KR20190086654A - Electric device controlling method and communication channel establishing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a control method of an electronic device to establish a communication channel between a print device and a data server providing data to a print device. The control method of an electronic device comprises the steps of: obtaining user identification information corresponding to a print device; transmitting the user identification information and first information including connection information of a data server to the print device; obtaining second information including unique identification information of the print device from the print device; and transmitting third information for the data server to identify a communication channel establishment request of the print device to the data server.

Description

 TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method of controlling an electronic device and a method of forming a communication channel,

The present invention relates to a method and a program for controlling an electronic device. And more particularly, to a method and a program for controlling an electronic device to assist in the formation of a communication channel.

As the use of smart devices has increased and the functions that can be performed by applications running on smart devices have increased, aspects of electronic commerce using smart devices are becoming more diverse. Particularly, as online transactions increase, some of the functions of the existing POS system are being replaced by smart devices.

A point of sale (POS) system refers to a system in which POS hosts, force printers, barcode readers, card readers, and the like are organically connected to perform all data processing operations that accompany ordinary transactions. Conventional force systems are generally used in a state where various devices are wired and installed in a fixed position in a shop at one position. According to the existing POS system, there are physical demand for smooth transactions when there are a large number of customers desiring settlement or a customer who desires to request a transaction from a remote place.

Accordingly, in order to solve the problems of the existing POS system and to keep pace with the increase of electronic commerce using smart devices, it is required to replace some functions of the POS system and simplify the POS system by using smart devices . Particularly, the platform plays a role in enabling smart devices to handle data used in existing POS systems.

On the other hand, web socket communication is a communication protocol supporting asynchronous dual communication between devices, which can transmit and receive data in real time, can be performed simultaneously, and can be usefully used when fast data transmission / reception is required have.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing method / system / apparatus using web socket communication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient data communication method / system / apparatus by superimposing data transmission and data reception.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method / system / apparatus for efficiently controlling a communication channel by controlling a connection state of a communication channel according to data communication.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method / system / device for controlling a peripheral device connected to a printing device using web socket communication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method / system / apparatus for distributing print data using web socket communication.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electronic device such that a communication channel is formed between a printing device and a data server providing data to the printing device, Storing connection information used for connection to a data server in which print data that can be interpreted in the apparatus is stored and acquiring user identification information corresponding to the printing apparatus; The first information including the user identification information and the connection information for requesting a connection to the data server by the printing device to the printing device; transmitting the first information to the printing device in response to the first information; A unique identification of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus, To the data server so that the data server identifies the communication channel forming request of the printing device so as to determine whether the data server accepts the communication connection request from the printing device And transmitting the third information to the control unit.

 The step of transmitting the first information to the printing device may include transmitting the first information to the printing device such that the printing device requests a communication connection to the data server without a connection command from the electronic device have.

The control method of the electronic device may correspond to the electronic device, and the electronic device may further include determining a printing device to assist in forming the communication channel, and connecting the determined printing device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a data server providing data to the printing apparatus, the method comprising: The method comprising the steps of: connecting to an external device storing at least one connection information of a data server in which print data is stored; user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to the printing device from the external device; Acquiring first information including connection information for requesting a connection, transmitting second information including unique identification information of the printing apparatus to the external apparatus in response to acquiring the first information And transmitting the data to the data server based on the first information, If the request accepted from the communication channel is formed, and the step of requesting the data server, a method for forming the communication channel forming a communication channel between the server and the data can be provided.

The request for formation of the communication channel can be determined based on the identification result for the printing apparatus in the data server. The identification result for the printing device is obtained by identifying, at the data server, the printing device that has transmitted the formation request of the communication channel based on the second information obtained from the external device as the formation of the communication channel is requested .

A method of controlling an electronic device or a method of forming a communication channel according to embodiments of the present invention can be provided as a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for performing the methods is recorded.

It is to be understood that the solution of the problem of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned solutions, and the solutions which are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs It will be possible.

According to the present invention, according to the invention, when a user is located in a remote environment with a server, device setup can be easily performed.

Also, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform device setup without difficulty in forming a connection channel between a printing device and a data server even in the case of a general user who is not a professional technician.

Also, according to the present invention, the creation, maintenance, closure and regeneration of the connection channel can be made easier by the manager handling the connection information for forming the connection channel.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and the effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 schematically shows a first system according to the invention.
2 schematically shows a second system according to the invention.
3 schematically shows an external control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 schematically illustrates a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a first system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a first system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a hub print device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a web socket communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a web socket communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a Web socket channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
Figure 16 is a simplified illustration of a third system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 17 is a simplified illustration of the third system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
18 schematically illustrates a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a flowchart illustrating a data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a flowchart illustrating a data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
21 schematically illustrates a data distribution server 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
22 illustrates a printing device 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 23 illustrates a channel forming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
24 shows a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 shows a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 26 illustrates a communication channel manager in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 illustrates a channel connection manager according to another embodiment of the present invention.
28 illustrates a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
29 is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
30 is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
31 is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
32 is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to or limited by the embodiments. In addition, the same reference numerals shown in the drawings denote the same members.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of the layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity and the element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "on" Included in the scope of the present invention is not only directly above another element or layer but also includes intervening layers or other elements in between. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In addition, numerals (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description of the present invention are merely an identifier for distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

One. summary

A method, apparatus, and system for performing printing using a two-way communication channel will be described herein. Specifically, a method, apparatus, and system for performing printing using a web socket communication channel will be described.

2. Data communication method

The printing methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein may include configurations to transmit or receive data. At this time, it is possible to transmit or receive the data by a specific communication method.

The specific communication method may be a method of performing communication using a communication channel capable of duplex communication. The specific communication method may be a method of performing communication using a communication channel capable of asynchronous communication. The specific communication method may be a method of performing communication using a communication channel (for example, a web socket channel) capable of asynchronous dual communication.

Hereinafter, each communication method will be described.

2.1 Duplex communication

In the printing method and the like of the present application, data transmission and reception can be performed using a dual communication method. In the printing method and the like of the present application, bi-directional data communication can be performed using one communication channel capable of dual communication.

The dual communication channel may be a full-duplex communication channel. The full-duplex communication channel may be a communication channel in which bi-directional data transmission is simultaneously allowed through one communication channel. Accordingly, the dual communication may mean a communication method in which data can be transmitted in both directions at the same time.

The dual communication scheme may enable real-time communication between two devices connected by the dual communication channel. In addition, the dual communication channel can accommodate a plurality of concurrent users and can smoothly acquire data using the dual communication channel when receiving a print request from a plurality of terminals collectively

2.2 Asynchronous communication

In the printing method and the like of the present application, data transmission and reception can be performed using an asynchronous communication method. In the printing method and the like of the present application, when data is transmitted from one side to the other using a communication channel capable of asynchronous communication, the one side can transmit the data to the other side without requesting the other side. In other words, when the asynchronous communication channel is used, one side can transmit data to the other side at an arbitrary time, and the transmission of the data can be performed without the other side.

2.3 Asynchronous dual communication

2.3.1 Asynchronous dual communication method

In the printing method and the like of the present application, data transmission and reception can be performed by an asynchronous dual communication method. That is, the transmission and reception of the data can be performed using a communication channel that includes characteristics of the asynchronous communication channel and the dual communication channel. In other words, the transmission of the data can be performed bidirectionally over one channel, using an asynchronous dual communication channel, and can be done at any point in time without the request of the recipient. For example, data transmission and reception in the printing method and the like of the present application can be performed using a websocket communication method.

2.3.2 Web socket communication method

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication channel used for the data transmission / reception may be a websocket communication channel.

Here, the web socket means a communication standard that enables bidirectional data transmission / reception between a server and a client. The web socket communication channel means a logical communication path for transmitting and receiving data by the web socket protocol. The web socket protocol may be a communication protocol for connecting a web browser based on HTML (HyperText Markup Language) 5 to a web server.

The web socket communication may be a full duplex communication protocol that provides full duplex communication between devices connected by a web socket channel. In other words, bidirectional data transmission / reception can be performed simultaneously between devices connected by the web socket channel. The dual communication using the web socket channel can support asynchronous data transmission.

In addition, data transmission / reception through the web socket communication may be asynchronous. In other words, the web socket channel can perform asynchronous data transmission / reception. For example, when a receiving device that receives data and a transmitting device that transmits data are connected to the web socket channel, data may be transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device without the request of the receiving device. In other words, push data transmission / reception can be performed between devices connected by the web socket channel. Therefore, data transmission can be performed at an arbitrary point in time, and the point in time at which the transmitting apparatus transmits data and the point in time at which the receiving apparatus receives data may be inconsistent. Asynchronous data transmission / reception through the web socket channel can be performed in both directions at the same time.

Establishment of the web socket channel may be initiated by performing a predetermined handshake. For example, when the web socket channel is formed between the first device and the second device, formation of the web socket channel may be initiated by handshaking from the first device to the second device. The handshake may be based on the HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) protocol. The handshake may be that the first device transmits a handshake message to the second device. Generally, the handshake message can be implemented as a message having only a meaning that one device requests the other device to form the web socket channel.

The web socket channel may have the property of continuing the connection. When the web socket channel is established, the connection state of the channel can be maintained as long as another request for closing or stopping the channel is not generated from at least one of the terminals directly or indirectly connected to the channel.

The previously formed web socket channel may be closed by a channel closure request by an apparatus directly or indirectly connected to the web socket channel. The channel closure request may be implemented with a message requesting channel closure from one side to the other side.

One device may be connected to a plurality of the web socket channels. When one apparatus is connected to a plurality of the web socket channels, the plurality of web socket channels may be connected to two or more different apparatuses. At this time, the plurality of web socket channels can transmit and receive data having a plurality of data formats. In other words, the plurality of web socket channels may include a first web socket channel for transmitting and receiving first type data and a second web socket channel for transmitting and receiving second type data. Specifically, the apparatus has a plurality of web socket ports or sessions, and can form a plurality of web socket channels.

Hereinafter, unless otherwise noted, bidirectional communication refers to web socket communication and bi-directional communication channel refers to a web socket communication channel. But may be extended to other communication schemes that substantially or virtually provide dual and / or asynchronous communication channels.

2.4 data

The printing method and the like of the present application can be performed using various data. The data used in the printing method and the like of the present application can be transmitted or received using the communication channels described above. Here, the types and formats of the data will be described.

2.4.1 Type of data

The printing method and the like according to the present application may include processing control data for controlling the apparatus.

The control data may be control data for controlling the printing operation of the apparatus. The control data may be print data for controlling the printing operation. The print data may include information such as a printing object, a printing environment, a printing condition, and the like required for the apparatus to perform a printing operation.

The print data may be data related to the print content. For example, the data may include print document data to be printed. It can be understood that the print document data is data of a document displayed on a printed matter obtained through the printing operation.

The control data may be data for controlling the printing apparatus. The data may include identification information of the printing apparatus. The data may include identification information of a port to which the printing apparatus is connected. As another example, the data may include designation information for designating the printing apparatus. The control data may be control command data specific to the printing device.

The control data may be control data for controlling operation of a peripheral device connected to the printing apparatus. The control data for controlling the peripheral device may be control data for obtaining information using the peripheral device. The control data for controlling the peripheral device may be control data for controlling the operation of the peripheral device.

The printing method and the like according to the present application may include processing the status data for obtaining status information of the apparatus.

The status data may be status data of the printing apparatus. For example, the data may include information on performing printing operations of the printing apparatus. The data may include printing operation execution progress information or printing operation result information of the printing apparatus.

The status data may be status data of a peripheral device connected to the printing device. The status data may indicate a network status, a power status, an input reception status, and the like of the peripheral device.

Meanwhile, the data processed in the printing or the like according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and data directly or indirectly involved in performing the embodiments disclosed in the present invention may be included in the data . In addition, the illustrated data are not independently handled. Data including a combination of one or more of the above information or only a part of the above information may be used.

2.4.2 Format of data

The printing method and the like according to the present application may include processing data in a specific format. The printing method and the like according to the present application may include converting the format of the data. Printing methods and the like according to the present application may include processing data represented in one or more formats.

The data may have a format that can be understood in some or all of the devices involved in the printing method and the like. The data may have a command format that the print device understands. The data may have a command format that can be understood by a peripheral device connected to the device performing the printing. The data may be in the form of a command specific to the device for ultimately controlling the data. The data may be written in a command format specific to the target device.

Printing methods and the like according to the present application may include processing data represented in one or more layers. The data may be binary type data. The data may be text data.

The printing method and the like according to the present application may include processing at least some encrypted data. The data may include plain text.

The printing method and the like according to the present application may include processing data expressed in one or more languages.

3. First Process - Web Printing

3.1 Perform printing according to the first printing process

Described herein is a system, method and apparatus for performing printing using the communication channel described above as an embodiment of the printing process disclosed in this specification. Specifically, a system, method, apparatus, and the like for transmitting and receiving data related to the printing using the Web socket communication channel will be described.

3.1.1 system

3.1.1.1 The first system

The printing method according to the first process of the present invention can be implemented in a system (i.e., a first system) including an external control device and a printing device connected to the external control device through a communication channel. The communication channel connecting the external control device and the printing device may be the web socket communication channel described above. Meanwhile, the first system may be implemented as a point of sale (POS) system. At this time, the POS system may have a function of collectively collecting customer information by collectively managing sales-related data at a retail store or the like where goods are traded and promoting the convenience of the transaction.

1 schematically shows a first system according to the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the first system may include an external control device 100 and a printing device 200.

The first system may include an external control device (100). The external control device 100 may obtain a user input. The external control device 100 can process and store data. The external control apparatus 100 can communicate with the printing apparatus 200 to transmit or receive data.

The external control apparatus 100 can acquire data related to the printing operation. The external control device 100 can acquire data from the outside. The external control device 100 acquiring the data includes the external control device 100 generating the data.

In the first system implemented with the force system, the external control device 100 described above may be a force host. The POS host can generate settlement data in consideration of the item to be sold, the amount of the item, and the like. The POS host may transmit the payment data to the POS printer. The force host may be implemented in a PC based environment

The first system may include a printing device 200. The printing device 200 may form a communication channel with an external device and transmit or receive data. The printing apparatus 200 can perform a printing operation.

The printing apparatus 200 can obtain control data from an external apparatus and perform an operation based on the obtained control data. The printing apparatus 200 can acquire print data and perform a printing operation based thereon. The printing device 200 may include a server and may provide a web application or web page to an external device.

In the first system implemented with the force system, the above-described printing apparatus 200 may be a force printer. The POS printer can print the payment history based on the payment data inputted from the POS host.

The external control device 100 and the printing device 200 can exchange data through a web socket communication channel. The external control apparatus 100 or the printing apparatus 200 may include a web socket communication server.

A plurality of web socket communication channels may be established between the external control device 100 and the printing device 200. The plurality of web socket communication channels may include a first channel and a second channel, and the first channel and the second channel may be maintained at least partially established at the same time. The printing apparatus 200 may be connected to a plurality of the external control apparatuses 100 through the web socket communication channel. The external control apparatus 100 may be connected to a plurality of the printing apparatuses 200 through the web socket communication channel.

3.1.1.2 The second system

The printing method according to the first process of the present invention includes a printing apparatus 200, an external control apparatus 100 connected to the printing apparatus 200 through a communication channel, and at least one peripheral apparatus connected to the printing apparatus 200 (I. E., A second system). ≪ / RTI > The connection relationship between the printing apparatus 200, the external control apparatus 100, and both can be applied in the same manner as described above in the first system.

2 schematically shows a second system according to the invention. 2, the second system may include an external control device 100, a hub print device 200a, and a peripheral device 300. [

The above-described printing apparatus 200 may be embodied as a hub printing apparatus 200a. The hub print device 200a may be connected to the at least one peripheral device 300 to control the peripheral device 300. [ The hub print device 200a may selectively include a function of performing printing.

The hub print device 200a can acquire data from the control device and manage the peripheral device 300 based on the acquired data.

The hub print device 200a may be connected to a plurality of the peripheral devices 301-303. The hub print device 200a can acquire data from the external control device 100 and transfer the data to at least a part of the plurality of peripheral devices 300. [

The peripheral device 300 connected to the hub print device 200a may be an input device for receiving an external input. The peripheral device 300 may be an output device that outputs data received from the hub print device 200a.

The peripheral device 300 may be a separate printing device. The individual printing apparatus can acquire data from the hub printing apparatus 200a and perform a printing operation based on the acquired data. The peripheral device 300 may include a plurality of individual printing devices.

The external control device 100 is connected to the hub print device 200a through the web socket channel, and can transmit and receive data. The external control apparatus 100 generates data for controlling at least a part of the hub print apparatus 200a and at least one peripheral apparatus 300 connected to the hub print apparatus 200a, 200a.

Meanwhile, the second system may be implemented as a point of sale (POS) system. In the second system implemented with the force system, the external control apparatus 100 described above may be a force host. In the second system implemented with the force system, the hub print device 200a described above may be a force printer. The details of the force host and the force printer can be applied similarly to those described in connection with the first system.

In a second system implemented with the force system, the peripheral device described above may be a force peripheral device. For example, the force peripherals may include barcode readers, signature pads, card readers, and the like. The POS peripherals such as the barcode reader can receive sales information such as the type of goods, price, and the like and process the sales data. The POS peripheral device can receive payment information such as a card number, payment amount, and the like, and process payment data.

In the second system implemented with the force system, the individual printing apparatus described above may be the force printer or a separate force printer provided in the business area managed by the force system.

3.1.2 System behavior

Here, a method of performing printing according to the first printing process in the first system and the second system described above will be described. However, the printing according to the first printing process can not be implemented only in the first system and the second system, and may be applied to a system in which another apparatus is added or some apparatus is excluded.

3.1.2.1 Operation of the first system

The first printing process of the present specification can be implemented in the first printing system including the printing apparatus 200 and the external control apparatus 100. [ The first printing process implemented in the first printing system may include forming a communication channel and transmitting data.

The step of forming the communication channel may include forming an asynchronous dual communication channel between the printing device 200 and the external control device 100. [ The step of forming the communication channel may comprise forming the web socket communication channel between the printing device 200 and the external control device 100.

The step of forming the communication channel may include one of the printing apparatus 200 and the external control apparatus 100 transmitting a handshake message. For example, the establishment of the communication channel may be established when the printing apparatus 200 transmits a handshake message to the external control apparatus 100 or the external control apparatus 100 transmits the handshake message to the printing apparatus 200 ≪ / RTI >

More specifically, the establishment of the communication channel is performed by the printing apparatus 200 transmitting a message requesting handshake to the external control apparatus 100, and the external control apparatus 100 transmitting the handshake request message And transmits the handshake response message to the printing apparatus 200 in response to the reception of the handshake response message. The establishment of the communication channel is performed when the external control apparatus 100 transmits the handshake request message to the printing apparatus 200 and the printing apparatus 200 notifies the external control apparatus 100 of the handshake response message And the external control apparatus 100 may receive the handshake response message. At this time, the transmission / reception of the handshake request message or the handshake response message may be performed according to the http protocol.

The transmitting of the data may comprise transmitting the data over the asynchronous dual communication channel. The step of transmitting the data may be to transmit data through the web socket channel. Specifically, the step of transmitting the data may include the step in which the external control apparatus 100 transmits data to the printing apparatus 200 through the connected communication channel. At this time, the transmission of the data may be to transmit the data generated or processed by the external control apparatus 100 to the printing apparatus 200. The transmitting of the data may include transmitting data from the printing device 200 to the external control device 100 via the communication channel. In this case, the transmission of the data may be performed by transmitting data generated or processed by the printing apparatus 200 to the external control apparatus 100.

The step of transmitting the data may comprise the print control device transmitting data to the printing device 200 via the communication channel. The external control apparatus 100 may transmit control data generated in the print control apparatus and related to the print operation to the printing apparatus 200. [

The printing method according to the present embodiment may further include performing printing. The printing may be performed by the printing apparatus 200 based on the received data. According to the received data format, the printing apparatus 200 can selectively parse the received data and perform printing based on the parsed data. The printing may be performed by the print module based on the received signal or data.

3.1.2.2 Operation of the second system

The first printing process of the present disclosure can be implemented in the second printing system including the external control device 100, the hub printing device 200a and the peripheral device 300. [ The first printing process implemented in the second printing system may include forming a communication channel, transmitting data, and communicating data.

The step of forming the communication channel may be to form the communication channel between the hub print device 200a and the external control device 100. [ The details of the formation of the communication channel can be applied similarly to that described above with respect to the first system.

The step of transmitting the data may include the step in which the external control apparatus 100 transmits data to the printing apparatus 200. The details of the transmission of the data can be applied similarly to the first system described above.

The transmitted data may include control information for controlling the peripheral device 300, device identification information for identifying the device that ultimately obtains the data, a printing operation when the peripheral device 300 is a separate printing device Print data for control, and the like. The details are as described above in connection with the second system.

The step of transmitting the data may include transmitting the received data to the printing device, i.e., the hub print device 200a, to the peripheral device 300. [

Delivery of the data may be by the hub print device 200a delivering the data to the peripheral device 300 using a wired connection or a wireless network.

