JP4710743B2 - Print server, print server program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling printing between a client and a printer, and more particularly to a technique for processing a file to be printed.

  For example, in a structured file such as PDF (Portable Document Format), non-printing objects such as moving images and programs can be packed in addition to printing objects such as characters. For this reason, when a PDF file in which an object to be printed is packed is transmitted to a printer that can directly read and print a PDF, the spool capacity of the printer is too small to be accepted, or the transfer time and print processing time are long. There is a risk. In addition, if the version of the file supported by the printer is old, the printer may not be able to interpret the non-printable object or may cause a misinterpretation, which may cause the printing to fail or take a long time to print. There is a possibility.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-228561 discloses a technique for reducing the size by deleting image data in a PDF.

JP 2004-188865 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, priority is given to deletion of image data, and it is not considered whether the print result is different from that before deletion of image data. Therefore, there is a case where printing significantly different from that intended by the print instructor is executed.

  An object of the present invention is to perform a process in the print server that achieves both a reduction in the size of a file to be printed and suppression of changes in the print result.

  Still another object of the present invention is to increase the printability of a printer having a low file interpretation function.

The print server of the present invention receives a print request for a file described in a format that can be interpreted by a printer, reads the file based on the deletion condition, and selects one of the non-print target objects included in the file. parts or remove all, and creation means for creating a print file that size reduction, the printer sends a print file created, a print instruction unit to execute the printing, wherein the generating means If a deletion condition is specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, the print file is created based on the deletion condition, and if the deletion condition is not specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, it is deleted internally. It is determined whether or not conditions are set in advance. If it is determined that the conditions are set in advance, the print file is determined based on the deletion conditions. Characterized in that it created.

  The print server is a device that receives a print request and issues a print instruction to the printer. The print server can be constructed using computer hardware having a calculation function and software (program) for controlling the operation thereof. The print server may be constructed as a distributed processing system using a plurality of communicable hardware or may be constructed as a centralized processing system using a single piece of hardware. The print server is typically constructed using hardware that is different from the device that makes the print request and the printer that is the print instruction destination, but is constructed using one or both of these devices. Also good.

  The accepting unit can accept a print request for a file that can be interpreted by a printer. Here, “interpretable by the printer” means that the printer can interpret the object to be printed in the file and execute printing. The print target object is an object whose presence is reflected in the print result. As an example of the object to be printed, an object that defines a format that defines the size, font, layout, and the like in addition to an object to be directly printed, such as characters and images.

  Some files that can be interpreted by a printer are designed to include non-print target objects in addition to print target objects. The non-print target object is an object whose existence is not reflected in the print result. Examples of non-printable objects include those used when browsing on a monitor such as annotation, those used in a specific language environment such as a multi-layer for multi-language support, and color data in a monochrome printer. Examples thereof include those used in a specific printer, and those used on a computer like a program. However, for example, an annotation may be printed. Depending on the print settings, the print target object may become a non-print target object, or conversely, the non-print target object may become a print target object. An object refers to data representing a functional unit in a file. A simple positional group such as each page data in a file consisting of a plurality of pages is not called an object. Further, the object is not necessarily defined by the name “object” in the language specification of the file. Examples of file formats that include a print target object and a non-print target object and can be generally interpreted by a printer include PDF and DocuWorks (registered trademark) (sometimes called PDL (page description language)). it can.

  The deletion unit deletes a part or all of the non-print target object from the file related to the print request and creates a print file. This deletion is performed based on a deletion condition defined for deleting a non-printing object. Examples of the deletion condition include a condition in which non-print objects to be deleted are listed and the non-print objects described in the list are set as deletion targets. The deletion condition is typically set in the print server in advance, but may be acquired from, for example, a printer that is a printing destination specified in the print request, or may be input from the print request source together with the print request. The deletion condition is typically set for each file format so as to correspond to the characteristics of each file format. In addition, the deletion condition may be set for each printer or each printer type so as to correspond to the characteristics of each printer. It is also effective to prepare standard deletion conditions for each user. Note that acquisition of a file related to a print request may be performed based on an input from the print request source, or may be performed based on acquisition destination information (such as a URL) input from the print request source.

  The print instructing unit transmits a reduced size print file to the printer to instruct printing. As a result, the effect of increasing the file transfer speed and the effect of increasing the processing speed of the printer can be expected. It is also possible to cause a printer with a small spool capacity (printer storage capacity) to perform printing. Furthermore, even when there is a non-print target object that cannot be interpreted by the printer, printing can be executed.

