JP7302538B2 - SERVER, PRINTER AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR SERVER - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses a server connected to a terminal device and a plurality of printers having different executable print conditions.

Patent Document 1 discloses a print server connected to a terminal device and a plurality of printers. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user inputs the IP address of a specific printer, specific content for causing the specific printer to print, and Specify The terminal device transmits the IP address of the specific printer and the specific content to the print server. The print server uses the specific content to generate print data having a format interpretable by the specific printer. The print server sends print data to the specific printer. The above specific printer performs printing according to print data. According to the technique described above, the terminal device can cause the specific printer to execute printing without installing a printer driver for generating print data from content to be printed in the terminal device.

JP-A-2002-73462

With the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200014, the user cannot specify printing conditions such as paper size, printing color (color or monochrome), and the like. Therefore, printing according to the printing conditions desired by the user cannot be realized.

This specification discloses a technique for realizing printing of data to be printed without installing a driver program for generating the final print data for causing the printer to print in the terminal device. . In particular, the present invention provides a technique for realizing printing according to printing conditions desired by a user.

The technology disclosed in this specification is a communication system including a printer and a server connected to the printer. The printer identifies, without receiving a request from the server, first candidate condition information indicating a first candidate condition that is a candidate printing condition that the printer can use in executing printing, and the printer. and a first information supply unit for supplying the server with first printer information including printer identification information for printing. The server includes: a first information obtaining unit for obtaining the first printer information from the printer without transmitting a request to the printer; and after the first printer information is obtained from the printer, a first screen request receiving unit for receiving a first screen request from a terminal device; and reacquiring the first printer information from the printer in response to receiving the first screen request from the terminal device. a first setting screen for designating a print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in executing the printing, from among the first candidate conditions indicated in the first candidate condition information without to the terminal device, and after the first setting screen is supplied to the terminal device, the use printing condition specified via the first setting screen, A condition acquisition unit that acquires from the terminal device, and a generation unit that generates print data that conforms to the use print condition after the use print condition is acquired from the terminal device. The printer may further include a request supply unit that supplies a job request including the printer identification information to the server after the first printer information is supplied to the server. The server further includes a print data supply unit that supplies the print data to the printer identified by the printer identification information when the print data is generated and the job request is obtained from the printer. You may prepare. The printer may further include a print control section that causes a print execution section to execute printing using the print data when the print data is acquired from the server.
Another technique disclosed by this specification is a printer connected to a server. The printer identifies, without receiving a request from the server, first candidate condition information indicating a first candidate condition that is a candidate printing condition that the printer can use in executing printing, and the printer. a first information supply unit for supplying to the server first printer information including printer identification information for a job including the printer identification information after the first printer information is supplied to the server; a request supply unit that supplies a request to the server; and a print control unit that causes a print execution unit to execute printing using the print data when the print data is acquired from the server, wherein the print data is: the print control unit, which is data conforming to the print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in executing the print, from among the first candidate conditions indicated in the first candidate condition information; may be provided.
Another technique disclosed by this specification is a computer program for a server connected to a printer. The computer program directs the computer of the server to: a first information acquisition unit for acquiring first printer information including first candidate condition information and printer identification information for identifying the printer from the printer; a first screen request receiving unit for receiving a first screen request from a terminal device after the information is acquired; A print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in executing the print, is specified from among the first candidate conditions indicated in the first candidate condition information without acquiring the first printer information again. a first screen supplying unit for supplying a first setting screen for the terminal device to the terminal device; a condition acquisition unit that acquires the use print conditions from the terminal device; a generation unit that generates print data that conforms to the use print conditions after the use print conditions are acquired from the terminal device; and a print data supply unit that supplies the print data to the printer identified by the printer identification information when data is generated and a job request including the printer identification information is obtained from the printer. You may let
Another technology disclosed in this specification is a server connected to a terminal device and a plurality of printers having different executable print conditions. The server includes a storage control section, an identification information acquisition section, a target data acquisition section, a screen data supply section, a setting information acquisition section, a print data generation section, and a print data supply section. The storage control unit stores in the memory original data for providing the user of the terminal device with one of the plurality of setting screens corresponding to the plurality of printers. Each of the plurality of setting screens described above is a screen that allows the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to printing conditions that can be executed by the corresponding printer. The identification information acquisition unit acquires specific printer identification information for identifying a specific printer among the plurality of printers from the terminal device. The target data acquisition unit acquires target data for printing. The screen data supply unit supplies specific setting screen data representing a specific setting screen corresponding to a specific printer identified by the acquired specific printer identification information to the terminal device based on the original data. The setting information acquisition unit acquires, from the terminal device, setting information indicating the contents of each specified setting item specified by the user via the specific setting screen. The print data generation unit generates print data having a format interpretable by a specific printer, using the contents of each designated setting item indicated by the setting information and the target data. The print data supply unit supplies print data to a specific printer.

In this configuration, since the server generates print data that can be interpreted by a specific printer from the target data, there is no need to install a printer driver for generating print data using the target data in the terminal device. The server also supplies the terminal device with specific setting screen data for designating the contents of each setting item that conforms to printing conditions that can be executed by a specific printer. Therefore, the terminal device can display a specific setting screen using specific setting screen data. A user can specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to print conditions that can be executed by a specific printer via a specific setting screen. The server generates print data using the content of each setting item specified by the user and the target data, and supplies the print data to a specific printer. As a result, the specific printer uses the print data to print. According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize printing according to the contents of each setting item designated by the user (that is, the printing conditions desired by the user).

The original data may include, for each model of printer, model printing condition information indicating model printing conditions that are printing conditions supported by the model. Based on the specific model printing condition information corresponding to the specific printer model, the screen data supply unit specifies the contents of each setting item that conforms to the specific model printing condition indicated by the specific model printing condition information. The specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen allowed for the user may be supplied to the terminal device.

The storage control unit may include a current printing conditions information acquisition unit that acquires current printing conditions information indicating current printing conditions, which are printing conditions currently executable by the printer, from each of the plurality of printers. . The source data may further include, for each of the plurality of printers, current printing condition information for that printer associated with the printer identification information for that printer. Based on the specific model printing condition information and the specific current printing condition information associated with the acquired specific printer identification information, the screen data supply unit supplies the specific model printing condition, The specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen that allows the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the specific current printing conditions indicated by the specific current printing condition information. , may be supplied to the terminal device. The print conditions that the printer can execute may change over time. For example, normally, even a printer capable of performing color printing and monochrome printing cannot perform color printing if there is no remaining coloring material for color printing. According to this configuration, the server can supply the terminal device with setting screen data for designating the contents of each setting item that conforms to the printing conditions currently executable by the printer. Therefore, the user can specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the printing conditions currently executable by a specific printer.

