Printer, server, computer program for printer, and computer program for server

Abstract

To provide a new technology that enables a printer to perform printing appropriately.SOLUTION: A printer may include: an image data reception unit that receives from a server first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed when a predetermined operation is executed on the printer after the first image data is stored in the server in association with plural pieces of printer identification information identifying the plurality of printers, the predetermined operation being an operation of selecting a printer from the plurality of printers as a target printer for printing the first target image represented by the first image data; a generating unit that generates, when the printer does not have capability to print the first target image, second image data representing a second target image that the printer is capable of printing, using the first image data; and a printing control unit that causes a print execution unit to print a second target image represented by the second image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a technique for causing a printer to execute printing using a server.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a print control device that functions as a virtual printer. The print control device acquires capability information from each of a plurality of printing devices and has a printing capability defined by the logical sum of those capability information. The print control device causes the printing device to execute printing based on the print settings specified by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This specification provides a novel technique that enables a printer to appropriately execute printing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses a printer. The printer includes a printing execution unit, and after first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in a server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers including the printer, when a predetermined operation is executed on the printer, an image data receiving unit that receives the first image data from the server, where the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting the printer among the plurality of printers as the target printer for printing the first target image represented by the first image data, the image data receiving unit, a generation unit that, when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, generates second image data representing a second target image that the printer can execute printing using the first image data, and a printing control unit that causes the printing execution unit to execute printing of the second target image represented by the second image data, and may be provided.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image represented by the first image data received from the server, the printer generates second image data using the first image data and prints the second target image represented by the second image data. Therefore, the printer can execute printing appropriately.

[0007] This specification further discloses the following first server. The first server includes a generation control unit that, in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers, when first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in a second server and among the plurality of printers, the target printer for printing the first target image does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, causes the second server to generate second image data representing a second target image that the target printer can execute printing from the first image data, and the second image data is transmitted from the second server to the target printer, and may be provided with the generation control unit.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the target printer does not have the ability to execute the printing of the first target image, the first server causes the second server to generate the second image data from the first image data. Therefore, the target printer can execute printing appropriately.

[0009] The computer program for realizing the above printer, the computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program, and the method executed by the above printer are also novel and useful. The computer program for realizing the above first server, the computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program, and the method executed by the above first server are also novel and useful. The communication system including the above printer and the first server is also novel and useful.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (First Embodiment) (Configuration of Communication System 2; FIG. 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of printers 10, 50, a terminal 80, a print mediation server 100, and a management server 200. Each of the devices 10, 50, 80, 100, 200 can communicate with each other via the Internet 6.

[0012] (Configuration of Printers 10, 50) Each of the printers 10, 50 is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function (for example, a peripheral device of the terminal 80). The printer 10 has a printer ID "PID1". The printer 10 includes a display unit 12, a communication interface 14, a print execution unit 16, and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

[0013] The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 12 also functions as a touch panel (i.e., an operation unit) for receiving instructions from the user. The communication I / F 14 is connected to the Internet 6. The communication I / F 14 may be a wireless I / F or a wired I / F. The print execution unit 16 includes a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method.

[0014] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device (not shown). The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 36 stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 34. Specifically, the CPU 32 loads the program 36 from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device and executes the program 36 to execute the various processes described above. The main storage device is, for example, a RAM and a cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, an SSD (abbreviation for Solid State Drive), or a ROM, or a combination thereof.

[0015] Printer 50 has a printer ID "PID2". Printer 50 has the same configuration as printer 10, except that the printer IDs are different.

[0016] (Configuration of terminal 80) Terminal 80 is a user terminal used by users of printers 10 and 50. Terminal 80 may be, for example, a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, notebook PC, or tablet PC, or a stationary terminal device such as a desktop PC.

[0017] (Configuration of print mediation server 100) Print mediation server 100 is a server that provides a cloud printing service. In this embodiment, print mediation server 100 is not a server installed by the vendors of printers 10 and 50, but a server installed by a business operator that provides a cloud printing service. In a modified example, print mediation server 100 may be a server installed by the vendors of printers 10 and 50. Print mediation server 100 stores, for example, image data received from terminal 80, and transmits the image data to the printer in response to a request from the printer.

[0018] Print mediation server 100 includes a communication I / F 102 and a control unit 110. Communication I / F 102 is connected to the Internet 6. Control unit 110 includes a CPU 112 and a memory 114. Memory 114 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, flash memory, SSD, HDD, or a combination thereof. A program 116 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of memory 114. CPU 112 realizes various processes according to the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0019] The auxiliary storage device of the memory 114 further stores a group table 118, a registration table 120, a printer attribute table 122, a virtual printer table 124, a job list 126, and a job table 128. Details of the contents of each table will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0020] (Configuration of the management server 200) The management server 200 is installed by the vendor of the printers 10 and 50. In a modified example, the management server 200 may be installed on the Internet 6 by an operator different from the vendor. In another modified example, the vendor of the printers 10 and 50 may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service without preparing the hardware of the management server 200 itself. In this case, the vendor may prepare the program (i.e., software) of the management server 200 and introduce it into the above environment to realize the management server 200.

[0021] The management server 200 includes a communication I / F 202 and a control unit 210. The communication I / F 202 is connected to the Internet 6. The control unit 210 includes a CPU 212 and a memory 214. The memory 214 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, an SSD, an HDD, or a combination thereof. A program 216 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 214. The CPU 212 realizes various processes according to the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device of the memory 214 further stores a printer table 218. Details of the contents of the printer table 218 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0023] (Contents of each table; FIG. 2) Referring to FIG. 2, the contents of each of the tables 118 to 128 stored in the print mediation server 100 and the printer table 218 stored in the management server 200 will be described.

[0024] The group table 118 is a table for managing users belonging to a group. In the group table 118, a group ID (for example, "G1") and user IDs (for example, "U1", "U2") are stored in association with each other. The group ID is information for identifying a group. The user ID is information for identifying a user belonging to a group (for example, an organization within a company) identified by the group ID.

[0025] The registration table 120 is a table for registering information regarding printers. In the registration table 120, for each of a plurality of printers, a printer ID (for example, "PID1"), an access token (for example, "AT1"), and a group ID (for example, "G1") are stored in association with each other. The printer ID is information for identifying a printer. The access token is authentication information for executing communication with the printer.

[0026] The printer attribute table 122 stores the capability information of the printers. In this embodiment, the capability information of each of the two types of printers is registered in the printer attribute table 122. One of the printers is a physical printer such as printers 10 and 50. The other printer is a virtual printer that is virtually registered on the print mediation server 100. In the printer attribute table 122, a printer ID (e.g., "PID1"), information indicating whether it is a physical printer or a virtual printer, and capability information (e.g., "C1") are stored in association with each other. The capability information indicates the capabilities available for the printer to perform printing. The capability information includes color information (e.g., "color", "grayscale"), paper size information (e.g., "A4", "B5"), media information (e.g., "plain paper", "glossy paper", "envelope", "postcard"), resolution information (e.g., "x:300dpi, y:300dpi", "x:600dpi, y:600dpi"), and paper discharge setting information (e.g., "single-sided", "double-sided (long-edge binding)", "double-sided (short-edge binding)").

