JP2009214452A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of a function for storing printing data in a printing apparatus side. <P>SOLUTION: The printing apparatus is equipped with a printing data receiving means for receiving the printing data accompanied with an indication related to a place for storing the printing data, a memory means for storing the printing data, a communicating means for performing communication with an external server through a computer network, and a controlling means for judging whether the printing data received are stored in the memory means by following the indication related to the place for storing the printing data or the printing data received are transmitted to the external server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a hold printing function.

For example, as described in Patent Document 1, print data transmitted from a computer or the like is stored on the printing apparatus side, and printing can be performed any number of times only with the printing apparatus without being transmitted again from the computer or the like. A printing apparatus having a so-called hold printing function is known.
JP 2003-316534 A

  In order to perform hold printing, it is necessary to provide the printing apparatus with a storage device such as a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory. However, the capacity of these storage devices is determined, and data exceeding the capacity cannot be stored. For this reason, the user must be aware of the remaining capacity of the storage device and is troublesome.

  If a large amount of print data is to be stored in the storage device in order to improve convenience, a large-capacity storage device is required, resulting in an increase in cost. In particular, when a semiconductor memory having a high access speed is used as the storage device, the cost increase associated with the increase in capacity is significant. In general, it is difficult to add a storage device built in the printing apparatus. It is also convenient if the print data stored in the storage device can be backed up.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it improves the convenience of a function of storing print data on the printing apparatus side.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print data receiving unit that receives print data with an instruction regarding a location for storing print data, a storage unit that stores print data, and an external device via a computer network. Communication means for communicating with a server, and control means for determining whether the received print data is stored in the storage means or transmitted to the external server in accordance with an instruction regarding a place to store the print data It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since the print data can be stored in the external server in addition to the storage means provided inside, the convenience of the function of storing the print data on the printing apparatus side is enhanced.

  At this time, even when the control means determines to transmit to the external server, it is desirable to store the print data corresponding to the front page in the storage means.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the printing processing speed due to the communication speed of the computer network. That is, when a print instruction for print data transmitted to the external server is received, the print data corresponding to the front page of the print data is read from the storage means and printed, and the print data corresponding to other pages is the external data. Receive from the server and print.

  In addition, the instruction regarding the location where the print data is stored includes an instruction indicating any one of the printing apparatus, the external server, the printing apparatus and the external server, and automatic. In the case shown, the print data can be stored in the storage means if the free capacity of the storage means is greater than or equal to the first reference value, otherwise the print data can be transmitted to the external server. This is because the free capacity of the storage means of the printing apparatus is not limited.

  Further, in order not to constrain the free capacity of the storage unit of the printing apparatus, when the free capacity of the storage unit is equal to or less than a second reference value, an instruction regarding the location to store the print data indicates automatic, The print data stored in the storage unit that satisfies a predetermined condition can be transmitted to the external server instead of being stored in the storage unit. In this case, the predetermined condition may be that the number of days elapsed from the last printing date exceeds the third reference value, and the number of printings within the predetermined period does not satisfy the fourth reference value.

  Further, when the selection of the print data stored in the storage means and transmitted to the external server is accepted, an instruction to perform printing or recovery is accepted, and when an instruction to perform printing is accepted, If the print data is read from the means and printed, and an instruction to restore is received, the print data is received from the external server and overwritten on the print data stored in the storage means It may be.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network printing system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a local area network (LAN) 50 including a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 20 a, 20 b, 20 c... And a printing apparatus 10 is connected to an external server 30 via the Internet 70. A printing system is configured. A printer driver program corresponding to the printing apparatus 10 is installed in each PC 20, and the PC 20 functions as a print control apparatus. The external server 30 is managed separately from the LAN 50 and provides a print data storage service to users of the LAN 50.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a characteristic functional configuration of the printing apparatus 10, the PC 20, and the external server 30 in the present embodiment. Although the network printing system includes a plurality of PCs 20, in this figure, one PC 20 will be described as a representative.

  As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding device 110, a print execution unit 120, an operation panel 130, a print control unit 140, a communication processing unit 150, a user management unit 160, a hold print management unit 170, a storage device 180, An image reading unit 190 is provided, and printing is performed on the printing paper supplied from the paper feeding device 110 by the printing execution unit 120 having a printing mechanism.

