JP5028456B2 - System that mediates printing on the network - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for realizing printing via a network by mediating between a client computer connected to the network and a printing apparatus.

  Conventionally, various printers are used as computer output devices. The printer is connected to the computer in a one-to-one relationship using a predetermined cable such as a bidirectional parallel interface (hereinafter referred to as “local connection”), and receives data from the computer to perform printing. In recent years, with the spread of LAN (Local Area Network), a mode in which a printer is connected to a network and shared by a plurality of computers that are also connected to the network has become widespread (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-327863

  Conventionally, the connection state between a printer serving as an output destination and a computer is usually determined in advance, even when the network is shared with a computer as well as a local connection. In other words, conventionally, printing is usually performed at a place determined for each computer owner.

  However, in recent years, with the development of information infrastructure such as the Internet and the improvement in portability of terminals that access information infrastructure such as so-called notebook computers and mobile phones, it has become possible to access information regardless of location. It was. Based on this tendency, there has been a demand for a technique that can easily perform printing from a portable terminal regardless of location. For example, there has been a demand for a technique capable of performing printing using the nearest printing apparatus as soon as information is acquired. Since printing in which the output destination can be freely selected on the network in this way greatly improves the convenience of the printing apparatus, it has been desired to be realized without being limited to use from a portable terminal.

  In recent years, a printing protocol called IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) has been proposed. This protocol is a protocol constructed for the purpose of realizing printing between an arbitrary client and a printing apparatus connected to the Internet. If printing is simply performed between a client connected to a network and a printing apparatus, it can be realized relatively easily by using IPP. However, IPP is premised on knowing information called URI for specifying an output destination on a network, and printing apparatuses that can be practically used by clients are extremely limited. That is, simply by applying IPP, it is not possible to realize highly convenient printing in which an output destination can be freely selected on the network.

  Furthermore, there is a practical problem when the output destination can be freely selected on the network. For example, it is a problem regarding the certainty and stability of printing. In other words, it is required to suppress printing at an unintended output destination due to an erroneous instruction from the client. Since there is a possibility that the output destination printing apparatus may be located at a location away from the client, it is also required to ensure that no printing failure occurs even under such circumstances. There is also a problem with the cost of printing. Printing using a printing device requires costs such as consumables such as printing paper and ink, and electricity costs and maintenance costs of the printing device. Therefore, it is required to charge these costs appropriately and without error. The In order to realize practical printing with high convenience on the network, there are various problems in addition to the problems illustrated here.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a technique for realizing printing with high degree of freedom and convenience regarding printing contents and output destinations between a client and a printing apparatus connected to a network. With the goal.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows:
A printing mediation method that mediates between the two using a mediating computer connected to the network when printing is performed by a printing device connected to the network in accordance with an instruction from a client connected to the network. ,
From the client, with receives the attribute information updated on the network to identify the aspects of printing including information specifying the printing device as the data specifying information and output destination specifying a location of print data to be assumed, the client a step you stored as attribute information for each,
Wherein when a predetermined condition involved in the update of the print data specified by the data specifying information is satisfied, before Symbol printing device designated as the output destination, in a manner of printing specified by the attribute information, wherein And a step of performing printing with print data .

This configuration is a mode in which printing is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, instead of printing by a direct print request from a client . This can be effectively utilized when a user uses information created by a third party and stored in a data providing server. In such an aspect, the user normally requests printing after confirming that the information stored in the server serving as the print data source has been updated. According to this configuration, since printing is performed when the conditions regarding the update of data are satisfied, there is an inconvenience of printing already acquired information, and time and effort for the user to frequently check whether the information has been updated or not. It can be avoided. Here, the condition regarding the update of the data can be determined based on the time, for example, when the data is of a property that is regularly updated like a newspaper article. In this case, if the user registers in advance the printing device that is the output destination of the newspaper article, a printing method in which the newspaper is printed from the printing device at a certain time can be realized.

Note that in printing via a network, a mode in which printing is performed when a condition specified by a user is satisfied can be easily taken by temporarily holding a print request by an intermediary computer. In the above configuration it has been illustrated a structure that utilizes this point more aggressively, not immediately after the print request, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which printing is performed in the time that satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, printing may be performed when a certain time comes, or printing may be started when the user instructs the start of printing again.

  In the above description, the case where the present invention is configured as a printing mediation method and other method inventions has been exemplified. Such a method is realized by using a specific server connected to the network. Therefore, the present invention can also be configured as a server used for realizing the above-described method.

  For example, it is a print mediation server that mediates between the client and the printing device on the network when printing is performed by the printing device connected to the network according to an instruction from the client connected to the network. Maintenance of a printing apparatus connected to the network when printing is performed on the printing apparatus connected to the network via an intermediary computer connected to the network in accordance with an instruction from a client connected to the network A maintenance management server that manages information may be used. A print history that manages the execution history of printing when printing is performed by a printing apparatus connected to the network via an intermediary computer connected to the network in accordance with an instruction from a client connected to the network It can also be a management server.

  When the network is the so-called Internet, a server provided in a provider that provides a service that provides subscribers with access to the Internet can be used as the server described above. Since a server is a computer that manages and controls access to various data and services by users on a network, the various servers described above may be referred to as computers or systems.

  In addition to the above-described aspect, the present invention can also be configured as an apparatus that provides an interface screen to a client when performing printing via a network. In particular, the program itself for displaying the interface screen, or this program It can also be configured as a recording medium on which is recorded. The program includes various languages such as a so-called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), which can control client display and other functions by control symbols such as tags, even if the entity is a so-called text file.

Here, as a program that provides an interface,
First, an interface for inputting a predetermined identifier assigned to the printing apparatus in such a manner that an output destination can be specified for the intermediary computer, although the printing apparatus as an output destination cannot be directly specified on the network. A program that realizes a function of displaying a screen on the client may be mentioned.

  Second, an output destination can be specified by sequentially specifying from a group located in a higher hierarchy according to a correspondence relationship set in advance between a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the network and a group set hierarchically. And a program that realizes a function of displaying an interface screen for specifying a printing apparatus to be displayed on the client.

  Thirdly, there is a program for realizing a function of displaying an interface screen for inputting predetermined authentication information for determining whether or not the client is permitted to print via the mediating computer on the client.

  Fourth, at least a part of the printing conditions designated by the client is fed back and displayed, and an interface screen for inputting printing agreement information instructing execution of printing under the conditions is displayed on the client. A program that realizes the function is listed. In this case, a function for displaying performance information including the cost associated with printing under the printing conditions designated by the client may be realized.

  The above-described interface screen does not necessarily have to be displayed individually, and may be displayed in an integrated manner. In addition to the above-described interface screen, the present invention is a program itself that provides various interface screens for inputting and outputting various information required for realizing the printing mediation method described above, or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. It is also possible to configure.

  Here, as a recording medium, a server connected on a network can be used, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and a flexible disk, CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, IC card, ROM cartridge, punch Various media that can be read by a computer, such as a printed matter on which a code such as a card or a bar code is printed, an internal recording device of a computer (memory such as RAM or ROM) and an external recording device can be used. The interface of the present invention is not limited to the one displayed by the control from the server in a state of being connected to the network. By installing the program recorded on the above-mentioned flexible disk or other recording medium on the client in advance and executing it It may be displayed. The present invention can also be configured as a client-side device that actually provides the interface, or as the interface itself. Note that the present invention is not necessarily applied only to the Internet and a wide range of other networks, and may be applied to a LAN.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the system configuration | structure used as the base of printing in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional block of the mediation system 1 as an Example. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of a basic function block 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of data conversion. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a directory service 60. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the classification | category of the printing aspect via a mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that an email is printed using a mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the first half part of the printing sequence of an email. It is explanatory drawing which shows the second half part of the printing sequence of an email. It is an example of an interface used at the time of printing of an electronic mail (part 1). It is an example of an interface (the 2) utilized at the time of printing of an email. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence (the 1) of the email in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence (the 2) of the email in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence (the 3) of the email in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a web page is printed using a mediation system. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an interface for designating printing via a mediation service in an aspect 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the screen displayed when net printing is selected. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a ticket is printed using a mediation system. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the mediation service at the time of ticket printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the document produced by self is printed using a mediation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the interface which designates a file. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that an electronic newspaper is printed using a mediation service. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the electronic newspaper is printed in the accommodation using a mediation service. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that data processing printing is performed using a mediation service.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following items based on examples.
A. Base system configuration:
B. Function block:
B1. Basic function blocks:
B2. Basic service block:
B3. Printing service:
B4. Relation service:
B5. Navigation service:
C. Example of printing:
C1. Aspect 1: Printing email:
C2. Aspect 2: Printing a web page:
C3. Aspect 3 Ticket printing:
C4. Aspect 4: Printing of created document:
C5. Aspect 5 Newspaper distribution 1:
C6. Aspect 6 Newspaper distribution 2:
C7. Aspect 7 Data processing printing:

