JP2006127549A - Printing system, printer, server system, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate management of storage place information showing a storage place of data for print. <P>SOLUTION: A bookmark in which a plurality of storage places (URLs) of files (the data for print) are described is stored in an HDD 34 of a server 3. URLs of the bookmarks are stored in NVRAMs 24 of each printer 2. When printing is performed by a printer 2, the printer 2 acquire the bookmark from the server 3 (HTTP GET). Then, the printer acquires contents of a file which a user desires to print using the URL described in the bookmark (HTTP GET). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring print target data from storage location information and printing the contents on a print medium.

  In recent years, for example, a printing system has been provided that connects a printer (an example of a printing apparatus) equipped with a browser, which is software for accessing a WWW (World Wide Web) server (an example of a server apparatus), to a WWW server via a network. Has been. In a printer of such a printing system, URL management may be performed by storing a plurality of URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) (an example of storage location information) of files on a WWW server in a memory built in the printer. When the user wants to print the contents of a file (an example of data to be printed) on the WWW server on a print medium, the printer displays the file names constituting a part of a plurality of URLs stored in the printer's built-in memory on the display unit. Display selectable. The user designates the file name of the file to be acquired from the plurality of file names displayed on the display unit using the operation unit. The printer obtains the content of the URL file specified by the user based on the URL according to HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). Then, the printer prints the contents of the acquired file on a print medium.

  In such a printing system, a plurality of printers may be connected in the printing system. In such a case, in order to register the URL of the file newly added to the WWW server to a plurality of printers in the system, the system administrator or the like needs to register the URL in each of the plurality of printers. It was. For example, if there are three printers in the system, it is necessary to register the URL three times, which is a heavy workload for a system administrator or the like. Similarly, in order to delete the URL of the file deleted from the WWW server from each of the plurality of printers in the system, the system administrator or the like needs to delete the URL in each of the plurality of printers. The work burden was heavy for managers. In other words, if the URL of the file is managed by each printer, the work burden on the system administrator or the like is large.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a printing system, a printing apparatus, a server apparatus, a program, and a recording medium that can easily manage storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data to be printed on a print medium by the printing apparatus or print target data. The purpose is to provide.

  A printing system according to a first aspect includes a server device and a plurality of printing devices capable of communicating with the server device. The server device includes a data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data, and the data in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device. Transmission means for transmitting the print target data storage location information stored in the storage location storage means to the printing apparatus. Each of the plurality of printing apparatuses includes a printing unit, a server storage location storage unit that stores server storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data storage location information, and a server stored in the server storage location storage unit Based on storage location information, request means for requesting the print target data storage location information from the server device, receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device, and the receiving means Obtaining means for obtaining the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the received print target data storage location information.

  According to the first aspect, the print target data storage location information is stored in the server device, and the print target data storage location information stored in the server device is transmitted from the server device to the print device in response to a request from the print device. To do. For this reason, even when printing target data is updated (addition or deletion), the system administrator or the like updates (addition or deletion) the printing target data storage location information stored in the server device. Therefore, management of the print target data storage location information becomes easy.

The printing system according to claim 2, further comprising: a registration unit that registers a storage location of print target data in the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage unit, wherein the registration unit includes the registration unit It is provided in at least one of a server device, the printing device, and a device communicably connected to the server device. According to the second aspect, since the printing system is provided with means for registering the print target data storage location information in the storage means of the server device, it is possible to easily add the print target data storage location information.
The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the print target data storage stored in the data storage location storage unit is a storage location of print data relating to the content printed by the printing unit as a storage location of the print target data. A registration means for additionally registering the location information is provided.
The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing device determines whether the printing unit has printed the content of the print target data acquired based on the print target data storage location information from the server device. The first determination means, and the first determination means that the print target data is not the content of the print target data acquired based on the print target data storage location information from the server device. An additional unit that adds a storage location of the print data related to the content printed by the printing unit to the print target data storage location information from the server device as a storage location of the print target data when the determination is made; Transmitting means for transmitting the print target data storage location information to which the print data storage location has been added by the adding means to the server device; And the server device receives the print target data storage location information from the printing device, and the reception of the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location information storage means. Update means for updating to the print target data storage location information received by the means.
6. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus determines whether or not the user has performed a device operation that the addition unit desires to add to the print target data storage location information. Means are further provided. Then, the first determination means is based on the print target data storage location information from the server device when the second determination means determines that there has been a device operation by the user that desires the addition. It is determined whether or not the printing means has printed the contents of the print target data acquired in this way.

  The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing apparatus specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information received by the receiving unit. It is characterized by further comprising designation means for performing the above. According to the sixth aspect, since the storage location of desired print target data can be designated from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information transmitted from the server device to the printing device, the necessary print target data It is possible to print only the contents of the print data, and there is no trouble such as wasted paper due to printing of the contents of unnecessary print target data.

  The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the data storage location storage unit further stores unprintable data storage location information indicating a storage location of unprintable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus, and the transmission unit includes: The print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data and the non-printable data storage location information indicating the storage location of the non-printable data are transmitted, and the specifying unit indicates the print target data storage location information. The storage location of the print target data to be acquired is designated from the plurality of storage locations. According to the seventh aspect, since only the storage location indicated by the print target data storage location information is specified, there is no problem caused by specifying a storage location other than the print target data.

  The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the data storage location storage unit further stores unprintable data storage location information indicating a storage location of unprintable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus, and the transmission unit includes: The print target data storage location information is selected and transmitted from the print target data storage location information and the non-printable data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage means. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, even when the non-printable data storage location information indicating the storage location of the non-printable data that cannot be printed by the printing device is stored in the data storage location storage unit of the server device, Since the storage location information transmitted to is only the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data, there is no problem caused by specifying a storage location other than the print target data.

  A printing system according to a ninth aspect includes a server device and a plurality of printing devices capable of communicating with the server device. The server device includes a data storage unit that stores print target data, a generation unit that generates print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data based on the storage contents of the data storage unit, and the print Transmitting means for transmitting the print target data storage location information generated by the generation means in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the apparatus to the printing apparatus. Each of the plurality of printing apparatuses includes printing means and server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data storage location information. The printing system includes a request unit that requests the server device for the print target data storage location information, a reception unit that receives the print target data storage location information from the server device, and the reception unit. Obtaining means for obtaining the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the received print target data storage location information.

  According to the ninth aspect, the print target data is stored in the server device, the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data is created based on the data, and the print target data storage location information generated in the server device is created. Is transmitted from the server apparatus to the printing apparatus in response to a request from the printing apparatus. For this reason, even if there is an update (addition or deletion) of the print target data, the system administrator or the like may update (addition or deletion) the print target data stored in the server device. The management of the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data becomes easy.