[0027] The virtual printer table 124 is a table for managing virtual printers. In the virtual printer table 124, a virtual printer ID (e.g., "VID1") and a group ID (e.g., "G1") are stored in association with each other.

[0028] The job list 126 is a table for managing print jobs. In the job list 126, a virtual printer ID that is the printer ID of a virtual printer or a printer ID of a physical printer (e.g., "VID1") and a job ID (e.g., "J1") are stored in association with each other. The job ID is information for identifying a print job and is generated when a job generation request including image data is received from a terminal (e.g., terminal 80).

[0029] The job table 128 is a table for managing the specific content of print jobs. In the job table 128, a job ID (e.g., "J1"), a print permission user ID (e.g., "U2"), an upload user ID (e.g., "U1"), job information (e.g., "J1"), and image data (e.g., "F1") are stored in association with each other. The print permission user ID is the user ID of the user who is permitted to execute printing according to the print job. The upload user ID is the user ID of the user who uploaded the image data to the print mediation server 100. Each piece of information in the job table 128 is stored when a job generation request including image data is received from a terminal (e.g., terminal 80).

[0030] In the printer table 218 of the management server 200, a virtual printer ID (e.g., "VID1") and printer IDs (e.g., "PID1", "PID2") are stored in association with each other.

[0031] (Registration process of printer 10; FIG. 3) With reference to FIG. 3, a process for registering information regarding printer 10 in the print mediation server 100 will be described. Hereinafter, from the perspective of ease of understanding, when describing the processes executed by the CPU 32 of printer 10 and the CPUs 112, 212 of each server 100, 200 according to programs 36, 116, 216, instead of describing each CPU 32, 112, 212 as the main body, printer 10 and each server 100, 200 will be described as the main body. Also, all the following communications executed by printer 10 and the like are executed via the communication I / F 14 and the like. Therefore, hereinafter, when describing the processes related to communication, the description "via the communication I / F (e.g., 14)" will be omitted.

[0032] Upon receiving an operation from the user, the terminal 80 accesses the web server in the printer 10. Then, when the terminal 80 further receives an operation from the user for the printer 10 to receive cloud printing service, at T10, a registration instruction is sent to the printer 10.

[0033] When the printer 10 receives a registration instruction from the terminal 80 at T10, it sends a registration request including the printer ID "PID1" to the print mediation server 100 at T12.

[0034] When the print mediation server 100 receives a registration request from the printer 10 at T12, it generates a PIN code at T14 and associates and stores the printer ID "PID1" included in the registration request with the generated PIN code. Next, at T20, the print mediation server 100 sends the PIN code and a login URL (abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator) to the printer 10. The login URL is information indicating the position of authentication screen data described later within the print mediation server 100.

[0035] When the printer 10 receives the PIN code and the URL from the print mediation server 100 at T20, it sends them to the terminal 80 at T22.

[0036] When the terminal 80 receives the PIN code and the URL from the printer 10 at T22, it displays the received PIN code and URL at T24. Next, when the terminal 80 receives an operation of selecting the URL from the user at T30, it sends an authentication request including the URL to the print mediation server 100 at T40.

[0037] When the print mediation server 100 receives the authentication request from the terminal 80 at T40, it sends the authentication screen data specified by the URL included in the authentication request to the terminal 80 at T42. The authentication screen data is data representing an authentication screen for inputting the PIN code.

[0038] When the terminal 80 receives the authentication screen data from the print mediation server 100 at T42, it displays the authentication screen represented by the authentication screen data at T44. Next, at T46, the terminal 80 receives an input of the PIN code and account information displayed at T24 from the user. The account information includes the user ID "U1", the group ID "G1" that identifies the group to which the user belongs, and the password "PW1" of the group. At T50, the terminal 80 transmits the entered PIN code and account information to the print mediation server 100.

[0039] When the printing intermediary server 100 receives the PIN code and account information from the terminal 80 at T50, it executes the authentication of this information at T52. Specifically, the printing intermediary server 100 first determines whether the received PIN code has been memorized. In this case, the printing intermediary server 100 has memorized the PIN code at T14. Also, the printing intermediary server 100 determines whether the received account information has been memorized. Although omitted in FIG. 2, the printing intermediary server 100 has previously received the registration of the group ID "G1" and the password "PW1" from the administrator of the printers 10, 50, etc. Also, although not shown in the figure, the printing intermediary server 100 has previously received the registration of the user IDs "U1", "U2" of each user belonging to the group identified by the group ID "G1" from the administrator of the printers 10, 50, etc. Therefore, in the group table 118 of the printing intermediary server 100, the group ID "G1" is stored in association with the user IDs "U1", "U2". When the printing intermediary server 100 determines that the received PIN code has been memorized and the received account information has been memorized, that is, when the authentication is successful, at T54, it generates an access token "AT1" which is a unique character string. Then, at T56, the printing intermediary server 100 stores the printer ID "PID1", the generated access token "AT1", and the received group ID "G1" in the registration table 120 in association with each other. Next, at T58, the printing intermediary server 100 sends an authentication notification including the generated access token "AT1" to the printer 10.

[0040] When the printer 10 receives an authentication notice from the print mediation server 100 at T58, at T60, it stores the access token "AT1" included in the authentication notice in the memory 34, and at T62, it uses the access token "AT1" to establish a permanent connection with the print mediation server 100. The permanent connection is a connection that enables the print mediation server 100 to send a signal to the printer 10 even without the printer 10 sending a signal to the print mediation server 100, that is, a connection for executing server push-type communication. For example, the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) is used for the permanent connection.

[0041] Next, at T70, the printer 10 sends a capability registration request to the print mediation server 100. The capability registration request includes the printer ID "PID1" and the capability information "C1" of the printer 10. The capability information "C1" includes color information ("color" and "grayscale"), paper size information ("A4" and "B5"), media information ("plain paper", "glossy paper", "envelope", and "postcard"), resolution information ("x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi", "x: 600 dpi, y: 600 dpi"), and paper discharge setting information ("single-sided", "double-sided (long-edge binding)", "double-sided (short-edge binding)").

[0042] When the print mediation server 100 receives the capability registration request from the printer 10 at T70, at T72, it associates the printer ID "PID1", the information "existence" indicating that it is an existing printer, and the capability information "C1" included in the capability registration request, and registers them in the printer attribute table 122. Thereby, the registration process of the information regarding the printer 10 is completed.

