KR100872269B1 - Apparatus and method of remote printing service between internet and VPN - Google Patents

Abstract

1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a remote printing service apparatus and a method for interworking heterogeneous networks, and a computer readable recording medium storing a program for realizing the method.

2. The technical problem to be solved by the invention

The present invention provides a remote printing service apparatus and method for enabling a user to output data using a remote printer by sharing all printer resources connected to the Internet and a VPN, and a program for realizing the method. To provide a computer-readable recording medium for recording.

3. Summary of Solution to Invention

The present invention provides a remote printing service method applied to a remote printing service device, comprising: a first step of registering user information and an address of a corresponding remote printer registered by a user from a user who wants to use the remote printing service; A second step of acquiring information on the corresponding remote printer using an internet printing protocol; A third step of selecting a printer driver suitable for the remote printer based on the information of the remote printer, downloading the downloaded driver to a user terminal, and automatically installing the printer driver; And a fourth step of transmitting printing data to the corresponding remote printer mapped to the address when the user requests printing.                 

4. Important uses of the invention

The present invention is used for remote printing services and the like.

Internet, VPN, Printing, Printer, Heterogeneous Network

Description

Apparatus and method of remote printing service between internet and VPN through interworking heterogeneous networks             

1 is an exemplary configuration of an interworking system of a heterogeneous network for a remote printing service to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote printing service apparatus according to the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a remote printing service method according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

11: Internet user terminal 12: Internet

13: virtual private network (VPN) 14: directory server

15: VPN user terminal 16: VPN connection printer

17: Internet connection printer

The present invention relates to a remote printing service apparatus and method for allowing a user to output data using a remote printer by sharing all printer resources connected to the Internet and a virtual private network (VPN); And a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the above method.

The Internet is a large network of networks, connected by computers and printers. Therefore, with the development of the Internet, the use of computers and printers is increasing rapidly. Local Area Networks (LANs) share printer resources with computers using network protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP).

However, the Internet has a low quality of service and is vulnerable to security. As a result, companies have preferred a separate Internet Protocol (IP) network, which guarantees quality and security over the Internet. This separate IP network is called a VPN.

By the way, in the past, there was a file server sharing a file, a printer server sharing a printer, and the like, but there was an inconvenient problem of being able to use only in an adjacent network and installing a driver for each printer.

Therefore, in the current technical field, a method of sharing all of the printer resources, as well as adjacent devices, through the interworking with the Internet and VPN is required to use all the printers of the remote connection to the Internet or VPN is essential.

The present invention has been proposed to meet the above-described needs, and a remote printing service apparatus for allowing a user to output data using a remote printer by sharing all printer resources connected to the Internet and a VPN. And a method, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a remote printing service apparatus, comprising: user connection means for receiving a user's request and providing a result to the user; User information management and authentication / encryption means for generating a user-specific profile to manage user information and performing authentication and encryption functions; A list of available printers and address management means for each user for managing resources for remote printers registered by a user and mapping addresses for each remote printer; Printer driver installation management means for managing a driver for each remote printer, downloading a driver suitable for a remote printer type and a user terminal operating system to a user terminal, and managing an installation state; Remote printer status monitoring means for detecting and informing a user of the current status of the corresponding remote printer registered in the user profile; Printing request processing means for transferring printing data requested by a user to the corresponding remote printer using the address of each remote printer; And storage means for storing information necessary for performing each management function.

In addition, the present invention, if there is no application program to read the printing data in the user terminal, it is characterized in that it further comprises an application providing management means for downloading the printing data drive program, so that the printing data can be read. It is done.

In addition, the present invention provides a remote printing service method applied to a remote printing service device, comprising: a first step of registering user information and an address of a corresponding remote printer registered by a user from a user who wants to use the remote printing service; A second step of acquiring information on the corresponding remote printer using an internet printing protocol; A third step of selecting a printer driver suitable for the remote printer based on the information of the remote printer, downloading the downloaded driver to a user terminal, and automatically installing the printer driver; And a fourth step of transmitting printing data to the corresponding remote printer mapped to the address when the user requests printing.