  The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the printing system includes registration means for registering print target data in the data storage means, and the registration means communicates with the server device, the printing device, and the server device. It is provided in at least one of the devices that can be connected. According to the tenth aspect, since the printing system is provided with the means for registering the print target data in the data storage means of the server device, it becomes possible to easily add the print target data.

  The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the printing apparatus specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information received by the receiving unit. It is characterized by further comprising designation means for performing the above. According to the eleventh aspect, the storage location of desired print target data can be designated from a plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information transmitted from the server device to the printing device. Only the contents can be printed, and there is no trouble such as wasting paper due to the unnecessary contents of the print target data being printed.

  13. The printing system according to claim 12, wherein the data storage unit further stores non-printable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus, and the generation unit stores the non-printable data based on the storage contents of the data storage unit. Print-inhibited data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data, and the transmission means for storing the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data and the non-printable data indicating the storage location of the non-printable data. Storage location information is transmitted, and the designating unit designates the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information. According to the twelfth aspect, since only a desired print target data storage location is specified from a plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information, there is no problem caused by specifying a storage location other than the print target data. .

  14. The printing system according to claim 13, wherein the data storage unit further stores unprintable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus, and the storage location information transmitted from the transmission unit stores the print target data. The print target data storage location information indicates a location. According to the thirteenth aspect, the storage location information transmitted from the transmission means indicates the storage location of the print target data even if the data storage means of the server device stores non-printable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus. Since it is the print target data storage location information, there is no problem caused by specifying a storage location other than the print target data in the printing apparatus.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a server apparatus, wherein the printing unit and server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data are stored. Based on server storage location information stored in the server storage location storage means, request means that requests the server device for the print target data storage location information based on the server storage location information, and from the server device Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information; acquisition means for acquiring the print target data from the print target data storage location based on the print target data storage location information received by the receiving means; It is provided with. According to the fourteenth aspect, the printing apparatus can acquire printing target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the printing target data from the server device. Therefore, if the server device manages the print target data and the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data, there is no need to manage them in the printing device.

  The server device according to claim 15 can communicate with a printing device including server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data. In the server device, the data storage location storage means for storing the print target data storage location information and the data storage location storage means in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device. Transmission means for transmitting the print target data storage location information to the printing apparatus. According to the fifteenth aspect, the server device can transmit the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data to the printing device. Therefore, if the print target data storage location information is managed by the server device, it becomes unnecessary to manage the print target data storage location information by the printing device, and management of the print target data storage location information becomes easy.

  The server device according to claim 16 can communicate with a printing device including server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data. In the server apparatus, data storage means for storing print target data, generation means for generating print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data based on the storage contents of the data storage means, and the printing apparatus Transmitting means for transmitting the print target data storage location information generated by the generation means in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device. According to the sixteenth aspect, the server device can create print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data and transmit it to the printing device. Therefore, if the print target data storage location information is created by managing the print target data in the server device, it is not necessary to manage the print target data storage location information in the printing device, and the management of the print target data storage location information is easy. become.

  The program according to claim 17 includes a printing device, a printing unit, a server storage location storage unit that stores server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data, and the printing Request means for requesting the print target data storage location information to the server device communicable with the apparatus, receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device, and received by the receiving means It is made to function as an acquisition means for acquiring the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 20 stores the server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print unit and the print target data. Server storage location storage means, request means for requesting the print target data storage location information to a server apparatus communicable with the printing apparatus, receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server apparatus, and A recording medium storing a program that functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit. According to the seventeenth and twentieth aspects, the printing apparatus can acquire the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data from the server device. Therefore, if the server device manages the print target data and the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data, there is no need to manage them in the printing device.

  The program according to claim 18, wherein the server device can communicate with the server device, data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data, and the printing In response to the transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing apparatus provided with the server storage location storage means for storing the server storage location information indicating the storage location of the target data storage location information, the data storage location storage means It is made to function as a transmission means for transmitting the stored print target data storage location information to the printing apparatus. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 21, wherein the server device can communicate with the server device, data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data, and the server device. And in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from a printing apparatus comprising server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. A program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage unit to the printing apparatus is recorded. According to claims 18 and 21, the server device can transmit print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data to the printing device. Therefore, if the print target data storage location information is managed by the server device, it becomes unnecessary to manage the print target data storage location information by the printing device, and management of the print target data storage location information becomes easy.

  The program according to claim 19, wherein the server device generates a print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data based on the storage contents of the data storage means and the data storage means for storing the print target data. The print target from the printing apparatus including the generation unit that performs communication with the server apparatus and the server storage location storage unit that stores the server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. It is made to function as a transmission means which transmits the said printing object data storage location information produced | generated by the said production | generation means in response to the transmission request | requirement of data storage location information to the said printing apparatus. 23. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 22, wherein the server device includes a data storage unit that stores print target data, and a print target that indicates a storage location of the print target data based on the storage content of the data storage unit. Printing means comprising data generating location information generating means and server storage location storage means capable of communicating with the server device and storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information Recording a program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information generated by the generation unit in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the device. Features. According to the nineteenth and twenty-second aspects, the server device can create print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data and transmit it to the printing device. Therefore, if the print target data storage location information is created by managing the print target data in the server device, it is not necessary to manage the print target data storage location information in the printing device, and the management of the print target data storage location information is easy. become.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a network system constituting the printing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a network system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device configuration of the devices constituting the network system of FIG.

  A network system 1 shown as an example in FIG. 1 includes three printers 2, one server 3, one personal computer 4, and the like, and each is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 5. . The devices constituting the network system 1 can communicate with each other via the LAN 5.

  The printer 2 in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an NVRAM 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit 26, a printing unit 27, and an interface 28, as shown in FIG. .

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 is a read-only storage device and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the printer 2. The ROM 22 includes various programs such as a system program, a program for causing the printer 2 to execute a printing process (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and a program for causing the printer 2 to execute a URL registration process (see FIG. 6). Is stored. The ROM 22 stores display information (WEB page) to be displayed on the display unit 25 and the display unit 45 of the personal computer 4 connected via the LAN 5. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 is a readable / writable volatile storage device, and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the printer 2 like the ROM 22. The RAM 23 has a work area for storing intermediate results of data processing.

  An NVRAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory) 24 is a storage device that can be read and written, and can continue to be stored without being erased even when the power is turned off. The NVRAM 24 stores a URL indicating a storage location of a bookmark (a file in which the URL of at least one file is described). The NVRAM 24 also stores the serial number of the manufactured product.

