WO2006006302A1

WO2006006302A1 - Printing system, printer server, print execution program, and printed document management system

Info

Publication number: WO2006006302A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/009198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroshi Kawabe
Original assignee: Ize Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2006-01-19
Also published as: JPWO2006006302A1

Abstract

It is possible to eliminate the need of the printer driver depending on the printer type. There is provided a network printing system (1) including a client (10), a printer (30) having the function for interpreting and printing a file of the pdf format, and a printer server (20) which are connected by a network (100). The client (10) transmits printer specification information specifying a printer and document data to be printed, to a printer server. The printer server (20) has a print pdf file generation unit (24) for converting the document data received from the client (10) and stored, into the pdf format and generating a print pdf file. The printer server (20) transmits the print pdf file as a print job to the printer (30) according to the printer specification information received from the client (10). Moreover, the print pdf file after the printing is accumulated for management of the printed document.

Description

Technical field of printing system, printer server, print execution program and print document management system

The present invention relates to a network printing system for printing from a client computer, a printer server, a printing system, a client, a print execution device, a print execution program, and a printed document management system.

Background art

[0002] In general, in order to execute printing on a printer connected to a client computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “client” t) that requests printing, the printer driver (this is referred to as “printer”). It was common knowledge that it was necessary to install a printer printer (refer to Patent Document 1, for example). This has been taken for granted when a printer is connected locally, as it corresponds to one of the devices controlled by the computer itself, like the keyboard and display connected to the computer. With the development of networks such as LAN (Local Area Network), the printer has a server function, and the client can operate the printer on the network. Nevertheless, a driver must be installed for each printer to be used. The printer is operated (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] As described above, when it is necessary to install a printer driver for each printer, even if, for example, a laptop computer is taken to a business office on a business trip and a document is to be printed, You must install the correct printer driver for your printer. In some cases, the printer driver could not be found and the document data was often copied to another computer at the office and then printed. Also, depending on the operating system, the printer driver is not complete and the printer cannot be used depending on the model! There are also problems!

[0004] On the other hand, information management has become an important issue in recent years when information devices have become highly popular. However, information management of what documents have been printed out in the company so far Did not know. For example, print management using the Active Directory function of Windows (registered trademark) Server was powerful enough to manage only print information that was not managed by prints. Specifically, the printing date and time, user name, and document file name could be stored, but the contents of the actually printed document, such as character information and layout, could not be stored. For this reason, even if the document file name can be identified with the person who printed it (terminal), the contents of the document file can be changed later, so the information (contents) of the printed document can always be managed. However, it was powerful.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9 22335

Patent Document 2: JP 2004-110678 A

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the background as described above, and it is an object to eliminate the troublesomeness of installing a printer driver for each printer on the assumption that a printer having a certain function is used. And It is also an object to be able to identify the contents of a printed document and to manage information by searching for a document containing a keyword from the printed document as necessary.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a network printing system of the present invention includes a client that requests printing, a printer that has a function of decoding and printing a file in a pdf format (Portable Document Format), and the client. A printer server that receives a print request and causes the printer to execute printing, and a network that connects the client, the printer, and the printer server to each other. The client includes a print data transmission unit that transmits printer designation information for designating the printer and document data to be printed to the printer server. The printer server includes a print data storage unit that receives and stores the printer designation information and the document data from the client, and the print data storage unit that receives and stores the print data storage unit from the client. The print pdf file generation unit that converts the data into a pdf format to generate a print pdf file and the print pdf file generation unit receive the generated print pdf file from the client. And a print instructing unit that transmits to the printer as a print job in accordance with the designated printer information. The printer then prints the print job. A pdf file decoding unit that receives the image and decodes the pdf file as print image data, and an output driver that prints out the print data.

[0008] Further, the printer server for executing printing received from the client using the printer having the function of decoding and printing the pdf format file of the present invention specifies the printer to execute the printing. Printer data to be printed and document data to be printed are received from the client and stored, and the print data storage unit converts the document data received and stored from the client into a pdf format. The pdf file generation unit for printing that generates a pdf file for printing and the pdf file for printing generated in the pdf file generation unit for printing is received from the client according to the printer designation information !, to the printer A print instruction unit that transmits the print job.

[0009] The printing system of the present invention can also be configured by a client that requests printing and a printer that is connected to the client and has a function of decoding and printing a file in pdf format. The client of this printing system converts the document data to be printed into a pdf format and generates a pdf file for printing, and the printing pdf file generated by the pdf file generating unit for printing described above. a print instructing unit that transmits a pdf file to the printer as a print job, and the printer receives the print job and decodes the pdf file as print image data. And an output driver for printing out.

[0010] Using a printer that has a function to open and print a file in pdf format, a client that performs printing converts document data to be printed into pdf format and generates a pdf file for printing The printing pdf file generation unit and a print instruction unit that transmits the printing pdf file generated by the printing pdf file generation unit to the printer as a print job are configured.

[0011] A print execution device for executing printing from a client using a printer having a function for opening and printing a file in pdf format converts the document data to be printed into pdf format and prints it. The pdf file generator for printing that generates a pdf file for printing and the pdf file for printing generated in the pdf file generator for printing described above And a print instruction unit that transmits the print job to the printer as a print job.

