Printing system, printing method thereof, program and print server system

Abstract

This invention provides a print system, a printing method, a program, and a print server system for converting data into a printable format for an image forming apparatus that performs printing. [Solution] A print system 100 comprising a print server and one or more image forming apparatuses, wherein the print server includes acquisition means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, identification means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing among the one or more image forming apparatuses, conversion means for determining whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, converting the data to at least one of the one or more formats, and transmission means for transmitting the data that has been converted if conversion is necessary to the image forming apparatus that performs printing, when conversion is not necessary for the data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method thereof, a program, and a print server system.

Background Art

[0002] A printing method in which a print server immediately prints a print job received from an information processing terminal is called push printing. On the other hand, hold printing (hold printing), in which the print server does not immediately print the print job received from the information processing terminal but transmits the print job in response to a request from an image forming apparatus, has been put into practical use. The data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus may vary depending on the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when executing push printing and when the image forming apparatus to be printed in hold printing is specified, it is necessary to convert the print job into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes to pre-convert print data into a data format determined based on the attribute information (country, region, affiliation, location) of the user who has input a print job to a print server, and transmit data in this data format in response to a request from an image forming apparatus. By converting the data format in advance in this way, the processing time at the time of print execution in hold printing is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The data format determined based on the attribute information of the user who submitted the print job is not necessarily printable by the image forming apparatus that is actually instructed to print. In this case, the image forming apparatus needs to convert the data back into a printable format, which does not reduce the processing time during print execution. Furthermore, if a print server prints a print job received from an information processing terminal immediately, processing time is required to convert the data format between the time the print command is issued and the print is actually executed. One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a technology for converting data into a format printable by the image forming apparatus that performs the print. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to some embodiments, a print system is provided comprising a print server and one or more image forming apparatuses, wherein the print server includes acquisition means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, identification means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing among the one or more image forming apparatuses, conversion means for determining whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and the one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, converting the data to at least one of the one or more formats, and transmission means for transmitting the data to the image forming apparatus that performs printing if conversion is not necessary, or the converted data if conversion is necessary, and at least one of the one or more image forming apparatuses includes receiving means for receiving the data or the converted data from the print server, and printing means for printing the received data or the converted data.

[0007] Furthermore, according to some embodiments, a print system includes a print server, a conversion server, and one or more image forming apparatuses, wherein the print server includes acquisition means for acquiring a print job including print type and data to be printed from an information processing terminal, a first transmission means for transmitting the data and conversion format to the conversion server, a second transmission means for transmitting information for acquiring converted data from the conversion server based on the print type to an image forming apparatus that performs printing, storage means for receiving and storing the converted data from the conversion server based on the print type, and a third transmission means for transmitting the converted data stored in the storage means to the image forming apparatus that made the print request based on a print request for the data from one of the one or more image forming apparatuses, and the conversion server receives the data and A print system is provided, comprising: a conversion means for converting the data based on the format of the conversion; a fourth transmission means for transmitting the converted data to the print server or the image forming apparatus that performs printing based on a request from the print server or the image forming apparatus that performs printing; a first receiving means for receiving the converted data from the conversion server when one of the one or more image forming apparatuses receives information for acquisition from the print server and, based on the information for acquisition, requests the conversion server to transmit the converted data; a second receiving means for requesting the print server to print the data to be printed and receiving the converted data stored on the print server; and a printing means for printing the converted data received by the first receiving means or the second receiving means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus that performs printing can convert the data into a printable format. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]A block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of each device in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A block diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A block diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of a print server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A block diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of an information processing terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the license registration method in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the license registration screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating an example of device information in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of how to install the application of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the authentication screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the portal screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the portal screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the portal screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the portal screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] A schematic diagram illustrating an example screen for using the application of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for converting print data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for converting print data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of a method for printing print data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] Schematic diagram for explaining an example of a login screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] Schematic diagram for explaining an example of a print screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] Schematic diagram for explaining an example of a portal screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] Diagram for explaining an example of usage settings according to the second embodiment. [Figure 23] Flow chart for explaining an example of a method when an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is added. [Figure 24] Schematic diagram for explaining an example of a screen for deleting an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 25] Flow chart for explaining an example of a method when an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment is deleted. [Figure 26] Diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 27] Block diagram showing an example of a software configuration of a cloud image conversion service according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 28] Sequence diagram for explaining an example of an image conversion process and a drop-in printing method using a conversion server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 29] Sequence diagram for explaining an example of an image conversion process and a push printing method using a conversion server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 30] Sequence diagram for explaining a method of an image conversion process and a push printing process using a conversion server of a modification example according to the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] <First Embodiment> [Example of a print system configuration] Referring to Figure 1, an example configuration of the print system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. The print system 100 includes a print server 101, an image forming apparatus 103, and an information processing terminal 104. The print system 100 may further include a storage server 102. Alternatively, the storage server 102 may be treated as an external device to the print system 100. The information processing terminal 104 may also be treated as an external device to the print system 100.

[0012] In the example shown in Figure 1, the print system 100 includes one print server 101, one image forming apparatus 103, and one information processing terminal 104. Alternatively, the print system 100 may include multiple print servers 101, multiple image forming apparatuses 103, or multiple information processing terminals 104. A system consisting of one or more servers is referred to as a server system. Specifically, a print server system includes one or more print servers 101. Furthermore, when one or more print servers 101 cooperate to function as a print server, one or more print servers 101 may simply be referred to as a print server 101.

[0013] The print server 101 and the storage server 102 are each connected to the Internet 110. The image forming apparatus 103 and the information processing terminal 104 are each connected to the Internet 110 via a local area network (LAN) 111. The LAN 111 is, for example, a network within a corporate office. In the example in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 103 and the information processing terminal 104 are connected to the same LAN 111. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 103 and the information processing terminal 104 may be connected to separate LANs 111.

[0014] The print server 101 provides a web portal to clients (e.g., information processing terminals 104) and, in particular, provides printing services (hereinafter referred to as print services). The print server 101 may be a server hosted on a cloud platform. In this case, the print server 101 may be called a cloud print server, and the print services may be called cloud print services.

[0015] The storage server 102 provides storage services (e.g., file services) to clients (e.g., print server 101, image forming apparatus 103, and information processing terminal 104). The storage server 102 may be a server hosted on a cloud platform. In this case, the storage server 102 may be called a cloud storage server, and the storage services may be called cloud storage services.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 103 forms an image according to instructions. The generated image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The image forming apparatus 103 may be a digital multifunction device equipped with multiple main functions such as copying, scanning, printing, and faxing. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 103 may be a dedicated machine with a single main function (e.g., printing). The image forming apparatus 103 can communicate with the print server 101 and the storage server 102 via the LAN 111 and the Internet 110.

[0017] The information processing terminal 104 is used, for example, to submit print jobs to the print server 101 or the image forming apparatus 103. The information processing terminal 104 may be a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet, or other information processing device. The information processing terminal 104 can communicate with the print server 101 and the storage server 102 via the LAN 111 and the Internet 110.

[0018] [Example of hardware configuration for an image forming apparatus] Referring to Figure 2(a), an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 will be described. Figure 2(a) describes the case where the image forming apparatus 103 is a digital multifunction device. The image forming apparatus 103 has the components shown in Figure 2(a). The image forming apparatus 103 may not include some of the components shown in Figure 2(a), or it may include other components. The above description applies to the image forming apparatus 103 as well as to the hardware configuration examples of other devices described later.

[0019] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 is the main execution unit for the control program built into the image forming apparatus 103. The CPU 201 is composed of one or more processors. The CPU 201 controls the operation of devices connected to the controller unit 200 via each I / F and the memory of the storage medium. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 is a non-volatile memory that stores the system's boot program, system programs, and application programs. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 is a volatile memory that stores programs and data such as the operating system, system software, and application software during their execution.

[0020] The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 is a storage device with a larger capacity compared to the RAM 203. The HDD 204 stores the operating system, system software, application software, image data, configuration data, print jobs, user information, etc. Furthermore, the HDD 204 may also store information used for the operation of the image forming apparatus 103, such as fonts. When the CPU 201 executes the program stored in the ROM 202, the program stored in the HDD 204 is loaded into the RAM 203. Subsequently, the CPU 201 executes the program loaded into the RAM 203 and processes the data stored in the RAM 203, ROM 202, and HDD 204. This enables the operation of the image forming apparatus 103.

[0021] If the image forming apparatus 103 is a small multifunction device, the image forming apparatus 103 does not need to include an HDD 204, and system software, application software, etc., may be stored in ROM 202. Instead of an HDD 204, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Disk) or flash memory may be used.

[0022] The network interface (I / F) 205 connects to the network and communicates with external devices on the network. The device interface 206 connects devices that input and output images (printer 211 and scanner 212 in the example of Figure 2(a)) to the controller unit 210. The controller unit 210 inputs or outputs image data to or from the printer 211 and scanner 212 via the device interface 206. The CPU 201 reads the original image by controlling the scanner 212. The image data representing the scanned original image is input to the controller unit 210 via the device interface 206 and stored in the RAM 203 and HDD 204. The stored image data is processed by application programs loaded into RAM 203 as needed. The image data is also output to the printer 211 via the device interface 206, and printed on paper by the CPU 201 controlling the printer 211.

[0023] The Expansion Device I / F207 is a wireless transceiver such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus)® port or Bluetooth® that allows connection of any optional device. The Expansion Device I / F207 enables the connection of optional devices such as ID card readers and biometric authentication devices.

