JP2016018226A - User terminal, image forming apparatus, server device, printing system, user terminal control method, image forming apparatus control method, server device control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To delete print data and a preview image to be transmitted in a printing system where an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, and a server device communicate with each other, from the server device at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: In a printing system, an image forming apparatus 1000, a user terminal 401, and a server device 402 communicate with each other. On receipt of a request from the user terminal to delete a preview image which is not to be converted to print data, the server device deletes the preview image not to be converted to the print data, in response to the request received from the user terminal, from first storage means at an appropriate timing. The server device deletes printed print data, in response to a request received from the image forming apparatus, from second storage means at an appropriate timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a user terminal, an image forming apparatus, a server apparatus, a printing system, a user terminal control method, an image forming apparatus control method, a server apparatus control method, and a program.

When electronic document data is displayed on a function-limited information terminal called a mobile information terminal or thin client, and the print data is sent to a printer or digital multi-function peripheral having a print function and a print instruction is given, the print data There is a problem of how to generate. In a normal personal computer, application software installed in the personal computer generates and displays electronic document data, and print data is generated via a printer driver installed in the personal computer.
However, in mobile information terminals and thin client terminals, application software and installation may not be possible due to hardware limitations and software limitations. Similarly, even when application software can be installed, its functions are limited, only simple display is possible, and accurate print data may not be generated.

  In such a case, it is possible to convert the electronic document data into a printable data format by operating application software and a printer driver in a server connected to the printer or digital multifunction peripheral via a network.

JP 2013-11956 A

  If the technology of Patent Document 1 is used, even when print data cannot be generated by a mobile information terminal or a thin client terminal, electronic document data is transferred to a server, converted into print data, and further transferred to a printer or digital multifunction peripheral. Printing is possible. Further, if the server is configured to convert the electronic document data into image data, the image data is returned to the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal, so that accurate display can be performed instead of simple display. Further, by transferring the image data to a printer or a digital multi-function peripheral, the user can make a selection based on the preview image display when selecting data to be printed.

At this time, first, the user operates the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal to select one of a plurality of electronic document data stored in the terminal and display an image, and to obtain a desired print setting. Repeat until the change. In this process, a plurality of image data is generated based on the same electronic image data in the server and transferred to the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal. At the same time, the generated plurality of image data is stored in the server. Is done.
At this time, the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal designates the most appropriate print setting selected by the user while viewing the preview image display, and sends an instruction to generate print data to the server.
The server generates print data from the electronic document data according to the print settings, and returns an identification ID of the print data to the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal. The mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal transfers the identification ID received from the server to the printer or digital multifunction peripheral.

As described above, by repeating the preview image display and print data generation instruction by the user operation on the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal, a plurality of identification IDs are accumulated in the printer or the digital multi-function peripheral. When the user executes printing from a printer or digital multifunction peripheral, a desired one can be selected from the identification IDs displayed on the operation unit of the printer or digital multifunction peripheral and preview display can be performed. At that time, the printer or the digital multi-function peripheral transmits an identification ID to the server, acquires corresponding image data from the server, and performs a preview display.
When a desired identification ID is selected and printing is performed after the preview is displayed, the printer or the digital multi-function peripheral transmits the identification ID to the server, acquires the corresponding print data from the server, and prints.

Here, the timing of erasing the preview image data accumulated on the server becomes a problem. Since unnecessary image data on the server presses the memory and storage on the server, it is better to erase it early from the viewpoint of improving the resource utilization efficiency of the server.
However, on the other hand, it is necessary to leave preview image data that may be reused by a printer or a digital multi-function peripheral until printing is completed. Therefore, the preview image data accumulated on the server cannot be instructed to delete all image data from the mobile information terminal or the thin client terminal. In addition, storing all preview image data on the server and instructing the user to delete all the data after the printing is completed from the printer or digital multi-function peripheral also has the disadvantage of occupying resources on the server for a long time.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that print data and a preview image exchanged by a printing system in which an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, and a server apparatus communicate with each other are received. It is to provide a mechanism that can be deleted from the server device at an appropriate timing.