  In one aspect of the print server of the present invention, the deletion condition is a condition set according to the printer of the printing destination. Generally, different printers have different spool capacities, color characteristics, types of non-printable objects that can be interpreted, and the like. Therefore, the deletion condition can be changed according to the characteristics of the printer of the printing destination.

  In one aspect of the print server of the present invention, the deletion condition is changed according to the file size, the memory size of the printer, or the file transfer speed. As a result, when the advantage of deleting non-printable objects is large, many or all non-printable objects are deleted, and when the advantage of deleting is small, only the main non-printable objects are deleted. Alternatively, settings such as no deletion can be made.

  In one aspect of the print server of the present invention, the deletion condition is determined based on a preset standard condition and a runtime condition designated by the print request source at the time of a print request. When a runtime condition is specified in addition to the standard condition, only the runtime condition may be adopted as the deletion condition, or both may be integrated into the deletion condition. In the latter case, when the standard condition and the run-time condition conflict, the adjustment may be performed according to a preset priority. In general, priority can be given to runtime conditions, so that deletion or non-deletion of a non-print target object can be controlled as intended by the user. Note that the run-time condition and the standard condition may be the same or different condition items that can be pointed out.

  In one aspect of the print server of the present invention, means for creating data representing a print image based on a file before deletion, means for creating data representing a print image based on a print file after deletion, Means for comparing the two print images and evaluating the validity of deletion of the non-print target object. In other words, the evaluation unit calculates whether or not there is a difference in print results due to deletion or the degree of difference, and evaluates the validity of performing deletion. If there is a difference or if the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value, a process for issuing a print instruction without deleting it automatically or based on a user instruction, or by changing the deletion conditions, It would also be effective to perform processing to remove from the deletion target.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to the present embodiment. This system includes a user terminal 10, a print server 20, and a printer 40.

  The user terminal 10 is a terminal from which a user makes a print request to the print server 20, and is constructed by, for example, a PC (personal computer). The user terminal 10 transmits the input data 50 to the print server 20 when making a print request. The input data 50 includes input print data 52 that is a file to be printed. The input print data 52 is data created in the PDF format. In addition to character information to be printed, non-print target objects such as annotations 54 and history 56 are packed. The input data 50 can also include input deletion setting data 58 for performing object deletion control. Further, in order to perform printing control other than deletion control, the input data 50 can include control data for general printing called a job ticket. It is also effective to describe the input deletion setting data 58 in the job ticket.

  The print server 20 is a device that receives a print request from the user terminal 10 and issues a print instruction to the printer 40. The print server 20 is constructed using, for example, a workstation or a PC. In this example, the print server 20 includes a data receiving unit 22, an object deleting unit 24, a storage unit 26, a data transmitting unit 30, and an object deletion notifying unit 32. The data receiving unit 22 receives the input data 50 from the user terminal 10 and outputs it to the object deleting unit 24. The object deletion unit 24 performs processing for deleting a non-print target object from the input print data 52. In this process, the input deletion setting data 58 included in the input data 50 or the standard deletion setting data 28 stored in the storage unit 26 is referred to, and deletion is performed based on the description. As a result, the deleted print data 62 that is a PDF file with a reduced size is generated and output to the data transmission unit 30.

  The data transmission unit 30 outputs output data 60 including the deleted print data 62 to the printer 40. In the deleted print data 62 shown in the figure, the annotation 54 and the history 56 included in the input print data 52 are deleted. The output data 60 may include the aforementioned job ticket. The object deletion notification unit 32 inputs from the object deletion unit 24 that the object has been deleted, and outputs it to the user terminal 10. As a result, the user can recognize that the object has been deleted.

  The printer 40 receives the output data 60 and prints the deleted print data 62. Specifically, the printer 40 reads the deleted print data 62, converts the data description format from PDF data to raster data, and performs printing.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the input deletion setting data 58 and the standard deletion setting data 28 shown in FIG.

  The illustrated deletion setting data 70 includes an “object deletion” item 72, an “object to be deleted” item 74, and a “deletion notification” item 76. The “delete object” item 72 can be given a value of “Yes” or “No”. As shown in the figure, when the value of “Yes” is given, the object deletion unit 24 performs object deletion according to the “Object to be deleted” item 74. Further, when a value of “No” is given, the deletion process by the object deletion unit 24 is not performed.

  The “object to be deleted” item 74 specifies an object to be deleted and its deletion mode. Specifically, in the “object to be deleted” item 74, “layer: other than Japanese”, “annotation: all”, “history: all”, and “font: all” are set. A “layer” is an object for writing in a plurality of languages, and generally, a layer other than a certain language in use is not used for printing. Therefore, the layer number and the language associated with the layer are set as values for “layer”. In the illustrated example, “layer” of “non-Japanese” is set to be deleted. In order to automatically set this value, it is also effective to provide a setting function that specifies the language to be used from the installation location information of the print server 20 and leaves the language layer.

