Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a remote printing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to facilitate remote printing of documents via a printer, which may be communicatively coupled to the Internet. Further this invention which relates to system that does not have a driver also can print documents and images too. Further this invention also relates to facilitates user to print any document/image from a any other device which is not having printer driver over wired or wireless through other machine which has printer driver and is to a printer. Further this invention also relates to a remote print system in which when a plurality of computers connected to a network cause a printer connected to the network to execute printing. This invention also relates to a systems for providing printing services over a communications network.

Background of the invention and related prior Art

Conventionally, in the case printing output is desired outside the office or the house, the desired printing output can be obtained at a place where a printer unit is installed in business convenience store. However, since the density of the business convenience stores or the like is not always high, the printing output cannot be executed immediately in the case when the printing output is needed, and furthermore, search of a shop is troublesome as well.

Moreover, since the data format to be processed differs depending on the kind of the printer units, a driver corresponding to the data format of the printer unit should be installed in a laptop personal computer having stored therein the electronic data to be printed, or the like. Such installation itself is time taking and labor taking so as to pose the burden on the user. Furthermore, repetition of installation of drivers different for each kind consumes the memory capacity of the hard disc of the laptop personal computer, or the like, and thus it is disadvantageous. Moreover, even in the case a user finds a page to be printed while viewing a Web page, since a business convenience store may not be found or installation of a driver is required, the actual execution of the printing output can be much later than the time of finding the Web page to be printed in many cases so that the URL of the Web page needs to be memorized in a laptop personal computer or memorized in his/her own memory, and thus it is not usable and not convenient.

In the client-server environment, the server operating system is called upon to handle communication interaction with a variety of client-based applications. The client operating system locates a server and requests a connection with the server and the server allocates resources to handle requests from the client. This can include, for example, a print request to a designated printer connected locally or to the client. Examples of such clients include workstations, desktop computers, laptops, hand held devices and the like. Examples of printer devices include laser printers, bubblejet printers, inkjet printers, multi-purpose machines which combine printing, faxing and/or photocopying capabilities, and the like. In some client-server systems, however, the client computer is a simple machine that is implemented with less functionality than a general-purpose computer. For instance, the client might be implemented as a terminal, which typically provides just enough functionality to enable access to the server computer over a network. The terminal has no operating system or "intelligence"; rather, the operating system and applications reside at the server, and the processing takes place at the server.

The Internet includes a great number of network resources accessible by users of local network devices. These resources include web pages, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, sound files, image files, and the like. A user of a local network device is able to obtain a local copy of a particular one of these network resources from the Internet using an identifier. Providing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) as the identifier is common since the URL is a standard used by many Internet applications including web browsers for locating and accessing a copy of a desired network resource. The prior art also uses the Universal Naming Convention (UNC) or the directory/file structure (DFS) as resource identifiers.

The document EP0689 157 states that a system is described in which special measures are taken to prevent print jobs of different users accumulating in the output tray into an in surveyable pile of prints. In the known system, interactive print jobs are transmitted to the printer via the network and stored locally at the printer and not printed. Then the user walks up to the printer, identifies himself by selecting his personal identifier from a list and is presented with a list of his own stored jobs. He selects a job from the list and gives a print command with respect to the selected print job, where after the job is printed while he waits.

A method for printing remotely generated interactive print jobs in a system including a workstation provided with a processor unit, a display screen, and operator control means; a printer, provided with a control unit and an operator control panel including a display and a local storage device for storing print files for printing; and a digital network to which the workstation and the printer are connected. The invention also relates to a printing system in which the method is used and to a computer program implementing the method in a workstation which is described by the document EP 1164469.

Facsimile is a well-known and pervasive service: it allows a document to be transported from one physical location to another via electronic delivery with output at the destination in paper form. Two limitations of the present facsimile technology include a slow transmission speed, i. e.. 20-60 seconds per page, and a resolution limited to a maximum of 200 dots per inch in fine mode. By comparison, a standard laser printer produces an output of 600 dots per inch at a rate of one page every 5-10 seconds.