The printing system of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
A printing system in which an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, and a server apparatus communicate with each other, the user terminal including an instruction unit that instructs print setting for document information;
First request means for requesting the server apparatus to generate a preview image of document information in accordance with the instructed print setting, the preview image generated by the server apparatus, identification information for specifying the preview image, and the server apparatus A first acquisition unit that acquires the storage destination information of the preview image stored in step S1, a display unit that displays the acquired preview image, a first reception unit that receives a print instruction for the displayed preview image, Second request means for requesting the server apparatus to convert the document information into print data including identification information for specifying the preview image for which the print instruction has been received, and identification information for the print data converted from the server apparatus Second acquisition means for acquiring storage location information of the print data stored in the server device, and to the print data Third request means for requesting the server device to delete a preview image other than the preview image for which conversion is instructed, identification information of the print data acquired from the server device, storage destination information of the print data, And a transfer unit that transfers the preview image storage location information corresponding to the print data to the image forming apparatus, and the server device generates a preview image of document information including print settings from the user terminal. The first receiving means for receiving the image, the generating means for generating a preview image of the document information according to the received print setting, the generated preview image, and the first storage for storing the identification information for specifying the preview image A first responder that responds to the user terminal with means, a generated preview image, and identification information that identifies the preview image. And second receiving means for receiving identification information of the preview image and a request to convert the document information specified by the identification information into print data from the user terminal, and document information specified by the received identification information Converting means for converting the print data into print data according to the stored print settings, second storage means for storing the converted print data and identification information for specifying the print data, and identification for specifying the stored print data A second response unit that responds to the user terminal with the information and the storage destination information of the print data; and a third request that receives a request to delete a preview image that is not instructed to be converted to print data from the user terminal. And a preview image that is not instructed to be converted into print data in accordance with a request received from the user terminal. 1 deletion means, a fourth receiving means for receiving a request for obtaining a preview image from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the preview image, and reading from the first storage means in accordance with the received identification information. First reply means for returning a preview image to the image forming apparatus; fifth receiving means for receiving a request for acquiring print data from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the print data; and the received identification Second reply means for returning print data read from the second storage means according to the information to the image forming apparatus, and print data printed according to a request received from the image forming apparatus from the second storage means The second deletion unit to delete, the image forming apparatus, the print data identification information received from the user terminal, and the print data First display control means for displaying on the display means a list of print data to be printed based on the storage destination information of the print data and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data, and printing selected from the list Third acquisition means for acquiring a preview image associated with data from the server device, second display control means for displaying the acquired preview image on the display means, and a print instruction for the displayed preview image Second receiving means for receiving, fourth request means for requesting the print data to the server device in accordance with storage destination information of print data associated with the preview image for which the print instruction has been received, and printing from the server device Fourth acquisition means for acquiring print data to be printed, printing means for printing the acquired print data, and the printing means for printing the print data After, characterized in that it comprises a fifth request means for requesting an indication of deletion including the identification information of the print data to the server device.

  According to the present invention, print data and a preview image exchanged by a printing system in which an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, and a server apparatus communicate can be deleted from the server apparatus at an appropriate timing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the control apparatus of a digital multifunctional device. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a user terminal or a server. It is a schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the communication processing of a printing system. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the ticket description content from a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of the combined data from a user terminal. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the control method of a user terminal. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the combined data from a user terminal.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system including a user terminal, an image forming apparatus, and a server apparatus according to the present embodiment. The printing system includes a network, a digital multifunction peripheral connected to the network, a server device, and one or more user terminals.
In FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral includes a control device 100, an operation unit 150, a reader unit 200, and a printer unit 300. The reader unit 200 optically reads a document and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document.

  The printer unit 300 conveys the recording paper, prints the image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 has a paper feed unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data to the recording paper, and a function of outputting the printed recording paper to the outside of the apparatus. And a paper discharge unit 330.

  The control device 100 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The control device 100 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document and convert it into image data. In addition, the control device 100 controls the printer unit 300 to output image data to a recording sheet. Further, the control device 100 is connected to the network 400 and performs data communication with the user terminal 401 and the server 402. The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal touch panel, and is a user interface that is connected to the control device 100 to operate the digital multifunction peripheral.

  The network 400 performs Internet protocol communication. The configuration of the route is a wired connection by Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless LAN connection, a data connection using a mobile phone line, or a combination thereof, and is selectively configured according to the connected device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control apparatus for the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, a CPU 101 is a central processing unit for controlling the entire digital multi-function peripheral. A RAM 102 is a system work memory for the CPU 101 to operate, and is also a memory for temporarily storing input electronic document data, image data being converted, and various attributes at the time of printing.
A ROM 103 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The HDD 104 is a hard disk drive, and stores system software for various processes, various IDs received via the network 400, developed image data and print data, and data such as an error log when the process ends abnormally.
The operation unit I / F 105 is an interface unit for the operation unit 150, and outputs the operation screen data generated by the CPU 101 to the operation unit 150, and simultaneously transmits information input by the operator from the operation unit 150 to the CPU 101. do. The network interface 106 is connected to the network 400 and inputs / outputs electronic document data and various information to / from an external device. The above units are arranged on the system bus 107.

  The image bus 109 is a bus for transferring image data at high speed, and is connected to the system bus 107 via an image bus I / F 108 which is a bus bridge for converting a data structure. On the image bus 109, a device I / F 110, a scanner image processing unit 111, and a printer image processing unit 112 are connected.

The device I / F unit 110 is an interface that connects the control device 100 to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The control device 100 controls the operation of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 via the device I / F unit 110, and further transfers image data and detects an error state notification.
The scanner image processing unit 111 has logic for performing image processing such as correction on the image data input from the reader unit 200. The printer image processing unit 112 has logic for performing processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to the characteristics of the printer unit on image data to be printed out.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the user terminal 401 or the server 402 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a user terminal 401 connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 100 via a network functions as a host computer that transmits print electronic document data to the digital multifunction peripheral via the network. The server 402 functions as an electronic document data conversion server, and includes a nonvolatile storage 414 as a storage unit that stores a preview image provided to a user terminal and print data generated from document information instructed from the user terminal. The storage destinations for storing the preview image and the print data can be configured independently of each other, but can also be configured as a single storage unit by securing an area in the nonvolatile storage 414. In addition, although the case where the nonvolatile storage is configured inside the server 402 is shown, it can be provided in an external storage independent of the server 402 such as on a network or in the cloud.

