JP2002358180A - Network printing system, proxy server, client terminal, program for server and program for client - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability and manageability by automating the install work of a printer driver, update, and a work such as the deletion of any unnecessary drivers, and to improve operability by allowing a server to vicariouly perform printing processing. SOLUTION: A proxy server 1 automatically recognizes the connection of a network printer 3, and acquires and performs a corresponding proxy 4 from a data server 2, and distributes the proxy to a client terminal 5. The client terminal 5 requests the proxy server 4 to vicariously perform printing processing by using the acquired proxy 4 when printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network environment for using a network printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When using a network printer, a user manually installs a driver corresponding to the printer in a client terminal for printing in advance, and performs processing necessary for printing in the terminal. In such a conventional printing system, it is necessary to install a driver for each new network printer. When the driver was updated, it was necessary to install it again.

Since the installed driver continues to exist regardless of whether the network printer can be used, it is not known whether the network printer can be used just because the driver exists. Furthermore, since the driver that is no longer needed must be manually deleted by the user, there is a problem that the efficiency is low in terms of management and resources of the client terminal.

[0004] In print processing, a client terminal that performs printing requires a certain level of processing capability. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the printing process with a small portable terminal or the like having a low processing capability using the conventional technology.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for connecting a network printer to a network.
It is intended that the network printer can be used immediately from a client terminal. Furthermore, the purpose is to automatically delete unnecessary proxies.

Another object of the present invention is to update the proxy only on the data server and reflect the update on all client terminals. It is another object of the present invention to allow a client terminal having a low processing capability to perform print processing.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems [Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, a network printing system according to invention 1 performs a network printer and a process necessary for printing on behalf of a proxy server. And a data server that holds the proxy, a proxy server that manages the proxy, and a client terminal that performs printing.

With such a configuration, a printing process can be performed by acquiring an appropriate proxy and executing the proxy server without installing a driver. [Invention 2] Further, in the network printing system of Invention 2, the network printing system of Invention 1, wherein when the client terminal performs printing, the client terminal inquires of the proxy server about a proxy corresponding to an available network printer. And automatically acquiring the proxy.

With this configuration, a proxy for a network printer that can be currently used by the client terminal is automatically acquired. Specifically, first, the proxy server automatically recognizes the network printer connected to the network, acquires and executes the corresponding proxy from the data server, and prepares for an inquiry from the client. When printing, the client terminal makes an inquiry to the proxy server, and automatically obtains and executes the proxy from there to perform the printing process. With this configuration, the user does not need to manually install the driver in the client terminal, and the printing process can be performed immediately just by connecting the network printer to the network. [Invention 3] Further, in the network printing system of Invention 3, in the network printing system of Invention 1, the client terminal causes the proxy server to perform print processing using the proxy, instead of the proxy server. .

With such a configuration, print processing can be performed even in a client terminal having a low processing capability. [Invention 4] The network printing system of Invention 4 is characterized in that, in the network printing system of Invention 1, the client terminal deletes the used proxy after printing is completed.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary proxy or a proxy for an unusable network printer from being left installed, and to save hardware resources. [Invention 5] The network printing system of invention 5 is characterized in that, in the network printing system of invention 1, the proxy server acquires a necessary proxy from the data server.

With such a configuration, when updating the proxy, the updated proxy can be provided to all users only by updating the data on the data server, and the management aspect is improved. be able to. [Invention 6] Further, in the network printing system of Invention 6, in the network printing system of Invention 1, the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer connected to the network and acquires a proxy corresponding to the network printer. It is characterized by.

With such a configuration, the client terminal can be prepared to perform a printing process without knowing that a new network printer is connected. [Invention 7] Further, in the network printing system according to Invention 7, in the network printing system according to Invention 1, the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer disconnected from the network and identifies a proxy corresponding to the disconnected network printer. It is characterized by being deleted.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a proxy for an unusable network printer from being left installed, and to save hardware resources. [Invention 8] Further, the network printing system according to Invention 8 includes a network printer, a print processing proxy unit, a print processing request unit, a proxy registration unit, and a proxy deletion unit, and performs processing necessary for printing by a proxy server. A proxy composed of a group of applications for performing the proxy, a data server holding the proxy, a proxy server managing the proxy,
And a client terminal for printing.

With such a configuration, a printing process can be performed by acquiring an appropriate proxy and executing the proxy server without installing a driver. [Invention 9] In the network printing system of Invention 9, the print processing request means corresponding to a network printer usable for the proxy server when the client terminal performs printing in the network printing system of Invention 8. And automatically obtains the print processing requesting means.

