System for mediating printing on network
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsYasushi Nakaoka, Masaaki Hanaoka, Masanori Mukaiyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The technique of the present invention intermediates between an arbitrary client and an arbitrary printer connecting with a network to actualize practical printing works. A print portal system utilizing a server connected to the network intermediates between the client and the printer to execute a printing operation. The client outputs a printing requirement, which specifies print data of interest and a printer as an output resource, to the print portal system. The print portal system converts the input print data into data of a general purpose format, which does not depend upon the type of the printer, and transfers the converted print data to the specified printer.
Claims66
A print portal system that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal system comprising:
- multiple lower-layer portal modules that manage said multiple printing apparatuses and interact with one of said printing apparatuses under management, which is designated by said client, to transmit print data to said designated printing apparatus;
- and
- an upper-layer portal module that manages said multiple lower-layer portal modules and interacts with one of said lower-layer portal modules under management, which is designated by said client, to transmit the print data to said designated lower-layer portal module.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a lower-layer portal server management module that manages a plurality of lower-layer portal servers, which manage said multiple printing apparatuses and interact with a selected one of said printing apparatuses under management to transmit print data to said selected printing apparatus;
- and
- an upper-layer portal module that transmits the print data from one of said content provider servers to one of said lower-layer portal servers, which is designated by said client.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives a printing requirement including designation of a printing apparatus as an output resource from said client;
- a management module that discriminates a first class of a printing apparatus under management of said print portal server from a second class of a printing apparatus under management of another print portal server;
- and
- a job control module that, when said designated printing apparatus is included in the first class, interacts with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the printing requirement to said designated printing apparatus, and when said designated printing apparatus is included in the second class, interacts with said another print portal server to transmit the printing requirement to said another print portal server.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a first input module that receives at least specific information for specifying print data from said client;
- a second input module that receives designation information for specifying a printing apparatus, which is designated by said client as an output resource, from said client after the input of the specific information;
- and
- a portal module that interacts with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the print data to said designated printing apparatus, based on the designation information.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- constructing a database for managing a plurality of lower-layer portal servers, which manage said multiple printing apparatuses and interact with a selected one of said printing apparatuses under management to transmit print data to said selected printing apparatus;
- and
- referring to said database in response to a designation of said client, and interacting with said designated lower-layer portal server to transmit the print data to said designated lower-layer portal server.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- discriminating a first class of a printing apparatus under management of a corresponding print portal server from a second class of a printing apparatus under management of another print portal server and constructing a database for managing said printing apparatuses in a discriminative manner;
- receiving a printing requirement including designation of a printing apparatus as an output resource from said client;
- and
- when said designated printing apparatus is included in the first class, interacting with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the printing requirement to said designated printing apparatus, and when said designated printing apparatus is included in the second class, interacting with said another print portal server to transmit the printing requirement to said another print portal server.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving at least specific information for specifying print data from said client;
- receiving designation information for specifying a printing apparatus, which is designated by said client as an output resource, from said client after the input of the specific information;
- and
- interacting with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the print data to said designated printing apparatus, based on the designation information.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- referring to a database for managing a plurality of lower-layer portal servers, which manage said multiple printing apparatuses and interact with a selected one of said printing apparatuses under management to transmit print data to said selected printing apparatus;
- and
- referring to said database in response to a designation of said client, and interacting with said designated lower-layer portal server to transmit the print data to said designated lower-layer portal server.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- discriminating a first class of a printing apparatus under self management from a second class of a printing apparatus under management of another print portal server and referring to a database for managing said printing apparatuses in a discriminative manner;
- receiving a printing requirement including designation of a printing apparatus as an output resource from said client;
- and
- when said designated printing apparatus is included in the first class, interacting with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the printing requirement to said designated printing apparatus, and when said designated printing apparatus is included in the second class, interacting with said another print portal server to transmit the printing requirement to said another print portal server.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving at least specific information for specifying print data from said client;
- receiving designation information for specifying a printing apparatus, which is designated by said client as an output resource, from said client after the input of the specific information;
- and
- interacting with said designated printing apparatus to transmit the print data to said designated printing apparatus, based on the designation information.
A Web server connecting with a network,
- wherein a print portal server is connected to the network to transmit data supplied from said Web server to a printing apparatus connecting with the network and thereby execute a printing operation with said printing apparatus,
- said Web server comprising:
- a data supply module that supplies data for displaying a predetermined Web page via the network,
- the Web page including link information on a link to a preset print portal server connected to the network.
