Cloud printing method, cloud printing system

Abstract

This invention provides a cloud printing method and a cloud printing system. The method includes: when a file is clicked to print in a first application on a client; sending a print request to a first server; the first server determining whether a target printer supports printing the file; if the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmitting the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file; if the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmitting the file to a printer manufacturer's server or transmitting the file to a second application; the printer manufacturer's server or the second application converting the data format of the file to a data format supported by the target printer, generating a print job; and the printer manufacturer's server or the second application sending a print request to the target printer and transmitting the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a printing method, and more particularly to a method and system for processing printing data using a cloud server. [Background Technology]

[0002] As an image forming device, a printer can enable mobile printing by installing a corresponding printing app on a client device (such as a mobile phone). Current mobile printing technologies require users to download a printing application on their phones before using the mobile printing function. Furthermore, enabling mobile printing via popular instant messaging applications (such as QQ) requires transferring files to a cloud server established by the printer manufacturer for processing. This complex file transfer and processing leads to longer printing times and a poor user experience. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] This invention provides a cloud printing method and a cloud printing system to achieve file splitting and improve printing efficiency.

[0004] On one hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a cloud printing method, including:

[0005] When the file is clicked in the client's first application to execute printing;

[0006] Send a print request to the first server;

[0007] The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the document;

[0008] When the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file;

[0009] If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server, or transmits the file to the second application.

[0010] The printer manufacturer's server or the second application converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer to generate a print job;

[0011] The printer manufacturer's server or the second application sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0012] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a cloud printing system, including a client, a first server, and a printer, characterized in that,

[0013] When the file is clicked in the client's first application to execute printing;

[0014] Send a print request to the first server;

[0015] The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the document;

[0016] When the target printer supports printing the file, the first server sends the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file;

[0017] If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server, or transmits the file to the second application.

[0018] The printer manufacturer's server or the second application converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer, and generates a print job.

[0019] The printer manufacturer's server or the second application sends a print request to the target printer, causing the target printer to execute the print job and output the print job.

[0020] This invention also provides an electronic device, including: a memory, a processor, and a computer program;

[0021] The computer program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the method described in any of the above-described embodiments.

[0022] This invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, characterized in that the program, when executed, implements the steps of any of the methods described above.

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0024] 1. For printers that support universal printing formats, they can directly receive print files sent from application servers not belonging to the printer manufacturer, reducing file forwarding steps, reducing file transfer time, and improving user experience;

[0025] 2. If all target printers support universal format printing, it can save printer manufacturers the development and deployment of servers, thus saving development and operation costs;

[0026] 3. For complex print file formats, the printer manufacturer's server can be used or the file can be converted to meet the different printing needs of users. [Attached Image Description]

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 Example system diagrams applicable to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the method provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the specific application architecture of cloud printing;

[0031] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the process of implementing cloud printing on a mobile phone.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0032] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, the image forming apparatus is a device having at least one function related to image forming. These functions may include, but are not limited to, printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. For example:

[0035] Single-function printer: An image forming device that only has printing capabilities.

[0036] Multifunction printer: An image forming device with printing, copying, scanning and / or faxing functions, and the number of paper trays can be selectively set.

[0037] Digital multifunction printers: Based on the copying function, they come standard with or have optional printing, scanning, and faxing functions. They use digital technology and laser printing to output documents. They can edit images and text as needed, have a large-capacity paper tray, high memory, large hard drive, strong network support, and multi-tasking capabilities.

[0038] The following examples illustrate the scenarios in which the cloud printing method provided in this application is applicable. For instance... Figure 1The diagram shown is a system example applicable to the cloud printing method provided in this application embodiment, including: a first control terminal 110 and an image forming apparatus 120; wherein, the first control terminal 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 have data communication. The image forming apparatus 120 may include, but is not limited to, the following devices: single-function printer, multifunction printer, digital multifunction printer, etc. Optionally, the system in the application scenario may further include a first server 130 and a printer manufacturer server 140.

[0039] The first control terminal can be an electronic device with a printer driver installed, such as a computer, or an electronic device that can communicate with the printer, such as a mobile phone or tablet. It is also generally referred to as the user terminal, client, or host.