The present invention may further include a fifth step of downloading the printing data driving program to read the printing data when the user terminal does not have an application program to read the printing data after performing the third step. Characterized in that made.

The present invention may further comprise a sixth step of detecting the current state of the corresponding remote printer and reporting it to the user terminal after performing the third step.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a remote printing service apparatus having a processor, comprising: a first function of receiving user information and an address of a corresponding remote printer registered by a user from a user who wants to use the remote printing service; A second function of acquiring information of the corresponding remote printer using an internet printing protocol; A third function of selecting a printer driver suitable for the remote printer based on the information of the remote printer, downloading the downloaded driver to a user terminal, and automatically installing the printer driver; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a fourth function of transmitting printing data to the corresponding remote printer mapped to the address and outputting the printing data when the user requests printing.

In addition, the present invention further realizes a fifth function of downloading the printing data driving program to read the printing data when the user terminal does not have an application program to read the printing data after performing the third function. A computer readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon is provided.

The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for further realizing a sixth function of detecting the current state of the corresponding remote printer and reporting it to the user terminal after performing the third function.

In the present invention, all printers connected to each network can be used as remote printers through interworking between the Internet and VPN.

To this end, the present invention allows the printer to be recognized between the Internet and a VPN. This is because the Internet uses public Internet addresses and VPNs use private network addresses. Therefore, the user can recognize a printer connected to a separate network. Then, the driver for the printer must be installed, and the application program needed to read and print the data must be run to print the data remotely.

In the present invention, a printer driver automatic installation function, a mapping function between a printer's Internet address and a VPN address, and so on, can be used to share printer resources so that not only adjacent devices but all printers connected to the Internet or a VPN can be used. Enables remote printing.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of an interworking system of a heterogeneous network for a remote printing service to which the present invention is applied.

The addresses of different systems are used between the Internet 12 and the VPN 13. That is, the printer 17 installed in the Internet 12 uses a public network Internet address, and the printer 16 installed in a VPN 13 uses a private network address.

The Internet 12 and the VPN 13 are interlocked, and the Internet user 11 and the VPN user 15 are connected to the Internet-connected printer 17 and the VPN-connected printer 16, which are remote printers, through the directory server 14. You can output the data with.

In other words, when the user 11 connects to the Internet 12 and logs on with the VPN 13, the printer 16 connected to the VPN 13 can be used, and the VPN 13 connects to the Internet 12. In order to recognize the connected printer 17, the directory server 14 stores and stores the registered Internet address for each user. Therefore, when a print request occurs, the directory server 14 transmits data to the corresponding printers 16 and 17. do. Here, the directory server 14 serves as a gateway between the Internet 12 and the VPN 13. Accordingly, the VPN user 15 may also use the printer 17 connected to the Internet 12 and the printer 16 connected to the VPN 13.

For this purpose, drivers of the printers 16 and 17 must be installed in the user terminals 11 and 15. The directory server 14 detects and stores information about each of the printers 16 and 17. The driver is downloaded to the user terminals 11 and 15 to automatically install the driver. That is, the method of installing the printer driver for the remote printers 16 and 17 allows the directory server 14 to acquire information of the remote printers 16 and 17 using the Internet printing protocol so that the driver can be automatically installed. .

At this time, the users 11 and 15 have registered a service in order to use the remote printing service in advance. The users 11 and 15 register their own user information, i.e., user number, password number, user terminal OS, etc. at the time of service registration. Then, the directory server 14 generates a profile for each user, and registers minimum information such as user information and addresses of the remote printers 16 and 17 registered by the user.

The directory server 14 detects the printer type and the driver type by using the addresses of the remote printers 16 and 17, and downloads the corresponding driver to the user terminals 11 and 15.

When the driver installation is completed, the Internet user 11 and the VPN user 15 can output data to the remote printers 16 and 17.

If there is no application program capable of reading the corresponding data in the user terminals 11 and 15, the application server may be requested to perform the application program from the directory server 14 so that the user terminals 11 and 15 may read the data.