In FIG. 3, a CPU 411, a RAM 412, a ROM 413, a nonvolatile storage 414, a network interface 415, and a system bus 417 connecting them are configured. The CPU 411 is a central processing unit for controlling the user terminal 401 and the server 402.
The RAM 412 is a system work memory for the CPU 411 to operate. A ROM 413 is a BIOS ROM, and stores a startup program and startup setting values. The non-volatile storage 414 is a storage device composed of a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and stores basic software (OS), programs for various processes, and temporarily stored data.
A network interface 415 is connected to the network 400 to input / output electronic document data, print data, and various types of information with an external device. The display 416 includes a display device having an input device such as a touch panel, and is a user interface for operating the user terminal 401 or the server 402. The above units are arranged on the system bus 417.

  On the user terminal 401, an electronic document data print instruction program stored in the nonvolatile storage 414 is loaded into the RAM 412 and operates on the CPU 411. This program transmits electronic document data stored in the non-volatile storage 414 from the network interface 415 to the server 402 and makes a data conversion processing request. Further, the converted image data is received from the server 402, displayed on the display 416, and information necessary for printing is transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral via the network interface 415.

On the server 402, a data conversion program stored in the non-volatile storage 414 is loaded into the RAM 412 and operates on the CPU 411, whereby a data communication service using HyperText Transfer Protocol (hereinafter abbreviated as HTTP) via the network interface 415. I do. The data conversion program receives electronic document data in response to an HTTP POST request from an external device, and converts the data format to generate image data and print data from the electronic document data.
In addition, image data is transmitted to the user terminal 401 in response to the HTTP GET request, and image data and print data are transmitted to the digital multi-function peripheral 1000. Further, in response to the HTTP DELETE request, the data stored in the nonvolatile storage 414 in the server 402 is deleted. The user terminal 401 and the server 402 may be connected to a computer device (not shown) via the network 400.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the communication between the digital multi-function peripheral 1000, the user terminal 401, and the server 402 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, first, between the user terminal 401 and the server 402, the user terminal 401 transmits to the server 402 a request for conversion to electronic document data, image data, and print data (print data).
The server 402 converts the electronic document data into image data suitable for display on the user terminal 401 and print data suitable for printing on the digital multi-function peripheral 1000.
The server 402 transmits in response to the user terminal 401 a URL that specifies image data storage destination information and a conversion ID that is specific information for specifying print data. The user terminal 401 receives the URL of the received image data. The image data is acquired from the server 402 and displayed. Further, the user terminal 401 requests the server 402 to delete a preview image that is no longer necessary on the server 402, and the server 402 deletes the preview image that has been instructed to be deleted. Here, the unnecessary preview image is a preview image other than the preview image for which an instruction to convert to print data is given.

  Between the user terminal 401 and the digital multi-function peripheral 1000, the user terminal 401 transmits to the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 a URL indicating image data storage location information and a conversion ID that is identification information for specifying print data. The digital multi-function peripheral 1000 stores the URL indicating the storage destination information of the received image data and the print data conversion ID, and displays them on the operation unit 150 as a print candidate list (list) according to a user operation. Further, the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 executes preview image display processing and print data print processing for which printing has been instructed in accordance with a user selection on the operation unit 150.

  Between the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 and the server 402, the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 acquires image data from the server 402 using the URL of the image data received from the user terminal 401, and displays a preview on the operation unit 150. The digital multi-function peripheral 1000 uses the print data conversion ID received from the user terminal 401 to acquire print data from the server 402 and perform print processing. After the printing process is completed, the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 issues a request for deleting image data and print data that are no longer necessary on the server 402, and the server 402 generates the document information instructed to delete and the document information. Delete the printed data.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11, processing for previewing the electronic document data and processing for instructing the user to print by the electronic document data printing instruction program executed on the user terminal 401 will be described. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the user terminal according to the present embodiment. Each step shown in this example is realized by the CPU 411 in the user terminal 401 executing an electronic document data print instruction program. 5A shows the main routine of the electronic document data print instruction program, and FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C show subroutines in the electronic document data print instruction program.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the description contents of a ticket used in the process of the electronic document data print instruction program shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of combined data used in the process of the electronic document data print instruction program shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 411 of the user terminal 401 executes a stored electronic document data print instruction program. First, in step S <b> 501, the CPU 411 displays a list of electronic document data stored in the nonvolatile storage 414 on the display 416. Here, an operation for selecting data to be printed from the user is accepted on the display 416 configured with a touch panel.
In step S <b> 502, the CPU 411 receives designation and change of print setting values for the electronic document data selected in step S <b> 501 by a user operation on the display 416.

S503 is a communication process performed by the user terminal 401 with respect to the server 402. For details, the process defined as a subroutine of S5031 to S5039 shown in FIG. 5B is executed.
In step S5031, the CPU 411 transmits to the server 402 an instruction to convert the electronic document data into image data for use in preview display. Specifically, using the POST method of the HTTP request as a communication protocol, a ticket is generated that instructs image data conversion in accordance with the electronic document data selected by the user in S501 and the print setting value designated by the user in S502. To send. The ticket includes the contents shown in FIG. 6A, and is described in a JSON (Java Script (registered trademark) Object Notation) format in this embodiment. In order to instruct conversion from electronic document data to image data, the value of the “ConvertType” key in the ticket description is “preview”.
Further, the description of “DestFormat”: “jpg” and “Resolution”: “150” indicates that 150 dpi JPEG image data is generated.

