JP6481508B2 - Terminal device, program, and output system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, and an output system.

  In recent years, a technique for accumulating a print job from a computer in a print server and acquiring the print job from the print server and printing the print job is already known.

  A so-called pull printing system in which print target data is designated from the printing apparatus side, and print target data based on the designation or a print job based on the print target data is fetched to the printing apparatus side via a communication line and printed is output. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the pull print system, for example, when a user selects a printer driver from an application program and requests printing, the print job is stored in a storage destination. For example, the storage destination of the print job is determined by the storage setting of the printer driver. Therefore, if the user wants to change the accumulation setting for each printing in the pull printing system, the user has to change the accumulation setting of the printer driver in consideration of the contents of printing, which is troublesome.

  Such a problem is not limited to a printing system such as a pull printing system, but also exists in an output system that outputs a job stored in a storage destination by a user from an output device such as a projector or a monitor.

  Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device that can flexibly control a storage destination of output data.

In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application provides a network between an information processing apparatus that holds output data related information, and an output apparatus that acquires and outputs output data from a storage destination based on the output data related information. A storage processing unit that selects a storage destination of the output data based on rule information in which a condition and a storage destination of the output data are associated with each other, and the output data When the information processing device is selected as the storage destination of the output data, the output data and the output data related information are transmitted to the information processing device to be held, and when the terminal device is selected as the storage destination of the output data Transmitting means for transmitting and holding output data related information to the information processing device, and the output data when the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination. Possess the output data storing means for storing data, wherein the storage processing means selects based on an accumulation destination of the output data, the rule information and storage destination condition and the output data is associated Before determining whether the terminal device is set as the output data storage destination, and when the terminal device is set as the output data storage destination, the terminal device as the output data storage destination It is characterized by selecting .

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the storage destination of output data can be flexibly controlled.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of a printing system concerning this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the computer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a process block diagram of an example of a client terminal concerning this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of a job accumulation plug-in. It is a process block diagram of an example of the print server apparatus concerning this embodiment. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of print job information. FIG. FIG. 6 is an image diagram illustrating an example of print processing for storing print data in a client terminal. FIG. 4 is an image diagram illustrating an example of print processing for storing print data in a print server device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print job accumulation process. It is an image figure of an example of a function selection screen. It is a flowchart showing an example of the process of step S68. It is explanatory drawing which shows the print data upper limit data amount of a client terminal. It is a flowchart showing other examples of processing of Step S68. It is explanatory drawing which shows the print data upper limit data amount of a print server apparatus.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a printing system as an example of an output system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the printing system. The output system may be any system that outputs jobs stored in the storage destination in addition to the projection system and the display system.
[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 in FIG. 1 includes an administrator terminal 11, an application server device 12, an authentication server device 13, a print server device 14, a client terminal 16, and a shared output device 17 connected via a network N1 such as a LAN. The printing system 1 has a local output device 15 connected to the client terminal 16.

  The administrator terminal 11, application server device 12, authentication server device 13, print server device 14, local output device 15, client terminal 16, and shared output device 17 have wireless or wired communication means.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, the local output device 15, the client terminal 16, and the shared output device 17 are one. There may be multiple units.

  The administrator terminal 11 is an information processing apparatus (computer) such as a PC used by the administrator. Based on a request from the administrator, the administrator terminal 11 performs settings and the like for each user's client terminal 16, and connects the set contents (setting data) via the network N1, such as the application server device 12 and the client terminal 16. Can be sent to the device.

  The application server device 12 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The application server device 12 has application software such as print application software distributed to the client terminal 16 and print setting data that is setting data related to the application software. The application server device 12 distributes the print application software and print setting data that it holds to the client terminal 16.

  The authentication server device 13 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The authentication server device 13 holds user information and performs authentication based on a request from the output device 17 or the like. The print server device 14 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The print server device 14 can hold print data and print job information. The print server device 14 can transmit print data and print job information to the output device 17 or the like based on a request from the output device 17 or the like.

  The print server device 14 is an example of a device that holds output data related information (such as bibliographic information of print data), which is information related to output data such as print data and output data such as print job information, and can be transmitted to the output device 17 or the like. It is.