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote printing service apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the remote printing service apparatus (directory server) 14 according to the present invention receives a request from the users 11 and 15 and provides the results to the users 11 and 15. Web server 21, user information management and authentication / encryption unit 22 for creating user-specific profiles, managing user information, and performing authentication and encryption functions, and remote printers 16 and 17 registered by users. Resource management, user-available printer list and address management unit 23 for mapping addresses by remote printers, driver management by remote printers, and driver suitable for remote printer type and user terminal operating system. 11 and 15 to detect the current state of the printer driver installation management unit 24 for downloading and managing the installation state, and the corresponding remote printers 16 and 17 registered in the user profile. Remote printer status monitoring unit 26 to inform the users 11 and 15 and the printing data requested by the users 11 and 15 to the corresponding remote printers 16 and 17 using the remote printer addresses. And a printing request processing unit 27, and a database 28 for storing information necessary for performing each management function. In addition, if the user terminal (11, 15) does not have an application program to read the printing material, it further includes an application program providing management unit 25 for downloading the program, so that the printing material can be read.

The remote printing service device (directory server) 14 according to the present invention can utilize the printer resources connected to the Internet 12 and the VPN 13 so that the user can output data to the printers 16 and 17 at remote locations. Make sure

For example, if the user 11,15 wants to output the data and deliver it to the other party while traveling, such as during a business trip, the user 11,15 connects to the Internet 12 or the VPN 13 and directly to the nearby printer 16,17 with the other party. Can print data. In other words, it is possible for a customer to apply for issuance of a civil petition and receive a civil petition through a printer in the office while the resident registration and family register are computerized.

The web server 21 is an interface that receives a user's request and outputs a result. Through the web server 21, user information registration, available printer registration, printer driver installation, etc. can be performed, and the user and resources are protected by encrypted communication with the user terminals 11 and 15.

The user information management and authentication / encryption unit 22 generates a profile for each user when the users 11 and 15 apply for service subscription, manages user information, and performs authentication and encryption functions.

The available printer list and address manager 23 for each user manages resources for the remote printers 16 and 17 registered by the users 11 and 15. In addition, each remote printer manages and maps whether it uses an Internet address or a private network address.

The printer driver installation management unit 24 manages drivers of various printers 16 and 17. Then, it downloads a driver for a printer type and a user terminal OS and manages an installation state. It also includes the ability to collect and manage the latest printer information from the printer supplier.

If there is no application program to read the data in the user terminal (11,15), the application providing management unit 25 to download the program, and to read the data. This can save the cost of installing an application program for each of the user terminals 11 and 15.

The remote printer status monitoring unit 26 detects the current state of the printers 16 and 17 registered in the user profile, detects whether it is in a ready state or a fault state, and notifies the users 11 and 15. . The users 11 and 15 may view this state to determine the printing situation.

The database 28 storing each information is a space for storing information necessary for performing the above management functions.

The printing request processing unit 27 performs a function of receiving the data from the web server 21 and sending the data to the remote printers 16 and 17 when the user 11 or 15 receives a print request.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a remote printing service method according to the present invention.                     

First, when the users 11 and 15 access the directory server 14 (301), the subscriber is authenticated (302). At this time, if the subscriber is not registered, the service receives a new registration (308).

On the other hand, if the subscriber authentication is successfully completed (302), it shows the list of available printers registered in the user profile (303). If there are no remote printers 16 and 17 desired by the users 11 and 15 in this list, new printer information is registered and a printer driver is automatically installed in the user terminals 11 and 15 (309).

If there are remote printers 16 and 17 in the desired place (304), the corresponding printers 16 and 17 are selected, and whether the current state of the selected printers 16 and 17 is normal or a failure state is determined. (305).

If the printer state is normal, the user terminal 11 or 15 selects an application program to open the data (306).

Finally, when the data open is completed, the remote printers 16 and 17 request data output (307), and the remote printers 16 and 17 output data.

According to the present invention, a user can output data by using a printer connected to the Internet by using a printer resource connected to the Internet and a VPN. You can save time and money. In addition, in the past, the person who sent and received the direct file through the daily output had to be printed out, and this inconvenience can be eliminated, thereby improving business operations. In addition, if the data is delivered to the other party as a file, the data is easily exposed to others, which can be compensated for. In addition, if the present invention is applied to public services such as issuing civil documents, it is possible to remotely apply for issuance of civil documents such as resident registration copies, family register copies, and receive civil documents with their office printers.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented as a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary knowledge.

