JP6197582B2 - Print management apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management apparatus and a program.

  Printing may be performed using a printing device on the network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that, when accessing a web page, checks the format of information constituting the web page, and receives the information if the format is permitted to be received and adds it to the print layout. Yes. In Cited Document 1, whether or not reception is possible is checked for all information constituting the web page.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a device that holds data acquired from a server device in a web service device and returns the held data to a client device in response to the same data request.

  Patent Literature 3 discloses a method in which information about a change of an object, not a Web object itself, is given by a server in response to a cache request asynchronous with a client request for an object. Information about such object changes includes information about the date and time the object was last changed, the byte size of the changed object, and the type of content of the object.

JP-A-11-203100 JP 2001-5713 A JP-A-10-214216

  By the way, when printing a Web page, image data for printing the Web page may be created by a print server and the image data for printing may be provided to a printing apparatus via a network. Since the contents of the Web page to be printed may change, the print server needs to acquire the latest information of the Web page and create image data for printing each time there is a print request for the Web page. is there. As a result, the load on the print server that creates image data for printing increases, and depending on the communication speed, the time required to acquire the data of the Web page to be printed may increase. May decrease.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent or reduce a decrease in printing efficiency of a Web page.

Invention, the creation information for creating a print image data of a Web page to be printed, a receiving unit that will receive the identification information for identifying the Web page from the terminal device according to claim 1 , Storage means for storing the print image data of the Web page and identification information for the Web page in association with each other, and print image data corresponding to the identification information for the Web page to be printed is stored in the storage means. If it is, print image data corresponding to the identification information of the Web page to be printed is acquired from the storage unit and transmitted to the terminal device, and printing corresponding to the identification information of the Web page to be printed is performed. When image data is not stored in the storage means, print image data created using the creation information sent from the terminal device is sent to the terminal device A transmission unit that is a print management system having a.

The invention according to claim 2, further organic and creation information receiving means for receiving a pre-Symbol creation information from the terminal device, an image creating means for creating printing image data by using the created information, the it, it is a print management device according to claim 1, wherein the.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the creation information is address data of the web page to be printed, and the image creation means is a web page acquired using address data of the web page to be printed The print management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein print image data is created based on the data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the creation information is recognizable encoding information of the print target Web page, and the image generation unit is configured to generate the print target based on the recoverable encoding information. The print management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the web page data is restored, and print image data is created based on the restored web page data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the case where the Web page to be printed is a Web page whose contents change every time it is accessed, the creation information receiving means can encode the reconstructed encoded information of the Web page to be printed The print management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the print management apparatus receives the command from the terminal apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the web page to be printed is a web page that requires authentication information for access, the creation information receiving means encodes the web page to be printed so that it can be restored. The print management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein information is received from the terminal apparatus.

The invention according to claim 7 associates the encoded information receiving means for receiving the encoded information of the Web page to be printed from the terminal device, the print image data of the Web page, and the encoded information of the Web page. And when the storage means stores print image data corresponding to the encoded information of the Web page to be printed, the print image data corresponding to the encoded information of the Web page to be printed is stored. When receiving a print request for the print target Web page from the terminal device, the transmission means for acquiring the information from the storage means and transmitting the encoded information of the print target Web page to the terminal device a print management device you have a, a program providing means for providing to the terminal device a program for creating at.

Receiving eighth aspect of the invention, that will receive computer, and generation information for generating the print image data of a Web page to be printed, and the identification information for identifying the Web page from the terminal device and signal means, a print image data of the Web page, the Web and identification information of a page, and storage means for storing in association with each other, the print image data is the storage corresponding to the identification information of the Web page of the printed If stored in the means, print image data corresponding to the identification information of the Web page to be printed is acquired from the storage means and transmitted to the terminal device, and is used as the identification information of the Web page to be printed. If the corresponding print image data is not stored in the storage unit, the print image data created using the creation information transmitted from the terminal device A program to function as a transmission unit that transmits to the terminal device.