[0024] The control unit interface 208 is an interface for input / output control with the control unit 213, which has a touch panel. The CPU 201 outputs image data to be displayed on the control unit 213 via the control unit interface 208. The CPU 201 also receives input information acquired by the user operating the control unit 213 via the control unit interface 208. Each component included in the controller unit 210 is interconnected by the bus 209.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 103 may be, for example, a printer that does not include a scanner 212. Furthermore, if the image forming apparatus 103 is a multifunction device with a fax function, the controller unit 210 may include an interface (not shown) for a modem device, enabling fax transmission by connecting to a public telephone line via a modem device.

[0026] [Example of computer hardware configuration] Referring to Figure 2(b), an example of the hardware configuration of computer 220 will be described. Computer 220 may be used as a print server 101 or as a storage server 102. Each server may consist of one computer 220 or multiple computers 220. The components of computer 220 are interconnected by a bus 229.

[0027] The CPU 221 controls the overall operation of the computer 220 by reading control programs stored in the ROM 222 or HDD 224 into the RAM 223 and executing various processes. The RAM 223 is memory used as the CPU 221's main memory, work area, and other temporary storage areas. The HDD 224 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data and various programs. The network I / F 225 is an interface for connecting to a network. The device I / F 226 is an interface for connecting input devices (e.g., a keyboard) and output devices (e.g., a display). If the computer 220 provides an interface with the user through the network I / F, the computer 220 does not need to include the device I / F 226.

[0028] [Example of hardware configuration for an information processing terminal] Referring to Figure 2(c), an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing terminal 104 will be described. Each component of the information processing terminal 104 is interconnected by the bus 249.

[0029] The CPU 241 controls the overall operation of the information processing terminal 104 by reading control programs stored in the ROM 242 or HDD 244 and executing various processes. The RAM 243 is memory used as the main memory and temporary storage area of ​​the CPU 241, such as the work area. The HDD 244 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data and various programs. The network I / F 245 is an interface for connecting to a network. The device I / F 246 is an interface for connecting input devices (e.g., a keyboard) and output devices (e.g., a display). The input and output devices may be integrated into the information processing terminal 104. The input and output devices together are sometimes called an input / output device or an operation unit.

[0030] [Example of software configuration for an image forming apparatus] Referring to Figure 3, an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 will be described. The software of the image forming apparatus 103 is executed by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 may not include some of the components shown in Figure 3, or it may include other components. At least some of the functions realized by the software may be executed by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The above description applies to the image forming apparatus 103 as well as to the software configuration examples of other devices described later.

[0031] Operating System 360 provides various resource management services and frameworks optimized for controlling embedded systems for the software running on it. Specifically, these resource management services and frameworks include multitasking management, which enables multiple processes to run virtually in parallel by managing multiple execution contexts for CPU 201 processes, and inter-task communication, which enables synchronization and data exchange between tasks. Furthermore, Operating System 360 also provides memory management, interrupt management, various device drivers, and a protocol stack that implements processing for various protocols such as local interfaces, networks, and communications.

[0032] The controller platform 350 includes a user management module 351, a job / device control module 352, and a data management module 353. The user management module 351 provides applications with a mechanism for managing local user information (e.g., authentication information) within the image forming apparatus 103 using RAM 203 or HDD 204. A login application can implement user login control in the image forming apparatus 103 using the authentication information of the local user managed by the user management module 351. The job / device control module 352 executes image forming jobs such as scanning, printing, and copying by controlling the printer 211 and scanner 212 according to instructions from the application. The job / device control module 352 also manages the status and errors of devices such as the printer 211 and scanner 212.

[0033] The data management module 353 manages image data and various configuration data used when executing image forming jobs. The data management module 353 also manages job execution history, counter information, various data controlled by the application, and device information of the image forming apparatus 103. The device information may include configuration information regarding the configuration of the image forming apparatus 103 and capability information regarding the capabilities of the image forming apparatus 103.

[0034] System service 310 is a software module that manages program updates for the controller platform 350 and operating system 360, as well as device information and network settings. Furthermore, system service 310 constitutes a web portal 311. The web portal 311 can be operated from a remote terminal (for example, an information processing terminal 104).

[0035] The application platform 340 is middleware that can be used by various applications. The application platform 340 makes the mechanisms of the operating system 360 and the controller platform 350 available to various applications. These various applications are contained within the basic application library 320 and the extended application library 330, which will be described later.

[0036] The basic application library 320 is a group of applications that provide the basic functions of the image forming apparatus 103. These applications are stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204 from the initial state when the image forming apparatus 103 is shipped. The extended application library 330 is a group of optional applications that are individually installed and operated to extend the functions realized by the image forming apparatus 103. Each application displays a screen on the operation unit 213 and realizes various functions according to the user operations received by the operation unit 213.

[0037] In the example in Figure 3, the basic application library 320 includes Copy 321 and Application Manager 322. Copy 321 is an application for executing copy jobs that scan a document and print it on paper. Application Manager 322 is an application for managing the installation and uninstallation of extended applications in the Extended Application Library 330.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 3, the extended application library 330 has the following extended applications installed: user login authentication 331, cloud scan 332, and cloud print 333.

[0039] User login authentication 331 is an application that displays a screen for entering user authentication information on the operation unit 213 and uses the user authentication information entered on the operation unit 213 to perform user login processing for the image forming apparatus 103. User login authentication 331 may perform user login processing not only using user authentication information entered on the operation unit 213, but also using user authentication information read from an ID card reader or biometric authentication device connected via the expansion device I / F 207. User login authentication 331 may also perform user authentication by communicating with the print server 101 via the network I / F 205 and comparing the user authentication information managed on the print server 101 with the user authentication information entered on the image forming apparatus 103. User login authentication 331 may also perform user authentication by comparing the entered user authentication information with the user authentication information managed by the user management module 351.

[0040] Cloud Scan 332 is an application that sends image files generated by scanning a document with the image forming apparatus 103 to the storage server 102. Cloud Print 333 is an application that prints image data to be printed, received from the print server 101, using the image forming apparatus 103. Cloud Print 333 may also print image data to be printed, received from the storage server 102, using the image forming apparatus 103. Cloud Print 333 sends the print execution result to the print server 101.

[0041] [Example of print server software configuration] Referring to Figure 4, an example of the software configuration of the print server 101 will be described. Figure 4 illustrates the case where the print server 101 is hosted on a cloud platform. The print server 101 has similar functionality in other cases as well.

[0042] Infrastructure 430 is the foundation upon which the print server 101 provides various services. Infrastructure 430 includes virtual machines, storage, networking, and an operating system.

[0043] Platform 420 is a framework that utilizes infrastructure 430 to provide common basic functions to application manager 410. Platform 420 includes a web portal 421, computing 422, storage 423, and database 424.

[0044] The application manager 410 represents a group of applications that run on the platform 420. The application manager 410 includes user management 411, license management 412, authentication management 413, print applications 414, and aggregation / reporting 415.

[0045] User management 411 centrally manages user information on the print server 101. User registration and deletion may also be performed from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 103. User management 411 manages the target user information using the database 424. User management 411 may also be a web application that provides an API (Application Programming Interface) that accepts user authentication instructions from the user login authentication 331 running on the image forming apparatus 103.

[0046] License management 412 is a web application that provides a web service screen for centrally managing each application on the print server 101 using the web portal 421. Through this web service screen, users can install, register licenses for, and uninstall managed applications. Alternatively, license management 412 may be a web application that provides an API to accept license registration instructions from user login authentication 331 and application management 322, which operate on the image forming apparatus 103. If license registration instructed by application management 322 of the image forming apparatus 103 is successful, license management 412 retrieves the print service utilization application running on the image forming apparatus 103 from storage 423. License management 412 then provides the retrieved print service utilization application to the image forming apparatus 103.

[0047] Authentication management 413 is a web application that provides a web service screen for configuring user login authentication methods using the web portal 421. This web service screen allows for the configuration of user login authentication methods for each application centrally managed on the print server 101. Authentication management 413 manages the target user login authentication methods using storage 423 or database 424. Furthermore, authentication management 413 is a web application that provides an API for receiving instructions from user login authentication 331, which operates on the image forming apparatus 103, to request configuration information. Authentication management 413 also handles access to various web service screens provided by the application manager 410 and user authentication during API calls.

[0048] The user management 411, license management 412, and authentication management 413, which are executed on the print server 101, can work in conjunction with the user login authentication 331, which is executed on the image forming apparatus 103. This makes it possible to log in to the image forming apparatus 103 using a unified user authentication method and authentication information.

[0049] The print application 414 is a web application that uses the web portal 421 to provide an API that receives instructions to request documents to be printed and instructions to execute printing from the cloud print 333, which is executed on the image forming apparatus 103. In response to receiving an instruction to request documents to be printed, the print application 414 returns a list of documents to be printed that exist in the target storage. Also, in response to receiving an instruction to execute printing, the print application 414 uses computing 422 to convert the data to be printed into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103. Alternatively, the print application 414 may be a web application that provides an API to receive print jobs sent via email from the information processing terminal 104 and an API to receive instructions to request print jobs from the cloud print 333.

[0050] The print application 414 of the print server 101 and the cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 can operate in conjunction. This allows the user to execute the same print workflow in the image forming apparatus 103 as they would on the print server 101.

[0051] The aggregation / reporting 415 is a web application that provides an API for receiving job execution results transmitted from the cloud scan 332 and cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 using the web portal 421. Alternatively, the aggregation / reporting 415 may be a web application that uses computing 422 to aggregate the received job execution results and provides a web service screen that displays those aggregated results.

[0052] The web service screens and APIs provided by the application manager 410 are managed individually on a tenant basis, and for example, a different URL is generated for each tenant. Similarly, the data managed by the application manager 410 is also managed individually on a tenant basis. A tenant may refer to a management unit within the print system 100, and for example, tenants may be organized by company or organizational unit.

