JP6303538B2 - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present application relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  For example, on a print server built on the cloud, application data input in advance is converted into raw (RAW) data in a predetermined printing language based on the user's locale information, and the raw data is transmitted to the printer for printing. There is a known method (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the conventional method described above, since application data is converted into a print language set in advance corresponding to the user's locale information, the application data is converted into a print language that is not compatible with the image forming apparatus that is actually printed out by the user. As a result, there were cases in which printing could not be performed.

  In one aspect, the present invention aims to improve user convenience.

In one aspect, an information processing system for converting first data corresponding to an output request into second data to be output to an output device, the organization to which the user who instructed the output request belongs or the user Based on one or more output languages set in correspondence with the locale information, the holding means for holding the third data converted from the first data, and the output device for receiving the output instruction of the output request , Information acquisition means for acquiring information of an output language that can be output by the output device, an output language of the third data held by the holding means, and output by the output device obtained by the information acquisition means Comparing means for comparing information of possible output languages, and according to a comparison result by the comparing means, the first data is based on information of output languages that can be output by the output device. Can, converting means for converting the second data, the second data obtained by said converting means includes a communicating means for transmitting to said output device, said conversion means, by the comparison result When the output language of the third data does not match the output language that can be output by the output device, the first data corresponding to the third data is converted into the second data. The processing to be performed is preferentially executed over the processing to convert the other first data into the third data .

  It is possible to improve user convenience.

It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of an information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of each apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of a computer system. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence which acquires the row data which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing language managed corresponding to apparatus information. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the print server which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence which acquires the row data which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the priority process by a conversion part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail.

<First Embodiment>
<Information processing system: schematic configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a client PC (Personal Computer) 10, a print server 20 as an example of an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus 30 as an example of an output apparatus.

  The client PC 10, the print server 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 are connected by a communication network N such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication network N can be connected by wire or wireless. Further, the number of client PCs 10 and image forming apparatuses 30 shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to this.

  The client PC 10 is an example of a terminal operated by a user, and is realized by an information processing apparatus (computer system) on which a general OS (Operating System) or the like is mounted. The client PC 10 may be a general-purpose PC, for example. However, the client PC 10 is not limited to this. For example, the client PC 10 is capable of data communication via a communication network N such as a smartphone or a mobile phone in addition to a tablet terminal and a notebook PC. good. The client PC 10 inputs, for example, application data or the like to the print server 20 as a print target of a print job (output request) to be printed out from the image forming apparatus 30.

  The print server 20 is configured by a PC, a server, a thin client, or the like, but may be in the form of a cloud service configured by, for example, one or more information processing apparatuses. When application data (first data) is input as a print job from the client PC 10, the print server 20 holds application data in association with user information.

  For example, when the print server 20 receives a print job acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 30, the application server converts the application data to raw (RAW) data based on the information of the print language (output language) of the image forming apparatus 30 included in the print job acquisition request. (Second data). The print language indicates, for example, PCL, PDL (Page Description Language) such as PS (PostScript), and the like. The row data indicates print data that is data in a format that can be processed at the output destination. The print server 20 transmits the raw data to the image forming apparatus 30 that has requested the print job acquisition.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is an apparatus that forms an image, such as a multifunction peripheral, a copier, a scanner, a printer, a laser printer, a projector, and an electronic blackboard. The image forming apparatus 30 requests the print server 20 to obtain a print job including information on print languages that can be handled. Further, when the image forming apparatus 30 acquires row data corresponding to the print job acquisition request from the print server 20, the image forming apparatus 30 performs print output.

  As described above, when application data is input, a print job acquisition request including a print language is made from an image forming apparatus that actually prints out without specifying an image forming apparatus to be used in advance. It is possible to acquire raw data and print it out.

<Functional configuration of each device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of each device according to the first embodiment. 2A shows an example of the functional configuration of the client PC 10, FIG. 2B shows an example of the functional configuration of the print server 20, and FIG. 2C shows the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows an example.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the client PC 10 includes an application execution unit 11 and a data transmission unit 12.

  For example, the application execution unit 11 executes an application installed in advance in the client PC 10, receives an instruction or input from the user, and creates application data. The application data is, for example, document editing software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, etc., but is not limited to this, and may be other software.

