JP2012216064A - Printing system, print execution device, printing method, print execution method, and print execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which is capable of printing document data with a quality an output device guarantees, based on a print setting at the time of a print request, even when the print request and a print execution instruction are performed at different timings and the output device with which the document data is printed is not determined at the time of the print request.SOLUTION: A common print setting designation means 71 leads a user to designate a print setting for a document data for which a print request is made, from common print settings that include respective print settings capable of being set for each output terminal. Preparation object selecting means 92 selects one kind from data preparation means for print output 91 according to the output terminal, when a print execution instruction is made accompanied by the designation of output terminal and document data. The selected data preparation means for print output 91 prepares the data for print output corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data, based on the extracted print setting.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing execution apparatus, a printing method, a printing execution method, and a printing execution program for printing document data via a network.

  With the spread of portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs (personal computers), it is anticipated that the scenes where office work is performed in public places such as outside the company will expand. With the spread of electronic devices, the use of presentations using electronic data is increasing, but there are still many cases where materials printed on paper are still used in meetings with customers.

  In addition, when considering a cloud-type printing service, it is considered that the demand for a printing service capable of printing anywhere will increase by taking advantage of the use of data anywhere and anytime. Therefore, instead of a method for storing print data in an output terminal such as a printer or a multi-function peripheral, a method for storing print data in a network environment (such as a storage device on the network) and transmitting it to the output terminal immediately before printing. Can be expected to expand.

  By the way, when a user prints document data, in a general method, the user designates a printer to output and makes a print request. At this time, a printer driver prepared for each printer is installed in the terminal that issues the print request. When the user designates a print setting determined for each printer and makes a print request, the terminal converts the document data into print data for each printer based on the designated print setting. When a print execution instruction is issued from the terminal, the printer performs print processing based on the print data converted by the terminal.

  Here, the print request indicates designation of document data to be printed and a method for printing the document data (hereinafter referred to as print settings), and the print execution instruction is output based on the print settings. Indicates that the apparatus instructs to print document data.

  Patent Document 1 describes a print control apparatus that converts or expands print data. The print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 stores print data to be printed by a printer, and print parameters indicating the number of pixels in the X direction of the print data, resolution at the time of data creation, and the like. The original print data is converted by comparing the print parameters of the printer designated at the time of printing with the print parameters of the printer to be output.

  Patent Document 2 describes a printing system that securely prints print data instructed to be output. In the printing system described in Patent Literature 2, when a user holds a portable terminal over a printer, the print management server that receives the notification from the printer transmits a list of print data corresponding to the user to the user's portable terminal. Then, the mobile terminal transmits the print data selected by the user to the print management server, and when the user again holds the mobile terminal over the printer, the print management server outputs the print data selected by the user to the printer.

JP-A-8-216482 JP 2009-301185 A

  On the other hand, for example, when document data for which a print request has been made is to be printed by a printer outside the office, the printer to output is not determined at the time of making the print request. However, in order to enable printing anywhere, it is necessary to widen the options of printers that can output document data. This is because if only the printer designated at the time of the print request can be printed, the choices of printers that can be printed are narrowed, and it is not possible to satisfy the printing service request that enables printing anywhere.

  However, in a general method, it is difficult to designate a printer after making a print request. Therefore, if print data is created using a printer driver for each printer, the print data is not always output from the designated printer. Therefore, when this print data is output from a printer other than the printer designated at the time of the print request, there is a problem that the document data is not always printed with the print image quality guaranteed by the printer.

  The print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is also based on the premise that the printer is designated first. For this reason, the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 needs to perform conversion processing again in accordance with a printer that outputs print data created based on a designated printer. However, the print data converted by the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is not always data that matches the performance of the output printer. That is, there is a problem in that document data of quality that is normally printed using a designated printer is not always printed.

  In the printing system described in Patent Document 2, when print data is output to a printer, a printer driver is selected based on the IP address of the printer, and form data is printed through the selected printer driver. However, in the printing system described in Patent Document 2, it is only possible to issue a print execution instruction to the saved form data, and the user can specify what setting the output document data is to be printed with. There is a problem that you do not know until you do. For this reason, when a print execution instruction is issued, it is preferable that the print settings when the user makes a print request for document data are reflected.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the print request and the print execution instruction are performed at different timings and the output device for printing the document data is not determined at the time of the print request, the print setting at the time of the print request is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, a printing execution device, a printing method, a printing execution method, and a printing execution program that can print document data with quality guaranteed by the output device.