According to the inventions according to claims 1, 2, and 8, a decrease in Web page printing efficiency is prevented or reduced. Further, even when the print image data is not stored, the print image data can be provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the print image data is not stored, the print target Web page is acquired, thereby preventing or reducing the decrease in the print efficiency of the Web page.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, print image data can be provided without acquiring a Web page to be printed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, print image data having the same content as the content of the print request is provided even when the content of the Web page to be printed changes every time it is accessed.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, print image data of a Web page to be printed is provided even if authentication information is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is not necessary to previously install a dedicated program for creating encoded information in the terminal device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the information stored in the database. It is an example of the information stored in the database. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a web page. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the web page for print image creation. It is an example of data transmitted from the terminal device to the print management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the encoding information for identification. It is a figure which shows an example of the encoding information which can be decompress | restored. It is an example of data transmitted from the terminal device to the print management apparatus. It is an example of data transmitted from the terminal device to the print management apparatus. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a print management device 10, a terminal device 50, a database (DB) 80, a print image storage device 90, and a printing device 100, which are connected via a communication path such as a network. Yes. The print management device 10 and the terminal device 50 are connected to the Internet N. In FIG. 1, one terminal device 50 and one printing device 100 are shown, but a plurality of terminal devices 50 and printing devices 100 may be connected to the print management device 10.

  The print management apparatus 10 creates and manages print image data of a Web page to be printed, and transmits the print image data to the terminal device 50 and the printing apparatus 100. The print image data is data represented in a format corresponding to printing by the printing apparatus 100.

  The terminal device 50 is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal device (smart phone or mobile phone), acquires Web page data via the Internet N, and displays the Web page. The terminal device 50 transmits a Web page print request to the print management apparatus 10 in response to a print request from the user.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the database (DB) 80 includes address data (for example, URL) of a Web page to be printed that has been created in the past, encoded information for identifying the Web page, and a print image of the Web page. Data identification information (for example, name) is stored in association with each Web page. As described later, the encoded information for identifying a Web page is information indicating the display content of the Web page itself, and is information for uniquely identifying the Web page. This identification encoded information is used to detect whether or not the Web page has been changed. As shown in FIG. 3, the DB 80 may store the print ID (reservation number) of the print image data in association with each piece of information shown in FIG. The print ID (reservation number) is information used for printing the print image data in the printing apparatus 100.

  The print image storage device 90 stores print image data of Web pages. Identification information (for example, name) and a print ID (reservation number) are associated with the print image data.

  The printing apparatus 100 receives the print image data from the print management apparatus 10 and prints it. For example, when receiving a print ID (reservation number), the printing apparatus 100 prints print image data corresponding to the reservation number. As an example, the printing apparatus 100 is installed in a convenience store, a supermarket, a hotel, a library, or the like. Note that the printing apparatus 100 may have a copy function and a facsimile function in addition to the print function.

  Next, the configuration of the print management apparatus 10 will be described.

  The preview request reception unit 12 receives information indicating a Web page print request from the terminal device 50.

  The program transmission unit 14 transmits the print image creation Web page data to the terminal device 50. The data of the print image creation Web page includes an encoding program for generating the encoding information for identifying the Web page to be printed by the terminal device 50. If the Web page to be printed is a dynamic Web page whose contents change every time it is accessed, or if it is an authentication Web page that requires authentication information for access, the program transmission unit 14 The print image creation Web page data including the recoverable encoding program is transmitted to the terminal device 50. The recoverable encoding program is a program for creating, in the terminal device 50, recoverable encoding information of the Web page to be printed. A web page other than the dynamic web page and the authentication web page is referred to as a static web page.

  The encoded information receiving unit 16 receives from the terminal device 50 address data (URL) of the Web page to be printed and the encoded information for identifying the Web page. When the print target Web page is a dynamic Web page or an authentication Web page, the encoding information receiving unit 16 includes the address data of the print target Web page, the encoded information for identifying the Web page, and the Web Coding information capable of restoring the page is received from the terminal device 50.

