JP5920581B2 - Print server printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print server and a print system that enable print settings from a terminal device.

  When various print settings are made when a document is printed, it is often difficult to predict the finished state of the printed matter. In order to solve this problem, a print preview function that can display and confirm a print image (preview image) when the print setting is reflected on a display before printing has become widespread.

  In addition, there is a printing system that allows a printing apparatus to print a desired document by inputting a print job or performing print settings from a terminal device such as a mobile terminal, and appropriately displays print settings and a preview image on a small display of the mobile terminal. Techniques for this have been proposed.

  For example, when display capability information and document data are sent from a mobile terminal to a printer, the printer generates preview image data corresponding to the display capability and transmits the preview image data to the mobile terminal. The preview image is displayed on the mobile terminal and confirmed by the user. There is a printing system in which a print request is received after being made (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as an example using a server, for example, when a document to be printed, a printer that executes printing, and the contents of print settings are selected on a portable terminal, the server determines that based on information about the display unit of the portable terminal. There is a printing system that generates a preview image having a size and resolution suitable for displaying a document on the portable terminal and transmits the preview image to the portable terminal for display (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-163794 A JP 2011-118586 A

  According to the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a preview image can be displayed in accordance with the display size and resolution of the mobile terminal. However, in order to display a print setting screen on a small display of a mobile terminal and display a preview image on the mobile terminal while receiving an operation, either one must be temporarily hidden or both must be displayed small. It was difficult to display both of them at an appropriate size at the same time.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a print server and a print system capable of easily displaying a preview image while receiving print settings from a terminal device.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A print server connectable to first and second terminal devices having a Web browser function,
Data for operating a Web browser to display a print setting screen for accepting print settings for a document to be printed, accept the print settings, and send print setting information indicating the contents of the accepted print settings to the print server A print setting management unit for transmitting to the first terminal device having a Web browser function;
A print setting information receiving unit for receiving the print setting information from the first terminal device;
Data for operating the Web browser to display a preview image of the document to be printed on which the contents of the print setting indicated by the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving unit is reflected. A preview display management unit to be transmitted to the two-terminal device;
A print server characterized by comprising:

  In the above invention, the print server displays the print setting screen on the first terminal device having the Web browser function and receives the print setting, and the preview image reflecting the print setting is the second terminal having the Web browser function. Control to be displayed on the device. For example, an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file of a Web page including a Web application is transmitted from the print server to the terminal device, and a print setting screen or a preview image is displayed on the Web browser of the terminal device, or the print setting is reflected. In this way, the preview image is processed by the Web application.

[2] The data transmitted by the print setting management unit to the first terminal device is sent to the print server so that print setting information indicating the contents is transmitted to the print server every time print settings are received on the print setting screen. Is to operate,
Each time the print setting information receiving unit receives the print setting information from the first terminal device, the preview display management unit displays a preview image reflecting the contents of the print settings indicated by the print setting information on a Web browser. The print server according to [1], wherein data for display is transmitted to the second terminal device.

  In the above invention, every time the print setting is changed on the first terminal device, the preview image reflecting the changed print setting is sequentially displayed on the second terminal device.

[3] On the condition that the same user is logged in to the print server from both the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the web browser of the first terminal device accepts print settings and prints The print server according to [1] or [2], wherein a cooperation function for displaying a preview image reflecting the setting contents on the Web browser of the second terminal device is enabled.

  In the above invention, the condition for cooperation is that the same user is logged in to the print application of the print server.

[4] One of the first terminal device and the second terminal device is a mobile terminal, and the other is a printing device. Print server.

[5] A printing system comprising the print server according to [4], the first terminal device, and the second terminal device.

  According to the printing server and the printing system according to the present invention, the preview image can be displayed on the second terminal device while receiving the print setting operation for the document to be printed on the first terminal device.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing system including a print server according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen displayed on a portable terminal in the state which has validated the cooperation function. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine in a state where the cooperation function is enabled. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a print server. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a portable terminal. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a printing system. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a portable terminal performs. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the multifunction peripheral. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a print server performs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system 8 including a print server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 8 is configured by connecting a print server 10, a multifunction device 30, and a portable terminal 50 to a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The portable terminal 50 is connected to the network 2 by wireless communication via the access point 3. A plurality of multifunction devices 30 and portable terminals 50 may be provided. The network 2 may be connected to a PC terminal such as a personal computer.