  A printing system according to the present invention includes: a print request receiving unit that receives a print request for document data; a document data storage unit that stores at least document data for which a print request has been made; and a print execution unit that causes an output terminal to print document data. A common print setting designation unit that allows a user to designate a print setting for document data for which a print request is to be made, from among common print settings that include print settings that can be set for each output terminal. A print setting registration means for storing the print setting designated for the document data in the document data storage means together with the document data, and the print execution means obtains the print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data. One or more print output data creation means to be created, an output terminal and document data are designated and a print execution instruction is issued. The creation target selection means for selecting one print output data creation means from the print output data creation means according to the output terminal, the document data designated by the print execution instruction, and the document data Print-related information extracting means for extracting the print settings designated in the document data storage means, and the print output data creating means selected by the creation target selecting means is extracted based on the extracted print settings Print output data corresponding to the output terminal is generated from the document data.

  In the print execution apparatus according to the present invention, one or more print data creation means for creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data, and the print execution instruction is specified by designating the output terminal and the document data. A creation target selection means for selecting one print output data creation means in accordance with the output terminal from the print output data creation means, and each output terminal when a print request for document data is made Specified by the print execution instruction from the document data storage means for storing the print setting designated for the document data and the document data from among the common print settings including the respective print settings that can be set to Print output data creation means selected by the creation target selection means, including document data and print related information extraction means for extracting print settings designated in the document data , Based on the extracted print setting, and wherein the creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data.

  According to the printing method of the present invention, a print request receiving unit that receives a print request for document data prints the document data for which a print request is made from among common print settings that can be set for each output terminal. Print execution means for causing the user to specify the setting, causing the print request receiving means to store the print setting designated for the document data in the document data storage means together with the document data, and causing the output terminal to print the document data; When a print execution instruction is made by designating an output terminal and document data, the output is output from one or more print output data creation means for creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data. One print output data creation unit is selected according to the terminal, and the print execution unit selects the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the document data. The print setting specified in the above is extracted from the document data storage means, and the selected print output data creation means is configured to output the print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings. It is characterized by creating.

  According to the print execution method of the present invention, when the print execution means for printing the document data on the output terminal designates the output terminal and the document data and issues a print execution instruction, the print output corresponding to the output terminal is performed from the document data. One print output data creation means is selected according to the output terminal from one or more print output data creation means for creating data for printing, and the print execution means makes a print request for document data When printing from the document data storage means for storing the print settings specified for the document data and the document data from the common print settings including the print settings that can be set for each output terminal. The document data specified by the execution instruction and the print settings specified for the document data are extracted, and the selected print output data creation means is based on the extracted print settings. Characterized by creating a print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data.

  The print execution program according to the present invention is a print data creation process for creating print output data corresponding to an output terminal from document data, and a print execution instruction is performed by designating the output terminal and document data. For each output terminal, a creation target selection process for selecting one print output data creation process in accordance with the output terminal from the print output data creation process and a print request for document data are made. Specified by the print execution instruction from the document data storage means for storing the print setting designated for the document data and the document data from among the common print settings including the respective print settings that can be set to The print output selected by the creation target selection process that executes the print-related information extraction process that extracts the document data and the print settings specified for the document data In data generation processing, based on the extracted print setting, characterized thereby creating a print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data.

  According to the present invention, even when the print request and the print execution instruction are performed at different timings and the output device for printing the document data is not determined at the time of the print request, the print setting at the time of the print request is made. Based on this, the document data can be printed with the quality guaranteed by the output device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the printing system by embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a minimum configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the minimum structure of the printing execution apparatus by this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention. The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a desktop service processing device 10, a spool device 20, a print execution device 30, an operation terminal 40, and an output terminal 50.

  The operation terminal 40 is a terminal for creating and editing document data. In the following description, document data means data that can be created and edited by a user using application software or the like. Further, the document data is not limited to data created and edited by word processing software. The document data includes, for example, data created and edited by spreadsheet software. The operation terminal 40 also designates document data and makes a print request to the desktop service processing apparatus 10. The operation terminal 40 is realized by, for example, a notebook PC, a tablet, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like.

  The operation terminal 40 may be a terminal in which an application program for creating or editing document data is installed. Further, the operation terminal 40 itself may be a terminal that does not mount an application program and has only a function of operating an application provided in the desktop service processing apparatus 10. That is, the operation terminal 40 and the desktop service processing apparatus 10 may be realized by a single apparatus (print request receiving apparatus). In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the operation terminal 40 operates document data via the application execution unit 11 provided in the desktop service processing apparatus 10 described later.

  The desktop service processing apparatus 10 includes an application execution unit 11 and a common driver execution unit 12. The application execution unit 11 creates and edits document data. The application execution unit 11 is realized by a CPU of a computer that operates according to an application program defined for each type of document data. For example, the application program is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the desktop service processing apparatus 10, and the CPU reads the application program and operates as the application execution unit 11 according to the application program.

  In addition, the application execution unit 11 receives a print request for document data from the user via the operation terminal 40, and notifies the common driver execution unit 12 of the print settings specified for the document data and the document data. Specifically, the application execution unit 11 selects a print setting that can be set for each output terminal 50 (hereinafter referred to as “output terminal individual setting”) from among settings (hereinafter referred to as “common print setting”). Accept print settings specified for document data to be printed. Furthermore, the application execution unit 11 may also accept application-specific print settings.