  The print image confirmation unit 18 determines whether or not the print data data identification information corresponding to the address data (URL) of the print target Web page transmitted from the terminal device 50 and the identification coding information is registered in the DB 80. Confirm. Thereby, it is confirmed whether or not the print image data of the Web page to be printed is stored in the print image storage device 90.

  When the print image data of the Web page to be printed is not stored in the print image storage device 90, the Web page acquisition unit 20 prints according to the address (URL) of the Web page to be printed transmitted from the terminal device 50. Web page data is acquired via the Internet N.

  The restoring unit 22 restores the data of the Web page to be printed from the recoverable encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50.

  The print image creation unit 24 supports printing by the printing apparatus 100 based on the data of the print target web page acquired by the web page acquisition unit 20 or the print target web page restored by the restoration unit 22. Print image data expressed in the format to be created. The print image creation unit 24 creates identification information (name) and associates it with print image data. Further, the print image creation unit 24 creates the encoded information for identifying the Web page by encoding the Web page to be printed.

  The print information creation unit 26 creates print information indicating print conditions for print image data. For example, the print information includes a print ID (reservation number) of the print image data, a paper size, the number of prints, and a print fee.

  The print image transmission unit 28 transmits print image data and print information to the terminal device 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the print information management unit 30 includes address data (URL) of a Web page created in the past, encoded information for identifying the Web page, and print image data of the Web page. The identification information (name) is associated with each Web page and stored in the DB 80.

  The print image management unit 32 stores the print image data of the Web page in the print image storage device 90.

  The print image request receiving unit 34 receives information (for example, a reservation number) indicating a print image data acquisition request from the printing apparatus 100.

  The print image transmission unit 36 transmits print image data corresponding to the reservation number to the printing apparatus 100.

  Next, a Web page displayed on the terminal device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The site content (Web page) is displayed on the terminal device 50, and a print button is displayed in the site content. A URL for requesting printing is linked to the print button. The link URL includes the URL of the printer server (in this embodiment, the address of the print management apparatus 10 as an example), the URL of the Web page to be printed, and information (type information) indicating the type of the Web page to be printed. , Information (level information) indicating the strictness of the update determination of the Web page to be printed. When the user clicks the print button using the terminal device 50, a web page print request is made. Note that the URL of the Web page to be printed may be directly accessed without going through the print button. When a print layout page exists, the URL of the Web page to be printed may be the URL of the print layout page.

  The type information is information indicating which of the static web page, the dynamic web page, and the authentication web page the web page to be printed corresponds to. For example, a web page whose type is “1” is a static web page, and a web page whose type is “2” is a dynamic web page or an authentication web page. This type information is set by, for example, a Web page administrator.

  The level information is information for determining information to be included in the identification coding information when the identification coding information of the Web page to be printed is created. Specifically, whether the level information is identification coding information created from only the HTML of the Web page to be printed, including the CSS, Javascript of the link destination from HTML, and the image and HTML. This is information for deciding whether or not to create. For example, since CSS, Javascript, and images are links from HTML, even if these pieces of information are changed, the HTML itself is not changed, and therefore it is not possible to determine changes in these pieces of information from HTML. Therefore, when the link destination CSS, Javascript, and image have been changed, the level information is set so as to create the encoded information for identification including these information and HTML. For example, if the CSS, Javascript, and image of the link destination are not changed, the level is set to “1”, and if the information is changed, the level is set to “2”. Since the update of the Web page is managed by the administrator of the Web page, the level information is set by the administrator when the CSS, Javascript, and image of the link destination are changed. In this way, when a web page includes CSS, JavaScript, and images, and they are changed, the coding information for identification including CSS, Javascript, images, and HTML is created to change them. Identification coding information reflecting the above is created. In addition, when the file name is also changed along with the change of CSS, Javascript, and image, since the HTML is also changed, the level information may be set so that the identification encoded information is created only from the HTML. .