The screen data supply unit includes a setting field for the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the specific current printing condition among all the setting items that conform to the specific model printing condition, The specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen that does not include a setting field for the user to specify the content of each setting item that does not conform to the specific current printing conditions is supplied to the terminal device. good too. If the user can specify the contents of each setting item that do not match the printing conditions currently executable by a specific printer, i.e., the contents currently unexecutable by a specific printer (for example, color printing), Since printing corresponding to the content is not executed (for example, black-and-white printing is executed), the user may feel uncomfortable. According to the above configuration, the specific setting screen does not include setting fields for designating the content of each setting item that does not match the print conditions currently executable by the specific printer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the user is made to feel uncomfortable because the user designates contents that cannot currently be executed by a specific printer, but the printing corresponding to the contents is not executed.

When new current printing condition information is acquired from each of the plurality of printers, the storage control unit replaces the current printing condition information associated with the printer identification information of the printer with the current printing condition information acquired from the printer. The new current printing condition information may be stored in the memory. According to this configuration, the server can update the current printing conditions information and supply the setting screen data based on the latest current printing conditions information.

Each model printing condition information includes field data indicating a setting field for the user to specify the content of the setting item for each setting item that conforms to the model printing condition of the model, and the position where the setting field is to be arranged. and position data indicating the . The screen data supply unit may include a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data. The generation unit may generate the specific setting screen data using each field data and each position data included in the specific model printing condition information.

The model printing condition information may include option information indicating options for the content of each setting item that conforms to the model printing condition of the model. The screen data supply unit may include a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data. The generation unit may generate the specific setting screen data using the specific option information included in the specific model printing condition information. According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to generate specific setting screen data for the user to specify the content of each setting item from the options.

The storage control unit may include a default printing condition information acquisition unit that acquires default printing condition information indicating default printing conditions currently set for the printer from each of the plurality of printers. The original data may include, for each of the plurality of printers, default printing condition information of the printer associated with the printer identification information of the printer. The screen data supply unit may include a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data. Based on the specific default printing condition information associated with the specific printer identification information already acquired, the generation unit generates the specific default printing condition in which the specific default printing condition indicated by the specific default printing condition information is described. The specific setup screen data described above representing the setup screen may be generated. According to this configuration, the user can designate the content of each setting item while referring to the default printing conditions of a specific printer.

The present specification further discloses a printer connected with the above server. This printer includes a current print condition information supply section, a print data acquisition section, and a print execution section. The current printing conditions information supply unit supplies the printer identification information of the printer and the current printing conditions information indicating the current printing conditions, which are the printing conditions currently executable by the printer, to the server when the power of the printer is turned on. do. Further, the current printing conditions information supply unit supplies the printer identification information of the printer and new current printing conditions information indicating the current printing conditions after the change to the server when the current printing conditions of the printer change. The print data acquisition unit acquires print data from the server. The print executing unit executes printing using the print data.

A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the above server are also novel and useful. A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the above printer are also novel and useful.

Shows the configuration of a network system. An example of model information is shown. An example of printer information is shown. An example of layout data is shown. FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram of processing executed by each device of the network system; 4 shows an example of a print designation screen. 4 shows a flowchart of setting screen data generation processing executed by the server. An example of a setting screen is shown.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 2 includes a server 10, a PC 60, and a plurality of printers 70, 80, 90. The server 10 is connected to LAN4. PC 60 is portable. PC 60 is temporarily connected to LAN 8 which is different from LAN 4 . The PC 60 is communicably connected to the server 10 via the LANs 4 and 8 and the Internet 6 . The first printer 70, the second printer 80 and the third printer 90 are connected to the LAN8. Each printer 70, 80, 90 is connected to the server 10 via LANs 4, 8 and the Internet 6 so as to be able to communicate therewith. The printer ID of the first printer 70 is "PRI70", the printer ID of the second printer 80 is "PRI80", and the printer ID of the third printer is "PRI90".

(Server configuration)
The server 10 includes a memory 20 , a control section 30 and a network interface 50 . The control unit 30 executes various processes according to the server program 22 stored in the memory 20 . By the control unit 30 executing processing according to the server program 22, the storage control unit 32, the identification information acquisition unit 36, the target data acquisition unit 38, the screen data supply unit 40, the setting information acquisition unit 44, the print data generation unit 46, Also, the function of the print data supply unit 48 is realized. Note that the storage control unit 32 includes a current printing conditions information acquisition unit 34 and a default printing conditions information acquisition unit 35 . The screen data supply unit 40 has a generation unit 42 .

The memory 20 stores a server program 22 executed by the controller 30 . The memory 20 includes a model information storage area 24 , a printer information storage area 26 and a layout data storage area 28 .

The model information storage area 24 stores a plurality of pieces of model information 110 and 130 (see FIG. 2). One piece of model information 110, 130 is information corresponding to one model of printer. The storage control unit 32 of the control unit 30 acquires the model information of each model from the server of the vendor of the printer of each model via the Internet 6, for example, and stores it in the model information storage area 24. FIG. Alternatively, the storage control unit 32 acquires model information from a medium storing the model information of each model, and stores the model information of each model in the model information storage area 24, for example. Alternatively, the storage control unit 32 acquires the model information of each model from each of the printers 70 to 90, and stores the model information of each model in the model information storage area 24, for example.

(Details of model information)
As shown in FIG. 2, in the model information 110, information relating to printers whose model name 112 is "AAA" is registered. Information registered in the model information 110 is classified into model printing condition information 120 , interpretable data format information 122 , and layout data information 124 . The model printing condition information 120 is information indicating the printing conditions supported by the model "AAA". The model printing condition information 120 is information in which items 114, options 116, and contents 118 are associated with each other.

In the model printing condition information 120, for example, the item 114 "stapler" is associated with the option 116 "YES". This means that the model "AAA" printer can be equipped with a facility for stapling the printed media with a stapler (stapler function). That is, this means that some printers of model "AAA" are equipped with equipment for executing the stapling function, and some printers are not equipped with such equipment. A content 118 indicates the content of each setting item of the printing conditions supported by the model "AAA" printer, and means options that can be selected by the user. For example, "ON, OFF" in the content 118 associated with "stapler" indicates that printing (ON) with the stapler function and printing (OFF) without the stapler function can be selected by the user. It means that there is As will be described in detail below, the “user selectable options” shown in content 118 vary depending on the current state of each printer 70 or the like.

An option 116 of "YES" is associated with an item that varies whether it can be executed by individual printers, such as the stapler function described above. For example, the item 114 “duplex printing” is also associated with the option 116 “YES”. This means that equipment for executing the double-sided printing function can be installed in the model "AAA" printer. Also, "single-sided, long-side binding, single-sided binding" associated with "double-sided printing" means that various methods for executing the double-sided printing function are options that can be selected by the user.