  Examples of application-specific print settings include page specification and print range (sheet) specification in document data. At this time, it is desirable that the application execution unit 11 accepts a print request by a method in which a normal user makes a print instruction using an application program. That is, it is desirable that the application execution unit 11 operates based on a print setting function included in each application program. In this way, the user can make a print request without feeling uncomfortable with a normal operation. Furthermore, the administrator can reduce the cost required for correcting each application program.

  The common print settings preferably include print settings common to at least the individual output terminal settings. General print settings that many users specify at the time of printing can be set in most output terminals. For this reason, it is possible to avoid missing print settings desired by the user by including print settings common to the individual output terminal settings in the common print settings.

  The common print settings may include print settings included in at least two or more output terminal individual settings. That is, the common print settings may include not only print settings included in all output terminal individual settings, but also print settings included in common among some output terminal individual settings. Even if the function names indicating the print settings are different, the print settings may be included in the common print settings if the contents (functions) of the print settings are common. For example, it is assumed that both “double-sided printing” and “backside printing” are print settings for printing on both the back side and the front side of the paper. At this time, a print setting for printing on both the back side and the front side of the sheet may be included in the common print setting. In this case, for example, when displaying the print setting screen, the print settings to be selected may be made common, and the description added to the print settings may be described together.

  The common driver execution unit 12 causes the user to specify print settings for document data for which a print request is made from among the common print settings. Specifically, the common driver execution unit 12 instructs the application execution unit 11 to allow the user to specify common print settings when the application execution unit 11 receives a print request from the user. For example, assume that the application execution unit 11 displays a dialog screen for inputting print settings when receiving a print request. In this case, the common driver execution unit 12 may instruct the application execution unit 11 to display a dialog screen in which items to which print settings included in the common print settings are added are displayed on the dialog screen.

  When the common driver execution unit 12 receives a print request for document data for which print settings are specified via the application execution unit 11, identification information of the user who has made the print request (hereinafter referred to as a user ID). The document data and the designated print settings are transmitted to the spool device 20 and stored in the spool data storage unit 22 described later. Hereinafter, the user ID, the document data for which a print request has been made, and the print settings specified for the document data are collectively referred to as print request information.

  Specifically, the common driver execution unit 12 follows a printer driver (hereinafter referred to as a common driver) that includes specifications of a printer driver (hereinafter also referred to as a driver of each company) corresponding to each output terminal 50. It is realized by a CPU of an operating computer. That is, the common driver can be referred to as a printer driver that includes driver specifications of each company.

  Further, the common driver execution unit 12 may create image data obtained by converting the document data based on the predetermined setting and the designated print setting together with the creation of the print request information. By creating such data, the user can grasp the outline of the document data to be printed. Further, by creating image data, it is possible to print the image data as it is.

  The spool device 20 includes a print request information control unit 21 and a spool data storage unit 22. When receiving the print request information from the desktop service processing apparatus 10, the print request information control unit 21 stores the received print request information in the spool data storage unit 22. When the print request information control unit 21 is requested to acquire print request information from a print request information extraction 31 of the print execution apparatus 30 described later, the print request information control unit 21 extracts the print request information from the spool data storage unit 22 and extracts the extracted print Request information is transmitted to the print execution apparatus 30. In addition, when the print execution apparatus 30 requests a list of document data for which the user has requested printing, the print request information control unit 21 extracts print request information corresponding to the user from the spool data storage unit 22. You may transmit to the printing execution apparatus 30. FIG.

  The spool data storage unit 22 stores a user ID, document data for which a print request has been made, and print settings designated for the document data in association with each other. The spool data storage unit 22 may also store the image data created by the common driver execution unit 12 together. The spool data storage unit 22 is realized by, for example, a magnetic disk.

  The output terminal 50 is a terminal that outputs document data for which a print request has been made. The output terminal 50 is realized by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a printer, or the like.

  The output terminal 50 includes an operation unit 51 and a print control unit 52. The operation unit 51 receives a print execution instruction from the user. Specifically, when the user designates document data and issues a print execution instruction, the operation unit 51 and information for identifying the designated document data and identification information for the output terminal 50 itself (hereinafter, output terminal identification). Information).) Is transmitted to the print execution apparatus 30. The operation unit 51 is realized by, for example, an operation panel that receives an operation from a user, a card reader that reads an IC card that stores a user ID, and the like. However, the contents of the operation unit 51 are not limited to the above contents.

  Further, the operation unit 51 may receive an instruction to change the print setting designated in the document data from the user. Specifically, the operation unit 51 transmits the print setting (change instruction) specified after the print request is made to the print execution apparatus 30.

