Client apparatus, print server, image forming apparatus, and print method of network print system including capability of storage of date and time of generation of print data and identification information associated therewith, and capability of deletion from storage of print data older than a predetermined time

摘要

A client apparatus includes a media reader/writer and a network I/F for data communication with a print data generation server, reads electronic data stored in the medium (step 218), transmits the same to the print data generation server and requests generation of print data (step 220). An identification number transmitted from the print data generation server in response to the electronic data is received through a data communication device (step 222), and stored in the medium (step 224). Using the identification number, the print data corresponding to the transmitted electronic data can be accessed.

主权项

1. A client apparatus used in a network print system including a print server having a function of generating, in response to reception of electronic data, print data for printing from the electronic data, and returning identification information corresponding to the electronic data to the source of transmission of the electronic data, comprising:
a data input/output device having a function of communicating with a portable data storage medium, configured to input/output data to/from the data storage medium rendered communicable; a data communication device realizing data communication to/from said print server through the network; an electronic data transmission device configured to read the electronic data stored in said data storage medium through said data input/output device and to transmit the electronic data to said print server through said data communication device; an identification information receiving device configured to receive the identification information corresponding to said electronic data transmitted in response to the electronic data transmitted from said electronic data transmitting device to said print server, from said print server through said data communication device and to store in said data storage medium through said data input/output device, an identification information transmitting device configured to read the identification information stored in said data storage medium through said data input/output device and to transmit to said print server through said data communication device; a print data presence/absence information receiving device configured to receive a piece of information indicating presence/absence of print data corresponding to the identification information returned in response to said identification information transmitted from said identification information transmitting device, from said print server; and an identification information deleting device configured to delete, based on the piece of information received by said print data presence/absence information receiving device, the identification information lacking corresponding print data from said data storage medium through said data input/output device.