If there are a plurality of the peripheral devices 300, the hub print device 200a may transmit the data to at least one peripheral device 300. [ At this time, transferring the data may be performed based on the peripheral device identification information included in the data. Delivering the data may be conveying the data to a peripheral device (300) determined by the hub print device (200a). At this time, the hub print device 200a can determine the peripheral device 300 to receive the data based on the type, the type and the contents of the data.

If the peripheral device 300 is a separate printing device, the data may be control data for controlling the operation of the individual print data.

At this time, the step of transferring the data by the hub printing device 200a may include obtaining identification information of the individual printing apparatus from the data and delivering it based on the identification information.

When the peripheral device 300 includes a plurality of separate printing devices, the step of transmitting the data may include transmitting the received data to at least a portion of the plurality of separate printing devices, can do.

When the peripheral device 300 comprises a plurality of individual printing devices, the step of communicating the data may be performed by the hub printing device 200a at least one of the plurality of individual printing devices, And < / RTI > The method of claim 1, wherein determining an individual printing device to communicate the data comprises obtaining identification information of a peripheral device (300) from which the data is to be ultimately obtained, and transmitting the data to a peripheral device . Determining an individual printing device to which to transmit the data may determine an individual printing device to receive the data based on any of the type, type, and content of the received data.

3.1.3 Configuration of each device

Hereinafter, operations performed by the devices constituting the first system and the second system will be described. However, it should be understood that the printing method and the like of the present invention are not limited to the devices described below, and that the devices may be replaced by other electronic devices or combinations thereof that perform the functions or perform similar functions. .

Further, the description of "part" constituting any device in this specification does not only refer to the physical configuration provided in the apparatus, but may also mean a software configuration executed in the apparatus.

3.1.3.1 External control device

The control of the printing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by the control apparatus. The control device can be understood as an external control device in the first and second systems described above. The external control device may generate control data and transmit the control data to an external device. The external control device may perform a function of controlling the printing device by communicating with the printing device. In the force system, the control device may be implemented as a force host.

The external control device may be an electronic device driven by a web browser. The external control device may include a web browser communicating with the printing device through a web page provided by the web server. The external control device may be an electronic device in which a web application provided by a web server is driven or installed. The external control device may be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, a laptop, a desktop, and the like.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an external control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3, the external control apparatus 100 may include a communication unit 110, a user input unit 130, a memory unit 150, and a controller 170. The communication unit may be included in the external control device 100 as a physical component, but may not necessarily be implemented as a software component included in the external control device 100.

The external control device 100 may include a communication unit 110 for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 110 may be a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a WIFI, a ZigBee, a WiGig, a Bluetooth, Lt; / RTI >

The communication unit 110 forms a communication channel with an external device and can perform data communication with the external device through the communication channel. The communication channel may be an asynchronous dual communication channel. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel.

The communication unit 110 may transmit data received from the controller 170 or the user input unit 130 to the external device, that is, the printing device through the communication channel. The communication unit 110 may transmit the data acquired from the external device to the controller 170 through the communication channel.

When the communication unit 110 forms an asynchronous dual communication channel with the external device, the communication unit 110 can transmit data to the external device at an arbitrary point in time. The communication unit 110 can receive data from the external device and transmit data to the external device. The same can be applied to the case where the communication unit 110 transmits data to the external device.

The communication unit 110 may perform the handshake operation to form the web socket channel with the external device. The communication unit 110 may initiate the formation of the web socket channel by transmitting a handshake message to the external apparatus. When the communication unit 110 transmits a handshake message to the external device, the communication unit 110 may function as a web socket client. The communication unit 110 can establish the web socket channel by receiving a handshake message from the external device and transmitting a response message in response to the handshake message. When the communication unit 110 receives the handshake message, the communication unit 110 may function as a web socket server.

The external control apparatus 100 may include a user input unit 130 for obtaining a user input. The user input unit 130 may acquire the user input and acquire data related to the printing operation based on the obtained information. For example, the user input unit 130 may obtain a touch input, a voice input, a keyboard input, and the like from a user.

The user input 130 may obtain a user input that includes information related to control of the printing operation. The user input may include at least a part of information related to the printing operation such as contents of the printing, a printing form, device information for performing printing, and the like. The user input unit 130 may transmit the acquired user input to the control unit 170 or the communication unit 110. [

The external input device may include a memory unit 150. The memory unit 150 may store data obtained from the outside, data generated in the external control device 100, input data input from a user, and the like.

The external control device 100 may include a controller 170. [

The controller 170 may receive the information from the user using the user input unit 130. [ The controller 170 forms a communication channel with the external device using the communication unit 110, acquires data from the external device, or transmits data to the external device. The control unit 170 may acquire data from the user input unit 130 or the communication unit 110.

The control unit 170 may generate control data for controlling the printing operation based on the user input obtained from the user input unit. The control unit 170 may transmit the control data to the printing apparatus using the communication unit 110. [

The controller 170 may acquire data. The control unit 170 acquires the data by the control unit 170 to generate data.

The control unit 170 may acquire the data by processing the data acquired from the outside. Processing the data may be modifying the data, or adding or combining additional data with the data. The acquisition of the data may be performed by a data generator separately provided from the controller 170.

The external control apparatus 100 may acquire the data by parsing the acquired basic data to obtain the data. Specifically, the external control apparatus 100 controls the printing apparatus 100 to print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing apparatus, document data serving as a basis of the print data generation, and raw data of the printing target document You can get one. The data generated in the external control apparatus 100 may be implemented in a language understood by the printing apparatus.

The controller 170 may convert the format of the data. Converting the format of the data includes converting the data to a language that can be interpreted in a particular device. The data conversion may be performed by a data acquisition unit provided separately from the control unit 170. [

Converting the format of the data may be converting the data into a format that can be interpreted by the printing device. If the printing device is a hub print device, converting the format of the data may be in a form that can be interpreted by at least some of the peripheral devices connected to the printing device. More specifically, the format of the data may be converted to a format that can be interpreted in a separate printing device connected to the hub print device.

3.1.3.2 Printing device

Management of data according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus can receive data from an external control apparatus. The printing apparatus can perform a printing operation based on data received from the external control apparatus. In the force system, the printing apparatus may be implemented as a force printer.

FIG. 4 illustrates a printing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 200 may include a communication unit 210, a printing unit 230, a memory unit 250, and a control unit 270.

The printing apparatus 200 may include a communication unit 210 for communicating with an external device. The communication unit 210 may receive data from an external device or may transmit data to an external device. The communication unit 210 may be connected to an external control device through a network such as a local area network, a wireless local area network, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

The communication unit 210 may form a communication channel with an external device. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel. The communication unit 210 may be a web socket communication unit. The web socket communication unit may function as a web socket server or a web socket client. The web socket communication unit does not only mean a physical configuration, but also includes a software configuration for managing formation, closing, and the like of the web socket communication channel.

The printing apparatus 200 may include a printing unit 230 that performs printing. The printing unit 230 can perform printing based on the print data. The printing unit 230 may perform a printing operation on a printing object included in the print data in accordance with a printing environment designated by the print data. The print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing unit 230 may be received from an external control device through the communication unit 210 or may be acquired from an electronic device wired or wirelessly connected to the printing device 200. [

The printing apparatus 200 may include a memory unit 250. The memory unit 250 may store print data for performing printing.

 The controller 270 can acquire data from the external device using the communication unit 210 or transmit data to the external device. The control unit 270 may perform printing using the printing unit 230. FIG. The control unit 270 can provide a web application or the like to an external device using a web server to be described later. The control unit 270 can manage at least one peripheral device connected to the printing device 200 using a peripheral device control unit 270 described later.

The controller 270 may form a communication channel with the external control device and receive data. The control unit 270 can control the printing operation based on the received data. The control unit 270 may generate control data based on the received data or may convert the format of the received data. The control unit 270 may generate control data for controlling the operation of at least one peripheral device connected to the printing device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus 200 may include a web server. The web server may provide a web page, a web application, and the like to the external control device. However, the web server is not necessarily included in the printing apparatus 200, and may be provided by a server apparatus provided separately from the printing apparatus 200. Hereinafter, a Web server included in the printing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 5 illustrates a first system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the external control apparatus 100 may include a web browser WB. The web browser WB can execute the web application WA1. The web application may be provided from the printing apparatus 200. The printing apparatus 200 may be provided with a web server WS1 and may provide the web application WA2 stored in the web server WS1 to the external control apparatus 100. [ The web applications WA1 and WA2 provide source codes that allow the external control apparatus 100 to control the print apparatus 200 or obtain information from the print apparatus. The web applications WA1 and WA2 include a user interface and can acquire a control command from a user of the external control apparatus 100 or display the status of the printing apparatus to a user.

Figure 6 illustrates a first system according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 6, the first system may further include a server device 10. At this time, the server apparatus 10 has a web server WS2, and can provide the web application WA3 stored in the web server WS2 to the external control apparatus 100. [ The external control apparatus 100 includes a web browser WB and can execute the web application WA3 provided from the web server WS2 using the web browser WB.

The server device 10 means the server device 10 provided separately from the external control device 100 and the printing device 200 in the first system described above. The server device 10 is provided with a web server WS2 and provides the web application WA3 to the external control device 100 as well as the device information of the printing device, And the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus may be implemented as a hub printing apparatus. The hub print device may serve to relay data between the devices. Unless otherwise stated, the hub print device may be implemented similarly to the print device.

The hub print device is coupled to at least one peripheral device and is capable of transmitting data to or obtaining data from the at least one peripheral device.

The hub print device can manage peripheral devices. The hub print device managing the peripheral device includes controlling the operation and state of the peripheral device based on peripheral device control data obtained from an external device or generated by the printing device.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a hub print device 200a according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the hub print device 200a may include a communication unit 210a, a memory unit 250a, a control unit 270a, and a peripheral device control unit 290a.

The communication unit 210a forms a communication channel with an external device, transmits data to the external device, or can acquire data from the external device. The communication unit 210a may perform data communication with the peripheral device.

The hub print device 200a includes a memory unit 250a and may store data. The memory unit 250a may store data for controlling the hub print apparatus 200a or the peripheral apparatus 300 connected to the hub print apparatus 200a.

The controller 270a can communicate with the controller and the peripheral device using the communication unit 210a. The control unit 270a may control or manage at least one peripheral device 300 connected to the hub print device 200a by using a peripheral device control unit 270a described later.

The hub print device 200a may include a peripheral device control unit 290a. The peripheral device control unit 290a may transmit data to the at least one peripheral device or may acquire data from the peripheral device. The hub print device 200a does not include the peripheral device control unit 290a and may perform the function of the peripheral device control unit 290a by the control unit 270a.

When there are a plurality of peripheral devices, the peripheral device control unit 290a may determine a peripheral device to which the data is to be transmitted.

Determining a peripheral device to which the data is to be transmitted may be performed based on peripheral device identification information included in the data. The peripheral device identification information may be given as port information of the peripheral device or the printing device to which the individual printing device is connected.

The determination of the peripheral device to which the data is to be transmitted may be determined in consideration of the format of the received data. The hub print device 200a can transmit the data to an apparatus that can understand the received data.

The determination of the peripheral device to which the data is to be transmitted may be performed in consideration of the type of the received data. When the control data is control data for acquiring an image, the hub print device 200a may transmit the control data to a peripheral device that performs image capturing.

The determination of the peripheral device to which the data is to be transmitted may be determined in consideration of the status of the plurality of peripheral devices. For example, when the peripheral device controller 290a determines a peripheral device to transmit print data, the peripheral device controller 290a may transmit the print data to an individual print device that is not performing a print operation.

The determination of the peripheral device from which the hub print device 200a will transmit the data may be of a predetermined priority. The priority may be user-specified. The priority may be determined in consideration of a network connection state of the peripheral devices, a distance from the hub print device 200a, and the like.

The hub print device 200a may optionally include a printing unit 230a. When the hub print device 200a does not include the print unit 230a, the print data can be transmitted to the individual print devices connected to the hub print device 200a upon receipt of the print data.

In other words, the hub print device 200a may receive data from an external device and may forward the received data to at least one peripheral device connected to the hub print device 200a. For example, the hub print device 200a may acquire print data from an external control device and transmit the print data to an appropriate individual print device.

When there are a plurality of peripheral devices, the plurality of peripheral devices may include a plurality of individual printing devices. At this time, the hub print device 200a can transmit data to the plurality of individual print devices. The hub print device 200a obtains identification information (or destination information) designating an individual print device to be printed from the data obtained from the external control device, and transmits the identification information Data can be transmitted.

When the plurality of peripheral devices include a plurality of individual print devices, the hub print device 200a may transmit data to the individual print devices by considering the kind of the data. If the data is print data, the hub print device 200a can forward the data to the individual print device.

3.1.3.3 Peripherals

Data management according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by a peripheral device connected to the printing device. The peripheral device may include a communication unit and a control unit.

The communication unit may receive data from the connected hub print apparatus or transmit data to the print apparatus.

The control unit may perform data communication with the printing apparatus using the communication unit. The peripheral device may be connected to the hub print device via a wired connection or a wireless network and may acquire data from or transfer data to the hub print device. The network may be a local network. The wired connection may be a USB connection.

The peripheral device may receive a control command from the hub print device. The peripheral device may transmit status data to the hub print device.

The control unit may acquire data from the connected printing apparatus and perform an operation according to the data. The controller may acquire status information of the peripheral device and transmit the status information to the external device.

The peripheral device may receive data from the connected printing device and may operate based on the received data. The data received by the peripheral device may be control data related to the operation or operating environment of the peripheral device.

The peripheral device may transmit the acquired data to the printing device. The data acquired by the peripheral device and transferred to the printing device may be status information of the peripheral device. The status information of the peripheral device may indicate an operation progress of the peripheral device, an operation performing part, and the like.

The peripheral device may optionally include an input. The input unit may receive electronic information from a user. The peripheral device can acquire article information, payment card information, and the like. The input unit may receive information from a user based on time information, auditory information, tactile information, and the like. Specifically, the peripheral device may include a voice input unit, a touch input unit, and an image recognition unit.

In the above-described force system, the peripheral device having the input unit may be implemented as a bar code reader, a card reader, a signature pad, an electronic payment device, or the like.

The peripheral device may optionally have an output. The output unit may output information for providing to the user, either visually or audibly, based on data acquired from the hub print device. In the above-described force system, the peripheral device having the output unit may be implemented by a cash drawer, a payment history display device, or the like.

3.1.3.4 Individual printing device

The execution of the printing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by an individual printing apparatus. Herein, it is understood that the individual printing apparatus refers to a printing apparatus that is connected to the hub printing apparatus but does not have a network channel formed directly from the control apparatus. The individual printing apparatus is connected to the hub printing apparatus or the hub printing apparatus, receives print data, and can perform a printing operation based on the print data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the individual printing apparatus may include a communication unit, a control unit, and a printing unit.

The communication unit can acquire print data from the printing apparatus (i.e., the hub printing apparatus). The communication unit may transmit data to the hub print device. The data transmitted to the hub printing apparatus by the communication unit may be status information of the individual printing apparatus. The status information of the individual printing apparatus may include information on operation result of the individual printing apparatus, printing availability information of the individual printing apparatus, and the like.

The control unit may acquire a print control command based on the print data acquired from the hub print device, and may transmit the control command to the print unit.

The printing unit may perform a printing operation based on the print data.

In the above-described force system, the individual printing apparatus may be a printing apparatus directly or indirectly connected to the control apparatus of the force system. A plurality of the individual printing apparatuses may be provided and used in a business place involving the POS system.

3.2 Request data

In the printing method and the like of the present invention, an asynchronous dual communication channel or the like can be used as described above. More specifically, data communication can be performed using a web socket communication channel. At this time, when the data is transmitted using the Web socket communication channel or the like, the transmission time point of the data is examined.

3.2.1 Data transfer on request

In the printing method and the like according to the present invention, when the data communication channel is a web socket communication channel or the like, transmission of data from the transmitting device to the receiving device can be performed without the request of the receiving device. In this way, when data is transmitted without request of the receiving device, the data processing burden of the receiving device is increased. Generally, a receiving device has a data processing capacity shortage as compared with a transmitting device, so that crosstalk may occur due to arbitrary data transmission of the transmitting device.

At this time, data transmission can be performed by a request of the receiving device. When data transmission is performed at the request of the receiving device, the receiving device can manage data more systematically. Specifically, when a data communication channel is formed and the transmitting device acquires data for transmission to the receiving device, the transmitting device may not transmit the data when there is no data request from the receiving device. Upon receiving the data request message from the receiving device, the transmitting device can transmit data to the receiving device based on the data request message.

Hereinafter, the transmission of the data request message defined in this specification can be understood to refer to an operation of a receiving device requesting transmission of data to a transmitting device, and a concept of overlapping with a data request commonly used in data communication .

In this specification, it can be understood that the receiving apparatus acquires data transmitted based on the data request message in the context of the present invention acquires the data in response to the receiving apparatus requesting transmission of the data. The obtaining of the data in response to the data transmission request may include receiving a response message commonly used in data communication, having a meaning that the receiving device obtains data transmitted due to the data request, It does not necessarily have the same meaning.

Hereinafter, a system, an apparatus, and a method for managing data by transmitting data according to a data transmission request of a receiving apparatus will be described.

3.2.2 System behavior

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed in a system including a first device and a second device. A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a first device and a second threshold, transmitting the data request message to the first device through the communication channel And transmitting the data to the second device based on the data request message by the first device.

The formation of a communication channel between the first device and the second device may be to form the asynchronous dual communication channel described above. The details of the formation of the channel and the channel can be applied similarly to those described above in connection with the first printing process.

Forming a communication channel between the first device and the second device may be interpreted to include indirectly connecting the first device and the second device in addition to being directly connected to the communication channel. In other words, even when the first device and the third device are directly connected to the communication channel and the second device is connected to the third device, the communication channel is formed between the first device and the second device .

The transmitting of the data request message by the second device to the first device may be performed through the communication channel. The transmission of the data request message may be performed through a web socket communication channel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data request message may be transmitted by other means.

The transmitting of the data request message by the second device to the first device may be performed in response to receiving the data notification message from the first device. In other words, when the first device acquires data to be transmitted to the second device, the first device may transmit a notification message to the second device to notify that the data is acquired. The second device may receive the notification message and transmit the data request message based on the notification message. The transmitting of the data request message by the second device may be performed in consideration of the state of the second device.

The second device may repeatedly transmit a data request message to the first device. The data request message may be repeatedly generated a predetermined number of times. For example, the data request message may be transmitted according to a first transmission period during a first time period, and may be transmitted according to a second transmission period during a second time period. At this time, the second transmission period may be longer than the first transmission period, thereby preventing waste of resources due to an excessive data requesting behavior.

If the first device and the second device are directly connected to the communication channel, the data request message may be transmitted from the second device to the first device. When the first device and the second device are indirectly connected to each other with the third device in between, i.e., when the communication channel is formed between the first device and the third device, And may be transmitted from the second device to the first device via the third device. In this case, the data request message may be transmitted from the first device to the second device via the third device to which the communication channel is connected.

The transmitting of the data based on the data request message may be performed by the first device through the communication channel to the second device. When the first device is connected to the third device through the communication channel, the transmitting of the data may be the one from the first device to the third device via the third device. At this time, the second device and the third device may be connected through a local network. When the second device is connected to the third device through the communication channel, transmitting the data may be from the first device to the third device via the third device. At this time, the first device and the third device may be connected through a local network.

The transmitting of the data based on the data request message may include transmitting the data in consideration of matters affecting printing such as device identification information and device status information included in the data request.

The data transmitted to the second device based on the data request message may be data for controlling operations of the second device or a peripheral device connected to the second device. The data may include print data for controlling the printing operation of the second device. The data may include setting information for managing the device configuration of the second device, identification information for identifying the second device, identification information of the user terminal having access rights to the second device, and the like.

3.2.2.1 The first system

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed in the above-described first system, i.e., a system including a printing apparatus and a control apparatus.

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a printing device and a control device, transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, And transmitting the data to the printing device based on the received data.

The formation of a communication channel between the printing device and the control device may be to form an asynchronous dual communication channel. The details of the channel can be applied similarly to the above.

The forming of the web socket communication channel may be initiated by the control device sending a web socket handshake message to the printing device. In this case, the printing apparatus functions as a web socket server, and the control unit can perform a web socket client function.

The forming of the web socket communication channel may be initiated by the printing device sending a web socket handshake message to the control device. In this case, the control device acts as a web socket server, and the printing device can serve as a web socket client.

The transmitting of the data request message to the control device by the printing device may be the transmission of the data request message through the web socket communication channel. The general contents of the data request message can be applied similarly to the above description.

The data request message may include identification information of the printing apparatus. The data request message may be for requesting control data for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus. The data request message may be a message requesting print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing apparatus.

The printing apparatus may receive a notification message informing that the data for providing to the printing apparatus has been obtained from the control apparatus, and may transmit the data request message to the control apparatus based on the notification message. The transmission of the data request message may be performed in consideration of the state of the printing apparatus.

The notification message may be transmitted together with the status data request message of the printing apparatus. The printing device may transmit the data request message and the status data together to the control device in response to a message from the control device. As described above, the request for data and the transmission of data can be performed at once to realize efficient data communication.