  The print control unit 52 authenticates a user who issues a print execution instruction. For example, the print control unit 52 may authenticate the user based on the user ID written on the IC card, or may authenticate the user using the user ID and password input via the operation panel. . However, the method for authenticating the user is not limited to the above method. A method for authenticating a user is widely known and will not be described in detail.

  In addition, the print control unit 52 may request the print execution device 30 for a list of document data requested by the user among the document data stored in the spool device 20. The print control unit 52 may display a list of received document data on the operation unit 51 and allow the user to specify document data to be printed from the list. When the print control unit 52 receives the print output data for the output terminal 50 from the print execution device 30, the print control unit 52 prints the document data based on the print output data.

  Here, the print output data means data used when the output terminal 50 actually performs printing. Specifically, the print output data is data that is created by a terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 (to be described later) and controls a printing operation performed by each output terminal 50. As an example of the print output data, for example, a control code for controlling a printing operation can be cited.

  The print control unit 52 may store log information related to the output document data in a log management storage unit (not shown). This log information can be used, for example, for a billing process for the user who printed the document data.

  In the following description, a case where the output terminal 50 itself includes the operation unit 51 and the print control unit 52 will be described. However, an apparatus (for example, a printer) that outputs document data, the operation unit 51, and the print control unit 52 may be realized by different apparatuses. For example, a computer including the operation unit 51 and the print control unit 52 may instruct print processing to another printer device.

  The print execution apparatus 30 includes a print request information extraction unit 31, a print data conversion control unit 32, a terminal specific driver execution unit 33, an application execution unit 34, and a print control unit 35.

  The print request information extraction unit 31 requests the spool device 20 for document data and print settings (that is, print request information) designated as a print target. At this time, the print request information extraction unit 31 requests the spool device 20 for document data and print settings that match the user ID that issued the print execution instruction. By doing in this way, it can suppress that other users print document data. In addition, when the print request information extraction unit 31 is requested by the print control unit 52 to request a list of document data for which a user has made a print request, the print request information extraction unit 31 may request the spool device 20 for print request information corresponding to the user. .

  Further, the print request information extraction unit 31 may transmit the print settings received from the spool device 20 to the output terminal 50. By transmitting the print setting designated at the time of the print request to the output terminal 50, the user can check the print status of the document data.

  The application execution unit 34 creates print data from the document data extracted by the print request information extraction unit 31. Here, the printing data is printing data created by the application execution unit 34 in accordance with the application program. Since this print data becomes the original data of the print output data for each output terminal 50 created by the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 described later, it can also be called intermediate data.

  If the application-specific print settings are specified for the document data by the user, the application execution unit 34 creates print data that reflects the print settings.

  Furthermore, when a print setting is designated by a print control unit 35 (to be described later) and a document data print instruction is issued, the application execution unit 34 creates print data from the document data based on the designated print setting.

  The application execution unit 34 is realized by a CPU of a computer that operates according to an application program defined for each document data. For example, the application program is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the print execution apparatus 30, and the CPU reads the application program and operates as the application execution unit 34 according to the application program. Specifically, when document data to be printed is designated, the application execution unit 34 creates print data according to an application program corresponding to the document data.

  It is desirable that the application execution unit 34 and the application execution unit 11 in the desktop service processing apparatus 10 operate according to the same application program. Since the user makes a print request using the application execution unit 11, if the application program that actually creates the print data is the same as the application program that receives the print request, the print data has the quality expected by the user. This is because it is created.

  The print control unit 35 designates the print setting extracted by the print request information extraction unit 31 to the application execution unit 34 and instructs printing of the document data for which the print execution instruction has been performed. Specifically, the print control unit 35 specifies the application execution unit 34 that operates according to the application program corresponding to the document data for which the print execution instruction has been issued, based on the designated print setting.

  Then, the print control unit 35 designates the document data and the extracted print settings to the identified application execution unit 34 and instructs the specified application execution unit 34 to print the document data. When the print control unit 35 receives a print setting change instruction from the operation unit 51, the print control unit 35 designates print settings that can be set by an application program that operates the application execution unit 34 to the application execution unit 34. May be instructed to print. Note that the print settings specified here may be the same as or different from the extracted print settings.

  When there is one type of application program, the application execution unit 34 is uniquely determined. Therefore, when there is one type of application program, the print execution device 30 does not have to include the print control unit 35.

  The terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 creates print data corresponding to each output terminal 50 from the document data designated as the print target. Specifically, the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 converts the print data generated by the application execution unit 34 into print output data according to print settings determined for each output terminal 50. At that time, the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 creates print output data reflecting the print settings extracted by the print request information extraction unit 31.

  As described above, since the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 creates the print output data reflecting the print settings specified by the user at the time of the print request, the document data can be printed based on the print settings at the time of the print request. . Then, the terminal specific driver execution unit 33 transmits the created print output data to the output terminal 50, and prints the document data based on the print output data.

