JP2015146153A - Print control system, and control method of print control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a print control server to control a first print device and a second print device by efficient data processing corresponding to: a configuration of the first print device and the print control server communicating with each other via a first network; and a configuration of the first print device and the second print device communicating with each other via a second network.SOLUTION: A control server 10 transmits a print control command to a print device 12 by a first WebSocket connection CT 1 or a second WebSocket connection CT 2. The print device 12 performs print processing on the basis of the print control command received by the first WebSocket connection CT 1, and on the other hand, makes a print apparatus 7 perform print processing by transmitting the print control command received by the second WebSocket connection CT 2 to the print apparatus 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control system including a printing apparatus and a control method of the print control system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a print control system that prints on a print medium by a printing apparatus and issues a receipt under the control of the printing control apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of print control system, there is a type in which a printing apparatus and a print control server as a print control apparatus communicate via a network such as the Internet (hereinafter referred to as “first network”). There is also known a system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses communicate via a network such as a local area network (hereinafter referred to as “second network”).

JP 2011-108097 A

Regarding a system in which a printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “first printing apparatus”) and a print control server communicate via a first network, the first printing apparatus has a second network different from the network. In the case of constructing a system for connecting a printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “second printing apparatus”) via the network, a configuration in which the first printing apparatus and the print control server communicate via the first network, and Corresponding to the configuration in which the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus communicate via the second network, the first printing apparatus and the second printing are performed by the print control server by efficient data processing. There is a need to be able to control the device.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. The first printing apparatus and the print control server communicate with each other via the first network, and the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus are connected. In the system that communicates via the second network, the first printing apparatus and the print control server communicate via the first network, and the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus include the first printing apparatus and the printing control server. It is an object of the present invention to enable a print control server to control a first printing apparatus and a second printing apparatus by efficient data processing in correspondence with a configuration in which communication is performed via two networks.

In order to achieve the above object, a print control system of the present invention includes a print data processing unit that generates a first print control command and a second print control command, and the first data generated by the print data processing unit. A first communication processing unit that transmits a print control command through a first communication path of the first network, and a second print control command generated by the print data processing unit is transmitted to the second network of the first network. A print control server having a second communication processing unit that transmits via the communication path, a print unit that performs printing, and a first print data communication control unit that receives the first print control command via the first communication path A print control unit that controls the printing unit based on the received first print control command, and the second mark received by receiving the second print control command through the second communication path. A first printing apparatus having a second print data communication control unit that transmits a control command over a second network, a printing unit that performs printing, and the second network that receives the second print control command; And a second printing apparatus having a device control unit for controlling the printing unit based on the received second printing control command.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the function of the first communication processing unit of the print control server and the first print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus allows the print control server to be connected via the first communication path. When the first printing control command is transmitted to the first printing apparatus, the first printing apparatus performs printing processing based on the received first printing control command. Also, the functions of the second communication processing unit of the print control server and the second print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus allow the print control server to execute the second print control command on the second communication path. Is transmitted to the first printing apparatus, the first printing apparatus transmits the received second printing control command to the second printing apparatus, and the second printing apparatus transmits the second printing control command to the second printing control command. Based on this, the printing process is performed. Therefore, when the print control server causes either the first printing device or the second printing device to execute the printing process, the print control server prints on the corresponding communication route of the first communication route and the second communication route. The control command may be transmitted to the first printing device, and the print control server processes the print control command so that either the first printing device or the second printing device is designated and the printing process is performed. Data processing is performed, or the first printing apparatus performs data processing for determining which of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus performs the printing process based on the received print control command. In the print control system, the first printing apparatus and the print control server communicate with each other via the first network, and the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus are connected to the second network. In correspondence with the configuration to communicate over the click, the print control server can control the first printer and the second printer by good data processing efficiency.

Further, the first print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus establishes the first communication path when the power is turned on, and the second printing of the first printing apparatus. The data communication control unit establishes the second communication path when the power is turned on.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first communication path and the first communication path between the first printing apparatus and the print control server can be triggered by the power-on of the first printing apparatus without user work. 2 is established, and a state in which the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus can be controlled can be established by the control of the print control server.

The print control server and the first printing apparatus perform asynchronous bidirectional communication.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control server can perform the first print control command and the second print control at an arbitrary timing without synchronizing the communication with the first printing apparatus. The command can be sent to the first printing device.

The print data processing unit of the print control server generates first print control data of a predetermined format corresponding to the first print control command, and the first communication processing unit of the print control server Transmits the first print control data generated by the print data processing unit through the first communication path, and the first print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus receives the first print data communication unit. The first print control data is received through the communication path, and the first print control command is generated based on the received first print control data and transmitted to the print control unit.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control server can control the first printing apparatus by transmitting data in a format suitable for the first network (first print control data), and communication efficiency. Can be improved.

The print data processing unit of the print control server generates second print control data of the predetermined format corresponding to the second print control command, and the second communication process of the print control server. The second print control data generated by the print data processing unit via the second communication path, and the second print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus The second print control data is received through two communication paths, the second print control command is generated based on the received second print control data, and transmitted through the second network.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control server can control the second printing apparatus by transmitting data in a format suitable for the first network (second print control data), and communication efficiency. Can be improved. In addition, it is not necessary for the second printing apparatus to have a function of converting the second print control data into the second control command, and the processing load applied to the second printing apparatus can be reduced. it can.

According to the control method of the print control system of the present invention, the print control server generates the first print control command and the second print control command, and the generated first print control command is transmitted to the first network. The second print control command transmitted by the first communication path and transmitted is transmitted by the second communication path of the first network, and the first printing apparatus transmits the second print control command by the first communication path. 1 print control command and the second print control command are received, print processing is performed based on the received first print control command, and the received second print control command is transmitted to the second network via the second network. 2, the second printing device receives the second print control command from the first printing device, and performs print processing based on the received second print control command. It is characterized in.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control system includes a configuration in which the first printing device and the print control server communicate via the first network, and the first printing device and the second printing device. The print control server can control the first printing device and the second printing device by efficient data processing in correspondence with the configuration for communicating via the second network.

