Remote printing method and system

Abstract

The invention provides a remote printing method and system, relates to the technical field of remote communication, and can realize low-cost remote printing. The method comprises the following steps: a first device receives a first operation of a user on a first document; and in response to the first operation, searching the printer to display the first interface. Wherein the first interface comprises identifiers of one or more first printers and identifiers of one or more second printers. The current distance between the second printer and the first equipment is larger than a preset distance threshold value, the second printer is used by the first equipment, and the second printer does not support remote printing. The second printer can search from the cloud server that available equipment exists in a preset distance threshold range around the second printer. The first equipment receives a selection operation of a user on a first identifier in the first interface, and requests the second equipment to control a third printer to print a first document in response to the selection operation on the first identifier; the second device is an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the third printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of long-distance communication technology, and in particular to a remote printing method and system. Background Art

[0002] With the prevalence of remote work and distance education, the demand for remote printing is increasing. However, some printers on the market do not have remote printing capabilities. Currently, printers that do not support remote printing can be enabled by installing a new remote printing template. However, purchasing a new remote printing template is expensive.

[0003] Currently, there is an urgent need for a method that can achieve low-cost remote printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a remote printing method and system for implementing low-cost remote printing.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a remote printing method is provided, which is applied to a first device. The remote printing method includes:

[0007] The first device receives a first operation of a user on a first document, and in response to the first operation, searches for a printer to display a first interface, wherein the first operation instructs the first device to print the first document, and the first interface includes one or more identifiers of the first printer and one or more identifiers of the second printer; the first device receives a selection operation of the user on the first identifier in the first interface, and in response to the selection operation on the first identifier, requests the second device to control a third printer to print the first document, wherein the first identifier is the identifier of the third printer among the one or more second printers.

[0008] The current distance between the first printer and the first device is less than a preset distance threshold, and / or the first printer supports remote printing. The current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than a preset distance threshold, the second printer has been used by the first device, and the second printer does not support remote printing. The second printer is a printer that the first device searched for from the cloud server, and there are available devices within the preset distance threshold around the second printer. The second device is an available device within the preset distance threshold around the third printer. The preset distance threshold is a distance threshold for short-range wireless communication, which includes Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi.

[0009] In the remote printing method provided by the present application, the first device can search for a printer in response to the first operation, and search from the cloud service for a printer (i.e., the second printer) that does not support remote printing but has an available device (i.e., the second device) within a preset distance threshold range. In this way, although the second printer does not support remote printing, the first device cannot directly control the second printer to print documents; however, the above-mentioned second device has the conditions to control the second printer, and the first device can control the second printer to print documents through the above-mentioned second device. In this way, the first device can achieve remote control of the second printer. Moreover, by adopting the remote printing method provided by the present application, remote printing can be achieved without installing a remote printing module on the second printer that does not support remote printing. In summary, by adopting the remote printing method provided by the present application, low-cost remote printing can be achieved.

[0010] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first device searches for a printer in response to a first operation, including: the first device searches for the first printer in response to the first operation and obtains an identifier of the first printer; sends a first connection request to a cloud server; wherein the first connection request includes the identifier of the first device, and the first connection request is used to request a second printer from the cloud server; receives a first connection response from the cloud server; wherein the first connection response includes the identifier of the second printer, and the identifier of an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0011] In this implementation, the first device can search for the first printer and obtain its identifier. It can also receive the identifier of the second printer and the identifiers of available devices from the cloud server. In other words, the first device can search for printers within a preset distance threshold, or it can search for printers within a preset distance threshold and an available device within a preset distance threshold around the second printer. This allows users to easily select a printer based on their needs, improving the user experience during the printing process.

[0012] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first connection response further includes a first authorization code corresponding to an available device within a preset distance threshold around the second printer. In response to a selection operation of the first identifier, the first device requests the second device to control the third printer to print the first document, including: the first device sending a print request to the second device in response to the selection operation of the first identifier. The print request includes the first authorization code corresponding to the first document and the second device; the print request is used to request the second device to verify the first authorization code and, upon successful verification, control the third printer to print the first document.

[0013] Specifically, the second device has a built-in authorization code. The second device can compare the first authorization code with its built-in authorization code. If the comparison is consistent, it indicates that the second device has successfully verified the first authorization code; conversely, if the comparison is inconsistent, it indicates that the second device has failed to verify the first authorization code.

[0014] In this implementation, the second device can use the first authorization code to control the third printer to print the first document, rather than the first document sent by other devices, only when it ensures that the first device sending the first document has passed the verification. In other words, the second device can verify whether the received document is the first document sent by the first device remotely connected to it based on the first authorization code, thereby monitoring the first document.

[0015] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, before sending the print request to the second device, the remote printing method further includes: encrypting the first document using a preset encryption algorithm, wherein the print request includes the encrypted first document.

[0016] In this implementation, the first document is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, and the security of the content of the first document can be guaranteed even if the first document is leaked, thereby ensuring the security of the first document.

[0017] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first connection response further includes a first connection time between an available device within a preset distance threshold around the second printer and the second printer, wherein after the first connection time, the available device is disconnected from the second printer.

[0018] In this implementation, the first connection response from the cloud server also includes the first connection time between the available device and the second printer. In other words, the cloud server can monitor the connection status between the available device and the second printer so that the cloud server can promptly detect if the available device and the second printer are disconnected for some reason.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first interface further includes a first connection time, which is used to remind the user that the available device is disconnected from the second printer after the first connection time.

[0020] In this implementation, the first connection time is displayed on the first interface, which can reflect the user's available time of the second printer, making it easier for the user to manage their time when using the printer and use the second printer within the available time. This can improve the user experience during remote printing.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the cloud server records the identifiers of multiple printers and a usage record of each printer; the usage record of each printer includes the identifier of a device that has used the printer.

[0022] In this implementation, once a connection is established with a first device, the cloud server can identify the printers used by the first device based on its printer usage history and the first device's identifier. This allows the cloud server to subsequently send the identifier of a second printer, along with the identifier of an available device within a preset distance threshold, to the first device. This implementation effectively improves remote printing efficiency.

[0023] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the usage record of each printer also includes a user account of the device that used the printer. The cloud server maintains multiple user accounts, each corresponding to one or more device identifiers.

[0024] The available device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer is: a device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer that meets preset conditions.

[0025] The preset conditions include: logging into the cloud server with the same user account as the first device and connecting to the second printer; or

[0026] The preset conditions include: being in the same family group as the first device and being connected to the second printer; wherein the cloud server maintains family IDs of multiple family groups and multiple user accounts in each family group; and the family ID of each family group is different.

[0027] In this implementation, an available device can be a device that is within a preset distance threshold around the second printer, is connected to the second printer, and is logged into the cloud server using the same user account as the first device; or a device that is within a preset distance threshold around the second printer, is connected to the second printer, and is in the same family group as the first device. Generally speaking, electronic devices logged into the same user account as the first device or in the same family group as the first device are usually electronic devices of people the owner of the first device trusts (such as family members). Based on this, the security of data transmission can be guaranteed and user privacy can be protected.

[0028] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the usage record of each printer further includes a printing connection protocol between the device and the printer.

[0029] In this implementation, the print connection protocol is used to ensure a normal connection between the device and the printer.

[0030] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the remote printing method further includes: the first device connecting to a fourth printer via short-range wireless communication, controlling the fourth printer to print the second document, and then sending a print record to a cloud server. The print record includes an identifier of the first device, an identifier of the fourth printer, and a user account of the first device.

[0031] In this implementation, the first device sends the printing record to the cloud server, and the printing record can be recorded by the cloud server.

[0032] In a second aspect, a remote printing method is provided, which is applied to a cloud server. The remote printing method includes: the cloud server receives a first connection request from a first device. The first connection request includes an identifier of the first device, and the first connection request is used to request a printer from the cloud server. Based on the identifier of the first device, the cloud server queries the second printer used by the first device. There are available devices within a preset distance threshold around the second printer. The second printer does not support remote printing, and the current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than or equal to the preset distance threshold. The preset distance threshold is a distance threshold for short-range communication and short-range wireless communication, and short-range communication and short-range wireless communication include Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi. A first connection response is sent to the first device. The first connection response includes the identifier of the second printer and the identifier of an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer.

[0033] In the remote printing method provided by the present application, the cloud server can query the second printer used by the first device based on the identification of the first device, and send a first connection response to the first device. Although the second printer does not support remote printing, the first device cannot directly control the second printer to print documents; however, the above-mentioned available devices have the conditions to control the second printer, and the first device can control the second printer to print documents through the above-mentioned available devices. In this way, the first device can achieve remote control of the second printer. And by adopting the remote printing method provided by the present application, remote printing can be achieved without installing a remote printing module on the second printer that does not support remote printing. In summary, by adopting the remote printing method provided by the present application, low-cost remote printing can be achieved.