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a print image creation Web page. The print image creation Web page shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the terminal device 50 by the program transmission unit 14 and displayed on the terminal device 50. Print image data and print information transmitted from the print image transmission unit 28 to the terminal device 50 are displayed on the print image creation Web page. In addition, the program included in the print image creation Web page data may be used to acquire a Web page to be printed, create identification encoded information, and send identification encoded information to the print management apparatus 10. Done in the ground. For example, Ajax may be used for the background processing. The print image creation Web page corresponds to a preview screen of the Web page to be printed.

  Next, the configuration of the terminal device 50 will be described.

  For example, the control unit 52 activates a Web browser and causes the display unit of the UI unit 68 to display a Web page acquired by the Web browser. For example, the Web browser acquires Web page data via the Internet N according to an address (URL) designated by the user, and causes the UI unit 68 to display the Web page.

  When a web page print request is made by the user, the preview request transmission unit 54 transmits information indicating the print request for the web page to the print management apparatus 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the preview request transmission unit 54 transmits the URL, type information, and level information of the Web page to be printed to the print management apparatus 10. Note that the preview request transmission unit 54 may not transmit the type information and the level information among the information illustrated in FIG. 6 to the print management apparatus 10.

  The program receiving unit 56 receives data of the print image creation Web page from the print management apparatus 10.

  The Web page acquisition unit 58 acquires data of a Web page to be printed via the Internet N.

  The encoding unit 60 generates encoded information for identifying the Web page by encoding the Web page to be printed. FIG. 7 shows an example of identification coding information. The identification encoded information is a hash value using MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) as an example. In accordance with the level of the Web page, the Web page is encoded by combining the CSS, Javascript and image of the link destination, and HTML. For example, when the level is “1”, the encoding unit 60 creates encoded information for identification from HTML. If the level is “2”, the encoding unit 60 combines the CSS, Javascript and image of the link destination with HTML, and creates identification encoded information.

  When the Web page to be printed is a dynamic Web page or an authentication Web page, the recoverable encoding unit 62 generates encoded information that can be recovered by the print management apparatus 10 by encoding the Web page. . For example, since the Web page whose type is “2” is a dynamic Web page or an authentication Web page, the recoverable encoding unit 62 creates recoverable encoding information of the Web page whose type is “2”. . FIG. 8 shows an example of reconstructable encoded information. The reconstructable coding information is information created by BASE64 as an example.

  The encoded information transmission unit 64 transmits the identification encoded information created by the encoding unit 60 to the print management apparatus 10. In addition, the encoding information transmission unit 64 transmits the recoverable encoding information created by the recoverable encoding unit 62 to the print management apparatus 10. For example, when the Web page to be printed is a static page, the encoding information transmission unit 64, as shown in FIG. 9, the URL, type information, level information, and identification encoding information (enc) of the Web page to be printed. ) Is transmitted to the print management apparatus 10. When the print target Web page is a dynamic page or an authentication page, the encoding information transmission unit 64, as shown in FIG. 10, includes the URL, type information, level information, and identification encoding of the print target Web page. Information (enc) and recoverable encoded information (enc2) are transmitted to the print management apparatus 10. Note that the encoded information transmission unit 64 does not have to transmit type information and level information to the print management apparatus 10 among the information illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

  The print image receiving unit 66 receives print image data and print information from the print management apparatus 10.

  The functions of the Web page acquisition unit 58, the encoding unit 60, the recoverable encoding unit 62, the encoding information transmission unit 64, and the print image reception unit 66 are realized by a program included in the print image creation Web page data. Is done. For example, the function of the encoding unit 60 is realized by an encoding program, and the function of the recoverable encoding unit 62 is realized by a recoverable encoding program.

  The user interface unit (UI unit) 68 includes an operation unit and a display unit, displays a web page, and receives information input by the user.

  Next, processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described.

Example 1
Processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a case where a Web page to be printed is a static Web page will be described.

  First, when the user instructs to start a Web browser using the UI unit 68 of the terminal device 50, the control unit 52 starts the Web browser and displays the Web page acquired by the Web browser on the display unit of the UI unit 68. (S01). For example, the Web browser displays the Web page illustrated in FIG. 4 on the display unit of the UI unit 68.