In addition, the first communication path and the second communication path are formed when the power of the first printing apparatus is turned on.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the first communication path and the first communication path between the first printing apparatus and the print control server can be triggered by the power-on of the first printing apparatus without user work. 2 is established, and a state in which the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus can be controlled can be established by the control of the print control server.

According to the control method of the print control system of the present invention, the print control server generates the first print control data and the second print control data, and the generated first print control data is stored in the first network. The second print control data transmitted by the first communication path is transmitted by the second communication path of the first network, and the first printing apparatus transmits the second print control data by the first communication path. 1 print control data and the second print control data are received, a first print control command is generated based on the received first print control data, and printing is performed based on the first print control command. Performing processing, generating a second print control command based on the received second print control data, transmitting the second print control command to a second printing apparatus over a second network, and 2 printing equipment In, it receives the second print control command from the first printing device, and performs a printing process based on the second print control command received.
According to the configuration of the present invention, the print control system includes a configuration in which the first printing device and the print control server communicate via the first network, and the first printing device and the second printing device. The print control server can control the first printing device and the second printing device by efficient data processing in correspondence with the configuration for communicating via the second network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the relationship of each apparatus of a printing control system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each device of the print control system. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a printing apparatus and a control server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a management apparatus, a control server, and a printing apparatus. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a management apparatus, a control server, a printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print control system 1 includes a control server 10 (print control server). The control server 10 is connected to a plurality of store systems 11 via a network GN (first network) such as the Internet. A plurality of management devices 14 are connected to the network GN.
The store system 11 is a system used in stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, restaurants, and the like. The store system 11 has a function of issuing a receipt to a customer who has visited the store.
The store system 11 includes a printing device 12 (first printing device) and a printing device 7 (second printing device). The printing device 12 and the printing device 7 have a printing function for printing on a printing medium and can issue a receipt.
The printing apparatus 12 and the printing device 7 are connected to a local area network LN (second network) built in the store.
Connected to the local area network LN is a network communication control device 13 configured to include communication devices such as a network router and a modem. The printing device 12 has a function of accessing the network GN via the network communication control device 13. The printing device 7 has a function of communicating with the printing apparatus 12 via the local area network LN.
A DHCP server 6 is connected to the local area network LN. The DHCP server 6 allocates information necessary for communication including an IP address to the printing device 7 of the local area network LN to which the DHCP server 6 is connected in accordance with DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol).
In FIG. 1, the store system 11A is a system used for the supermarket SM. The supermarket SM is provided with a plurality of cashier counters RC, and the cashier counter RC is provided with the printing device 12 or the printing device 7. The printing device 12 of the store system 11A is connected to the local area network LN and accesses the network GN via the network communication control device 13.
In the print control system 1 according to the present embodiment, the printing device 12 of the store system 11 establishes a communication path with the control server 10 and communicates with the control server 10. Then, under the control of the control server 10, the printing apparatus 12 executes processing relating to printing, processing for controlling printing of the printing device 7, processing for relaying data to the printing device 7, and the like.
The management device 14 is a device that manages one or a plurality of store systems 11 as described later. For example, the management device 14 is provided at the head office of a company that operates a store, and manages the store system 11 that is provided at a plurality of stores that belong to the group of companies that operate the store. As will be described later, the management device 14 controls the predetermined printing device 12 or the predetermined printing device 7 of the store system 11 to be managed, and controls the predetermined printing device 12 or the predetermined printing device 7. Printing can be executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among the control server 10, the printing device 12, the printing device 7, and the management device 14 in the printing control system 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the print control system 1, a WebSocket connection CT (communication path) for performing communication using WebSocket is established between the control server 10 and the printing device 12 of the store system 11.
WebSocket is one of the communication standards that enables asynchronous two-way communication. In the WebSocket, after the server and the client establish the WebSocket connection CT, data transmission / reception is performed using the protocol using the connection. For this reason, it is not necessary to establish a connection every time data transmission / reception occurs.
The WebSocket connection CT is a logical communication path for transmitting and receiving data according to the WebSocket protocol and procedure between the printing apparatus 12 connected by the connection and the control server 10. Therefore, after a predetermined handshake is performed between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 and the WebSocket connection CT is established, the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 are asynchronously transmitted by the WebSocket connection CT. Can send and receive data. The control server 10 can transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing, and the printing apparatus 12 can transmit data to the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing.
The WebSocket communication is asynchronous two-way communication according to the WebSocket protocol and procedure, which is performed between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT.
By establishing the WebSocket connection CT, the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 can perform two-way communication asynchronously. That is, the control server 10 can push-transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 by WebSocket communication using the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12 as a client. Similarly, the printing apparatus 12 can push-transmit data to the control server 10 through the WebSocket connection CT at an arbitrary timing.
Further, the control server 10 is communicably connected to a plurality of management devices 14. As will be described later, the management device 14 can use the function of the control server 10 to transmit print control data to a predetermined printing device 12 and cause the predetermined printing device 12 to execute printing. Further, the management device 14 can transmit print control data to a predetermined printing device 7 via the printing device 12 using the function of the control server 10 and cause the predetermined printing device 7 to execute printing. .
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of printing devices 7 are communicably connected to the printing apparatus 12 via a local area network LN.

In the present embodiment, the control server 10 is a cloud server of a cloud system that uses the printing apparatus 12 as a client. The control server 10 has an arithmetic processing function, and executes predetermined arithmetic processing triggered by a request from the printing device 12, a request from the management device 14, establishment of a predetermined condition, etc., and data based on the result of the arithmetic processing is obtained. , And transmitted to the printing apparatus 12 by the WebSocket connection CT.
In FIG. 2, the control server 10 is represented by one block, but this does not mean that the control server 10 is configured by a single server device. For example, the control server 10 may be configured to include a plurality of server devices, or may be a server realized by some functions of a predetermined system. That is, the control server 10 can be of any form as long as it can implement processing to be described later.
In the present embodiment, WebSocket communication is performed between the control server 10 and the printing apparatus 12. However, these devices may be configured to perform asynchronous bidirectional communication similar to WebSocket communication instead of WebSocket communication.
Further, although detailed illustration in FIG. 2 is omitted, in the present embodiment, a plurality of WebSocket connections CT between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 according to functional units (described later) provided in the printing apparatus 12. Established.