[0034] Because the first connection response includes the second printer's identifier and the identifier of an available device within a preset distance threshold around the second printer, the first device can remotely control the second printer through the available device even if the second printer doesn't support remote printing. This allows the second printer to achieve low-cost remote printing without having to install a new remote printing template.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the cloud server records the identifiers of multiple printers and a usage record of each printer; the usage record of each printer includes the identifier of a device that has used the printer.

[0036] In this implementation, once a connection is established with a first device, the cloud server can identify the second printer used by the first device based on its printer usage history and the first device's identifier. This allows the cloud server to subsequently send the second printer's identifier, along with the identifier of an available device within a preset distance threshold, to the first device. This implementation effectively improves remote printing efficiency.

[0037] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the cloud server queries the second printer used by the first device based on the identification of the first device, including: the cloud server queries at least one fifth printer used by the first device from the usage records of multiple printers based on the identification of the first device; obtains the identification of at least one third device corresponding to the fifth printer from the usage records of each fifth printer; wherein, at least one third device has used the fifth printer, and at least one third device is different from the first device; instructs at least one third device corresponding to each fifth printer to connect to the fifth printer through short-range communication / short-range wireless communication, and determines the second printer from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result; wherein the second printer is a printer in at least one fifth printer that is successfully connected to the corresponding third device through short-range communication / short-range wireless communication.

[0038] In this implementation, the cloud server first queries for at least one fifth printer used by the first device. Based on the fifth printer's usage history, it obtains the third device's identifier, instructing the third device to connect to the fifth printer. The cloud server then identifies the at least one fifth printer that successfully connects to the corresponding third device via short-range wireless communication as the second printer. This allows the cloud server to identify the second and third devices based on the first device's identifier, effectively ensuring printing efficiency.

[0039] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the cloud server respectively instructs the at least one third device corresponding to each fifth printer to connect to the fifth printer through the short-range communication short-range wireless communication, including: the cloud server sends a connection instruction to each third device respectively; wherein the connection instruction includes the identifier of the fifth printer corresponding to the third device, and the connection instruction is used to instruct the third device to connect to the fifth printer based on the identifier of the fifth printer; receiving a connection result from the third device; wherein the connection result is sent after the third device successfully connects to the fifth printer, and the connection result includes the identifier of the third device and the identifier of the fifth printer.

[0040] In this implementation, the cloud server can send a connection instruction to each third device to determine whether one of the five printers is successfully connected to the third device, and then use the printer successfully connected to the third device as the second printer. In this way, when remotely printing to the second printer, since the third device and the second printer are already connected, the time required to connect the third device to the second printer can be saved during the remote printing process, effectively ensuring the efficiency of remote printing.

[0041] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the connection result also includes: the connection time when the third device is connected to the fifth printer, the first connection time between the third device and the fifth printer, and the first connection time is the time when the third device and the fifth printer are planned to remain connected.

[0042] In this implementation, the first connection time can reflect the user's available time for the second printer, which facilitates the user's time management when using the printer and allows the user to use the second printer within the available time. This can improve the user experience during remote printing.

[0043] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the usage record of each printer also includes a user account of the device that used the printer. The cloud server maintains multiple user accounts, each corresponding to one or more device identifiers.

[0044] The step of obtaining, from the usage record of each fifth printer, an identifier of at least one third device corresponding to the fifth printer includes:

[0045] Obtain the identification of at least one third device that has logged into the same user account as the first device on the cloud server from the usage record of each fifth printer. Or,

[0046] From the usage record of each fifth printer, obtain the identification of at least one third device in the same family group as the first device; wherein, the cloud server maintains family IDs of multiple family groups and multiple user accounts in each family group; the family ID of each family group is different.

[0047] In this implementation, the cloud server can determine the user account corresponding to the device using the printer by associating the printer's usage record with the user account, so that the cloud server can identify and manage the device based on the user account. In addition, the third device is restricted from logging into the same user account as the first device or being in the same family group. Generally speaking, electronic devices that log into the same user account as the first device or are in the same family group as the first device are usually electronic devices of people that the owner of the first device trusts (such as family members). Based on this, the security of data transmission can be guaranteed and user privacy can be protected.

[0048] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, after the cloud server determines the second printer from at least one fifth printer based on the connection result, and before the cloud server sends a first connection response to the first device, the method also includes: the cloud server regards the first third device that successfully connects to the fifth printer through short-range communication as an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0049] Alternatively, the usage record of each printer also includes the last connection time between the device that used the printer and the printer; after determining the second printer from at least one fifth printer based on the connection result, before sending a first connection response to the first device, the method also includes: among the third devices that were the first to successfully connect to the fifth printer through short-range communication, the third device with the latest last connection time with the fifth printer is used as an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0050] In this implementation, after determining the second printer, the cloud server can adopt two different methods to select available devices around the second printer, such as the third device that is the fastest to successfully connect to the fifth printer through short-range communication or the third device that is the first to successfully connect to the fifth printer through short-range communication, which has the latest time of last connection with the fifth printer. This is conducive to improving printing efficiency.

[0051] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: after a third device successfully connects to a fifth printer through short-range communication or short-range wireless communication, sending a pause instruction to other third devices corresponding to the fifth printer; wherein the pause instruction is used to instruct other third devices to stop connecting to the fifth printer through short-range communication or short-range wireless communication.

[0052] In this implementation, considering that the first device only requires one available device of the fifth printer to assist in remote printing, the cloud server only needs to select an available device. After a third device successfully connects to the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication, the cloud server can send a pause command to the other third devices corresponding to the fifth printer. This prevents the other third devices from responding to the connection command and attempting to connect to the fifth printer. This effectively ensures that only one third device is communicating with the fifth printer, avoiding communication conflicts.

[0053] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the remote printing method also includes: the cloud server receives a printing record from the first device; wherein the printing record is sent after the first device connects to the fourth printer through short-range communication and controls the fourth printer to print the second document; the printing record includes an identifier of the first device and an identifier of the fourth printer; and according to the printing record, the usage record of the fourth printer is updated.

[0054] In this implementation, the cloud server can track and record the printing activities between the first device and the fourth printer by receiving the printing records sent by the first device; by updating the usage records of the fourth printer, the real-time nature of the usage records of the fourth printer in the cloud server can be guaranteed, so as to reduce the probability that the fourth printer will subsequently be unable to connect to the device that has used the fourth printer, thereby ensuring the efficiency of remote printing.

[0055] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the printing record also includes the user account of the first device; or, the printing record also includes the user account of the first device and the family ID of the family group to which the user account belongs.

[0056] In this implementation, the cloud server can manage devices that are logged in with the same user account as the first device through the user account of the first device; and can manage devices within the family group through the family ID of the family group where the user account is located.

[0057] In a third aspect, a remote printing system is provided, which includes: a first device, one or more first printers, one or more second printers, a cloud server and a second device.

[0058] The current distance between the first printer and the first device is less than a preset distance threshold, and / or the first printer supports remote printing; the current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than the preset distance threshold, the second printer has been used by the first device, and the second printer does not support remote printing.

[0059] The first device is configured to perform any one of the methods in the first aspect above;

[0060] The cloud server is used to perform any one of the methods in the second aspect above;

[0061] The second device is used to control a third printer among the one or more second printers to print the first document in response to a request from the first device; wherein the second device is an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the third printer.

[0062] In the remote printing system provided by the present application, the first device can search for a printer in response to the first operation, and search from the cloud service for a printer (i.e., the second printer) that does not support remote printing but has an available device (i.e., the second device) within a preset distance threshold range. In this way, although the second printer does not support remote printing, the first device cannot directly control the second printer to print documents; however, the above-mentioned second device has the conditions to control the second printer, and the first device can control the second printer to print documents through the above-mentioned second device. In this way, the first device can achieve remote control of the second printer. Moreover, by adopting the remote printing method provided by the present application, remote printing can be achieved without installing a remote printing module on the second printer that does not support remote printing. In summary, by adopting the remote printing system provided by the present application, low-cost remote printing can be achieved.

[0063] In a fourth aspect, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a display screen, a communication module, a memory and one or more processors, wherein the display screen, the communication module, the memory and the processor are coupled; the communication module is used to communicate with other devices; the memory is used to store computer program code; the computer program code includes computer instructions, and when the processor executes the above-mentioned computer instructions, the electronic device executes a method as described in any one of the above-mentioned first aspects.

[0064] In a fifth aspect, a cloud server is provided, which includes: a communication module, a memory and one or more processors; the communication module, the memory and the processor are coupled; the communication module is used to communicate with other devices; the memory is used to store computer program code; the computer program code includes computer instructions, and when the processor executes the computer instructions, the cloud server executes a remote printing method such as any one of the above-mentioned second aspects.