A. Base system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a system configuration serving as a printing base in the embodiment. The embodiment implements printing via a network such as a LAN and the Internet. As illustrated, various servers SV and SVA, printers PRT1 and PRT2, a client computer CC1, and the like are connected to the Internet INT. These devices can exchange information via a network. Here, for convenience of explanation and illustration, only a few devices are shown, but as is well known, countless servers, printers, and clients are connected to the Internet. There are also a client computer CC3 and a printer PRT3 connected to the LAN, which are connected to the Internet INT via the LAN. Devices connected via a LAN can also exchange information with a server or the like connected to the Internet INT. In recent years, the number of terminals that can access the Internet INT has increased, and the mobile phone CP can also access the Internet as shown in FIG. The cellular phone CP that can access the Internet can perform almost the same function as the client computer. The location of each device on the network is specified based on information such as an IP address.

  In this embodiment, printing between any client and printer is realized under a system configuration in which an infinite number of servers, client computers, printers, and the like are connected via the Internet INT and LAN. Here, the situation in which various devices are connected to the Internet is illustrated as the most familiar environment, but the application of the embodiment is not limited to the Internet, but is relatively limited such as LAN or so-called personal computer communication. It can be applied to a network as it is. From this point of view, in the following description, the Internet, LAN, and the like are collectively referred to as “network”.

  In the embodiment, it is assumed that the main function of the mediation system for printing on a network is provided by a server SV connected to the network. In the embodiment, when the client computers CC1 and CC2 and the mobile phone CP designate a printer among the printers PRT1 and PRT2 on the network and issue a print request, the print request is once transmitted to the server SV. Is done. The server SV confirms / sets the operation status of the output destination printer, checks whether the client has the authority to access the printer, and the like. If it is determined that printing may be performed, the server SV transmits print data to the printer according to the print request received from the client, and performs printing. The embodiment exemplifies several kinds of methods that realize a reliable printing with a high degree of freedom by controlling the mediation system by interposing the mediation system between the client and the printer on the network.

  In the following embodiments, a case where most of the functions of the mediation system are basically provided by the server SV is shown. However, such functions are usually realized by software, and a plurality of servers are linked together. It can also be realized. Therefore, the mediation system is not necessarily provided by a single server, and may be provided by a plurality of servers.

B. Function block:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functional blocks of the mediation system 1 as an embodiment. As described above, the mediation system 1 is constructed in software in a server SV provided on a network. FIG. 2 shows the software configuration in the form of functional blocks.

  The intermediary system 1 is provided with functional blocks 10, a basic service block 20, a printing service 30, a relation service 50, a navigation service 40, a directory service block 60, an authentication service block 70, and a charging service block 80. Yes. “S” in the figure indicates a security system. As a device for exchanging data with the mediation system 1, a client 5 corresponding to the computer CC1 or the like in FIG. 1, a content service 120 corresponding to SVA or the like in FIG. Printing site control service 100 and printer 110 corresponding to the printers PRT1, PRT2, and the like. The printing site control service 100 is a functional block provided on the printer 110 side, and mainly functions to control data exchange with the network. When the printer 110 is locally connected to a computer through a bi-directional parallel interface or the like, the printing site control service 100 can be constructed on the computer, and the printer 110 is connected to a NIC (Network Interface Card). Or a print server, the NIC or the print server functions as the printing site control service 100.

B1. Basic function blocks:
Hereinafter, the function of each functional block provided in the mediation system 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing functions of the basic function block 10. The basic function block 10 is a functional block that provides a function that is indispensable when printing by the mediation system 1. The basic function block 10 includes three detailed function blocks, that is, a data conversion module 12, a status acquisition / setting module 14, and a job control module 16. The basic function block 10 receives a print request including print data specifying information for specifying print data to be printed and output destination specifying information for specifying a printer as an output destination from the client 5 via the network. .

  The job control module 16 functions to control a print job input to the mediation system 1. For example, when there are a plurality of print requests, priority is given to each execution, and control is performed so as to process sequentially. In addition, control relating to the number of copies to be printed, printing interruption, cancellation, and output destination change are performed.

  The status acquisition / setting module 14 has a function of first confirming the type and operation status of the printer 110 specified as the output destination. Question data for inquiring about the operation status of the printer 110, for example, the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of printing paper, etc. is sent from the status acquisition / setting module 14 to the printing site control service 100 and the printer 110. The operation status is confirmed by analyzing the output from the printer 110. Of course, the method is not limited to this. For data with little fluctuation such as the type of the printer 110, information registered as attribute data of the printer 110 in the directory service 60 described later can be used. Secondly, the status acquisition / setting module 14 has a function of performing setting for ensuring an operation state suitable for printing conditions such as setting of the operation state of the printer 110, for example, selection of a paper tray, as necessary, via communication. Play.

  The data conversion module 12 has a function of converting print data delivered from the client 5 into data that can be printed by the printer 110. The client 5 may directly send print data to be printed included in the print request to the mediation system 1, or send only information indicating the location of the print data on the network to the mediation system 1. There is also a case. As an example, both aspects of the printing of the Web page provided by the content service 120 will be described. Since the Web page normally downloads and displays data written in a language such as HTML provided by the content service 120 on the client 5, in the former example, the data itself downloaded to the client 5 is mediated. It becomes the aspect which transmits to the system 1. On the other hand, since the location of the Web page data on the network is specified by a code called URL (Uniform Resource Locator), in the latter example, the URL is transmitted from the client 5 to the mediation system 1. In the latter case, the mediation system 1 acquires the data stored in the content service 120 specified by the URL itself, and performs data conversion by the data conversion module 12. As the former mode, a mode in which the print data generated by the client 5 using various application programs is transmitted to the mediation system is also included. As the latter mode, there is also a mode in which an e-mail received by a so-called mail server is directly printed from the mail server.

  The conversion into data printable by the printer 110 is usually performed by software called a printer driver. The function of the data conversion module 12 is basically realized by installing a printer driver suitable for the type of the printer 110 designated as the output destination in the mediation system 1. However, since the print data designated by the client 5 is not necessarily in a format that can be directly handled by the printer driver, the data created by various application programs is not limited to a function for generating rendered data, etc. It is desirable to prepare a program that plays the role of an adapter.

  As described above, since the mediation system 1 can be configured by a plurality of servers, the data conversion module 12 does not necessarily have to be prepared in the server SV. The data conversion module 12 can be realized in various modes as described below.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a mode of data conversion. In the case where the data transmitted from the print data resource is received by the server SV in which the main function of the mediation system 1 is constructed and output to the printer 110 serving as the output destination, the variation regarding the part that performs data conversion is illustrated. Here, four cases of cases A to D are shown. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the original data that has not been converted at all is called “print data”, and the data that can be directly printed by the printer 110 is called “printer supply data”. To do.

  Case A corresponds to an aspect of generating printer supply data with resources. When print data is transmitted directly from the client 5 to the mediation system 1, the client 5 corresponds to a resource. When only information indicating the location of the print data is transmitted from the client 5 to the mediation system 1, the server specified based on the information corresponds to the resource. Case A corresponds to an aspect in which a printer driver is installed in these resources, and data is output in the form of printer supply data. In other words, this corresponds to the case where the data conversion module 12 of the mediation system 1 is provided in the resource. In Case A, when an output destination printer can be selected from among many types, it is necessary to prepare a number of printer drivers corresponding to the type as resources.

