Printing methods, printing systems, and programs

Abstract

To allow variable data to be stored in a storage device on a server while ensuring security.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to function as: first transmission means which transmits variable data for use in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data, to a server prepared for the variable printing; storage means which stores the password in a storage unit located inside or outside a computer; second transmission means which transmits, on receipt of a print instruction using the variable data, the print instruction and the password stored in the storage unit to the server; and start means which starts a printing application program existing between the server and a printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing method, a printing system, and a program for causing a computer to function as various means included in the printing system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a printing method for performing variable printing, a printing system, and a program for causing a computer to function as various means included in the printing system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a case where name printing is performed on a plurality of postcards addressed to a plurality of destinations, a technique called variable printing is used. Variable printing prints, on each of a plurality of printed materials, an image obtained by inserting variable data different for each printed material at a determined position of a template commonly applied to the plurality of printed materials. For example, when printing different addresses, names, etc. for each destination on the name side of a postcard, usually it is necessary to prepare an image of the name side one by one. In contrast, if variable printing is applied, it is only necessary to prepare one template of the image of the name side and further prepare an address book containing texts such as addresses and names for each destination, so the work efficiency is improved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, web printing systems have become available that allow users to create and print various printed materials using a web server and a computer and printer installed at home or in the office. Therefore, it is conceivable that such a web printing system could perform variable data printing. When performing variable data printing with a web printing system, the web server generates an image by inserting variable data into a template. In this case, it becomes necessary to send an address book containing personal information such as addresses and names as variable data from a computer installed at home or in the office to the web server. Furthermore, it becomes necessary to store this data in a storage device accessible from the web server for at least a certain period of time. Therefore, it becomes necessary to ensure security in the communication line and storage device, for example. The printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs variable data printing. In this printing system, variable data is encrypted using a public-key scheme in the communication line between the client terminal and the printing device, but the security of the variable data in the storage device is not ensured.

[0005] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned issues and aims to enable variable data to be stored on the server-side storage device while ensuring security. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a program that causes a computer to function as follows: a first transmission means for transmitting variable data used in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to a server prepared for variable printing; a storage means for storing the password in a storage unit located inside or outside the computer; a second transmission means for transmitting the print instruction and the password stored in the storage unit to the server in response to receiving a print instruction using the variable data; and a startup means for starting a print application program interposed between the server and the printing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, variable data can be stored in a server-side storage device while ensuring security. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows the hardware configuration of the web server as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows the software configuration of the web server shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] (a) is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a computer as a terminal device as shown in Figure 1, and (b) is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a mobile terminal as a terminal device as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device screen by a front-end program included in the web application shown. [Figure 8] Figure 5 shows the screen displayed on the terminal device's screen by the backend program included in the web application shown. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a screen containing templates that is displayed on the terminal device screen by the front-end program included in the web application shown in Figure 5 when variable printing is performed. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing variable data. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a screen, including a preview, that is displayed on the terminal device's screen by the front-end program included in the web application shown in Figure 5 when variable printing is performed. [Figure 12] This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing processing system according to this embodiment. The printing processing system consists of a terminal device 101, a printing device 102, and a Web server 103, and users can print data created with a Web application provided by the Web server 103 via a printing application. The terminal device 101 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, personal computer, tablet terminal, mobile phone, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The printing device 102 is a printer that forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as paper by adding a recording material such as ink to the recording medium. The printing device 102 may be a multifunction device equipped with multiple functions such as copying, faxing, and printing. In this embodiment, the printing device 102 is assumed to be an inkjet printing device, but it is not limited to this form, and may be an electrophotographic or thermal sublimation printing device, for example.

[0011] Terminal device 101 communicates with printer 102 via the network established by access point 100. Terminal device 101 stores programs such as the printing application described later. Therefore, print data created using the printing application is transmitted from terminal device 101 to printer 102 via the network. In addition, access point 100 functions, for example, as a wireless LAN router, and terminal device 101 is connected to the internet via this wireless LAN router. Therefore, terminal device 101 can communicate with web server 103 for controlling the web application described later via the internet. Note that terminal device 101 and printer 102 may each be connected to access point 100 via wired LAN. Also, terminal device 101 and printer 102 may be connected to each other via wired LAN.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of terminal device 101. For example, terminal device 101 includes an input interface 201, a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a display unit 204, a RAM 205, an external storage device 206, a communication unit 207, and a short-range wireless communication unit 208. These functional blocks are interconnected by an internal bus. Furthermore, multiple functional blocks may be combined into one, or one functional block may be divided into two or more functional blocks. These same considerations apply to Figures 3 and 4.

[0013] The CPU 202 is a system control unit that comprehensively controls the entire device. The RAM 205 is composed of, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) that requires a backup power supply. Note that since the data in the RAM 205 is retained by a primary battery for data backup (not shown), it can store data such as program control variables without losing the data. A memory area for storing the setting information and management data of the terminal device 101 is also provided in the RAM 205. Also, the RAM 205 is used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 202. The ROM 203 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 202. Also, the above-mentioned printing application is stored. The operation of the terminal device 101 in this embodiment is realized, for example, by the CPU 202 transferring the program stored in the ROM 203 to the RAM 205 and then reading it from the RAM 205 and executing it.

[0014] The display unit 204 is composed of an LED (light-emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays a UI screen based on various data. Note that the display unit 204 may be composed of a touch display or the like and have a function of receiving various inputs from the user. That is, the display unit 204 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and may be an operation panel composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, or the like.

[0015] The communication unit 207 includes a circuit and an antenna for performing communication according to a predetermined wireless communication method. For example, the communication unit 207 can be wirelessly connected to the access point 100. Also, the communication unit 207 may operate as an access point that is temporarily used. The wireless communication used in this embodiment may be communication that operates according to a wireless communication method (Wi-Fi) of a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard series, or may be communication that operates according to other wireless communication methods.