[0040] The connection method between the first control terminal 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 is not limited in this embodiment. In one possible implementation, the first control terminal 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 can be connected via a local area network; in another possible implementation, the image forming apparatus 120 can be connected to the first control terminal 110 via a USB cable; in yet another possible implementation, the image forming apparatus 120 can be connected to the first control terminal 110 wirelessly, such as via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct; in yet another possible implementation, the first control terminal 110 communicates with a first server 130, and the first server 130 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 120, with the first control terminal 110 exchanging information with the image forming apparatus 120 through the first server 130; in yet another possible implementation, the first control terminal 110 communicates with the first server 130, and the first server 130 communicates with a printer manufacturer server 140, and the printer manufacturer server 140 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 120, registering and managing the internet-connected image forming apparatus 120, with the first control terminal 110 exchanging information with the image forming apparatus 120 through the first server 130 and the printer manufacturer server 140.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, the driver program of the first control terminal 110 can send a print job to the image forming apparatus 120 for print output. The first control terminal 110 can use an application to add the image forming apparatus, enabling quick access to printing and other functions. This application can be DingTalk, QQ, or similar applications; the first server can be a DingTalk server or a QQ server.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This invention provides a cloud printing method, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes:

[0044] Step S201: When the file is clicked to execute printing in the client application, a print request is sent to the first server;

[0045] Step S202: The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the file; when the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the printing output of the file;

[0046] Step S203: If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server.

[0047] Step S204: The printer manufacturer's server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer and generates a print job.

[0048] In step S205, the printer manufacturer server sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0049] Through the embodiments of the present invention, the first server determines whether the file can be directly sent to the target printer for printing output. If the target printer supports printing the file that the user wants to print, the file forwarding process can be saved and the printing efficiency can be improved.

[0050] Optionally, the first server transmitting the file to the printer manufacturer's server includes: the file URL and the device information of the target printer.

[0051] The printer manufacturer's server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer to generate a print job, including: the printer manufacturer's server downloading the file from the first server according to the file URL; identifying the print data format supported by the target printer according to the device information of the target printer; and converting the file according to the print data format to generate the print job.

[0052] Optionally, the printer manufacturer server sending a print request to the target printer includes: sending the URL of the print job to the target printer so that the target printer can download the print job from the printer manufacturer server.

[0053] Through the embodiments of this invention, users can use an instant messaging application in a control terminal (such as a mobile phone) to perform printing. Complex documents can be transmitted to the printer manufacturer's server for processing, meeting various printing needs. When the file to be printed is in a common or widely used format, such as a PDF or Word file, the file can be transmitted to the target printer via the first application server, improving printing efficiency. If the printer does not support the file format, the first server can transmit the file to the printer manufacturer's server for image processing to convert the file's data format and meet the printing requirements of the target printer, thus enabling printing output and satisfying different printing needs.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] This invention provides a cloud printing method, which includes:

[0056] When a file is clicked to print in a client's first application (such as an instant messaging application), a print request is sent to a first server; the first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the file; if the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file;

[0057] If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transfers the file to a second application (such as a printing app);

[0058] The second application converts the data format of the file to a data format supported by the target printer and generates a print job;

[0059] The second application sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0060] The second application can be a printing app provided by the printer manufacturer, or it can be an application specifically for image processing.

[0061] By using the manufacturer's application to convert files that are not supported for printing into a data format supported by the target device, the processing power of the printer manufacturer's server can be reduced or even eliminated, enabling fast printing using a local printing application.

[0062] Example 3

[0063] This invention provides a cloud printing method, which includes:

[0064] When a file is clicked to print in the client's first application, a print request is sent to the first server.

[0065] The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the file; when the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the printing output of the file;

[0066] If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transfers the file to a second application (such as a printing app);

[0067] The second application converts the data format of the file to a data format supported by the target printer and generates a print job;

[0068] The second application transmits the print job to the printer manufacturer's server;

[0069] The printer manufacturer's server sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0070] Through the embodiments of the present invention, the printer manufacturer's application can be used to perform file format conversion processing. At the same time, the converted print job can be transmitted to the target printer through the printer manufacturer's server, which facilitates cloud printing for users and allows them to quickly perform image processing using local applications. The printer manufacturer's server does not need to add too many file processing functions.