  The data transmission unit 12 transmits application data (first data) to be printed, print setting information of the application data, user information, and the like to the print server 20 as a print job, for example.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the print server 20 includes a data holding unit 21, a conversion unit 22, a row data control unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The data holding unit 21 has a function as an example of a holding unit, and holds, for example, application data (first data) acquired from the client PC 10, application data print setting information, and user information in association with each other. . Further, the data holding unit 21 transmits an application data list based on user information to the image forming apparatus 30 via the communication unit 24 in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 30, for example.

  The conversion unit 22 has a function as an example of a conversion unit. For example, application data stored in the data storage unit 21 is converted into raw (RAW) data (second data) of a print language designated by the image forming apparatus 30. Data).

  The row data control unit 23 has a function as an example of an information acquisition unit, and acquires print language information that can be output by the image forming apparatus 30 together with a print job acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 30. When the row data control unit 23 acquires the application data from the data holding unit 21 based on the print job acquisition request, the row data control unit 23 requests the conversion unit 22 to convert the application data based on the print language included in the print job acquisition request.

  The communication unit 24 has a function as an example of a communication unit, and transmits the raw data converted into the designated print language by the conversion unit 22 to the image forming apparatus 30.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a print job acquisition unit 31 and an output unit 32. The print job acquisition unit 31 makes an application data list acquisition request to the data holding unit 21 of the print server 20. In addition, the print job acquisition unit 31 makes a print job acquisition request specifying a print language that can be output to the row data control unit 23 of the print server 20 and acquires corresponding row data.

  The output unit 32 performs processing such as print output using the raw data acquired by the print job acquisition unit 31.

<Hardware configuration>
The client PC 10 and the print server 20 described above are realized by, for example, a computer system having a hardware configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the computer system according to the present embodiment. 3 includes an input device 41, a display device 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 44, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 45, and a CPU (Central Processing). (Unit) 46, a communication I / F 47, and an external I / F 48, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The input device 41 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 42 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer system 2.

  The RAM 43 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data. The ROM 44 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 44 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer system 2 is started.

  The HDD 45 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include, for example, an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer system 2 and application software that provides various functions on the OS.

  The HDD 45 manages stored programs and data by a predetermined file system and / or DB (database).

  The CPU 46 is an arithmetic unit that realizes control and functions of the entire computer system 2 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 44 and the HDD 45 onto the RAM 43 and executing processing.

  The communication I / F 47 is an interface that connects the computer system 2 to a network. Thereby, the computer system 2 performs data communication via the communication I / F 47.

  The external I / F 48 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 48A. Accordingly, the computer system 2 can read and / or write the recording medium 48A via the external I / F 48.

  The recording medium 48A includes a flexible disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD memory card (SD Memory card), a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like.

  The client PC 10 and the print server 20 can implement various processes to be described later depending on the hardware configuration of the computer system 2.

<Row data acquisition sequence>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence for acquiring row data according to the first embodiment. The sequence shown in FIG. 4 is performed by the data transmission unit 12 of the client PC 10, the print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30, the row data control unit 23 of the print server 20, the data holding unit 21, and the conversion unit 22. Executed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the data transmission unit 12 of the client PC 10 sends application data, print setting information of application data, and a user as a print job to the data holding unit 21 of the print server 20 according to a user operation. Information is transmitted (S10). For example, the print setting information includes print setting conditions such as the number of copies for application data, double-sided, single-sided, color, and monochrome. The data holding unit 21 holds application data, print setting information, and user information in association with each other (S11).

  The print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 requests the data holding unit 21 to acquire the application data list in response to a login request by a user operation (S12), and the application data list corresponding to the user information from the data holding unit 21. Is acquired (S13).

  Next, the print job acquisition unit 31 displays an application data list on the operation screen, for example, and receives a print instruction from the user, and requests the raw data control unit 23 to acquire a print job (S14). In the process of S14, the print job acquisition unit 31 includes information on the print language that can be output by itself in the print job acquisition request.

  Based on the print job acquisition request acquired from the print job acquisition unit 31, the row data control unit 23 acquires the corresponding application data from the data holding unit 21 (S15). In addition, the row data control unit 23 requests the conversion unit 22 to convert the application data acquired from the data holding unit 21 into row data based on the print language specified in the print job acquisition request (S16).