And the control device transmits the data through the web socket channel. The general contents of transmitting data based on the data request message can be applied similarly to the above.

The transmission of the data based on the data request message may be performed in consideration of the identification information of the printing apparatus, the state of the printing apparatus, and the like. The data may be print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing apparatus. The print data may include print content, printing paper, printing environment, printing time, and other control information associated with the printing operation. The transmitted data may be provided in a format that can be understood by the printing apparatus.

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a printing device and a control device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And transmitting the data to the control device. In this embodiment, the step of forming the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above embodiment.

The control device may transmit the data request message to the printing device using the web socket channel. The general contents of the transmission of the data request message can be applied similarly to the above.

The data request message transmitted from the controller to the printing apparatus may be a message requesting status information of the printing apparatus. The data request message may be a message for requesting information on whether to perform a printing operation or an operation result of the printing apparatus.

Wherein the control device transmits the data request message to the printing device, the control device receives a notification message informing that the data for providing to the control device is obtained from the printing device, And in response sending the data request message to the printing device.

When the printing apparatus transmits the notification message to the control apparatus, the printing apparatus can transmit the control data request message together. At this time, the control device may transmit the data request message and the control data together to the printing device in response to the message.

The data request message may be transmitted directly from the control apparatus to the printing apparatus, or may be transmitted via a separate server apparatus.

The transmitting of data to the control device by the printing device can be performed using the web socket channel.

The data transmitted from the printing apparatus to the control apparatus may include status information of the printing apparatus. The data may include information on the progress or execution result of the printing operation of the printing apparatus. The transmitted data may be provided in a format that can be understood by the printing apparatus. The transmitted data may be provided in a format understandable by the control device.

The data may be transmitted directly from the printing apparatus to the control apparatus or transmitted via a separate server apparatus.

3.2.2.2 The second system

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed in the second system described above. That is, the data management method may be implemented in a system including a printing apparatus, a control apparatus, and a peripheral apparatus. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device.

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a printing device and a control device, transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, Transmitting the data, and transmitting data to the peripheral device by the printing device.

The method comprising: forming a communication channel between the printing device and the control device; transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device; and transmitting the data to the printing device, May be applied similarly to the above.

Wherein the transmitting of the data request message from the printing device to the control device comprises transmitting an acknowledgment message informing that the printing device has obtained the control data of the peripheral device from the control device, Lt; / RTI >

The notification message may be transmitted together with a message requesting status data of the peripheral device. At this time, in response to the message, the printing apparatus can transmit a message requesting control data of the peripheral device and the status data to the control device.

The data request message transmitted from the printing device to the long-term control device may include identification information of the peripheral device. The data request message may include identification information of the individual printing apparatus.

The data transmitted from the control device to the printing device may be data for controlling the peripheral device. The data may be data for controlling the individual printing apparatus.

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a printing device and a control device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And transmitting the data.

The method comprising the steps of: forming a communication channel between the printing device and the control device; transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device; and transmitting data to the control device by the printing device. May be applied in much the same manner as described above.

The step of the printing device transmitting data to the control device may comprise the printing device obtaining data from the connected peripheral device and transmitting the obtained data to the control device.

The data request message transmitted from the control device to the print device may be a message requesting status data of the peripheral device. The data request message may be a message requesting status data of the individual printing device.

The data transmitted from the printing device to the control device may be status data of the peripheral device. The data may be status data of the individual printing device. The status data may include operation status information of the peripheral device or the individual printing apparatus, network connection status information, available information, and the like.

The operation of the printing device, the control device and the peripheral device will be described below in detail.

3.2.3 Operation of each device

3.2.3.1 controller

The data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a controller. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing data by the controller includes forming a communication channel with an external device, transmitting a data request message to the external device, and receiving data from the external device can do.

It will be understood that the control device is implemented similarly to the external control device in the first and second systems described above unless otherwise specified.

.

The control device forming a communication channel with the external device can be applied similarly to that described above in connection with the first printing process. The control device forming a communication channel with the external device may be one that forms a web socket communication channel. The forming of the web socket communication channel may be initiated by the control device sending a handshake message to the external device. At this time, the control device can function as a web socket client. The forming of the web socket communication channel may be initiated by the control device receiving a handshake message from the external device. At this time, the control device can function as a web socket server.

The control device transmits the data request message to the external device through the web socket communication channel. The detailed contents of the data request message can be applied similarly to the above.

The control device transmits the data request message to the external device by receiving the data acquisition notification message from the external device and transmitting the data request message in response thereto. The transmission of the data request message may be performed by considering the state of the control apparatus. The transmitting of the data request message may be a request for status information of a peripheral device connected to the external device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller can transmit the data request message to the external device without receiving the data acquisition notification message.

For example, the controller transmits a data request message to the external device by transmitting a message requesting status data of the print device or the peripheral device to the print device. The transmitting of the data request message may be to receive an acknowledgment message informing that the status data of the printing device or the peripheral device has been acquired from the printing device and to transmit it in response thereto.

Receiving the data from the external device may be receiving data transmitted based on the data request message from the external device. The data may be status data of the external device transmitted based on the message requesting the status data.

The status data may include status information of the printing apparatus or status information of a peripheral device connected to the printing apparatus. The status information may include connection information, available information, network connection information, operation performance information, and the like of the printer or the peripheral device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing data by the control device includes forming a communication channel with an external device, receiving a data request message from the external device, and transmitting data to the external device can do.

The details of the step of forming the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The control device obtaining the data request message from the external device may be receiving the data request message through the web socket communication channel. The detailed contents of the data request message can be applied similarly to the above.

The data management method according to the present embodiment is characterized in that before the control device receives the data request message, the control device obtains control data for controlling the external device, and the control device controls the external device And transmitting an acquisition notification message of the control data.

The control device acquiring the data request message from the external device may be to transmit a data acquisition notification message to the external device and obtain the data request message in response thereto. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller can acquire the data request message without transmitting the data acquisition notification message.

The data request message may be a control data request message for controlling the external device or a peripheral device connected to the external device. The data request message may include identification information of the external apparatus, operation state information of the external apparatus, and the like.

For example, the data request message may be a control data request message for controlling the operation of the printing apparatus. Wherein the control device obtains the control data request message from the printing device by acquiring control data to be transmitted to the printing device and transmits a control data acquisition notification message to the printing device, ≪ / RTI >

For example, the data request message may be a control data request message for controlling the operation of the peripheral device. Wherein the obtaining of the peripheral device control data request message by the control device from the printing device acquires the peripheral device control data and transmits a peripheral device control data acquisition notification message to the printing device, To obtain a control data request message.

The control data request message includes identification information of the printing device, identification information of a peripheral device connected to the printing device, identification information of the individual printing device, operation state information of the printing device, operation state information of the peripheral device, can do.

The control data may include control information for controlling the printing device or the peripheral device. The control data may include print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing device or the individual printing device. The control data may control the peripheral device or the like to acquire an external input.

The control device transmits data to the external device by transmitting the data based on a data request message acquired from the external device. The transmission of the data based on the data request message may be performed in consideration of the status information of the external apparatus included in the data request message, the identification information of the external apparatus, and the like. For example, when the state of the external device is a state capable of receiving an external input, the control device can transmit control data for controlling the external device to receive an external input.

More specifically, transmitting the data may be to transmit the control data based on a control data request message obtained from the printing device. The transmitting of the control data based on the control data request message may include identifying information of the printing device included in the control data request message, identification information of a peripheral device connected to the printing device, e.g., individual printing device, Operation state information of the peripheral device, operation state information of the peripheral device, and the like.

For example, when the printing apparatus is in a state capable of performing a printing operation, control data for instructing a printing operation to the printing apparatus can be transmitted. For another example, the control device may transmit to the printing apparatus control data indicating an appropriate printing operation to the printing apparatus or the individual printing apparatus, taking into consideration the identification information of the printing apparatus or the individual printing apparatus

The control device may include a communication unit, a control unit, and an input receiving unit, as in the above-described external control device.

The control unit may transmit a data request message to the printing apparatus using the communication unit. The control device can receive a data request message from the printing apparatus using the communication unit.

The control device can transmit a data acquisition notification message to the printing apparatus using the communication unit. The control device can acquire a data acquisition notification message from the printing apparatus using the communication unit.

The control unit may perform the data management using the input receiving unit, the communication unit, and the control unit.

The control unit may use the communication unit to form a communication channel with an external device, transmit a data request message to the external device, and receive data from the external device. The control unit may establish a communication channel with an external device using the communication unit, receive a data request message from the external device, and transmit data to the external device.

The data management method performed by the control unit may be applied as described above.

3.2.3.2 Printing device

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a printing apparatus. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing data by the printing device includes forming a communication channel with an external device, transmitting a data request message to the external device, and receiving data from the external device can do.

The printing device can receive data from an external device, perform a printing operation, or process data. In the force system, the printing apparatus may be a force printer that receives information from the force host and performs printing. The external device may be a peripheral device connected to the printing device. The external device may be a separate printing device connected to the printing device.

The printing device may be a hub printing device to which at least one peripheral device is connected. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device. The hub print device may acquire control data from an external device and transmit the control data to the peripheral device. The hub print device may transmit data to the peripheral device or perform a printing operation.

The printing apparatus forms a communication channel with the external control apparatus can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. The printing device may form a web socket communication channel with the external control device.

The printing apparatus transmits the data request message to the external control apparatus through the web socket channel. The detailed contents of the data request message can be applied similarly to the above.

The transmitting of the data request message to the external control device by the printing device may include receiving the data acquisition notification message from the external control device and transmitting the data request message in response thereto. The transmission of the data request message by the printing apparatus to the external control apparatus may be performed in consideration of the state of the printing apparatus or the peripheral apparatus connected to the printing apparatus.

 For example, the data request message transmitted from the printing apparatus to the external control apparatus may be a message requesting print data for controlling the printing operation of the printing apparatus. The transmitting of the data request message by the printing apparatus may be to receive the print data acquisition notification message from the external control apparatus and transmit the print data request message in response thereto.

For example, the data request message transmitted from the printing apparatus to the external control apparatus may be a message requesting control data for controlling operation of a peripheral device connected to the printing apparatus. The transmitting of the peripheral device control data request message by the printing device may include receiving the data acquisition notification message for controlling the peripheral device from the external control device and transmitting the peripheral device data request message in response thereto have. The control data request message and the control data can be understood similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The receiving of the data by the printing apparatus may be receiving the data transmitted based on the data request message. The data may be control data for controlling a peripheral device connected to the printing device or the printing device according to the control data request message.

The printing device may be a hub printing device. If the printing device is a hub print device, the data request message may be a message requesting control data for controlling the peripheral device. The data may be control data for controlling the peripheral device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of managing data by a printing apparatus, the method comprising: forming a communication channel with an external device; acquiring a data request message from the external device; and transmitting data to the external device . The external device may be an external control device. For example, the external control device may be a force host.

The printing apparatus forms a communication channel with the external control apparatus can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The printing apparatus can acquire the data request message from the external control apparatus similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The printing apparatus obtaining the data request message from the external control apparatus may be to transmit the data acquisition notification message to the external control apparatus and obtain the data request message transmitted in response thereto. The printing device transmits the data acquisition notification message to the external control device when the printing device acquires the status data of the peripheral device connected to the printing device or the printing device, Lt; / RTI >

For example, when the printing apparatus obtains the data request message from the external control apparatus, the printing apparatus obtains the status data of the peripheral apparatus connected to the printing apparatus or the printing apparatus, And receiving the status data request message from the external control device in response thereto.

The details of the status data and the status data request message can be applied similarly to the embodiments described above.

The transmitting of the data to the external control device by the printing device may be the transmission of the data based on the data request message. The transmission of the data based on the data request message may be performed by considering the status information of the printer or the peripheral device connected to the printer. The transmission of the data based on the data request message may be performed in consideration of the status information of the device indicated by the data request message and external input information obtained from the peripheral device or the like.

The printing device may be a hub printing device.

If the printing device is the hub print device, the hub print device may obtain the data request message from the external control device and transmit the peripheral device data to the external control device. More specifically, the hub print device may acquire peripheral device data from the peripheral device, identify peripheral device data according to the data request message, and transmit the identified peripheral device data to the external control device.

If the print device is a hub print device, the data request message may be a message requesting status information about the peripheral device. The data request message may be a message requesting information input by the peripheral device.

If the printing device is a hub print device, the data may be data obtained from the peripheral device, such as peripheral device status data, peripheral device input data, and the like.

*

The printing apparatus may include a communication unit, a control unit, a memory unit, and a printing unit.

The communication unit forms a communication channel with an external device and can perform data communication. The printing apparatus can transmit a data request message to the control apparatus using the communication unit. The printing apparatus can receive a data request message from the control apparatus using the communication unit.

The printing apparatus can transmit a data acquisition notification message to the control device using the communication unit. The printing apparatus can acquire a data acquisition notification message from the control apparatus using the communication unit.

The printing apparatus can perform printing using the printing unit. The printing apparatus can perform a printing operation based on the obtained print data using the printing unit. In this case, the print data may be data generated in the external device and written in an interpretable format in the print device.

The control unit may perform the data management described above using the communication unit, the control unit, the memory unit, and the printing unit.

The control unit may establish a communication channel with an external device using the communication unit, transmit a data request message to the external device, and receive data from the external device. The control unit may establish a communication channel with an external device using the communication unit, acquire a data request message from the external device, and transmit data to the external device.

The data management method performed by the control unit may be applied as described above.

For example, the control unit may control the communication unit to form a web socket communication channel with the external device, request print data for performing printing to the external device through the web socket channel using the communication unit, In response to the request for the print data, obtains the print data from the external device via the web socket channel, and performs a print operation based on the obtained print data using the print unit.

Wherein the control unit transmits the data request message by using the communication unit to acquire an event for requesting status information of the printing apparatus from the external apparatus, And transmitting the data request message including information.

Wherein the control unit forms a second web socket communication channel with the external device by using the communication unit, and controls, via the second web socket communication channel, Data can be acquired.

3.2.3.3 Peripherals

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by a peripheral device. The data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a step of the peripheral device transmitting a data request message to an external device, and the peripheral device obtaining data from an external device.

The peripheral device may receive control data from the external device and perform an operation based on the control data. The peripheral device may acquire status information and transmit the status information to the external device. The peripheral device may acquire an external input.

In the above-described force system, the peripheral device may be a peripheral device connected to the force system. The peripheral device may include a barcode reader, a card reader, a microphone, a signature pad, and the like.

The transmitting of the data request message by the peripheral device may be a reception of a data acquisition notification message from the external device and a transmission of the data request message in response thereto. The acquiring of the control data acquisition notification message may be performed by acquiring the control data acquisition notification message generated by the external control device via a hub device (for example, a hub print device) that relays data.

The obtaining of the peripheral device from the external device may be to obtain the control data from the printing device. The obtaining of data from the external device by the peripheral device may be by obtaining the data from the external control device connected to the printing device through the communication device by way of the printing device. Wherein obtaining the data from the external device comprises transmitting the data request message including identification information of the peripheral device to the printing device and receiving the control data assigned to the peripheral device in response thereto .

The data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of the peripheral device receiving a data request message from an external device, and the peripheral device transmitting data to the external device based on the data request message .

The receiving of the data request message from the external device by the peripheral device may be performed by transmitting the data acquisition notification message to the external device and receiving the data request message transmitted in response thereto. The peripheral device transmits the data acquisition notification message through the hub device that relays the data.

The transmission of the data from the peripheral device to the external device may be a transmission of the status data of the peripheral device to the external device. The transmitting of the status data may determine the requested status item based on the data request message received from the external device, and may acquire the status information of the determined item and transmit the status information to the external device. The peripheral device transmits data to the external device by using a hub device that relays data.

The data management method according to the present embodiment may further include the step of the peripheral device obtaining the status data before the peripheral device receives the data request message. The status data may include operation progress data of the peripheral device.

The data management method may further include transmitting the status data acquisition notification message to the external device based on the acquired status data of the peripheral device before receiving the data request message. The acquiring of the data request message may include acquiring a status data request message transmitted in response to the status data acquisition notification message.

The external device may be a printing device (i.e., a hub printing device). The printing device may provide control data to the peripheral device. The printing apparatus can transmit control data obtained from the outside to the peripheral apparatus.

The peripheral device includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with the external device. The peripheral device has a control part, and can acquire data from the external device, process the data, and control the operation of the peripheral device.

The peripheral device has a touch input unit and can acquire a touch input. The peripheral device may include a voice recognition unit and may acquire a voice signal. The peripheral device includes an image acquisition unit and can capture an image.

The peripheral device may include a control unit. The control unit may transmit the data request message to the external device using the communication unit, and may acquire data from the external device. The control unit may acquire a data request message from the external device using the communication unit, and may transmit data to the external device.

The peripheral device may include a barcode recognition module. The peripheral device may include a voice recognition module. The peripheral device may include a camera module. The peripheral device may include a touch input module. The peripheral device may include a video output module. The peripheral device may include a card information acquisition module.

3.2.3.4 Individual printing device

The data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a separate printing apparatus. The data management method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of the individual print device transmitting a data request message to an external device, and the individual print device obtaining data from the external device.

The sending of the data request message by the separate printing device may be to receive the data acquisition message from the external device and transmit the data request message in response thereto. For example, the transmission of the data request message by the individual printing apparatus may be to acquire the print data acquisition notification message for controlling the individual printing apparatus from the external apparatus, and transmit the data request message in response thereto . Obtaining the acquisition notification message of the print data may be to acquire the acquisition notification message of the print data generated by the external control device.

The obtaining of the data from the external apparatus by the individual printing apparatus may be to obtain the printing control data from the external apparatus. The obtaining of data from the external device by the peripheral device may be performed by a control device connected to the external device through a communication channel and acquiring data generated by the control device via the external device. Wherein the step of acquiring data from the external apparatus is a step in which the individual printing apparatus transmits a data request message including identification information of the individual printing apparatus to the external apparatus or the control apparatus, And may receive print control data.

The data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of the individual printing apparatus receiving a data request message from an external apparatus, and the individual printing apparatus transmitting data to the external apparatus.

The individual printing apparatus receiving the data request message from the external apparatus may be configured to transmit the status data acquisition notification message to the external apparatus and receive the status data request message transmitted in response thereto. The individual printing device receiving the data acquisition notification message from the external device may be performed through a hub device that relays data.

The sending of the data to the external device by the individual printing device may be the sending of the status data of the individual printing device to the external device. The transmitting of the status data may determine a requested status item based on the data request message, and may acquire status information of the determined item and transmit the status information to the external device. The transmission of the data by the individual printing apparatus to the external apparatus can be performed using the hub apparatus.

The data management method according to the present embodiment may further include the step of the peripheral device obtaining the status data before the peripheral device receives the data request message. The status data may include operation progress data of the peripheral device.

The data management method may further include transmitting the status data acquisition notification message to the external device based on the acquired status data of the peripheral device before receiving the data request message. The acquiring of the data request message may include acquiring a status data request message transmitted in response to the status data acquisition notification message.

The external device may be a printing device (i.e., a hub printing device). The printing device may provide control data to the peripheral device. The printing apparatus can transmit control data obtained from the outside to the peripheral apparatus.

The individual printing apparatus can receive printing control data from an external apparatus and perform a printing operation based on the data. The individual printing device may obtain and transmit status data to the external device.

The individual printing apparatus includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with the external apparatus. The individual printing apparatus has a printing unit and can perform a printing operation.

The individual printing apparatus may include a control unit. The control unit may transmit the data request message to the external device using the communication unit, and may acquire data from the external device. The control unit may acquire a data request message from the external device using the communication unit, and may transmit data to the external device.

3.2.4 Example

3.2.4.1 First Embodiment

8 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, a printing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step S1100 of forming a web socket channel, a step S1200 of requesting print data, a step S1300 of acquiring print data, And performing an operation (S1400).

The printing device forms a web socket channel (S1100) in that the printing device transmits a handshake message for forming a web socket channel to an external device, and in response to the transmission of the message, To form a channel.

The print device requests (S1200) print data may be that the print device requests print data for performing printing to the external device via a web socket channel.

The printing device requesting the print data to the external device may be to request the print data using the web socket channel. Alternatively, the print device requesting the print data to the external device may be to request the print data using a data request web socket channel different from the web socket channel.

In response to the external device requesting the status information, the print device requests the print data (S1200) to transmit the status information of the print device and request the print data.

Here, requesting the print data may include transmitting status information of the printing apparatus, and the status information may indicate whether or not the printing apparatus can perform the printing operation.

The printing device may acquire print data (S1300) in response to the print device requesting the print data, and obtaining the print data from the external device via the web socket channel.

The printing apparatus performs the printing operation (S1400) may be that the printing apparatus performs the printing operation based on the obtained printing data.

The print data may be generated in the external device and written in an interpretable format in the print device. The format that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus may be a format that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus without a format conversion procedure. The format that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus may mean a command format peculiar to the printing apparatus for controlling the printing apparatus.