  Case B is a mode in which printer supply data is generated in the mediation server SV, and corresponds to a mode in which the data conversion module 12 is provided in the server SV. As described above, a printer driver suitable for the type of the output destination printer 110 is installed in the server SV. As in the case A, when the output destination printer 110 can be selected from many types, it is necessary to prepare the number of printer drivers corresponding to the type in the mediation server. In the case B, the data format transmitted to the mediation system 1, that is, the server SV, as illustrated, includes various formats such as HTML, XML, text format, JPEG, and other image data. Data output to 110 is unified with printer supply data.

  Case C is a mode in which the printer 110 side, strictly speaking, the printing site control service 100 performs data conversion to generate printer supply data. A printer driver is installed in the printing site control service 100. Since the type of the printer 110 in which the printing site control service 100 is involved is fixed, only one type of printer driver needs to be prepared. In case C, the data format supplied from the resource to the printing site control service 100 via the mediation system 1 has various formats, and the format of the printer supply data is just before being supplied to the printer 110. It will be unified.

  In each of Case A to Case C, the case where printer supply data defined in a specific format for each printer 110 is generated is illustrated. On the other hand, Case D is different from Cases A to C in that versatile printer supply data is generated. In the present embodiment, the case where data described in PostScript (registered trademark) is generated as the printer supply data in Case D is illustrated. PostScript is a highly versatile page description language. The printer 110 performs printing by sequentially interpreting and executing the contents described in PostScript by an interpreter. In Case D, the intermediary system 1, that is, the server SV is provided with software for generating PostScript data from print data. The condition is that the printer 110 includes an interpreter that can execute PostScript. However, since the printer 110 does not depend on the type of the printer 110, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of types of printer drivers. In case D, PostScript data is generated by the server SV. However, it is possible to adopt a mode in which PostScript data is generated by the resource or the printing site control service 100. Note that any format other than PostScript may be used as long as the data format has general versatility.

  Thus, the data conversion function 12 can be configured in various ways. Cases A to D shown in FIG. 4 may be used in combination. For example, when the resource includes a printer driver suitable for the type of the printer 110, the printer supply data is generated in the case A, and the printer is supplied in the case D when the printer 110 supports PostScript. Cases A to D may be selectively used according to the type of printer, such as generating data.

B2. Basic service block:
The basic service block 20 functions as an input / output interface when the client 5 accesses the mediation system 1, particularly the basic function block 10. Although not shown in the figure, the basic service block 20 is provided with three detailed function blocks: a registration service, a basic printing service, and a status service, and the above-described functions are realized by these detailed function blocks.

  A functional block called a registration service mainly registers and manages the printer 110 and content service involved in printing using the mediation system. For example, for the printer 110, information on the connection destination and connection method on the network, information on the type of the printer 110, information on the printing site control service 100, and authentication for determining whether or not access to the printer 110 is possible. Register and manage basic information such as conditions. Further, communication between the mediation system 1 and the printer 110 is managed based on the basic information. Similarly, for the content service 120, the communication method, the type of print data, the authentication information for determining whether the information provided there can be printed, the list of printers 110 that are allowed to be accessed, the conditions that allow access, and the information Registration and management of information such as billing conditions for printing, processing method when an error occurs during printing, application / service usage designation, etc. Further, communication with the content service 120 is managed based on these pieces of information. The same information is managed not only for the content service 120 but also for clients and users who request to use the mediation system 1. Note that the above-described information registered and managed by the registration service is held in a directory service 60 described later.

  The basic printing service is a part that performs a function corresponding to an interface for actually executing printing. The detailed function blocks provided in the basic function block 10 described above, that is, the data conversion module 12, the status acquisition / setting module 14, and the job control module 16 are controlled to perform printing. For example, after performing necessary authentication using a registration service in response to a print request, the print data is converted, the status of the printer 110 is confirmed and set, and the data is output to the designated printer 110. .

  The status service manages the status of the printer 110 serving as an output destination. In addition to confirming the operation status performed at the time of printing, status information for maintenance management of the printer 110 is acquired and managed. For example, information on consumables such as toner and printing paper of the printer 110 and information on update of replacement parts such as drums are acquired and managed, and output as necessary. By using this information, the operator of the mediation system 1 can manage the consumables and replacement parts of the printer 110 in an integrated manner.

B3. Directory service:
The directory service 60 has a function of grasping the printer 110, the content service, the type of print data, the client, the user, and the like involved in printing using the mediation system 1 as objects and holding the attributes. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the directory service 60. In the directory service 60, a file that holds object attribute data is prepared. In the figure, an attribute file relating to a user who uses the mediation system 1 is illustrated. As shown by files f1, f2,..., F5, attribute information files corresponding to each user are prepared. Each file stores, for example, information such as a user name, authentication information, and a printer 110 to which access is permitted, as attribute information corresponding to the user.

  FIG. 5 shows attribute information about the user, but the directory service 60 also stores attributes for other objects in the same format. By referring to these attribute information, it is possible to easily determine what charging conditions should be applied for each user. Further, by changing the attribute information, it is possible to easily and flexibly change the billing condition in response to a change in the charge course. The billing service block 80 has a function of determining billing conditions and billing using the directory service 60.

  Other functional blocks that use the directory service 60 include an authentication service block 70. The authentication service block 70 refers to an attribute file related to the user among the files stored in the directory service block 60, and has the authority to access the specified printer 110 by the user who issued the print request based on the authentication information. The function of determining whether or not the user is present. The strictness of authentication may be changed for each printer 110 designated as the output destination.

  The functional blocks that use the attribute information stored in the directory service 60 are not limited to the charging service block 80 and the authentication service block 70 illustrated in FIG. 2, and various functional blocks can be constructed.

B3. Printing service:
The printing service block 30 has a function of providing advanced printing using the mediation system 1. For example, printing can be performed in such a manner that print data is output to a plurality of printers registered in advance at a certain time. When the size of the designated print data is very large, the print data may be divided and output to a plurality of printers arranged close to each other. If an error occurs during printing, a function for re-printing may be provided, or printing may be executed again after changing the output destination. As described above, the printing service block 30 provides advanced printing control that is not realized by the basic function block 10 and the basic service block 20 alone. The main function of the printing service block 30 itself is an advanced job control that performs printing in the above-described manner. The basic function block 10 and the basic service block 20 are used as essential functions when performing printing.

B4. Relation service:
The relation service 50 has a function of acquiring and recording a printing status performed via the mediation system and providing usable statistical data. With the various functional blocks already described, the intermediary system 1 can grasp which user has printed what print data to which output destination. The relation service 50 accumulates the main information of such printing results and performs statistical processing. By using the statistical data obtained in this way, for example, the difference in operating rate for each printer can be grasped, and this can be used for printer maintenance management. It is also possible to work to add a printer near a printer with a high operating rate. Further, it is possible to grasp what content service each user is using, and it is possible to provide the location of information according to each user's taste. In addition, by providing the usage status to each content service, it is possible to contribute to the enhancement of the contents of the content service. In this way, the relation service has a function for utilizing the use record of the mediation system 1 for improving various services.

B5. Navigation service:
The navigation service block 40 has a function of providing information that helps the user to use the mediation system 1. This corresponds to the help function in the mediation system 1. For example, it is possible to provide information regarding a printing execution method using the mediation system 1, a list of available printers and content services, and the like.

  By providing each functional block described above, the mediation system 1 according to the embodiment can execute reliable printing with a high degree of freedom between the client and the printer on the network. Along with this, an advanced printing function can also be realized. Further, maintenance management of the printer 110 can be easily performed, and supply of consumables and replacement of parts can be efficiently performed. Further, by utilizing the printing results, it is possible to improve the quality of printing via the mediation system 1 and the quality of various services related to the mediation system 1.

C. Example of printing:
An example of printing using the mediation system of this embodiment will be described below. Printing modes using the mediation system can be broadly classified according to the type of resource holding the print data and the type of output destination. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing classification of printing modes via the mediation system. As a resource classification, there are a case where a server other than the client is a resource and a case where the client itself is a resource. The former corresponds to, for example, a mode in which mail in the mail server is directly printed, a mode in which information on the Web page is directly printed, or the like. The latter mode corresponds to a mode in which the client 5 prints a document created by various applications, and a mode in which mail or Web page data is once downloaded to the client 5 and then printed.