  The multi-function device 30 has a copy function for optically reading a document and printing the duplicate image on a recording paper, a scan function for saving the image data of the read document as a file, or transmitting it to the external terminal via the network 2, The image processing apparatus includes a print function that prints a document or image on a recording sheet based on a print job received from the print server 10 via the network 2 and outputs the document or image.

  The multi-function device 30 includes an operation panel 45 that displays various screens such as an operation screen and a setting screen, and receives a job input operation and various setting operations from a user. Further, the multifunction machine 30 has a web browser function, and can display a web browser screen on the operation panel 45 and accept various operations from the user on the screen.

  The portable terminal 50 is a portable information terminal that includes a small display unit with a touch panel. The portable terminal 50 also has a Web browser function, and can display a Web browser screen on the display unit and accept various operations on the screen from the user.

  The print server 10 specifies a document to be printed through a print setting screen displayed on the operation panel 45 of the multifunction device 30 or the display unit of the portable terminal 50 using the Web browser function of the multifunction device 30 or the portable terminal 50. And print settings are received, a print job is created, and the print job is transmitted to a printing apparatus such as the multifunction machine 30 to be printed. In addition, the print server 10 displays a preview image of a document to be printed on which the contents of the print settings are reflected on the other display unit while accepting an operation of print settings on either the multifunction device 30 or the portable terminal 50. A function (hereinafter referred to as a linkage function) is provided.

  For example, by using the cooperation function, the user can confirm the preview image on the operation panel 45 of the multifunction device 30 while standing near the multifunction device 30 and performing print settings on the portable terminal 50. Note that the two devices to be linked by the linkage function may be both terminal devices such as the portable terminal 50, or the two devices may be the multifunction device 30 or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the print setting screen 60 displayed on the portable terminal 50 in a state where the cooperation function is enabled. The print setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 2 accepts settings relating to color selection, print type, binding position, and the like. In the color selection, it is selected whether the document to be printed is printed in color, gray scale, or monochrome. In the print type, it is selected whether to print only on one side of the paper, print on both sides, or print in a spread layout. In the setting of the binding position, the binding position when the sheets are bound by the staple is selected.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a preview screen 70 displayed on the operation panel 45 of the multifunction machine 30 in a state where the cooperation function is enabled. On the preview screen 70, a preview image display area 71, which is a display area for displaying the preview image 78, and a page number column in which the page number of the page on which the preview image 78 is displayed in the preview image display area 71 are displayed. 72, a right arrow button 73 for switching pages displayed in the preview image display area 71, a left arrow button 74, and the like are displayed. The left arrow button 74 is an operation button for returning the page displayed in the preview image display area 71 by one page toward the top page. The right arrow button 73 is an operation button for advancing the page displayed in the preview image display area 71 by one page toward the last page.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the print server 10. The print server 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the print server 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, and an HDD (HDD) via a bus. Hard Disk Drive) 15, a network communication unit 16, and an external I / F (Interface) 17 are connected.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the print server 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs.

  The RAM 13 is a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information.

  The HDD 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores Web page data to be transmitted to clients such as the multifunction machine 30 and the portable terminal 50, a Web application to be executed by a Web browser, and the like.

  The network communication unit 16 has a function of communicating with the multifunction device 30, the portable terminal 50, other external devices, and the like through the network 2.

  The external I / F 17 is connected to a keyboard, a mouse for receiving an input operation from a user, a display for displaying various screens, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 30. The multifunction machine 30 includes a CPU 31 that controls the operation of the multifunction machine 30 in an integrated manner. The CPU 31 has a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image reading unit 34, a printer unit 35, an image processing unit 36, a nonvolatile memory 37, an automatic document conveying unit 38, a facsimile communication unit 39, and a network communication unit through a bus. 41 and an operation panel 45 are connected.

  The CPU 31 is based on the OS program, and executes programs such as middleware, application programs, and Web browsers on the OS program. The Web browser performs display based on the data of the Web page downloaded from the print server 10 or the like, and executes the Web application downloaded from the print server 10.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 32, and each function of the multifunction device 30 is realized by the CPU 31 executing various processes according to these programs.

  The RAM 33 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 31 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like. In addition, data downloaded from the print server 10 is stored.

  The image reading unit 34 functions to optically read a document and acquire image data. The image reading unit 34 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light and reads the document for one line in the width direction, and sequentially reads the reading position in units of lines in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data And so on. The automatic document feeder 38 feeds the document set on the platen one by one from the top one by one in order, passes the reading position of the image reading unit 34, and discharges it to a predetermined discharge position. Fulfill.

