Method and system for printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device

A method and system are provided for printing content according to print capabilities of a network of image forming apparatuses using a device. At least one image forming apparatus forming a network with the device is searched and a list is provided of at least one extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print template, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses. XHTML-Print data of content is created using an XHTML-Print template selected from the list of XHTML-Print templates and the created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus. The transmitted XHTML-Print data is analyzed and the content printed. Accordingly, printing is performed by supporting specific XHTML-Print templates for providing functions, differentiated according to types of image forming apparatus, as well as supporting limited XHTML-Print templates applicable to all image forming apparatuses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0044636, filed May 18, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing print functions. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing print functions differentiated according to print information about image forming apparatuses obtained by using a device such as a cellular phone.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional method of printing content (e.g., images) via an image forming apparatus (e.g., a photo printer) using a device such as a cellular phone, for example, a user selects whether extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print data is used, or whether images such as JPEG images are directly printed. The user also directly selects a printer paper size or an image size.

In another conventional method in which various layouts are supported, the user creates XHTML-Print data by directly selecting a template stored in the device (e.g., a cellular phone), and the created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to a printer and printed.

According to the development of mobile devices having Bluetooth and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) functions, a trend has developed whereby users demand various print functions, and manufacturers of image forming apparatuses manage a strategy for differentiating their products from products of other manufacturers according to user demand. However, since a large technological gap exists between manufacturers, specific manufacturers develop image forming apparatuses that can process simple XHTML-Print data supporting only basic layouts, while leading manufacturers develop image forming apparatuses that can process complex and difficult XHTML-Print data to provide various splendid or complex layouts.

Thus, even if mobile devices support conventional methods of printing, various layouts cannot be provided to users. In other words, even if an XHTML-Print interpreter provided by manufacturers of high performance image forming apparatuses for printing various layouts can support complex layouts using a plurality of tags, a sufficient function of the XHTML-Print interpreter cannot be provided to users. That is, since mobile device makers must support different levels of XHTML-Print data provided by image forming apparatus manufacturers, the mobile device manufacturers cannot help but create simple content using a commonly printable template level. Thus, users cannot sufficiently use a print function using XHTML-Print data. This results in the leading manufacturers of image forming apparatuses not being able to gain in product differentiation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device supporting specific extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print templates for providing functions differentiated according to types of image forming apparatuses, as well as supporting limited XHTML-Print templates applicable to all image forming apparatuses.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided of printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device. The method comprises searching at least one image forming apparatus forming a network with the device and providing a list of at least one extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print template, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched at least one image forming apparatus. The method further comprises creating XHTML-Print data of content using an XHTML-Print template selected from the list of at least one XHTML-Print template and transmitting the created XHTML-Print data to the selected image forming apparatus, and analyzing the transmitted XHTML-Print data and printing the content.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided for printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device. The system comprises the device searching at least one image forming apparatus forming a network, providing a list of at least one extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print template, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched at least one image forming apparatus, and creating XHTML-Print data of content using an XHTML-Print template selected from the list of at least one XHTML-Print template. The system further comprises an image forming apparatus analyzing XHTML-Print data transmitted from the device and printing the content.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers should be understood to refer to like elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The matters exemplified in this description are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed with reference to the accompanying figures. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The following description directed to an extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print document can also be applied to XHTML documents, and markup documents having other formats.

FIG. 1is a flowchart illustrating a method of printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, at least one image forming apparatus that forms a network with a device is searched, and a list of at least one extensible hyper text markup language (XHTML)-Print template, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses, is provided, step10.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating step10of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, a network environment between the device and the at least one image forming apparatus, and content to be transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus are determined, step30.

The network environment, for example, indicates a communication protocol between the device and the at least one image forming apparatus. The communication protocol may be a wired protocol, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, or a wireless protocol, such as a Bluetooth protocol or a Wireless USB (WUSB) protocol. A protocol from among the wired protocols and the wireless protocols is determined as the network environment. Content to be printed is also determined.

Next, image forming apparatuses corresponding to the determined network environment are searched, step32.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating step32of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, a response signal is requested from image forming apparatuses connected to the device using the network environment, step50. The response signal is a signal for recognizing each image forming apparatus connected to the device. If a wireless protocol is determined as the network environment protocol, a response signal is requested from image forming apparatuses connected to the device using the determined wireless protocol.

Next, response signals are received from the image forming apparatuses connected to the device, step52. If the image forming apparatuses connected to the device receive a response request signal, each of the image forming apparatuses connected to the device transmit a response signal to the device. In an exemplary implementation, the image forming apparatuses connected to the device transmit their identification (ID) information with the response signal to the device. The ID information contains an image forming apparatus manufacturer's name or a product name. The image forming apparatuses that have transmitted a response signal are recognized as the searched image forming apparatuses.