The present invention as described above, by using all the printers connected to the Internet and the VPN can be printed online from a remote location, it is possible to reduce data transmission time and cost, printers connected to the Internet and VPN Resource sharing is expected to save resources, and remote printing is possible, which makes it possible to streamline business operations.

Claims (12)

In the remote printing service device, User access means for accepting a user request and providing the result to the user; User information management and authentication / encryption means for generating a user-specific profile to manage user information and performing authentication and encryption functions; A list of available printers and address management means for each user for managing resources for remote printers registered by a user and mapping addresses for each remote printer; Printer driver installation management means for managing a driver for each remote printer, downloading a driver suitable for a remote printer type and a user terminal operating system to a user terminal, and managing an installation state; Remote printer status monitoring means for detecting and informing a user of the current status of the corresponding remote printer registered in the user profile; Printing request processing means for transferring printing data requested by a user to the corresponding remote printer using the address of each remote printer; And Storage means for storing information necessary to perform each management function Remote printing service device through the interworking of heterogeneous networks including a. The method of claim 1, If there is no application program to read the printing data in the user terminal, the application program management means for downloading the printing data driving program, so that the printing data can be read Remote printing service device through the interworking of heterogeneous networks further comprising. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The user connection means, It is an interface that accepts a user's request and exports the result. Through this, user information registration, available printer registration, printer driver installation are possible, and the user and resource information is protected by performing encrypted communication with the user terminal. Remote printing service device through interworking heterogeneous networks. The method of claim 3, wherein The printer driver installation management means, Obtaining the information of the remote printer using the Internet printing protocol, the remote printing service device through interworking heterogeneous networks, characterized in that automatically install a printer driver on the user terminal. The method of claim 3, wherein The user terminal, Remote printing service through the interworking of heterogeneous networks, which can download and install the driver suitable for the corresponding remote printer registered by the user and automatically output the data to a remote internet connection printer or a virtual private network (VPN) connection printer. Device. In the remote printing service method applied to the remote printing service device, A first step of registering user information and an address of a corresponding remote printer registered by a user from a user who wants to use a remote printing service; A second step of acquiring information on the corresponding remote printer using an internet printing protocol; A third step of selecting a printer driver suitable for the remote printer based on the information of the remote printer, downloading the downloaded driver to a user terminal, and automatically installing the printer driver; And A fourth step of transmitting printing data to the corresponding remote printer mapped to the address so as to be printed upon the user's printing request Remote printing service method through the interworking of heterogeneous networks comprising a. The method of claim 6, After the third step, if there is no application program to read the printing data in the user terminal, the fifth step to download the printing data drive program, so that the printing data can be read Remote printing service method through interworking heterogeneous networks further comprising a. The method of claim 6, A fifth step of detecting a current state of the corresponding remote printer and reporting it to the user terminal after performing the third step; Remote printing service method through interworking heterogeneous networks further comprising a. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The remote printer, Remote printing service method through the interworking of heterogeneous networks, characterized in that it comprises a remote Internet connection printer, a virtual private network (VPN) connection printer. In a remote printing service device having a processor, A first function of receiving user information and an address of a corresponding remote printer registered by a user from a user who wants to use a remote printing service; A second function of acquiring information of the corresponding remote printer using an internet printing protocol; A third function of selecting a printer driver suitable for the remote printer based on the information of the remote printer, downloading the downloaded driver to a user terminal, and automatically installing the printer driver; And A fourth function of transmitting printing data to the corresponding remote printer mapped to the address so as to be printed upon the user's printing request A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this. The method of claim 10, A fifth function of downloading the printing data driving program to read the printing data when the user terminal does not have an application program to read the printing data after performing the third function; A computer-readable recording medium that records a program for further realization. The method of claim 10, A fifth function of detecting the current state of the corresponding remote printer and reporting it to the user terminal after performing the third function A computer-readable recording medium that records a program for further realization.

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