E-mail is an alternative medium for transporting a message from one network computer to another: here the output is in electronic form. It is well known that certain documents, depending on their length and content, are much easier to read from a printed page, rather than a display terminal. E-mail requires that the destination user take certain additional steps to convert an electronic "soft copy" into a printed "hard copy', and in many cases production of a hard copy from an e-mail can be quite cumbersome. For example, if an e-mail arrives with multiple file attachments, each file must be opened with its associated application in order to be printed.

The document WO 0041064 describes the a method is provided for network delivery and remote printing of e-mail messages. The method includes the steps of sending an e-mail message, including a destination identifier, on a network to a remote print service (RPS) provider. The RPS provider receives the e-mail message and determines, from the destination identifier, a destination printer address and print format capability for a corresponding destination printer local to the intended recipient. The RPS provider modifies the e-mail message (including any enclosures or attachments) to conform, as necessary, to the print format capability of the destination printer and sends the modified e-mail message on the network addressed to the destination printer. The destination printer then receives and is enabled to automatically print the modified e-mail message.

The document GB 2378295 discloses the remote printing of documents. In this regard, embodiments of the invention may be construed as providing print systems for use with an intranet. Typically, such an intranet is configured to store information corresponding to documents available for printing. In a preferred embodiment, the print system includes a document retrieval system that is communicatively coupled with the intranet. The document also says the system is configured to receive document reference information corresponding to a document to be printed and printer information corresponding to a network printer. In response to receiving the document reference information and printer information, the document retrieval system provides print information corresponding to the document to be printed to the network printer. Preferably, the print information is transmitted from the intranet to the network printer.

According to the documents JP-A-4-317118 and JP-A-3-232014 a remote print system in which a printer is used in common to a plurality of host computers connected to a network has become widespread. This type of remote print system is described in.

The document JP-A-3-150628 describes the receiving a request for demanding the use of a printer from a host computer and, when the printer is being used, transmitting an error notification to indicate that the printer is being used and otherwise, permitting the use of the printer, via display controlling apparatus-. The display controlling apparatus has a controlling block in association with a corresponding host computer to manage the use status of a printer.

JP-A-4-277818 teaches a printer which is capable of suspending, stopping and resuming printing in response to a request from an apparatus located remotely, via a server. No explanation is however provided regarding specific means, such as a library (or a system call) for controlling a network printer and daemon.

According to the document US5799206, the invention provides a remote print system in which when printing based on a network printer is carried out, a process in a host computer requesting printing can control the network printer in a way similar to that for a local printer connected to the host computer and to provide a computer used in the remote print system.

A remote print system in which when printing based on a network printer is carried out, a process in a host computer requesting printing can cause the network printer to execute printing by using an interface similar to a conventional interface for a local printer connected to the host computer and to provide a computer used in the remote print system. A host computer carries a NPR control library which serves as an interface to a NPR and a NPR controlling daemon for controlling the operation of the NPR through a network, and the NPR includes a NPR connecting protocol controlling unit which communicates with the NPR controlling daemon in accordance with NPR connecting protocol for control of the NPR. A NPR controlling daemon command/response message is provided by which the NPR control library and the NPR controlling daemon transmit/receive a request from a print process and a result of the request. The NPR control library performs transmission and reception of the request from the print process and the result of the request to and from the NPR controlling daemon by utilizing inter process communication (IPC) under the direction of the NPR controlling daemon command/response message.