With such a configuration, the client terminal automatically acquires a print processing requesting means for a network printer which can be currently used. In particular,
First, the proxy server automatically recognizes the network printer connected to the network, acquires and executes the corresponding proxy from the data server, and prepares for an inquiry from the client. When printing, the client terminal makes an inquiry to the proxy server, and automatically obtains and executes a print processing requesting unit from the inquiry, thereby performing the print processing. With this configuration, the user does not need to manually install the driver in the client terminal, and the printing process can be performed immediately just by connecting the network printer to the network. [Invention 10] The network printing system according to Invention 10 is the network printing system according to Invention 8, wherein the client terminal uses the print processing requesting means to perform print processing on behalf of the proxy server. It is characterized by becoming.

With such a configuration, print processing can be performed even in a client terminal having a low processing capability. [Invention 11] The network printing system according to invention 11 is characterized in that, in the network printing system according to invention 8, the client terminal deletes the used print processing request unit after printing is completed. .

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent unnecessary print processing requesting means and print processing requesting means for an unusable network printer from being left installed, thereby saving hardware resources. Can be planned. [Invention 12] The network printing system of Invention 12 is characterized in that, in the network printing system of Invention 8, the proxy server acquires necessary print processing request means from the data server.

With such a configuration, when updating the proxy, the updated proxy can be provided to all users simply by updating it on the data server, and the management aspect is improved. be able to. [Invention 13] In the network printing system of invention 13, the proxy server according to the invention 8 automatically recognizes a network printer connected to the network,
A print processing requesting means corresponding to the network printer is obtained.

With such a configuration, the client terminal can be prepared to perform a printing process without knowing that a new network printer is connected. [Invention 14] Further, the network printing system of Invention 14 is characterized in that in the network printing system of Invention 13, the print processing requesting means is obtained only after receiving a print request from the user of the client terminal. Features.

With this configuration, when a print request is received from the user of the client terminal, a print processing requesting unit is obtained. [Invention 15] The network printing system according to Invention 15, wherein in the network printing system according to Invention 8, the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer disconnected from the network, and performs a printing process corresponding to the disconnected network printer. It is characterized in that the request means is deleted.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a print processing requesting means for an unusable network printer from being left installed, and to save hardware resources. [Invention 16] The network printing system of Invention 16 is characterized in that, in the network printing system of Invention 15, the print processing requesting means is deleted as soon as the client terminal finishes the print processing. I do.

With such a configuration, when the client terminal ends the print processing, the print processing requesting means is deleted. [Invention 17] Further, the network printing system of Invention 17 is the network printing system of Invention 8, wherein the print processing proxy means generates the print processing request means for each network printer. Features.

With this configuration, the print processing requesting means is generated by the print processing proxy means for each network printer. [Invention 18] Further, the network printing system of Invention 18 communicatively connects a client terminal, a network printer, and a proxy server, receives a print request from the client terminal, and causes the proxy server to A first program data for causing the client terminal to execute processing realized as print processing requesting means for requesting the proxy server to perform printing processing on behalf of the proxy server; And a proxy server for storing proxy program data including second program data for causing said proxy server to execute processing realized as print processing proxy means for proxying printing by said network printer in response to a request from processing request means. Proxy program de The proxy server, when receiving a print request from the client terminal, acquires the proxy program data from the proxy program data storage means, and stores the first program in the acquired proxy program data. Data is transmitted to the client terminal, and the print processing proxy unit is configured based on the second program data among the acquired proxy program data, and the client terminal receives the first program data. Then, the print processing requesting means is configured based on the received first program data.

With this configuration, when the proxy server receives a print request from a client terminal,
Proxy program data is acquired from the proxy program data storage unit, and a print processing proxy unit is configured based on the second program data of the acquired proxy program data. Then, along with this, the first program data of the acquired proxy program data is transmitted to the client terminal.

When the client terminal receives the first program data, a print processing requesting unit is configured based on the received first program data. Here, the proxy program data storage means stores proxy program data by any means and at any time, and may store proxy program data in advance, or may store proxy program data in advance. Alternatively, the proxy program data may be stored by an external input or the like during the operation of the present apparatus. [Invention 19] The network printing system of Invention 19 is the network printing system of Invention 18, wherein the first program data is:
The client implements the print processing requesting means, the proxy program data registering means comprising the print processing requesting means at the client terminal, and the proxy program data deleting means for deleting the print processing requesting means from the client terminal. The program data to be executed by the terminal, the client terminal, when receiving the first program data,
The proxy program data registration unit is configured based on the received first program data, and when printing by the network printer is completed, the proxy program data deletion unit is configured based on the received first program data. It is characterized by having become.