In step S5032, the CPU 411 waits for a response from the server 402. In step S5033, the CPU 411 receives the document ID and the preview conversion ID returned as a response from the server 402, and stores them in the RAM 412.
Subsequently, in S5034, the CPU 411 transmits the preview conversion ID stored in S5033 to the server 402 using the GET method of the HTTP request as the communication protocol.

In step S5035, the CPU 411 waits for a response from the server 402. In step S5036, the CPU 411 receives the URL of the converted image data returned as a response from the server 402, and stores it in the RAM 412. Here, as the URL of the converted image data, the same number of URLs as the number of pages of the original electronic document data are returned from the server 402 and stored in the RAM 412.
In step S5037, the CPU 411 transmits the URL of the converted image data stored in step S5036 to the server 402 using the GET method of the HTTP request as a communication protocol. In step S5038, the CPU 411 waits for reception of a response from the server 402. In step S5039, the CPU 411 receives the converted image data returned as a response from the server 402 and stores it in the RAM 412.

  In S504, the CPU 411 displays the image data saved in S5039 on the display 416. At the same time, the CPU 411 displays two buttons [Convert Print] and [Cancel] on the UI screen on the display 416. In step S505, the CPU 411 determines which button the user has pressed. If the CPU 411 determines that the user has pressed the [Cancel] button, the process advances to step S510. If the CPU 411 determines that the user has pressed the [print conversion] button, the process proceeds to step S506. Move.

In step S506, communication processing performed by the user terminal 401 with respect to the server 402 is performed, and processing defined as subroutines S5061 to S5063 illustrated in FIG. 5C is performed.
First, in step S5061, the CPU 411 transmits to the server 402 an instruction to convert electronic document data to print data for use in printing. The HTTP request POST method is used as a communication protocol. Here, the CPU 411 transmits ticket data instructing print data conversion according to the document ID returned and stored as a response from the server 402 and the print setting value designated by the user in S502. The ticket includes the contents shown in FIG. 6B and instructs conversion from electronic document data to print data. Therefore, the value of the “ConvertType” key in the ticket description is “print”.

  Further, the description of “DocumentID” indicates that the electronic document data has already been saved in the conversion server, and the description of “DestFormat”: “ps” indicates that PostScript (registered trademark) data for printing is generated. Show. In step S5062, the CPU 411 waits for a response from the server 402. In step S5063, the CPU 411 receives the print conversion ID returned as a response from the server 402 and stores it in the RAM 412.

  In S507, the CPU 411 generates data obtained by combining the URL of the converted image data stored in S5036 and the print conversion ID stored in S5063 with the document ID stored in S5033. In step S <b> 508, the CPU 411 transfers the generated combined data from the network interface 415 of the user terminal 401 to the control device 100 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1000. The configuration of the combined data is as shown in FIG. At this time, the program operating in the control apparatus 100 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 receives the combined data of the document ID, the converted image data URL, and the print conversion ID, and stores them in the HDD 104 in the control apparatus 100.

In this combined data storage, when combined data having the same document ID exists in the combined data stored in the HDD 104 in the control apparatus 100, the URL of the converted image data with respect to the combined data of the document ID. And print conversion ID are added as a set.
Thereafter, the electronic document data print instruction program executed on the user terminal 401 records the URL of the converted image data used for transfer in S509 as non-erased data.

In step S <b> 510, the CPU 411 displays two buttons on the UI on the display 416, [Cancel data selection] and [Print additional data]. Then, the CPU 411 determines which button the user has pressed. If the CPU 411 determines that the user has pressed the “print additional data” button, the process returns to S502, and the user can change the print setting value and perform additional printing.
On the other hand, when the CPU 411 determines that the user has pressed the “release data selection” button, the process proceeds to S511.
In step S <b> 511, the CPU 411 transmits an instruction to delete the converted image data to the server 402. The DELETE method of the HTTP request is used as the communication protocol, and the converted image data URL stored in S5036 is transmitted to the server 402 except for the non-deleted data recorded in S509. In S512, the CPU 411 waits for reception of a response from the server 402, and ends the processing when a response is received.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example corresponds to a processing example of previewing image data and a processing example of printing print data by a print processing program executed by the CPU 101 of the control apparatus 100 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 shown in FIG.

    Each step is realized by the CPU 101 executing the print processing program of the digital multi-function peripheral 1000. Note that the combined data transmitted by the electronic document data print instruction program of the user terminal 401 in the process of S508 is stored in the HDD 104 in the control device 100. 8A shows the main routine of the print processing program, and FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C show subroutines in the print processing program.

First, in step S601, the CPU 101 receives a print data selection instruction from a user by executing a print processing program. The print processing program displays a list of print conversion IDs from the combined data stored in the HDD 104 on the operation unit 150, and displays a selection button UI that allows the user to select one of them.
When the user presses one of them, the CPU 101 performs processing for obtaining preview image data for preview from the server 402 using the converted image data URL corresponding to the print conversion ID selected by the user in S602. Do.

