JPH11191052A - Server device, character processing method for server device, client device, character processing method for client device and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire font data which undergoes bitmap image expansion and to perform print processing of it by identifying a client device which receives print information, requesting external expansion of font information that can not be expanded and acquiring bitmap image data that undergoes external expansion when it is decided that the font information can not be expanded into a bitmap image. SOLUTION: This server device 201 analyzes print information which is received from a client device 200 through a network NET and produces a bitmap image that can be printed by a printer and a CPU decides whether or not font information in the print information can be expanded to a bitmap image. When it decides that the font information can not be expanded into a bitmap image, it identifies the device 200 which receives the print information and requests external expansion of the font information that can not be expanded. After made requesting, bitmap image data which undergoes external expansion at the device 200 is acquired.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device for analyzing print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium to generate a bitmap image printable by the printing device, and a character of the server device. The present invention relates to a processing method, a client device, a character processing method of the client device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a character processing system of this kind, for example, a server printer and a client device communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, and print data received from the client device is connected to the server device. In a character processing system that can print on a computer, when a client device performs printing using a specific character or external character and rasterizes a font such as a specific character or external character on a server device, this type of method is used in a server. It is necessary to similarly register a specific character or external character used in the client device in the device in advance.

[0003]

Since the conventional character processing system is configured as described above, if the font resource environment of the client device and the font resource environment of the server device are different, they can be used in the client device. Even a specific font resource cannot be printed if print data using the specific font resource is printed by a local printer connected to the server device, and the font resource created or registered in the client device cannot be printed by the server device. There is a problem that complicated operations must be performed if registration is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a development resource of a client device to convert font information that cannot be developed into a bitmap image by a server device into a bitmap image. By acquiring from the client device as image data,
Since there is no memory resource for storing font resource information used by the client device, a situation may occur in which font information specified in print information received from the client device cannot be expanded into a bitmap image. A server that can freely construct an inexpensive character processing environment that can identify a client device that has received the print information, request bitmap image development, and perform print processing using an externally developed bitmap font. An object of the present invention is to provide a character processing method of a device, a server device, a client device, a character processing method of a client device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium is analyzed to generate a bitmap image printable by the printing device. A server device that determines whether the font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image, and when the determination unit determines that the font information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, Requesting means for requesting external expansion of font information which cannot be expanded by identifying the client apparatus which has received the print information; and obtaining bitmap image data externally expanded by the identified client apparatus after the request by the requesting means. Acquisition means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines whether external character font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the determining means determines whether or not specific font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the specific font information is allomorph font information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client device for communicating with a server device for generating a bitmap image that can be printed by a printing device and transferring print information generated by executing an application program. Expansion means for expanding the print device into a printable bitmap image based on the print information, and a font expanded by the expansion means based on a font expansion request requested from the server after transferring the print information Transfer means for transferring the image data to the server device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character processing method for a server device which analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image printable by the printing device. A method of determining whether font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image, and, if the determination step determines that the font information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, performing the printing. A requesting step of requesting external expansion of font information that cannot be expanded by identifying the client apparatus that has received the information, and an obtaining step of obtaining bitmap image data externally expanded by the identified client apparatus after the request by the requesting step And

A seventh invention according to the present invention controls a server device which analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image which can be printed by the printing device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a determination step of determining whether font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image, and the determination step converts the font information into a bitmap image. A requesting step of identifying the client device that has received the print information and requesting external expansion of the font information that cannot be expanded when it is determined that expansion is not possible; And acquiring the bitmap image data.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a character processing method for a client device for transmitting print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device for generating a bitmap image printable by a printing device. An expansion step of expanding the print device into a printable bitmap image based on the print information; and, after transferring the print information, the expansion step based on a font expansion request requested from the server device. A transfer step of transferring the font image data developed according to (1) to the server device.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is a computer for controlling a client device that communicates with a server device that generates a bitmap image that can be printed by a printing device, executes an application program, and transfers print information generated by the application program. Is a storage medium storing a readable program, a developing step of developing the print device into a printable bitmap image based on the print information,
After the transfer of the print information, a transfer step of transferring the font image data expanded in the expansion step to the server apparatus based on a font expansion request requested from the server apparatus.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a character processing system including a server device and a client device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a client device which manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined OS, and executes various data processing by executing an application program stored in a hard disk or the like (not shown). 2
A server device 01 manages data processing by, for example, a predetermined operating system (OS), is connected to the printer 202 via a predetermined interface cable, and is connected to the client device 20 via a network NET.
Process print requests from 0. Also, the server device 201
A file is stored in a hard disk or the like (not shown), and performs file transfer via the network NET based on a file request from the client device 200.
The number of client devices 200 may be plural. The print setting data and print data are
The data is sent from the client device 200 to the server device 201, performs an actual rasterizing process, converts the data into data that can be interpreted by the printer 202, and the converted print data is sent to the printer 202 and printed.