  The operation panel 130 is configured by, for example, a touch panel display device, and accepts a menu operation from a user or displays information related to print processing. The communication processing unit 150 controls communication via the LAN 50 and the Internet 70. The storage device 180 can be configured using a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The image reading unit 190 includes a reading table, a light receiving element such as a CCD, and a light source, and reads an image of the document by reflected light of the document placed on the reading table.

  The print control unit 140 controls print processing in the print execution unit 120 based on print data sent from the PC 20 or image data read by the image reading unit 190. The user management unit 160 manages user information regarding users of the LAN 50. Here, the user information can be a user number, a user name, a password, or the like. These pieces of information are set in advance by the administrator of the LAN 50. The hold print management unit 170 controls various processes in hold print described later.

  The PC 20 controls an OS (Operating System) unit 210 that provides input / output functions, file processing functions, basic user interfaces, and the like in the PC 20, a browser unit 220 for browsing HTML files, and the printing apparatus 10. A printer driver unit 230 that performs processing, and a communication processing unit 240 that controls communication via the LAN 50 and the Internet 70 are provided.

  The printer driver unit 230 displays a print setting screen or the like, accepts settings related to printing from the user, and notifies the user of information related to printing. The printer driver unit 230 and the browser unit 220 are configured by software executed on the OS unit 210.

  The external server 30 includes a communication processing unit 310, a user management unit 320, a data management unit 330, and a nonvolatile large-capacity storage device 340. The communication processing unit 310 controls communication via the Internet 70. The user management unit 320 manages information related to the printing apparatus 10 that is the target of the service provided by the external server 30. Here, the information regarding the printing apparatus 10 may be security information, an address, administrator information, and the like. These pieces of information are set in advance at the time of contract for service provision. The data management unit 330 manages information recorded in the storage device 340 and constructs a database. The storage device 340 can be composed of a hard disk, for example.

  Next, the processing flow of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the printing apparatus 10 receives an instruction for hold printing from the PC 20. That is, the user can issue an instruction for hold printing from the PC 20 to the printing apparatus 10. The hold print instruction is performed on a print setting screen provided by the printer driver unit 230, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print setting screen 500. As shown in this figure, in the print setting screen 500, in addition to specifying the color mode and the original mode, the output method designation menu 501 includes any one of “direct print”, “hold”, and “direct & hold” as the output method. It can be selected by the operation.

  Here, “direct printing” is a one-time printing process. The sent print data is only temporarily stored in the printing apparatus 10, and the print data is erased when printing is executed. On the other hand, “hold” is processing for storing print data in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 or the storage device 340 of the external server 30. For this reason, printing can be performed by the printing apparatus 10 alone any number of times without sending print data from the PC 20 again by instructing printing by the printing apparatus 10. “Direct and hold” is a process of storing print data in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 or the storage device 340 of the external server 30 and performing actual printing.

  When the user selects either “Hold” or “Direct & Hold”, the user can further set the print data storage destination using the hold detail setting button 502. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hold detail setting screen 510 displayed when the hold detail setting button 502 is clicked.

  As shown in the drawing, in the hold detailed setting screen 510, one of “hold in printer”, “hold in external server”, “hold in printer & external server”, and “automatic” can be selected. Here, “hold in printer” is an instruction to store print data in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10. “Hold on external server” is an instruction to store print data in the storage device 340 of the external server 30. However, the front page print data is also stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10. This is to prevent the communication speed of the Internet 70 from becoming a bottleneck of the printing processing speed as will be described later. The front page means the page that is printed first. “Hold in printer & external server” is an instruction to store print data in both the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 and the storage device 340 of the external server 30. In this case, the print data stored in the storage device 340 of the external server 30 is positioned as a backup. “Automatic” is an instruction to leave the determination of the printing apparatus 10 to which of the storage apparatus 180 of the printing apparatus 10 and the storage apparatus 340 of the external server 30 store print data. When “automatic” is designated, the printing apparatus 10 determines whether to store the print data in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 or the storage device 340 of the external server 30 according to a determination criterion described later.