[0043] (Registration process of printer 50; FIG. 4) Referring to FIG. 4, a process for registering information about the printer 50 in the print mediation server 100 will be described. In the terminal 80, the printer 50, and the print mediation server 100, the same processes as T10 to T54 in FIG. 3 are executed. In T156, the print mediation server 100 stores in the registration table 120 by associating the printer ID "PID2", the generated access token "AT2", and the received group ID "G1". In T158, the print mediation server 100 transmits an authentication notice including the generated access token "AT2" to the printer 50.

[0044] When the printer 50 receives the authentication notice from the print mediation server 100 in T158, in T160, it stores the access token "AT2" included in the authentication notice in a memory (not shown), and in T162, it uses the access token "AT2" to establish a permanent connection with the print mediation server 100.

[0045] Next, in T170, the printer 50 transmits a capability registration request to the print mediation server 100. The capability registration request includes the printer ID "PID2" and the capability information "C2" of the printer 50. The capability information "C2" includes color information ("grayscale" and "monochrome"), paper size information ("A3", "A4", and "B5"), media information ("plain paper", "glossy paper", and "envelope"), resolution information ("x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi"), and paper discharge setting information ("single-sided"). Thus, in this embodiment, the capability information "C2" of the printer 50 is different from the capability information "C1" of the printer 10.

[0046] When the print mediation server 100 receives the capability registration request from the printer 10 in T170, in T172, it registers in the printer attribute table 122 by associating the printer ID "PID2", the information "existing" indicating that it is an actual printer, and the capability information "C2" included in the capability registration request. Thereby, the registration process of the information about the printer 50 is completed.

[0047] (Creation process of virtual printer; FIG. 5) Referring to FIG. 5, a process for registering information related to a virtual printer in the print mediation server 100 will be described.

[0048] The user identified by the user ID "U1" executes a virtual printer generation operation including the input of the user ID "U1" on the terminal 80 at T200 (the trigger in FIG. 5). In this case, the terminal 80 transmits a virtual printer generation request including the user ID "U1" to the management server 200 at T202.

[0049] When the management server 200 receives a virtual printer generation request from the terminal 80 at T202, it transmits the virtual printer generation request to the print mediation server 100.

[0050] When the print mediation server 100 receives a virtual printer generation request from the management server 200 at T202, it generates a virtual printer ID "VID1" at T204. Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies the group ID "G1" associated with the user ID "U1" included in the virtual printer creation request from the group table 118, and associates the generated virtual printer ID "VID1" with the identified group ID "G1" and stores them in the virtual printer table 124. The print mediation server 100 further associates the generated virtual printer ID "VID1" with the information "virtual" indicating that it is a virtual printer and registers them in the printer attribute table 122. At this point, the capability information of the virtual printer is not yet stored in the printer attribute table 122.

[0051] (Virtual printer association process; FIG. 6) Referring to FIG. 6, a process for associating the virtual printer ID "VID1" with the printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" of physical printers will be described.

[0052] The user identified by the user ID "U1" executes, on the terminal 80, a virtual printer association operation including the input of the user ID "U1" in T250. In this case, the terminal 80 transmits, in T252, a printer list request including the user ID "U1" to the management server 200.

[0053] When the management server 200 receives a printer list request from the terminal 80 in T252, it transmits the printer list request to the print mediation server 100.

[0054] When the print mediation server 100 receives a printer list request from the management server 200 in T252, it identifies, from the group table 118, the group ID "G1" associated with the user ID "U1" included in the printer list request. Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies, from the registration table 120, the printer IDs "PID1", "PID2" associated with the identified group ID "G1". Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies, from the virtual printer table 124, the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the identified group ID "G1". Then, in T254, the print mediation server 100 transmits a printer list including the identified printer IDs "PID1", "PID2", and the identified virtual printer ID "VID1" to the management server 200.

[0055] When the management server 200 receives a printer list from the print mediation server 100 in T254, it transmits the printer list to the terminal 80.

[0056] When the terminal 80 receives the printer list from the management server 200 at T254, it displays a printer list screen showing each printer ID "PID1", "PID2", "VID1" included in the printer list at T260. At T262, the terminal 80 accepts the selection of "PID1" and "PID2" as the printer IDs of existing printers and the selection of "VID1" as the printer ID of the virtual printer from the user on the printer list screen. In this case, at T264, the terminal 80 sends an association request including the selected printer IDs "PID1", "PID2", "VID1" to the management server 200.

[0057] When the management server 200 receives the association request from the terminal 80 at T264, it associates the printer IDs "PID1", "PID2" of the existing printers included in the association request with the virtual printer ID "VID1" included in the association request and stores them in the printer table 218 at T266. Then, at T270, the management server 200 sends a capability request including each printer ID "PID1", "PID2", "VID1" to the print mediation server 100.

[0058] When the print mediation server 100 receives the capability request from the management server 200 at T270, first, it identifies the capability information "C1" associated with the printer ID "PID1" included in the capability request and the capability information "C2" associated with the printer ID "PID2" included in the capability request from the printer attribute table 122. Then, at T272, the print mediation server 100 sends a capability response including the combination of the printer ID "PID1" and the capability information "C1", the combination of the printer ID "PID2" and the capability information "C2", and the virtual printer ID "VID1" to the management server 200. Note that since the capability information of the virtual printer ID "VID1" is not yet stored in the printer attribute table 122, the capability information of the virtual printer ID "VID1" is not sent in this capability response.

[0059] When the management server 200 receives a capability response from the print mediation server 100 at T272, it generates the capability information "C3" of the virtual printer ID "VID1" by identifying the union of the capability information "C1" and "C2" included in the capability response. The union is the capability information included in at least one of the capability information "C1" and the capability information "C2". The capability information "C3" includes color information ("color", "grayscale", and "monochrome"), paper size information ("A3", "A4", and "B5"), media information ("plain paper", "glossy paper", "envelope", and "postcard"), resolution information ("x:300dpi, y:300dpi" and "x:600dpi, y:600dpi"), and paper discharge setting information ("single-sided", "double-sided (long-edge binding)", and "double-sided (short-edge binding)"). Then, the management server 200 transmits a capability update request including the virtual printer ID "VID1" included in the capability response and the generated capability information "C3" to the print mediation server 100.

[0060] When the print mediation server 100 receives a capability update request from the management server 200 at T274, at T276, it associates the virtual printer ID "VID1" included in the capability update request with the capability information "C3" included in the capability update request and stores them in the printer attribute table 122. Thereby, the process of FIG. 6 ends.

[0061] (Specific cases; FIGS. 7 to 9) Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, after the information is stored in each table as described above, specific cases A and B where the printer executes image printing will be described. First, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, case A where the printer has the ability to execute image printing will be described, and then, referring to FIG. 9, case B where the printer does not have the ability to execute image printing will be described.