With such a configuration, when the client terminal receives the first program data, the proxy program data registration means is configured based on the received first program data. Therefore, the print processing request unit is configured by the client terminal by the proxy program data registration unit. On the other hand, when printing by the network printer is completed, a proxy program data deleting unit is configured based on the received first program data. Therefore, the print processing requesting unit is deleted from the client terminal by the proxy program data deleting unit. [Invention 20] In the network printing system according to any one of inventions 18 and 19, the network printing system according to any one of inventions 18 and 19, wherein a plurality of the client terminals are communicably connected, and the proxy program data storage means includes The proxy program data is stored for each terminal, and the proxy server, when receiving a print request from the client terminal, stores the proxy program data corresponding to the client terminal in the proxy program data storage unit. The feature is that it is obtained from.

With this configuration, when the proxy server receives a print request from a client terminal,
Proxy program data corresponding to the client terminal is obtained from the proxy program data storage. [Invention 21] In the network printing system of Invention 21, in the network printing system of Invention 20, a plurality of network printers are communicably connected, and the print processing proxy unit performs the print processing for each network printer. A request means is generated.

With such a configuration, the print processing requesting means is generated for each network printer by the print processing proxy means. [Invention 22] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The second proxy server is a server applied to the network printing system of the eighteenth aspect, and when receiving a print request from the client terminal, acquires the proxy program data from the proxy program data storage unit and acquires the acquired proxy program data. The first program data of the proxy program data is transmitted to the client terminal, and the print processing proxy unit is configured based on the second program data of the acquired proxy program data. I do.

With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the proxy server in the network printing system according to Aspect 18 is attained. [Invention 23] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The client terminal of the third aspect is a terminal applied to the network printing system of the eighteenth aspect, wherein
When the program data is received, the print processing request unit is configured based on the received first program data.

With such a configuration, an operation equivalent to that of the client terminal in the network printing system according to Aspect 18 is attained. [Invention 24] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The server program according to the fourth aspect is a program for causing the proxy server according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention to be executed by a computer. When a print request from the client terminal is received, the proxy program data is stored in the proxy program data storage unit. Acquiring, transmitting the first program data of the acquired proxy program data to the client terminal, and causing the client terminal to execute a process configuring the print processing proxy unit based on the second program data of the acquired proxy program data The program is characterized by the following.

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the proxy server and the proxy server executes processing in accordance with the read program, an operation equivalent to that of the proxy server of the twenty-second aspect is obtained. [Invention 25] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, Invention 2
The client program according to the fifth aspect is a program for causing a client terminal according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention to be executed by a client terminal. When the first program data is received, the print processing requesting means is executed based on the received first program data. Is a program for executing the processing constituting

With such a configuration, when the program is read by the proxy server and the proxy server executes the processing in accordance with the read program, an operation equivalent to that of the client terminal in Aspect 23 is obtained.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the network printing system in this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 1, the network printing system includes:
It comprises a proxy server 1, a data server 2 holding a proxy 4, a network printer 3, a proxy 4, and a client terminal 5.

The proxy server 1 automatically recognizes the network printer 3 connected to the network, obtains and executes a proxy 4 corresponding to the network printer 3 from the data server 2, and provides the proxy 4 to the client terminal 5. And a function for automatically recognizing the network printer 3 disconnected from the network, terminating the proxy 4 executed for the network printer 3, and deleting the proxy.

The proxy 4 allows the proxy server 1 to perform processing necessary for printing on behalf of the proxy server 1 without performing the processing in the client terminal 5 that performs printing. Client terminal 5
Is a terminal used when a user performs printing, a function for making an inquiry to the proxy server 1 and automatically acquiring and executing a proxy 4 for the currently available network printer 3, and upon completion of the printing process, Proxy 4
Is provided with a client application 5a having a function of deleting a.

Each component of the proxy server 1, the data server 2, the network printer 3, and the client terminal 5 is connected to each other by a network.
The proxy 4 is a group of applications for performing processing associated with printing on the proxy server 1 in place of the client terminal 5 operated by a user who performs printing, and is initially stored on the data server 2.