  Here, for example, the user selects “hold in printer” for print data that is frequently printed, print data that is occasionally printed and has a large data size, print data that is to be stored inside, and the like. Print data can be acquired quickly and printed without going through 70. For print data that does not print very much, print data that has a large data size and hardly prints, print data that you do not want to store inside, select “hold on external server” to select the printing apparatus 10. The free capacity of the storage device 180 can be increased. Furthermore, a predetermined standard may be set and distributed to either the printing apparatus or the external server apparatus according to the amount of print data, the level of security, and the like.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the printing apparatus 10 receives print data with an instruction to hold (S101), the printing apparatus 10 determines the setting related to the storage location of the print data received on the hold detail setting screen 510 (S102). As a result, if “printer” is set, the received print data is stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S103). Then, the hold management table is updated (S112). Here, the hold management table is a table for managing information for each hold data recorded in the hold print management unit 170.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the hold management table 172. As shown in this figure, the hold management table 172 includes a user number 172a, hold data name 172b, print information 172c, data size 172d, hold setting 172e, storage location 172f, print history 172g, and thumbnail data 172h for each hold data. Record.

  The user number 172a is an identifier for identifying the user of the LAN 50, and can be determined by the PC 20 from which the print data has been sent. The hold data name 172b can be a file name, for example. The print information 172c is information related to print data such as a paper size, a paper direction, and the number of pages. The data size 172d is the size of hold data. The hold setting 172e is information indicating whether the user has set "hold in printer", "hold in external server", "hold in printer & external server", or "automatic". The storage location 172f is information indicating a storage location of hold data, and a directory or the like in the printing apparatus 10 or the external server 30 is recorded. The print history 172g is date and time history information when the stored hold data is called and printed. The thumbnail data 172h is thumbnail image data of the front page of hold data.

  If “printer” is set, new data is created in the hold management table 172, and the user number 172a, hold data name 172b, print information 172c, and data size 172d are recorded in accordance with the print data. “Printer” is recorded in the setting 172e, and the storage directory in the storage device 10 of the printing apparatus 10 is recorded in the storage location 172f. The print history 172g is blank because printing is not performed in the case of “hold”, and the date and time of printing is recorded in the case of “direct & hold”. Also, a thumbnail image of the front page is created based on the print data and recorded in the thumbnail data 172h.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, if “external server” is set as a result of determining the setting related to the storage location of the print data received on the hold detail setting screen 510 (S102), the print data is transferred to the external server 30. Is transmitted (S104). When the external server 30 receives the print data, the external server 30 identifies the printing apparatus 10 that has sent the print data and stores it in the storage device 340. Then, the information about the storage location is notified to the printing apparatus 10.

  Further, the print data of the front page is extracted from the print data and stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S105). As described above, even when the external server 30 is designated as the storage destination, the front page is also stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10. However, the front page may be stored only in the storage device 180 without being transmitted to the external server 30. Then, the hold management table is updated (S112). In this case, new data is created in the hold management table 172, the user number 172a, hold data name 172b, print information 172c, and data size 172d are recorded in accordance with the print data, and “external server” is set in the hold setting 172e. The storage location notified from the external server is recorded in the storage location 172f. The print history 172g is blank because printing is not performed in the case of “hold”, and the date and time of printing is recorded in the case of “direct & hold”. Also, a thumbnail image of the front page is created based on the print data and recorded in the thumbnail data 172h.

  If “printer & external server” is set as a result of determining the setting relating to the storage location of the print data received on the hold detailed setting screen 510 (S102), the received data is first received in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10. The print data is stored (S106). Next, the print data is transmitted to the external server 30 (S107). When the external server 30 receives the print data, the external server 30 specifies the printing apparatus 10 to which the print data has been sent, and stores it in the storage device 340. Then, the information about the storage location is notified to the printing apparatus 10. Thereafter, the hold print management unit 170 updates the hold management table (S112).

  In this case, new data is created in the hold management table 172, and the user number 172a, hold data name 172b, print information 172c, and data size 172d are recorded according to the print data, and “printer & external server” is recorded in the hold setting 172e. ”And the storage location in the storage device 10 of the printing apparatus 10 and the storage location notified from the external server are recorded in the storage location 172f. The print history 172g is blank because printing is not performed in the case of “hold”, and the date and time of printing is recorded in the case of “direct & hold”. Also, a thumbnail image of the front page is created based on the print data and recorded in the thumbnail data 172h.