S602 is a communication process performed by the CPU 101 with respect to the server 402, and performs a process defined as a subroutine of S6021 to S6024.
In step S <b> 6021, the CPU 101 acquires a preview image data URL corresponding to the print conversion ID selected by the user in step S <b> 602 from the combined data stored in the HDD 104. In step S6022, the CPU 101 uses the HTTP request GET method as a communication protocol, and transmits the URL of the preview image data acquired in step S6021 to the server 402. In step S <b> 6023, the CPU 101 waits for reception of a response from the server 402. In step S <b> 6024, the CPU 101 receives preview image data returned as a response from the server 402 and stores it in the RAM 102.

  In step S <b> 603, the CPU 101 displays the image data saved in step S <b> 6024 on the operation unit 150. At the same time, the CPU 101 displays two buttons, a “print start” button and a “cancel” button, on the UI screen on the operation unit 150. In step S604, the CPU 101 determines which button the user has pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the user has pressed the [Cancel] button, the process returns to S601. If the CPU 101 determines that the user has pressed the [Print Start] button, the process proceeds to S605.

S605 is communication processing performed by the CPU 101 with respect to the server 402, and performs processing defined as a subroutine from S6051 to S6057.
In step S6051, the CPU 101 acquires the print conversion ID selected by the user in step S602. In step S <b> 6052, the CPU 101 transmits the print conversion ID acquired in step S <b> 6051 to the server 402 using the HTTP request GET method as a communication protocol.
In step S <b> 6053, the CPU 101 waits for reception of a response from the server 402. In step S <b> 6054, the CPU 101 receives the URL of the converted print data returned as a response from the server 402 and stores it in the RAM 102.
In step S6055, the CPU 101 transmits the URL of the converted print data stored in step S6054 to the server 402 using the GET method of the HTTP request as a communication protocol. In step S <b> 6056, the CPU 101 waits for reception of a response from the server 402. In step S <b> 6057, the CPU 101 receives the converted print data returned as a response from the server 402 and stores it in the RAM 102.

  Thereafter, in step S606, the CPU 101 performs image development processing on the stored converted print data in the control apparatus 100, and controls the printer unit 300 to output it to a recording sheet. When the CPU 101 completes the print output of all pages by the processing of S606, the CPU 101 deletes the URL and the print conversion ID of the converted image data used for printing from the combined data stored in the HDD 104 in the control apparatus 100. .

In step S <b> 607, the CPU 101 displays two buttons, a “print end” button and a “perform other printing” button, on the UI on the operation unit 150. Then, the CPU 101 determines which button the user has pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the user has pressed a button for performing other printing, the process returns to S601, and the user can change the selection of the print conversion ID and perform additional printing.
On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the user has pressed the [END PRINT] button, the process proceeds to S608. In step S <b> 608, the CPU 101 transmits an instruction to delete image data and print data corresponding to the print conversion ID used for printing to the server 402.
Specifically, the DELETE method of the HTTP request is used as a communication protocol, and the image data URL acquired in S6021 and the print conversion ID acquired in S6051 are transmitted to the server 402. In step S609, the CPU 101 waits for a response from the server 402 from the CPU 101. When a response is received, the process ends.

  9 to 11 are flowcharts for explaining a control method of the server apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to data reception and conversion processing, data transmission processing, and data erasure processing by the data conversion program executed in the server 402 shown in FIG. The data conversion program executed in the server 402 receives HTTP POST, GET, and DELETE requests, and performs processes corresponding to FIGS. Each step is realized by executing a data conversion program stored in the CPU 411.

  Hereinafter, among the operations of the data conversion program executed by the CPU 411 of the server 402 with reference to FIG. 9, the electronic document data is received in response to the HTTP POST request, the data format is converted, and the image data and the print data are converted. The process to generate will be described.

In step S <b> 701, the CPU 411 stores, in the nonvolatile storage 414, ticket data instructing image data conversion according to the received electronic document data and a print setting value designated by the user, or instructing print data conversion.
In S702, if the CPU 411 determines that the received ticket data instructs image data conversion, in S703, the CPU 411 converts the received electronic document data into image data.
If the CPU 411 determines in step S702 that the received ticket data instructs print data conversion, in step S704, the CPU 411 obtains a document ID described in the ticket data. Further, the CPU 411 acquires electronic document data corresponding to the document ID from the nonvolatile storage 414 and converts it into print data.
In step S705, the CPU 411 stores the data converted in step S703 or S704 in the nonvolatile storage 414, and arranges the data in the HTTP service, thereby enabling data access by an HTTP GET request from an external device.
Subsequently, in S706, the CPU 411 generates URL data necessary for accessing the conversion data arranged in the HTTP service in S705 from an external device. When the converted data is image data, it is URL list data corresponding to the number of pages of the original electronic document data.
In step S707, the CPU 411 places the generated URL data in the HTTP service. Finally, in S708, the CPU 411 issues a conversion ID corresponding to the URL data arranged in the HTTP service, and if there is newly stored electronic document data, issues a corresponding document ID. Then, the CPU 411 returns a document ID and a conversion ID as a response to the HTTP POST.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, among the operations of the data conversion program executed by the CPU 411 of the server 402, image data and print data are transmitted to the user terminal 401 or the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 in response to the HTTP GET request. Processing will be described.