  “Annotation” refers to information such as an annotation or a tag attached to the input print data by the user. For “annotation”, a value such as an annotation type, a user name to which the annotation is added, and “all” can be set.

  “History” refers to data on the editing history of a file. A value of “all” can be set for “history”. For “font”, a font name and a value of “all” can be set.

  In addition, items such as “image” and “moving image” can be designated. For “image”, an image format name and “all” are set, and for “moving image”, a moving image format name and “all” are set.

  In general, “history” is not a print target, and even if “history” is deleted, the print result does not change. However, for example, “annotation” may be a print target, and “image” may be included in the print range. Therefore, it is required to carefully set “annotation” and “image”. Therefore, for example, it may be effective to provide a processing mechanism that evaluates in advance the difference in print results before and after object deletion.

  The “deletion notification” item 76 controls notification by the object deletion notification unit 32. As the value of “deletion notification”, “Yes” or “No” can be set. In the case of “Yes”, the type of the deleted object is displayed on the UI or notified by e-mail. On the other hand, in the case of “No”, nothing is notified.

  Next, the processing flow of the print server 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In the object deletion unit 24, when the input data 50 is input from the data reception unit 22, it is first determined whether or not the input deletion setting data 58 is included (S10). If the input deletion setting data 58 is included, the deletion setting described in the input deletion setting data 58 is extracted (S12). On the other hand, if the input deletion setting data 58 is not included, it is searched whether or not the standard deletion setting data 28 is stored in the storage unit 26 (S14). If it is not stored, the process ends without deleting the object, and a print instruction is issued. On the other hand, when the standard deletion setting data 28 is stored, the deletion setting described in the standard deletion setting data 28 is extracted (S16).

  Next, the value of the “object deletion” item in the extracted deletion setting is evaluated (S18). As a result, in the case of “No”, the process is terminated without deleting the object, and a print instruction is issued. On the other hand, in the case of “Yes”, the object specified by the deletion setting is deleted from the input print data 52 (S20). That is, while scanning the input print data 52, the object specified by the print setting is found, and the detailed type of the object is determined as necessary, and then the deletion is performed. The scanning method and the object determination method are performed according to the PDF specification. Subsequently, the “deletion notification” item in the deletion setting is checked (S22). If the value is “no”, the notification by the object deletion notification unit 32 is not performed, and if “yes”, the object deletion notification is performed. Notification by the unit 32 is performed (S24). In any case, when the object is deleted, the data transmission unit 30 transmits the created deleted print data 62 to the printer 40 and issues a print instruction.

  In the above description, the description has been made on the assumption of a PDF file. However, the present embodiment can also be applied to other PDLs that can specify the type of object in the file.

It is a block diagram explaining a system configuration example. It is a figure which shows the example of deletion setting data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow of a print server.

Explanation of symbols

  10 user terminal, 20 print server, 22 data reception unit, 24 object deletion unit, 26 storage unit, 28 standard deletion setting data, 30 data transmission unit, 32 object deletion notification unit, 40 printer, 50 input data, 52 input print data , 54 annotation, 56 history, 58 input deletion setting data, 60 output data, 62 deleted print data, 70 deletion setting data.

Claims (2)

A receiving means for receiving a print request for a file described in a format that can be interpreted by a printer;
Based on the deletion condition, a creation unit that reads this file, deletes part or all of the non-print target object included in the file, and creates a reduced print file;
A print instruction means for transmitting the created print file to the printer and executing printing;
Equipped with a,
The creating means includes
If a deletion condition is specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, the print file is created based on the deletion condition,
If a deletion condition is not specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, it is determined whether or not a deletion condition is set in advance. If it is determined that the deletion condition is set in advance, the printing is performed based on the deletion condition. Create a file
A print server characterized by that . Computer
A receiving means for receiving a print request for a file described in a format that can be interpreted by a printer;
Based on the deletion condition, a creation unit that reads this file, deletes part or all of the non-print target object included in the file, and creates a reduced print file;
A print instruction means for transmitting the created print file to the printer and executing printing;
To function as a print server with,
The creating means includes
If a deletion condition is specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, the print file is created based on the deletion condition,
If a deletion condition is not specified from the print request source at the time of the print request, it is determined whether or not a deletion condition is set in advance. If it is determined that the deletion condition is set in advance, the printing is performed based on the deletion condition. A print server program characterized by creating a file .

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