[0062] In the initial state of FIG. 7, the print mediation server 100 and the printer 10 always establish a connection (see T62 in FIG. 3). At T300, the terminal 80 receives a login operation including the input of the user ID "U1" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "upload user ID 'U1'") from a user who desires to upload image data representing an image to be printed to the print mediation server 100. In this case, at T302, the terminal 80 transmits a login request including the user ID "U1" to the print mediation server 100.

[0063] When the print mediation server 100 receives the login request from the terminal 80 at T302, it identifies the group ID "G1" associated with the user ID "U1" included in the login request from the group table 118, and identifies the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the identified group ID "G1" from the virtual printer table 124. Then, the print mediation server 100 identifies the capability information "C3" associated with the virtual printer ID "VID1" from the printer attribute table 122. At T304, the print mediation server 100 transmits the identified virtual printer ID "VID1" and the identified capability information "C3" to the terminal 80.

[0064] When the terminal 80 receives the virtual printer ID "VID1" and the capability information "C3" from the print mediation server 100 at T304, it displays the virtual printer ID "VID1" and the capability information "C3" at T306. Specifically, when the image data "F1" is selected by the user as the printing target, the terminal 80 displays a print settings screen for specifying the print settings for the image represented by the image data "F1". The print settings screen has a display mode in which the virtual printer ID "VID1" can be selected and a display mode in which print settings can be specified from the capability information "C3". The print settings screen further has a display mode in which the user ID of the user permitted to execute printing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "print permission user ID") can be specified. At T308, the terminal 80 receives from the user the selection of the virtual printer ID "VID1", the specification of the print settings, and the specification of the print permission user ID "U2" on the print settings screen. In this case, the specified print settings include the color setting "Color", the paper size setting "A4", the media setting "Plain Paper", the resolution setting "x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi", and the paper output setting "Single-sided". Then, at T310, the terminal 80 transmits a job generation request including the virtual printer ID "VID1", the print permission user ID "U2", the upload user ID "U1", the image data "F1", and the specified print settings to the print mediation server 100.

[0065] Here, the image data "F1" included in the job generation request includes the attributes of the image data and the print data. The attributes of the image data indicate the print settings specified by the user at T308 in FIG. 7, and in this case, include "Color", "A4", "Plain Paper", "x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi", and "Single-sided". The print data is data representing the image to be printed itself. Although not particularly limited, the attributes of the image data are described, for example, in the page header. Although not particularly limited, the print data is, for example, raster data.

[0066] When the print mediation server 100 receives a job generation request from the terminal 80 at T310, it generates a job ID "J1" at T312. Then, the print mediation server 100 associates the virtual printer ID "VID1" included in the job generation request with the generated job ID "J1" and stores them in the job list 126. Next, the print mediation server 100 associates the generated job ID "J1" with each piece of information included in the job generation request (i.e., the print permission user ID "U2", the upload user ID "U1", the print settings, and the image data "F1") and stores them in the job table 128. Here, the print settings are stored in the job table 128 as job information "JI1". As a result, the image data "F1" is uploaded to the print mediation server 100.

[0067] Note that the print data included in the image data "F1" stored in the job table 128 may be the data uploaded from the terminal 80 itself, or may be the data after a predetermined conversion has been performed by the print mediation server 100 on the data uploaded from the terminal 80.

[0068] Thereafter, at T320 in FIG. 8, when the user identified by the user ID "U2" desires to print the image represented by the image data "F1", the user executes a print operation including the input of the user ID "U2" on the printer 10. Here, it can be said that the operation of the user executing the print operation on the printer 10 is an operation of selecting the printer 10 on which to execute the printing of the image represented by the image data "F1" from among the plurality of printers 10 and 50. When the printer 10 receives the print operation at T320, it transmits a job list request including the user ID "U2" to the management server 200 at T322.

[0069] When the management server 200 receives a job list request from the printer 10 at T322, it transmits the job list request to the print mediation server 100 at T324.

[0070] When the print mediation server 100 receives a job list request from the management server 200 at T324, it identifies, from the group table 118, the group ID "G1" associated with the user ID "U2" included in the job list request. Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies, from the virtual printer table 124, the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the identified group ID "G1". Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies, from the job list 126, the job ID "J1" associated with the identified virtual printer ID "VID1". Then, the print mediation server 100 identifies, from the job table 128, the print permission user ID "U2" associated with the identified job ID "J1", and determines whether the identified print permission user ID "U2" matches the user ID "U2" included in the job list request. When the print mediation server 100 determines that they match, at T326, it transmits a job list including the identified job ID "J1" to the management server 200. On the other hand, when the print mediation server 100 determines that they do not match, it does not transmit the job ID "J1" to the management server 200. According to this configuration, only the job IDs for which printing is permitted for the user who executed the printing operation at T320 are transmitted to the management server 200.

[0071] When the management server 200 receives a job list from the print mediation server 100 at T326, at T328, it transmits the job list to the printer 10.

[0072] When the printer 10 receives a job list from the management server 200 at T328, at T330, it displays the job ID "J1" included in the job list on the display unit 12. When the printer 10 receives a selection of the job ID "J1" from the user in the job list at T332, at T334, it transmits the selected job ID "J1" and the printer ID "PID1" to the management server 200.

[0073] When the management server 200 receives the job ID "J1" and the printer ID "PID1" from the printer 10 at T334, it transmits the job ID "J1" and the printer ID "PID1" to the print mediation server 100 at T336.

[0074] When the print mediation server 100 receives the job ID "J1" and the printer ID "PID1" from the management server 200 at T336, it identifies the job information "JI1" associated with the job ID "J1" from the job table 128 at T338. Also, the print mediation server 100 identifies the capability information "C1" associated with the printer ID "PID1" from the printer attribute table 122. Then, the print mediation server 100 transmits the identified job information "JI1" and the identified capability information "C1" to the management server 200.

[0075] When the management server 200 receives the job information "JI1" and the capability information "C1" from the print mediation server 100 at T338, it determines whether the printer 10 has the ability to execute printing according to the printing settings included in the job information "JI1", that is, to print the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1". Specifically, the job information "JI1" indicates "color", "A4", "plain paper", "x:300dpi,y:300dpi", and "single-sided". The capability information "C1" includes "color", "grayscale", "A4", "B5", "plain paper", "glossy paper", "envelope", "postcard", "x:300dpi,y:300dpi", "x:600dpi,y:600dpi", "single-sided", "double-sided (long-edge binding)", and "double-sided (short-edge binding)". Thus, since all the printing settings indicated by the job information "JI1" are included in the capability information "C1", the management server 200 determines that the printer 10 has the ability to print the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1". In this case, the management server 200 transmits a redirect request requesting a redirect to the printer 10 to the print mediation server 100 at T340.