3.2.4.2 Second Embodiment

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a web socket communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a method for managing a web socket communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step S1100 of forming a web socket channel, a step S1200 of requesting print data, (S1500), and controlling the connection time of the web socket channel (S1600).

The printing device may form a web socket channel (S1100) and the printing device may request print data (S1200) may be performed similar to that described above with respect to Fig.

The step of determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied (S1500) may be that, in response to the print device requesting the print data, determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the acquisition of the print data.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may include determining whether the transmitted print data is received upon requesting the print data from the external device. The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may further include determining whether a predetermined time interval elapses from when the print data is requested, and determining whether the print data is received.

The controlling of the connection time of the web socket channel (S1600) may be such that, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus controls the connection time of the web socket channel.

The controlling of the connection time of the web socket channel may be to stop the web socket communication channel within a predetermined time interval from the time when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a web socket communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

In the method of managing a web socket communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus controls the connection time of the web socket channel (S1600) The printing apparatus may limit the connection time of the web socket channel (S1610). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the connection state of the Web socket channel may be maintained (S1620).

3.2.4.3 Third Embodiment

A method for managing a web socket communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step of forming a web socket channel with an external device in a printing apparatus, and a step of connecting the printing apparatus to the external apparatus via the web socket channel And requesting the print data. In this case, the connection time of the web socket channel is controlled by the external device. In response to the request of the print data, the external device determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the acquisition of the print data, May be implemented by controlling the connection time according to whether the connection time is satisfied.

In other words, one embodiment for managing a web socket communication channel in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of an electronic device forming a web socket channel with a printing device, printing data for printing from a printing device via a web socket channel Determining if a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to a request for print data; and if the predetermined condition is satisfied, controlling the connection time of the web socket channel by the electronic device.

3.2.4.4 Fourth Embodiment

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in a system including a control device, a hub print device, and a peripheral device wired to the hub print device. Particularly, the case where the peripheral device is a separate printing device and the data management is performed by the printing device will be described.

The data management method according to the present embodiment includes the steps of: connecting the hub print device to the individual print device; forming a web socket channel with the control device; acquiring a header from the control device; Receiving status information and a print data request message from the individual print device, transmitting a data request message to the control device based on the print data request message, receiving the print data request message from the control device, And transferring the print data to the separate printing device.

Wherein the hub print device connects the hub print device to the individual print device, and the hub print device transmits a message indicating that the individual print device is connected to the hub print device and acquires an Ack message from the individual print device can do. This is a process for making it possible to recognize that the individual printing apparatus is connected to the hub printing apparatus.

The obtaining of the header from the control device by the printing device may be in response to requesting an operation command from the control device.

The status information requested by the hub print device to the individual print device may be intended to check whether the individual print device is capable of performing a print operation. In other words, the status information may include information to be considered for transmitting the print data to the individual print device. For example, the status information may include information on the presence or absence of the currently performed operation of the individual printing apparatus, the establishment of the printing environment, and the completion time of the operation being performed. Therefore, when the individual printing apparatus satisfies the condition capable of performing the printing operation, the individual printing apparatus can transmit to the hub printing apparatus a request to request the status information and the print data.

The status information transmitted from the individual printing device to the hub print device and the message requesting the print data may be transmitted as independent data or may be transmitted together by one continuous data packet.

The data management method according to the above embodiment includes the steps of the printing device requesting status information from the individual printing device, obtaining the status information of the individual printing device in response to the request from the individual printing device, And transmitting the information to the control device.

The data management method according to the present embodiment may further include closing the web socket channel after transferring the status information to the control apparatus or transferring the print data to the individual printing apparatus. Closing the web socket channel is to prevent inefficiency as the channel is maintained even if the purpose of forming the channel is achieved.

It will be understood that the above-described data management method is for printing using the individual printing apparatus. In performing printing using the individual printing apparatus, when the web socket channel is closed as described above, the above-described steps may be repeated to perform printing using the individual printing apparatus again.

A data management method embodied in a system including the above-described control device, hub print device, and individual print device connected to the hub print device can be similarly implemented even when the individual print device is networked to the hub print device.

The data management method according to the above embodiment, wherein the individual printing device is networked to the hub printing device, comprising the steps of: after confirming the establishment of a network port to the individual printing device, And obtaining an Ack message for opening the network port from the individual printing device.

3.3 Connection time control

In carrying out the printing method according to the present invention, data communication can be performed using the above-described web socket communication channel or the like. At this time, when there is no data to transmit or transmit data using the Web socket communication channel, the handling of the communication channel will be discussed.

3.3.1 Connection Time Control Process

In the printing method and the like according to the present invention, when data is transmitted using a communication channel, processing of the communication channel after data transmission is problematic. In this regard, it is common that the above-described asynchronous dual communication channel, e.g., a web socket channel, etc., is performed at any point in time, and the establishment of the communication channel is maintained even after the data is transmitted. In this case, the communication channel is maintained even when there is no movement of data, thereby wasting resources.

At this time, it is possible to efficiently operate the communication channel by adjusting the stopping point of the communication channel. Particularly, when data communication requires a relatively small amount of data to be processed continuously, it may be efficient to close the communication channel after data transmission and to resume the communication channel if transmission data is generated . For this purpose, it is possible to appropriately determine the stopping point of the communication channel.

Hereinafter, a method of managing a communication channel for efficiently operating a communication channel in the absence of predicted data transmission will be described.

3.3.2 System behavior

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed in a system including a first device and a second device. A channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a first device and a second device, the second device transmitting a data request message to the first device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The step of forming the communication channel between the first device and the second device can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel. Establishment of the communication channel may be initiated by the handshake message transmission of the first device or the second device.

The step of the second device transmitting the data request message to the first device may be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. The transmitting of the data request message by the second device may be by receiving a data acquisition notification message from the first device and transmitting the data request message to the first device in response thereto. The data request message may be transmitted a plurality of times.

And the second device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may be controlling the closing time of the communication channel. The controlling of the closure time may include determining a reference time interval for controlling the connection time and a reference time interval that is a time interval from closing the communication channel to the reference time point. And the second device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may be controlling the holding time of the communication channel.

The step of the second device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and limiting the connection time of the communication channel when the condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether the second device has completed receiving data from the first device in response to the data request message. The second device may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the second device completes data reception from the first device. Determining whether the data reception from the first device has been completed can be performed by taking advantage of the conventional method. For example, it may be performed by identifying an end packet included in data received from the first device.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the second device transmitted the data request message to the first device. In this case, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the second device transmitted the data request message, the second device can limit the connection time of the communication channel.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied when the second device repeatedly transmits the data request message to the first device means that the number of times the second device has transmitted the data request message to the first device To determine whether or not the reference number of times exceeds the reference number. At this time, the second device can limit the connection time of the communication channel when the number of times that the data request message is transmitted to the first device exceeds the reference number.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel if the condition is satisfied. Closing the communication channel may be performed by the second device sending a closing request to close the communication channel to the first device.

Closing the communication channel may be to close the communication channel after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the condition is satisfied.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may mean that the communication channel is closed for a predetermined time and then restarted. In other words, when any one of the above-mentioned conditions is satisfied, the second device may determine that data is unlikely to be transmitted from the first device, and may stop the connection of the communication channel for a certain period of time.

A channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a first device and a second device, the second device transmitting a data request message to the first device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The step of forming the communication channel between the first device and the second device can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel. The step of the second device transmitting the data request message to the first device may be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The step of the first device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and controlling the connection time of the communication channel when the condition is satisfied.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be based on whether the data to be transmitted to the second device is acquired based on the data request message received from the second device by the first device. At this time, if data to be transmitted to the second device is not acquired, the second device can limit the connection time of the communication channel.

The determining whether data to be transmitted to the second device has been obtained may be performed by obtaining the identification information of the second device from the data request message and considering the identification information of the second device. Determining whether data to be transmitted to the second device has been obtained may comprise determining from the data request message the type of data requested and determining whether the determined type of data has been acquired.

Wherein the first device determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the first device transmits the data request message to the second device a plurality of times, Can be limited.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel. Closing the communication channel may be to close the web socket communication channel. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel for a predetermined time and then resuming the communication channel.

3.3.2.1 The first system

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed in the first system described above. A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a control device and a printing device, transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, And controlling the connection time of the mobile communication terminal.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of the printing device transmitting the data request message to the control device may be implemented similarly to the embodiments described above. The printing device may receive the data acquisition notification message from the control device and transmit the data request message. The printing device may transmit the data request message to the control device a plurality of times.

The controlling of the connection time of the communication channel by the printing apparatus may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by the printing apparatus and limiting connection time of the communication channel when the condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether the printing device has completed receiving data from the control device in response to the data request message. When the data reception is completed, the printing apparatus can limit the connection time of the communication channel. Determining whether the data reception has been completed can be performed according to the prior art.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the printing apparatus transmitted the data request message to the control apparatus. The printing apparatus may limit the connection time of the communication channel when a reference time elapses from the time of transmitting the data request message. The determining whether the predetermined time has elapsed can be applied to determine whether the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a response message to the data request message.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied when the printing apparatus transmits the data request message a plurality of times to the control apparatus means that the number of times the printing apparatus transmits the data request message to the control apparatus is a reference number Or < / RTI > The printing apparatus may restrict connection of the communication channel when the number of times the data request message is transmitted to the control device exceeds the reference number.

 Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel if the predetermined condition is satisfied. It can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiment with respect to the closing of the communication channel. Closing the communication channel may be performed by the printing device sending a communication channel closing request message to the control device.

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of forming a communication channel between a control device and a printing device, a step in which the printing device transmits a data request message to the control device, And controlling the connection time of the mobile communication terminal.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of the printing device transmitting the data request message to the control device can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel by determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and when the condition is satisfied, controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be that the control device determines whether data to be transmitted to the printing device is acquired based on the data request message received from the printing device. If the data to be transmitted to the printing device is not acquired, the control device may limit the connection time of the communication channel.

The determining whether the control apparatus has acquired data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus may be performed by obtaining the identification information of the printing apparatus from the data request message and considering the identification information of the printing apparatus. The determining whether the data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus by the control apparatus is obtained may include determining a type of data to be requested from the data request message and determining whether the determined kind of data is acquired.

More specifically, the control device may receive the data request message and obtain identification information, status information, configuration information, and the like of the printing device from the data request message. The control device can determine whether data to be allocated to the printing device is acquired based on the obtained information of the printing device.

Wherein the controller determines whether the predetermined condition is satisfied when the control apparatus receives the data request message from the printing apparatus a plurality of times, when the data request message is received more than the reference number of times, You can limit the connection time.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel. Closing the communication channel may be performed by the control device sending a communication channel closing request message to the printing device.

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a control device and a printing device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And controlling the connection time of the mobile communication terminal.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of the control device transmitting the data request message to the printing device can be applied similarly to the embodiments described above. The data request message may include status information items requested to the printing apparatus. The data may include status information of the printing device.

The control device may receive a data acquisition notification message from the printing device and transmit the data request message to the printing device. The control device may transmit the data request message to the printing device a plurality of times.

The controlling device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by the control device, and limiting the connection time of the communication channel if the condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether the control device has completed receiving data from the printing device in response to the data request message. And the control device may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the control device completes data reception from the printing device.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the control device transmitted the data request message to the printing apparatus. The control device may limit the connection time of the communication channel when a reference time elapses from the time when the data request message is transmitted to the printing device.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied when the control device transmits the data request message a plurality of times to the printing apparatus means that the number of times the control device transmits the data request message to the printing device is a reference number Or < / RTI > The control device may restrict connection of the communication channel when the number of times the data request message is transmitted to the printing device exceeds the reference number.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel if the predetermined condition is satisfied. It can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiment with respect to the closing of the communication channel.

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between a control device and a printing device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And controlling the connection time of the mobile communication terminal.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device may be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The controlling the connection time of the communication channel by the printing apparatus may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and controlling the connection time of the communication channel when the condition is satisfied.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be based on whether the data to be transmitted to the control device is acquired based on the data request message received from the control device by the printing device. If the data to be transmitted to the control device is not acquired, the printing device may limit the connection time of the communication channel.

Determining whether data to be transmitted to the control device has been obtained may be performed by determining requested status items from the data request message and determining whether status information for the status items is obtained. The determination as to whether data to be transmitted to the control device has been obtained may include determining a type of requested data from the data request message and determining whether the requested type of data is acquired.

Determining whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied is performed when the control apparatus transmits the data request message to the printing apparatus a plurality of times, the printing apparatus determines that the data request message from the control apparatus is received more than the reference number The connection time of the communication channel can be controlled.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel.

3.3.2.2 The second system

A communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed in the second system described above. The communication channel management method may be implemented in a system including a control device, a printing device, and a peripheral device (e.g., a separate printing device) connected to the printing device.

The communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of the printing device transmitting the data request message to the control device may be applied similarly to the embodiments described above. The data request message may include identification information of the peripheral device. The data may be control data for controlling the operation of the peripheral device. The data may be print data for controlling the operation of the individual printing apparatus.

The printing device transmitting the data request message to the control device may be one in which the printing device obtains the data request message from the peripheral device and transmits the obtained data request message to the control device. In other words, the data request message may be a message requesting data related to the operation of the peripheral device. The printing device may transmit the data request message a plurality of times.

The printing device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether or not the printing apparatus has obtained control data for controlling the peripheral apparatus from the control apparatus. The determination whether the control data for controlling the peripheral device has been acquired by the printing apparatus may be made by considering whether or not information corresponding to the identification information of the peripheral device is included in the data received from the control device.

Wherein the determining whether the control data has been obtained by the printing apparatus may be to determine whether reception of the control data for controlling the peripheral apparatus has been completed.

The printing device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel. The details of the closure of the communication channel can be applied similarly to those described above in the above embodiments.

The communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The communication channel management method may be applied to the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, and transmitting the data request message to the control device by the printing device, similarly to the above-described embodiments.

The printing device transmitting the data request message to the control device may be one in which the printing device obtains the data request message from the peripheral device and transmits the obtained data request message to the control device. In other words, the data request message may be a message requesting data related to the operation of the peripheral device.

The controller may control the connection time of the communication channel to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The determining whether the control device satisfies the predetermined condition may be to determine whether data to be transmitted to the peripheral device connected to the printing device is acquired based on the data request message received from the printing device. The controller may limit a connection time of the communication channel when data to be transmitted to the peripheral device is not acquired. Herein, it is understood that data transmission to the peripheral device is transmitted through the printing device.

The determining whether the data to be transmitted to the peripheral device has been obtained by the control device may include obtaining the identification information of the peripheral device from the data request message and determining based on the identification information of the peripheral device. The determining whether the control device has acquired data to be transmitted to the peripheral device may comprise determining from the data request message the type of data requested by the peripheral device and determining whether the determined type of data is acquired.

More specifically, the control device may receive the data request message and obtain identification information, status information, configuration information, and the like of the peripheral device from the data request message. The control device may determine whether there is data to be allocated to the peripheral device based on the obtained information of the peripheral device.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel.

The communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The communication channel management method may be applied to the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, and transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, similarly to the above-described embodiments. The data request message may include status information items requesting the peripheral device (e.g., an individual print device). The data may include status information of the peripheral device or status information of the individual printing device.

The controlling of the connection time of the communication channel by the printing apparatus may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by the printing apparatus and limiting connection time of the communication channel when the condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether the printing apparatus has completed receiving data from the control apparatus. The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be to determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the control device transmitted the data request message to the printing apparatus. The printing device can control the connection time of the communication channel when the printing device completes data reception from the control device or when a certain period of time has elapsed since the printing device sent the data request message to the control device have. The details can be applied similarly to the above embodiments.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be based on whether the data to be transmitted to the control device is acquired based on the data request message received from the control device by the printing device. If the data to be transmitted to the control device is not acquired, the printing device may limit the connection time of the communication channel.

Determining whether data to be transmitted to the control device has been obtained is determined by determining status items of the requested peripheral device from the data request message and determining whether status information on the status items of the peripheral device is acquired . The determining whether data to be transmitted to the control device has been obtained may be determining whether data corresponding to the data request message is obtained from the peripheral device.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel if the predetermined condition is satisfied. It can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiment with respect to the closing of the communication channel.

The communication channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device, transmitting the data request message to the printing device by the control device, And controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The step of forming a communication channel between the control device and the printing device and the step of the control device transmitting the data request message to the printing device can be applied similarly to the embodiments described above.

The step of the control device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include the step of determining whether the control device satisfies a predetermined condition.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be that the control device determines whether data to be transmitted to the peripheral device is acquired based on the data request message received from the printing device.

The controller may limit a connection time of the communication channel when data to be transmitted to the peripheral device is not acquired.

The determining whether the data to be transmitted to the peripheral device has been obtained by the control device may include obtaining the identification information of the peripheral device from the data request message and determining based on the identification information of the peripheral device. More specifically, the control device may receive the data request message and obtain identification information, status information, configuration information, and the like of the peripheral device from the data request message. The control device may determine whether there is data to be allocated to the peripheral device based on the obtained information of the peripheral device.

The controlling device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include closing the communication channel if the condition is satisfied.

3.3.3 Operation of each device

3.3.3.1 controller

Management of a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a control device. The control device can be applied similarly to the external control device in the first and second systems described above.

The control device includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with an external device. The control device has a user input unit and can obtain a user input.

The control device may include a control unit. The control device may manage the communication channel using the control unit.

The control unit may control a connection time of the communication channel. The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The specific application of the predetermined condition can be applied as described above in connection with the communication channel management in the system.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel if the condition is satisfied. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel can be performed by determining the closing time of the communication channel.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may be performed by a connection time controller included in the controller.

Hereinafter, a method of managing a communication channel performed by the controller will be described. The communication channel management method described below can be performed by the control unit using the communication unit or the like.

A method for managing a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of the controller forming a communication channel with an external device, acquiring a data request message from the external device, and controlling a connection time of the communication channel .

The external device may be a printing device. The printing device may be a hub printing device to which at least one peripheral device is connected. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device that performs printing.

The control device obtaining the data request message from the external device may be such that the control device obtains the data request message generated in the external device. Obtaining the data request message from the external device may be that the control device obtains a data request message generated in the peripheral device connected to the external device.

The step of controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the control device has acquired data to be transmitted to the external device. Determining whether data to be transmitted to the external device is obtained may be determining whether control data for controlling the external device or the peripheral device is obtained.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel if the data to be transmitted to the external device is not acquired.

Wherein the control unit controls the connection time of the communication channel when the data to be transmitted to the external device is acquired, transmits the obtained data to the external device, determines whether or not the transmission is completed, The connection time of the communication channel may be limited.

The step of controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by the controller, and limiting a connection time of the communication channel when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

The determining whether the control device satisfies the predetermined condition may include determining whether data for controlling the external device or the peripheral device is obtained. The controller may limit the connection time of the communication channel if the data is not acquired.

Wherein when the data for controlling the external device or the peripheral device is acquired, the control device determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by transmitting the data to the external device, As shown in FIG. The control device may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the data transmission is completed.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel when the condition is satisfied and a predetermined time has elapsed. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel can be implemented by closing the communication channel for a predetermined time when the condition is satisfied.

Closing the communication channel may be performed by the control device sending a channel closing message to close the web socket communication channel to the external device.

The method for managing a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of the controller forming a communication channel with the external device, transmitting a data request message to the external device, and controlling a connection time of the communication channel .

The external device may be a printing device. The printing device may be a hub printing device to which at least one peripheral device is connected. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device that performs printing.

The control device transmits the data request message to the external device by transmitting the data request message for requesting the external device or the peripheral device for data.

The control device controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the control device has received data from the external device. The determining whether the control device has received the data from the external device may be to determine whether the external device or the data generated in the peripheral device is received from the external device.

The control device may limit a connection time of the communication channel when data is received from the external device. The control device may limit the connection time of the communication channel after a predetermined time interval from when the reception of the data is completed.

The control device may limit a connection time of the communication channel when data is not received from the external device. The controller transmits the data request message to the external device and determines that no data is received from the external device if a predetermined time has elapsed or the data is not received while the data request message is transmitted a predetermined number of times have.

Wherein the controller controlling the connection time of the communication channel includes determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied by the controller and limiting connection time of the communication channel when the predetermined condition is satisfied can do.

The determining whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied may be that the control device determines whether the data is received from the external device. The determining whether or not the data is received from the external apparatus may be to determine whether data generated in the external apparatus or the peripheral apparatus has been received from the external apparatus to the control apparatus.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied when the control device has not received the data from the external device may include determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the data request message have.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel.

3.3.3.2 Printing device

Management of a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a printing apparatus. The printing device may be a hub printing device to which at least one peripheral device is connected. The printing apparatus can be handled similarly to the printing apparatuses in the first and second systems described above unless otherwise noted.

The printing apparatus includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with an external apparatus. The printing apparatus has a printing unit and can perform a printing operation.

The printing apparatus may include a control unit.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel. The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel if the predetermined condition is satisfied. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel can be performed by determining the closing time of the communication channel.

The control unit may determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the acquisition of the print data, and may control the connection time of the web socket communication channel using the communication unit.

The controlling of the connection time of the communication channel may be performed by a connection time controller included in the printing apparatus.