As described above, the print control system 1 connects a plurality of (for example, 1000) printing apparatuses 12 having a printing function so that they can communicate with the control server 10 using the WebSocket connection CT.
Due to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, the control server 10 can collect, manage, and analyze information based on data received from a plurality of printing apparatuses 12 connected to a plurality of store systems 11. For this reason, the control server 10 can accumulate useful information. The accumulated information can be used as so-called big data.
In addition, the construction of the store system 11 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. That is, in the print control system 1, the printing apparatus 12 is connected to the control server 10 by the WebSocket connection CT. Therefore, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 12 to execute a predetermined process under the control of the control server 10 using the service provided by the control server 10. The predetermined processing includes printing by the printing device 12, printing control of the printing device 7, relaying of data transmitted to the printing device 7, and relaying of data transmitted from the printing device 7. Therefore, the manager who constructs the store system 11 installs the printing device 12 at a desired location, connects the printing device 12 to the network GN, constructs the printing device 12 in the local area network LN, and A simple operation of connecting the printing device 7 may be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the printing apparatus 12 to execute a desired process, for example, a process related to the receipt issuance, using the service provided by the control server 10. Also in the management apparatus 14, the construction can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
In particular, an administrator who constructs the store system 11 does not need to have a function of controlling the printing device 12 in the management device 14 that manages one or a plurality of store systems 11. The management device 14 accesses the control server 10 and uses a service provided by the control server 10 to connect the printing device 12 connected to the control server 10 and the printing device 12 via the local area network LN. The printing device 7 can be controlled. This makes it possible to simplify the construction of the store system 11 and reduce the cost.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 12, the printing device 7, the control server 10, and the management apparatus 14 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 12 (first printing apparatus) includes an apparatus control unit 12S, a first communication unit 16, a second communication unit 20, a third communication unit 24, and a printing unit 18. A printing device storage unit 19.
The functions of the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 20 will be described later.
The apparatus control unit 12S includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other peripheral circuits, and the like, and controls the printing apparatus 12. The apparatus control unit 12S includes, as functional blocks, a first print data communication control unit 21 (first print data communication control unit), a second print data communication control unit 22 (second print data communication control unit), A printing control unit 17. These functional blocks will be described later.
The third communication unit 24 communicates with the printing device 7 connected to the local area network LN according to a predetermined communication standard corresponding to the network under the control of the device control unit 12S.
The printing unit 18 includes a printing mechanism that prints on a printing medium, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the printing medium, a printing mechanism such as a cutting mechanism that cuts the printing medium, and a control board that controls each mechanism.
The printing device storage unit 19 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. Data stored in the printing device storage unit 19 will be described later.
In the following description, when the first print data communication control unit 21 and the second print data communication control unit 22 are expressed without distinction, these functional blocks are collectively expressed as “functional unit”.
The printing apparatus 12 has a function of communicating with the control server 10 via the network GN (first network) and a function of communicating with the printing device 7 via the local area network LN (second network).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the printing device 7 (second printing apparatus) includes a device control unit 7 </ b> S, a printing unit 61, a printing device storage unit 62, and a communication interface 63.
The device control unit 7S includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls the printing device 7.
The printing unit 61 includes a printing mechanism that prints on a printing medium, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the printing medium, a printing mechanism such as a cutting mechanism that cuts the printing medium, and a control board that controls each mechanism.
The printing device storage unit 62 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. Data stored in the printing device storage unit 62 will be described later.
The communication interface 63 communicates with the printing apparatus 12 connected to the local area network LN according to a predetermined communication standard according to the control of the device control unit 7S.
The printing device 7 has a function of communicating with the printing apparatus 12 via the local area network LN (second network), but does not have a function of accessing the network GN.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control server 10 (printing control server) includes a server control unit 10S, a first connection unit 26, a second connection unit 31, a third connection unit 32, and a control server storage unit 28. .
The functions of the first connection unit 26 and the second connection unit 31 and processing based on the functions will be described later.
The server control unit 10S includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls the control server 10. The control server 10 includes a print data processing unit 27, a first communication processing unit 29 (first communication processing unit), and a second communication processing unit 30 (second communication processing unit) as functional blocks. . The functions of these functional blocks will be described later.
The control server storage unit 28 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data. The data stored in the control server storage unit 28 will be described later.
The third connection unit 32 performs HTTP communication with the management device 14. A web browser is installed in the management apparatus 14, and the third connection unit 32 performs HTTP communication with the management apparatus 14 using the control server 10 as a server and the management apparatus 14 as a client.
In the following description, when the print data processing unit 27, the first communication processing unit 29, and the second communication processing unit 30 are expressed without distinction, these functional blocks are collectively expressed as “processing unit”.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the management device 14 includes a management device control unit 40, a communication interface 41, and a display unit 42.
The management device control unit 40 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the management device 14. The management device 14 includes a browser execution unit 40a as a functional block. The browser execution unit 40a is a functional block whose function is realized by a web browser.
The communication interface 41 performs HTTP communication with the control server 10 under the control of the management device control unit 40.
The display unit 42 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, and displays an image on the display panel under the control of the management device control unit 40.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the control server 10 and one printing device 12 connected to the control server 10. When a plurality of printing devices 12 are connected to the control server 10, the control server 10 corresponds to the plurality of printing devices 12, a plurality of first connection units 26 (WebSocket interface), and a second connection unit 31. (WebSocket interface). Then, the control server 10 establishes a WebSocket connection CT with the printing apparatus 12 and performs WebSocket communication with the printing apparatus 12 through the WebSocket connection CT.
Further, FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the control server 10 and one management device 14 connected to the control server 10. When a plurality of management devices 14 are connected to the control server 10, the control server 10 includes a plurality of third connection units 32 corresponding to the plurality of management devices 14, and establishes a connection with the management device 14. Establish and communicate with the management device 14.