[0076] When the print mediation server 100 receives a redirect request from the management server 200 at T340, at T342, it deletes the job ID "J1" and the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the job ID "J1" from the job list 126. Then, the print mediation server 100 associates the job ID "J1" with the printer ID "PID1" and stores it in the job list 126. Then, at T344, the print mediation server 100 uses the always-on connection to send a job notification including the job ID "J1" to the printer 10.

[0077] When the printer 10 receives a job notification from the print mediation server 100 at T344, at T346, it sends a job request including the job ID "J1" included in the job notification to the print mediation server 100.

[0078] When the print mediation server 100 receives a job request from the printer 10 at T346, it identifies the job information "JI1" and the image data "F1" associated with the job ID "J1" included in the job request from the job table 128. Then, at T348, the print mediation server 100 sends a job including the identified job information "JI1" and the identified image data "F1" to the printer 10.

[0079] When the printer 10 receives a job from the print mediation server 100 at T348, at T350, it determines whether the printer 10 has the ability to execute the printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1" by using the printing settings indicated by the job information "JI1" and the printing settings indicated by the attributes included in the image data "F1". In this case, since the two match, the printer 10 determines at T350 that it has the above ability. In this case, the printer 10 supplies the print data to the print execution unit 16 at T352 without performing processing for downgrading the print data, and causes the print execution unit 16 to execute printing according to the printing settings indicated by the job information "JI1".

[0080] (Processing of Case B; FIG. 9) Next, referring to FIG. 9, Case B in which the printer does not have the ability to execute image printing will be described. In the initial state of FIG. 9, the print mediation server 100 and the printer 50 always establish a connection (see T162 in FIG. 4). The same processing as T300 in FIG. 7 to T332 in FIG. 8 is executed, except that the printer 50 is used instead of the printer 10. The processing of T400 and T402 is the same as T334 and T336 in FIG. 8, except that the printer 50 is used instead of the printer 10, and the printer ID "PID2" of the printer 50 is used instead of the printer ID "PID1" of the printer 10.

[0081] The print mediation server 100 identifies the job information "JI1" associated with the job ID "J1" received in T402 from the job table 128. Next, the print mediation server 100 identifies the capability information "C2" associated with the printer ID "PID2" received in T402 from the printer attribute table 122. Then, in T404, the print mediation server 100 transmits the identified job information "JI1" and the identified capability information "C2" of the printer 50 to the management server 200.

[0082] When the management server 200 receives the job information "JI1" and the capability information "C2" from the print mediation server 100 at T404, it uses the job information "JI1" and the capability information "C2" to determine whether the printer 50 has the capability to execute printing according to the printing settings included in the job information "JI1", that is, printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1". Specifically, the job information "JI1" indicates "color", "A4", "plain paper", "x:300dpi, y:300dpi", and "single-sided". The capability information "C2" includes "grayscale", "monochrome", "A3", "A4", "B5", "plain paper", "glossy paper", "envelope", "x:300dpi, y:300dpi", and "single-sided". Since "color" in the job information "JI1" is not included in the capability information "C2", the management server 200 determines that the printer 50 does not have the capability to execute printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1". In this case, at T406, the management server 200 updates the printing settings indicated by the job information "JI1" so that they are included in the printing settings indicated by the capability information "C2". Specifically, the management server 200 downgrades the "color" indicated by the job information "JI1" to the "grayscale" available to the printer 50 to generate the job information "JI2". Here, the management server 200 adopts the "grayscale" that is most similar to the "color" indicated by the job information "JI1" among the "grayscale" and "monochrome" available to the printer 50. Here, "most similar" can also be rephrased as "closest", or "the highest image reproducibility", or "the smallest degree of image quality degradation due to downgrading".

[0083] Next, at T408, the management server 200 sends the job information "JI2" and a redirect request requesting a redirect to the printer 50 to the print mediation server 100.

[0084] When the print mediation server 100 receives the job information "JI2" and the redirection request from the management server 200 at T408, at T410, it deletes the job ID "J1" and the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the job ID "J1" from the job list 126. Then, the print mediation server 100 associates the job ID "J1" with the printer ID "PID2" and stores it in the job list 126. Further, at T412, the print mediation server 100 updates the job information "JI1" stored in the job table 128 to the received job information "JI2". T414 to T418 are the same as T344 to T348 in FIG. 8, except that "JI2" is used instead of "JI1" as the job information.

[0085] When the printer 50 receives a job from the print mediation server 100 at T418, at T420, it determines whether the printer 50 has the ability to execute printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1" by using the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" and the print settings indicated by the attributes included in the image data "F1". In this case, since the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" include "grayscale", while the attributes of the image data "F1" include "color", the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" and the print settings indicated by the attributes of the image data "F1" do not match. In this case, the printer 50 determines that it does not have the ability to execute printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1".

[0086] Therefore, at T422, the printer 50 converts the print data according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" to generate binary data. Specifically, the printer 50 generates "grayscale" binary data from the "color" print data. In other words, the printer 50 downgrades the "color" image to a "grayscale" image. Then, at T424, the printer 50 supplies the generated binary data to the print execution unit 16 to cause the print execution unit 16 to execute printing according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2".

[0087] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the printer 50 does not have the ability to execute printing of the image represented by the image data included in the image data "F1" received from the print mediation server 100 (Case B in FIG. 9), it generates binary data from the print data included in the image data according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" (T422). Then, the printer 50 executes printing according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI1" using the generated binary data. Therefore, even when the printer 50 does not have the ability to execute printing of the image represented by the image data "F1" received from the print mediation server 100, it can execute printing appropriately.

[0088] According to the above configuration, the upload user can specify the print permission user. The upload user ("U1") can permit printing to another user (such as "U2" in FIG. 7) within the company, for example, by designating a user different from itself as the print permission user (T308 in FIG. 7). In a modification, the print permission user and the upload user may be the same. In this case, the upload user can cause the printer to execute printing of the image represented by the image data uploaded by itself.

[0089] According to the above configuration, the management server 200 stores in the printer table 218 the association of the virtual printer ID "VID1" with the printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2". Also, in the print mediation server 100, the image data "F1" is stored in the job table 128 and the job list 126 in association with the virtual printer ID "VID1". Therefore, the image data "F1" is stored in association with the printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" via the virtual printer ID "VID1". With such a configuration, after the user uploads the image data "F1" to the print mediation server 100 using the virtual printer ID "VID1" (T310 in FIG. 7), the user or a different user can cause the printer to execute printing of the image represented by the image data "F1" using the physical printers 10 and 50 (T334 in FIG. 8, T400 in FIG. 9) (T352 in FIG. 8, T424 in FIG. 9).