Hereinafter, a method of managing a communication channel performed by the printing apparatus will be described. The communication channel management method described below can be performed by the control unit using the communication unit or the like.

The communication channel management method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of the communication device forming a communication channel with an external device, transmitting a data request message to the external device, and controlling a connection time of the communication channel .

The external device may be an external control device that transmits control data to the printing device.

The printing device transmits the data request message to the external device by transmitting the data request message generated by the printing device or the data request message acquired from the peripheral device to the external device.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the printing device has received data from the external device over the communication channel.

The printing device may determine whether the data is received, and may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the data is received. When the data is received, the connection time of the communication channel may be limited by limiting the connection time of the communication channel within a predetermined time interval from the completion of the reception of the data.

If the data is not received, the printing apparatus determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the data request message, and may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the predetermined time elapses.

 Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the printing device satisfies a predetermined condition. The printing apparatus may limit a connection time of the communication channel if a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may include determining whether data has been received over the communication channel.

The determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may include determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the data request message when the data is not received.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel when the condition is satisfied and a predetermined time has elapsed. Limiting the connection time of the communication channel can be implemented by closing the communication channel for a predetermined time when the condition is satisfied.

Closing the communication channel may be performed by the control device sending a channel closing message to close the web socket communication channel to the external device.

The communication channel management method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a step of the communication device establishing a communication channel with an external device, receiving a data request message from the external device, and controlling a connection time of the communication channel .

The receiving of the data request message from the external apparatus by the printing apparatus may be a request from the external apparatus for requesting data obtained from the printing apparatus or a request for data obtained from the peripheral apparatus.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the printing apparatus has acquired data to be transmitted to the external apparatus. The presence or absence of data to be transmitted to the external apparatus may be determined based on a data request message received from the external apparatus.

The printing apparatus may determine whether data to be transmitted to the external apparatus has been acquired, and may limit a connection time of the communication channel if the data is not acquired. When the data is not acquired, the printing apparatus may limit the connection time of the communication channel when a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception of the data request message.

The printing apparatus may determine whether data to be transmitted to the external apparatus has been acquired, and may transmit the data to the external apparatus when the data is acquired. The printing apparatus may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the transmission of the data is completed.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether the printing device satisfies a predetermined condition. The printing apparatus may limit a connection time of the communication channel if a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The determination of whether the predetermined condition is satisfied may be made by considering whether data to be transmitted to the external device is acquired or when the data request message is received.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel.

3.3.3.3 Peripherals

Management of a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a peripheral device connected to a printing device connected to the communication channel. The peripheral device can be handled similarly to the peripheral devices in the first and second systems described above unless otherwise stated.

The peripheral device includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with the printing apparatus.

The peripheral device may include a control unit. The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel.

The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The control unit may control the connection time of the communication channel if the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Hereinafter, a method of managing a communication channel performed by the peripheral device will be described.

A method of managing a communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes transmitting the data request message to the printing device and controlling the connection time of the communication channel.

The data request message may be finally transmitted to the printing device or an external control device connected to the printing device.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether data is received from the printing device to the peripheral device. Determining whether data is received from the printing device may be determining whether data generated in the control device or the printing device is received from the printing device. When the data is received, the peripheral device may limit the connection time of the communication channel.

Controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether data is received from the printing device to the peripheral device and limiting the connection time of the communication channel if the data is not received.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be to close the communication channel. The peripheral device may transmit the communication channel closing request to the printing device. When the communication channel closing request is transmitted to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus can close the communication channel by transmitting the channel closing request message to the external control apparatus.

A method of managing a communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes receiving the data request message from the printing apparatus and controlling a connection time of the communication channel.

The data request message may be generated in the printing device or an external control device connected to the printing device.

The step of controlling the connection time of the communication channel may include determining whether data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus has been acquired. The determining whether data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus has been acquired may be determined based on a data request message received from the printing apparatus. The peripheral device may transmit the data to the printing device when the data is acquired. The peripheral device may limit the connection time of the communication channel when the transmission is completed.

The peripheral device may determine whether data to be transmitted to the printing device has been acquired, and may limit the connection time of the communication channel if the data is not acquired.

Limiting the connection time of the communication channel may be implemented by closing the communication channel.

3.3.3.4 Individual printing device

Management of a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a separate printing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus connected to the communication channel.

The individual printing apparatus includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with the printing apparatus. The individual printing apparatus has a printing unit and can perform a printing operation. The separate printing apparatus may include a control unit and may acquire control data from the printing apparatus or transmit data to the printing apparatus. The control unit may control a connection time of the communication channel.

The management of the communication channel by the individual printing apparatus can be performed similarly to the communication channel management of the peripheral apparatus described above.

In the case of the communication channel management by the individual printing apparatus, the data acquired by the individual printing apparatus from the printing apparatus may be print data for controlling the printing operation of the individual printing apparatus.

In the case of communication channel management by the individual printing apparatus, data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus may be printing operation status information of the individual printing apparatus.

3.4 Peripheral device control

3.4.1 Control process

In the printing method and the like according to the present invention, a method for remotely controlling the apparatus will be described. According to the present invention, one device can control another device via an asynchronous dual communication channel, and can also control a peripheral device connected to the other device. Hereinafter, the control of a device is defined as a concept encompassing registering the device to be connected to the system, controlling the operation of the device, disconnecting the device from the system, and the like.

Hereinafter, a method for controlling another apparatus using the asynchronous dual communication channel, for example, a web socket communication channel, and a method for controlling a peripheral apparatus connected to the other apparatus will be described.

3.4.2 System behavior

A device control method according to the present invention can be implemented in a system including a control device, a hub print device, and at least one peripheral device connected to the hub print device. Hereinafter, the control device, the hub print device, and the peripheral device can be handled similarly to those in the first and second systems described above unless otherwise specified.

A device control method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the control device obtains a control tool for controlling a peripheral device, the control device forms a communication channel with the hub print device, And controlling the peripheral device using the control device and the communication channel.

The control device acquiring the control tool can be understood to acquire a web page or a web application that provides a control function of the peripheral device using a web browser installed in the control device. Obtaining the web page or the like may mean that the control function provided thereby is activated. The web page, the web application, and the like (hereinafter all included in the web application) can be connected to the hub print device through the communication channel.

The web application may be provided by a web server provided in the hub print device. The web application may be provided by a web server included in a separately provided server device.

The control device may not control the peripheral device only by the web application, and may control the peripheral device through a built-in application or the like installed in advance in the control device.

The control device forms a communication channel with the hub print device can be applied similarly to the above-described embodiments. The communication channel may be an asynchronous dual communication. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel.

The control device controlling the peripheral device may include the control device obtaining control data for controlling the peripheral device.

The control data may include registration information for identifying and managing the peripheral device. For example, the control data may include information on a network IP address of the peripheral device, an initial setting of the peripheral device, a command format of the peripheral device, and the like. The control data may be device information for adding the peripheral device to a database of a peripheral device managed by the control device or device information for removing the peripheral device from the database.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the peripheral device by the control device may include a step of the control device obtaining the control data of the peripheral device, and the step of controlling the control device To the hub print device. At this time, in transmitting the control data to the hub print apparatus, the web socket channel described above may be used.

A method of controlling a device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of the controller obtaining a response message for the control data transmission through the communication channel.

In the apparatus control method according to the embodiment, the response message may include the result information obtained by the printing apparatus obtaining the control data and identifying and registering the peripheral apparatus based on the control data.

In the apparatus control method according to the above embodiment, the response message may include status data indicating a status change of the peripheral device due to transmission of the control data.

The apparatus control method according to the present embodiment may further include the step of the control tool displaying the control result to the user based on the obtained response message. In other words, the response message for the obtained data transmission or the status data included in the response message can be displayed on the control device. The user can confirm the displayed status and determine whether the peripheral device has been successfully controlled.

On the other hand, the step of controlling the peripheral device by the control device includes transmitting the control data from the control device to the printing device, transmitting the control data to the peripheral device by the printing device, Obtaining a response message according to the transmission of the control data from the peripheral device, and transferring the response message to the control device by the printing device.

At this time, the control data may include a control command for controlling the operation of the peripheral device. For example, the control data may include an input command to cause the peripheral device to acquire external input, an output command to cause the peripheral device to output data, and a print command to perform a printing operation.

As the web socket communication channel can be used in handling the control data and the response message described above, the generation and transmission of the control data and the response message can be linked in real time. Accordingly, in the case of controlling the peripheral device using the web socket channel, it is possible to speed up the process of transferring the control command of the user and confirming the operation result of the peripheral device according to the control command.

3.4.3 Operation of each device

3.4.3.1 Operation of the control unit

A device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a control device. The control device can be handled similarly to the external control device in the first and second systems described above unless otherwise stated.

The method for managing a device by the control device includes a step of the control device obtaining a control tool, a step of the control device forming a communication channel with the external device, and the step of controlling the control device And controlling the device.

It is understood that the control device acquires the control tool by acquiring a web application or the like provided from a web server provided in the external device. The control device acquiring the control tool may be one in which a control tool previously provided in the control device is activated.

The control tool may obtain a control input from a user and transmit the control input to the external device using the communication channel. The control device may convert the control input into control data and transmit the control data to the external device. The control data may include registration information of the external apparatus for controlling the external apparatus, or operation control information of the external apparatus.

The control device may receive a response message from the external device in response to the transmission of the control data. The response message may include status data indicating a status change of the external apparatus according to the transmission of the control data. The response message may include registration state information, operation state information, and the like of the external apparatus.

The control device forms the communication channel with the external device includes not only the control device and the external device are directly connected through a communication channel but also indirectly connected. Specifically, even when the control device forms the communication channel with the predetermined hub device and the external device is directly connected to the hub device, the control device forms the communication channel with the external device Can be understood.

The control device controlling the external device using the control tool may include transmitting the control data to the external device using the control tool using the communication channel. Controlling the external device may include receiving a response message for transmission of the control data from the external device using the communication channel.

The control device may further include a step of displaying the transmission result of the control data. The control device may obtain status information of the external device from the response message received in response to the transmission of the control data and display the status information.

The control device may include a communication unit, a user input unit, a control tool unit, and a control unit. The control device and the external device can be implemented as force host and force peripheral devices, respectively, in the force system described above.

The communication unit may control the external device through the web socket channel. The communication unit can acquire the web application or the like through a web browser installed in advance in the control device.

The user input unit may receive control information from a user and transmit the control information to the control tool unit. The control information may be control command information for controlling the operation of the external device, the registration information for managing the external device.

The control tool can acquire the control tool and process the control data or the status data.

The control unit may perform the above-described device management using the communication unit, the control tool unit, and the like. The control unit acquires the control tool using the control tool management unit, forms the communication channel using the communication unit, and controls the external device using the control tool management unit and the communication unit.

The control device may optionally include a display unit. The display unit may display a control state or a control result of the peripheral device based on a response message acquired from the external device.

3.4.3.2 Operation of the hub device

A device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a hub device. Unless otherwise specified below, the hub device may be handled similarly to the hub print device described in the first and second systems described above.

The device management method by the hub device may include forming a communication channel with an external device, acquiring control data from an external device, and controlling the peripheral device using the control data.

The communication channel formed between the hub device and the external device may be a web socket communication channel. The hub device may obtain control data from an external device through the web socket communication channel.

And the hub device controlling the peripheral device using the control data may register the peripheral device using the identification information of the peripheral device included in the control data. The controlling of the peripheral device may be to control the operation of the peripheral device using the operation control data included in the control data. The controlling of the peripheral device may be to cancel the registration of the peripheral device using the identification information of the peripheral device.

The device management method by the hub device may further include providing a web application to the external device.

The provision of the web application by the hub device may be implemented by providing a web control application that allows the external device to manage the peripheral device connected to the hub device. The hub device may include a web server, and may provide the web application stored in the web server to the external device.

The step of providing the web application to the external device may be included before or after the step of forming the communication channel.

A method of managing a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a first web socket channel with a peripheral device control tool provided in an external device; receiving, from a peripheral device control tool provided in the external device, Acquiring peripheral device management data including peripheral device identification information and peripheral device registration information through a socket channel and registering the peripheral device identified based on the peripheral device identification information together with the peripheral device management data can do.

In this case, the hub device may further include providing a peripheral device control tool to the external device before or after the step of forming the first web socket channel, and the peripheral device control tool provided to the external device may include the hub device Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > controller < / RTI >

11 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes providing a peripheral device control tool to an external device (S2100), forming a first web socket channel , Acquiring peripheral device management data (S2300), and registering the identified peripheral devices in a peripheral device database (S2400). The peripheral device may be controlled by control data transmitted from the hub device when the peripheral device is registered in the database.

The hub device may provide a peripheral device control tool (S2100) by providing the external device with a web application for controlling the peripheral device.

The hub device forming a first web socket channel (S2200) may be to form a first web socket channel with a peripheral device control tool provided in the external device.

(S2300) the peripheral device management data (S2300) is transmitted from a peripheral device control tool provided to the external device, via the first web socket channel, to a peripheral device for identifying a peripheral device connectable with the hub device Device identification information and peripheral device management information including peripheral device registration information for registering the peripheral device in connection with the peripheral device. The peripheral device identification information may be a network IP address of the peripheral device. The peripheral device identification information may be port information to which the peripheral device is connected. The peripheral device identification information may be function information that the peripheral device can perform.

The step S2400 of registering the peripheral device identified by the hub device in the peripheral device database may be to register the peripheral device identified based on the peripheral device identification information in a peripheral device database provided in advance with the peripheral device management data .

Wherein registering the peripheral device in the peripheral device database is performed by matching any one of a command format specific to the peripheral device and an environment setting value of the peripheral device for controlling the peripheral device to identification information of the peripheral device, Registration.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, a method of managing a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes transmitting the status information of a peripheral device to an external device (S2500) after registering the identified peripheral device in a peripheral device database (S2400) As shown in FIG.

The transmitting of the status information of the peripheral device to the external device (S2500) includes registering the peripheral device and transmitting status information such as the network connection status of the registered peripheral device, executable function information, Lt; / RTI >

13 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, in the peripheral device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention, after registering the identified peripheral device in the peripheral device database (S2400), a second web socket channel is further formed Step S2600.

The second web socket channel may acquire the control data from the external device when control data for controlling the registered peripheral device is generated in the external device.

The second web socket channel may be interrupted when a predetermined event occurs in connection with the acquisition of the control data. At this time, the predetermined event may be to complete the acquisition of the control data.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a peripheral device management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 14, a method of managing a peripheral device by a hub device includes providing a peripheral device control tool (S2100), forming a web socket channel with a peripheral device control tool provided in the external device (S2700) Acquiring device data (S2800), and transmitting peripheral device data to the target peripheral device (S2900).

The obtaining of the peripheral device data by the hub device (S2800) includes receiving, via the web socket channel from the peripheral device control tool provided in the external device, peripheral device selection information for selecting at least one peripheral device connected to the hub device And obtaining peripheral control data including control command information for targeting and controlling the selected peripheral device.

At this time, the control command information may be generated in the external device and may be in an interpretable form in the target peripheral device. The control command information may be transmitted to the target peripheral device without format conversion in the hub device. The control command information has a command format specific to the target peripheral device and can be interpreted in the target peripheral device without format conversion.

The hub device transmits (2309) peripheral device data to the target peripheral device may be to determine a target peripheral device based on the peripheral device selection information and to transmit the peripheral device control data to the determined target peripheral device .

Wherein the determining of the target peripheral device based on the peripheral device selection information includes at least one peripheral device identification information connected to the hub device and the peripheral device database stored in advance in the hub device, Obtaining registration information, and determining an address to which the control data is to be transmitted from the peripheral device registration information.

Wherein the determining of the target peripheral device based on the peripheral device selection information includes obtaining device characteristic conditions required for the device to which the peripheral device control data is to be transmitted from the peripheral device selection information, And determine the peripheral device satisfying the characteristic condition as the target peripheral device.

Here, the characteristic condition may include a printing characteristic of the apparatus, and a peripheral apparatus that satisfies the characteristic condition may mean a peripheral printing apparatus that satisfies the printing characteristic. More specifically, the characteristic condition may mean a print attribute condition of the printing apparatus, such as the type of the printable paper of the apparatus, the size of the printable paper, the printable font, the printable color, and the like.

The characteristic condition may be a condition for a function that the device can perform. The characteristic condition may be a condition for whether the apparatus is capable of performing a printing operation, a sound output operation, a video display operation, a user input acquisition operation, and the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hub device may include a communication unit, a memory unit, and a control unit.

The hub device has a communication unit, and can transmit the control data to the outside using the communication unit, or can acquire state data from the outside.

The hub device includes a memory unit and can store data.

The control unit may perform the above-described device management. The control unit forms a communication channel with an external device using the communication unit, obtains control data from an external device using the communication unit, and controls the peripheral device based on the control data using the communication unit .

Wherein the control unit provides a peripheral device control tool to an external device and stores the peripheral device database including peripheral device management data for identifying and registering the peripheral device using the memory unit, Determine a target peripheral device to which the peripheral device control data is to be transmitted using the database, and transmit the peripheral device control data to the target peripheral device using the communication portion.

The peripheral device management data may include peripheral device identification information for identifying a peripheral device connected to the hub device and peripheral device registration information for registering.

At this time, the peripheral device control data may include peripheral device identification information for identifying at least one peripheral device and control command information for targeting and controlling the identified peripheral device. The control command information may be transmitted to the target peripheral device without formatting in the hub device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hub device may selectively include a server unit. The server unit may include a web server and may provide a control tool to the external apparatus. Providing the control device with the external device may be implemented by providing a web page, a web application, or the like that allows the external device to control the peripheral device.

At this time, the control unit can provide a peripheral device control tool to an external device using the server unit.

3.4.3.3 Operation of peripheral devices

A device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by a peripheral device. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device. The peripheral device may be a force peripheral device such as a card reader, a barcode reader, or the like in the force system described above. The peripheral device may be a separate printing device provided on the premises where the force system is applied.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device management method by the peripheral device may include obtaining control data from the external device and transmitting a response message to the external device.

The control data may be operation control data for controlling the operation of the peripheral device. The control data may be print data for controlling the printing operation.

The response message may be status data indicating a change in the operation status of the peripheral device according to the control data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral device may include a communication unit and a control unit.

The communication unit can communicate with an external device.

The control unit may acquire control data from the external device using the communication unit, and may transmit the status data to the external device using the communication unit.

3.4.3.4 Operation of server device

A device management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a server device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus management method by the server apparatus may include obtaining a control tool request signal from the control apparatus and providing the control apparatus with the control apparatus.

The server apparatus includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with the control apparatus.

The server apparatus may include a server unit, and the control apparatus may provide a control tool for controlling another apparatus. It is to be understood that providing the control tool by the server unit provides a web server that provides a web application functioning as the control tool.

The control tool may acquire a control command and may transmit the control command to a device to which the control command is applied.

3.5  Communication channel management example

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the web socket channel created between the control device and the printing device can be handled differently according to the data to be processed.

Specifically, when the data processed by the web socket channel is print data related to a print operation, it is possible to determine whether the connection of the web socket channel is continued according to a condition related to communication of the print data. If the data processed by the web socket channel is control data irrelevant to the printing operation, the connection duration of the web socket channel may be determined regardless of transmission / reception of the control data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of web socket channels may be formed between the control device and the printing apparatus, and the plurality of web socket channels may include a first web socket channel and a second web socket channel . The first web socket channel and the second web socket channel may be determined to have different data handling.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first web socket channel may be a communication channel for handling print data for performing a printing operation in the printing apparatus or in a separate printing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus. The first web socket channel may be interrupted if a predetermined condition is met with respect to reception or transmission of print data.

In this embodiment, the second web socket channel may be a communication channel for handling data to change or direct the status of the printing device or the individual printing device. For example, the second web socket channel may change the on-off state, the network connection state, the operation performing state, etc. of the printing apparatus or the individual printing apparatus, or handle the state data indicating the changed states. The second web socket channel may be set such that the communication channel is not interrupted with respect to the communication of data but is directed to continuous data communication. Optionally, the second web socket channel may be controlled for connection duration based on predetermined conditions. For example, the connection time can be controlled when transmission or reception of data handled through the second web socket channel is completed.

However, the data transmitted and received in the second web socket channel is not limited to the above-described status data, and data other than the print data handled in the first web socket channel can be handled in the second web socket channel Understanding is valid.

According to another embodiment, the first web socket channel may be formed for communicating data associated with the printing device. At this time, the second web socket channel may be formed to communicate data related to the peripheral device of the printing apparatus. Here, the data associated with a predetermined apparatus may mean data with the apparatus as a final destination.

According to another embodiment, a first web socket channel and a second web socket channel are formed between the printing device and the control device, and the first web socket channel can be used only for communication of print data. In other words, the channel for requesting print data and the channel for transmitting print data can be distinguished. At this time, the print data may be requested through the second web socket channel, and the print data may be transmitted through the first web socket channel in response thereto. More specifically, when print data is requested from the printing device to the control device via the second web socket channel, a first web socket channel is established and the control device can transmit the print data to the printing device via the first web socket channel have. Here, the establishment of the first web socket channel can be performed by the control apparatus or the printing apparatus. The control device may determine whether there is print data to be sent to the printing device, and may initiate the establishment of the first web socket channel if there is print data to be sent to the printing device. Alternatively, the printing device may initiate the connection of the first web socket channel in response to requesting print data to the control device via the second web socket channel. The printing apparatus can receive a message indicating that the print data can be transmitted from the control apparatus through the second web socket channel and initiate the first web socket channel connection in response thereto.

