JP2015191587A - Printing system, host device, printer, service station, and control method of host device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system in which when an error attributing to certain conversion processing is detected, and there is another available conversion means, switching to the different conversion means is possible to continue print processing.SOLUTION: A host device operates as follows, which connects a printer that performs printing based on a received print job via a network with a service station that provides various services via the network. The host device monitors conversion processing when document data generated by a user is converted to print data according to a first method. Here, when detecting an error generated in the conversion processing, the host device inquires of the printer and the service station via the network about whether or not alternative conversion processing for the document data is available. Then, in response to the reply to the inquiry, the host device requests the alternative conversion processing from a device which enables the alternative conversion processing, and instructs the printer to perform printing based on the print data acquired by the requested alternative conversion processing.

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to a printing system, a host apparatus, a printing apparatus, a service station, and a host apparatus control method for transmitting and receiving information via a network.

  In recent years, PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) is received from a host computer via a network, the PDL data is converted into print data in an image processing apparatus or a printing apparatus incorporating the apparatus, and printing is performed. A system has been proposed. There are many types of image development units such as an interpreter that interprets PDL and generates raster image data, even image development units that handle the same PDL.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an image processing apparatus including an image development unit that can interpret two different PDLs. In the image processing apparatus, when an error depending on the image development process based on the data described by the first PDL occurs, the error is converted into the data described by the second PDL, and the other image development unit 2 PDL can be interpreted and image development processing can be performed.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus proposed in Patent Document 2, when PDL data is converted by a plurality of predetermined different conversion processing systems, if there is a difference between raster image data as conversion results, the difference is found. Information can be output.

Japanese Patent No. 4054604 JP 2010-034683 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when an error occurs in one of the two image development units, the data is converted so that the other can be processed. In addition, since PDL data is converted, an unintended output result may occur.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when PDL data conversion processing is performed in a plurality of predetermined conversion processing systems and there is a difference in the conversion result, the difference information is output, so that the processing result other than the determined conversion processing system And there is no alternative method when the conversion process fails.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example. A printing system, a host device, a printing device, a service station, and control of the host device capable of continuing printing by alternative processing even if an error occurs during printing processing. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing system of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, a host device that transmits a print job from a user, a printing device that is connected to the host device via a network, receives the print job, and performs printing, and is connected to the host device via the network. A print station having a service station for providing the service, wherein the host device converts a document data generated by a user into print data according to a first method, and the first conversion. A first monitoring unit that monitors the conversion process by the unit; and when the monitoring unit detects that an error has occurred in the conversion process by the first conversion unit, the printing apparatus via the network Inquiry about whether or not the document data conversion process can be substituted. Requesting means for requesting the alternative conversion processing to the apparatus capable of the alternative conversion processing in response to a response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, and the alternative conversion processing requested by the requesting means. Instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the print data obtained by the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus receiving document data or print data transmitted from the host apparatus, and the host apparatus First response means for responding whether or not the alternative conversion process is possible in response to an inquiry from the printer, and the document data requested by the host device and received by the reception means according to the second method. The second conversion means for converting the print data to the print data received by the reception means in response to an instruction from the host device or the second change means. Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data converted by the means, and the service station responds whether the alternative conversion processing is possible in response to an inquiry from the host device. Second response means, third conversion means for converting document data requested from the host device into print data according to a third method, and print data obtained by the conversion by the third conversion means And a reply means for replying to the host device.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even if an error depending on the conversion process of the document data into the print data occurs, the print data can be generated by the replaceable conversion process and printing can be continued.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system that is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a relationship between an internal structure of a personal computer (PC) included in the print system shown in FIG. 1 and external connections. It is the figure which showed the environment using a network service station. It is a flowchart which shows the process of an image expansion process control part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a rendering engine selection process according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows a rendering engine characteristic. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a rendering engine selection process according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows UI screen which displays the preview image for rendering engine selection.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to already demonstrated part and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this specification, “recording (printing)” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case where significant information such as characters and graphics is formed, and is not significant. It also represents the case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, etc. are widely formed on a recording medium, or the medium is processed, regardless of whether it is manifested so that humans can perceive it visually. .

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. The print system is configured by connecting a host device 101 such as a personal computer (PC), a printer device (printing device) 102, and a network service station 103 that provides various printing services to each other via a network 114.