FIG. 2 shows the client device 2 shown in FIG.
00 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing configuration of the server apparatus 201. FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU which executes a series of processes such as control of a connected input / output device and printing control in accordance with an input instruction. Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM which stores a boot program of the CPU 1 and the like. A RAM 3 is used as an area where the CPU 1 loads the program of the present invention. Note that an OS and application programs are also loaded on the RAM 3 and executed. Note that the program of the present invention includes FD, HD, ROM,
It is supplied from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

FIG. 3 shows the client device 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a print data processing configuration by the server apparatus 201, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the client device 200, 301
Is an external character rasterizing program for rasterizing external characters based on registered external character data.

In the server apparatus 201, reference numeral 303 denotes a printer driver which performs actual print data processing (rasterization and the like).

Reference numeral 303 denotes an inter-process communication which corresponds to a request for rasterizing an external character and is requested to the client device 200 when the printer driver 302 determines that the external character in the print data received cannot be rasterized. An inter-process communication 304 corresponds to external character image data, is rasterized by the external character rasterizing program 301, and is transferred to the server device 201. Generally, the inter-process communication 304, 305 is Pipe, RP
C (Remote Procedure Call),
Socket or the like.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of client devices (client device 200
Server device 201 that analyzes print information received from a client device (not shown) including a client device via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) and generates a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing device. Determining means for determining whether the font information in the information can be expanded into a bitmap image (the CPU of the server device 201)
Executes the control program stored in the ROM or other memory resources), and when the determination unit determines that the font information cannot be expanded into a bitmap image, the client that has received the print information Request means for requesting external development of font information which cannot be developed by identifying the apparatus (the CPU of the server
Or executing a control program stored in another memory resource to process the request), and after the request by the request unit,
Acquisition means (server 2) for acquiring bitmap image data externally developed by the identified client device
01 executes the control program stored in the ROM or other memory resources to perform the acquisition process), so that the print information received from the client device can be obtained without expanding the font resources on the server device 201 side. Even if a situation arises in which the font information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, the client device that has received the print information can easily acquire the font data that has been developed into the bitmap image and print the font data.

Further, the CPU of the server apparatus 201 determines whether the external character font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image. Also, a printable external character bitmap image can be obtained and printed using the development resources of the client device having the external character font information.

Further, the CPU of the server device 201 determines whether or not the specific font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image. Also, a printable bitmap image of a specific character can be acquired and printed using the development resources of the client device having the specific font information.

Further, since the specific font information is allomorph font information, even if external character font information having a different use environment for each client device is received, the expanded resources of the client device having the allomorph font information are used. To obtain and print a printable allomorph bitmap image.

A client device 200 for communicating with a server device 201 for generating a bitmap image that can be printed by a printing device and transferring the generated print information by executing an application program, based on the print information. Developing means for developing the print device into a printable bitmap image (the CPU of the CPU of the client device 200 executes a control program stored in a ROM or other memory resources to perform the developing process); After the transfer, a transfer means for transferring the font image data expanded by the expansion means to the server apparatus based on a font expansion request requested from the server apparatus (the CPU of the client apparatus 200 transmits the
M or a control program stored in another memory resource to execute transfer processing), if there is font information that cannot be expanded in the print information transferred to the server device, the request from the server device Accordingly, the image data can be developed into a printable bitmap image by using a unique development resource and transferred to the server device, and character printing failure can be avoided.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printer driver 302 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the processing procedure. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

When the printing process of the external character is started, in step (1), it is determined whether the external character in the received print data can be rasterized by referring to the registered external character font resource, and the external character can be rasterized. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step (2), and the external character is rasterized. Generally, the rasterizing process itself is realized using the function of the operating system.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the external character cannot be rasterized, the process proceeds to step (3), where the computer (client device 200) on which the application program that has executed the printing runs and the current processing To determine if the computers running are the same.

Here, as a determination method, it is possible to include a computer identifier (for example, a computer name or an IP address) in the print setting data and compare it with the identifier obtained at step (3). Become.