[0012] A print execution program for executing printing from a client using a printer having a function of opening and printing a file in pdf format converts the document data to be printed into pdf format. A print pdf file generation unit for generating a print pdf file, and a print instruction unit for transmitting the print pdf file generated by the print pdf file generation unit to the printer as a print job. Configured to function.

[0013] In addition, in the above-described network printing system, printer server, printing system, client, and print execution software, a print job having a print instruction unit can be transmitted using FTP (Pile Transfer Protocol) ^ electronic mail ~~ (¾ecure Shell) ^ LPR (Line PRinterdaemon protocol)!

[0014] By applying a printing system using the pdf format as described above, it becomes possible to manage printed documents.

That is, a client requesting printing, a printer having a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file, a printer server that receives the printing request from the printer terminal, and causing the printer to execute printing, and the client A print document management system comprising the printer and a network connecting the printer servers to each other is proposed.

The client in the print document management system transmits printer designation information for designating the printer, document data to be printed, and user identification information for identifying a user who prints the document data to the printer server. Has a data transmission unit,

The printer server includes a server storage device, a print data accumulation unit that receives and stores the printer designation information, the document data, and the user identification information from the client, and the print data accumulation unit that stores the print data accumulation unit. According to the printer designation information, the printing pdf file generation unit that converts document data into a pdf format and generates a printing pdf file, and the printing pdf file generated in the printing pdf file generation unit, A print instruction part to be sent as a print job to the printer; and the pdf file for printing. A printed pdf file storage unit for storing the file in the printed document storage area in the server storage device in association with the corresponding user identification information,

The printer includes a pdf file decoding unit that receives the print job and decodes the print pdf file as print image data, and an output driver that prints out the print image data.

[0015] In such a print document management system, the print data transmission unit may print the printed pdf file storage unit that may transmit the print date and time to the printer server. The print date and time may be stored in association with the pdf file for printing.

[0016] In the print document management system, the printer server or the client stores a keyword input unit for inputting a search keyword and the search keyword input by the keyword input unit in the printed document storage area. Corresponding to at least the print pdf file in which the search keyword is detected when the search keyword is detected in the keyword search unit to be searched and the keyword search unit in the text data force in the stored print pdf file And a detection result output unit for outputting the user identification information.

[0017] Then, the printer server registers a search keyword in the server storage device, and the printing keyword stored in the printed document storage area with the search keyword registered in the server storage device. A keyword search unit for searching from text data in a pdf file, and when the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit, at least the user identification information corresponding to the print pdf file in which the search keyword is detected It is desirable to provide a detection result output unit for outputting.

[0018] Further, the keyword registration unit can register the search keyword in association with an e-mail address, and the detection result output unit is configured to detect the search keyword in the keyword search unit. In addition, it is preferable that at least the user identification information is transmitted as an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the search keyword.

[0019] Further, it is preferable that the detection result output unit transmits the e-mail attached with the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected. [0020] The print document management system includes a client that requests printing, a printer that has a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file, and a network that connects the client and the printer to each other. You can also

In this case, the client converts the document data to be printed into a pdf format and generates a pdf file for printing, and prints the pdf file for printing and the document data. A print instructing unit that transmits user identification information for identifying a user to the printer as a print job, and the printer receives a printer storage device and receives the print job and prints the pdf file for printing. A pdf file decoding unit for decoding as data, an output driver for printing out the print image data, and storing the printed document in the printer storage device by associating the printed out pdf file for printing with user identification information It has a printed pdf file storage part that stores in the area.

[0021] In this print document management system, the printer includes a keyword input unit for inputting a search keyword, and the search keyword input by the keyword input unit stored in the printed document storage area. A keyword search unit that searches from text data in a print pdf file, and when the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit, at least the user identification corresponding to the print pdf file in which the search keyword is detected It is desirable to provide a detection result output unit for outputting information.

In the print document management system, the printer includes a keyword registration unit for registering a search keyword in the printer storage device, and the print of the search keyword registered in the printer storage device. Text data in the pdf file for printing stored in the finished document storage area and a keyword search unit for searching, and when the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit, at least the search keyword is detected It is desirable to provide a detection result output unit that outputs the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for use.

[0023] Further, the keyword registration unit can register the search keyword in association with an e-mail address, and the detection result output unit can perform the search by the keyword search unit. When a keyword is detected, it is desirable to send at least the user identification information as an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the retrieved search keyword.

[0024] The detection result output unit preferably transmits the e-mail attached with the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected.

[0025] According to the network printing system, printer server, printing system, client, printer driver, and print execution program of the present invention, prior to printing, Windows (registered trademark), MacOS (registered trademark), UNIX (registered trademark). ), A pdf file for printing converted to the pdf format, which is a common document format, using an operating system such as Linux (registered trademark). Since the printing pdf file is transmitted to the printer as a print job, printing can be performed without the need for a printer driver for each printer. Also, according to the print document management system of the present invention, since the print pdf file created at the time of printing is accumulated, the information manager can grasp the contents of the printed document. However, since the pdf format has text information, it is possible to easily identify the person who printed the document containing the keyword by configuring the accumulated pdf file for printing so that the keyword can be searched. Can do. Further, p _d f format, since hardly tampered later, it is possible to utilize this stored print pdf file as proof of usage information. In addition, the amount of paper used can be reduced because private printing can be expected to decrease.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the network printing system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network printing system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a network printing system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing another example of a printing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of a network printing system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network printing system according to the second embodiment. It is.

FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of a print document management system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a print document management system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a document is printed by the print document management system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a document including a keyword is searched in the print document management system according to the third embodiment.

[FIG. 12] In the print document management system according to the third embodiment, keywords are registered in advance.

5 is a flowchart for explaining a case of searching a document.

FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram of a print document management system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram when a printer is locally connected in the print document management system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block configuration diagram of a network printing system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a document is printed in the print document management system according to the fourth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the network printing system according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the network printing system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network printing system 1 according to the present embodiment can communicate with each other via a plurality of clients 10 that request printing, a printer server 20, a printer 30, and a network 100 such as a power LAN. Connected to

As shown in FIG. 2, the client 10 is a so-called personal computer capable of LAN connection, and includes a main control unit 11, a storage device 12, a document data editing unit 13, a print data transmission unit 14, and a communication. A control unit 19 is included. Although not shown, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display are connected.

[0030] The main control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations, temporary storage, and the like. Various functions are realized by reading the program stored in the storage device 12 into the memory and executing it.

[0031] The storage device 12 is an external storage device such as a disk or a disk.

The document data editing unit 13 is realized by executing an application program stored in the storage device 12 with the help of so-called word processing software or spreadsheet software. The document data editing unit 13 prepares a print command that can be executed according to a user instruction, and the print data transmission unit 14 is called by executing the print command.

[0033] The print data transmission unit 14 has a program power that is called when a print command is executed by the document data editing unit 13 or other application programs, and includes a printer selection unit 14a, a print number setting unit 14b, A paper size setting unit 14c. The printer selection unit 14a detects a printer connected to the network 100 when the client 10 is connected to the network 100, and stores information on the detected printer. Then, when the print data transmission unit 14 is called, the stored printer is presented to the user as a selectable printer. The printer selected by the user in response to the presentation of the printer selection unit 14a is transmitted to the printer server 20 together with the document data as printer designation information when the user is also instructed to execute printing. How to specify the printer specification information is determined by the document data transmission method. For example, the printer specification information is specified by the printer's IP address, e-mail address set for printing on the printer, FTP address, network folder, etc. The When the print data transmission unit 14 is called, the print copy number setting unit 14b presents a column for inputting the print copy number (print copy number data) to the user. The number of copies to be selected (print number data) selected by the user in response to the presentation of the number of copies setting section 14b is transmitted to the printer server 20 together with the document data when a print execution instruction is issued from the user. The paper size setting unit 14c presents a column for inputting a paper size (paper size data) to the user when the print data transmission unit 14 is called. Selected paper size by the user according to the presentation of the paper size setting unit 14c (sheet size data), when the print execution instruction from the user has been performed is transmitted to the printer server 20 together with the document data ₀

The communication control unit 19 is a device for LAN connection, and includes a client 10 and a printer server 2 Data exchange with 0 and the printer 30 is performed via the communication control unit 19. The communication control unit 19 uses a standardized communication method such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and uses a common protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / lnternet Protocol) to communicate data with devices on the network 100. Send and receive.

The printer server 20 is configured by introducing the functions of a print data storage unit 23, a pdf file generation unit 24 for printing, and a print instruction unit 25 into a general computer. The main control unit 21, storage device 22 (server storage device), and communication control unit 29 in the printer server 20 are the same as the main control unit 11, storage device 12, and communication control unit 19 of the client 10, respectively.

[0036] The print data storage unit 23 receives the print data transmission unit 14 of the client 10 and print setting information such as printer designation information, number of copies data, and paper size data from the communication control unit 29. And temporarily store it in a predetermined working folder of the storage device 22. The fact that the document data has been stored by the print data storage unit 23 is notified to the print pdf file generation unit 24.

[0037] In response to the notification from the print data storage unit 23, the print pdf file generation unit 24 converts the document data stored in the storage device 22 into a pdf format that is a published document format, and prints the pdf file. This is the part that generates the file. The generated print pdf file is temporarily stored in a predetermined working folder in the storage device 22. The completion of the work in the print pdf file generation unit 24 is notified to the print instruction unit 25.

The print instructing unit 25 sequentially reads out the print pdf file from the working folder in accordance with the notification from the print pdf file generating unit 24. Then, according to the printer designation information, the printing pdf file and the print setting information such as the number of copies data and the paper size data are transmitted to the printer 30 as a print job. Various methods can be used as the transmission method at this time. For example, when a file is transferred by FTP, a pdf file for printing and a text data file (print setting file) in which print setting information is listed in a predetermined order are transferred to the FTP address specified by the printer specification information. To do. When sending a file by e-mail, attach a pdf file for printing and a text data file containing print setting information in a predetermined order to the e-mail and specify the printer. Send to the e-mail address specified in the fixed information.