Referring back toFIG. 2, a list of XHTML-Print templates that can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses is displayed, step34.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating step34of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4, a list of the searched image forming apparatuses is displayed, step70. A list of the image forming apparatuses that have transmitted a response signal is displayed on the device.

Next, an ID number of an image forming apparatus selected from the displayed list is extracted, step72. If a user selects a specific image forming apparatus from the displayed list, ID information transmitted with the response signal is extracted from the selected specific image forming apparatus. If the ID information transmitted with the response signal is a manufacturer's name or a product name, the ID information is compared to ID information corresponding to image forming apparatuses, which is stored in the device, and as a result of the comparison, ID information of an image forming apparatus that is managed by the device is extracted.

Next, a list of XHTML-Print templates corresponding to the extracted ID information is displayed, step74. Types of XHTML-Print templates that can be processed by image forming apparatuses differ according to the image forming apparatuses. Thus, a list of XHTML-Print templates that can be processed by the image forming apparatus selected by the user is displayed to the user.

Referring back toFIG. 1, XHTML-Print data of content is created using an XHTML-Print template selected from the displayed XHTML-Print template list, and the created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus, step12. The user selects an XHTML-Print template to be printed from the displayed XHTML-Print template list and inputs option values to be used for the selected XHTML-Print template. The option values are, for example, a print paper size and an image size. XHTML-Print data of content to be printed is created using the XHTML-Print template and option value selected by the user. The created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus selected by the user.

Next, the image forming apparatus selected by the user analyzes the XHTML-Print data transmitted from the device and prints the content, step14.

FIG. 5is a signaling diagram for explaining an information exchange between a device and an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, the device selects a network environment protocol, that is, a communication protocol, step510, and content to be printed, step515. The device requests a response signal from printers connected thereto through the network environment, step520. The printers, which have received the request, read printer information, for example, ID information of the printers, to be transmitted to the device, step525. The printers transmit the read ID information with response signals to the device, step530. The device displays a list of the printers from which the response signals are received, step535. A user then selects a printer to be used for printing from the displayed printer list. The device extracts ID information of the printer selected by the user, step540, extracts a list of XHTML-Print templates corresponding to the extracted ID information, step545, and displays the extracted XHTML-Print template list, step550. When the user selects one of the displayed XHTML-Print templates, step555, and selects option values, step560, the device creates XHTML-Print data corresponding to the selected XHTML-Print template and option values, step565. The device transmits the created XHTML-Print data to the selected printer, step570. The selected printer analyzes the received XHTML-Print data and creates rendering data using XHTML-Print interpreter, step575), and prints the analyzed XHTML-Print data using a print engine, step580.

FIGS. 6A through 6Fillustrate dialog boxes displayed by the device while performing the method described in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6Aillustrates a dialog box for selecting a communication protocol to be used between the device and the image forming apparatuses,FIG. 6Billustrates a dialog box for selecting content to be printed using an image forming apparatus,FIG. 6Cillustrates a dialog box in which a list of searched image forming apparatuses is displayed,FIG. 6Dillustrates ID information of image forming apparatuses, which is stored in the device in order to extract ID information of an image forming apparatus selected by the user,FIG. 6Eillustrates a dialog box for selecting an XHTML-Print template from a list of XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by the selected image forming apparatus, andFIG. 6Fillustrates a displayed list of the XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by the selected image forming apparatus. The XHTML-Print templates illustrated inFIG. 6Fare classified according to manufacturers. Since the user can view XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by the selected image forming apparatus, the user can select an XHTML-Print template as desired. When the user selects a specific XHTML-Print template from the XHTML-Print template list illustrated inFIG. 6F, XHTML-Print data is created using the selected specific XHTML-Print template. When the created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus, the selected image forming apparatus analyzes and prints the received XHTML-Print data.

FIGS. 7A through 7Eillustrate dialog boxes displayed by the device while performing the method described in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. SinceFIGS. 7A through 7Care the same asFIGS. 6A through 6C, a detailed description ofFIGS. 7A through 7Cis omitted.FIG. 7Dillustrates a dialog box for selecting an XHTML-Print template from a list of XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by the selected image forming apparatus, andFIG. 7Eillustrates a displayed list of the XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by the selected image forming apparatus. UnlikeFIG. 6E,FIG. 7Dillustrates a different method of selecting an XHTML-Print template. That is, since the XHTML-Print template list displayed inFIG. 7Eis hierarchically classified, to select a desired XHTML-Print template from among the XHTML-Print templates of the hierarchically structured list, an XHTML-Print template selection menu arranged by “Theme” and “Frame” is provided. When the user selects a specific XHTML-Print template from the XHTML-Print template list illustrated inFIG. 7E, XHTML-Print data is created using the selected specific XHTML-Print template. When the created XHTML-Print data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus, the selected image forming apparatus analyzes and prints the received XHTML-Print data.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be written as computer-readable code/instructions/programs and can be implemented in digital computers that execute the code/instructions/programs using a computer readable medium. Examples of a computer readable medium include magnetic storage media (for example, ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, among others), random-access memory (RAM), optical recording media for example, CD-ROMs, or DVDs), and storage media such as carrier waves (for example, transmission through the Internet). The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code/instructions/programs is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Further, functional programs, code, and code segments for accomplishing the present invention can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

FIG. 8is a block diagram of a system for printing content according to print capabilities of image forming apparatuses using a device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8, the system includes a device100, a first image forming apparatus200, a second image forming apparatus300, and a third image forming apparatus400.