If it is determined that the operating environment of the print application program matches the current processing environment, the processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the operating environment of the printing application program does not match the current processing environment, the process proceeds to step (4), where the external character code and the external character rasterizing program 301 shown in FIG. The designated character and the font information are transferred to request the rasterization of the external character, the external character image data rasterized by the external character rasterizing program 301 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step (5). More specifically, in step (4), a parameter including an external character code, a flag for specifying whether a specific font is associated with the external character, information on a font associated with the external character, and the like are passed to the rasterizing program 301 and output. As a result, rasterized external character image data is received.

Next, in step (5), printing is performed by sending the rasterized external character image data to the printer 202, and the process ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the external character rasterizing program 301 shown in FIG. In addition, (1)-
(3) shows each step.

When the printing process of the external character is started, input parameters (including an external character code, a flag for specifying whether a specific font is associated with the external character, and information on the font associated with the external character) are analyzed. Determine whether the external character is associated with a specific font (1),
If it is determined that the external character is associated with a specific external character, the external character is rasterized in step (2) using the font information in the input parameter, and the external character image data rasterized in step (4) is output to the printer shown in FIG. The data is output to the driver 302, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the character is not associated with a specific external character, the process proceeds to step (3), where the rasterizing process is performed irrespective of the font, and the process ends.

In general, the rasterizing process itself is performed by:
It is realized using the function of the operating system.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The printer driver 302 operating on the server device 201 directly communicates with the external character rasterizing program 301 operating on the client device 200.
1 does not directly communicate with another computer, but communicates with an external character rasterizing program on the same computer, and further performs an external character rasterizing program on the server device 302 and a rasterizing program 301 on the client device 200.
And may communicate with each other to generate an external character image by rasterizing the external character, thereby simplifying the processing of the printer driver operating on the server apparatus 201. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration and network configuration are shown in FIGS.
The description of the same components as described above is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a character processing system including a server device and a client device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. It is.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes an external character rasterizing program for rasterizing external characters based on registered external character data. Reference numeral 602 denotes a request for rasterizing an external character.
It is output from the printer driver 302 to the external character rasterizing program 601. Reference numeral 603 denotes external character image data, which corresponds to the external character image data generated by the external character rasterizing program 601 or the external character image generated by requesting the external character rasterizing program 301 of the client device 200 to the external character rasterizing program 301.

Reference numeral 604 denotes an inter-process communication, which corresponds to a request for a rasterization request for external characters. Required for the rasterize program 301.

Reference numeral 605 denotes inter-process communication, which corresponds to external character image data, is rasterized by the external character rasterizing program 301, and is transferred to the external character rasterizing program 601 of the server apparatus 201. Generally, the inter-process communication 604, 605 is performed by Pipe, RPC (RePC).
move Procedure Call), Sock
This is realized by et.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printer driver 302 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to the external character processing procedure. Note that (1) to (4) show each step.

When the printing of the external character is started, it is determined in step (1) whether the external character can be rasterized.
If it is determined that external characters can be rasterized,
Proceed to step (2) to execute rasterization. Generally, the rasterizing process itself is realized using the function of the operating system.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the rasterization of the external character is impossible, the process proceeds to step (3), in which the computer on which the application program that has executed the printing runs and the current process are executed. Determine if the computers are the same. Here, as a determination method, it is possible to include a computer identifier (for example, a computer name or an IP address) in the print setting data and compare it with the identifier obtained at the time of step (3).

If it is determined that the operating environment of the print application program matches the current processing environment, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the operating environment of the print application program does not match the current processing environment, the process proceeds to step (4), where the external character code and the external character rasterizing program 601 in FIG. Rasterizing of external characters is requested together with the designated flag, font information, and identifier, and external character image data is acquired.

At this time, the external character rasterizing program 6
01, an external character code, a flag for specifying whether a specific font is associated with the external character, information on the font associated with the external character, an identifier for knowing on which computer the external character rasterizing program 301 is operating, etc. And receive a rasterized external character image as the output result.

Next, in step (5), printing is performed by sending the rasterized external character image data to the printer 202, and the process ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to the external character processing procedure of the external character rasterizing program 601 shown in FIG. In addition, (1) step is shown.

When the printing of the external character is started, an external rasterizing program is executed based on the external character code as an input parameter, a flag for specifying whether a specific font is associated with the external character, and information on the font associated with the external character. The external character rasterizing program 301 identifies which computer the external character rasterizing program 301 uses by using the identifier in an identifier or the like for knowing which computer the 601 is operating on, and sets the above parameters to the external character rasterizing program 30.
1 to request rasterization of external characters. as a result,
The image data of the rasterized external character is acquired, and the acquired external character image data is
2 and end the process.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a character processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. is there.