  The printer device 102 is a large format printer that records on a recording medium such as A0 or B0 large size cut paper or roll paper. Here, the printer apparatus 102 is configured to perform printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium by an ink jet recording head, but may be an electrophotographic printer.

  The host apparatus 101 has an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) installed with an application 104 that generates document data and a printer driver 105 that converts the generated document data into print data and transmits the print data to the printer apparatus 102. Here, the application 104 generates PDL data (for example, PDF or Postscript (registered trademark)) as document data. On the other hand, the printer driver 105 includes an image development processing control unit 106, an interpreter A 107 that interprets PDL data and generates raster data, and rendering engine characteristic data 108. The rendering engine characteristic data 108 is data in which the cause of an error is recorded when an error occurs in the rendering engine to which the image development processing control unit 106 has instructed the image development processing.

  In particular, the printer driver 105 performs conversion processing for converting PDL data received from the application 104 via the OS into print data that can be interpreted by the printer device 102 while the image development processing control unit 106 controls the interpreter A 107.

  The printer apparatus 102 and the printer driver 105 perform transmission / reception of a print job, transmission / reception of a device state, print instruction, and the like via a network 114 using commands understandable by both.

  In the printer apparatus 102, the print control unit 109 receives print data via the network 114, and controls the printer engine 111 based on this print data to print on a recording medium. The print control unit 109 controls the interpreter B110 to generate raster data when image development processing is necessary for the received print data.

  The network service station 103 provides the data transmission source with various services that can be provided by the control of the service request control unit 112 for the data received via the network 114. In this embodiment, the interpreter C113 is used to interpret the received PDL data, develop the image, generate raster data, and provide a service for transmitting the data to the data transmission source.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the internal structure of the host device (hereinafter referred to as host PC) 101 and external connections.

  The host PC 101 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202 including a RAM and a ROM, an input unit 203 such as a pointing device or a keyboard, a display unit 204 such as a CRT or LCD, and an auxiliary storage unit 205 such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk. These components are connected to each other via an internal bus line IB.

  Using the input unit 203, the user gives various input instructions to icons, menus, and other objects displayed on the display unit 204 by the application 104 or the like. The auxiliary storage unit 205 stores the OS, the printer driver 105, and other programs, and is appropriately called from the CPU 201 and expanded in the memory 202.

  The internal bus line IB is connected to the printer apparatus 102 by the external bus line BL, and the host PC 101 performs job registration with the printer apparatus 102. Further, the internal bus line IB is connected to the network service station 103 by the external bus line BL, and the host PC 101 requests the network service station 103 for network service.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of how the printer driver 105 uses the network service station 103. Here, a case where OAuth widely used as a network service authentication method is used will be described as an example.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram conceptually showing a network usage environment. As shown in FIG. 3A, the printer driver 105 is a consumer and the network service station 103 is a service provider. The printer driver 105 has previously issued a consumer key and a consumer secret from the network service station 103.

  Under such a premise, first, the user 301 accesses the printer driver 105. In response to this, the printer driver 105 confirms that the user 301 intends to use the network service station 103. Then, the network service station 103 is requested to issue a request token.

  Next, the network service station 103 issues an unapproved request token to the printer driver 105. On the other hand, the printer driver 105 that has received the unapproved request token redirects the user 301 to the network service station 103 together with the unrequested token in order to obtain the approval of the user 301 for the request token.

  FIG. 3B shows a user authentication dialog displayed on the display unit of the host PC 101.

  When the user authentication dialog 302 is displayed on the display unit 204, the user 301 inputs a user ID and password issued in advance from the network service station 103 in the user field 303 and the password field 304. The user 301 presses a cancel button 306 when he / she does not want to perform authentication, and presses an authentication button 305 when he / she performs authentication.

  FIG. 3C shows a service permission confirmation dialog displayed on the display unit of the host PC 101.

  If the authentication information input by the user 301 is correct, a service permission confirmation dialog 307 is displayed according to an instruction from the network service station 103 as shown in FIG.

  At this timing, when the user 301 agrees to use the service provided by the network service station 103 by the printer driver 105, the user 301 presses the agree button 308. Otherwise, the user 301 presses the disagree button 309. . When the consent button 308 is pressed, the network service station 103 issues an approved request token to the printer driver 105.

  In response, the printer driver 105 transmits an access token issuance request to the network service station 103 using the approved request token, the consumer key, the signature value generated by the consumer secret, and the like as parameters. The network service station 103 confirms the parameter value transmitted from the printer driver 105. If there is no problem, an access token necessary for connection to the application programming interface (API) and a token secret used for signing it are issued to the printer driver 105.