The other document US6727998 states that the print data produced by the first printer system is transmitted to the second printer system by the electronic mail, and the second printer system performs the printing operation based on the print data transmitted by the first printer system. Accordingly, the print data can be transmitted without being processed by a scanner as in the case of facsimile transmission. Thus, an image quality of the image produced by the print data is prevented from being deteriorated, resulting in high-quality printing. Since the print data is transmitted via the electronic mail, a remote party receiving the print data can be specifically designated. This provides confidentiality to the transmission of the print data, and reduces a communication cost. Since the print data to be transmitted is converted into code data prior to transmission and the original data is not transmitted to the remote party, there is no risk that the contents of the print data to be printed are changed before printing.

An user to obtain print jobs at a location which may be unspecified, and which may be remote from the source of, the print job. A spooling server is used to store a print job received via the network from a print job source. A printer polling device, which may be used at a location remote from the source of the print job, is capable of polling the spooling server via the network to identify whether any print jobs associated with the printer polling device are available for printing at one or more printers associated with the polling device. A variety of revenue models may be used for the printing services provided.

Printing services are provided via a spooling server which is capable of receiving and storing one or more print jobs from a print job source via a network. A printer polling device is provided which is capable of polling the spooling server via the network to identify a print job associated with the printer polling device which described by the document US6859832.

According to the document US6897974, there is provided a printing system comprising storage means in a client computer for storing a client service item file which comprises a set of user selectable service items, each service item comprising a set of printing attributes; wherein said client service item file is updated in accordance to communication with an external apparatus; and a client computer user interface by means of which a user can select a particular one of said service items having a particular set of printing attributes; and a client computer print process driver adapted to process a print job according to said particular set of printing attributes.

The document US2003112464 says the a remote printing system comprising: a job sending component arranged to transmit a print job comprising one or more print files and an indicator of one or more job receivers to a remote printing server; a remote printing server arranged to receive print jobs from one or more job sending components and to store said print jobs, and said server being arranged to receive notification of acceptance of at least a portion of a print job from one or more of said one or more job receivers and a job receiving associated with a job receiver, said job receiving component being arranged to receive any of said at least portions of print jobs accepted by said associated job receiver and to transmit said accepted portions to a printer for printing.

According to the document US2003231339, a remote printing service method using a remote printing server for receiving registration of printing subject data to be printed from a communication terminal operated by a user for printing the printing subject data from a predetermined printing terminal distributed and installed in a wide area, wherein a data format converting section converts the data format of the printing subject data to the data format handled by the remote printing server, and a communication section transmits the printing subject data after the conversion and requires the registration in the communication terminal, and a printing output section executes the printing output according to the data format handled by the remote printing server in the printing terminal.

These problems have typically been solved in the past by one of the following methods:

1. The document is e-mailed or otherwise transferred over a network to a computer already configured to print to the desired printer;

2. A portable computer is connected directly to the printer via a cable or infra-red, bypassing many of the difficulties of configuring the computer to print to a network computer;

3. A portable printer is transported to the desired location; or

4. The document is faxed to a fax machine.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful printing system in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a remote printing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to facilitate remote printing of documents via a printer, which may be communicatively coupled to the Internet. Further this invention which relates to system that does not have a driver also can print documents and images too. Further this invention also relates to facilitates user to print any document/image from any other device which is not having printer driver over wired or wireless through other machine which has printer driver and is to a printer. Further this invention also relates to a remote print system in which when a plurality of computers connected to a network cause a printer connected to the network to execute printing. This invention also relates to a systems for providing printing services over a communications network.

Detailed description of the invention with accompanying drawings

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful printing system in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a remote printing system.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide a printing system that can stably transmit print data by a simple operation without deterioration in an image quality.

The other embodiment of the invention is to facilitate remote printing of documents via a printer, which may be communicatively coupled to the Internet.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide a remote printing system wherein said server is responsive to said indicator to notify said one or more job receivers of receipt of a print j ob.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide also to facilitates user to print any document/image from any other device which is not having printer driver over wired or wireless through other machine which has printer driver and is to a printer.

The other embodiment of the invention is to provide to a remote print system in which when a plurality of computers connected to a network cause a printer connected to the network to execute printing.