  The conversion unit 22 converts the application data into row data in response to the request obtained in the process of S16 (S17). The raw data converted by the conversion unit 22 in the process of S17 is transmitted to the print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 via the communication unit 24 and printed out by the output unit 32.

  Note that the row data control unit 23 holds in advance a print language that can be output in accordance with the device information of the image forming apparatus 30, and performs the corresponding printing based on the device information obtained when the image forming apparatus 30 logs in. The language may be determined and the conversion unit 22 may be requested to convert application data. The device information is information relating to a device capable of determining a printing language such as a model, a manufacturer, and a machine number, but is not limited thereto.

<First Embodiment: Various Data>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of various data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A shows an example of transmission data when transmitting application data, and FIG. 5B shows an example of data held by the data holding unit 21. FIG. 5C shows an example of request data at the time of an application data list acquisition request, and FIG. 5D shows an example of an application data list. FIG. 5E shows an example of request data at the time of print job acquisition request, and FIG. 5F shows an example of a print job at the time of print job acquisition.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the transmission data when the data transmission unit 12 of the client PC 10 transmits application data as a print job to the print server 20 includes “user information”, “print setting”, “application”. Information such as “data” is included.

  For example, “user information” includes “user name”, “organization name”, “locale”, and the like. “User name” indicates the name of the user. “Organization name” indicates an organization such as a group or a company to which the user belongs. “Locale” indicates, for example, information on the country or region where the organization to which the user belongs or the like.

  “Print setting” indicates, for example, information related to application data. For example, “document name”, “number of copies”, “single / double-sided”, “combined”, “paper size”, “original orientation”, “color / monochrome” ”,“ Transmission time ”, and the like. Here, “number of copies”, “single / double-sided”, “combination”, “paper size”, “original orientation”, “color / monochrome”, etc. indicate print setting information for application data.

  The “application data” includes document data created by an electronic file.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the data held by the data holding unit 21 of the print server 20 includes “ID”, “user information”, “print setting”, “application data”, and the like. “ID” is information for identifying application data. “User information”, “print setting”, and “application data” indicate the contents of transmission data transmitted from the client PC 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the request data when the application data list is acquired from the image forming apparatus 30 to the print server 20 includes “user information” or the like that is input by the user when requesting the login of the image forming apparatus 30. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 5D, the application data list transmitted from the print server 20 to the image forming apparatus 30 includes “ID”, “print setting”, and the like. The print server 20 extracts “ID”, “print setting”, and the like corresponding to “user information” from the data shown in FIG. 5B, and transmits them to the image forming apparatus 30 as an application data list.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, the request data when the print job is acquired from the image forming apparatus 30 to the print server 20 includes “ID”, “print language”, and the like. “ID” is information for identifying application data selected by the user from the application data list shown in FIG. 5D and receiving a print instruction. In the “print language”, information on a print language that can be output by the image forming apparatus 30 itself is set. Note that device information may be included instead of the print language.

  As shown in FIG. 5F, the print job acquired by the image forming apparatus 30 from the print server 20 includes “row data” indicating the raw data converted by the print server 20 into a print language corresponding to the image forming apparatus 30. And the like.

  In the first embodiment described above, when the print job acquisition request specifying a print language that can be handled is made from the image forming apparatus 30 that prints out, the print server 20 receives application data based on the specified print language. Convert to raw data. As a result, the image forming apparatus 30 can acquire row data of a print language that can be handled from the print server 20 and perform print output.

<Print languages managed according to device information>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print language managed corresponding to the device information. 6A shows an example of device information obtained from the image forming apparatus 30, and FIGS. 6B to 6D show print languages managed in correspondence with the device information by the print server 20. FIG. An example is shown.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the image forming apparatus 30 uses, for example, information such as a model as an example of device information that can determine a print language. In the example of FIG. 6A, “type of device information” is associated with “device information”. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, information such as “model: AHAEFOXXXX” is used instead of the print language when requesting the print server 20 to acquire a print job in the process of S14 of FIG. To the print server 20.

  As shown in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6D, the print server 20 manages in advance information such as model, manufacturer, model number, and the like, as an example of device information, and a print language that can be output. Keep it. The example in FIG. 6B shows an example in which “model: AHAXXX: PCL” is associated with “type of device information”, “device information”, and “print language”, for example. The example of FIG. 6C shows an example of “apparatus information” and “print language” associated with “manufacturer”, and the example of FIG. 6D shows an “apparatus” associated with “machine number”. Example of “information” and “print language”. Note that the associated information is not limited to the above-described example.