  The printer unit 35 has a function of forming an image corresponding to print data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The image processing unit 36 performs rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression and expansion processing, in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The nonvolatile memory 37 is used for storing various setting information. The facsimile communication unit 39 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 41 performs a function of communicating data with the print server 10, the portable terminal 50, other external devices, and the like through the network 2.

  The operation panel 45 includes a display unit 46 and an operation unit 47. The display unit 46 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and functions to display various operation screens, setting screens, web browser screens, and the like. The operation unit 47 includes various operation switches such as a start button and a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 46.

  The touch panel detects a coordinate position where the display surface is pressed with a touch pen or a finger. In addition, a flick operation, a drag operation, an operation on a scroll bar, and the like are detected. The flick operation is an operation for causing the finger to bounce after touching the display surface with a finger or the like. The drag operation is an operation of touching the display surface with a finger, etc., sliding the finger in the touched state, and releasing the finger after stopping.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 50. The portable terminal 50 is configured by connecting a CPU 52 that controls the operation of the portable terminal 50 to a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a nonvolatile memory 54, a display unit 55, an operation unit 56, and a network communication unit 57 through a bus. Is done.

  The CPU 51 is based on the OS program, and executes programs such as middleware, application programs, and Web browsers on the OS program. The Web browser performs display based on the data of the Web page downloaded from the print server 10 or the like, and executes the Web application downloaded from the print server 10 or the like.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 52, and each function of the portable terminal 50 is realized by the CPU 51 executing various processes in accordance with these programs.

  The RAM 53 is a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 51 executes processing based on a program. The nonvolatile memory 54 is used for storing various setting information. In addition, data downloaded from the print server 10 is stored.

  The display unit 55 is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and fulfills a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, web browser screens, and the like. The operation unit 56 includes a small number of operation switches for returning to the initial screen and a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 55. The touch panel detects a coordinate position where the display surface is pressed with a touch pen or a finger. In addition, a flick operation, a drag operation, an operation on a scroll bar, and the like are detected.

  The network communication unit 57 is connected to the network 2 by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, and performs a function of communicating as the print server 10, the multifunction device 30, or other external devices.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a software configuration of the printing system 8. The print server 10 functions as a data management unit 81 and a print job generation unit 82 by executing a predetermined program.

  The data management unit 81 manages web applications, screen information, document data to be processed, and print setting information thereof. The portable terminal 50 downloads a program such as a Web application and screen information from here, and performs internal processing and screen display of the Web application via a Web browser. Also, the document data managed here is transmitted to the print job generation unit 82.

  The print job generation unit 82 generates a print job based on the document data and print setting information transmitted from the data management unit 81. The data generated here is transmitted to the job acquisition unit 94 of the multifunction device 30 and printed out.

  The portable terminal 50 functions as the screen display unit 84 and the preview display image management unit 88 by executing a Web page or Web application downloaded from the print server 10 by the Web browser. The screen display unit 84 includes functions of a file selection unit 85, a preview unit 86, and a print setting unit 87.

  The screen display unit 84 performs screen display for print setting and preview viewing on the Web browser based on the screen information acquired from the data management unit 81 of the print server 10.

  The preview display image management unit 88 receives a page image of a document necessary for preview display from the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 and causes the preview unit 86 to display the page image.

  The file selection unit 85 receives selection of a document file to be subjected to print setting and preview display. The selected document file is managed by the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 by being uploaded to the print server 10 or the like.

  The preview unit 86 displays the page image sent from the preview display image management unit 88. Further, based on the print setting information from the print setting unit 87, the contents of the preview display are changed so that the contents of the print settings are reflected. Also, operations such as acceptance of input from the user, page movement, enlargement / reduction of the preview display, and rotation are reflected in the display.

  The print setting unit 87 displays a user interface for print settings (such as the print setting screen 60) on the display unit 55 of the mobile terminal 50. Further, control of setting contents and reception and management of input from the user are performed, and print setting information is reflected in the preview unit 86 or transmitted to the print server 10.

  The multi-function device 30 executes a predetermined program of its own device, or executes a Web page or Web application downloaded from the print server 10 by a Web browser, whereby the screen display unit 91 and the preview display image management unit. 92, the print setting management unit 93, the job acquisition unit 94, and the printing unit 95.