  The output destination is classified into a case where the printer 110 is outside the user's management and a case where the printer 110 is under the user's management. The printer 110 outside the user's management is the printer 110 installed in a public place. For example, this corresponds to the case where the printer 110 is installed in a convenience store or the like and used. Printers managed by the user include printers owned by the user at home and printers used in the office.

  As shown in FIG. 6, according to the resource classification and the output destination classification, the printing mode can be roughly classified into four. The first classification is a case where the resource is other than the client and the output destination is outside the user's management, and mode 1 “printing e-mail”, mode 2 “printing Web page”, mode 3 “printing ticket”, etc. Is applicable. The second classification is a case where the resource is the client itself and the output destination is outside the management of the user, and mode 4 “printing of created document” corresponds. The third category is a case where the resource is other than the client and the output destination is under the management of the user, and modes 5 and 6 “newspaper delivery” are applicable. The fourth category is a case where the resource is the client itself and the output destination is under the management of the user, and the mode 7 “data processing printing” corresponds. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these modes, and printing can be performed in various modes for each classification.

  The contents of each aspect will be described below. In addition, as a device corresponding to a client that issues a print request, a so-called general-purpose computer and a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone are conceivable, but the explanation is given using the one that is considered more convenient depending on the mode. . Printing can be performed using either a general-purpose computer or a mobile phone.

C1. Aspect 1: Printing email:
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electronic mail is printed using the mediation system. As an example, a case where the user prints an e-mail addressed to himself / herself by an operation from the mobile phone CP having a function of accessing the e-mail is shown. Consider a case where a printer is used in a public place, for example, a store such as a convenience store, a hotel, or a public hall. This is because it is considered to be highly useful when using a printer installed in a public place, and it is also possible to use a printer under its own management such as a home or office. . Here, the mobile phone CP corresponds to the client, but a computer can be used as the client.

  At the time of printing an electronic mail, a mobile phone CP corresponding to a client, a printer PRT as an output destination, an intermediary service PS, a mail service RM, and a mail server MS are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 7 shows some communication between the two parties such as Cm1 and Cm2, but the communication between the elements is not limited to these, and a line unique to these communication is provided. Not even. The mediation service PS is a server that constructs a mediation system in terms of hardware, but includes all functions provided by using the server and is referred to as the mediation service PS. Similarly, the mail service RM is also used to include services provided using a server on the network.

  The printer PRT as the output destination is registered in advance in the mediation service PS, and a unique identification number is given by the mediation service. In the example of FIG. 7, the identification number of the printer PRT is “1111”. This identification number is a code set by the mediation service regardless of information for identifying the printer PRT on the network, for example, an IP address used in the TCP / IP protocol and a code called URI used in the IPP protocol. As will be described later, a user who uses the mediation service designates an output destination printer PRT with this identification number. By setting the identification number disclosed to the general user regardless of the information specifying the printer PRT on the network, the location of the printer PRT can be concealed on the network and unauthorized access can be suppressed.

  The brokerage service PS and the mail service RM may be provided by different vendors. It suffices if both are associated in advance. The mail service RM provides functions necessary for printing using the mediation service PS as part of the provided service. For example, provision of an interface for the user to specify execution of printing using the mediation service PS and a function of transferring data necessary for printing to the mediation service PS are included.

  An e-mail printing execution method will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the first half of an e-mail print sequence. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the latter half of the e-mail print sequence. FIG. 10 shows an example of an interface used in the first half when printing an electronic mail. FIG. 11 shows an example of an interface used in the second half when printing an electronic mail.

  First, the user accesses the mail service RM from the mobile phone CP (communication Cm1 in FIG. 7). The mail service RM accesses the mail server MS that stores the e-mail, acquires data related to the e-mail addressed to the user, and displays items such as the sender and subject on the mobile phone terminal (communication Cm2 in FIG. 7). ). The user selects an electronic mail to be printed from the displayed subject list and transmits it to the mail service RM (see step st1 in FIG. 8).

  The left side of FIG. 10 shows an example of an interface for selecting an e-mail. As shown in the figure, a list of e-mails addressed to the mobile phone CP is displayed together with check boxes. In this example, it is displayed that four mails of Mail1 ·· Mail4 have arrived. The user operates the cursor key of the mobile phone CP and puts a check mark in the check box of the e-mail requesting printing. Here, a case where a check mark is added to two of Mail 2 and Mail 4 is illustrated. In the e-mail list display, as shown in FIG. 10, a “print” button is also displayed. The user can send a mail selection result to the mail service RM by placing a check mark on an e-mail requesting printing and then moving the cursor to the “print” button and pressing this button. The interface is merely an example, and various interfaces that realize two functions of a function of selecting an electronic mail to be printed from received electronic mail and a function of confirming a selection result and transmitting the result to the mail service RM can be applied. . When using a computer instead of a mobile phone as a client, the display unit has a sufficient size, so it is possible to construct an interface that can display and set more information than the content shown in FIG. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the mail service RM receives the mail selection result, the mail service RM accesses the mail server MS by the communication Cm2 shown in FIG. 7 and acquires the text data of the selected electronic mail (in FIG. 8). Steps st2 and st3). In the example of FIG. 10, by executing this step, the text data of Mail 2 and Mail 4 are temporarily stored in the mail service RM. There may be a so-called attached file in the e-mail. The mail service RM also acquires attached file data at steps st2 and st3.

  Next, the mail service RM transfers the electronic mail data to be printed to the mediation service PS by the communication Cm3 in FIG. 7 (step st4 in FIG. 8). Based on information such as the amount of print data, the mediation service PS approximates the number of print pages, cost, required time, etc., and sends it back to the mail service RM as simple print prediction information (step st5 in FIG. 8). The reason for the rough estimation is that there may be an error in the calculated cost, required time, etc., when the detailed conditions such as the output destination and the print mode are not specified. In step st5, cost and others are calculated assuming standard printing conditions. In step st4, the data transferred from the mail service RM to the mediation service PS may be information within a range sufficient for calculating the simple print prediction information. Therefore, it is not always necessary to transfer all of the e-mail data to be printed, and only information such as the amount of e-mail data and a color / monochrome discrimination code may be transmitted. When an attached file exists in the electronic mail, the data format is analyzed, and whether or not the file is a printable file and its size are fed back together.

  The mail service RM displays the simple print prediction information received from the mediation service PS on the mobile phone CP (step st6 in FIG. 8). A display example of the simple print prediction information is shown on the right side of FIG. Here, the case where the print page, the cost, and the required time are displayed for each electronic mail designated by the user is illustrated. It is good also as what displays a total value about all the emails which the user specified. The information to be displayed is not limited to the content illustrated in FIG. Only a part of the information in FIG. 10 may be displayed.

  The user confirms the displayed simple print prediction information and determines whether or not to continue printing. When executing printing, the user gives an instruction to start printing (step st7 in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 10, together with the simple print prediction information, an “execute” button is displayed on the display unit DISP, and an execution instruction can be given by moving the cursor here and pressing this button. Various other methods can be applied to the execution instruction, and any button originally provided in the mobile phone may be used instead of the button displayed on the display unit.

  The execution instruction made by the user is transmitted to the mediation service PS via the mail service RM by the communications Cm1 and Cm3 in FIG. 7 (step st7 in FIG. 8). At the same time, the print data, that is, the text of the electronic mail and the attached file are transmitted from the mail service RM to the mediation service PS. If all the print data has been transmitted to the mediation service PS in step st4 when calculating the simple print prediction information, only the print start instruction is transmitted. By this instruction, the mail service RM completes the communication with the mobile phone CP, and the subsequent communication is performed between the communication Cm4 in FIG. 7, that is, between the mobile phone CP and the mediation service PS.

  When receiving the print start instruction, the mediation service PS displays a standard menu related to printing on the mobile phone CP (step st8 in FIG. 8). An example of a standard menu is shown on the left side of FIG. In the standard menu, printing-related conditions such as content to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, and an output destination printer can be designated. The content is a menu for inputting the URL when the mobile phone CP instructs to print a Web page. In the example of FIG. 11, an input box appears by selecting a menu for which a condition is to be specified from a menu such as content, the number of copies, and a printer. FIG. 11 illustrates a case where an output destination printer is specified. When the “Printer No.” menu is selected, a box IP for inputting an identification number assigned to the output destination printer is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since the identification number assigned to the output printer PRT is “1111” as described above, “1111” is input to the box IP as shown in FIG. . Here, the input of “printer No.” has been described as an example, but the same applies to other menus. When the user specifies an output destination printer and presses the “Send” button, the printer identification number is transmitted to the mediation service PS by communication Cm4 in FIG. 7, and the output printer can be designated (FIG. 8). Step st9). A condition such as the number of copies is also transmitted.