Next, operations of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 when the printing apparatus 12 is turned on will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 after the printing apparatus 12 is turned on. (A) shows the operation of the printing apparatus 12, and (B) shows the control server 10. Shows the operation.
The trigger of the process in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is not limited to when the power is turned on. For example, the case where the printing apparatus 12 is connected to the network GN so as to be communicable or the case where an instruction is given from the user may be used.

In the following description, the first print data communication control unit 21, the second print data communication control unit 22, the print control unit 17, and the first communication processing unit 29 included in the control server 10, the second communication included in the printing apparatus 12. The functions of the processing unit 30 and the print data processing unit 27 are realized as follows, for example.
These functional blocks are objects. An object is an instance generated by object-oriented programming, that is, a functional block defined as a collection of data and methods. And the function of these functional blocks is implement | achieved by calling the method mounted in the functional block.
Further, for example, the functions of these functional blocks are realized by an application being read and executed by hardware such as a CPU. A configuration in which the function of one functional block is realized by one application may be employed. Moreover, the structure by which the function of a some functional block is implement | achieved by one application may be sufficient. Moreover, the structure by which the function of one functional block is implement | achieved by several applications may be sufficient.
In other words, the function block represents a function as a block, and does not mean a specific application, hardware, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the printing apparatus 12 is turned on (step SX1), the first print data communication control unit 21 accesses the printing apparatus storage unit 19, and the printing apparatus storage unit 19 The first communication destination information data to be stored is acquired (step SA1).
The first communication destination information data is the address (domain name, IP address, path name, port information, etc.) of the control server 10 to be accessed when establishing the first WebSocket connection CT1 (first communication path) which is the WebSocket connection CT. .). Here, in WebSocket, when the WebSocket connection CT is established, the client (printing apparatus 12 in this example) performs a handshake based on HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) to the server (control server 10 in this example). Do. In the handshake, the client transmits a message such as a message including the server address, and the first communication destination information data is data including the access destination address.
The address of the access destination when establishing the WebSocket connection CT differs depending on the function unit of the printing apparatus 12. In this example, the printing apparatus 12 has two functional units, a first print data communication control unit 21 and a second print data communication control unit 22. The address accessed when the first print data communication control unit 21 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 and the address accessed when the second print data communication control unit 22 establishes the second WebSocket connection CT2 Different. The printing device storage unit 19 stores first communication destination information data and second communication destination information data. As described above, the first communication destination information data includes an address that is accessed when establishing the first WebSocket connection CT1, and the second communication destination information data includes an address that is accessed when establishing the second WebSocket connection CT2. .

Next, the first print data communication control unit 21 accesses the control server 10 based on the address indicated by the first communication destination information data. Then, the first print data communication control unit 21 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 between the first communication processing unit 29 of the control server 10, the first communication unit 16, and the first connection unit 26 (step SA2). Step SB1). The first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT <b> 1 triggered by the power-on of the printing apparatus 12 without receiving a request from the control server 10.
The first communication unit 16 and the first connection unit 26 are WebSocket interfaces that transmit and receive data according to WebSocket standards and procedures. These functional blocks are generated using, for example, a socket library of WebSocket.
The first communication unit 16 has a function of processing the data received from the first print data communication control unit 21 according to the WebSocket standard and transmitting the data through the first WebSocket connection CT1 in the WebSocket procedure. The first communication unit 16 has a function of performing processing according to WebSocket on the data received through the first WebSocket connection CT1 and transmitting the processed data to the first print data communication control unit 21. The same applies to the first connection unit 26, the second communication unit 20, and the second connection unit 31.
With the establishment of the first WebSocket connection CT1, the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 can perform two-way communication asynchronously. The control server 10 can transmit data to the printing apparatus 12 by push transmission through the first WebSocket connection CT1 without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12 as a client. Similarly, the printing apparatus 12 can transmit data to the control server 10 by push transmission using the first WebSocket connection CT1.
In addition, by establishing the first WebSocket connection CT1, between the first function unit based on the first WebSocket connection CT1 between the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 and the first communication processing unit 29 of the control server 10. A communication path KT1 is established. The first inter-function unit communication path KT1 is a logical communication path for transmitting and receiving data communicated between the first print data communication control unit 21 and the first communication processing unit 29. The first print data communication control unit 21 and the first communication processing unit 29 perform asynchronous two-way communication through the first inter-function unit communication path KT1. Asynchronous bidirectional communication performed by the first functional unit communication path KT1 will be described later.

Next, the first print data communication control unit 21 accesses the printing device storage unit 19 and acquires printing device identification information data stored in the printing device storage unit 19 (step SA3). The printing apparatus identification information data is data indicating identification information of the printing apparatus 12 (hereinafter referred to as “printing apparatus identification information”). The printing device identification information is, for example, a serial number assigned to the printing device 12 at the manufacturing stage of the printing device 12.
Next, the first print data communication control unit 21 transmits the printing apparatus identification information data to the first communication unit 16 (step SA4).
The first communication unit 16 transmits the received printing apparatus identification information data to the control server 10 through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SA5).

As shown in FIG. 4B, the first connection unit 26 of the control server 10 receives the printing apparatus identification information data through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SB2). Next, the first connection unit 26 transmits the received printing apparatus identification information data to the first communication processing unit 29 (step SB3).
The first communication processing unit 29 accesses the connection management database stored in the control server storage unit 28 (step SB4). The connection management database includes connection identification information that is identification information of the WebSocket connection CT and printing apparatus identification information of the printing apparatus 12 for the WebSocket connection CT established with the printing apparatus 12 connected to the control server 10. It is a database that is stored in association with each other. Next, the first communication processing unit 29 generates one record in the connection management database. Then, the first communication processing unit 29 includes, in the generated record, the connection identification information of the WebSocket connection CT established in Step SB1 (in this example, the first WebSocket connection CT1) and the printing device indicated by the received printing device identification information data The identification information is stored in association with each other (step SB5). When the WebSocket connection CT is established, the first communication processing unit 29 generates connection identification information having a value different from the connection identification information of the already established WebSocket connection CT. By the processing in step SB5, the correspondence relationship between the WebSocket connection CT and the printing apparatus 12 is managed.
As described above, the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 using the power of the printing apparatus 12 as a trigger without receiving a request from the control server 10. Due to such a configuration, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation to establish the first WebSocket connection CT1. In addition, the user does not need specialized knowledge to establish the first WebSocket connection CT1.