The printer 30 is a device that executes a print job received from the printer server 20 and prints a document. The printer 30 includes a printing device 38 which is a device portion as a general printer, a print job storage unit 33, a pdf file decoding unit 34, and an output driver 35. The main control unit 31, the storage device 32, and the communication control unit 39 in the printer 30 are the same as the main control unit 11, the storage device 12, and the communication control unit 19 of the client 10, respectively.

The print job storage unit 33 is a part that receives a print job by a predetermined method and stores the print job in a predetermined work folder in the storage device 32. For example, if the print job transfer method is FTP, the print job storage unit 33 has an FTP server function, and the printer server 20 print pdf file and print setting file to the specified FTP address. Is stored. If the transfer method of the print job is email, the print job storage unit 33 has a mail server function, stores mail to the email address designated by the printer server 20, Save the print df file and print setting file to the folder.

[0041] The pdf file decoding unit 34 decodes the print document file stored in the predetermined folder by the print job storage unit 33 according to the published document format pdf format, and prints the print data (print image data). ) And output to output driver 35. At this time, the print setting information in the print setting file stored in the predetermined work folder is also output to the output driver 35.

[0042] The output driver 35 is a part that drives and controls the printing device 38, and drives the printing device 38 so as to print out the input print image data. At this time, the print setting information is used as control information for the printing apparatus 38.

The operation of the network printing system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network printing system according to the first embodiment. Here, an example of using FTP for data transfer will be described. First, when the client 10 is connected to the network 100, it searches for a printer on the network 100 (S101), and the printer 30 responds with its own FTP address for accepting printing (S101). — 2) Thus, when the printer 30 is detected, the information of the printer 30 (FTP address for accepting printing) is stored in the storage device 12 (S101).

[0044] When the user data client 10 activates the document data editing unit 13 to create document data and then executes a print command (S102), the print data transmission unit 14 is called (S103).

[0045] The print data transmission unit 14 executes a printer selection unit 14a, a print number setting unit 14b, and a paper size setting unit 14c to select a printer selection field, print number input field, and paper size input that can be selected on the display. A column or the like is displayed (S104) to prompt the user to input.

[0046] When the user selects a printer, sets the number of copies to be printed, sets the paper size (S105), and instructs execution of printing (S106), the print data transmission unit 14 causes the communication control unit 19 to pass through. The document data is transferred to the printer server 20 (S107). At this time, in accordance with the document data, print setting information such as printer designation information, number of copies data, and paper size data is transferred to the printer server 20 by FTP.

The printer server 20 stores the document data and print setting information received from the client 10 in a predetermined folder by the print data storage unit 23 (S108), and sends the document data to the print df file generation unit 24. Notify accumulation.

[0048] In response to the notification from the print data storage unit 23, the print pdf file generation unit 24 sequentially reads predetermined folder force document data in the storage device 22 and converts it into a pdf format to generate a print pdf file ( S109) and store in a predetermined folder. The end of this work is notified to the print instruction unit 25.

[0049] In response to the notification from the print pdf file generation unit 24, the print instructing unit 25 sequentially reads the print pdf file and displays the FTP address (printer 30) indicated in the printer designation information in the print setting information. The pdf file for printing is transferred to) (S110). At this time, print setting information such as the number of copies data and paper size data is also prepared in the setting file and transferred to the same FTP address.

[0050] The printer 30 constantly monitors the FTP address indicated by the printer designation information, and the print job storage unit 33 moves the print job to a predetermined folder when the print job is transferred. Accumulate (SI 11). The pdf file decoding unit 34 decodes the pdf file for printing. Then, it is decoded as document data, print image data is generated and output to the output driver 35 (S112). The output driver 35 outputs the print image data input from the pdf file decoding unit 34 to the printing device 38 according to the print setting information, and causes the printing device 38 to print the document (S113). Note that the print job and pdf file for printing are deleted after the printing process is completed.

As described above, the network printing system 1 can print a document. In other words, the printer server 20 is used on the assumption that the printer 30 has a pdf file decoding unit 34 and has a function of printing a pdf file for printing input under predetermined conditions. Thus, printing can be executed without preparing a printer driver for the printer 30. This is realized by a new function provided in the printer server 20, that is, a function of converting the transferred document data into a pdf format and transferring it as a print job to the printer 30 according to the printer designation information. . Also, the pdf format is a standardized document format that maintains the document layout on the printed paper and fits the size so that the user can use the powerful format when transferring data. Unintentional printing mistakes can be prevented.

In this way, the network printing system 1 allows a user to print a document without using a new printer driver even in a network such as a business trip destination.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 4 and 5 are system configuration diagrams of the network printing system (printing system) according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block configuration diagram of the network printing system according to the second embodiment. It is. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a network printing system according to this embodiment! The / is connected to a plurality of clients 10 'requesting printing and the printer 30 via a network 100 such as a power LAN so that they can communicate with each other. Note that there is not necessarily a plurality of clients, and the client may be connected as a local printer, as in the printing system! / Shown in FIG. Also in this printing system! /, The data transmission method between the client 1CT and the printer 30 is different, except for the network printing system shown in Fig. 4. Same as / The

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the client 1 (is a so-called personal computer LAN-connectable, and includes a main control unit 11, a storage device 12, a document data editing unit 13, and a print setting input unit 14 '. , A print pdf file generation unit 15, a print instruction unit 16, and a communication control unit 19. Among these, the print setting input unit 14 ′, the print pdf file generation unit 15, and the print instruction unit 16 include a print execution program. According to this printer driver, as long as a printer having a function for opening and printing a file in a pdf format, such as the printer 30 of this embodiment, is used, the model of the printer is used. It is possible to print with the same printer driver regardless of whether or not, although not shown, client 1 (has input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and a display. Output devices such as ray is connected.