  When the terminal specific driver execution unit 33 receives a print setting change instruction from the user via the operation unit 51, the terminal specific driver execution unit 33 outputs the print data generated by the application execution unit 34 according to the changed print setting. It may be converted into business data. That is, the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 may create print output data based on print settings specified after a print request is made. Also, the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 notifies the output terminal 50 that the print setting cannot be made when the print setting specified at the time of the print request is a print setting that cannot be set by the output terminal 50 that has issued the print execution instruction. New print settings may be accepted.

  By reflecting such a change instruction, it is possible to reflect the print setting that could not be specified at the time of the print request in the output result. Further, for example, even if the output terminal 50 does not correspond to the print settings included in the common print settings at the time of the print request, it can be changed at the time of the print execution instruction, so that it seems to the user. It is possible to prevent the document data from being printed due to unintentional behavior.

  The terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 is realized by a CPU of a computer that operates according to a printer driver (that is, a driver of each company) corresponding to each output terminal 50. Each company driver is prepared for each type of output terminal 50.

  The print execution apparatus 30 may include a terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 for each output terminal 50. That is, the print execution device 30 may include a plurality of terminal-specific driver execution units 33 for each output terminal 50. In addition, one terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 may have a function of operating according to a plurality of drivers from each company. In this case, the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 may execute a function corresponding to the driver selected by the print data conversion control unit 32 described later. In the following description, a case where the print execution device 30 includes a terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 for each output terminal 50 will be described.

  The print data conversion control unit 32 specifies the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 that creates print output data based on the output terminal identification information specified via the operation unit 51. For example, when the print execution apparatus 30 includes one or more terminal-specific driver execution units 33 for each output terminal 50, the print data conversion control unit 32 outputs the print output from the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33. One terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 that creates the business data may be selected. When the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 has a function that operates according to a plurality of drivers from each company, the print data conversion control unit 32 specifies a function corresponding to the output terminal identification information and issues an instruction to execute the function. You may go to the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33. In this way, the print data conversion control unit 32 serves as a dispatcher that controls functions unique to each company driver.

  In addition, the print data conversion control unit 32 may create a logical printer that causes the application execution unit 34 to execute common processing for any output terminal 50. In this case, each terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 has only to implement a process of a portion having different print settings for each driver (that is, the output terminal 50). By doing in this way, even if the output terminal 50 includes products of various companies (that is, multi-vendor), the introduction of each output terminal 50 becomes easy.

  The print request information extraction unit 31, the print data conversion control unit 32, and the print control unit 35 are realized by a CPU of a computer that operates according to a program (print execution program). For example, the program is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the print execution apparatus 30, and the CPU reads the program, and in accordance with the program, the print request information extraction unit 31, the print data conversion control unit 32, and the print control unit 35. May operate as In addition, the print request information extraction unit 31, the print data conversion control unit 32, and the print control unit 35 may each be realized by dedicated hardware.

  Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the printing system according to the present embodiment. First, the desktop service processing apparatus 10 receives a print request for document data from the operation terminal 40 (step S1). Specifically, when a user who creates document data using the application execution unit 11 makes a print request for the document data, the application execution unit 11 displays a dialog screen for inputting print settings. . The dialog screen includes a screen for designating print settings specific to each application and a screen for designating print settings from common print settings including print settings of each output terminal 50.

  Examples of print settings specific to each application include page specification and print range (sheet) specification in document data. Examples of common print settings include double-sided printing designation, 2-in-1 designation, monochrome / color designation, and the like.

  When a print request for document data is made by specifying print settings, the common driver execution unit 12 receives print request information (that is, information including the designated document data, print settings, and the user ID that made the print request). Create (step S2).

  Here, when a print setting that does not permit simultaneous designation is made, the common driver execution unit 12 may perform a prohibition process such as automatically changing the setting or displaying an error. Examples of print settings where simultaneous designation is not permitted include double-sided printing designation and backing paper availability designation. Note that combinations of print settings that do not permit simultaneous designation are determined in advance by an administrator or the like who creates common print settings. When the common driver execution unit 12 detects a print setting that does not permit simultaneous designation in the prohibition process, the common driver execution unit 12 may display a warning to the user.

  Then, the common driver execution unit 12 transmits the created print request information to the spool device 20 (step S3). When the spool device 20 receives the print request information, the print request information control unit 21 stores the print request information in the spool data storage unit 22 (step S4).

  Next, when a user issues a print execution instruction for document data to the print execution apparatus 30 via the output terminal 50 (step S5), the print request information extraction unit 31 sends the print request information acquisition to the spool apparatus 20. A request is made (step S6). The print request information control unit 21 extracts the print request information requested by the print request information extraction unit 31 from the spool data storage unit 22 (step S7), and transmits the extracted print request information to the print execution apparatus 30 (step S8). ).

