NETWORK SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION MEMORY MEDIUM
First Claim
1. A network system, comprising:
- a server that receives a printing instruction and image data for printing which are transmitted from a terminal apparatus, and at least one printer connected to the server, the server including;
a printer server that outputs a device information inquiry signal based upon a printing instruction from the terminal apparatus, the printer server selecting a printer for an intended printing data transmission based upon device information received in response to the inquiry signal; and
a image processing server that performs data conversion processing to convert the image data from the terminal apparatus to printing data and transmits the printing data that is formed by the data conversion processing to the selected printer, the selected printer including a device information transmission controller that transmits the device information including the selected printer'"'"'s classification information to the server in response to the device information inquiry signal, and the selected printer prints the printing data.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information processing apparatus, an information memory medium, and a network system are provided which can efficiently select the most appropriate printer from among a plurality of printers which are connected to the network, and perform a printing operation. This network system may include at least one server and a plurality of printers connected through a communication line. In the server, based upon a printing instruction which is transmitted from a computer, an inquiry signal is output to each printer. The printer to be used for printing is then selected based upon the information transmitted from each printer. Furthermore, data conversion processing is performed in order to convert the image data to printing data for printing.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A network system, comprising:
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a server that receives a printing instruction and image data for printing which are transmitted from a terminal apparatus, and at least one printer connected to the server, the server including;
a printer server that outputs a device information inquiry signal based upon a printing instruction from the terminal apparatus, the printer server selecting a printer for an intended printing data transmission based upon device information received in response to the inquiry signal; and
a image processing server that performs data conversion processing to convert the image data from the terminal apparatus to printing data and transmits the printing data that is formed by the data conversion processing to the selected printer, the selected printer including a device information transmission controller that transmits the device information including the selected printer'"'"'s classification information to the server in response to the device information inquiry signal, and the selected printer prints the printing data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A network system that connects at least one server and a plurality of printers, one of the plurality of printers including:
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a printer server that outputs a device information inquiry signal based upon a printing instruction and image data received from a terminal apparatus, the printer server selecting a second server or second printer for data conversion processing based upon device information received from each of the at least one server and the plurality of printers in response to the device information inquiry signal, and the printer server transmitting data conversion instructions and image data to the selected second server or second printer;
one of the plurality of printers further printing data that is transmitted from the selected second server or second printer, the second server or second printer further performing data conversion processing of image data and forming printing data based upon the data conversion instruction, and including an image processing server that transmits the printing data to one of the plurality of printers.
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9. An information processing apparatus that can receive a printing instruction and image data for printing that are transmitted from a terminal apparatus, comprising:
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a printer server that outputs a device information inquiry signal based upon a printing instruction from the terminal apparatus, and that selects a printer for an intended printing data transmission based upon device information received from each printer and server corresponding to the device information inquiry signal, and a image processing server that performs data conversion processing to convert image data from the terminal apparatus to printing data and transmits the printing data formed by the data conversion processing to the selected printer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An information memory medium for controlling an information processing apparatus that can receive a printing instruction and image data for printing that are transmitted from a terminal apparatus, comprising:
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information for outputting a device information inquiry signal based upon a printing instruction from the terminal apparatus, and selecting a printer for an intended printing data transmission based upon device information which is received from each printer or server in response to the device information inquiry signal, and information for performing data conversion processing to convert image data from the terminal apparatus to printing data and transmit the printing data which is formed by the data conversion processing to the selected printer.
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Specification