  If “automatic” is set as a result of determining the setting relating to the storage location of the print data received on the hold detail setting screen 510 (S102), the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is determined in advance. It is determined whether it is equal to or greater than the first reference value (S108). That is, when “automatic” is set, it is determined whether to store in the storage device 180 of the printing device 10 or in the storage device 340 of the external server 30 according to the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing device 10. Like to do. For this reason, the first reference value is set to a value indicating that the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is small. For example, an average value of memory usage used by the printing apparatus may be set as the first reference value.

  As a result, when the value is equal to or larger than the first reference value (S108: Yes), the received print data is stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 assuming that there is a free space in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S109). ). Then, the hold management table is updated (S112). In this case, new data is created in the hold management table 172, the user number 172a, the hold data name 172b, the print information 172c, and the data size 172d are recorded according to the print data, and “automatic” is recorded in the hold setting 172e. The storage directory in the storage device 10 of the printing device 10 is recorded in the storage location 172f. The print history 172g is blank because printing is not performed in the case of “hold”, and the date and time of printing is recorded in the case of “direct & hold”. Also, a thumbnail image of the front page is created based on the print data and recorded in the thumbnail data 172h.

  On the other hand, if it is less than the first reference value (S108: No), the print data is transmitted to the external server 30 assuming that there is no room in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S110). When the external server 30 receives the print data, the external server 30 specifies the printing apparatus 10 to which the print data has been sent, and stores it in the storage device 340. Then, the information about the storage location is notified to the printing apparatus 10. Further, the print data of the front page is extracted from the print data and stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S111). Then, the hold management table is updated (S112). In this case, new data is created in the hold management table 172, the user number 172a, the hold data name 172b, the print information 172c, and the data size 172d are recorded according to the print data, and “automatic” is recorded in the hold setting 172e. The storage location notified from the external server is recorded in the storage location 172f. The print history 172g is blank because printing is not performed in the case of “hold”, and the date and time of printing is recorded in the case of “direct & hold”. Also, a thumbnail image of the front page is created based on the print data and recorded in the thumbnail data 172h.

  In the above example, the case where the user has sent print data from the PC 20 has been described. However, the user can also read the image by the image reading unit 190 for copying via the operation panel 130. The above-mentioned “direct print”, “hold”, and “direct & hold” can be designated and hold details can be set. Also in this case, the printing apparatus 10 stores print data based on the image data read based on the same determination criterion in the storage device 180 of the printing device 10 and / or the storage device 340 of the external server 30.

  Next, hold data maintenance processing in the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, in the maintenance process, when the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is reduced, the stored hold data is transferred to the storage device 340 of the external server 30 to thereby store the storage device of the printing apparatus 10. This is a process of increasing the free space of 180.

  This process is performed when the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined second reference value (S201: Yes). Here, the second reference value can be determined separately from the first reference value described above, and can be set to a value smaller than the first reference value, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the hold data transferred from the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 to the storage device 340 of the external server 30 in the maintenance process is hold data whose hold detail setting is “automatic” and whose printing frequency is low. The detailed hold setting “automatic” is print data whose storage location is left to the printing apparatus 10 to be determined by the user, and hold data with a high printing frequency can be acquired without going through the Internet 70 from the viewpoint of processing speed. This is desirable.

  Therefore, referring to the hold management table 172, data in which the hold setting 172e is “automatic” and the storage location 172f is “printer” is sequentially extracted (S202). Then, with reference to the print history 172g of the extracted data, a third reference value in which the number of days elapsed from the last printing date is determined in advance (this reference value is, for example, experimentally classified according to the number of days elapsed since the last printing date). The reprintability is measured, and it is determined whether or not the reprintability is within the range of the number of days that the possibility is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage (S203). This is because it is considered that the recently printed hold data is preferably stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 because it is highly likely to be printed.