[0016] The short-range wireless communication unit 208 performs short-range wireless communication with the terminal device 101 and other devices located within a certain short-range distance. The short-range wireless communication unit 208 communicates using a different wireless communication method than the communication unit 207. Examples of such communication methods include Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth® Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi Aware.

[0017] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 102. In the printing device 102, the printing function is realized by the printer unit 301, the scanning function is realized by the scanner unit 302, and the storage function is realized by the memory card mounting unit 303 and the memory card 304.

[0018] The printer unit 301 performs printing based on image data received from an external source or image data stored on the memory card 304. The printer unit 301 also manages consumable information such as ink levels and paper levels.

[0019] The scanner unit 302 optically reads a document placed on the document glass (not shown) and converts it into electronic data. The converted electronic data is further converted into a specified file format, and the converted image data is transmitted to an external device via the network or stored in a storage area (not shown) such as an HDD. The copying function is achieved when the image data generated by scanning the document placed on the document glass with the scanner unit 302 is transferred to the printer unit 301, and the printer unit 301 prints an image based on that image data onto a recording medium.

[0020] Various file data is stored in the memory card 304 inserted in the memory card slot 303. This file data can be read and edited by an external device via the network. Furthermore, the external device can store file data on the memory card 304.

[0021] Furthermore, the printing device 102 includes a CPU 305, program memory 306, work memory 307, display unit 308, operation unit 309, network communication unit 310, network connection unit 311, and flash memory 312. The CPU 305 is a processor for comprehensively controlling each part of the printing device 102. The program memory 306 is composed of ROM or the like and stores various program codes and an application 315 for communicating with the Web server 103. The application 314 can also access the printer unit 301 to obtain consumable information, for example, by sending the remaining amount of consumables to the Web server 103 at a predetermined timing. The work memory 307 is composed of RAM or the like and temporarily stores or buffers image data and the like when each service is executed. In this embodiment, the operation of the printing device 102 is realized, for example, by the CPU 305 reading the program stored in the program memory 306 into the work memory 307 and executing it.

[0022] The display unit 308 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and displays a UI screen based on various data. The operation unit 309 consists of switches and the like for the user to perform various input operations. The network communication unit 310 is connected to a network such as the Internet via the network connection unit 311 and performs various communications. The network communication unit 310 communicates with the outside world, for example, via wired LAN or wireless LAN. If the network communication unit 310 supports wired LAN, the network connection unit 311 is, for example, a connector for connecting a wired LAN cable, and if the network communication unit 310 supports wireless LAN, the network connection unit 311 is, for example, an antenna. The network connection unit 311 may support both wired LAN and wireless LAN. In this embodiment, the network communication unit 310 supports wireless LAN and connects to an access point according to a wireless LAN wireless communication method compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series. The flash memory 312 is a non-volatile memory for storing image data and the like received by the network communication unit 310. The aforementioned components are then interconnected by bus 313.

[0023] In this embodiment, the printing device 102 is a printer that forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as paper by adding a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium. The printing device 102 may be a multifunction device equipped with multiple functions such as copying, faxing, and printing. In this embodiment, the printing device 102 is assumed to be a device that prints using an inkjet recording method, but it is not limited to this form, and may be a device that prints using, for example, an electrophotographic method or a thermal sublimation method. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 102 may be a printing device capable of printing using spot color ink. Spot color ink is an ink that produces a special color (hereinafter also referred to as "spot color"), for example, an ink whose color produced during printing cannot be displayed in the SRGB color space. In other words, the printer 14 is configured to be capable of spot color printing, which is printing using spot color ink other than normal ink (i.e., spot color ink, hereinafter also referred to as "spot color ink"). "Normal ink" refers to ink used for process color (normal color) printing, and is the basic process color ink such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Process color is a color expressed by one of the CMYK colors, or a combination of two or more CMYK colors. In this embodiment, fluorescent pink ink and fluorescent orange ink are used as spot color inks. That is, spot color is a color different from process color, and is a color that cannot be expressed by one of the CMYK colors, or a combination of two or more CMYK colors. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form, and the number and colors of spot color inks can be arbitrary, and inks of non-fluorescent colors may be used. For example, violet ink, green ink, orange ink, gold ink, silver ink, etc. may be used as spot color inks. Other metallic color inks may also be used. Furthermore, inks mixed with special color inks and other inks (e.g., normal inks) may also be treated as special color inks.In this embodiment, objects in the image data that are to be printed with spot colors are associated with information indicating that they will be printed with spot colors (referred to as spot color information). Pixels to which spot color information is attached are printed using the spot color corresponding to the RGB value of that pixel. The RGB value of a pixel corresponding to a spot color can also be used as the RGB value of a pixel corresponding to a color that can only be represented by ordinary ink (i.e., a normal color). In other words, the same RGB value as a pixel corresponding to a spot color may also be set for a pixel corresponding to a color that can only be represented by ordinary ink. In that case, whether or not special ink is used for printing the pixel with that RGB value is controlled by whether or not spot color information is attached.

[0024] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the Web server 103. The CPU 401 is a processor for overall control of the device. The disk device 402 stores various files, including the print application program 412, database 413, and OS, which are read by the CPU 401. The external storage media reader 403 is a device for reading information such as files stored on an external storage medium such as an SD card. The memory 404 is composed of RAM or the like, and the CPU 401 performs temporary storage and buffering of data as needed. In this embodiment, the operation of the Web server 103 is realized, for example, by the CPU 401 reading a program stored in the disk device 402 into the memory 404 and executing it.