Conversely, items 114 (“Color”, “Resolution”, “Original Orientation”, and “Paper Size”) associated with option 116 “NO” require special facilities for printers of model “AAA”. This item can be executed by a printer of model "AAA" without being installed. "Color, monochrome" associated with "color" means that color printing and monochrome printing are user selectable options. Similarly, "300 dpi, 600 dpi, 1200 dpi" associated with "resolution" means that printing with a resolution of 300 dpi, printing with a resolution of 600 dpi, and printing with a resolution of 1200 dpi are options that can be selected by the user. means Also, "horizontal, vertical" associated with "original orientation" means that printing in the horizontal direction of the print medium and printing in the vertical direction of the print medium are options that can be selected by the user. "LETTER, A4, B4" associated with "paper size" allows the user to select printing on LETTER size printing media, printing on A4 size printing media, and printing on B4 size printing media. means an option. Note that the model printing condition information 120 can also be said to be information indicating printing conditions that can be executed by the model "AAA" printer.

The content 118 associated with the interpretable data format information 122 registers information indicating the format of data that can be interpreted by the printer of model "AAA". The content 118 associated with the layout data information 124 registers a layout number for specifying layout data, which will be described later.

In the model information 130, information relating to printers whose model name 132 is "BBB" is registered. Information registered in the model information 130 is classified into model printing condition information 140 , interpretable data format information 142 , and layout data information 144 in the same way as the model information 110 . Note that the model printing condition information 140 does not include "stapler" and "duplex printing" unlike the model printing condition information 120 of the printer of model "AAA". This means that equipment for executing the double-sided printing function and the stapling function cannot be installed in the model "BBB" printer. As can be seen by comparing the model information 110 and the model information 130, the number of items and the contents of the items (that is, options that the user can select) are different between the model "AAA" printer and the model "BBB" printer. . Therefore, the supported printing conditions are different between the model "AAA" and the model "BBB". Although FIG. 2 shows only the model information 110 and 130 of two types of models "AAA" and "BBB", the model information storage area 24 further contains other various models (for example, " CCC") model information is stored.

The printer information of each of the printers 70 to 90 is stored in the printer information storage area 26 (see FIG. 1). As will be described later, the storage control unit 32 acquires printer information from each of the printers 70 to 90 and stores the printer information of each of the printers 70 to 90 in the printer information storage area 26 (S606, 608, 616 in FIG. 5). , 618).

(contents of printer information)
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer information 210 is the printer information of the first printer 70 whose printer ID is "PRI70". The printer information 210 includes a printer ID “PRI70” and a model name “AAA” indicating the model of the first printer 70 . Printer information 210 further includes current printing conditions information 218 and default printing conditions information 220 .

The current printing condition information 218 indicates printing conditions currently executable by the first printer 70 . Current printing condition information 218 is information in which item 214 and content 216 are associated. The model of the first printer 70 is "AAA". Therefore, the model information of the first printer 70 is the model information 110 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the model printing condition information 120 of the model "AAA", the items 114 "duplex printing" and "stapler" are associated with the option 116 "YES". Therefore, it is not known from the model information 110 alone whether or not the first printer 70 is capable of executing the double-sided printing function and the stapling function. As shown in FIG. 3, in the current printing condition information 218 of the first printer 70, the item 214 "double-sided printing" and the content 216 "yes" are associated. This means that the first printer 70 is currently equipped to perform the duplex printing function and is capable of performing the duplex printing function. On the other hand, in the current printing condition information 218 of the first printer 70, the item 214 "stapler" and the content 216 "none" are associated. This means that the first printer 70 is not currently equipped with equipment for performing the stapler function, and the first printer 70 cannot perform the stapler function.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the model printing condition information 120 of the model "AAA", the item 114 "paper size" and the content 118 "LETTER, A4, B4" are associated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the current printing condition information 218 of the first printer 70, the item 214 "paper size" and the content 216 "A4, LETTER" are associated. This is because the first printer 70 can print on LETTER, A4, and B4 size print media, but currently the first printer 70 is set only with LETTER and A4 size paper cassettes. indicates that a B4 size paper feed cassette is not set. That is, it indicates that the first printer 70 can currently print only on printing media of LETTER and A4 sizes. It should be noted that "A4 size, LETTER size" associated with the item 214 "Remaining number of sheets" indicates that the A4 size print medium remains in the paper feed cassette and the LETTER size print medium remains in the paper feed cassette. indicates that the

The printing conditions currently executable by the first printer 70 may change. For example, when equipment for performing the stapler function is installed in the first printer 70, the first printer 70 can perform the stapler function. As will be described later, when the currently executable printing conditions change, the first printer 70 supplies new current printing condition information to the server 10 (see S612 in FIG. 5). When acquiring the new current printing conditions information, the server 10 updates the current printing conditions information 218 to the new current printing conditions information.

The default printing condition information 220 indicates default printing conditions currently set in the first printer 70 . Default printing condition information 220 is information in which items 214 and contents 216 are associated with each other. Default printing conditions are printing conditions that are specified in advance by the user for the first printer 70 . That is, the first printer 70 executes printing according to the default printing conditions unless other printing conditions are specified when executing printing.

Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 3, the printer information of the second printer 80 and the printer information of the third printer 90 are also stored in the printer information storage area 26 . In this embodiment, the model of the second printer 80 is "BBB" and the model of the third printer 90 is "CCC".

The layout data storage area 28 (see FIG. 1) stores a plurality of layout data 310, 330 (see FIG. 4). One piece of layout data 310, 330 is information corresponding to one model of printer. The storage control unit 32 of the control unit 30 may store the layout data of each model acquired from the server in the layout data storage area 28 as in the case of the model information 110 and 130 described above, or may store the layout data acquired from the media. The layout data of each model obtained from the printers 70 to 90 may be stored in the layout data storage area 28 .

(Details of layout data)
As shown in FIG. 4, layout data 310 and 330 are assigned numbers "1" and "2", respectively. This number corresponds to the layout data number shown in the layout data information 124, 144 (associated with "layout data") included in the model information 110, 130 of FIG. That is, the layout data for the model "AAA" printer (for example, the first printer 70) is the layout data 310 in FIG. 4, and the layout data for the model "BBB" printer (for example, the second printer 80) is , the layout data 330 of FIG. The layout data storage area 28 also stores layout data for other models (for example, "CCC").

Layout data 310 for a printer of model “AAA” includes field data 312 and position data 318 . Field data 312 is data in which character strings 314 of items and box types 316 are associated. The item character string 314 is a character string indicating each item 114 of the model printing condition information 120 of the corresponding model information (that is, the model information 110 of the model "AAA"). The item character string 314 further includes a character string “number of copies” that is not included in each item 114 of the model printing condition information 120 . The box type 316 is information indicating the type of box displayed on a setting screen 500 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later. In this embodiment, there are two types of boxes: number selection type boxes and character string selection type boxes. A number selection type box is a box for allowing the user to select an integer of 1 or more within a predetermined range. The character string selection type box is a box for allowing the user to select (specify) one option from two or more predetermined options. The position data 318 is data indicating the position of the related field data 312 on the setting screen 500 .