[0065] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the remote printing method as described in the first aspect or any one of the first aspects.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a cloud server, the cloud server executes a remote printing method as described in the second aspect or any one of the second aspects.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program / instruction. When the computer program / instruction is executed by a processor in a computer, the computer implements the steps of any one of the remote printing methods in the first and second aspects.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a processor for supporting an electronic device in implementing the functions described in the first aspect. In one possible design, the device further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the electronic device. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed solely of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0069] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fourth to eighth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the architecture scenario of the remote printing system in time period 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of another remote printing system scenario in time period 2 of the remote printing system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 1C A schematic diagram of a remote printing system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall hardware structure of the first device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a system architecture flow for remote printing of a printing system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 4 A flowchart of a remote printing scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 5 Schematic diagram 1 of a display interface of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 6 A display interface diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0078] Figure 7 A display interface diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0079] Figure 8A display interface diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0080] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a display interface of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 10 Schematic diagram 1 of a remote printing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a remote printing method provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0083] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a remote printing method provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0084] Figure 13 Schematic diagram 1 of the printing process provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the printing process provided in the embodiment of this application Figure 2 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, if the words "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish between the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second" and the like do not necessarily limit them to be different. And, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple" means two or more.

[0087] After connecting an electronic device (such as a laptop, mobile phone, or tablet) to a printer, it can control the printer to print documents. The connection between an electronic device and a printer can be categorized as either wired or wireless. Wireless printing can be divided into two types: remote printing (also known as far-field printing) and near-field printing.

[0088] Near-field printing refers to the following: the distance between the electronic device and the printer is less than a preset distance threshold; the electronic device and the printer can establish a short-range wireless connection; and the electronic device controls the printer to print a document via this short-range wireless connection. The preset distance threshold is the distance threshold for short-range wireless communication. If the distance between two devices is within the distance range corresponding to the preset distance threshold, the two devices can establish a short-range wireless connection, achieving short-range wireless communication. For example, this short-range wireless communication may include at least one of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee.

[0089] For example, Figure 1A As shown, in a time period 1, the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 are in the same spatial environment 12, and the distance between the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 is less than a preset distance threshold. In the above spatial environment 12, the mobile phone 100 can establish a short-range wireless connection with the printer 103 and control the printer 103 to print documents. However, the spatial environment in which the mobile phone 100 is located may change as the location of the mobile phone 100 changes. For example, in another time period 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 1B As shown, the mobile phone 100 may enter the space environment 11. Figure 1B As shown, the mobile phone 100 and the printer 101 are in the same spatial environment 11, and the distance between the mobile phone 100 and the printer 101 is less than a preset distance threshold. In the above spatial environment 11, the mobile phone 100 can establish a short-range wireless connection with the printer 101 and control the printer 101 to print documents.

[0090] In the above time period 2, if Figure 1B As shown, mobile phone 200, printers 102, and printer 103 are in the same spatial environment 12. The distance between mobile phone 200 and printer 102 is less than a preset distance threshold, and the distance between mobile phone 200 and printer 103 is less than a preset distance threshold. In this spatial environment 12, mobile phone 200 can establish a short-range wireless connection with printer 102 and control printer 102 to print documents; mobile phone 200 can also establish a short-range wireless connection with printer 103 and control printer 102 to print documents. Spatial environments 11 and 12 can be a user's home, office, or public places such as a library or cafe.

[0091] Remote printing means that when the distance between an electronic device and a printer exceeds a preset distance threshold, the electronic device can remotely connect to the printer and control the printer to print documents. Printers that support remote printing are equipped with a remote printing template. This remote printing template can be a standalone hardware device, a plug-in, or an expansion card, enabling long-distance communication between the printer and the electronic device via cloud communication.

[0092] For example, in the above time period 2, although the mobile phone 300 and the printer 102 are not in the same spatial environment (e.g., the mobile phone 300 is in spatial environment 13, and the printer 102 is in spatial environment 12), the distance between the mobile phone 100 and the printer 102 is greater than the preset distance threshold; however, Figure 1B As shown, the printer 102 supports remote printing; therefore, the mobile phone 100 can connect to the printer 102 and control the printer 102 to print documents. Similarly, the mobile phone 100 can also connect to the printer 102 and control the printer 102 to print documents.

[0093] Currently, most printers (such as Figure 1B Printers 101, 102, and 103 shown in FIG. 1 support near-field printing, and a large portion of printers (such as Figure 1B The printers 101 and 103 shown do not support remote printing. Figure 1B Neither mobile phone 100 nor mobile phone 300 can control printer 103 to remotely print documents, nor can mobile phone 300 control printer 101 to remotely print documents. While remote printing can be achieved by purchasing and configuring a remote printing module for a printer, this is costly. With increasing user demand for remote printing, how to implement remote printing on existing printers that support near-field printing at a low cost is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0094] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a remote printing method, which can realize remote printing on an existing printer that does not support remote printing without configuring a remote printing module for the existing printer, thereby achieving low-cost remote printing.

[0095] Specifically, in response to a user's operation to print a document, the electronic device (i.e., the first device) can search for a printer and find a printer (i.e., the second printer) from the cloud service that does not support remote printing but has an available device (i.e., the second device) within a preset distance threshold. In this way, although the second printer does not support remote printing, the first device cannot directly control the second printer to print documents; however, the second device has the conditions to control the second printer, and the first device can control the second printer to print documents through the second device. In this way, the first device can achieve remote control of the second printer.

[0096] Please refer to Figure 1C , which shows a schematic diagram of a remote printing system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1A ,like Figure 1C As shown, the remote printing system includes: a first device (such as a mobile phone 100), a second printer that does not support remote printing (such as printer 103), a second device (such as a tablet computer 400 or a foldable screen mobile phone 500) and a cloud server 600.

[0097] Among them, the mobile phone 100 can search for the printer 103 through the cloud server 600. Although the printer 103 does not support remote printing, there is an available device (i.e., a second device, such as the tablet computer 400) within a preset distance threshold range around the printer 103. The mobile phone 100 can control the printer 103 to print documents through the tablet computer 400.

[0098] It should be noted that the above only takes the first device being a mobile phone and the second device being a tablet computer as an example to introduce the implementation principle of this solution. The actual product forms of the first device and the second device are not limited to this. For example, the first device and the second device can be any electronic device that supports wireless communication, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal computer (PC), an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a smart home device (such as a smart TV, a smart screen, a large screen, a smart speaker, a smart air conditioner, etc.), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device, a virtual reality device, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any restrictions on this. Among them, the device types of the first device and the second device can be the same or different.

[0099] This application embodiment takes a mobile phone as an example to introduce the hardware structure of the first device. Figure 2 As shown, it shows an overall schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the mobile phone 100.

[0100] The mobile phone 100 may include a processor 110, an external memory interface 120, an internal memory 121, a universal serial bus (USB) interface 130, a charging management module 140, a power management module 141, a battery 142, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 150, a wireless communication module 160, an audio module 170, a speaker 170A, a receiver 170B, a microphone 170C, a sensor module 180, a button 190, a motor 191, an indicator 192, a camera 193, a display 194, and a subscriber identification module (SIM) card interface 195. The sensor module 180 may include a pressure sensor 180A, a gyroscope sensor 180B, an air pressure sensor 180C, a magnetic sensor 180D, and the like.

[0101] It should be understood that the illustrated structure of the embodiment of the present invention does not constitute a specific limitation on the mobile phone 100. In other embodiments of the present application, the mobile phone 100 may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined or separated, or arranged differently. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0102] The processor 110 may include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 110 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a memory, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU). The different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0103] The controller may be the nerve center and command center of the mobile phone 100. The controller may generate an operation control signal according to the instruction operation code and the timing signal to complete the control of fetching and executing instructions.

[0104] Processor 110 may also include a memory for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in processor 110 is a cache memory. This memory can store instructions or data that have just been used or are being recycled by processor 110. If processor 110 needs to use the same instruction or data again, it can directly access the memory. This avoids duplicate accesses, reduces processor 110 latency, and thus improves system efficiency.

[0105] In some embodiments, the processor 110 may include one or more interfaces. The interfaces may include an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, an inter-integrated circuit sound (I2S) interface, a pulse code modulation (PCM) interface, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface, a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface, a subscriber identity module (SIM) interface, and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

[0106] It is understood that the interface connection relationship between the modules illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention is merely an illustrative illustration and does not constitute a structural limitation on the mobile phone 100. In other embodiments of the present application, the mobile phone 100 may also adopt a different interface connection method from the above embodiment, or a combination of multiple interface connection methods.

[0107] The wireless communication function of the mobile phone 100 can be implemented through the antenna 1, the antenna 2, the mobile communication module 150, the wireless communication module 160, the modem processor and the baseband processor.

[0108] Antenna 1 and Antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in mobile phone 100 can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch.