  When the print execution device 30 receives the document data included in the print request information, the application execution unit 34 creates print data according to the application program corresponding to the received document data. On the other hand, the print data conversion control unit 32 specifies the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 that creates the print output data based on the output terminal identification information of the output terminal 50 for which the print instruction has been issued. Then, the identified terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 uses the print data generated by the application execution unit 34 for print output according to the print setting determined for each output terminal 50 and the print setting included in the print request information. Convert to data. In this way, print output data corresponding to the output terminal 50 is created (step S9).

  The terminal specific driver execution unit 33 transmits the created print output data to the output terminal 50 (step S10). When the output terminal 50 receives the print output data, the print control unit 52 performs printing based on the print output data (step S11).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the common driver execution unit 12 causes the user to specify print settings for document data for which a print request is made from among the common print settings, and the specified print settings are set for the document. The data is stored in the spool data storage unit 22 of the spool device 20 together with the data. When the print data conversion control unit 32 designates an output terminal and document data and issues a print execution instruction, one terminal-specific driver is executed from the terminal-specific driver execution unit 33 according to the output terminal. Section 33 is selected. Further, the print request information extraction unit 31 extracts the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the print settings designated for the document data from the spool data storage unit 22 of the spool device 20. Then, the selected terminal specific driver execution unit 33 creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings.

  By performing the above processing, even when the print request and the print execution instruction are performed at different timings and the output device for printing the document data is not determined at the time of the print request, The document data can be printed with the quality guaranteed by the output device based on the print setting.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described below. In this embodiment, a case where the printing system according to the present invention is applied to cloud computing will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system in this embodiment includes a printer service execution unit 100, a desktop service execution unit 110, an operation terminal 140, and an output terminal 150. The printer service execution unit 100 includes a spool unit 120, a printing unit 130, and a monitoring unit 160.

  The desktop service execution unit 110 in the present example corresponds to the desktop service processing apparatus 10 in the above embodiment. The spool unit 120 in this example corresponds to the spool device 20 in the above embodiment. The printing unit 130 in this example corresponds to the print execution device 30 in the above embodiment.

  First, an operation in which a user makes a print request via the operation terminal 140 will be described. The user creates and edits document data 113 using the application execution unit 111 provided in the desktop service execution unit 110 via the operation terminal 140 such as a notebook PC, tablet, or smartphone. When the user makes a print request for document data, the application execution unit 111 requests the common driver execution unit 112 to create print information. Specifically, when at least one of the application-specific print settings and the print settings included in the common print settings is designated by the user using the application execution unit 111, the common driver execution unit 112 specifies the designated document data. And the print setting are stored in the document data storage unit 121 and the print setting storage unit 122 of the spool unit 120, respectively.

  The common driver execution unit 112 may create image data obtained by converting document data based on a predetermined setting. For example, in the case of Windows (registered trademark), the common driver execution unit 112 may create image data in a WMF (Windows Metafile) format that is an image file format in Windows. However, the format of the image data is not limited to the WMF format. Since a method for creating image data from document data is widely known, detailed description thereof is omitted. By creating such image data, when the output terminal has already been determined, the time until printing can be shortened. In this case, the common driver execution unit 112 stores the created image data in the image data storage unit 123 of the spool unit 120.

  The common driver execution unit 112 is realized by a CPU that operates according to a common driver that includes specifications included in drivers of various companies.

  Next, an operation in which the user issues a print execution instruction via the output terminal 150 will be described. First, the user performs user authentication using the output terminal 150 selected as a printing apparatus or a device connected to the output terminal 150 (hereinafter simply referred to as the output terminal 150). Here, it is assumed that document data is printed by the MFP of company A.

  When user authentication is performed, the selected output terminal 150 notifies the printing unit 130 of the print service execution unit 100 of the user ID of the authenticated user and output terminal identification information for identifying the output terminal 150.

  Upon receiving the notification, the printing unit 130 extracts the print request information associated with the received user ID from the document data storage unit 121 and the print setting storage unit 122 of the spool unit 120. When the printing unit 130 extracts the document data, the application operation unit 131 that operates according to the application program corresponding to the extracted document data is automatically activated. Then, the application operation unit 131 creates print data according to an application program corresponding to the document data.

  On the other hand, the printing unit 130 that has received the notification of the output terminal identification information from the output terminal 150 selects each company driver execution unit 132 corresponding to the output terminal identified by the output terminal identification information. Each selected company driver execution unit 132 converts the print data created by the application operation unit 131 into print output data corresponding to the output terminal 150. Specifically, each company driver execution unit 132 converts the print data created by the application operation unit 131 into print output data reflecting the print settings set for each output terminal 150.

  Further, the output terminal 150 may receive an instruction to change the print setting set in the document data to be printed and notify the printing unit 130 of the change instruction. When the print setting change instruction is notified to the printing unit 130, each company driver execution unit 132 receives the print data created by the application operation unit 131 from the print setting set for each output terminal 150 and the output terminal 150. Convert to print output data reflecting print settings.