In the client device 200, 901
Is a character rasterization program for rasterizing external characters based on registered external character data.

In the server apparatus 201, reference numeral 302 denotes a printer driver which performs actual print data processing (rasterization and the like).

Reference numeral 303 denotes an inter-process communication which corresponds to a character rasterization request request and is requested to the client device 200 when the printer driver 302 determines that characters in print data received cannot be rasterized. Reference numeral 304 denotes inter-process communication, which corresponds to character image data, is rasterized by the character rasterizing program 301, and is transferred to the server device 201. Generally, the inter-process communication 304, 305 is Pipe, RP
C (Remote Procedure Call),
Socket or the like.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printer driver 30 shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the processing procedure 2. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

When the character printing process is started, in step (1), it is determined whether the external character in the received print data can be rasterized by referring to the registered external character font resource, and the external character can be rasterized. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step (2), and the external character is rasterized. Generally, the rasterizing process itself is realized using the function of the operating system.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the character cannot be rasterized, the process proceeds to step (3), where the computer (client device 200) on which the application program that has executed the printing runs and the current processing are performed. To determine if the computers running are the same.

Here, as a determination method, it is possible to include a computer identifier (for example, a computer name or an IP address) in the print setting data and compare it with the identifier obtained at the time of step (3). Become.

If it is determined that the operating environment of the print application program matches the current processing environment, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the operating environment of the print application program does not match the current processing environment, the process proceeds to step (4), and the character rasterizing program 901 shown in FIG. To obtain character image data rasterized by the character rasterizing program 901 and proceed to step (5). Specifically, in step (4), a parameter including a character code, font information associated with the character, and the like is passed to the rasterization program 301, and rasterized character image data is received as an output result.

Next, in step (5), printing is performed by sending the rasterized character image data to the printer 202, and the process ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to the processing procedure of the character rasterizing program 901 shown in FIG. (1) indicates a step.

When the printing process of the character is started, the character is rasterized using the input parameters (including the character code and the information of the font associated with the character) (1), and the rasterized character image data is shown in FIG. The data is output to the indicated printer driver 302, and the process ends.

Generally, the rasterizing process itself is performed as follows.
It is realized using the function of the operating system.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
Although the printer driver 302 operating on the server 201 directly communicates with the character rasterizing program 901 operating on the client 200,
1 does not directly communicate with another computer, but communicates with a character rasterization program on the same computer, and furthermore, a character rasterization program on the server device 302 and a character rasterization program on the client device 200. 9
01 may communicate with the printer 201 to generate a character image by rasterizing the character to simplify the processing of the printer driver operating on the server 201. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. The description of the hardware configuration and network configuration similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a character processing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a character rasterizing program 902 rasterizes characters based on a character rasterizing request. A character rasterizing request 602 is output from the printer driver 302 to the external character rasterizing program 601. Reference numeral 603 denotes character image data, which corresponds to character image data generated by the character rasterizing program 901 or a character image generated by the character rasterizing program 901 requesting the character rasterizing program 901 of the client device 200.

Reference numeral 604 denotes an inter-process communication, which corresponds to a character rasterization request request. If the printer driver 603 determines that the character in the print data received cannot be rasterized, the character string of the client device 200 is transmitted via the character rasterization program 902. Required for the rasterize program 901.

Reference numeral 605 denotes inter-process communication which corresponds to character image data, is rasterized by a character rasterizing program 901, and is transferred to a character rasterizing program 902 of the server 201. Generally, the inter-process communication 604, 605 is performed by Pipe, RPC (RePC).
move Procedure Call), Sock
This is realized by et.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the seventh data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied. The printer driver 30 shown in FIG.
2 corresponds to the character processing procedure. Note that (1) to (4) show each step.

When the character printing process is started, it is determined in step (1) whether the character can be rasterized.
If it is determined that the character can be rasterized,
Proceed to step (2) to execute rasterization. Generally, the rasterizing process itself is realized using the function of the operating system.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the character cannot be rasterized, the flow advances to step (3) to execute the computer on which the application program that executed the printing runs and the current processing. Determine if the computers are the same. Here, as a determination method, it is possible to include a computer identifier (for example, a computer name or an IP address) in the print setting data and compare it with the identifier obtained at the time of step (3).

