JP2009187535A - Server, image forming apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce network traffic between a server and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In this image processing system 100, the image forming apparatus 120, a client PC 130 and a thin client PC 140 are connected to the server 110 through a network 150. The client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140) transmits printing instructions to the server 110 through the network 150. In a thin client environment, a network between the server 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 is assumed to be an extremely narrow band. The whole of printing instruction data of comparatively large volume is therefore compressed and transmitted from the server 110 to the image forming apparatus 120. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server, an image forming apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image processing program that provide a smooth printing environment even in a thin client environment.

  In recent years, a thin client system has been attracting attention due to a desire to realize a secure desktop environment as security needs increase. A thin client system is a general term for a system in which a client terminal has a minimum function and manages resources such as applications and files on the server side. In this thin client system, all resources are managed on the server side, so when executing image printing, print command data is transferred from the server side to the printer side via the network to execute print processing. become.

  By the way, in recent years, as print quality improvement is required, the capacity of print command data continues to increase. Therefore, when printing command data having a large capacity is handled, it is desired to efficiently transmit / receive print command data even within a network. In order to reduce network traffic, solutions have been proposed in which print command data is compressed to reduce the data capacity, and the compressed data is expanded and printed on the printer side (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2002-292943 A JP 2002-240368 A

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus (described in Patent Document 1). This apparatus performs data transfer via a compressed image data expansion processing unit 1403 provided on a transmission path connecting the reception buffer 1401 and the image buffer 1402 in the printer, and data transfer not via the compressed image data expansion processing unit 1403. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to select an optimum data transfer path depending on whether or not the received print command data is compressed data and the size of the data capacity, thereby reducing the CPU's involvement in data transfer between the buffers. There are advantages.

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, data compression is applied only to image data having a large data capacity, and is not applied to all print command data including characters. Prior to entering the command interpreter 1404, the main point is that all print command data including graphics, characters, PJL (Printer Job Language) language, etc. are not compressed. For example, print command data containing only character data remains uncompressed. Data will be transferred. In order to provide a smooth printing environment in a thin client environment, it is necessary to compress data transferred from the server side to the printer side to reduce the data capacity and reduce network traffic. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide a smooth printing environment in a thin client environment when the application range is only image data.

  The device described in Patent Document 2 is a device that takes still images described in an arbitrary compressed file format from a host device as input information, expands the input information into a bitmap, and outputs it to an image forming engine. Thus, the input information can be expanded corresponding to an arbitrary compressed file format in the input information.

  However, the apparatus described in Patent Document 2 is intended to print a high-definition still image at high speed, and nothing has been studied about print processing in a thin client environment. Therefore, it does not provide a smooth printing environment in a thin client environment.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention reduces a network traffic between a server and an image forming apparatus, and can efficiently transmit / receive print command data, an image forming apparatus, an image processing system, An object is to provide an image processing method and an image processing program.

  It is also possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of improving the efficiency of the printing process on the image forming apparatus side and executing the print process in a short time. It is an object of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the server according to the invention of claim 1 can be connected to a network, and print command data generation means for generating print command data, and the print command data generation Encryption means for performing encryption processing on the entire print command data generated by the means, print command data generated by the print command data generation means, or the entire print command data encrypted by the encryption means And a compression processing means for performing a compression process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server according to the first aspect, further comprising a first determination unit that determines the necessity of an encryption process for the print command data.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the server according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a second determination unit that determines the necessity of the compression process for the print command data. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus can be connected to a network, the first buffer for temporarily storing the received print command data, and the print command data are subjected to compression processing. Compressed data determining means for determining whether or not the data is compressed, compressed data decompression processing means for decompressing the compressed print command data, and a second buffer for temporarily storing data decompressed by the compressed data decompression processing means A command interpreting unit that expands the print command data, and a transmission that determines to transmit the print command data stored in the first buffer to either the compressed data decompression processing unit or the command interpreting unit And a route determination means.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a data transmission path that continues from the first buffer to the second buffer via the compressed data decompression processing means. It is characterized by.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a data transmission path that continues from the first buffer to the command interpreting means.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the compressed data determining means determines the compression format from the magic number of the received print command data. It is characterized by doing.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, wherein the print data determining unit determines whether the print command data is encrypted. And encrypted data decryption processing means for decrypting the encrypted print command data based on the determination by the encrypted data determination means.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein a plurality of the compressed data decompression processing means and the encrypted data decryption processing means are provided. To do.