  As a result, when the number of days elapsed from the last printing date exceeds the third reference value (S203: No), the fourth reference with the predetermined number of times of printing in a predetermined period is further referred to the printing history 172g. It is determined whether or not the value is greater than or equal to the value (S204). This is because it is considered that hold data having a large number of printings within a predetermined period is preferably stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 even if it has not been printed recently because it is highly likely to be printed. is there. With regard to the fourth reference value as well, it is possible to experimentally measure in advance the possibility of reprinting for each number of printings within a predetermined period, and to determine the number of printings at which this possibility is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage. Similarly, the predetermined period can be determined experimentally.

  As a result, if the number of printings in the predetermined period is less than the fourth reference value (S204: No), that is, if printing has not been performed recently and the number of printings in the predetermined period is small, the hold data is stored in the external server 30. To the storage device 340 (S205). At this time, the print data of the front page is stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 as in the process (S111). As a result, the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 increases. Then, the data related to the moved hold data in the hold management table 172 is updated. Specifically, the storage location 172f is updated.

  The above processing is repeated for all the data in which the hold setting 172e is “automatic” and the storage location 172f is “printer” (S207). When the processing is completed for all data (S207: No), it is determined whether the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is still below the second reference value (S208). As a result, if it is still below, notification is made to the administrator of the LAN 50 that the above-mentioned processing has not ensured sufficient free space in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S209). On the other hand, when an empty capacity equal to or larger than the second reference value can be secured (S208: No), the process is finished as it is.

  Next, processing for printing hold data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing processing of the printing apparatus 10 when printing is performed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating transition of screens displayed on the operation panel 130 of the printing apparatus 10. Prior to printing, the user performs user authentication in the printing apparatus 10 (S301). User authentication is performed, for example, by inputting a password on the user authentication screen 131 shown in FIG. When receiving the input of the personal identification number, the user management unit 160 of the printing apparatus 10 specifies the user related to the input based on the user information set in advance.

  When the user authentication is completed, for example, the process selection screen 132 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and designation of whether to perform hold printing or direct printing is received from the user (S302). As a result, when direct printing is designated (S302: No), conventional direct printing processing is performed (S303).

  On the other hand, when hold printing is designated (S302: Yes), a hold data selection screen 133 including a thumbnail image 133b as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and selection of hold data to be printed is accepted (S305). . The hold print management unit 170 of the printing apparatus 10 refers to the hold management table 172, extracts data relating to the user specified in the process (S301), and based on the recorded thumbnail data 172h, a hold data selection screen 133 is generated.

  The hold data selection screen 133 is provided with a hold data name display field 133a and a storage location display field 133c corresponding to the thumbnail image 133b. These can also be displayed by referring to the hold management table 172. Here, in the storage location display field 133c, “P” indicates that the print data is stored in the printing apparatus 10, “S” indicates that it is stored in the external server 30, and “P & S” indicates the printing apparatus. 10 and stored in both the external server 30. The user can know the storage location of each hold data by this display.

  When selection of hold data is received from the user, the following processing is performed according to the storage location of the hold data (S306). In other words, when the storage location of the selected hold data is the printing apparatus 10, print settings such as print quality and the number of copies are received on the print setting screen 134 as in the prior art (S307). Then, the held print data is read from the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S308), and printing is executed (S309). In this case, since the print data is stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10, the reading time is short. Therefore, a quick printing process can be performed. When printing is executed, information on the main printing process is added to the print history 172g of the hold management table 172 to update the hold management table 172 (S310).

  If the storage location of the selected hold data is the external server 30, print settings such as print quality and the number of copies are received on the print setting screen 134 as in the prior art (S313). Then, the front page is read from the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 (S314), the page after the front page is read from the storage device 340 of the external server 30 (S315), and printing is executed (S316).

  In general, acquisition of print data via the Internet 70 takes longer than reading from the internal storage device 180. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the time to start printing is shortened by reading the front page from the internal storage device 180. Subsequent pages can be read during the processing of the front page, so it is possible to prevent a decrease in print speed due to the influence of the communication speed, and the user is aware that the print data is stored in the external server 30. Can be printed without any problem. When printing is executed, information on the main printing process is added to the print history 172g of the hold management table 172 to update the hold management table 172 (S317).