If it is determined that the operating environment of the print application program matches the current processing environment, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the operating environment of the print application program does not match the current processing environment, the process proceeds to step (4), and FIG.
The character rasterizing program 902 is requested to rasterize characters and character image data is obtained.

At this time, the character rasterizing program 9
02, a parameter including a character code, information on a font associated with the character, an identifier for knowing which computer the character rasterizing program 901 is operating on, and the like, and image data of the rasterized character as an output result Receive.

Next, in step (5), printing is performed by sending the rasterized character image data to the printer 202, and the process ends.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the eighth data processing procedure in the character processing system to which the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to the character processing procedure of the character rasterizing program 902 shown in FIG. (1)
Here are the steps.

When the character printing process is started, a character code as an input parameter, information of a font associated with the character, an identifier for knowing which computer the character rasterizing program 901 is operating on, and the like are included. Character rasterizing program 901 using the identifier
Identifies the computer and sends the parameters to the character rasterization program 901 to request character rasterization. As a result, rasterized character image data is acquired, and the acquired character image data is sent to the printer driver 302, thus ending the processing.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The printing device (printer 202) analyzes the print information received from a plurality of client devices configured as described above (other client devices (not shown, including the client device 200)) via a predetermined communication medium. Server device 2 that generates a bitmap image that can be printed
01 is a character processing method, or a computer that controls a server device that analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing device is read out by a computer. A determination step of determining whether or not font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image (FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7)
Step (1), Step (1) in FIGS. 10 and 13)
A requesting step of requesting external expansion of font information that cannot be expanded by identifying the client device that has received the print information when it is determined in the determination step that the font information cannot be expanded into a bitmap image (FIG. 4)
Steps (3) and (4) in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, Steps (3) and (4) in FIG. 10 and FIG. 13), and a bitmap externally developed by the identified client device after the request by the requesting step. Since it has an acquisition step of acquiring image data (step (4) in FIG. 4, step (4) in FIG. 10 and FIG. 13), printing received from the client device without expanding the font resource on the server device side. Even if a situation occurs in which the font information in the information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, the client device that has received the print information can easily obtain the font data that has been developed into the bitmap image and print the font data.

A character processing method of a client device for transmitting print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device for generating a bitmap image printable by the printing device, or A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a client device that transfers a print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device that generates a printable bitmap image, the print medium comprising: A developing step of developing the print device into a printable bitmap image based on the information, and the developing step (FIGS. 8 and 11) based on a font developing request requested from the server device after the transfer of the print information. , The font image developed by step (1) in FIG. 14) Transfer step for transferring data to the server device (8, 11, the steps of FIG. 14 (1))
Therefore, if there is font information that cannot be expanded in the print information transferred to the server device, it is expanded into a printable bitmap image using a specific expansion resource in response to a request from the server device. The data can be transferred to the server device, and printing failure of characters can be avoided.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 13 and FIG. Good. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0095]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, a server device that analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing device, the font device included in the print information Determining means for determining whether information can be developed into a bitmap image;
Requesting means for identifying the client device which has received the print information and requesting external development of font information which cannot be developed, when the determination means determines that the font information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, Acquiring the bitmap image data externally developed by the identified client device after the request, so that the font information in the print information received from the client device can be obtained without expanding the font resources on the server device side. Even if a situation arises in which the print data cannot be developed into a bitmap image, the client device that has received the print information can easily obtain the font data that has been developed into the bitmap image and perform the printing process.

According to the second aspect, the determining means determines whether or not the external character font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image. Can be used to obtain and print a printable external character bitmap image using the development resources of the client device having the external character font information.

According to the third aspect, the determination means determines whether or not the specific font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image. Received, a bitmap image of a printable specific character can be acquired and printed using the development resources of the client device having the specific font information.

According to the fourth aspect, since the specific font information is allied font information, even if external character font information having a different use environment for each client device is received, a client having the allied font information is provided. A printable allomorph bitmap image can be acquired and printed using the development resources of the device.

According to the fifth invention, there is provided a client device which communicates with a server device for generating a bitmap image which can be printed by a printing device and transfers print information generated by executing an application program. Developing means for developing the print device into a printable bitmap image based on information, and after transferring the print information,
Transfer means for transferring the font image data expanded by the expansion means to the server apparatus based on a font expansion request requested from the server apparatus, so that font information which cannot be expanded in the print information transferred to the server apparatus is included. In some cases, in response to a request from the server device, it can be developed into a printable bitmap image using a unique development resource and transferred to the server device, thereby avoiding printing failure of characters.