Layout data 330 , like layout data 310 , includes field data 332 and position data 338 . Field data 332 is data in which character strings 334 of items and box types 336 are associated. The item character string 334 is a character string indicating each item of the model printing condition information 140 of the corresponding model information (the model information 130 of the model "BBB" (see FIG. 2)). However, the item character string 334 includes a character string “number of copies” that is not included in each item of the model printing condition information 140 . In addition, the character string 334 of the item does not include the character string of the item for which two or more options do not exist. For example, "color" in the model printing condition information 140 is associated with "monochrome". That is, the printer of model "BBB" can only execute monochrome printing. Therefore, the user cannot select anything other than monochrome printing (that is, there is no option). Character strings for such items are not included in the layout data 330 .

(Printer configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1 , the first printer 70 includes a control section 72 , a print execution section 78 and a memory 77 . The memory 77 stores a printer program 79 executed by the controller 72 . The control unit 72 executes various processes according to the printer program 79 stored in the memory 77 . A current print condition supply unit 74 and a print data acquisition unit 76 are implemented by the control unit 72 executing processing according to the printer program 79 . The print execution unit 78 prints the image represented by the print data acquired by the print data acquisition unit 76 . Note that the second printer 80 and the third printer 90 have the same configuration as the first printer 70 . However, as described above, the printers 70, 80, and 90 are of different models and have different executable printing conditions.

(PC configuration)
The PC 60 includes an operation section 62 , a display section 64 and a browser program 66 . The operation unit 62 is composed of a keyboard and a mouse to be operated by the user. The display unit 64 is a display for displaying various information. A control unit (not shown) of the PC 60 can display various information obtained via the Internet 6 on the display unit 64 according to the browser program 66 .

(Processing executed by each device of the network system)
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, processing executed by the server 10, the PC 60, and the first to third printers 70 to 90 will be described. The current printing condition supply unit 74 (see FIG. 1) of the first printer 70 supplies the printer information 604 to the server 10 when the power of the first printer 70 is turned on (S602). The printer information 604 includes the printer ID "PRI70" of the first printer 70, current printing condition information of the first printer 70 (see numeral 218 in FIG. 3), default printing condition information (see numeral 220 in FIG. 3), including.

The storage control unit 32 (see FIG. 1) of the server 10 acquires the printer information 604 supplied from the first printer 70 (S606). Specifically, the current printing condition information acquisition unit 34 (see FIG. 1) acquires the current printing condition information included in the printer information 604, and the default printing condition information acquisition unit 35 (see FIG. 1) acquires the information included in the printer information 604. Gets the default printing condition information that is specified. Next, the storage control unit 32 stores the printer information 604 acquired in S606 in the printer information storage area 26 (S608). As a result, the printer ID, the current printing condition information, and the default printing condition information are stored in the printer information storage area 26 in association with each other. At this time, if the printer information including the printer ID acquired in S606 is already stored in the printer information storage area 26, the storage control unit 32 replaces the stored printer information with the stored printer information. delete), and the printer information 604 acquired in S606 is stored in the printer information storage area 26. FIG.

As noted above, the current printing conditions of first printer 70 may change. Further, for example, the first printer 70 cannot perform the double-sided printing function when the equipment for performing the double-sided printing function is removed (first example). Further, for example, when the first printer 70 runs out of color materials (ink, toner, etc.) for color printing, it can only perform monochrome printing (second example). Further, for example, when the A4 size print media in the paper feed cassette runs out, the first printer 70 cannot print on the A4 size print media (third example). When the current printing conditions of the first printer 70 change, the current printing conditions supply unit 74 of the first printer 70 updates the printer information registered in its own memory 77 (S610). Further, when the default printing conditions of the first printer 70 are changed by the user, the current printing conditions supply unit 74 updates the printer information registered therein. The current printing condition supply unit 74 supplies the updated printer information 614 of the first printer 70 to the server 10 every time it updates its own printer information (S612). In the first example above, the current printing conditions supply unit 74 supplies the server 10 with the printer information 614 including the current printing conditions information whose content associated with "double-sided printing" is "none". In the above second example, the current printing condition supply unit 74 supplies the server 10 with the printer information 614 including the current printing condition information whose content associated with "color" is "monochrome". In the third example described above, the current printing condition supplying unit 74 sends the printer information 614 including the current printing condition information in which the content associated with the "remaining number of sheets" is "without A4, with LETTER" to the server 10 supply to

The storage control unit 32 of the server 10 acquires the printer information 614 supplied from the first printer 70 (S616), as in S606. Next, the storage control unit 32 stores the printer information 614 acquired in S616 in the printer information storage area 26 (S618). At this time, since the printer ID “PRI70” included in the printer information 604 stored in S608 matches the printer ID “PRI70” included in the printer information 614 acquired in S616, the storage control unit 32 Instead of the stored printer information 604, the printer information 614 acquired in S616 is stored in the printer information storage area 26. FIG.

It should be noted that processes similar to those of S602 to S618 are executed between the server 10 and the second printer 80 and between the server 10 and the third printer 90 as well.

By operating the operation unit 62 of the PC 60 , the user can cause the PC 60 to supply the request for the print instruction screen to the server 10 . Specifically, the user activates the browser program 66 by operating the operation unit 62 . The user then specifies the URL of server 10 by performing operations according to browser program 66 . As a result, the PC 60 supplies a print instruction screen request 620 to the server 10 .

When the control unit 30 of the server 10 acquires the print instruction screen request 620, it supplies the print instruction screen data 624 to the PC 60 (S622). The print instruction screen data 624 is described in a data format interpretable by the browser program 66 of the PC 60, such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or XML (Extensible Markup Language).

The PC 60 causes the display unit 64 (see FIG. 1) to display the print instruction screen 400 represented by the print instruction screen data 624 acquired from the server 10 according to the browser program 66 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 6, the print instruction screen 400 includes an area 402 for allowing the user to specify the printer ID, and areas 404 and 406 for allowing the user to specify the target file to be printed. The user can input (specify) the printer ID of the printer to execute printing in the area 402 by operating the operation unit 62 . The user can further specify the URL of the target file in area 404 by operating operation unit 62 . For example, if the target file is a file stored in an external server, the user inputs the URL of the target file in the external server in area 404 . Further, for example, when a file stored in the PC 60 is the target file, the user inputs the URL of the target file in the PC 60 . If the file stored in the PC 60 is the target file, the user can select the reference button in the area 406 . In this case, the hierarchical relationship between each folder and each file in the PC 60 is displayed, and the user can select the target file based on the hierarchical relationship. In this case, in area 406, the URL of the target file in PC 60 selected by the user is automatically entered. The user can operate the "OK" button 408 after specifying the target file.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the “OK” button 408 is operated by the user, the PC 60 supplies the printer ID and file information 626 specified by the user to the server 10 . When the user inputs a URL in the area 404, the PC 60 supplies the URL input by the user to the server 10 as the above file information. On the other hand, when a URL is entered in area 406 , PC 60 acquires the target file in PC 60 based on the URL entered in area 406 . Next, the PC 60 supplies the acquired target file itself to the server 10 as the above file information.