  The screen display unit 91 performs control for displaying a preview image on the display unit 46 of the operation panel 45. The screen display unit 91 includes a preview unit 96.

  The preview display image management unit 92 receives a document page image (preview display image) necessary for preview display from the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 and causes the preview unit 96 to display the page image.

  The print setting management unit 93 manages the print setting information transmitted from the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 and reflects it in the preview unit 96.

  The preview unit 96 displays the page image transmitted from the preview display image management unit 92. Further, based on the print setting information transmitted from the print setting management unit 93, the contents of the preview display are changed so that the contents of the print settings are reflected. Also, operations such as acceptance of input from the user, page movement, enlargement / reduction of the preview display, and rotation are reflected in the display.

  The job acquisition unit 94 receives a print job sent from the print server 10 and performs processing for printing. The printing unit 95 actually prints the print job processed by the job acquisition unit 94.

  Next, the flow of processing performed by the printing system 8 will be described.

  8 and 9 show the flow of processing performed by the mobile terminal 50. FIG. FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing performed by the multifunction machine 30. FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing performed by the print server 10.

  The processing of the software shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is performed by connecting to the print application of the print server 10 from the mobile terminal 50 and logging in, and displaying a screen for accepting a preview image and print settings on the display unit 55 of the mobile terminal 50. Similarly, an operation panel 45 of the multi-function device 30 is connected to the print application of the print server 10 and linked to the application of the portable terminal 50 via the print server 10. This is a series of processes until the printing is completed by displaying the preview image on the display unit 46 of the operation panel 45, or a series of processes until the printing is completed only by the portable terminal 50 without cooperation.

  Here, the condition for enabling the cooperation function is that the same user is logged in to the print application of the print server 10.

  First, the operation of the portable terminal 50 when printing is performed by the printing system 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When a print application activation operation is received from the user with the Web browser of the portable terminal 50, the application is activated (step S101). After the application is started, a login operation is accepted from the user, and the user enters a login state (step S102).

  After logging in, the file selection unit 85 displays a screen for accepting an operation for selecting a file to be printed from the user on the display unit 55 of the portable terminal 50 (step S103), and receives an operation for designating a document file to be printed from the user. (Step S104). The specified content is notified to the print server 10.

  In this designation, the user designates a document file in the portable terminal 50, designates a document file saved in the print server 10, or designates a document file saved in another server on the network. Can be specified. When a document file in the portable terminal 50 is designated, the document file is transmitted to the print server 10 and uploaded. The specification of a document file stored in another server on the network is performed by specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location of the document file, for example.

  When the specification of the document file is finished, the preview unit 86 sets a review display region in a part of the display region of the display unit 55, and the print setting unit 87 prints for accepting print settings in the remaining region of the display unit 55. A setting screen is displayed (step S105). Thereafter, when a page image (preview display image) transmitted from the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 is received (step S106), the preview unit 86 creates a preview image based on the page image and performs the above-described operation. The image is displayed in the preview display area (step S107).

  Thereafter, whether to receive a cooperation request with the multifunction device 30 from the print server 10 side, whether to receive a print start instruction from the user, and whether to receive a print setting operation from the user, (Step S108; No, Step S116; No, Step S117; No).

  Here, when a request for cooperation with the multifunction device 30 is received from the print server 10 side (step S108; Yes), a message for inquiring whether or not to cooperate with the multifunction device 30 is displayed on the display unit 55 of the portable terminal 50 (step S108). (S109) A selection operation for determining whether to cooperate is received from the user (step S110).

  If a selection operation for not cooperating with the multi-function device 30 is received (step S110; No), the process proceeds to step S116, and printing is performed while displaying a preview alone on the portable terminal 50 without cooperating with the multi-function device 30. Accept settings and print.

  When a selection operation for cooperation with the multifunction device 30 is received (step S110; Yes), the application of the portable terminal 50 transmits cooperation acceptance to the print server 10 (step S111), and the display unit of the portable terminal 50 is displayed. The preview display area is deleted from the display 55, and the screen configuration is changed so that only the print setting screen is displayed in the entire display area (step S112).

  Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not a print start instruction is received from the user, and whether or not a print setting operation is received from the user (step S113; No, step S114; No).

  When a print start instruction is received from the user (step S113; Yes), a print request is transmitted to the print server 10 (step S119), and the process is terminated. Upon receiving the print request, the data management unit 81 of the print server 10 passes the document file data to the print job generation unit 82, and the print job generation unit 82 generates a print job and transmits it to the multi-function device 30 for printing. .