The operation of the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 when the first WebSocket connection CT1 is established has been described above, but the same processing is performed when the second WebSocket connection CT2 (second communication path) is established.
Hereinafter, a process when the second WebSocket connection CT2 is established will be described.
When the power of the printing apparatus 12 is turned on, the second print data communication control unit 22 connects the second WebSocket between the second communication processing unit 30 of the control server 10 and the second communication unit 20 and the second connection unit 31. Connection CT2 is established. In response to the establishment of the connection, the second communication processing unit 30 of the control server 10 stores the connection identification information of the connection and the printing apparatus identification information of the printing apparatus 12 in association with each other in the connection management database. In response to the establishment of the second WebSocket connection CT2, a communication path KT2 between the second functional units based on the connection is established between the second print data communication control unit 22 and the second communication processing unit 30. Data transmission / reception via the second functional unit communication path KT2 will be described later.
In this way, a WebSocket connection CT is established for each functional unit included in the printing apparatus 12 between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10. For this reason, one function unit transmits and receives data to and from the corresponding processing unit of the control server 10 without being affected by the communication of the other processing unit independently of the other function unit. Also, it can be executed without any influence.

Next, operations of the management device 14, the control server 10, and the printing device 12 when the control server 10 controls printing of the printing device 12 according to an instruction from the management device 14 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device when the management device 14 controls printing of the printing device 12, (A) shows the operation of the management device 14, (B) shows the operation of the control server 10, (C) shows the operation of the printing apparatus 12.
In addition, using the flowchart of FIG. 5, the first functional unit communication path KT <b> 1 that is performed between the first communication processing unit 29 of the control server 10 and the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 is asynchronous. Will be described.
In the following description, the function of the browser execution unit 40a of the management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 is executed by, for example, a function of an application that runs on the browser or a script that a drawing file (described later) has.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when printing by the printing apparatus 12, the user starts up the browser of the management apparatus 14 and gives an instruction to access a predetermined URL (step SY1). The URL is a URL that is accessed when a user interface for inputting print information (hereinafter referred to as “print UI”), which will be described later, is displayed on the browser window. The predetermined URL is notified to the user in advance. The URL may be a URL managed by the control server 10 or a URL managed by another server.
In response to the instruction in step SY1, the browser execution unit 40a of the management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 accesses the designated URL and requests a drawing file related to the display of the print UI (step SC1). The drawing file is a file described in a markup language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and is a file for displaying a web page in the browser window of the management apparatus 14.

Next, the browser execution unit 40a displays a print UI based on the drawing file acquired in response to the request in step SC1 (step SC2).
The print UI is a user interface through which a user inputs print information to be printed by the printing apparatus 12. The print information is a file name in which image data is stored, information on the position of the image on the print medium, and the like. In the print UI, the print data processing unit 27 of the control server 10 can input information used to generate a print control command.
The print UI is a user interface through which the user inputs printing device identification information of the printing device 12 to be printed.
The printing UI is provided with a column for inputting printing information and printing device identification information, and the user inputs the printing information and the printing device identification information in the column.

When the user inputs print information and printing apparatus identification information to the print UI and confirms the input (step SY2), the browser execution unit 40a executes the following processing.
The browser execution unit 40a generates print instruction data (step SC3). The print instruction data is data in a predetermined format including print information based on information input to the print UI and printing apparatus identification information.
Next, the browser execution unit 40a controls the communication interface 41 and transmits print instruction data to the control server 10 (step SC4). In step SC4, the browser execution unit 40a establishes a connection with, for example, HTTP by handshaking with the control server 10, and transmits print instruction data through the connection.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the print data processing unit 27 of the control server 10 controls the third connection unit 32 to receive print instruction data (step SD1).
Next, the print data processing unit 27 generates a print control command (first print control command) based on the received print instruction data (step SD2). The print control command is a control command of a command system corresponding to the printing unit 18 included in the printing apparatus 12 and the printing unit 61 included in the printing device 7. The print control unit 17 has a function of interpreting a print control command, and can control the print unit 18 to execute a printing process based on the print control command. Similarly, the device control unit 7S has a function of interpreting the print control command, and can control the print unit 61 to execute print processing based on the print control command.
Next, the print data processing unit 27 transmits the generated print control command to the first communication processing unit 29 (step SD3).

The process of step SD3 will be described in detail.
The print data processing unit 27 is instructed to execute printing by the printing device 12 when the received printing instruction data includes printing information and printing device identification information and does not include printing device identification information (described later). The data is transmitted to the first communication processing unit 29. The first communication processing unit 29 has a function of transmitting data through the first WebSocket connection CT1. On the other hand, the print data processing unit 27 is instructed to execute printing by the printing device 7 when the received print instruction data includes printing information, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information. And the data is transmitted to the second communication processing unit 30. The second communication processing unit 30 has a function of transmitting data through the second WebSocket connection CT2.
As described above, when a plurality of printing devices 12 are connected to the control server 10, the control server 10 includes a first communication processing unit 29 and a second communication processing unit 30 according to the printing device 12. The print data processing unit 27 manages the first communication processing unit 29 and the second communication processing unit 30 in association with the printing apparatus identification information. In step SD3, the print data processing unit 27 transmits a print control command to the first communication processing unit 29 corresponding to the printing apparatus identification information included in the received print instruction data based on the management.
The first communication processing unit 29 transmits the received print control command to the first connection unit 26 (step SD4).
The first connection unit 26 transmits the received print control command to the printing apparatus 12 through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SD5).