  Each company driver execution unit 132 transmits the generated print output data to the output terminal 150. The output terminal 150 that has received the print output data prints the document data using the print output data.

  After printing the document data, the output terminal 150 notifies the monitoring unit 160 of log information regarding the output document data. Upon receiving the notification, the monitoring unit 160 stores the received log information in the multi-vendor log management storage unit 161. The log information includes at least information indicating the user ID and the output terminal. In addition, the log information includes, for example, the printing date and time, the size of document data, the number of printed sheets, and the like. By storing such information, it is possible to specify the expense billing destination even when a print execution instruction is given at an arbitrary location.

  Next, an example of the minimum configuration of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the minimum configuration of the printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the minimum configuration of the print execution apparatus according to the present invention. The printing system according to the present invention includes a print request receiving unit 70 (for example, the desktop service processing apparatus 10) that receives a print request for document data, and a document data storage unit 80 (for example, a spool) that stores at least the document data for which the print request has been made. Apparatus 20) and a print execution means 90 (for example, the print execution apparatus 30) for printing document data on an output terminal (for example, the output terminal 50).

  The print request accepting unit 70 designates a user with print settings for document data for which a print request is made, from common print settings including print settings (for example, individual settings for output terminals) that can be set for each output terminal. Common print setting designating means 71 (for example, the common driver execution unit 12) for causing the user to designate the print data (for example, displaying a dialog screen), and print data designated for the document data together with the document data. And a print setting registration unit 72 (for example, the common driver execution unit 12) to be stored in the storage unit 80.

  The print execution means 90 includes one or more print output data creation means 91 (for example, a terminal-specific driver execution unit 33) that creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data, the output terminal and the document data. A creation target selection unit 92 (for example, print data) that selects one print output data creation unit from the print output data creation unit 91 according to the output terminal when a print execution instruction is specified. A conversion control unit 32), and print-related information extraction unit 93 (for example, print request information extraction unit 31) that extracts the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the print settings designated for the document data from the document data storage unit 80. ).

  The print output data creation unit 91 selected by the creation target selection unit 92 creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings.

  The print execution apparatus (for example, the print execution apparatus 30) according to the present invention includes a print output data creation unit 91, a creation target selection unit 92, and a print related information extraction unit 93. The print output data creation unit 91, the creation target selection unit 92, and the print related information extraction unit 93 of the print execution apparatus according to the present invention are the same as those illustrated in FIG.

  With such a configuration, even when the print request and the print execution instruction are performed at different timings and the output device for printing the document data is not determined at the time of the print request, the print setting at the time of the print request is set. Based on this, the document data can be printed with the quality guaranteed by the output device.

  Further, the print setting registration unit 72 stores the identification information of the user who made the print request for the document data in the document data storage unit 80 together with the print setting and the document data, and the print related information extraction unit 93 issues a print execution instruction. Document data and print settings that match the user identification information made may be extracted from the document data storage unit 80. By doing in this way, it can suppress that other users print document data.

  The print output data creation unit 91 may create print output data based on a print setting (for example, a print setting change instruction) specified after a print request is made. As described above, since the print settings can be changed after the print request, the print settings that could not be specified at the time of the print request can be reflected in the output result.

  The print execution unit 90 may include an application execution unit (for example, the application execution unit 34) that operates according to an application program defined for each type of document data. Then, the print setting registration unit 72 of the print request receiving unit 70 stores the application-specific print setting, which is the print setting designated by the application program, in the document data storage unit 80 together with the print setting designated from the common print settings. You may let them. The application execution unit may convert the document data into print data according to the application-specific print setting, and the print output data creation unit may convert the print data into print output data corresponding to the output terminal.

  In this way, when an application-specific print setting is designated when a print request is made by an application used for creating or editing document data, the print execution means 90 side has an application execution means that operates according to the corresponding application. Create print data that reflects application-specific print settings. Therefore, in addition to the quality guaranteed by the output device, the document data can be printed with the quality guaranteed by the application.

  Further, the common print setting designating unit 71 may detect a print setting in which simultaneous designation is not permitted among the designated print settings. The print request accepting unit 70 may include an image data creating unit that creates image data obtained by converting document data based on a predetermined print setting and a designated print setting.

  Further, the printing system according to the present invention may include a log information storage unit (for example, a multi-vendor log management storage unit 161) that stores log information related to the output document data. Then, after the print output data for the document data is created, the print output data creation means 91 uses the log information as log information to indicate at least the output terminal that printed the document data and the user who issued the print execution instruction. You may memorize | store in a memory | storage part.

  Further, the common print settings may include print settings common to at least each individual output terminal setting among the print settings that can be set for each output terminal.