  The row data control unit 23 of the print server 20 refers to the print language information that can be output corresponding to the device information shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, for example, in the process of S16 in FIG. The corresponding print language can be specified based on the device information acquired from the image forming apparatus 30.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the print server according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the print server 20 includes a data holding unit 21, a conversion unit 22, a raw data control unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a print language determination unit 25. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the print language determination unit 25 is provided. About the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted, and it demonstrates centering on a different point.

  The data holding unit 21 includes application data corresponding to a print job, print language information determined by the print language determination unit 25, and raw data obtained by converting the application data by the conversion unit 22 based on the print language information ( 3rd data) is held in association with each other.

  The conversion unit 22 converts the application data into raw data based on the print language information determined by the print language determination unit 25. Further, when the conversion unit 22 is requested by the row data control unit 23 to preferentially convert the application data into row data based on the print language specified in the print job acquisition request, the conversion unit 22 receives the other conversion request. Also prioritize processing.

  The row data control unit 23 requests the print language determination unit 25 in advance to determine a print language for converting application data based on user information, for example, at the timing when application data is input as a print job from the client PC 10.

  Further, the row data control unit 23 has a function as an example of a comparison unit. When a print job acquisition request is received from the image forming apparatus 30, the row data control unit 23 inquires of the data holding unit 21 for information on the print language after the row data conversion. . In addition, the row data control unit 23 determines whether the inquired print data after the row data conversion matches the print language specified in the print job acquisition request. Note that the print language information that has been subjected to the raw data conversion indicates information about the print language that has been determined in advance by the print language determination unit 25 to convert the application data.

  Here, when the row data control unit 23 determines that the print language after the row data conversion matches the print language specified in the print job acquisition request, the row data held in the data holding unit 21. (Third data) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30. As described above, since the raw data that has been converted in advance is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30, it is possible to speed up the processing as compared with the case where application data is converted into raw data after a print job acquisition request.

  When the row data control unit 23 determines that the print language after the row data conversion does not match the print language specified in the print job acquisition request, the row data control unit 23 acquires the application data from the data holding unit 21 and converts the conversion unit 22. Requests conversion based on the print language specified in.

  At this time, the row data control unit 23 requests the conversion unit 22 to process, for example, application data (first data) with priority over other conversion requests. When the row data control unit 23 acquires the row data (second data) from the conversion unit 22, the row data control unit 23 transmits the row data (second data) to the image forming apparatus 30 that is the print job acquisition request source via the communication unit 24.

  The print language determination unit 25 holds, as a default, one or more print languages set in advance in association with the organization name to which the user belongs and the locale information in which the organization to which the user belongs. When the print language determination unit 25 receives a print language determination request from the row data control unit 23, based on the user information, the print language set corresponding to the name of the organization to which the user belongs and the locale information of the user, It is determined as a print language for converting application data. Note that the print language determination unit 25 stores information on the print language determined for each application data of the print job in the data holding unit 21 in this way.

<Row data acquisition sequence>
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence for acquiring row data according to the second embodiment. The sequence shown in FIG. 8 includes a data transmission unit 12 of the client PC 10, a print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30, a row data control unit 23 of the print server 20, a data holding unit 21, a conversion unit 22, This is executed by the print language determination unit 25.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the data transmission unit 12 of the client PC 10 sends application data, application data print setting information, and user information as a print job to the data holding unit 21 of the print server 20 in response to a user operation. Are transmitted (S20).

  The data holding unit 21 holds application data, print setting information, and user information in association with each other (S21).

  Here, the raw data control unit 23 requests the print language determination unit 25 to determine the print language for converting the application data (S22). The print language determination unit 25 receives a request from the raw data control unit 23, and is set in advance according to, for example, the organization to which the user belongs or the locale information of the user based on the user information of the user who has input the application data. One or more printing languages are determined (S23).

  The organization to which the user corresponding to the user information belongs, the user's locale information, and the like are held by an external authentication device or the like, and the print language determination unit 25 accesses the authentication device or the like. Thus, the corresponding print language may be determined.