  The display unit 25 constitutes a display device of the printer 2, and is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 25 displays a list of file names constituting a part of the URL (URL of a file that can be directly printed by the printer 2) described in the bookmark in the printing process (see FIGS. 3 and 4). (See FIG. 7). The liquid crystal display includes a simple matrix type such as STN type and DSTN type and an active matrix type such as TFT. The operation unit 26 constitutes an input device of the printer 2. The operation unit 26 includes a predetermined number of input keys, a touch panel pasted on the display surface of the display unit 25, and the like. By using the operation unit 26, the user designates the file name of a file to be printed by the printer 2, that is, the URL, from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 (see FIG. 7). That is, the operation unit 26 constitutes a designation unit.

  The printing unit 27 provides a monochrome or color character or image printing function. For example, the printing unit 27 is controlled by the CPU 21 and outputs the contents of the file having the file name designated by the user to the print medium. That is, the printing unit 27 constitutes a printing unit with the CPU 21. The interface 28 connects the printer 2 to the LAN 5 and enables communication between the printer 2 and each device such as the server 3 and the personal computer 4 connected to the end of the LAN 5. The interface 28 constitutes reception means for receiving a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) from the server 3, that is, receiving a URL described in the bookmark. In the second embodiment described later and its modification, a receiving means for receiving the file index.htm, that is, receiving the URL described in the file index.htm is configured.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 performs various calculations and processes, and functions as a central processing unit. The CPU 21 in this embodiment executes a printing process (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and a URL registration process (see FIG. 6).

  In the printing process, when the user instructs to display a list of file names (file names of printable files) using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 is based on the URL indicating the bookmark storage location stored in the NVRAM 24. Then, a transmission request for a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is made to the server 3 via the interface 28 (request means), and the file bookmark.htm is received via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Subsequently, the CPU 21 sequentially extracts the URLs of the files that can be printed by the printer 2 from the URLs described in the received file bookmark.htm, and displays the file names that constitute a part of the extracted URLs. A process of displaying a list in 25 (see FIG. 7) is performed. Further, when the user designates the file name of the file to be printed from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 specifies a URL corresponding to the file name designated by the user (this URL is Based on the received file bookmark.htm, the file having the specified file name is acquired via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Then, the CPU 21 performs processing for printing the content of the acquired file from the printing unit 27 onto the printing medium.

  In the URL registration process, when the user performs a key operation related to new registration of a URL for a bookmark using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 changes the interface 28 based on the URL indicating the bookmark storage location stored in the NVRAM 24. Via the interface 28, a request for transmitting a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is sent to the server 3, and the file bookmark.htm is acquired via the interface 28. Then, the CPU 21 adds a URL to be newly registered to the file bookmark.htm. Then, the CPU 21 transmits the added file bookmark.htm to the server 3 via the interface 28 (HTTP POST). The server 3 updates the file bookmark.htm to the file bookmark.htm sent from the printer 2. As a result, the URL is newly registered in the bookmark (registration means).

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the server 3 in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an HDD 34, a display unit 35, an operation unit 36, and an interface 37.

  The ROM 32 is a read-only storage device and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the server 3. The ROM 32 stores various programs such as a system program, a program for causing the server 3 to execute print processing (see FIG. 5), and a program for causing the server 3 to execute URL registration processing. The RAM 33 is a readable / writable volatile storage device, and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the server 3 like the ROM 32. The RAM 33 has a work area for storing intermediate results of data processing.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 is a readable / writable storage device (hard disk) and its reader. The HDD 34 stores a bookmark (file bookmark.htm), and a URL indicating the storage location of the file (text file or the like) is described in this bookmark (may be described in plural). An example of this bookmark is shown in FIG. 8, and the bookmark may include a URL of a file that can be directly printed by the printer 2 and a URL of a file that cannot be directly printed by the printer 2. That is, the HDD 34 constitutes a storage unit that stores a URL indicating a storage location of a file (data to be printed or data that cannot be printed).

  The display unit 35 constitutes a display device of the server 3. The operation unit 36 constitutes an input device of the server 3. The interface 37 connects the server 3 to the LAN 5 and enables communication between the server 3 and each device such as the printer 2 and the personal computer 4 connected to the end of the LAN 5. This interface 37 is integrated with the CPU 31 and constitutes a transmission means for transmitting a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) to the printer 2, that is, transmitting a URL described in the bookmark. In the second embodiment described later and its modification, a transmission means for transmitting the file index.htm, that is, transmitting the URL described in the file index.htm is configured.

  The CPU 31 performs various calculations and processes, and functions as a central processing unit. The CPU 31 in the present embodiment executes print processing (see FIG. 5) and URL registration processing. In the printing process, when the URL path name indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is received from the printer 2 via the interface 37, the CPU 31 stores the bookmark (file bookmark) stored in the HDD 34 based on the received URL. .htm) to the printer 2 via the interface 37.

  In the URL registration process, when the URL indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is received from the printer 2 via the interface 37, the CPU 31 stores the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) stored in the HDD 34 based on the received URL. ) To the printer 2 via the interface 37. Thereafter, when a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is received via the interface 37, the CPU 31 updates the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34 to the received file bookmark.htm.

  The personal computer 4 of FIG. 1 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, an HDD 44, a display unit 45, an operation unit 46, and an interface 47, as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 41 performs various calculations and processes, and functions as a central processing unit. The ROM 42 is a read-only storage device and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the personal computer 4. The RAM 43 is a readable / writable volatile storage device, and constitutes a part of the main storage device of the personal computer 4 like the ROM 42. The RAM 43 stores intermediate results of data processing. There are other work areas. The HDD 44 is a readable / writable storage device (hard disk) and its reading device. The display unit 45 constitutes a display device of the personal computer 4. The operation unit 46 constitutes an input device of the personal computer 4. The interface 47 connects the personal computer 4 to the LAN 5 and enables communication between the personal computer 4 and each device such as the printer 2 and the server 3 connected to the end of the LAN 5.

  Hereinafter, the printing process performed by the network system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation flow of the printing process performed by the printer 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of print processing performed by the server 3.

  First, FIG. 3 will be described. In step S <b> 101, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 determines whether the user has performed a key operation using the operation unit 26. If it is determined that the user is not performing a key operation (S101: NO), the process returns to step S101 to continue monitoring the key operation by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has performed a key operation (S101: YES), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the key operation performed by the user is a key operation related to a list display of file names. If it is determined that the key operation is not related to the file name list display (S102: NO), the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the CPU 21 executes a process corresponding to the key operation performed by the user. 3 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the key operation is related to the file name list display (S102: YES), the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S <b> 103, the CPU 21 transmits the URL path name indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) stored in the NVRAM 24 to the server 3 via the interface 28. Then, the CPU 21 receives the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3 from the server 3 via the interface 28 (see S204 in FIG. 5), whereby the printer 2 is stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3. The URL (which may be plural) described in the bookmark is received. Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the CPU 21 performs a printable file extraction process shown in FIG. By this processing, the URL of the file that can be printed is extracted from the URLs described in the file bookmark.htm received in step S103 (see S154 in FIG. 4). Then, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the CPU 21 displays a list of file names constituting part of the URL on the display unit 25 based on the URL extracted in the process of step S104. By this processing, a screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 25, and the file names displayed in a list are only the file names of files that can be printed by the printer 2. In FIG. 7, the five URLs shown in FIG. 8 are described in the file bookmark.htm, and “http://fileserver1.com/graph/File1.ps”, “ This is a case where “http://fileserver2.com/graph/File3.pcl” and “http://fileserver3.com/contentts/File5.xml” are extracted. Then, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the file name of the file to be printed is specified from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 in step S105 by using the operation unit 26 by the user. If it is not determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S106: NO), the process of FIG. 3 is terminated assuming that there is no file name of the file that the user wants to print. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S106: YES), the process proceeds to step S107. Here, since the file names displayed as a list on the display unit 25 are only the file names of files that can be printed by the printer 2, the file names specified by the user using the operation unit 26 are printed by the printer 2. It will be the file name of the file that can be.