[0025] The display unit 405 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and displays UI screens based on various data. The operation unit 406 consists of a keyboard and mouse for the user to perform various input operations. The network communication unit 407 is connected to a network such as the Internet via the network connection unit 408 and performs various communications. The network communication unit 407 communicates, for example, via wired LAN or wireless LAN. If the network communication unit 407 supports wired LAN, the network connection unit 408 is, for example, a connector for connecting a wired LAN cable, and if the network communication unit 407 supports wireless LAN, the network connection unit 408 is, for example, an antenna. The network connection unit 408 may support both wired LAN and wireless LAN. The USB communication unit 410 (Universal Serial Bus) is connected to various peripheral devices via the USB connection unit 411 and performs various communications according to the USB standard. The above-mentioned units are interconnected by bus 409. The web server 103 may also be a server system composed of one or more servers. In other words, for example, multiple servers may work together to function as a single web server 103.

[0026] <Application Configuration> Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the web server 103. The web server 103 has a web application 501 which includes a front-end 502 and a back-end 506 as software. The front-end 502 primarily controls the display of the web browser on the terminal device 101. Specifically, the front-end 502 manages and holds the program (JavaScript) that runs on the web browser. More specifically, the front-end 502 consists of a UI control unit 504, a poster editing unit 503, and a password generation unit 505. Here, the UI control unit 504 controls user operations on the web browser. The poster editing unit 503 performs editing processing on images created by the application. The password generation unit 505 generates passwords for encrypting variable data. The image is, for example, a poster image. The front-end 502 is then sent (downloaded) to the terminal device 101, causing the web browser of the terminal device 101 to display the program. That is, when the terminal device 101 receives the program, it uses the program to display the corresponding screen on the web browser. The back-end 506 consists of a user management unit 507, a user authentication unit 508, a content management unit 509, and a rendering processing unit 510. The user management unit 507 manages user information to identify users. For example, the user management unit 507 manages user information contained in cookies. The user authentication unit 508 issues a unique identifier for each user in association with the user information. The content management unit 509 manages content such as image data created by the application. The rendering processing unit 510 performs rendering processing on the content managed by the content management unit 509. In this embodiment, the front end 502 and the back end 506 are held on a single server, the web server 103, but they may be held on separate servers.

[0027] Figure 6(a) is a block diagram showing an example of a software configuration when the terminal device 101 is a personal computer. The web browser 601 is a web browser, and may include, for example, "Microsoft Edge," "Google Chrome®," "Firefox®," or "Safari®." The terminal device 101 downloads the front-end 502 by accessing the web server 103 using a predetermined URL via the web browser 601. The front-end 502 is then run on the web browser 601. In other words, once the front-end 502 has been downloaded, it also becomes part of the software configuration of the terminal device 101.

[0028] The print application 602 is an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as "the application") for performing printing based on print settings set by the user, and includes a print setting processing unit 603 and a thumbnail display unit 604. For example, the print application 602 is a native application associated with the web application 501, and is an application for printing content data created by the web application 501 to the printing device. The print setting processing unit 603 performs print settings. The thumbnail display unit 604 displays thumbnails based on poster image data (poster data) created by the user. In this embodiment, the print application 602 is downloaded and installed from a server different from the web server 103 to the terminal device 101 and stored on the terminal device 101. If the terminal device 101 is a PC, the printer driver 605 performs the process of generating print data for printing by the printing device 102. The printer driver 605 includes printer model information 606 and a print data generation processing unit 607. The printer driver 605 is distributed by the printer vendor and can be used by the user after installation. Additionally, the printer driver 605 may be included with the operating system. The model information 606 contains settings that can be configured for each printer during printing. These available settings include, for example, the paper feed method and paper type.

[0029] Figure 6(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration when the terminal device 101 is a mobile terminal. The differences from Figure 6(a) will be explained below. When the terminal device 101 is a mobile terminal, the printer driver 605 does not exist. Therefore, the terminal device 101 is configured with a printing processing module 608 that performs print data generation processing. The printing processing module 608 includes a model information acquisition processing unit 609. The model information acquisition processing unit 609 acquires model information 606 from the printer device 102. The acquired model information acquisition processing unit 609 is stored, for example, in an external storage device 206.

[0030] Figure 7 shows an example of the screen of a web application 501 displayed on the screen of a terminal device 101 by the UI control unit 504 of the front end 502 via the web browser 601. As described above, this screen is displayed on the web browser 601 of the terminal device 101 via the front end 502. In this embodiment, a web application for creating and printing poster images will be used as an example. Area 701 is an area where menus 702 such as poster template images and clip art are displayed in a list. Area 703 is an area where the contents of the function selected in menu 702 are displayed in a list. For example, if a template is selected from menu 702 in area 701, the templates will be displayed in a list in area 703, and when the user selects the desired template, the selected template will be displayed in the editing area 704 and will become editable. The user can edit the template displayed in the editing area 704 and generate poster data. Subsequently, if clip art is selected from menu 702 and the user selects the desired clip art from the list in area 703, the selected clip art will be displayed overlaid on the template displayed in the editing area 704. When the user presses the save button 705, the poster data created by the user is saved as content in the content management unit 509. When the user presses the print button 706, the print application 602, which will be described later, is launched.

[0031] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen displayed by the print application 602 on the terminal device 101. Since this screen is from the print application 602, it is displayed without using the web browser 601. The preview display area 801 displays a thumbnail of the poster data created by the backend 506. The printer selection button 802 is a button for the user to select their desired printer, and when pressed, a list of connected printers is displayed. When the user presses the print button 803 with the poster data thumbnail displayed in the preview display area 801, the process of printing the poster image to the printer selected in printer selection 802 is started.

[0032] In the printing system shown in Figure 1, the user creates a poster image on the web application 501 using the web browser 601 of the terminal device 101. The created poster image is then printed onto a recording medium by the printing application 602 using a printer driver (not shown) and a printing device 102.

