JP2008260304A - Printer and printing method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer excellent in function enhancement which flexibly copes with each request of a user, and also to provide a printing method using the printer. <P>SOLUTION: The printer has an additional function incorporated therein from outside each time a user requests. The additional function can be used thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, a print system including the printer and a host device, and a printer driver mounted on the host device.

  The user can obtain a printed matter by causing the printer to print electronic application data on the host device. That is, the host device to which the user gives a print instruction passes application data in an application program such as a word processor to the printer driver, converts it to print job data, and transmits this to the printer. The printer interprets print job data transmitted from the host device, generates raster format image data, and temporarily stores the generated image data in an image memory. Thereafter, the printer supplies the developed image data to the print engine, and fixes a recording material such as ink on the print medium to realize printing.

  In recent years, high-function printers equipped with various functions have also appeared. For example, it can be obtained with a printer or digital still camera equipped with multiple language interpretation functions to support each language such as "ESC / Page" and "Postscript", which are known as print job data description languages (printer languages). Some printers have an automatic correction function for printing a photographic image with higher quality.

  What functions are implemented in the printer, that is, the printer specifications are determined in the development stage. That is, the conventional printer can only provide functions that are pre-installed according to the specifications, and cannot provide functions that are not implemented. Therefore, in order to additionally mount the function on a printer that does not have a certain function, it is necessary to develop it as a new printer that accompanies a change in specifications, and the expandability and flexibility are poor. In addition, when the specification is actually changed due to the addition, there is a problem that enormous development cost is required. On the other hand, in order to avoid such a change in the specifications, it is not practical to install all functions in the printer from the beginning because it leads to higher costs.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer with excellent function expandability that can flexibly respond to individual requests of a user and a printing method using this printer.

  More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer whose function is expanded each time according to a user's request and a printing method using the printer.

  The gist of the present invention is that an additional function is incorporated into the printer from the outside each time according to a user's request, thereby making the additional function available. Therefore, according to the present invention, a printer excellent in expandability and flexibility and a printing method using the printer are provided.

  The present invention provides a receiving means for receiving print job data including an additional function module and print command data, and a first interpreting means for interpreting the additional function module included in the received print job data and executing a predetermined process. Second interpretation means for interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data; and print execution means for executing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data; And a printer characterized by comprising: The second interpreting unit itself may be realized by the first interpreting unit that interprets the additional function module.

  The additional function module may be a confidential printing function module. In this case, the first interpreting means interprets the confidential printing function module, thereby prompting the user for a predetermined input for user authentication, and performs user authentication based on the input by the user. Authentication means to be implemented.

  Further, the first interpreting unit interprets the confidential printing function module, and when the realized authentication unit determines that the input by the user is valid, among the received print job data, Presenting means for presenting print job data related to the user is realized.

  The present invention can also be understood as a printer driver mounted on the host device side. That is, according to the present invention, an additional function module library including additional function modules that are interpreted by a predetermined interpretation unit provided in a printer and that allows the printer to realize a predetermined function, and a host device based on predetermined print target data. First generating means for generating print command data, and causing the host device to generate print job data based on the storage of the specific additional function module in the additional function module library and the print command data. A printer driver, and a recording medium on which the printer driver is recorded. The additional function module library is installed, for example, on the hard disk of the host device and is held there.

  The printer driver may further include means for causing the host device to function to prompt a user to select an additional function module.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to print job data for causing a printer to execute print processing, wherein the print job data interprets an additional function module included in the print job data received by the printer and executes predetermined processing. First interpretation means, second interpretation means for interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data, and printing on a print medium based on the generated image data Print job data characterized by causing the printer to function as print execution means to be executed.

  Still further, the present invention provides a print system including a host device and a printer, wherein the host device has an additional function that is interpreted by a predetermined interpretation unit provided in the printer and causes the printer to realize a predetermined function. An additional function module library including modules, first generation means for generating print command data based on predetermined print target data, a specific additional function module in the additional function module library, and the print command data A second generation means for generating print job data on the basis of the above, a printer driver provided with the printer, wherein the printer accepts print job data including the additional function module and the print command data; The accepted pre A first interpreter that interprets the additional function module included in the job data and executes predetermined processing; and a second interpreter that interprets the print command data included in the received print job data and generates image data. Interpreting means, and print executing means for executing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data.