  In step S107, the CPU 21 acquires a file having a file name specified by the user based on the URL corresponding to the file name specified by the user (HTTP GET), and prints the contents of the acquired file from the printing unit 27. Processing for printing on the medium is performed, and the processing in FIG. 3 is terminated. The file specified by the URL may be stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3 or may be stored in another server (not shown).

  Next, the printable file extraction process (S104 in FIG. 3) in FIG. 4 will be described. In step S151, the CPU 21 extracts the first URL described in the file bookmark.htm. Then, the process proceeds to step S152.

  In step S152, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the file corresponding to the URL extracted in step S151 or S155 is a file that can be printed by the printer 2. If it is determined that the file cannot be printed (S152: NO), the process proceeds to step S154. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file is printable (S152: YES), the process proceeds to step S153. This determination is performed using, for example, the end of the URL. If the end of the URL is “.ps” or “.pcl”, it is determined that the file can be printed. The file format is “.xml” and the file format is “X-”. If it is “HTML, Print format”, it is determined that the file can be printed.

  In step S153, the CPU 21 describes the URL of the file determined to be printable in the file. The file names constituting a part of the URL described in this file are displayed as a list on the display unit 25 in step S105 of FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S154.

  In step S154, the CPU 21 determines whether there is an unextracted URL among the URLs described in the file bookmark.htm. If it is determined that all URLs have been extracted (S154: NO), the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a URL that has not been extracted (S154: YES), the process proceeds to step S155.

  In step S155, the CPU 21 extracts the URL described in the file bookmark.htm next to the current URL, and returns to the process of step S152.

  Further, FIG. 5 will be described. In step S <b> 201, the CPU 31 of the server 3 determines whether there is an HTTP request from another device such as the printer 2. If it is determined that there is no HTTP request (S201: NO), the process returns to step S201 to continue monitoring the HTTP request. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an HTTP request (S201: YES), the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the CPU 31 determines whether the request is a GET request. If it is determined that the request is not a GET request (S202: NO), the process proceeds to step S206, and in step S206, the CPU 31 performs other processes in response to the request. On the other hand, when it is determined that the request is a GET request (S202: YES), the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the CPU 31 determines whether there is a resource indicated by the URL. If it is determined that there is no resource indicated by the URL (S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the CPU 31 returns “Not Found” to the request source via the interface 37, The process of 5 is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a resource indicated by the URL (S203: YES), the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the CPU 31 sends the resource indicated by the URL to the request source via the interface 37. A reply is made, and the processing of FIG.

  Here, in the first embodiment, a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is requested from the printer 2 (S201: YES, S202: YES), and there is a bookmark indicated by the URL (S203: YES). The file bookmark.htm is returned to the requesting printer 2 (S204). As a result, the URL (there may be a plurality of URLs) described in the file bookmark.htm is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. The returned file bookmark.htm is received in step S103 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, URL registration processing performed by the network system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of URL registration processing performed by the printer 2.

  In step S <b> 301, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 determines whether the user has performed a key operation related to new registration of a URL using the operation unit 26. If it is determined that the key operation related to the new registration of URL is not performed (S301: NO), the process returns to step S301 to continue monitoring the key operation by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has performed a key operation related to new registration of a URL (S301: YES), the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the CPU 21 determines whether or not it relates to new registration of the URL of the printed file (here, other than the file corresponding to the URL described in the file bookmark.htm). If it is determined that it relates to the new registration of the URL of the printed file (S302: YES), the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not related to the new registration of the URL of the printed file (S302: NO), the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S303, the CPU 21 sets the URL of the printed file as the URL registered in the file bookmark.htm. Then, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S304, the CPU 21 acquires a URL input by the user using the operation unit 26. Subsequently, in step S305, the CPU 21 sets the URL input by the user as a URL to be registered in the file bookmark.htm. . Then, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S <b> 306, the CPU 21 transmits the URL path name indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) stored in the NVRAM 24 to the server 3 via the interface 28. 3 receives the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34. Subsequent to step S306, in step S307, the CPU 21 adds a URL to be newly registered in the file bookmark.htm (the URL registered in step S303 or S305). Subsequent to step S307, in step S308, the CPU 21 transmits the file bookmark.htm with the URL added in step S307 to the server 3 via the interface 28 (HTTP POST). The server 3 updates the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34 to the file bookmark.htm sent from the printer 2. As a result, the new URL is registered in the bookmark stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the server 3 manages the bookmark in which the URL of each file is described, and the printer 2 manages the URL of the bookmark stored in the server 3. The printer 2 sends a bookmark transmission request to the server 3 based on the bookmark URL. In response to a bookmark transmission request from the printer 2, the bookmark is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. Therefore, even when a file is updated (added or deleted), the system administrator or the like can update the URL of the updated file by updating the bookmark stored in the server (adding or deleting a URL). The file URL is easily managed.

  Further, even when a plurality of URLs of files that can be printed by the printer 2 are described in the bookmark, the user can select the file name of the file to be printed, that is, the URL, so that unnecessary file contents can be selected. There are no problems such as printing media being wasted and printing media wasted. Furthermore, since the file designated by the user is only the file name of the file that can be printed by the printer 2, there is no problem that the user designates the file name of the file that cannot be printed by the printer 2.

  Furthermore, a new URL can be registered in the server 3 simply by performing the new URL registration process of FIG.

Modification of First Embodiment Hereinafter, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 is extracted by the printer 2 in the first embodiment, whereas the server 3 is used in the modified example. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Further, the URL new registration process described with reference to FIG. 6 can be executed to perform new registration of the URL, but since this is substantially the same as the above-described content, the description thereof is omitted.

  The ROM 22 of the printer 2 stores a program for causing the printer 2 to execute a printing process (see FIG. 9). The ROM 32 of the server 3 stores a program for causing the server 3 to execute a printing process (see FIG. 10).