[0033] Figure 9 shows an example of a variable printing editing screen. Variable printing is a printing method that prints an image that includes common parts that are printed in common across multiple printed materials and individual parts that have different content printed on each of the multiple printed materials. The data for variable printing includes a template and variable data. The template is information that includes data for printing the common parts, data indicating the position of the individual parts within the image to be printed, and information indicating which individual part corresponds to which variable data when there are multiple individual parts. The variable data is data for printing the individual parts, and is data that indicates the specific content of the object that is printed in the individual parts of each of the multiple printed materials, and is different for each printed material. The variable data also indicates which individual part the data corresponds to. In this embodiment, the variable object that is printed in the individual parts of each of the multiple printed materials and is different for each printed material is text. The printed materials that are printed by variable printing are specifically, for example, New Year's cards, direct mail, business cards, and posters. Objects that are printed in individual parts of multiple printed materials, and which differ from one printed material to another, are more specifically, for example, addresses, names, and serial numbers. When the user selects variable printing from menu 702 in area 701, a variable data download button 901, a variable data load button 902, and a preview button 903 are displayed in area 703. When the user presses the variable data download button 901, a file containing the objects from editing area 704 is downloaded.

[0034] When the variable data download button 901 is pressed, the front end 502 generates variable data, and the generated variable data is downloaded to the terminal device 101. Figure 10(a) shows an example of a file downloaded when the variable data download button 901 is pressed. In this embodiment, the variable data that has just been downloaded contains only data indicating which individual part of the template each data in each line from the second line onward corresponds to. In the example in Figure 9, the editing area 704 contains " <address>"and" <name>Because there is a text object of ", the downloaded file also contains " <address>"and" <name>The following is written: The downloaded file may be in CSV (Comma Separated Value) format or Excel® format, but in this embodiment, it will be described as a CSV file. Subsequently, when the user inputs the specific content of the variable object, the variable data will include data that indicates the variable object. That is, when the user inputs the specific content of the variable object in the front end 502, the CSV file downloaded to the terminal device 101 is edited as shown in Figure 10(b). In the example in Figure 9, poster data including address and name is created. Therefore, the text object " <address>The string you want to insert into " and " <name>Enter the string you want to insert into the quotation mark and the item delimiter, along with the quotation mark and item delimiter, on the second line and subsequent lines of the CSV file. In the example in Figure 9, <address>The string you want to insert is, for example, "1 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo". <name>The string you want to insert is, for example, "Shimomaruko Taro".

[0035] When the variable data loading button 902 is pressed, the frontend 502 loads the variable data after it has been edited by the user input. Figure 11 shows an example of the editing screen after the user loads a CSV file by pressing the variable data loading button 902 in area 703 and then pressing the preview button 903. The data entered in the second row of the CSV file is replaced and displayed in the editing area 704. By pressing the toggle button 1101, it is also possible to preview the poster data with the content of the text objects replaced with data from the third row onwards of the CSV file.

[0036] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing the process after a user accesses the web application 501 using a web browser 601, loads variable data, and presses the print button 706. This sequence diagram shows the sequence from when the print application 602 is launched until the image with the variable data inserted into the template is printed by the printer 102. In Figure 12, the sequence is shown as between the front-end 502, which receives user input via the web browser 601 on the terminal device 101, and the back-end 506 on the web server 103. The processing of the front-end 502 is assumed to be executed after the front-end 502 has been downloaded to the terminal device 101. In other words, the processing of the front-end 502 corresponds to the processing performed by the front-end 502 on the terminal device 101. More specifically, the processing of the front-end 502 is achieved when the web browser 601 on the terminal device 101 downloads and executes the front-end 502 stored on the disk device 402 of the web server 103. Furthermore, the processing of the print application 602 corresponds to the processing performed by the terminal device 101 using the print application 602. More specifically, the processing of the print application 602 is achieved by the CPU 202 executing programs such as the print application 602 stored in the ROM 203, etc. Furthermore, the processing of the backend 506 corresponds to the processing performed by the Web server 103 using the backend 506. More specifically, the processing of the backend 506 is achieved by the CPU 401 executing programs such as the backend 506 stored in the disk device 402, etc.

[0037] In S1201, the user presses the print button 706 on the web application 501 displayed in the web browser 601 of the terminal device 101. In S1202, the front-end 502 sends the poster data displayed in the editing area 704 to the back-end 506. When the poster data is sent, the web browser 601 also sends cookies containing user information to the web server 103 (back-end 506). In S1203, the back-end 506 determines whether the poster data transmission request from the front-end 502 contains user information. If it determines that user information is included, the back-end 506 further determines whether that user information exists in the user management unit 507. Further explanation is omitted, but the above user information check is always performed when the front-end 502 makes a request to the back-end 506. In this case, assuming the printing of only one poster data sheet, the effect of encrypting the variable data only between S1205 and S1208 is small. However, in cases where there is a time lag, such as during double-sided printing, between sending the front side to the Web server 103 and completing the back side, the effect of encrypting the variable data and storing it on the Web server 103 is significant. If user information exists in the user management unit 507, it sends a normal response to the front end 502, associates the user identifier with the poster data, and stores it in the content management unit 509. Note that an external storage device (not shown) may be used as the storage location. The storage location for other data is not limited to the disk device 402 or memory 404, but may also be an external storage device.

[0038] In S1204, if the frontend 502 determines that the web browser 601 does not have a password for encrypting variable data, the password generation unit 505 generates a password for encrypting variable data. The frontend 502 then saves this password to the web browser 601. In S1205, the frontend 502 sends the variable data to the backend 506. However, since the variable data may contain secure information such as addresses and names, a mechanism is required to minimize the possibility of its leakage. Therefore, in S1205, the password generated in S1204 is also sent to the backend 506 along with the variable data. In S1206, the backend 506 encrypts the variable data with the password based on the variable data and password information received from the frontend 502, and saves the encrypted variable data to the content management unit 509. Since saving the encrypted variable data and password together could lead to the variable data being decrypted and its contents falling into the hands of a third party if the server data is leaked, the password is discarded in S1207.