[0109] The mobile communication module 150 can provide wireless communication solutions, including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, for use on the mobile phone 100. In the embodiment of the present application, the mobile communication module 150 can be used to support the mobile phone 100 in communicating with the cloud server 600 and obtaining relevant information about the second device from the cloud server 600. The mobile communication module 150 can also support the mobile phone 100 in communicating with the second device, allowing the second device to control the printer 103 to print documents, thereby achieving remote printing.

[0110] The wireless communication module 160 can provide wireless communication solutions for application on the mobile phone 100, including wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network), Bluetooth (BT), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication technology (NFC), infrared technology (IR), satellite communication technology, etc.

[0111] In the embodiment of the present application, the wireless communication module 160 can be used to support the mobile phone 100 to access the wireless local area network, communicate with the cloud server 600, and obtain relevant information of the second device from the cloud server 600. The wireless communication module 160 can also support the mobile phone 100 to access the wireless local area network, communicate with the second device, and control the printer 103 to print documents through the second device to achieve remote printing.

[0112] In some embodiments, the antenna 1 of the mobile phone 100 is coupled to the mobile communication module 150, and the antenna 2 is coupled to the wireless communication module 160, so that the mobile phone 100 can communicate with the network and other devices through wireless communication technology. The wireless communication technology may include global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), time-division code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), BT, GNSS, WLAN, NFC, FM, and / or IR technology. GNSS may include the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and / or the Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS).

[0113] The mobile phone 100 implements display functions through a GPU, a display screen 194, and an application processor. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing and is connected to the display screen 194 and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. The processor 110 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or change display information. The display screen 194 is used to display images, videos, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the display screen 194 can be used to display the relevant interface of the document to be printed, the relevant interface of searching for a printer, and the relevant interface of the mobile phone 100 controlling the printer 103 to print a document.

[0114] The external memory interface 120 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the storage capacity of the mobile phone 100. The external memory card communicates with the processor 110 through the external memory interface 120 to implement data storage functions. For example, files such as music and videos can be stored on the external memory card.

[0115] The internal memory 121 can be used to store computer executable program codes, and the executable program codes include instructions. The processor 110 executes various functional applications and data processing of the mobile phone 100 by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 121. The internal memory 121 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area can store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area can store data created during the use of the mobile phone 100 (such as audio data, a phone book, etc.), etc. In addition, the internal memory 121 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash storage (UFS), etc.

[0116] In the embodiment of the present application, the hardware structure of the second device can refer to Figure 2 The hardware structure of the mobile phone 100 is not described in detail here.

[0117] Combine Figure 1C The remote printing system architecture shown in Figure 1C As shown, the remote printing system includes: a mobile phone 100 and a printer 101 in a space environment 11, a printer 102, a printer 103, a mobile phone 200, a mobile phone 500 and a tablet computer 400 in a space environment 12, and a cloud server 600.

[0118] Among them, printer 101 and printer 103 do not support remote printing, and printer 102 supports remote printing. It should be noted that the location of the mobile phone will change with the user, so the spatial environment of the mobile phone in different time periods may also be different. In the embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned mobile phone 100 and printer 101 are in spatial environment 11, and printer 102, printer 103, mobile phone 200, mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400 are in spatial environment 12, all in time period 2. The remote printing process in the embodiment of the present application occurs in time period 2. This time period 2 is not a specific time period, but refers to the time period when each device and printer are Figure 1C The spatial environment shown corresponds to the time period.

[0119] The embodiment of the present application provides a remote printing method, using which the mobile phone 100 can control the printer 103 to achieve remote printing. The remote printing method can be divided into two processes: process one and process two. Among them, process one is used to achieve near-field printing by connecting the mobile phone 100 to the printer 103 over a short distance. In process one, after the mobile phone 100 controls the printer 103 for near-field printing, a print record can be generated and uploaded to the cloud server. In this way, it is possible to support a request to the cloud server in process two to query the printers used by the mobile phone 100 based on the print record, thereby achieving remote printing.

[0120] Process 1: A near-field printing process in which the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 are in the same spatial environment 12 .

[0121] like Figure 1A As shown, in time period 1, the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 are in the same space environment 12, and the distance between them is less than the preset distance threshold. Figure 3 As shown, process one may include S401-S403.

[0122] S401 , the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 are in the same space environment 12 , and the mobile phone 100 connects to the printer 103 via short-range wireless communication and controls the printer 103 to print the document 1 .

[0123] In the embodiment of the present application, the mobile phone 100 is the first device and the document 1 is the second document. In process 1, the printer 103 serves as the fourth printer.

[0124] S402 , the mobile phone 100 sends a print record 1 of the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 to the cloud server 600 .

[0125] Among them, after the mobile phone 100 controls the printer 103 to print the document in the near field, it can send the corresponding printing record to the cloud server 600.

[0126] In some embodiments, the print record 1 may include the identifier of the mobile phone 100 and the identifier of the printer 103 .

[0127] In some embodiments, the print record 1 includes not only the identifier of the mobile phone 100 and the identifier of the printer 103 , but also the user account of the mobile phone 100 (eg, Ross_582).

[0128] In other embodiments, print record 1 may include not only the identifier of mobile phone 100, the identifier of printer 103, and the user account of mobile phone 100 (e.g., Ross_582), but also the home group ID of user account 1 (e.g., Home_a). The user account and home group ID are used by cloud server 600 to query available devices around printer 103. For details, please refer to the following description.

[0129] S403 : The cloud server 600 receives the print record 1 from the mobile phone 100 , and updates the usage record of the printer 103 according to the print record 1 .

[0130] It should be understood that the cloud server 600 stores the identifiers of multiple printers and the usage records of each printer. Each printer's usage record includes the identifier of the device that used the printer. These usage records are compiled based on the print records uploaded by electronic devices after using the printer. For example, the cloud server 600 may store the usage records shown in Table 1 before executing S403.

[0131] Table 1

[0132]

[0133]

[0134] In some embodiments, cloud server 600 maintains multiple user accounts, each corresponding to one or more device identifiers. A printer usage record may also include the user accounts of the devices that used the printer. For example, see Table 2, which shows an example of a printer 103 usage record stored by cloud server 600 before executing S403.

[0135] Table 2

[0136]

[0137] In other embodiments, a printer usage record may include not only the user account of the device that used the printer, but also the home group ID of the user account. For example, referring to Table 3, it shows an example of a usage record of the printer 103 saved by the cloud server 600 before executing S403.

[0138] Table 3

[0139]

[0140] It should be noted that the usage records of each printer saved by the cloud server 600 do not necessarily include the user accounts of all devices that have used the printer. Some devices may choose to hide their user accounts. In this case, the cloud server 600 will not receive and save the user account of the corresponding device. Of course, the above usage records do not necessarily include the home group IDs of all devices that have used the printer. For example, some devices may not have joined any home group and will not send the corresponding home group ID to the cloud server 600.

[0141] For example, in the example of print record 1, which includes the identifier of the mobile phone 100, the identifier of the printer 103, the user account (e.g., Ross_582), and the home group ID (e.g., Home_a), the cloud server 600 executes S403 to update the usage record of the printer 103 shown in Table 3, thereby obtaining the updated usage record of the printer 103 shown in Table 4.

[0142] Table 4

[0143]

[0144]

[0145] In some embodiments, the print record 1 may also include the time when the mobile phone 100 executed S401 to use the printer 103, such as 2024.1.15-14:00. Accordingly, the printer usage record stored by the cloud server 600 may also include the time each device used the printer, such as the time of the most recent printer use or the time of each printer use. For example, the cloud server 600 may store the usage record of the printer 103 shown in Table 5.

[0146] Table 5

[0147]

[0148] Process 2: Remote printing process when the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 are in different spatial environments. Figure 1C As shown, in time period 2, the mobile phone 100 is in the spatial environment 11, the printer 103 is in the spatial environment 12, and the distance between the mobile phone 100 and the printer 103 is greater than a preset distance threshold.

[0149] In the above process 1, after the mobile phone 100 controls the printer 103 to print near the field, the printing record is uploaded to the cloud server. In process 2, the printer used by the mobile phone 100 (such as printer 103) can be queried based on the printing record in the cloud server to achieve far-field printing of the printer. Specifically, Figure 3 or Figure 4 As shown, process 2 may include S501-S505.

[0150] S501: The mobile phone 100 receives a first operation of a user on a first document. The first operation instructs the mobile phone 100 to print document 2.

[0151] For example, mobile phone 100 can receive document 2 from another device via instant messaging software. For example, document 2 can be a homework assignment assigned by a teacher and sent to a parent via instant messaging software. For another example, document 2 can be any other document, such as a work document, a family record document, or an article shared by others. Alternatively, document 2 can be a document downloaded from a webpage by the user using mobile phone 100. This embodiment of the application does not limit the source of document 2.