The proxy server 1 includes a proxy management unit 1
a, proxy acquisition unit 1b, and device management unit 1c
And client management means 1d.
The proxy management unit 1a receives a notification from the device management unit 1c that the network printer 3 has been connected to the network, and in response to this notification, sends the proxy 4 corresponding to the model of the connected network printer 3 to the proxy acquisition unit 1b. Is executed from the data server 2 and is executed for the network printer 3 disconnected by receiving a notification from the device management unit 1c that the network printer 3 has been disconnected from the network. Terminate Proxy 4 and Proxy 4
Is to be deleted. What is notified from the device management means 1c when the network printer 3 is connected or deleted is a device ID for uniquely identifying the model of the network printer 3. This ID is transmitted periodically while the network printer 3 is connected to the network. With this ID, the proxy 4 corresponding to the network printer 3 is also uniquely identified.

The proxy acquiring unit 1b is for receiving the device ID from the proxy managing unit 1a and acquiring the corresponding proxy 4 from the data server 2 based on the device ID. The device management means 1c receives the ID periodically transmitted from the network printer 3, and if the received ID is the first received ID, determines that the network printer 3 of the new model is connected to the network,
A function of notifying the ID to the proxy management means 1a, and
When the already received ID is received again, the corresponding proxy 4 is already acquired and executed,
If the function of notifying D to the corresponding proxy 4 and a certain ID is not transmitted even after a certain period of time, it is determined that all the network printers 3 of the model corresponding to the ID have been disconnected from the network, The ID is notified to the proxy management means 1a.

The client management means 1d transmits the currently executed proxy 4 to the client terminal 5 by receiving an inquiry from the client terminal 5. The data server 2 includes a data distribution unit 2a,
And a storage means 2b.

The data distribution means 2a receives the device ID from the proxy acquisition means 1b, retrieves the corresponding proxy 4 from the storage means 2b, and if found, transmits it to the proxy acquisition means 1b. It is. The storage unit 2b holds a proxy 4 for each device ID.

The network printer 3 comprises a network connection means 3a and a printing means 3b.
The network connection means 3a keeps transmitting the device ID periodically while connecting to the network, and notifies the proxy server 1 that the device ID is available.

The printing means 3b receives print data from the proxy 4 operating on the proxy server 1 and performs printing. The proxy 4 is a print processing agent 4
a, print processing requesting means 4b, and proxy registration means 4c
And proxy deletion means 4d. The print processing substitute means 4a is a main program in the proxy 4, and when the proxy management means 1a is activated and terminated, the print processing substitute means 4a is activated and terminated. When receiving the device ID from the device management unit 1c, the print processing proxy unit 4a
The network printer 3 that has transmitted D is uniquely identified by the IP address. If the received IP address is the first received IP address, a print processing request unit 4b corresponding to the IP address is created, and the proxy registration unit 4c is activated. Things. The print processing proxy unit 4a further performs print processing on behalf of the client terminal 5 in response to a print processing request from the client terminal 5. Data to be printed is obtained from the print processing requesting means 4b executed in the client terminal 5, converted into print data to be transmitted to the network printer 3 if necessary, and transmitted. The print processing proxy unit 4a activates the proxy deletion unit 4d at the time of further termination.

The print processing request means 4b is created by the print processing proxy means 4a for each network printer 3, and transmitted to the client terminal 5 by the client management means 1d. Further, the print processing requesting means 4b, which is activated by the client application 5a of the client terminal 5, transmits data to be printed to the print processing proxy means 4a, and requests the corresponding network printer 3 for print processing. is there. The print processing requesting unit 4b further holds information on the network printer 3 (printer name, printer performance, etc.), and provides the information on the network printer 3 to the user using the client terminal 5. It is used for

The proxy registration means 4c is started by the print processing proxy means 4a, and registers the print processing request means 4b in the client management means 1d.
As a result, the client management unit 1d can transmit the print processing request unit 4b to the client terminal 5. The proxy deletion unit 4d deletes the print processing request unit 4b from the client management unit 1d.

The client terminal 5 has a client application 5a installed. The client application 5a makes an inquiry to the client management unit 1d operating on the proxy server 1, and obtains the print processing requesting unit 4b for the network printer 3 that is currently available. The information of the associated network printer 3 is acquired from the acquired print processing requesting means 4b, the user is allowed to select which network printer 3 to use, and the corresponding print processing requesting means 4b is activated to perform printing. Perform processing.
Upon completion of the print processing, the received print processing requesting means 4
Delete all b.