In step S <b> 801, the CPU 411 determines whether the received GET request is a URL data acquisition request based on the conversion ID. If the CPU 411 determines that the URL data acquisition request is based on the conversion ID, it is further determined in step S802 whether there is URL data associated with the corresponding conversion ID. If the CPU 411 determines that there is URL data related to the corresponding conversion ID, the URL data is returned as a response to the HTTP GET in S803.
If the CPU 411 determines that there is no URL data associated with the corresponding conversion ID in S802, error processing is performed in S807.
On the other hand, if the CPU 411 determines that the URL data acquisition request is not based on the conversion ID in S801, the CPU 411 determines whether the received GET request is a converted data acquisition request based on URL data in S804. If the CPU 411 determines that the request is for obtaining converted data using URL data, the CPU 411 determines in step S805 whether the corresponding converted data exists. If the CPU 411 determines that the corresponding converted data exists, the CPU 411 returns the corresponding converted data as a response to the HTTP GET in S806.
On the other hand, if the CPU 411 determines that there is no corresponding converted data in S805, the CPU 411 performs error processing in S807. Note that in the error processing of S807, an error code having a definition that the file does not exist is returned as a response to the HTTP GET.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, of the operation of the data conversion program executed by the CPU 411 of the server 402, a process of erasing data stored in the nonvolatile storage 414 in the server 402 in response to an HTTP DELETE request. Will be explained.

In step S901, the CPU 411 determines whether there is a conversion ID or an image data URL included in the received DELETE request. If the CPU 411 determines that the corresponding conversion ID or image data URL exists, in step S902, the CPU 411 deletes the URL data associated with the conversion ID, and the converted data described in the URL data. Erase the data. In step S903, the CPU 411 returns a normal end status code as a response to the HTTP DELETE.
On the other hand, if the CPU 311 determines in S901 that the corresponding conversion ID or image data URL does not exist, in S904, an error code with a definition that the file does not exist is returned as a response to the HTTP DELETE.

[Second Embodiment]
In the processing of the digital multi-function peripheral 1000 according to the first embodiment, when displaying image data converted from the same electronic document data using a plurality of print settings, the print settings do not cause a difference in image data display. There is. For example, when the two types of print settings are single-sided printing and double-sided printing, the image data displayed on the operation unit 150 of the digital multifunction peripheral is the same. Therefore, the user cannot know in advance which of the two print data is to be printed simply by looking at the displayed image data.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in response to the above-described problem, the combination data transmitted from the user terminal 401 to the digital multifunction peripheral 1000 is changed, and a display method on the operation unit 150 of the control device 100 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1000 is further changed. Respond by changing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a user terminal control method according to the present embodiment. Each step is realized by the CPU 411 in the user terminal 401 executing an electronic document data print instruction program. In the present embodiment, steps that are different from those in the first embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, the electronic document data print instruction program executed on the user terminal 401 generates combined data in S507 of FIG. 5 and converts the document ID stored in S5033 into the document ID stored in S5036. Data is generated by combining the URL of the completed image data and the print conversion ID stored in S5063.

On the other hand, in 2nd Embodiment, the process which produces | generates this combined data is changed. In step S1207, the URL of the converted image data stored in step S12036, the print conversion ID stored in step S12063, and the ticket transmitted to the server 402 in step S12031 are combined with the document ID stored in step S12033. The combined data to be generated has the configuration shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Each step is realized by the CPU 101 in the control device 100 of the digital multi-function peripheral executing a print processing program. Note that difference processing from the first embodiment will be described for the steps of the image forming apparatus.

  The print processing program executed by the control device 100 according to the first embodiment receives combined data including the document ID illustrated in FIG. 11, the URL of the converted image data, and the print conversion ID, and stores the combined data in the HDD 104. . In step S601 in FIG. 8, a print data selection instruction from the user is received. The print processing program performs display control for displaying a list of print conversion IDs on the operation unit 150 from the combined data stored in the HDD 104, and displays a selection button UI that allows the user to select one of them. In S603, the CPU 101 of the control device 100 performs display control for displaying the image data stored in S6024 on the operation unit 150.

  On the other hand, the print processing program executed by the control device 100 according to the second embodiment receives the combined data including the document ID exemplified in FIG. 14, the URL of the converted image data, the print conversion ID, and the ticket. And stored in the HDD 104. In step S <b> 1301, the CPU 101 displays the print setting value included in the ticket added to the combined data on the operation unit 150 in a list display. In step S1303, the CPU 101 simultaneously displays the print setting values included in the ticket added to the combined data in addition to displaying the image data saved in step S13024 on the operation unit 150.

Through the above processing, the user cannot distinguish between the print setting values of the two print data, which cannot be distinguished only by looking at the image data displayed on the operation unit 150 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1000. It becomes possible to confirm by the value display.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

401 User terminal 402 Server 1000 Digital MFP

Claims (12)