  For example, if the output device 17 is a projector, the print server device 14 can store display data (output data) to be displayed and output (projected) using the projector. The print server device 14 stores settings (output data related information) such as a display method for display output. Further, the print server device 14 can store both print data and display data. The print server device 14 transmits output data corresponding to the output device 17 to a plurality of output devices 17 that output different output data, such as a multifunction device that prints out print data and a projector that displays and outputs display data. Alternatively, output data related information can be transmitted. Therefore, the application range of the present invention is not limited to print data and print job information.

  The output device 15 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer that is directly connected to the client terminal 16 by wired or wireless communication. The output device 15 is an image forming device such as a printer, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, or a laser printer, a projection device or display device that performs display output from a projector or a monitor, a sound output device that outputs sound data such as audio, and the like It may be.

  The client terminal 16 is an information processing apparatus such as a PC used by a user. The client terminal 16 is a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a PC. The client terminal 16 is loaded with printing application software. The client terminal 16 can hold print data. The client terminal 16 can transmit print data to the output device 17 or the like based on a request from the output device 17 or the like.

  The output device 17 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer connected to the network N1 by wired or wireless communication. The output device 17 outputs sound data such as audio from image forming devices such as printers, copiers, multifunction devices, and laser printers, as well as projection devices and display devices that execute display output from projectors and monitors. It may be a device.

  Note that the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example, and may have a configuration without the application server device 12 or a configuration in which the functions of the authentication server device 13 and the print server device 14 are realized by a single device. .

<Hardware configuration>
The administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, and the client terminal 16 in FIG. 1 are realized by, for example, a computer having a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to the present embodiment.

  A computer 500 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external I / F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, a communication I / F 507, an HDD 508, and the like. . Note that the input device 501 and the display device 502 may be connected and used when necessary.

  The input device 501 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used by a user to input each operation signal. The display device 502 includes a display and the like, and displays a processing result by the computer 500.

  A communication I / F 507 is an interface for connecting the computer 500 to the network N1. Thereby, the computer 500 can perform data communication via the communication I / F 507.

  The HDD 508 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer 500, application software that provides various functions on the OS, and the like.

  The external I / F 503 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 503a. Accordingly, the computer 500 can read and / or write the recording medium 503a via the external I / F 503. Examples of the recording medium 503a include a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, and a USB memory.

  The ROM 505 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 505 stores programs and data such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 500 is started. The RAM 504 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data.

  The CPU 506 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and functions of the entire computer 500 by reading a program and data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 and the HDD 508 onto the RAM 504 and executing processing.

  The administrator terminal 11, the application server device 12, the authentication server device 13, the print server device 14, and the client terminal 16 according to the present embodiment can implement various processes as described later by the hardware configuration of the computer 500.

<Software configuration>
<Client terminal>
The client terminal 16 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the processing block illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 is a processing block diagram of an example of a client terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The client terminal 16 shown in FIG. 3 executes the program to create a document creation application 21, a virtual printer driver 22, a virtual printer driver 22a, a real printer driver 23, a plug-in 24, a platform API 25, a platform 26, and a storage unit 27. Realize. The plug-in 24 includes a job storage plug-in 31 and a print control plug-in 32. The platform 26 includes a display control (UI control) unit 41, a setting unit 42, and a communication unit 43.

  The document creation application 21 is an example of an application that receives a print request from a user. The document creation application 21 is an example and may be any application that accepts an output request such as printing from the user.

  The virtual printer driver 22 is a printer driver that converts application data into intermediate print data independent of the model and outputs the intermediate print data. The intermediate print data is print data that does not depend on the model of the output device 17 or the like.

  Data in the XPS (XML Paper Specification) format is an example of intermediate print data. Application data is an example of output target data. The virtual printer driver 22 a is an example of a virtual printer driver for using the job storage plug-in 31. The virtual printer driver 22a converts the application data into intermediate print data independent of the model and outputs it. The actual printer driver 23 converts the intermediate print data into actual print data in a format that can be printed by the output device 17 and the like, and outputs the actual print data. RAW format data is an example of actual print data. If they are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as output data.

  The plug-in 24 is software that operates on the platform 26. The plug-in 24 can use the functions of the platform 26 by using the platform API 25.

