Control apparatus, control method therefor, and printing system

A method of controlling a control apparatus which has first communication means for communicating with a network connected to a client terminal that issues a print job, and second communication means for communicating with an image forming apparatus whose function is to be extended, and extends the function of the image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image processing step of generating output image data on the basis of extended-function designation information described in the print job received by the first communication means;
• a first output step of outputting the generated output image data to the image forming apparatus via the second communication means;
• a storage step of storing a user defining sheet database which stores, for each print medium type printable by the image forming apparatus, user defining sheet name information independent of a print sheet name in a database of the image forming apparatus, and information representing which of print sheet name information in a message and user defining sheet name information is to be used when receiving a print medium recovery request message from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• a second output step of, upon receiving the recovery request message via the second communication means, referring to the user defining sheet database to determine which of the user defining sheet name information and the print sheet name information is to be used, regenerating the recovery request message, and outputting the regenerated recovery request message.

A network printing system formed from at least one client terminal which connects to a network and issues a print job, an image forming apparatus, and a control apparatus which extends a function of the image forming apparatus,

• wherein the control apparatus comprises
• first communication means for communicating with a network connected to a client terminal which issues a print job,
• second communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus,
• image processing means for generating output image data on the basis of extended-function designation information described in the print job received by said first communication means,
• first output means for outputting the generated output image data to the image forming apparatus via said second communication means,
• storage means for storing a user defining sheet database which stores, for each print medium type printable by the image forming apparatus, user defining sheet name information independent of a print sheet name in a database of the image forming apparatus, and information representing which of print sheet name information in a message and user defining sheet name information is to be used when receiving a print medium recovery request message from the image forming apparatus,
• first transmission means for, upon receiving a print sheet information search request from a client terminal via said first communication means, acquiring print sheet information from the image forming apparatus via said second communication means, and transmitting print sheet information matching the search request to the requesting client terminal, and
• second output means for, upon receiving the recovery request message via said second communication means, referring to said storage means to determine which of user defining sheet name information and print sheet name information is to be used, regenerating the recovery request message, and outputting the regenerated recovery request message,
• each client apparatus comprises print job issuing means for recognizing the control apparatus as an image forming apparatus, and transmitting a print job to said first communication means of the control apparatus, and
• said at least one client terminal comprises
• display means for displaying a setup window having a plurality of input items in order to register user defining sheet information in said storage means of the control apparatus,
• search request means for, when inputting a desired input item and inputting search designation, transmitting a search request containing information on the input item to said first communication means of the control apparatus,
• selection means for selecting one of pieces of received print sheet information after transmitting the search request from said search request means,
• setting means for setting a noninput item on the basis of the selected print sheet information, and
• registration request means for requesting said storage means of the control apparatus to register information set through the setup window.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program which causes a computer to execute a method of controlling a control apparatus which has first communication means for communicating with a network connected to a client terminal that issues a print job, and second communication means for communicating with an image forming apparatus whose function is to be extended, and extends the function of the image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

• an image processing step of generating output image data on the basis of extended-function designation information described in the print job received by the first communication means;
• a first output step of outputting the generated output image data to the image forming apparatus via the second communication means;
• a storage step of storing a user defining sheet database which stores, for each print medium type printable by the image forming apparatus, user defining sheet name information independent of a print sheet name in a database of the image forming apparatus, and information representing which of print sheet name information in a message and user defining sheet name information is to be used when receiving a print medium recovery request message from the image forming apparatus;
• and
• a second output step of, upon receiving the recovery request message via the second communication means, referring to the user defining sheet database to determine which of the user defining sheet name information and the print sheet name information is to be used, regenerating the recovery request message, and outputting the regenerated recovery request message.