[0039] In S1208, the front-end 502 issues a print command to the back-end 506, also sending the password stored in the web browser 601. In S1209, the back-end 506 decrypts the encrypted variable data using the received password. After decrypting the variable data, the password is discarded in S1210. In this case, assuming the printing of only one poster, the effect of encrypting the variable data only between S1205 and S1208 is small. However, in cases where there is a time lag, such as when printing double-sided, between sending the front side to the web server 103 and completing the back side, the effect of encrypting the variable data and storing it in the web server 103 is significant. In S1211, the back-end 506 creates a print job based on the poster data stored in the content management unit 509 and the variable data decrypted in S1209. More specifically, the back-end 506 creates the print job by rendering the contents of the variable data line by line into the poster data. Furthermore, the front-end 502 launches the print application 602 using a URL scheme in S1212.

[0040] If it is the first time the print application 602 is launched, the print application 602 does not contain any user information. While details are omitted, a session has already been established between the print application 602 and the web server 103 via the web browser 601. Therefore, the print application 602 can retrieve user information from the backend 506 via the web browser 601 by launching the web browser 601.

[0041] In S1213, the printing application 602 sends a request for print data to the backend 506. In S1214, the backend 506 renders the poster data requested in S1213, creates a print job, and sends it to the printing application 602. In S1215, the printing application 602 submits the print job to the printing device 102, and in S1216, the printing device 102 prints the poster image onto the recording medium.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, variable data can be stored on the Web server 103 in an encrypted state using a password automatically generated by the front end 502, and the decrypted and rendered poster data can be printed at the time of printing. As a result, users do not need to be aware of the password, making it possible to provide a highly secure printing system while maintaining convenience.

[0043] In this embodiment, poster data was described as an example of print data to be printed by the printing device 102, but it is not limited to poster data. It does not have to be data for large-format printing such as posters; it may also be print data for relatively small sizes such as postcards. The operation of this embodiment can be applied as long as the image data created by the user on the web application 501 can be printed by the printing device 102 using the printing application 602.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment will now be described in terms of its differences from the first embodiment. In Figure 12, the password for decrypting the variable data is received from the front-end 502 at S1208 in the back-end 506. Because rendering of the poster data begins before the print application 602 is launched, rendering costs are incurred on the server even if the user cancels printing after pressing the print button 706. Therefore, in this embodiment, the back-end 506 sends the password for decrypting the variable data from the print application 602.

[0045] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing the process of decrypting encrypted variable data stored in the backend 506 using the printing application 602. Since steps S1301 to S1307 in this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the process up to S1307 is already completed.

[0046] In S1308, the front-end 502 issues a print command to the back-end 506. In S1309, the front-end 502 launches the print application 602 by adding a password to the URL scheme. Through this launch operation, the front-end 502 passes the password to the print application 602.

[0047] In S1310, the printing application 602 adds a password and sends a request for print data to the backend 506. In S1311, the backend 506 decrypts the encrypted variable data, and in S1312, discards the password. In S1313, the backend 506 renders the poster data requested in S1310 to create a print job, and in S1314, sends it to the printing application 602. In S1315, the printing application 602 submits the print job to the printing device 102, and in S1316, the printing device 102 prints the poster image onto the recording medium.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, variable data transmitted from the web browser 601 and encrypted and stored within the web server 103 can be decrypted using a password received from the print application 602 to create a print job.

[0049] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment will now be described in terms of its differences from the first and second embodiments. In Figure 13, the Web server 103 renders the poster data and sends it to the print application 602. In variable data printing, unlike normal printing, print data spanning multiple pages is handled in a single print job, so rendering the poster data on the Web server 103 places a heavy load on the Web server 103. Furthermore, in recent years, the hardware performance of the terminal device 101 has improved, making it increasingly possible to perform the poster data rendering process on the print application 602 side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the process of rendering the poster data is performed on the print application 602 on the terminal device 101.

[0050] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing the process of decrypting encrypted variable data stored in the backend 506 using the printing application 602 and rendering poster data in the printing application 602. Since steps S1401 to S1409 in this embodiment are the same as in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the process up to S1409 is already completed.

[0051] In S1410, the print application 602 sends a request for print data to the backend 506, adding the password received from the frontend 502 via a URL scheme. In S1411, the backend 506 decrypts the encrypted variable data, and in S1412, discards the password. In the second embodiment, after S1312, the web server 103 rendered and created a print job, but in this embodiment, the poster data and variable data are returned to the print application 602.

[0052] In S1413, the printing application 602 performs rendering processing based on the poster data and variable data received from the backend 506 to create a print job, and then submits the print job to the printing device 102.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the variable data transmitted from the web browser 601 and encrypted and stored within the web server 103 is decrypted using a password received from the print application 602. Then, the print application 602 can render the poster data and the decrypted variable data to create a print job.

[0054] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0055] <Technical Features of This Disclosure> This disclosure includes the following programs, configurations, and methods.

[0056] [Program 1] A first transmission means that transmits variable data used in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to a server prepared for the variable printing, A storage means for storing the aforementioned password in a storage unit located inside or outside the computer, A second transmission means that, upon receiving a print instruction using the aforementioned variable data, transmits the print instruction and the password stored in the storage unit to the server. A startup means for starting a printing application program interposed between the server and the printing device, To make the computer function as follows: program.

[0057] [Program 2] The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the storage unit to the server without going through the print application program. The program described in Program 1.

[0058] [Program 3] The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the storage unit to the server via the printing application program by adding the password stored in the storage unit to the request to start the printing application program. The program described in Program 1.

[0059] [Program 4] In the aforementioned variable printing, the computer is further configured to function as a third transmission means for sending a template to which the variable data will be inserted to the server. The program described in Program 1.