  An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects, wherein each of the first buffer and the second buffer includes a plurality of buffers. A predetermined ID is assigned to each of the plurality of buffers, and the transmission path determining unit manages the IDs assigned to the plurality of buffers based on an ID management table and designates the IDs to perform the printing. It is characterized in that a buffer through which instruction data is routed is determined.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein the transmission path determining means determines a job priority of the print command data, and the print priority data is printed in the order of the job priority. A buffer through which the print command data is routed is determined so that the command data can be processed.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to eleventh aspects, wherein the compressed data decompression processing unit detects the damaged print command data. And

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, when the compressed data decompression processing unit detects the damaged print command data, the image forming apparatus transmits a cancel request to the command interpretation unit. Then, the operation of the command interpreting means is stopped.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, when the compressed data decompression processing unit detects the damaged print command data, the print command data is cleared. It is characterized by that.

  An image processing system according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention includes a server according to any one of the first to third aspects, an image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to fourth aspects, and the server. A client PC or a thin client PC that controls transmission of print command data from the printer to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method executed in the image processing system according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the server compresses the entire print command data transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A data compression processing step for performing processing, a data compression determination step for determining whether or not the print command data received in the image forming apparatus is compressed, and the image forming apparatus based on a result of the data compression determination step And a data transmission path determination step for determining a transmission path for the print command data so as to improve the processing efficiency of the print command data.

  An image processing method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing method according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the data compression determination step includes a magic number reading step of reading a magic number from received print command data, and the magic number reading. A data compression format determination step of determining whether or not the magic number read in the process matches a code indicating a data compression format.

  An image processing method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing method according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, wherein, in the data compression determination step, if it is determined that the print command data is compressed, the data A transmission path in which the compressed data decompression processing means for decompressing the print command data is arranged in the transmission path determination step is selected.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, the server performs an encryption process on the entire print command data transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A data encryption step, and a data encryption determination step for determining whether or not the print command data received in the image forming apparatus is encrypted. The data transmission path determination step includes the data encryption Based on the result of the determination step, a transmission path for the print command data is determined so as to improve the processing efficiency of the print command data in the image processing apparatus.

  An image processing method according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is the image processing method according to the twentieth aspect, wherein if the print command data is determined to be encrypted in the data encryption determination step, A transmission path in which the encrypted data decryption processing means for decrypting the print command data is selected in a transmission path determination step is selected.

  An image processing program according to a twenty-first aspect of the invention causes a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects.

  According to the server, the image forming apparatus, the image processing system, the image processing method, and the image processing program according to the present invention, not only large-capacity image data but also all print command data including graphics, characters, and PJL languages are compressed. Therefore, the network traffic between the server and the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and print command data can be transmitted and received efficiently.

  Further, according to the server, the image forming apparatus, the image processing system, the image processing method, and the image processing program according to the present invention, in particular, on the image forming apparatus side, a transmission path for compressed data and uncompressed data is divided, Since both the data can be processed efficiently, the efficiency of the printing process in the image forming apparatus can be improved, and the printing process can be executed in a short time.

  Exemplary embodiments of a server, an image forming apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image processing program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall configuration of image processing system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image processing system 100, a server 110, an image forming apparatus (printer) 120, a client PC 130, and a thin client PC 140 are connected via a network 150. The client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140) sends a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. In the thin client environment, it is assumed that the network between the server 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 has a very narrow band. In the present invention, print command data having a relatively large capacity is compressed as a whole and transmitted.

(Functional configuration of server)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server 110 includes a storage unit 201, a print command data generation unit 202, a first determination unit 203, an encryption unit 204, a second determination unit 205, and a compression processing unit 206. .

  The storage unit 201 stores print data. The print command data generation unit 202 adds a header and a footer including predetermined information to the print data extracted from the storage unit 201 according to the print command sent from the client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140), and print command data (The details of the print command data will be described later). The first determination unit 203 determines whether the print command data needs to be encrypted. For example, a printer driver (not shown) of the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) accepts designation from the user regarding the necessity of encryption and stores encryption information indicating the necessity of encryption. Keep it. Then, the server 110 receives the encryption information together with the print command from the client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140). The first determination unit 203 refers to the encryption information and determines whether or not encryption is necessary. The print command data determined to be encrypted by the first determination unit 203 is sent to the encryption unit 204. The print command data determined to be unnecessary for encryption by the first determination unit 203 is sent to the second determination unit 205. The encryption unit 204 encrypts the print command data using a predetermined algorithm. The print command data encrypted here is sent to the second determination unit 205. The second determination unit 205 determines whether or not the print command data needs to be compressed. Here, whether or not the compression process is necessary is determined based on whether or not the capacity of the print command data exceeds a predetermined amount (whether or not the data capacity causes a load on the network traffic). Here, the print command data determined to require compression processing is sent to the compression processing unit 206. The print data determined not to require compression processing is transmitted as it is to the destination image forming apparatus 120 in accordance with the print command sent from the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140). The compression processing unit 206 performs compression processing on the print command data determined to be necessary for compression by the second determination unit 205. At this time, the entire print command data is compressed, and a magic number indicating the data compression format is written in the header of the print command data.