  The platform API 25 is an interface for the plug-in 24 to use the functions of the platform 26. The platform API 25 is a predefined interface provided for the platform 26 to receive a request from the plug-in 24, and is configured by, for example, a function or a class.

  The display control unit 41 of the platform 26 controls the display of the display device 502 based on a request from the document creation application 21 or the plug-in 24, for example. The setting unit 42 sets the plug-in 24 and the like. The communication unit 43 executes communication with the outside. The storage unit 27 stores settings and the like.

  The client terminal 16 consolidates the processing by consolidating functions commonly used by the plug-ins 24 into the platform 26. Note that the classification form of the processing block diagram of FIG. 3 is an example, and it is not essential to be classified in the hierarchy as shown in FIG.

  When the job storage plug-in 31 of the plug-in 24 receives a print request from the virtual printer driver 22a, the job storage plug-in 31 performs processing related to print job storage and management. For example, when the print control plug-in 32 receives a print request specifying the output device 17 from the virtual printer driver 22, the print control plug-in 32 selects the actual printer driver 23 associated with the specified output device 17. The print control plug-in 32 makes a request for outputting actual print data from the output device 17 using the selected actual printer driver 23.

  Note that the plug-in 24 can be appropriately installed and used by a manager or a user, and is not necessarily limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a processing block diagram of an example of a job storage plug-in. 4 includes an event detection unit 60, a proxy print processing unit 61, a job storage processing unit 62, a print job transmission unit 63, a print data holding unit 64, and a setting information holding unit 65.

  The event detection unit 60 detects an event such as a print request from a user. The proxy printing processing unit 61 performs processing related to proxy printing (proxy output). For example, the proxy print processing unit 61 adds proxy user information such as a proxy user ID to the print job information.

  The job accumulation processing unit 62 selects a print data accumulation destination. The job accumulation processing unit 62 causes the print data holding unit 64 to accumulate print data when the client terminal 16 is selected as the print data accumulation destination.

  The print job transmission unit 63 transmits print job information and print data to the print server device 14 when the print server device 14 is selected as the print data storage destination. When the client terminal 16 is selected as the print data storage destination, the print job transmission unit 63 transmits the print job information to the print server device 14. The print data holding unit 64 stores print data. The setting information holding unit 65 holds setting information.

<Print server device>
The print server device 14 according to the present embodiment is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 is a processing block diagram of an example of the print server apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  By executing the program, the print server device 14 executes a print data receiving unit 71, a print job information receiving unit 73, a print job information transmitting unit 74, a print data transmitting unit 75, a print data holding unit 76, and a print job information holding unit 77. Is realized.

  The print data receiving unit 71 causes the print data holding unit 76 to hold the print data received from the client terminal 16. The print job information receiving unit 73 causes the print job information holding unit 77 to hold the print job information received from the client terminal 16.

  The print job information transmission unit 74 transmits print job information to the output device 17 based on a request from the output device 17. The print data transmission unit 75 transmits print data to the output device 17 based on a request from the output device 17. The print data holding unit 76 stores print data. The print job information holding unit 77 holds print job information.

<Print Job Information>
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an example of print job information. The print job information shown in FIG. 6 includes data items such as job ID, job name, storage destination, storage format, user ID, proxy user ID, date, color mode information, number of copies, duplex information, aggregation information, and file path. Have.

  The job ID is print job identification information. The job name is the name of the print job. The storage destination indicates a location (such as the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16) where intermediate print data or actual print data is stored. The print server device 14 may receive the intermediate print data and accumulate the intermediate print data. The print server device 14 may convert the intermediate print data into actual print data and provide the actual print data as necessary, for example, when the actual print data is requested from the output device 17 or the like.

  When the storage destination is “Client 1”, the intermediate print data or the actual print data is stored in the client terminal 16 identified by “Client 1”. For example, the output device 17 controls the request destination of print data according to the print job information shown in FIG.

  The storage format indicates the format of print data stored in the storage destination. In the print job information of FIG. 6, when the storage format is “XPS”, it indicates that intermediate print data is stored in the storage destination. Further, when the storage format is “PCL”, it indicates that actual print data is stored in the storage destination.