[0056] The main control unit 11, the storage device 12, the document data editing unit 13, and the communication control unit 19 are the same as in the first embodiment, and by executing the print command prepared in the document data editing unit 13, In the print execution program, the print setting input section 14 'that operates first is called.

[0057] The print setting input unit 14 ^ is a program that is called when a print command is executed by the document data editing unit 13 or other application programs, and includes a printer selection unit 14a, a print number setting unit 14b, And a paper size setting unit 14c. These printer selection unit 14a, print number setting unit 14b, and paper size setting unit 14c are the same as those in the first embodiment. The print setting information input by the printer selection unit 14a, the number-of-prints setting unit 14b, and the paper size setting unit 14c is temporarily stored in the storage device 12, and is printed by the print instruction unit 16 described later. Transferred to printer 30. Also, the completion of the input of the print settings is notified to the print pdf file generation unit 15.

[0058] In response to the notification from the print setting input unit 14 ', the print pdf file generation unit 15 converts the document data stored in the storage device 22 into a pdf format that is a published document format, and prints it. This is a part that generates a pdf file and can be realized by executing a known program. The generated pdf file for printing is temporarily stored in a predetermined working folder in the storage device 12. Pdf file generator for printing 15 The completion is notified to the print instruction unit 16.

The print instructing unit 16 sequentially reads out the print pdf file from the work folder in accordance with the notification from the print pdf file generating unit 15. Then, according to the printer designation information, the printing pdf file and the print setting information such as the number of copies data and the paper size data are transmitted to the printer 30 as a print job. Various methods can be used as the transmission method at this time. For example, when transferring a file by FTP, transfer a pdf file for printing and a text data file (print setting file) in which print setting information is listed in a predetermined order to the FTP address specified by the printer specification information. To do. In addition, when sending a file by e-mail, a pdf file for printing and a text data file that lists print setting information in a predetermined order are attached to the e-mail and specified by the printer specification information. Send to email address.

Since the printer 30 is the same as the printer 30 of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0061] The operation of the network printing system! / Configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network printing system according to the second embodiment. Here, an example of using FTP for data transfer will be described. First, when the client 1 (is connected to the network 100, it searches for a printer on the network 100 (S 201), and the printer 30 responds with its own FTP reception FTP address (S 2 01-2). When the printer 30 is detected by the above, information of the printer 30 (FTP address for print acceptance) is stored in the storage device 12 (S201).

[0062] After the user data client 13 (activates the document data editing unit 13 to create a document and executes a print command (S202), the print setting input unit 14 'is called (S203).

[0063] The print setting input unit 1 executes the printer selection unit 14a, the print number setting unit 14b, and the paper size setting unit 14c to select a printer selection field, print number input field, A paper size input field and the like are displayed (S204) to prompt the user to input.

[0064] When the user selects a printer, sets the number of copies to be printed, sets the paper size (S205), and instructs execution of printing (S206), the completion of the print setting input is sent to the pdf file generation unit 15 for printing. Be notified. [0065] In response to the notification from the print setting input unit 14 ', the print pdf file generation unit 15 sequentially reads out the document data from the predetermined folder force of the storage device 12 and converts the document data into a pdf format to convert the print pdf file. Generate (S207) and store in a predetermined folder. The end of this work is notified to the print instruction unit 16.

[0066] In response to the notification from the printing pdf file generation unit 15, the printing instruction unit 16 sequentially reads out the printing pdf file and displays the FTP address (printer 30) indicated in the printer designation information in the print setting information. The pdf file for printing is transferred to) (S208). At this time, print setting information such as the number of copies data and paper size data is also prepared in the setting file and transferred to the same FTP address.

[0067] The printer 30 constantly monitors the FTP address indicated by the printer designation information, and the print job storage unit 33 moves the print job to a predetermined work folder when the print job is transferred. Are accumulated (S209). The pdf file decoding unit 34 decodes the pdf file for printing, decodes it as document data, generates print image data, and outputs it to the output driver 35 (S210). The output driver 35 outputs the print image data, which is also input to the pdf file decoding unit 34, to the printing device 38 according to the print setting information, and causes the printing device 38 to print the document (S211).

[0068] As described above, the network printing system! / Can be used to print the document. In other words, it is assumed that a printer 30 having a pdf file decoding unit 34 and a function for printing a pdf file for printing input under predetermined conditions is used. By using a printer driver that does not depend on the type of printer, printing can be executed without preparing a printer driver for each printer, which is a new function provided in the client 10, that is, a document. Data is converted to pdf format and then transferred to the printer 30 as a print job according to the printer specification information. This is realized by the standard function. This format is used during data transfer to maintain the document layout on the printing paper and to fit the size. By using it for printing, it is possible to prevent printing mistakes not intended by the user.