  When the row data control unit 23 acquires the print language determined by the print language determination unit 25 (S24), the conversion unit 22 converts the application data into row data (third data) based on the acquired print language. Request to convert (S25). The conversion unit 22 converts the application data into row data in response to a request from the row data control unit 23 (S26).

  In the process of S24 described above, for example, when the print language determination unit 25 obtains information on a plurality of print languages, in the process of S26, the conversion unit 22 converts application data based on the plurality of print languages. Each row data (third data) is converted.

  The data holding unit 21 associates the raw data (third data) converted by the converting unit 22 with the application data held in the process of S21, and the print language (raw data) determined by the print language determining unit 25. Information of the converted print language).

  When the print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 requests the data holding unit 21 to acquire an application data list in response to a login request by a user operation (S28), an application data list corresponding to the user information is obtained. Obtain (S29).

  Next, the print job acquisition unit 31 displays an application data list on the operation screen, for example, and receives a print instruction from the user, requests the row data control unit 23 to acquire a print job that has received the print instruction. (S30). As in the first embodiment, in the process of S30, the print job acquisition unit 31 includes information on a print language that can be output by the print job acquisition request.

  Here, when the row data control unit 23 receives a print job acquisition request from the image forming apparatus 30, the row data control unit 23 inquires the data holding unit 21 about the information of the print language after the row data conversion (S <b> 31). Information on the print language after data conversion is acquired (S32).

  The row data control unit 23 determines whether the print language specified in the print job acquisition request matches the print language after the row data conversion (S33).

  When the row data control unit 23 determines that the print language specified in the print job acquisition request does not match the print language after the row data conversion, the row data control unit 23 acquires the application data from the data holding unit 21 (S34). ). Next, the row data control unit 23 requests the conversion unit 22 to preferentially convert the application data acquired from the data holding unit 21 into row data based on the print language or the like specified in the print job acquisition request ( S35).

  In the process of S35, the row data control unit 23 sends the application data (first data) to the conversion unit 22 to another conversion request (for example, the application data is converted to the raw data (third data) in the process of S22). Request processing to be given priority over processing to convert).

  In response to a request from the row data control unit 23, the conversion unit 22 preferentially converts application data into row data (second data) (S36). Accordingly, the row data control unit 23 can promptly transmit row data to the image forming apparatus 30 after receiving a print job acquisition request.

  On the other hand, when the row data control unit 23 determines that the print language specified in the print job acquisition request matches the print language after the row data conversion, the row data control unit 23 converts the converted row data from the data holding unit 21. (S37) and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30. The raw data acquired by the print job acquisition unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 is printed out by the output unit 32.

Second Embodiment: Various Data
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of various data according to the second embodiment. The example of FIG. 9 shows an example of data held by the data holding unit 21. As shown in FIG. 9, the data held by the data holding unit 21 includes “ID”, “user information”, “print setting”, “application data”, “row data”, “print language”, and the like. .

  Compared with the data held by the data holding unit 21 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5B described above, in the example of FIG. 9, the “print language” determined in advance by the print language determining unit 25 and its printing “Row data” in which application data is converted based on a language is added.

  In the above-described processing of S23 shown in FIG. 8, when a plurality of print languages are determined as print languages for converting the application by the print language determination unit 25, “print language” and “row data” shown in FIG. In this item, a plurality of print languages and a plurality of row data may be stored.

  In the above-described second embodiment, when the print server 20 acquires application data as a print job from the client PC 10, the application data is converted into raw data based on a print language set in advance corresponding to user information.

  When the printable print language included in the print job acquisition request acquired from the image forming apparatus 30 matches the print language of the converted row data, the print server 20 converts the converted row data to the image forming apparatus. 30. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time from acquisition request timing to acquisition of row data.

  Even if the print language of the already converted raw data does not match the print language included in the print job acquisition request, the application data corresponding to the print job acquisition request is preferentially converted into raw data, Can be acquired quickly.

<Other processing examples>
In the second embodiment described above, the application data is converted in advance based on the print language set corresponding to the user information, and row data is held in the data holding unit 21 as the third data. On the other hand, on the upload screen of the client PC 10 where the user inputs application data as a print job to the print server 20, the print language of the image forming apparatus 30 that the user wants to print and the position of the country or region in which the image forming apparatus 30 exists Information may be set.