The control unit 30 of the server 10 acquires the printer ID and file information 626 supplied from the PC 60 (S628). Specifically, the identification information acquisition section 36 (see FIG. 1) of the control section 30 acquires the printer ID supplied from the PC 60 . Also, the target data acquisition unit 38 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 30 acquires file information supplied from the PC 60 . If the file information is the URL of the target file, in S628 the target data acquisition unit 38 accesses another server specified by the URL and acquires the file identified by the URL. If the file information is the target file itself, the target data acquisition unit 38 acquires the target file by acquiring the file information 626 supplied from the PC 60 in S628. Next, the generation unit 42 (see FIG. 1) of the server 10 executes setting screen data generation processing (S630). Subsequently, the screen data supply unit 40 (see FIG. 1) of the server 10 supplies the generated setting screen data 634 to the PC 60 (S632). The setting screen data 634 is also described in a data format that can be interpreted by the browser program 66 of the PC 60 .

(Setting screen data generation processing executed by the server)
The setting screen data generation process executed in S630 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The generation unit 42 of the server 10 selects the printer associated with the printer ID acquired in S628 of FIG. Identify information. In the following description, the case where the printer ID "PRI70" of the first printer 70 is acquired in S628 will be continued as an example. Therefore, the printer information 210 of the first printer 70 is specified. Next, the generating unit 42 identifies the content 216 (see FIG. 3) associated with the "printer model name" included in the identified printer information 210 (that is, the model name) (S702). By this. The model "AAA" of the first printer 70 is identified.

Next, the generation unit 42 selects the model information associated with the model name "AAA" specified in S702 from among the plurality of model information items 110, 130, etc. (see FIG. 2) stored in the model information storage area 24. The model information 110 is specified (S704). Next, the generation unit 42 identifies the layout number "1" associated with the "layout data" among the items included in the model information 110 identified in S704. Then, the generation unit 42 identifies the layout data 310 of the identified layout number "1" from among the plurality of layout data 310, 330, etc. (see FIG. 4) stored in the layout data storage area 28. (S706). Next, the generation unit 42 edits the layout data using the printer information 210 specified in S702 (S708).

Specifically, in the process of S<b>708 , the generating unit 42 edits the field data 312 of the layout data 310 using the current printing condition information 218 included in the printer information 210 of the first printer 70 . Specifically, based on each piece of information in the current printing condition information 218, the generating unit 42 deletes from the field data 312 items for which options cannot be provided to the user. For example, in the current printing condition information 218, the item 214 "stapler" is associated with the content 216 "none" (that is, the first printer 70 cannot perform the stapler function), so the generation unit 42 , the item character string "stapler" from the field data 312, the box type "character string selection" associated with "stapler", the position data "5th line" associated with "stapler", delete. In this case, the generating unit 42 changes the “sixth line” of the position data 318 associated with the item 314 “paper size” to the “fifth line” and "7th line" of the position data 318 is changed to "6th line". That is, the generation unit 42 corrects the position data 318 so that even if the item "stapler" is deleted, no blank is left between other items.

Also, for example, if the item 214 "color" and the content 216 "monochrome" are associated in the current printing condition information 218 (that is, if the first printer 70 is capable of executing only monochrome printing). , the generation unit 42 deletes the item character string “color”, box type “character string selection”, and “second line” from the field data 312 . In this case as well, the generation unit 42 corrects the position data 318 so that no blank is left between items.

When S708 ends, the generation unit 42 generates the model information 110 (see FIG. 2) of the model "AAA" of the first printer 70 specified in S704 and the printer information 210 (see FIG. 2) of the first printer 70 specified in S702. 3), and for each item of the layout data 310 of the model "AAA" of the first printer 70, options for printing conditions currently executable by the printer are described in the layout data 310 (S710).

Specifically, in the process of S710, the generation unit 42 first identifies one item (hereinafter referred to as a “target item”) among a plurality of items of the layout data 310 . Next, the generation unit 42 identifies the content (eg, color, monochrome) associated with the target item (eg, “color”) from the model printing condition information 120 of the model information 110 . Furthermore, the generation unit 42 identifies the content (eg, color, monochrome) associated with the target item (eg, “color”) from the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210 . As a result, the generation unit 42 generates the contents of the items supported by the model "AAA" of the first printer 70 (for example, color, monochrome) and the contents currently executable by the first printer 70 (for example, color, monochrome). and can be known. In S710, based on the information specified for each target item, the generation unit 42 selects, from among the contents of each item supported by the model "AAA", the contents currently executable by the first printer 70. Execute the process described as a string of

For example, when the target item is "color", "color, monochrome" is specified from both the model printing condition information 120 of the model information 110 and the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210. FIG. Therefore, the generation unit 42 can know that the first printer 70 is currently capable of executing both color printing and monochrome printing supported by the model "AAA" of the first printer 70 . In this case, the generation unit 42 writes “color” and “monochrome” as the character strings of the options of the box type “character string selection” associated with the item “color” of the layout data 310 .

Further, for example, when the target item is "double-sided printing", "single-sided, long-side binding, single-sided binding" is specified from the model printing condition information 120 of the model information 110, and the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210 is specified. "Yes" is specified from. Therefore, the generation unit 42 can know that the first printer 70 can currently execute the double-sided printing function supported by the model "AAA" of the first printer 70 . In this case, the generation unit 42 writes “single-sided, long-side binding, single-sided binding” as a character string for box options corresponding to the item “double-sided printing” of the layout data 310 .

For example, when the target item is "paper size", "LETTER, A4, B4" is specified from the model printing condition information 120 of the model information 110, and "A4" is specified from the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210. , LETTER” is specified. The generation unit 42 further identifies “with A4, with LETTER” associated with the “remaining number of sheets” from the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210 . By referring to these pieces of information, the generation unit 42 determines which of the printing medium sizes “LETTER, A4, B4” supported by the model “AAA” of the first printer 70 is currently available for the first printer 70 . The size of the print medium "LETTER, A4" can be known. In this case, the generation unit 42 writes “LETTER, A4” as a character string of options corresponding to the box of the item “paper size” of the layout data 310, and writes “LETTER, A4” as a print medium currently unavailable to the first printer 70. Do not describe the size "B4".

Further, for example, when the target item is "document direction", "horizontal, vertical" is specified from the model printing condition information 120 of the model information 110. FIG. However, the current printing condition information 218 of the printer information 210 does not have an item corresponding to "original orientation". In this case, the generation unit 42 writes “horizontal, vertical” as the character string of the box option corresponding to the item “original orientation” of the layout data 310 .

For example, if the target item is "number of copies", the box type associated with the item "number of copies" is "number selection" as shown in FIG. In this case, the generation unit 42 describes each integer of 1 or more as the character string of the option of the box corresponding to the item “number of copies” of the layout data 310 .

In S<b>710 , the generating unit 42 also reads the default printing condition information 220 of the printer information 210 . The generation unit 42 arranges the character string of the content indicated by the default printing condition information 220 at the beginning of the character string of the option described for each target item. For example, in the default printing condition information 220, "color" is "color", so "color" is arranged at the top of the options "color, monochrome" for "color". As a result, the setting screen 500 (see FIG. 8) is displayed with "color" written in the box corresponding to "color". Similarly, the generation unit 42 determines the arrangement of the character strings of the options so that the boxes corresponding to other items are also displayed with the default printing conditions described therein.