[0069] In this way, the network printing system! / Allows the user to Even in a work, it is possible to print a document without using a new printer driver. In addition, when a new printer is purchased, there is no need to reinstall the printer driver.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of a print document management system to which the network printing system of the present invention is applied will be described. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of a print document management system according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram of a print document management system according to the third embodiment. is there.

As shown in FIG. 8, a print document management system 101 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of clients 110 that request printing, a printer server 120, a printer 30, and a network 100 such as a power LAN. Connected so that communication is possible.

As shown in FIG. 9, the client 110 is a so-called personal computer capable of LAN connection, and includes a main control unit 11, a storage device 12, a document data editing unit 13, a print data transmission unit 114, A communication control unit 19 is included. Although not shown, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display are connected.

The client 110 is the same as the client 10 of the first embodiment except that the print data transmission unit 114 is different from the print data transmission unit 14 of the first embodiment.

The print data transmission unit 114 transmits the print data according to the first embodiment except that the print data transmission unit 114 transmits the user identification information to the printer server 120 in accordance with the document data and the print setting information when receiving the print execution instruction. Same as Part 14. The user identification information is not particularly limited as long as it is useful information for identifying the user. For example, the computer name of the client 110, the user name using the client 110, the IP address of the client 110 on the network, etc. Is mentioned.

The printer server 120 is the same as the printer server 20 of the first embodiment except that it includes a printed pdf file storage unit 26 and a printed document search unit 27.

[0075] The printed pdf file storage unit 26 stores the print pdf file transmitted by the print instruction unit 25 in accordance with a predetermined mark in the storage device 22 in response to the print instruction unit 25 instructing the printer 30 to print. Accumulated in a printed document storage area, for example, a predetermined folder. The printed document storage area is Needless to say, if the storage device that can be accessed from the printer server 120 is set !, it is not necessary to physically set the storage device in the printer server 120.

The printed document search unit 27 includes a keyword input unit 27a, a keyword registration unit 27b, a keyword search unit 27c, and a search result output unit 27d.

[0077] The keyword input unit 27a is a part that provides an input opportunity to input a keyword to be searched for in the pdf file for printing in the printed document storage area. This input opportunity may be waiting for a command input command, or may be an input field using a GUI. The keyword input according to the operation of the single word input unit 27a is passed to the keyword search unit 27c.

[0078] The keyword registration unit 27b registers the keyword previously searched from the pdf file for printing in the printed document storage area, and searches the keyword search unit 27c to search for the keyword at a predetermined timing. It is a passing part. Similar to the keyword input unit 27a, the keyword registration unit 27b provides the user with a keyword input opportunity. Then, the input keyword is stored in the storage device 22. It should be noted that information specifying the administrator who manages the document including the keyword is registered in accordance with the keyword. This information includes, for example, the name of the administrator, the computer name of the client 110 used by the administrator, the e-mail address of the administrator.

The keyword registration unit 27b reads the registered keyword from the storage device 22 and passes it to the keyword search unit 27c when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when a time is determined and the time has come.

The keyword search unit 27c searches for the keyword passed from the keyword input unit 27a or the keyword registration unit 27b from the text data of the print pdf file in the printed document storage area. If the keyword also detects the pdf file power for printing, information specifying the pdf file for printing is passed to the search result output unit 27d.

The search result output unit 27d is a part that notifies the user of the search result together with the user identification information when the keyword search unit 27c searches for a keyword. One way to inform the user of the search results is to specify the pdf file for printing on the display. Information, the contents of the print pdf file, and information identifying the user who printed the print pdf file, such as the user name and client name, can be output. In addition, when information specifying an administrator is registered in accordance with the keyword in the keyword registration unit 27b, the administrator may be notified. For example, if the administrator's e-mail address is registered !, the user identification information may be sent to the administrator's e-mail address as the contents of the e-mail or attached file data. In addition, if you send an e-mail with a printable pdf file in which the keyword is detected, the administrator can easily know that the document containing the keyword has been printed. You can know the contents of the document.

The operation of the print document management system 101 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the document is printed in the print document management system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the keyword in the print document management system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a document including a keyword is searched. FIG. 12 illustrates a case where a keyword is registered in advance and a document is searched by the print document management system according to the third embodiment. It is a flow chart.

Referring to FIG. 10, a description will be given of a case where a document is printed. In the client 110, S101 to S106 are executed up to a print execution instruction in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, the print data transmission unit 114 transfers the document data to the printer server 120 via the communication control unit 19 (S307). At this time, according to the document data, print setting information such as printer designation information, number of copies data, and paper size data, and user identification information such as a user name, a computer name of the client 110, and an IP address of the client 110 are included. The data is transferred to the printer server 120 by FTP.

The printer server 120 stores the document data, print setting information, and user identification information received from the client 110 in a predetermined folder by the print data storage unit 23 (S308), and also generates a print pdf file generation unit. Notify the document data storage to 24.

In S109 to S113, the document is printed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. After a print instruction is given by the print instruction unit 25, a printed sentence in the storage device 22 is displayed. It is stored in association with the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing printed in the document storage area.