  When the user instructs to display a list of file names using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 instructs the server 3 via the interface 28 based on the URL indicating the bookmark storage location stored in the NVRAM 24. To send a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) and obtain the file bookmark.htm through the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Subsequently, the CPU 21 performs a process of displaying a list of file names constituting part of the URL described in the acquired file bookmark.htm on the display unit of the display unit 25 (see FIG. 7). Further, when the user designates the file name of the file to be printed from the file names displayed in the list on the display unit 25 using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 determines based on the URL corresponding to the file name designated by the user. A file having a specified file name is acquired via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Then, the CPU 21 performs processing for printing the content of the acquired file from the printing unit 27 onto the printing medium.

  When the server 3 receives a URL path name indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) from the printer 2 through the interface 37, the CPU 31 of the server 3 stores the bookmark (stored in the HDD 34 based on the received URL). Take out the file bookmark.htm). Then, the CPU 31 extracts the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 from the URLs described in the file bookmark.htm. Then, the CPU 31 returns a file bookmark.htm describing the extracted URL to the printer 2 via the interface 37.

  Hereinafter, the printing process performed by the network system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of a printing process performed by the printer 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the printing process performed by the server 3.

  First, FIG. 9 will be described. In step S <b> 401, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 determines whether the user has performed a key operation using the operation unit 26. If it is determined that the user is not performing a key operation (S401: NO), the process returns to step S401 to continue monitoring the key operation by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has performed a key operation (S401: YES), the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the key operation performed by the user is a key operation related to a list display of file names. If it is determined that the key operation is not related to the file name list display (S402: NO), the process proceeds to step S407. In step S407, the CPU 21 executes a process corresponding to the key operation performed by the user. Then, the process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the key operation is related to the file list display (S402: YES), the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, the CPU 21 transmits the path name of the URL indicating the storage location of the bookmark (file bookmark.htm) stored in the NVRAM 24 to the server 3 via the interface 28, and the server 3 sends the file via the interface 28 to the file. Bookmark.htm is received (see step S506 in FIG. 10). As a result, the printer 2 has received the URL (which may be plural) of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 out of the URLs described in the bookmark stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the CPU 21 displays a list of file names constituting part of the URL on the display unit 25 based on the URL described in the file bookmark.htm received from the server 3 in step S403 (see FIG. 7). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the file name of the file to be printed is specified from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 in step S404 by using the operation unit 26 by the user. If it is not determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S405: NO), the process of FIG. 9 is terminated assuming that there is no file name of the file that the user wants to print. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S405: YES), the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the CPU 21 acquires a file having a file name specified by the user based on the URL corresponding to the file name specified by the user (HTTP GET), and prints the contents of the acquired file from the printing unit 27. Processing for printing on the medium is performed, and the processing in FIG. 9 ends.

  FIG. 10 will be described. In step S501, the CPU 31 of the server 3 determines whether there is an HTTP request from another device such as the printer 2. If it is determined that there is no HTTP request (S501: NO), the process returns to step S501 to continue monitoring the HTTP request. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an HTTP request (S501: YES), the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the CPU 31 determines whether the request is a GET request. If it is determined that the request is not a GET request (S502: NO), the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the CPU 31 performs other processes according to the request. On the other hand, if it is determined that the request is a GET request (S502: YES), the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the CPU 31 determines whether there is a resource indicated by the URL. If it is determined that there is no resource indicated by the URL (S503: NO), the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the CPU 31 returns “Not Found” to the request source via the interface 37. The process of 10 is finished. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a resource indicated by the URL (S503: YES), the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S504, the CPU 31 determines whether or not it is a transmission request for the file bookmark.htm. If it is determined that the request is not a transmission request for the file bookmark.htm (S504: NO), the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, the CPU 31 returns the resource indicated by the URL to the request source via the interface 37. Then, the process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the request is a transmission request for the file bookmark.htm (S504: YES), the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, the CPU 31 temporarily stores the file bookmark.htm in the RAM 33, and the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 from the URLs described in the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34. Are sequentially extracted, and the extracted URL is described in the file bookmark.htm temporarily stored in the RAM 33. Note that the file bookmark.htm stored in the HDD 34 is not updated with the file bookmark.htm temporarily stored in the RAM 33. Subsequent to step S505, in step S506, the CPU 31 returns the file bookmark.htm temporarily stored in the RAM 33 to the requesting printer 2 via the interface 37, and ends the processing of FIG.

  Here, in the modification, a bookmark (file bookmark.htm) is requested from the printer 2 (S501: YES, S502: YES), and there is a resource indicated by the URL, which is a bookmark (S503: YES, Therefore, the file bookmark.htm describing only the URL of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 is returned from the server 3 to the printer 2 via the interface 37 (S506). As a result, the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 among the URLs described in the bookmark stored in the HDD 34 (there may be a plurality of URLs) is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. The returned file bookmark.htm is received in step S403 in FIG.

  Also in the modification of the first embodiment described above, substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The ROM 22 of the printer 2 stores a program for causing the printer 2 to execute a printing process (see FIG. 11). The NVRAM 24 has an index URL indicating a list of files stored in the server 3 (for example, if the host name of the server 3 is Server3 and the directory name of the file is / document, http: // Server3 / document / index; hereinafter referred to as an index URL). The ROM 32 of the server 3 stores a program for causing the server 3 to execute a printing process (see FIGS. 12 and 13). The HDD 34 has a directory containing files (related to print target data and unprintable data). An example of this is shown in FIG. That is, the HDD 34 constitutes a storage unit that stores data to be printed and data that cannot be printed.

  When the user instructs to display a list of file names using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 uses the file URL index.htm to the server 3 via the interface 28 based on the index URL stored in the NVRAM 24. Is sent (request means) and the file index.htm is received via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Subsequently, the CPU 21 performs a process of displaying a list of file names constituting a part of the URL described in the received file index.htm on the display unit 25 (see FIG. 7). Further, when the user designates the file name of the file to be printed from the file names displayed in the list on the display unit 25 using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 determines based on the URL corresponding to the file name designated by the user. A file having a specified file name is acquired from the server 3 via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Then, the CPU 21 performs processing for printing the content of the acquired file from the printing unit 27 onto the printing medium.

  When the server 3 receives a URL (index URL) ending with index.htm from the printer 2 via the interface 37, the CPU 31 creates an empty file index.htm in the RAM 33, and stores the file in the directory of the HDD 34. The files that can be printed from are extracted sequentially. Then, the CPU 31 determines the URL (for example, http: //Server3/document/file1.ps if the index URL is http: //Server3/document/index.htm) based on the host name, directory name, etc. of the server 3. , Http: //Server3/document/file3.pcl, http: //Server3/document/file5.xml; hereinafter referred to as a document URL). Subsequently, the CPU 31 describes the created document URL in the file index.htm. As a result, a file index.htm describing the URL of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 is generated. Then, the CPU 31 returns the file index.htm generated via the interface 37 to the printer 2.