[0053] [Software configuration of information processing terminals] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the information processing terminal 104 in this embodiment. The program running on the information processing terminal 104 includes a network communication unit 510 and a web page display unit 520. The network communication unit 510 is a module for connecting to the LAN 111 and communicating with the print server 101. The web page display unit 520 displays a web service screen provided by the print server 101 and acquires user operations on that screen. The web page display unit 520 may also be a web browser.

[0054] [How to register an image forming apparatus with a print server] Referring to Figure 6, a method for registering the image forming apparatus 103 with the print server 101 and installing an application for using the print server 101 on the print server 101 will be described. The image forming apparatus 103's processing is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing it on CPU 201. Similarly, the print server 101's processing is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221. The method shown in Figure 6 is initiated when a user 600 of the image forming apparatus 103 (for example, an administrator) instructs the display of a screen for registering a usage license for the print server 101 using the operation unit 213.

[0055] In S601, the application management unit 322 of the image forming apparatus 103 receives a request from the user 600 of the image forming apparatus 103 via the operation unit 213 to display a screen for registering a usage license for the print server 101. The screen for registering a usage license for the print server 101 is called the license registration screen. In S602, the application management unit 322 displays the license registration screen on the operation unit 213.

[0056] Referring to Figure 7, an example of the license registration screen 700 is described. The license registration screen 700 includes a license key input field 701 and an apply button 702. User 600 enters a license key obtained in advance to extend the functions of the image forming apparatus 103 into the license key input field 701 of the license registration screen 700 and operates the apply button 702. In S603, the application manager 322 retrieves the license key entered into the license key input field 701 in response to the operation of the apply button 702.

[0057] In S604, the application manager 322 sends the license key obtained in S603 and the device identification information of the image forming apparatus 103 to the print server 101. The device identification information of the image forming apparatus 103 is information that allows the print server 101 to uniquely identify the image forming apparatus 103, and is pre-stored in, for example, ROM 202. The device identification information is, for example, a serial number. The address of the print server 101 is also pre-stored in, for example, HDD 204.

[0058] In S605, the license management unit 412 of the print server 101 verifies the license key received in S604. The example in Figure 6 describes the case where the license key is determined to be valid.

[0059] In S606, the license management system 412 registers the image forming apparatus 103, identified by the device identification information received in S604, in the database 424 as a device that can use the print server 101. The license management system 412 may also register the image forming apparatus 103 in association with a specific tenant. The license management system 412 may identify the tenant to which the image forming apparatus 103 is associated in any way. For example, the license management system 412 may associate the license key with a specific tenant when issuing it, and then identify the tenant based on the license key obtained in S604. Alternatively, in S604, the license management system 412 may further obtain the tenant ID of the tenant using the image forming apparatus 103 from the image forming apparatus 103.

[0060] In S607, the license manager 412 sends an application for using the print server 101 to the image forming apparatus 103. In S608, the application manager 322 installs the received application to the image forming apparatus 103. This process makes cloud printing 333 available for use in the image forming apparatus 103.

[0061] In S609, the cloud print 333 obtains the device configuration information of the image forming apparatus 103 from the data management module 353 and sends it to the print server 101. Refer to Figure 8 to see various examples of device information. "serialNo" indicates the serial number. As mentioned above, the serial number is an example of device identification information. "modelName" indicates the model. "firmwareVersion" indicates the firmware version. "region" indicates the destination country. "memoryCapacity" indicates the memory capacity installed in the image forming apparatus. Within the range of the "memoryCapacity" value, the image forming apparatus can execute printing of print data. "licenses" shows a list of registered licenses. "printableFormat" shows the printable data format. The printable data format may be expressed as a page description language. "registeredAt" shows the registration date and time. Of these items, "serialNo", "modelName", "firmwareVersion", "region", "licenses", "memoryCapacity", and "registeredAt" may be classified as configuration information. "printableFormat" may be classified as device information.

[0062] In S610, the print application 414 registers the device information received from the image forming apparatus 103 in association with the image forming apparatus 103. Specifically, the print application 414 identifies one image forming apparatus 103 from among the one or more image forming apparatuses 103 registered in the database 424 that has the "serialNo" of the received configuration information. The print application 414 stores the device information in the database 424 in association with this image forming apparatus 103.

[0063] Through the above operations, the image forming apparatus 103 is registered with the print server 101 as a device available to the print server 101.

[0064] [How to install applications on an information processing terminal] Referring to Figure 9, a method for accessing the Web portal 421 of the print server 101 from the information processing terminal 104 and installing an application for using the print server 101 on the information processing terminal 104 will be described. Processing on the information processing terminal 104 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 242 into RAM 243 and executing it on CPU 241. Similarly, processing on the print server 101 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221. The method shown in Figure 9 is initiated when the user 900 of the information processing terminal 104 instructs access to the Web portal 421 using the control panel.

[0065] In S901, the Web page display unit 520 of the information processing terminal 104 receives an instruction from the user 900 to access the Web portal 421 via the operation unit and device I / F 246. In S902, the Web page display unit 520 requests the print server 101 to display the screen of the Web portal 421 via the network communication unit 510, in response to the instruction received in S901. In S903, the Web portal 421 sends an authentication screen for logging into the Web portal 421 to the information processing terminal 104 in response to the request in S902. In S904, the Web page display unit 520 displays the screen received from the print server 101 on the display of the information processing terminal 104.

[0066] Referring to Figure 10, an example of an authentication screen 1000 for logging into the Web portal 421 is described. The authentication screen 1000 includes an input field 1001 for entering a tenant ID, an input field 1002 for entering a user ID, and an input field 1003 for entering a password. The authentication screen 1000 further includes a login button 1004 for obtaining login instructions. User 900 enters the requested information into input fields 1001 to 1003 and operates the login button 1004.

[0067] In S905, the web page display unit 520 retrieves the information entered in input fields 1001 to 1003 in response to the operation of the login button 1004. This information may be called authentication information as it is used for user authentication. In S906, the web page display unit 520 sends an authentication request containing the authentication information obtained in S905 to the print server 101.

[0068] In S907, the authentication management unit 413 of the print server 101 verifies the authentication information received in S906. In the example in Figure 9, it is assumed that this verification is successful. In S908, the web portal 421 sends its screen to the information processing terminal 104. This screen is called the portal screen. In S909, the web page display unit 520 displays the portal screen received in S908 on the display of the information processing terminal 104.

[0069] Refer to Figures 11 to 14 to explain an example of a portal screen. The portal screen 1100 in Figure 11 is the screen displayed when the list menu 1102 is selected from menu 1101. The portal screen 1100 includes a registered printer list 1106. The registered printer list 1106 displays a list of image forming machines registered in the tenant to which user 900, authenticated by S907, belongs, and information on each image forming machine. In the example in Figure 11, the model name, serial number, and registration date are displayed as information on the image forming machine. Alternatively, or in addition to these, device information may be displayed as information on the image forming machine.

[0070] The portal screen 1200 in Figure 12 is the screen displayed when the settings menu 1103 is selected from menu 1101. The portal screen 1200 includes a field 1201 containing a pull-down menu for specifying default print settings and a button for saving. The user 900 can change these print settings.

[0071] The portal screen 1300 in Figure 13 is the screen displayed when the print menu 1104 is selected from menu 1101. The portal screen 1300 includes a field 1301 for specifying the data to be printed, a field 1302 for specifying print settings, and a button 1303 for instructing the user to execute the print job.

[0072] The portal screen 1400 in Figure 14 is the screen displayed when the application settings menu 1105 is selected from menu 1101. The portal screen 1400 includes a button 1401 for instructing the user to download an application provided by the print server 101. Once such an application is installed, the information processing terminal 104 becomes able to send print instructions for files from its own software (e.g., document software, spreadsheet software, etc.) to the print server 101.

[0073] Returning to the explanation of Figure 9, at S910, the web page display unit 520 detects that the user 900 has operated button 1401 on the portal screen 1400. At S911, the web page display unit 520 requests an application from the print server 101 in response to the operation of button 1401. At S912, the web portal 421 reads the application stored in the storage 423 and sends it to the information processing terminal 104. The web portal 421 notifies the user 900 that the application has been received.

[0074] In S913, the web page display unit 520 detects that the user 900 has instructed it to install an application. In S914, the web page display unit 520 installs the application received in S912.

[0075] Referring to Figure 15, an example of screen 1500 for using an application installed on S914 is described. Screen 1500 is a screen for instructing the print server 101 to print a file opened in spreadsheet software installed on the information processing terminal 104. Screen 1500 includes a button 1501 for instructing printing, a list 1502 for specifying the image forming apparatus to perform the printing, a field 1503 for specifying print settings, and a preview display 1504. Because the application is installed on S914, "Cloud Print Service" for instructing the print server 101 to print is selectable in list 1502. In response to the user 900 operating button 1501, the information processing terminal 104 instructs the print server 101 to print the target data with the settings specified in field 1503.

[0076] [How a print server converts print data] Referring to Figure 16, the method by which the print server 101 converts print data for transmission to the image forming apparatus 103 will be described. The processing of the print server 101 is realized by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221. The method in Figure 16 is started when the information processing terminal 104 sends a print command to the print server 101. For example, a print command is given by user 900 operating button 1303 on portal screen 1300 and button 1501 on screen 1500. In the print command, user 900 specifies the data to be printed and the settings for printing that data.

[0077] Furthermore, in the print command, user 900 specifies whether to perform retained printing or push printing. For example, when user 900 operates button 1303 on portal screen 1300 and button 1501 on screen 1500, a screen may be presented to user 900 to select an image forming apparatus for performing retained printing or push printing. Additionally, a button may be provided in the print settings menu 1302 on portal screen 1300 or the print settings menu 1503 on screen 1500 to select an image forming apparatus 103 for performing retained printing or push printing. Moreover, user 900 may pre-configure which image forming apparatus 103 will be used for retained printing or push printing.