According to the sixth and seventh aspects, the character of the server device that generates a bitmap image printable by the printing device by analyzing the printing information received from the plurality of client devices via the predetermined communication medium A computer readable program that controls a server device that is a processing method or that analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image printable by the printing device. A determination step of determining whether font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image, and determining that the font information cannot be expanded into a bitmap image by the determination step The font information that cannot be expanded by identifying the client device that has received the print information. Since there is a requesting step for requesting partial expansion and an obtaining step of obtaining bitmap image data externally expanded by the identified client device after the request by the requesting step, the font resources on the server device side can be extended. Even if a situation occurs in which the font information in the print information received from the client device cannot be expanded into a bitmap image, the font data expanded into the bitmap image can be easily obtained by the client device that has received the print information. Can be printed.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, the character processing of the client device that transfers the print information generated by executing the application program by communicating with the server device that generates the printable bitmap image by the printing device. A method for storing a computer readable program that controls a client device that transfers a generated print information by executing an application program by communicating with a server device that generates a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing device A storage medium, wherein, based on the print information, a developing step of developing the print apparatus into a printable bitmap image, and after transferring the print information, based on a font development request requested from the server apparatus. The font image data expanded in the expansion step is stored in the server And if there is font information that cannot be expanded in the print information transferred to the server device, printable bits can be printed using a unique expansion resource in response to a request from the server device. The image can be developed into a map image and transferred to the server device, so that printing failure of characters can be avoided.

Therefore, the font information specified in the print information received from the client device cannot be developed into a bitmap image because there is no memory resource for storing the font resource information used by the client device. Even if a situation occurs, an inexpensive character processing environment that can identify the client device that received the print information, request bitmap image development, and perform print processing using a bitmap font that has been externally developed can be freely constructed. And the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing system including a server device and a client device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing configuration of a client device and a server device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a print data processing configuration by a client device and a server device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing system including a server device and a client device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a character processing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a character processing system to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 client device 201 server device 301 external character rasterizing program 302 printer driver

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A server device for analyzing print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium to generate a bitmap image printable by a printing device, wherein the font information in the print information is A determination unit that determines whether or not the print information can be developed into a bitmap image; and if the determination unit determines that the font information cannot be developed into a bitmap image, the client device that has received the print information cannot be developed. A server device, comprising: a request unit for requesting external expansion of font information; and an obtaining unit for obtaining bitmap image data externally expanded by an identified client device after the request by the request unit. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether external character font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the specific font information in the print information can be developed into a bitmap image. 4. The server device according to claim 3, wherein said specific font information is allomorph font information. 5. A client device for transmitting print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device that generates a printable bitmap image by a printing device, wherein the printing device performs printing based on the print information. Expansion means for expanding the image into a printable bitmap image; and, after transferring the print information, transferring the font image data expanded by the expansion means to the server apparatus based on a font expansion request requested from the server apparatus. And a transfer unit. 6. A character processing method for a server device that analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing device, wherein: A determining step of determining whether or not the font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image; and, when determining in the determination step that the font information cannot be expanded into a bitmap image, identifying the client device that has received the print information. Requesting external expansion of font information that cannot be expanded by performing the request, and after the request in the requesting step, obtaining an externally expanded bitmap image data by the identified client device, comprising: The character processing method of the server device to perform. 7. A computer-readable program for controlling a server device that analyzes print information received from a plurality of client devices via a predetermined communication medium and generates a bitmap image printable by the printing device is stored. A determining step of determining whether font information in the print information can be expanded into a bitmap image; and determining that the font information cannot be expanded into a bitmap image by the determining step, Requesting external expansion of font information that cannot be expanded by identifying the client device that has received the request, and obtaining the bitmap image data externally expanded by the identified client device after the request by the requesting step; A computer readable program. A storage medium that stores programs. 8. A character processing method for a client device for transmitting print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device that generates a printable bitmap image by a printing device, comprising: Developing a bitmap image printable by the printing device based on the print information, and after transferring the print information, the font image data expanded by the expansion process based on a font expansion request requested from the server device. And a transfer step of transferring to a server device. 9. A computer readable program stored in a computer that controls a client device that transfers a print information generated by executing an application program by communicating with a server device that generates a printable bitmap image by a printing device is stored. A storage medium, wherein the printing apparatus expands the print information into a printable bitmap image based on the print information; and, after the transfer of the print information, based on a font expansion request requested from the server apparatus. A transfer step of transferring the font image data expanded in the expansion step to the server device, wherein the storage medium stores a computer-readable program.