  Moreover, said invention can be grasped | ascertained as a method invention. That is, the present invention relates to a printing method for outputting printed matter from a host device using a printer, wherein the host device causes a user to select a predetermined additional function module, and the host device selects the selected additional function. Generating print job data including a module and print target data, sending the print job data to the printer, receiving the print job data by the printer, and included in the received print job data Interpreting the additional function module and executing predetermined processing; interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data; and based on the generated image data The stage of printing on the print media, and A printing method characterized by comprising.

  In this specification, the term “means” does not simply mean a physical means, but also includes a case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  According to the present invention, a printer excellent in expandability and flexibility, and a printing method using the printer, in which functions are expanded each time according to a user's request, are provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, when a user tries to obtain a printed matter with a printer, an additional function is sent from the own host device to the printer, and the additional function is realized in the sent printer. It is a feature. The additional functions are preferably sent as print job data along with the print command data.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a processor 11 executes various programs stored in a ROM 12 and a RAM 13 under the control of an operating system. In other words, various programs are executed by the processor 11 so that the printer realizes a predetermined function in cooperation with other hardware. In the present embodiment, a print job reception function, an image generation function, a print control function, and a network program interpretation function are realized, and predetermined functions are realized by a network program interpreted by the network program interpretation function. The network program here is preferably platform-neutral intermediate code that does not depend on the platform such as hardware or operating system, and an interpretation function that can interpret such intermediate code is implemented in a certain device. For example, it can be freely distributed via a network and executed in real time.

  The network interface circuit 14 is connected to a network N (not shown) and enables network communication with the host device 2. The image memory 15 stores print image data (hereinafter referred to as “image data”) generated based on the print command data. The engine controller 16 reads out the image data developed in the image memory 15 while controlling the operation of the print engine 17 and supplies it to the print engine 17. The engine controller 16 is activated, for example, using a print execution command sent from the processor 11 as a trigger when image data having a predetermined bandwidth is developed in the image memory 15. The print engine 17 includes, for example, a paper feed mechanism, a print head, and the like, and performs printing on a print recording medium such as paper. As the print engine 17, a printer according to the type of the printer 1 such as a laser printer or a serial printer can be used.

  The user interface circuit 28 typically corresponds to a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and realizes a user interface function by these device drivers executed by the processor 11.

  The above-described printer 1 is connected to the host device 2 via the network N and constitutes a printing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the print system according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a representative one of the plurality of printers 1 and host devices 2 connected to the network N is shown.

  The application program 201 is, for example, a word processor for creating / editing a document, a graphic editor for creating / editing a figure, a Web client program (Web browser) for realizing a Web system, and the like. Now, when a print command is given from the user via the user interface 202, the application program 201 calls the printer driver 203 under the control of an operating system (not shown).

  The printer driver 203 displays a print dialog box via the user interface 202 and prompts the user to input predetermined print setting items. At this time, the user can select an additional function to be sent to the output destination printer 1. The additional function is a function added to or added to the function originally provided in the output destination printer 1. Thus, there may be a completely separate function or a certain function itself may be extended.

  Next, when a print execution instruction (for example, selection of an “OK” button) is given from the user via the user interface 202, the printer driver 203 receives the application data (print target data) to be printed from the application program 201. Receive and convert to print command data. The print command data is a command sequence and data interpreted by the printer 2, and the printer 2 generates image data by interpreting the print data. The printer driver 203 also refers to the additional function module library 204, adds an additional function module necessary for the network program, and generates print job data using the network program and print command data. The printer driver 203 outputs the generated print job data to the network interface 205.

  The network interface 205 physically / logically converts the print job data sent from the printer driver 203 and sends it over the network N. That is, the network interface unit 205 realizes a communication service positioned as a lower layer protocol in the network hierarchy model.

  The network interface unit 205 ′ provided in the printer 2 receives data transmitted to itself, converts it physically / logically, restores it to print job data, and delivers it to the print job reception unit 206.

  The print job data reception unit 206 interprets the network program included in the print job data, and executes this if an additional function module is incorporated. As a result, the printer 2 realizes a predetermined additional function in cooperation with other hardware. This is shown as an additional function realizing unit 207 in FIG. As the additional function realization unit 207, for example, if it is a confidential printing function that requires the input of a password when printing application data, the function that accepts the input of the password and the authentication check for the input password are performed and the authentication is performed. In this case, a function for permitting printing is realized in the printer 2.

  The print job reception unit 206 also passes the print command data to the print job interpretation unit 208 by interpreting and executing the network program. The print job interpretation unit 208 interprets the print command data, generates image data, and develops it in the image memory 15. When the print job interpretation unit 209 interprets the print job data and generation of image data for a predetermined bandwidth is completed, the print job interpretation unit 209 sends a print execution instruction to the print execution unit 209.