[0078] The data to be printed is referred to as print data. The settings for printing are referred to as print settings. In the following explanation, it is assumed that user 900, who installed the application on the information processing terminal 104 in the process shown in Figure 9, issues a print command. Alternatively, the application installation and the print command may be performed by separate users 900. In this example, the print server 101 obtains the print data from the information processing terminal 104. Alternatively, the print server 101 may obtain a specification for the storage location of the print data from the information processing terminal 104 and obtain the print data from an information processing device different from the information processing terminal 104 (for example, a storage server 102).

[0079] In S1601, the print application 414 of the print server 101 receives a print job from the information processing terminal 104. The print job includes a print instruction indicating whether it is a push print or a hold print, and the print data. In the case of a push print, it includes information identifying the image forming apparatus 103 that will perform the print. In the case of a hold print, it is not necessary to identify the image forming apparatus 103 that will perform the print at this stage.

[0080] In S1602, the print application 414 of the print server 101 determines whether the print instruction for the received print job is a push print or a hold print. The method of determination here is not limited to the configuration as long as the print application 414 of the print server 101 can determine whether the received print instruction is a push print or a hold print. In S1602, if it is determined to be a hold print, the process transitions to S1603, and if it is determined to be a push print, the process transitions to S1606.

[0081] In S1602, if the print instruction is determined to be a hold print, the print server 101 processes the print data as a hold print. That is, the print server 101 holds the print data until it receives an additional instruction from the user 900, and then transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus 103 in response to the additional instruction from the user 900.

[0082] In S1603, the print application 414 identifies the image forming apparatus 103 registered in the tenant to which user 900, who issued the print command, belongs. First, the print application 414 identifies the tenant to which user 900 belongs. The print application 414 may obtain the tenant ID entered in the input field 1001 of the authentication screen 1000 from the information processing terminal 104. Alternatively, the print server 101 may store the user's user ID in association with the tenant ID of the tenant to which this user belongs, and identify the tenant ID based on the user ID obtained from the information processing terminal 104. Alternatively, the print server 101 may query the tenant ID from another server that stores the user's user ID in association with the tenant ID of the tenant to which this user belongs. After that, the print application 414 refers to the database 424 to identify one or more image forming apparatuses 103 registered in association with the tenant ID. One or more image forming machines 103 registered in association with a specific tenant may match one or more image forming machines 103 included in the registered printer list 1106 on the portal screen 1100.

[0083] In S1604, the print application 414 refers to the device information of each image forming apparatus 103 registered in the database 424 to identify data formats that can be printed on at least one of the one or more image forming apparatuses 103 identified in S1603. The identified data formats may be managed in a list. This list is referred to as the data format list.

[0084] As described above, the print server 101 obtains device information from the image forming apparatus 103 using the message shown in Figure 8, and manages the device information for each image forming apparatus 103. The image forming apparatus 103 with the device information in Figure 8(a) (serial number "AAA00001") can print in "PDF" and "LIPSLX" data formats. The image forming apparatus 103 with the device information in Figure 8(b) (serial number "BBB00001") can print in "LIPSLX" data format. The image forming apparatus 103 with the device information in Figure 8(c) (serial number "CCC00001") can print in "JPEG" data format. Therefore, for the tenant in which these three image forming apparatuses 103 are registered, S1604 identifies the union of these data formats, which is {"PDF", "LIPSLX", "JPEG"}. In S1604, instead of the union of data formats, {"LIPSLX", "JPEG"} may be used. Since printing can be performed by any of the image forming apparatuses 103 if the data format is {"LIPSLX" or "JPEG"}, it is acceptable to prioritize a data format common to multiple image forming apparatuses 103.

[0085] In S1605, the print application 414 converts the print data received in S1601 into one or more data formats identified in S1604 and stores the converted print data. For example, the print application 414 saves the converted print data to storage 423. In the example above, the print data is converted to "PDF", "LIPSLX", and "JPEG". The print application 414 may also save the converted print data associated with the user 900 (specifically, their user ID) who issued the print command.

[0086] [Method for push printing of print data from a print server using an image forming machine] If the print command is determined to be a push print in S1602, the print server 101 processes the print data as a push print. That is, the print server 101 processes the data to send it to the image forming apparatus 103 specified in the print job.

[0087] In S1606, the print application 414 of the print server 101 obtains device information for the image forming apparatus 103 that performs push printing. From the "serialNo" information of the image forming apparatus 103 that performs push printing, the image forming apparatus 103 registered in the database 424 is identified in S610, and device information is obtained. The device information is obtained in the format shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c).

[0088] In S1607, the print application 414 uses the print data information of the print job and the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 acquired in S1606 to determine whether conversion of the print data is necessary. If it is determined in S1607 that conversion is necessary (YES), the process proceeds to S1608; if it is determined that conversion is not necessary (NO), the process proceeds to S1609.

[0089] Here, referring to Figure 17, we will explain how to determine whether or not the print data conversion performed in S1607 is necessary, and how to convert the print data in S1608. In S1701, the print application 414 obtains the printable data format of the image forming apparatus 103 from the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 obtained in S1606 in Figure 16. Specifically, it obtains the "printableFormat" value of the image forming apparatus 103 that performs printing from the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 obtained as shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c).

[0090] In S1702, the print application 414 determines whether the data format of the received print data is a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 acquired in S1701. For example, suppose the data format of the received print data is PDF format. If the image forming apparatus 103 that performs the printing is the one configured in Figure 8(a), then "PDF" exists in the "printableFormat" value. Therefore, in S1702, the print application 414 determines that the data format of the print data is a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 (YES). If the image forming apparatus 103 is configured in Figure 8(b), then only "LIPSLX" exists in the "printableFormat" value of the device information. Therefore, in S1702, the print application 414 determines that the data format of the print data is not a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 (NO). Thus, in S1702, if the print application 414 determines that the data format of the print data is a printable data format for the image forming apparatus 103 (YES), it proceeds to S1703. On the other hand, in S1702, if the print application 414 determines that the data format of the print data is not a printable data format for the image forming apparatus 103 (NO), it proceeds to S1706.

[0091] Here, even if the data format of the received print data is a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103, conversion of the print data may be necessary. For example, when printing PDF data with the image forming apparatus 103 that supports PDF Direct, the image forming apparatus 103 needs to download the PDF data to its memory before performing the print operation.

[0092] Therefore, the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103 must be larger than the PDF data to be downloaded for printing. The print application 414 determines that the print data needs to be converted if the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103 is insufficient for the print data. For example, the print application 414 switches between printing directly as a PDF or converting the data and dividing it into smaller parts than the memory capacity before sending it to the image forming apparatus 103, depending on the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103 and the size of the print data.

[0093] In S1703, the print application 414 obtains the amount of memory installed in the image forming apparatus 103 that performs the printing. Specifically, the print application 414 obtains the value of "memoryCapacity" from the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 obtained as shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c).

[0094] In S1704, the print application 414 determines whether the size of the received print data is greater than the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103, which performs the printing, as indicated by the value of memoryCapacity. If the size of the received print data is less than the amount of memory installed in the image forming apparatus 103 (NO), no conversion of the print data is required, and the process proceeds to S1609 in Figure 16. In S1704, if the size of the received print data is greater than the memory capacity installed in the image forming apparatus 103 (YES), the process proceeds to S1706.

[0095] In S1706, the print application 414 converts the print data received in S1601 into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 that performs the printing. For example, suppose the received print data is in "PDF" format and the image forming apparatus 103 (serial number "BBB00001") that performs the printing is "LIPSLX". In this case, the print application 414 converts the PDF print data into "LIPSLX", which is the value of "printableFormat" of the image forming apparatus 103 (serial number "BBB00001").

[0096] If the image forming apparatus 103 has multiple "printableFormat" values, the print application 414 may prioritize selecting the conversion format that is least time-consuming and costly to convert the data format. For example, if the "printableFormat" value includes "PDF", the data format may be preferentially converted to "PDF". An image forming apparatus 103 that supports PDF printing (supports PDF Direct) can print PDF data without going through a printer driver, thus enabling high-speed printing.

[0097] Furthermore, the print application 414 can divide and convert the print data into pieces smaller than the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103. Even if the capacity of the print data is greater than the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus 103, the image forming apparatus 103 can download the print data divided into pieces and perform printing.

[0098] Furthermore, the print application 414 may divide and save the converted data to be stored in the storage 423 from the pieces after the conversion is complete. By doing so, the data conversion process of the print server 101 and the printing process of the image forming apparatus 103 can be executed in parallel. The print server 101 may dynamically change the conversion unit in which the print data is divided and converted based on the value of "memoryCapacity" in the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 that performs the printing.

[0099] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16, in S1609, the print application 414 sends the print data converted in S1608 or the print data determined not to require conversion in S1607 to the image forming apparatus 103. Then, this flow ends.

[0100] When print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 103, the job device control module 352 of the image forming apparatus 103 receives the print data or converted print data. Then, the cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 executes printing of the received print data.

[0101] Here, there are several ways to send print data to the printer and execute printing. One method is for the image forming apparatus 103 to receive print execution notifications from the print server 101 using the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol. Another method is for the image forming apparatus 103 to periodically send print job acquisition requests to the print server 101 and monitor the process through polling.

[0102] When the converted data to be stored in the aforementioned storage 423 is divided and stored piece by piece after the conversion is complete, a print execution notification from the print server 101 to the image forming apparatus 103 may be sent using the MQTT protocol after the conversion of the first piece. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 103 may acquire the print data when the print server 101 is ready to print.