[0071] Example 4

[0072] This invention provides a cloud printing system, including a client, a first server, and a printer. This cloud printing system can meet both the user's need for fast printing and the user's need to print special document formats.

[0073] When a file is clicked to print in the first application on the client, a print request is sent to the first server; the first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the file.

[0074] When the target printer supports printing the file, the first server sends the file to the target printer to execute the print output; if the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server.

[0075] The printer manufacturer's server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer, and generates a print job.

[0076] The printer manufacturer's server sends a print request to the target printer, causing the target printer to execute the print job and output the print job.

[0077] By implementing this invention, a first server is used as the splitting and transmission control terminal for file printing. When the file that the user needs to print is one that the target printer can directly output, the first server transmits the file to the target printer for output, thereby improving printing efficiency. When the target printer does not support the printing of the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server for conversion before transmitting it to the target printer for output, which can meet the user's printing needs.

[0078] Optionally, the first server transmitting the file to the printer manufacturer's server includes: the file URL and the device information of the target printer.

[0079] Optionally, the printer manufacturer server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer to generate a print job, including: the printer manufacturer server downloading the file from the first server according to the file URL; identifying the print data format supported by the target printer according to the device information of the target printer; and converting the file according to the print data format to generate the print job.

[0080] Optionally, the printer manufacturer server sending a print request to the target printer includes: sending the URL of the print job to the target printer so that the target printer can download the print job from the printer manufacturer server.

[0081] Optionally, if the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server or client transmits the file to a second application (such as a printing app); the second application converts the data format of the file to a data format supported by the target printer and generates a print job; the second application transmits the print job to the printer manufacturer's server; the printer manufacturer's server sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0082] The parts of this embodiment that are the same as those in the above embodiments will not be described again.

[0083] Example 5

[0084] This invention provides a cloud printing system, including a client, a first server, and a printer. This cloud printing system can meet both the user's need for fast printing and the user's need to print special document formats.

[0085] In this embodiment of the system, when a file is clicked to print in the first application of the client, a print request is sent to the first server; the first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the file; when the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file;

[0086] If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server or client will transfer the file to a second application (such as a printing app).

[0087] The second application converts the data format of the file to a data format supported by the target printer and generates a print job;

[0088] The second application sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print output of the print job.

[0089] This embodiment reduces the processing power of the printer manufacturer's server or even eliminates the need to set up a printer manufacturer's server, enabling fast printing using a local printing application.

[0090] In addition, embodiments of the present invention also provide an electronic device, characterized in that it includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program;

[0091] The computer program is stored in memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the above method.

[0092] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that the program, when executed, implements the steps of the above-described monitoring method.

[0093] The embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:

[0094] 1. When users print files in instant messaging applications such as QQ and DingTalk, the file transfer process is simple and fast for file formats supported by the target printer, so that the printer can directly receive print files from the server associated with the instant messaging application, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0095] 2. When the target printer does not support printing the file, the server associated with the instant messaging application can also transfer the file to the printer manufacturer's server to convert the file's data format so that the target printer can output the file, further meeting the user's printing needs.

[0096] 3. Users select files using the application, which automatically selects the most suitable printing process for the printer based on file type or specific rules, thereby achieving intelligent file routing for printing.

[0097] 4. You can also use the application provided by the printer manufacturer in conjunction with the server associated with the instant messaging application to convert and print special documents.

[0098] Application examples

[0099] The following describes the process of implementing cloud printing in a mobile phone using specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0100] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cloud printing architecture. In this embodiment, the application is an instant messaging APP, and the first server is an instant messaging server.

[0101] like Figure 3 As shown, an instant messaging app is installed on the mobile phone. The instant messaging app interacts with the instant messaging server through the cloud to meet the user's communication needs.