A printing system in which an image forming apparatus, a user terminal, and a server apparatus communicate with each other,
User terminal
Instruction means for instructing print settings for document information;
First request means for requesting the server device to generate a preview image of document information in accordance with the instructed print setting;
First acquisition means for acquiring a preview image generated by the server device, identification information for specifying the preview image, and storage destination information of the preview image stored by the server device;
Display means for displaying the acquired preview image;
First receiving means for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
Second request means for requesting the server device to instruct the conversion of the document information into print data including identification information for specifying the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
Second acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the print data converted from the server device and storage destination information of the print data stored in the server device;
Third request means for requesting the server device to delete a preview image other than the preview image instructed to be converted to the print data;
Transfer means for transferring identification information of the print data acquired from the server device, storage destination information of the print data, and storage destination information of a preview image corresponding to the print data to the image forming device;
With
The server device
First receiving means for receiving a request to generate a preview image of document information including print settings from the user terminal;
Generating means for generating a preview image of the document information in accordance with the received print settings;
A first storage means for storing the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
First response means for responding to the user terminal with the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
Second receiving means for receiving identification information of the preview image and a request to convert the document information specified by the identification information into print data from the user terminal;
Conversion means for converting the document information specified by the received identification information into print data according to the stored print settings;
Second storage means for storing the converted print data and identification information for specifying the print data;
Second response means for responding to the user terminal with identification information for specifying the stored print data and storage destination information of the print data;
Third receiving means for receiving a request to delete a preview image for which conversion to print data is not instructed from the user terminal;
First deletion means for deleting a preview image that is not instructed to be converted to print data in accordance with a request received from the user terminal from the first storage means;
A fourth receiving means for receiving a request for obtaining a preview image from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the preview image;
First return means for returning a preview image read from the first storage means to the image forming apparatus according to the received identification information;
Fifth receiving means for receiving a request for acquiring print data from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the print data;
Second return means for returning print data read from the second storage means to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the received identification information;
Second deletion means for deleting print data printed in accordance with a request received from the image forming apparatus from the second storage means;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A list of print data to be printed is displayed on the display unit based on the identification information of the print data received from the user terminal, the storage destination information of the print data, and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data. First display control means for
Third acquisition means for acquiring a preview image associated with the print data selected from the list from the server device;
Second display control means for displaying the acquired preview image on the display means;
Second accepting means for accepting a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
Fourth request means for requesting the print data to the server device in accordance with storage destination information of the print data associated with the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
Fourth acquisition means for acquiring print data to be printed from the server device;
Printing means for printing the acquired print data;
A fifth requesting unit that requests the server device for a deletion instruction including identification information of the print data after the printing unit prints the print data;
A printing system comprising: A printing system in which a user terminal and a server device communicate with each other,
User terminal
Instruction means for instructing print settings for document information;
First request means for requesting the server device to generate a preview image of document information in accordance with the instructed print setting;
First acquisition means for acquiring a preview image generated by the server device, identification information for specifying the preview image, and storage destination information of the preview image stored by the server device;
Display means for displaying the acquired preview image;
First receiving means for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
Second request means for requesting the server device to instruct the conversion of the document information into print data including identification information for specifying the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
Second acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the print data converted from the server device and storage destination information of the print data stored in the server device;
Third request means for requesting the server device to delete a preview image other than the preview image instructed to be converted to the print data;
With
The server device
First receiving means for receiving a request to generate a preview image of document information including print settings from the user terminal;
Generating means for generating a preview image of the document information in accordance with the received print settings;
A first storage means for storing the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
First response means for responding to the user terminal with the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
Second receiving means for receiving identification information of the preview image and a request to convert the document information specified by the identification information into print data from the user terminal;
Conversion means for converting the document information specified by the received identification information into print data according to the stored print settings;
Second storage means for storing the converted print data and identification information for specifying the print data;
Second response means for responding to the user terminal with identification information for specifying the stored print data and storage destination information of the print data;
Third receiving means for receiving a request to delete a preview image for which conversion to print data is not instructed from the user terminal;
First deletion means for deleting a preview image that is not instructed to be converted to print data in accordance with a request received from the user terminal from the first storage means;
A printing system comprising: A printing system in which an image forming apparatus communicates with a server apparatus,
The server device
First storage means for storing a preview image;
Second storage means for storing print data;
First receiving means for receiving a request for obtaining a preview image from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the preview image;
First return means for returning a preview image read from the first storage means to the image forming apparatus according to the received identification information;
Second receiving means for receiving a request for acquiring print data from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the print data;
Second return means for returning print data read from the second storage means to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the received identification information;
Second deletion means for deleting print data printed in accordance with a request received from the image forming apparatus from the second storage means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A list of print data to be printed is displayed on the display unit based on the identification information of the print data received from the user terminal, the storage destination information of the print data, and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data. First display control means;
First acquisition means for acquiring from the server device a preview image associated with the print data selected from the list;
Second display control means for displaying the acquired preview image on the display means;
Second accepting means for accepting a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
First request means for requesting the print data to the server device in accordance with storage destination information of the print data associated with the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
Second acquisition means for acquiring print data to be printed from the server device;
Printing means for printing the acquired print data;
A second requesting unit for requesting the server device for a deletion instruction including identification information of the print data after the printing unit has printed the print data;
A printing system comprising: A user terminal that communicates with an image forming apparatus and a server apparatus,
Instruction means for instructing print settings for document information;
First request means for requesting the server device to generate a preview image of document information in accordance with the instructed print setting;