As shown in FIG. 5C, the first communication unit 16 of the printing apparatus 12 receives the print control command through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (step SE1). Next, the first communication unit 16 transmits the received print control command to the first print data communication control unit 21 (step SE2).
The first print data communication control unit 21 transmits the received print control command to the print control unit 17 (step SE3).
The print control unit 17 controls the printing unit 18 based on the received print control command, and executes a printing process (step SE4).

As described above, when an event that causes the printing apparatus 12 to execute printing occurs, the control server 10 transmits a print control command to the printing apparatus 12 without receiving a request from the printing apparatus 12, and the printing apparatus 12. Can be printed. For example, when an event that causes the printing apparatus 12 to execute printing occurs, for example, when there is a request from an external device that is communicably connected as in the above example, or when there is an instruction from the user, For example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
For this reason, when a request is intermittently sent from the printing apparatus 12 to the control server 10 and printing is desired to be performed by the printing apparatus 12, the print control data is transmitted in response to the request. The printing can be started more quickly after the occurrence of the event for executing the printing.
Further, as described above, the first communication processing unit 29 of the control server 10 and the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 are connected via the first inter-function unit communication path KT1 based on the first WebSocket connection CT1. Perform asynchronous two-way communication.

Note that after printing by the printing unit 18, the printing device 12, the control server 10, and the management device 14 execute the following processing.
That is, the print control unit 17 generates first print result data based on the result of printing by the printing unit 18. The first print result data is data including information indicating whether the printing by the printing unit 18 is successful or unsuccessful, and information indicating the cause when the printing is unsuccessful. The print control unit 17 transmits the first print result data to the first print data communication control unit 21.
The first print data communication control unit 21 transmits the first print result data to the first communication processing unit 29 through the first inter-function unit communication path KT1 based on the WebSocket connection CT. The first communication processing unit 29 transmits the received first print result data to the management apparatus 14 that has transmitted the print instruction data. For example, the first communication processing unit 29 manages the connection used for receiving the print instruction data, and transmits the first print result data to the management device 14 using the connection. The browser execution unit 40a of the management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 executes a corresponding process based on the received first print result data. For example, the management device control unit 40 displays information indicating the print result on the display unit 42 and performs processing for notifying the user of the print result.

Next, each device when the control server 10 controls the printing device 7 via the printing device 12 in accordance with an instruction from the management device 14 and causes the printing device 7 to execute predetermined printing device identification information to execute printing. Will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of each device. (A) shows the operation of the management device 14, (B) shows the operation of the control server 10, (C) shows the operation of the printing device 12, and (D). Indicates the operation of the printing device 7.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when printing with the printing device 7, the user starts up the browser of the management apparatus 14 and instructs access to a predetermined URL (step SZ1). The URL is a URL that is accessed when a later-described printing device user interface (hereinafter referred to as “printing device UI”) is displayed in a browser window. The predetermined URL is notified to the user in advance. The URL may be a URL managed by the control server 10 or a URL managed by another server.
In response to the instruction in step SZ1, the browser execution unit 40a of the management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 accesses the designated URL and requests a drawing file related to the display of the printing device UI (step SF1).

Next, the browser execution unit 40a displays the printing device UI based on the drawing file acquired in response to the request in step SF1 (step SF2).
The printing device UI is a user interface through which a user inputs print information to be printed by the printing device 7. The print information is a file name in which image data is stored, information on the position of the image on the print medium, and the like.
The printing device UI also includes printing device identification information of the printing device 12 connected to the printing device 7 to be printed via the local area network LN, and the printing device 7 of the printing device 7 that executes printing on the local area network LN. It is a user interface for inputting identification information. The printing device identification information is identification information of the printing device 7. The printing device identification information is, for example, a serial number assigned to the printing device 7 at the manufacturing stage of the printing device 7.
The printing device UI is provided with columns for inputting printing information, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information, and the user inputs printing information, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information in the corresponding columns. To do.

When the user inputs printing information, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information to the printing device UI and confirms the input (step SZ2), the browser execution unit 40a executes the following processing.
The browser execution unit 40a generates print instruction data (step SF3).
The print instruction data generated by the browser execution unit 40a in step SF3 includes printing information based on information input to the printing device UI, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information.
Next, the browser execution unit 40a controls the communication interface 41 and transmits print instruction data to the control server 10 (step SF4).

As shown in FIG. 6B, the print data processing unit 27 of the control server 10 controls the third connection unit 32 to receive the print instruction data (step SG1).
Next, the print data processing unit 27 generates a print control command (second print control command) based on the received print instruction data (step SG2). Next, the print data processing unit 27 transmits the generated print control command to the second communication processing unit 30 (step SG3). As described above, the print data processing unit 27 instructs the printing device 7 to perform printing when the received printing instruction data includes printing information, printing device identification information, and printing device identification information. The data is transmitted to the second communication processing unit 30.
The second communication processing unit 30 transmits the received print control command to the second connection unit 31 (step SG4).
The second connection unit 31 transmits the received print control command to the printing apparatus 12 through the second WebSocket connection CT2 (step SG5).

As shown in FIG. 6C, the second communication unit 20 of the printing apparatus 12 receives the print control command through the second WebSocket connection CT2 (step SH1). Next, the second communication unit 20 transmits the received print control command to the second print data communication control unit 22 (step SH2).
The second print data communication control unit 22 acquires the printing device identification information included in the print control command (step SH3). The printing device identification information acquired by the second print data communication control unit 22 in step SH3 is identification information of the printing device 7 that performs printing.
Next, the second print data communication control unit 22 refers to the printing device management database stored in the printing device storage unit 19 (step SH4). The printing device management database is a database that stores the MAC address and the printing device identification information in association with each other for the printing device 7 that is connected to the local area network LN and assigned the IP address by the DHCP server 6. The second print data communication control unit 22 inquires the printing device 7 about the printing device identification information at a predetermined timing, and updates the contents of the printing device management database according to the response to the inquiry.