  When the user clicks the print button displayed on the Web page, the preview request transmission unit 54 prints the URL, type information, and level information of the Web page to be printed included in the link URL shown in FIG. A request is sent to the apparatus 10 to print a Web page (S02). FIG. 6 shows an example of the URL, type information, and level information transmitted to the print management apparatus 10. When the Web page to be printed is a static Web page, type is set to “1”.

  When the preview request reception unit 12 of the print management apparatus 10 receives a print request from the terminal device 50, the program transmission unit 14 transmits the data of the print image creation Web page to the terminal device 50 (S03). For example, when the type information indicates “1”, that is, when the Web page to be printed is a static Web page, the program transmission unit 14 stores the data of the print image creation Web page including the encoding program in the terminal To device 50.

  The program receiving unit 56 of the terminal device 50 receives the print image creation Web page data from the print management apparatus 10, and the control unit 52 displays the print image creation Web page on the display unit of the UI unit 68. Then, a program included in the print image creation Web page data is executed by the terminal device 50, so that the Web page acquisition unit 58, the encoding unit 60, the encoded information transmission unit 64, and the print image reception unit 66. Function is realized.

  First, the Web page acquisition unit 58 accesses the URL of the Web page to be printed and acquires the data of the Web page via the Internet N. The encoding unit 60 generates the encoded information for identification shown in FIG. 7 by encoding the Web page (S04). At this time, the encoding unit 60 may change the information to be encoded according to the set value of level. For example, when the level value is “1”, the CSS, Javascript, and image of the link destination have not been changed, so the encoding unit 60 creates identification encoded information from the HTML of the Web page to be printed. On the other hand, when the level value is “2”, the CSS, Javascript, and image of the link destination have been changed. Therefore, the encoding unit 60 combines the CSS, Javascript, image of the link destination, and HTML. Create identification coding information. Then, the encoding information transmission unit 64 transmits the URL, type information, level information, and identification encoding information (enc) of the Web page to be printed shown in FIG. 9 to the print management apparatus 10 (S05).

  The print image confirmation unit 18 of the print management apparatus 10 searches the DB 80 using the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 as search keys (S06).

  When the identification information of the print image data corresponding to the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 is registered in the DB 80, that is, the print image corresponding to the URL and identification encoded information. When the data is stored in the print image storage device 90 (S07, Yes), the print image transmission unit 28 acquires the print image data corresponding to the URL and the encoded information for identification from the print image storage device 90, and The print image data and print information are transmitted to the terminal device 50 (S13). Note that the print information is created by the print information creation unit 26.

  On the other hand, if the print image data corresponding to the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 is not stored in the print image storage device 90 (No in S07), the Web page acquisition unit 20 includes the URL. Access is made and data of the Web page to be printed is acquired via the Internet N (S08). The print image creation unit 24 creates coding information for identifying the Web page to be printed (S09), and creates print image data based on the data of the Web page (S10). In addition, the print information creation unit 26 creates print information. The print image management unit 32 stores the print image data created by the print image creation unit 24 in the print image storage device 90 (S11), and the print information management unit 30 prints as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. The URL of the target Web page, the encoded information for identifying the Web page, and the print image data name of the Web page are associated with each other and stored in the DB 80 (S12). Then, the print image transmission unit 28 transmits the print image data and the print information to the terminal device 50 (S13).

  The print image receiving unit 66 of the terminal device 50 receives the print image data and the print information from the print management device 10, and the control unit 52 receives the print image data and the print information as shown in FIG. It is displayed in the web page (S14).

  When the user inputs a reservation number displayed as print information to the printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus 100 transmits information (for example, a reservation number) indicating a print target data acquisition request to the print management apparatus 10. The print image request reception unit 34 of the print management apparatus 10 receives information indicating the acquisition request, and the print image transmission unit 36 acquires print image data corresponding to the reservation number from the print image storage device 90 and prints the print device. To 100. The printing apparatus 100 prints the print image data transmitted from the print management apparatus 10.