When S710 ends, the generation unit 42 uses the layout data changed in S706 and S708 to generate setting screen data having a data format interpretable by the browser program 66 of the PC 60 (S712). That is, the generation unit 42 converts the character string 314 (see FIG. 4) of the item of the layout data after change and the character string of the option described in S710 into the position data 318 (see FIG. 4) of the layout data after change. ) to be placed in the position (row) indicated by the setting screen data.

FIG. 8 shows a setting screen 500 represented by the setting screen data generated in S712. A number selection box 502 is displayed corresponding to the position corresponding to the setting item 508 “number of copies”. The user can specify the number of copies by operating buttons in box 502 . Each box 504 for character string selection is displayed at each position corresponding to each item (for example, “color”, “resolution”, etc.) other than “number of copies” of the setting item 508 . In the initial state of the setting screen 500 (that is, when the setting screen 500 is first displayed on the PC 60), each box 504 contains the default printing conditions indicated by the default printing condition information 220, that is, options described for each target item. The character string placed at the beginning of the character strings of is displayed. When the user operates the button in box 504, the list of options described in S710 of FIG. 7 is displayed on setting screen 500. FIG. The user can select (designate) one option through the setting screen 500 .

The PC 60 causes the display unit 64 to display the setting screen 500 (see FIG. 8) represented by the setting screen data 634 according to the browser program 66 . The user can select (designate) the content of each setting item by operating the operation unit 62 . When the user operates the "OK" button 506 on the setting screen 500, the PC 60 supplies the setting information 636 to the server 10 as shown in FIG. The setting information 636 includes the contents displayed on the setting screen 500 (that is, the contents of each setting item selected by the user) when the “OK” button 506 is operated.

The setting information acquisition unit 44 (see FIG. 1) of the server 10 acquires the setting information 636 supplied from the PC 60 (S638). Next, the print data generation unit 46 (see FIG. 1) generates print data using the setting information 636 acquired in S638 and the target file acquired in S628 (S640). Specifically, the print data generator 46 first identifies the printer information 210 (see FIG. 3) stored in the printer information storage area 26 in association with the printer ID "PRI70" acquired in S628. Next, the print data generator 46 identifies the content “AAA” of the “printer model name” included in the identified printer information 210 . Further, the print data generator 46 identifies the model information 110 (see FIG. 2) stored in the model printing condition information storage area 24 in association with the identified printer model name "AAA". Next, the print data generator 46 identifies the interpretable data format information 122 included in the model information 110 . The print data generator 46 converts the target file acquired in S628 into image data having the data format indicated by the interpretable data format information 122 (that is, data having a data format interpretable by the first printer 70). Next, the print data generator 46 generates print data including the image data generated in S640 and the setting information 636 acquired in S638. Further, the print data generation unit 46 associates the generated print data with the printer ID “PRI70” acquired in S628 and stores them in the memory 20 . Note that if the target file acquired in S628 is already in a data format that can be interpreted by a printer, such as a PDF format file, the print data generator 46 does not convert the data format of the target file itself. The print data generation unit 46 generates print data including the target file acquired in S628 and the setting information 636 acquired in S628.

Each of the printers 70, 80, 90 periodically inquires of the server 10 whether data to be processed by the printer is stored in the server 10 (polling 644). Poll 644 contains the printer ID of the printer from which poll 644 was sent. When the server 10 obtains the poll 644 , it determines whether the print data associated with the printer ID included in the poll 644 is stored in the memory of the server 10 . In the case where this determination process yields an affirmative determination, the server 10 supplies information 646 indicating that there is a job as a response to the polling 644 to the printer that sent the polling 644 . Further, when the above determination process results in a negative determination, the server 10 supplies information indicating no job (not shown) as a response to the polling 644 to the printer that sent the polling 644 .

When the printer that sent the polling 644 acquires the information 646 indicating that there is a job, it supplies the server 10 with a job request 648 including its own printer ID. On the other hand, the printer that sent the polling 644 does not supply the job request 648 to the server 10 when it obtains the information indicating no job.

When the server 10 acquires the job request 648, the print data associated with the printer ID included in the job request 648 (print data including the image data generated in S640 and the setting information 363 acquired in S638). and the print data stored in the memory 20 in S642) is supplied to the printer that sent the job request 648 (S649).

As a result, the print data acquisition unit 76 (see FIG. 1) of the first printer 70 acquires the print data stored in S642 (S651). The print executing unit 78 (see FIG. 1) of the first printer 70 executes printing using the print data acquired in S651. Specifically, the print executing unit 78 prints the image represented by the image data acquired in S651 on a print medium according to the setting information acquired in S651 (S652).

This embodiment has been described in detail. The server 10 generates print data including image data having a printer-interpretable format from the target file acquired from the PC 60 (S640 in FIG. 5). Therefore, the target file can be printed without installing a printer driver for generating print data using the target data in the PC 60 .

The server 10 generates setting screen data using the model information 110, 130, the printer information 210, and the layout data 310, 330, and supplies it to the PC 60 (S632 in FIG. 5). The PC 60 can display the setting screen 500 using the supplied setting screen data. Via the setting screen 500, the user can specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the printing conditions executable by the printer. The server 10 generates print data using the content of each setting item designated by the user and the target file (S640 in FIG. 5), and supplies the print data to the printer (S649 in FIG. 5). As a result, the printer uses the print data to print. According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize printing according to the contents of each setting item designated by the user (that is, the printing conditions desired by the user).

The server 10 acquires the printer information when the printer information of each printer 70, 80, 90 is changed (see S616 in FIG. 5). The server 10 stores the acquired printer information in the printer information storage area 26 (see S618 in FIG. 5). Therefore, the server 10 can supply the PC 60 with setting screen data for designating the content of each setting item that conforms to the printing conditions currently executable by each of the printers 70 , 80 , 90 . Therefore, the user can specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the printing conditions currently executable by the printer.

The server 10 creates setting screen data representing a setting screen 500 that does not include a box for the user to specify the contents of each setting item ("stapler" in this embodiment) that does not match the print conditions currently executable by the printer. , PC 60 . If the user can specify the contents of each setting item that do not match the printing conditions that the printer can currently execute, that is, the contents that the printer cannot currently execute (for example, color printing), The user may feel uncomfortable because the printing is not executed. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an event in which the user feels uncomfortable because the user designates the content that the printer cannot currently execute, but the printing corresponding to the content is not executed. can be done.

The server 10 generates setting screen data including options for each item in the setting screen data generation process (see FIG. 7). As a result, the user can specify the contents of each item by selecting one option from two or more options via the setting screen 500 . The user can easily specify printing conditions.

In the setting screen 500, default printing condition information is displayed in the initial state. Therefore, the user can specify the printing conditions while referring to the default printing condition information.