[0152] In some embodiments, after the mobile phone 100 receives or downloads the document 2, it does not need to open the document 2, that is, the document 2 can be printed in response to the user's operation (ie, the first operation).

[0153] For example, the mobile phone 100 displays Figure 5 In the chat interface (a) of the instant messaging software shown in FIG, the mobile phone 100 receives the document 2 (such as "see the picture and talk"). Figure 5 In the chat interface (a) shown in FIG, the preset operation (such as double-click operation or long press operation, etc.) of document 2 (such as "see picture and talk") in the chat interface (a) is displayed. Figure 5 The information box shown in (b) in FIG. 1 may include a “Print” button. The first operation may be a user clicking the “Print” button in the information box.

[0154] For another example, after the mobile phone 100 receives the document 2 through the instant messaging software, the mobile phone 100 may not currently display the above-mentioned chat interface. In this case, the mobile phone 100 may send a Figure 6 The notification message shown may include a "Print" button. The first operation is a user clicking the "Print" button.

[0155] For another example, after the mobile phone 100 completes downloading the document 2 from the web page, it may display a prompt message indicating that the download is complete, and the prompt message may include a "Print" button. The first operation is a user clicking the "Print" button.

[0156] In other embodiments, after receiving or downloading the document 2, the mobile phone 100 may open the document 2 in response to a user operation, and then print the document 2 in response to a first operation of the user on the opened document.

[0157] For example, after receiving document 2, mobile phone 100 may display Figure 7 The notification message shown in (a) in FIG. 1 may include an “Open” button. Figure 7 By clicking the "Open" button in (a), the mobile phone 100 can open the document 2 and display Figure 7 The mobile phone 100 responds to the user's request to Figure 7 Click the "..." in the upper right corner of the interface shown in (b) to display Figure 7 The prompt box shown in (c) in FIG. 1 may include a “Print” icon. The first operation is a user clicking the “Print” icon.

[0158] For example, the mobile phone 100 responds to the user opening Figure 5 The operation of the "Picture Story" document (i.e. document 2) shown in (a) can display Figure 7 In response to the user's Figure 7 By clicking the “…” in the upper right corner of the interface shown in (b), the mobile phone 100 can display Figure 7 The prompt box shown in (c) in FIG. 1 may include a “Print” icon. The first operation is a user clicking the “Print” icon.

[0159] For another example, after receiving document 2, mobile phone 100 may display the following Figure 8 The prompt message shown in the following text opens document 2 and displays the following Figure 7 In response to the user's response to the file preview interface shown in (b) Figure 7 By clicking the “…” in the upper right corner of the interface shown in (b), the mobile phone 100 can display the following Figure 7 The prompt box shown in (c) may include a "Print" icon. The first operation is a user clicking the "Print" icon.

[0160] For another example, after the mobile phone 100 has downloaded Document 2 from a webpage, it may display a prompt indicating that the download is complete. After displaying the prompt, the mobile phone 100 may open Document 2 and display an opening interface for Document 2. Then, in response to the user's first operation on the opened Document 2, the mobile phone 100 may print Document 2.

[0161] It should be noted that the above Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The interface shown is only for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the interface display of this application. In addition, Document 2 is not limited to the graphic document type (such as ), and can also be other document types (such as ), this application does not limit this.

[0162] S502: In response to the first operation, the mobile phone 100 searches for a printer and displays a first interface. The first interface includes one or more identifiers of first printers and one or more identifiers of second printers. The second printers are printers that the mobile phone 100 searches for from the cloud server 600.

[0163] The current distance between the first printer and the mobile phone 100 is less than a preset distance threshold, and / or the first printer supports remote printing.

[0164] For example, in response to the first operation, the mobile phone 100 may search for printers to display Figure 9 The first interface 910 shown includes a logo 901 of a “Nearby-WiFi” printer, a logo 902 of a “Nearby-Bluetooth” printer, and a logo 903 of a cloud printer.

[0165] like Figure 1C As shown, the printer 101 is in the same space environment 11 as the mobile phone 100 in time period 2, and the current distance between the printer 101 and the mobile phone 100 is less than the preset distance threshold. The printer 101 is the first printer. Figure 9 The illustrated "Nearby - WiFi" printer logo 901 and the "Nearby - Bluetooth" printer logo 902 may be Figure 1C The identification of the printer 101 is shown. That is, Figure 9 The illustrated identifier 901 of a “Nearby-WiFi” printer and the identifier 902 of a “Nearby-Bluetooth” printer are identifiers of the first printer.

[0166] like Figure 1C As shown, in time period 2, the current distance between the printer 102 and the mobile phone 100 is greater than the preset distance threshold, but the printer 102 supports remote printing, and the printer 102 is the first printer. Figure 9 The cloud printer logo 903 shown can be Figure 1C The identification of the printer 102 is shown. That is, Figure 9 The cloud printer logo 903 shown is the logo of the first printer.

[0167] The second printer is a printer that the mobile phone 100 searches for from the cloud server 600. The second printer meets the following conditions: the current distance between the second printer and the mobile phone 100 is greater than a preset distance threshold, the second printer has been used by the mobile phone 100, and the second printer does not support remote printing.

[0168] For example, Figure 9 The first interface 910 shown also includes a remote printer identifier 904. As shown in Table 4, the printer 103 has been used by the mobile phone 100; Figure 1C It can be seen that printer 103 does not support remote printing, and there is an available device (such as at least one of mobile phone 500, tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 200) within the preset distance threshold around printer 103. Therefore, printer 103 is the second printer. Figure 9 The remote printer identifier 904 shown may be Figure 1CThe identification of the printer 103 is shown. That is, Figure 9 The remote printer identification 904 shown is the identification of the second printer.

[0169] It should be noted that the first interface may include the identifier of printer 101, the identifier of printer 102, and the identifier of printer 103. However, when the current distance between printer 101 and mobile phone 100 is greater than a preset distance threshold, mobile phone 100 cannot search for printer 101. In this case, mobile phone 100 can only search for printers 102 and 103 from cloud server 600. In this case, the first interface may include the identifier of printer 102 and the identifier of printer 103.

[0170] Alternatively, any one of the printers 101, 103, and 104 is offline, and the mobile phone 100 cannot search for the printer.

[0171] For example, Figure 9 The first interface 910 shown may include a "Nearby - WiFi" printer identifier 901, a "Nearby - Bluetooth" printer identifier 902, a cloud printer identifier 903, and a remote printer identifier 904. If the current distance between the "Nearby - WiFi" printer and the mobile phone 100 is greater than a preset distance threshold or the printer is offline, the mobile phone 100 cannot search for the printer. In this case, the first interface 910 may include a "Nearby - Bluetooth" printer identifier 902, a cloud printer identifier 903, and a remote printer identifier 904. In other words, the mobile phone 100 may not necessarily search for all of the above printers.

[0172] Printers that cannot be searched by the mobile phone 100 or that cannot be searched by the mobile phone 100 through the cloud server 600 can be displayed in the first interface and distinguished from searchable printers, such as grayscale display information or marking it as an unavailable printer, etc., indicating that it has been displayed in the interface of the mobile phone 100 before, but the user cannot select this printer for printing.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first interface may further include a first connection time for reminding the user that the device will be disconnected from the second printer after the first connection time. Figure 9 As shown, the mobile phone 100 can display a first interface 920, which can include the logo 901 of the "Nearby-WiFi" printer, the logo 902 of the "Nearby-Bluetooth" printer, and the logo 903 of the cloud printer, and can also include the logo 905 of the remote printer. Similar to the logo 904 of the remote printer, the logo 905 of the far-field printer is also the logo of the second printer, such as Figure 1C The logo of the printer 103 is shown. Figure 9 Unlike the remote printer identifier 904 shown, the remote printer identifier 905 also includes a first connection time, such as "valid connection time 8:35-9:00." The first connection time is used to remind the user that the remote printer supports connection and printing between 8:35-9:00 on the same day.

[0174] In this embodiment, the first connection time of the second printer is displayed on the first interface, which can reflect the user's available time of the second printer, making it easier for the user to manage their time when using the printer and use the second printer within the available time. In this way, the user experience during remote printing can be improved.

[0175] S503 : The mobile phone 100 receives a user selection operation on a first identifier in the first interface, where the first identifier is an identifier of the printer 103 (ie, the third printer) among the one or more second printers.

[0176] Combining the above examples, we can see that: Figure 9 The remote printer identification 904 or the remote printer identification 905 shown is the identification of the second printer. Figure 9 The remote printer shown can be Figure 1C The printer 103 (ie the third printer) is shown. Figure 9 The remote printer identifier 904 or the remote printer identifier 905 shown in FIG. 1 may be used as the first identifier. Figure 9 The first interface 910 may be configured to select the remote printer's identifier 904, or to receive a user's Figure 9 The selection operation of the remote printer logo 905 in the first interface 920 is shown.