  Although FIG. 2 shows the server 110 configured to perform the compression process after encrypting the print command data, the compression process may be performed first and then encrypted.

(Structure of print command data)
FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing the structure of print command data used in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3-4 is a diagram showing the structure of print command data used in the prior art.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the print command data 300 used in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a header 301, print data 302, and a footer 303. The header 301 is added to the head of the data and holds information regarding the print data 302 described in graphics, characters, and PJL language. Also, the importance information of the print data 302 as described above is also described in the header 301. The print data 302 includes data that can display graphics, characters, images, and the like on PCL, PS, PDF, and the like. The footer 303 describes page information such as the page number, document creation date, and creator of the print data 302 in graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  In the prior art, as shown in FIG. 3-4, compression processing is performed only on the large-capacity data in the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 and transmitted to the network 150. On the other hand, in this embodiment, first, the print command data 300 that does not require encryption is subjected to compression processing on the entire print command data 300 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, the print command data 300 that needs to be encrypted is first encrypted as a whole, and then the entire encrypted data is compressed. Therefore, in this embodiment, by performing compression processing on the entire print command data 300, even if data having the same content is transmitted as compared with the prior art, transmission data that is actually transmitted is transmitted. Can be sufficiently reduced in capacity. Accordingly, network traffic between the server 110 and the image forming apparatus 120 is reduced, and print command data can be efficiently transmitted and received.

  Note that the print command data 300 illustrated in FIG. 3C is an example in which the compression processing is performed after being encrypted, but the print command data 300 is encrypted and transmitted after the compression processing is performed. You may do it.

(Functional configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 120 includes a compressed data determination unit 401, an encrypted data determination unit 402, a transmission path determination unit 403, a reception buffer 404 (first buffer), a compressed data decompression processing unit 405, and an encryption. A data decoding processing unit 406, a PDL buffer 407 (second buffer), and an instruction interpretation unit 408 are provided.

  The compressed data determination unit 401 determines whether the print command data 300 sent from the server 110 is compressed data. The encrypted data determination unit 402 determines whether or not the received print command data 300 is encrypted. The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the transmission path of the received print command data 300. Alternatively, the job priority of the received print command data 300 may be determined, and the data transmission path may be determined according to the determination result. The data transmission path is determined by passing the ID of the buffer to which data is read or written to each processing unit (details will be described later). The reception buffer 404 includes a plurality of buffers (reception buffer 404a, reception buffer 404b,...), And temporarily stores the received print command data 300. The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the compressed print command data 300 from the reception buffer 404 and decompresses the data. The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 decrypts the print command data 300 determined to be encrypted by the encrypted data determination unit 402. The PDL buffer 407 includes a plurality of buffers (PDL buffer 407a, PDL buffer 407b,...), And temporarily holds the print command data 300 before being expanded into a bitmap. The command interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID from the transmission path determination unit 403, reads the print command data 300 from the buffer corresponding to the buffer ID, and print data 302 including graphics, characters, and PJL language included in the print command data 300. Expands into a bitmap. Further, by providing a plurality of compressed data decompression processing units 405 and encrypted data decryption processing units 406, interrupt printing processing can be performed.

  Next, the processing of the transmission path determination unit 403 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 120 includes a reception buffer 404 having a plurality of buffers, a PDL buffer 407 having a plurality of buffers, a compressed data decompression processing unit 405, and an encrypted data decryption processing unit 406. And a predetermined ID is assigned to all of them. These are managed by an ID management table.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ID management table. This ID management table manages to which buffer the print command data 300 received is guided. For example, when uncompressed data is received, in order to improve processing efficiency (so as to avoid unnecessary buffer reading / writing), the transmission path determination unit 403 receives any of the buffers of the reception buffer 404 as the data. Is assigned a buffer ID (for example, n + 1), and control is performed so that the instruction interpreter 408 can be reached without going through the compressed data decompression processor 405. On the other hand, when the compressed data is received, the transmission path determining unit 403 becomes the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 and the ID (for example, n) of the reception buffer 404 that becomes the reading destination of the compressed data and the writing destination. Passing the ID (for example, m) of the PDL buffer 407 and passing the ID (for example, m) of the PDL buffer 407 to which the data is to be read to the instruction interpreting unit 408 to pass through the compressed data expansion processing unit 405 Thus, the compressed data is expanded and can reach the instruction interpreter 408. The same applies when it is necessary to decrypt the encrypted data. Further, the image forming apparatus 120 may perform either the expansion process or the decoding process of the print command data 300 first, and follows the structure of the received print command data 300. Further, since the image forming apparatus 120 has a plurality of buffers, a plurality of data conversions can be processed simultaneously.