[0103] [A method for printing print data stored on a print server using an image forming apparatus.] Referring to Figure 18, the method for printing the print data stored in the print server 101 using the image forming apparatus 103 when it is determined to be a retained print in S1602 of Figure 16 will be described. The processing of the image forming apparatus 103 is realized by reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it on the CPU 201. Similarly, the processing of the print server 101 is realized by reading the program stored in the ROM 222 into the RAM 223 and executing it on the CPU 221. At the start of the execution of the method in Figure 18, the method in Figure 16 has finished, and the converted print data is stored in the print server 101. The method in Figure 18 is started in response to the user 900 operating (for example, touching) the operation unit 213 of the image forming apparatus 103. In the following description, it is assumed that the user 900 who issued the print command in the processing of Figure 16 operates the image forming apparatus 103 in Figure 18. The method shown in Figure 18 may be executable by all or some of the image forming apparatuses 103 included in the print system 100.

[0104] In S1801, the application platform 340 of the image forming apparatus 103 displays a login screen on the operation unit 213 for user 900 to log in to the image forming apparatus 103. An example of the login screen 1900 will be described with reference to Figure 19(a). The login screen 1900 includes an input field 1901 for entering a username and an input field 1902 for entering a password. The login screen 1900 further includes a login button 1903 for obtaining login instructions. User 900 enters the requested information into input fields 1901 and 1902 and operates the login button 1903.

[0105] In S1802, the application platform 340 retrieves the information entered in input fields 1901 and 1902 in response to the operation of the login button 1903. In S1803, the application platform 340 authenticates user 900 by comparing the username and password retrieved in S1802 with the username and password registered in the user management module 351. In the example in Figure 18, it is assumed that authentication of user 900 was successful.

[0106] In S1804, the application platform 340 displays a screen on the operation unit 213 that includes a list of applications installed on the image forming apparatus 103. An example of such a list screen 2000 will be described with reference to Figure 20(a). The list screen 2000 includes a field 2001 that displays a list of applications installed on the image forming apparatus 103. In field 2001, each application is represented by an icon. The application platform 340 determines which applications to include in field 2001 based on the user 900's license.

[0107] In S1805, the application platform 340 obtains from the user 900 the designation of one of the applications included in field 2001. In the following description, it is assumed that "Cloud Print" is designated. In S1806, the application platform 340 starts Cloud Print 333 in response to the designation of "Cloud Print". Cloud Print 333 requests the Cloud Print application screen from the print server 101. In S1807, the print application 414 on the print server 101, in response to receiving the request in S1809, sends an authentication screen for logging into the print server 101 to the image forming apparatus 103.

[0108] Referring to Figure 19(b), an example of an authentication screen 1910 for logging into the cloud print service is described. The authentication screen 1910 includes an input field 1911 for entering the tenant ID, an input field 1912 for entering the user ID, and an input field 1913 for entering the password. The authentication screen 1910 further includes a login button 1914 for obtaining login instructions. User 900 enters the requested information into input fields 1911-1913 and operates the login button 1914.

[0109] In S1808, Cloud Print 303 retrieves the information entered in input fields 1911-1913 in response to the operation of the login button 1914. This information may be called authentication information as it is used for user authentication. In S1809, Cloud Print 303 sends an authentication request containing the authentication information obtained in S1808 to the print server 101.

[0110] In S1810, the authentication management 413 of the print server 101 verifies the authentication information received in S1809. In the example in Figure 18, it is assumed that this verification is successful. In S1811, the print application 414 sends a screen to the image forming apparatus 103 that contains a list of print jobs previously generated in accordance with a print instruction from the authenticated user 900 and held by the print server 101. The screen containing the list of print jobs held by the print server 101 is referred to as the job list screen. In S1812, the cloud print 333 displays the job list screen received in S1811 on the operation unit 213.

[0111] Refer to Figure 20(b) for an example of the Job List screen 2010. The Job List screen 2010 includes a field 1911 that displays a list of printable print jobs held on the print server 101, which were previously generated in accordance with a print command from an authenticated user 900. The field 2011 allows the user 900 to select one or more of the displayed print jobs. The Job List screen 2010 further includes a print button 2012 for receiving a print command for the selected print job.

[0112] In the example of the Job List screen 2010 in Figure 20(b), only information on jobs for which data format conversion and saving of print data have been completed in S1605 is displayed. As another example, the Job List screen 2010 may also include jobs for which the data format conversion process for print data in S1605 has not yet been completed. Jobs for which the data format conversion process has not been completed and printing cannot be executed may be grayed out or the check button may be disabled so that user 900 cannot select them. Alternatively, an icon may be added to the jobs in the Job List screen 2010 so that user 900 can recognize that the data format conversion process for print data is in progress and that it cannot be selected yet.

[0113] In the following explanation, it is assumed that user 900 has selected a print job with the file name "1234567.xlsx" and has operated the print button 2012. In S1813, Cloud Print 333 obtains the print job selection in field 2011 in response to the operation of the print button 2012. In S1814, Cloud Print 333 requests print data for the print job selected by user 900 from the print server 101. Cloud Print 333 may include information identifying the image forming apparatus 103 in this request, such as the serial number of the image forming apparatus 103. For example, if the image forming apparatus 103 being operated by user 900 is "PrinterB" in the registered printer list 1106, its serial number "BBB00001" will be included in the request.

[0114] In S1815, the print application 414 of the print server 101 identifies the data format of the print data to be sent to the image forming apparatus 103 in response to the request received in S1814. First, the print application 414 refers to the database 424 to identify the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 that sent the request. Then, based on the identified device information, the print application 414 identifies the data format that this image forming apparatus 103 can print. As described above with reference to Figure 8, the data format that the image forming apparatus 103 with serial number "BBB00001" can print is "LIPSLX".

[0115] If there are multiple data formats that the image forming apparatus 103 can print, the print application 414 may select one of the multiple data formats in any way. For example, the multiple data formats may have a predetermined priority, and the print application 414 may select the data format with the highest priority among the multiple data formats that the image forming apparatus 103 can print. Alternatively, 414 may select one data format from the multiple data formats that the image forming apparatus 103 can print, either in a round-robin or random manner. Alternatively, if there are multiple data formats that the image forming apparatus 103 can print, the print application 414 may specify all of these data formats as the data formats for the print data to be sent to the image forming apparatus 103.

[0116] In S1816, the print application 414 transmits to the image forming apparatus 103 the print data requested by the image forming apparatus 103, which has already been converted to the data format specified in S1815 and stored in the storage 423. If multiple data formats are specified in S1815, the print application 414 transmits to the image forming apparatus 103 the print data that has been converted to each of the multiple data formats.

[0117] In S1817, Cloud Print 333 prints the print data received in S1816. If Cloud Print 333 receives print data converted into multiple data formats in S1816, it prints the print data in one of the data formats.

[0118] As described above, according to this embodiment, the print server 101 identifies a data format for converting print data based on the device information of one or more image forming apparatuses 103. Therefore, the print data is converted into a format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that will perform the printing. Specifically, when print data is obtained from a user, the print data is converted into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that this user may perform printing on. As a result, the processing time when the user performs printing on the image forming apparatus 103 can be reduced. Furthermore, by converting the print data only into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus in the tenant to which the user belongs, the processing load and storage capacity used by the print server 101 can be reduced.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, in the case of retained printing, the print server 101 converts the print data into one or more data formats regardless of whether it has received a request for print data from one or more image forming apparatuses 103 included in the print system 100. Specifically, the print server 101 converts the print data in response to (for example, subsequently to) the acquisition of print data from the information processing terminal 104. Alternatively, the print server 101 may convert the print data in response to the fulfillment of other conditions. For example, in S1810 of Figure 18, the print server 101 may convert the print data in response to the authentication of user 900 who is logged into the image forming apparatus 103. In this case, based on the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 that sent the authentication request in S1809, the print server 101 may convert the print data into one or more data formats that the image forming apparatus 103 can print.

[0120] In the embodiment described above, the print server 101 identifies the image forming apparatus 103 registered in the tenant to which the user belongs in S1603 of Figure 16. Alternatively, the print server 101 does not need to execute S1603. In this case, the print server 101 may identify the data format that can be printed by at least one of the one or more image forming apparatuses 103 registered with the print server 101 in S1604.

[0121] In the above-described embodiment, the print server 101 converted the data format of the print data. In the fourth embodiment, the conversion server 105, which will be described later, may perform the conversion of the data format of the print data.

[0122] <Second Embodiment> A print system 100 according to the second embodiment will now be described. Points that are the same as those in the first embodiment will be omitted from the explanation, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0123] In the second embodiment, the portal screen 2100 shown in Figure 21 is used instead of the portal screen 1100 shown in Figure 11. The portal screen 2100 differs from the portal screen 1100 in that it includes a registered printer list 2101 instead of a registered printer list 1106, and further includes an apply button 2102. The registered printer list 2101 differs from the registered printer list 1106 in that it has a column for obtaining the designation of an image forming apparatus that the user may use.

[0124] In S907, user 900, authenticated by print server 101, can use this column to specify one or more image forming machines 103 registered in the tenant to which they belong that they may use. The Web page display unit 520 of information processing terminal 104 sends the settings of the registered printer list 2101 along with user 900's user ID to print server 101 when user 900 operates the apply button 2002.

[0125] The print server 101 stores the settings sent from the information processing terminal 104, associating them with the user. Figure 22 illustrates the format of the data held in the database 424 for storing these settings. "UserID" represents the user's identifier. "registeredDevices" represents information about one or more image forming machines 103 registered in the tenant to which the user belongs. "isUse" indicates whether the user is configured to use each individual image forming machine 103.

[0126] When "isUse" is set to "false," it indicates that the individual image forming apparatus 103 is not set for use by the user. When "isUse" is set to "true," it indicates that the individual image forming apparatus 103 is set for use by the user. In the example in Figure 21, only the image forming apparatus 103 with serial number "CCC00001" has "isUse" set to "true" (used). The print server 101 manages one or more image forming apparatuses 103 associated in this way for each of the multiple users.