In the case where the channel for requesting print data and the channel for transmitting print data are separately established as in the above-described embodiment, the web socket channel through which print data is transmitted can be implemented only when a request for transmission of print data occurs Therefore, resource consumption due to establishment of an unnecessary communication channel can be prevented. Also, the second web socket channel can be implemented to be maintained independent of the transmission of print data, in which case the response from the control device upon request of the print data through the second web socket channel can be made faster.

A method of managing a web socket channel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of forming a first web socket channel and a second web socket channel with an external device, Obtaining print data for controlling a printing operation of the apparatus, obtaining control data for controlling the state of the printing apparatus from the external apparatus via the second web socket channel, And limiting the connection time.

The control data may include peripheral device registration information for controlling the peripheral device connected to the printing device by the printing device.

Limiting the connection time of the first web socket channel may include determining a closing time of the first web socket channel. Limiting the connection time of the first web socket channel may include stopping the first web socket channel within a predetermined time interval from the time of acquiring the print data.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a Web socket channel management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. Referring to FIG. 15, a method for managing a web socket channel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step (S1010) of forming a first web socket channel with an external device (S1010), a step of forming a second web socket channel (S1030), acquiring print data from the external device through a first web socket channel (S1030), acquiring control data from the external device via a second web socket channel (S1040) (S1050), and closing the first Web socket channel (S 1060). The external device may be an external control device described in this specification.

* 4. Second Process - Online Order Printing

4.1 Perform printing according to the second process

Here, as another embodiment of the printing process disclosed in this specification, a system, a method, and an apparatus for performing printing using the communication channel described above will be described. In particular, a system, a method, an apparatus, and the like for acquiring data assigned to a device using the Web socket communication channel will be described.

The print method according to the second process can be implemented by a server in which print data to be printed is collectively stored. The server collects the print data from a plurality of print customers, and appropriately allocates and transmits the collected print data to a plurality of print providers. A server serving as a stopping point of print data is defined as a data distribution server in the following. The data transferred from the printing user to the printing supplier by the distribution server is not limited to the above-described print data, and any data related to the execution of printing may be similarly handled.

The data distribution server may be a cloud server, and the printing method according to the second process may be a cloud printing method. Here, the cloud server is designed by cloud computing, and may mean a server type in which application control and file storage are implemented through a web browser or the like.

4.1.1 system

4.1.1.1 The third system

The printing method according to the present invention can be implemented in a third system including a user terminal, a data distribution server, and a printing device. The third system may be understood as a force system for processing data used for sales of goods and services. Particularly, the third system can be applied as an online order system when the physical area where the goods or services are sold and the location where the goods are ordered are far apart and the consumer proceeds the purchase of the goods online . Hereinafter, a force system in which online ordering is mediated by the data distribution server is defined as a cloud force system.

Figure 16 is a simplified illustration of a third system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16, the third system may include a user terminal 400, a data distribution server 500, and a printing device 600.

The user terminal 400 may receive information from a user. The user terminal 400 may generate data based on the user input information.

The user terminal 400 may generate data. The data may be print data. The data may include a control command written in the form of a command for controlling the printing device 600. The data may include destination information that the data distribution server 500 can understand. The data may include online order content. For example, the information may include identification information of a vendor that accepts the order, identification information of goods or services to be ordered, and the like.

The user terminal 400 may communicate with an external device. The user terminal 400 may communicate with the data distribution server 500 to transmit data to the data distribution server 500.

The user terminal 400 may be a user terminal 400 of a customer who wishes to order the goods online, in the above-described force system.

The data distribution server 500 can communicate with an external device. The distribution server can acquire data from an external device or transmit data to an external device. The data distribution server 500 may transmit data to the user terminal 400 or the printing device 600.

The data distribution server 500 may form a communication channel with an external device. The data distribution server 500 may form a communication channel with the printing device 600. The data distribution server 500 may form a communication channel with a plurality of external devices.

The data distribution server 500 may store data acquired from the outside. The data distribution server 500 may store data acquired from the user terminal 400 or the printing device 600. The data distribution server 500 can acquire and store data from the plurality of user terminals 400 to the printing apparatus 600.

The data distribution server 500 may distribute data. The data distribution server 500 may determine an external device to transmit the acquired data, and may transmit the data to the determined external device. The data distribution server 500 may form a communication channel with a plurality of external devices, and may transmit the acquired data to a part of the plurality of external devices.

The data distribution server 500 may selectively process the data. The data distribution server can relay the data to the external device without processing the data. The data distribution server 500 may convert the format of the acquired data or modify or combine the data.

The data distribution server 500 may be understood as a cloud server that acquires data such as order details from the customer terminal in the above-described online ordering system and delivers the acquired data to each store. In the above-described online ordering system, the one data distribution server 500 may acquire data from a plurality of user terminals 400, and may distribute data by being connected to a plurality of the printing apparatuses 600.

The printing device 600 may form a communication channel with an external device. The printing device 600 may form a communication channel with the data distribution server 500.

The printing device 600 can request data from an external device. The printing apparatus 600 may request the data distribution server 500 for the print data.

The printing device 600 may acquire data from an external device or transmit data to the external device. The printing apparatus 600 can acquire data from the data distribution server 500 or transmit data to the data distribution server 600.

The printing apparatus 600 can perform printing. The printing apparatus 600 can perform printing based on data acquired from an external apparatus. Unless otherwise stated, the printing device 600 may be handled similarly to the printing device described in the first process.

Figure 17 is a simplified illustration of the third system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 17, the third system may include a plurality of user terminals 400, a data distribution server 500, and a plurality of printing apparatuses 600.

The third system may include a plurality of user terminals. The plurality of user terminals 400 may include a first user terminal 401, a second user terminal 402 and a third user terminal 403.

The first user terminal 401 and the second user terminal 402 may communicate with the data distribution server 500. The first user terminal 401 and the second user terminal 402 may transmit data to the data distribution server 500.

The data distribution server 500 may store data acquired from the first user terminal 401 and the second user terminal 402. The data distribution server 500 may store the data acquired from the first user terminal 401 together with the identification information of the first user terminal. The data distribution server 500 may store the data acquired from the second user terminal 401 together with the identification information of the second user terminal.

The plurality of printing apparatuses 600 may include a first printing apparatus 601, a second printing apparatus 602, and a third printing apparatus.

The first printing device 601 and the second printing device 602 can communicate with the data distribution server 500. The first printing device 601 and the second printing device 602 may form a web socket communication channel with the data distribution server 500. The data distribution server 500 may distribute the data acquired from the plurality of user terminals 400 to the plurality of printing apparatuses 600. The data distribution server 500 may transmit the data allocated to the first printing device 601 to the first printing device 601. The data distribution server 500 may transmit the data allocated to the second printing device 602 to the second printing device 602.

4.1.1.2 The fourth system

Although described only for a third system including a user terminal, a data distribution server and a printing device, the system may further include a peripheral device, e.g., a separate printing device, coupled to the printing device. Hereinafter, a system including the peripheral device in the third system is defined as a fourth system. Although the printing method implemented in the fourth system is somewhat different from the printing method implemented in the third system, it can be easily estimated based on the contents described in the first printing process by the ordinary artisan.

4.1.2 System behavior

Here, a method of performing printing according to the second printing process in the third system and the fourth system will be described. The printing according to the second printing process can not be implemented only in the third system and the fourth system but can also be applied to a system in which another apparatus is added or some apparatus is excluded.

4.1.2.1 Operation of the third system

A second printing process according to the present disclosure may be performed by the third system described above. Wherein the second printing process by the third system comprises the steps of the user terminal sending data to the data distribution server, the data distribution server determining the printing device to which to send the data, and the data distribution server sending the data to the determined & To the printing device.

The user terminal may transmit data to the data distribution server via a network such as the public Internet, a private network, or a wide area Internet. The user terminal transmitting data to the data distribution server may transmit print data for printing online order contents.

The data distribution server may determine the printing apparatus to which the data is to be transmitted by obtaining the reference information included in the data and determining the data based on the reference information. As a general example, the reference information may be identification information of the printing apparatus from which the data is to be obtained.

The data distribution server may transmit the data to the determined printing device. The data server forms a web socket channel with the printing device and may transmit the data to the target printing device via the web socket channel.

4.1.2.2 Operation of the fourth system

A second printing process according to the present disclosure may be performed by the fourth system described above. The second printing process by the fourth system comprises the steps of the user terminal transmitting data to the data distribution server, the data distribution server identifying the data, the data distribution server delivering the data to the printing device And transferring the data to the peripheral device or the individual printing device.

The second printing process by the fourth system can be carried out in much the same way as the printing process by the third system described above. Hereinafter, another example of the second printing process by the fourth system will be described.

In the case of the second printing process by the fourth system, the data distribution server can determine the destination to which the data is to be transmitted by considering the peripheral device. In addition, the data transmitted to the printing device may be finally transmitted to the peripheral device.

4.1.3 Operation of each device

Here, the devices constituting the third system and the fourth system and the operations performed by the devices will be described. However, the printing method and the like of the present invention are not performed only by the devices described below, and each of the devices may be replaced by a combination of other electronic devices or electronic devices performing the function of performing the same or a similar function have.

4.1.3.1 Operation of user terminal

In the present invention, the user terminal can acquire the order details from the user and transmit the acquired order information to the server. In other words, it can be understood that the user terminal obtains the online order history from the user and sends it to the intermediate server collecting the data.

The processing of data according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a user terminal. The processing of data by the user terminal may include receiving information from a user, generating data based on the information, and transmitting the data to the external device.

The user terminal may obtain user input information from a user. The user terminal can obtain the identification information of the printing apparatus to be controlled from the user. The user terminal can obtain order information such as an item to be ordered from a user, a payment means, and a delivery address. The user terminal can acquire control information for controlling a printing apparatus to be described later from a user.

The user terminal may generate data. The user terminal may generate data based on the acquired user input information.

The user terminal can generate print data in consideration of order information received from the user. The user terminal can generate the print data in a format that can be interpreted by a printing device, which will be described later. The user terminal can generate control data for controlling the printing apparatus in a command format of the printing apparatus based on control information for controlling the printing apparatus.

The user terminal may transmit the data to an external device. The user terminal may transmit the print data or the control data to the external device.

18 schematically illustrates a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 18, the user terminal may include a communication unit 410, a user input unit 430, a memory unit 450, and a controller 470. The user terminal may be an electronic device driven by a web browser or the like. The user terminal may be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet PC, a laptop, a desktop, a netbook, and the like. The user terminal may be implemented similarly to the external control device described above.

The communication unit 410 can communicate with an external device. The communication unit 410 may communicate with the data distribution server to acquire data from the server or transmit data to the server. The communication unit 410 may transmit order information to the data distribution server. The communication unit 410 may obtain order result information from the data distribution server.

The user input unit 430 may obtain the user input. The user input unit 430 can receive the order contents from the user. The user input unit 430 may obtain the user input information from a user.

The control unit may perform the above-described data processing using the communication unit and the user input unit. The control unit may acquire user input information from a user, generate the data, and transmit the data to an external device.

4.1.3.2 Operation of the data distribution server

In the present invention, the data distribution server can transfer data acquired from a user to an appropriate printing apparatus. Specifically, it can be understood that the data distribution server performs the function of acquiring online order information and mediating the acquired order information so that the acquired order information can be printed on POS printer of the appropriate business place. However, the data handled in the present invention is not limited to the data related to the printing operation, and the data for changing the setting of the apparatus or controlling the operation other than printing may be similarly handled.

Management of data according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a server device (i.e., a data distribution server). Management of data by the data distribution server may include acquiring data from an external device, determining a target device to which the acquired data is to be transmitted, and transmitting the data to a target device.

The data distribution server acquiring data from the external device may be to obtain data from the user terminal. The data distribution server may obtain data from a plurality of user terminals.

The data distribution server determines the target device to which the data is to be transmitted by considering the reference information included in the data. For example, the reference information may be any one of location information, a data format, a data type, and identification information of a target device. As another example, the reference information may be destination information of the data, condition information of a device that can be controlled by the data, a type of the data, a format of the data, a location information of the device transmitting the data, and the like.

For example, the data may include location information. The data distribution server may transmit the data to a target device matching the location based on the location information. As a specific example, the data may include location information of an external device that transmitted the data. The data distribution server may determine the target device having the matching location information in consideration of the location information of the external device, and may transmit the data to the target device.

The data may have an interpretable format in the printing device. The data may have a format that can be used in the printing device without format conversion.

The determination by the data distribution server of a target device to which the data is to be transmitted may be performed by determining a target device among a plurality of candidate devices connected to the data distribution server. The data distribution server may store at least one of identification information, characteristic information, and location information of the plurality of candidate devices, and may determine the target device to which the data is to be transmitted by referring to a database prepared in advance.

The data distribution server may determine a target device to which the data is to be transmitted by considering the reference information acquired from the data and referring to the database storing information of the candidate devices.

In determining the target device to which the data distribution server will send the data, the data and the target device may have a floating correspondence relationship. Wherein the data distribution server transmits the first data to the first target device when the first data and the second data are acquired and the second data is transmitted to the second target device so that the fixed data- . However, the data distribution server determines that the first data corresponds to both the first target device and the second target device, and requests the first target device and the second target device, .

The transmitting of the data to the target device by the data distribution server may comprise forming a web socket communication channel with the target device and transmitting the data using the web socket communication channel. The data distribution server may transmit the data to the target device within a predetermined time interval from the time when the communication channel is formed when a web socket communication channel is established with the target device.

The data distribution server transmitting the data to the target device may be to transmit the data in response to a request from the target device. The data distribution server may transmit data matched to the target device to the target device when data matching the target device is requested from the target device.

A data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring first print data and second print data, forming a first web socket channel with a first device, Transferring the first print data to the first device through the first web socket channel when printing data is requested from the device, forming a second web socket channel with the second device And transmitting the second print data matching the second device to the second device via the second web socket channel if print data is requested from the second device through the second web socket channel . Here, the first device and the second device can be implemented as a printing device, respectively, and will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 19 below.

19 is a flowchart illustrating a data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 19, a method for managing data by the server apparatus includes the steps of acquiring first print data and second print data (S3100), transmitting first print data to a first print apparatus (S3200) And transmitting the print data to the second printing apparatus (S3300)

The first print data and the second print data may include identification information distinguishable from each other.

The server device transmits the first print data to the first print device (S3200) by forming a first web socket channel with the first print device, and printing data from the first print device through the first web socket channel The first print data matching the first print device may be transmitted to the first print device via the first web socket channel.

The server device transmits the second print data to the second print device (S3300), which forms a first web socket channel with the first print device, and transmits print data from the first print device through the first web socket channel The first print data matching the first print device may be transmitted to the first print device via the first web socket channel.

At this time, the first print data may correspond to the device information of the first printing apparatus, and the second print data may correspond to the device information of the second printing apparatus. The first printing apparatus satisfies the control conditions of the first print data and the second printing apparatus can satisfy the control conditions of the second print data.

Wherein the first print data is obtained at a first acquisition time and the second print data is acquired at a second acquisition time later than the first time point and the second web socket channel is formed prior to the first web socket channel The second print data may be transmitted to the second printing device before the first print data is transmitted to the first printing device.

Wherein the first print data is obtained at a first acquisition time and the second print data is acquired at a second acquisition time later than the first time point, 2 web socket channel, the second print data may be transmitted to the second printing device before the first print data is transmitted to the first printing device.

Wherein requesting the print data from the first printing device is repeatedly requested according to a first request period, and requesting the print data from the second printing device is repeatedly requested according to a second requesting period have.

Wherein the first print device satisfies the control condition of the first print data when the first print device is able to perform an operation based on the first print data, The command may include what can be understood in the first printing device without format conversion.

The apparatus information of the printing apparatus includes unique identification information of the printing apparatus, and the print data corresponding to the printing apparatus may include unique identification information of the printing apparatus. The apparatus information of the printing apparatus includes unique identification information of the printing apparatus, and the print data corresponding to the printing apparatus may include unique identification information of the printing apparatus.

The device information of the first printing device includes device information of a peripheral device connected to the first printing device, and the first print data may be matched to a peripheral device connected to the first printing device.

Wherein the first print data is matched to a peripheral device connected to the first printing device and when the first print data is requested print data from a peripheral device connected to the first printing device via the web socket channel, Wherein the first print data is transmitted to the first print device via a web socket channel and the peripheral device connected to the first print device satisfies the control condition of the first print data and the first print data is connected to the first print device And may correspond to the device information of the peripheral device.

Wherein the first print data corresponds to the device information of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus, and the first web socket channel is interrupted when the first holding time elapses from the time when the first web socket channel is formed, Wherein the second web socket channel is in a state where the first web socket channel is formed when the second web socket channel is interrupted when a second holding time shorter than the first holding time elapses from a time point when the second web socket channel is formed, If the web socket channel is in the suspended state, the first print data may be transmitted to the first printing device via the first web socket channel.

A data management method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: forming a web socket channel with a server storing print data; periodically requesting print data through the web socket channel to the server; And obtaining print data from the server that matches the device through the web socket channel. Where the device may be implemented as a printing device and will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

20 is a flowchart illustrating a data management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 20, in the data management method according to the present invention, in the data management method described with reference to FIG. 19, after the step of acquiring the first print data and the second print data, (S3400) of acquiring third print data corresponding to the device information of the first printing apparatus before transmitting to the first printing apparatus via the first web socket channel.

The step S3200 of transmitting the first print data to the first print apparatus may include transmitting the first print data and the third print data together with the first print data to the first print apparatus when the print data is requested through the first web socket channel, To the printing device (S3200a). The first printing apparatus can further satisfy the control condition of the third print data.

Here, the first print data and the third print data are transmitted to the first printing apparatus such that the printing operation by the first print data is performed prior to the printing operation by the third print data, The print data may be given priority over the third print data and transmitted.

21 schematically illustrates a data distribution server 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 21, the data distribution server 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a communication unit 510, a memory unit 530, and a control unit 550. The data distribution server 500 may be implemented as a cloud server that stores a large amount of data and delivers the data to an appropriate location. In the above-described cloud force system, the data distribution server 500 may be implemented as a cloud server connecting a customer and a sales system.

The data distribution server 500 includes a communication unit 510 and can communicate with an external device. The data distribution server 500 can acquire data using the communication unit 510 and transmit the data to the target device.

The data distribution server includes a memory unit 530 and can store data acquired from an external device. The memory unit 530 may store a database DB1 for managing the external device. The database DB1 may store identification information of an external device, network connection information of an external device, control environment information of an external device, and the like.

The data distribution server includes a control unit 550 and can manage the data using the communication unit 510 and the memory unit 530. [ The control unit 550 can acquire data from an external device using the communication unit 510, determine a target device to which the data is to be transmitted, and transmit the data to the target device using the communication unit 510 .

The control unit 550 obtains the first print data and the second print data using the communication unit 510 and transmits the first print data and the second print data using the communication unit 510 to the first print apparatus and the second print apparatus, And transmits the first print data, which is matched with the first print apparatus, to the first print apparatus through the web socket channel when the print data is requested from the first print apparatus by using the communication unit 510, And transmits the second print data, which is matched with the second print apparatus, to the second print apparatus through the web socket channel when print data is requested from the second print apparatus using the communication unit 510 Lt; / RTI >

The printing apparatus exemplified in the above embodiments may correspond to a data processing apparatus such as a hub device that manages print data as well as a device that performs printing.

4.1.3.3 Operation of the printing apparatus

In the present invention, the printing apparatus can perform the printing operation based on the data allocated from the server. In the above-described cloud force system, the printing apparatus may be a POS printer provided on the premises. In the cloud force system, the printing device may perform a role of delivering order details of on-line order to a business site.

A printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a printing apparatus. The printing by the printing device may include requesting data from an external device, acquiring data from an external device, and performing printing based on the acquired data.

The printing device requesting data from the external device may be requesting data assigned to the printing device by the external device. Requesting the data may be performed through a web socket channel. Requesting data assigned to the printing device may be to provide device information of the printing device and to request data corresponding to the device information. The device information may include the location, function, status, identification information, etc. of the printing device.

The printing device requesting data may be performed repetitively or periodically. The period in which the printing apparatus requests data to the external apparatus may vary. For example, the printing apparatus can request data according to a first period during a first time period, and request data according to a second period during a second time period. At this time, the second period may be longer than the first period, and waste of resources due to frequent data requests can be prevented. The printing apparatus may shorten the period of requesting the data when the data is acquired. That is, the printing apparatus may change the period of requesting the data by reflecting whether data is acquired or not.

The printing device requesting the data may form a communication channel with the external device and request the data. The printing device forms the communication channel with the external device, requests data, and can interrupt the communication channel if data is not obtained. At this time, the period for requesting the above-mentioned data may mean the time from when the communication channel repeats the formation and the interruption until the communication channel is formed, interrupted, and then formed again.