  As described above, in the output destination printer PRT, information indicating the location on the network such as an IP address and URI, information on the type of printer such as an inkjet printer and a laser printer, and other attribute information are registered in the mediation service PS in advance. ing. In the mediation service PS, this attribute information is managed by the directory service block 60 described above with reference to FIG. Based on this attribute information, the mediation service PS calculates detailed print prediction information when printing is performed under the specified printing conditions, and displays the contents on the mobile phone CP using the communication Cm4 in FIG. (Step st10 in FIG. 8).

  After confirming the displayed print prediction information, the user instructs execution of printing (step st11 in FIG. 9). In this embodiment, execution of printing is instructed by inputting a user-specific password. This input also serves as an indication that the user has agreed to the printing conditions. An interface for inputting a password is illustrated in the center of FIG. As shown in the figure, after the cost and required time are displayed as detailed print prediction information, a box for inputting a password is displayed. The user inputs his / her password and presses a transmission button to transmit data to the mediation service PS. Although the password is displayed as “***”, the entered number may be displayed as it is. It is also preferable to display the identification number of the printer designated as the output destination together with the display of the print prediction information. Such a display can avoid printing at an unintended location due to an input mistake of the identification number, and can contribute to maintaining confidentiality when printing personal information such as e-mail. .

  In the mediation service PS, the user password is registered and managed in advance as one of the user attribute information by the directory service block 60 as shown in FIGS. When the brokerage service PS refers to the attribute information and confirms that the password is authentic and has the authority to access the designated printer PRT, it displays a print start screen on the mobile phone CP ( Step st12 in FIG. In parallel, the mediation service PS transmits predetermined banner data, that is, advertisement data, to the printer PRT designated as the output destination by the communication Cm5 in FIG. 7, and prints the advertisement (step of FIG. 9). st13). As described above, since the mediation service PS holds information for specifying this printer on the network as attribute information of the printer identification number, data by the communication Cm5 is used by using this attribute information. Transmission can be performed. The conversion from the advertisement data to data that can be printed by the printer is realized by the data conversion module 12 of the mediation service PS, but this function can be realized in various modes described above with reference to FIG. This advertisement data is data provided from various vendors who desire banner printing by the mediation service PS. Further, a display prompting confirmation of whether or not the banner page has been printed on the mobile phone CP is performed (step st14 in FIG. 9). A display example is shown on the right side of FIG.

  First of all, banner printing has an economic advantage that it is possible to obtain an advertising fee income from a merchant who desires an advertisement and to reduce the cost of the user who uses the mediation service PS. Secondly, there is an advantage as trial printing before printing of an electronic mail requiring confidentiality. By performing banner printing that does not cause a security problem even if there is an error in the output destination specification, and confirming that the printing has been performed securely, the desired data is printed, and the intermediary service Safety and confidentiality can be ensured when using PS for printing.

  When the banner is printed, the user presses the “OK” button shown in FIG. 11 and inputs to the mediation service that the banner printing is confirmed (step st15). Upon confirming this input, the mediation service PS transmits the e-mail data received and accumulated from the mail service RM to the output destination printer PRT by the communication Cm5 in FIG. 7 (step st16 in FIG. 9). ). The conversion from the e-mail data to the data that can be printed by the printer is realized by the data conversion module 12 of the mediation service PS. This function can be realized in the various modes described above with reference to FIG. When the transmission of all the data of the e-mail is thus completed and the printing is completed, the mediation service PS outputs the fee data required for the printing to the billing destination and ends the series of processes (step st17 in FIG. 9).

  The billing destination is not shown in FIG. 7 because various settings can be made. For example, when the mail service RM is a paid service, the mail service RM may perform billing processing. In this case, the billing information is transmitted to the mail service RM. The billing process may be performed by the operator of the cellular phone CP. The mediation service PS may be processed by the billing service block 80 shown in FIG. The payment may be made at a store where the printer PRT is installed. In addition to this, it is possible to perform charging processing in various modes.

  In the above-described example, the case where the mediation service PS is constructed in a single server is shown. The mediation service can also be composed of a plurality of hardware. As an example, a sequence in the case where a mediation service is constructed using the two hardwares of the mediation service F and the mediation service B will be described as a modification. Here, it is assumed that the mediation service F is a part that mainly performs a function of performing exchanges with the outside, and the mediation service B is a computer for processing relatively complicated calculations at high speed.

  12 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing an e-mail print sequence according to a modification. The overall processing outline is the same as the printing sequence shown in FIGS. In the modified example, the function performed by the mediation service PS is different from the sequences of FIGS. 8 and 9 in that the exchange between the mediation service F and the mediation service B is required.

  Also in the modified example, the print data is transmitted from the mail service RM to the mediation service F through the steps st1 to st4 described above. The mediation service F outputs content information necessary for the calculation to the mediation service B in order to obtain simple print prediction information (step st41). The mediation service B obtains simple print prediction information based on this information and returns it to the mediation service F (step st42). Thereafter, the process proceeds in the same steps as in the embodiment, such as displaying simple print prediction information on the mobile phone CP (steps st5 to st8). When an output printer is designated by the user for the mediation service F (step st9), the mediation service F outputs information related to content information and printer designation to the mediation service B in order to obtain detailed print prediction information (step S9). Step st91). Based on this information, the mediation service B confirms the status of the printer, that is, the operation status (steps st92 and st93), calculates detailed print prediction information, and returns the result to the mediation service F (step st94). . The confirmation of the operation status includes confirmation of whether or not consumables such as printing paper and toner provided in the printer remain in an amount sufficient for printing the designated content. When there is a possibility that printing may be incomplete, such as when the remaining amount of consumables is not sufficient, the mediation service B displays, via the mediation service F, “cannot print due to lack of consumables” on the mobile phone CP. Along with this, the print mediation service F stops printing.

  If it is determined that there is no printing defect, the mediation service F displays the detailed print prediction information obtained in this way, inputs the password, and displays the print start screen (steps st10, st11, st12). Start banner printing. For this purpose, the mediation service F transmits banner data to the mediation service B (step st131). At this point, the banner data is HTML, XML, or other data that cannot be directly printed by a printer. The mediation service B converts this banner data using a data conversion program suitable for the type of printer, that is, a printer driver, and outputs it to the printer (step s132). From the printer, a report on the result of banner printing is received. In other words, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed successfully (step s133). Since the mediation service B and the printer always exchange data while communicating with each other at the time of banner printing, the mediation service B performs banner printing when the banner data is transmitted without error. It can be judged that it was completed successfully. Thereafter, the mediation service B transmits the printing result to the mediation service F (step st134).

  The mediation service F prompts the user to print and display a banner page and to confirm the result. When the banner page is confirmed to be printed (steps st14 and st15), the mediating service F starts printing an e-mail. The procedure is the same as that for banner printing, in which email data is once transmitted from the mediation service F to the mediation service B, converted into a format that can be printed by the mediation service B, and then sent to the printer. (Steps st161 and st162). In addition, it is confirmed whether or not the printing is normally completed (steps st163 and st164). When printing is completed, the mediation service F transmits fee data to the billing destination (step st17).

  The function of the mediation service can also be realized by dividing it into a plurality of hardware in this way. In the modification, the case where the mediation service F and the mediation service B are divided into two is illustrated, but the mediation service F and the mediation service B may be further divided. In the modification, the data conversion to the printer data is performed by the mediation service B. However, as described above, the conversion may be performed before being supplied to the mediation service, or the conversion may be performed on the printer side. Also good.

  The sequence shown in the e-mail printing described as the first aspect is merely an example, and not all processes are necessarily required. For example, display of simple print prediction information (steps st5 to st7 in FIG. 8) may be omitted. Printing banner pages (st12 to st15 in FIG. 9) may be omitted. Alternatively, the user may be able to select whether or not to print a banner page.

