a print job output to the printer control unit 250. As described above, an output destination printer can be arbitrarily designated on the network. In accordance with this designation, the job control unit 216 transmits a print job to each output destination and manages its history. When an instruction such as canceling a print job or changing a print mode is issued during printing, the printer that has transmitted a job corresponding to the instruction is specified, and the instruction is output to the printer. Although it is common to the so-called spooler function in that it controls the execution of a print job, it differs from the spooler in that it does not control the print data being stored, but also controls the print data that has already been sent.

  The directory service 218 has a function of managing information that identifies users who can use the mediation system 200 and printers that can output the mediation system 200. The information regarding the user includes an identification number uniquely assigned to the user, a use password, information regarding a billing destination, and the like. Information related to the printer includes information necessary for communication with the printer. For example, information specifying a printer on the network such as a URI or an IP address is included. It also includes information about the connection method between the printer and the network, such as a dedicated line and dial-up connection.

  The application unit 220 is a functional block for providing various functions that improve user convenience. For example, it provides a function for causing the client 5 to display a screen for designating the content to be printed and the output destination printer. The display screen differs depending on whether the client 5 is a computer or a mobile phone. The application unit 220 is a functional block prepared individually according to the type of client, content to be printed, and the like.

  An API (Application Programming Interface) 211 is an interface that mediates between the application unit 220 and the standard function unit 210. It plays a role of transferring data of the application unit 220 prepared individually to the standard function unit 210 in a predetermined format. By interposing the API 211, various application units 220 can be prepared for each mediation system while applying a common module to the standard function unit 210.

  The charging unit 240 performs a charging process during printing using the mediation system 200. It is a functional block prepared individually according to the type of the client 5 and the like.

B1. Functional block variants:
The functional blocks of the mediation system are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the functional block of the mediation system 1.

  The mediation system 1 of the modified example is provided with functional blocks of a basic function block 10, a basic service block 20, a printing service 30, a relation service 50, a navigation service 40, a directory service block 60, an authentication service block 70, and a charging service block 80. It has been. “S” in the figure indicates a security system. The printing site control service 100 corresponds to the printer control unit 250 shown in FIG.

  The basic function block 10, the directory service block 60, and the authentication service block 70 correspond to the standard function unit 210 in FIG. The basic function block 10 includes modules that provide data conversion, status management, and job control functions. The authentication service block 70 has a function of determining whether or not there is an access right to each printer.

  The basic service block 20, the printing service 30, the relation service 50, and the navigation service 40 correspond to the application unit 220 in FIG. The basic service block 20 functions as an input / output interface when the client 5 accesses the mediation system 1, particularly the basic function block 10. Although not shown in the figure, the basic service block 20 is provided with three detailed function blocks: a registration service, a basic printing service, and a status service, and the above-described functions are realized by these detailed function blocks.

  A functional block called a registration service mainly registers and manages the printer 110 and content service involved in printing using the mediation system.

  The basic printing service is a part that performs a function corresponding to an interface for actually executing printing. The basic function block 10 has a function of executing printing by controlling each module of data conversion, status management, and job control.

  The status service acquires and manages status information for maintenance management of the printer 110 that is the output destination. For example, information on consumables such as toner and printing paper of the printer 110 and information on update of replacement parts such as drums are acquired and managed, and output as necessary.

  The printing service block 30 has a function of providing advanced printing using the mediation system 1. For example, it provides advanced print control that is not realized by the basic function block 10 and the basic service block 20 such as outputting print data to a plurality of printers registered in advance at a fixed time.

  The relation service 50 has a function of acquiring and recording a printing status performed via the mediation system and providing usable statistical data. By using the statistical data obtained in this way, for example, the difference in operating rate for each printer can be grasped, and this can be used for printer maintenance management.

  The navigation service block 40 has a function of providing information that helps the user to use the mediation system 1. This corresponds to the help function in the mediation system 1. For example, it is possible to provide information regarding a printing execution method using the mediation system 1, a list of available printers and content services, and the like.

C. Example of printing:
C1. Aspect 1: Printing email:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electronic mail is printed using the mediation system. The case where the user prints an e-mail addressed to himself / herself by an operation from the mobile phone CP is illustrated. It is assumed that the printer is installed in a public place such as a store or a hotel. It is also possible to use a computer as a client.