Hereinafter, the initialization processing of the network printer 3 in this network system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the network printer 3 is connected to the network, the processing shown in FIG. 2 starts, and the network printer 3 starts periodic transmission of the device ID (step 101).

Device management means 1c of proxy server 1
Receives the device ID, if the ID is the first one received, it notifies the proxy management unit 1a of the ID (step 102). Proxy management means 1a
Notifies the notified ID to the proxy acquisition unit 1b,
Request acquisition of the proxy 4 corresponding to the ID (step 103). The proxy acquisition unit 1b transmits the notified ID to the data distribution unit 2a of the data server 2, and tries to acquire the proxy 4 (Step 104). The data distribution unit 2a searches the proxy 4 corresponding to the ID received from the storage unit 2b (step 201) (step 20).
2) If found, the proxy 4 is transmitted to the proxy acquisition unit 1b (step 203). The proxy processing means 4a of the proxy 4 thus obtained is executed by the proxy management means 1a (step 105).
Next, when the device management unit 1c receives the received ID again, the device management unit 1c notifies the currently executed print processing proxy unit 4a corresponding to the ID (step 1).
02). The print processing proxy unit 4a determines the network printer 3 that has transmitted the ID based on its IP address. The registration is performed in the client management unit 1d by the registration unit 4c (step 107). The client management means 1d waits for an inquiry about the network printer 3 from the client terminal 5 (step 108).

Next, the printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The printing process starts by executing the client application 5a on the client terminal 5 (step 301). The client application 5a sends the network printer 3 to the client management unit 1d on the proxy server 1.
And an attempt is made to acquire the print processing requesting means 4b of the proxy 4 (step 302). If found, the information (printer name, printer performance, etc.) of the network printer 3 is obtained from the print processing requesting means 4b and listed (step 303), and the user is asked to select which network printer 3 to use. Prompt (Step 3
04). The print processing requesting means 4b for the selected network printer 3 is executed, the data to be printed is transmitted to the print processing proxy means 4a on the proxy server 1, and a print processing is requested (step 305). The print processing proxy unit 4a on the proxy server 1 receives the data to be printed,
If necessary, the print data is converted into print data that can be interpreted by the network printer 3, and then the print data is transmitted to the corresponding network printer 3 (step 306). The printing unit 3b of the network printer 3 receives the print data and performs printing (Step 307). After the end of the printing process, the client application 5a deletes all the acquired printing process requesting means 4b (Step 308).

Next, network printer deletion processing is performed.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the network printer 3 is disconnected from the network, a network printer deletion process starts (step 401). Device management means 1 on proxy server 1
c recognizes that the ID is no longer transmitted,
D is notified to the proxy management means 1a (step 40).
2). The proxy management unit 1a ends the print processing proxy unit 4a corresponding to the notified ID (step 40).
3).

At the end of the processing, the print processing proxy means 4a calls the proxy deletion means 4d (step 404), and deletes the print processing request means 4b from the client management means 1d (step 405). Thereafter, the proxy management unit 1a deletes the proxy 4 (Step 406).
In the above embodiment, the proxy 4 corresponds to the inventions 18 and 2
The proxy registration unit 4c corresponds to the proxy program data of 0, 22, or 24, and the proxy registration unit 4c corresponds to the proxy program data registration unit of the nineteenth aspect, and the proxy deletion unit 4d.
Corresponds to the proxy program data deleting means of the nineteenth aspect. Further, the data server 2 is the same as the inventions 18 and 2
0, 22 or 24 proxy program data storage means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network printing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process when initializing a network printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process regarding acquisition of a proxy according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process during printing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process when deleting a network printer according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Proxy server 1a Proxy management means 1b Proxy acquisition means 1c Device management means 1d Client management means 2 Data server 2a Data distribution means 2b Storage means 3 Network printer 3a Network connection means 3b Printing means 4 Proxy 4a Print processing proxy means 4b Print processing request Means 4c Proxy registration means 4d Proxy deletion means 5 Client terminal 5a Client application