  The intermediate print data is print data in a format in which common specifications regarding the format are publicly disclosed and re-editing is easy. The data format of the intermediate print data is not limited to XPS (XML Paper Specification). For example, the data format of the intermediate print data may be PDF (Portable Document Format).

  On the other hand, the actual print data is PDL (Page Description Language) print data depending on the output device 17 or the like. Note that the data format of actual print data is not limited to PCL (Printer Control Language). For example, the data format of the actual print data may be PS (Post Script).

  The user ID is user identification information indicating the owner of the print data. The proxy user ID is a user ID of a proxy user who can print a print job. For example, when a user with a user ID “11” logs in, a print job with a job ID “4” in which the user with the user ID “11” is the owner is set on the display device such as an operation panel of the output device 17 as a proxy user. The print job with the current job ID “2” is displayed.

  The date is the date when the print job was generated. Color mode information, number of copies, duplex information, and aggregate information are examples of print settings. The file path indicates the location of the intermediate print data or actual print data at the location where the intermediate print data or actual print data is stored.

<Details of processing>
Below, the detail of the process of the printing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

《Print processing》
For example, the user can start the printing process by operating the document creation application 21 and selecting the virtual printer driver 22a to request printing. FIG. 7 is an image diagram illustrating an example of print processing for storing print data in a client terminal. Here, a case where the client terminal 16 is selected as the print data storage destination will be described. Details of the print job storage process for selecting the print data storage destination will be described later.

  In step S11, the document creation application 21 transmits a print event to the virtual printer driver 22a. The virtual printer driver 22 a transmits a print event to the job storage plug-in 31. In addition, the virtual printer driver 22 a converts application data into intermediate print data and transmits it to the job storage plug-in 31. The job storage processing unit 62 of the job storage plug-in 31 stores the print data in the print data holding unit 64.

  In step S12, the print job transmission unit 63 transmits the print job information to the print server device 14 to hold it. As described above, in the printing system 1 of FIG. 7, print data is stored in the client terminal 16, and print job information is stored in the print server device 14.

  In step S21, the user inputs authentication information from the operation panel of the output device 17 and requests login. The output device 17 requested to log in by the user transmits authentication information to the authentication server device 13 and requests authentication in step S22. The authentication server device 13 performs authentication using the received authentication information, and returns an authentication result to the output device 17. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the authentication result is authentication success. If the authentication result is an authentication failure, for example, the fact that the login has failed is displayed on a display device such as an operation panel, and the processing after step S23 is not performed.

  In step S <b> 23, the output device 17 requests the print server device 14 for print job information of the user who has been successfully authenticated. The print server device 14 searches for print job information to which a user ID of a user who has been successfully authenticated is assigned (including a case where the user ID is assigned as a proxy user ID). In step S <b> 24, the print server device 14 transmits a list of searched print job information to the output device 17.

  The output device 17 displays a list of received print job information and allows the user to select a print job from the list of print job information. When the user selects print job information from the list of print job information, the output device 17 can determine the print data storage destination and file path of the print job from the print job information storage destination and file path selected by the user. Here, the client terminal 16 is determined as the print data storage destination. In step S25, the output device 17 requests the print data of the print job selected by the user from the client terminal 16.

  Here, it is assumed that the print data stored in the client terminal 16 is intermediate print data. In step S26, the job storage plug-in 31 of the client terminal 16 uses the actual printer driver 23 to convert the intermediate print data into actual print data. The client terminal 16 may store actual print data. In this case, the process of step S26 is omitted.

  In step S <b> 27, the client terminal 16 transmits actual print data of the print job to the output device 17. In step S28, the output device 17 outputs the received actual print data.

  FIG. 8 is an image diagram illustrating an example of print processing for storing print data in the print server apparatus. Here, a case where the print server device 14 is selected as the print data storage destination will be described. Details of the print job storage process for selecting the print data storage destination will be described later.

  The document creation application 21 transmits a print event to the virtual printer driver 22a. The virtual printer driver 22 a transmits a print event to the job storage plug-in 31. In addition, the virtual printer driver 22 a converts application data into intermediate print data and transmits it to the job storage plug-in 31. The job storage plug-in 31 uses the actual printer driver 23 to convert the intermediate print data into actual print data.