  At the time of printing an electronic mail, a mobile phone CP, a printer PRT, a mediation system PS, a mail service RM, and a mail server MS are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other.

  The printer PRT as the output destination is registered in advance in the mediation system PS, and a unique identification number is given by the mediation service. In the example of FIG. 4, the identification number of the printer PRT is “1111”. This identification number is a code set regardless of information specifying the printer PRT on the network, for example, an IP address, a URI, or the like. Since the IP address, URI, etc. of the printer PRT are kept secret from the user, unauthorized access can be avoided.

  The brokerage system PS and the mail service RM may be provided by different vendors. It suffices if both are associated in advance. The mail service RM provides functions necessary for printing using the mediation system PS as part of the provided service.

  An e-mail printing execution method will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views showing the first half of an e-mail print sequence. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of interfaces.

  First, the user accesses the mail service RM from the mobile phone CP (communication Cm1 in FIG. 4). The mail service RM accesses the mail server MS that accumulates e-mails, and displays items such as a sender, a subject, etc. on the mobile phone regarding the e-mail addressed to the user (communication Cm2 in FIG. 4). The user selects an electronic mail to be printed from the displayed subject list and transmits it to the mail service RM (see step st1 in FIG. 5).

  The left side of FIG. 7 shows an example of an interface for selecting an e-mail. An e-mail list is displayed together with a check box on the display unit DISP of the mobile phone CP. In this example, it is displayed that four mails of Mail1 ·· Mail4 have arrived. The user operates the cursor key of the mobile phone CP and puts a check mark in the check box of the e-mail requesting printing. Here, a case where a check mark is added to two of Mail 2 and Mail 4 is illustrated. In the e-mail list display, as shown in FIG. 7, a “print” button is also displayed. The user can send a mail selection result to the mail service RM by placing a check mark on an e-mail requesting printing and then moving the cursor to the “print” button and pressing this button. The interface is merely an example, and various interfaces that realize two functions, that is, a function of selecting an electronic mail to be printed and a function of determining a selection result and transmitting it to the mail service RM can be applied.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the mail service RM receives the mail selection result, the mail service RM accesses the mail server MS by the communication Cm2 shown in FIG. 4 and acquires the text data of the selected electronic mail (in FIG. 5). Steps st2 and st3).

  Next, the mail service RM transfers the data of the electronic mail to be printed to the mediation system PS by the communication Cm3 in FIG. 4 (step st4 in FIG. 5). Based on information such as the amount of print data, the mediation system PS approximates the number of print pages, cost, required time, etc., and sends it back to the mail service RM as simple print prediction information (step st5 in FIG. 5).

  The mail service RM displays the simple print prediction information received from the mediation system PS on the mobile phone CP (step st6 in FIG. 5). A display example of the simple print prediction information is shown on the right side of FIG. Here, the case where the print page, the cost, and the required time are displayed for each electronic mail designated by the user is illustrated.

  When executing printing, the user gives an instruction to start printing (step st7 in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 7, together with the simple print prediction information, an “execute” button is displayed on the display unit DISP, and an execution instruction can be given by moving the cursor here and pressing this button.

  The execution instruction made by the user is transmitted to the mediation system PS via the mail service RM by the communications Cm1 and Cm3 in FIG. 4 (step st7 in FIG. 5). At the same time, the print data, that is, the text of the electronic mail and the attached file are transmitted from the mail service RM to the mediation system PS. By this instruction, the mail service RM completes communication with the mobile phone CP. The subsequent communication is performed between the communication Cm4 in FIG. 4, that is, between the mobile phone CP and the mediation system PS.

  When receiving the print start instruction, the mediation system PS displays a standard menu related to printing on the mobile phone CP (step st8 in FIG. 5). An example of a standard menu is shown on the left side of FIG. In the standard menu, printing-related conditions such as content to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, and an output destination printer can be designated. When the “Printer No.” menu is selected, a box IP for inputting an identification number assigned to the output destination printer is displayed. In the box IP, an identification number “1111” assigned to the output printer PRT is input. When the user presses the “Send” button, the printer identification number is sent to the intermediary system PS by communication Cm4 in FIG. 4, and the output printer can be designated (step st9 in FIG. 5).