  The image forming apparatus 120 is assumed to handle the compressed print command data 300. The compressed data may be corrupted during the compression process. Corrupted data may cause a failure when data is decompressed. Therefore, the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 is provided with a failure avoidance function caused by damaged data.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the failure avoidance function of the compressed data decompression processing unit. When the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 detects the damaged data, it notifies the instruction interpretation unit 408 of a cancel request. When receiving the cancel request, the instruction interpreter 408 stops reading data from the PDL buffer 407. Subsequently, the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 clears the data (damaged data) received from the reception buffer 404. In this way, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a failure due to damaged data.

(Processing of image processing system)
Next, the contents of the processing of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, an overview of the overall processing of the image processing system 100 will be described based on this figure.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, a print request is made (step S701). That is, the client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140) transmits a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150.

  Next, the print command data 300 is generated (step S702). Here, the print command data generation unit 202 adds a header and a footer including predetermined information to the print data 302 extracted from the storage unit 201 in accordance with the print command sent from the client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140). The print command data 300 is generated.

  Next, it is determined whether encryption is necessary (step S703). That is, the first determination unit 203 determines whether or not the print command data 300 generated in step S702 needs to be encrypted. The necessity of encryption is determined based on the encryption information received from the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140), for example. If it is determined that encryption is not necessary (step S703: No), the process proceeds to step S705.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S703 that encryption is necessary (step S703: Yes), encryption processing is performed (step S704). The encryption unit 204 encrypts the print command data 300 using a predetermined algorithm.

  Next, it is determined whether or not compression processing is necessary (step S705). Here, the second determination unit 205 determines whether the print command data 300 needs to be compressed. Here, whether or not the compression process is necessary is determined based on whether or not the capacity of the print command data 300 exceeds a predetermined amount (whether or not the data capacity causes a load on network traffic). Here, when it is determined that the compression process is unnecessary (step S705: No), the process proceeds to step S707. As another example, the server 110 receives compression information indicating the presence or absence of compression processing from the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) together with the print command, and the second determination unit 205 is based on the compression processing information. You may determine the necessity of a compression process. In this case, for example, the printer driver of the client PC 130 (or the thin client PC 140) accepts designation about the presence / absence of compression processing from the user, and holds compression information indicating the presence / absence of the designated compression processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S705 that compression processing is necessary (step S705: Yes), compression processing is performed (step S706). Here, the compression processing unit 206 performs compression processing of the print command data 300. The compression processing unit 206 converts the print command data 300 into a compressed file in a compression format determined by a magic number assigned to print data created by the user. Here, the magic number is a character string for determining a compression format such as GZIP or LZH. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the print data 500. When the user creates print data using an application in the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140), the magic number code 510 such as “0x08” is displayed in the header of the print data 500 by this application as shown in FIG. Is automatically granted. The compression processing unit 206 performs a compression process in a compression format determined by the magic number code.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 120 receives the print command data 300 (step S707).

  Next, it is determined whether or not compression processing has been performed (step S708). Here, the compressed data determination unit 401 determines whether or not the print command data 300 sent from the server 110 is compressed data. Details of the determination method in step S708 will be described later. If compression processing has been performed (step S708: Yes), it is subsequently determined whether the compressed data is encrypted (step S709). Here, the encrypted data determination unit 402 determines whether or not the print command data 300 received is encrypted. If it is determined that the data is encrypted (step S709: Yes), data decompression and decryption processing is performed (step S710). Here, the transmission path determination unit 403 sets the buffer ID so that the print command data 300 can pass through the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 following the compressed data decompression processing unit 405, thereby decompressing and decrypting the data. Processing becomes possible. Thereafter, the print command data 300 is sent to the command interpretation unit 408 (step S714).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S709 that the data is not encrypted (step S709: No), only the data expansion process is performed (step S711). In this case, the transmission path determination unit 403 sets the buffer ID so that the print command data 300 can pass through the compressed data expansion processing unit 405, so that the data can be expanded. Thereafter, the print command data 300 is sent to the command interpretation unit 408 (step S714).