[0177] After S503, in response to the selection operation of the first identifier, the mobile phone 100 may request the second device (e.g., tablet computer 400) to control the printer 103 to print document 2. The second device is an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer. The available device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer is a device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer that meets preset conditions.

[0178] In one implementation, the aforementioned preset conditions include: logging into the cloud server with the same user account as the mobile phone 100 and being connected to the second printer.

[0179] For example, combining the above examples, we can see that: Figure 9 The remote printer identification 904 or remote printer identification 905 shown is the identification of the second printer. Figure 9 The remote printer shown is Figure 1CPrinter 103 shown. Combined with the usage records of printer 103 stored in cloud server 600, Table 4 or Table 5 shows that tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 100 (first device) are logged into the same user account (e.g., Ross_582). Therefore, when tablet computer 400 is connected to a second printer, tablet computer 400 can be used as a device for printer 103.

[0180] Generally speaking, the electronic device logged into the same user account as the mobile phone 100 is either the electronic device of the owner of the mobile phone 100 or the electronic device of someone the owner of the mobile phone 100 trusts (such as a family member). In this implementation, the mobile phone 100 uses the device logged into the same user account as the mobile phone 100 as an available device for the printer 103, which can ensure the security of data transmission and protect user privacy.

[0181] Alternatively, in another implementation, the above-mentioned preset conditions include: being in the same home group as the first device and being connected to the second printer.

[0182] For example, combining the above examples, we can see that: Figure 9 The remote printer identification 904 or remote printer identification 905 shown is the identification of the second printer. Figure 9 The remote printer shown is Figure 1C Printer 103 is shown. Combined with the usage records of printer 103 stored in cloud server 600, Table 4 or Table 5 shows that tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 500 are both in the same home group (e.g., Home_a) as mobile phone 100. When tablet computer 400 is connected to a second printer, the tablet computer can be used as a device for printer 103.

[0183] Taking the second device being the tablet computer 400 as an example, after S503 , the method of the embodiment of the present application may further include S504 - S505 .

[0184] S504: In response to the selection operation of the first identifier, the mobile phone 100 sends a print request to the tablet computer 400. The print request includes the document 2.

[0185] The relevant information of the second device (such as the tablet computer 400) (such as the identification of the second device) is sent by the cloud server 600 to the mobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 can send a print request to the second device (such as the tablet computer 400) based on the relevant information of the second device.

[0186] The print request is used to request the tablet computer 400 to control the printer 103 to print the document 2 .

[0187] S505 : The tablet computer 400 receives the print request and controls the printer 103 to print the document 2 .

[0188] In some embodiments, the print request may further include a first authorization code. The print request is used to request the tablet computer 400 to verify the first authorization code and control the printer 103 to print the document 2 after the verification is successful.

[0189] The first authorization code is used to verify the legitimacy of tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 100. After tablet computer 400 connects to printer 103 in response to instructions from cloud server 600, it can obtain a unique authorization code from cloud server 600. This first authorization code is also assigned to mobile phone 100 by cloud server 600. If the authorization code of tablet computer 400 matches the first authorization code, verification is successful, and tablet computer 400 can control printer 103 to print document 2. If the authorization code of tablet computer 400 matches the first authorization code, verification fails, and tablet computer 400 will not control printer 103.

[0190] Based on this, tablet computer 400 can use the first authorization code to control printer 103 to print document 2 only after ensuring that mobile phone 100, which sent document 2, has passed verification. This does not apply to document 2 sent by other devices. If the authorization code of the second device is inconsistent with the first authorization code, it can be determined that the received document is not document 2 sent by the first device. If the second device does not receive document 2 sent by the first device, document 2 may have been leaked.

[0191] In summary, the second device can verify whether the received document is the document 2 sent by the first device remotely connected to it based on the first authorization code, thereby achieving the effect of monitoring the document 2.

[0192] In some embodiments, to ensure the security of Document 2, before S504, mobile phone 100 may encrypt Document 2 using a document encryption algorithm and send the encrypted Document 2 to the second device (e.g., tablet computer 400). The document encryption algorithm can be any algorithm used to encrypt documents, and this application does not limit it. It should be noted that the available device needs to have a built-in decryption algorithm corresponding to the encryption algorithm to decrypt the encrypted Document 2 after receiving it and send it to printer 103 for printing. In this manner, the security of the content of Document 2 can be guaranteed even if it is leaked.

[0193] The embodiment of the present application introduces a specific method in which the mobile phone 100 searches for a printer to display a first interface in response to the first operation in S502. Figure 10 As shown, S502 may include S601-S606.

[0194] S601: In response to a first operation, the mobile phone 100 searches for a first printer and obtains an identifier of the first printer.

[0195] In response to the first operation, the mobile phone 100 can search for a first printer within a preset distance range using short-range communication and display the first printer's identifier. The method for obtaining the first printer's identifier by the mobile phone can be found in conventional techniques and is not detailed here.

[0196] S602: Mobile phone 100 sends a first connection request to cloud server 600. The first connection request includes the identifier of mobile phone 100 and is used to request a second printer from cloud server 600. In some embodiments, the first connection request may also include the user account of mobile phone 100 (e.g., Ross_582). This user account is used by cloud server 600 to search for available devices for the second printer requested by mobile phone 100.

[0197] In other embodiments, the first connection request may further include the user account of the mobile phone 100 (e.g., Ross_582) and the home group ID of the user account (e.g., Home_a). The user account and home group ID are used by the cloud server 600 to search for available devices for the second printer requested by the mobile phone 100.

[0198] The specific method by which the cloud server 600 searches for available devices for the second printer requested by the mobile phone 100 can be referred to the detailed description in the following embodiments and will not be described in detail here.

[0199] S603 : The cloud server 600 receives the first connection request and searches for a second printer used by the mobile phone 100 based on the identification of the mobile phone 100 .

[0200] The second printer is a printer that meets the following conditions: there are available devices within a preset distance threshold range, remote printing is not supported, and the current distance from the mobile phone 100 is greater than or equal to the preset distance threshold.

[0201] In some embodiments, the cloud server 600 can query the usage records of each printer stored in the cloud server 600 based on the identification of the mobile phone 100 to obtain the second printer used by the mobile phone 100. Specifically, Figure 11 As shown, S603 may include S603a-S603c.

[0202] S603a: Based on the identification of the mobile phone 100, the cloud server 600 searches the usage records of the multiple printers for at least one fifth printer used by the mobile phone 100.

[0203] For example, the usage records for printer 103 in Table 4 or Table 5 show that mobile phone 100 has used printer 103. The usage records for other printers in Table 1 show that mobile phone 100 has used printers 101, 102, and b. In other words, mobile phone 100 has used printers 101, 102, b, and 103. Printers 101, 102, 103, and b are all fifth printers.

[0204] S603b: The cloud server 600 obtains the identifier of at least one third device corresponding to the fifth printer from the usage record of each fifth printer. The at least one third device has used the fifth printer, and the at least one third device is different from the mobile phone 100.

[0205] For example, let's take a fifth printer (e.g., printer 103). As shown in Table 4 or Table 5, in the usage history of printer 103, mobile phone 500, tablet computer 400, mobile phone 200, and mobile phone 100 have all used printer 103. Therefore, in addition to mobile phone 100, mobile phone 500, tablet computer 400, and mobile phone 200 are all third devices of printer 103. Cloud server 600 can obtain the identifiers of the three third devices of printer 103, such as the identifiers of mobile phone 500, tablet computer 400, and mobile phone 200.

[0206] As can be seen from the description of some of the above embodiments, the usage record of each printer also includes the user account of the device that used printer 103. Based on this, in this embodiment, S603b may include: the cloud server 600 obtains, from the usage record of each fifth printer, the identifier of at least one third device that is logged into the cloud server with the same user account as the first device.

[0207] For example, let's consider a fifth printer (e.g., printer 103). As shown in Table 4 or Table 5, in the usage history of printer 103, both tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 100 have used printer 103, and the user account (e.g., Ross_582) is the same. Therefore, tablet computer 400 is a third device of printer 103. Cloud server 600 can obtain an identifier of a third device of printer 103, such as the identifier of tablet computer 400.

[0208] As can be seen from the description of some of the above embodiments, the usage record of each printer also includes the user account of the device that used printer 103, and each user account may belong to a different family group ID. Based on this, in this embodiment, S603b may include: the cloud server 600 obtains the identification of at least one third device in the same family group as the first device from the usage record of each fifth printer; wherein the cloud server maintains the family IDs of multiple family groups and multiple user accounts in each family group; the family ID of each family group is different.