  The print execution unit 209 is realized by the engine controller 16 and the print engine 17 described above, and performs printing on a print medium. When image data is read by the print execution unit 209 and printing for that amount is completed, the print job interpretation unit 208 continues to generate image data and sends a print execution instruction to the print execution unit 209. This is repeated until all print command data has been interpreted.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a program stack structure in the print job receiving unit 106 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an operating system 32 is mounted on the printer hardware 31 including the processor 11 and the network interface circuit 14 described above. Further, a network program interpreter 33, a Web server program 34, a printer daemon program (LPD) 35, and a network driver 36 are installed on the operating system 32. As the network program interpreter 33, Java (registered trademark) Virtual Machine proposed by Sun Microsystems, Inc., and Java (registered trademark) applet as a network program can be applied.

  For example, when the print job reception unit 106 receives print job data according to the http scheme via the network driver 36, the print job data is transferred to the Web server program 34, and the network program interpreter 33 is called here. The network program is interpreted and executed. The network program interpreter 33 causes the printer 1 to realize a predetermined function according to the interpretation result of the network program, and finally passes the print command data to a print processing program (print module) (not shown) on the operating system 32. The print processing program is a program involved in actual print processing such as an image generation program or a print control program. In other words, when the print command data is delivered under the control of the operating system 32, the print processing program interprets it and converts it into image data, and sends a print execution command to the engine controller 26.

  The printer daemon program 35 is for receiving print job data based on an lp command known for conventional network printers. As described above, by mounting the printer daemon program 35, print job data by the lp command can be received, and compatibility can be maintained.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printer 1 is equipped with the network program interpreter 33 capable of interpreting the network program. When the print job data including the network program is received, the network interpreter 33 performs the network processing. Since the program is configured to be interpreted and executed, when the user causes the printer 1 to print, print job data including a network program that realizes an additional function for the printer is sent from the host device 2 of the user. As a result, the additional function by the network program is realized in the sent printer 1.

  Next, as an additional function to be sent to the printer according to the present embodiment, a confidential printing function will be described as an example.

  The confidential printing function is a function for allowing the user who has requested printing to directly receive the printed matter. In other words, when a user tries to obtain a printed material using a printer, this is a function that allows the printed material to be printed in front of his / her own eyes so that the printed material does not reach other users. This is an effective function when printing a highly confidential document in an environment where a large number of users use a printer that accepts print requests from a plurality of host devices on the network, such as a network printer. . A printer for which the confidential printing mode is designated by the confidential printing function does not start the printing process immediately even if it accepts print job data as a print job, but once accepts the password input on its own user interface. After performing user authentication, the printing process is started.

  Here, the confidential printing function is not installed in the printer 1 by default, and this confidential printing function is given from the external host device 1 every time it is used.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction screen (print dialog box) in the host device 1 according to the present embodiment. For example, when the user gives a print execution instruction on the application program 201, the print utility function of the printer driver 203 is called and presented, and the print instruction screen waits for user input. This print dialog box includes an area 41 for designating an output destination printer and an area 42 for designating print setting conditions. In this example, “CenterPrinter” is designated in the printer name field 43 and “SHIMA” is entered in the user name field 44. In this example, the input to the user name field 44 is indispensable when the confidential printing function is used because the user authentication check is performed by a combination of the user name and the password. In addition, all pages are designated as print pages, and one copy is designated. Further, the confidential printing check box 45 is checked, and printing in the confidential printing mode is designated. When the user uses the confidential printing function, the input to the password field 46 becomes valid and a predetermined password is input. When the user finishes inputting these necessary items and selects the “OK” button 47, the application data to be printed is transferred to the printer driver 203, print job data is generated, and the output destination printer 1. Sent to.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printer driver 203 according to the present embodiment. When a print request is given (selection of “OK” button 47), the printer driver 203 converts application data into print command data using a drawing routine of the operating system 32 (STEP 501). Next, the printer driver 203 determines whether or not an additional function is specified in the print request (STEP 502). In this embodiment, since only the confidential printing function is prepared as an additional function, it is determined whether or not this is designated. When a plurality of additional functions are prepared, each additional function is determined. Determine whether it is specified. If the confidential printing function is not designated, the previously generated print command data is added to the default network program (STEP 503), and this is transmitted to the output destination printer 1 as print job data (STEP 504). ). The default network program here is for performing the minimum necessary processing such as initializing the printer 1 and transferring print command data to the print processing program.