  In step S31, the print job transmission unit 63 transmits the print job information and the actual print data to the print server device 14 and holds them. As described above, in the printing system 1 shown in FIG. 8, print job information and actual print data are accumulated in the print server device 14.

  In step S41, the user inputs authentication information from the operation panel of the output device 17 and requests login. In step S42, the output device 17 requested to log in by the user transmits authentication information to the authentication server device 13 to request authentication. The authentication server device 13 performs authentication using the received authentication information, and returns an authentication result to the output device 17. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the authentication result is authentication success. If the authentication result is an authentication failure, for example, the fact that the login has failed is displayed on a display device such as an operation panel, and the processing after step S43 is not performed.

  In step S43, the output device 17 requests the print server device 14 for the print job information of the user who has been successfully authenticated. The print server device 14 searches for print job information to which a user ID of a user who has been successfully authenticated is assigned (including a case where the user ID is assigned as a proxy user ID). In step S <b> 44, the print server device 14 transmits a list of searched print job information to the output device 17.

  The output device 17 displays a list of received print job information and allows the user to select a print job from the list of print job information. When the user selects print job information from the list of print job information, the output device 17 can determine the print data storage destination and file path of the print job from the print job information storage destination and file path selected by the user.

  Here, the print server device 14 is determined as the print data storage destination. In step S45, the output device 17 requests the print data of the print job selected by the user from the print server device 14. In step S <b> 46, the print server device 14 transmits actual print data of the print job to the output device 17. In step S47, the output device 17 outputs the received actual print data.

<< Print job storage process for selecting the print data storage destination >>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the print job accumulation process. In step S61, the client terminal 16 receives print settings from the user. For example, the print setting includes selection of a function from a function selection screen 1000 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a function selection screen. The function selection screen 1000 is an example in which the user selects one function from the “save job on this PC” function, the “print on proxy user” function, and the “print on designated printer” function. The user selects one function from the function selection screen 1000 of FIG. 10, and requests printing in step S62.

  In step S <b> 63, the job storage plug-in 31 determines whether the print data execution authorized person includes a user (proxy user) other than the user who has requested printing. The job storage plug-in 31 determines that a user other than the user who has requested printing is included when the “print to proxy user” function is selected from the function selection screen 1000.

  If it is determined that other users than the user who requested printing are included, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S66, and stores the print data in the print server device 14 selected as the storage destination.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that no user other than the user who requested printing is included, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S64, and determines whether the client terminal 16 is set as the storage destination. If the client terminal 16 is set as a storage destination, the job storage plug-in 31 determines whether print data can be stored (whether there is a storage area). If the print data can be stored, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S67 and stores the print data in the client terminal 16 (own device) selected as the storage destination.

  If the print data cannot be stored, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S66 and stores the print data in the print server device 14 selected as the storage destination. If the client terminal 16 is not set as the storage destination in step S64, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S68.

  In step S68, the job storage plug-in 31 determines whether to store in the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16 on a rule basis, and stores the print data in the print server device 14 or the client terminal 16 determined as the storage destination. .

  Note that the flowchart of FIG. 9 is an example, and either the determination in step S63 or the determination in step S64 may be omitted, and the order of the determination in step S63 and the determination in step S64 is reversed. Also good.

  In step S68, the job storage plug-in 31 performs processing in the procedure as shown in FIG. 11, for example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of step S68.

  In step S81, the job storage plug-in 31 determines whether the upper limit data amount of the client terminal 16 included in the setting information is exceeded. For example, the upper limit data amount of the client terminal 16 included in the setting information is set as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the print data upper limit data amount of the client terminal. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the print data upper limit data amount of the client terminal 16 indicates the upper limit data amount (for example, 1 Gbyte) of print data permitted to be stored in the client terminal 16. The upper limit data amount in FIG. 12 is an example, and any upper limit data amount may be used as long as it represents the upper limit amount of print data, such as the upper limit amount of print data.

  Therefore, if the job storage plug-in 31 determines that the upper limit data amount of the client terminal 16 included in the setting information has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S82 and the print data is stored in the print server device 14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the upper limit data amount of the client terminal 16 included in the setting information has not been exceeded, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S83 and stores the print data in the client terminal 16 (self machine).