  According to the first embodiment, the print image data of the Web page is associated with the identification encoding information and managed in the DB 80, and is the same as the identification encoding information of the Web page to be printed created by the terminal device 50. Is stored in the DB 80, the print management device 10 transmits the print image data stored in the print image storage device 90 to the terminal device 50 and the printing device 100, and identifies the Web page to be printed. When the same information as the encoded information is not stored in the DB 80, the print management apparatus 10 acquires the data of the Web page to be printed and creates print image data, thereby increasing the load on the print management apparatus 10 Is prevented or reduced. That is, when the same information as the identification encoded information created by the terminal device 50 is stored in the DB 80, print image data of a Web page having the same URL as the URL of the Web page to be printed is created in the past. The content of the Web page has not been changed since the past creation time. In other words, the Web page to be printed has not been updated. In this case, the print management apparatus 10 does not create new print image data of the Web page to be printed, but transmits the print image data stored in the print image storage device 90 to the printing apparatus 100. As described above, when the Web page to be printed has not been updated, printing using the print image data stored in the print image storage device 90 prints the acquisition of the Web page and the creation of the print image data. Since there is no need for the management apparatus 10 to perform, an increase in the load of the print management apparatus 10 is prevented or reduced, and the time required for acquiring Web page data is reduced. Therefore, a decrease in Web page printing efficiency is prevented or reduced.

  On the other hand, when the same URL as the URL of the Web page to be printed is stored in the DB 80, print image data of the Web page to be printed has been created in the past. If the identification coding information created in this way does not match the identification coding information stored in the DB 80, the contents of the Web page to be printed have been changed from the past creation time. . That is, the Web page to be printed has been updated. In this case, the print management apparatus 10 obtains the latest information of the Web page by accessing the URL of the Web page to be printed, and creates updated print image data based on the latest information. Even if the URL of the Web page does not change, if the content of the Web page is updated, the encoded information for identification of the Web page is different before and after the update. By managing this, it is confirmed whether or not the Web page has been updated. When the update is confirmed, the print management apparatus 10 acquires the data of the Web page and creates print image data. As described above, when the Web page to be printed is updated, the data of the Web page is acquired and print image data is created. When the Web page is not updated, the print image created in the past is acquired. By using the data for printing, it is possible to prevent or reduce a decrease in Web page printing efficiency.

  For example, when printing the same Web page a plurality of times, if print image data is created, the print management apparatus 10 does not need to acquire the data of the Web page to be printed each time. Is prevented or reduced.

  Also, a program for creating identification encoded information in the terminal device 50 and transmitting it to the print management device 10 is transmitted from the print management device 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the data of the print image creation Web page. Therefore, a dedicated program for creating and transmitting identification coding information need not be installed in the terminal device 50 in advance.

  In addition, even when the link destination CSS, Javascript, and image from HTML are changed, by creating the encoded information for identification using the level information, whether or not the Web page has been changed is more accurate. To be confirmed.

(Example 2)
Next, processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, a case where the Web page to be printed is a dynamic Web page or an authentication Web page will be described.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the control unit 52 activates the web browser and causes the UI unit 68 to display the web page acquired by the web browser (S20). When the user clicks the print button displayed on the Web page, the preview request transmission unit 54 transmits the URL, type information, and level information of the Web page to be printed to the print management apparatus 10 to print the Web page. Is requested (S21). In response to this, the program transmission unit 14 of the print management apparatus 10 transmits the data of the print image creation Web page to the terminal device 50 (S22). For example, when the type information indicates “2”, that is, when the Web page to be printed is a dynamic Web page or an authentication Web page, the program transmission unit 14 selects an encoding program and a recoverable encoding program. The print image creation Web page data is transmitted to the terminal device 50. The control unit 52 of the terminal device 50 displays the print image creation Web page on the display unit of the UI unit 68. Then, a program included in the print image creation Web page data is executed by the terminal device 50, whereby the Web page acquisition unit 58, the encoding unit 60, the recoverable encoding unit 62, and the encoded information transmission unit 64. In addition, the function of the print image receiving unit 66 is realized.