  On the other hand, if the confidential printing function is designated, the printer driver 203 encrypts the password input in the password field 46 (STEP 505), reads the confidential printing module from the additional function module library 204, and sets the default. This is added to the network program together with the encrypted password to make it a new network program (STEP 505). Then, the printer driver 203 adds print command data to the new network program (STEP 503) and transmits it to the output destination printer 1 (STEP 504).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the structure of print job data according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the print job data is composed of a network program 61 and print command data 62. If the network program 61 includes an additional function module 63 such as a confidential printing function, it is incorporated. The print command data 62 is a command and data interpreted by the print job interpretation unit 208 of the printer 1 as described above. The print command data 62 can be regarded as a data portion when viewed from the network program 61.

  Next, processing of the network program interpreter 33 in the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the network program interpreter 33 according to this embodiment.

  The network program interpreter 33 to which the network program 62 has been delivered from the Web server program 34 performs a process for initialization (STEP 701). Next, the built-in additional function modules 63 are sequentially executed (STEP 702). In this example, the confidential printing module is executed, and thereby, the confidential printing function is realized in the printer 1. When the network program interpreter 33 finishes executing all the additional function modules 63, it passes the print command data 62 to the print processing program (STEP 703), erases the network program 62, releases the occupied area of the RAM 13, and so on. An end process is performed (STEP 703). As described above, the network program in a single print request is erased when the execution is completed, so there is no security problem that it is used by other users. In addition, if this execution is counted for each user, the user can be charged.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the confidential printing module according to the present embodiment. As described above, this confidential printing module is interpreted and executed by the network program interpreter 33.

  By interpreting and executing the confidential printing module, the printer 1 receives an input of a user name and a password via the user interface 202 (STEP 801). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the user interface of the printer 1 includes a display unit 91 such as a liquid crystal panel and an input unit 92 including input keys such as arrow keys and numeric keys. The user operates the input unit 92 according to the guidance message displayed on the display unit 91 to input predetermined information. That is, the user inputs the user name designated on the host device 1 in the user name field 93, then selects the down arrow key to move the cursor to the password field 94, and similarly on the host device 1. Enter the specified password. In this embodiment, only an arrow key and a numeric keypad are shown as the user interface. However, when inputting numbers, characters, etc., for example, an input method based on a key layout as known in a mobile phone is adopted. You can input alphabet and Japanese. When the user inputs the user name and password, the enter button 95 is selected.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the determination button 95 is received, the printer 1 performs an authentication check based on the input user name and password and the user name and password included in the print job data (STEP 802). As a result, if the authentication is accepted (Yes in STEP 803), the confidential printing module displays the user's print job and waits for a print execution instruction (STEP 804). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface 202 at this time. In the drawing, three print jobs, that is, “BUNSHO”, “HYOU”, and “HYOUSHI” are already sent by the user “SHIMA” and are displayed. The user operates the arrow keys to select a print job to be printed. As a result, the confidential print module delivers the print command data corresponding to the selected print job to the print processing module (STEP 805), and ends the process. On the other hand, if the authentication is not approved, for example, the process for the print request is forcibly terminated (STEP 806).

  As described above, when the user prints using the confidential printing function, the confidential printing function is given from the host device 2 to the printer 1 and realized by the printer 1. Therefore, even if the confidential printing function is not implemented in the printer 1, it is dynamically incorporated as necessary, and the printer 1 with high function expandability can be obtained.

  For example, regarding the confidential printing function as described above, the following usage method can be proposed. That is, it is assumed that the user carries a mobile computer (corresponding to the host device 2) and stays at a certain hotel. A network is constructed in the hotel, and the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in a business center in the hotel. At the time of check-in to the hotel, the user applies for network use and obtains an account for the hotel network. The account here is a user name and a password. For example, the user name may be assigned to a room number. The user who has acquired the account requests confidential printing from the printer 1 installed in the business center when printing a document in his mobile computer. Thereafter, the user can go to the business center at any time and enter an account there to obtain a printed matter. The hotel may collect a charge for such a printing service according to the input account.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, when the host device 2 does not have a library (additional function module) that realizes an additional function to be sent to the printer 1 as a library in advance, such an additional function module from a server computer on the network. Is obtained, and is then sent to the printer 1. As a result, even if the host device 2 does not have an additional function module in advance, a new additional function module can be freely obtained and executed by the printer 1.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, on the network N, in addition to the printers 1A and 1B and the host device 2, a server computer 3 is provided. If the user gives a print execution instruction on the application program, the utility function of the printer driver 203 first acquires list information of additional function modules that can be provided by the server computer 3 and displays it in the print dialog box (FIG. Medium (1)). On the other hand, when the user selects an additional function and gives a print execution instruction, the host device 2 generates print command data based on the application data ((2) in the figure) and is designated. The additional function module is acquired from the server computer 3 ((3) in the figure), and this is made a part of the network program to finally generate print job data ((4) in the figure). Then, the host device 1 transmits this print job data to the printer 1 ((5) in the figure). Since the subsequent processing is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the server computer 3 may provide the host device 1 with a list of printers 1 that can be used on the network. For example, when the printer 1A is a printer that can execute the additional function module according to the present embodiment, and the printer 1B is a conventional printer, the server computer 3 includes the list information of the additional function module on the network. It also provides a list of printers that support additional functions. As a result, for example, even when a host device such as a mobile computer newly logs in on the network, the user can immediately receive a print service without being confused by the output destination printer 1.