[0127] In the second embodiment, at S1604 in Figure 16, the print application 414 identifies printable data formats based on the device information of one or more image forming apparatuses 103 associated with the user who specified the data to be printed. The print application 414 identifies one or more image forming apparatuses 103 associated with the user who specified the data to be printed from among the one or more image forming apparatuses 103 identified in S1603. Then, based on the device information of the one or more identified image forming apparatuses 103, the print application 414 identifies data formats that can be printed by at least one of the image forming apparatuses 103. For example, in the above example, since it is set that only the image forming apparatus 103 with serial number "CCC00001" can be used, referring to Figure 8(c), only the "JPEG" format is identified.

[0128] As described above, by converting the print data into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus configured for use by the user, the processing load and storage capacity used by the print server 101 can be reduced.

[0129] <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment will be described below. The third embodiment is a modification of the first and second embodiments described above, and while it may be similar to the embodiments described above, the differences will be explained.

[0130] If the number of image forming apparatuses 103 registered with the print server 101 increases or decreases while the print server 101 is holding print data, the image forming apparatus 103 that a user might use may change. Therefore, in the modified example, further conversion of the data format of the print data or deletion of the converted print data is performed in response to this change.

[0131] First, referring to Figure 23, we will explain how the print server 101 performs operations based on the registration of a new image forming apparatus 103 with the print server 101 while print data in one or more data formats is being held. The print server 101's operations are performed by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221.

[0132] In S2301, the print application 414 of the print server 101 retrieves the newly registered device information of the image forming apparatus 103 from the database 424.

[0133] In S2302, the print application 414 updates the data format list for each of the multiple print data held, based on the newly registered device information of the image forming apparatus 103. As described above, the data format list is a list of data formats that can be printed by at least one of the one or more image forming apparatuses 103.

[0134] In S2303, the print application 414 determines whether the updated data format list includes the new data format. If the print application 414 determines that the updated data format list includes the new data format (YES in S2203), it proceeds to S2304; otherwise (NO in S2203), it terminates the process.

[0135] In S2304, the print application 414 further converts the print data to a newly added data format due to the update of the data format list, and holds the converted print data. This allows the data format of the print data to be converted before the print data is requested, even when the user uses the image forming apparatus 103 that was registered after the converted print data has been held.

[0136] Next, we will explain the case in which the registration of one or more image forming apparatuses 103 registered with the print server 101 is canceled while print data in one or more data formats is being held.

[0137] To perform this processing, the portal screen 2400 shown in Figure 24 is used instead of the portal screen 1100 shown in Figure 11. The portal screen 2400 may be displayed when the device administrator logs in. The portal screen 2400 differs from the portal screen 1100 in that it includes a registered printer list 2401 instead of the registered printer list 1106, and further includes an apply button 2402. The registered printer list 2401 differs from the registered printer list 1106 in that it has a column for obtaining the designation of the image forming apparatus to be unregistered.

[0138] The user (administrator) can use this column to specify one or more image forming machines 103 registered in the tenant they manage that they want to deregister. The Web page display unit 520 of the information processing terminal 104 sends the identifier of the image forming machine 103 to be deregistered to the print server 101 when the user operates the apply button 2402.

[0139] Referring to Figure 25, the method executed by the print server 101 based on the unregistration of one or more image forming apparatuses 103 registered with the print server 101 while print data in one or more data formats is being held will be described. The processing by the print server 101 is realized by reading a program stored in the ROM 222 into the RAM 223 and executing it on the CPU 221.

[0140] In S2501, the print application 414 updates the data format list for each of the multiple print data held, based on the device information of the currently registered image forming apparatus 103. A change in data format may occur if the registration of any of the image forming apparatuses 103 is canceled.

[0141] In S2502, the print application 414 determines whether there are any data formats that are no longer needed due to the update of the data format list. If the print application 414 determines that there are any data formats that are no longer needed (YES in S2502), it proceeds to S2503; otherwise (NO in S2502), it terminates the process.

[0142] In S2503, the print application 414 stops retaining print data that has been converted to a data format that is no longer needed. Specifically, the print application 414 may delete the print data stored in storage 423. This reduces the amount of storage space used because, after retaining the converted print data, it no longer retains print data in data formats that are no longer likely to be used.

[0143] In the second embodiment, if the designated image forming apparatus that the user may use is changed in the registered printer list 2001, the data format list may be updated in the same manner as the modified example described above. In the modified example described above, instead of executing S2304 and S2503 in response to updating the data format list, S2304 and S2503 may be executed when other conditions are met. For example, S2304 and S2503 may be executed in response to the execution of any of S1809, S1811, or S1814 in Figure 18.

[0144] <Fourth Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the print application 414 was described in which, after receiving a print job, it is converted into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 using computing 422. In this embodiment, the conversion to a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103 is performed by an information processing device separate from the print server 101, which is connected to the print server 101 via the Internet. In describing this embodiment, the description of parts that are the same as the configuration and processing procedures in the first, second, and third embodiments will be omitted, and only the parts that differ will be described.

[0145] Referring to Figure 26, the system configuration of this embodiment will be described. In addition to the system configuration described in Figure 1, a conversion server 105 is connected via the Internet 110. The conversion server 105 is a server that provides image conversion services on the cloud. Not only is it used by the print server 1-1 that provides cloud print services, but various external services can also be used. In this embodiment, the print data conversion process described in the first embodiment is performed.

[0146] [Example hardware configuration for a conversion server] Referring to Figure 2(b), computer 220 may be used as a conversion server 105. The conversion server 105 may consist of one computer 220 or multiple computers 220.

[0147] [Example software configuration for a conversion server] Referring to Figure 27, the software configuration of the conversion server 105 in this embodiment will be described. In Figure 27, the conversion server 105 provides an image conversion service to clients (for example, a print server 101, a storage server 102, an image forming apparatus 103, and an information processing terminal 104). The conversion server 105 may be a server hosted on a cloud platform. In this case, the conversion server 105 may be called a cloud image conversion server, and the image conversion service may be called a cloud image conversion service.

[0148] Infrastructure 2730 is the foundation upon which the conversion server 105 provides various services. Infrastructure 2730 includes servers and virtual machines, cloud storage, network, and operating systems.

[0149] The Cloud Image Conversion Platform 2720 is a framework that provides common basic functions to the Cloud Image Conversion Manager 2710 using the infrastructure 2730. The Cloud Image Conversion Platform 2720 includes job management 2721, computing 2722, storage 2723, and database 2724.

[0150] The cloud image conversion manager 2710 includes an image conversion application 2711 that operates on the cloud image conversion platform 2720. The image conversion application 2711 is a web application that provides an API for receiving image conversion instructions. The image conversion application 2711 receives image conversion instructions from the print server 101, the image forming apparatus 103, or the information processing terminal 104. An image conversion instruction is an instruction to convert the data to be printed into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 103. The image conversion application 2711 receives the image conversion instructions, and the received image conversion instructions are managed as jobs by the job management 2721 and stored in the database 2724.

[0151] The image conversion application 2711 converts the data to be printed into a data format printable by the image forming apparatus 103 using the computing device 2722, based on the received image conversion instruction. The data format to be converted may be specified in the image conversion instruction information. Alternatively, the image conversion instruction may include information about the image forming apparatus 103 that will perform the printing, and the format may be determined by referring to the printable data format corresponding to the image forming apparatus 103, which is stored in the database 2724 beforehand. The data converted by the computing device 2722 is stored in the storage device 2723.

[0152] The image conversion application 2711, upon receiving an image conversion instruction, returns information for downloading the converted data from storage 2723 to the sender who made the image conversion instruction. This information for downloading the converted data from storage 2723 may be, for example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). As mentioned above, the conversion server 105 is intended to be used by multiple external services, and therefore has a limit on the amount of storage 2723 that can be used. For this reason, the converted data stored in storage 2723 is deleted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0153] In the retained printing process described in the first to third embodiments, an indefinite period occurs between the time a print job is submitted to the print server 101 and the time the converted data is downloaded from the storage 2723 in order to execute the print. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 103 attempts to execute the print, the converted data may have already been deleted from the storage 2723.

[0154] Referring to Figures 28 and 29, a method will be described in which user 900 submits a print job from information processing terminal 104 to print server 101, the conversion server 105 converts the print data of the print job, and the image forming apparatus 103 prints the result. The processing of information processing terminal 104 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 242 into RAM 243 and executing it on CPU 241. Similarly, the processing of print server 101 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221. Similarly, the processing of conversion server 105 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 222 into RAM 223 and executing it on CPU 221. The processing of image forming apparatus 103 is achieved by reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing it on CPU 201.

[0155] The methods shown in Figures 28 and 29 are initiated when a user 900 of the information processing terminal 104 operates button 1303 on the portal screen 1300 or button 1501 on screen 1500 to issue a print command to the print server 101.

[0156] In S2801, the cloud print application 414 of the information processing terminal 104 receives print instructions from user 900 to print server 101 via the operation unit and device I / F 246. The cloud print application 414 receives print instructions to print server 101 via button 1303 on portal screen 1300 or button 1501 on screen 1500.

[0157] When issuing a print command, user 900 specifies whether to perform retained printing or push printing as the print type. This may involve presenting user 900 with a screen that allows them to select an image forming apparatus to perform retained printing or push printing when they operate button 1303 on the portal screen 1300 or button 1501 on screen 1500. Alternatively, the print settings menu 1302 on the portal screen 1300 or the print settings menu 1503 on screen 1500 may be configured to allow the user to select an image forming apparatus 103 to perform retained printing or push printing. Furthermore, user 900 may pre-configure which image forming apparatus 103 will be used for retained printing or push printing.