Next, the second print data communication control unit 22 acquires the MAC address associated with the identification information in the printing device management database using the printing device identification information acquired in step SH3 as a key (step SH5).
Next, the second print data communication control unit 22 transmits, to the local area network LN, data inquiring about the IP address set in the printing device 7 having the MAC address acquired in step SH5. Then, based on the response to the inquiry, the second print data communication control unit 22 acquires the IP address set in the printing device 7 having the MAC address acquired in step SH5 (step SH6).
Next, the second print data communication control unit 22 controls the third communication unit 24 to transmit a print control command to the printing device 7 with the IP address acquired in step SH6 (step SH7).
As described above, in the present embodiment, when transmitting the print control command, the second print data communication control unit 22 acquires the MAC address associated with the printing device identification information, and uses the MAC address to print the printing device. 7 IP address is acquired. Then, the second print data communication control unit 22 transmits a print control command to the printing device 7 based on the acquired IP address. This is due to the following reason. In other words, the IP address assigned to the printing device 7 by the DHCP server 6 is not changed at all after the assignment, and may be changed, for example, at the timing when the lending period of the IP address expires. According to this embodiment, the printing apparatus 12 prints the print control command based on the address given to the printing device 7 when transmitting the print control command without being affected by the change in address. It can be transmitted to the device 7.

As shown in FIG. 6D, the device control unit 7S of the printing device 7 controls the communication interface 63 to receive a print control command (step SI1).
Next, the device control unit 7S controls the printing unit 61 based on the printing control command and executes printing processing (step SI2).
Thus, in the present embodiment, the control server 10 can cause a predetermined printing device 7 to execute printing via the printing device 12 in accordance with an instruction from the management device 14.

Note that after the printing by the printing unit 61 of the printing device 7 is performed, the printing device 7, the printing device 12, the control server 10, and the management device 14 execute the following processing.
That is, the device control unit 7S of the printing device 7 generates the second print result data based on the result of printing by the printing unit 61. The second print result data is data including information indicating whether the printing by the printing unit 61 is successful or unsuccessful, and information indicating the cause when the printing is unsuccessful.
Next, the device control unit 7S transmits the second print result data to the second print data communication control unit 22 of the printing apparatus 12. The second print data communication control unit 22 transmits the second print result data to the second communication processing unit 30 of the control server 10 through the second inter-function unit communication path KT2 based on the second WebSocket connection CT2.
The second communication processing unit 30 transmits the received second print result data to the management apparatus 14 that has transmitted the print instruction data. For example, the second communication processing unit 30 manages the connection used for receiving the print instruction data, and transmits the second print result data to the management device 14 using the connection. The browser execution unit 40a of the management device control unit 40 of the management device 14 executes a corresponding process based on the received second print result data. For example, the management device control unit 40 displays information indicating the print result on the display unit 42 and performs processing for notifying the user of the print result.

As described above, the print control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the control server 10 (print control server), the printing device 12 (first printing device), the printing device (second printing device), Is provided.
The control server 10 generates a print control command (second print control command) for controlling the printing apparatus 12 and a print control command (second print control command) for controlling the printing device 7. The first communication processing unit 29 (first communication processing unit) that transmits the print control command generated by the print data processing unit 27 through the first WebSocket connection CT1 (first communication path) of the network GN (first network). ), And a second communication processing unit 30 (second communication processing unit) that transmits the print control command generated by the print data processing unit 27 through the second WebSocket connection CT2 (second communication path) of the network GN.
The printing apparatus 12 includes a printing unit 18 that performs printing, a first print data communication control unit 21 (first print data communication control unit) that receives a print control command through the first WebSocket connection CT1, and based on the received print control command. A print control unit 17 that controls the print unit 18 and a second print data communication control unit that receives the print control command via the second WebSocket connection CT2 and transmits the received print control command via the local area network LN (second network). 22 (second print data communication control unit).
The printing device 7 includes a printing unit 61 that performs printing, and a device control unit 7S that controls the printing unit 61 based on the printing control command received and received by the local area network LN.
According to this configuration, the control server 10 prints a print control command through the first WebSocket connection CT1 by the functions of the first communication processing unit 29 of the control server 10 and the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12. When transmitted to the apparatus 12, the printing apparatus 12 performs a printing process based on the received print control command. Further, the control server 10 transmits a print control command to the printing device 12 through the second WebSocket connection CT2 by the functions of the second communication processing unit 30 of the control server 10 and the second print data communication control unit of the printing device 12. In this case, the printing apparatus 12 transmits the received print control command to the printing device 7, and the printing device 7 performs a printing process based on the print control command. For this reason, when the control server 10 causes either the printing device 12 or the printing device 7 to execute the printing process, the control server 10 sends a printing control command to the printing device 12 through the corresponding communication path of the first WebSocket connection CT1 and the second WebSocket connection CT2. In the control server 10, data processing for processing a print control command to perform printing processing by designating either the printing device 12 or the printing device 7 is performed or received by the printing device 12. It is not necessary to perform data processing for determining which of the printing apparatus 12 and the printing device 7 performs the printing process based on the printed control command, and the printing apparatus 12, the control server 10, Configured to communicate via the network GN, and the printing apparatus 12 and the printing press 7 and is in correspondence with the configuration of communicating via a local area network LN, the control server 10, can be controlled better data processing by the printing apparatus 12 and the printing device 7 efficient.