Through such an operation, the contents of the printed document itself are stored in the printer server 120 in association with the user identification information. Therefore, when there is a problem of information leakage later, it is possible to trace the print information of the document by using the stored document and confirm it. In particular, the pdf format is highly reliable as evidence because it is difficult to tamper with. In addition, since the pdf format has a small amount of data, it is advantageous in terms of cost because the amount of data does not increase even if all printed documents are accumulated.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, a case where a document is searched for by keyword will be described. First, according to the provision of input opportunities in the keyword input unit 27a,

When a keyword is input (S320), the input keyword is transferred to the keyword search unit 27c. The keyword search unit 27c searches the passed keyword from the text data of the pdf file for printing stored in the printed document storage area. Then, the search result output unit 27d outputs the search result (S322). For example, if a document containing a keyword is found unsuccessfully, that fact is displayed on the display. When a document containing a keyword is found, the user identification information stored in association with the document and the contents of the print pdf file are displayed on the display. With this operation, the information manager can operate the printer server 120 as appropriate to check whether there is a document containing important information (keywords) in the printed document. Become.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a case where a keyword is registered in advance and a document is searched will be described. First, the information manager inputs the keyword to be searched for a pdf file for printing and his / her e-mail address according to the input opportunity provided in advance by the keyword registration unit 27b. The keyword registration unit 27b associates this keyword with the e-mail address and stores them in the storage device 22 (S330). Then, the keyword registration unit 27b determines whether or not the predetermined search timing is correct (S331), and when the search timing is reached, for example, when a predetermined time is reached with reference to the timer of the printer server 120 (S 331, Yes), pass the keyword to the keyword search unit. The keyword search unit 27c searches the text data of the pdf file for printing stored in the printed document storage area for the keyword passed from the keyword registration unit 27b (S333). Then, the search result output unit 27d outputs the search result (S333). For example, if a document containing keywords is powerful enough to see, that fact is displayed on the display. Also, when a document containing keywords is found, it is stored in association with the document, and the user identification information and the contents of the print pdf file are displayed on the display. In addition, the search result output unit 27d reads out the e-mail address corresponding to the keyword used for the search stored in the storage device 22, and transmits the user identification information to this e-mail address. At this time, the retrieved print pdf file is attached to the e-mail and sent (S334).

[0090] With such an operation, if the administrator uses his / her terminal, an e-mail is sent at an appropriate timing when a document including an important keyword is printed. , Information can be managed efficiently.

In the present embodiment, the printed document search unit 27 is provided in the printer server 120, but the client 110 may include the printed document search unit 27.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a case where the print document management system of the third embodiment is configured by a client and a printer. Portions similar to those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the drawings to be referred to, FIGS. 13 and 14 are system configuration diagrams of a print document management system according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a block configuration diagram of a network printing system according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, a print document management system 201 according to the present embodiment is connected to a plurality of clients 210 that request printing and a printer 30 and a network 100 such as a power LAN so that they can communicate with each other. Has been. Note that the printer 30 may be locally connected to the client 310 as in the print document management system 301 shown in FIG. This print document management system 301 is also the same as the print document management system 201 shown in FIG. 13 except that the data transmission method between the client 310 and the printer 30 is different. . As shown in FIG. 15, the configuration of the print document management system 201 includes a printed pdf file storage unit 26 and a printed document search unit 27 in the client 210. The printed pdf file storage unit 26 and the printed document search unit 27 are the same as the printed pdf file storage unit 26 and the printed document search unit 27 of the third embodiment, and are printed in the storage device 12 of the client 210. The only difference is that a document storage area is set.

Accordingly, the operation of the print document management system is the same as that of the third embodiment. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, after the print pdf file is transferred to the printer 30 (S208), the print pdf The file is stored in the printed document storage area of the storage device 12. When the administrator searches for a pdf file for printing including a keyword, the client 210 performs the same operation as that of the printer server 120 in FIGS.

As described above, it is possible to construct a print document management system as a configuration in which an independent printer server is not provided. In this case as well, information management of printed documents can be performed efficiently.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. Each computer can be configured to be distributed in plural as appropriate, and the storage device can be a remote device via an appropriate communication means.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A client that requests printing, a printer that has a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file, a printer server that receives a printing request from the client and causes the printer to perform printing, the client, A network printing system comprising a printer and a network for connecting the printer servers to each other, wherein the client transmits printer designation information for designating the printer and document data to be printed to the printer server. A print data transmission unit configured to receive a server storage device, the printer designation information and the document data from the client, and store the print data storage unit in the server storage device; In the print data storage unit, the client The pdf file generation unit for printing that generates the pdf file for printing by converting the document data received and stored in the pdf format and the pdf file for printing generated by the pdf file generation unit for printing According to the printer designation information, and a print instruction unit that transmits the print job to the printer as a print job. The printer receives the print job and decodes the pdf file as print image data. And a network printing system comprising: an output driver for printing out the print image data.

[2] A printer server for executing printing received from a client using a printer having a function of decoding and printing a file in pdf format, the server storage device and the printer for executing printing Printer designation information for designating and document data to be printed are received from the client and stored in the server storage device, and received from the client via the print data accumulation unit. Then, the stored document data is converted into a pdf format to generate a pdf file for printing, and the pdf file for printing generated by the printing pdf file generation unit is used to generate the pdf file for printing. A printer server comprising: a print instruction unit that transmits a print job to the printer according to printer designation information.