[0060] [Program 5] A first receiving means that receives variable data used in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data from a terminal, An encryption means that encrypts the variable data received by the first receiving means using the password received by the first receiving means, A storage means for storing the encrypted variable data in a storage unit located inside or outside the computer, A first discard means discards the password received by the first receiving means when the encryption of the variable data by the encryption means is completed, A second receiving means that receives a print instruction using the aforementioned variable data from the terminal and receives the password again from the terminal, A decryption means that, in response to the print instruction received by the second receiving means, decrypts the variable data encrypted by the encryption means and stored in the storage unit using the password received by the second receiving means, A second discard means discards the password received by the second receiving means when the decryption of the variable data by the decryption means is completed, To make the computer function as follows: program.

[0061] [Program 6] The second receiving means receives the password from the terminal without going through a printing application program interposed between the computer and the printing device. The program described in Program 5.

[0062] [Program 7] The second receiving means receives the password from the terminal via a printing application program interposed between the computer and the printing device. The program described in Program 5.

[0063] [Program 8] A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering based at least on the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A transmission means for sending the rendering data to a printing application program that causes a printing device to perform printing, To make computers function even better, The program described in Program 5.

[0064] [Program 9] The computer further functions as a transmission means for transmitting the variable data decoded by at least the decoding means to a printing application program that causes a printing device to perform printing. The program described in Program 5.

[0065] [Program 10] Variable data used in variable printing, a first receiving means that receives a password from a terminal for decrypting encrypted variable data, A transmission means that transmits the password received by the first receiving means to a server prepared for variable printing, along with a request to transmit rendering data. A second receiving means that receives from the server the rendering data generated at least based on the variable data decrypted using the password in the server in response to a request to transmit the rendering data, A sending means for sending a print instruction including the rendering data to a printing device, A program that makes a computer function.

[0066] [Program 11] Variable data used in variable printing, a first receiving means that receives a password from a terminal for decrypting encrypted variable data, A transmission means that transmits the password received by the first receiving means, along with a request to transmit the variable data, to a server prepared for variable printing, A second receiving means that receives the variable data from the server, which has been decrypted using the password in response to a request to transmit the variable data, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering based at least on the variable data received by the second receiving means, A sending means that sends a print instruction including the rendering data generated by the rendering means to a printing device, A program that makes a computer function.

[0067] [Program 12] The second receiving means also receives from the server the template to which the variable data will be inserted in the variable printing, along with the variable data itself. The rendering means generates rendering data by performing rendering based on the variable data and the template received by the second receiving means. The program described in Program 11.

[0068] [Configuration 1] A printing system comprising a terminal and a server, which performs variable data printing, The terminal can execute a front-end program and a printing application program that interposes between the server and the printing device. The aforementioned server is capable of executing backend programs, The aforementioned front-end program is A first transmission means that transmits variable data used in the variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to the server, A first storage means for storing the password in a first storage unit located inside or outside the terminal, A second transmission means that, upon receiving a print instruction using the variable data, transmits the print instruction and the password stored in the first storage unit to the server. A startup means for launching the aforementioned printing application program, The terminal is made to function as follows: The aforementioned backend program, A first receiving means that receives the variable data and the password transmitted by the first transmitting means, An encryption means that encrypts the variable data received by the first receiving means using the password received by the first receiving means, A second storage means for storing the encrypted variable data in a second storage unit located inside or outside the server, A first discard means discards the password received by the first receiving means when the encryption of the variable data by the encryption means is completed, A second receiving means that receives the print instruction and the password transmitted by the second transmitting means from the terminal, A decryption means that, in response to the print instruction received by the second receiving means, decrypts the variable data encrypted by the encryption means and stored in the second storage unit using the password received by the second receiving means. A second discard means discards the password received by the second receiving means when the decryption of the variable data by the decryption means is completed, To make the aforementioned server function as follows: Printing system.

[0069] [Configuration 2] The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server without going through the print application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means without going through the printing application program. The aforementioned backend program, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A third transmission means that transmits the rendering data to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A rendering data transmission request means that requests the server to transmit rendering data, A third receiving means for receiving the rendering data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, Print instruction means for instructing a printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received by the third receiving means, To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system described in Configuration 1.

[0070] [Configuration 3] The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server via the printing application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means via the printing application program, The aforementioned backend program, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A fourth transmission means that transmits the rendering data to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A fourth receiving means for receiving the password from the second transmitting means, A rendering data transmission request means that requests the server to transmit rendering data, and at the same time transmits the password received by the fourth receiving means to the second receiving means, A fifth receiving means that receives the rendering data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, A printing instruction means that instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received by the fifth receiving means, To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system described in Configuration 1.

[0071] [Structure 4] The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server via the printing application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means via the printing application program, The aforementioned backend program, A fifth transmission means that transmits the variable data decoded by the decoding means to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A sixth receiving means that receives the password from the second transmitting means, A variable data transmission request means that requests the terminal to transmit variable data, and at the same time transmits the password received by the sixth receiving means to the second receiving means, A seventh receiving means for receiving the variable data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data received by the seventh receiving means, Print instruction means for instructing a printing device to perform printing using the rendering data generated by the rendering means, To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system described in Configuration 1.

[0072] [Method 1] A method for variable printing performed in a printing system comprising a terminal and a server, The terminal can execute a front-end program and a printing application program that interposes between the server and the printing device. The aforementioned server is capable of executing backend programs, The aforementioned method, The front-end program performs a first transmission step in which it transmits variable data to be used in the variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to the back-end program, The front-end program performs a first saving step of storing the password in a first storage unit located inside or outside the terminal, The backend program includes a first receiving step in which it receives the variable data and the password transmitted in the first transmission step, The backend program performs an encryption step in which it encrypts the variable data received in the first reception step using the password received in the first reception step, The backend program performs a second storage step in which it stores the encrypted variable data in a second storage unit located inside or outside the server, The backend program performs a first discard step, which discards the password received in the first reception step, triggered by the completion of encryption of the variable data by the encryption step. In response to the front-end program receiving a print instruction using the variable data, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the print instruction and the password stored in the first storage unit by the first storage step to the back-end program. The backend program receives the print instruction and password transmitted in the second transmission step from the frontend program in a second receiving step, The front-end program includes a startup step in which it starts a printing application program that interposes between the back-end program and the printing device, The backend program, in response to the print instruction received in the second receiving step, decrypts the variable data encrypted in the encryption step and stored in the second storage unit in the second storage step using the password received in the second receiving step. The backend program performs a second discard step, triggered by the completion of the decryption of the variable data by the decryption step, which discards the password received in the second reception step. A printing method that includes [something].