In the present embodiment, the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 establishes the first WebSocket connection CT1 when the power is turned on, and the second print data communication control unit 22 is turned on. The second WebSocket connection CT2 is established.
According to this configuration, the first WebSocket connection CT1 and the second WebSocket connection CT2 are established between the printing apparatus 12 and the control server 10 using the power-on of the printing apparatus 12 as a trigger without any work by the user. Under the control of the control server 10, it is possible to establish a state in which the printing device 12 and the printing device 7 can be controlled.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the print data processing unit 27 generates a print control command based on the print instruction data.
On the other hand, when the print data processing unit 27 according to the second embodiment receives print instruction data from the management device 14, the print data processing unit 27 generates print control data based on the print instruction data. The print control data is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file that includes information to be printed by the printing device 12 or the printing device 7. The print control data includes information to be printed by the printing apparatus 12 or the printing device 7 according to the XML format, for example, image data, information indicating the position of the image, and the like. Data according to the XML format is suitable as data to be transmitted / received in the network GN including the Internet.
When the printing apparatus 12 prints after the print control data is generated by the print data processing unit 27, the print data processing unit 27 sends the print control data (first print control data in a predetermined format) to the first communication processing unit. 29. The first communication processing unit 29 transmits the print control data to the first print data communication control unit 21 of the printing apparatus 12 through the first inter-function unit communication path KT1 based on the first WebSocket connection CT1. The first print data communication control unit 21 generates a print control command based on the received print control data and transmits it to the print control unit 17. That is, the first print data communication control unit 21 according to the present embodiment has a function of generating a print control command based on the received print control data. The print control unit 17 controls the printing unit 18 based on the received print control command to execute print processing.
On the other hand, after the print data processing unit 27 generates the print control data, the print data processing unit 27 sends the print control data (second print control data in a predetermined format) to the second communication when printing is performed on the printing device 7. The data is transmitted to the processing unit 30. The second communication processing unit 30 transmits the print control data to the second print data communication control unit 22 of the printing apparatus 12 through the second inter-function unit communication path KT2 based on the second WebSocket connection CT2. The second print data communication control unit 22 generates a print control command based on the received print control data. That is, the second print data communication control unit 22 according to the present embodiment has a function of generating a print control command based on the received print control data. The second print data communication control unit 22 controls the third communication unit 24 to transmit a print control command to the printing device 7. The device control unit 7S of the printing device 7 controls the printing unit 61 based on the received print control command, and executes the printing process.
As described above, the control server 10 transmits print control data to the printing apparatus 12. The printing apparatus 12 has a function of generating a print control command based on the print control data. When the printing apparatus 12 executes the printing process, the printing apparatus 12 generates a printing control command based on the printing control data, and executes the printing process based on the command. On the other hand, when the printing device 12 executes the printing process by the printing device 7, the printing device 12 generates a printing control command based on the printing control data, transmits the command to the printing device 7, and executes the printing process on the printing device 7. Let Such a configuration may be used.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 12 is provided in the store system 11 used for the store. However, the printing apparatus 12 is not necessarily provided in the store system 11. For example, it may be provided in another system.
Each functional block shown in FIG. 3 can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration. Further, the function of the printing apparatus 12 may be provided to another apparatus externally connected to the apparatus. Further, the printing apparatus 12 may execute various processes by executing a program stored in an externally connected storage medium.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control system (printing control system), 7 ... Printing apparatus (2nd printing apparatus), 7S ... Equipment control part, 10 ... Control server (printing control server), 12 ... Printing apparatus (1st printing apparatus), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Print control part, 18 ... Print part, 21 ... 1st print data communication control part (1st print data communication control part), 22 ... 2nd print data communication control part (2nd print data communication control part) , 27 ... print data processing unit, 29 ... first communication processing unit (first communication processing unit), 30 ... second communication processing unit (second communication processing unit), 61 ... printing unit, GN ... network (first) 1 network), LN ... local area network (second network), CT1 ... first WebSocket connection (first communication path), CT2 ... second WebSocket connection (second communication path)

Claims (8)

A print data processing unit that generates a first print control command and a second print control command, and the first print control command generated by the print data processing unit is transmitted through a first communication path of a first network. And a second communication processing unit that transmits the second print control command generated by the print data processing unit through the second communication path of the first network. Server,
A printing unit that performs printing, a first print data communication control unit that receives the first print control command through the first communication path, and controls the printing unit based on the received first print control command A print control unit; and a second print data communication control unit configured to receive the second print control command through the second communication path and transmit the received second print control command through a second network. A first printing device;
A printing unit that performs printing; and a second control unit that controls the printing unit based on the second printing control command received by receiving the second printing control command on the second network. A printing device;
A printing control system comprising: The first print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus establishes the first communication path when power is turned on,
The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the second print data communication control unit of the first printing device establishes the second communication path when power is turned on.   The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the print control server and the first printing apparatus perform asynchronous bidirectional communication. The print data processing unit of the print control server generates first print control data in a predetermined format corresponding to the first print control command, and the first communication processing unit of the print control server includes: Transmitting the first print control data generated by the print data processing unit through the first communication path;
The first print data communication control unit of the first printing apparatus receives the first print control data through the first communication path, and the first print data communication control unit receives the first print control data based on the received first print control data. The print control system according to claim 1, wherein one print control command is generated and transmitted to the print control unit. The print data processing unit of the print control server generates second print control data of the predetermined format corresponding to the second print control command, and the second communication processing unit of the print control server , Transmitting the second print control data generated by the print data processing unit through the second communication path,
The second print data communication control unit of the first printing device receives the second print control data through the second communication path, and the second print data communication control unit receives the second print control data based on the received second print control data. The print control system according to claim 4, wherein two print control commands are generated and transmitted through the second network. The print control server generates a first print control command and a second print control command,
Transmitting the generated first print control command via the first communication path of the first network;
Transmitting the generated second print control command through the second communication path of the first network;
The first printing apparatus receives the first print control command and the second print control command through the first communication path;
Print processing is performed based on the received first print control command,
The received second print control command is transmitted to the second printing apparatus via the second network,
A printing control system, wherein the second printing apparatus receives the second printing control command from the first printing apparatus and performs a printing process based on the received second printing control command. Control method.   The method according to claim 6, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are formed when the power of the first printing apparatus is turned on. The print control server generates first print control data and second print control data,
Transmitting the generated first print control data through a first communication path of a first network;
Transmitting the generated second print control data through the second communication path of the first network;
The first printing apparatus receives the first print control data and the second print control data through the first communication path,
Generating a first print control command based on the received first print control data, performing a printing process based on the first print control command,
Generating a second print control command based on the received second print control data, and transmitting the second print control command to the second printing apparatus via the second network;
A printing control system, wherein the second printing apparatus receives the second printing control command from the first printing apparatus and performs a printing process based on the received second printing control command. Control method.

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