  In the mediation system PS, an identification number of the printer PRT and an IP address or URI are registered in association with each other. This attribute information is managed by the directory service 218 described above with reference to FIG. The mediation system PS obtains the operating state of the designated printer PRT and, when it determines that printing is possible, calculates detailed print prediction information when printing is performed under the designated printing conditions, as shown in FIG. The contents are displayed on the cellular phone CP using the communication Cm4 (step st10 in FIG. 5).

  After confirming the displayed print prediction information, the user instructs execution of printing (step st11 in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, execution of printing is instructed by inputting a user-specific password. An interface for inputting a password is illustrated in the center of FIG. As shown in the figure, after the cost and required time are displayed as detailed print prediction information, a box for inputting a password is displayed. The user inputs his / her password and presses a transmission button to transmit data to the mediation system PS.

  The user password is registered and managed in advance by the directory service 218. When the brokerage system PS refers to this information and confirms that the password is authentic and has the authority to access the designated printer PRT, it displays a print start screen on the mobile phone CP ( Step st12 in FIG. At the same time, the mediation system PS transmits predetermined banner data prepared in PDF format in advance to the printer PRT designated as the output destination by the communication Cm5 in FIG. On the printer PRT side, the banner data in PDF format is converted into raw data and printing is performed (step st13 in FIG. 6). At the same time, the mediation system PS displays a message prompting the mobile phone CP to confirm whether or not a banner page has been printed (step st14 in FIG. 6). A display example is shown on the right side of FIG.

  The user confirms that the banner has been printed, and presses the “OK” button shown in FIG. 8 (step st15). Upon confirming this input, the brokerage system PS converts the e-mail data received and stored from the mail service RM into the PDF format, which is a general-purpose format, and then uses the communication Cm5 in FIG. To the printer PRT (step st16 in FIG. 6). PDF format data is converted to raw data on the printer PRT side and printed. When the printing of the e-mail is completed, the mediation system PS outputs the fee data required for printing to the billing destination, and ends the series of processes (step st17 in FIG. 6).

  In the above-described sequence, display of print prediction information and banner printing may be omitted. The process of converting the e-mail into the PDF format may be executed at any timing from when the mediation system PS receives the data until it is output to the printer PRT.

C2. Aspect 2: Printing a web page:
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of printing a Web page. The case where a user prints a Web page being viewed on a portable computer PC has been illustrated. Assume that the output printer is installed in a public place.

  In the aspect 2, the computer PC, the printer PRT, the mediation system PS, and the web server WS that provides data of the web page being browsed are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other.

  The user can download data from the Web server WS to the computer PC by communication Cm21 in FIG. 9 and browse the Web page with a browser. When the user desires to print a web page, the URL of the mediation system PS is input to the browser, and the web page of the mediation system is accessed.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a Web page provided by the mediation system. Corresponds to an interface for specifying printing conditions. The user specifies the content by inputting the URL of the Web page to be printed in the print data box.

  The “net printing mediation site” also has an input box for designating a printer as an output destination. Here, as in the case of aspect 1, the printer identification number is entered.

  When the “print start” button is clicked after designating the print condition including the output destination, the print condition designated by the user is transmitted to the intermediary system PS by communication Cm23 in FIG. Based on the URL included in the print data, the mediation system PS accesses the Web server WS by the communication Cm22 in FIG. 9 and acquires the data of the Web page to be printed. This function is provided by the application unit 220 of the mediation system. The subsequent sequence is the same as in the first aspect. In the second embodiment, the print instruction by the computer PC has been described as an example, but a mobile phone may be used as a client.

D. Example of printing (multiple mediation systems):
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a system example constructed by cooperation of a plurality of print mediation systems. Here, the case where two mediation systems 200 and 200A are linked is illustrated. A plurality of clients 5 and a printer control unit 250 are associated with the mediation system 200, and the same system as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 is constructed. In the figure, the printer controller 250 represents each printer as a representative. Similarly, a plurality of clients 5A and a printer control unit 250A are associated with the mediation system 200A.