A time interval from when the communication channel is formed until when it is stopped can be defined as a holding time of the communication channel. The holding time of the communication channel may be constant. The holding time of the communication channel may change. At this time, the retention time of the communication channel may change according to the data communication environment as the data request period described above.

The printing device receiving data from the external device may be requesting data to the external device and receiving in response to the request. The printing device may obtain data from the external device using a web socket communication channel.

The obtaining of data from the external device by the printing device may be by targeting the printing device to obtain the transmitted printing data.

And the printing device performing printing based on the received data may be to perform printing based on the printing data transmitted by targeting the printing device in the external device. The printing apparatus may perform printing based on the received data by performing a printing operation without format conversion of the control command according to the printing apparatus control command included in the received data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a data management method for a printing apparatus, comprising: forming a web socket channel with a server storing print data; requesting the server to periodically request print data through the web socket channel; In response to the request, obtaining print data from the server that matches the print device through the web socket channel.

Here, the print data matched with the print device corresponds to the device information of the print device, and the print device can satisfy the control condition of the print data.

Wherein requesting the print data is for requesting the server for the print data for controlling the peripheral print device in response to the print data being requested from a peripheral print device connected to the print device, The data may correspond to the device information of the peripheral print apparatus, and the peripheral print apparatus may satisfy the control condition of the print data.

Wherein when the printing apparatus is the hub print apparatus, the method for managing data by the hub print apparatus includes the steps of: requesting data from a peripheral apparatus connected to the hub print apparatus and requesting data from the external apparatus; Requesting data assigned to the device, and obtaining data assigned to the peripheral device from the external device.

The requesting of the external device for data allocated to the peripheral device may be performed by providing device information of the peripheral device and requesting data corresponding to the device information.

The method of managing data by the hub print device may include transmitting the acquired data to the peripheral device. The transfer of the data to the peripheral device can be performed with reference to the destination information of the acquired data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a web socket channel is formed with a server that stores print data using a communication unit, a printing unit, and the communication unit, and transmits print data to the server through the web socket channel And a control unit for periodically requesting and using the communication unit and obtaining print data corresponding to the apparatus from the server through the Web socket channel in response to the request. The data management apparatus may be implemented as a print data management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, it will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 22 below.

22 illustrates a printing device 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 22, a printing apparatus 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a communication unit 610, a printing unit 630, a memory unit 650, and a control unit 670.

The printing apparatus 600 includes a communication unit 610 and can acquire data from an external apparatus or transmit data to an external apparatus. The communication unit 610 can obtain print data from an external device.

The printing apparatus 600 includes a printing unit 630 and can perform a printing operation. The printing unit 630 may perform a printing operation based on the print data.

The memory unit 650 may store print data acquired from an external device. The memory unit 650 may store connection information of an external device, connection information of a peripheral device connected to the printing device 600, and the like.

The printing apparatus 600 may include a controller 670 and may perform the printing operation described above. The control unit 670 may acquire control data from an external device using the communication unit 610 and may perform printing based on the control data using the printing unit 630. [

The control unit 670 forms a web socket channel with a server that stores print data using the communication unit 610. The control unit 670 periodically requests print data to the server through the web socket channel using the communication unit, In response to the request using the communication unit 610, the print data corresponding to the printing apparatus can be obtained from the server through the web socket channel.

4.2 Formation of connection channels

In the printing according to the second process, a process of forming a connection between the data distribution server and the printing apparatus is a problem. In the case of printing according to the second process, the user is often located in a remote environment with the data distribution server. In the case of a general user who is not a professional technician, in forming a connection channel between the printing apparatus and the data distribution server It can be difficult. Hereinafter, a method for allowing a user to experience more convenient device optimization will be described.

4.2.1 Connection process

When it is desired to form a data communication channel between the first device and the second device, it must precede the request of the formation of a communication channel from the first device to the second device. At this time, connection information of the second device is required for the first device to request the formation of a channel to the second device. A channel manager may be used to provide connection information of the second device to the first device.

The channel manager may obtain the identification information of the first device from the first device. The channel manager may use the identification information of the first device to identify a second device that matches the first device. The channel manager may transmit connection information of a second device matching the first device to the first device.

When the first device acquires the connection information of the second device, the first device can request the second device to form a communication channel. The first device may repeatedly request the formation of a communication channel with the second device. The first device may periodically request the second device to form a communication channel.

The second device may determine whether to accept the request for forming the communication channel when the first device requests the formation of the communication channel. The second device can identify the first device based on the request for formation of the communication channel, and can determine whether to accept the formation request of the communication channel. The second device may determine whether to accept the formation request of the communication channel based on the identification result of the request for formation of the communication channel from the first device.

The second device may accept a request for forming a communication channel from the first device and form the communication channel with the first device.

The first device may be a printing device and the second device may be a data distribution server. Alternatively, the first device may be a data distribution server, and the first device may be a printing device.

4.2.2 System behavior

Hereinafter, a data management method for forming a web socket channel between the printing apparatus and the data distribution server will be described in order to perform printing according to the second printing process of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, management of data for forming the web socket channel may be performed by a communication channel management application that intermediates the data distribution server and the printing apparatus. The communication channel management application may be understood as a concept encompassing a web application, a program, a web page, a user interface, and the like that perform a communication channel management function, which will be described later, in addition to an application running on an operating system

In order for the web socket channel to be formed between the printing device and the data distribution server, the printing device and the data distribution server are required to recognize each other. To this end, information of the printing apparatus may be transmitted to the data distribution server, or information of the data distribution server may be transmitted to the printing apparatus. Hereinafter, in the case of transmitting information of the printing apparatus to the data distribution server to form a communication channel between the printing apparatus and the data distribution server and the case of transmitting the information of the data distribution server to the printing apparatus .

A method for managing data of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring unique identification information of the printing apparatus, acquiring connection information of a data distribution server matched with the printing apparatus, acquiring connection information of the data distribution server To the mobile station.

The obtaining of the unique identification information of the printing apparatus may further acquire the store identification information of the store where the printing apparatus is provided. For example, the store identification information may include a name of a store, an address of a store, location information of a store, a network IP address of a store, and the like.

The unique identification information of the printing apparatus may include a unique serial number assigned to the printing apparatus. If the printing device is a hub print device, the unique identification information may be unique identification information assigned to the peripheral device.

The obtaining of the unique identification information of the printing apparatus may be performed by performing wireless communication with the printing apparatus. The obtaining of the unique identification information of the printing apparatus may be performed by communicating with the printing apparatus through Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi (WIFI), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ≪ / RTI >

Obtaining the unique identification information of the printing apparatus may be performed by recognizing the identifier located in the printing apparatus. For example, obtaining the unique identification information of the printing apparatus may be performed by recognizing a cover image such as a bar code or a QR code attached to the printing apparatus.

The connection information of the data distribution server matched to the printing apparatus may be obtained using a database prepared in advance. The database may store the connection information of the plurality of data distribution servers in a manner matching with the characteristic information of each data distribution server, and may be a database stored in advance in the data distribution server. The obtaining of the connection information of the data distribution server using the database may include determining a data distribution server corresponding to the printing apparatus identification information from the database and obtaining connection information of the determined data distribution server.

The connection information of the data distribution server matched to the printing apparatus may be acquired by a separate administrator application. The connection information of the at least one data distribution server may be stored and provided to the channel management application as needed. The manager application includes a program, a source code, and the like executed by the administrator terminal.

The connection information of the data distribution server may be understood as information required to form a web socket channel with the data distribution server. The connection information of the data distribution server may be information required to transmit a handshake message for forming a web socket channel to the data distribution server. For example, the connection information of the data distribution server may be an IP address, a domain name, etc. of the data distribution server.

The connection information of the data distribution server may be transmitted to the printing apparatus by using a local network, a wide area Internet, or the like.

The method of managing data according to the present embodiment may further include the step of the printing apparatus forming a web socket channel with the data distribution server.

The method for managing the data may further include the step of the printing device transmitting a response message to the channel management application. The response message may include a notification that the printing apparatus has obtained connection information of the data distribution server. The response message may include a notification that the printing device has established a web socket channel with the data distribution server.

The data management method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to transmitting information of the data distribution server to the printing apparatus and allowing the printing apparatus to send a signal of a communication channel to the data distribution server, It is also possible that the information of the printing apparatus is transmitted to the server so that the data server becomes the main body of the communication channel formation. Hereinafter, a case where the data distribution server acquires the connection information of the printing apparatus and becomes a main body of the communication channel will be described.

Another method of managing data of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring unique identification information of the data distribution server, acquiring connection information of a printing apparatus matching the data distribution server, And transmitting the information.

The obtaining of the identification information of the data distribution server may be performed using a database prepared in advance. The obtaining of the identification information of the data distribution server may be performed by an administrator terminal managing a plurality of data distribution servers or an application running on the administrator terminal.

The connection information of the printing apparatus may be acquired through the communication channel management application described above. The obtaining of the connection information of the printing apparatus may be performed by using the database to determine the printing apparatus corresponding to the data distribution server and transmitting the connection information of the determined printing apparatus.

Transmitting the connection information of the printing device to the data distribution server comprises transmitting the network connection information required by the data distribution server to form a web socket communication channel with the printing device.

On the other hand, in the method of managing data of the present invention or the like, the printing apparatus or the data distribution server can request the formation of a communication channel.

The printing apparatus may acquire connection information of the data distribution server and request the data distribution server to form the communication channel. The data distribution server may determine whether to accept the communication channel formation request when the communication channel is requested to be formed from the printing apparatus. When the formation of the communication channel is requested from the printing apparatus, the data distribution server can identify the printing apparatus and determine whether to accept the request for forming the communication channel.

The data distribution server may obtain connection information of the printing apparatus and request formation of the communication channel to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus can determine whether to accept the request for forming the communication channel when the formation of the communication channel is requested from the data distribution server. The printing apparatus can identify the data distribution server and determine whether to accept the communication channel formation request when the formation of the communication channel is requested from the data distribution server.

Figure 23 illustrates a channel forming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The formation of the communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed in the channel forming system shown in FIG. 23, a channel forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a printing device 600, a data distribution server 500, and an electronic device 800. [

The electronic device 800 may be a device in which the communication channel management application described above is driven. It is to be understood that the electronic device 800 is an electronic device that is controlled to perform a communication channel management function.

The electronic device 800 may be connected to the printing device 600 and the data distribution server 500 to mediate the formation of a communication channel between the printing device 600 and the data distribution server 500. The electronic device 800 may assist in establishing a web socket communication channel between the printing device 600 and the data distribution server 500.

4.2.3 Operation of each device

4.2.3.1 Channel Connection Manager

One method for managing data of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring unique identification information of the printing apparatus, acquiring connection information of a data distribution server matched with the printing apparatus, And transmitting the connection information of the data distribution server.

Another method for managing data of the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring unique identification information of the data distribution server by the channel connection manager; acquiring connection information of a printing apparatus matching the data distribution server; And transmitting the connection information of the server apparatus.

The channel connection manager may acquire information related to channel formation from a user and provide channel related information to the user. The channel connection manager may be implemented by an application installed in a user terminal, a web application driven by the user terminal, a user interface embedded in the printing device, and the like.

Wherein the channel connection manager obtains the identification information of the first device and determines a second device to be matched to the first device based on the identification information of the first device, Connection information can be provided.

The channel connection manager may obtain identification information of the printing apparatus, determine a data distribution server matching the printing apparatus, and transmit the connection information of the data distribution server to the printing apparatus.

The channel connection manager may obtain the identification information of the data distribution server, determine a printing device matching the data distribution server, and transmit the connection information of the printing device to the data distribution server.

The channel connection manager may provide an interactive interface. The channel connection manager provides an interactive interface and receives the identification information from the user through the interactive interface. The interactive interface displays a message for requesting the identification information to the user, and in response, the interactive interface can receive the identification information from the user in a natural language state. The interactive interface may display a result of forming a web socket channel between the printing apparatus and the data distribution server in response to receiving the identification information.

The printing apparatus according to the present invention can be implemented as a POS printing apparatus. Hereinafter, embodiments in which the printing apparatus is a force printing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

24 shows a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a control method of an electronic device means a method of controlling an electronic device to assist in forming a communication channel between a POS printer device and a data server providing data to the POS printer device. The electronic device may be an electronic device providing the channel connection manager.

Referring to FIG. 24, in the control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device obtains unique identification information of a POS printer (S4100) (S4200), and transmitting the connection information of the data server to the POS printer (S4300).

Wherein the electronic device acquires unique identification information of the force printer device (S4100) by recognizing and acquiring a unique ID tag located in the force printer device, the unique ID tag being a bar code, a QR code, an RFID tag, or an NFC sensor Or the like, to identify the force printing device.

Acquiring (S4100) the unique identification information of the force printing device may include obtaining the unique identification information of the user of the force printing device.

The obtaining (S4100) of the unique identification information of the force printing device may be to provide an interactive interface and obtain unique identification information of the force printing device from the user of the force printing device via the interactive interface.

Providing the interactive interface may include displaying a query message requesting identification information of the force printing device.

Wherein the acquiring of the unique identification information through the interactive interface comprises receiving the identification information of the POS printer in a natural language state in response to requesting the identification information by displaying the inquiry message, And parsing the identification information of the state to obtain unique identification information of the printing device.

The method of controlling an electronic device further includes displaying a message notifying an establishment status of the Web socket communication channel through the interactive interface in response to transmitting the connection information of the data server to the POS printer .

When the electronic device determines the data server corresponding to the POS printer (S4200), if the connection information of the data server corresponding to the POS printer is requested from the POS printer, Determining a data server corresponding to the POS printer device using a database in which at least one connection information of a data server in which data is stored is stored.

The electronic device may transmit the connection information of the determined data server to the POS printer (S4300) by transmitting via Bluetooth communication.

A control method of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring unique identification information of a POS printer device, connection information of the data server in which print data interpretable in the POS printer device is stored, Determining a data server corresponding to the POS printer device using a database in which the POS printer device is required to connect a web socket communication channel with the data server; And transmitting the connection information of the determined data server to the POS printer when the connection information of the data server corresponding to the device is requested.

At this time, the unique identification information of the POS printer may be a serial number individually assigned to the POS printer. The connection information of the data server may be either a domain name or an IP address of the data server. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel.

25 shows a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 25, a method of controlling an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step S4400 of acquiring company identification information, a step S4500 of determining a data server, and a step S4500 of transmitting connection information of a data server to a POS printer (S4600).

The electronic device acquires the business entity identification information (S4400) may be to acquire the business entity identification information of the environment in which the force print device is installed. The business entity identification information may be a name of a business entity or a store name of a store where the POS printer is installed.

The provider identification information includes identification information of a store where the POS printer is used, and obtaining the identification information of the store may provide an information request interface, and may be input from a user through the information request interface.

The electronic device determines the data server (S4500) when the connection information of the data server matched to the POS printer is requested from the POS printer, the order information to be transmitted to the POS printer Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > at least one < / RTI >

The connection information of the data server may be connection information for the POS printer to transmit a web socket connection handshake to the data server.

Wherein when the connection information of the data server is transmitted to the POS printer, the web socket communication channel is formed between the POS server and the data server, and the order information stored in the data server is transmitted to the POS server via the Web socket communication channel May be transmitted to the POS printer device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electronic device, the method comprising: connecting the electronic device to a printing device, acquiring user information, transmitting user information and connection information of a data distribution server to the printing device, Acquiring the identification information of the printing apparatus from the apparatus, and transmitting the identification information of the printing apparatus to the data distribution server.

The electronic device may store a server name of at least one data distribution server. The electronic device may store connection information (e.g., the domain name of the server) of the at least one data distribution server. The electronic device may store location information of the electronic device (e.g., a user terminal). The electronic device may include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor and may store location information of the electronic device.

According to the present embodiment, the electronic device can form a connection with the printing apparatus.

The electronic device can automatically connect to the printing device. The electronic device can automatically connect to a printing apparatus adjacent to a terminal equipped with the channel manager. The electronic device can automatically connect to a plurality of printing apparatuses provided at a predetermined distance or less from the terminal. The electronic device can automatically connect to the nearest device among a plurality of print devices installed at a predetermined distance or less from the terminal.

The electronic device may be connected to the printing apparatus through wired or wireless communication. The electronic device may be connected to the printing device through Ethernet, WIFI, or the like.

The electronic device may obtain user information from a user.

The electronic device may obtain a name from the user to identify the user or the business location in which the printing device is located. The electronic device may obtain a user name, a user code, a business name, a business ID, or a mutual name from a user.

The electronic device may transmit the first information to the printing device. The electronic device may transmit the first information to the printing device in response to being connected to the printing device.

The first information may include information received from a user. The first information may include information for identifying the user or the business. The first information may include any one of a user name, a user code, user location information, a business location name, a business location identification code, a business name, and a business location information. The first information may store location information obtained using a GPS sensor. The location information may be location information of the electronic device or the printing device.

The first information may include connection information of the server apparatus. The first information may include a domain name of the server, a connection address, an IP address, and the like.

The electronic device may obtain second information from the printing device. The electronic device may obtain the second information from the printing device in response to transmitting the first information to the printing device.

The second information may include identification information of the printing apparatus. For example, the second information may include a serial number or a product classification code of the printing apparatus. The second information may include any one of network identification information in which the printing apparatus is installed, network port information of the printing apparatus, and wireless network information to which the printing apparatus is connected. The second information may include position information of the printing apparatus.

The electronic device may transmit the third information to the server device. The electronic device may transmit the third information to a data distribution server. The electronic device may transmit the third information to the server device in response to obtaining second information from the printing device.

The third information may include at least some of the information obtained by the electronic device from the user. The third information may include at least a part of the information stored by the electronic device. The third information may include information for the server device to identify the user. The third information may include any one of the user name, the user code, the business name, the business ID, the business name, the user location information, and the business location information.

The third information may include at least some of the information obtained by the electronic device from the printing device. The third information may include information for the server apparatus to identify network information of the printing apparatus or the printing apparatus. The third information may include any one of the position information of the printing apparatus, the serial number of the printing apparatus, and the product code of the printing apparatus. The third information may include any one of network identification information in which the printing apparatus is installed, network port information of the printing apparatus, and wireless network information to which the printing apparatus is connected.

The electronic device may transmit the third information to the server device so that the server device forms a communication channel with the printing device. The electronic device can transmit the third information to the server device so that the server device identifies a communication channel forming request transmitted from the printing device to the server device and forms a communication channel with the printing device.

In the present embodiment, the electronic device requests the data server to form a communication channel. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. According to the present invention, the electronic device may form a communication channel with the data server according to a communication channel request from the data server.

29 illustrates an embodiment of a method of controlling an electronic device such that a communication channel is formed between a printing device and a data server providing data to the printing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig.

Referring to FIG. 29, a method of controlling an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step S110 of obtaining user identification information, a step S120 of transmitting first information to a printing device, (S130) of acquiring the information and transmitting the third information to the data server (S140). The electronic device may store connection information used for connection to a data server in which print data that can be interpreted in the printing device is stored.

The obtaining (S110) of the user identification information may include obtaining the user identification information corresponding to the printing apparatus. The user identification information may be information used to identify the usage environment of the electronic device.

The step (S110) of acquiring the user identification information may include providing an interactive interface, displaying a message requesting the user identification information through the interactive interface, inputting the user identification information in a natural language state Lt; / RTI >

The user identification information may include a business name assigned to the electronic device or a user name of the electronic device.

(S120) of transmitting the first information to the printing device is a step of causing the printing device to request a communication connection to the data server so that the user identification information and the printing device request a connection to the data server And transmitting the first information including the connection information.

Transmitting the first information to the printing device (S120) comprises transmitting the first information to the printing device so that the printing device requests a communication connection to the data server without a connection command from the electronic device .

(S130) of acquiring second information from the printing device acquires second information including unique identification information of the printing device from the printing device in response to transmitting the first information to the printing device ≪ / RTI >

The step of obtaining (S130) the second information from the printing device may comprise transmitting the third information to the data server so that the data server forms a web socket communication channel with the printing device.

The step of transmitting the third information to the data server (S140) comprises the step of transmitting the third information to the data server so that the data server decides whether to accept the communication connection request from the printing apparatus, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > information, < / RTI >

30 shows a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 30, a method of controlling an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a step (S150) of connecting to a determined printing device.

 The step of connecting to the determined printing device (S150) may correspond to the electronic device, and the electronic device may determine a printing device to assist in forming the communication channel and connect the determined printing device.

The step S150 of connecting with the determined printing device may include the step of the electronic device recognizing the printing device adjacent to the electronic device and connecting the printing device with the printing device. The step (S150) of connecting with the determined printing device may include recognizing the printing device capable of communicating with the electronic device, and connecting the printing device with the printing device.

The step of connecting to the determined printing apparatus (S150) may include connecting through any one of Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and WLAN.

Referring to FIG. 30, the step of connecting to the determined printing apparatus (S150) includes a step of obtaining the user identification information described in FIG. 29 (S110) and a step of transmitting the first information to the printing apparatus Can be performed before. In other words, the step S120 of transmitting the first information to the printing apparatus may be to transmit the first information to the determined printing apparatus.