  Before receiving a print start instruction from the user (step S113; No), if a print setting change operation is received (step S114; Yes), print setting information indicating the contents of the changed print setting is displayed on the print server 10. To the data management unit 81 (step S115), and returns to step S113.

  If a print start instruction is received from the user (step S116; Yes) before receiving a request for cooperation with the MFP 30 from the print server 10 (step S116; Yes), a print request is transmitted to the print server 10. (Step S119) The process ends.

  Before receiving a print start instruction from the user (step S116; No), when a print setting change operation is received (step S117; Yes), print setting information indicating the contents of the changed print setting is displayed on the print server 10. (Step S118), the process returns to step S108 and the process is continued.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction machine 30 when printing is performed by the printing system 8. Based on the operation from the user, the web browser of the multifunction machine 30 is connected to the print application of the print server 10 (step S201). Then, upon receiving a login operation from the user, the user enters a login state (step S202). When the user logs in to the printing application, the preview unit 96 of the multifunction device 30 displays the preview screen 70 (the preview image display area 71 is blank at this time) on the display unit 46 of the operation panel 45 of the multifunction device 30 (step S203). ), A request for cooperation with the portable terminal 50 is transmitted to the print server 10 (step S204).

  Receiving this, the print server 10 transmits the cooperation request shown in S <b> 108 of FIG. 9 to the portable terminal 50.

  When receiving the preview display image (page image) from the print server 10 (step S205; Yes), the preview unit 96 of the multifunction machine 30 displays a corresponding preview image in the preview image display area 71 (step S206). .

  Thereafter, when print setting information is received from the print server 10 (step S207; Yes), the print setting management unit 93 causes the preview unit 96 to process and change the preview image so that the print setting information is reflected (step S207). S208). If a print start instruction is received from the user (step S209; Yes), a print request is transmitted to the print server 10 (step S210), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the preview display image (page image) cannot be received from the print server 10 even after the predetermined time has elapsed (step S205; No), the operation of the print application on the multi-function device 30 ends.

  FIG. 11 shows the operation of the print server 10 when printing is performed by the printing system 8. The print server 10 receives the login of the user from the portable terminal 50 (step S301), and receives a document designation from the portable terminal 50 (step S302), and transmits a preview display image of the document to the portable terminal 50 (step S302). Step S303).

  Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not a request for cooperation with the portable terminal 50 is received from the multifunction device 30 and whether or not a print request is received from the portable terminal 50 (Step S304; No, S311; No).

  Here, when the cooperation request with the portable terminal 50 is received from the multifunction machine 30 where the same user who has logged in on the portable terminal 50 side is logged in (step S304; Yes), the cooperation request is made to the portable terminal 50. Is transmitted (step S305). If the cooperation acceptance is not received from the portable terminal 50 (step S306; No), the process proceeds to step S311.

  When the cooperation acceptance is received from the portable terminal 50 (step S306; Yes), a preview display image of the document is transmitted to the multi function device 30 (step S307).

  Thereafter, when a print request is received from either the multifunction device 30 or the portable terminal 50 (step S308; Yes), the print job generation unit 82 generates a print job and transmits the print job to the job acquisition unit 94 of the multifunction device 30. (Step S312), and this process is terminated.

  Before receiving a print request (step S308; No), when a change in print settings (print setting information after change) is received from the portable terminal 50 (step S309; Yes), the print setting management unit 93 of the multifunction machine 30 is received. The print setting information received from the portable terminal 50 is transmitted to (step S310), and the process returns to step S308.

  Further, when a request for cooperation with the portable terminal 50 from the multifunction device 30 has not been received (step S304; No), and when a print request has been received from the portable terminal 50 (step S311; Yes), the print job generation unit A print job is generated at 82 and transmitted to the job acquisition unit 94 of the multi-function device 30 (step S312), and this process ends.

  In the above example, the print setting is performed on the portable terminal 50 and the preview display is performed on the multifunction device 30. However, the roles may be reversed. In addition, the user may arbitrarily select which of the multifunction device 30 and the portable terminal 50 performs the preview display, or the print server 10 may automatically select the preview display.

  When the print server 10 automatically determines which preview display is to be performed, the preview display is selected according to the display performance (display area, resolution, monochrome / color display, etc.) of the mobile terminal 50 and the multifunction device 30. Decide whether you will be in charge. For example, the preview display is performed on the larger display area.