  If the compression process has not been performed in step S708 (step S708: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the uncompressed data is encrypted (step S712). Here, the encrypted data determination unit 402 determines whether or not the print command data 300 received is encrypted. If it is determined that the data is encrypted (step S712: Yes), only the data decryption process is performed (step S713). Here, the transmission path determination unit 403 can set the buffer ID so that the print command data 300 can pass through the encrypted data decryption processing unit 406, thereby enabling the data decryption process. Thereafter, the print command data 300 is sent to the command interpretation unit 408 (step S714).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S712 that the data is not encrypted (step S712: No), the print command data 300 is sent to the command interpreter 408 (step S714). Here, the transmission path determination unit 403 sets the buffer ID so that the print command data 300 does not pass through the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 and the encrypted data decryption processing unit 406, so that the print command data 300 is received by the reception buffer 404. The instruction is immediately sent to the instruction interpretation unit 408 after going through.

  Next, the compressed data determination process in step S708 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. In the compression algorithm, a code indicating in which format the data is compressed is always added as a magic number in the header of the data. Therefore, if the magic number matches the code representing the compression format, it can be understood that the data is compressed in the compression format corresponding to the code, and if the magic number does not match, it is uncompressed data. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the compression determination table 410 included in the compressed data determination unit 401. In the compression determination table 410, a compression format and a magic number code are associated with each other. The compressed data determination unit 401 compares the magic number code added to the header of the print command data 300 with the magic number code stored in the compression determination table 410 to determine whether the data is compressed data. . The compressed data determination processing procedure will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the compressed data determination process. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, first, a magic number code is read out from the received print command data 300 (step S801). Next, it is determined whether or not a code that matches the magic number code read from the print command data 300 is stored in the compression determination table 410 (step S802). When the code read from the print command data 300 matches the code stored in the compression determination table 410, that is, when the code read from the print command data 300 matches the magic number code indicating the data compression format. (Step S802: Yes) determines the data compression format (Step S803). On the other hand, when the code read from the print command data 300 does not match the magic number code indicating the data compression format (step S802: No), it is determined as uncompressed data (step S804).

  Hereinafter, specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows an example in which print command data subjected to only compression processing is transmitted.

  In FIG. 11, first, a print request is made (step S901). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction to compress the print command data 300 is also given.

  Next, the data is compressed (step S902). The compression processing unit 206 of the server 110 compresses the print command data 300 including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Next, a print command is received (step S903). The image forming apparatus 120 receives the print command data 300 from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S904). The determination is performed by the compressed data determination unit 401 of the image forming apparatus 120. By confirming the magic number in the header 301 of the print command data 300, the data compression format can be determined.

  Next, a data determination result is received (step S905). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives a determination result as to whether or not the data sent from the compressed data determination unit 401 is compressed.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S906). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). The method of the buffer ID is as described above.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S907). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 from which data is read.

  The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the buffer ID (step S908). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 that is the data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the writing destination.

  First data writing is performed (step S909). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  First data reading is performed (step S910). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the data written in step S909.

  Data decompression processing is performed (step S911). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 decompresses the compressed data read in step S910.

  Second data writing is performed (step S912). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 writes the print command data 300 decompressed in step S911 to the PDL buffer 407.

  Second data reading is performed (step S913). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S911.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S914). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S913.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an example of transmitting print command data subjected to only encryption processing.

  In FIG. 12, first, a print request is made (step S1001). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction to encrypt the print command data 300 is also given.

  Next, the data is encrypted (step S1002). The encryption unit 204 of the server 110 encrypts the print command data 300 including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Next, a print command is received (step S1003). The image forming apparatus 120 receives the print command data 300 from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S1004). The determination is performed by the encrypted data determination unit 402 of the image forming apparatus 120.

  Next, the data determination result is received (step S1005). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives a determination result as to whether or not the data sent from the encrypted data determination unit 402 is encrypted.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S1006). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). The method of the buffer ID is as described above.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S1007). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the data reading destination.

  The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the buffer ID (step S1008). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 as a data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 as a writing destination.

  First data writing is performed (step S1009). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  First data reading is performed (step S1010). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 reads the data written in step S1009.

  Data is decrypted (step S1011). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 decrypts the encrypted data read in step S1010.

  Second data writing is performed (step S1012). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 writes the print command data 300 decrypted in step S 1011 into the PDL buffer 407.

  Second data reading is performed (step S1013). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S1012.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S1014). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S1013.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows an example in which print command data subjected to further compression processing is transmitted after the encryption processing is performed.

  In FIG. 13, first, a print request is made (step S1101). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction to encrypt and compress the print command data 300 is also given.

  Next, the data is encrypted (step S1102). The encryption unit 204 of the server 110 encrypts the print command data 300 including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Subsequently, the data is compressed (step S1103). The compression processing unit 206 further compresses the data encrypted in step S1102.

  Next, a print command is received (step S1104). The image forming apparatus 120 receives the print command data 300 from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S1105). The determination is performed by the compressed data determination unit 401 and the encrypted data determination unit 402 of the image forming apparatus 120.