Although FIG. 30 shows a case where the electronic device is connected to the printing apparatus after acquiring the user identification information, the control method of the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to the present invention, it is also possible to acquire the user identification information after the electronic device connects with the printing apparatus. As a specific example, the electronic device may display an interface for receiving the user information corresponding to the printing device by recognizing the printing device, connecting with the printing device, and connecting with the printing device.

31 shows a control method of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 31, a method of controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a step (S160) of displaying a message informing communication channel state information.

The step of displaying a message notifying the communication channel state information (S160) may include acquiring communication channel state information on the establishment state of the communication channel from the data server, and notifying the communication channel state information through the interactive interface And displaying a message. The interactive interface may be the interactive interface described above with respect to FIG.

The channel connection manager may include an identification information input unit, a matching unit, and a communication unit.

The channel connection manager may include an identification information input unit and may obtain identification information of the first device. The identification information input unit may include a camera module, and may recognize the identification mark of the first device such as a bar code, a QR code, and the like. The identification information input unit may include a wireless communication module and identify the first device through an NFC tag, RFID, Bluetooth, or the like. The identification information input unit may provide a user interface to obtain identification information of the first device from a user.

The channel connection manager may include a matching unit and may use the identification information of the first device to determine a second device matching the first device. The matching unit may acquire the characteristic information of the first device from the identification information of the first device and determine that the second device corresponding to the characteristic information of the first device matches the first device. The matching unit may determine a second device matching the first device using a database described later.

The channel connection manager may further include a memory unit. The memory unit may store the database in which the identification information of the first device and the identification information of the second device are stored in association with each other. The database may further store communication channel connection information of the second device. The database may be a database storing identification information of the printing apparatus and identification information of the data distribution server in association with each other. The database may be a database storing identification information of the data distribution server and identification information of the printing apparatus in association with each other.

Figure 26 illustrates a communication channel manager in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 26, the channel connection manager CM1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first identification denial input section IS1, a second identification information input section IS2, and a keyboard KB.

The first identification information input section IS1 may receive the first identification information from the user. The first identification information may be identification information of the user. For example, the first identification information may be identification information of a store where the printing apparatus is associated (for example, a store where the printing apparatus is installed), business information of a business site to which the printing apparatus belongs, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the shop name can be input from the user.

The second identification information input section (IS2) may receive the second identification information from the user. The second identification information may be identification information of the printing apparatus. For example, the second identification information may be a unique serial number of the printing apparatus.

The keyboard KB may be a touch keyboard that recognizes a touch input. The configuration of the keyboard KB is not essential and may be implemented differently depending on the type of the electronic device in which the channel connection manager is operated. For example, a voice recognition unit may be provided instead of the keyboard KB to obtain voice information from a user. Alternatively, an image recognition unit may be provided instead of the keyboard KB to acquire an image.

FIG. 27 illustrates a channel connection manager according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 27, the channel connection manager CM2 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as an interactive interface. The channel connection manager CM2 according to the present embodiment may display a query message to the user and request information necessary for channel connection. The channel connection manager (CM2) may obtain a response message from a user to acquire information necessary for channel connection.

As a specific example, the channel connection manager CM2 may display a query message M1 requesting identification information of the printing apparatus. The channel connection manager CM2 may acquire a message U1 input from the user in response to the query message and obtain identification information of the printing apparatus. As shown in Fig. 27, AB_123456, which is the serial number of the printing apparatus input by the user, can be obtained.

The channel connection manager CM2 may display a query message M2 requesting the identification information of the store. The channel connection manager (CM2) may acquire a message (U2) input from the user in response to the query message, and obtain the identification information of the store. It is possible to obtain the identification information Pizza ABC of the store inputted by the user as shown in Fig.

In addition, the channel connection manager CM2 can display a notification message M3 notifying that the channel is completely established, when a communication channel is formed between the printing apparatus and the server.

The channel connection manager providing the interactive interface as in the present embodiment can be used for exchanging information with a user in addition to being used for acquiring information for forming a communication channel from the user as described above. For example, the channel connection manager may be used to control a server device, a printer, or the like from a user or to acquire status information.

The embodiments of the channel connection manager described above are merely examples, and the configuration of the input connection section and the like of the channel connection manager may be changed, and modifications of the embodiments should be easily made possible by the ordinary artisan.

4.2.3.2 Operation of server device

The server device can control the formation of the communication channel. The server device may provide connection information of the server device to an external device and form a data communication channel with the receiving device matched by the external device. The server device may provide identification information of the server device to an external device and form a data communication channel with the matching receiving device based on the identification information.

The server device may provide an application for managing the connection of the communication channel. The server device provides the application, acquires the identification information of the receiving terminal through the application, obtains the connection information of the data server device matching the receiving terminal, and transmits the connection information of the data server device to the receiving terminal Lt; / RTI > At this time, the server device providing the application may be a data server device matching the receiving terminal.

The server device provides the application, provides identification information of the server device through the application, obtains connection information of a receiving terminal matched to the server device, and forms a communication channel with the receiving terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the server apparatus can acquire the identification information of the printing apparatus from the channel manager and determine whether or not to accept the communication channel formation request from the printing apparatus based on the identification information.

The server device may obtain print device identification information from an electronic device, i.e., a channel manager.

The server device may obtain, from the electronic device, print device identification information for determining whether to accept a communication channel forming request from the printing device by identifying the printing device.

The printing apparatus identification information may include any one of the position information of the printing apparatus, the unique identification number of the printing apparatus, the product code of the printing apparatus, and the network identification information of the printing apparatus.

The server apparatus may obtain a request for forming a communication channel from the printing apparatus. The server apparatus can identify whether the request for forming the communication channel is transmitted from the printing apparatus corresponding to the printing apparatus identification information. The server apparatus may determine whether to accept the formation request of the communication channel based on the result of identifying the formation request of the communication channel based on the printing apparatus identification information.

The server device may accept a communication channel formation request from the printing device and form a communication channel with the printing device. The server device may form a web socket communication channel with the printing device.

In the above embodiment, only the case where the formation of a communication channel is requested from the printing apparatus to the server apparatus is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the server apparatus may transmit the identification information of the server apparatus to the channel manager, and request the formation of a communication channel to the printing apparatus.

The server apparatus may include a communication unit, a database unit, and a control unit.

The server apparatus may include the communication unit and may acquire identification information or connection information of a receiving apparatus from an external apparatus. The server apparatus may transmit the identification information or the connection information of the server apparatus to the external apparatus using the communication unit.

The server apparatus may include a database unit, and may store a database to which identification information of the receiving apparatus and connection information of the server apparatus are related, or a database to which identification information of the server apparatus and connection information of the receiving apparatus are associated.

The server apparatus includes a control unit, and can control the above-described formation of the communication channel.

The server apparatus may further include a channel management unit. The channel manager may store the channel application and manage the communication channel. The channel management unit may include a user interface used for managing the communication channel, and may provide the user interface to the user terminal through the communication unit.

4.2.3.3 Operation of the printing apparatus

The printing apparatus can control the formation of the communication channel. The printing apparatus may provide identification information of the printing apparatus to an external apparatus and form a data communication channel with the matched server apparatus based on the identification information. The printing apparatus may provide connection information of the printing apparatus to an external apparatus and form a data communication channel with the server apparatus matched by the external apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus obtains user information from an external apparatus, transmits identification information of the printing apparatus to an external apparatus, and then requests the server apparatus to form a communication channel, Can be formed.

The printing apparatus can be connected to an external apparatus. The printing apparatus can automatically connect to an external apparatus. The printing apparatus can be connected to an external device capable of communicating. The printing apparatus may be connected to an external apparatus adjacent to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus can be connected to the external apparatus through Ethernet, WIFI, Bluetooth, or the like.

The printing apparatus can obtain user information from the external apparatus. The user information may be information for identifying the use environment of the external device or the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus can obtain a user name, a store name, a business entity identification code, and the like from the external apparatus.

The printing apparatus can transmit the identification information of the printing apparatus to an external apparatus. The printing apparatus may be transmitted to the external apparatus by the external apparatus to the server apparatus so that the server apparatus may transmit the identification information of the printing apparatus used for identifying the printing apparatus.

The printing apparatus can acquire connection information of the server apparatus from an external apparatus. The printing apparatus can acquire the connection information of the server apparatus by transmitting the identification information of the printing apparatus to the external apparatus. The printing apparatus can acquire, from the external apparatus, connection information of the server apparatus determined to match the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus can obtain a domain name, an IP address, and the like of the server apparatus from the external apparatus.

The printing device may request the server device to form a communication channel. The printing apparatus may request the server apparatus to form a communication channel when the identification information of the printing apparatus is transmitted to the external apparatus. The printing apparatus can request the server apparatus to form a communication channel without involvement of the external apparatus. When the printing apparatus acquires the connection information of the server apparatus, the printing apparatus can request the server apparatus to form a communication channel. The printing apparatus may repeatedly and / or periodically request the server apparatus to form a communication channel.

The printing apparatus may form a communication channel with the server apparatus. The communication channel may be a web socket communication channel. The printing apparatus can form the communication channel with the server apparatus when the server apparatus accepts the communication channel forming request of the printing apparatus.

In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus acquires the connection information of the server apparatus and requests the server apparatus to form the communication channel. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus may be configured to receive a request for forming a communication channel from a server apparatus that has obtained connection information of the printing apparatus, determine whether to accept the communication channel forming request of the server apparatus, It is also possible to form a communication channel with the server apparatus.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining a method of forming a communication channel according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the printing apparatus forms a communication channel with a data server providing data to the printing apparatus ≪ / RTI > 32, a method of forming a communication channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a step S210 of connecting the printing apparatus to an external apparatus, a step S220 of acquiring first information from an external apparatus, (S230) transmitting the second information to the device, requesting formation of a communication channel to the data server (S240), and forming a communication channel with the data server (S250).

The step S210 of connecting the printing device with an external device may include connecting the external device with at least one connection information of a data server in which print data interpretable by the printing device is stored. The step of connecting to the external device (S210) may include connecting with the external device adjacent to the printing device.

The step S220 of acquiring first information from the external device includes the steps of acquiring user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to the printing device from the external device and receiving user identification information for requesting connection of the communication channel to the data server And acquiring first information including connection information.

The step S230 of transmitting the second information to the external device may include transmitting the second information including the unique identification information of the printing device to the external device in response to the obtaining of the first information have.

The second information may include position information of the printing apparatus. The second information may include a unique identification number of the printing apparatus, a product code, store information in which the printing apparatus is installed, and the like.

The step of requesting the data server to form a communication channel (S240) may include requesting the data server to form the communication channel based on the first information.

The step of requesting the data server to form the communication channel (S240) may include transmitting a handshake message for forming a web socket communication channel to the data server.

The step of requesting the data server to form the communication channel (S240) may include periodically requesting the formation of the communication channel.

The step of requesting the data server to form the communication channel (S240) may include transmitting a request for forming a communication channel including the second information to the data server.

The request for formation of the communication channel can be determined based on the identification result for the printing apparatus in the data server.

Wherein the identification result for the printing apparatus is obtained by identifying, at the data server, the printing apparatus that has transmitted the formation request of the communication channel based on the second information acquired from the external apparatus as the formation of the communication channel is requested .

The step (S250) of forming a communication channel with the data server may include forming a communication channel with the data server when the communication channel forming request is accepted by the data server.

The step of establishing a communication channel with the data server (S250) may include forming a web socket communication channel connection with the data server.

The printing apparatus may include a communication unit, a memory unit, a printing unit, and a control unit.

The printing apparatus includes a communication unit and is capable of communicating with an external apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a communication unit and can obtain identification information or connection information of an external apparatus from outside. The printing apparatus can transmit identification information or connection information of the printing apparatus to an external apparatus using the communication unit.

The printing apparatus may include a memory unit.

The memory unit may store a database. The database may be a database storing identification information of the printing apparatus and identification information of the server apparatus in association with each other.

The memory unit may store a channel management application. The printing apparatus may provide the printing apparatus with the application, obtain the identification information of the printing apparatus through the application, obtain the connection information of the server apparatus, and form a data communication channel with the server apparatus.

The printing apparatus provides an application, acquires identification information of the server apparatus through the application, provides connection information of the printing apparatus, and forms a data communication channel with the server apparatus.

The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, and can perform printing based on print data obtained through the communication channel.

The printing apparatus may include a control unit. The printing apparatus can perform the control operation for forming the communication channel described above using the control unit.

The printing device may provide a user interface.

The printing apparatus can request information required for connection of a communication channel to a user using a user interface.

The printing apparatus can acquire unique identification information of the printing apparatus using a user interface. The printing apparatus can use the user interface to obtain reference information for determining a server apparatus that matches the printing apparatus. For example, the printing apparatus can obtain business operator identification information of a business place to which the printing apparatus belongs, using a user interface.

The printing apparatus can display the formation status of the communication channel to a user using a user interface. The user interface may provide the user with the result of the formation of the communication channel, whether to stop the connection, or the like.

4.2.4 Example

Hereinafter, some embodiments of a method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a server apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a server apparatus includes the steps of: storing identification information of a server apparatus by a channel management application; And transmitting the identification information of the printing apparatus corresponding to the server apparatus to the server apparatus using the identification information of the printing apparatus and the identification information of the server apparatus by the channel management application. At this time, if the identification information of the printing apparatus is transmitted to the server apparatus, the server apparatus can form a communication channel with the printing apparatus.

The obtaining of the identification information of the printing apparatus may be performed by recognizing an identification mark such as a bar code or a photograph attached to the printing apparatus using a camera module of a terminal equipped with the application. Obtaining the identification information of the printing apparatus may include obtaining the store identification information of the store in which the printing apparatus is installed. The obtaining of the store identification information may be performed by receiving the name of the store from the user using the user interface of the application.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a server apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a channel management application using an administrator application; The method comprising the steps of: acquiring information of a device; storing information of the server device in the channel management application; acquiring user input information from a user; And transmitting the information of the server apparatus to the printing apparatus.

The manager application can be driven by an administrator who manages the server apparatus. The information of the server device obtained through the manager application may be identification information of an administrator managing the server device, a domain name of the server device, an IP address of the server device, and the like.

The user input information may include store identification information, manager identification information, identification information of a printing apparatus, and the like.

The method for forming a communication channel may further include transmitting a message indicating that the printing apparatus has formed a channel to the channel management application when a communication channel is established between the printing apparatus and the server apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a server apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring connection information of a server apparatus and manager information of an administrator associated with the server apparatus; The channel management application acquiring identification information of a printing apparatus to which the channel management application tries to connect to the server apparatus and identification information of a user using the printing apparatus; Transmitting the information, and receiving the notification that the channel management application has notified that the communication channel is established with the server apparatus from the printing apparatus.

The channel management application may acquire the connection information of the server device and the manager information from a database previously stored in the channel management application.

A method of forming a communication channel between a printing apparatus and a server apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes connecting a channel management application that stores connection information of a server apparatus, identification information of a server apparatus, Wherein the channel management application obtains user information from a user, the channel management application transmits user information and connection information of the server device to the printing device, , The printing apparatus obtaining the user information and the connection information of the server apparatus and requesting the printing apparatus to form a communication channel, the channel management application transmitting identification information of the printing apparatus To the server device Determining whether the server apparatus accepts the communication channel forming request of the printing apparatus based on the identification information of the printing apparatus, and forming the communication channel with the printing apparatus by the server apparatus can do.

Although the embodiment has been described with reference to the embodiment in which the printing apparatus requests the server apparatus to form the communication channel, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the operations of the printing apparatus and the server apparatus may be reversed .

The method of forming a communication channel according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various embodiments for assisting the formation of a web socket channel between the server device transmitting the data and the printing device may be implemented.

4.3 Control tool

The configuration of the control device described above in connection with the first printing process can also be implemented in the second printing process. Specifically, the apparatus control method using the control tool may be applied to a third system including a user terminal, a data distribution server, and a printing apparatus.

A method for controlling a device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: obtaining a control tool for controlling the printing device; forming a web socket communication channel between the user terminal and the printing device; And the terminal controlling the printing apparatus using the control tool and the web socket communication channel.

The user terminal obtaining the control tool may be obtaining a control tool provided at a data distribution server. Obtaining the control tool may be to obtain a control tool provided by the data distribution server using a web browser driven by the user terminal.

Wherein forming the web socket communication channel between the user terminal and the printing device comprises connecting the web socket communication channel between the user terminal and the data distribution server and when the data distribution server and the printing device are connected to the network, The web server communication channel is connected between the data distribution server and the printing apparatus, and the user terminal and the data distribution server are connected to the network. The web socket communication channel may be formed simultaneously between the user terminal and the data distribution server and between the data distribution server and the printing apparatus.

Wherein the user terminal controls the printing apparatus using the control tool and the web socket communication channel includes the steps of obtaining the registration information for identifying and managing the printing apparatus by the user terminal and providing the registration information to the data distribution server .

The device management method using the control tool may be applied to a fourth system including a user terminal, a data distribution server, a hub print device, and a peripheral device connected to the hub print device.

A method for controlling a device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: obtaining a control tool for controlling the printing device; forming a web socket communication channel between the user terminal and the printing device; And controlling the peripheral device connected to the printing device using the control tool and the web socket communication channel.

The control of the peripheral device by the user terminal includes providing registration information for controlling the peripheral device and transmitting control data for controlling the operation of the peripheral device.

In a specific example, a device management method using the control tool may include: when the print device activates a print mode according to the data distribution server and the second process, and a web socket communication channel is established between the print device and the data distribution server, The data distribution server may include providing the user terminal with a control device of the peripheral device. Wherein the user terminal transmits the web socket handshake to the data distribution server when the control tool is acquired and establishes a web socket communication channel with the data distribution server when receiving a handshake response from the data distribution server have.

At this time, the user terminal may provide the data distribution server with identification information of the printing apparatus and registration information (or control information) for controlling the peripheral apparatus. The printing device may obtain the registration information and register and control the peripheral device based on registration information of the peripheral device.

The printing apparatus registers the peripheral apparatus and transmits a notification message to the data distribution server to notify the registration status of the peripheral apparatus. The data distribution server may transmit the notification message to the user terminal.

5. Combined Embodiment

The first printing process and the second printing process described above are not performed independently. The first printing process and the second process may be started simultaneously on an associated system. The data or communication channel management methods described in connection with the first printing process and the data or communication channel management methods described in connection with the second printing process may also be performed in an overlapping manner.

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described in which the system encompassing the first process and the second process and the above-described ideas in combination with the first process and the second process are implemented in a complex manner.

5.1 The fifth system

28 illustrates a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 28, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of user terminals, at least one data distribution server, a plurality of printing apparatuses 600, a plurality of external control apparatuses 100, Device 300 as shown in FIG.

At this time, at least one of the plurality of printing apparatuses 900 may be connected to the data distribution server 500 and the external control apparatus 100 at the same time.

Hereinafter, a printing apparatus that is simultaneously connected to the data distribution server 500 and the external control apparatus 100 is defined as a composite printing apparatus. In other words, it can be understood that the composite printing apparatus 900 is a printing apparatus having attributes of the printing apparatus 200 according to the first printing process and the printing apparatus 600 according to the second printing process described above.

The composite printing apparatus 900 may form a web socket channel with the external control apparatus 100 and obtain print data from the external control apparatus 100 through the web socket channel. The specific process may be performed as described above in connection with the first printing process.

The composite printing apparatus 900 may form a web socket channel with the data distribution server 500 and obtain print data through the web socket channel. The specific process may be performed as described above in connection with the second printing process

When the composite printing apparatus 900 acquires data from the external control apparatus 100 and the data distribution server 500, the data of the data acquired by the external control apparatus 100 and the data distribution server 500 The processing is problematic. The composite printing apparatus 900 can set and prioritize data among the data acquired by the external control apparatus 100 and the data distribution server 500. The composite printing apparatus 900 may handle the acquired data differently according to the received apparatus. The composite printing device 900 can process the acquired data in the order of the received time irrespective of the received device. The composite printing apparatus 900 may determine the destination according to the received device and process the acquired data. For example, the composite printing apparatus 900 transmits data acquired from the external control apparatus 100 to the first peripheral device 301, and data acquired from the data distribution server 500 is transmitted to the second peripheral device 302 ). More specifically, the composite printing apparatus 900 transmits the data acquired from the first external control apparatus 101 to the first peripheral device 301 and the data from the first user terminal 401 to the data distribution server 500 May be transmitted to the third peripheral device (303).

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention described above can be implemented separately or in combination.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

A method of controlling an electronic device such that a communication channel is formed between the printing device and a data server providing data to the printing device, the electronic device comprising: a connection to a data server where print data, And stores the connection information used in the < RTI ID = 0.0 >
The control method of the electronic device includes:
Obtaining user identification information corresponding to the printing device;
Transmitting first information including the user identification information and connection information for the printing device to request a connection to the data server to the printing device so that the printing device requests a communication connection to the data server, The connection information being determined in consideration of the user identification information; And
Obtaining second information including unique identification information of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus in response to transmitting the first information to the printing apparatus; Containing
A method of controlling an electronic device.

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