[0090] Hereinafter, other examples of image downgrading will be sequentially described. In T308 of FIG. 7, when the paper size setting "A3" is set and the printer 10 is selected as the printer for which image printing is to be executed, the management server 200 downgrades the "A3" indicated by the job information to a paper size available for the printer 10 after T338 of FIG. 8. Specifically, the management server 200 downgrades to the largest "A4" among "A4" and "B5" that are smaller than the "A3" indicated by the job information and available for the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 downgrades the print data of "A3" to binary data of "A4" and executes printing. Thus, it may be downgraded to a size smaller than the paper size setting included in the print settings indicated by the job information.

[0091] In T308 of FIG. 7, when the resolution setting "x: 600 dpi, y: 600 dpi" is set and printer 50 is selected as the printer for which the image should be printed, the management server 200, in T406 of FIG. 9, downgrades the "x: 600 dpi, y: 600 dpi" indicated by the job information to a resolution that is available for printer 50. Specifically, the management server 200 downgrades it to the largest resolution "x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi" among the multiple resolutions available for printer 50, which is lower than the "x: 600 dpi, y: 600 dpi" indicated by the job information. In this case, printer 10 downgrades the print data of "x: 600 dpi, y: 600 dpi" to binary data of "x: 300 dpi, y: 300 dpi" and executes the printing. Thus, it may be downgraded to a resolution lower (smaller) than the resolution setting included in the print settings indicated by the job information.

[0092] In T308 of FIG. 7, when the paper discharge setting "double-sided (long-edge binding)" is set and printer 50 is selected as the printer for which the image should be printed, the management server 200, in T406 of FIG. 9, downgrades the "double-sided (long-edge binding)" indicated by the job information to a paper discharge setting that is available for printer 50. Specifically, the management server 200 downgrades it to a paper discharge setting different from the "double-sided (long-edge binding)" indicated by the job information and available for printer 50, which is "single-sided". In this case, printer 10 downgrades the print data of "double-sided (long-edge binding)" to binary data of "single-sided" and executes the printing. Thus, the "double-sided" paper discharge setting included in the print settings indicated by the job information may be downgraded to "single-sided".

[0093] (Corresponding relationship) Printer 10 or 50 is an example of a "printer". The combination of the print mediation server 100 and the management server 200 is an example of a "server". Printers 10 and 50 are examples of "a plurality of printers". Printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" are examples of "a plurality of printer identification information". Image data "F1" and binary data are examples of "first image data" and "second image data", respectively. The printing operation is an example of a "predetermined operation". The print settings indicated by job information "JI1" and the print settings indicated by capability information "C2" are examples of "first print settings" and "second print settings", respectively. Job information "JI1" and job information "JI2" are examples of "first job information" and "second job information", respectively.

[0094] For example, T348 in FIG. 8, T422 in FIG. 9, and T424 in FIG. 9 are examples of processes executed by an "image data receiving unit", a "generating unit", and a "print control unit", respectively. For example, T418 in FIG. 9 is an example of a process executed by a "second job information receiving unit". For example, T350 in FIG. 8 is an example of a process executed by a "judgment unit".

[0095] (Second Embodiment; FIG. 10) Next, the second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the processes related to the printing of printer 50 are different from those in the first embodiment. In the terminal 80 (not shown), the management server 200, the print mediation server 100, and the printer 50, processes similar to T300 to T332 in FIG. 7 are executed, and processes similar to T400 to T420 in FIG. 9 are executed.

[0096] When the printer 50 determines that the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" do not match the print settings indicated by the attributes of the image data "F1", that is, when the printer 50 determines that it does not have the ability to execute the printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1", on T450, the selection screen SC1 is displayed. The selection screen SC1 includes a message for asking the user whether to execute the printing by downgrading the color setting from "Color". Also, the selection screen SC1 includes an OK button and a print cancellation button.

[0097] On T452, the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the OK button on the selection screen SC1. In this case, on T454, the printer 50 generates binary data of "grayscale" from the print data of "color". Then, on T456, the printer 50 uses the binary data to execute the printing according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2". Note that when the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the print cancellation button on the selection screen SC1, it does not generate binary data from the print data of "color" and does not execute the printing.

[0098] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the printer 50 does not have the ability to execute the printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1", the printer 50 displays the selection screen SC1. Then, when the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the OK button, it downgrades the print data and executes the printing, and when it accepts the user's selection of the print cancellation button, it does not downgrade the print data and does not execute the printing. For this reason, the printer 50 can switch whether to execute the printing of the downgraded image according to the user's intention. In this embodiment, T450 in FIG. 10 is an example of the process executed by the "first display control unit".

[0099] (Third embodiment; FIG. 11) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the selection screen displayed by the printer 50 is different from that of the second embodiment. In the terminal 80 (not shown), the management server 200, the print mediation server 100, and the printer 50, the same processing as T300 in FIG. 7 to T332 in FIG. 8 is executed, and the same processing as T400 to T420 in FIG. 9 is executed.

[0100] When the printer 50 determines that it does not have the ability to execute printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1", at T460, the selection screen SC2 is displayed. The selection screen SC2 includes a message for inquiring whether to downgrade the color setting, two buttons indicating the color settings available for the printer 50, and a print cancel button.

[0101] At T462, the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the grayscale button on the selection screen SC2. In this case, at T464, the printer 50 generates binary data of "grayscale" from the print data of "color". Then, at T466, the printer 50 executes printing using the binary data. Although not shown, when the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the monochrome button on the selection screen SC2, it generates binary data of "monochrome" from the print data of "color" and executes printing using the binary data. Also, when the printer 50 accepts the user's selection of the print cancel button on the selection screen SC2, it does not generate binary data from the print data of "color" and does not execute printing.

[0102] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, the printer 50 can allow the user to select a downgrading method on the selection screen SC2 (T460). Therefore, the printer 50 can downgrade the print data according to the method according to the user's selection and execute printing. In this embodiment, the grayscale button and the monochrome button are examples of "a plurality of options". The grayscale button is an example of "a specific option".

[0103] (Example 4; Figure 12) Next, Example 4 will be described. In the first to third embodiments, the printer 50 downsizes the print data, whereas in this embodiment, the print mediation server 100 downsizes the print data. In the terminal 80 (not shown), the management server 200, the print mediation server 100, and the printer 50, the same processing as T300 in FIG. 7 to T332 in FIG. 8 is executed, and the same processing as T400 to T406 in FIG. 9 is executed.

[0104] When the management server 200 determines that the printer 50 does not have the ability to execute printing of an image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1", at T500, it transmits a job information deletion request for requesting deletion of the job information "JI1" to the print mediation server 100.

[0105] When the print mediation server 100 receives a job information deletion request from the management server 200 at T500, at T502, it deletes the job information "JI1" from the job table 128.

[0106] Next, the management server 200 updates the job information "JI1" so as to be included in the print settings indicated by the capability information "C2" at T504, and generates job information "JI2". Specifically, the management server 200 downsizes the "color" indicated by the job information "JI1" to "grayscale" that can be printed by the printer 50, and generates job information "JI2".