  The printer driver 105 transmits an API connection request to the network service station 103 using an access token, a consumer key, a sign value generated by a token secret, and the like as parameters. The network service station 103 confirms the value of each received parameter. If there is no problem, API response data is returned to the printer driver 105.

  The printer driver 105 repeats the connection request to the API according to the conditions (resource type, period, etc.) given to the access token by the network service station 103. In this way, the resource of the user 301 (print service provided by the network service station 103) is accessed via the API.

  Hereinafter, it is assumed that the printer driver 105 instructs the network service station 103 via the API.

  Next, a printing process in which the application 104 performs printing from the printer apparatus 102 via the printer driver 105 in the printer system having the above configuration will be described.

  First, the user creates document data using the application 104, issues a print instruction from a menu screen provided in the application 104, and activates a print dialog. Normally, a property button or the like is pressed from the print dialog of the application 104 to open the UI screen of the selected printer driver 105 and confirm or change the print settings. After the setting of the printer driver 105 is completed, by pressing a print start button or the like from the print dialog of the application 104, PDL data is passed from the application 104 to the printer driver 105 via the OS. Here, it is assumed that PDF is passed as PDL data.

  When the PDL data is transferred to the printer driver 105, the image development processing control unit 106 activates the interpreter A 107 and performs image development processing.

  The operation of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

  FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the operation of the image development processing control unit 106.

  First, in step S101, image development of PDL data is executed. Next, in step S102, occurrence of an error during image development processing by the interpreter A 107 is monitored. If the occurrence of an error is detected, the process proceeds to step S103. If the occurrence of an error is not detected, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S103, a rendering engine enumeration process is executed. Details of this processing will be described later. Thereafter, in step S104, a rendering engine is selected. Details of this processing will be described later.

  In step S105, the data after the image development processing is transmitted as print data to the printer apparatus 102, and a print instruction is issued.

  FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing details of the enumeration process of the rendering engine.

  First, in step S201, the printer driver 105 is searched for other available rendering engines. In the example shown in FIG. 1, since there is no other rendering engine that can be used other than the interpreter A 107 in the printer driver 105, in step S201, a search result that there is no other usable rendering engine is output. Note that if there are other rendering engines available in the printer driver 105, the search result is output.

  In step S202, PDL data supported by the currently connected available printer is searched. In this case, the available PDL data is inquired to the currently connected available printer device 102 using a command that can be mutually interpreted by the printer device 102 and the printer driver 105. Here, information that the PDF can be used by the interpreter B110 provided in the printer apparatus 102 is set as a search result.

  Further, in step S203, a rendering engine that can be used by the network service station 103 is searched. In this case, the network service station 103 is inquired about available rendering engines using the API. Here, information that the PDF can be used by the interpreter C113 is used as a search result.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the rendering engine selection process.

  First, in step S301, the cause of the error that occurred during the image development process is acquired. Here, it is assumed that a font expansion processing error has occurred. In step S302, an available rendering engine is acquired. Here, it is assumed that interpreter B110 and interpreter C113 are obtained.

  In step S303, the rendering engine to be specified is selected with reference to the rendering engine characteristic data 108.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of details of rendering engine characteristic data. In this example, the number of font expansion processing errors, object processing errors, and memory errors of each interpreter is recorded as rendering engine characteristic data.

  Referring to the table shown in FIG. 6, the interpreter B110 with the lowest occurrence of font expansion processing errors is selected.

  In step S304, the selected rendering engine is requested to perform image expansion processing. In this case, the printer driver 105 transmits the PDL data to the printer apparatus 102 and instructs the image development process in the interpreter B110.

  In step S305, the occurrence of an error during image development processing is monitored. If the occurrence of an error is detected, the process advances to step S306 to update the rendering engine characteristic data 108. On the other hand, if no error is detected, the process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 4A, the description is continued. In step S105, the printer apparatus 102 is instructed to print the data after the image expansion processing as print data.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, even if an error occurs in the image development process using the interpreter A 107 included in the printer driver 105, the image development process control unit 106 selects another available rendering engine, You can continue processing using. In the example described above, the image development processing in the interpreter B110 included in the printer apparatus 102 is made available. Thereby, printing failure can be prevented.

  If there are a plurality of other rendering engines that can be used, an alternative rendering engine can be automatically selected according to the cause of an error that has occurred in each rendering engine.