The other embodiment of the invention is that in which the print functionality could be limited based on the server machine that helps the device do the print job.

The other embodiment of the invention is that in which said network includes at least one of a local area network; a wide area network and the Internet.

The other embodiment of the invention is that no additional weight and still be able to avail printing services.

Remote printing system of the instant invention will help to print documents with the help of other devices/machines that have the driver and are available on the same network. This Remote printing system will help the devices discover the printers on the network and select a suitable printer to print remotely.

Most of the mobile/handheld devices cannot print because they do not come with printer driver. With advent of smart phones and Mobile internet device users can read and edit different kind of document/image on these devices and many times need a print out of the same. However since printing systems are not available, user ends up in copying/emailing the files to another machine which is connected to a printer with drivers.

This invention facilitates user to print any document/image from a mobile/handheld/any other device which is not having printer over wired or wireless through other machine which has printer driver and is to a printer.

The Drawing No. 1 shows that The diagram above depicts remote printing over the Internet. HTTP protocol would be used for communication between devices and Printing services to enable printer discovery and remote printing of file.

In Drawing No. 2 we see the device connecting to the server directly in a LAN using the HTTP.

The devices when given a print command from the application connect to Printer Discovery Service to get the list of available printers. Printer Discovery Service will send a list of printers on that it is connected to. The users will select appropriate printer and send the document for printing. The users will also select the printing parameters. The Printing service will set the parameters and send the document to targeted printer for printing. Once printing is completed successfully, the Printing service will send a confirmation to the device. The device notifies the user.

There are also the list of printers around a particular area will be provided; the user can then select one among them which is more convenient. A network service provider has kiosks at geographically spread areas in a city and the user is listed with the kiosks relative to his current location, the user can designate the prints to be taken at a kiosk which is near to him, and can collect his printouts at a later point providing the required proofs. Documents can be published for printing after printer selection and setting of the print parameters through printing service which will download file from the devices and send them for printing.

A remote printing system to print documents which comprises

a) a computer readable medium carrying program instructions for transferring a set of print target images from a server unit over a network

b) controlling a printing process;

c) a network device,

d) Communication section the print target file to a printer over the network

e) a remote printing server for receiving registration of printing subject data to be printed from a communication terminal operated by a user for printing the printing subject data

The advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjugation with accompanying drawings and these drawings are illustrative in explaining the constructional details of the system of the invention. Such drawings are shown in 1 to 2 sheets.

Advantages of the invention:

There are two ways in which the remote printing system can works. First one is based on proximity in which look up all the printers in the Local Network and for which the machine has drivers and publish the printer details to the device. The user then selects a suitable printer from the device and targets the print job.

Another is location based services in which the server provides the details of the printers which are near by, so that the device can route the print to the selected printer out of the listed printers. The location based services helps in getting this information from the Server (GPS).

Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1) A remote printing system to print documents which comprises :

a) a computer readable medium carrying program instructions for transferring a set of print target images from a server unit over a network

b) controlling a printing process;

c) a network device,

d) Communication section the print target file to a printer over the network

e) a remote printing server for receiving registration of printing subject data to be printed from a communication terminal operated by a user for printing the printing subject data

2) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 where in a printing system that can stably transmit print data by a simple operation without deterioration in an image quality. (It can be any type of document not only images)

3) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said system facilitate remote printing of documents via a printer, which may be communicatively coupled to the Internet.

4) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 where in said server is responsive to said indicator to notify said one or more job receivers of receipt of a print job.

5) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 which facilitates the users to print any document/image from any other device which is not having printer driver over wired or wireless through other machine which has printer driver and is to a printer.

6) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 in which when a plurality of computers connected to a network cause a printer connected to the network to execute printing.

7) A remote printing system to print documents as claimed in claim 1 where in network includes at least one of a local area network; a wide area network and the Internet.

8) A remote printing system to print documents where in substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.