[0107] Next, the management server 200 transmits a job generation request including the job information "JI2" and a redirect request for requesting a redirect to the printer 50 to the print mediation server 100 at T506.

[0108] When the print mediation server 100 receives a job generation request and a redirect request from the management server 200 at T506, at T508, it updates the job ID "J1" stored in the job table 128 to a new job ID "J2". The print mediation server 100 further stores job information "JI2" in association with the job ID "J2". Then, the print mediation server 100 generates new image data "F2" from the image data "F1" stored in the job table 128 according to the job information "JI2", and updates the image data to "F2" in association with the job ID "J2".

[0109] Next, the print mediation server 100 deletes the job ID "J1" and the virtual printer ID "VID1" associated with the job ID "J1" from the job list 126. Then, the print mediation server 100 stores the job ID "J2" and the printer ID "PID2" in association with each other in the job list 126. T510 to T514 are the same as T344 to T348 in FIG. 8 except that "JI2" is used instead of "JI1" as the job information and "J2" is used instead of "J1" as the job ID.

[0110] When the printer 50 receives a job from the print mediation server 100 at T514, at T516, it executes printing according to the print data indicated by the job information "JI2".

[0111] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the management server 200 does not have the ability for the printer 50 to execute printing of the image represented by the print data included in the image data "F1", the management server 200 causes the print mediation server 100 to generate image data "F2" that can be printed by the printer 50 from the image data "F1". Therefore, the printer 50 can execute printing appropriately. In particular, in this embodiment, since the printer 50 does not need to perform downgrading, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing load of the printer 50.

[0112] (Corresponding relationship) The management server 200 and the printing mediation server 100 are each an example of the "first server" and the "second server", respectively. T508 in FIG. 12 is an example of the process executed by the "generation control unit".

[0113] As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0114] (Modification Example 1) The process of FIG. 6 may be omitted. In this case, in T204 of FIG. 5, after generating the virtual printer ID "VID1", the print mediation server 100 identifies the group ID "G1" associated with the user ID "U1" included in the virtual printer generation request from the group table 118. Also, the print mediation server 100 identifies the printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" associated with the identified group ID "G1" from the registration table 120. Then, the print mediation server 100 identifies the capability information "C1" associated with the printer ID "PID1" included in the capability request and the capability information "C2" associated with the printer ID "PID2" included in the capability request from the printer attribute table 122, and generates the capability information "C3" of the virtual printer ID "VID1" by identifying the union of the capability information "C1" and "C2". The print mediation server 100 associates the virtual printer ID "VID1" with the capability information "C3" and stores them in the printer attribute table 122. Also, the print mediation server 100 transmits the identified printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" and the identified virtual printer ID "VID1" to the management server 200, so that in the management server 200, the printer IDs "PID1" and "PID2" can be associated with the virtual printer ID "VID1" included in the association request and stored in the printer table 218. According to this configuration, even if the process of FIG. 6 (i.e., the user's operation) is not executed, information about the virtual printer can be registered in the printer attribute table 122, and the virtual printer ID and the actual printer ID can be associated and registered in the printer table 218.

[0115] (Modification Example 2) In T320 of FIG. 8, when the user brings the IC card close to the printer 10 and a wireless connection (e.g., Near Field Communication connection) is established between the printer 10 and the IC card, the printer 10 may read the user ID "U2" from the IC card using the wireless connection. In this case, the user does not need to execute a print operation on the printer 10.

[0116] (Modification Example 3) The print mediation server 100 and the management server 200 may be a single server instead of separate ones.

[0117] (Modification Example 4) T420 in FIG. 9 may be omitted. In this case, the printer 50 converts the print data according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" and generates binary data at T422 regardless of whether the job information "JI2" has been changed. Then, the printer 50 executes printing according to the print settings indicated by the job information "JI2" using the binary data at T424. In this modification example, the "judgment unit" can be omitted.

[0118] (Modification Example 4) In T406 of FIG. 9, the management server 200 may downgrade to "monochrome" instead of "grayscale" among "grayscale" and "monochrome" that the printer 50 can use. Generally speaking, the "generation unit" may generate second image data representing a second target image according to a second print setting that is least similar to the first print setting, which is the print setting of the first target image, when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image.

[0119] (Modification Example 5) In T308 of FIG. 7, the print permission user may not be specified. In this case, the print mediation server 100 transmits a job list including the identified job ID "J1" to the management server 200 at T326 without determining whether the print permission user ID matches the user ID included in the job list request at T324. Generally speaking, user identification information for identifying a user whose printing of the first target image is permitted may not be stored in the server in association with the printer identification information.

[0120] (Modification Example 6) The concept of a virtual printer may not be used. For example, instead of registering by associating a virtual printer ID with various information, account information may be registered in association with the various information. Generally speaking, the server may not store by associating virtual printer identification information with a plurality of printer identification information.

[0121] (Modification Example 7) In the above-described embodiment, the processing of each step in FIGS. 3 to 12 is realized by software (for example, program 36 of printer 10, program 116 of print mediation server 100, and program 216 of management server 200). However, at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0122] Also, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility.