  Further, in step S68 of FIG. 9, the job accumulation plug-in 31 may perform processing in the procedure as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of step S68.

  In step S91, the job storage plug-in 31 requests the print server device 14 to store print data. The print server device 14 determines whether the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 is exceeded. The upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 is set as shown in FIG. 14, for example.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the print data upper limit data amount of the print server apparatus. As shown in FIG. 14, the print data upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 indicates the upper limit data amount (for example, 100 Gbytes) of print data permitted to be stored in the print server device 14.

  If the print server device 14 determines that the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 has not been exceeded, it returns a storage OK response to the client terminal 16, and if it has determined that the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 has been exceeded. A response of the accumulated NG is returned to the client terminal 16.

  In step S92, when the job storage plug-in 31 of the client terminal 16 receives the response of the storage NG from the print server device 14, the process proceeds to step S93, where it is determined whether the print data can be stored in the client terminal 16 (own device). To do. If the print data can be stored, the process advances to step S94, and the job storage plug-in 31 stores the print data in the client terminal 16 (own device) selected as the storage destination.

  Note that if a response to the storage OK is received from the print server device 14 in step S92, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S95 and stores the print data in the print server device 14 selected as the storage destination. If it is determined in step S93 that print data cannot be stored, the job storage plug-in 31 proceeds to step S95 and stores the print data in the print server device 14 selected as the storage destination.

  Therefore, the job storage plug-in 31 stores the print data in the print server device 14 unless the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 is exceeded. If the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 is exceeded, the job storage plug-in 31 determines whether the print data can be stored in the client terminal 16.

  If the print data can be stored in the client terminal 16, the job storage plug-in 31 stores the print data in the client terminal 16. If the print data cannot be stored in the client terminal 16, the job storage plug-in 31 stores the print data in the print server device 14 even if the upper limit data amount of the print server device 14 is exceeded.

(Summary)
In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the print server device 14 is set as a storage destination for print data in the case of proxy printing, and the client terminal 16 is set as a storage destination for print data when the client terminal 16 is set as the storage destination. be able to.

  Furthermore, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment can determine the storage destination of print data based on a rule such as an upper limit data amount when the client terminal 16 is not set as the storage destination and is not proxy printing.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, since the print data storage destination can be flexibly controlled, the storage area of the client terminal 16 can also be suitably used as the print data storage destination.

  Note that the print data in this embodiment is data to be printed, and is output from the stage when the client terminal 16 receives a print request from the user until it is output by the output device 17 or the like. Data. In the printing process according to the present embodiment, the data format of the data to be printed is variously converted from the stage when the printing request is received until the data is output by the output device 17 or the like.

  Data to be printed is converted into an application data format, an intermediate data format (such as XPS data), a print data format (such as PDL data), or the like. There are various timings for converting data to be printed in the present embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The printing system 1 in the embodiment described above is an example of an output system.

  The print server device 14 that holds print job information is an example of an information processing device that holds output data related information. The output device 17 that acquires and outputs print data from a storage destination based on print job information is an example of an output device that acquires and outputs output data from a storage destination based on output data related information. The client terminal 16 is an example of a terminal device.

  The job accumulation processing unit 62 is an example of an accumulation processing unit. The print job transmission unit 63 is an example of a transmission unit. The print data holding unit 64 is an example of an output data storage unit that stores output data. The rule base is an example of rule information in which a condition is associated with the output data storage destination. The print data execution permitter is an example of an output execution permitter. The print request is an example of an output request.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 11 Administrator terminal 12 Application server apparatus 13 Authentication server apparatus 14 Print server apparatus 15, 17 Output apparatus 16 Client terminal 21 Document creation application 22, 22a Virtual printer driver 23 Real printer driver 24 Plug-in 25 Platform API
26 Platform 27 Storage Unit 31 Job Storage Plug-in 32 Print Control Plug-in 41 Display Control (UI Control) Unit 42 Setting Unit 43 Communication Unit 60 Event Detection Unit 61 Proxy Print Processing Unit 62 Job Storage Processing Unit 63 Print Job Transmission Unit 64 Printing Data holding unit 65 Setting information holding unit 71 Print data receiving unit 73 Print job information receiving unit 74 Print job information transmitting unit 75 Print data transmitting unit 76 Print data holding unit 77 Print job information holding unit 500 Computer 501 Input device 502 Display device 503 External I / F
503a Recording medium 504 RAM
505 ROM
506 CPU
507 Communication I / F
508 HDD
1000 Function selection screen B Bus N1 Network