C2. Aspect 2: Printing a web page:
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a Web page is printed using the mediation system. As an example, a case where a user prints a Web page being browsed on a portable computer PC in a situation where there is no accommodation, that is, a printer locally connected to the computer PC is shown. The printer that is the output destination uses a printer installed at the accommodation. Of course, it is not necessary to be an accommodation, and it is also possible to use a printer under its own management such as a home or office. Here, the computer PC corresponds to the client, but it is also possible to use a mobile phone as the client.

  In the aspect 2, the computer PC corresponding to the client, the printer PRT as the output destination, the mediation service PS, and the Web server WS that provides the data of the Web page being browsed are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. Assume that the printer PRT as the output destination is registered in advance in the mediation service PS, as in the first mode.

  The user can download data from the Web server WS to the computer PC by communication Cm21 in FIG. 15 and browse the Web page with a browser. When the user desires to print the web page being browsed, the user accesses the mediation service PS and executes printing specifying the accommodation printer PRT.

  Access to the mediation service PS can be realized in various ways. For example, there is a method of preparing a button for instructing the start of printing using a mediation service on the Web server WS side. In the aspect 1, the interface that displays the “print” button together with the list of e-mails is exemplified (see FIG. 10). A “print” button may be displayed in one corner of the Web page in the same format. If the Web page is configured to transfer the data being displayed to the mediation service when this button is pressed, printing can be realized by the same sequence as in aspect 1.

  Aspect 2 shows an example in which a special button or the like is not required to be displayed on the Web page side. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an interface for designating printing via the mediation service in aspect 2. The browser display screen was shown. It is a Web page of a travel agency including a travel coupon ticket and a crude product voucher. When a printer locally connected to the computer PC is prepared, the user often executes printing using the “print” menu prepared in the “file” menu. In aspect 2, printing using the mediation service PS is realized by the same interface as this. As shown in the figure, when the user clicks the “File” menu, a menu such as newly creating or opening appears as a pull-down menu. A “net printing” menu indicating execution of printing using the mediation service PS is prepared therein. When the user clicks on the “net printing” menu, the user can move to a Web page provided by the mediation service (herein referred to as “net printing mediation site”). At this time, the URL information of the Web page of the currently displayed travel agency is also transmitted to the “net printing mediation site”. Such processing is easily realized, for example, by incorporating software in advance in the browser of the computer PC on the user side. Software for this purpose may be made available for download from the “net printing mediation site”. Such an interface has an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a special button on the Web page, and an advantage that printing via an intermediary service can be realized with the same operation feeling as when printing to a locally connected printer.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the screen displayed when net printing is selected. A state is shown in which a Web page provided by the mediation service is displayed in a browser. This corresponds to an interface for designating printing conditions using the mediation service. In aspect 2, in order to print a Web page, the location of the print data is specified by a URL. When moving to this Web page, the URL information of the Web page of the travel agency browsed by the user is transmitted, so this URL is displayed as default information in the print data.

  The “net printing mediation site” also has an input box for designating a printer as an output destination. As in the case of the first aspect, it is possible to adopt a method of inputting and specifying the printer identification number. In the second aspect, an interface of a format different from that of the first aspect is illustrated.

  When the user clicks a box for specifying a printer, a menu classified broadly as Aichi, Gifu, Nagano, etc. is displayed. When the output destination printer is in Aichi Prefecture, when the user clicks on the “Aichi” portion, a menu classified by region within the prefecture such as Nagoya Kita Ward and Nagoya Nishi Ward is displayed. When “Nagoya Naka-ku” where the output destination printer is located is clicked, the location of the printer registered in the mediation service PS is displayed. The user can specify the printer PRT of the output destination by selecting the hotel name of the accommodation destination. Thus, by making it possible to hierarchically select printers that can be used in the mediation service PS, it is possible to specify a printer even in situations where the printer identification number is unknown. Further, as in the case of using the identification number, there is an advantage that the printer can be kept secret from the network and unauthorized access can be avoided.

  When the print conditions including the location of the print data and the output destination are designated in this way, the user clicks a “print start” button. Thereby, the printing conditions designated by the user are transmitted to the mediation service PS by the communication Cm23 in FIG. Based on the URL included in the print data, the mediation service PS can access the Web server WS by the communication Cm22 in FIG. 15 and acquire the data of the Web page to be printed.

  The subsequent sequence is the same as in the first aspect. The mediation service PS displays print information, inputs a password, confirms execution of printing, and the like on the computer PC by communication Cm23. When the execution of printing is instructed, the banner data is transmitted to the printer PRT by the communication Cm24, and after the banner printing is performed, the web page is printed. Conversion from banner data and Web page data to data printable by the printer PRT can be realized in various modes shown in FIG. The display of print information and banner printing may be omitted, or may be dependent on user selection. A mode in which a banner and a web page are simply printed together, that is, banner printing is executed, but a mode in which printing of a web page is also performed without confirming whether or not the printing has been performed may be employed.

  In the aspect 2, the printing instruction by the computer PC has been described as an example. However, the interfaces shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are not limited to the case where the client is the computer PC, and the case where the mobile phone is the client is also used. A similar interface can be applied. Web page printing is not limited to the interface and sequence of aspect 2, but can also be realized by the same interface and sequence as aspect 1.

C3. Aspect 3 Ticket printing:
In modes 1 and 2, an example has been shown on the assumption that printing is performed on normal paper. Aspect 3 exemplifies a case where the printing paper is limited to special dedicated paper. As an example, the printing of a ticket will be described. The user accesses the ticket center in advance online or by telephone and reserves a ticket for a concert or the like. In this case, the reservation number is notified from the ticket center. Thereafter, the user accesses the ticket center again, specifies the reservation number, and prints the ticket via the mediation service. However, since a ticket is a kind of securities, printing on plain paper is not permitted, and it is necessary to print on a dedicated sheet prepared for ticket printing. Aspect 3 exemplifies a method for realizing such printing.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a ticket is printed using the mediation system. The case where a user goes to a store where a printer capable of printing a ticket is installed and prints a ticket by an operation from a mobile phone CP having a function of accessing a Web page has been shown. Although the case where the mobile phone CP suitable for the print instruction in such a situation is used as a client is exemplified, a computer can also be used as a client.

  When printing a ticket, a mobile phone CP corresponding to a client, a printer PRT serving as an output destination, a mediation service PS, and a server of a ticket center TC are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. The printing sequence is the same as the printing of e-mail in the first aspect.

  The user accesses the Web page provided by the ticket center TC from the mobile phone CP by communication Cm31 in FIG. The user designates a reservation number on this Web page and presses a “print” button to instruct printing. When printing is instructed, the ticket center TC transmits the ticket print data corresponding to the designated reservation number to the mediation service PS by the communication Cm32 in FIG. Thereafter, information is exchanged between the mobile phone CP and the mediation service PS.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the mediation service during ticket printing. When the mediation service PS receives the ticket print data from the ticket center TC (step S10), it inputs the identification number of the printer as the output destination (step S12). The user receives the identification number designated by the same interface as shown on the left side of FIG. 11 via the communication Cm33 in FIG.

  Next, the mediation service PS refers to the attribute information registered in the directory service block 60 based on the printer identification number (step S14), and confirms whether or not the designated printer supports ticket printing. (Step S16). Whether ticket printing is supported is stored in advance as one piece of attribute information. Here, a printer that supports ticket printing refers to a printer that includes a ticket-specific print tray PTt in addition to a normal print tray PTn. For such a printer, the tray number of the print tray PTt dedicated to the ticket is also stored as attribute information for each printer.

  When the printer designated by the user is a printer that does not support ticket printing, the mediation service PS displays a printer change instruction on the mobile phone CP (step S18), and again executes the printer identification number input. (Step S12).

  If the printer designated by the user is a printer that supports ticket printing, it is confirmed that the user is a genuine user by inputting a password (step S20), and a paper tray PTt dedicated to the ticket is selected. A signal is output to the printer (step S22), and ticket print data is output to the printer (step S24). Selection of the paper tray PTt is performed based on attribute information registered for each printer. Paper tray selection control is realized by the status acquisition setting module 14 (see FIG. 3) in the mediation service PS.