  As in the first embodiment, the Web page acquisition unit 58 acquires a Web page to be printed, and the encoding unit 60 creates encoded information for identifying the Web page (S23). Further, the recoverable encoding unit 62 generates the recoverable encoding information shown in FIG. 8 by encoding the Web page (S24). Then, the encoding information transmission unit 64 prints the URL, type information, level information, identification encoding information (enc), and recoverable encoding information (enc2) of the Web page to be printed as shown in FIG. It transmits to the management apparatus 10 (S25).

  The print image confirmation unit 18 of the print management apparatus 10 searches the DB 80 using the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 as search keys (S26).

  Similarly to the first embodiment, when the identification information of the print image data corresponding to the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 is registered in the DB 80 (S27, Yes), the print image is transmitted. The unit 28 transmits the print image data corresponding to the URL and identification coding information to the terminal device 50 (S33).

  On the other hand, when the print image data corresponding to the URL and identification encoded information transmitted from the terminal device 50 is not stored in the print image storage device 90 (No in S27), the restoration unit 22 transmits from the terminal device 50. The data of the Web page to be printed is restored from the restored reconstructable encoding information (S28).

  Then, the print image creation unit 24 creates identification information for identifying the Web page to be printed restored by the restoration unit 22 (S29), and creates print image data based on the data of the Web page (S30). ). In addition, the print information creation unit 26 creates print information. The print image management unit 32 stores the print image data created by the print image creation unit 24 in the print image storage device 90 (S31), and the print information management unit 30 prints as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. The URL of the target Web page, the encoded information for identifying the Web page, and the name of the print image data of the Web page are associated with each other and stored in the DB 80 (S32). Then, the print image transmission unit 28 transmits the print image data and the print information to the terminal device 50 (S33).

  The control unit 52 of the terminal device 50 displays the print image data and the print information transmitted from the print management device 10 in the print image creation Web page as shown in FIG. 5 (S34).

  As in the first embodiment, when the user inputs a reservation number displayed as print information to the printing apparatus 100, the printing apparatus 100 receives print image data corresponding to the reservation number from the print management apparatus 10. Print.

  According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, by storing the print image data of the Web page in the print image storage device 90, an increase in the load on the print management device 10 is prevented or reduced, and the Web page A decrease in printing efficiency is prevented or reduced.

  Even if print image data identical to the print image data of the print target Web page has not been created in the past, the Web page is a dynamic Web page whose contents can be changed each time it is accessed. The terminal device 50 creates decodable encoded information of the Web page to be printed, and the print management apparatus 10 decodes the print image data with the same content as the user requested to print. Is done.

  Even if the print management apparatus 10 accesses the URL of the Web page to be printed and acquires the Web page data, the contents of the Web page may have been changed since the terminal apparatus 50 accessed. Therefore, the content of the Web page acquired by the print management apparatus 10 may be different from the content of the Web page acquired by the terminal device 50, that is, the content of the Web page to be printed. In this case, since the Web page different from the content requested by the user is acquired by the print management apparatus 10, the content requested by the user is not printed. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, the same information as that requested by the user is created by generating the reconstructed encoded information of the Web page to be printed by the terminal device 50 and transmitting it to the print management device 10. The print management data 10 is created by the print management apparatus 10.

  When the print target web page is an authentication web page, the print management apparatus 10 acquires information (for example, a password) necessary for authentication in order to acquire the print target web data and create print image data. It is necessary to provide to the print management apparatus 10. In the second embodiment, encoding information that can be encoded for a Web page to be printed is generated by the terminal device 50 and decoded by the print management device 10, thereby printing the same print image data as the authentication Web page. Even if the image data has not been created in the past, print image data having the same content as the content requested by the user is created.

  Even if the Web page to be printed is a static Web page, the terminal device 50 generates encoding information that can be restored for the Web page, and the printing information that can be restored by the print management apparatus 10. And print image data may be created based on the restored Web page.