In addition, PC60 is an example of a "terminal device." The model information 110, 130, the printer information 210, and the layout data 310, 330 are examples of "original data". The printer ID is an example of "printer identification information". An item 508 and boxes 502 and 504 on the setting screen 500 are examples of "setting fields." The model information specified in S704 of FIG. 7 is an example of "specific model information", and the current printing conditions information included in the printer information specified in S702 of FIG. 7 is an example of "specific current printing conditions information". , and the default printing condition information included in the printer information specified in S702 of FIG. 7 is an example of "specific default printing condition information".

(Modification)
(1) The server 10 may not store the current printing condition information 218 and/or the default printing condition information 220 of the printer information 210 . In this case, the server 10 may generate setting screen data using the model information 110 and the like and the layout data 310 and the like. That is, in this modified example, since the setting screen data does not change according to the current printing conditions of each printer, the setting screen data corresponding to a plurality of printers of the same model are the same.

(2) In this embodiment, of the items 114 of the model information 110 and 130, the server 10 uses the current printing condition information 218 to select an item ("stapler" in this embodiment) that cannot be currently performed by the printer. 310. However, the server 10 may generate configuration screen data such that items that are not currently executable by the printer are displayed in a different manner than items that are currently executable by the printer. For example, the setting screen data may be generated such that items that are not currently executable by the printer are displayed in a lighter shade than items that are currently executable by the printer. Also in this case, it is preferable that the setting screen data be generated so that the user cannot select the contents of the items that the printer cannot currently execute. The setting screen data of this modified example also includes "a setting field for the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the current printing conditions of the printer, among all the setting items that conform to the model printing conditions indicated by the model information." "setting screen data" representing a setting screen that does not include a setting field for the user to specify the contents of each setting item that does not conform to the current printing conditions of the printer.

(3) In this embodiment, the server 10 uses the layout data to generate setting screen data having a data format interpretable by the browser program 66 (see FIG. 7). However, the server 10 may store setting screen data having a data format that the browser program 66 can interpret. In this example, setting screen data may be stored for each printer model. In this case, the server 10 may supply the setting screen data corresponding to the model "AAA" of the first printer 70 to the first printer 70 without any change. In this example, the setting screen data for each model is an example of "original data". Also, the server 10 may use the printer information 210 of the first printer 70 to edit the setting screen data corresponding to the model “AAA” of the first printer 70 . In this example, the setting screen data for each model and the printer information 210 for each printer are examples of the "original data". Alternatively, the server 10 may store, for each printer, setting screen data for designating the contents of each setting item of printing conditions currently executable by the printer. In this case, after acquiring each printer information from each printer, the server 10 may edit the setting screen data of each printer.

(4) In this embodiment, the server 10 stores layout data for each model. However, the layout data may correspond to multiple types of printers. For example, one piece of layout data including both layout data 310 and layout data 330 may be provided. In this case, the numbers 124 and 144 in FIG. 2 indicating layout data numbers may be set to the same number. Also, the server 10 may store only one piece of layout data common to all the models existing in the network system 2 . This layout data may include all printing condition items supported by all printer models existing in the network system 2 . The items (for example, item 214) of the printer information (for example, printer information 210) shown in FIG. For example, information combining the model printing conditions information 120 and the current printing conditions information 218) may be included. Further, the printer information may include information (for example, interpretable data format information 124) regarding a data format interpretable by the printer corresponding to the printer ID included in the printer information. In this case, the server 10 does not have to store the model information as shown in FIG.

In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques exemplified in this specification or drawings achieve multiple purposes at the same time, and achieving one of them has technical utility in itself.
The items described below are the contents described in the claims as filed.
(Item 1)
A server connected to a terminal device and a plurality of printers having different executable print conditions,
source data for providing a user of the terminal device with one of a plurality of setting screens corresponding to the plurality of printers, wherein each of the plurality of setting screens is executed by a corresponding printer; a storage control unit that stores in a memory the original data, which is a screen that allows the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to possible printing conditions;
an identification information obtaining unit that obtains, from the terminal device, specific printer identification information for identifying a specific printer among the plurality of printers;
a target data acquisition unit that acquires target data for printing;
Screen data supply for supplying specific setting screen data representing a specific setting screen corresponding to the specific printer identified by the obtained specific printer identification information to the terminal device based on the original data. Department and
a setting information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the terminal device, setting information indicating the contents of each specified setting item specified by the user via the specific setting screen;
a print data generating unit that generates print data having a format interpretable by the specific printer using the contents of the specified setting items indicated by the setting information and the target data;
and a print data supply unit that supplies the print data to the specific printer.
(Item 2)
The original data includes, for each printer model, model printing condition information indicating model printing conditions, which are printing conditions supported by the model, and
The screen data supply unit designates the contents of each setting item conforming to the specific model printing conditions indicated by the specific model printing conditions information based on the specific model printing conditions information corresponding to the specific printer model. A server according to item 1, which supplies to the terminal device the specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen that the user is permitted to set.
(Item 3)
The storage control unit comprises a current printing conditions information acquisition unit that acquires current printing conditions information indicating current printing conditions, which are printing conditions currently executable by each of the plurality of printers, from each of the plurality of printers,
the original data further includes, for each of the plurality of printers, the current printing condition information of the printer associated with the printer identification information of the printer;
The screen data supply unit supplies the specific model printing conditions based on the specific model printing conditions information and the specific current printing conditions information associated with the acquired specific printer identification information. , the specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen that allows the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the specific current printing conditions indicated by the specific current printing condition information; A server according to item 2, which supplies the terminal device.
(Item 4)
The screen data supply unit includes a setting field for the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to the specific current printing condition among all the setting items that conform to the specific model printing condition, supplying to the terminal device the specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen that does not include a setting field for the user to specify the content of each setting item that does not conform to the specific current printing conditions; 4. The server according to 3.
(Item 5)
When new current printing conditions information is acquired from each of the plurality of printers, the storage control unit replaces the current printing conditions information associated with the printer identification information of the printer with 5. The server according to item 4, wherein the new current printing condition information obtained from the printer is stored in the memory.
(Item 6)
The printing condition information for each model includes field data indicating a setting field for the user to specify the content of the setting item for each setting item that conforms to the printing condition of the model, and the setting field. position data indicating a power position; and
The screen data supply unit includes a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data,
6. The server according to any one of items 2 to 5, wherein the generating unit generates the specific setting screen data using each field data and each position data included in the specific model printing condition information. .
(Item 7)
The model printing condition information includes option information indicating options for contents of each setting item that conform to the model printing conditions of the model,
The screen data supply unit includes a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data,
7. The server according to any one of items 2 to 6, wherein the generating unit generates the specific setting screen data using specific option information included in the specific model printing condition information.
(Item 8)
The storage control unit includes a default printing condition information acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of printers, default printing condition information indicating default printing conditions currently set for the printer,
the original data includes, for each of the plurality of printers, the default printing condition information of the printer associated with the printer identification information of the printer;
The screen data supply unit includes a generation unit that generates the specific setting screen data,
The generating unit, based on specific default printing condition information associated with the specific printer identification information that has already been acquired, the specific 8. The server according to any one of items 1 to 7, which generates the specific setting screen data representing the setting screen of.
(Item 9)
A printer connected to the server according to any one of items 1 to 8,
current printing for supplying to the server the printer identification information of the printer and current printing condition information indicating current printing conditions that are print conditions currently executable by the printer when the power of the printer is turned on; A condition information supply unit, wherein when the current printing conditions of the printer change, the printer identification information of the printer and new current printing conditions information indicating the current printing conditions after the change are supplied to the server. the current printing condition information supplying unit for supplying to
a print data acquisition unit that acquires the print data from the server;
and a print execution unit that executes printing using the print data.
(Item 10)
A computer program for a server connected to a terminal device and a plurality of printers having different executable print conditions,
a computer mounted on the server,
source data for providing a user of the terminal device with one of a plurality of setting screens corresponding to the plurality of printers, wherein each of the plurality of setting screens is executed by a corresponding printer; a storage control process for storing in a memory the original data, which is a screen that allows the user to specify the contents of each setting item that conforms to possible printing conditions;
identification information acquisition processing for acquiring specific printer identification information for identifying a specific printer among the plurality of printers from the terminal device;
a target data acquisition process for acquiring target data for printing;
Screen data for supplying specific setting screen data representing the specific setting screen corresponding to the specific printer identified by the obtained specific printer identification information to the terminal device based on the original data. supply processing;
a setting information acquisition process for acquiring, from the terminal device, setting information indicating the contents of each specified setting item specified by the user via the specific setting screen;
print data generation processing for generating print data having a format interpretable by the specific printer using the contents of the specified setting items indicated by the setting information and the target data;
a print data supply process for supplying the print data to the specific printer;
computer program that causes the