[3] A printing system comprising: a client requesting printing; and a printer connected to the client and having a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file, wherein the client should print Convert document data to pdf format for printing pdf A printing pdf file generation unit that generates a file; and a print instruction unit that transmits the printing pdf file generated by the printing pdf file generation unit to the printer as a print job. Comprises a pdf file decoding unit that receives the print job and decodes the pdf file as print image data, and an output driver that prints out the print image data.

[4] A client that performs printing using a printer that has the function of decoding and printing pdf format files, converting the document data to be printed into pdf format and printing A printing pdf file generation unit that generates a pdf file for printing, and a print instruction unit that transmits the pdf file for printing generated in the pdf file generation unit for printing to the printer as a print job. client.

[5] A print execution device for executing printing from a client using a printer that has the function of decoding and printing a file in pdf format, and converting the document data to be printed into pdf format A print pdf file generation unit that generates a print pdf file and a print instruction unit that transmits the generated print pdf file to the printer as a print job. A print execution device characterized by functioning.

[6] A print execution program for executing printing from a client using a printer having a function of decoding and printing a file in pdf format, wherein the client sends document data to be printed to pdf A print pdf file generation unit that generates a pdf file for printing by converting to a format, and a print instruction for transmitting the generated pdf file for printing as a print job to the printer after entering the pdf file generation unit for printing A print execution program that functions as a copy unit.

[7] A client that requests printing, a printer that has a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file, a printer server that receives a printing request from the printer terminal and causes the printer to perform printing, and A print document management system comprising a client, the printer, and a network connecting the printer servers to each other.

The client includes printer designation information for designating the printer and a document to be printed. A print data transmission unit for transmitting data and user identification information for identifying a user who prints the document data to the printer server;

The printer server includes a server storage device, a print data accumulation unit that receives and stores the printer designation information, the document data, and the user identification information from the client, and the print data accumulation unit that stores the print data accumulation unit. According to the printer designation information, the printing pdf file generation unit that converts document data into a pdf format and generates a printing pdf file, and the printing pdf file generated in the printing pdf file generation unit, A print instructing unit that transmits to the printer as a print job, a printed pdf file storage unit that stores the printed pdf file in the printed document storage area in the server storage device in association with the corresponding user identification information, and Have

The printer includes a pdf file decoding unit that receives the print job and decodes the print pdf file as print image data, and an output driver that prints out the print image data. Management system.

[8] The printer server or the client includes a keyword input unit for inputting a search keyword, and a search keyword input by the keyword input unit in the pdf file for printing stored in the printed document storage area. When the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit and the keyword search unit, at least the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing from which the search keyword is detected is detected. 8. The print document management system according to claim 7, further comprising a result output unit.

[9] The printer server includes a keyword registration unit for registering a search keyword in the server storage device, and the printing keyword stored in the printed document storage area, the search keyword registered in the server storage device. Text data in a pdf file Search When a keyword search unit and the keyword search unit detect the search keyword, the user identification information corresponding to at least the print pdf file in which the search keyword is detected 8. The print document management system according to claim 7, further comprising: a detection result output unit that outputs a document.

[10] The keyword registration unit associates the search keyword with an email address. Can register,

When the keyword search unit detects the search keyword, the detection result output unit associates at least the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing from which the search keyword is detected with the search keyword. The print document management system according to claim 9, wherein the print document management system transmits the print document as an e-mail to the e-mail address.

[11] The printing according to claim 10, wherein the detection result output unit transmits the e-mail attached with the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected. Document management system.

[12] A print document management system comprising: a client requesting printing; a printer having a function of decoding and printing a pdf format file; and a network connecting the client and the printer to each other. ,

The client converts the document data to be printed into a pdf format, generates a pdf file for printing, and generates a pdf file for printing, and the user identification information for identifying the pdf file for printing and the client itself. A print instruction section to be sent as a print job to

The printer includes a printer storage device, a pdf file decoding unit that receives the print job and decodes the print pdf file as print image data, an output driver that prints out the print image data, and a printout A printed document management system, comprising: a printed pdf file storage unit that stores the printed pdf file in a printed document storage area in the printer storage device in association with user identification information.

[13] The printer includes a keyword input unit for inputting a search keyword, and text data in the pdf file for printing stored in the printed document storage area with the search keyword input in the keyword input unit. A keyword search unit for searching, and a detection result output unit that outputs at least the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected when the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit The management of a printed document according to claim 12, characterized by comprising: system.

[14] The printer includes a keyword registration unit for registering a search keyword in the printer storage device, and the printing pdf file in which the search keyword registered in the printer storage device is stored in the printed document storage area. When the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit and the keyword search unit, at least the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected is output. 13. The system for managing a printed document according to claim 12, further comprising a detection result output unit configured to detect the print document.

[15] The keyword registration unit can register the search keyword in association with an email address.

When the search keyword is detected by the keyword search unit, the detection result output unit reads at least the user identification information corresponding to the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected from the printer storage device. 15. The print document management system according to claim 14, wherein the print document management system transmits an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the search keyword.

[16] The printing according to claim 15, wherein the detection result output unit transmits the electronic mail attached with the pdf file for printing in which the search keyword is detected. Document management system.