[0158] In S2802, the cloud print application 414 generates a print job and sends it to the print server 101 via the network communication unit 510. In S2803, the print application 414 on the print server 101 determines whether the print type of the received print job is a hold print or a push print (S1602 in Figure 16).

[0159] If the print type is determined to be a hold print in S2803, the processes S2804 to S2815 in Figure 28 are performed, the converted print data is saved to the storage 423 of the print server 101, and the print job hold process is executed.

[0160] In S2804, the print application 414 identifies the image forming apparatus 103 registered in the tenant to which the user belongs and identifies the printable data format. This corresponds to the processes in S1603 and S1604 in Figure 16. Subsequently, the application 414 on the print server 101 sends an image conversion instruction for the print data to the conversion server 105. The image conversion instruction includes the print data to be converted and the data format identified by the image forming apparatus 103.

[0161] In S2805, the image conversion application 2711 on the conversion server 105 performs image conversion and converts the print data of the print job into a specified data format. Then, in S2806, the image conversion application 271 saves the converted print data to the storage 2723.

[0162] In S2807, the image conversion application 2711 sends conversion result information to the print server 101, which includes information for downloading the converted data obtained by converting the print data from the storage 2723. As mentioned above, the conversion result information includes information such as a URL for obtaining (downloading) the converted data from the storage 2723.

[0163] In S2808, the print server 101, having received the conversion result information, requests the conversion server 105 to retrieve the converted print data based on the information for obtaining the converted print data contained in the conversion result information.

[0164] In S2809, the print server 101 downloads the converted print data from storage 2723. In S2810, the downloaded converted data is stored in storage 423 managed by the print server 101. The stored converted print data is retained until a print command is issued from the image forming apparatus 103.

[0165] The execution of printing in response to a print command from the image forming apparatus 103 is carried out in the same manner as the sequence shown in Figure 18. Figure 28 provides only a general overview.

[0166] In S2811, a job list screen containing a list of print jobs previously generated in accordance with a print command from an authenticated user 900 and held in the print server 101 is sent to the image forming apparatus 103. Then, in S2812, the cloud print 333 displays the job list screen received in S2811 on the operation unit 213.

[0167] Referring to Figure 20(b), an example of the job list screen 2010 is described. The job list screen 2010 includes a field 1911 that displays a list of printable print jobs that were previously generated in accordance with a print command from an authenticated user 900 and are held in the storage 423 of the print server 101. The field 2011 allows the user 900 to select one or more of the displayed print jobs. The job list screen 2010 further includes a print button 2012 for receiving a print command for the selected print job.

[0168] In the job list screen 2010 shown in Figure 20(b), suppose user 900 selects a print job with the file name "1234567.xlsx" and operates the print button 2012. Cloud Print 333 retrieves the print job selection in field 2011 in response to the operation of the print button 2012.

[0169] In S2813, the cloud print 333 requests print data for the print job selected by the user 900 from the print server 101. Then, in S2814, the print application 414 of the print server 101, upon receiving the request in S2813, sends the print data, which has already been converted to a data format and stored in the storage 423, to the image forming apparatus 103.

[0170] In S2815, Cloud Print 333 prints the print data received in S2814. If Cloud Print 333 receives print data converted into multiple data formats in S2814, it prints the print data in one of the data formats. The above describes the processing when the print type is fixed print.

[0171] If the print type is determined to be push printing in S2803, the processes S2904 to S2911 in Figure 29 are performed to execute push printing. In S2904, the print application 414 of the print server 101 identifies the image forming apparatus to perform the print and identifies the printable data format. This corresponds to the processes S1603 and S1604 in Figure 16. Subsequently, the application 414 of the print server 101 sends an image conversion instruction for the print data to the conversion server 105. The image conversion instruction includes the print data to be converted and the printable data format.

[0172] In steps S2905 to S2907, the same processing as in steps S2805 to S2807 in Figure 28 is performed. In step S2907, the conversion server 205 sends image conversion result information, including information for obtaining the converted data, to the print server 101. Note that if it is determined in step S1607 in Figure 16 that conversion of the print data is unnecessary, the processing in steps S2904 to S2907 is omitted.

[0173] In S2907, the print server 101 obtains conversion result information from the conversion server 105. In S2908, the print application 414 sends a print execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 103. The print execution instruction includes information for obtaining the converted data from the conversion server 105, such as a URL. In S1607 in Figure 16, if it is determined that conversion of the print data is unnecessary, the print data is sent from the print server 101 to the image forming apparatus 103 along with the print execution instruction. In this case, the processes in S2909 and S2910 are omitted.

[0174] In S2909, the cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 requests the conversion server 105 to acquire print data based on the information contained in the image conversion result information included in the print execution instruction.

[0175] In S2910, the conversion server 105 transmits the print data, which has been converted to a data format and stored in the storage 2723, to the image forming apparatus 103. The cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 then downloads the converted print data.

[0176] In S2911, the cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 executes a print job based on the downloaded and converted print data. The above describes the process when the print type is push printing.

[0177] In summary, the fourth embodiment provides a print system that enables the print server 101 to perform retained printing processing regardless of the conversion result storage period of the external conversion server 105. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, when push printing is performed, the image forming apparatus 103 directly downloads the converted data from the storage 2723 of the conversion server 105, so printing can be performed without reducing responsiveness even when using the conversion server 105.

[0178] <Example 1> A modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 30. In the fourth embodiment, after the conversion of print data is performed on the conversion server 105, the image conversion result is sent from the conversion server 105 to the print server 101. In modification 1, the conversion server 105 performs the data conversion in segments and saves the completed segments to the storage 2723. This conversion unit may be predetermined by the conversion server 105. Alternatively, it may be dynamically changed for each image forming apparatus 103.

[0179] We will omit explanations regarding aspects that may be the same as in the fourth embodiment, and instead, we will describe the differences from the fourth embodiment below. If the print type is determined to be push printing in S2803, the print application 414 of the print server 101 identifies the image forming apparatus to perform the print and identifies the printable data format. This corresponds to the processes in S1603 and S1604 in Figure 16. Subsequently, the application 414 of the print server 101 sends an image conversion instruction for the print data to the conversion server 105. The image conversion instruction includes the print data to be converted and the identified printable data format.

[0180] In S3005, the image conversion application 2711 on the conversion server 105 performs image conversion and converts the print data of a print job into a printable data format. At this time, the image conversion application 2711 performs data format conversion for each piece of the divided print data and saves the converted print data for each piece to the storage 2723.

[0181] The image conversion application 2711 performs the conversion of the first print data into a data format and saves it to the storage 2723. It then sends information to the print server 101 for accessing and retrieving the saved converted print data. This information may be a URL.

[0182] In S3007, the print application 414 of the print server 101 sends a print execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 103. The print execution instruction includes information such as a URL for accessing and retrieving the print data that has been converted to the data format of the conversion server 105.

[0183] In S3008, the cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 requests the conversion server 105 to acquire print data. The print data converted to a data format is referred to as converted data. In S3009, the image conversion application 2711 of the conversion server 105 sends the converted data for the first piece to the image forming apparatus 103. The cloud print 333 of the image forming apparatus 103 then executes printing of the converted data for the first piece. The image forming apparatus 103 may execute printing when multiple conversion units of pieces have been combined, rather than printing one piece at a time.

[0184] S3011 repeatedly performs the image conversion in S3012 for the second and subsequent pieces, saves the conversion results, requests the print data (converted data) in S3013, sends the converted data in S3014, and executes printing in S3015. The processing in S3011 is repeated from the second piece onward, with the conversion server 105 converting all the print data and sending it to the image forming apparatus 103, until printing in the image forming apparatus 105 is completed. In S3011, the request in S3013 for the image forming apparatus 103 to obtain the converted data from the conversion server 105 may be omitted, and the conversion server 105 may send the converted data to the image forming apparatus 103 each time the conversion of the print data for one piece is completed.

[0185] In S3011, the conversion of print data is repeated in conversion units at the conversion server 105, and printing is performed at the image forming apparatus 103 until the conversion of print data and printing are completed. In S3016, the image forming apparatus 103 sends a print completion notification to the conversion server 105. Then, in S3017, the conversion server 105 sends a data conversion completion notification to the print server 101. The image forming apparatus 103 may also send a print completion notification to the print server 101.

[0186] When the conversion server 105 receives a print completion notification from the image forming apparatus 103, it deletes the converted print data stored in the storage 2723. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 103 accesses the conversion server 105 again using the URL to retrieve the converted data, it cannot reprint.

[0187] The print application 414 may obtain the "memoryCapacity" value from the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 that performs printing, and dynamically change the conversion unit for each image forming apparatus 103 based on that value. The "memoryCapacity" value can be obtained from the device information of the image forming apparatus 103 obtained as shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c). The print server 101 may obtain the "memoryCapacity" value, determine the conversion unit to be divided and converted, and then include the conversion unit in the image conversion instruction and send it to the conversion server 105. Alternatively, the print server 101 may obtain the "memoryCapacity" value and include the "memoryCapacity" value in the image conversion instruction and send it to the conversion server 105. In this case, the image conversion application 2711 of the conversion server 105 determines the conversion unit to be divided and converted based on the "memoryCapacity" value.

[0188] Furthermore, if the data format of the print data to be converted is PDF, the image conversion application 2711 may divide the print data into PDF pages and convert them. The conversion server 105 may send the converted PDF data to the image forming apparatus 103 one page at a time using the PDF byte serving function.

[0189] Furthermore, the division unit may be optimized depending on the printing speed and model of the image forming apparatus 103 that performs the printing. For example, for models with a small memory capacity, the division unit should be determined to match the memory capacity, and for models where network connection takes time, the division unit should not be made too small.

[0190] In the modified example 1, the image conversion process of the conversion server 105 and the printing process of the image forming apparatus 103 are executed in parallel, resulting in improved responsiveness.