First acquisition means for acquiring a preview image generated by the server device, identification information for specifying the preview image, and storage destination information of the preview image stored by the server device;
Display means for displaying the acquired preview image;
First receiving means for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
Second request means for requesting the server device to instruct the conversion of the document information into print data including identification information for specifying the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
Second acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the print data converted from the server device and storage destination information of the print data stored in the server device;
Third request means for requesting the server device to delete a preview image other than the preview image instructed to be converted to the print data;
Transfer means for transferring identification information of the print data acquired from the server device, storage destination information of the print data, and storage destination information of a preview image corresponding to the print data to the image forming device;
A user terminal comprising: A server device that communicates with an image forming apparatus and a user terminal,
First receiving means for receiving a request to generate a preview image of document information including print settings from the user terminal;
Generating means for generating a preview image of the document information in accordance with the received print settings;
A first storage means for storing the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
First response means for responding to the user terminal with the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image;
Second receiving means for receiving identification information of the preview image and a request to convert the document information specified by the identification information into print data from the user terminal;
Conversion means for converting the document information specified by the received identification information into print data according to the stored print settings;
A second storage means for storing the converted print data;
Second response means for responding to the user terminal with identification information for specifying the stored print data and storage destination information of the print data;
Third receiving means for receiving a request to delete a preview image for which conversion to print data is not instructed from the user terminal;
First deletion means for deleting a preview image that is not instructed to be converted to print data in accordance with a request received from the user terminal from the first storage means;
A fourth receiving means for receiving a request for obtaining a preview image from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the preview image;
First return means for returning a preview image read from the first storage means to the image forming apparatus according to the received identification information;
Fifth receiving means for receiving a request for acquiring print data from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the print data;
Second return means for returning print data read from the second storage means to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the received identification information;
Second deletion means for deleting print data printed in accordance with a request received from the image forming apparatus from the second storage means;
A server device comprising: An image forming apparatus that communicates with a server device and a user terminal,
A list of print data to be printed is displayed on the display unit based on the identification information of the print data received from the user terminal, the storage destination information of the print data, and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data. First display control means for
First acquisition means for acquiring from the server device a preview image associated with the print data selected from the list;
Second display control means for displaying the acquired preview image on the display means;
First receiving means for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
First request means for requesting the print data to the server device in accordance with storage destination information of the print data associated with the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
First acquisition means for acquiring print data to be printed from the server device;
Printing means for printing the acquired print data;
A second requesting unit for requesting the server device for a deletion instruction including identification information of the print data after the printing unit has printed the print data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A method for controlling an image forming apparatus and a user terminal communicating with a server apparatus,
An instruction process for instructing print settings for document information;
A first requesting step for requesting the server device to generate a preview image of document information in accordance with the instructed print setting;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a preview image generated by the server device, identification information for specifying the preview image, and storage destination information of the preview image stored by the server device;
A preview step of displaying the acquired preview image on the display means;
A first receiving step for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
A second requesting step for requesting the server device to instruct the conversion of the document information including the identification information for identifying the preview image that has received the print instruction into print data;
A second acquisition step of acquiring identification information of the print data converted from the server device and storage destination information of the print data stored in the server device;
A third requesting step for requesting the server device to delete a preview image other than the preview image instructed to be converted into the print data;
A transfer step of transferring the identification information of the print data acquired from the server apparatus, the storage destination information of the print data, and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data to the image forming apparatus;
A method for controlling a user terminal, comprising: A control method of a server device that communicates with an image forming apparatus and a user terminal,
A first receiving step of receiving a request to generate a preview image of document information including print settings from the user terminal;
Generating a preview image of the document information according to the received print settings;
A first storage step of storing the generated preview image and identification information for specifying the preview image in a first storage unit;
A first response step of responding to the user terminal with the generated preview image and identification information identifying the preview image;
A second receiving step for receiving identification information of the preview image and a request for converting the document information specified by the identification information into print data from the user terminal;
A conversion step of converting the document information specified by the received identification information into print data according to the stored print settings;
A second storage step of storing the converted print data in a second storage unit;
Second response means for responding to the user terminal with identification information for specifying the stored print data and storage destination information of the print data;
A third receiving step of receiving a request to delete a preview image for which conversion to print data is not instructed from the user terminal;
A first deletion step of deleting, from the first storage unit, a preview image that is not instructed to be converted to print data in accordance with a request received from the user terminal;
A fourth receiving step of receiving a request for obtaining a preview image from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the preview image;
A first reply step of returning a preview image read from the first storage means to the image forming apparatus according to the received identification information;
A fifth receiving step of receiving a request for acquiring print data from the image forming apparatus together with identification information for identifying the print data;
A second reply step of returning print data read from the second storage means to the image forming apparatus according to the received identification information;
A second deletion step of deleting the print data printed according to the request received from the image forming apparatus from the second storage unit;
A control method for a server device, comprising: A control method of an image forming apparatus that communicates with a server device and a user terminal,
A list of print data to be printed is displayed on the display unit based on the identification information of the print data received from the user terminal, the storage destination information of the print data, and the storage destination information of the preview image corresponding to the print data. A first display control step,
A first acquisition step of acquiring a preview image associated with the print data selected from the list from the server device;
A second display control step of displaying the acquired preview image on the display means;
A first receiving step for receiving a print instruction for the displayed preview image;
A first requesting step for requesting the server device for the print data according to the storage destination information of the print data associated with the preview image for which the print instruction has been received;
A first acquisition step of acquiring print data to be printed from the server device;
A printing process for printing the acquired print data by a printing means;
A second requesting step for requesting the server device for a deletion instruction including identification information of the print data after the printing means has printed the print data;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the user terminal control method according to claim 7.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a server device according to claim 8.   A program causing a computer to execute the control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

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