  The association with the client and printer control unit is managed by the directory services 218 and 218A in each intermediary system. In the figure, an example of information managed by the directory services 218 and 218A is shown. The directory service 218 manages the identification number of each printer associated with its own intermediary system 200 in association with information for specifying the print data transmission destination. For example, for the printer with the identification number “1111” associated with itself, the data transmission destination is stored as the printer control unit 250. For the data transmission destination, information that can identify the transmission destination on the network, such as an IP address, is stored. Similarly, for the directory service 218A, for the printer with the identification number “2222” associated with itself, the transmission destination of the print data is stored as the printer control unit 250A.

  In order to realize cooperation of a plurality of mediation systems, each directory service also stores the correspondence between other directory services and printers. For example, the directory service 218 stores an identification number “2222” of a printer under the management of the linked mediation system 200A. As a transmission destination of the print data, an intermediary system 200A that manages the printer is stored.

  Conversely, the directory service 218A of the mediation system 200A stores the identification number “1111” of the printer under the management of the linked mediation system 200. A mediation system 200 that manages the printer is stored as the transmission destination of the print data.

  A case where a print request is issued from the client 5 will be described as an example of print processing using a plurality of mediation systems. When the client 5 makes a print request with the printer having the identification number “1111” under the management of the mediation system 200 as an output destination, printing is realized by the same method as described with reference to FIGS. . That is, according to the information managed by the directory service 218, the job control unit 216 transmits print data to the printer control unit 250 (see arrow A in the figure).

  When the client 5 makes a print request with the printer having the identification number “2222” under the management of the linked brokerage system 200A as the output destination, printing using both the brokerage systems 200 and 200A is realized. The The job control unit 216 on the mediation system 200 side transfers the print request to the mediation system 200A according to the information managed by the directory service 218 (see arrow B in the figure). The mediation system 200A receives the transferred print request and causes the printer control unit 250A to execute printing by the same method as described above with reference to FIGS. The print data may be transferred to the mediation system 200A after being converted into a general-purpose format, or the mediation system 200A may be converted into a general-purpose format after transferring the original data.

  Printing from the client 5A is also realized by a similar processing method. In other words, when a printer under its management is selected, the mediation system 200A transmits print data directly to the printer control unit 250A. When a printer under the management of the linked mediation system 200 is selected, the print request is transferred to the mediation system 200.

  Here, the cooperation between the two mediation systems has been described. However, by providing management information in the directory service, the cooperation of three or more mediation systems can also be realized. Moreover, although the case where the mediation systems 200 and 200 </ b> A cooperate in both directions has been illustrated in the embodiment, cooperation in one direction may be performed. For example, the directory service 218 may prepare information on printers managed by the mediation system 20A, but the directory service 218A may not prepare information on printers managed by the mediation system 200. In this case, the client 5 can use the printer under the management of both the mediation systems 200 and 200A, but the client 5A can use only the printer under the management of the mediation system 200A. According to the system configuration of this embodiment, it is also possible to construct such a biased cooperation.

  According to the mediation system described above, printing between the client and the printer on the Internet can be realized without knowing the URI or IP address of the printer that is the output destination. By installing a large number of printers registered in the mediation system in a public place, it is possible to provide an environment in which printing can be performed regardless of the place. In this embodiment, print data is converted into a general-purpose format, that is, PDF, and then the print data is mediated. Therefore, mediation of printing can be easily realized without standardizing the printer models.

  In addition, by providing management information in the directory service, cooperation between a plurality of mediation systems can be easily realized. That is, it is excellent in extensibility to construct a large-scale mediation system by linking small-scale mediation systems.

  In addition, there is an advantage that services and the like unique to each mediation system are ensured between the mediation system and the client and printer control unit. For example, various communication modes such as so-called dial-up connection, constant connection using a dedicated line, and wireless communication can be considered for communication between the mediation system and the client and printer control unit. There is no need to unify. This is because communication with the client and printer is performed by an intermediary system associated from the beginning. Similarly, it is not necessary to unify the interfaces provided to the clients. This is because the interface is provided by the application unit of each mediation system. Therefore, even if the intermediary system is linked, the user can continuously use the previously familiar interface.