  In addition, print image data may be managed using recoverable encoding information instead of the identification encoding information. In this case, in place of the identification coding information shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, recoverable coding information is managed in association with the URL and the name of the print image data.

  Also, the print management apparatus 10 specifies a print ID (reservation number) corresponding to the encoded information for identifying the Web page to be printed based on the correspondence shown in FIG. 3, and a print image corresponding to the print ID Data may be acquired from the printing apparatus 100.

  The print management apparatus 10 described above is realized by cooperation of hardware resources and software as an example. Specifically, the print management apparatus 10 includes a processor such as a CPU (not shown). The function of each unit of the print management apparatus 10 is realized by the processor reading and executing a program stored in a storage device (not shown). The program is stored in the storage device via a storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print management apparatus, 12 Preview request receiving part, 14 Program transmission part, 16 Encoding information receiving part, 18 Print image confirmation part, 20, 58 Web page acquisition part, 22 Restoration part, 24 Print image creation part, 26 Print information Creation unit, 28, 36 Print image transmission unit, 30 Print information management unit, 32 Print image management unit, 34 Print image request reception unit, 50 Terminal device, 52 Control unit, 54 Preview request transmission unit, 56 Program reception unit, 60 Encoding unit, 62 Restorable encoding unit, 64 Encoding information transmission unit, 66 Print image receiving unit, 68 User interface unit (UI unit), 80 Database (DB), 90 Print image storage device, 100 Printing device.

Claims (8)

And generation information for generating the print image data of a Web page to be printed, a receiving unit that will receive the identification information for identifying the Web page from the terminal device,
Storage means for storing print image data of a Web page and identification information of the Web page in association with each other;
When print image data corresponding to identification information of the Web page to be printed is stored in the storage unit, print image data corresponding to identification information of the Web page to be printed is acquired from the storage unit. If the print image data corresponding to the information for identifying the Web page to be printed is not stored in the storage means, the creation information transmitted from the terminal device is used. Transmitting means for transmitting the created print image data to the terminal device ;
A print management apparatus. And generation information receiving means for receiving the pre-Symbol creation information from the terminal device,
Image creation means for creating print image data using the creation information;
Furthermore, that having a,
The print management apparatus according to claim 1. The creation information is address data of the Web page to be printed,
The image creating means creates print image data based on the web page data acquired using the address data of the web page to be printed;
The print management apparatus according to claim 2. The creation information is encoded information that can be restored from the Web page to be printed,
The image creating means restores the data of the web page to be printed based on the reconstructable encoding information, and creates print image data based on the restored web page data;
The print management apparatus according to claim 2. When the Web page to be printed is a Web page whose contents change each time it is accessed, the creation information receiving unit receives from the terminal device the recognizable encoding information of the Web page to be printed.
The print management apparatus according to claim 4. If the Web page to be printed is a Web page that requires authentication information for access, the creation information receiving unit receives from the terminal device the recognizable encoded information of the Web page to be printed. ,
The print management apparatus according to claim 4. Encoded information receiving means for receiving encoded information of a Web page to be printed from a terminal device;
Storage means for storing the print image data of the Web page and the encoded information of the Web page in association with each other;
When print image data corresponding to the encoded information of the Web page to be printed is stored in the storage unit, the print image data corresponding to the encoded information of the Web page to be printed is acquired from the storage unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device,
Program providing means for providing the terminal device with a program for creating encoded information of the Web page to be printed by the terminal device when a print request for the Web page to be printed is received from the terminal device ; ,
Print management device you have a. Computer
And generation information for generating the print image data of a Web page to be printed, a receiving unit that will receive the identification information for identifying the Web page from the terminal device,
A print image data of a Web page, the identification information of the Web page, and storing means for storing in association with each other,
When print image data corresponding to identification information of the Web page to be printed is stored in the storage unit, print image data corresponding to identification information of the Web page to be printed is acquired from the storage unit. If the print image data corresponding to the information for identifying the Web page to be printed is not stored in the storage means, the creation information transmitted from the terminal device is used. Transmitting means for transmitting the created print image data to the terminal device ;
Program to function as.

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