  Hereinafter, the printing process performed by the network system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of a printing process performed by the printer 2. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing an operation flow of print processing performed by the server 4.

  First, FIG. 11 will be described. In step S <b> 601, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 determines whether the user has performed a key operation using the operation unit 26. If it is determined that the user is not performing a key operation (S601: NO), the process returns to step S601 to continue monitoring the key operation by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has performed a key operation (S601: YES), the process proceeds to step S602.

  In step S602, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the key operation performed by the user is a key operation related to file name list display. If it is determined that the key operation is not related to the file name list display (S602: NO), the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, the CPU 21 executes a process corresponding to the key operation performed by the user. Then, the process of FIG. 11 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the key operation is related to the file list display (S602: YES), the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the CPU 21 transmits the index URL stored in the NVRAM 24 to the server 3 via the interface 28, and receives the file index.htm created by the server 3 from the server 3 via the interface 28 (FIG. 12 steps S705 and S706, see FIG. 13). As a result, the printer 2 has received a URL (or a plurality of URLs) in which files that can be printed by the printer 2 among the files stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3 have been created. Then, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, the CPU 21 performs a process of displaying a list of file names constituting a part of the URL on the display unit 25 based on the document URL described in the index.htm received in step S603. Since the file index.htm is only the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 (see S705, S706, and FIG. 13 in FIG. 12), the file name displayed on the display unit 25 is printed by the printer 2. Only the file name of the file that can be. Then, the process proceeds to step S605.

  In step S605, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the file name of the file to be printed is specified from the file names listed on the display unit 25 in step S604 using the operation unit 26 by the user. If it is not determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S605: NO), the process in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S605: YES), the process proceeds to step S606. Here, since the file names displayed as a list on the display unit 25 are only the file names of files that can be printed by the printer 2, the file names specified by the user using the operation unit 26 are printed by the printer 2. It will be the file name of the file that can be.

  In step S606, the CPU 21 acquires the file having the file name specified by the user from the server 3 via the interface 28 based on the document URL corresponding to the file name specified by the user (HTTP GET). A process of printing the contents of the file from the printing unit 27 onto the print medium is performed, and the process of FIG.

  Next, FIG. 12 will be described. In step S <b> 701, the CPU 31 of the server 3 determines whether there is an HTTP request from another device such as the printer 2. If it is determined that there is no HTTP request (S701: NO), the process returns to step S701 to continue monitoring the HTTP request. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an HTTP request (S701: YES), the process proceeds to step S702.

  In step S702, the CPU 31 determines whether the request is a GET request. If it is determined that the request is other than a GET request (S702: NO), the process proceeds to step S709, and in step S709, the CPU 31 performs other processes according to the request. On the other hand, if it is determined that the request is a GET request (S702: YES), the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, the CPU 31 determines whether there is a resource indicated by the URL. If it is determined that there is a resource indicated by the URL (S703: YES), the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, the CPU 31 returns the resource indicated by the URL to the request source via the interface 37. Then, the process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no resource indicated by the URL (S703: NO), the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, the CPU 31 determines whether the end of the URL is index.htm (determines whether the URL is an index URL). If it is determined that the end of the URL is not index.htm (S704: NO), the process proceeds to step 707. In step S707, the CPU 31 returns “Not Found” to the request source via the interface 37. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end of the URL is index.htm (S704: YES), the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, the CPU 31 performs an index.htm creation process in FIG. By this processing, the file name of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 is extracted from the file in the HDD 34, and the document URL is described in the file index.htm. Subsequent to step S705, in step S706, the CPU 31 returns the file index.htm generated in step S705 to the requesting printer 2 via the interface 37, and ends the processing in FIG. In the file index.htm returned to the printer 2, only the URL of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 is described.

  Here, in the second embodiment, when the file index.htm is requested from the printer 2 (S701: YES, S702: YES), there is no resource indicated by the URL (S703: NO), and the URL Since the end is index.htm (S704: YES), the file index.htm is generated and returned to the printer 2 (S706). As a result, the document URL (which may be plural) generated from the files that can be printed by the printer 2 among the files stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3 is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. become. The returned file index.htm is received in step S603 in FIG.

  Next, the index.htm creation process (S705 in FIG. 12) in FIG. 13 will be described. In step S751, the CPU 31 creates an empty file index.htm and stores it in the RAM 33. Subsequent to step S751, in step S752, the CPU 31 extracts the first file name from the directory having the directory name that forms part of the index URL sent from the printer 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S753.

  In step S753, the CPU 21 determines whether the file corresponding to the file name extracted in step S752 or step S756 is a file that can be printed by the printer 2. If it is determined that the file cannot be printed (S753: NO), the process proceeds to step S755. On the other hand, if it is determined that the file is printable (S753: YES), the process proceeds to step S754. This determination can be performed by the same method as in step S152 in FIG.

  In step S754, the CPU 21 creates a URL (document URL) of a file determined to be printed using the host name of the server 3, the directory name in which the file is located, the file name of the file, and the like. Then, the CPU 31 describes the created document URL in the file index.htm. Then, the process proceeds to step S755.

  In step S755, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a file not extracted in the directory. If it is determined that all the files have been extracted (S755: NO), the process proceeds to step S706 in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a file that has not been extracted (S755: YES), the process proceeds to step S756, and in step S756, the CPU 21 directs the file next to the current target file. And the process proceeds to step S753.

  If there are five files in the directory of the server 3 as shown in FIG. 14 as an example, the file index.htm contains “http: // host name of the server 3 / directory name with the file / File1.ps”, “Http: // server 3 host name / file name directory / File3.pcl” and “http: // server 3 host name / file name directory / File5.xml” are described. .

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the server 3 manages the data of each file, and the server 2 stores the file data (print target data, etc.) in the printer 2. URLs (index URLs) consisting of directory names and the like are managed. Then, when the printer 2 makes a transmission request to the server 3 based on the URL (index URL) managed by the printer 2, the URL (document URL) of the file managed by the server 3 according to the request. Is created, and the file index.htm describing the created URL is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. Therefore, even when a file is updated (added or deleted), if the system administrator or the like performs an operation for updating the file stored in the server, the updated file is reflected in the printer 2 and the file management is performed. It becomes easy.

  Even when a plurality of files that can be printed by the printer 2 are stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3, the user can select the file name of the file to be printed, that is, the URL. Is not printed on the print medium and the print medium is wasted. Furthermore, since the file designated by the user is only the file name of the file that can be printed by the printer 2, there is no problem that the user designates the file name of the file that cannot be printed by the printer 2.