  Next, the data determination result is received (step S1106). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives the determination result of whether or not the data sent from the compressed data determination unit 401 and the encrypted data determination unit 402 is compressed or encrypted.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S1107). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). The method of the buffer ID is as described above.

  The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the buffer ID (step S1108). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 as a data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 as a writing destination.

  The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the buffer ID (step S1109). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 that is the data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the writing destination.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S1110). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the data reading destination.

  First data writing is performed (step S1111). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  First data reading is performed (step S1112). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the data written in step S1111.

  Data decompression processing is performed (step S1113). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 decompresses the compressed data read in step S1112.

  Second data writing is performed (step S1114). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 writes the print command data 300 decompressed in step S1113 to the PDL buffer 407.

  Second data reading is performed (step S1115). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 reads the data written in step S1113.

  Data is decrypted (step S1116). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 decrypts the encrypted data read in step S1115.

  Third data writing is performed (step S1117). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 writes the print command data 300 decrypted in step S1116 into the PDL buffer 407.

  Third data reading is performed (step S1118). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S1117.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S1119). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S1118.

  FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows an example in which print command data subjected to further encryption processing is transmitted after compression processing.

  In FIG. 14, first, a print request is made (step S1201). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction is given to compress the print command data 300 and further encrypt it.

  Next, the data is compressed (step S1202). The compression processing unit 206 of the server 110 compresses the print command data 300 including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Subsequently, the data is encrypted (step S1203). The encryption unit 204 further encrypts the data compressed in step S1202.

  Next, a print command is received (step S1204). The image forming apparatus 120 receives print command data from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S1205). The determination is performed by the encrypted data determination unit 402 and the compressed data determination unit 401 of the image forming apparatus 120.

  Next, the data determination result is received (step S1206). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives the determination result of whether or not the data sent from the encrypted data determination unit 402 and the compressed data determination unit 401 is encrypted or compressed.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S1207). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). The method of the buffer ID is as described above.

  The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the buffer ID (step S1208). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 as a data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 as a writing destination.

  The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the buffer ID (step S1209). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the IDs of the PDL buffer 407 serving as a data reading destination and the PDL buffer 407 serving as a writing destination.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S1210). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the data reading destination.

  First data writing is performed (step S1211). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  First data reading is performed (step S1212). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 reads the data written in step S1211.

  Data is decrypted (step S1213). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 decrypts the encrypted data read in step S1212.

  Second data writing is performed (step S1214). The encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 writes the print command data 300 decrypted in step S1213 into the PDL buffer 407.

  Second data reading is performed (step S1215). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the data written in step S1214.

  Data decompression processing is performed (step S1216). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 decompresses the compressed data read in step S1215.

  Third data writing is performed (step S1217). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 writes the print command data 300 decompressed in step S1216 to the PDL buffer 407.

  Third data reading is performed (step S1218). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S1217.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S1219). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S1218.

  As described above, when the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 and the encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 receive the ID of the read destination / write destination buffer from the transmission path determination unit 403, the data is always read from the buffer and processed and written. I will try. For this reason, if no data is written in the reading destination buffer, the processing is apparently stopped. Thus, by managing the buffer ID, data is effectively sent to the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 and the encrypted data decryption processing unit 406 to improve processing efficiency.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus 120 constituting the image processing system 100, it is preferable to provide a plurality of compressed data expansion processing units 405 in addition to the reception buffer 404 and the PDL buffer 407. In this way, interrupt printing can be supported. In this case, the buffer ID is determined from the job priority of the print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 and data is allocated. Since the print command data 300 from the server 110 is not written in the interrupted reception buffer 404, it apparently stops. The interrupted compressed data decompression processing unit 405 operates because the reading destination / writing destination can be known by determining the buffer ID. When the interrupt job is uncompressed data, a data transmission path that does not use the PDL buffer 407 is provided. The processing for performing interrupt printing will be described below.

  FIG. 15 is a timing chart for explaining transmission control of print command data when interrupt printing is performed.

  In FIG. 15, first, a print request is made (step S1301). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction to compress the print command data 300 is also given.

  Next, the data is compressed (step S1302). The compression processing unit 206 of the server 110 compresses the print command data 300 including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Next, a print command is received (step S1303). The image forming apparatus 120 receives the print command data 300 from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S1304). The determination is performed by the compressed data determination unit 401 of the image forming apparatus 120. By confirming the magic number in the header 301 of the print command data 300, the data compression format can be determined.

  Next, the data determination result is received (step S1305). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives a determination result as to whether or not the data sent from the compressed data determination unit 401 is compressed.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S1306). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). The method of the buffer ID is as described above.

  The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the buffer ID (step S1307). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 that is the data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the writing destination.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S1308). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the data reading destination.