A Web page browsing apparatus connecting with a network,
- wherein a print portal server is connected to the network to transmit data supplied from a predetermined Web server to a printing apparatus connecting with the network and thereby execute a printing operation with said printing apparatus,
- said Web page browsing apparatus comprising:
- a display unit that displays a predetermined Web page via the network;
- and
- a requirement output unit that outputs a printing requirement, which does not include information for specifying a printing apparatus as an output resource but includes information for specifying the predetermined Web page under display to said print portal server.
A method of providing a Web page with a Web server connecting with a network,
- wherein a print portal server is connected to the network to transmit data supplied from said Web server to a printing apparatus connecting with the network and thereby execute a printing operation with said printing apparatus,
- said method comprising the step of:
- supplying data for displaying a predetermined Web page via the network,
- the Web page including link information on a link to a preset print portal server connected to the network.
A method of outputting a printing requirement from a Web page browsing apparatus connecting with a network,
- wherein a print portal server is connected to the network to transmit data supplied from a predetermined Web server to a printing apparatus connecting with the network and thereby execute a printing operation with said printing apparatus,
- said method comprising the steps of:
- displaying a predetermined Web page via the network;
- and
- outputting a printing requirement, which does not include information for specifying a printing apparatus as an output resource but includes information for specifying the predetermined Web page under display to said print portal server.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives printing conditions from at least two designators among said printing apparatus, said client, and said content provider server;
- a condition selection module that selects one of the input printing conditions, based on a preset priority order assigned to designators of the printing conditions;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data together with the selected printing condition.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving printing conditions from at least two designators among said printing apparatus, said client, and said content provider server;
- selecting one of the input printing conditions, based on a preset priority order assigned to designators of the printing conditions;
- and
- transmitting the print data together with the selected printing condition.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving printing conditions from at least two designators among said printing apparatus, said client, and said content provider server;
- selecting one of the input printing conditions, based on a preset priority order assigned to designators of the printing conditions;
- and
- transmitting the print data together with the selected printing condition.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a storage module that maps address information for specifying an address of each printing apparatus on the network to identification information allocated to said each printing apparatus irrespective of the address information, and stores the mapping;
- an input module that inputs the identification information from said client;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data, based on the address information mapped to the input identification information.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data, therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a database that classifies said multiple printing apparatuses into groups of a hierarchical structure and manages said printing apparatuses;
- and
- an interface providing module that provides said client with an interface window for successively specifying said printing apparatuses from a top-most layer in the hierarchical structure.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a database that manages preset attribute information assigned to each printing apparatus;
- an input module that receives a selection condition for selecting one of said printing apparatuses from said client;
- and
- a retrieval module that retrieves a printing apparatus suitable for the selection condition based on said database, and provides said client with a result of the retrieval.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a registration module that registers requirement source identification information for identifying at least one of a user who desires the printing operation, said client, and the print data;
- an input module that accepts an input of the requirement source identification information via an information collector unit provided in said printing apparatus for input of external information;
- and
- an output resource specification module that compares the input information with the requirement source identification information registered in said registration module and thereby specifies an output resource for the printing operation.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives a printing requirement from said client;
- an execution confirmation module that displays at least part of information included in the printing requirement and asks said client to confirm whether or not a printing operation is to be executed in response to the printing requirement;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data when said client gives an instruction to execute printing in response to a requirement for the confirmation.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives the print data and a printing requirement including specification of a printing apparatus from said client;
- a test print output module that outputs preset data, which is different from the print data, to said specified printing apparatus for test printing, prior to actual printing of the print data;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data to said specified printing apparatus when said client confirms that the test printing is normal.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network. said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a printing requirement from said client;
- displaying at least part of information included in the printing requirement and asking said client to confirm whether or not a printing operation is to be executed in response to the printing requirement;
- and
- transmitting the print data when said client gives an instruction to execute printing in response to a requirement for the confirmation.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving the print data and a printing requirement including specification of a printing apparatus from said client;
- outputting preset data, which is different from the print data, to said specified printing apparatus for test printing, prior to actual printing of the print data;
- and
- transmitting the print data to said specified printing apparatus when said client confirms that the test printing is normal.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving a printing requirement from said client;
- displaying at least part of information included in the printing requirement and asking said client to confirm whether or not a printing operation is to be executed in response to the printing requirement;
- and
- transmitting the print data when said client gives an instruction to execute printing in response to a requirement for the confirmation.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving the print data and a printing requirement including specification of a printing apparatus from said client;
- outputting preset data, which is different from the print data, to said specified printing apparatus for test printing, prior to actual printing of the print data;
- and
- transmitting the print data to said specified printing apparatus when said client confirms that the test printing is normal.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives a printing requirement, which includes specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource, from said client;
- a working state detection module that detects a working state of said specified printing apparatus;
- and