[0073] [Method 2] In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program without going through the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step without going through the print application program. The aforementioned printing method is The printing application program includes a rendering data transmission request step in which it requests the backend program to transmit rendering data, The backend program performs a rendering step in which rendering is performed using at least the variable data decoded in the decoding step to generate rendering data, A third transmission step in which the backend program transmits the rendering data to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A third receiving step in which the print application program receives the rendering data sent from the backend program in response to the request, The print application program includes a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received in the third receiving step, It further has, Printing method as described in Method 1.

[0074] [Method 3] In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program via the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step via the printing application program. The aforementioned printing method is The printing application program requests the backend program to send rendering data, and at the same time sends the password received in the second receiving step to the backend program in a rendering data transmission request step, The backend program performs a rendering step in which rendering is performed using at least the variable data decoded in the decoding step to generate rendering data, A fourth transmission step in which the backend program transmits the rendering data to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A fourth receiving step in which the print application program receives the rendering data sent from the backend program in response to the request, The print application program includes a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received in the fourth receiving step, It further has, Printing method as described in Method 1.

[0075] [Method 4] In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program via the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step via the printing application program. The aforementioned printing method is A variable data transmission request step in which the print application program requests the front-end program to transmit variable data, and at the same time transmits the password received in the second receiving step to the back-end program, A fifth transmission step in which the backend program transmits the variable data decrypted in the decryption step to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A fifth receiving step in which the print application program receives the variable data transmitted from the backend program in response to the request, The printing application program includes a rendering step in which it generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data received in the fifth receiving step, The print application program provides a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data generated by the rendering step. It further has, Printing method as described in Method 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 502 Front End 506 Backend 602 Printing Applications< / name> < / address> < / name> < / address> < / name> < / address> < / name> < / address>

Claims

1. A first transmission means that transmits variable data used in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to a server prepared for the variable printing, A storage means for storing the aforementioned password in a storage unit located inside or outside the computer, A second transmission means that, upon receiving a print instruction using the aforementioned variable data, transmits the print instruction and the password stored in the storage unit to the server. A startup means for starting a printing application program interposed between the server and the printing device, To make the computer function as follows: program.

2. The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the storage unit to the server without going through the print application program. The program according to claim 1.

3. The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the storage unit to the server via the printing application program by adding the password stored in the storage unit to the request to start the printing application program. The program according to claim 1.

4. In the aforementioned variable printing, the computer is further configured to function as a third transmission means for sending a template to which the variable data will be inserted to the server. The program according to claim 1.

5. A first receiving means that receives variable data used in variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data from a terminal, An encryption means that encrypts the variable data received by the first receiving means using the password received by the first receiving means, A storage means for storing the encrypted variable data in a storage unit located inside or outside the computer, A first discard means discards the password received by the first receiving means when the encryption of the variable data by the encryption means is completed, A second receiving means that receives a print instruction using the aforementioned variable data from the terminal and receives the password again from the terminal, A decryption means that, in response to the print instruction received by the second receiving means, decrypts the variable data encrypted by the encryption means and stored in the storage unit using the password received by the second receiving means, A second discard means discards the password received by the second receiving means when the decryption of the variable data by the decryption means is completed, To make the computer function as follows: program.

6. The second receiving means receives the password from the terminal without going through a printing application program interposed between the computer and the printing device. The program according to claim 5.

7. The second receiving means receives the password from the terminal via a printing application program interposed between the computer and the printing device. The program according to claim 5.

8. A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering based at least on the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A transmission means for sending the rendering data to a printing application program that causes a printing device to perform printing, To make computers function even better, The program according to claim 5.

9. The computer further functions as a transmission means for transmitting the variable data decoded by at least the decoding means to a printing application program that causes a printing device to perform printing. The program according to claim 5.

10. Variable data used in variable printing, a first receiving means that receives a password from a terminal for decrypting encrypted variable data, A transmission means that transmits the password received by the first receiving means to a server prepared for variable printing, along with a request to transmit rendering data. A second receiving means that receives from the server the rendering data generated at least based on the variable data decrypted using the password in the server in response to a request to transmit the rendering data, A sending means for sending a print instruction including the rendering data to a printing device, A program that makes a computer function.

11. Variable data used in variable printing, a first receiving means that receives a password from a terminal for decrypting encrypted variable data, A transmission means that transmits the password received by the first receiving means, along with a request to transmit the variable data, to a server prepared for variable printing, A second receiving means that receives the variable data from the server, which has been decrypted using the password in response to a request to transmit the variable data, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering based at least on the variable data received by the second receiving means, A sending means that sends a print instruction including the rendering data generated by the rendering means to a printing device, A program that makes a computer function.

12. The second receiving means also receives from the server the template to which the variable data will be inserted in the variable printing, along with the variable data itself. The rendering means generates rendering data by performing rendering based on the variable data and the template received by the second receiving means. The program according to claim 11.