Modification of Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in the second embodiment, the URL of a file that can be printed by the printer 2 is extracted by the server 3, whereas in the modified example, the URL is extracted by the printer 2. This modification will be described with a focus on differences from the second embodiment.

  The ROM 22 of the printer 2 stores a program for causing the printer 2 to execute a printing process (see FIG. 15). The ROM 32 of the server 3 stores a program for causing the server 3 to execute a printing process (see FIGS. 12 and 16).

  When the user instructs to display a list of file names using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 uses the file URL index.htm to the server 3 via the interface 28 based on the index URL stored in the NVRAM 24. To obtain the file index.htm via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Subsequently, the CPU 21 extracts a file that can be printed by the printer 2 from a file having a file name constituting a part of the URL (document URL) described in the acquired file index.htm. Then, the CPU 21 performs a process of displaying a list of file names of the extracted files on the display unit 25 (see FIG. 7). Further, when the user designates the file name of the file to be printed from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 using the operation unit 26, the CPU 21 specifies a URL (document URL) corresponding to the file name designated by the user. Based on the above, a file having the designated file name is acquired from the server 3 via the interface 28 (HTTP GET). Then, the CPU 21 performs processing for printing the content of the acquired file from the printing unit 27 onto the printing medium.

  When the server 3 receives a URL (index URL) ending with index.htm from the printer 2 via the interface 37, the CPU 31 creates an empty file index.htm, the file name of the file in the directory of the HDD 34, A URL (document URL) is created based on the host name of the server 3 and the directory name of the directory in which the file was located (generation unit). Then, the CPU 31 describes the created URL (document URL) in the file index.htm. As a result, a file index.htm describing the URL of the file in the target directory of the server 3 is generated. Then, the CPU 31 returns the file index.htm generated via the interface 37 to the printer 2.

  First, FIG. 15 will be described. In step S <b> 801, the CPU 21 of the printer 2 determines whether the user has performed a key operation using the operation unit 26. If it is determined that the user is not performing a key operation (S801: NO), the process returns to step S801 to continue monitoring the key operation by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has performed a key operation (S801: YES), the process proceeds to step S802.

  In step S <b> 802, the CPU 21 determines whether the key operation performed by the user is a key operation related to file name list display. If it is determined that the key operation is not related to the file name list display (S802: NO), the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, the CPU 21 executes a process corresponding to the key operation performed by the user. Then, the process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the key operation is related to the file list display (S802: YES), the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, the CPU 21 transmits the URL (index URL) stored in the NVRAM 24 to the server 3 via the interface 28, and receives the file index.htm created by the server 3 from the server 3 via the interface 28. (Refer to steps S705 and S706 in FIG. 12 and FIG. 16). As a result, the printer 2 has received the URL (there may be a plurality of URLs) created based on the file stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, the CPU 21 sequentially extracts files that can be printed by the printer 2 from the URL (document URL) described in the file index.htm acquired in step S803.

  In step S805, the CPU 21 performs a process of displaying a list of file names constituting a part of the URL (document URL) on the display unit 25 based on the file extracted in step S804. However, the file name displayed on the display unit 25 is only the file name of the file that can be printed by the printer 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S806.

  In step S806, the CPU 21 determines whether the file name of the file to be printed is specified from the file names displayed on the display unit 25 in step S805 using the operation unit 26 by the user. If it is not determined that the file name has been designated by the user (S806: NO), the process of FIG. 15 is terminated assuming that there is no file name of the file that the user wants to print. On the other hand, when it is determined that the file name is designated by the user (S806: YES), the process proceeds to step S807. Here, since the file names displayed as a list on the display unit 25 are only the file names of files that can be printed by the printer 2, the file names specified by the user using the operation unit 26 are printed by the printer 2. It will be the file name of the file that can be.

  In step S807, the CPU 21 acquires the file name of the file specified by the user from the server 3 via the interface 28 based on the URL (document URL) corresponding to the file name specified by the user (HTTP GET). Then, the process of printing the content of the acquired file on the print medium from the printing unit 27 is performed, and the process of FIG.

  The server 3 performs the process of FIG. 12 as in the second embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the file index.htm created in the index.htm creation process (see FIG. 13) in step S705 includes only the URL of the file that can be printed by the printer 2. However, in the modified example, since the index.htm creation process of FIG. 16 is executed in step S705, the URL of the file that can be printed by the printer 2 and the printer 2 are printed in the file index.htm. URLs of files that cannot be stored may be included. In this modification, when a file index.htm is requested from the printer 2 (S701: YES, S702: YES), there is no resource indicated by the URL (S703: NO), and the end of the URL is index.htm. Therefore, the file index.htm is generated and returned to the printer 2 (S706). As a result, the URL (or a plurality of URLs) created based on the file stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3 is transmitted from the server 3 to the printer 2. The returned file index.htm is received in step S803 in FIG.

  Next, the index.htm creation process (S705 in FIG. 12) in FIG. 16 will be described. In step S951, the CPU 31 creates an empty file index.htm in the RAM 33. Subsequent to step S951, in step S952, the CPU 21 extracts the first file name from the directory having the directory name that forms part of the index URL sent from the printer 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S953.

  In step S953, the CPU 21 creates the URL of the file extracted in step S952 or step S955 using the host name of the server 3, the directory name in which the file is located, the file name of the file, and the like. Then, the CPU 31 describes the URL (document URL) of the created file in the file index.htm. Then, the process proceeds to step S954.

  In step S954, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a file not extracted in the directory. If it is determined that all the files have been extracted (S954: NO), the process proceeds to step S706 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a file that has not been extracted (S954: YES), the process proceeds to step S955, and in step S955, the CPU 21 directs the next file after the current target file. And the process proceeds to step S953.

  If there are five files in the directory of the server 3 as shown in FIG. 14 as an example, the file index.htm contains “http: // host name of the server 3 / directory name with the file / File1.ps”, "Http: // server 3 host name / file name / File2.doc", "http: // server 3 host name / file name / File3.pcl", "http: // server 3 host name / directory name with file / File4.xls ”and“ http: // host name of server 3 / directory name with file / File5.xml ”are described.

  Also in the modification of the second embodiment described above, substantially the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, in the first embodiment, the printer 2 newly registers a URL to a bookmark stored in the HDD 34 of the server 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the server 3 directly adds a URL to the bookmark. You may comprise so that it may newly register, and you may comprise so that URL may be newly registered from other apparatuses, such as the personal computer 4 connected so that communication with the server 3 was possible. In addition, the apparatus may be configured such that the URL described in the bookmark can be deleted by at least one of the apparatuses such as the printer 2, the server 3, and the personal computer 4 connected to be communicable with the server 3. .