  Although the sequence has been described here in a simplified manner, display of print prediction information, confirmation of banner printing, and the like may be performed. In ticket printing, there is a higher need for guaranteeing that the printed material will be delivered to the person, so that banner printing is highly effective as trial printing. In the first aspect, the banner is confirmed with the “OK” button. However, in order to confirm that the person can pick up the printed matter, a password set at random is printed together with the banner. Instead of the “OK” button in FIG. 11, this password may be entered. When performing banner printing, it is also desirable to control the selection of the paper tray so that the normal paper tray PTn is used.

C4. Aspect 4: Printing of created document:
In the first to third aspects, it has been described that both the user who performs printing using the mediation service PS and the printer as the output destination are registered in advance in the mediation service. Aspect 4 illustrates a case where only the user is registered in the mediation service.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing how a document created by the user is printed using the mediation system. As an example, in the customer's office, a case has been described in which a quote created by the user using the portable computer PC1 is printed by the customer's printer. In addition, a case will be described in which data input by the user at the customer's site is transmitted to the company's office, an estimate is created by the computer PC2 in the company's office, and output from the customer's printer. Consider a case where a printer as an output destination is not registered in the mediation service PS. Of course, if the customer's printer is registered in the mediation service PS, printing can be easily performed in the same sequence as in the first to third aspects.

  In the aspect 4, the computer PC1 corresponding to the client, the printer PRT as the output destination, the mediation service PS, and the computer PC2 in the user's own office are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other.

  First, a case where an estimate is created and printed by the computer PC1 owned by the user will be described. The user accesses a web page “net print mediation site” provided by the mediation service PS through communication Cm43 in FIG. 20 to perform printing. As described in aspect 2 above, in this Web page, conditions relating to printing can be set. Therefore, if the conditions such as the location of the print data and the output destination are specified and “start printing” is indicated, Printing can be executed in the same sequence as in FIG. However, the aspect 4 differs from the aspect 2 in that the data is a file existing in the computer PC1 and the output destination printer is not registered in the mediation service PS. The designation of printing conditions in such a case will be described.

  As for the print data, when a path indicating the location of the file in the computer PC1 is input, the file is transferred to the mediation service PS by using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the like when the start of printing is instructed. The designation of the path in the computer PC1 can be input by the user from the keyboard, but an interface that is input by drag and drop may be used. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an interface for designating a file. A browser window displaying “net printing mediation site” on the display DSP of the computer PC1 and a window displaying files in the computer PC1 are opened. When the user drags and drops the file “ABC.TXT” to be printed onto the Web page of the “net print mediation site”, the path in the computer PC1 is automatically input in the box indicating the location of the print data.

  Since the printer is not registered in the mediation service PS, it is not given an identification number. Therefore, in the box for inputting the location of the printer, information that can specify the location of the printer on the network is input. For example, an IP address and a URI used in IPP. Here, the URI is input.

  The sequence after these conditions are input is the same as in the first to third aspects. The mediation service PS receives print data and transmits it to a printer designated as an output destination. However, in aspect 4, the mediation service is in a state where the type of the output destination printer is unknown. Therefore, in order to perform data conversion by the mediation service PS, it is necessary to specify the model name of the output destination printer in the “net printing mediation site”. The intermediary service may search for whether or not it has a printer driver corresponding to the designated model name, and if not, it may be prompted to change the printer. When a printer driver exists in the user's computer PC1, a file whose data has been converted in advance may be transmitted as print data to the mediation service PS.

  In the above-described example, the case where the file to be printed is transmitted from the user's computer PC1 to the mediation service PS, but the information for specifying the presence of the data, not the data itself, that is, the file in the user's computer PC1. The path indicating the location of the user and the data indicating the location of the user's computer PC on the network may be transmitted to the intermediary service PS. As described in the aspect 2, the mediation service PS can acquire a file to be printed from the computer PC1 based on this information and execute printing.

  Next, a case where the user creates and prints an estimate on the computer PC2 in the office will be described. The user creates data on the customer PC at the computer PC1 and transmits the data to the computer PC2 in the company office via the communication Cm41. The computer PC2 in the company office creates an estimate based on the information transmitted from the user, and places the file in a predetermined storage location of the computer PC2. Also in this case, the user can print the estimate by the same procedure as when printing the data in his computer PC1. That is, it is only necessary to access the “net printing mediation site” and specify the URL indicating the estimate file in the computer PC2 of the company office, the IP address, and the path in the computer PC2 as the location of the print data. Instead of the drag-and-drop interface shown in FIG. 21, the input is from the keyboard. Others are the same as when printing data in the computer PC1.

C5. Aspect 5 Newspaper distribution 1:
In Embodiments 1 to 4, the case has been described in which printing is immediately executed when a print request is issued from the client. In the first to fourth aspects, the case where printing is performed only once for the print request has been described. In the fifth aspect, a case where a time condition and a time condition are provided for execution of printing will be described. Of course, it goes without saying that the same printing can be performed in modes 1 to 4 depending on the setting of the print request by the user.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an electronic newspaper is printed using the mediation service. The case where a user orders delivery of an electronic newspaper from a home computer PC and performs printing with the home printer PRT is shown. Assume that the printer PRT as the output destination is not registered in the mediation service PS. The output destination is specified using a URI or an IP address, as in the fourth aspect.

  In the aspect 5, the computer PC corresponding to the client, the printer PRT as the output destination, the mediation service PS, and the electronic newspaper service NS that provides the electronic newspaper are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. The electronic newspaper service NS is associated with the mediation service PS.

  First, the user accesses the Web page of the mediation service PS through the communication Cm51 shown in FIG. 22 from the computer PC and applies for an electronic newspaper. At the time of application, the selection of the electronic newspaper desired to be distributed, the user password, the designation of the printer PRT as the output destination, and the designated distribution time are registered. If the home printer PRT is not registered in the mediation service PS, registration is performed with information that can uniquely identify the location of the printer PRT on the network, such as a URI or IP address used in the IPP protocol. Along with the registration described above, the subscription period of the electronic newspaper may be designated. The registered information is stored as user attribute information in the directory service block 60 (see FIG. 2) built in the mediation service PS. In FIG. 22, a part of the attribute information is shown in a table format. By referring to this attribute information, the mediation service PS can manage when and what electronic newspaper data should be output to which output destination.

  When the electronic newspaper is distributed, no user operation is required. This is because the print request has already been transmitted to the mediation service by the above registration. The home printer PRT may be in an operating state. At the delivery time designated by the user, at 7:00 am in the example of FIG. 22, the mediation service PS accesses the server of the electronic newspaper service NS that the user desires to deliver by communication Cm52 in FIG. 22, and prints the electronic newspaper. Get the data. Since the electronic newspaper service NS and the mediation service PS are associated in advance, the mediation service PS can easily acquire print data of the electronic newspaper.

  Thereafter, the print data of the electronic newspaper is output to the output destination printer PRT by the communication Cm53, and the newspaper is distributed. The conversion from data provided by the electronic newspaper service NS to data that can be printed by the printer can be performed in various ways shown in FIG. Unlike the sequence shown in the mode 1 or the like, necessary authentication information such as a user password has already been registered, so there is no need to confirm again at the time of printing. The printing of the newspaper may be performed together with the banner page, or the user may be able to select in advance whether or not the banner page is necessary. If information related to the necessity of the banner page is also registered as user attribute information in the directory service block 60 in the mediation service PS, control relating to the necessity of printing the banner page, charging according to the presence or absence of the banner page Control can be realized relatively easily.

  Since the attribute information registered by the user is retained even after printing is completed, the user can obtain an electronic newspaper that the user wishes to distribute at a certain time every day. Unlike normal newspapers, information provided by the electronic newspaper service NS is updated sequentially. The user can obtain the latest information at an arbitrary frequency by designating a plurality of print designation times as necessary.

  It is also possible to provide a service for printing only the updated portion when the server of the electronic newspaper service NS is updated. Such printing can be easily realized by sending update information including the fact that the information has been updated to the mediation service PS and the updated print data from the electronic newspaper service NS when the information update occurs. It is. When the mediation service PS receives the update information, the mediation service PS refers to the attribute information stored in the directory service block 60 to identify the user desiring distribution when the information update occurs and the output destination thereof. . The print data of the updated part may be output to the output destination specified in this way. In the aspect 5, the electronic newspaper has been described as an example, but the content to be printed is not limited to the electronic newspaper.