[Other Embodiments]
Each of the above embodiments is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, although the operation of the function realizing unit has been described sequentially, it is not particularly limited to this. Therefore, as long as no contradiction occurs in the operation, the processing order may be changed or the operations may be performed in parallel.

  In the above embodiment, the confidential printing function has been described as an additional function. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. As an additional function, the image generation function itself may be sent to the printer. In other words, a job interpretation program (module) that interprets the printer language of "ESC / PAGE" or "Postscript" is sent along with the print command data, and the printer interprets this module to realize the image generation function and print Interpret the command data and execute printing. This eliminates the need for the printer to install all interpretation programs for interpreting each of the print languages, and provides a printer with high expandability and flexibility.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a print system according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a program stack structure in a print job reception unit according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing instruction | indication screen (print dialog box) in the host apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the printer driver 203 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a structure of print job data according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the network program interpreter 33 which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the confidential printing module which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the password input screen which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job selection screen according to the present embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer 2 ... Host apparatus 3 ... Server N ... Network 201 ... Application program 202 ... User interface 203 ... Printer driver 204 ... Additional function module library 205 ... Network interface 206 ... Print job reception part 207 ... Additional function realization part 208 ... Print Job interpretation unit 209... Print execution unit

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving print job data including an additional function module and print command data;
First interpreting means for interpreting an additional function module included in the received print job data and executing predetermined processing;
Interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data;
Print execution means for executing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data;
A printer comprising: The additional function module is a confidential printing function module,
The first interpretation means interprets the confidential printing function module, thereby prompting the user for a predetermined input for user authentication; and
The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication unit that performs user authentication based on an input by the user. The first interpreting means relates to the user among the received print job data when the authentication means realized by interpreting the confidential print function module determines that the input by the user is valid. The printer according to claim 2, further comprising a presentation unit that presents print job data. An additional function module library consisting of additional function modules that are interpreted by predetermined interpretation means provided in the printer and that allow the printer to realize predetermined functions;
First generation means for causing the host device to generate print command data based on predetermined print target data;
Second generation means for causing the host device to generate a print job data based on the storage of the specific additional function module in the additional function module library and the print command data;
A printer driver characterized by comprising:   5. The printer driver according to claim 4, further comprising means for causing the host device to function to prompt the user to select an additional function module. Print job data that causes a printer to perform print processing,
The print job data is
First interpreting means for interpreting an additional function module included in the print job data received by the printer and executing predetermined processing;
Interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data;
Print job data that causes the printer to function as print execution means for executing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data. In a printing system composed of a host device and a printer,
The host device includes
An additional function module library consisting of additional function modules that are interpreted by predetermined interpretation means provided in the printer and that allow the printer to realize predetermined functions;
First generation means for generating print command data based on predetermined print target data;
A printer driver comprising: a second generation unit that stores a specific additional function module in the additional function module library and generates print job data based on the print command data; and
The printer is
Receiving means for receiving print job data including the additional function module and the print command data;
First interpreting means for interpreting an additional function module included in the received print job data and executing predetermined processing;
Interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data;
Print execution means for executing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data;
A printing system characterized by comprising: In a printing method for outputting printed matter from a host device using a printer,
The host device causing a user to select a predetermined additional function module;
The host device generates print job data including the selected additional function module and print target data, and sends the print job data to the printer;
The printer is
Receiving the print job data;
Interpreting the additional function module included in the received print job data and executing a predetermined process;
Interpreting print command data included in the received print job data and generating image data;
Performing printing on a print medium based on the generated image data;
A printing method comprising the steps of:

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