  In the case described above, the data holding unit 21 associates the application data with the print language set on the upload screen, the position information of the image forming apparatus 30, and the like. Further, based on these pieces of information, the print language determination unit 25 may determine the print language for converting the application data, the conversion unit 22 may convert the application data, and the row data as the third data may be held. .

<Priority processing by conversion unit 22>
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of priority processing by the conversion unit. As shown in FIG. 10, the conversion unit 22 includes a data processing control unit 51, one or more processing queues 52, one or more data processing requesting units 53, one or more data processing units 54, and a data processing information storage. Section 55 and a data storage section 56.

  The data processing control unit 51 is a functional unit that controls data processing based on a request from the row data control unit 23. The one or more processing queues 52 are, for example, message queues corresponding to the type of data processing, and a request message related to data processing is registered from the data processing control unit 51.

  The one or more data processing requesting units 53 monitor the processing queue assigned thereto and receive a request message related to data processing from the processing queue 52. The data processing request unit 53 is a functional unit that requests the data processing unit 54 to execute data processing corresponding to the received message. An example of data processing executed by the data processing unit 54 is processing for converting a data format such as rendering, for example, and processing for converting the above-described application data into row data of a print language such as PDL data. .

  When the data processing control unit 51 receives a request from the row data control unit 23 to convert the application data into row data based on a predetermined print language, the processing queue 52, the data processing request unit 53, and the data processing unit 54 perform conversion. Execute the process.

  The data processing information storage unit 55 stores information related to requested data processing. The data storage unit 56 stores application data, raw data, and other data.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the row data control unit 23 records application data to be processed in the data storage unit 56. Further, the row data control unit 23 transmits a data processing request (hereinafter referred to as a request) to the data processing control unit 51. The request to be transmitted includes, for example, processing details of data processing and information on the recording destination of processing target data.

  The data processing control unit 51 analyzes the received request and registers a message in a processing queue (message queue) 52 corresponding to the processing content of the data processing. The processing queue 52 is provided for each processing content of data processing, for example. Further, the data processing control unit 51 registers request information in the data processing information storage unit 55. The request information includes, for example, a recording destination of data to be processed, data processing details, a request status, and the like.

  Each data processing request unit 53 monitors one or more processing queues 52 assigned thereto. That is, each data processing request unit 53 monitors a request for processing contents of one or more data processing. Each data processing request unit 53 acquires a message registered in the monitored processing queue 52.

  The data processing request unit 53 acquires request information from the data processing information storage unit 55 based on the message acquired from the monitored processing queue 52. The data processing request unit 53 causes the data processing unit 54 to execute the data processing of the request based on the recording destination of the processing target data included in the acquired request information and the processing content of the data processing.

  The data processing request unit 53 updates the request information from the execution result of the data processing executed by the data processing unit 54, and registers the updated request information in the data processing information storage unit 55.

  In the example of FIG. 10, for example, in the process of S <b> 33 of FIG. 8, the row data control unit 23 determines that the print language specified in the print job acquisition request does not match the print language that has been converted to the row data, for example. Then, application data is acquired from the data holding unit 21. In addition, the row data control unit 23 stores application data in the data storage unit 56, and transmits a request for requesting the data processing control unit 51 to process it preferentially over other conversion requests.

  For example, when at least one of the first to Nth queues is set as a priority queue in the processing queue 52 of the conversion unit 22, and the data processing control unit 51 receives a request to process preferentially In this case, the priority queue gives priority to processing over other conversion requests.

  With the configuration described above, processing is prioritized over other conversion requests, so that it is possible to speed up the conversion of application data corresponding to a print job acquisition request to raw data based on a specified print language. Become.

  According to the above-described embodiment, for example, it is possible to convert to a print language or the like corresponding to an image forming apparatus that prints out, and it is possible to improve user convenience.

  The preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described in detail above, but the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments according to the disclosed technology, and within the scope of the disclosed technology described in the claims, Various modifications and changes are possible.