The device100searches at least one image forming apparatus200,300, and400which form a network, provides a list of at least one XHTML-Print template, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected from among the searched image forming apparatuses200,300, and400, and creates XHTML-Print data using a selected XHTML-Print template. The device100includes a user interface unit110, a search unit120, a template list provider130, a communication interface unit140, an ID information storage unit150, an XHTML-Print template storage unit160, and an XHTML-Print data creator170.

The user interface unit110determines a network environment between the device100and the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400, determines content to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus200,300, or400, and outputs the determination result to the search unit120. In particular, the user interface unit110determines a communication protocol between the device100and the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400as the network environment protocol.

The search unit120searches the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400corresponding to the network environment determined through the user interface unit110. The search unit120requests a response signal from the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400connected to the device100via the network environment, receives response signals from the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400, and outputs the received response signals to the template list provider130. The search unit120receives ID information of the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400with the response signals and also outputs the received ID information to the template list provider130. In an exemplary implementation, the ID information indicates an image forming apparatus manufacturer or a product name. The search unit120determines the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400, which have transmitted the response signals, as searched image forming apparatuses. The signal for requesting the response signal and the response signals are interfaced through the communication interface unit140.

The communication interface unit140interfaces a data exchange between the device100and the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400. In particular, the communication interface unit140interfaces the signal for requesting the response signal and the response signals of the search unit120and transmits XHTML-Print data created by the XHTML-Print data creator170to an image forming apparatus selected from among the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400.

The ID information storage unit150stores the ID information of the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400. In an exemplary implementation, the ID information is information managed in order that the device100can identify the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400. Table 1 illustrates an example of ID information of image forming apparatuses, which is stored in the ID information storage unit150.

As illustrated in Table 1, ID information of image forming apparatuses made by different manufacturers is stored.

The template list provider130displays a list of XHTML-Print templates, which can be processed by an image forming apparatus selected by the user, from among the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400searched by the search unit120, by referring to the ID information stored in the ID information storage unit150and XHTML-Print templates stored in the XHTML-Print template storage unit160.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of the template list provider130of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9, the template list provider130includes a first display unit600, an ID information extractor610, and a second display unit620.

The first display unit600displays a list of the searched image forming apparatuses200,300, and400and receives selection information about a specific image forming apparatus selected by the user.

The ID information extractor610extracts ID information of an image forming apparatus, which is selected from the list of the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400displayed by the first display unit600, from the ID information storage unit150and outputs the extraction result to the second display unit620.

The second display unit620displays a list of XHTML-Print templates corresponding to the extracted ID information by referring to the XHTML-Print templates stored in the XHTML-Print template storage unit160.

Referring back toFIG. 8, the XHTML-Print template storage unit160stores the XHTML-Print templates corresponding to the ID information of the image forming apparatuses200,300, and400and outputs an XHTML-Print template requested by the communication interface unit140to the XHTML-Print data creator170.

The XHTML-Print data creator170reads the XHTML-Print template selected from the displayed XHTML-Print template list stored in the XHTML-Print template storage unit160and creates XHTML-Print data of content using the read XHTML-Print template. If option values to be used for the selected XHTML-Print template are input through the user interface unit1110, the XHTML-Print data creator170creates XHTML-Print data corresponding to the input option values and outputs the created XHTML-Print data to the communication interface unit140. The communication interface unit140transmits the XHTML-Print data to the image forming apparatus selected from among the first, second, and third image forming apparatuses200,300, and400. When the first, second, and third image forming apparatuses200,300, and400receive the signal for requesting a response signal from the search unit120, each of the first, second, and third image forming apparatuses200,300, and400transmits a response signal with its ID information to the device100. The ID information transmitted by the first, second, and third image forming apparatuses200,300, and400may contain a manufacturer's name or product name.

One of the selected first, second, and third image forming apparatuses200,300, and400analyzes the XHTML-Print data transmitted from the device100and prints the content.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by supporting specific XHTML-Print templates for providing functions differentiated according to types of image forming apparatuses as well as supporting limited XHTML-Print templates applicable to all image forming apparatuses (for example, printers and multi-function peripherals (MFPs)), more layouts desired by a user can be printed, and manufacturers of image forming apparatuses can appeal to customers based on the excellence of their XHTML-Print Interpreters.