[0209] For example, let's consider a fifth printer (e.g., printer 103). As shown in Table 4 or Table 5, in the usage history of printer 103, tablet computer 400, mobile phone 500, and mobile phone 100 have all used printer 103, and their home group IDs (e.g., Home_a) are the same. Therefore, tablet computer 400 and mobile phone 500 are considered third devices of printer 103. Cloud server 600 can obtain the identifiers of the two third devices of printer 103, such as the identifiers of mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400.

[0210] S603c: The cloud server 600 instructs the at least one third device corresponding to each fifth printer to communicate with the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication, and determines the second printer from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result. The second printer is the printer in the at least one fifth printer that has successfully connected to the corresponding third device via short-range communication.

[0211] For example, taking a fifth printer (e.g., printer 103) as an example, it is assumed that the third device of printer 103 includes a mobile phone 500 and a tablet computer 400. The cloud server 600 can instruct the third device corresponding to printer 103 (e.g., mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400) to communicate with the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication.

[0212] In some embodiments, the cloud server 600 may send the identifier of the fifth printer corresponding to each third device to each third device, instructing the third device to connect to the fifth printer based on the identifier of the fifth printer. For example, take a fifth printer (such as printer 103) as an example. Assume that the third devices of printer 103 include a mobile phone 500 and a tablet computer 400. The cloud server 600 may send the identifier of printer 103 to each third device corresponding to printer 103 (such as mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400), instructing mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400 to connect to printer 103 via short-range wireless communication based on the identifier of printer 103.

[0213] Exemplarily, S603c may include: the cloud server 600 sending a connection instruction to each third device corresponding to each fifth printer; and receiving a connection result from the third device. The connection instruction includes the identifier of the fifth printer corresponding to the third device, and the connection instruction instructs the third device to connect to the fifth printer based on the identifier of the fifth printer. The connection result is sent after the third device successfully connects to the fifth printer and includes the identifier of the third device and the identifier of the fifth printer.

[0214] For example, take a fifth printer (such as printer 103) as an example. Assume that the third device of printer 103 includes a mobile phone 500 and a tablet computer 400. The cloud server 600 can send connection instructions to the third devices corresponding to printer 103 (such as mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400) respectively. The connection instruction includes the identifier of printer 103, which is used to instruct the third device (such as mobile phone 500 or tablet computer 400) to connect to printer 103. After tablet computer 400 connects to printer 103 through short-range wireless communication, it can send connection result 1 to cloud server 600. The connection result 1 includes the identifier of tablet computer 400 and the identifier of printer 103. After mobile phone 100 connects to printer 103 through short-range wireless communication, it can send connection result 2 to cloud server 600. The connection result 2 includes the identifier of mobile phone 100 and the identifier of printer 103.

[0215] It should be noted that the print connection protocol is a protocol between the printer and the device that controls the printer, which defines the communication rules and message format. The print connection protocol can be Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP).

[0216] After the cloud server 600 executes S603 to determine the second printer, the cloud server 600 can use either of the following two methods to use one of the at least one third devices corresponding to the second printer as an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0217] Method (1): The cloud server 600 regards the third device that is the first to be successfully connected to the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication as an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0218] For example, in combination with the above example, assuming that the tablet computer 400 successfully establishes a connection with the printer 103 through short-range wireless communication before the mobile phone 500, and sends a connection result 1 to the cloud server 600; then the cloud server 600 can regard the tablet computer 400 as an available device (i.e., the second device) within a preset distance threshold range around the printer 103.

[0219] Method (2): The usage record of each printer on the cloud server 600 also includes the last connection time between the device that used the printer and the printer. After determining the second printer from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result, and before sending the first connection response to the first device, the method of the embodiment of the present application may further include: the cloud server 600 identifies the third device that was the first to successfully connect to the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication, and the third device that had the latest last connection time with the fifth printer, as an available device within a preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

[0220] For example, let's take a fifth printer (e.g., printer 103) as an example. Assume that the third device of printer 103 includes a mobile phone 500 and a tablet computer 400. After the cloud server 600 instructs the mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400 to connect to printer 103, both the mobile phone 500 and tablet computer 400 successfully establish connections with printer 103 via short-range wireless communication.

[0221] As shown in Table 5, tablet computer 400 last used printer 103 at 10:35 on January 13, 2024, while mobile phone 500 last used printer 103 at 9:45 on December 3, 2023. Since 10:35 on January 13, 2024, is later than 9:45 on December 3, 2023, tablet computer 400 last used printer 103. Cloud server 600 can identify tablet computer 400 as an available device (i.e., a second device) within a preset distance threshold around printer 103.

[0222] Considering that mobile phone 100 only requires one available device of printer 103 to assist in remote printing, cloud server 600 only needs to select an available device (i.e., the second device). In some embodiments, after a third device successfully connects to a fifth printer via short-range wireless communication, cloud server 600 can send a pause instruction to other third devices corresponding to the fifth printer. The pause instruction is used to instruct other third devices to stop connecting to the fifth printer via short-range wireless communication. In this way, other third devices will no longer respond to the connection instruction to connect to printer 103.

[0223] For example, in combination with the above example, assuming that the tablet computer 400 successfully establishes a connection with the printer 103 through short-range wireless communication before the mobile phone 500, and sends the connection result 1 to the cloud server 600; then the cloud server 600 can send a pause instruction to the mobile phone 500, instructing the mobile phone 500 to stop connecting to the printer 103 through short-range wireless communication.

[0224] In other embodiments, the connection time between the third device and the fifth printer is a first connection time between the third device and the fifth printer, where the first connection time is the planned duration of the connection between the third device and the fifth printer. The first connection time may be included in the first connection response in S604 and sent by the cloud server 600 to the mobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 may then display the first connection time on the first interface.

[0225] S604: The cloud server 600 sends a first connection response to the mobile phone 100. The first connection response includes the identifier of the second printer (e.g., printer 103) and the identifier of an available device (e.g., tablet computer 400) within a preset distance threshold around the identifier of the second printer (e.g., printer 103).

[0226] S605. Mobile phone 100 receives a first connection response from the cloud server.

[0227] S606: The mobile phone 100 displays a first interface, which includes one or more first printer identifiers and one or more second printer identifiers.

[0228] In this embodiment of the present application, the mobile phone 100 can search the cloud server 600 for printers that have been connected to the mobile phone 100 and for printers 103 (i.e., second printers) that are available within a preset distance threshold. The cloud server 600 provides the mobile phone 100 with the identifier of the printer 103 and the identifier of the device that can use the printer 103 (e.g., tablet computer 400). In this way, the mobile phone 100 can display the identifier of the second printer on the first interface for the user to select for remote printing.

[0229] After the above S604, if the available device is offline for some reason, in this case, the available device cannot receive the print request sent by the mobile phone 100, and the connection between the mobile phone 100 and the available device is interrupted, resulting in the available device being unable to receive document 2, causing the printing process to be interrupted.

[0230] In the above situation, in order to ensure that document 2 can be printed normally when it is online on an available device. Figure 12As shown, the mobile phone 100 can send a print request to the cloud server 600. The cloud server 600 can receive the print request and upload the print request to the resource server. After the available device is online, the available device can retrieve the print request in the resource server, download document 2, and send document 2 to the fifth printer to ensure that the interrupted printing process can proceed normally. In summary, in combination with the embodiments of the present application, Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, printing can include but is not limited to the following three printing methods:

[0231] Printing method (1): Near-field printing.

[0232] Printing method (2): low-cost remote printing in the embodiment of the present application.

[0233] Printing method (3): Remote printing via a printer that supports remote printing.

[0234] For the above-mentioned printing method (1), the printer is within a preset distance threshold range of the mobile phone 100, and the mobile phone 100 can search through the printing connection protocol to find that the printer is online and establish a connection with the printer; after the connection is established, the mobile phone 100 can send a print request to the printer so that the printer can print the document 2 in the print request.

[0235] For remote printing using the above-mentioned printing method (2) and printing method (3), since the distance between the mobile phone 100 and the printer is relatively long, and the mobile phone 100 needs the assistance of other devices to achieve remote printing through the printer, the above-mentioned printing process is prone to interruption of the printing process due to device problems (such as disconnection or unstable communication connection), and document 2 may be lost. To solve the above-mentioned problem, document 2 can be sent to the resource server before the mobile phone 100 sends the print request. In this way, when the printing process is interrupted, document 2 can be stored in the resource server and can be called when the subsequent printing process is normal to achieve normal printing.

[0236] Specifically, such as Figure 13 and Figure 14As shown, for the above-mentioned printing method (2), combined with the above-mentioned embodiments, it can be known that the available device can search for a printer within a preset distance threshold range that is online through the printing connection protocol, and connect to the cloud server 600. The cloud server 600 receives the online status of the printer sent by the available device and notifies the mobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 can send document 2 to the resource server and receive the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) returned by the resource server, wherein the Uniform Resource Locator is used to locate the address of document 2 in the resource server. Afterwards, the mobile phone 100 sends a print request to the cloud server 600. The cloud server 600 forwards the print request to the available device, and the available device can obtain document 2 through the print request, or through Figure 13 The resource server shown downloads document 2 and sends document 2 to the printer so that the printer prints document 2.