[0191] <Modification 2> In the example of the job list screen 2010 in Figure 20(b), only information on print jobs for which the conversion server 105 has performed the conversion of the print data format and saved the converted data to the storage 423 of the print server 101 is displayed.

[0192] The Job List screen 2010 may include print jobs for which the data format conversion process for print data in S2804-S2809 has not yet been completed. In this case, print jobs for which the data format conversion process has not been completed and therefore cannot be printed may be grayed out or their checkboxes may be disabled so that user 900 cannot select them. Alternatively, an icon may be added to the print jobs on the Job List screen 2010 to indicate that the data format conversion process for print data is still underway and that user 900 cannot select them yet.

[0193] As another variation, the job list screen 2010 in Figure 20(b) may also allow the user to select print jobs in which the data format conversion process for print data in S2804 to S2809 has not been completed. In this case, print jobs in the job list screen 2010 that have not been converted are not saved in the storage 423 of the print server 101.

[0194] If the user selects a print job for which the data format conversion process has not been completed, the print application 414 sends a print execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 103, similar to S2908 in Figure 29 or S3007 in Figure 30 described above. The print execution instruction includes information for obtaining the conversion data from the conversion server 105, such as a URL. The image forming apparatus 103 can execute printing by obtaining the print job for which the data format conversion process of the print data has not been completed from the conversion server 105 based on the URL.

[0195] <Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0196] The disclosures herein include the following printing systems, printing methods, programs, and print server systems. (Item 1) A print system comprising a print server and one or more image forming apparatuses, The aforementioned print server is A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, A conversion means that determines whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more of the formats, and if conversion is necessary, converts the data to at least one of the one or more formats, The system includes a transmission means for transmitting the data when the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data when the conversion is necessary, to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. At least one of the image forming apparatuses described above is: Receiving means for receiving the data or the converted data from the print server, The system includes a printing means for printing the received data or the converted data. Printing system. (Item 2) A print system including a print server, a conversion server, and one or more image forming apparatuses, The aforementioned print server is A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, A first transmission means that determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to the conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the system includes a second transmission means that transmits an instruction to the image forming apparatus performing the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. The aforementioned conversion server, A conversion means for converting the format of the data based on the information of the format transmitted from the print server, The system includes a third transmission means that transmits the converted data to the image forming apparatus performing the printing based on a request from the image forming apparatus performing the printing, One of the image forming apparatuses of the one or more image forming apparatuses is: A first receiving means for receiving the data from the print server, A second receiving means that receives an instruction to perform the print from the print server, requests the conversion server to transmit the converted data based on information for obtaining the data included in the instruction to perform the print, and receives the converted data from the conversion server. The system includes a printing means for printing the aforementioned data or the converted data, Printing system. (Item 3) In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, the determination that data conversion is necessary is made if the format of the data to be printed is different from the printable data format included in the device information of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. The printing system described in item 1 or 2. (Item 4) In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, if the format of the data to be printed is different from the printable data format included in the device information of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, it is determined that data conversion is necessary, and in the conversion of the data format, it is converted to the printable data format. A printing system as described in one of items 1-3. (Item 5) If there are multiple printable data formats, the system will prioritize conversion to a specific data format. A printing system as described in one of items 1-4. (Item 6) The aforementioned specific data format is PDF. The printing system described in item 5. (Item 7) In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, it is determined that data conversion is necessary if the data volume is greater than the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. A printing system as described in one of items 1-6. (Item 8) In the above data conversion, the data is converted unit by unit, and each time the conversion unit is performed, the converted data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A printing system as described in one of items 1 through 7. (Item 9) The conversion unit is determined by the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. The printing system described in item 8. (Item 10) A program to cause one or more computers to function as each of the means of a print system described in any one of items 1 through 9. (Item 11) A printing method using a print system that includes a print server and one or more image forming apparatuses, The print server performs an acquisition step of acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, The print server includes a process of identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, among the one or more image forming apparatuses, The print server determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, a conversion step is performed to convert the data to at least one of the one or more formats. The print server transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing if the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data if the conversion is necessary. The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a receiving step of receiving the data or the converted data from the print server, The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a printing step of printing the received data or the converted data, Printing method. (Item 12) A printing method using a print system that includes a print server, a conversion server, and one or more image forming apparatuses, The print server performs an acquisition step of acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, The print server includes a process of identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, among the one or more image forming apparatuses, A first transmission step in which the print server determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to the conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, The conversion server performs a conversion step of converting the format of the data based on the format information transmitted from the print server, If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the print server performs a second transmission step of transmitting an instruction to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. The image forming apparatus performing the printing receives the data from the print server if the conversion is not required, and if the conversion is required, it receives an instruction to perform the printing from the print server, and based on the information for obtaining the data included in the instruction to perform the printing, it receives the converted data from the conversion server in a receiving step. The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a printing step of printing the received data or the converted data, Printing method. (Item 13) It is a print server system, A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more printable formats in an image forming apparatus that performs printing, A conversion means that determines whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more of the formats, and if conversion is necessary, converts the data to at least one of the one or more formats, The system includes a transmission means for transmitting the data when the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data when the conversion is necessary, to an image forming apparatus that performs printing. Print server system. (Item 14) It is a print server system, A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more printable formats in an image forming apparatus that performs printing, A first transmission means that determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to a conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to an image forming apparatus that performs the printing, If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the system includes a second transmission means that transmits an instruction to the image forming apparatus performing the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. Print server system.

[0197] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 100: Printing system, 101: Print server, 102: Storage server, 103: Image forming apparatus, 104: Information processing terminal, 105: Conversion server

Claims

1. A print system including a print server and one or more image forming apparatuses, The aforementioned print server is A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, A conversion means that determines whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more of the formats, and if conversion is necessary, converts the data to at least one of the one or more formats, The system includes a transmission means for transmitting the data when the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data when the conversion is necessary, to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. At least one of the image forming apparatuses described above is: Receiving means for receiving the data or the converted data from the print server, The system includes a printing means for printing the received data or the converted data. Printing system.

2. A print system including a print server, a conversion server, and one or more image forming apparatuses, The aforementioned print server is A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, A first transmission means determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to the conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the system includes a second transmission means that transmits an instruction to the image forming apparatus performing the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. The aforementioned conversion server, A conversion means for converting the format of the data based on the information of the format transmitted from the print server, The system includes a third transmission means for transmitting the converted data to the image forming apparatus performing the printing, based on a request from the image forming apparatus performing the printing. One of the image forming apparatuses of the one or more image forming apparatuses is: A first receiving means for receiving the data from the print server, A second receiving means that receives an instruction to perform the print from the print server, requests the conversion server to transmit the converted data based on information for obtaining the data included in the instruction to perform the print, and receives the converted data from the conversion server. The system includes a printing means for printing the aforementioned data or the converted data, Printing system.

3. In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, the determination that data conversion is necessary is made if the format of the data to be printed is different from the printable data format included in the device information of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, if the format of the data to be printed is different from the printable data format included in the device information of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, it is determined that data conversion is necessary, and in the conversion of the data format, it is converted to the printable data format. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. If there are multiple printable data formats, the system will prioritize conversion to a specific data format. The printing system according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned specific data format is PDF. The printing system according to claim 5.

7. In determining whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary, it is determined that data conversion is necessary if the data volume is greater than the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. In the above data conversion, the data is converted unit by unit, and each time the conversion unit is performed, the converted data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The conversion unit is determined by the memory capacity of the image forming apparatus that performs the printing. The printing system according to claim 8.

10. A program for causing one or more computers to function as each of the means of the print system described in claim 1 or 2.

11. A printing method using a print system that includes a print server and one or more image forming apparatus, The print server performs an acquisition step of acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, The print server includes a process of identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, among the one or more image forming apparatuses, The print server determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, it performs a conversion step of converting the data to at least one of the one or more formats. The print server transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing if the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data if the conversion is necessary. The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a receiving step of receiving the data or the converted data from the print server, The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a printing step of printing the received data or the converted data, Printing method.

12. A printing method using a print system that includes a print server, a conversion server, and one or more image forming apparatuses, The print server performs an acquisition step of acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, The print server includes a process of identifying one or more formats that can be printed by the image forming apparatus that performs printing, among the one or more image forming apparatuses, A first transmission step in which the print server determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to the conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing, The conversion server performs a conversion step of converting the format of the data based on the format information transmitted from the print server, If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the print server performs a second transmission step of sending an instruction to the image forming apparatus that performs the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. The image forming apparatus performing the printing receives the data from the print server if the conversion is not required, and if the conversion is required, it receives an instruction to perform the printing from the print server, and based on the information for obtaining the data included in the instruction to perform the printing, it receives the converted data from the conversion server in a receiving step. The image forming apparatus that performs the printing includes a printing step of printing the received data or the converted data, Printing method.

13. It is a print server system, A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more printable formats in an image forming apparatus that performs printing, A conversion means that determines whether conversion of the format of the data to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more of the formats, and if conversion is necessary, converts the data to at least one of the one or more formats, The system includes a transmission means for transmitting the data when the conversion is not necessary, and the converted data when the conversion is necessary, to an image forming apparatus that performs printing. Print server system.

14. It is a print server system, A means for acquiring data to be printed from an information processing terminal, A means for identifying one or more printable formats in an image forming apparatus that performs printing, A first transmission means determines whether conversion of the data format to be printed is necessary based on the format of the data to be printed and one or more formats, and if conversion is necessary, transmits the data and format information to a conversion server, and if conversion is not necessary, transmits the data to an image forming apparatus that performs the printing, If the aforementioned conversion is necessary, the system includes a second transmission means that transmits an instruction to the image forming apparatus performing the printing to perform printing, which includes information for acquiring the data to be printed. Print server system.

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