  Here again, as in the first embodiment, in step S102, an error occurs during the image development process, and the interpreter B110 and interpreter C113 are obtained as search results in the rendering engine enumeration process in step S103.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a rendering engine selection process according to the second embodiment. This is a process according to this embodiment for step S104 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S401, an available rendering engine is acquired. As in the first embodiment, it is assumed here that an interpreter B110 built in the printer apparatus 102 and an interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103 are obtained. Next, in step S402, a thumbnail of the preview image is requested from the candidate rendering engine.

  That is, a command for confirming whether the printer driver 105 supports generation of a preview image is transmitted to the printer apparatus 102, and a response is received. When a response indicating that the generation of the preview image is supported is obtained, the PDL data is transmitted to the printer apparatus 102 and the preview image is received. On the other hand, for the network service station 103, it is confirmed whether the printer driver 105 supports generation of a preview image by API. When a response indicating that the generation of the preview image is supported is obtained, the PDL data is transmitted and the preview image is received.

  Here, as the preview image, it is possible to specify a partial image or thumbnail image of the PDL data. In this example, it is assumed that a response indicating that generation of a preview image is not supported by the interpreter B110 built in the printer apparatus 102 is obtained, and a preview image is obtained by the interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103.

  In step S403, a preview image is displayed on the display unit 204 of the host PC 101, and the user is allowed to select a rendering engine.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a UI screen for displaying a preview image.

  The UI screen shown in FIG. 8 displays a preview image 401 provided by an interpreter B 110 built in the printer apparatus 102 and an interpreter C 113 provided by the network service station 103. The user can select one of the rendering engines by viewing the displayed preview image. In this example, a preview image 402 generated by the interpreter B110 and a preview image 403 generated by the interpreter C113 are displayed.

  If the generation of the preview image is not supported by the interpreter B110 built in the printer apparatus 102, it may be displayed that there is no preview image, or the preview image 402 may not be displayed. Similarly, when preview image generation is not supported by the interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103, it may be displayed that there is no preview image, or the preview image 403 may not be displayed.

  Further, a radio button 404 for selecting the interpreter B110 as a rendering engine and a radio button 405 for selecting the interpreter C113 as a rendering engine are displayed on the UI screen. Here, only one of the radio button 404 and the radio button 405 can be selected. The user selects either the preview image 402 or the preview image 403 and presses an OK button 406. If the user determines that neither preview image is the desired print preview, the user can press the cancel button 407 to stop the print processing.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user selects the radio button 405 for selecting the interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103 as a rendering engine, and presses the OK button 406.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description is continued. In step S404, the selected rendering engine is instructed to perform image expansion processing. Here, the interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103 is used to instruct the network service station 103 with an API to instruct image development processing. Thereafter, the interpreter C113 receives the data after the image expansion processing.

  Thereafter, the process returns to step S105 described with reference to FIG. 4A, and a print instruction is given to the printer apparatus 102 using the data after the image development process as print data.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, even if an error occurs during image development processing using the interpreter A 107 included in the printer driver 105, the image development processing control unit 106 selects an alternative interpreter from other available rendering engines. can do. In the example of this embodiment, the image development process is performed by the interpreter C113 provided by the network service station 103, whereby the printing process can be continued.
In the example of FIG. 8, the selection is made from two preview image displays. However, when there are a plurality of other rendering engines that can be used, the preview image generated by each rendering engine is displayed to the user. A rendering engine may be selected. Thereby, a user can obtain a desired printing result.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  Further, the program code for realizing the function of the present embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by a plurality of computers cooperating. Also good. Further, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit for realizing the function of the program code may be provided. Alternatively, a part of the program code may be realized by hardware and the remaining part may be executed by a computer.