[0237] For the above-mentioned printing method (3), the printer can communicate with the cloud server 600, so the mobile phone can communicate with the printer through the cloud server 600 to achieve remote printing. Specifically, the printer can connect to the cloud server 600 via WiFi, and the mobile phone 100 can get the message that the printer is online through the cloud server 600, and send the document 2 to the resource server, and receive the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) returned by the resource server. After that, the mobile phone 100 sends a print request to the cloud server 600. The cloud server 600 forwards the print request to the printer, and the printer can obtain the document 2 through the print request, or it can obtain the document 2 through the print request. Figure 13 The resource server shown downloads document 2 and sends document 2 to the printer so that the printer prints document 2.

[0238] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, including: a display screen, a communication module, a memory and one or more processors, wherein the display screen, the communication module, the memory and the processor are coupled; the communication module is used to communicate with other devices; the memory is used to store computer program code; the computer program code includes computer instructions, and when the processor executes the above-mentioned computer instructions, the electronic device executes the above-mentioned remote printing method.

[0239] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, which includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes each function or step in the above method embodiment.

[0240] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instruction, which implements the various functions or steps in the above method embodiment when executed by a processor.

[0241] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0242] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0243] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0244] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0245] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0246] The above content is only a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited to this. Any changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A remote printing method, characterized in that: Applied to a first device, the method includes: receiving a first operation on a first document by a user, wherein the first operation instructs the first device to print the first document; In response to the first operation, searching for printers displays a first interface; wherein the first interface includes one or more identifiers of first printers and one or more identifiers of second printers; wherein the current distance between the first printer and the first device is less than a preset distance threshold, and / or the first printer supports remote printing; the current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than the preset distance threshold, the second printer has been used by the first device, and the second printer does not support remote printing; the second printer is a printer searched by the first device from the cloud server, and there are available devices within the preset distance threshold around the second printer; the preset distance threshold is a distance threshold for short-range wireless communication, and the short-range wireless communication includes Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi; receiving a user selection operation on a first identifier in the first interface, where the first identifier is an identifier of a third printer among the one or more second printers; In response to a selection operation on the first identifier, a second device is requested to control the third printer to print the first document; wherein the second device is an available device within the preset distance threshold range around the third printer.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of searching for a printer in response to the first operation includes: In response to the first operation, searching for the first printer and obtaining an identifier of the first printer; Sending a first connection request to the cloud server; wherein the first connection request includes an identifier of the first device, and the first connection request is used to request the second printer from the cloud server; A first connection response is received from the cloud server; wherein the first connection response includes an identifier of the second printer and an identifier of an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first connection response further includes a first authorization code corresponding to an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer; The step of requesting the second device to control the third printer to print the first document in response to the selection operation of the first identifier includes: In response to the selection operation of the first identifier, a print request is sent to the second device; wherein, the print request includes the first document and the first authorization code corresponding to the second device; the print request is used to request the second device to verify the first authorization code and control the third printer to print the first document after the verification is passed.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The first connection response further includes a first connection time between an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer and the second printer; wherein, after the first connection time, the available device is disconnected from the second printer.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first interface further includes the first connection time, which is used to remind the user that the available device is disconnected from the second printer after the first connection time.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The cloud server records the identifiers of multiple printers and the usage record of each printer; the usage record of each printer includes the identifier of the device that has used the printer.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The usage record of each printer also includes the user account of the device that used the printer; wherein the cloud server maintains multiple user accounts, and each user account corresponds to the identification of one or more devices; Wherein, an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer is: a device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer that meets a preset condition; The preset conditions include: logging into the same user account as the first device on the cloud server and being connected to the second printer; or The preset conditions include: being in the same family group as the first device and being connected to the second printer; wherein the cloud server maintains family IDs of multiple family groups and multiple user accounts in each family group; and the family ID of each family group is different.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first device connects to the fourth printer via the short-range wireless communication, controls the fourth printer to print the second document, and then sends a print record to the cloud server; wherein the print record includes the identifier of the first device, the identifier of the fourth printer, and the user account of the first device.

9. A remote printing method, characterized in that: Applied to cloud servers, characterized by: Receiving a first connection request from a first device; wherein the first connection request includes an identifier of the first device, and the first connection request is used to request a printer from the cloud server; Based on the identifier of the first device, querying for a second printer that has been used by the first device; wherein there is an available device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer; the second printer does not support remote printing, and the current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than or equal to the preset distance threshold; the preset distance threshold is a distance threshold for short-range wireless communication, and the short-range wireless communication includes Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi; A first connection response is sent to the first device, wherein the first connection response includes an identifier of the second printer and an identifier of an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The cloud server records the identifiers of multiple printers and the usage record of each printer; the usage record of each printer includes the identifier of the device that has used the printer.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The querying, based on the identifier of the first device, of a second printer used by the first device includes: Based on the identification of the first device, querying at least one fifth printer used by the first device from usage records of the plurality of printers; Obtaining, from the usage record of each fifth printer, an identifier of at least one third device corresponding to the fifth printer; wherein the at least one third device has used the fifth printer and is different from the first device; The at least one third device corresponding to each fifth printer is respectively instructed to connect to the fifth printer via the short-range wireless communication, and the second printer is determined from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result; wherein, the second printer is a printer in the at least one fifth printer that is successfully connected to the corresponding third device via the short-range wireless communication connection.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The step of respectively instructing the at least one third device corresponding to each fifth printer to connect to the fifth printer through the short-range wireless communication includes: Sending a connection instruction to each third device respectively; wherein the connection instruction includes an identifier of a fifth printer corresponding to the third device, and the connection instruction is used to instruct the third device to connect to the fifth printer based on the identifier of the fifth printer; Receive a connection result from the third device; wherein the connection result is sent after the third device successfully connects to the fifth printer, and the connection result includes an identifier of the third device and an identifier of the fifth printer.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The connection result also includes: the connection time when the third device is connected to the fifth printer, and the first connection time between the third device and the fifth printer, where the first connection time is the time when the third device and the fifth printer are planned to remain connected.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The usage record of each printer also includes the user account of the device that used the printer; wherein the cloud server maintains multiple user accounts, and each user account corresponds to the identification of one or more devices; The step of obtaining, from the usage record of each fifth printer, an identifier of at least one third device corresponding to the fifth printer includes: Obtaining, from the usage record of each fifth printer, an identifier of at least one third device that logs into the same user account as the first device on the cloud server; or From the usage record of each fifth printer, obtain the identification of at least one third device in the same family group as the first device; wherein the cloud server maintains family IDs of multiple family groups and multiple user accounts in each family group; the family ID of each family group is different.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that After determining the second printer from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result and before sending the first connection response to the first device, the method further includes: The first third device successfully connected to the fifth printer via the short-range wireless communication is regarded as an available device within the preset distance threshold around the second printer; Alternatively, the usage record of each printer further includes the last connection time between the device that used the printer and the printer; after determining the second printer from the at least one fifth printer based on the connection result and before sending the first connection response to the first device, the method further includes: Among the third devices that are the first to be successfully connected to the fifth printer via the short-range wireless communication, the third device whose last connection time with the fifth printer is the latest is selected as an available device within the preset distance threshold range around the second printer.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: After a third device successfully connects to the fifth printer via the short-range wireless communication, the third device sends a pause instruction to other third devices corresponding to the fifth printer; wherein the pause instruction is used to instruct the other third devices to stop connecting to the fifth printer via the short-range wireless communication.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a print record from the first device; wherein the print record is sent after the first device connects to a fourth printer via the short-range wireless communication and controls the fourth printer to print the second document; and the print record includes an identifier of the first device and an identifier of the fourth printer; The usage record of the fourth printer is updated according to the printing record.

18. A remote printing system, characterized in that: include: a first device, one or more first printers, one or more second printers, a cloud server, and a second device; The current distance between the first printer and the first device is less than a preset distance threshold, and / or the first printer supports remote printing; the current distance between the second printer and the first device is greater than the preset distance threshold, the second printer has been used by the first device, and the second printer does not support remote printing; The first device is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The cloud server is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 9 to 18; The second device is used to control a third printer among the one or more second printers to print the first document in response to a request from the first device; wherein the second device is an available device within the preset distance threshold range around the third printer.

19. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A display screen, a communication module, a memory and one or more processors, wherein the display screen, the communication module, the memory and the processor are coupled; The communication module is used to communicate with other devices; the memory is used to store computer program code; the computer program code includes computer instructions, and when the processor executes the computer instructions, the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or 9 to 17.

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