13. A printing system comprising a terminal and a server, which performs variable data printing, The terminal can execute a front-end program and a printing application program that interposes between the server and the printing device. The aforementioned server is capable of executing backend programs, The aforementioned front-end program is A first transmission means that transmits variable data used in the variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to the server, A first storage means for storing the password in a first storage unit located inside or outside the terminal, A second transmission means that, upon receiving a print instruction using the variable data, transmits the print instruction and the password stored in the first storage unit to the server. A startup means for launching the aforementioned printing application program, The terminal is made to function as follows: The aforementioned backend program, A first receiving means that receives the variable data and the password transmitted by the first transmitting means, An encryption means that encrypts the variable data received by the first receiving means using the password received by the first receiving means, A second storage means for storing the encrypted variable data in a second storage unit located inside or outside the server, A first discard means discards the password received by the first receiving means when the encryption of the variable data by the encryption means is completed, A second receiving means that receives the print instruction and the password transmitted by the second transmitting means from the terminal, A decryption means that, in response to the print instruction received by the second receiving means, decrypts the variable data encrypted by the encryption means and stored in the second storage unit using the password received by the second receiving means. A second discard means discards the password received by the second receiving means when the decryption of the variable data by the decryption means is completed, To make the aforementioned server function as follows: Printing system.

14. The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server without going through the print application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means without going through the printing application program. The aforementioned backend program, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A third transmission means that transmits the rendering data to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A rendering data transmission request means that requests the server to transmit rendering data, A third receiving means for receiving the rendering data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, Print instruction means for instructing a printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received by the third receiving means, To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system according to claim 13.

15. The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server via the printing application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means via the printing application program, The aforementioned backend program, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data decoded by the decoding means, A fourth transmission means that transmits the rendering data to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A fourth receiving means that receives the password from the second transmitting means, A rendering data transmission request means that requests the server to transmit rendering data, and at the same time transmits the password received by the fourth receiving means to the second receiving means, A fifth receiving means for receiving the rendering data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, A printing instruction means that instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received by the fifth receiving means. To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system according to claim 13.

16. The second transmission means transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the server via the printing application program. The second receiving means receives the password transmitted by the second transmitting means via the printing application program, The aforementioned backend program, A fifth transmission means that transmits the variable data decoded by the decoding means to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal, To further enable the aforementioned server, The aforementioned printing application program is A sixth receiving means that receives the password from the second transmitting means, A variable data transmission request means that requests the terminal to transmit variable data, and at the same time transmits the password received by the sixth receiving means to the second receiving means, A seventh receiving means for receiving the variable data transmitted from the server in response to the aforementioned request, A rendering means that generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data received by the seventh receiving means, Print instruction means for instructing a printing device to perform printing using the rendering data generated by the rendering means, To make the terminal function as follows: The printing system according to claim 13.

17. A method for variable printing performed in a printing system comprising a terminal and a server, The terminal can execute a front-end program and a printing application program that interposes between the server and the printing device. The aforementioned server is capable of executing backend programs, The aforementioned method, The first transmission step involves the front-end program sending variable data to be used in the variable printing and a password for encrypting the variable data to the back-end program. The front-end program performs a first saving step of storing the password in a first storage unit located inside or outside the terminal, The backend program includes a first receiving step in which it receives the variable data and the password transmitted in the first transmission step, The backend program performs an encryption step in which it encrypts the variable data received in the first reception step using the password received in the first reception step, The backend program performs a second storage step in which it stores the encrypted variable data in a second storage unit located inside or outside the server, The backend program performs a first discard step, which discards the password received in the first reception step, triggered by the completion of encryption of the variable data by the encryption step. In response to the front-end program receiving a print instruction using the variable data, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the print instruction and the password stored in the first storage unit by the first storage step to the back-end program. The backend program receives the print instruction and password transmitted in the second transmission step from the frontend program in a second receiving step, The front-end program includes a startup step in which it starts a printing application program that interposes between the back-end program and the printing device, The backend program, in response to the print instruction received in the second receiving step, decrypts the variable data encrypted in the encryption step and stored in the second storage unit in the second storage step using the password received in the second receiving step. The backend program includes a second discard step in which, triggered by the completion of the decryption of the variable data by the decryption step, the password received in the second reception step is discarded, A printing method that includes [something].

18. In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program without going through the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step without going through the print application program. The aforementioned printing method is The printing application program includes a rendering data transmission request step in which it requests the backend program to transmit rendering data, The backend program performs a rendering step in which rendering is performed using at least the variable data decoded in the decoding step to generate rendering data, The backend program performs a third transmission step in which it transmits the rendering data to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A third receiving step in which the print application program receives the rendering data transmitted from the backend program in response to the request, The print application program includes a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received in the third receiving step, It further has, The printing method according to claim 17.

19. In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program via the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step via the printing application program. The aforementioned printing method is A rendering data transmission request step in which the print application program requests the backend program to transmit rendering data, and at the same time transmits the password received in the second receiving step to the backend program, The backend program performs a rendering step in which rendering is performed using at least the variable data decoded in the decoding step to generate rendering data, A fourth transmission step in which the backend program transmits the rendering data to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A fourth receiving step in which the print application program receives the rendering data transmitted from the backend program in response to the request, The print application program includes a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data received in the fourth receiving step, It further has, The printing method according to claim 17.

20. In the second transmission step, the front-end program transmits the password stored in the first storage unit to the back-end program via the print application program. In the second receiving step, the backend program receives the password transmitted in the second transmitting step via the printing application program. The aforementioned printing method is The printing application program requests the front-end program to send variable data, and at the same time sends the password received in the second receiving step to the back-end program in a variable data transmission request step, A fifth transmission step in which the backend program transmits the variable data decrypted in the decryption step to the print application program in response to a request from the print application program, A fifth receiving step in which the print application program receives the variable data transmitted from the backend program in response to the request, The printing application program includes a rendering step in which it generates rendering data by performing rendering using at least the variable data received in the fifth receiving step, The print application program provides a print instruction step in which it instructs the printing device to perform printing using the rendering data generated by the rendering step. It further has, The printing method according to claim 17.

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