10 Client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Application execution part 12 Data transmission part 20 Print server 21 Data holding part (an example of a holding means)
22 Conversion unit (an example of conversion means)
23 Row data control unit (an example of information acquisition means and comparison means)
24 communication unit (an example of communication means)
25 Print Language Determination Unit 30 Image Forming Device 31 Print Job Acquisition Unit 32 Output Unit 41 Input Device 42 Display Device 43 RAM
44 ROM
45 HDD
46 CPU
47 Communication I / F
48 External I / F
48A Recording medium 51 Data processing control unit 52 Processing queue 53 Data processing requesting unit 54 Data processing unit 55 Data processing information storage unit 56 Data storage unit

JP 2013-242848 A

Claims (6)

An information processing system that converts first data corresponding to an output request into second data to be output to an output device,
Holding means for holding third data converted from the first data based on an organization to which the user who instructed the output request belongs or one or more output languages set corresponding to locale information of the user When,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information of an output language that can be output by the output device from the output device that receives an output instruction of the output request;
Comparison means for comparing the output language of the third data held by the holding means with information of the output language that can be output by the output device obtained by the information acquisition means;
Conversion means for converting the first data into the second data based on information of an output language that can be output by the output device, according to a comparison result by the comparison means;
Communication means for transmitting the second data obtained by the conversion means to the output device ;
Have
The converting means includes
If the comparison result shows that the output language of the third data does not match the output language that can be output by the output device, the first data corresponding to the third data is changed to the second data. The information processing system is characterized in that the process of converting the first data into the third data is preferentially executed over the process of converting the other first data into the third data . The communication means includes
If the output language of the third data matches the output language that can be output by the output device based on the comparison result by the comparing means, the third data is transmitted to the output device. The information processing system according to claim 1. The converting means includes
The first data is converted to the third data based on the output language specified in the output request and the output language for converting the first data or the position information where the output device exists. The information processing system according to claim 1. One or more information processing devices that convert first data corresponding to an output request into second data to be output to an output device;
Holding means for holding third data converted from the first data based on an organization to which the user who instructed the output request belongs or one or more output languages set corresponding to locale information of the user When,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information of an output language that can be output by the output device from an output device that receives an output instruction of the output request;
Comparison means for comparing the output language of the third data held by the holding means with information of the output language that can be output by the output device obtained by the information acquisition means;
Conversion means for converting the first data into the second data based on information of an output language that can be output by the output device, according to a comparison result by the comparison means;
Communication means for transmitting the second data obtained by the conversion means to the output device ;
Have
The converting means includes
If the comparison result shows that the output language of the third data does not match the output language that can be output by the output device, the first data corresponding to the third data is changed to the second data. of the process of converting the data, from the process of converting other first data to the third data, one or more information processing apparatus characterized by having a preferentially executed. An information processing method in an information processing system for converting first data corresponding to an output request into second data to be output to an output device,
The third data converted from the first data is held in the holding means based on the organization to which the user who instructed the output request belongs or one or more output languages set corresponding to the locale information of the user. Holding procedure to
An information acquisition procedure for acquiring information of an output language that can be output by the output device from the output device that receives an output instruction of the output request;
A comparison procedure for comparing the output language of the third data held in the holding procedure with the information of the output language that can be output by the output device obtained in the information acquisition procedure;
A conversion procedure for converting the first data into the second data based on information of an output language that can be output by the output device according to a comparison result by the comparison procedure;
A communication procedure for transmitting the second data obtained by the conversion procedure to the output device ;
Have
The conversion procedure is:
If the comparison result shows that the output language of the third data does not match the output language that can be output by the output device, the first data corresponding to the third data is changed to the second data. The information processing method is characterized in that the process of converting the first data is preferentially executed over the process of converting the other first data into the third data . One or more information processing devices that convert the first data corresponding to the output request into second data to be output to the output device;
Holding means for holding third data converted from the first data based on an organization to which the user who instructed the output request belongs or one or more output languages set corresponding to locale information of the user ,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information of an output language that can be output by the output device from an output device that receives an output instruction of the output request;
Comparison means for comparing the output language of the third data held by the holding means with the information of the output language that can be output by the output device obtained by the information acquisition means;
Conversion means for converting the first data into the second data based on the output language information that can be output by the output device according to the comparison result by the comparison means; and
A program for causing the second data obtained by the conversion means to function as communication means for transmitting to the output device ,
The converting means includes
If the comparison result shows that the output language of the third data does not match the output language that can be output by the output device, the first data corresponding to the third data is changed to the second data. A program that executes the process of converting the first data over the process of converting the other first data into the third data .

Images