[0123] In the claims of this patent application at the time of filing, even if each claim depends only on some of the claims, each claim is not limited to being able to depend only on some of the claims. Within a technically non-contradictory range, each claim can also depend on other claims that it did not depend on at the time of filing. That is, the technologies of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows. (Item 1) A printer, a printing execution unit, an image data receiving unit that, after first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in a server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers including the printer, when a predetermined operation is executed on the printer, receives the first image data from the server, where the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting the printer from among the plurality of printers as the target printer for printing the first target image represented by the first image data, the image data receiving unit; a generation unit that, when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, generates second image data representing a second target image that the printer can execute printing using the first image data. A printing control unit that causes the printing execution unit to execute printing of the second target image represented by the second image data; A printer comprising the same. (Item 2) When the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, the first job information indicating the first printing setting, which is the printing setting of the first target image, is changed by the server to second job information indicating a second printing setting that is a printing setting available to the printer. The printer further comprises a job information receiving unit that receives the second job information from the server when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image. The printer according to item 1, wherein the generation unit generates the second image data representing the second target image according to the second printing setting indicated by the second job information when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image. (Item 3) The first image data includes attribute information indicating the first printing setting and print data. The job information receiving unit receives the first job information from the server when the printer has the ability to execute printing of the first target image. The printer further comprises a determination unit that determines whether the printer has the ability to execute printing of the first target image by determining whether the first printing setting indicated by the attribute information included in the first image data matches the printing setting indicated by the first job information or the second job information. The printer according to item 2. (Item 4) When the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, the generation unit generates second image data representing a second target image, which is the second printing setting most similar to the first printing setting that is the printing setting of the first target image and according to which the printer is available, among any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) The printer further includes a display unit, and a first display control unit that displays, on the display unit, a selection screen for selecting whether to execute printing of the second target image instead of printing of the first target image when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image. The print control unit causes the print execution unit to execute printing of the second target image when it is selected on the selection screen that printing of the second target image should be executed, and does not cause the print execution unit to execute printing of the second target image when it is selected on the selection screen that printing of the second target image should not be executed, among any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The selection screen includes a plurality of options for selecting the printing setting of the second target image, including the plurality of options that the printer can execute printing. The generation unit generates, on the selection screen, second image data representing the second target image according to the specific option when the specific option among the plurality of options is selected, among item 5. (Item 7) When the first target image corresponds to a first paper size, the second target image corresponds to a second paper size smaller than the first paper size, among any one of items 1 to 6. (Item 8) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when the first target image corresponds to color printing, the second target image corresponds to monochrome printing or grayscale printing. (Item 9) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when the first target image corresponds to a first printing resolution, the second target image corresponds to a second printing resolution smaller than the first printing resolution. (Item 10) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when the first target image corresponds to double-sided printing, the second target image corresponds to single-sided printing. (Item 11) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein after the image data receiving unit stores the first image data and user identification information for identifying a user permitted to print the first target image in association with the printer identification information of the printer in the server, when the predetermined operation including the input of the user identification information is executed on the printer, the first image data is received from the server. (Item 12) The server stores in association virtual printer identification information for identifying a virtual printer and the plurality of printer identification information for identifying the plurality of printers. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the first image data is stored in association with the plurality of printer identification information via the virtual printer identification information by being stored in association with the virtual printer identification information. (Item 13) A first server, First image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in a second server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers. When a target printer among the plurality of printers does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, a generation control unit causes the second server to generate second image data representing a second target image that the target printer can execute printing from the first image data. The second image data is transmitted from the second server to the target printer. A first server including the generation control unit.

Explanation of Signs

[0124] 2: Communication system, 6: Internet, 10: Printer, 12: Display unit, 14: Communication interface, 16: Printing execution unit, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program 50: Printer, 80: Terminal, 100: Printing intermediary server, 102: Communication I / F, 110: Control unit, 112: CPU, 114: Memory, 116: Program, 118: Group table, 120: Registration table, 122: Printer attribute table, 124: Virtual printer table, 126: Job list, 128: Job table, 200: Management server, 202: Communication I / F, 210: Control unit, 212: CPU, 214: Memory, 216: Program, 218: Printer table

Claims

1. A printer, comprising: a printing execution unit; an image data receiving unit that, after first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in a server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers including the printer, when a predetermined operation is performed on the printer, receives the first image data from the server, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting the printer from among the plurality of printers as the target printer for printing the first target image represented by the first image data; a generation unit that, when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, generates second image data representing a second target image that the printer can execute printing on, using the first image data; a printing control unit that causes the printing execution unit to execute printing of the second target image represented by the second image data; The printer is provided with.

2. When the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, first job information indicating a first printing setting, which is a printing setting of the first target image, is changed by the server to second job information indicating a second printing setting, which is a printing setting available to the printer; The printer further includes a job information receiving unit that receives the second job information from the server when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image; The printer according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the second image data representing the second target image according to the second printing setting indicated by the second job information when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image.

3. The first image data includes attribute information indicating the first printing setting and printing data; The job information receiving unit receives the first job information from the server when the printer has the ability to execute printing of the first target image; The printer further includes A determination unit that determines whether or not the printer has the ability to print the first target image by determining whether or not the first printing setting indicated by the attribute information included in the first image data matches the printing setting indicated by the first job information or the second job information. The printer according to claim 2.

4. The generation unit generates second image data representing a second target image that is a second printing setting most similar to the first printing setting that is the printing setting of the first target image when the printer does not have the ability to print the first target image and that conforms to the second printing setting available to the printer. The printer according to claim 1.

5. The printer further includes a display unit, a first display control unit that displays, on the display unit, a selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute printing of the second target image instead of printing of the first target image when the printer does not have the ability to print the first target image. The print control unit causes the print execution unit to execute printing of the second target image when it is selected on the selection screen that printing of the second target image should be executed. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when it is selected on the selection screen that printing of the second target image should not be executed, the print execution unit is not caused to execute printing of the second target image.

6. The selection screen includes a plurality of options for selecting the printing setting of the second target image, and includes the plurality of options that the printer can execute printing. The generation unit generates second image data representing the second target image according to the specific option when the specific option among the plurality of options is selected on the selection screen. The printer according to claim 5.

7. When the first target image corresponds to a first paper size, the second target image corresponds to a second paper size smaller than the first paper size. The printer according to claim 1.

8. When the first target image corresponds to color printing, the second target image corresponds to monochrome printing or grayscale printing. The printer according to claim 1.

9. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the first target image corresponds to a first printing resolution, the second target image corresponds to a second printing resolution smaller than the first printing resolution.

10. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the first target image corresponds to double-sided printing, the second target image corresponds to single-sided printing.

11. After the image data receiving unit stores the first image data and user identification information for identifying a user permitted to print the first target image in the server in association with the printer identification information of the printer, when the predetermined operation including the input of the user identification information is executed on the printer, the first image data is received from the server. The printer according to claim 1.

12. The server stores in association virtual printer identification information for identifying a virtual printer and the plurality of printer identification information for identifying the plurality of printers. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the first image data is stored in association with the virtual printer identification information and thereby stored in association with the plurality of printer identification information via the virtual printer identification information.

13. A first server, A generation control unit that stores first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, in a second server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers, and when a target printer among the plurality of printers does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, causes the second server to generate second image data representing a second target image that the target printer can execute printing from the first image data, and the second image data is transmitted from the second server to the target printer. The first server including the generation control unit.

14. A computer program for a printer, The printer includes a printing execution unit, The computer of the printer is the following units, namely, An image data receiving unit that receives the first image data from the server when a predetermined operation is performed on the printer after the first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in the server in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers including the printer, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of selecting the printer from the plurality of printers as the target printer for printing the first target image represented by the first image data, the image data receiving unit, A generation unit that generates second image data representing a second target image that the printer can print using the first image data when the printer does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, A print control unit that causes the print execution unit to execute printing of the second target image represented by the second image data, A computer program that functions as [

15. ] A computer program for a first server, The computer of the first server is A generation control unit that causes the second server to generate, from the first image data, second image data representing a second target image that the target printer can print, in association with a plurality of printer identification information for identifying a plurality of printers, when the first image data representing a first target image, which is an image to be printed, is stored in the second server and the target printer among the plurality of printers does not have the ability to execute printing of the first target image, and the second image data is transmitted from the second server to the target printer, the generation control unit, A computer program that functions as

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