C6. Aspect 6 Newspaper distribution 2:
In the aspect 5, the case where printing is periodically performed by the printer PRT at home is illustrated. In Aspect 6, a case will be described in which the output destination is temporarily changed under the condition where printing in Aspect 5 is performed. As an example, when staying at a place other than home, the case of temporarily changing the delivery of newspapers to the accommodation will be illustrated.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an electronic newspaper is printed at the accommodation using the mediation service. As described in the aspect 5, it is assumed that the electronic newspaper is normally distributed among the computer PC, the printer PRT, the mediation service PS, and the electronic newspaper service NS in the user's home. In the aspect 6, in addition to these elements, the cellular phone CP corresponding to the client and the printer Photol of the accommodation corresponding to the temporary output destination are involved. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. The case where a mobile phone CP having a function of accessing a web page is used as a client in consideration of use at a place where the user is away from home has been exemplified. However, portability or a computer installed in the accommodation in advance may be used as a client. Absent.

  The user accesses the Web page of the mediation service PS using the mobile phone CP by the communication Cm54 in FIG. 23, and designates the change of the output destination. The information for specifying the change, that is, the change specifying information includes a user password, information for specifying the change destination printer, a period for performing the change, and a desired delivery time during the change. If the change destination printer is registered in the mediation service PS, it is specified by its identification number. If it is not registered, it is specified by information such as a URI and an IP address. When the change service information is received, the mediation service PS replaces information related to delivery of the electronic newspaper with the contents of the change specification information, among the user attribute information stored in the directory service block 60 (see FIG. 2). . FIG. 23 shows, as an example, a state in which, in the attribute information, the output destination is replaced with the accommodation printer Printer instead of the home PRT. However, previously registered information is backed up. When the period during which the user changes is passed, the attribute information is again replaced with the original registration information.

  Changing the output destination of the electronic newspaper can be realized in various other ways. For example, as attribute information related to an electronic newspaper, information for designating a normal output destination, printing designation time, and the like, and change designation information are stored, and the mediation service PS distributes the electronic newspaper with priority on the change designation information. It is good also as what performs. When the period for performing the change has elapsed, the change designation information is deleted, whereby the output destination can be easily changed and other controls can be realized.

C7. Aspect 7 Data processing printing:
In modes 1 to 6, the case where the content created by the user or the content specified by the user is output as it is is illustrated. Aspect 7 shows a case where the data transmitted by the user is processed and printed.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing how data is processed and printed using the mediation service. The case where the image data that the user desires to print is applied to the designated background and is printed by the printer PRT at the user's home is shown. Assume that the printer PRT as the output destination is not registered in the mediation service PS. The output destination is specified using the URI or IP address of the IPP protocol.

  In the aspect 7, the computer PC corresponding to the client, the printer PRT as the output destination, the mediation service PS, and the processing service AS are interposed. Each of these elements is connected to a network and can exchange data with each other. The processing service AS is associated in advance with the mediation service PS.

  The user accesses the Web page of the mediation service PS from the computer PC by communication Cm71 and transmits the image PIC1 desired to be printed. The transmission of the image can be performed using, for example, the interface (see FIG. 21) shown in the fourth aspect. At this time, the user selects a menu for further superimposing the image data, and selects the type of the image as the background. Also, the printer PRT that is the output destination is designated. When the printer PRT is not registered in the mediation service PS, when the “print start” button displayed on the Web page is pressed in this way, data processing and printing are executed.

  When the execution of printing is instructed, the mediation service PS outputs the image data PIC1 received from the user and the code information specifying the background to the processing service AS (communication Cm72). In the processing service AS, background data PIC2 corresponding to the specified code information is stored in advance. The processing service AS generates image data PIC3 that is impositioned on the received image data PIC1 in the background data PIC2, and returns it to the mediation service PS (communication Cm73). The mediation service PS itself may perform such image processing. The mediation service PS outputs the received image data PIC3 to the designated printer PRT and executes printing (communication Cm74). The conversion from the image data to the print data that can be printed by the printer PRT can take the various modes shown in FIG. The printing sequence after the generation of the image data PIC3 is completed is the same as the sequence described in the first aspect.

  In addition, you may perform the above-mentioned printing in the following aspect. The user accesses a Web page provided by the processing service AS, transmits image data PIC1 desired to be printed to the Web page, and performs overlay processing with the background data PIC2. When the processing is completed, a printing instruction is issued via the mediation service PS. This corresponds to the printing of the Web page described in aspect 2, and can be realized by the same sequence as in aspect 2.

  In the aspect 7, the processing of the image data is exemplified, but the processing to the data transmitted by the user can be performed in various modes. For example, retouch processing may be performed on the image data transmitted by the user, or processing for adjusting the resolution, color tone, and the like may be performed in accordance with the characteristics of the model of the printer PRT designated as the output destination. The processing target is not limited to image data. For example, text data from a user may be received, processed into a certain format, such as manuscript paper or documents submitted to a government office, and printed. Information received in the form of text data from the user may be printed in a state described on various blank forms.

  According to the print mediation system and mediation service of this embodiment described above, printing via a network can be performed in a practical state. In order to make printing via a network practical, it is necessary to make it easy and reliable to specify a printer as an output destination and to confirm the operating state of the printer, and to ensure the confidentiality of printed matter. These problems can be solved by using the print mediation system of the present embodiment. As a result, when obtaining the printed matter, the place and time restrictions can be greatly relaxed, and the convenience of the printed matter can be improved. Further, as exemplified in the aspects 5 to 7, it is possible to realize printing in an aspect that cannot be realized by a conventional printing apparatus, and it is possible to further improve convenience.

  As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these Examples, and can take a various structure in the range which does not deviate from the meaning. For example, in the above-described embodiments, various printing modes on the Internet have been described. However, a mediation system may be constructed on the LAN.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mediation system 5 ... Client 10 ... Basic function block 12 ... Data conversion module 14 ... Status acquisition / setting module 16 ... Job control module 20 ... Basic service block 30 ... Printing service block 40 ... Navigation service block 50 ... Relation service 60 ... Directory service block 70 ... Authentication service block 80 ... Billing service block 100 ... Printing site control service 110 ... Printer 120 ... Content service

Claims (4)

A printing mediation method that mediates between the two using a mediating computer connected to the network when printing is performed by a printing device connected to the network in accordance with an instruction from a client connected to the network. ,
Acquire data identification information for identifying the location of electronic newspaper data on the network, which is a type of print data that is supposed to be updated regularly, from a server previously associated with the intermediary computer for a plurality of electronic newspapers Preparing to be selectable by the client;
Receiving, from the client, the data specifying information selected by the client and attribute information specifying a printing mode including information specifying a printing apparatus as an output destination, and storing it as attribute information for each client;
When the timing of distribution of the electronic newspaper data arrives, the printing device is specified based on the attribute information, and the printing device prints the electronic newspaper data in the specified printing mode. And a step of outputting to a printing apparatus designated as the output destination . Information included in the attribute information is temporarily rewritten, the printing, while the attribute information is rewritten, the claims carried out in the manner of printing specified by the rewritten attribute information The printing mediation method according to 1 . The print mediation method according to claim 2 , wherein the attribute information includes information indicating a period during which the attribute information is temporarily rewritten, and the attribute information is returned to the original information after the period has elapsed. A print mediation server that mediates between the client and the printing device when printing is performed by the printing device connected to the network according to an instruction from the client connected to the network;
Data identification information for identifying the location of electronic newspaper data on the network, which is a type of print data that is expected to be updated regularly, for a plurality of electronic newspapers is acquired from a server previously associated with the print mediation server. And data specifying information preparation means prepared to be selectable by the client,
Print attribute storage for receiving from the client the data specifying information selected by the client and attribute information specifying a printing mode including information specifying a printing apparatus as an output destination, and storing it as attribute information for each client Means,
When the timing of distribution of the electronic newspaper data arrives, the printing device is specified based on the attribute information, and the printing device prints the electronic newspaper data in the specified printing mode. And a print execution control means for outputting to a printing apparatus designated as the output destination .

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