  First data writing is performed (step S1309). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  First data reading is performed (step S1310). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the data written in step S1309.

  Data decompression processing is performed (step S1311). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 decompresses the compressed data read in step S1310.

  Second data writing is performed (step S1312). The compressed data decompression processing unit 405 writes the print command data 300 decompressed in step S1311 to the PDL buffer 407.

  Second data reading is performed (step S1313). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S1312.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S1314). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S1313.

  Further, the following processing is performed in parallel with the processing in steps S1301 to S1314.

  A print request is made (step S1315). Specifically, the client PC 130 (or thin client PC 140) issues a print instruction to the server 110 via the network 150. At this time, an instruction to compress the print command data is also given.

  Next, the data is compressed (step S1316). The compression processing unit 206 of the server 110 compresses print command data including graphics, characters, and PJL language.

  Next, a print command is received (step S1317). The image forming apparatus 120 receives print command data from the server 110.

  Next, data determination is performed (step S1318). The determination is performed by the compressed data determination unit 401 of the image forming apparatus 120. By confirming the magic number in the header 301 of the print command data 300, the data compression format can be determined.

  Next, the data determination result is received (step S1319). The transmission path determination unit 403 receives a determination result as to whether or not the data sent from the compressed data determination unit 401 is compressed.

  A buffer ID is determined (step S1320). The transmission path determination unit 403 determines the ID of the buffer to be used (send print command data 300). Here, the buffer ID is determined from the job priority of the received print command data 300.

  The other compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the buffer ID (step S1321). The other compressed data decompression processing unit 405 receives the ID of the reception buffer 404 that is the data reading destination and the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the writing destination.

  The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the buffer ID (step S1322). The instruction interpretation unit 408 receives the ID of the PDL buffer 407 that is the data reading destination.

  Third data writing is performed (step S1323). The print command data 300 received by the transmission path determination unit 403 is written in the reception buffer 404.

  The third data reading is performed (step S1324). Another compressed data decompression processing unit 405 reads the data written in step S1323.

  Data decompression processing is performed (step S1325). Another compressed data decompression processing unit 405 decompresses the compressed data read in step S1324.

  A fourth data write is performed (step S1326). The other compressed data decompression processing unit 405 writes the print command data 300 decompressed in step S1325 into the PDL buffer 407.

  The fourth data reading is performed (step S1327). The command interpretation unit 408 reads the print command data 300 written in the PDL buffer 407 in step S1326.

  Bitmap expansion is performed (step S1328). The command interpretation unit 408 develops a bitmap of the print data 302 included in the print command data 300 read in step S1327.

  Note that FIG. 15 shows an example of interrupt printing processing using the compressed print command data 300. However, when the print command data 300 is encrypted, the image forming apparatus 120 includes a plurality of encrypted data decryption processing units 406 and performs the same process as the procedure illustrated in FIG. An interrupt printing process based on the instruction data 300 is also possible.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to this embodiment, not only large-capacity image data but also all print command data including graphics, characters, and PJL language are compressed and transmitted. Network traffic with the apparatus is reduced, and print command data can be efficiently transmitted and received.

  Further, in the image processing system according to this embodiment, the transmission path for compressed data and non-compressed data can be divided particularly on the image forming apparatus side, and both data can be processed efficiently. The efficiency of the printing process in the image forming apparatus can be improved and the printing process can be executed in a short time. That is, when the compressed print command data and the uncompressed print command data are mixed and sent to the image forming apparatus, the uncompressed print command data is passed to the compressed data decompression processing unit 405 to the PDL buffer 407. When writing, since many steps are required, the processing time increases and the speed is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, when uncompressed print command data is received, the processing efficiency of the print command data is improved by forming a data transmission path that reaches the command interpreter 408 as it is from the reception buffer 404. I am letting. In particular, in this embodiment, a plurality of buffers are provided in the image forming apparatus, buffer IDs are assigned to these buffers, and the buffer IDs are managed by the ID management table so that the data processing efficiency is improved. The transmission path of the print command data can be determined.

  Further, by providing a plurality of compressed data decompression processing units 405 and encrypted data decryption processing units 406, interrupt printing processing can be performed.

  In addition, since this embodiment supports encryption of print command data to be transmitted, it is also suitable for print processing of confidential documents.