  As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these Examples, and can take a various structure in the range which does not deviate from the meaning. For example, the above control processing may be realized by hardware in addition to software.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a printing mediation system typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional block of a mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the functional block of the mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that an email is printed using a mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence of an email. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence of an email. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an interface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an interface. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a web page is printed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a Web page which a mediation system provides. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a system constructed | assembled by cooperation of several printing mediation systems.

Explanation of symbols

5, 5A ... Client 10 ... Basic function block 20 ... Basic service block 30 ... Printing service block 40 ... Navigation service block 50 ... Relation service 60 ... Directory service block 70 ... Authentication service block 80 ... Billing service block 100 ... Printing site control service 110 ... Printer 200, 200A ... Mediation system 201, 202 ... Security module 210 ... Standard function part 211 ... API
212 ... Data conversion unit 214 ... Status management unit 216, 216A ... Job control unit 218, 218A ... Directory service 220 ... Application unit 240 ... Billing unit 250, 250A ... Printer Control unit 251 ... Security module 252 ... Logical printer management unit 254 ... Physical printer management unit 256 ... Data conversion unit

Claims (6)

A print mediation server that mediates between a plurality of clients and a plurality of printing devices connected to a network and realizes printing between the two,
An input unit for inputting a print request including print data and output destination designation information for designating the printing device as an output destination from the client;
A management unit that manages output destination related information for specifying printing apparatuses that can be used by the plurality of clients;
A data conversion unit that converts the print data into a general-purpose format that does not depend on the model of the printing apparatus;
A print mediation server comprising: a job management unit that mediates the print data to the designated printing device within a range that can be used by the client based on the output destination related information.   The print mediation server according to claim 1, wherein the management unit manages the correspondence relationship between a printing apparatus associated with another print mediation server and the other print mediation server as the output destination related information.   The print mediation server according to claim 2, wherein the job management unit transfers the print request to another print mediation server when a printing apparatus associated with another print mediation server is designated as an output destination. A print mediation system that mediates between a plurality of clients and a plurality of printing devices connected to a network and realizes printing between the two,
A plurality of print mediation servers, each of which is associated with a plurality of clients and printing apparatuses, are provided on the network,
Each print mediation server
As output destination related information for identifying a printing device that can be used by a client associated with the self, information for identifying a printing device associated with the self, a printing device associated with another print mediation server, and the like A management unit for managing information on the correspondence relationship with the print mediation server,
A job management unit that realizes printing using any of the printing devices according to a print request from the client,
The job management unit causes the printing apparatus to execute printing when a printing apparatus associated with the client is designated by the client, and when a printing apparatus associated with the other print mediation server is designated. A print mediation system for transferring a print request to the other print mediation server. A print mediation method for realizing printing in response to a print request from a client using a plurality of clients connected to a network, a printing apparatus, and a print mediation server,
In each of the print mediation servers, as output destination related information for identifying a print device that can be used by a client associated with the self, information for identifying the print device associated with the self, and other print mediation servers A management unit that manages information related to the correspondence relationship between the associated printing device and the other print mediation server;
(A) inputting a print request including print data and output destination designation information for designating the printing apparatus as an output destination from the client;
(B) when a printing device associated with the client is designated by the client, causing the printing device to execute printing;
(C) when a printing device associated with the other print mediation server is designated, a print mediation method comprising: transferring the print request to the other print mediation server. Using a plurality of clients, printing apparatuses, and print mediation servers connected to the network, a computer-readable program for causing the print mediation server to implement a function for realizing printing in response to a print request from the client A recorded recording medium,
The print mediation server is associated with information identifying the printing device associated with itself and other print mediation server as output destination related information for identifying a printing device that can be used by a client associated with the print mediation server. A function for managing information related to the correspondence between the printing apparatus and the other print mediation server;
A function of inputting a print request including print data and output destination designation information for designating the printing apparatus as an output destination from the client;
A function for causing the printing apparatus to execute printing when a printing apparatus associated with the client is designated by the client;
A recording medium recording a program for realizing a function of transferring the print request to another print mediation server when a printing device associated with the other print mediation server is designated.

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