  The present invention is preferably applied to a printing system that prints document data via a network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Desktop service processing apparatus 11, 34 Application execution part 12 Common driver execution part 20 Spool apparatus 21 Print request information control part 22 Spool data storage part 30 Print execution apparatus 31 Print request information extraction part 32 Print data conversion control part 33 Terminal specific driver Execution unit 35 Print control unit 40 Operation terminal 50 Output terminal 51 Operation unit 52 Print control unit

Claims (16)

A print request receiving means for receiving a print request for document data;
Document data storage means for storing at least the document data requested to be printed;
Print execution means for causing the output terminal to print the document data,
The print request receiving means
A common print setting designating unit that allows the user to designate print settings for document data for which a print request is made from among common print settings that include respective print settings that can be set for each output terminal;
Print setting registration means for storing print settings designated for the document data in the document data storage means together with the document data;
The print execution means includes
One or more print output data creation means for creating print output data corresponding to an output terminal from the document data;
A creation target selection unit that selects one print output data creation unit from the print output data creation unit according to the output terminal when a print execution instruction is performed by designating an output terminal and document data When,
Printing related information extracting means for extracting the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the print setting designated for the document data from the document data storage means,
The print output data creation means selected by the creation target selection means creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings. system. The print setting registration unit stores the identification information of the user who made the print request for the document data in the document data storage unit together with the print setting and the document data,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing related information extracting unit extracts document data and print settings that match the identification information of the user who has issued the printing execution instruction from the document data storage unit. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print output data creating means creates the print output data based on a print setting designated after the print request is made. The print execution means
Including an application execution means that operates in accordance with an application program defined for each type of document data,
The print setting registration unit of the print request reception unit stores the application-specific print setting, which is the print setting specified by the application program, together with the print setting specified from the common print setting in the document data storage unit,
The application execution means converts document data into print data in accordance with the application-specific print settings,
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print output data creation unit converts the print data into print output data corresponding to an output terminal. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the common print setting designating unit detects a print setting in which simultaneous designation is not permitted among the designated print settings. The print request accepting means
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising image data creating means for creating image data obtained by converting document data based on predetermined print settings and designated print settings. . A log information storage unit for storing log information related to the output document data;
After the print output data for the document data is created, the print output data creation means uses at least the output terminal that printed the document data and the information indicating the user who issued the print execution instruction as the log information. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the printing system is stored. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the common print setting includes at least a common print setting among print settings that can be set for each output terminal. One or more print data creation means for creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data;
A creation target selection unit that selects one print output data creation unit from the print output data creation unit according to the output terminal when a print execution instruction is performed by designating an output terminal and document data When,
When a print request for document data is made, the print settings designated for the document data from the common print settings including the print settings that can be set for each output terminal, and the document data A document data storage means for storing the document data specified by the print execution instruction and a print related information extraction means for extracting the print settings specified for the document data,
The print output data creation means selected by the creation target selection means creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings. Execution device. The print execution apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print output data creating unit creates the print output data based on a print setting designated after the print request is made. A print request receiving unit that receives a print request for document data causes a user to specify print settings for document data for which a print request is made from among common print settings including print settings that can be set for each output terminal.
The print request receiving unit stores the print setting designated for the document data in the document data storage unit together with the document data;
One of the print execution means for printing the document data on the output terminal creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data when a print execution instruction is made by designating the output terminal and the document data. From the above print output data creation means, select one print output data creation means according to the output terminal,
The print execution unit extracts the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the print setting designated for the document data from the document data storage unit;
A printing method characterized in that the selected print output data creation means creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings. The print request receiving means stores the identification information of the user who made the print request for the document data in the document data storage means together with the print setting and the document data,
The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the print execution unit extracts document data and print settings that match the identification information of the user who issued the print execution instruction from the document data storage unit. One or more print execution means for printing the document data on the output terminal creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data when a print execution instruction is made by designating the output terminal and the document data. Selecting one print output data creation means from the print output data creation means according to the output terminal,
A print setting designated for the document data from among common print settings including each print setting that can be set for each output terminal when the print execution unit makes a print request for the document data. And the document data specified by the print execution instruction and the print setting specified for the document data are extracted from the document data storage means for storing the document data,
A print execution method, wherein the selected print output data creation means creates print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the extracted print settings. The print execution method according to claim 13, wherein the print output data creation means creates print data based on print settings designated after a print request is made. On the computer,
Print data creation processing for creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the document data,
A creation target selection process that selects one print output data creation process in accordance with the output terminal from the print output data creation process when a print execution instruction is made by designating an output terminal and document data ,and,
When a print request for document data is made, the print settings designated for the document data from the common print settings including the print settings that can be set for each output terminal, and the document data A document-related information extraction process for extracting the document data designated by the print execution instruction and the print setting designated for the document data from the document data storage means for storing
Print execution program for creating print output data corresponding to the output terminal from the extracted document data based on the print setting extracted in the print output data creation process selected in the creation target selection process . On the computer,
The print execution program according to claim 15, wherein the print output data is generated based on a print setting designated after a print request is made in the print output data creation processing.

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