- a prohibition module that prohibits the transmission of the print data, when the detected working state falls into a preset condition that possibly causes failure of printing.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource and a printing condition from either one of said client and said content provide server;
- a working state setting module that sets a working state of said specified printing apparatus to be suited to the specified printing condition;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data to said specified printing apparatus, when it is confirmed that the working state is suited to the specified printing condition.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives a printing requirement, which includes identification of a user who issues the printing requirement and of the print data and specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource;
- an input source identification information generator module that generates input source identification information, which includes information proper to at least either one of the user and the print data;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the input source identification information and the print data to said specified printing apparatus.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a printing requirement, which includes specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource, from said client;
- detecting a working state of said specified printing apparatus;
- and
- prohibiting the transmission of the print data, when the detected working state falls into a preset condition that possibly causes failure of printing.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource and a printing condition from either one of said client and said content provide server;
- setting a working state of said specified printing apparatus to be suited to the specified printing condition;
- and
- transmitting the print data to said specified printing apparatus, when it is confirmed that the working state is suited to the specified printing condition.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a printing requirement, which includes identification of a user who issues the printing requirement and of the print data and specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource;
- generating input source identification information, which includes information proper to at least either one of the user and the print data;
- and
- transmitting the input source identification information and the print data to said specified printing apparatus.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving a printing requirement, which includes specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource, from said client;
- detecting a working state of said specified printing apparatus;
- and
- prohibiting the transmission of the print data, when the detected working state falls into a preset condition that possibly causes failure of printing.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource and a printing condition from either one of said client and said content provide server;
- setting a working state of said specified printing apparatus to be suited to the specified printing condition;
- and
- transmitting the print data to said specified printing apparatus, when it is confirmed that the working state is suited to the specified printing condition.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving a printing requirement, which includes identification of a user who issues the printing requirement and of the print data and specification of a printing apparatus as an output resource;
- generating input source identification information, which includes information proper to at least either one of the user and the print data;
- and
- transmitting the input source identification information and the print data to said specified printing apparatus.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a management module that manages authentication of at least one of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses as a legal system user with a permission to use said print portal server;
- and
- a portal module that carries out the intermediation only between legal system users with the permission to use said print portal server, based on information of said management module.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- a management module that manages authentication for access between at least two of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- a portal module that carries out the intermediation only in an authenticated range of access, based on information of said management module.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input module that receives a printing requirement from said client;
- a decision module that determines whether or not a user who issues the printing requirement is located in a neighborhood of any of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data, when it is determined that the user is located in the neighborhood of a printing apparatus.
A print portal server that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal server comprising:
- an input unit that receives information for identifying an address of charging a printing cost from said client, prior to actual execution of the printing operation;
- and
- a portal module that transmits the print data in response to the input.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- setting authentication of at least one of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses as a legal system user with a permission to use said print portal server;
- and
- carrying out the intermediation only between legal system users with the permission to use said print portal server, based on the setting.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- setting authentication for access between at least two of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- carrying out the intermediation only in an authenticated range of access, based on the setting.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a printing requirement from said client;
- determining whether or not a user who issues the printing requirement is located in a neighborhood of any of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- transmitting the print data, when it is determined that the user is located in the neighborhood of a printing apparatus.
A print portal method that intermediates between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said print portal method comprising the steps of:
- receiving information for identifying an address of charging a printing cost from said client, prior to actual execution of the printing operation;
- and
- transmitting the print data in response to the input.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- referring to a database that manages authentication of at least one of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses as a legal system user with a permission to use said print portal server;
- and
- carrying out the intermediation only between legal system users with the permission to use said print portal server, based on information of said database.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- referring to a database that manages authentication for access between at least two of a user of said client, each of said content provider servers, and each of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- carrying out the intermediation only in an authenticated range of access, based on information of said database.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving a printing requirement from said client;
- determining whether or not a user who issues the printing requirement is located in a neighborhood of any of said printing apparatuses;
- and
- transmitting the print data, when it is determined that the user is located in the neighborhood of a printing apparatus.
A recording medium in which a program is recorded in a computer readable manner, said program intermediating between multiple content provider servers and multiple printing apparatuses via a server to transmit print data therebetween and execute a printing operation in response to an instruction from a client connected to a network, said program causing a computer to attain the functions of:
- receiving information for identifying an address of charging a printing cost from said client, prior to actual execution of the printing operation;
- and
- transmitting the print data in response to the input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.