JP 2007-200284 A

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus that holds output data related information, and an output apparatus that acquires and outputs output data from a storage destination based on the output data related information, and a terminal device connected via a network,
A storage processing means for selecting a storage destination of the output data based on rule information in which a condition and a storage destination of the output data are associated;
When the information processing apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data, the output data and the output data related information are transmitted to the information processing apparatus to be held, and the terminal apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data Transmitting means for transmitting and holding the output data related information to the information processing apparatus in a case;
Output data storage means for storing the output data when the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination;
I have a,
The storage processing means, before selecting the output data storage destination based on the rule information in which the condition and the output data storage destination are associated, the terminal device as the output data storage destination It is determined whether it is set, and when the terminal device is set as the output data storage destination, the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination.
A terminal device characterized by the above. The storage processing means may be configured so that a user other than the user who has requested the output of the output data before selecting the output data storage destination based on the rule information in which the condition and the output data storage destination are associated with each other. It is determined whether the output data is set as an output execution authorized person, and when the output data is set as an output execution authorized person other than the user who requested the output of the output data, The terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is selected as an accumulation destination. The storage processing unit determines whether the output data can be stored in the output data storage unit when the terminal device is set as a storage destination of the output data, and the output data is stored in the output data storage unit. If the output data can be stored, the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination, and if the output data cannot be stored in the output data storage means, the information processing device is selected as the output data storage destination. The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2. The storage processing unit is configured to output the output data from the amount of the output data stored in the output data storage unit based on rule information in which an upper limit amount of the output data that can be stored in the output data storage unit is set. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a storage destination is selected. The storage processing unit requests the information processing apparatus for which the upper limit amount of the output data is set to store the output data, and receives a response permitting the storage from the information processing apparatus. Select the information processing device as the storage destination,
When a response that does not permit storage is received from the information processing apparatus, based on whether the output data can be stored in the output data storage means, the information processing apparatus or the output data storage means 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a storage destination of output data is selected. An information processing device that holds output data related information, and an output device that acquires and outputs output data from a storage destination based on the output data related information, and a terminal device connected via a network,
A storage processing means for selecting a storage destination of the output data based on rule information in which a condition and a storage destination of the output data are associated;
When the information processing apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data, the output data and the output data related information are transmitted to the information processing apparatus to be held, and the terminal apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data Transmitting means for transmitting and holding the output data related information to the information processing apparatus in a case;
Output data storage means for storing the output data when the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination;
To function as,
The storage processing means, before selecting the output data storage destination based on the rule information in which the condition and the output data storage destination are associated, the terminal device as the output data storage destination It is determined whether it is set, and when the terminal device is set as the output data storage destination, the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination.
A program characterized by A terminal device that receives an output request for output data from a user, an information processing device that holds output data related information, and an output device that acquires and outputs output data from a storage destination based on the output data related information An output system connected via
The terminal device
A storage processing means for selecting a storage destination of the output data based on rule information in which a condition and a storage destination of the output data are associated;
When the information processing apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data, the output data and the output data related information are transmitted to the information processing apparatus to be held, and the terminal apparatus is selected as the storage destination of the output data First output means for transmitting and holding the output data related information to the information processing apparatus in a case;
First output data storage means for storing the output data when the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination;
Have
The information processing apparatus includes:
Output data related information storage means for storing the output data related information received from the terminal device;
Second output data storage means for storing the output data received from the terminal device;
Second transmission means for transmitting the output data related information or the output data to the output device based on a request from the output device;
I have a,
The storage processing means, before selecting the output data storage destination based on the rule information in which the condition and the output data storage destination are associated, the terminal device as the output data storage destination It is determined whether it is set, and when the terminal device is set as the output data storage destination, the terminal device is selected as the output data storage destination.
Output system characterized by.

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