[0102] An interaction protocol exists between the instant messaging cloud server and the printer manufacturer's server. This protocol allows the instant messaging cloud server to transfer files to the printer manufacturer's server, and also enables the printer manufacturer's server to send device information of the printers it manages to the instant messaging cloud server, thus binding the instant messaging app to the printer. In this embodiment, the printer can communicate with the instant messaging cloud server via a hardware smart protocol. The printer manufacturer's server can discover the printer through a proprietary enterprise protocol, completing printer registration and monitoring.

[0103] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the process of cloud printing on a mobile phone includes the following steps:

[0104] Step S401: The user selects a printer in the instant messaging APP as the target printer to execute the printing output of the document; the user triggers printing after selecting the file; the selected file can include Office documents, PDF documents, TXT documents, images, etc.

[0105] Step S402: The instant messaging app sends a print request to the instant messaging cloud server;

[0106] Step S403: The instant messaging cloud server determines whether the printer selected by the user supports direct file printing; or the instant messaging cloud server determines whether the printer selected by the user supports printing the file selected by the user.

[0107] Step S404: If yes, the instant messaging cloud server transmits the file to the printer;

[0108] Step S405: The printer parses the file and executes printing;

[0109] Step S406: If not, the instant messaging cloud server sends a print request to the printer manufacturer's cloud server. The print request includes the file URL and printer model.

[0110] Step S407: The printer manufacturer's cloud server downloads the file from the instant messaging cloud server based on the file URL; identifies the data formats supported by the printer based on the printer model; and converts and processes the file according to the data format to generate a print job.

[0111] Step S408: The printer manufacturer's cloud server sends a print request to the printer.

[0112] Step S409: The printer downloads the print job from the printer manufacturer's cloud server according to the print request;

[0113] In step S410, the printer parses the job data and executes the print output.

[0114] Through the embodiments of the present invention, users can quickly print documents in commonly used instant messaging apps such as DingTalk and QQ. For complex documents, the printer manufacturer's server can be used to convert and process them before printing, which can meet the printing needs of different documents.

[0115] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cloud printing method, characterized in that, The method includes: When a file is clicked to print in the client's first application, a print request is sent to the first server; the first application includes an instant messaging application. The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the document; When the target printer supports printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file; If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server; The printer manufacturer's server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer, and generates a print job. The printer manufacturer's server sends a print request to the target printer and transmits the print job to the target printer to execute the print job output; The first server transmitting the file to the printer manufacturer's server includes: the first server sending the file URL of the file and the device information of the target printer; and... The printer manufacturer's server converts the file's data format to a data format supported by the target printer to generate a print job, including: the printer manufacturer's server downloading the file from the first server based on the file's URL; identifying the print data formats supported by the target printer based on the target printer's device information; converting the file according to the print data format to generate the print job; and... The printer manufacturer's server sending a print request to the target printer includes sending the URL of the print job to the target printer so that the target printer can download the print job from the printer manufacturer's server.

2. A cloud printing system, comprising a client, a first server, and a printer, characterized in that, When a file is clicked to print in the client's first application, a print request is sent to the first server; The first application includes an instant messaging application; The first server determines whether the target printer supports printing the document; When the target printer supports printing the file, the first server sends the file to the target printer to execute the print output of the file; If the target printer does not support printing the file, the first server transmits the file to the printer manufacturer's server; The printer manufacturer's server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer, and generates a print job. The printer manufacturer's server sends a print request to the target printer, causing the target printer to execute the print job and output the print job. The first server transmitting the file to the printer manufacturer's server includes: the first server sending the file URL of the file and the device information of the target printer; The printer manufacturer server converts the data format of the file into a data format supported by the target printer to generate a print job, including: the printer manufacturer server downloading the file from the first server according to the file URL; identifying the print data format supported by the target printer according to the device information of the target printer; and converting the file according to the print data format to generate the print job. The printer manufacturer's server sending a print request to the target printer includes sending the URL of the print job to the target printer so that the target printer can download the print job from the printer manufacturer's server.

3. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program; wherein the computer program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to implement the method of claim 1.

4. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the method described in claim 1.

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