  Note that the image processing method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the server, the image forming apparatus, the image processing system, the image processing method, and the image processing program according to the present invention are useful for reducing network traffic between the server and the image forming apparatus. The printing processing efficiency in the apparatus can be further improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the server concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print command data used with the image processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print command data used with the image processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print command data used with the image processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the print command data used by the prior art. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of ID management table. It is a figure for demonstrating the failure avoidance function of a compression data expansion | extension process part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image processing system concerning embodiment of this invention. 4 is a diagram illustrating print data 500. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the compression determination table 410 which the compression data determination part 401 has. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a compression data determination process. 5 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 5 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 5 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 5 is a timing chart for explaining specific print command data transmission control in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a timing chart for explaining print command data transmission control when interrupt printing is performed. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing system 110 Server 120 Image forming apparatus 130 Client PC
140 Thin client PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 150 Network 201 Storage part 202 Print command data generation part 203 1st determination part 204 Encryption part 205 2nd determination part 206 Compression processing part 300 Print command data 301 Header 302 Print data 303 Footer 401 Compression data determination part 402 Encryption Data determination unit 403 Transmission path determination unit 404, 404a, 404b Reception buffer 405 Compressed data expansion processing unit 406 Encrypted data decryption processing unit 407, 407a, 407b PDL buffer 408 Instruction interpretation unit

Claims (21)

Can be connected to the network,
Print command data generating means for generating print command data;
Encryption means for performing encryption processing on the entire print command data generated by the print command data generation means;
Compression processing means for performing compression processing on the print command data generated by the print command data generation means or the entire print command data encrypted by the encryption means;
A server characterized by comprising:   The server according to claim 1, further comprising a first determination unit that determines necessity of encryption processing for the print command data.   The server according to claim 1, further comprising: a second determination unit that determines the necessity of compression processing for the print command data. Can be connected to the network,
A first buffer for temporarily storing received print command data;
Compressed data determination means for determining whether or not compression processing is applied to the print command data;
Compressed data decompression processing means for decompressing the compressed print command data;
A second buffer for temporarily storing data decompressed by the compressed data decompression processing means;
Command interpreting means for expanding the print command data;
Transmission path determination means for determining to transmit the print command data stored in the first buffer to either the compressed data decompression processing means or the command interpretation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a data transmission path extending from the first buffer to the second buffer via the compressed data decompression processing unit.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a data transmission path that continues from the first buffer to the command interpreting unit.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the compressed data determination unit determines a compression format from a magic number of the received print command data. Encrypted data determination means for determining whether the print command data is encrypted;
An encrypted data decryption processing means for decrypting the encrypted print command data based on the determination of the encrypted data determination means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the compressed data decompression processing means and the encrypted data decryption processing means are provided. Each of the first buffer and the second buffer includes a plurality of buffers, and a predetermined ID is assigned to each of the plurality of buffers,
The transmission path determination unit manages IDs assigned to the plurality of buffers based on an ID management table, and determines a buffer through which the print command data is routed by designating the IDs. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 to 9.   The transmission path determining means determines a job priority of the print command data, and determines a buffer through which the print command data is routed so that processing of the print command data can be executed in the order of the job priority. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the compressed data decompression processing unit detects the damaged print command data.   13. The image according to claim 12, wherein when the compressed data decompression processing unit detects the damaged print command data, the compressed data decompression processing unit transmits a cancel request to the command interpretation unit and stops the operation of the command interpretation unit. Forming equipment.   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the compressed data decompression processing unit clears the print command data when the damaged print command data is detected. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 14,
A client PC or a thin client PC that controls transmission of print command data from the server to the image forming apparatus;
An image processing system comprising: An image processing method executed in the image processing system according to claim 15,
A data compression process for compressing the entire print command data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus in the server;
A data compression determination step for determining whether or not the print command data received in the image forming apparatus is compressed;
A data transmission path determination step for determining a transmission path for the print command data so as to improve the processing efficiency of the print command data in the image forming apparatus based on the result of the data compression determination step;
An image processing method comprising: The data compression determination step includes
A magic number reading step of reading a magic number from the received print command data;
A data compression format determination step for determining whether or not the magic number read in the magic number reading step matches a code indicating a data compression format;
The image processing method according to claim 16, further comprising:   A transmission path in which the compressed data expansion processing means for expanding the print command data in the data transmission path determination step is arranged when it is determined in the data compression determination process that the print command data is compressed. The image processing method according to claim 16, wherein the image processing method is selected. A data encryption step for encrypting the entire print command data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus in the server;
A data encryption determination step for determining whether or not the print command data received in the image forming apparatus is encrypted;
With
The data transmission path determination step determines the transmission path of the print command data so as to improve the processing efficiency of the print command data in the image forming apparatus based on the result of the data encryption determination step. The image processing method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the image processing method is characterized in that:   When it is determined that the print command data is encrypted in the data encryption determination step, the encrypted data decryption processing means is arranged to decrypt the print command data in the data transmission path determination step. The image processing method according to claim 19, wherein a transmission path is selected.   An image processing program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

Images