2: network system, 10: server, 20: memory, 22: server program, 24: model information storage area, 26: printer information storage area, 28: layout data storage area, 30: control section, 32: storage control section, 34: current printing condition information acquisition unit, 35: default printing condition information acquisition unit, 36: identification information acquisition unit, 38: target data acquisition unit, 40: screen data supply unit, 42: generation unit, 44: setting information acquisition unit , 46: print data generator, 48: print data supply unit, 50: network interface, 60: PC, 110, 130: model information, 120: model print condition information, 210: printer information, 218: current print condition information, 220: default printing condition information, 310, 330: layout data

Claims (7)

a printer; a server connected to the printer;
A communication system comprising:
The printer is
first candidate condition information indicating a first candidate condition that is a candidate for a printing condition that can be used by the printer in execution of printing without receiving a request from the server; a first information supply unit for supplying the server with first printer information including default printing condition information indicating default printing conditions and printer identification information for identifying the printer;
The server is
a first information acquisition unit that acquires the first printer information from the printer without sending a request to the printer;
a first screen request receiving unit that receives a first screen request from a terminal device after the first printer information is acquired from the printer;
In response to receiving the first screen request from the terminal device, the first candidate condition indicated in the first candidate condition information is obtained without reacquiring the first printer information from the printer. a first screen supply unit for supplying a first setting screen for designating a print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in execution of the printing, to the terminal device from among the In the first setting screen, in the initial state, the default printing conditions indicated by the default printing condition information are displayed. An image showing the specific item and an image showing the two or more options corresponding to the specific item, wherein when there are no two or more options corresponding to the specific item, the specific item and the image showing options corresponding to the specific item;
a condition acquisition unit configured to acquire from the terminal device the usage printing conditions specified via the first setting screen after the first setting screen is supplied to the terminal device;
a generation unit that generates print data conforming to the print use condition after the print use condition is acquired from the terminal device;
with
The printer further
a request supply unit that supplies a job request including the printer identification information to the server after the first printer information is supplied to the server;
The server further comprises:
a print data supply unit that supplies the print data to the printer identified by the printer identification information when the print data is generated and the job request is obtained from the printer;
The printer further
A communication system comprising: a print control unit that causes a print execution unit to execute printing using the print data when the print data is acquired from the server. 2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein said printer is connected to said server via the Internet. A computer program for a server connected to a printer, comprising:
The server computer is configured with the following parts:
first candidate condition information indicating a first candidate condition that is a candidate for a printing condition that can be used by the printer in executing printing without transmitting a request to the printer; a first information obtaining unit for obtaining, from the printer, first printer information including default printing condition information indicating default printing conditions used and printer identification information for identifying the printer;
a first screen request receiving unit that receives a first screen request from a terminal device after the first printer information is acquired from the printer;
In response to receiving the first screen request from the terminal device, the first candidate condition indicated in the first candidate condition information is obtained without reacquiring the first printer information from the printer. a first screen supply unit for supplying a first setting screen for designating a print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in execution of the printing, to the terminal device from among the In the first setting screen, in the initial state, the default printing conditions indicated by the default printing condition information are displayed. An image showing the specific item and an image showing the two or more options corresponding to the specific item, wherein when there are no two or more options corresponding to the specific item, the specific item and the image showing options corresponding to the specific item;
a condition acquisition unit configured to acquire from the terminal device the usage printing conditions specified via the first setting screen after the first setting screen is supplied to the terminal device;
a generation unit that generates print data conforming to the print use condition after the print use condition is acquired from the terminal device;
a print data supply unit for supplying the print data to the printer identified by the printer identification information when the print data is generated and a job request including the printer identification information is obtained from the printer;
A computer program that acts as The first screen supply unit supplies the terminal device with the first setting screen configured using model information corresponding to the printer identification information and the first candidate condition information. 4. The computer program according to claim 3 . 5. A computer program according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said server is connected with said printer via the Internet. A server connected to a printer,
first candidate condition information indicating a first candidate condition that is a candidate for a printing condition that can be used by the printer in executing printing without transmitting a request to the printer; a first information obtaining unit for obtaining, from the printer, first printer information including default printing condition information indicating default printing conditions used and printer identification information for identifying the printer;
a first screen request receiving unit that receives a first screen request from a terminal device after the first printer information is acquired from the printer;
In response to receiving the first screen request from the terminal device, the first candidate condition indicated in the first candidate condition information is obtained without reacquiring the first printer information from the printer. a first screen supply unit for supplying a first setting screen for designating a print condition to be used, which is a print condition to be used in execution of the printing, to the terminal device from among the In the first setting screen, in the initial state, the default printing conditions indicated by the default printing condition information are displayed. An image showing the specific item and an image showing the two or more options corresponding to the specific item, wherein when there are no two or more options corresponding to the specific item, the specific item and the image showing options corresponding to the specific item;
a condition acquisition unit configured to acquire from the terminal device the usage printing conditions specified via the first setting screen after the first setting screen is supplied to the terminal device;
a generation unit that generates print data conforming to the print use condition after the print use condition is acquired from the terminal device;
a print data supply unit for supplying the print data to the printer identified by the printer identification information when the print data is generated and a job request including the printer identification information is obtained from the printer;
A server. 7. The server of claim 6, wherein said server is connected to said printer via the Internet.

Images