  In the second embodiment, a new file (file such as print target data) may be directly registered in the directory of the HDD 34 of the server 3, and the file is registered from the printer 2 to the server 3. Alternatively, the file may be registered in the server 3 from another device such as a personal computer that is communicably connected to the server 3. Further, the apparatus may be configured such that a file stored in the server 3 can be deleted by at least one of the apparatuses such as the printer 2, the server 3, and the personal computer 4 connected to the server 3 so as to be communicable. Good.

  In addition, a program for causing the printer 2, the server 3, and the personal computer 4 to execute each process such as the above-described embodiment may be recorded on a recording medium that is removable from a computer such as a CD-ROM.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the network system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a some apparatus structure of the apparatus of FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the printer side in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the printer side in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of server side print processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of URL registration processing on the printer side in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the list display of a file name. It is a figure which shows an example of a bookmark. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the printer side in a modification of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the printing process by the side of the server in the modification of 1st Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the printer side in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the server side in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of print processing on the server side in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the file name in a directory. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the printing process by the printer side in the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the printing process by the side of the server in the modification of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Network System 2 Printer 3 Server 4 Personal Computer 5 LAN
21, 31, 41 CPU
22, 32, 42 ROM
23, 33, 43 RAM
24 NVRAM
25, 35, 45 Display unit 26, 36, 46 Operation unit 27 Printing unit 28 37, 47 Interface 34, 44 HDD

Claims (22)

In a printing system comprising a server device and a plurality of printing devices capable of communicating with the server device,
The server device
Data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage means to the printing device in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device. And
Each of the plurality of printing devices is
Printing means;
Server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data storage location information;
Requesting means for requesting the data storage location information to be printed from the server device based on server storage location information stored in the server storage location storage means;
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device;
A printing system comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the print target data from a storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit.   The printing system includes a registration unit that registers a storage location of print target data in the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage unit, and the registration unit includes the server device and the printing device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is provided in at least one of the apparatuses communicably connected to the server apparatus.   The printing system additionally registers the storage location of the print data relating to the content printed by the printing means in the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage means as the storage location of the print target data. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a registration unit configured to perform registration. The printing device is
First determination means for determining whether or not the printing means has printed the contents of the print target data acquired based on the print target data storage location information from the server device;
When the first determination unit determines that the print target data printed based on the print target data storage location information from the server device is not printed by the printing unit, the printing unit Adding means for adding the storage location of the print data relating to the content printed by the print target data storage location information from the server device as the storage location of the print target data;
Transmission means for transmitting the print target data storage location information to which the storage location of the print data has been added by the adding means to the server device,
The server device is
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the printing apparatus;
The data storage location information storage means further includes update means for updating the print target data storage location information to the print target data storage location information received by the receiving means. The printing system according to claim 1. The printing apparatus includes:
A second determination unit that determines whether or not there has been a device operation by a user that the addition unit has desired to add to the print target data storage location information;
The first determination means is acquired based on the print target data storage location information from the server device when the second determination means determines that there has been a device operation by the user to request the addition. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not the printing unit has printed the content of the print target data.   The printing apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information received by the receiving unit. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The data storage location storage means further stores unprintable data storage location information indicating a storage location of unprintable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus,
The transmission means transmits the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data and the print disable data storage location information indicating the storage location of the non-printable data;
The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the specifying unit specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information. The data storage location storage means further stores unprintable data storage location information indicating a storage location of unprintable data that cannot be printed by the printing apparatus,
The transmission means selects and transmits the print target data storage location information from the print target data storage location information and the non-printable data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage means. The printing system according to claim 6. In a printing system comprising a server device and a plurality of printing devices capable of communicating with the server device,
The server device
Data storage means for storing data to be printed;
Generating means for generating print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data based on the storage content of the data storage means;
Transmission means for transmitting the print target data storage location information generated by the generation means in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device, to the printing device,
Each of the plurality of printing devices is
Printing means;
Server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data storage location information,
Requesting means for requesting the print target data storage location information to the server device;
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device;
A printing system comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the print target data from a storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit.   The printing system includes registration means for registering data to be printed in the data storage means, and the registration means is at least one of the server device, the printing device, and a device that is communicably connected to the server device. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the printing system is provided.   The printing apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information received by the receiving unit. The printing system according to claim 9 or 10. The data storage means further stores unprintable data that the printing apparatus cannot print,
The generation means further generates print impossible data storage location information indicating a storage location of the non-printable data based on the storage contents of the data storage means,
The transmission means transmits the print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data and the print disable data storage location information indicating the storage location of the non-printable data;
12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the specifying unit specifies the storage location of the print target data to be acquired from the plurality of storage locations indicated by the print target data storage location information. The data storage means further stores unprintable data that the printing apparatus cannot print,
12. The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the storage location information transmitted from the transmission unit is the print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data. In a printing device that can communicate with a server device,
Printing means;
Server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data;
Requesting means for requesting the data storage location information to be printed from the server device based on server storage location information stored in the server storage location storage means;
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device;
A printing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit. In a server apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus including server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data.
Data storage location storage means for storing the print target data storage location information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage means to the printing device in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device. A server device characterized by that. In a server apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus including server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data.
Data storage means for storing data to be printed;
Generating means for generating print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data based on the storage content of the data storage means;
Transmission means for transmitting the print target data storage location information generated by the generation means in response to a transmission request for the print target data storage location information from the printing device to the printing device. Server device. Printing device,
Printing means,
Server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data;
Request means for requesting the print target data storage location information to a server device capable of communicating with the printing device;
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device; and
A program that functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the print target data from a storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit. Server device
A data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data; and
Transmission of the print target data storage location information from a printing device that can communicate with the server device and includes server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. A program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage unit to the printing apparatus in response to a request. Server device
Data storage means for storing print target data;
Generating means for generating print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data based on the storage content of the data storage means; and
Transmission of the print target data storage location information from a printing device that can communicate with the server device and includes server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. A program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information generated by the generation unit in response to a request to the printing apparatus. Printing device,
Printing means,
Server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of print target data;
Request means for requesting the print target data storage location information to a server device capable of communicating with the printing device;
Receiving means for receiving the print target data storage location information from the server device; and
A computer that records a program that functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the print target data from the storage location of the print target data based on the print target data storage location information received by the reception unit. Possible recording media. Server device
A data storage location storage means for storing print target data storage location information indicating a storage location of the print target data; and
Transmission of the print target data storage location information from a printing device that can communicate with the server device and includes server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. A computer-readable program recording a program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information stored in the data storage location storage unit to the printing apparatus in response to a request recoding media. Server device
Data storage means for storing print target data;
Generating means for generating print target data storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data based on the storage content of the data storage means; and
Transmission of the print target data storage location information from a printing device that can communicate with the server device and includes server storage location storage means for storing server storage location information indicating the storage location of the print target data storage location information. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program that functions as a transmission unit that transmits the print target data storage location information generated by the generation unit in response to a request to the printing apparatus.

Images