  Most of the displays on the multifunction machine 30 have a screen size aspect ratio of 4: 3, which is suitable for preview display. On the other hand, many mobile phone-type portable terminals 50 have an aspect ratio of 16: 9 or close to it for viewing one segment. The portable terminal 50 having such a vertically long screen shape is suitable for displaying a print setting screen.

  The print server 10 acquires the display performance information as described above from the multi-function device 30 and the portable terminal 50, and compares these to determine the respective roles.

  As described above, in the printing system 8, the print setting is performed on one of the portable terminal 50 and the multifunction device 30 and the preview image on which the print setting is reflected is displayed on the other side. Even if the display is small, print settings can be made while checking the preview image in a larger size.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the Web application included in the Web page transmitted from the print server 10 to the MFP 30 receives the contents of the print settings performed on the portable terminal 50 via the print server 10, and the print settings are reflected. The preview display image was changed and processed so that However, every time the print setting is changed, the print server 10 may create a preview display image reflecting the print setting, and the image may be transmitted to the preview display device and displayed. .

  In the embodiment, the case where the multifunction machine 30 and the portable terminal 50 are linked is illustrated. However, the multifunction machine 30 and the other multifunction machine 30, and the portable terminal 50 and the other portable terminal 50 are linked to perform print setting and preview. It does not matter if it is displayed. Further, the cooperation target may be a device other than the multifunction device 30, for example, a single-function printing device.

  In addition, only when it is confirmed that the print setting to be linked and the portable terminal 50 exist within a predetermined distance, the linkage may be permitted.

  Although the operation panel 45 has been incorporated into the multifunction device 30, the operation panel 45 may be removable from an apparatus main body such as the multifunction device 30.

2 ... Network 3 ... Access point 8 ... Printing system 10 ... Print server 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... HDD
16 ... Network communication unit 17 ... External I / F
30 ... Multifunction machine 31 ... CPU
32 ... ROM
33 ... RAM
34 ... Image reading unit 35 ... Printer unit 36 ... Image processing unit 37 ... Non-volatile memory 38 ... Automatic document feeder 39 ... Facsimile communication unit 41 ... Network communication unit 45 ... Operation panel 46 ... Display unit 47 ... Operation unit 50 ... Mobile terminal 51 ... CPU
52 ... ROM
53 ... RAM
54 ... Non-volatile memory 55 ... Display unit 56 ... Operation unit 57 ... Network communication unit 60 ... Print setting screen 70 ... Preview screen 71 ... Preview image display area 72 ... Page number field 73 ... Right arrow button 74 ... Left arrow button 75 ... OK Button 78 ... Preview image 81 ... Data management unit 82 ... Print job generation unit 84 ... Screen display unit 85 ... File selection unit 86 ... Preview unit 87 ... Print setting unit 88 ... Preview display image management unit 91 ... Screen display unit 92 ... Preview display image management unit 93 ... print setting management unit 94 ... job acquisition unit 95 ... printing unit 96 ... preview unit

Claims (5)

A print server connectable to first and second terminal devices having a web browser function,
Data for operating a Web browser to display a print setting screen for accepting print settings for a document to be printed, accept the print settings, and send print setting information indicating the contents of the accepted print settings to the print server A print setting management unit for transmitting to the first terminal device having a Web browser function;
A print setting information receiving unit for receiving the print setting information from the first terminal device;
Data for operating the Web browser to display a preview image of the document to be printed on which the contents of the print setting indicated by the print setting information received by the print setting information receiving unit is reflected. A preview display management unit to be transmitted to the two-terminal device;
A print server characterized by comprising: The data sent by the print setting management unit to the first terminal device operates a web browser so that print setting information indicating the contents is sent to the print server every time print settings are received on the print setting screen. And
Each time the print setting information receiving unit receives the print setting information from the first terminal device, the preview display management unit displays a preview image reflecting the contents of the print settings indicated by the print setting information on a Web browser. The print server according to claim 1, wherein data for display is transmitted to the second terminal device. On the condition that the same user is logged in to the print server from both the first terminal device and the second terminal device, print settings are received by the Web browser of the first terminal device, and the contents of the print settings The print server according to claim 1, wherein a cooperation function for displaying a preview image reflecting the above on a Web browser of the second terminal device is enabled. 4. The print server according to claim 1, wherein one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device is a mobile terminal, and the other is a printing device. 5. A printing system comprising: the print server according to claim 4; the first terminal device; and the second terminal device.

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