Claims (12)

A host device that transmits a print job from a user, a printing device that is connected to the host device via a network and receives the print job and performs printing, and various services that are connected to the host device via the network A printing system having a service station for providing
The host device is
First conversion means for converting document data generated by a user into print data according to a first method;
First monitoring means for monitoring conversion processing by the first conversion means;
When the monitoring unit detects that an error has occurred in the conversion process by the first conversion unit, the document data conversion process is replaced with the printing apparatus and the service station via the network. An inquiry means to inquire whether or not
In response to a response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, request means for requesting the alternative conversion process to a device capable of the alternative conversion process;
Instruction means for instructing printing to the printing apparatus based on the print data obtained by the alternative conversion process requested by the request means;
The printing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving document data or print data transmitted from the host device;
First response means for responding whether the alternative conversion process is possible in response to an inquiry from the host device;
Second conversion means for converting the document data requested by the host device and received by the receiving means into print data according to a second method;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on print data received by the receiving means or print data converted by the second conversion means in accordance with an instruction from the host device;
The service station is
Second response means for responding whether the alternative conversion processing is possible in response to an inquiry from the host device;
Third conversion means for converting the document data requested from the host device into print data according to a third method;
A printing system comprising: a return unit that returns the print data obtained by the conversion by the third conversion unit to the host device. A host device that connects a printing device that performs printing based on a print job received via a network and a service station that provides various services via the network;
Conversion means for converting document data generated by the user into print data according to the first method;
Monitoring means for monitoring conversion processing by the converting means;
When the monitoring unit detects that an error has occurred in the conversion process by the conversion unit, the document data conversion process can be replaced by the printing apparatus and the service station via the network. An inquiry means to inquire whether there is,
In response to a response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, request means for requesting the alternative conversion process to a device capable of the alternative conversion process;
A host device comprising: instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on print data obtained by the alternative conversion process requested by the requesting means. A generating unit configured to generate the document data as PDL data;
The converting means includes a first rendering engine that performs image development in accordance with the first method;
The printing apparatus includes a second rendering engine that performs image development according to a second method,
The host device according to claim 2, wherein the service station includes a third rendering engine that performs image development according to a third method.   4. The host apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a first selection unit that selects a rendering engine capable of developing an image of the PDL data based on a response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit. Storage means for storing a record of image development by a rendering engine capable of image development as characteristic data;
Second monitoring means for monitoring image development by the rendering engine selected by the selection means;
5. The host apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a recording unit that records the error in the storage unit when an error occurs during the image development process by the selected rendering engine. The request means includes
Obtaining means for causing the rendering engine capable of image development of the PDL data to perform image development based on a response to the inquiry from the inquiry means, and obtaining a preview image obtained by the image development;
Display means for displaying the preview image acquired by the acquisition means;
The host apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a second selection unit that allows the user to select a rendering engine based on a preview image displayed by the display unit. The instruction means includes
When the rendering engine selected by the first selection unit or the second selection unit is the second rendering engine included in the printing apparatus, the document data is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with a print instruction. And
When the rendering engine selected by the first selection unit or the second selection unit is the third rendering engine included in the service station, the rendering engine is obtained by image development by the third rendering engine. The host apparatus according to claim 4, wherein print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus together with a print instruction.   A program that causes a computer to function as each unit of the host device according to any one of claims 2 to 7. A printing device connected to a host device via a network,
Receiving means for receiving document data or print data transmitted from the host device;
In response to an inquiry from the host device, response means for responding whether or not an alternative conversion process of the process of converting the document data into the print data is possible;
Conversion means for converting document data requested by the host device and received by the receiving means into print data according to a second method different from the first method executed by the host device;
A printing apparatus comprising: print data received by the receiving means or printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the print data converted by the converting means in response to an instruction from the host device. The document data is generated as PDL data by the host device,
The PDL data is developed by the host device according to the first method, or the host device is developed by another device according to a third method that is different from the first method and the second method. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing apparatus is converted into print data. A service station connected to a host device via a network and providing various services to the host device;
Responding means for responding in response to an inquiry from the host device, whether or not an alternative conversion process of the process of converting the document data generated by the host apparatus into print data is possible;
A conversion unit that converts document data transmitted from the host device into print data according to a method different from the conversion by the host device in response to a request from the host device;
A service station comprising return means for returning print data obtained by the conversion by the conversion means to the host device. A control method of a host device that connects a printing device that performs printing based on a print job received via a network and a service station that provides various services via the network,
A conversion step of converting document data generated by a user into print data according to a first method;
A monitoring step of monitoring the conversion process in the conversion step;
In the monitoring step, when it is detected that an error has occurred in the conversion processing in the conversion step, the document data conversion processing can be substituted for the printing apparatus and the service station via the network. An inquiry process to inquire whether there is,
In response to a response to the inquiry in the inquiry step, a requesting step for requesting the alternative conversion process to a device capable of the alternative conversion process;
A control method for a host device, comprising: an instruction step for instructing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on print data obtained by the alternative conversion process requested in the request step.