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A network printer, a proxy including a group of applications for performing processing required for printing on behalf of a proxy server, a data server holding the proxy, and managing the proxy A network printing system, comprising: a proxy server; and a client terminal that performs printing. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the client terminal performs printing, the client terminal inquires the proxy server of a proxy corresponding to an available network printer, and automatically acquires the proxy. Characterized network printing system. 3. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein the client terminal causes the proxy server to perform a printing process using the proxy. 4. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein the client terminal deletes the used proxy after printing is completed. 5. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein the proxy server acquires a necessary proxy from the data server. 6. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer connected to a network and acquires a proxy corresponding to the network printer. 7. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer disconnected from the network, and deletes a proxy corresponding to the disconnected network printer. 8. An application that has a network printer, a print processing proxy unit, a print processing request unit, a proxy registration unit, and a proxy deletion unit, and allows a proxy server to perform processing required for printing on behalf of the network server. A network printing system, comprising: a group of proxies; a data server that holds the proxies; a proxy server that manages the proxies; and a client terminal that performs printing. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein when the client terminal performs printing, the client terminal inquires of the proxy server about a print processing request unit corresponding to an available network printer, and automatically prints the print processing request unit. A network printing system characterized in that the network printing is obtained. 10. The network printing system according to claim 8, wherein said client terminal causes said proxy server to perform print processing using said print processing request means. 11. The network printing system according to claim 8, wherein the client terminal deletes the used print processing request unit after printing is completed. 12. The network printing system according to claim 8, wherein the proxy server acquires necessary print processing request means from the data server. 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer connected to a network and acquires a print processing request unit corresponding to the network printer. Network printing system. 14. The network printing system according to claim 13, wherein the print processing request unit is acquired only after receiving a print request from a user of the client terminal. 15. The network printing method according to claim 8, wherein the proxy server automatically recognizes a network printer disconnected from the network, and deletes a print processing request unit corresponding to the disconnected network printer. system. 16. The network printing system according to claim 15, wherein the print processing request unit is deleted as soon as the client terminal finishes the print processing. 17. The network printing system according to claim 8, wherein the print processing proxy unit generates the print processing request unit for each network printer. 18. A system in which a client terminal, a network printer, and a proxy server are communicably connected to each other, and the proxy server receives a print request from the client terminal and performs proxy printing on the network printer. First program data for causing the client terminal to execute processing realized as print processing requesting means for requesting the proxy server to perform print processing,
Proxy program data including second program data for causing the proxy server to execute a process realized as a print processing proxy unit that performs printing by the network printer in response to a request from the print process request unit is stored. The proxy server, when receiving a print request from the client terminal, obtains the proxy program data from the proxy program data storage unit, among the obtained proxy program data The first
The program data is transmitted to the client terminal, and the print processing proxy unit is configured based on the second program data in the acquired proxy program data, and the client terminal transmits the first program data. A network printing system configured to configure the print processing request unit based on the received first program data when the network program is received. 19. The printing method according to claim 18, wherein the first program data is the print processing request unit,
A proxy program data registration unit configured by the client terminal as the print processing request unit; and a proxy program data deletion unit configured to delete the print processing request unit from the client terminal. Program data, the client terminal, when receiving the first program data, configures the proxy program data registration unit based on the received first program data;
When printing by the network printer is completed,
A network printing system, wherein the proxy program data deleting means is configured based on the received first program data. 20. The client program according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of said client terminals are communicably connected, and said proxy program data storage means stores said proxy program data for each of said client terminals. Wherein the proxy server, when receiving a print request from the client terminal, acquires proxy program data corresponding to the client terminal from the proxy program data storage means. Network printing system. 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of network printers are communicably connected to each other, and wherein said print processing proxy means generates said print processing request means for each of said network printers. Characterized network printing system. 22. A server applied to the network printing system according to claim 18, wherein when a print request is received from the client terminal, the proxy program data is acquired from the proxy program data storage unit, and the acquisition is performed. Transmitting the first program data from the obtained proxy program data to the client terminal, and configuring the print processing proxy unit based on the second program data from the obtained proxy program data. And proxy server. 23. A terminal applied to the network printing system according to claim 18, wherein, when the first program data is received, the print processing request unit is configured based on the received first program data. A client terminal characterized in that: 24. A program for executing the proxy server according to claim 22, comprising a computer, wherein when receiving a print request from said client terminal, said proxy program data is stored in said proxy program data storage means. Acquiring, transmitting the first program data of the acquired proxy program data to the client terminal, and causing the client terminal to execute a process configuring the print processing proxy unit based on the second program data of the acquired proxy program data Server program characterized by being a program for the server. 25. A program for executing on a client terminal according to claim 23, comprising a computer, wherein, when the first program data is received, the print processing requesting means based on the received first program data. A program for a client, characterized by being a program for executing a process for configuring a client.