  If the selected hold data is stored in both the printing apparatus 10 and the external server 30, a process selection screen 135 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and whether the user performs print processing or restore processing. Is received (S311). In other words, when the data is stored in both the printing apparatus 10 and the external server 30, there are two possible cases: printing, and processing for recalling the print data backed up in the external server 30 to the printing apparatus 10. To encourage selection.

  As a result, when “print” is selected, print settings such as print quality and the number of copies are accepted on the print setting screen 134 as in the prior art (S307). Then, the print data stored in the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10 is read (S308), and printing is executed (S309). Since it is faster to read the print data stored in the printing apparatus 10 than to obtain the print data recorded in the external server, printing is performed using the print data stored in the printing apparatus 10. ing. When printing is executed, information on the main printing process is added to the print history 172g of the hold management table 172 to update the hold management table 172 (S310).

  On the other hand, when “recovery” is selected, the print data is called from the storage device 340 of the external server 30 and the hold data stored in the storage device 180 of the printing device 10 is overwritten (S312).

  The instructions and display in the above printing process are performed on the display panel of the printing apparatus 10, but can be performed on the PC 20 by accessing the printing apparatus 10 using the browser unit 220.

  Further, when the setting relating to the storage location of the print data is “automatic”, the line speed of the Internet 70 is measured, and if the measured value is a predetermined value, it is related to the free capacity of the storage device 180 of the printing apparatus 10. Instead, it may be stored in the external server 30. This is because if the communication speed via the Internet 70 is sufficiently high, the communication time at the time of printing can be shortened even if stored in the external server 30. In addition, a default storage location may be set for each user.

  The maintenance process is preferably performed during a period in which printing is not performed so as not to affect the printing process in the printing apparatus 10.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the network printing system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a printing apparatus, PC, and an external server. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the printing apparatus receives an instruction for hold printing from a PC. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a hold detailed setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a hold management table. 10 is a flowchart for explaining hold data maintenance processing in the printing apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a printing apparatus when printing is performed. It is a figure which shows the screen transition of the operation panel of a printing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 20 ... PC, 70 ... Computer network, 110 ... Authentication printing management part, 120 ... Print control part, 130 ... Print execution part, 140 ... Communication processing part, 150 ... Operation panel, 160 ... Paper feeding apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 170 ... Paper discharge apparatus, 180 ... Memory | storage device, 190 ... Portable memory slot, 210 ... OS part, 220 ... Printer driver part, 230 ... Communication processing part, 240 ... Application part

Claims (8)

Print data accepting means for accepting print data with an instruction regarding a place to store the print data;
Storage means for storing print data;
A communication means for communicating with an external server via a computer network;
A printing apparatus comprising: control means for determining whether the received print data is stored in the storage means or transmitted to the external server in accordance with an instruction relating to a location for storing print data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Even when the control unit determines to transmit to the external server, the printing data corresponding to the front page is stored in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An instruction relating to a storage location of print data includes an instruction indicating one of a printing apparatus, an external server, a printing apparatus and an external server, and automatic. The printing apparatus according to claim 3,
If the instruction regarding the location for storing the print data indicates automatic, the print data is stored in the storage means if the free capacity of the storage means is greater than or equal to the first reference value; otherwise, the print data is stored in the storage means. A printing apparatus that transmits print data to an external server. The printing apparatus according to claim 4,
When the free capacity of the storage means is equal to or less than the second reference value, an instruction regarding the location for storing the print data indicates automatic, and the print data stored in the storage means has a predetermined condition. What is satisfied is transmitted to the external server instead of being stored in the storage unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 5,
The predetermined condition is that the number of days elapsed from the last printing date exceeds a third reference value, and the number of printings within a predetermined period is less than a fourth reference value. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
When receiving a print instruction for the print data transmitted to the external server, the print data corresponding to the front page of the print data is read from the storage means and printed, and the print data corresponding to other pages is received from the external server. A printing apparatus that receives and prints. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When the selection of the print data stored in the storage means and transmitted to the external server is received, an instruction to perform printing or recovery is received,
If an instruction to print is received, the print data is read from the storage means and printed,
A printing apparatus that receives print data from the external server and overwrites the print data stored in the storage unit when an instruction to restore is received.